Fig. 58.—The Miraculous Wine Bottle.
The bottle has a small hole in the side, near the bottom, of such a size as to fit the metal point on the rubber pipe. In rinsing the bottle the performer keeps one finger over the hole, thus preventing the audience discovering that the bottle differs from an ordinary one. In rinsing the bottle the outside has become wet, and in drying it with a cloth the performer places the metal point on the rubber pipe in the hole in the side of the bottle, thus making connections with the bag of wine. By holding the bottle well down toward the neck, and close to his wrist, he can venture among the audience without fear of detection.
By pressing the right arm against his side the bag is compressed, forcing the wine through the pipe into the bottle.
The glasses are of special make and of very thick glass, making quite a bulky appearance, but of very limited capacity. An assistant carries a tray containing one hundred of the glasses.
The “Mysterious Vase.”
Tricks performed with ink and water have always been favorites with magicians, and they have devised means of keeping this trick fully abreast of the times, thus retaining its popularity. The manner of performing the latest ink trick involves such novel principles as to puzzle even those who are well posted on modern magic. The “Mysterious Vase” has been presented by but few prestidigitateurs, and the secret so well guarded that comparatively few people know how it is done. (Fig. 59.)
Fig. 59.—The “Mysterious Vase.”
The attention of the audience is called to a glass vase that is filled with water which is resting on a light stand. This vase resembles a large octagon celery glass. In the vase there are a few cut flowers, which the performer removes as he calls attention to the vase and the clear water it contains. The flowers are given to the ladies in the audience, as they have no further connection with the trick.