Fig. 4.
Now look at Fig. 4. The objects marked A represent the instruments used to throw the shadows for the mustaches in the Dandy, B is the beard of the Miner, C the black eye, and D the grimy jaws and red nose of Bill Sykes. Remember that in each of these cases, except the black eye, you require a pair of the instruments. The instruments A B, C are cut out of card-board, and fastened to wires or thin sticks about two feet in length. D is a frame of wire over which is stretched a piece of common net, such as women use for caps; added to this is a piece of red glass, as marked in the diagram, to throw the red light on the nose of Bill Sykes.
By looking at Fig. 3 you will see how the performer holds his instruments. To the right is a mirror, in which his face is reflected, so that he can see whether he has got the shadows in their proper places. In bringing the shadow-throwing instruments into position they should be held edgeways toward the light, so that they will throw little or no shadow until they have come into their right position; then turn them suddenly with the broad side to the light, and the mustaches or beard will appear like a flash.
When the performer seems to swallow his mustache, the effect is produced in the same way, viz., by turning the shadow-throwers edgeways to the light, and at the same time opening the mouth.
Before exhibiting, the performer must make several experiments in order to ascertain the right distance at which to hold the shadow-throwing instruments from his face, and, indeed, to fix their exact position; this being once determined, he can bore holes in his table, at a suitable angle, into which he can stick the handles of his instruments, so that he need not have the trouble of holding them.
He must also fix the precise position for his head, for which purpose he must have a rest, or a small pad fastened to the wall behind him, against which he can securely lean without fear of wobbling.
One last hint: do not let your audience sit too close to you, but keep them at as great a distance as possible, and amuse them with such small-talk as you can command.