The Juggler's Oracle; or, The Whole Art of Legerdemain Laid Open / Consisting of all the newest and most surprising tricks and experiments with cards, cups and balls, conveyance of money and rings, boxes, fire, strings and knots; with many curious experiments by optical illusion, chymical changes, and magical cards, &c.

by H. Boaz

Then with your right hand take up the first cup, and clap the ball under that you have in your right hand; saying, “Ladies and Gentlemen, this being the first ball, I’ll put it in my pocket;” but that you must still keep in your right hand to play withal.

So take up the second cup with your right hand, and clap that ball under which you have concealed, and then take up the second ball with your right hand, and say, “This likewise I take and put into my pocket.”

Likewise take up the third cup, and, clapping the cup down again, convey the ball that you have in your right hand under the cup; then take the third ball, and say, “Ladies and Gentlemen, this being the last ball, I take this and put it in my pocket.” Likewise then say to the company, “Ladies and Gentlemen, by a little of my fine powder of experience I’ll command these balls under the cups again,” as thus:—

So lay them all along the table, to the admiration of the beholders.

Then take up the first cup, and, clapping the ball under that you have in your right hand, and taking the first ball up with the right hand, seem to put the same into your left hand, but retain it still in your right hand; then say, “Vado, quick, begone when I bid you, and run under the cup.”

Then taking that cup up again, and flinging it under that you have in your right hand, you must take up the second ball, and seem to put it into your left hand, but retain it in your right, saying, “Ladies and Gentlemen, see how the ball runs on the table.”—So, seeming to fling it away, it will appear thus:—