The Aerial Suspension.
This trick has been before the public for many years, but when performed still causes considerable sensation. The apparatus required is, first, a kind of iron corset, for which the performer doing this trick must be properly measured and accurately fitted with it, according to his or her size and build. This corset is strapped upon the body, and attached to it is a rod passing down the right side from beneath the arm, almost to the right knee. Below the arm is a projecting piece so made as to fit into a socket, and almost in the shape of a crutch; and the rod passing down the side of the performer is so constructed that when a person has this apparatus strapped securely upon him or her, and the projecting piece under the arm is fitted into the socket of the pole, the body can be raised, and the toes in rising will describe an arc of about 90 deg., assuming the position shown in the figure. To effect this two poles are required of the same length, one made of wood and the other of iron; the latter being fitted into a socket in the stand, and having also a socket in the top, in which is fixed the projecting piece under the arm, and this rod therefore supports the whole weight of the body during the performance. The two poles are both painted the same color, and to the audience both appear to be the same.
The performer will have to provide a specially made costume to suit the working of the apparatus. The young lady (we will imagine that it is a lady who performs this suspension feat) is brought forward by the professor, and the two rods are shown, and a stool is placed on the stand on which the lady steps. The iron rod is now placed in position and fixed under the right arm, and the wood rod is placed under the left; the professor, now making a few passes with his hands, apparently sends the lady performer into a mesmeric sleep, and gently draws the rod from under the left arm and lays it down. Making a few more passes he gradually raises the body of the lady into a horizontal position, and she will appear to be suspended almost in the air. With a little practice the body can be placed into any position. When the lady has been suspended long enough, make a few more passes and gently lower the body until in an upright position, and again place the wood rod under the left arm and place the stool beneath her feet, and taking a handkerchief wipe the lady’s face, and she will appear to awaken and will step down from her exalted position.
An improvement has lately been introduced in the apparatus; the iron column is hollow, and through the center another rod is worked from beneath the stage, and in the socket of the iron rod at the top are placed a number of teeth which catch corresponding teeth in the projecting piece under the arm, and this being worked from below the stage will cause the body of the lady to slowly rise into a horizontal position without being so placed by the professor. This is certainly a very great improvement in the mode of working, as while the professor simply makes a few passes with his hands the body gradually rises, apparently to the audience without any visible means whatever.