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Modern Magic: A Practical Treatise on the Art of Conjuring
·
Professor Hoffmann
447
THE
BOTTLE
IMPS.--These
are
miniature
black
bottles,
about
two
inches
in
height,
with
rounded
bottoms,
and
so
weighted
that,
like
“tumbler”
dolls,
they
rise
of
their
own
accord
to
the
perpendicular,
and
will
not
rest
in
any
other
position.
The
proprietor,
however,
has
a
charm
by
which
he
is
able
to
conquer
their
obstinate
uprightness.
For
him,
and
for
him
only,
they
will
consent
to
be
laid
down,
and
even
to
stand
at
an
angle
of
45°,
though
they
again
rebel
if
any
other
person
attempts
to
make
them
do
the
same.
The
little
bottles
are
made
of
papier
maché,
or
some
other
very
light
material,
varnished
black,
the
bottom
of
each
being
a
half
bullet,
spherical
side
downwards.
The
centre
of
gravity
is
therefore
at
the
bottom
of
the
bottle,
which
is
thus
compelled
always
to
stand
upright.
The
performer,
however,
is
provided
with
one
or
two
little
pieces
of
iron
wire,
of
such
a
size
and
length
as
just
to
slip
easily
into
the
bottle.
One
of
these
being
held
concealed
between
the
finger
and
thumb,
it
is
a
very
easy
matter,
in
picking
up
the
bottle,
to
slip
it
in,
and
this
slight
additional
weight
neutralizing
the
effect
of
the
half
bullet
at
the
foot,
causes
the
bottle
to
lie
still
in
any
position.
Having
shown
that
the
bottle
is
obedient
to
the
word
of
command,
the
performer
again
picks
it
up
with
the
neck
between
the
first
and
second
fingers
and
thumb,
carelessly
turning
it
bottom
upwards,
and
thus
allowing
the
bit
of
wire
to
slip
out
again
into
the
palm
of
his
hand,
when
he
is
able
to
again
tender
the
bottle
for
experiment.
Partaking
of
the
nature
of
a
puzzle
as
well
as
a
conjuring
trick,
this
little
toy
has
amused
thousands,
and
if
neatly
manipulated,
may
be
repeatedly
exhibited,
even
before
the
same
spectators,
with
little
fear
of
detection.
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