(1) To conjure away a small ball.—To do this proceed as follows:—Hold the ball to be conjured away between the thumb and first finger, as though to show it, close the hand quickly, leaving the thumb still outstretched. The ball is so made to roll to the second joint of the forefinger. Nothing will then be easier than to continue to roll the ball with the thumb as far as the junction of the two fingers before mentioned, which are to be slightly opened to facilitate the introduction of the ball. These two movements are in reality but one, and must be executed with extreme rapidity.
(2) To produce a small ball.—The reverse movement to that last described must be employed: that is to say, roll back the ball with the thumb to the tips of the fingers. Rapidity in effecting the double movement is here also most essential.
(3) To secretly introduce a small ball under a cup.—The ball being hidden in the hand between the middle and fourth fingers, take hold of the cup between the two projecting mouldings, and lift it ostensibly to show that there is nothing beneath it; in replacing it on the table let go the ball, which by reason of its position naturally falls underneath the cup, by which it is instantly covered. If the performer finds any difficulty in releasing the ball, he may facilitate the doing so by a quick contraction of the fourth finger.
(4) To pass a small ball between two cups.—In the act of releasing, as just described, give the ball an upward jerk towards the upper part of the inside of the cup held in the hand, and quickly slip this cup over that on which it is desired that the ball should be found.
(5) To cause the disappearance of a small ball placed between two cups.—When a ball has been placed as above described, it may in the following manner be made to disappear:—Take the two cups in the left hand, putting the fingers of that hand inside the lower cup, and giving a slight upward jerk, as though to send the ball towards the top of the upper cup, quickly withdraw the lower cup, at the same time lowering the upper cup, and so covering and concealing the ball.
(6) To cause the appearance of a large ball on a table.—This effect, which generally produces special astonishment, is produced by the simplest possible means. Lift one of the cups with the right hand, and point to the spot from which it was removed. While the eyes of the audience are directed to that spot bring the cup adroitly to the edge of the table, introduce into it, with the left hand, one of the large balls, and immediately bring the cup and the ball to the middle of the table, keeping the ball in position with the little finger of the right hand. In some cases, in putting the ball into the cup, it may be squeezed in order to make it stick in the bottom; the elasticity of the ball will readily admit of this. When it is desired again to produce the ball it will only be necessary to bring down the cup with a smartish rap on the table.
The "passes" of the cups and balls may be varied indefinitely. Every conjurer arranges a series to suit his own taste, and the examples we have here selected will be sufficient for the guidance of amateurs. It must, however, be admitted that there is but little substantial difference between the passes. The effect is always one or more balls made to appear in one place when the spectators believe them to be in another. It follows that these passes, however varied in point of form, should be exhibited with moderation, so as not to weary the audience, or to put sharp-sighted and curious spectators in the way of discovering how the tricks are performed.
CLAIRVOYANCE OR SECOND SIGHT.
Second Sight is properly classified with Parlour Magic, inasmuch as there is more in it than is intended to meet the eyes or ears of the audience, and "Clairvoyance" now almost invariably forms some part of the entertainment given by the majority of professed conjurers. It is much beyond our province to go into the description of the elaborate training that Robert Houdin and his sons went through before they were able to give their renowned representations; but with them sharp-sightedness, combined with a wonderful power of taking into the mind, at a glance, numerous objects, was of more importance than Second Sight, whatever scientists may decide that faculty to be.