![]() In the case of fancy costumes the pockets, if required, must be arranged as the attire permits. These are loaded with rabbits, doves, etc., or any large or cumbersome article required for magical production. The opening should be in a perpendicular position one and a half inches from the edge of the coat. These should be of a size large enough to contain a dinner plate, and should be made with the bottom sloping a little toward the back, to prevent articles placed in them from falling out. There are also two pockets known as breast pockets, one in each side of the coat. These are sewn on rather full at the back of the thigh, on a level with the knuckles, and covered by the tails of the coat they are useful to contain rings, coins, or other small articles required in the course of the performance. In addition to these pockets, two others, known as pochettes, are used on the trousers. They are used to contain "loads" for hat tricks, etc., also to vanish articles, such as watches, eggs, or balls. These pockets, which are usually seven inches square, are lined with buckram, and sewn on rather full, to keep them constantly open. Where the ordinary dress coat is used, each tail is provided with a large pocket, known as a profonde, the mouth of which is on a level with the knuckles, and slopes slightly to the side. The Dress.-The usual attire of the modern magician is the conventional evening dress, but I have known performers of the present day to adopt various fancy costumes. This applies, not only to conjuring, but equally well to any form of amusement, so the would-be magician may congratulate himself on the fact that the difficulties to surmount are not in excess of those of any other form of entertainment.īefore proceeding to describe the various tricks it will be well to notice one or two appliances of general utility. In concluding these remarks I must enforce upon the novice the necessity for constant practice, without which the clearest instruction would be useless. In doing so I wish it to be distinctly understood that I shall do my best to deceive you, and upon the extent to which I am able to do so will depend my success."Īt the close of an entertainment a little speech, of which the following is an example, will be found to prove a good finish: "Ladies and Gentlemen, in concluding my entertainment I have only to say that, apart from deceiving you, which was but a secondary consideration, if I have been able to afford you some slight amusement I feel amply rewarded." A few words, something like the following, will suffice: "Ladies and Gentlemen, with your kind attention I shall endeavor to amuse you with a series of experiments in legerdemain. The deception really lies in the method of working the trick, and in the ability of the performer in misdirection, as will be seen from a perusal of the following pages.Ī little well-arranged talk as an introductory to an entertainment will be found to put you on good terms with your audience. It is impossible for the hand to move quicker than the eye can follow, as can be proved by experiment. It is generally understood that "the quickness of the hand deceives the eye," but this is entirely erroneous. It is perfectly solid and does not stick." By this means, instead of spoiling the entertainment, you add greatly to the amusement of the spectators.ĭo not cultivate quick movements, at the same time it will never do to be painfully slow but endeavor to present your tricks in an easy-going, quiet, graceful manner. Should a hitch occur in the carrying-out of the programme by the accidental dropping of an article, or from any other cause, above all things do not get confused, but treat the matter as a good joke, and meet the difficulty with a smile, making use of some such expression as the following: "Well, you see I put it down there to show that it would go. It is an axiom in conjuring that the best trick loses half its effect on repetition. There will generally be found more ways than one of working a particular trick. It is very unpleasant to have to refuse an encore and should you be called upon to repeat a trick study to vary it as much as possible, and to bring it to a different conclusion. It follows as a natural consequence that you must never perform the same trick twice in the same evening. If you do, the chances of detection are increased tenfold, as the spectators, knowing what to expect, will the more readily arrive at the true method of bringing about the result. The first and foremost is, Never tell the audience what you are going to do before you do it. There are one or two leading principles to be borne in mind by any one taking up the study of magic.
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