Page:Hocus pocus, or, The whole art of legerdemain in perfection (1).pdf/18

 How to burn a Thread, and to make it whole again with the Ashes.

It is not one of the worst tricks to burn a thread handsomely, and make it whole again, the manner whereof is this; take two threads, or small laces, of one foot length a-piece, roll up one of them round which will be about the bigness of a pea, put the same between your left fore-finger and your thumb, then take the other thread, and hold it forth at length betwixt your fore finger and thumb of each hand, holding all your fingers daintily, as young gentlewomen are taught to hold up a morsel of meat; then let one cut asunder the satire thread in the middle: when together, and so shall you with less suspicion receive the piece of thread which you hold in your right hand into your left, without opening of your left finger and thumb; then holding those two pieces as you did before it was cut, let these two be also cut asunder in the midst, and they conveyed again as before, untill they be very short, and then roll all these ends together, and keep that b lball [sic] of thread before the other in the left hand, and with a knife thrust the same into a candle, where you may hold it untill the said ball of thread he burnt to ashes; then pull back the knife with your right hand, and leave the ashes with the other ball betwixt your fore-finger and thumb of your left hand together, take pains to rub the ashes till your thread be renewed, and draw out that thread at length which you had all this while betwixt your fore-finger and thumb. This is not inferior to any juggler's trick, if it be well handled, for if you be so perfect in