_To make a Ring shift from one Hand to another, and to make it go on
whatever Finger is required on the other Hand, while somebody holds
both your Arms, in order to prevent any Communication between them._
Desire some person in the company to lend you a gold ring, recommending
him at the same time to make a mark on it that he may know it again.
Have a gold ring of your own, which you are to fasten by a small
cat-gut string to a watch barrel, which must be sown to the left sleeve
of your coat.
Take in your right hand the ring that will be given to you; then taking
with dexterity near the entrance of your sleeve the other ring fastened
to the watch barrel, draw it to the fingers ends of your left hand,
taking care nobody perceives it: during this operation, hide between
the fingers of your right hand the ring that has been lent to you, and
hang it dexterously on a little hook sewed on purpose on your waistcoat
near your hip, and hid by your coat; you will after that shew your ring
which you hold in your left hand; then ask the company on which finger
of the other hand they wish it to pass. During this interval, and as
soon as the answer has been given, put the before-mentioned finger on
the little hook, in order to slip on it the ring; at the same moment
let go the other ring, by opening your fingers: the spring which is
in the watch barrel, not being confined any longer, will contract,
and make the ring slip under the sleeve, without any body perceiving
it, not even those who hold your arms, as their only attention being
to prevent your hands from communicating, they will let you make
the necessary motions. These motions must be very quick, and always
accompanied by stamping with your foot.
After this operation, shew the assembly that the ring is come on the
other hand: make them remark well that it is the same that had been
lent you, or that the mark is right.
Much quickness and dexterity must be made use of to succeed in this
entertaining trick, that the deception may not be suspected.