The description of the fiery-faced God of the Egyptians in Lord Lytton’s
“Last Days of Pompeii” is vivid enough for it almost to provide data for
an illusion in itself. However, we can form one upon it.
[Illustration: Fig. 138]
Get a false face made of the Egyptian type (the Sphynx would be
suitable), of fine muslin, and dressed with wax to make it transparent.
Fasten it on a board with drapery in accordance with it; cut out at the
back a place where a white glass bottle can stand on a shelf, closed in
on all sides by that in the opening, and containing a solution of a few
grains of phosphorus in some essential oil of cloves. Have the stopper
at the end of a rod working on a pivot, so that a touch will lift it out
of the bottle. When out, the air entering makes the phosphorus glow with
a mysterious light. The impression can be enhanced by a few chords on a
celestine or harmonica.