Modern Magic: A Practical Treatise on the Art of Conjuring

THE INEXHAUSTIBLE BOX.--The inexhaustible box is, to all outward appearance, a plain wooden box, of walnut, mahogany, or rosewood, in length from twelve to twenty inches, and in depth and width from nine to fifteen inches. Whatever its dimensions, its width and depth, exclusive of the lid, must be alike. To prove that it is without preparation within, the performer turns it over on the table towards the spectators, and, lifting the lid, shows that it is perfectly empty. Again he closes it, and, turning it right side upwards, opens it once more, and instantly proceeds to take from it a variety of different articles. At any moment the box is again turned over towards the audience, and shown to be empty; but it is no sooner replaced, than the performer recommences taking from it toys, bonbons, etc., the supply being many times larger than could possibly be contained at one time in the box. The bottom a b of the box (see Fig. 226) is moveable, working on a hinge b extending along its front. When the box is turned over to the front, this bottom piece does not turn over with it, but remains flat upon the table as before. A piece of wood b c, of exactly similar size and shape, is glued to a b at right angles. When the box stands right side upwards, this piece lies flat against the front of the box, whose upper edge is made with a slight “return,” so as to conceal it. When the box is turned over to the front, this piece, like the bottom, retains its position, while any object which had previously been placed in the box remains undisturbed, but hidden by this latter piece. (See Figs. 226, 227.) It is, of course, necessary that such object should be of such a size as not to overpass the arc which the edge of the box describes in its change of position, and the length from b to c must be exactly the same as that from a to b.