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INTRODUCTION
PALMING
TRICKS WITH COINS
TRICKS WITH COMMON OBJECTS
TRICKS WITH CUPS & BALLS
TRICKS WITH HANDKERCHIEFS
CHINESE TRICKS
TRICKS AT TABLE
TRICKS WITH CARDS
GENERAL REMARKS
THE TABLE & DRESS
SLEIGHTS & PROPERTIES FOR GENERAL USE
TRICKS WITH CARDS
TRICKS WITH HANDKERCHIEFS & GLOVES
TRICKS WITH COINS
MISCELLANEOUS
THE CORNUCOPIAN HAT
TRICKS WITH WATCHES & LIVE STOCK
SHAM MESMERISM, CLAIRVOYANCE, etc.
FINAL INSTRUCTIONS
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Mesmerising a Dove.--The apparent mesmerising of a dove makes, of
itself, a capital effect, leading the audience to pay high
respect to the necromantic powers of the conjuror. Also, it makes
an admirable introduction to the vanish. The bird is taken in the
right hand, outside the wings, and laid upon its back on the
front edge of the table, so that the head just projects over. The
beak is now taken in the left hand and the head turned backwards,
as far as it will go. "When held in that position for a few
moments, the hands may be removed, when the bird will lie
perfectly still. It will not always do this at the first, or even
the second, attempt, but perseverance will always be rewarded
with success. The performer must be as gentle as possible, and go
slowly to work. We need not stay to discuss the reason for the
singular phenomenon, it being sufficient for our purpose to know
that the bird will lie still when placed in the proper position.
The performer waves his hands over the bird, as though
mesmerising it, and then he may take one of the feet in his
fingers and actually raise the bird, by one of its legs,
completely off the table. This will require the greatest delicacy
and patience to accomplish, operations being discontinued the
instant the bird shows any signs of fluttering. Anything
approaching a jerk will rouse the bird, so the lift must be made
as gradual and as imperceptible as possible. The reader will,
doubtless, be able to appreciate the sensation that will be
caused when, the mesmerising accomplished, the bird immediately
afterwards vanishes from sight, no one knows whither.
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