Page:Hocus pocus, or, The whole art of legerdemain in perfection (2).pdf/18



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