,library of ,congress47                 
,transcriber's ,notes3  ,text enclosed  
by underscores is in italics 7italics74 
,the ,table of ,contents follows the    
body of the text4  ,additional          
,transcriber's ,notes are at the end4   
99       99       99       99       99  
,,physical ,,amusements ,,and           
,,diverting ,,experiments4              
,illustration     ,,physical            
,,amusements ,,and ,,diverting          
,,experiments4     ,,composed ,,and     
,,performed ,,in ,,different ,,capitals 
,,of ,,europe1 ,,and ,,in ,,london4     
,,by ,,signor ,,giuseppe ,,pinetti1 ,,de
 ,,wildalle1    ,,knight ,,of ,,the     
,,german ,,order ,,of ,,merit ,,of ,,st4
 ,,philip1 ,,professor ,,of             
,,mathematics ,,and ,,natural           
,,philosophy1 ,,pensioned ,,by ,,the    
,,court ,,of   ,,prussia1 ,,patronized  
,,by ,,all ,,the ,,royal ,,family ,,of  
,,france1 ,,aggregate ,,of   ,,the      
,,royal ,,academy ,,of ,,sciences ,,and 
,,belles ,,lettres ,,of ,,bordeaux1 ,c4 

,illustration    ,,london3 ,,printed    
,,in ,,the ,,year ,m ,,dcc ,,lxxxiv4    
,,preface4   ,the honour of performing  
several physical amusements before their
 ,britannic ,majesties and the ,royal   
,family1 was an event that flattered my 
ambition in the highest degree4 ,to     
obtain their suffrages1 and those of    
that part of this enlightened nation1   
before which ,i have repeated the same  
experiments and amusements at the       
,theatre ,royal1 ,hay-,market1 was the  
summit of my wishes4 ,having obtained   
these two desirable ends1 ,i blessed the
 moments ,i had devoted to the study of 
natural philosophy and mathematics2 to  
them ,i am indebted for these           
inestimable advantages4  ,some invidious
 hints insinuated relative to the means 
,i practised for performing these       
several experiments came to trouble the 
happiness ,i enjoyed4 ,the opportunities
 ,i had of demonstrating publicly the   
simplicity and fairness of the execution
 of my experiments1 which had appeared  

complicated to such a degree as to      
require a confederate1 have put me in   
the happy way of destroying those       
unfavourable impressions1 and of        
undeceiving those persons who honoured  
me with their presence2 their repeated  
applauses have been a very flattering   
testimony of their approbation of my    
endeavours to amuse the public4         
,several persons of the first rank      
having signified their wishes that ,i   
would publish some few easy means of    
amusing a company1 whether in town or in
 the country2 ,i could not refuse to    
comply with their desire3 this is the   
motive of this little publication4      
,being near my departure for ,france1 ,i
 shall trace hastily a few experiments1 
which will be as simple as they are     
entertaining1 and easy to be performed4 
,if amongst them there should be found1 
by chance1 some that are known1 or even 
printed1 ,i hope it will not be taken   
amiss1 nor ,i shall be looked upon as a 
plagiary4 ,unacquainted with this town1 

,i cannot be informed of all that exists
 in print3 besides1 as in this age the  
study of natural philosophy is so       
universal1 it cannot be in the least    
astonishing if some of the experiments  
resulting from that science were already
 known4 ,therefore ,i claim by          
anticipation the indulgence of those who
 read this work4 ,my only wish is to be 
so happy as to unite in this book the   
clearness and precision necessary to    
enable my readers to perform what is    
contained in each chapter4 ,my project  
on my return to this metropolis1 is to  
endeavour to obtain again the suffrages 
of the nation1 by performing some new   
experiments4 ,to reveal on this occasion
 those which ,i have performed till now1
 would be hurtful to my fortune3        
besides1 most of them require a great   
deal of mechanism and great             
preparations4 ,others depend on much    
dexterity and subtilty2 which are out of
 my power to give1 and out of a         
possibility to be communicated in       

writing4  ,if this feeble ,essay1 which 
,i have the honour of presenting to the 
public1 is favourably received1 ,i      
promise on my return1 and after ,i have 
merited their favour1 to publish the    
means ,i have used to execute all ,i    
have performed4         99       99     
99       99       99  ,illustration     
,,physical ,,amusements ,,and           
,,diverting ,,experiments4     ,,chap4  
,i4     ,curious ,method of restoring to
 ,life1 in two ,minutes1 a ,fly that has
   been drowned even twenty-four ,hours4
  ,this wonderful experiment1 like many 
others1 is produced by a very simple    
cause4 ,take a fly1 put it in a glass or
 cup full of water2 cover it so as to   
deprive the fly of air2 when you        
perceive it to be quite motionless1 you 
may take it out and put it on a place   
exposed to the sun1 and cover it with   
salt3 in two minutes it will revive and 
fly away4     ,,chap4 ,,ii4     ,to make
 a ,colour that will appear or disappear
 by ,means of the ,air4  ,take a        

smelling-bottle2 put in it some alkali  
volatile1 in which you have dissolved   
some copper filings3 this will produce a
 blue colour4 ,present then the         
smelling-bottle to one of the company1  
desiring him to stop it2 and1 to their  
great astonishment1 the colour will     
disappear as soon as the smelling-bottle
 is stopped3 you will make it easily    
re-appear by taking off the cork1 which 
will be not less surprising4     ,,chap4
 ,,iii4     ,a ,method of drawing a     
deformed ,figure1 which will appear well
   proportioned from a certain ,point of
 ,view4  ,draw any thing you may fancy  
on a thin white pasteboard2 then prick  
it2 afterwards put the same on an       
horizontal surface1 which we will       
suppose to be another pasteboard4 ,put a
 lighted candle behind that drawing1 and
 draw on the horizontal surface the     
lines given by the light3 this will give
 a deformed design4 ,this being done1   
take away the drawing that was pricked  
and the candle2 then place your eye     

where the light was1 and you will see   
your drawing assume a regular form4     
,,chap4 ,,iv4     ,to change the ,colour
 of a ,rose4  ,nothing more is wanting  
to change the colour of a rose1 whether 
it is on its stalk or not1 but to burn  
some sulphur under it2 which will make  
it turn white1 and it will not regain   
its primitive colour in less than two   
hours4     ,,chap4 ,v4     ,to render   
hideous the ,faces of all the ,company4 
,dissolve some salt and saffron in some 
spirits of wine2 dip a little tow in it 
and set fire to it4 ,at this light1     
those who are of a fair complexion will 
appear green1 and the red of the lips   
and cheeks turn to a deep olive colour4 
,,chap4 ,,vi4     ,method of ,engraving 
in ,relief on the ,shell of a new-laid  
,egg4  ,chuse an egg that has a thick   
shell2 wash it well in fresh water2 then
 dry it very carefully with a linen     
cloth2 this being done1 put some tallow 
or fat in a silver spoon2 then hold it  
on the fire2 when the fat is melted and 

very hot1 it will serve instead of ink  
for drawing with a new pen whatever you 
like4 ,this being finished1 you are to  
take the egg by the two ends between two
 fingers1 and then lay it gently in a   
tumbler filled with good white wine     
vinegar2 wherein1 after remaining for   
three hours and an half1 the acid of the
 vinegar will have eaten enough of the  
thickness of the shell2 and as it cannot
 have the same effect on those places   
that are covered with the fat1 all the  
drawing will have preserved its         
thickness1 and will form the relief that
 is wanted1 the operation sought for4   
,by this means one may draw on an egg a 
coat of arms1 a mosaic piece1 medallion1
 or any other design whatever4          
,,chap4 ,,vii4     ,how to shoot a      
,swallow flying1 with a ,gun loaded with
 ,powder1 as   usual2 and after1 to find
 ,means to bring it to life again4      
,load your gun with the usual charge of 
powder1 but instead of shot put half a  
charge of quicksilver2 prime and shoot3 

if your piece bears ever so little near 
the bird1 as it is not necessary to     
touch it1 the swallow will find itself  
stunned and benumbed to such a degree1  
as to fall to the ground in a fit4 ,as  
it will regain its senses in a few      
minutes1 you may make use of the time by
 saying1 that you are going to bring it 
to life again2 this will astonish       
greatly the company2 the ladies will no 
doubt interest themselves in favour of  
the bird1 and intercede for its liberty3
 sympathizing with their feelings for   
the little prisoner1 may be the means of
 some of them sympathizing with yours4  
,,chap4 ,,viii4     ,to make a ,calve's 
,head bellow as if alive1 when dressed  
and served   up4  ,this is effected by a
 simple and innocent stratagem2 it      
consists in what follows3 take a frog   
that is alive1 and put it at the farther
 end of the calve's head1 under the     
tongue1 which you will let fall over it2
 taking care not to put the frog there  
till the calve's head is going to be    

served up4  ,the heat of the tongue will
 make the frog croak2 which sound1      
coming from the hollow part of the head1
 will imitate the bellowing of a calf as
 if it were alive4     ,,chap4 ,,ix4    
,a puzzling ,question to be proposed for
 ,solution4  ,set down three sums on    
paper2 and say to the company1 ladies   
and gentlemen1 there are three sums1    
very different from each other1 and very
 disproportionate2 yet ,i wish to divide
 them among three persons1 so that they 
may have an equal sum each1 and yet     
without altering any thing in either of 
the sums4 ,this will appear very        
difficult1 yet nothing so simple and    
easy2 one single addition will suffice  
to prove to you that the amount of each 
sum will be the same1 and that the      
shares will not enrich much the         
respective persons3 here is the proof3  
,,example4    #eacdabb     #fabed       
#gbah   ,,operation4  ,cast up the first
 of these sums in the following manner1 
and say1 #e and #a make #f2 #c more1 #i2

 #d more1 #ac2 #a more1 #ad2 #b more1   
#af2 and #b more1 #ah3 set down#ah4     
,make the addition of the second sum in 
the same manner as you have done the    
first1 and you will find the same sum   
of#ah4  ,then proceed for the third as  
in the two preceding1 and the product   
will be also#ah4  ,here then is my      
division made1 and each person will have
 only #ah1 as ,i have proved by the     
foregoing example4  ,by this we see1    
that nothing more is required than to be
 attentive in setting the sums1 to make 
the numbers so that each sum may amount 
only to #ah4  ,you may make the same    
question on whatever sum you please1    
only observing1 as above1 that the      
amount of the numbers you set may not   
exceed the sum you desire to belong to  
each person that is to have a share4    
,,chap4 ,x4     ,how to dispose two     
little ,figures1 so that one shall light
 a ,candle1   and the other put it out4 
,take two little figures of wood or     
clay1 or any other materials you please1

 only taking care that there is a little
 hole at the mouth of each4 ,put in the 
mouth of one a few grains of bruised    
gunpowder1 and a little bit of          
phosphorus in the mouth of the other2   
taking care that these preparations are 
made before hand4  ,then take a lighted 
wax candle and present it to the mouth  
of the figure with the gunpowder1 which 
taking fire will put the candle out3    
then present your candle1 having the    
snuff still hot1 to the other figure2 it
 will light again immediately1 by means 
of the phosphorus4  ,you may propose the
 same effect to be produced by two      
figures drawn on a wall with a pencil or
 coal1 by applying1 with a little starch
 or water1 a few grains of bruised      
gunpowder to the mouth of one1 and a bit
 of phosphorus to the mouth of the      
other4     ,,chap4 ,,xi4   ,a curious   
,secret to make a ,card pass from one   
,hand into the other4  ,take two deuces1
 the one of spades1 the other of hearts2
 then put on that of spades the marks of

 hearts1 and on that of hearts1 those of
 spades2 which you will do easily1 by   
splitting a card of each colour1 which  
you are to cut out with dexterity1 in   
order that the mark may be very neat3   
then rub lightly on the back of the     
spades and hearts that you have cut1 a  
little soap1 or very white pomatum2 then
 put the mark of hearts on the ace of   
spades1 and the mark of spades on the   
ace of hearts2 taking care to cover them
 quite hermetically1 and to make all    
your preparations before you begin your 
experiments4  ,divide your pack of cards
 in two parcels1 and under each parcel  
you must put one of your two aces thus  
prepared2 afterwards1 take with your    
right hand the parcel under which is the
 ace of hearts1 and with your left that 
where the ace of spades4  ,you will then
 shew to the company that the ace of    
hearts is on the right hand1 and the ace
 of spades on the left2 when every body 
is convinced of it1 you are to say1     
ladies and gentlemen1 ,i am going to    

command the ace of hearts1 which is in  
my right hand1 to pass to my left1 and  
the ace of spades to take its place2 you
 may even propose to have both your arms
 tied1 to prevent their joining and     
communicating4  ,all the secret consists
 only in making a movement and stamping 
of your foot1 when you give your        
command3 during this movement and       
stamping of your foot1 you must slip    
with dexterity your little finger on    
each of the marks1 in order to rub off  
and make the marks of spades and hearts1
 that were sticking on the two cards by 
the means explained before1 fall1       
without any body perceiving it2 then you
 will shew to the company that the cards
 have obeyed your command1 by passing   
from the left to the right1 and from the
 right to the left1 without your hands  
communicating4  ,this trick1 done with  
dexterity and subtilty1 will appear very
 singular1 although it is very simple4  
,,chap4 ,,xii4   ,to change a ,card     
which is in the ,hand of a ,person1     

recommending him to cover it well4  ,cut
 out a three of spades very neatly2     
then1 the card being cut through1 take  
an ace of diamonds1 which you are to    
place under your three of spades that   
was cast out1 taking care that your ace 
of diamonds is perfectly covered by the 
spades1 which is found in the middle of 
the three that is cut out3 and then you 
must pour lightly on that card some jet 
powder1#a which will easily stick on the
 places rubbed with pomatum1 and by that
 means will form a three of spades on   
the card that was before an ace of      
diamonds4 ,take in your hand an ace of  
diamonds1 behind which you must put a   
three of spades1 turned the contrary    
way4  ,the ,person who has in his hand  
the three of spades that is prepared1   
will shew the card to all the company2  
you will shew in your turn the ace of   
diamonds that you have in yours1 and    
then tell that person to lay his card   
downwards on the carpet that covers the 
table2 make him lay his hand on the     

card1 and ask him whether he is very    
certain that it is a three of spades he 
has under his hand4 ,on his affirmative1
 you may rally him on it1 and tell him1 
at the same time that you push his hand 
which is over the card1 that he is      
mistaken1 and that it is an ace of      
diamonds he holds4 ,the movement you    
will cause him to make while you push   
his hand1 under which the card is1 will 
make the jet powder1 that formed the    
three of spades over the ace of         
diamonds1 remain on the carpet1 and he  
will be extremely astonished to find    
really an ace of diamonds1 whilst you1  
who make the trick1 by turning your hand
 where the three of spades and the ace  
of diamonds are1 back to back1 will     
shew1 the three of spades1 and make the 
company believe that you have conveyed  
it from the person who held the same    
without his perceiving it4  ,this trick 
must be done dexterously and quickly1 in
 order that the little deception be not 
discovered4 ,practice is the greatest   

master4  ,,footnote3  #a ,method of     
preparing jet powder4  ,pound in a      
copper mortar your jet1 which must have 
been bruised a little with a hammer2    
when it is well pounded1 it must be     
sifted through a sieve1 and also through
 a piece of muslin4 ,keep that powder1  
which cannot be too fine1 in a little   
box1 to use it when occasion may        
require3 take a pinch of it either with 
your fingers or with a piece of paper2  
then scatter it on the card1 and it will
 stick only in those places that have   
been touched by the roll of pomatum1 and
 may be taken off very easily by the    
rubbing against the carpet1 when you    
will push the hand of the person who    
covers the card1 without the card being 
soiled in the least by it4     ,,chap4  
,,xiii4     ,how to guess a ,card that  
has been thought of by any body1 by     
writing   before hand on a ,paper or    
,card a ,number1 which will certainly be
 that   of the ,card that has been      
thought of4  ,all the preparation of    

this trick consists in a mathematical   
combination2 here follows the method of 
operating in order to succeed4  ,take a 
pack of piquet cards1 present them to   
one of the company1 desiring him to     
shuffle them well1 and to get them      
shuffled by whoever he pleases3 then    
make several persons cut them4 ,after   
which you will propose to one of the    
company to take the pack1 and think of a
 card1 and remember it1 as likewise of  
the number of its order in the pack1 by 
counting one1 two1 three1 four1 c4 till 
he comes inclusively to the card thought
 of by him4 ,then offer to go in another
 room while he is doing what you        
required1 or to be blind-folded1        
assuring the company that you will      
declare before-hand1 if required1 the   
number of the order in which the card is
 that has been thought of4   ,,example4 
,in the supposition that the person who 
thinks of the card will stop at number  
#ac1 and that thirteenth card is the    
queen of hearts4  ,supposing again that 

the number you have marked or designed  
before-hand is number #bd2 you will     
return in the room in case you had left 
it2 or desire the handkerchief1 to be   
taken off1 if you have been             
blind-folded2 and1 without asking any   
question of the person who has thought  
of the card1 ask only for the pack1 and 
apply it to your nose as if to smell it2
 then passing it behind your back1 or   
under the table1 you must take1         
beginning from the bottom of the pack1  
twenty-three cards1 that is to say1 one 
less than the number you had designed   
before hand2 then place those           
twenty-three cards on the top of the    
remainder2 you must take particular care
 not to put one more or less1 for that  
would prevent your success4 ,this being 
done1 you are to return the pack to the 
person who has thought of the card1     
recommending him to reckon the cards    
from the top of the pack1 beginning by  
the number of the card he thought of4   
,his card being the thirteenth1 he will 

be obliged to count fourteen1 and you   
are to flop him when he comes to twenty 
three1 telling him that the number you  
have designed is twenty-four1 and that  
consequently the twenty-fourth card     
which he is going to take up will be the
 queen of hearts1 and it will be exactly
 the case4     ,,chap4 ,,xiv4     ,a    
mathematical ,combination for guessing1 
in a whole pack composed   of fifty-two 
,cards1 how many ,points will make the  
,cards under each   ,parcel1 which      
,parcels are to be made by one of the   
,company1 observing   to him that each  
,parcel he makes is to compose the      
,number of   ,thirteen1 to begin from   
the ,point of the first ,card which he  
takes to   form each ,parcel4           
,,example4  ,the pack having been       
shuffled by one or more persons1 make it
 be cut by as many persons as you think 
proper4  ,then desire one of the company
 to form the parcels of cards1 all which
 must contain thirteen each1 beginning  
by the first card he takes up4          

,suppose that this first card is a nine1
 the   next will be called ten1 and so  
on till   thirteen2 consequently this   
first parcel   will be composed of five 
cards               #e    ,if the next  
card should be an ace1 the ace          
counting only one1 the next parcel will 
therefore be composed of thirteen cards 
#ac    ,suppose the next card is a court
 card1 or   a ten1 they being of the    
same value1 this   parcel will contain1 
in order to make up   thirteen1 four    
cards                         #d    ,if 
the following should be a five1 then the
   fourth parcel will contain nine cards
        #i    ,should the next parcel be
 a seven1 the   fifth parcel will be    
composed of seven   cards               
#g    ,a court card being the first of  
this   parcel1 it will be composed of   
four cards    #d    ,if the seventh     
begins by an eight1 it will   be        
composed of six cards                   
#f    ,in that case the eighth cannot be
 made1   except it begins by a ten1 or a

 court card1   since there remains only 
four cards to   employ the whole number 
of the cards1 which   is fifty two      
#d                                      
,sum total    #eb                       
,in the supposition then that this      
eighth parcel begins by a ten1 or court 
card1 which is the same1 there would    
remain no cards1 and you would have     
eight parcels4  ,if it began by any     
other card1 not adapted to make out     
thirteen1 there would remain four cards1
 which must be spread on the table1     
without discovering them4  ,in order to 
find out the number of points contained 
under each of the parcels1 whether they 
be to the amount of eight1 or only      
seven1 and four cards remaining1 you    
must make use of the following method3  
,without touching the cards1 separate in
 your mind four parcels2 then multiply  
silently by #ad the remaining parcels1  
whether they are four or only three4    
,in the first case you are to say in    
your mind1 #d times #ad are #ef1 then   

add to this number one point for each of
 the parcels that you have separated in 
your mind1 which will make #fj4 ,then   
make the eight parcels be turned up1 and
 count the number of points contained in
 each of the cards that are under1 you  
will then find #fj1 observing that the  
aces count only for one point1 and the  
court cards for #aj4  ,if there should  
be only #g parcels1 you will have #d    
cards remaining2 you will however       
separate #d in your mind2 then you are  
to multiply the #c remaining parcels by 
#ad2 and say to yourself1 #c times #ad  
is #db1 and #d for the #d parcels that  
you separated1 make #df2 to which you   
must add #d more for the #d cards that  
will remain1 which will make #ej4 ,on   
turning up the #g parcels you will      
necessarily find #ej4  ,if by chance    
each parcel should begin by an ace1     
which is possible1 you could then make  
only #d parcels1 and as it must be the  
#d aces1 that would be found under1 you 
would only have #d points4  ,if it      

happened also1 that three parcels began 
each by an ace1 it would then take up   
#ci cards2 it is probable that in such a
 case there would be only four parcels  
in all1 and a few cards remaining3 you  
must then content yourself with counting
 as many points as parcels2 to which you
 will add one point for each of the     
remaining cards1 and this will amount   
infallibly to the just number of the    
points of the cards under the four      
parcels4     ,,chap4 ,,xv4     ,to guess
 the ,thoughts of any ,person1 assuring 
him1 that you will   write before-hand  
on a piece of ,paper the ,amount of the 
,parcel of   ,cards he shall happen to  
chuse out of the two placed on the      
,table4  ,take some cards1 divide them  
into two parcels1 taking care that in   
one there are only two or three sevens1 
and in the other seven court cards2 call
 for a pen and ink1 and write on a bit  
of paper the sevens2 then turn the bit  
of paper down1 that what you have       
written may not be seen2 then tell the  

person to make his choice4 ,let him     
chuse whatever he pleases1 your number  
will be good1 since if he should chuse  
the greatest parcel1 you may shew him   
your paper on which is written the      
sevens2 then desire him to count the    
number of cards contained in the parcel 
he has chosen1 and he will find it to be
 seven1 as you had guessed4 ,this will  
appear astonishing to him and to the    
company3 but they will easily recover   
from their surprise when1 on raising the
 other parcel1 you will shew that it    
contains only sevens1 and consequently  
whatever parcel he had chosen1 your     
number1 which you had set down was good1
 since one parcel contained seven cards1
 and the other nothing but sevens4      
,this trick must not be done twice      
before the same company1 for then it    
would become tiresome4  ,but generally  
whenever you do a trick before a        
company1 you must never begin it again  
before the same4     ,,chap4 ,,xvi4     
,a curious and agreeable ,wager1 which  

you are sure of winning4  ,address some 
person in the company1 and say1 ,madam1 
or ,sir1 have you a watch1 a ring1 an   
etwee1 or any other trinket8 ,begin by  
examining what has been given you1 in   
order to form an idea of its value1     
since you are to lay your bet           
considerably under the intrinsic value  
of the trinket1 to avoid being duped4   
,suppose what has been offered to you is
 a watch1 you are to propose a guinea as
 a wager against it2 saying to the lady 
or gentleman1 ,i lay a guinea that you  
do not say three times1 my watch3 when  
it is put on the table1 and your wager  
is accepted1 ask the person1 presenting 
him his watch1 what is that8 he will not
 fail to answer1 it is my watch4        
,present him afterwards another object1 
making him the same question3 suppose   
the object you present to be a pen1 a   
piece of paper1 or any other thing4 ,if 
the person names the object you present1
 he has lost2 if1 on the contrary1 he is
 on his guard1 and answers1 my watch1   

you must then say1 ,sir1 ,i see very    
well ,i have lost2 for if you say once  
more1 my watch1 you must certainly win2 
but if ,i lose1 what will you give me8  
the person1 being always on his guard1  
will answer again1 my watch3 then1      
appealing to his own words1 you will    
take the watch and leave him the stake4 
,,chap4 ,,xvii4     ,a trick with cards2
 uniting the double ,advantage of being 
very easy   and infallible1 it being on 
a little numerical ,combination4        
,desire some person in the company to   
chuse1 at his will1 three cards out of a
 piquet pack1 observing to him1 that the
 ace is to be counted for #aa points1   
the court cards #aj1 and the other cards
 according to the points they mark4     
,when he has made his choice1 desire him
 to lay on the table his three cards    
separately1 and to put upon each parcel 
as many cards as wanting to make up #ae 
points2 that is to say1 if the first    
card should be a nine1 there must be    
added six cards over2 if the second a   

ten1 five cards2 and if the third a     
knave1 five cards likewise2 this will   
make nineteen cards employed2           
consequently there will remain thirteen1
 which you are to ask for2 and          
pretending to examine them1 you must    
count them in order to be certain of the
 number that is left2 then in your mind 
add sixteen to the remaining number1 and
 you will have twenty-nine1 number of   
the points that the three chosen cards  
under the parcels contain4     ,,chap4  
,,xviii4     ,sympathetic ,inks4  ,these
 kinds of inks are very curious1 and may
 serve for a great number of physical   
recreations1 very surprising to such as 
are not acquainted with the manner of   
preparing them4  ,one kind1 very easy1  
is made by taking an ounce of common    
aqua fortis1 which you are to mix with  
three ounces of common water2 you will  
use this mixture to write on paper that 
is strong and very stiff3 this writing  
becomes totally invisible in drying2 and
 in order to make it reappear1 you need 

only wet the paper2 and when it dries   
the writing disappears again4 ,this     
effect may be repeated two or three     
times4  ,this process is the easiest to 
be done1 as the necessary ingredients   
are almost always at hand4  ,many other 
things furnish the means of making      
sympathetic ink1 such as cobalt1        
bismuth1 lime1 c4 c4 but they require   
chemical and difficult preparations to  
be efficient4  ,the easiest to be       
obtained are mentioned before2 as the   
mixture of aqua fortis and common water2
 and those that may be formed by        
dissolutions of salt and acids1 such as 
lemon or onion juice3 in order to render
 them visible1 you need only approach   
them to the fire3 the cold air produces 
on them the contrary effect4     ,,chap4
 ,,xix4     ,to make an addition before 
the ,figures are set1 by knowing only   
how   many ,figures are in each ,row2 as
 likewise how many ,rows compose the    
whole2 and then adding yourself some    
,figures equal to those that had   been 

set4  ,suppose the person had set five  
rows of figures1 each row containing    
five figures4  ,say in your mind1 as you
 are making the addition beforehand1 #i 
times #e make #de2 set down #e and carry
 #d3 repeat the same thing for each of  
the five figures1 as if they all counted
 #i2 therefore for the second1 say      
again1 #i times #e make #de1 and #d     
carried over make #di2 set down #i and  
carry #d3 in the same manner for the    
third1 say #i times #e are #de1 and #d  
carried over are #di2 set down #i and   
carry #d3 for the fourth do the same2   
and set down #i and carry #d3 for the   
fifth repeat the same1 by setting down  
#i and carrying #d4  ,thus your addition
 being made before-hand will produce the
 sum of #diiiie3 then shew this addition
 to every body in the company2 and beg  
some one to do you the favour of laying 
on a paper #e rows of numbers1          
containing five figures in each row4    
,,example4  ,suppose the numbers set for
 you are the following3    #biiga       

#adefc   #gfchb   #cggig   #hjacj  ,you 
ask leave to add a like quantity of     
numbers2 in doing this1 you take care   
that each of the figures you set down   
make #i with each of the figures that   
have been given for you4     #gjjbh     
#hedcf    #bcfag    #fbbjb    #aihfi    
#diiiie     ,the first figure being #b1 
you must set #g2 the second being #i1   
7which completes the number wanted7 you 
must set a cypher 7#j72 the third being 
the same1 operate as before2 the fourth 
being #g1 set down #b2 the fifth being  
#a1 set down #h4  ,the second row       
beginning by #a1 your first figure will 
be #h2 the second number being #d1 set  
down #e2 the third being #e1 put down   
#d2 the fourth being #f1 you must set   
down #c2 the fifth being #c1 set down   
#f4  ,as the third row begins by #g1    
begin yours by #b2 under the #f lay #c1 
then #a under the #h1 and #g under the  
#b4  ,for the fourth row1 set #f under  
the #c1 #b under the first #g1 and      
another #b under the other #g2 a #j     

under the #i1 and #b under the #g1 which
 complete this row4  ,you are to do the 
same for the fifth row1 putting #a under
 the #h1 #i under the #j1 #h under the  
#a1 #f under the #c1 and #i under the   
#j4  ,then desire some of the company to
 cast up these ten sums1 and it will be 
found that the product of the whole     
addition will form the sum of #diiiie4  
,in order to come to this combination1  
you need only fix the number of figures 
that will compose each row1 and         
determine the number of rows2 then to   
reckon each row for #i1 as has been     
shewn above4  ,you may likewise present 
this addition1 by saying1 that it is the
 total amount of ten rows1 composed of  
five figures each2 out of which five    
rows will be set by the person who      
chuses to do it2 then multiply secretly 
as many times #i as you are to set rows 
of five figures2 therefore multiply #e  
times #i by #e1 which will give you the 
sum of #diiiie4  ,the person having set 
his numbers1 you are to add your five   

rows1 taking care that every number you 
set will make #i with that to which it  
corresponds2 which being done1 you are  
to ask any one to cast the whole sum up1
 and the product will be the same as the
 sum you set down before-hand4  ,if it  
were requisite to employ other numbers  
instead of that of #i1 you should1 in   
order to succeed1 warn the persons who  
chuse to set the figures1 to be         
attentive that their numbers do not     
exceed that agreed upon4     ,,chap4    
,,xx4     ,an artificial ,spider1 which 
moves by ,electricity4  ,take a bit of  
burnt cork1 as big as a pea2 give it the
 shape of a spider2 make its legs with  
threads of hemp2 put a grain of lead in 
the cork to give it some weight2 then   
hang this artificial spider by a bit of 
grey sewing silk 7that is not twisted7  
between two bodies1 the one electrified 
and the other not2 or between two bodies
 endowed with different electricities3  
it will go and come between these two   
bodies1 and the movement of the legs    

will be seen as plain as if it were a   
living spider4  ,this artificial spider1
 if well made1 will astonish those who  
see it move so naturally4     ,,chap4   
,,xxi4     ,to extinguish two ,wax      
,candles1 and light two others1 distant 
about   three ,feet1 by the firing of a 
,pistol1 loaded with ,powder1 as usual4 
,nothing is more simple than the        
operation which produces this           
supernatural effect4  #ast4 ,get some   
whole wax candles1 and let them be      
recently snuffed4  #b;d4 ,you are to put
 in the middle of the wick of those     
candles to be lighted1 about the size of
 a millet grain of phosphorus2 to do    
which1 divide the wick with a pin or a  
tooth-pick2 then place yourself at five 
or six feet distance from them1 and fire
 your pistol at the lighted candles1    
which will be extinguished by the       
powder1 whilst it will make the         
phosphorus take fire1 which will light  
the other two4  ,you may likewise light 
a wax candle1 on the wick of which      

phosphorus has been applied1 according  
to the foregoing method1 by means of a  
sword well heated in a near room4 ,you  
need only present the point of the sword
 to the wick of the candle1 commanding  
it to light4  ,n4 ,b4 ,observe that you 
are not to touch the phosphorus with    
your fingers2 but take the point of a   
knife1 or a pair of small pincers4 ,you 
must take care also1 that the wick of   
the candle is cold before you put the   
phosphorus to it2 without this          
precaution it would take fire           
immediately4     ,,chap4 ,,xxii4     ,to
 compose a red ,colour1 imitating the   
,colour of ,blood4  ,this liquor or     
fluid furnishes the entertaining means  
of making known to a company the person 
who is most addicted to love4           
,preparation of the ,liquor4  ,cut in   
very small chips a piece of ,fernambuco 
wood2 put them in a large glass full of 
good white wine vinegar2 add to it a bit
 of common white allum1 of the size of a
 small nut2 make the whole simmer over a

 gentle fire for half an hour1 in a new 
earthen pot or pipkin2 taking care to   
stir this composition1 in order to      
prevent it from boiling over while on   
the fire4  ,when it is taken from the   
fire1 let it cool1 and strain it through
 a piece of linen2 then pour it into a  
bottle of clear glass4  ,you must make  
all these preparations before-hand2 as  
these experiments are only agreeable    
when performed with quickness4  ,you    
will find it necessary to provide       
yourself with a tube of clear glass1    
about fifteen or eighteen inches long1  
about the thickness of a wax candle1    
taking care to have it stopt at one end4
  ,when you present yourself before a   
company1 in order to perform this       
experiment1 you are to carry the tube in
 your pocket1 and holding the phial in  
your hand1 you are to say1 8,ladies and 
gentlemen1 here is a phial containing   
liquid blood2 ,i hope to make you know  
by it the person most addicted to love  
in the company4  8,please to observe    

that ,i pour a little of this liquor in 
this tube4 ,as you might imagine that   
this liquor1 like that put in           
thermometers1 may rise by dilating      
itself when exposed to heat1 and        
consequently the pressure of the hand   
will suffice to produce this effect1 and
 it will condense by rarifying when     
exposed to cold2 ,i assure you1 ladies  
and gentlemen1 it is not the case2 this 
liquor differs entirely from that put in
 thermometers2 and you may easily be    
convinced of it before ,i make the      
experiment ,i promised you4 ,you may put
 it near the heat of a candle1 and even 
that of a fire1 without any degree of   
heat making it rise in the least2 but by
 a peculiar and sympathetic virtue you  
will see it boil1 when the tube is      
touched by a person of an amorous       
disposition40  ,then take out of your   
pocket a little potash1 keep it in the  
interior part of the hand that holds the
 tube at the top1 as if you wanted to   
keep it shut1 and as soon as the person 

you wish to make pass for the most      
amorous in the company takes the lowest 
part of the tube in his hand1 you are to
 let fall dexterously a little of the   
potash in it1 and you will see the      
liquor boil and rise to the top of the  
tube1 to the great astonishment of the  
spectators4     ,,chap4 ,,xxiii4     ,to
 extinguish a wax ,candle at eighty or a
 hundred ,paces distance1   by firing a 
,gun loaded with ,ball1 and to be       
certain of not missing1   however       
unskilful may be the ,marksman4  ,this  
experiment may be easily tried in the   
country1 and even in town1 in a garden  
that is rather large3 the best marksman 
may be challenged1 and undoubtedly      
worsted4  ,load a gun with a common     
charge of powder1 and a leaden ball4    
,your opponent will do the same on his  
side2 then let him fire first1 that you 
may see him miss his aim1 as it is very 
difficult at such a distance to put out 
a candle4  ,after having rallied him on 
his pretended skill1 you will fire in   

your turn1 and will extinguish the      
candle1 to the great astonishment of the
 spectators1 who saw you load your gun  
in the common way with powder and ball1 
but did not perceive that your ball was 
pierced through and through in the form 
of a cross1 as is represented by the    
figure that follows3  ,illustration     
,the whole magic of this experiment     
consists in this pierced ball1 by which 
the elasticity of the air that drives it
 acquires a divergent force1 by passing 
through the holes of the ball1 and      
produces this surprising effect4        
,,chap4 ,,xxiv4     ,to cut a ,glass1 a 
,looking-glass1 or even a ,piece of     
,crystal1 let it   be ever so thick1    
without the ,help of a ,diamond1 in the 
same ,shape as   the ,mark of the       
,drawing made on it with ,ink4  ,this   
remarkable operation unites utility with
 amusement4 ,for being in the country1  
or in a place where there is no glazier 
nor glassman to be had1 the following   
means will answer the purpose without   

their help4  ,take a bit of a           
walnut-tree1 about the thickness of a   
candle1 and cut one of its ends to a    
point2 put that end in the fire1 and let
 it burn till it is quite red4 ,while   
the stick is burning1 draw on the glass 
or crystal1 with ink1 the design or     
outline of the form in which you mean to
 cut it out4 ,then take a file or a bit 
of glass and scratch a little the place 
where you mean to begin your section2   
then take the wood red hot from the     
fire1 and lay the point of it about the 
twentieth part of an inch1 or thickness 
of a guinea1 from the marked place2     
taking care to blow always on that point
 in order to keep it red2 follow the    
drawing traced on the glass1 leaving1 as
 before1 about the twentieth part of an 
inch interval every time that you       
present your piece of wood1 which you   
must take care to blow often4  ,after   
having followed exactly the outlines of 
your drawing1 to separate the two pieces
 thus cut1 you need only pull them up   

and down1 and they will divide4         
,,chap4 ,,xxv4     ,to melt a ,piece of 
,steel as if it was ,lead1 without      
requiring a very   great ,fire4  ,take a
 piece of steel and put it in a         
crucible2 then throw in a handful of    
antimony in powder3 as soon as your     
crucible begins to be red1 your piece of
 steel will melt like lead4  ,pour it   
afterwards into an earthen vessel1 or a 
wedge-mould1 to shew the company your   
operation has succeeded as you had      
promised4   ,another ,method of melting 
,steel1 and to see it liquify4  ,make a 
piece of steel quite red in the fire2   
then holding it with a pair of pincers  
or tongs1 take in the other hand a stick
 of brimstone1 and touch the piece of   
steel with it3 immediately after their  
contact1 you will see the steel melt and
 drop like a liquid4     ,,chap4 ,,xxvi4
     ,to unite ,wax and ,water 7,things 
absolutely opposite to each other72     
this ,union made in the twentieth ,part 
of a ,minute1 forms a good   ,pomatum to

 clean the ,skin1 and render it soft and
 white4 ,it is a fine   ,cosmetic4  ,in 
order to make this mixture1 7useful for 
many things7 put in a glazed earthen pot
 quite new1 six ounces of spring or     
river water1 to two ounces of good white
 virgin wax2 add to this a good pinch of
 salt of tartar4 ,if you wish to conceal
 your operation1 nothing is easier3 make
 a little roll or stick of wax1 in which
 you will introduce a pinch of salt of  
tartar2 put these ingredients on the    
fire1 and when they begin to heat1 be   
attentive to stir them with a little    
stick1 and you will see the union take  
place as soon as the wax melts2 you will
 then have it at your option to render  
the pomatum1 by the result of this      
operation1 more or less liquid1 by      
leaving it on the fire more or less     
time4     ,,chap4 ,,xxvii4     ,a       
curious ,method of sealing a ,letter1 so
 as not to be opened1 by   variegating  
the ,seal with different coloured       
,species of ,wax4  ,suppose you wish to 

have your seal of four colours1 and that
 the cartrage of the escutcheon be      
yellow or or1 as well as the crown2 the 
field of the shield or escutcheon1 red  
or gules2 the seal itself green or      
synople1 and the supporters1 if any1    
black or sable4  ,take off then as many 
different impressions of your seal as   
you have kinds of wax to employ1 taking 
care to make them on a very thin paper2 
this being done1 with a pair of scissars
 cut out of each impression each of the 
objects that are to be variegated2 that 
is to say1 begin by cutting out the     
shield or escutcheon2 and1 by wetting it
 on the back with the tip of your       
tongue1 place it on your seal over that 
part it represents2 then do the same for
 the cartrage of the shield1 as likewise
 for the supporters2 and when all is    
well ranged1 take the green wax1 which  
is to represent the ground of the seal1 
and melt it as you usually do to seal a 
letter2 then placing the seal on it that
 has in the mouldings the different     

objects which are to vary your seal1    
each of these objects will be found     
placed naturally1 and will form a seal  
of four colours4  ,if any body should   
attempt to break open the letter by     
heating the wax1 the different colours  
in melting must mix and discover        
evidently the infidelity by their       
confusion4     ,,chap4 ,,xxviii4     ,to
 make fine blue ,wax1 which is very     
difficult to be had4  ,take an ounce of 
mountain blue1 or blue ashes1 an ounce  
of fine mastic1 the fifth of an ounce of
 true ,venice turpentine2 then get a    
small iron pot or pan1 well cleaned1 and
 made so as to have a little spout or   
beak2 put the mastic in it first1 which 
is to be melted on the fire1 taking care
 that it does not burn2 then mix the    
turpentine with it3 this mixture being  
done1 take the pan from the fire and put
 the blue ashes in it2 then stir it all 
well with a little stick3 take care when
 you put in the blue ashes that the     
other ingredients are not too hot1 as   

that would make the colour too black3   
when all is well mixed1 and before it is
 quite cold1 take two pieces of glass1  
which must be made wet with water2 then 
pour on one of them this composition1 in
 order to roll it in sticks under your  
fingers1 which must be wet4  ,in order  
to give this wax the necessary polish1  
pass the sticks over the flame of       
spirits of wine1 which are to be lighted
 for this purpose4     ,,chap4 ,,xxix4  
,a philosophical ,mushroom4  ,among the 
numerous and surprising phenomenons     
produced by different chymical          
proceedings1 one of the most curious is 
certainly that of the inflammation of   
essential oils1 by the mixture of       
nitrous acid4 ,it is certainly          
astonishing to see a cold liquor take   
fire on pouring another cold liquor on  
it2 such are the means by which one may 
form in three minutes the mushroom1     
called the philosophical mushroom4  ,in 
order to make this extraordinary and    
entertaining experiment1 you must       

provide yourself with a glass1 having a 
large foot1 the basis of this glass is  
to terminate in a point1 as the annexed 
figure shews4  ,illustration  ,put in   
the glass an ounce of spirits of nitre1 
well rarified2 then pour over it an     
ounce of essential oil of guaiacum4     
,this mixture will produce a very       
considerable ferment1 attended with     
smoak1 out of which there will rise1 in 
the space of three minutes1 a spungy    
body1 resembling perfectly a common     
mushroom4  ,this spungy substance1      
formed by the fat and oily particles of 
the guaiacum wood1 being drawn up by the
 air1 covers itself with a very thin    
coat of the matter that composes the oil
 of guaiacum4     ,,chap4 ,,xxx4     ,to
 make a ,ring shift from one ,hand to   
another1 and to make it go on   whatever
 ,finger is required on the other ,hand1
 while somebody holds   both your ,arms1
 in order to prevent any ,communication 
between them4  ,desire some person in   
the company to lend you a gold ring1    

recommending him at the same time to    
make a mark on it that he may know it   
again4  ,have a gold ring of your own1  
which you are to fasten by a small      
cat-gut string to a watch barrel1 which 
must be sown to the left sleeve of your 
coat4  ,take in your right hand the ring
 that will be given to you2 then taking 
with dexterity near the entrance of your
 sleeve the other ring fastened to the  
watch barrel1 draw it to the fingers    
ends of your left hand1 taking care     
nobody perceives it3 during this        
operation1 hide between the fingers of  
your right hand the ring that has been  
lent to you1 and hang it dexterously on 
a little hook sewed on purpose on your  
waistcoat near your hip1 and hid by your
 coat2 you will after that shew your    
ring which you hold in your left hand2  
then ask the company on which finger of 
the other hand they wish it to pass4    
,during this interval1 and as soon as   
the answer has been given1 put the      
before-mentioned finger on the little   

hook1 in order to slip on it the ring2  
at the same moment let go the other     
ring1 by opening your fingers3 the      
spring which is in the watch barrel1 not
 being confined any longer1 will        
contract1 and make the ring slip under  
the sleeve1 without any body perceiving 
it1 not even those who hold your arms1  
as their only attention being to prevent
 your hands from communicating1 they    
will let you make the necessary motions4
 ,these motions must be very quick1 and 
always accompanied by stamping with your
 foot4  ,after this operation1 shew the 
assembly that the ring is come on the   
other hand3 make them remark well that  
it is the same that had been lent you1  
or that the mark is right4  ,much       
quickness and dexterity must be made use
 of to succeed in this entertaining     
trick1 that the deception may not be    
suspected4     ,,chap4 ,,xxxi4     ,to  
guess1 by smelling1 which has been the  
,number struck out by a   ,person in the
 ,company1 in the ,product of a         

,multiplication given him   to do4      
,propose to a person of the company to  
multiply1 by whatever number he pleases1
 one of the three sums which you will   
give him on a piece of paper2 desire him
 to strike out whatever figure he       
pleases of the product of his           
multiplication1 let him change and      
invert the order of the remaining       
figures after the defalcation he has    
chosen4  ,while the person is making his
 calculation and the subsequent         
operations1 go in another room3 when you
 are told you may return1 desire the    
person who has done the multiplication1 
to give you the remaining product on a  
piece of paper or card2 put it to your  
nose as though you would smell it2 then 
you will tell him1 to the great         
astonishment of the whole ,company1 what
 figure he had struck out4  ,in order to
 do this operation1 first observe1 that 
the figures composing each of the three 
sums you propose to be multiplied1 do   
not exceed the number of #ah4           

,,example4  ,suppose the three sums     
proposed to be the following3    #caedbc
   #acbced    _/ _/    _/ _/    #i  #i  
#i  #i      _/       _/      #ah        
#ah         #bebadd         _/ _/       
#i  #i    ,supposing that the sum chosen
 to be multiplied   be that of          
#acbced    ,and that the multiplicator  
be                #g                    
,the product will then be               
#ibfdgh                                 
,suppose likewise that the figure which 
has been struck out is the #f1 the      
remaining ones will form a sum of       
#ib1dgh4  ,as you let the person who has
 done the multiplication set down the   
figures in the order he pleases1 suppose
 also that he sets them down thus1 on   
the piece of paper he gives you1        
#gi1dhb4  ,when you pretend to smell the
 paper1 add together in your mind the   
figures presented to you1 in order to   
reduce them to nines2 and say in your   
mind #g and #b make nine2 after that #h 
and #d make #ab2 in #ab there is #i1 and

 three remains towards #i more2 to      
complete which #f is wanting1 which is  
and must be the figure struck out4 ,this
 calculation must be made quickly1 and  
while you pass the paper under your nose
 under the pretext of smelling it4      
,there is another manner of proceeding  
to guess the figure left out1 by letting
 the person chuse the sum he pleases to 
be multiplied1 but then you must ask him
 to shew you the sum he means to have   
multiplied1 and to let you add one      
figure at your option4  ,in that case1  
by running your eyes over the sum set   
down1 you will easily see what figure   
you are obliged to add in order to      
complete the number of #i4   ,,example4 
,in the supposition that the sum set    
down is the following3    #ghi1ghh  ,add
 in your mind thus3 #g and #h are #ae1  
and #i1 #bd2 and #g1 #ca2 and #h1 #ci2  
and #h more1 #dg3 in #dg there is #e    
times #i1 as #i times #e make #de2 there
 remains #b1 therefore in order to      
complete #i1 #g are to be added2        

consequently the sum to be multiplied   
will be #g1hig1hhg4  ,then give this    
sum1 which has been increased by a #g1  
to the person who has presented it to   
you3 and tell him to chuse whatever     
multiplier he pleases2 then retire while
 he does the multiplication1            
recommending him to strike out the      
figure he pleases1 as usual1 and to set 
down on a piece of paper the remaining  
sum1 the figure being defalcated1 and   
the remaining figures ranged as he      
pleases2 and in order to guess the      
number that was struck out1 you are to  
proceed as it has been explained for the
 first manner of operating1 and with the
 same tricks4     ,,chap4 ,,xxxii4      
,to make any ,pen-knife out of three    
jump out of a ,goblet1 agreeable   to   
the ,option of the ,company4  ,take a   
silver goblet1 as1 on account of its    
opacity1 it will hide the means you will
 employ to make the pen-knife jump out  
at the desire of the assembly4  ,this   
operation consists in a small spring1   

about an inch broad1 by two inches and a
 quarter long4  ,you are to take care to
 subject or bend this spring before you 
begin the trick with a little bit of    
sugar1 which being compressed between   
the two ends of the spring1 will prevent
 it from unbending4  ,then ask the      
company1 shewing your three pen-knives  
of different colours1 which of them they
 chuse to see jump out of the goblet4   
,put afterwards your three pen-knives in
 the goblet1 taking care to lay the end 
of the handle of the chosen pen-knife in
 a little round hole that is in the     
upper end of the spring1 confined by the
 bit of sugar2 and before you withdraw  
your hand from the goblet1 which must   
contain in the bottom some drops of     
water1 take a little of it with the tip 
of your finger1 and put it dexterously  
on the sugar1 which by melting will     
leave the spring at liberty to extend   
and make the pen-knife jump out4  ,while
 the sugar is melting1 you may stand far
 from the goblet1 and command the       

pen-knife to jump out2 and this will be 
done to the great astonishment of the   
spectators4 ,yet nothing is so simple as
 the means to make this experiment      
succeed1 without the least assistance   
from any confederate4  ,n4 ,b4 ,these   
little springs1 fit for use1 may be had 
of ,mr4 ,,pinetti1 ,hay-,market4        
,,chap4 ,,xxxiii4     ,to pull off any  
,person's ,shirt1 without undressing    
him1 or having   ,occasion for a        
,confederate4  ,this trick requires only
 dexterity2 and nevertheless1 when ,i   
performed it at the ,theatre-,royal in  
the ,hay-,market1 every body imagined   
that the person whom ,i had tricked out 
of his shirt was in a confederacy with  
me4  ,the means of performing this trick
 are the following2 only observing that 
the cloaths of the person whose shirt is
 to be pulled off be wide and easy4     
,begin by making him pull off his stock1
 and unbuttoning his shirt at the neck  
and sleeves1 afterwards tye a little    
string in the button-hole of the left   

sleeve2 then1 passing your hand behind  
his back1 pull the shirt out of his     
breeches1 and slip it over his head2    
then pulling it out before in the same  
manner1 you will leave it on his        
stomach2 after that1 go to the right    
hand1 and pull the sleeve down1 so as to
 have it all out of the arm3 the shirt  
being then all of a heap1 as well in the
 right sleeve as before the stomach1 you
 are to make use of the little string   
fastened to the button-hole of the left 
sleeve1 to get back the sleeve that must
 have slipt up1 and to pull the whole   
shirt out that way4  ,to hide your way  
of operating from the person whom you   
unshirt1 and from the assembly1 you may 
cover his head with a lady's cloak1     
holding a corner of it in your teeth4   
,in order to be more at your ease1 you  
may mount on a chair1 and do the whole  
operation under the cloak4 ,such are the
 means ,i used when ,i performed        
publicly this trick4     ,,contents4    
,page   ,,preface                       

#e    ,,chap4 ,i4 ,curious ,method of   
restoring to ,life1 in two     ,minutes1
 a ,fly that has been drowned even      
twenty-four     hours                   
#aa    ,,chap4 ,,ii4 ,to make a ,colour 
that will appear or     disappear by    
,means of the ,air                      
#ab    ,,chap4 ,,iii4 ,method of drawing
 a deformed ,figure1 which     will     
appear well proportioned from a certain 
,point of     ,view                     
ibid4    ,,chap4 ,,iv4 ,to change the   
,colour of a ,rose                      
#ac    ,,chap4 ,v4 ,to render hideous   
the ,faces of all the ,company     #ad  
,,chap4 ,,vi4 ,method of ,engraving in  
,relief on the ,shell of     a new-laid 
,egg                                    
ibid4    ,,chap4 ,,vii4 ,to shoot a     
,swallow flying1 with a ,gun loaded     
with ,powder1 as usual2 and after1 to   
find ,means to     bring it to life     
again                                   
#ae    ,,chap4 ,,viii4 ,to make a       
,calve's ,head bellow as if alive1      

when dressed and served up              
#af    ,,chap4 ,,ix4 ,a puzzling        
,question to be proposed for            
,solution                               
#ag    ,,chap4 ,x4 ,to dispose two      
little ,figures1 so that one     shall  
light a ,candle1 and the other put it   
out            #ai    ,,chap4 ,,xi4 ,a  
curious ,secret to make a ,card pass    
from one     ,hand into the other       
#bj    ,,chap4 ,,xii4 ,to change a ,card
 which is in the ,hand of a     ,person1
 recommending him to cover it well      
#bc    ,,chap4 ,,xiii4 ,to guess a ,card
 that has been thought of by     any    
body1 by writing before-hand on a ,paper
 or ,card a     ,number1 which will     
certainly be that of the ,card that     
has been thought of                     
#be    ,,chap4 ,,xiv4 ,a mathematical   
,combination for guessing1     in a     
whole ,pack composed of ,fifty-two      
,cards1 how     many ,points will make  
the ,cards under each ,parcel1     which
 ,parcels are to be made by one of the  

,company1     observing to him that each
 ,parcel he makes is to     compose the 
,number of ,thirteen1 to begin from the 
,point of the first ,card which he takes
 to form each     ,parcel               
#bh    ,,chap4 ,,xv4 ,to guess the      
,thoughts of any ,person1 assuring      
him1 that you will write before-hand on 
a ,piece of     ,paper the ,amount of   
the ,parcel of ,cards he shall          
happen to chuse out of the two placed on
 the ,table        #cb    ,,chap4 ,,xvi4
 ,a curious and agreeable ,wager1 which 
you are     sure of winning             
#cd    ,,chap4 ,,xvii4 ,a trick with    
,cards2 uniting the double              
,advantage of being very easy and       
infallible1 it being     on a little    
numerical ,combination                  
#ce    ,,chap4 ,,xviii4 ,sympathetic    
,inks                               #cf 
,,chap4 ,,xix4 ,to make an ,addition    
before the ,figures are     set1 by     
knowing only how many ,figures are in   
each     ,row2 as likewise how many     

,rows compose the whole2 and     then   
adding yourself some ,figures equal to  
those that     had been set             
#ch    ,,chap4 ,,xx4 ,an artificial     
,spider1 which moves by     ,electricity
                                        
#db    ,,chap4 ,,xxi4 ,to extinguish two
 ,wax ,candles1 and light two           
others1 distant about three ,feet1 by   
the firing of a     ,pistol1 loaded with
 ,powder1 as usual                      
#dc    ,,chap4 ,,xxii4 ,to compose a red
 ,colour1 imitating the     ,colour of  
,blood                                  
#dd    ,,chap4 ,,xxiii4 ,to extinguish a
 ,wax ,candle1 at eighty or     a       
hundred ,paces distance1 by firing a    
,gun loaded     with ,ball1 and to be   
certain of not missing1 however         
unskilful may be the ,marksman          
#dg    ,,chap4 ,,xxiv4 ,to cut a ,glass1
 a ,looking-glass1 or even a     ,piece 
of ,crystal1 let it be ever so thick1   
without     the ,help of a ,diamond1 in 
the same ,shape as the ,mark     of the 

,drawing made on it with ,ink           
#di    ,,chap4 ,,xxv4 ,to melt a ,piece 
of ,steel1 as if it was lead1           
without requiring a very great ,fire    
#ej    ,,chap4 ,,xxvi4 ,to unite ,wax   
and ,water1 7,things absolutely         
opposite to each other72 this ,union1   
made in the     twentieth ,part of a    
,minute1 forms a good ,pomatum to       
clean the ,skin1 and render it soft and 
white4 ,it is a     fine ,cosmetic      
#eb    ,,chap4 ,,xxvii4 ,a curious      
,method of sealing a ,letter1 so     as 
not to be opened1 by variegating the    
,seal with     different coloured       
,species of ,wax                        
#ec    ,,chap4 ,,xxviii4 ,to make fine  
blue ,wax1 which is very     difficult  
to be had                               
#ed    ,,chap4 ,,xxix4 ,a philosophical 
,mushroom                        #ee    
,,chap4 ,,xxx4 ,to make a ,ring shift   
from one ,hand to     another1 and to   
make it go on whatever ,finger is       
required on the other ,hand1 while      

somebody holds both     your ,arms1 in  
order to prevent any communication      
between them                            
#eg    ,,chap4 ,,xxxi4 ,to guess by     
smelling1 which has been the     ,number
 struck out by a ,person in the         
,company1 in the     ,product of a      
,multiplication given him to do         
#ei    ,,chap4 ,,xxxii4 ,to make any    
,pen-knife out of three jump     out of 
a ,goblet1 agreeable to the ,option of  
the     ,company                        
#fc    ,,chap4 ,,xxxiii4 ,to pull off   
any ,person's ,shirt1 without           
undressing him1 or having ,occasion for 
a ,confederate      #fd  ,,the ,,end4   
99       99       99       99       99  
,transcriber's ,notes3  ,the single     
footnote has been moved to the end of   
its chapter and relabeled4  ,punctuation
 has been made consistent4  ,variations 
in spelling and hyphenation were        
retained as they appear in the original 
publication1 except that obvious        
typographical errors have been          

corrected4