This is effected by a simple and innocent stratagem; it consists in what follows: take a frog that is alive, and put it at the farther end of the calve’s head, under the tongue, which you will let fall over it; taking care not to put the frog there till the calve’s head is going to be served up. The heat of the tongue will make the frog croak; which sound, coming from the hollow part of the head, will imitate the bellowing of a calf as if it were alive. CHAP. IX. _A puzzling Question to be proposed for Solution._ Set down three sums on paper; and say to the company, ladies and gentlemen, there are three sums, very different from each other, and very disproportionate; yet I wish to divide them among three persons, so that they may have an equal sum each, and yet without altering any thing in either of the sums. This will appear very difficult, yet nothing so simple and easy; one single addition will suffice to prove to you that the amount of each sum will be the same, and that the shares will not enrich much the respective persons: here is the proof: EXAMPLE. 5134122 61254 7218 OPERATION. Cast up the first of these sums in the following manner, and say, 5 and 1 make 6; 3 more, 9; 4 more, 13; 1 more, 14; 2 more, 16; and 2 more, 18: set down――18. Make the addition of the second sum in the same manner as you have done the first, and you will find the same sum of――18. Then proceed for the third as in the two preceding, and the product will be also――18. Here then is my division made, and each person will have only 18, as I have proved by the foregoing example. By this we see, that nothing more is required than to be attentive in setting the sums, to make the numbers so that each sum may amount only to 18. You may make the same question on whatever sum you please, only observing, as above, that the amount of the numbers you set may not exceed the sum you desire to belong to each person that is to have a share. CHAP. X. _How to dispose two little Figures, so that one shall light a Candle, and the other put it out._ Take two little figures of wood or clay, or any other materials you please, only taking care that there is a little hole at the mouth of each. Put in the mouth of one a few grains of bruised gunpowder, and a little bit of phosphorus in the mouth of the other; taking care that these preparations are made before hand. Then take a lighted wax candle and present it to the mouth of the figure with the gunpowder, which taking fire will put the candle out: then present your candle, having the snuff still hot, to the other figure; it will light again immediately, by means of the phosphorus. You may propose the same effect to be produced by two figures drawn on a wall with a pencil or coal, by applying, with a little starch or water, a few grains of bruised gunpowder to the mouth of one, and a bit of phosphorus to the mouth of the other. CHAP. XI.