Page:Magic oracle, or, Conjuror's guide.pdf/3



a box made with a false lid, on which glue some bird seed; privately put a bird into it, under the false lid; then show it, and it will seem to be full of seed. Put on the true lid, and say,—“I will command all the seed out of this box, and order a living bird to appear.” Then take off the covers together, and the bird will be seen.

Put a pennyworth of quicksilver into a quill, and seal it at both ends with wax; then boil an egg hard, and as soon as you take it out of the water, put your quill through a small hole in the narrow end; put the egg on the table, and it will tumble about as long as the heat remains.

This wonderful experiment is produced from a very simple cause. Take a fly, put it into a glass or cup of water, cover it so as to deprive it of air. When you perceive it to be quite motionless, take it out, and put it into a place exposed to the sun, and cover it with salt, in two minutes it will revive and fly away.

This curious feat can only be performed in winter. Set a quart pot upon a stool before the fire, throwing a little water upon the stool first. Then put a handful of snow into the pot, having privately conveyed into it a handful of salt. Stir it about for eight or nine minutes with a short stick, and the congelation will be effected.