CONJURORS' CHEMISTRY. 



335 



CHEMISTRY APPLIED TO SLEIGHT OF HAND. 



While physics has provided the species of entertainment called "sleight 

 of hand" with a number of interesting effects, chemistry has only offered it 

 very feeble contributions. Robert Houdin formerly made use of electricity 

 to move the hands of his magic clock, and the electric magnet in making an 

 iron box so heavy instantaneously that no one could lift it. Robin has 

 made use of optics to produce the curious spectacle of the decapitated man, 

 spectres, etc. Those persons who are fond of this kind of amusement may, 

 however, borrow from chemistry some original experiments, which can be 

 easily undertaken, and I will conclude this chapter by describing a juggling 

 feat which I have seen recently executed 

 before a numerous audience by a very 

 clever conjuror. 



The operator took a glass that was 

 perfectly transparent, and placed it on a 

 table, announcing that he should cover the 

 glass with a saucer, and then, retiring to 

 some distance, would fill it with the smoke 

 from a cigarette. And this he carried out 

 exactly, standing smoking his cigarette in 

 the background, while the glass, as though 

 by enchantment, slowly filled with the 

 fumes of the smoke. This trick is easily 

 accomplished. It is only necessary to pour 

 previously into the glass two or three 

 drops of hydrochloric acid, and to moisten 

 the bottom of the saucer with a few drops 

 of ammonia. These two liquids -are un- 

 perceived by the spectators, but as soon as 

 the saucer is placed over the glass, they 

 unite in forming white fumes of hydro- 

 chlorate of ammonia, which bear a complete resemblance to the smoke of 

 tobacco. 



This experiment excited the greatest astonishment among the specta- 

 tors present on the occasion, but understanding something of chemistry 

 myself, I easily guessed at the solution of the mystery. The same result is 

 obtained in a course of chemistry in a more simple manner, and without any 

 attempt at trickery, by placing the opening of a bottle of ammonia against 

 the opening of another bottle containing hydrochloric acid. 



Fig. 321. Amusing experiment in chemistry. 



