PEERLESS
PRESTIDIGITATION
BY
HERBERT DE CASTON.
HERBERT DE CASTON.
Peerless
Prestidigitation.
BEING A COLLECTION OF
ENTIRELY NEW IDEAS AND
EFFECTS IN THE FASCINATING
ART OF MODERN MAGIC.
BY
HERBERT DE CASTON
ASSISTED BY
The Leading South African Magicians.
COPYRIGHT 1910.
(Entered at Stationers' Hall.)
HAMLEY BROTHERS, LIMITED,
LONDON.
BRADBURY, AGNEW, & CO. LD., PRINTERS,
LONDON AND TONBRIDGE.
INTRODUCTORY SPEECH.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In calling your attention to a deceptive entertainment,Legerdemain, more generally known as Conjuring,a few introductory remarks may not be out ofplace. The superstition that existed in the early ages,when wizards and magicians were supposed to exist,time has not worn out; the mystery that hangs overall professors of magic is still in part retained. Manythere are who class them amongst supernaturalbeings, their seeming impossibilities are convertedinto positive realities, their power supposed to besupreme. Now, were I, in this the twentieth century,to stand before you professing to be a wizard or amagician—or, in fact, to be that which I am not—endowedwith supernatural power, it would belooked upon as a gross insult to your good sense; forin truth the only peculiarity of my profession is todeceive—yours to detect. If my hands are quickerthan your eyes, I shall have the pleasure of deceivingyou; but, on the contrary, if your eyes are quickerthan my hands, the reverse will be the result.