The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-04-03
wonderful optical Illusions,

Professor Pepper, delivering lectures
on optics in London, gives some new
and astonishing experiments n illus
tration of optical illusions, the most re-
markabie Of which are called athe Mod
ern Delphic Oracle" and "the Fairy
Casket" In introducing the former,
the professor calls upon the audience
70 call 70 mind ancient GreeceI The
curtain rises and the interior of Gre
clan temple Ia disclosed. Draperv in
the background is pushed one eide. and
figure, classicAlly costumed and read
ing intently a scroll which he holds IN
one hand, advances The professor
explains that the figure must be sup
posed 70 represent noble Athenian,
erudite and highly gifted. Through an
mountaineering which he had formed
with one Of the priests of Isis the learn
ed individual gets possession of a ga
cred scroll, which informs him that. by
means Of certain charms and incsnts-
tious, he can hold converse with the
dead. he proceeds to do SO st once
and after some formslities he calls upon
Socrates. Slowly the curtain through
which the Athenian before appeared is
drawn aside, and q head, apparently
floating in the air, is disclosed. There
seems to be no mistake about the head
being human Ii is, apparently, Socra-
ties, and seemingly HalI alive"
Gradually the eyes open and look
about most naturally, and in obedience
TO the demand of the Athenisn the
voice of Socrates is heard pronouncing
his own opinion of the decision of his
Judges. To render the illusion as real
as possible an instrument is placed in
front OF the stage, which has the effect
OF throwing a strong reelection on euy
object that comes between il and the
papered wall 1T the back of the stage.
The reflection of the head, and the
head alone, on the background, adds
much 20 the beWilderment with which
the spectator, not in the secret, wit
nesses it. Besides as the head delivers
itself of the beautiful lines with which
ii is instructed, the beard is observed
10 move with each articulation of the
voice, Yet the whole is, as the profes-
soT takes some trouble to remind his
audience, when any fresh cause for sur
prise 10 unfolded, nothing more than a
simple illusion.
The Fairy Casket" is equally sur
prising. 1t consists of 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 Ia
BILE. The whole is covered with drap
cry, when il lie brought in front of the
stage, close to the foot lights. The
closest inspection is invited. On the
covering being removed the table and
glass box, as above described, appear.
The glass box seems to contain black
velvet and charcoal. The professor
opens the box and fills il still further
with what 1ppears 10 be more charcoal
He then orders his assistant 10 shut
down the glass lid and cover the box
Ina feN minutes the box is uncovered
and il appears 10 be filed with white
satin instead of black velvet, and roses
instead of charcoal A white satin
cushion is taken out of the box, and af-
ter il real live fairy is handed up
from its depths, nimbly extricates her
self and bows her acknowledgements
of the greetings with which she is re-
ceiyed, The box is again covered and
uncovered. The result is that the
black velvet aud charcoal again appear
in the interior The contents Of the
box are again produced They consist
of a large black cushion and q most in
teresting looking little negro. who, az
Ger jumping out Of the box, throws him.
self in a kneeling attitude, aud appeal
ing 10 the audience, says, "Am not a
man and Il brother These are the
two principal illusions which have
been. we understand, drawing such
vast numbers 70 the Polytechnic ever
since their production.