pages: practicalmagicia00harr.pdf, 61
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practicalmagicia00harr.pdf | 61 | THE PRACTICAL MAGICIAN. 51 I do not say that every trick is to be amplified or loaded with extraneous matter in all these different stages, (that would be to run into the contrary extremo of over-cumbrous amplification; but I will endeavor to point out the effect of such development in the above three stages of a trick, and if I can show that am- plification in each several one may be an improvement, I may be considered to have made good my proposition that any trick may be improved and rendered more interesting by one or other of those amplifications. Let us see if we cannot lay down a bill of fare for our guests which, going beyond a solid joint, (good as that may be in its way,) will furnish them with some relishing accessory in the first course of a trick, some stimulant side-dishes with its second course, or may please with some bon-bons before the entertain- ment is quite concluded. 1. INTRODCCTORY. Now, first as to introductory matter. Suppose a conjuror is able to perform Trick 3-tho "Dancing Egg"--it will waken up his audience if, instead of proceeding at once with the trick, ho can by sleight-of-hand find out an egg in the whiskers or neck- tie of some unwatchful spectator, and afterwards substituto for it the egg prepared with a hair and wax. The chief aim of introductory matter should be to enlist the thoughts and expectations of your audience under your com- mand, so as to preclude their watching what you are driving at. Show all you can safely show openly; enlarge upon the things being submitted to their own eyes and touch; engage their eyes and ears with certain appearances leading their thoughts to adopt your suggestions, so that, when you approach the devel- opment intended, they have had no leason to suspect your mo- tives; thus having their confidence, you can jump at once to their credulity, though there may, in fact, exist some gap, or il- logical process, which they omit to notice. 2. DURING THE SUCCESSIVE STAGES OF A TRICK. I often vary and render more interesting the development of a trick by some little by-piay. |