Lab
Library
Journal
Shop
Sign in
to keep
Share image
1
750
Modern Magic: A Practical Treatise on the Art of Conjuring
·
Professor Hoffmann
633
“Davus
might
have
solved
the
‘Anthropoglossus,’
but
Colonel
Stodare
presents
us
with
a
Sphinx
that
is
really
worthy
of
an
Œdipus.”
For
the
benefit
of
those
who
have
never
seen
this
illusion
presented
upon
the
stage,
we
will
describe
its
effect
a
little
more
minutely.
The
Sphinx
is
always
made
a
separate
portion
of
the
entertainment,
as
it
is
necessary
to
lower
the
curtain
for
a
few
moments
before
and
after
its
appearance,
in
order
to
arrange
and
remove
the
necessary
preparations.
The
curtain
rises,
and
reveals
a
round
or
oval
table,
supported
upon
three
slender
legs,
and
utterly
devoid
of
drapery.
This
stands
in
a
curtained
recess
of
ten
or
twelve
feet
square,
open
on
the
side
towards
the
audience.
The
performer
comes
forward
bearing
a
cloth-covered
box,
fifteen
to
twenty
inches
square,
and
places
it
upon
the
table
already
mentioned.
He
then
unlocks
the
box,
the
front
of
which
drops
down,
so
as
to
give
a
perfect
view
of
the
interior,
in
which
is
seen
a
head
of
Egyptian
fashion,
and
coloured
in
perfect
imitation
of
life.
(See
Frontispiece.)
The
performer
now
retires
to
a
position
in
the
very
midst
of
the
audience,
and
raising
his
wand,
says
in
a
tone
of
command,
“Sphinx,
awake!”
The
Sphinx
slowly
opens
its
eyes,
looking
first
to
the
front
with
a
strong
gaze;
then,
as
if
gradually
gaining
consciousness,
to
the
one
side
and
the
other,
the
head
moving
slightly
with
the
eyes.
Questions
are
put
by
the
performer
to
the
head,
and
are
answered
by
it,
the
play
of
the
mouth
and
features
being
in
perfect
harmony
with
the
sounds
uttered.
Marker
Marker
Fine marker
White-out
Fine white-out
Circle
Paint
Unmarker
Hand
Scalpel
Dice
Sieve
Purify
Undo
Redo
Start over
