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Hanky Panky

Chapter 3: I.—SIMPLE TRICKS.
By Wiljalba Frikell
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About This Book

The work compiles step-by-step instructions and illustrations for conjuring feats, from simple parlor sleights to elaborate mechanical illusions. Organized by topic—coins, ropes and handkerchiefs, rings, knives, boxes, hats, cards, optical and electrical effects, fire, water, acoustics and wind tricks—it provides practical procedures, performance notes, occasional puzzles and interludes, and an appendix exposing gamblers' deceptions including roulette and rouge-et-noir. Emphasis falls on accessible presentation, ranging from children's amusements to complicated staged routines, with explanatory diagrams to guide practice and presentation.

HANKY PANKY.

I.—SIMPLE TRICKS.

Fig. 1.—Mr. Hanky Panky.

FLY AWAY, JACK!

Take two pieces of white paper, about the size of a sixpence, and moisten them well on both sides. Put one on the first joint of each forefinger, just at the root of the nail, and place these fingers on the edge of the table, straight out, while the rest are closed up under the hands.

Then say:

“Two little dickey birds sat on the sill,
One named Jack—t’other named Jill!
Fly away, Jack!”

Close the right forefinger, and with the middle finger remove the paper and retain it there, while the forefinger is quickly replaced in the first position to show the veritable flight of Jack. Then say,

“Fly away, Jill!”

And repeat with the left forefinger. Then say:

“Come back, Jack!”

And take the piece of paper from the right middle finger upon the forefinger as at first, and replace it on the table.

“Come back, Jill.”

The same with the other hand. Then conclude:

“The two little birds are sitting there still!”

Fig. 2.—The Perplexed Spectator.

DANCE, BOATMAN, DANCE!

(From the German.)

Herr Professor Bobine von Rhumkorff amuses little children by holding up his hand, with the thumb and finger thus posed:—

The thumb is made to spring up and down to a lively air and to the words “Dance, de Boatman, dance!” Then the thumb stops while the fingers are set leaping, to the words:

“Boatman’s piccaninnies dance, ’cause fader dance all alone by heself!”

Then leave the forefinger capering and sing:

“Eldest son of de Boatman, dance!”

Then all the fingers but the first leap about to the words:

“De whole family dance, ’cause him eldest son he dance all alone!”

So on with the other fingers, the little one being the baby, and the middle one Mrs. Boatman.

Some put on a black glove and make four chalk spots on the fingertip to represent eyes, nose, and mouth.

BUY A BIRD.

Fold each finger over the next, the forefinger undermost upon the thumb, and say:

“Who will buy my birds?”

On one saying he or she will make the purchase, you quickly open your hand and cry:

“They all have flown away!”

LITTLE WATCHMAN.

(For Children):

Hold up the left hand, open.

“This is the thumb!”

Touch the three principal fingers.

“This, this, this a plum!”

Put down forefinger.

“He eats this one!”

Put down middle finger.

“He takes his brother!”

Put down third finger.

“And grabs the other!”

Hold up little finger and wag it sadly.

“And little Watchman’s left alone!”

TO ADD FIVE TO SIX AND YET MAKE BUT NINE.

Having drawn six-straight lines, by adding five more, as in figure 3, only Nine is seen.

Fig. 3.

TO CARRY HOT COALS IN THE HAND.

Cover the palm with sand, ashes, or any non-conductor, and calmly put the live coals on it. Which ancient “sell” will be found in the first German mediæval play, entitled “The Burning Iron,” by Hans Sachs, “performed for the first time in Nuremberg in the year 1531.” A peasant woman suspects her husband of some crime, and she arranges with her mother that he must pass under the ordeal of the “burning iron”—that is, a piece of iron made red-hot must be picked up with his bare hand, and carried round the room. If his hand remain unscathed, he is innocent; if he be burnt, then he is guilty. The husband promises to undergo the ordeal; but before doing so, manages to place, unseen by his wife, a flat piece of wood upon the hollow of his hand, and with this deception he passes through the ordeal successfully. Mr. Hanky Panky believes this gentleman to have been his “long-lost brother.”