THE MYSTERY OF MY RESIGNATION FROM THE MAGIC CIRCLE.

MANY years ago, when the Magic Circle was first formed, I was asked to become a member. At the time I was already a member of the Society of American Magicians, but I knew this would not prevent me from joining the new society. I had felt for some considerable time that a club for professional illusionists in this country would be a very desirable thing, and was therefore only too delighted to accept the invitation for membership that was extended to me. I agreed to give the Magic Circle some publicity in the pages of my own publication The Magician, and to do everything in my power to help the activities of the club.

For a time, everything proceeded smoothly. The doings of the Circle were duly recorded in my magazine, and I was extremely happy in the thought that I was, at last, of some material use to the many magicians of this country. After some months, however, the communications and circulars that were always sent to me by the secretary suddenly ceased, and for no apparent reason.

I made several inquiries into the matter, but the replies I received were all evasive, and I was more mystified than before. It was not long, however, before I heard the explanation. George Wetton, a Director of the "Daily Express," and a famous amateur conjuror of the time, informed me that the Magic Circle had received a letter purporting to come from myself, stating that I wished to resign. Since I had never written such a letter, the only assumption was that my signature had been forged.

The following day I met the secretary, and asked to be allowed to see the document. Again his replies were evasive, and I was given no satisfaction. Since I feared that my professional reputation might suffer some damage, I called a secret meeting of the great magicians of the country, and put my case before them.

After a good deal of discussion, it was decided that we should form another society to be known as "The Magicians' Club." Harry Houdini, who was in England at the time, was elected President and myself Vice-President. The first meeting was arranged at the Holborn Restaurant in May, 1911, more than 300 guests being invited.

The news of our new club soon leaked out, and it came to Houdini's ears that several of the members of the Magic Circle were going to attend our meeting with a view to upsetting the proceedings. In order to safeguard ourselves, it was decided that Houdini and myself should each have a body guard of eight well trained pugilists, who would be able to explain to any would-be hecklers that law and order was desirable.

Houdini occupied the chair. As I was sitting next to him on the platform, I noticed several members of the Magic Circle congregated together on one side of the hall. No sooner had the chairman started his speech than a whole volley of remarks were fired at him.

"There's only room for one society, and that's already in existence." "Even if you are Houdini and can escape from handcuffs, it doesn't mean that you can run a magical society." These and other less polite remarks caused incessant interruptions.

At last, Houdini gave a pre-arranged sign. Thereupon, sixteen men from the back of the hall walked slowly forward, and gradually surrounded the hecklers. There was no disorder, no stampeding. But as the interrupters realised that sixteen hefty pugilists were giving them their undivided attention, they grew strangely silent. There were no further interruptions during the meeting.

A number of membership forms were handed round amongst the guests towards the close of the proceedings. One hundred and eighty nine of these were eventually returned filled, and from that day the Magicians' Club has never looked back.

As time went on, the members of the Magic Circle learnt that the Magicians' Club was doing much to further the interests of magic, not only in England, but all over the world. Members of the rival society were invited to attend our functions, and much of the bad feeling which formerly existed has long since disappeared. Indeed, if the figures of the J. N. Maskelyne Memorial Fund, of which I have the honour to be a trustee, were to be examined, it would be found that the members of the the Magicians' Club have subscribed to a very generous degree. I need hardly add that the great John Nevil Maskelyne was probably the greatest opponent that our club has ever had.

For a long time past the Magic Circle and the Magicians' Club have been on the most friendly terms, for, in endeavouring to further the interests of Magic throughout the world, they have a common cause. It is interesting to note that, although John Nevil Maskelyne told me plainly that he had no use for the Magicians' Club, his son Nevil willingly joined our society, and before his death was elected to the position of Vice-President. There are many magicians at the present time who are members of both institutions, and speak of highly of one as they do the other.