XVI. ELECTRICAL TRICKS.
THE CONTINUOUS CHIME.
Make a “dry pile” as follows:—Cut out of silver-paper used by fancy boxmakers, leaf zinc and writing-paper discs, of the same size, with a die or punch.
Dry the paper in a gentle heat, and arrange the whole in two well-dried glass tubes, beginning with the zinc, next silver-paper, paper side down, the writing-paper, the silver-paper as before, and so on. Cement in brass caps at one end of the tube, with screws to compress the pile, and fasten a second cap after the column is inserted. This secures the perfect metallic current.
Connect the tops with a wire, from the centre of which hangs a brass ball to a raw-silk thread, to come in contact with a bell on the base of each column when reared upright upon a stand. One column has its positive end opposed to the other’s negative one, which makes the two, when connected above, one continuous column. Groove the stand, and cover all with a glass shade oval or round.
The ball will swing to and fro between the bells, repelled and attracted alternately.
To recover lost power, insulate the columns for a few days.
SIMPLE ELECTROSCOPE.
Drive the eye of a needle into a cork and stop a bottle with it, the point being up. At the balancing-spot of an eagle’s feather glue a little hard socket or cup of glass or metal, and place it on the needle point.
Sealing wax, a vulcanite comb passed rapidly through the hair, or other “excited” electrifier, will cause the feather to whirl round and follow it as iron will the magnet.
THE OBEDIENT BROWNIE.
Hang a penny between the poles of an electro-magnet, and spin it round. On making the connection with the battery, the coin will be stopped short, and will place itself in the equatorial position.
THE FEATHER PENDULUM.
A feather suspended between the positive and negative knobs of an electric battery will fly to and fro as it is attracted and repelled.
Fig. 113.
THE MAGNETIC FOX-HUNT.
On a table, at the back, rear a grove of trees cut out of pasteboard, and with moss gummed on for foliage. Near each side make two doors, and leave the table-top free on the segment of a circle. The rest of this circle is imaginarily described on the other part of the table. A fox, several huntsmen and dogs, made of iron, are placed in the grove, from which they issue and frantically course round back under cover, as if animated with the most frantic spirit.
The chase is suspended at any point in the course, at will of the magician.
Explanation.—Under the table is a wheel, moved by clockwork, the outer rim of which corresponds with the imaginary circle above in circumference. A strong magnet is attached to the edge, which attracts the iron toys.
Instead of a hunt, a ship sailing under two Colossi of Rhodes, or into two harbours defended by forts, a duck or swan coming out at the call (the water being represented by looking-glass), a dog rushing out of one house and retiring rapidly, when you say, à la clown, “I’ll tell your mother!” into another—these and many other subjects are easily contrived.
Fig. 114.
THE SPIRIT DRUM.
Have two electric magnets fastened to the side within a drum. Let the wires run up the cord or strap of suspension of the drum, so as to be in contact, when hung by a hook or silken cord in the ceiling, with the wires of a battery behind a partition or under the floor. One magnet is to imitate the sound of the drumstick making the taps, whilst the other executes the roll or accompaniment.
Fig. 115.
When the drum is hung upon a figure, the arms of the latter are worked by strings, and the wires from the battery are led up through the figure from the table on which it is placed. (For the construction of such tables, see The Secret Out and The Magician’s Own Book.)