Modern Magic: A Practical Treatise on the Art of Conjuring

We have given a somewhat elaborate description of this first Pass, in order to give the reader some idea of the various feints and artifices employed in relation to the cups and balls. It would be impossible, from considerations of space, to do this as to each of the Passes, and the reader must therefore remember that the descriptions following give merely the essential outlines, which must be worked up to dramatic effectiveness by the ingenuity of the individual performer. Where practicable, we shall allow the few words put into the mouth of the performer to indicate the actions accompanying them, only giving special “stage directions” in cases where the performer does not suit the action to the words. For the sake of distinctness, we shall indicate the goblets (reckoning from the left hand of the performer) as A, B, and C. (See Fig. 118.) PASS II. TO MAKE A BALL TRAVEL INVISIBLY FROM CUP TO CUP.--“Now, ladies and gentlemen, if you watch very closely, you will be able to see the ball travel from one cup to another. I take the ball” (transfers it apparently to left hand) “and place it under this cup (C). You all see that there is nothing under this one” (B). In raising B with the right hand he introduces under it the palmed ball. “I shall now command the ball which I have just placed under the first cup (C) to travel under this one (B). Attention! and you will see it pass.” He makes a motion of the wand from the one cup to the other. “There it goes! This cup (C), as you see, is empty, and under this one (B) is the ball. I will replace it under this same cup” (B). He in reality palms it. “There is nothing under this cup” (A). He secretly introduces the ball under A. “Now observe again. Pass! Did you see it? No? well, I don’t much wonder at it, for I can’t always see it myself. Here it is, however” (lifts A), “and this cup (B) is empty.” He replaces the cups on the table, and lays the ball beside them.