Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-04-02
THE MYSTERIOUS CABINET.
Interview with the Inventor ct
hefrmann's Great Cabi-
net Illusion.
Row IT WAS FIRST DISPLAYED

Those who saw Hermann, the world re-
nowned wizard, perform his cabinet trick a,
Macauleys Theater In tbs early part OF the
present week maryeled al the remarkable and
plausible deception. It has been claimed since
the alleged exposition OF the trick by the Dav-
enport bIotherS some years ago that there Is
nothing really wonderful about II. However
that may be, few persons who have seen the
cabinet illuslon--for that &c is and nothing
more-haye ever been able 10 understand in
and though even duIing the present week hun.
dreds OF theories have been advanced, they are
all Ia the main incorrect. Hearing that Profess
sof Tooin probably knew more about it than
anybody else IN Louisville a Courier Journal
reporter called upon that gentleman in the
T0oEls Of the Public Library yesterday after
noon aud asked him 10 explain The Professor
T re but Que nooby, and that hobby is science.
de Is alWays willing TO explain 10 others Wlai
lie has learned himself, and when questioned
yesterday he answered promptly:
THE cabinet trick is an old experiment with
magicians, the invention OF which claim TIE
authorship. Tie original experiment Was pro-
duced at the Royal Polytechnic institution,
London, In 1865, under the title OF The Protean
Cabinet, SINCE that time neafly every timer
ant magician has pirated the ioes, IN some form
or other, Ii this and nearly every country on
the face Of the civilized globe. Some, | my
add. have been honest enough 10 credit TIE In
yention to its author, and but few have paid
royalty
'In 1865 4 patent was granted In England 10
d.. Ill. PepEGE aL1u Stil sS- aUl
the followlag year another to a Mr.. stodare and
myself for a modification OF the principle.
Under this latter patent the celebrated SPHINX
or bodyless head was exhibited 10 wondering :
thousands at the Egyptian Han, London, and
the 'Tete Decapite,' In Paris"
..But, Professor, what about tho working OF
the cabinet!''
tables are performed is very simpla There are
two silvered mirrors placed at an angle or for
ty.flye degrees With the s!des OF the DoK or cur
tains on the stage. These reflect the sides and
serve to hide the body or entire person OF the
invisible performer: In other words, when ii Is
desired to become Invisible TO the audience,
the performer simply goes behind the mirrors.
The Illusion fer it Is purely an optical Illusion,
has been described In every language and Illus
trated fully In every form. still hold an Amer
lean pategt for one or the applications OF it,
and expect some time 20 snow ana explain IL
plaration OF the Illusion. refer tneln 10 Pep
per'S CIclopeIic SCIENCE when Is Ia Inc Poly-
techItc library. and may De consulteo Dy any
one There the whole invention Is fully de.
scribed In detai with wood cuts illustrative OF
the subject matter
':Wit1al It's simplicity, however, Professor,
the cabinet trick Is decidedly realistic
Yes: when shown In Paris, singular IN
stance occurred showing the realistic effect OF
the illusion. TIT Able Moigno, who Is one OF
the highe scientific french autnorilies, wS
invited 10 witness the exhl oition. lie saw what
to his senses vas severed head, DioO1less, put
alive. He at nIst thought it ciever piece OF
mechanism, but when the head addressed MIN
by name In a very doleful tone OF voice. his
wonder was excited TO the extreme, ana ne
thought it could be nothing less than sorcery.
He asked, Are you alive" Yes, anu KNOW
YOU. Abbe Moigno.' Are you happyc' 'Ah,
yes replied the head. The Abbe could stand
it no longer, and, bursting with emotion. said:
DO not be afraid 10 confess to me: IL you are
not happy, will pray for you Az when tne
head, unable to keep IT'S countenance any
longer, laughed aloud. The Queen OF England
had special exhibition OF the Invention az
Buckingham Palace during the ftrst year OF Its
pIodlc tion Ia London, and the various mem
bers OF the Royal family were very much
amused wien the whole secret was explained
Journal