To take a Shilling out of a Handkerchief.
You must have a curtain ring about the size of a shilling, at first you put the shilling into the handkerchief, but when you take it out again, to convince the company that there is no deception, you slip the curtain ring in its stead, and while the person is eagerly holding the handkerchief, and the company’s eyes are fixed upon the form of the shilling, you seize this opportunity of putting it into a hat or basket; when you get possession of the handkerchief again you slip away the curtain ring.
To prepare Gold Powder for Gilding.
Put into an earthen mortar some leaf gold, with thick gum water, and grind the mixture till the gold is reduced to small particles. Having done this, a little warm water will wash out the gum, leaving the gold in a pulverized state.
To melt Lead in a piece of Paper.
Wrap up a very smooth ball of lead in a piece of paper, taking care that there be no wrinkles in it, and that it be every where in contact with the ball, if it be held, in this state, over the flame of a taper, the lead will be melted without the paper being burnt. The lead, indeed, when once fused, will not fail in a short time to pierce the paper, and run through.
To make a Room seem on Fire.
Take half an ounce of sal ammoniac, one ounce of camphor, and two ounces of aqua-vitæ, put them into an earthen pot, narrowing towards the top, and set fire to it. The effect will be so alarming, that persons in the room will fancy their garments are on fire.
To make Artificial Fire Balls.
Put thirty grains of phosphorus into a florence flask, with three or four ounces of water; place the vessel over a lamp, and give it a boiling heat. Balls of fire will soon be seen to issue from the water, after the manner of an artificial firework, attended with the most beautiful vibrations of light.