,illustration3 ,to make a bird appear as dead4 ,illustration3 ,marks fec4 ,a curious trick with a cup of tea4 ,,holiday ,,frolics2 ,,or1 ,,endless ,,amusement ,,for ,,the ,,christmas ,,fireside4 ,,containing1 ,the most ,astonishing ,feats of ,legerdemain1 ,,and ,,astounding ,,conjurings2 ,entertaining ,experiments ,,in ,,various ,,branches ,,of ,,science2 ,,tricks with ,,cards ,,dice4 ,,art ,,of ,,making ,,fireworks2 ,,together ,,with ,,an ,,excellent ,,collection ,,of ,puzzles1 ,conundrums1 ,riddles1 ,charades1 c4 c4 ,the whole admirably calculated to beguile the leisure hours of our ,holiday ,friends4 ,embellished with a ,copper-plate ,engraving4 ,london3 ,w4 ,,strange1 #ba1 ,paternoster ,row2 ,g4 ,,purkess1 #fa1 ,wardour ,street2 and ,j4 ,,clements1 #ag1 ,little ,pulteney ,street1 ,soho4 ,,price ,,sixpence4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,preface4 ,legerdemain and ,conjuring are words frequently applied to the same object1 but the definitions of them are quite different4 ,legerdemain is that which conveys deception to the eye from philosophical principles1 while ,conjuring is nothing more or less than ,sleight of ,hand4 ,simple as the denomination seems from the title which it bears1 many of our first ,professors have applied much of their valuable time in developing the mysteries of it2 and our young friends may rest assured1 that the ascertaining of the power of mechanism has1 in many instances1 emanated from an hour or two's amusing experiments4 ,the ,tricks1 ,puzzles1 ,conundrums1 c4 which are now presented1 have been selected from the best works1--some have never yet appeared before the ,public in print4 ,if the perusal of the following pages1 afford one hour's amusement1 the ,author's wishes will be obtained4 ,oct4 #af1 #ahcj4 ,,holiday ,,frolics1 ,,or1 ,,endless ,,amusement ,for the ,christmas ,fireside1 c4 c4 ,conundrums4 #a4 ,why is a drunken man like a ,quaker8 #b4 ,why is a nobleman like a book8 #c4 ,what burns to keep a secret8 #d4 ,when is a door not a door8 #e4 ,why is your nose like ,v in incivility8 #f4 ,which is the left side of a plum-pudding8 #g4 ,why do we all go to bed8 #h4 ,in which month do ladies talk least8 #i4 ,why is ,paris like the letter ,f8 #aj4 ,why is ,london like the letter ,e8 #aa4 ,which is the greatest ,friday in the year8 #ab4 ,why is a book like a tree8 #ac4 ,why is a cobbler like a parson8 #ad4 ,why is a cook like a barber8 #ae4 ,why do cats see best in the dark8 #af4 ,why is an umbrella like a woman8 #ag4 ,why does a miller wear a white hat8 #ah4 ,why is an apothecary like a woodcock8 #ai4 ,why is money like a whip8 #bj4 ,why is a pack of cards like a garden8 #ba4 ,why is the ,pope of ,rome like a pepper-box8 ,riddles4 #a4 ,my body is thin1 ,and no bowels within1 ,have neither a head1 face1 or eye2 ,yet a tail ,i possess1 ,forty feet and no less1 ,and without any wings ,i can fly4 #b4 ,there is a thing was three weeks old ,when ,adam was no more2 ,this thing it was but four weeks old1 ,when ,adam was fourscore4 #c4 ,it has mouth1 no eyes1 nor nose1 ,it has two feet with which it goes1 ,though strange1 its feet don't touch the ground1 ,but all the way its head runs round4 #d4 ,i'm rough1 ,i'm smooth1 ,i'm wet1 ,i'm dry1 ,my station low1 my title high2 ,the king my lawful master is1 ,i'm used by all1 though only his4 ,charades4 #a4 ,my first is always1 ,my second durable1 ,my third without end4 #b4 ,my first ,i hope you are1 ,my second ,i see you are1 ,my third ,i know you are4 ,an ,enigma4 ,a word there is five syllables contains1 ,take one away1 no syllable remains4 ,solutions to the ,conundrums4 #a4 ,the spirit moves him4 #b4 ,he has a title4 #c4 ,sealing-wax4 #d4 ,when it's a jar4 #e4 ,because it's between two ,i's 7eyes47 #f4 ,that which is not eaten4 #g4 ,because the bed will not come to us4 #h4 ,february4 #i4 ,it is the capital of ,france4 #aj4 ,it is the capital of ,england4 #aa4 ,shrove ,tuesday4 #ab4 ,because it's full of leaves4 #ac4 ,because he mends soles4 7souls7 #ad4 ,because he dresses hare4 7hair7 #ae4 ,they eat lights4 #af4 ,because her best use is being handled4 #ag4 ,to keep his head warm4 #ah4 ,because he has a long bill4 #ai4 ,it makes the mare to go4 #bj4 ,there are spades in it4 #ba4 ,because he is holy4 ,riddles4 #a4 ,a ,kite4 #b4 ,the moon4 #c4 ,a wheelbarrow4 #d4 ,the highway4 ,charades4 #a4 ,everlasting4 #b4 ,welcome4 ,enigma4 ,monosyllable4 ,to make an ,egg ,tumble4 ,put a penny-worth of ,quick-silver into a quill1 and seal it at both ends with wax1 then boil an ,egg1 and as soon as you take it out of the water1 put your quill through a small hole in the narrow end2 put the egg on the table1 and it will tumble about as long as the heat remains4 ,to make ,fire ,flash from ,water4 ,pour a small quantity of clear water into a glass1 and put a piece or two of phosphoret of lime into it4 ,in a few seconds flashes of fire will dart from the surface of the water1 and end in curls of smoke rising in regular succession4 ,to suspend a ,ring by a ,thread which has been ,burnt4 ,the thread having been previously soaked in urine1 or common salt and water1 tie it to a ring1 not larger than a wedding ring2 when you apply a flame of a candle to it1 though the thread will burn to ashes1 it will yet sustain the ring4 ,to take the impression of ,butterflies upon paper4 ,clip the wings of the butterfly1 lay them upon clean paper in the form of the insect when flying1 spread some thick pure gum water on another piece of paper1 press it upon the wings1 and it will take them up1 lay a piece of white paper over it1 and rub it gently with your finger1 or the smooth handle of a knife4 ,the bodies are to be drawn in the space which you leave between the wings4 ,to ,gild the edges of ,writing ,paper or leaves of ,books4 ,screw a quantity of pages strongly into a press1 after being cut as smooth as possible1 size them with isinglass-glue1 mixed up with spirits of wine1 and then apply the gold leaves1 when the size arrives at a proper degree of dryness4 ,to clean ,gilt ,buckles1 ,chains1 c4 ,dip a soft brush in water and rub a little soap on it1 and brush the articles for a minute or two1 then wash it clean1 wipe it and place it near the fire till dry1 then brush it with burnt bread finely powdered4 ,to make ,liquid ,gold and ,silver1 for ,vellum ,painting1 ,fans1 c4 ,grind up gold and silver leaf with gum water or honey1 in a mortar1 then wash the gum or honey1 and use the powder that remains with gum water4 ,this may be applied to any article with a camel's hair pencil1 in the same way as any other colour4 ,how to produce ,fire from a ,cane4 ,split a ,chinese rattan1 and strike the parts together when perfectly dry1 and they will emit fire like a flint and steel4 ,to ,gild ,silk or ,ivory by the action of ,hydrogen4 ,immerse a piece of white satin1 silk1 or ivory1 in a solution of nitro-muriate of gold 7in the proportion of one part of the nitro-muriate1 to three of distilled water7 whilst the substance to be gilded is still wet1 immerse it in a jar of hydrogen gas1 and it will soon be covered by a complete surface of gold4 ,glass broken by ,air4 ,lay a square of glass on the top of an open receiver1 and exhaust the open air4 ,the weight of the external air will press on the glass1 and smash it to atoms4 ,to make luminous writing in the dark4 ,fix a small piece of solid phosphorus in a quill1 and write with it upon paper2 if the paper be then placed in a dark room1 the writing will appear beautifully luminous4 ,incombustible ,paper4 ,dip a sheet of paper in strong alum-water1 and when dry1 repeat the process a second and third time4 ,as soon as it is dry1 you may put it in the flame of a candle1 and it will not burn4 ,the ,animated ,sixpence4 ,to make a sixpence leap out of a pot4 ,this is done by means of a long black horse hair fastened to the rim of a sixpence1 by a small hole driven through it4 ,this feat should be done by night1 with a candle placed between the spectators and the operator1 their eyes being thereby hindered from discerning the deception4 ,wine upon ,water4 ,half fill a glass with water1 throw a bit of the crumb of a loaf into it1 about the size of a nut1 pour some wine lightly on the bread1 and you will see the water at the bottom of the glass1 and the wine floating at the top of it4 ,to cast figures in imitation of ,ivory4 ,mix isinglass and strong brandy with powder of egg-shells1 finely powdered1 into a paste4 ,cast it warm into the mould1 which must be previously oiled over2 leave the figure in the mould till dry1 and upon taking it out1 you will find that it bears a strong resemblance to ivory4 ,to make a bird appear as if it was dead4 ,lay any bird upon a table1 and wave a small feather over its eyes1 and it will appear as dead2 but by removing the feather it will revive again4 ,let it lay hold of the stem part of the feather with its feet1 and it will twist and turn about like a parrot2 you may likewise roll it about on the table at your pleasure4 ,the manner of making ,water freeze by the ,fireside4 ,this feat can only be performed in winter4 ,place a stool before the fire1 having first put a little water upon the stool2 upon it set a quart pot1 then put a handful of snow into it1 having privately conveyed into the pot a handful of salt2 stir it about for eight or ten minutes with a stick1 and the congelation will be effected4 ,engraving in ,relief upon an ,egg-shell4 ,choose an egg that has a thick shell1 wash it well in fresh water1 then dry it very carefully with a linen cloth2 melt some tallow or fat1 and while very hot1 make any figures or drawings you please with it upon the shell1 either with a pen or pencil4 ,this being finished1 take the shell by the two ends1 between two fingers1 and then lay it gently in a tumbler filled with good white wine vinegar1 the acid of which will have eaten enough of the thickness of the shell in about four hours4 ,to make a party appear ghastly4 ,this can only be done in a room4 ,take half a pint of spirits1 and having warmed it1 put a handful of salt with it into a bason2 then set it on fire1 and it will have the effect of making every person within its influence look hideous4 ,to fill a glass with water in such a manner1 that it cannot be removed without spilling it all4 ,lay a wager with any one that you so fill a glass with water that he shall not move it off the table without spilling the whole contents4 ,then fill a glass with water1 and placing a bit of paper or thin card over the top1 so as to cover the water and the edge of the glass1 you dexterously turn the glass upside down on a smooth table1 and then drawing away the paper gently1 the water will remain suspended in the glass1 and therefore it will be impossible to remove it from the table without spilling the contents4 ,how to make your cup draw your tea out of the saucer4 ,empty the tea out of your cup into the saucer2 then take a piece of paper1 light it1 and lay it on the surface of the tea1 and instantly clap your cup over it1 and it will immediately suck the tea into the cup4 ,to make ,touch-,paper4 ,dissolve in spirits of wine a little saltpetre2 take and wet with the above some blue paper1 and when dry it will be fit for use4 ,to make a ,report like that of a gun with a ,tobacco-,pipe4 ,before performing this feat you must have a powder made of the following ingredients in your pocket3--,one ounce of cream of tartar1 one ounce of saltpetre1 and half an ounce of sulphur1 pulverized singly1 and then well mixed together4 ,convey a single grain of this powder into a tobacco-pipe1 and when it takes fire it will produce a noise like that of a gun1 without breaking the pipe4 ,to make a sound similar to ,st4 ,paul's ,bell4 ,tie a poker1 or any other piece of metal1 on to the middle of a strip of flannel about a yard long2 then press with your thumbs or fingers the end of the flannel into your ears1 while you swing the poker against any obstacle1 as an iron fender1 and you will hear a sound similar to that of a large church bell4 ,how to restore a dead fly to life4 ,take a fly that has been drowned in water or spirits1 place it in the sun1 and cover it with pounded chalk or salt2 in a few minutes it will revive and fly away4 ,it is necessary that the fly be not squeezed when taken from the water4 ,to melt a piece of steel as if it was lead1 without requiring a large fire4 ,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 it2 immediately after their contact1 you will see the steel melt and drop like a liquid4 ,how to procure laughter4 ,take a ball in one hand and another in the other1 then stretch your hands as far as you can one from the other2 and if any one will lay a wager that you will not withdraw your hands1 and yet will make both of them come into either hand1 which they please1 it is no more to do1 than to lay one down upon a table1 and turn yourself round1 and take it up with your other hand1 then your wager is won2 and it will move no small laughter to see a fool so lose his money4 ,to tell any number thought of by another person4 ,desire the person who has thought of a number to multiply it by itself2 then desire him to add unity to the number thought of1 and to multiply that sum also by itself2 in the last place1 ask him to tell the difference of these two products1 which will certainly be an odd number1 and the least half of it will be the number required4 ,for ,example4 ,let the number thought of be #e1 which multiplied by itself gives #be2 in the next place1 #e increased by #a is #f1 which multiplied by itself makes #cf2 and the difference between these two squares is #aa1 the least half of which is #e1 the number thought of4 ,to make ,alum ,baskets4 ,form a small basket1 about the size of the hand1 of iron wire2 then take some worsted1 and wind it round every part of it4 ,boil a pound of alum in a quart of water1 let it boil well1 stirring it all the time2 when completely dissolved1 pour it into a deep pan1 and by a thread suspend the basket into it to a good depth1 so as that no part shall touch the vessel2 let it remain for one day1 and when you take it out1 the alum will be found crystallized all over the basket4 ,the alum may be coloured pink1 purple1 or yellow1 by boiling ,brazil1 logwood1 or ,french berries with it4 ,silver ,tree on ,glass4 ,put a few drops of the solution of silver in aqua-fortis2 on a piece of glass form a bit of copper or brass wire1 to represent a tree with its branches1 but flat1 so as to lie upon the glass2 lay it in the liquid1 and let it remain for an hour or two4 ,a beautiful vegetation will be perceived all round the wire1 which will nearly be covered by it4 ,this may be preserved by washing it very carefully with water1 and putting another glass over it4 ,a person having written an odd number on one card1 and an even on another1 to tell which is the even and which is the odd4 ,desire him to multiply the number in his right hand by #e 7or any odd number7 and that in his left by #f1 7or any even number7 and tell you if the sum of the products added together be odd or even4 ,if it be even1 the even number is in the right2 but if odd1 the even number is in the left hand4 ,a ,metal which bursts into flame when thrown upon cold water4 ,place a piece of potassium1 of about two grains weight1 upon cold water in a bason1 when it inflames1 and exhibits a beautiful light of a violet red colour4 ,the ,artificial ,spider4 ,cut a piece of burnt cork1 about the size of a pea1 in the shape of a spider2 make its legs of linen thread1 and put a grain or two of lead into it2 to give it more weight2 suspend it by a fine line of silk between the arch1 and an excited stick of wax4 ,to make waves of fire on the surface of water4 ,on a lump of loaf sugar1 let fall a few drops of phosphorized ether1 and place the sugar in a glass of warm water2 a very beautiful appearance will be instantly exhibited3 and the effect is increased if the surface of the water is made to undulate1 by blowing gently with the breath4 ,spoons which melt in hot water4 ,melt together1 in a crucible1 five parts of lead1 three of tin1 and eight of bismuth2 these metals will contain and form an alloy 7of which spoons may be made1 possessed of the remarkable property of melting in boiling water47 ,to prepare ,phosphorized ,ether4 ,suffer sulphuric ether 7about sixpenny worth7 to stand for some weeks over a few small pieces of phosphorus1 in a well-stopped phial4 ,the solution is aided by occasional agitation4 ,how to extract sixpence from under a glass without touching it4 ,place two shillings at an equal distance1 so as to allow the rim of a glass to rest on them1 place a sixpence in the centre of the shillings under the glass2 by drawing your nail along the table1 the sixpence will follow the motion of your nail4 ,this feat can only be performed on a baize1 cloth1 c4 ,to prepare a luminous ,bottle4 ,put a piece of phosphorus1 the size of a pea1 into a phial1 add boiling oil until the bottle is a third full4 ,the phial must then be carefully corked2 and when it is to be used it should be unstopped1 to admit the atmospheric air2 the upper part of the phial will be luminous1 and if care be taken to keep it in general well closed1 it will preserve this illuminative power for six months4 ,an excellent feat to win a wager4 ,lay any person a bet that you will stick a knife in a beam of the ceiling1 and place a halfpenny underneath1 so that by striking the beam the handle of the knife will fall on the halfpenny4 ,to perform this feat you have only to fill a glass with water1 and dip the handle in it while it is suspended2 then observe where the water that is on the handle drops on the floor1 place the halfpenny on the spot where it fell1 and it will be sure to be immediately under it4 ,how to make ,squibs and ,serpents4 ,first1 make the cases1 of about six inches in length1 by rolling slips of stout cartridge paper three times round a roller1 and pasting the last fold2 tying it near the bottom as tight as possible1 and making it air-tight at the end by sealing-wax4 ,then take of gunpowder half a pound1 one ounce of charcoal1 one ounce of brimstone1 and half an ounce of steel filings2 grind them with a muller1 or pound them in a mortar4 ,the cases being dry and ready1 first put a thimble-full of powder1 and ram it hard down with a ruler2 then fill the case to the top with the aforesaid mixture1 ramming it hard down in the course of filling it two or three times2 when this is done1 point it with touch-paper1 which should be pasted on that part which touches the case1 otherwise it is liable to drop off4 ,to produce an ,electric ,spark from a piece of ,brown ,paper4 ,thoroughly dry before the fire a quarter of a sheet of stoutish brown paper1 place it on your thigh1 holding it at the edge with one hand1 while with the cuff of the sleeve on the other1 you must rub it smartly backwards and forwards ten or fifteen times1 if the knuckle be then placed near the paper it will emit a brilliant spark1 accompanied with a snapping noise2 the prongs of a fork similarly placed1 will produce three distinct streams of light4 ,the experiment must of course be performed in the dark1 and the trowsers and coat be of woollen cloth4 ,magic ,squares4 ,a magic square consists of numbers so disposed that in whatever way you may add the numbers1 which the square contains1 they will give the same amount1 whether it be vertically1 horizontally1 or diagonally4 --------- #ae #b #i #d --------- #ae #g #e #c --------- #ae #f #a #h --------- #ae #ae #ae ---------------- #cd #af #c #b #ac ---------------- #cd #e #aj #aa #h ---------------- #cd #i #f #g #ab ---------------- #cd #d #ae #ad #a ---------------- #cd #cd #cd #cd -------------------- #fe #aa #bd #g #bj #c -------------------- #fe #d #ab #be #h #af -------------------- #fe #ag #e #ac #ba #i -------------------- #fe #aj #ah #a #ad #bb -------------------- #fe #bc #f #ai #b #ae -------------------- #fe #fe #fe #fe #fe ,to make ,waterloo ,crackers4 ,take a slip of cartridge paper1 about three-quarters of an inch in width1 paste and double it1 let it remain till dry1 then cut it into two equal parts in length1 7,nos4 #a and #b7 according to the following pattern3 ---------------------------------------- --------- ,no4 #a4 ,glass ,s ,glass ,no4 #b4 ---------------------------------------- --------- ,take some of the glass composition and lay it across the paper as in the pattern1 put about a quarter of a grain of fulminating silver in that place marked ,s1 and while the glass composition is moist1 put the paper marked ,no4 #b1 over the furthest row of glass4 ,over all paste twice over the part that covers the silver1 a piece of paper1 let it dry and when you wish to explode it1 take hold of the two ends and pull them quickly from each other1 when a loud report will be produced4 ,a person privately fixing on any ,number to tell him that ,number4 ,after the person has fixed on a number1 bid him to double it1 and add four to that sum1 then multiply the whole by five1 to the product let him add twelve1 and multiply the amount by ten2 from the sum of the whole let him deduct three hundred and twenty1 and tell you the remainder1 from which1 if you cut off the two last figures1 the number that remains will be that fixed on4 ,example4 ,let the number chosen be #f ,which doubled is #ab ,and #d added to it1 makes #af ,which multiplied by #e1 gives #hj ,to which #ab being added1 it is #ib ,that multiplied by #aj1 makes #ibj ,from which deducting #cbj1 remains #fjj ,and by striking off the two cyphers1 it becomes the former number #f4 ,the ,camelion ,spirit4 ,put into a decanter some volatile spirit1 in which copper filings have been dissolved1 and it will produce a fine blue tincture1 if the bottle be stopped the colour will immediately disappear1 but when unstopped1 it will return4 ,three ,dice being thrown on a ,table1 to tell the ,number of each of them1 and the order in which they stand4 ,let the person who has thrown the dice double the number of that next to his left hand1 and add five to that sum2 then multiply the amount by five and to the product add the number of the middle dice1 then let the whole be multiplied by ten1 and to that product add the number of the third dice4 ,from the total let there be substracted #bej1 and the figures of the number that remains will answer to the points of the three dice1 as they stand on the table4 ,example4 ,suppose the points of the three dice thrown on the table to be #d1 #f1 and #b4 ,then the double of the first die will be #h ,to which add #e ------ #ac #e ------ ,that sum multiplied by #e will be #fe #fe ,to which add the number of the middle dice #f ------ #ga ,and multiply the sum by #aj #aj ------ #gaj ,to that product add the number of the third dice #b ------ #gab ,substract #bej ------ #dfb ,the numbers of the dice and the order in which they stand4 ,easy method of ,constructing paper ,balloons4 ,take several sheets of silk paper1 cut them like the covering of the sections of an orange1 join these pieces together into a globular body1 and border the opening with a ribbon1 leaving the ends that you may suspend the following lamp3 make a small basket of very fine wire1 if the balloon is small1 and suspend it from the following opening1 so that the smoke from the flames of a few sheets of paper wrapped together and dipped in oil1 may heat the inside of it1 before you light this paper1 suspend the balloon so that it may1 in a great measure1 be exhausted of air1 and1 as soon as it has been dilated1 let it go1 together with the basket1 which will serve as ballast4 ,a ,lead ,tree4 ,to a piece of zinc fasten a wire twisted in the form of the worm of a still1 introduce it into the bottle suspended to the cork4 ,let the bottle be filled with spring water1 with a small quantity of sugar of lead added4 ,in a few days the tree will begin to grow1 and produce a most beautiful effect4 ,to place a ,lighted ,candle under ,water without extinguishing it4 ,take a glass1 and fastening a small bit of wood across the mouth1 stick on it a lighted piece of candle1 and1 with a steady hand1 convey the glass to the surface of the water1 then push it gently down1 and the candle may be seen burning under the water4 ,to make ,detonating ,balls4 ,half a grain of fulminating silver1 is to be wrapped up with a hard pea in a piece of tissue paper1 this1 when thrown smartly on the ground or when trod upon1 explodes with a loud report4 ,invisible ,ink4 ,mix alum with lemon juice1 the letters and characters written with this mixture are invisible till dipped in water4 ,if a little aqua-fortis be mixed with the water1 the writing will dry well and not run out of its form when the paper is wetted4 ,blue ,ink4 ,dissolve a small quantity in a little oil of vitriol1 and add a sufficient quantity of water1 in which is dissolved some gum arabic4 ,scarlet ,ink4 ,dissolve vermillion in gum water4 ,a pair of ,dice being thrown1 to find the number of points on each ,dice1 without seeing them4 ,tell the person who casts the dice to double the number of points upon one of them1 and to add five to it1 then to multiply the product by five1 and add to sum produced the number of points upon the other die4 ,this being done1 desire him to tell you the amount1 and having thrown out of it twenty-five1 the remainder will be a number consisting of two figures1 the first of which1 to the left1 is the number of points on the first die1 and the second figure1 to the right1 the number on the other4 ,for ,example4 ,suppose the number of points of the first die which is turned up1 to be #c and that of the other #d1 then if to #f1 the double of the points of the first1 there be added #e1 and the sum produced1 #aa1 be multiplied by #e1 the product will be #ee1 to which if #d1 the number of points on the other die1 be added1 #ei will be produced from which if #be be substracted1 #cd will remain2 the first figure of which is #c1 the number of points on the first die1 and the second figure #d1 the number of the other4 ,to make any number divisible by ,nine by adding a figure to it4 ,if1 for example1 the number named be #gb4heg1 you tell the person who names it1 to place the number #g between any two figures of that sum1 and it will be divisible by #i1 for if any number be multiplied by #i1 the sum of the figures of the product will be either #i or a number divisible by #i4 ,to extract ,silver out of a ,ring1 that is thick ,gilded1 so that the gold may remain entire4 ,make a little hole through the gold into the silver1 then put the ring into aqua-fortis1 in a warm place1 it will dissolve the silver1 and the gold will remain entire4 ,light produced by ,sugar4 ,if two pieces of loaf sugar 7about a pound each7 are struck against each other in the dark1 a light blue flame1 like lightning1 will be produced4 ,the same effect is produced when a loaf of sugar is struck with an iron instrument4 ,singular ,experiment with the ,snuff of a ,candle4 ,when a candle is burned so low as to leave a tolerably large wick1 blow it out1 a dense smoke will arise1 if another candle be applied to the utmost verge of this smoke1 a very strange phenomena will take place2 the flame of the lighted candle will be carried to the one just blown out1 as if it were borne on a cloud2 or1 more properly speaking1 like a flash of lightning1 proceeding at a slow rate4 ,the experiment may be performed by blowing out the candle as often as it is lighted4 ,artificial ,lightning4 ,provide a tin tube that is larger at one end than it is at the other1 and in which there are several holes4 ,fill this tube with powdered resin2 and when it is shook over the flame of a torch1 the reflection will produce the exact appearance of lightning4 ,to cause a brilliant explosion under water4 ,drop a piece of phosphorus1 the size of a pea1 into a tumbler of hot water2 and1 from a bladder1 furnished with a stop-cock1 force a stream of oxygen directly upon it4 ,this will afford a most brilliant combustion under water4 ,the ,fiery ,flash4 ,pour iron filings upon the flame of a candle1 from a sheet of paper1 about eight or ten inches above it1 as they descend in the flame1 they will enter into a very vivid scintillating combustion4 ,to split a piece of money into two parts4 ,fix three pins in the table1 and lay the piece of money upon them2 then place a heap of the flowers of sulphur below the piece of money1 and another above it1 and set fire to them4 ,when the flame is extinct1 you will find on the upper part of the piece a thin plate of metal1 which has been detached from it4 ,sympathetic ,ink4 ,write with the nitro-muriate of gold1 and brush the letters over with muriate of tin in a diluted state4 ,the writing1 before invisible1 will now appear of an exquisitely beautiful purple colour4 ,a very easy method of gilding ivory4 ,place the figure you mean to gild into a solution of nitro-muriate of gold4 ,on taking out from the latter1 it will be covered with metallic gold4 ,how to make the ,constable catch the ,knave4 ,take a pack of cards and look out the four knaves1 lay one of them privately on the top of the pack1 and the other three on the table1 saying1 here you see1 are three knaves got together1 about no good you may be sure1 then lay down a king by the side of them saying1 but here comes the constable and catches them together4 ,oh1 oh1 says he1 have ,i caught you then together8 ,well the next time ,i catch you together ,i'll punish you severely for your rogueries4 ,oh1 but1 says they1 you shan't catch us together in haste2 so they determine to go three different ways4 ,i'll go here1 says one1 7so take one of the knaves and put him at the top of the cards47 ,i'll go here1 says another1 7so put him at the bottom47 ,and ,i'll go here1 says a third1 7so put him exactly in the middle47 8,nay10 says the constable1 8if you run ,i'll make sure of one1 so ,i'll follow the first1 then take the king and put him at the top of the pack1 and let any one cut the cards three or four times1 and then deal2 cut the cards one by one1 and you will find three together1 and the constable with them40 ,to tell the amount of the ,numbers of any two ,cards drawn from a common ,pack4 ,let the person who has drawn the two cards deduct the number of each of them from twenty-six1 which is half the number of the pack1 and after adding the remainder together1 let him tell you the total1 which you privately deduct from fifty-two1 the number of cards in a perfect pack1 and the remainder will be the amount of the two cards4 ,example4 ,suppose the two cards drawn are #e and #h2 then the person deducting #e from #bf1 there remain #ba2 then #h from #bf there remain #ah2 these two remainders added together make #ci1 which you substract from #eb1 and there remain #ac the number of the two cards when added together4 ,to tell the number of ,cards by their weight4 ,take a parcel of cards1 suppose forty1 among which insert two long cards1 let the first be1 for example1 the tenth1 and the other the fourteenth from the top2 seem to shuffle the cards1 and then cutting them at the first long card1 poise those you have cut off in your left hand1 8there should be here ten cards40 ,cut them again1 at the second long card1 and say1 8there are only four cards40 ,then weighing the remainder1 you say1 8here are only twenty-eight cards40 ,to hold four ,knaves1 or four ,kings1 in your hand1 and to change them suddenly into ,blank ,cards1 and then into four ,aces4 ,you must have cards made for the purpose of this feat1 half cards1 as they may be properly termed1 that is1 one half kings or knaves and the other half aces4 ,when you lay the aces one over the other1 nothing but the kings or knaves will be seen4 ,then turning the kings or knaves downwards1 the four aces will be seen4 ,you must have two perfect cards1 one a king or knave to cover one of the aces1 or else it will be seen2 and the other an ace to lay over the kings or knaves4 ,when you wish to make them all blank cards1 lay the cards a little lower1 and by hiding the aces they will all appear white on both sides4 ,you may then ask the company which they choose1 and exhibit kings1 aces1 or blanks1 as required4 ,cards in couples4 ,select any twenty cards1 and having them shuffled by any person that pleases1 lay them in pairs upon the table1 then desire several persons 7as many as there are pairs on the table7 to look at different pairs1 and remember what cards compose them4 ,you then take up the cards in the order in which they have been placed1 and replace them with their faces uppermost upon the table1 according to the situation of the letters in the following word4 ,m ,u ,t ,u ,s #a #b #c #d #e ,d ,e ,d ,i ,t #f #g #h #i #aj ,n ,o ,m ,e ,n #aa #ab #ac #ad #ae ,c ,o ,c ,i ,s #af #ag #ah #ai #bj ,these words1 which have no particular meaning1 contain ten letters repeated1 or two of each sort4 ,you1 therefore1 ask each person which row or rows the cards he looked at are in2 if he says the first1 they must be the second and fourth in that row2 these being the only duplicates in them1 if he says the second and fourth1 they must be the ninth and nineteenth1 and so of all the rest4 ,this amusement1 which is very simple1 and requires very little practice1 will excite considerable astonishment in the uninformed4 ,method of receiving the ,electric ,shock from a ,cat4 ,put the left hand under the throat1 with the middle finger and thumb slightly pressing the bones of the animal's shoulders1 then gently passing the right hand along the back1 sensible electrical shock will be felt in the left hand1 and very distinct discharges may be obtained by touching the tips of the ears1 after applying friction to the back2 the same may be obtained from the foot4 ,a ,brilliant ,combustion4 ,if a piece of inflated phosphorus be plunged in a jar of nitrous acid gas1 a very beautiful and brilliant combustion will take place4 ,to ,tell the ,number thought of by a person4 ,desire the person to take one from the number thought of1 and to double the remainder1 then bid him take one from this double1 and add to it the number thought of2 in the last place1 ask him to tell you the number arising from this addition1 add three to it1 and the third of the sum will be the number required4 ,for ,example4 ,let the number thought of be #f1 if #a be taken from it1 there will remain #e1 the double of which #aj1 being diminished by #a1 and the remainder #i being increased by #f1 the number thought of1 the result will be #ae1 if to this we add #c1 we shall have #ah1 the third part of which1 #f1 will be the number required4 ,how to lift up a ,flint ,glass ,bottle with a ,straw4 ,take a straw1 which is not broken or bruised1 and having bent one end of it into a sharp angle1 put this curved end into the bottle1 so that the bent part may rest against its side1 and you may take the other end in your hand1 and lift up the bottle by it1 without breaking the straw1 and this will be more readily accomplished1 as the angular part of the straw approaches nearer to that which comes out of the bottle4 ,how to produce ,flashes of ,light resembling the ,will ,o' ,wisp4 ,take a small quantity of water in a glass tumbler1 and add to it two or three small lumps of phosphoret of lime1 shortly will arise little flashes of light1 darting out like petty lightning and ascending subsequently into curling clouds1 the appearances continue for some time1 and constitute a lively illustration of the formation of a light proceeding out of shallow pools of water4 ,imitative ,medallions4 ,medallions1 after the antique1 cameos and intaglios are made by fusing the iron with a small quantity of antimony1 performing the operation in a very small furnace4 ,when finished from the mould1 rub them over with burnt porcelain earth1 from which they will receive the rich hue of jet1 rendering them fit to be set1 even in gold4 ,method of cleaning ,playing ,cards4 ,nothing soils sooner than playing cards4 ,the following method will be found to remove every thing from them but a stain1 and will give the dirtiest pack possible the appearance of being new4 ,rub the soiled card with a piece of flannel and some good fresh butter1 until the butter shall have cleaned off all the dirt4 ,so soon as the dirt is removed1 wipe off the butter with a clean rag1 and to restore the cards to its former gloss1 rub the surface sharply with a piece of flannel and some flour1 cut the edges neatly with a pair of scissars1 and the operation is completed4 ,to ,detonate ,fulminating ,copper by ,friction4 ,put a grain of fulminating copper on a hearth-stone1 rub it with the end of a poker1 and a loud explosion will immediately follow4 ,to make a ,stone ,float4 ,to a piece of cork tie a small stone that will just sink it1 and putting it into a vessel of water1 place it under the receiver2 then exhausting the receiver1 the bubbles of air will expand from its pores1 and adhering to its surface1 will render it1 together with the stone1 lighter than water1 and consequently both will rise to the surface and float upon it4 ,the ,fiery ,fountain4 ,if twenty grains of phosphorus1 cut very small and mixed with forty grains of powder of zinc1 be put into four drams of water1 and two drams of concentrated sulphuric acid be added thereto1 bubbles of inflamed phosphorated hydrogen gas will quickly cover the whole surface of the fluid in successions forming a real fountain of fire4 ,to make an ,exploding ,bubble4 ,if you take up a small quantity of melted glass with a tube 7the bowl of a common tobacco-pipe will do7 and let a drop fall into a vessel of water1 it will chill and condense with a fine spiral tail1 which being broken the whole substance will burst with a loud explosion1 without injury either to the party that holds it1 or to him who breaks it2 but if the thick end be struck1 even with a hammer1 it will not break4 ,the ,changeable ,rose4 ,take a common full blown rose1 and having thrown a little sulphur1 finely pounded1 into a chafing dish with coals1 expose the rose to the vapour2 by this process the rose will become whitish2 but if it be afterwards held some time in water1 it will resume its former colour4 ,to ,write upon ,glass by the rays of the ,sun4 ,dissolve chalk in aqua-fortis to the consistence of milk1 and add to it a solution of silver4 ,keep this liquor in a glass decanter1 well stopped4 ,then cut out from a paper the letters you would have appear1 and paste the paper upon the decanter1 which is to be placed in the sun1 in such a manner that its rays may pass through the spaces cut out of the paper1 and fall on the surface of the liquor4 ,the part of the glass through which the rays pass will turn black1 and that under the paper will remain white4 ,you must observe not to move the bottles during the time of the operation4 ,to take a ,shilling out of a ,handkerchief4 ,you must have a curtain ring about the size of a shilling1 at first you put the shilling into the handkerchief1 but when you take it out again1 to convince the company that there is no deception1 you slip the curtain ring in its stead1 and while the person is eagerly holding the handkerchief1 and the company's eyes are fixed upon the form of the shilling1 you seize this opportunity of putting it into a hat or basket2 when you get possession of the handkerchief again you slip away the curtain ring4 ,to prepare ,gold ,powder for ,gilding4 ,put into an earthen mortar some leaf gold1 with thick gum water1 and grind the mixture till the gold is reduced to small particles4 ,having done this1 a little warm water will wash out the gum1 leaving the gold in a pulverized state4 ,to melt ,lead in a piece of ,paper4 ,wrap up a very smooth ball of lead in a piece of paper1 taking care that there be no wrinkles in it1 and that it be every where in contact with the ball1 if it be held1 in this state1 over the flame of a taper1 the lead will be melted without the paper being burnt4 ,the lead1 indeed1 when once fused1 will not fail in a short time to pierce the paper1 and run through4 ,to make a ,room seem on ,fire4 ,take half an ounce of sal ammoniac1 one ounce of camphor1 and two ounces of aqua-vit1 put them into an earthen pot1 narrowing towards the top1 and set fire to it4 ,the effect will be so alarming1 that persons in the room will fancy their garments are on fire4 ,to make ,artificial ,fire ,balls4 ,put thirty grains of phosphorus into a florence flask1 with three or four ounces of water2 place the vessel over a lamp1 and give it a boiling heat4 ,balls of fire will soon be seen to issue from the water1 after the manner of an artificial firework1 attended with the most beautiful vibrations of light4 ,to break a ,staff placed upon two ,glass ,goblets full of water1 without ,injuring the ,glasses or ,spilling the ,water4 ,place the glasses 7being full of water7 upon two joint stools1 equally distant from the ground1 and from one another the length of the staff1 then place the ends of the staff upon the edges of the two glasses1 so that they be sharp1 this being done1 strike the staff in the middle1 with all the force you can1 with another staff1 and it will break without injuring the goblets1 or spilling the water4 ,to observe an ,eclipse of the ,sun without injury to the ,eye4 ,take a spectacle glass that magnifies very much1 hold it before a book1 twice the distance of its focus1 and you will see the round body of the sun1 and the manner in which the moon passes between the glass and the sun1 during the whole eclipse4 ,invisible ,ink4 ,take zaffer1 and dissolve it in nitro-muriatic acid1 till the acid extracts all the metallic part1 then dilute the solution with common water1 if you write with this liquid on paper1 the writing will appear of a beautiful green1 upon being partially warmed before the fire4 ,bronze for casting ,busts1 c4 ,melt in a crucible1 seven ounces of pure copper1 when fused throw into it three ounces of zinc1 and two ounces of tin4 ,these metals will combine forming bronze1 an alloy1 which1 from the exactness of the impression which it takes from a mould1 has1 in ancient and modern times1 been generally used in the formation of busts1 medals1 and statues4 ,to put a ,ring through your ,cheek and then to bring it on a ,stick4 ,you must have two rings exactly alike1 one of which has a notch which admits your cheek4 ,when you have exhibited the perfect ring1 you change it for the other1 and privately slip the notch over one side of your mouth1 in the meantime you slip the whole ring on your stick1 hiding it with your hand1 then desire some one to hold the end of the stick1 whip the ring out of your cheek1 and smite with it instantly upon the stick1 concealing it1 and whirling the other ring1 which you hold your hand over round about the stick4 ,to tell1 by a ,watch ,dial1 the hour when a person intends to rise4 ,the person is told to set the hand of his watch at any hour he pleases1 which hour he tells you1 and you add in your mind twelve to it4 ,you then desire him to count privately the number of that addition on the dial1 commencing at the next hour to that at which he intends to rise1 and including the hour at which he has placed the hand1 which will give you the answer4 ,for ,example4 ,a intends to rise at #f 7this he conceals to himself7 he places the hand at #h1 which he tells ,b1 who1 in his own mind1 adds #ab to #h1 which makes #bj4 ,b then tells ,a to count #bj on the dial1 beginning at the next hour to that at which he proposes to rise1 which will be #g1 and counting backwards1 reckoning each hour as #a1 and including in his addition the number of the hour hand is placed at1 the addition will end at #f1 which is the hour proposed2 thus1 ,the hour the hand is placed at is #h ,the next hour to that1 which ,a intends to rise at1 is #g1 which counts for #h #a ,count back the hours from #f1 and reckon them #a each1 there will be #aa hours1 viz4 #d1 #c1 #b1 #a1 #ab1 #aa1 #aj1 #i1 #h #g1 #f1 #aa ---- ,making #bj ,h4 ,,hetherington1 ,printer1 #ac1 ,kingsgate ,street1 ,holborn4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,transcriber',s ,,notes #a4 ,silently corrected typographical errors and variations in spelling4 #b4 ,anachronistic1 non-standard1 and uncertain spellings retained as printed4 #c4 ,enclosed italics font in underscores4