please himself as to the form of the denouement, and, having gone
through any appropriate form of incantation, commands the imaginary
one to go and join the other three, which is found to have taken place
accordingly.

THE DEMON LUMP OF SUGAR

The performer commences by borrowing two hats, which he places, crowns
upward, upon the table, drawing particular attention to the fact that
there is nothing whatever under either of them. He next demands the
loan of the family sugar basin, and requests some one to select from
it a lump of sugar (preferably one of an unusual and easily
distinguished shape), at the same time informing them that, by means
of a secret process, only known to himself, he will undertake to swallow
such lump of sugar before their eyes, and yet, after a few minutes'
interval, bring it under either of the two hats they may choose. The
company, having been prepared by the last trick to expect some ingenious
piece of sleight-of-hand, are all on the _qui vive_ to prevent any
substitution of another lump of sugar, or any pretence of swallowing
without actually doing so. However, the performer does unmistakably
take the identical lump of sugar chosen and crushes it to pieces with
his teeth. He then asks, with unabated confidence, under which of the
two hats he shall bring it, and, the choice having been made, places
the chosen hat on his own head, and in that way fulfills his
undertaking.

THE MYSTERIOUS PRODUCTION

This is another feat of the _genus_ "sell," and to produce due effect,
should only be introduced after the performer has, by virtue of a