Dates of important events in the lives of eminent men are supposed to have a mysterious meaning of a prophetical tendency.
The process of forecasting is to take the number of years between a man’s birthday and that of his marriage or first notable occurrence, which number added to the second date should give the year of his next distinguished action. For instance, by comparing the dates of special significance in the life of Pius IX. we discover that the figures of each sum up to 19. Thus Mastai Ferretti was born in 1792, ordained in 1819, chosen pope in 1846. The next year distinguished by the same peculiarity is 1873, when consequently some great event will again happen to him. What this is to be, time will show.
VIII.—SIMPLE TRICKS WITH BOXES.
Fig. 42.
THE MAGIC TABLE AND SEALED CASKET.
The magician’s bottle is shown to the company, and a little wine poured from it to prove it is not empty. A handkerchief and ring are borrowed, and put into the bottle.
A borrowed casket is then held up in view, fastened with sealed thread, and Senor Don Hanquey y Panquey announces his intention to break it open to see the contents, but previously will return the borrowed articles. Out of the bottle, then, he pulls the handkerchief and ring, dripping with wine, and places them upon the sealed box, in plain view. The bottle is taken away.
The wine-soaked handkerchief is crammed into a pistol and fired at the box. On opening it there is found a second box within, which being also opened, discovers the handkerchief, ironed and perfumed, and the ring.