Page:Magic oracle, or, Conjuror's guide.pdf/10

 burning under the water, and it may be brought up again alight.

In the same manner you may put a handkerchief rolled tight together and it will not be wet. The principal art in performing this feat consists in the nicety of bringing the mouth of the glass exactly level with the surface of the water; for, if it be put the least on one side, the water will rush in, and consequently defeat the object.

The experiment, simple as it is, may serve in some degree to elucidate the principle of the diving-bell, as it is contrived much in the same way.

In order to make this trick appear plausible, wager any sum with a person that you will give him three knives to hide (one at a time,) and you will tell him where he will deposit the last. It generally happens with the person who accepts of this wager, to make stipulations to hide them out of the room, which you readily agree to, and on your presenting to him, in a careless manner, the tirst and second knife, he runs out, and carefully deposits them in some secret hole or corner, though not the least consequence is attached to them in wording the wager.

During your opponent’s absence backward and forward, whip the third knife into the fire, and by the time he is prepared to accept of it, have it moderately heated; he will then naturally enough deposit it on the ground, with a few ejaculations incident to a person in his situation, while you exclaim, “There, there it is, on the ground—I knew where you would deposit it. So I have wmn the wager.”

Borrow a watch from any person in company, and request of the whole to stand around you. Hold the watch up to the car of the first in the circle, and command it to go. Then demand his testimony to the fact. Remove it to the ear of the next, and enjoin it to stop. Make the same request of that person, and so on, throughout the entire party.

Explanation.—You must take care in borrowing the watch that it be a good one, and goes well; have concealed in your hand a piece of loadstone, which, as soon as you apply it to the watch, will occasion a suspension of its movements, which a subsequent shaking and withdrawing of the magnet will restore.