More Magic (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1890 Excerpt: ..." flash " handkerchief, meaning that the fabric of which it is composed has been so treated with a mixture of nitric and sulphuric acid as to be converted, practically, into gun-cotton, which, when ignited in an open space does not explode, but flashes off harmlessly A handkerchief of this description, twelve inches square, or thereabouts, can be procured at any conjuring depot, and will make up into half-a-dozen miniature handkerchiefs suitable for the purpose of the trick, t "If the performer does not possess or does not care to use the flash handkerchief, a handkerchief of ordinary material may be used. It should in this case be rolled up, taken between the middle finger and thumb of the left hand, and thence apparently taken in the right, by means of the " tourniquet" Modern Magic, p. 150); and from the right hand "passed " into the candle. + A very moderate degree of heat suffices to ignite flash handkerchiefs, and hence are derived two or three methods of igniting them without any visible use of fire, the effect of the sudden flash being thereby greatly enhanced. One method is to use a glass rod, heated in the flame of a spirit lamp. Glass being a bad conductor of heat, one end of such a rod may be made quite hot enough to ignite a "flash" handkerchief, while the opposite end remains perfectly cool. (X.B. Take care which end you get hold of.) Another plan is to moisten one corner of the handkerchief with gum, and sprinkle it with a mixture of chlorate of potass and pounded sugar. A handkerchief thus prepared may be flashed off by touching the corner with a glass rod dipped in sulphuric acid, or (holding it by the opposite corner), allowing it to touch a plate whereon a few drops of the same acid have been p...