Page:Hocus pocus, or, The whole art of legerdemain in perfection (2).pdf/6

 between the bladder and surface of the water: so when you command them to walk down, press your hand hard upon the top, and they will immediately come down, and so you may make them dance in the middle of the glass, at your pleasure; and when you would have them go up to the top, take your hand away, and they will walk up.

First, you must hold open your right hand, and lay therein a tester, or some big piece of money; then lay thereupon the top of your long left finger, and use words, and upon a sudden slip your right hand from your finger, wherewith you hold down the tester still therein, and suddenly, I say, drawing your right hand through your left, you will seem to have left the tester there, especially when you shut in due time your left hand, which that it may more plainly appear to be truly done, you may take a knife and seem to knock against it, so as it may make a great sound. This is pretty, if it is cunningly done for both the ear and the eye are deceived by this device.

Put a little red wax, not too much, upon the nail of your longest finger, then let a stranger put a two-penny piece into the palm of your hand and shut your fist suddenly, and convey the