Spirit Slate Writing and Kindred PhenomenaSoo, Chung Ling
Philosophy
Spirit Slate Writing and Kindred Phenomena
Soo, Chung Ling
Magic tricks; Spiritualism
This magician goes among the audience and borrows a gentleman’s
handkerchief, and immediately produces from it a glass filled
with sherry. This he offers to the ladies, then, shaking the
handkerchief, he produces a second glass full of port for the
gentlemen, next one of ginger beer for the younger members, and
one of milk for the very young, but there being present one or two
teetotalers, he next produces a glass of water, and lastly a glass
of stout for himself. All of these are pronounced by the audience
to be excellent.
The glasses are of the small stem wineglass pattern. On both sides
of the magician’s coat, inside, of course, are large pockets,
and in each pocket is placed in a prearranged form three of the
glasses. To prevent a possible spilling of their contents (and, as
each glass is filled to the brim, this would be very difficult),
there is fastened over the mouth of each glass a thin soft rubber
cap or cover, as shown in the small engraving.
To produce the glass, the performer spreads the borrowed
handkerchief, which should be a large one, over his breast in
such a manner that one hand is concealed under it; and with this
hand he reaches in the pocket and brings forth the proper glass,
removing the rubber cover and leaving it in the pocket. This move
is repeated until all the glasses have been brought out. After
producing three of the glasses with, say, the left hand, he must
spread the handkerchief so as to cover the right hand, leaving the
left one free to manipulate the handkerchief, as it would be most
awkward to try and produce the glasses from both sides of the coat
with the same hand.
[Illustration: Fig. 57.--The Miraculous Wine Bottle.]
This trick is a most effective one, as the spectators cannot
understand how it would be possible for the performer to conceal a
glass filled to the brim, as these are, about his person.
After distributing the glasses, and offering an apology for his
inability to treat all present, he pretends to overhear a remark
that his audience is not satisfied, and that many think they have
been slighted. He states that he will endeavor to comply with the
demands of his thirsty audience, and retires to fetch a bottle.
Off the stage he removes his coat and places under his right arm a
rubber bag filled with wine. To the bag is attached a rubber pipe
with a small metal point, which pipe he holds next to his right arm
and replaces his coat, leaving the metal end just within the cuff.
[Illustration: Fig. 58.--The Miraculous Wine Bottle.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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