Wine upon Water.
Half fill a glass with water, throw a bit of the crumb of a loaf into it, about the size of a nut, pour some wine lightly on the bread, and you will see the water at the bottom of the glass, and the wine floating at the top of it.
To cast figures in imitation of Ivory.
Mix isinglass and strong brandy with powder of egg-shells, finely powdered, into a paste. Cast it warm into the mould, which must be previously oiled over; leave the figure in the mould till dry, and upon taking it out, you will find that it bears a strong resemblance to ivory.
To make a bird appear as if it was dead.
Lay any bird upon a table, and wave a small feather over its eyes, and it will appear as dead; but by removing the feather it will revive again. Let it lay hold of the stem part of the feather with its feet, and it will twist and turn about like a parrot; you may likewise roll it about on the table at your pleasure.
The manner of making Water freeze by the Fireside.
This feat can only be performed in winter. Place a stool before the fire, having first put a little water upon the stool; upon it set a quart pot, then put a handful of snow into it, having privately conveyed into the pot a handful of salt; stir it about for eight or ten minutes with a stick, and the congelation will be effected.
Engraving in Relief upon an Egg-shell.
Choose an egg that has a thick shell, wash it well in fresh water, then dry it very carefully with a linen cloth; melt some tallow or fat, and while very hot, make any figures or drawings you please with it upon the shell, either with a pen or pencil. This being finished, take the shell by the two ends, between two fingers, and then lay it gently in a tumbler filled with good white wine vinegar, the acid of which will have eaten enough of the thickness of the shell in about four hours.