pages: practicalmagicia00harr.pdf, 70
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practicalmagicia00harr.pdf | 70 | 60 THE PRACTICAL MAGICIAN. other hand, venture upon extreme and disconcerting compli- ments to any person present. Rather, as a courteous master of the ceremonies, conduct the experiments with a simple effort to please and to amuse all. With the exhibition of an amateur, the performance of some lively airs upon the piano by any friend - will form an agreeable accompaniment, especially if the spirited and humorous melodies are introduced, which the public tasto recognizes as the tunes of the day. You will do well to have your table neatly and carefully arranged. Let it not lie too near to the spectators, nor within reach of too minute inspection. It should be of sufficient height to show the main objects placed on it; but the surface of it may be just high enongh to be shel- tered from the spectators clearly viewing every article upon it. The ornaments should be few, yet, at the same time, be service- able to shade a few articles which it may be policy to conceal. 1. The centre table may be a moderate-sized kitchen table, with a drawer to stand open ; so that the performer can take any article out of the drawer with one hand, while engaging the eyes of the spectators with his other hand. A colored cloth should be over the tables, on the side towards the spectators. 2. Two small tables, at the sÃdes of the centre table, may also be useful, as in Fig. 22. rG. 22., 3. With tables arranged somewhat in this manner, the ama- teur will be able to take up articles, from either the surface or back of the tables, without attracting notice to his doing so. He must practise taking up things with one hand, while his other hand and his eyes are ostensibly occupied with some other ob- ject; for if the spectators see him looking behind his table, their eyes will immediately follow in the same direction, 4 |