PARLOR TRICKS AND PUZZLES
TANGRAMS
ONE of the oldest and most fascinating puzzles comes, like so many
quaint things, from the Far East where, over four thousand years ago, a
learned Chinaman named Tan made the invention which forty centuries have
been unable to improve or alter. Worthy of a civilization that invented
Chess, Tan’s puzzle has lived on unchanged through the ages, affording
amusement and thought to men of such ability as Napoleon, who, during
his exile on St. Helena, used to spend hour after hour with the little
black geometric figures.
[Illustration: FIG. 1.--Showing dotted lines marked off for black pieces
in tangram puzzle.]
[Illustration: FIG. 2.--Showing square dissected and numbered for
tangrams.]
Take a perfect square of stiff cardboard of any size, say five inches,
and see that the angles and sides are true. Now, very carefully mark it
off according to the dotted lines in Fig. 1, which may be explained
thus. ABCD is the square. Rule a line from B to C, and mark off M and H
halfway between B and D and C and D respectively, and join M and H. Find
G the midpoint of MH and join AG. Mark K and F, midpoints of CE and EB
respectively, and join KH and FG. Having thus marked out the card, take
a very sharp knife and cut the cardboard along the dotted line. You will
then have the seven pieces as shown in Fig. 2, which are numbered for
convenience sake. Having colored these pieces dead black with India ink
on both sides, you are ready to start the great Tangram Puzzle.
[Illustration: FIG. 3.--Showing original Tan presenting puzzle to his
wife.]
[Illustration: FIG. 3_a_.--Showing how Tan can be fitted together.]
All these seven pieces must be fitted against each other, never
overlapping, in order to make the figures of men, beasts, houses, or the
like.
Take for example Fig. 3, which shows the original Tan presenting the
puzzle. Fig. 3_a_ shows how the good gentleman can be fitted together,
as the numbers designate which pieces are to be placed against each
other.
[Illustration: FIG. 4.--Showing pieces fitted together to represent
figure in cocked hat.]
[Illustration: FIG. 4_a_.--Showing how pieces are placed for figure in
cocked hat.]
[Illustration: FIG. 5.--Representation of depressed cat.]
[Illustration: FIG. 5_a_.--Showing construction of pieces for
representation of depressed cat.]
[Illustration: FIG. 6.--Lady holding her skirts high.]
[Illustration: FIG. 6_a_.--Showing pieces fitted for representation of
lady holding up her skirts.]
The individual in the cocked hat who appears in Figs. 4 and 4_a_, is
another example of how the pieces are to be put together; similarly the
depressed cat in Figs. 5 and 5_a_, or the lady in Figs. 6 and 6_a_, who
is holding her skirts up so high as she crosses the street. Figs. 6_b_
and 6_c_ show a gentleman apparently tired of life.
These seven pieces can be so disposed as to make hundreds of figures,
giving scope for boundless ingenuity and skill.
A good winter evening competition can be arranged by making several sets
of Tangram pieces, and distributing one set to each member of the party.
The name of some familiar object should then be announced (for
example--horse--cat--washerwoman), two minutes being allowed for
construction, and points given to the best Tangram.
[Illustration: FIG. 6_b_.--The gentleman tired of life.]
[Illustration: FIG. 6_c_.--Showing means whereby depressed gentleman is
represented.]
A variation can be introduced by taking a well-known nursery rhyme or
fairy tale, and asking each person to make a Tangram to represent a
different subject in the tale. Supposing “The Farmer’s Boy” to be the
rhyme, one person would make the figure of that youth, to another would
fall the horse, to a third the dog, and so on. As in the former case a
prize might be awarded to the most successful manipulator of the little
black pieces.
A SCISSOR TRICK
Ask one of the ladies, who naturally knows all about scissors, to do the
following trick. Holding the hands with palms upward, hang a pair of
scissors on the little fingers, as shown in Fig. 7. The fingers should
then be slightly bent so that the scissors stick upright as in Fig. 8;
next ask her to turn the hands round rapidly back to back when the
scissors will make a complete revolution, and should finally point
upward again. But it is just at this point that the trick comes in, for
the fair lady will find that instead of the scissors pointing up to the
ceiling, they are directed down to the floor! (Fig. 9.)
[Illustration: FIG. 7.--How to hold the scissors.]
[Illustration: FIG. 8.--Showing fingers slightly bent and scissors
sticking upright.]
[Illustration: FIG. 9.--Position of scissors after complete revolution.]
This is the occasion for you to show how really clever you are, and by
bearing the following hints in mind it will prove a very easy matter.
When the hands are in the position of Fig. 8, take care that the rings
of the scissors are passed over the last joints of the little fingers
only, so that a complete revolution can take place between the palms of
the hands and the fingers themselves. To bring the scissors upright will
then follow in the natural course of events.
BLOWING THROUGH A BOTTLE
Can you blow hard enough to make your breath pass right through a thick
glass bottle? The majority of people will say “No,” and dare you to
perform the task. It is really very easy.
Take a large round bottle or jam jar, and place a lighted candle behind
it, as in Fig. 10. Now stand so that the bottle or jar is interposed
between yourself and the light, and blow. The flame will be extinguished
at once!
There is scarcely need to tell your surprised friends that the shape of
the bottle has really caused your breath to follow the curve of the two
sides, unite at the back, and blow out the light.
[Illustration: FIG. 10.--How the candle flame is extinguished.]
A SAFE BET
Lay a dime, or a dollar if you feel so inclined, upon the palm of your
hand, and promise to give it to whoever can brush it off with an
ordinary clothes brush, as shown in Fig. 11. The only condition you need
make is that they shall brush towards the tips of the fingers and not to
one side.
You need have no fear of the result, and can feel quite assured that
your money is as safe as if it were in your own pocket. Whatever the
explanation may be, the fact remains that no amount of brushing will
move the coin the hundredth part of an inch on your open palm.
[Illustration: FIG. 11.--The position of coin in palm.]
DO NOT TOUCH THE COIN
Place a dime upon a polished table and ask one of your friends to pick
it up without touching either the coin or the table.
[Illustration: FIG. 12.--Showing how coin is removed from table.]
A glance at Fig. 12 shows how the trick is done. Slightly curve your
hand so that it almost touches the table, and blow steadily upon the
table at a distance of about five or six inches. The force of your
breath passing beneath the coin will carry it into your hand.
QUIS SEPARABIT?
If there happen to be a newly-married couple amongst your friends, the
following little trick may cause them a blush of happiness.
Get them to fold their hands, as shown in Fig. 13, in such a way that
the wedding-ring finger of the left hand, and the corresponding finger
of the right hand, are doubled inwards as far as the second joint, and
the knuckles of those joints press firmly against each other.
[Illustration: FIG. 13.--Hands folded.]
[Illustration: FIG. 14.--Thumbs separated.]
Now, tell them to separate their two thumbs, as in Fig. 14, while you
say, “Parents and children may be separated!” Then let them do the same
with the two forefingers, remarking, “Brothers and sisters may be
separated!” The same performance may be repeated with the two little
fingers, and you remark, “Even lovers may be separated!” Finally, let
them try to separate the two middle fingers, when they will find they
cannot get them apart. Whereupon you state emphatically, “But husband
and wife can never be divided!”
[Illustration: FIG. 15.--Paper being drawn through arm to electrify it.]
STICK NO BILLS
Take a piece of coarse brown paper, the coarser the better, and warm it
steadily before the fire. Now draw it rapidly a dozen times between your
arm and your body, as in Fig. 15, so that it receives a good friction
upon each side. Now press the paper against the wall, and you will find
that it remains as firmly stuck as though a whole pot of the best paste
had been used for the purpose.
A MIGHTY VOICE
A prophet is never without honor but in his own country, and few of your
acquaintances will believe you to be such a wonderful person that with a
single shout you can break a glass. Yet it is very easy to convince
them.
Take an ordinary wine-glass, and hold it by its foot firmly to the
table. Make the glass ring with a touch of the finger (it will probably
sound a rather low note). While the glass is yet tingling, raise it
rapidly to your mouth, and shout the same note that it rang full into
the bowl with all your force. The chances are ten to one that the glass
will shiver to pieces.
The reason of this phenomenon is the vibrations caused by the tingling
are so suddenly increased by the strength of your voice that the glass
is unable to bear the strain, and therefore breaks.
A GENUINE MATCH
It is surprising how universal is the law of love! Even two plain pieces
of wood are unable to resist the impulses of the great passion.
Take out the bottom of a match-box, and split it into two pieces. Double
over the ends at about a quarter of the way up, as in Fig. 16. On one
piece make the rough sketch of a girl, and upon the other a similar
drawing of a man, and then place the pieces together, as shown in the
illustration.
[Illustration: FIG. 16.--Drawings in position.]
If you pour a few drops of water over the joints of the two pieces of
wood, you will find that the two figures slowly and surely rise up to
meet each other, and will eventually press their two faces closely in a
long kiss. They may be some time about it, but then pleasures delayed
are always doubly enjoyable!
THE DYING FISH
Cut a piece of deal into a prism about four inches long, and color two
of the sides black or dark blue, painting the remaining side white.
Sharpen one end into a small triangular point, and paint two eyes and a
mouth thereon, so that the completed figure appears as in Fig. 17.
Now, if you put this in a basin of water very heavily salted, you will
find that the fish floats quite naturally, as in Fig. 18, whilst if you
place him in a basin of plain fresh water, he will immediately turn on
his back and float dead, with the white side uppermost, as in Fig.
18_a_.
[Illustration: FIG. 17.--Completed figure of fish.]
[Illustration: FIG. 18.--“Dead” fish floating.]
[Illustration: FIG. 18_a_.--Fish on his back.]
This is caused by the greater density of the salt water acting upon the
prism.
[Illustration: FIG. 19.--Showing egg hanging on wire.]
NEW-LAID EGGS
Here is a very handy method of discovering whether an egg is fresh or
not.
Pass an elastic band around the egg, and hang it upon a wire, as shown
in Fig. 19. Twist the egg and band round several times, and then release
it, when the band will rapidly untwist with the egg. If the latter be
quite fresh, it will stop almost immediately, but if it happens to be
rather older than is desirable, it will twist and untwist, reversing
several times before it finally comes to rest. This applies to eggs
which have been boiled--indeed to any egg that is “set.”
A WILL-POWER TEST
This is scarcely a trick, as it really serves to prove which of two
persons has the stronger will-power.
Place a door-key between the pages in the middle of a book in such a way
that the handle projects an inch or two, as in Fig. 20. Pass a piece of
string round the book, and draw into a tight knot, so that the key is
held firmly in its place.
Now, let the persons who desire to test the strength of their wills
support the book by the ring of the key resting on their extended
forefingers, as in the illustration. If one person wills the book to
turn from right to left, and the other wills it to turn in the opposite
direction, it will be found that the book obeys whichever party is
possessed of the stronger will.
[Illustration: FIG. 20.--A will-power trick.]
There is yet another way of testing this strange example of personal
magnetism.
Let one of the parties (preferably he of the stronger will) think of
some name, Mary, for instance. Informing nobody else of the name he has
chosen, let him repeat the alphabet very slowly, when it will be found
that, as he arrives at the first letter, M, the book will give a slight
turn, and will behave in a similar way for all the other letters of the
name. If both parties know the name, the book will turn much more
readily, as a result of the united forces of their wills.
[Illustration: FIG. 21.--The magic repeater.]
THE MAGIC REPEATER
This is an interesting example of some strange agency at work amongst
us.
Make a running noose at the end of a piece of fine thread, and pass it
securely round a quarter, as shown in Fig. 21. Taking care that the
thread passes over the tip of the thumb, support the thread from your
hand, in the manner shown in the illustration, in such a way that the
quarter is hanging within a wine-glass or tumbler. Take care also to
keep the hand perfectly steady, and await results.
For a few seconds the quarter will oscillate, but it will soon become
quite still. Then, actuated by no motion of your hand, it will begin to
swing to and fro like a pendulum, and will finally strike one of the
sides of the glass.
Counting the number of times it thus makes the glass ring, you will find
that the number corresponds exactly with the nearest hour to the time of
day. For instance, at 11:20 there would be eleven rings, whilst at a
quarter to twelve there would be twelve.
The cause of this phenomenon can be left to scientists to decide.
[Illustration: FIG. 22.--The obliging banana.]
THE OBLIGING BANANA
It is rare that one can get a fruit so obliging as to peel itself, but
upon certain occasions a banana will put itself out of the way to render
this favor.
Cut off one end of a banana, and with a knife just start ripping up the
skin on the four sides in the usual manner.
Now take an empty bottle, put some methylated spirit inside, and drop a
lighted match to ignite the spirits. As soon as the flame has died out,
place the prepared end of the banana in the mouth of the bottle, and you
will find that the banana is slowly drawn inside, peeling off its skin
as the fruit disappears (Fig. 22).
The reason for this condescension on the part of the banana is simple.
As soon as the bottle begins to cool from the heat of the flames, the
air is contracted inside, a vacuum is caused, and the fruit is sucked
into the bottle.
The same trick can be performed with a water bottle and a shelled
hard-boiled egg.
THE SMOKER’S FANCY
Although most ardent smokers will admit there is little pleasure in
smoking in the dark, there are few who will not be surprised at the
following trick.
Induce a cigarette devotee to have his eyes bandaged, and make him
moisten the ends of two cigarettes. Having lighted one of them, allow
the victim to have a few whiffs and then take it out of his mouth and
replace it by the unlighted cigarette. Continue changing the cigarettes
in this manner for a few minutes, and you will presently find that he is
quite unable to tell which he has in his mouth, and is quite at a loss
to know whether he is puffing away at the lighted “cig.” or not.
[Illustration: FIG. 23.--The mysterious bands--first stage.]
THE MYSTERIOUS BANDS
Take a full sheet of a large newspaper, _e.g._ the first and last pages
(which make one sheet) of a paper like the _New York Times_, and cut
three straight strips (a, b, c) about three inches wide, as shown in
Fig. 23. Now join the ends of these strips in the following manner in
order to make three loops.
In the strip a bend round D, and paste it on to the under side of E.
Make a loop of b in a similar manner, but giving the strip a half turn,
and pasting the under side of F to the under side of G.
In the third strip this twist is replaced by a full turn of the paper,
so that H is pasted on the under side of N, as in the first instance.
When making these bands it will be quite easy to conceal from the
spectators the twists you have given to the paper; and, indeed, the
success of the trick depends upon this part of your preparation not
being observed.
Now comes the exhibition of the trick. Cut each of the loops into two,
in the direction of the dotted lines in Fig. 24, when the following
astonishing result will be obtained.
The band a will be cut into two equal loops, as in Fig. 24_a_, the loop
b will turn into one large loop twice the size of the original as in
Fig. 24_b_, whilst the loop C will be transformed into two links of a
chain, as in Fig. 24_c_.
[Illustration: FIG. 24.--Showing where to cut loops of paper.]
[Illustration: FIG. 24_a_.--Band cut into equal loops.]
[Illustration: FIG. 24_b_.--Showing large loop twice the size of
original.]
[Illustration: FIG. 24_c_.--Showing loop C transformed into two links of
a chain.]
It need hardly be remarked that the twists given to the original bands
are responsible for this strange result.
SOLD AGAIN
Get some one to take a nickel out of his pocket, and, without showing it
to you, ascertain the date of the coin, and then turn it face upwards on
the palm of his hand. You will now remark that “you can tell the date.”
Appear to scrutinize the coin very attentively, and then, with the
utmost importance, tell the owner of the penny the actual day of the
month, and smile complacently at his indignation.
SIMPLE SUBTRACTION
If you have fifteen matches and remove six, how can you obtain a
remainder of ten?
[Illustration: FIG. 25.--Showing first arrangement of matches.]
Arrange the matches as in Figs. 25 _a_, _b_, and _c_, and ask a friend
the above-mentioned question.
When he gives it up, remove the six matches marked A, B, C, D, E, and F,
and you will have the result shown in Fig. 26.
[Illustration: FIG. 26.--Showing result when six matches have been
removed.]
A TRICKY STRING PUZZLE
Take a piece of string about a yard long and tie the ends together,
making a loop. Passing this loop through the ring of a key, hang it upon
the extended thumbs of a friend, as in Fig. 27. The strings are crossed.
The trick is to remove the key without taking the string from the other
person’s thumbs.
[Illustration: FIG. 27.--Showing string upon extended thumbs.]
[Illustration: FIG. 28.--Second stage of string trick.]
[Illustration: FIG. 29.--Showing mode of freeing key from string.]
To understand the diagrams it will be necessary to remember the
following explanations of the letters used in Fig. 28.
A and B are the hands of the person just described whose thumbs bear the
string.
C and D are your own hands, left and right respectively.
E is the hand of a third person who holds the key.
F and G are the two sides of the loop.
Begin by catching the string F on your little finger of C and G on the
little finger of D, as in Fig. 28. Now transfer the string from the
little finger of C to the thumb of B, and thus free your hand C.
Between the forefinger and thumb of B you must take the string G between
the key and A.
Now catch this part you have taken round the thumb of B, slip the
string from the little finger of D, and when E pulls the key, it will
come quite free from the string (Fig. 29).
A SURE EYE
Stick a sharply-pointed knife, preferably with a heavy handle, into the
lintel of the door, or into a wooden beam upon the ceiling. Then ask for
some one with a sure eye to mark the exact spot on the floor by putting
a cent upon it, where the knife will drop when displaced.
This is easily done in the following manner. Take care that the knife is
very lightly stuck into the wood, so that it will fall at the slightest
touch.
Fill a glass with water, and raising it to the knife immerse the handle
to the height of an inch or so. Then watch where the drop of water,
which will fall when you remove the glass, strikes the ground, place the
cent upon the spot, and you will find that the knife will fall upon that
identical place.
“THAT IS THE MAN”
Fold a piece of paper into four, and cut a pointer out of it, as shown
in Fig. 30. Now run a needle through a cork and balance the pointer on
its tip, as shown. Place an inverted tumbler over the whole contrivance
(Fig. 30_a_).
[Illustration: FIG. 30.--The paper pointer.]
[Illustration: FIG. 30_a_.--Pointer mounted on cork.]
By rubbing the outside of the tumbler with a piece of rag, or even a
handkerchief, you can make the pointer turn in whatever direction you
desire, as it will swing round to whatever portion of the glass you
happen to rub.
Announce that you will make it point to Mr. Jones. If you then rub the
glass on the side nearest to that gentleman, the paper needle will swing
round and point directly to him.
By rubbing the handkerchief rapidly round and round the glass the needle
will be made to revolve with considerable speed, to the great delight of
the younger members of the party.
NEEDLE-THREADING EXTRAORDINARY
Thread a No. 6 needle with a couple of yards of fairly coarse cotton or
thread, and draw them through until the two ends are of equal length.
Now pass the point of the needle right through the two strands, as in
Fig. 31, and continue pulling the needle as in Fig. 31_a_ until the
threads have passed through each other and appear a continuous piece, as
in Fig. 31_b_. This should have been done before showing the trick to
the company. As there will be no knot, it is highly improbable that any
one will notice a peculiarity in the thread.
[Illustration: FIG. 31.--Needle-threading--first stage.]
[Illustration: FIG. 31_a_.--Thread passing through itself.]
[Illustration: FIG. 31_b_.--Showing thread as a continuous piece.]
You then state that, without looking at the needle, you will thread it
with as many strands of cotton as it will hold. Proceed in the following
way.
Holding the needle with the point upwards beneath the table, out of
sight of yourself and the others, catch one of the threads at a point
between the eye of the needle and the point where they pass through each
other, as in Fig. 32, and pull that steadily downwards.
[Illustration: FIG. 32.--Showing point where thread is pulled steadily
downwards.]
[Illustration: FIG. 33.--Result of thread passed through eye of needle.]
[Illustration: FIG. 33_a_.--Threaded needle complete.]
By doing this the invisible knot is passed through the eye, carrying
with it two strands, and by continuing this action the knot is passed
several times, until eventually a result similar to that shown in Fig.
33 appears.
Drawing the knot to the bottom of this series of loops, you can then cut
off all the ends as well as the knot, and present the threaded needle to
your friends as it appears in Fig. 33_a_.
THE MAGICIAN’S BITE
Take an ordinary piece of string or thread, and offer to cut it in two
if somebody present will guarantee to join it into one piece again
without any knot. You may announce at the same time that by wizardry you
are able yourself to do this by a simple bite of the teeth.
[Illustration: FIG. 34.--Showing string passed round hands.]
[Illustration: FIG. 34_a_.--Showing ends of string looped together.]
The trick is done in this way. Appear to pass the string round the hands
twice, as in Fig. 34, whereas by a deft movement, which can be acquired
with a little practice, you really loop the two ends round each other,
as in Fig. 34_a_. Holding the point where they cross each other between
the finger and thumb (see H, Fig. 35), you request some person to cut
the two ends at G, promising to join these ends with your mysterious
bite.
[Illustration: FIG. 35.--Showing point where to cut string.]
Place the string in both hands into your mouth, and whilst making a
mumbling movement, contrive to catch the short doubled piece, G, H, in
your teeth and retain it there, whilst extending your hands to the
company you show a whole piece of thread, as in Fig. 36. The little
piece which you have kept between your teeth can be easily removed
without exciting suspicion, and there are few people critical enough to
measure the string and find there is a piece missing.
[Illustration: FIG. 36.--Showing whole piece of thread.]
A TRICK IN THE SUNSHINE
This trick can only be done on a sunny day, for a reason which will be
very evident to those who try it.
Obtain a clear glass bottle, in the cork of which stick a hooked pin. By
means of a piece of thread hang a small weight from this pin within the
bottle, as in Fig. 37, and then request some one to cut the cord without
drawing the cork.
[Illustration: FIG. 37.--Sun’s rays focused on weighted thread.]
All that is necessary to do this is a magnifying glass which is placed
between the bottle and the sun at the right distance to focus the rays
of the latter upon the cord. In a few seconds the heat of the
converging rays will burn through the thread, and the weight will fall
to the bottom of the bottle. In the same way you can
LIGHT A CIGARETTE WITHOUT MATCHES
Concentrate the rays of the sun upon the end of the cigarette, and draw
in the ordinary way (if you are old enough to smoke), when the cigarette
will rapidly be ignited.
ANOTHER STRING TRICK
Stick a penknife into a post or tree, or other strong upright of wood,
and pass a piece of string behind the post and above the knife, as in
Fig. 38. Bring the end C round the post and pass B over it. Bring C
round again and cross it over the knife, and B round the knife over C,
as in Fig. 38_a_. Pass the ends round the post again, always remembering
that B must be over C, and then tie the two ends in a knot, as in Fig.
39.
[Illustration: FIG. 38.--Knife and string trick--first stage.]
[Illustration: FIG. 38_a_.--Knife and string trick--second stage.]
[Illustration: FIG. 39.--Knife and string trick--third stage.]
By removing the knife from the post, you will now find that the whole
loop comes away intact, having never really been passed round the post
at all.
TRY THIS!
A candle can be lighted without approaching the match to the wick in
this way.
Light a candle in the ordinary manner, and take care that the wick is
fairly long and burns brightly. Blow it out suddenly, and by applying a
lighted match to the smoke at the height of an inch or two, the candle
will instantly relight without your having to put the match to the wick.
A STEADY HAND
If any of your friends boast of a steady hand, you can easily give their
pride a fall by wagering that not one of them can move a glass of water
from one table to another without spilling every drop it contains.
Fill a tumbler with water to the very brim. Place a piece of perfectly
flat, stout paper on the top of it, as shown in Fig. 40, and the palm of
the hand on the top of that. Now turn the glass upside down very quickly
and carefully, and place it upon a flat part of the table, having done
which slide the piece of paper from beneath it. As the air cannot enter
none of the water escapes, but it will be absolutely impossible to move
the glass without spilling the water.
[Illustration: FIG. 40.--A water trick.]