Page:Hocus pocus, or, The whole art of legerdemain in perfection (2).pdf/14

 a perfect knot, you must deliver into the hands of some stander-by these two cords, namely two cords evenly set to one hand, and two in the other, and then with a wager being to pull of the buttons, which if you handle nimbly, and in the end cause him to pull his two ends, the two cords will shew to be placed plainly, and the buttons to have come through the cords; but those things are so hard, and long to be described, that I will leave them, whereas I could shew great variety.

To do this you must have a piece of the same ready in your hand, the sample of that you intend to cut; then amongst other tricks by you, clap your hand upon the place you intend to cut, then drawing hollow by the false piece, cause it to be cut off, and griping your hand, show the hole from whence the piece came away, which is in your hand, which is done by pretending to feel in your pocket for a needle and thread to sew it up again; but drawing your hand out from your pocket, saying, 'I have no needle, but I have a charm will do as well,' so muttering some words, bid them blow upon it, and pulling your hand from the place does not a little satisfy the curiosity of the persons who thought they had been damnified

Take sal armoniack half an ounce, camphire one ounce, aquavita two ounces, put them into