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From the INTRODUCTION. There are one or two leading principles to be borne in mind by anyone taking up the study of magic. The first and foremost is, Never tell the audience what you are going to do before you do it. If you do, the chances of detection are increased tenfold, as the spectators, knowing what to expect, will the more readily arrive at the true method of bringing about the result. It follows as a natural consequence that you must never perform the same trick twice in the same evening. It is very unpleasant to have to refuse an encore; and should you be called upon to repeat a trick study to vary it as much as possible, and to bring it to a different conclusion. There will generally be found more ways than one of working a particular trick. It is an axiom in conjuring that the best trick loses half its effect on repetition. Should a hitch occur in the carrying-out of the programme by the accidental dropping of an article, or from any other cause, above all things do not get confused, but treat the matter as a good joke, and meet the difficulty with a smile, making use of some such expression as the following: -Well, you see I put it down there to show that it would go. It is perfectly solid and does not stick.- By this means, instead of spoiling the entertainment, you add greatly to the amusement of the spectators. Do not cultivate quick movements: at the same time it will never do to be painfully slow; but endeavour to present your tricks in an easy-going, quiet, graceful manner. It is generally understood that- the quickness of the hand deceives the eye, - but this is entirely erroneous. It is impossible for the hand to move quicker than the eye can follow, as can be proved by experiment. The deception really lies in the method of working the trick, and in the ability of the performer in misdirection, as will be seen from a perusal of the following pages. A little well-arranged patter as an introductory to an entertainment will be found to put you on good terms with your audience. A few words, something like the following, will suffice: -Ladies and Gentlemen, with your kind attention I shall endeavour to amuse you with a series of experiments in legerdemain. In doing so I wish it to be distinctly understood that I shall do my best to deceive you, and upon the extent to which I am able to do so will depend my success.-...

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