Explanation.—The frame is hollow at top and bottom, so that these two places are receptacles to contain a quantity of sand. This sand is dyed of the same colour as the paper used to cover the back of the frame. Two pieces of glass are placed in the frame, a little apart.
SIDE-VIEW OF PICTURE FRAME.
A, the plain glass. B, card corresponding to that which the spectator has been forced to draw. C, the front side of the second glass. D, the other side, over which is pasted coloured paper.
To prepare for performance, fill the receptacle at the top part of the frame with the sand dyed the same colour as the paper at the back, and let it run down till it fills the space between the two panes of glass, and consequently, conceals the card, and is itself unnoticeable, from looking exactly like the paper.
After the handkerchief has covered the frame, and you take it into your own hands, reverse it unseen, so that all the sand shall run down into the receptacle.
On showing it now, the card will appear.
By turning the frame again so that the sand shall run out, and once more hide the card, it becomes invisible, as at first. The trick can be repeated at pleasure.
THE MAGIC FLOWER, APPEARING AND BLOOMING AT COMMAND.
(The Invention of M. Robert Houdin, and as Improved by Mr. Cremer.)
Mr. Hanky Panky, attired in a faultless evening dress, has presented himself to the audience with the air of being quite perfect in his appearance, when he suddenly becomes confused. By his nervous glances, and their direction, it is perceived that he has omitted an indispensable article of costume, and that is, the flower in his button-hole.