THE HEAD DECAPITATED AND FLOATING IN THE AIR THREE YARDS FROM THE BODY.
This is a modification of “The Sphinx,” or “The Head of the Decapitated Speaking,” as it is called, of which The Magician’s Own Book contains a full explanation.
A hole is made in a large plane mirror, through which the actor puts his head. It is set at an angle so as to reflect the ceiling of the little chamber where the decapitation has occurred; hence the spectators believe they see it suspended in the air. The front corners and edge of the mirror are artfully masked by architectural ornaments, and the upper edge enters at the joining point of the ceiling and supposed wall.
THE ILLUMINATED HEAD OF ISIS.
The description of the fiery-faced God of the Egyptians in Lord Lytton’s “Last Days of Pompeii” is vivid enough for it almost to provide data for an illusion in itself. However, we can form one upon it.
Fig. 138
Get a false face made of the Egyptian type (the Sphynx would be suitable), of fine muslin, and dressed with wax to make it transparent. Fasten it on a board with drapery in accordance with it; cut out at the back a place where a white glass bottle can stand on a shelf, closed in on all sides by that in the opening, and containing a solution of a few grains of phosphorus in some essential oil of cloves. Have the stopper at the end of a rod working on a pivot, so that a touch will lift it out of the bottle. When out, the air entering makes the phosphorus glow with a mysterious light. The impression can be enhanced by a few chords on a celestine or harmonica.