Water Wizardry: A collection of tricks in which water is the chief agent

aces a little rice and covers it with the other bowl. On lifting the uppermost bowl the conjurer shows that th

me of the surplus rice, letting it fall on the tray. Thus one b

d once more he raises the empty bowl. All the rice has now vanished, for it has b

. A small quantity of rice placed in a bowl increases in a

. I used the latter method when I presented this trick at St. George's Hall, and I prefer it to the other, especially if I am performing in

a bowls are required, because this method admits of one or two variations, and, of c

water. A disc of thick celluloid of the same size of the top of the bowl is also required. The disc shou

d the edge. If the disc fits properly it will then be possible to turn the bowl upside down without spilling the water; the disc will adhere to the bowl. It is always advisable to have a disc specially made to fit the bowl

ch a couple of wooden matches have previously been placed; there is then no risk of the disc adhering to the tray. The e

tand it on the table. Place the faked bowl on the top of it and, holding the hands round th

now underneath. Obviously, there must be some excuse for doing this; that will be provided for in the "patter." The rice natu

rice lift the disc under the bowl and place it on the tray; as the disc with the rice on it is placed over the loose rice which fell on the tray in the first instance it is not noticed. The latter part of this "move" must be done fairly quickly, especially if one is performing at cl

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ce will notice this fact and will say to themselves: "He showed us only one empty bowl-wonder what's in the other?" Of course, people ought not to think in this way, and some conjurers believe that

ll admit that if you can show the interiors of both bowls at the beginning of the performance you make it a much "stronger" trick than if you show only one bowl and let the state of the other be taken for granted. Be

hat means that the faked bowl has to be hidden at the beginning o

the bowl. You will also need a "servante" at the back of your table; this can be either a small shelf or, better still, a bag with the mouth sli

course, you really drop it into the bag or place it on the shelf at the back of the table. Continue the movement of the arm until your right hand is resting against the faked bowl which is hidden behind the bag of rice. At the same moment pick up the bag of rice w

putting one bowl behind the bag of rice. Why should you not put it at the side of the bag if there is room for it there? Inquisitive people ask themselves these questions some

the left hand and pour some rice into it. Take care to let the audience see that rice, and nothing but rice, goes i

cal in a small room with the audience close to the table. If you wish to do the trick under those difficult conditions I suggest tha

ee times, and while you are apparently doing the same thing for the third time bury the bowl which you have been holding in your right hand in the box of rice and bring

tting the movement right practise in front of a looking-glass. First, dip the two bowls into the box of rice and scoop up the rice into both bow

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wl, upside down, on the table. Take a little rice from the box with the right hand and let it fall into the empty bowl; continue doing this until you have filled the bowl. Th

secret of the trick lies in the preparation of one of the bowls, and yet, at the beginning of the trick, both bowls

to hold a considerable quantity of water. The lining is of highly polished brass, like the rest of the bowl, and if it is kept "on the move" it can safely be shown to the au

rice and the faked bowl placed on the top and both bowls are turned over together the quantity of rice appears to have increased because it overflows. (T

e of the bottom of the bowl. To fill the space between the inner lining and the bowl itself with

water to make sure that the space is properly filled. Lift the bowl out of the water by the brim, but just before you get the brim

piece of adhesive rubber plaster over the air hole in the bottom of the bowl. You can then turn the bowl upside down without any fear tha

ver it. (You will understand, of course, that the bowls should be in

into the plain bowl until it is nearly full, and put the faked bowl on the top of it. Invert the two bowls together; when you separate them t

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whereas it is really necessary to get nearly all the rice out of the faked bowl. Begin by levelling the rice with the left hand while you hold the other bowl in front of it; just before you replace the empty bowl bend the left

the piece of rubber plaster which has covered the air hole in the bottom of the faked bowl. (If you are performing in a hall with part of the audience in

mind it is only a very trifling disadvantage, but I know that some conjurers regard it almost as a serious defect. The water runs out of the air hole slowly, an

pattering for a whole minute without doing anything; they think that to do this looks as though they were "holding up" the trick. Until you have pattered for a whole minute without doing any

jurer may find the preparation of the trick a little tiresome. I have known a conjurer to prepare the faked bowl-fill it with water and seal it-before setting out on his journey to give his performan

member, the bowl has to be placed in the water. Carry your own pail in your bag, and then all y

h the right hand and pour some of the water into the faked bowl. There will be more than enough water to fill this bowl, and so if you

s dash through the trick in about half a minute, but it is as well to let your audience see what you are doing. If you are going to use brass bow

eek after his wedding day. And he often gets it! Believe me, he does. You will notice that by this method of cooking (lift the bowls, wave them in the air and finally invert them), the rice is cooked entirely by friction. No fire needed; therefore no coal bill; therefore, the coal merchant goes broke. You see what new methods lead to. I don't know if the rice is done yet; excuse me for a momen

aste; it can also be used for waterproofing boots, and it is invaluable for invalids. I once induced an invalid friend of mine to try some of my patent rice pudding. The invalid got better at once-afraid of having to face a second dose. It's dangerous stuff-rice pudding. Many a happy home has been nearly wrecked-all through a cold, heavy, stodgy, und