Hocus Pocus; or The Whole Art of Legerdemain, in Perfection. / By which the meanest capacity may perform the whole without the help of a teacher. Together with the Use of all the Instruments belonging thereto.

A practical manual lays out the techniques and stagecraft of sleight of hand, teaching how to perform common experiments with balls, coin and money tricks, card manipulations, and cooperative confederate routines. It gives step-by-step procedures for classic effects such as the cups and balls and for operating luminous projection devices, with notes on specialized apparatus, concealment, and misdirection. Emphasis is placed on posture, gestures, scripted patter, and timing to distract observers, and on adapting simple props to produce surprising transformations. The instructions aim to enable readers of modest skill to learn and present entertaining feats.