pages: practicalmagicia00harr.pdf, 69
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practicalmagicia00harr.pdf | 69 | THE PRACTICAL MAGICIAN. 59 CHAPTER VII. FRIENDLY SUGGESTIONS. As the amateur will aspire to come before his parlor audience some cat or other, it may be some little service and hclp to him to give ufew suggestions as to the best way of conducting such an exhicition, and to specify the kind of tricks to which he will do well to rimit himself. It will be desirable to open with an off-hand exression of his wish to place before them a few amusing tricks to wile away an hour ; and let him assume a lively air, for his own liveliness will sustain that of the specta- tors. There are some conjurors who, though they can perform good tricks, exhibit them in such a heavy, uninteresting way that they create no enthusiasm. An over-anxious look, coupled with a creeping, fearful movement, and a dull, monotonous voice, will suggest distrust and dissatisfaction, even where the sudience has come together prepossessed with the expectation of mirth and glee. Let none assume, then, to wave the conjuror's wand till ho has himself some confidence in his powers, knows what he purposes to do, and means to carry it out. I would say that a moderate degree of assumption, a gay vivacity, ready to break out into a smile, a cheerful spirit, and a joyous voice, will go a great way to bespeak favor, which the performer can quickly re- pay by dashing off his tricks with enthusiasm. The language used by the conjuror should be studiously guarded. Let there be no vain-glorious assertions, no self-praise, but respectful def- erence to the judgment of the spectators ; rather inclining to give them the credit of understanding more than they do, than twitting them with understanding less. Be neither overbearing with conceited "chaff" upon any of the company ; nor, on the |