The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1889-09-29


dial. The performer or his assist ant sets
the battery in action and by button
controls the movement of the clockwork.
Some of these scientific illusions are both
striking and beautiful. One which is
rarely seen, although it is exceedingly
simple, is the Fountain of Light" A
barrel or tank lined with cheap mirror
is filled with water and its contents bril-
liantly Illuminated either by means of O
dark lantern which throws its light
through a glass window on the side, or
by 1ncandescent globes suspended in the
water. Ii, when the room is very dark,
the faucet be turned and the water
allowed to run out and fall into glass
pitcher or bowl, the liquid that falls, and
that which is caught below, seems fluid
ire, so perfectly does 1t carry the light in
its particles. A large volume might be
filled with the description Of these scien-
tific experiments. They are seldom en-
ployed by professionals and then when
used are intended as expedients to dis
tract the attention Of the audience and
not for any particular merit of their own.
1t is on this account that all first class
magicians keep sharp eye upon the de-
delopment of the modern sciences and
make use of each new idea before it has
become the common property and knowl-
edge of the public.
Magic has undergone great changes in
my own recollection, most of which have
been for the better. When / began my
professional career land was only eight
years of age at the time) the average con-
juror carried with him enough apparatus
and paraphernalia to fill baggage car.
With this he dressed the stage until it
looked like the exhibition room of great
lewelry house. 1t was a legend of the
profession that the richer and more bril-
liant the equipment the greater the sue
cess Of the performer. One magician
carried with him what are known In the
dramatic world as properties" and also
the materials for set-scene. He set his
stage to resemble the interior of Greek
palace in the time of and went
so far as to have his attendants attired in
classical tunics.
Another popular performer of that
period produced the den or laboratory of
an alchemist, wherein strange fires
burned, liquids boiled and mysterious
vapors over and again broke upon the
air. Still another played the part of a
medieval necromancer or wizard and
used as ornaments the deaths head, owl,
alligator and black cat with which that
individual was popularity believed to be
surrounded.
The modern style of performing in q
dress suit with the stage set as drawing
room took its use l believe with my
father and Robert Houdin. 1t was well
received by the public, but was opposed
by the profession. Their ideas slowly
forged ahead until to-day they are almost
universally followed. The old system
died hard. While It's seldom seen now
adays in the large cities, it is occasionally
encountered in small towns Much of the
apparatus then used has gone into the
curiosity shop, some has been put to
palmer and more practical uses. The
rule at present is to use as little machin-
cry as possible, and to conceal or disguise
q q 10 ho
There are exceptions in those cases
where scientific illusions are produced
The "SphynX," or "Headless Woman, !"
where head seemingly free of any body
is suspended by thread; Maskelyn's
Cabinet" where ia man apparently dis
appears without leaving O trace behind.
and Peppers Ghosts" where men walk
throughA each other as if each were a
spiritual being, require the largest and
finest mirrors and other expensive opti-
cal apparatus.
Some of the superb scientific tricks
have been borrowed from the conjuror's
repertoire and used in opera and drama.
In some of Wagner's compositions, in
the "Corsican Brothers," and am told in
at least two of Henry Irving's wonderful
productions, mirrors, refiectors and cleo
trical appliances have been employed with
more than satisfactory results.
The effect of these scientific toys is
great enough upon educated people.
With persons of less intelligence it is
far greater, while with those Of no educa-
tion it is simply terrific. In some parts
of Europe and Asia, / have at times
risked life and limb from the superstitious
and illiterate, who were convinced that
was in league with the devil. Every now
and then you run across individuals who
still believe in witches and wizards, in
devils who go around disguised in human
shape. and in the ability of any man to
sell his soul to the powers of darkness for
almost any and every conceivable con-
sideration. To such as these all leger-
domain seems uncanny, and every pres
tidigitateur very suspicious, if not a
dangerous character When beyond this.
they see something not only inexplicable
but also incomprehensible that seems to
involve power over spiritual beings good
and bad, their superstition overcomes all
curiosity, and they become the slaves of
fear in regard to the spectacle they Wit
ness, and of hatred and ferocity toward
the actor.
Only of late years has the talent of the
prestidigitateur been recognized by
society and the public. A successful pro-
undergoes q training that Is marvel.
To do Il trick, and do 1T well, demands
years OF the hardest practice. Dexterity
is acquired only by continual and ever
repeated experiences. The musician who
plays and replays his pieces for hours
every day, and the engraver who spends a
month upon q picture hardly an inch
square, are the only ones who may be
compared with the magician as to daily
toll. For years L practiced ten hours q
day before q mirror, and even at the
present moment devote some time every
day to keeping my hand in good shape.
Nor is this all. A man to succeed in
my vocation must study human nature
and the art of conversation. The audi
ence must be amused startled and inter
ested in order to be thoroughly mystified.
The joke or epigram Of today becomes
stale tomorrow and must be replaced by
something new. Beyond this he must
keep up an intimate knowledge of chem
istry, physics, electricity and mechanics.
A great magician must be well-trained,
well-educated and well-read gentleman.
There is hardly one ever knew but what
was such and was so treated the world
over. In nearly every case he is feted at
home and abroad, and in those lands
where such customs prevail he is the re-
cipient OF honors, stars, crosses and even
titles.
There is humorous side to the pro-
fession which is always pleasant. To
keep in practice as well as for other
reasons every professor is forever playing
harmless jokes. The effect of these at
times is indiscribable Once at the din
ner table of hotel there was pompous
individual who bored everyone present by
his loud voice and sublime egotism. /
stood it few minutes, and then fixing
my eyes as | raised my coffee to my lips.
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