METHOD.--PHILOPYRAPHAGUS
ASHBURNIENSIS.--TO BREATHE FORTH
SPARKS, SMOKE, AND FLAMES.--TO
SPOUT NATURAL GAS.--PROFESSOR
SEMENTINI'S DISCOVERIES.--TO BITE OFF
RED-HOT IRON.--TO COOK IN A BURNING
CAGE.--CHABERT'S OVEN. TO
EAT COALS OF FIRE.--TO DRINK BURNING
OIL.--TO CHEW MOLTEN LEAD.--
TO CHEW BURNING BRIMSTONE.--TO
WREATHE THE FACE IN FLAMES.--TO
IGNITE PAPER WITH THE BREATH.--TO
DRINK BOILING LIQUOR AND EAT
FLAMING WAX.

The yellow thread of exposure seems to be
inextricably woven into all fabrics whose
strength is secrecy, and experience proves that
it is much easier to become fireproof than to
become exposure proof. It is still an open
question, however, as to what extent exposure
really injures a performer. Exposure of the
secrets of the fire-eaters, for instance, dates
back almost to the beginning of the art itself.
The priests were exposed, Richardson was
exposed, Powell was exposed and so on down the
line; but the business continued to prosper, the
really clever performers drew quite fashionable
audiences for a long time, and it was probably
the demand for a higher form of entertainment,