402 ADDITIONAL PHENOMENA OF NATURAL MAGIC. 



while the figure will appear reflected alone. The light 

 being kept more subdued upon the stage than upon the 

 figure to be reflected, the presence of any real actor upon 

 the stage will appear less vivid under the subdued light 

 than that of the ghost. If the plate glass be so arranged 

 that the actor on the stage in approaching or passing the 

 shadow can go behind or in front of the plate glass at 

 pleasure, the illusion of passing through the shadow or 

 appearing to strike, stab, or grasp it in vain, will be very 

 perfectly shown. The distance between the figure and its 

 reflection at E F is necessarily circumscribed by the limits 

 of our space. The angularity of the glass to the audience, 

 so as to throw the image of the ghost only toward them, 

 and all other reflection on it in other directions, is easily 

 arranged. 



The speaking head, floating cherubs, &c., are accom- 

 plished by similar arrangements of plate glass and dark 

 background. But in these cases the figures seen may, or 

 may not be in shadow or reflection, at the option of the con- 

 ductor. When not reflections, the arrangement may be 

 accomplished by having the plate glass divided into 

 pieces. Thus a half sheet from the bottom of the stage, 

 with a screen of green cloth in front of the performer, will 



