The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1880-04-06
MODEM MAGIC.
Rummaging Q Prestidigitateur's
Box Of Aarvels.

| san francisco Chronicle.
Between the modern prestidigita.
teur and the old.time copjurer there
is q wide difference, not only in his
appearance and style of living, but
in the character of his performance
and the apparatus used. The stock in
trade of him who lang syne amused
a few gaping rustics by making a
hasty pudding in a hat, or drawing
rabbit from fright ened woman's
gown, and that Of the gentleman
who, clad in faultless evening attire.
with diamond studs sparkling on the
bosom of an immaculate shirt, per-
forms his feats on a handsome stage
before a fashionable audience, are no
more alike than their possessors. 1t
would form an interesting and odd
study to trace, step by step, the
changes that have led to the present
condition of things. but in this article
it is only intended 10 show by
describing a few hitherto unexplained
tricks how elaborate and costly is
the paraphernalia of modern magi-
clan. Hermann. now that his
brother has retired, that poor Heller
is dead, and that Cazeneuve is still
hampered by an interpreter, may be
regarded as occupying representa-
tive position among dealers in the
black (dress-suit) art, and as he is
far away from San Francisco, the
following cannot be looked upon
either as an elaborate advertisement
or ali expose that might injure his
business. The illusion given under
the title of ASLEEP in Midair" had
been performed long before Hermann
had any idea of calling it his own.
The trick, we believe, is of French
invention, although it was years ago
presented at the Egyptian hall.
London. 1t is only necessary to say,
in explaining this realization of an
Arabian Nights Dream, that when
tho person who is to be suspended in
midair is dressing herself. she buckles
around her a light but strong frame
composed of leather and steel bands.
These bands are so arranged that the
wearer could be suspended from any
of them and retain the free use Of
her limbs. The only point Of attach
ment made use of in this trick is
snap-hook behind the right shoulder.
Mile. Addie. it will be remembered.
rested her feet on stool set between
TWO UPRIGHT RODS ABOUT SIX FEET
HIGH.
Her elbows resting On the top Of the
rods. TIE rod under the girls right
shoulder is really a tub, down which
passes strong but small rope. with
a catch at the upper end. Under
pretence OF arronging his wite's
drapery, Hermann slips this catch
into the snap-qook spoken of, the
attendant below the stage grasps
the rope. and by an easily understood
system of leverage not only keeps
Mile. Addie erect when Hermann re-
moves the stool and left-hand rod. but
also draws her into a horizontal
position. Resting securely in her
frame. Mile. Addie moves arms or legs
according to her husbands disposition
thereof. One of Herrmann's most re-
markable tricks was that of "Decap-
itation." Some years ago magician
who performed in this city as a Turk,
We believe, introduced a more CHASTITY
version Of the same feat. He gave
his entertainments at Platt's hall,
and made this beheading the sensa-
tion of his last week. The hall was
darkened, a strain of weird music
was wrung out of a piano. to the
rhythm of which the magician march
ed slowly on to the stage, accom-
panied by pale-faced youth. The
attendant laid himself upon a table
in the centre of the stage and was
put to sleep BY mesmeric passes /;
the magician arranged cloth about
the victims neck, drew a -scimetar,
sent it Kissing through the air. and
with one sweep drew the blade
through the youths neck, separating
the head from the body.
WOMEN Used TO FAINT AND MEN
sHUDDER
as the head was lifted up with the
blood streaming from it and placed
upon a salver to be "handed around
for the company to examine" The
cold eaput mo,tuis was then taken back
and joined to the body. a little
magic powder was sprinkled over
the points of contact, and the sub !
ject being awakened. sat up. looked
dreamily around. and backed off the
stage. The explanation is simple |
enough. The youths head lay on
trap in the table large enough to |
admit of both head and shoulders. !
In the cavity of the table was a !
rubber head admirably constructed to
resemble that of the attendant, with
a little stage blood in the hollow Of
the neck. At the moment Of sup
posed decapitation. the magician, who
stood with his back to the audience,
pressed upon the attendants head,
which at once sank into the table, J
and selling the dummy head, held it
aloft, the cloth about the
neck hiding the angle of the sunken
head. To "recapitate" the youth it
was only necessary to drop the
rubber head back IN its place, release
he spring of the trap, which brought
he attendants head to its proper
evel, and the trick was done. With
Hermann the more horrible adjuncts
we're done away with, and I,
4 VEIN OF COMEDY WAS INTRODUCED
nto the act. At the same time the
Of the feat was destroyed
" the use of expensive and cum.