Page:Magic oracle, or, Conjuror's guide.pdf/13



While the balls are examining, you double each string, and each appears to have two even ends; you twist the double end of each together, and putting on one of the balls which has a hole smaller than the others over the place that is joined, the strings remain firm, and can bear to be pulled. Each person that holds, thinks he has the extremities of two strings, while in fact he has only the ends of one. By a jerk the middle ball comes off, followed by the rest; you then slip them into the hands of one of the persons who holds the strings; he of course lets go his hold, and you then take care to put the strings lengthways. This is a clever feat when performed adroitly, but it requires no slight degree of dexterity to conceal the deception. Formerly the feat was performed with three button moulds on two small whip cords of about two feet each, and with three rings upon two ribbons, but the balls and tapes are preferable.

A magic square consists of numbers so disposed that in whatever way you may add the numbers which the square contains, they will give the same amount, whether it be vertically, horizontally, or diagonally.