The Swinging Half Lady.
An arrangement is made similar to a hammock, which is attached to the back of the cabinet, and is then affixed to a false wooden bust made to fit the bust of the lady. It should be thickly padded where the part of her body rests upon it, and should be tightly strapped to the lady across the shoulders and back. The bust is covered with silk, satin, or any fine dress material, and trimmed to represent a lady’s low-necked dress bodice with short shoulder sleeves. The remaining portion of the lady is encased in a dark-colored skirt (black velvet is the best), and her feet are firmly strapped to a wood rest at the back of the cabinet, as shown in Fig. 2. The bust is supported upon a swing, in the front of the cabinet. Four brass chains support a slab of wood about 28 inches long by about 8 or ten inches in width.
FIG. 1.
Midway up the chains at each side is a cross piece of wood fixed to the chains by which, when the lady grasps them with her hands, she can easily lift the bust from the wood slab, allowing a sword to be passed beneath the bottom of the bust and the top of the wood slab. When the lady is supported upon the swing she cannot swing forward, but can only swing with a slight sideway motion, because if she attempted to swing forward the slab of wood would then no longer support the bust, and the performer would be in danger of breaking her back, as she would have no other support to sustain her, except the back of the cabinet to which her feet are strapped.
The slab of wood forming the swing is made in some cases with two half-round holes, to allow the lady to place her hands through, to show that she can pass her hands beneath her.
The interior of the cabinet should be of one uniform color, if possible of a dark blue or dark maroon. It should be about six feet in depth by about five to seven feet across the front, according to fancy. The front should have either dark blue, maroon, or green baize curtains, so made as to draw right across. On each side of the cabinet are affixed two lamps, as in Fig. 1, with large plated reflectors about 10 or 12 inches in diameter. These should be so fixed that the curtains can be drawn at the back of them; and thus, when lighted, reflect a strong and powerful light outward, throwing the interior of the cabinet into deep and gloomy shadow. It must be evident, therefore, to the reader that the four lamps and reflectors play a very important part in making this illusion perfect, because in consequence of a strong, bright, and dazzling light being reflected into the eyes of the spectators it is impossible for them to distinguish anything inside the cabinet, beyond the bust and head of the lady.
FIG. 2.
The position for the lady performing is one of pain. In the first place she has to be tightly strapped to the bust, which causes difficulty in breathing and talking; and, again, the head must be held well back to make it appear from the front as if the false bust and neck were completely one and upright.