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Modern Magic: A Practical Treatise on the Art of Conjuring
·
Professor Hoffmann
673
The
above
example
will
show
how,
by
the
exercise
of
a
little
tact
and
ingenuity,
a
simple
piece
of
parlour
magic
may
be
elevated
to
the
dignity
of
a
stage
trick.
The
great
secret
is
the
directing
of
the
minds
of
the
audience
into
such
a
channel,
that
the
dénouement
for
the
moment
seems
to
be
a
natural
result
of
the
causes
artfully
suggested
by
the
performer.
This
may,
to
a
considerable
extent,
be
effected,
as
in
the
example
above
given,
by
the
language
and
gesture
of
the
performer
in
the
individual
trick;
but
still
more
may
be
done
by
the
artistic
grouping
of
one
trick
with
another,
a
comparatively
simple
feat
being
employed
to
prepare
the
minds
of
the
spectators
for
the
greater
marvel
to
follow.
Thus,
in
the
recent
performances
of
the
Fakir
of
Oolu,
the
aërial
suspension,
which
formed
the
staple
of
his
programme,
was
preceded
by
the
exhibition
of
a
wooden
rod
or
wand
which
(by
means
of
certain
projecting
wire
points,
so
minute
as
to
be
imperceptible
at
a
very
short
distance),
was
made
to
defy
the
laws
of
gravity
by
clinging
to
his
finger-tips
in
various
positions
without
visible
support.
This
minor
illusion,
being
somewhat
similar
in
effect
(though
wholly
different
as
to
the
means
employed),
prepared
the
minds
of
the
audience
to
receive
the
greater
marvel
of
a
living
woman
made
to
recline
in
mid-air.
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