The record-union., 1896-09-13

others of an equally startling character,
are produced not merely by one method
but by several.
The oldest device belonging to this de-
partment Of magic is the Indian basket
trick, its origin dating back many hum
dreds Of years. The apparatus for this
Illusion consists of large. square
basket, which may be carefully exam
ined without the discovery of any un-
usual or suspicious preparation. boy
is placed in the basket, the lid is closed.
and stout rope securely tied around
it; but, Notwithstanding these precau-
tions, the boy invariably escapes from
the basket. This trick was produced in
Europe by Colonel Stodare in 1865, but
the problem of effecting disappearances
or escapes received a far more Scien-
tific solution at the hands of MesSrs.
Pepper and Tobin, who produced the
Protean cabinet at the Polytechnic In
stitute, London, about 1868. This cabi-
net is generally exhibited on a stage,
where it is subjected to close scrutiny
by committee of spectators and is so
arranged that the front. back sides, top
and bottom are all visible to the audi
ence or committee during the entire
progress of the illusion, yet this does
not interfere with many inexplicable
appearances, disappearances and sub
StitutiOnS.
The problem Of rendering a person in
visible presents very great difficulties.
One of the earliest successful attempts
at partial solution was the invention
Of The Sphynx," which met with a
sensational exposure at the Musee
Francois, Paris. This is an ingenious
arrangement of mirrors which renders
invisible all of the body except the
head or the head and bust This was
first produced at Egyptian Hall, Lon
don, about 1864, but with the invention
of superior illusions it has been rele
gated to the museums and county fairs.
A more elaborate and interesting de-
ception is the BLACK Art This can,
however. be produced only on a dark
ened stage. By far the most artistic and
ingenious method for rendering a per-
son invisible is one capable of produc
ton on a brilliantly lighted stage, and
never even supected by an audience,
but do not know that it has ever been
made the basis of a distinct illusion.
Decapitation feats are by no means
new. One Of the best ever seen in this
at San Francisco, by Professor Vanek.
l do not believe that decapitations and
similar illusions are destined to become
popular. None of them can be recon-
mended on their artistic merits, and
legitimate entertainment is scarcely to
be sought in spectacles which cause a
shudder. Among the methods for eff
fecting an instantaneous disappearance
on an open stage none are more artis-
tic than Bautier Da Koltas vanishing
Lady" The plan of this Hungarian
magician is to seat lady upon fragile
chair placed in the center of the stage
under conditions which apparently pre-
clude the possibility of escape. The
lady Is momentarily covered with a
piece of silk, disappearing Immediately
upon it's removal. The original illu-
sion requires unusual skill for a sue
cessful presentation, and several infe-
rior limitations have appeared at vari-
Gus times. One of the prettiest illusions
of the anti ti-gravitation order was origi-
mated by Robert Houdin, and is well
known under various names to the pa
irons of public entertainments. A young
girl is anaesthetiZed, and while in that
state is suspended in midair with no
other visible support than a small rod
secured to the stage, upon which one
of her arms is allowed to rest. Baron
Seeman perfected this illusion to such
degree that the use Of even this small
rod was dispensed with
To show the startling effect produced
by the adoption of principles belonging
to an obscure science, and at the same
fn ba Df
respondence between the actual cause
and the ostensible effect 1 cannot do
better than to describe an incident that
happened Robert Houdin, the cele-
brated French magician, who was en-
ployed in 1886 by the Government Of
France to visit Algeria for the purpose
of neutraliZing the influence which the
Marabouts, by their pretended miracles,
had gained over the superstitious minds
Of the ignorant Arabs. CCOnfidences
d un Prestidigitateur," Chapter XIX
Among other things he assumed to pos
sess ability to temporarily deprive a
man of muscular power, and to substan-
tiate this assertion he performed the
following Illusion:
Securing the aid of a powerful Arab
who chanced to be in the audience he
exhibited an iron box, to the lid of
which two strong iron rings were
affixed. At Houdin's request the Arab
lifted the box and easily held it at arms
length. When the Arab had replaced
the box upon the floor the magician gazed
at him with intent eyes and made a few
formula in loud and impressive tone.
Again the Arab seized the iron rings.
but his strength had apparently de-
parted, for despite his most desperate
efforts he could not even move the box.
and with a cry of horror he dashed from
the room. The secret lay not in the
hypnotic power of the wizard. but in an
electromagnetic placed beneath the car
pet, which, when the current from a
powerful battery was turned on, at
tracted the iron box with irresistible
force.
An amusing experience which befell
me some time ago is illustrative of the
complete hallucination to which people
are susceptible when once they are
thoroughly bewildered with the maryels
OF the conjuror. At matinee given to
assist popular charity produced sew
eral illusions of a character especially
designed to entertain the large number
of ladies with whom the theater was
filled, the programme including Da
Kolta's Shower of Roses" Heller's rab-
bit trick and Flight of Birds" and
some original experiments which also
involved the mysterious production of
flowers, pigeons and small animals.
These selections naturally led to my
"Potpourri MagiGue" as an appropriate
conclusion. For this illusion pigeons
and rabbits are placed, one by one, into
a small bronze urn, being instantly
transformed, apparently, into so many
l,,pohoC Of roses though thew oro q ftor