The articles necessary for the performance of this trick are very
simple, a dinner-fork and an ordinary sized cork being all that are
needed. Fix the cork firmly in the handle of the fork, then stick
the fork into it so that two prongs shall be on each side of the cup
handle, and slope the fork in such a way that its handle will come
under the bottom of the cup. The heaviest weight being thus brought
underneath, you can hold the cup on the point of a knife, if you very
carefully find the exact place on which it will balance.
As the surface of the cup is usually glazed, the hand which holds the
knife must not tremble, or the cup will slip off.
You may also obtain the same result by using two knives instead of a
fork.
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