The Sun.
London, England, 1862-04-19 00:00:00

IRE NEW BOTTLE TRICK.

Clever as Frikel is acknowledged to be in his
cabalistic art, it is to be doubted whether he has not
lately been surpassed, at least in one part of his per-
formance—the bottle trick. How this wonderful act
has just been capped may be briefly told. Within
the last week or two the inhabitants of Denmark-
hill have been favoured with the visit of an indivi-
dual, who under the pretence of acting honestly, has
enriched himself at the expense of the householders.
The plan pursued by this person is to call early in
the morning, while the family are at their matuti-
nal meal, and to hand to the servant who opens the
door a letter, which upon being read turns out to be
a circular, to the effect that C. Baker gives above
the average price for old bottles. The consequence
naturally follows that Paterfamilias advises Mater-
families " to get rid of all their old bottles, especi-
ally as the price offered is so tempting." The fellow
is told he can have what he desires. Upon this
he says he will call at 12 o'clock to give time to make
the necessary arrangements. Accordingly at the ap-
pointed hour he arrives, and surveys the quantity
of glass bristling in the hall, and declares that ho
will have a large amount to pay, but still he will
cheerfully make the disbursement, having
require-
menteig for an immense quantity of bottles. He then
n
goes on to state that his cart being
in the h
bourhood, taking away somebody else's store of old
bottles, he should like to purchßee some old elothe,l,
boots, and indeed anything of madam. She at length
complies, and ransacks the wardrobe; the offer for
the things thus produced being ridiculously small,
on'
unles
e man
the trifling
aofglass
and brass deli-
cately refused,
observingbut
that o
taownnaeyt sum be ac-
cepted he will not take the large quantity of bottles
the controller of the household gives way. Mr. C.
Baker i r
in capacious bags coats,
gowns,
et or
sw, s
s, boots, jackets, frocks,
collars, waistcoats, shirts, and other articles of wear
e; v
Bs
enough to supply the wants of Australia, New Zea-
land, or Vancouver's Island in clothing for a consi-
derable period. He at
once pays the ridiculous price
agreed upon when the sum promi •
sed for the bottles
Nvas taken into consideration, at the same tituo in a
tradesman-like
manner insisting that 1
ic always
lik€d to settle upon the completion of a transaction.
The next stage in the proceedings is to get rid of
any men or boys there may he by begging them to
procure him as much straw as possible for the pack-
ing of the bottles. During their absence the tn?n
rushes to the door to call an imaginary Jack to
bring the cart, hut es the mythical gentleman eoes
not answer, Mr. C. Baker then tells Materfcmi lies
he will look after man and cart. it is perhaps un-
necessary to name that the researches of the adven-
turer become so extensive that ho is never seen
again, unlike other conjurors, in the same place. As
his visits, therefore, have recently been confined to
the sweet south, the inhabitants of north, east, and
crest would do well to be fully alive, when the rival
of the evil magician, who cried " New lamps for
old" in the " Arabian Nights," is amongs them, to'
preparation" for—the bottle trick.