The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1866-05-24
Wonderful Optical Illusion.

Wonderful Optical Illusion.
Professor Pepper, delivering lectures
on optics in London, gives some new
and astonishing experiments In illustra-
ton of optical illusions, the most re-
markable of which are called 1.-THE Mod
ern Delphic Oracle" and 1.-THE Fairy
Casket." In introducing the former,
the Professor calls upon the audience to
call to mind ancient Greece. The cur
tain rises and the interior of q Grecian
temple is disclosed. Drapery in the
background is pushed one side, and
figure, classically costumed and reading
intently a scroll which he holds in one
hand, advances. The Professor explains
that the figure must be supposed to rep
resent a noble Athneian, erudite and
highly gifted. Through an acquaint-
anceship which he had formed with one
of the priests Of Isis, the learned indi-
vidual gets possession Of sacred scroll
which informs him that by means Of
certain charms and incantations. he can
hold converse with the dead. He pro-
ceeds to do SO at once; and after some
formalities he calls upon Socrates. Slow
ly the curtain through which the Athe-
nian before appeared is drawn aside, and
head apparently floating in the air, is
disclosed. There seems to be no misteke
about the head being human. It is, ap-
parently Socrates and seemingly "all
alive"
Gradually the eyes open and look
about most naturally, and in obedience
to the demand of the Athenian, the
voice of Socrates is heard pronouncing
his own opinion of the decision of the
judges. To render the illusion as real as
possible, an instrument is placed in front
of the stake, which has the effect of
throwing strong reflection of any OBJ
ject that comes between it and the pa
pered wall at the back of the stage. The
reflection Of the head, and the head
alone, on the background, adds much
to the bewildcrment with which every
spectator not in the secret witnesses it.
Besides, as the head delivers itself of
the beautiful lines with which it is in
trusted, the head is observed to move
with each articulation of the voice. Yet
the whole is, as the professor takes some
trouble to remind his audience, when
any cause for surprise is unfolded, moth
ing more than simple illusion.
The "Fairy Casket' is equally sur
prising. 1t consists Of a strong table,
some four feet high, with four legs,
which are open to the inspection of ALL
On this table is deposited large glass
box, of nearly the same size as the table.
The whole is covered with drapery,
when it is brought in front of the stage,
close to the footlights, the closest inspec-
ton is invited. On the covering being
removed, the table and glass box, as de-
scribed, appear. The glass box seems to
contain black velvet and charcoal. He
then orders his assistants to shut down
the glass lid and cover the box. In
few minutes the box and lid are uncov-
cred and it appears to be filled with
white satin instead of black velvet, and
roses instead of charcoal.
A white satin cushion is taken out of
the box, and after it real live fairy is
handed up from its depths, nimbly ex-
tricates herself, aud bows her acknowl-
edgement of the greetings with which
she is received. The box is again cover
ed and uncovered. The result is that
the black velvet and the charcoal appear
in the interior. The contents of the box
are again produced. They consist of a
large black cushion aud most interest
ing little negro, who, after jumping out
of the box, throws himself in a kneeling
attitude, and appealing to the audience
says, "Am not man and a brother ?"
These are the two principal illusions
which have been, we understand, draw
ing such vast numbers to the Polytech-
mic ever since their production.
A BEAUTIFUL IDEA-Awav among