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Modern Magic: A Practical Treatise on the Art of Conjuring
·
Professor Hoffmann
21
There
is
a
vast
difference
between
telling
how
a
trick
is
done
and
teaching
how
to
do
it.
The
existing
treatises,
with
few
exceptions,
do
the
former
only.
The
intention
of
the
present
work
is
to
do
the
latter
also;
to
teach
sleight-of-hand
generally,
as
well
as
particular
tricks;
and
to
conduct
the
neophyte
from
the
very
A
B
C
of
the
magic
art
gradually
up
to
those
marvels
which
are
exhibited
on
the
public
stage.
The
student
may
rest
assured
that,
if
he
will
diligently
follow
the
instructions
here
given,
he
will
be
able
in
due
time,
not
merely
to
astonish
his
friends
extempore
with
a
borrowed
coin
or
pack
of
cards,
but
to
roll
two
rabbits
into
one,
compel
chosen
cards
to
rise
spontaneously
from
the
pack,
produce
lighted
lanterns
from
empty
hats,
and
bowls
of
gold-fish
from
empty
pocket-handkerchiefs;
in
a
word,
to
execute
all
those
wonders
which
he
has
hitherto
deemed
the
exclusive
property
of
the
public
performer.
There
are,
of
course,
different
degrees
of
natural
aptitude.
“Non
cuivis
hominum
contingit
adire
Corinthum.”
It
is
not
every
one
that
can
be
a
Robert-Houdin
or
a
Buatier,
but,
given
the
usual
number
of
fingers
and
thumbs,
fair
intelligence,
and
a
sufficiency
of
perseverance,
any
one
who
will
may
become
at
least
a
tolerable
conjuror.
Be
it
remembered,
that
we
especially
stipulate
for
perseverance.
A
wizard
is
not
to
be
made
in
a
day,
and
he
who
would
attain
excellence
must
be
content
to
proceed
as
he
would
with
music,
drawing,
or
any
other
accomplishment--viz.,
begin
at
the
beginning,
and
practise
diligently
until
he
attains
the
coveted
dexterity.
The
student
need
not,
however,
wait
the
termination
of
the
somewhat
formidable
course
of
study
we
have
indicated,
before
he
begins
to
astonish
his
friends;
on
the
contrary,
there
are
numerous
tricks
requiring
very
little
manual
dexterity,
which
are
yet,
if
neatly
performed,
brilliant
in
effect.
These
simpler
tricks,
for
which
we
shall
give
full
instructions,
will
supply
the
beginner,
even
at
the
outset,
with
a
fair
programme,
which
he
may
from
time
to
time
enlarge
as
he
feels
able
to
undertake
more
elaborate
illusions.
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