Part 1

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Transcriber’s Notes:

Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).

The Table of Contents follows the body of the text.

Additional Transcriber’s Notes are at the end.

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PHYSICAL AMUSEMENTS AND DIVERTING EXPERIMENTS.

PHYSICAL AMUSEMENTS AND DIVERTING EXPERIMENTS.

COMPOSED AND PERFORMED IN DIFFERENT CAPITALS OF EUROPE, AND IN LONDON.

BY SIGNOR GIUSEPPE PINETTI, DE WILDALLE,

KNIGHT OF THE GERMAN ORDER OF MERIT OF ST. PHILIP, PROFESSOR OF MATHEMATICS AND NATURAL PHILOSOPHY, PENSIONED BY THE COURT OF PRUSSIA, PATRONIZED BY ALL THE ROYAL FAMILY OF FRANCE, AGGREGATE OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES AND BELLES LETTRES OF BORDEAUX, &C.

LONDON: PRINTED IN THE YEAR M DCC LXXXIV.

PREFACE.

The honour of performing several physical amusements before their Britannic Majesties and the Royal Family, was an event that flattered my ambition in the highest degree. To obtain their suffrages, and those of that part of this enlightened nation, before which I have repeated the same experiments and amusements at the Theatre Royal, Hay-Market, was the summit of my wishes. Having obtained these two desirable ends, I blessed the moments I had devoted to the study of natural philosophy and mathematics; to them I am indebted for these inestimable advantages.

Some invidious hints insinuated relative to the means I practised for performing these several experiments came to trouble the happiness I enjoyed. The opportunities I had of demonstrating publicly the simplicity and fairness of the execution of my experiments, which had appeared complicated to such a degree as to require a confederate, have put me in the happy way of destroying those unfavourable impressions, and of undeceiving those persons who honoured me with their presence; their repeated applauses have been a very flattering testimony of their approbation of my endeavours to amuse the public.

Several persons of the first rank having signified their wishes that I would publish some few easy means of amusing a company, whether in town or in the country; I could not refuse to comply with their desire: this is the motive of this little publication. Being near my departure for France, I shall trace hastily a few experiments, which will be as simple as they are entertaining, and easy to be performed. If amongst them there should be found, by chance, some that are known, or even printed, I hope it will not be taken amiss, nor I shall be looked upon as a plagiary. Unacquainted with this town, I cannot be informed of all that exists in print: besides, as in this age the study of natural philosophy is so universal, it cannot be in the least astonishing if some of the experiments resulting from that science were already known. Therefore I claim by anticipation the indulgence of those who read this work. My only wish is to be so happy as to unite in this book the clearness and precision necessary to enable my readers to perform what is contained in each chapter. My project on my return to this metropolis, is to endeavour to obtain again the suffrages of the nation, by performing some new experiments. To reveal on this occasion those which I have performed till now, would be hurtful to my fortune: besides, most of them require a great deal of mechanism and great preparations. Others depend on much dexterity and subtilty; which are out of my power to give, and out of a possibility to be communicated in writing.

If this feeble Essay, which I have the honour of presenting to the public, is favourably received, I promise on my return, and after I have merited their favour, to publish the means I have used to execute all I have performed.

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PHYSICAL AMUSEMENTS AND DIVERTING EXPERIMENTS.

CHAP. I.

_Curious Method of restoring to Life, in two Minutes, a Fly that has been drowned even twenty-four Hours._

This wonderful experiment, like many others, is produced by a very simple cause. Take a fly, put it in a glass or cup full of water; cover it so as to deprive the fly of air; when you perceive it to be quite motionless, you may take it out and put it on a place exposed to the sun, and cover it with salt: in two minutes it will revive and fly away.

CHAP. II.

_To make a Colour that will appear or disappear by Means of the Air._

Take a smelling-bottle; put in it some alkali volatile, in which you have dissolved some copper filings: this will produce a blue colour. Present then the smelling-bottle to one of the company, desiring him to stop it; and, to their great astonishment, the colour will disappear as soon as the smelling-bottle is stopped: you will make it easily re-appear by taking off the cork, which will be not less surprising.

CHAP. III.

_A Method of drawing a deformed Figure, which will appear well proportioned from a certain Point of View._

Draw any thing you may fancy on a thin white pasteboard; then prick it; afterwards put the same on an horizontal surface, which we will suppose to be another pasteboard. Put a lighted candle behind that drawing, and draw on the horizontal surface the lines given by the light: this will give a deformed design. This being done, take away the drawing that was pricked and the candle; then place your eye where the light was, and you will see your drawing assume a regular form.

CHAP. IV.

_To change the Colour of a Rose._

Nothing more is wanting to change the colour of a rose, whether it is on its stalk or not, but to burn some sulphur under it; which will make it turn white, and it will not regain its primitive colour in less than two hours.

CHAP. V.

_To render hideous the Faces of all the Company._

Dissolve some salt and saffron in some spirits of wine; dip a little tow in it and set fire to it. At this light, those who are of a fair complexion will appear green, and the red of the lips and cheeks turn to a deep olive colour.

CHAP. VI.

_Method of Engraving in Relief on the Shell of a new-laid Egg._

Chuse an egg that has a thick shell; wash it well in fresh water; then dry it very carefully with a linen cloth; this being done, put some tallow or fat in a silver spoon; then hold it on the fire; when the fat is melted and very hot, it will serve instead of ink for drawing with a new pen whatever you like. This being finished, you are to take the egg by the two ends between two fingers, and then lay it gently in a tumbler filled with good white wine vinegar; wherein, after remaining for three hours and an half, the acid of the vinegar will have eaten enough of the thickness of the shell; and as it cannot have the same effect on those places that are covered with the fat, all the drawing will have preserved its thickness, and will form the relief that is wanted, the operation sought for.

By this means one may draw on an egg a coat of arms, a mosaic piece, medallion, or any other design whatever.

CHAP. VII.

_How to shoot a Swallow flying, with a Gun loaded with Powder, as usual; and after, to find Means to bring it to life again._

Load your gun with the usual charge of powder, but instead of shot put half a charge of quicksilver; prime and shoot: if your piece bears ever so little near the bird, as it is not necessary to touch it, the swallow will find itself stunned and benumbed to such a degree, as to fall to the ground in a fit. As it will regain its senses in a few minutes, you may make use of the time by saying, that you are going to bring it to life again; this will astonish greatly the company; the ladies will no doubt interest themselves in favour of the bird, and intercede for its liberty: sympathizing with their feelings for the little prisoner, may be the means of some of them sympathizing with yours.

CHAP. VIII.

_To make a Calve’s Head bellow as if alive, when dressed and served up._

This is effected by a simple and innocent stratagem; it consists in what follows: take a frog that is alive, and put it at the farther end of the calve’s head, under the tongue, which you will let fall over it; taking care not to put the frog there till the calve’s head is going to be served up.

The heat of the tongue will make the frog croak; which sound, coming from the hollow part of the head, will imitate the bellowing of a calf as if it were alive.

CHAP. IX.

_A puzzling Question to be proposed for Solution._

Set down three sums on paper; and say to the company, ladies and gentlemen, there are three sums, very different from each other, and very disproportionate; yet I wish to divide them among three persons, so that they may have an equal sum each, and yet without altering any thing in either of the sums. This will appear very difficult, yet nothing so simple and easy; one single addition will suffice to prove to you that the amount of each sum will be the same, and that the shares will not enrich much the respective persons: here is the proof:

EXAMPLE.

5134122 61254 7218

OPERATION.

Cast up the first of these sums in the following manner, and say, 5 and 1 make 6; 3 more, 9; 4 more, 13; 1 more, 14; 2 more, 16; and 2 more, 18: set down――18.

Make the addition of the second sum in the same manner as you have done the first, and you will find the same sum of――18.

Then proceed for the third as in the two preceding, and the product will be also――18.

Here then is my division made, and each person will have only 18, as I have proved by the foregoing example.

By this we see, that nothing more is required than to be attentive in setting the sums, to make the numbers so that each sum may amount only to 18.

You may make the same question on whatever sum you please, only observing, as above, that the amount of the numbers you set may not exceed the sum you desire to belong to each person that is to have a share.

CHAP. X.

_How to dispose two little Figures, so that one shall light a Candle, and the other put it out._

Take two little figures of wood or clay, or any other materials you please, only taking care that there is a little hole at the mouth of each. Put in the mouth of one a few grains of bruised gunpowder, and a little bit of phosphorus in the mouth of the other; taking care that these preparations are made before hand.

Then take a lighted wax candle and present it to the mouth of the figure with the gunpowder, which taking fire will put the candle out: then present your candle, having the snuff still hot, to the other figure; it will light again immediately, by means of the phosphorus.

You may propose the same effect to be produced by two figures drawn on a wall with a pencil or coal, by applying, with a little starch or water, a few grains of bruised gunpowder to the mouth of one, and a bit of phosphorus to the mouth of the other.

CHAP. XI.

_A curious Secret to make a Card pass from one Hand into the other._

Take two deuces, the one of spades, the other of hearts; then put on that of spades the marks of hearts, and on that of hearts, those of spades; which you will do easily, by splitting a card of each colour, which you are to cut out with dexterity, in order that the mark may be very neat: then rub lightly on the back of the spades and hearts that you have cut, a little soap, or very white pomatum; then put the mark of hearts on the ace of spades, and the mark of spades on the ace of hearts; taking care to cover them quite hermetically, and to make all your preparations before you begin your experiments.

Divide your pack of cards in two parcels, and under each parcel you must put one of your two aces thus prepared; afterwards, take with your right hand the parcel under which is the ace of hearts, and with your left that where the ace of spades.

You will then shew to the company that the ace of hearts is on the right hand, and the ace of spades on the left; when every body is convinced of it, you are to say, ladies and gentlemen, I am going to command the ace of hearts, which is in my right hand, to pass to my left, and the ace of spades to take its place; you may even propose to have both your arms tied, to prevent their joining and communicating.

All the secret consists only in making a movement and stamping of your foot, when you give your command: during this movement and stamping of your foot, you must slip with dexterity your little finger on each of the marks, in order to rub off and make the marks of spades and hearts, that were sticking on the two cards by the means explained before, fall, without any body perceiving it; then you will shew to the company that the cards have obeyed your command, by passing from the left to the right, and from the right to the left, without your hands communicating.

This trick, done with dexterity and subtilty, will appear very singular, although it is very simple.

CHAP. XII.

_To change a Card which is in the Hand of a Person, recommending him to cover it well._

Cut out a three of spades very neatly; then, the card being cut through, take an ace of diamonds, which you are to place under your three of spades that was cast out, taking care that your ace of diamonds is perfectly covered by the spades, which is found in the middle of the three that is cut out: and then you must pour lightly on that card some jet powder,[1] which will easily stick on the places rubbed with pomatum, and by that means will form a three of spades on the card that was before an ace of diamonds. Take in your hand an ace of diamonds, behind which you must put a three of spades, turned the contrary way.

The Person who has in his hand the three of spades that is prepared, will shew the card to all the company; you will shew in your turn the ace of diamonds that you have in yours, and then tell that person to lay his card downwards on the carpet that covers the table; make him lay his hand on the card, and ask him whether he is very certain that it is a three of spades he has under his hand. On his affirmative, you may rally him on it, and tell him, at the same time that you push his hand which is over the card, that he is mistaken, and that it is an ace of diamonds he holds. The movement you will cause him to make while you push his hand, under which the card is, will make the jet powder, that formed the three of spades over the ace of diamonds, remain on the carpet, and he will be extremely astonished to find really an ace of diamonds, whilst you, who make the trick, by turning your hand where the three of spades and the ace of diamonds are, back to back, will shew, the three of spades, and make the company believe that you have conveyed it from the person who held the same without his perceiving it.

This trick must be done dexterously and quickly, in order that the little deception be not discovered. Practice is the greatest master.

FOOTNOTE:

[1] _Method of preparing jet powder._

Pound in a copper mortar your jet, which must have been bruised a little with a hammer; when it is well pounded, it must be sifted through a sieve, and also through a piece of muslin. Keep that powder, which cannot be too fine, in a little box, to use it when occasion may require: take a pinch of it either with your fingers or with a piece of paper; then scatter it on the card, and it will stick only in those places that have been touched by the roll of pomatum, and may be taken off very easily by the rubbing against the carpet, when you will push the hand of the person who covers the card, without the card being soiled in the least by it.

CHAP. XIII.

_How to guess a Card that has been thought of by any body, by writing before hand on a Paper or Card a Number, which will certainly be that of the Card that has been thought of._

All the preparation of this trick consists in a mathematical combination; here follows the method of operating in order to succeed.

Take a pack of piquet cards, present them to one of the company, desiring him to shuffle them well, and to get them shuffled by whoever he pleases: then make several persons cut them. After which you will propose to one of the company to take the pack, and think of a card, and remember it, as likewise of the number of its order in the pack, by counting one, two, three, four, &c. till he comes inclusively to the card thought of by him. Then offer to go in another room while he is doing what you required, or to be blind-folded, assuring the company that you will declare before-hand, if required, the number of the order in which the card is that has been thought of.

EXAMPLE.

In the supposition that the person who thinks of the card will stop at number 13, and that thirteenth card is the queen of hearts.

Supposing again that the number you have marked or designed before-hand is number 24; you will return in the room in case you had left it; or desire the handkerchief, to be taken off, if you have been blind-folded; and, without asking any question of the person who has thought of the card, ask only for the pack, and apply it to your nose as if to smell it; then passing it behind your back, or under the table, you must take, beginning from the bottom of the pack, twenty-three cards, that is to say, one less than the number you had designed before hand; then place those twenty-three cards on the top of the remainder; you must take particular care not to put one more or less, for that would prevent your success. This being done, you are to return the pack to the person who has thought of the card, recommending him to reckon the cards from the top of the pack, beginning by the number of the card he thought of. His card being the thirteenth, he will be obliged to count fourteen, and you are to flop him when he comes to twenty three, telling him that the number you have designed is twenty-four, and that consequently the twenty-fourth card which he is going to take up will be the queen of hearts, and it will be exactly the case.

CHAP. XIV.

_A mathematical Combination for guessing, in a whole pack composed of fifty-two Cards, how many Points will make the Cards under each Parcel, which Parcels are to be made by one of the Company, observing to him that each Parcel he makes is to compose the Number of Thirteen, to begin from the Point of the first Card which he takes to form each Parcel._

EXAMPLE.

The pack having been shuffled by one or more persons, make it be cut by as many persons as you think proper.

Then desire one of the company to form the parcels of cards, all which must contain thirteen each, beginning by the first card he takes up.

Suppose that this first card is a nine, the next will be called ten, and so on till thirteen; consequently this first parcel will be composed of five cards 5

If the next card should be an ace, the ace counting only one, the next parcel will therefore be composed of thirteen cards 13

Suppose the next card is a court card, or a ten, they being of the same value, this parcel will contain, in order to make up thirteen, four cards 4

If the following should be a five, then the fourth parcel will contain nine cards 9

Should the next parcel be a seven, the fifth parcel will be composed of seven cards 7

A court card being the first of this parcel, it will be composed of four cards 4

If the seventh begins by an eight, it will be composed of six cards 6

In that case the eighth cannot be made, except it begins by a ten, or a court card, since there remains only four cards to employ the whole number of the cards, which is fifty two 4 ――― Sum total 52 ―――

In the supposition then that this eighth parcel begins by a ten, or court card, which is the same, there would remain no cards, and you would have eight parcels.

If it began by any other card, not adapted to make out thirteen, there would remain four cards, which must be spread on the table, without discovering them.

In order to find out the number of points contained under each of the parcels, whether they be to the amount of eight, or only seven, and four cards remaining, you must make use of the following method:

Without touching the cards, separate in your mind four parcels; then multiply silently by 14 the remaining parcels, whether they are four or only three.

In the first case you are to say in your mind, 4 times 14 are 56, then add to this number one point for each of the parcels that you have separated in your mind, which will make 60. Then make the eight parcels be turned up, and count the number of points contained in each of the cards that are under, you will then find 60, observing that the aces count only for one point, and the court cards for 10.

If there should be only 7 parcels, you will have 4 cards remaining; you will however separate 4 in your mind; then you are to multiply the 3 remaining parcels by 14; and say to yourself, 3 times 14 is 42, and 4 for the 4 parcels that you separated, make 46; to which you must add 4 more for the 4 cards that will remain, which will make 50. On turning up the 7 parcels you will necessarily find 50.

If by chance each parcel should begin by an ace, which is possible, you could then make only 4 parcels, and as it must be the 4 aces, that would be found under, you would only have 4 points.

If it happened also, that three parcels began each by an ace, it would then take up 39 cards; it is probable that in such a case there would be only four parcels in all, and a few cards remaining: you must then content yourself with counting as many points as parcels; to which you will add one point for each of the remaining cards, and this will amount infallibly to the just number of the points of the cards under the four parcels.

CHAP. XV.

_To guess the Thoughts of any Person, assuring him, that you will write before-hand on a piece of Paper the Amount of the Parcel of Cards he shall happen to chuse out of the two placed on the Table._

Take some cards, divide them into two parcels, taking care that in one there are only two or three sevens, and in the other seven court cards; call for a pen and ink, and write on a bit of paper the sevens; then turn the bit of paper down, that what you have written may not be seen; then tell the person to make his choice. Let him chuse whatever he pleases, your number will be good, since if he should chuse the greatest parcel, you may shew him your paper on which is written the sevens; then desire him to count the number of cards contained in the parcel he has chosen, and he will find it to be seven, as you had guessed. This will appear astonishing to him and to the company: but they will easily recover from their surprise when, on raising the other parcel, you will shew that it contains only sevens, and consequently whatever parcel he had chosen, your number, which you had set down was good, since one parcel contained seven cards, and the other nothing but sevens.

This trick must not be done twice before the same company, for then it would become tiresome.

But generally whenever you do a trick before a company, you must never begin it again before the same.

CHAP. XVI.

_A curious and agreeable Wager, which you are sure of winning._

Address some person in the company, and say, Madam, or Sir, have you a watch, a ring, an etwee, or any other trinket? Begin by examining what has been given you, in order to form an idea of its value, since you are to lay your bet considerably under the intrinsic value of the trinket, to avoid being duped.