Fig. 7.—Method of lighting.
Fig. 8.—Another method of lighting.
Yet another method is depicted in [Fig. 8]. About half-a-dozen holes are bored in a piece of gas-piping, which is stopped at one end. Ordinary burners are screwed into these holes and tin reflectors attached. The whole arrangement is then bound securely to the top lath after the framework has been fitted together. It is then necessary only to fix a length of gas-tubing from the open end of the pipe to the nearest gas-fitting. If the reader decides upon the latter method of illumination, his best course will be to go to a plumber and place the job entirely in his hands.
The chief thing to bear in mind is, that no light must shine into the stage, the only illumination being projected into the eyes of the spectators, thus dazzling their vision as much as possible.
The stage described can, of course, be greatly improved upon. The above description is intended simply as a rough guide for the boy whose skill in carpentry does not extend much beyond knocking a nail or tin-tack properly into a piece of wood, which, by the way, is not such an easy task as most people imagine.
Having constructed a stage suitable for working purposes, we may proceed with another illusion.
The Floating Barrel
The performer, who, as previously stated, should be dressed as a Chinaman, or in a white costume of some description, stands alone in full view of his audience. Presently he makes a beckoning motion, and a large white barrel floats slowly into view. To the amazement of the spectators, it drops gently to the ground at the magician’s feet.
He then turns to the other side of the stage and repeats the beckoning motion. Immediately a second barrel makes its appearance, and deposits itself on the ground a short distance from the first.