328 LETTERS ON NATURAL MAGIC. 



of the cupboard is filled, as it appears to be, with similar 

 machinery. This false conclusion is greatly corroborated 

 by observing the glimmering light which plays among 

 the wheel-work when the door B is opened, and a candle 

 held at the opening. This mode of exhibiting the interior 

 of the cupboard satisfies the spectator also that no opaque 

 body capable of holding or concealing any of the parts 

 of a hidden agent is interposed between the light and the 

 observer. The door B is now locked and the screen I 

 closed, and as this is done at the time that the light is 

 withdrawn it will wholly escape observation. 



The door B is so constructed as to close by its own 

 weight, but as the head of the chess-player will soon be 

 placed very near it, the secret would be disclosed if, in 

 turning round, the chest door should by any accident fly 

 open. This accident is prevented by turning the key, 

 and, lest this little circumstance should excite notice, it 

 would probably be regarded as accidental, as the keys 

 were immediately wanted for the other locks. 



As soon as the door B is locked, and the screen I closed, 

 the secret is no longer exposed to hazard, and the ex- 

 hibitor proceeds to lead the minds of the spectators still 

 farther from the real state of things. The door A is left 

 open to confirm the opinion that no person is concealed 

 within, and that nothing can take place in the interior 

 without being observed. 



The drawer G G is now opened, apparently for the 

 purpose of looking at the chess-men, cushion and counters 

 which it contains ; but the real object of it is to give time 

 to the player to change his position, as shown in the 

 annexed figure, and to replace the false back and partition 

 preparatory to the opening of the great cupboard. The 

 chess-player, as the figure shows, occupies with his body 

 the back compartment of the small cupboard, while his 

 legs and thighs are contained in the space 0, behind the 



