In our former works have been given revelations by means of which the
disappearance of coins can be accomplished. The present act of
prestidigitation is quite new, and never before discovered by magicians
to their audiences.
_Performance._—A drinking-glass having been passed around amongst the
audience, that the absence of mechanism may be generally manifest, Mr.
Hanky Panky borrows a half-crown and a handkerchief, and pours some pure
water (which may be tasted) into the glass, held by one of the company.
Though this essence of the New River has no corrosive properties
perceptible to the tongue, Mr. Panky confidently asseverates that it is
bewitched into the power of annihilating silver.
He then places the coin in the centre of the handkerchief, and puts it
over the mouth of the glass, where the volunteer holds it by its edge
through the silk, so that the pendent corners hide the coin and glass.
[Illustration: Fig. 5.]
The person is notified that Mr. Panky will count three, at the last of
which numbers he is to let the piece fall into the glass, as the sound
will betoken.
One, two, three, chink.
The coin is distinctly heard to fall, so that there can linger no doubt
whatever of its presence in the glass.
Nevertheless, Mr. Panky, with his usual assurance, announces
that—without his approaching—he has the power to attract the coin to
him, and, in truth, he suddenly holds it up in plain sight. The person
takes away the handkerchief, and is even more astounded than the most
impressionable amongst the spectators, to see nothing but the water in
the glass—of which the magician relieves him by swallowing it.
[Illustration: Fig. 6.]
_Explanation._—The bottom of the glass is of the same dimension as a
half-crown. A disc of sheet-glass is cut of the same size exactly. This
is substituted for the coin, and is felt within the handkerchief. When
it falls, the sound is so like that of metal that all are filled with
error. When the cover is removed, the water prevents the glass piece
being seen at the bottom even by the operator himself.
The coin wand can be used in connection with this trick, for which see a
description following.