CUPS AND BALLS.
To pass the Balls through the Cups.
You must place yourself at the farther end of the table, and provide three cups made of tin; you must likewise have your black magical stick, to show your wonders withal. You are also to provide four small cork balls, to play with; but do not let any more than three of them be seen upon the table.
N. B.—Always conceal one ball in the right hand, between the middle finger and the ring finger; and be sure you make yourself perfect to hold it there, for by this means all the tricks of the cups are done.
Now say something to the following effect:—
Three cups, you see, have I got here,
’Tis true they are but tin;
Silver and gold are much too dear
For me to conjure in.
Now, Ladies and Gentlemen, here are no equivocations at all;
But, if your eyes are not as quick as my hands, I shall deceive you all.
View them well within,
View them all round about;
Where there’s nothing in,
There’s nothing can come out.
Then take your balls privately between your fingers, fling one of them upon the table, and say thus—