Page:The wonders of optics (1869).djvu/220

 going on behind their backs by the reflection seen in the corner of their glasses.

Such are the principal optical recreations founded on the reflecting and refracting properties of mirrors and lenses. We shall end this chapter by appending to it the description of a few additional optical amusements that are quite within the reach of the amateur.

If the reader is in possession of a concave mirror, it may be made the means of performing a number of amusing experiments. In front of it is placed a plaster head, a skull or any other object, mounted on wheels and running along a grooved platform, which is naturally kept perfectly concealed from the spectators. The mirror is slightly inclined, so as to reflect the image of the object at an angle to the observer's eye. By running the cast backwards and forwards, it will have the appearance of advancing and retiring from the spectator in a very imposing manner. A dagger may be substituted for the cast, and by being made to work up and down on a pivot, will have the appearance of striking at the spectator. We have already seen that an experiment of this sort had such an effect on Louis XIV. that he drew his sword to defend himself from his imaginary aggressor. There is another way of performing this trick, by suddenly illuminating the skull or dagger by means of a dark-coloured box containing a light, which may be made to throw its reflections on the object, by sliding it along a couple of wires. In the case of the dagger, however, the hinged arrangement will be found more effective.

One of Robertson's tricks was called the "Magic Box," and he astonished a numerous party of visitors who were staying at a country house to which he had been invited. One of the gentlemen who was always boasting of his freedom from superstitious feelings of any kind, had had several arguments with Robertson on