CHAPTER VI

PRINCIPLES OF MENTAL MAGIC

TURNING to the order of mental magic, under the general heading of Thought Transference, the first principle on the list is that of Code Work. So-called "second sight" is an example of the manner in which this principle is applied to a code of words. There are, however, in addition to verbal devices, many other tricks in which the code principle is employed. Audible and visible signals of many kinds have been arranged to form a variety of codes, for the general purpose of conveying information secretly. Signals by touch are equally available, when circumstances permit.

The most familiar code, of course, is the Morse, in which signals consisting of long and short sounds, movements or other impulses, are combined in various ways to form signs representing letters and numerals. By such means, messages can be spelled out more or less slowly. The usual method is to employ, in conjunction with the signal code, a tabular code similar to those used in cable telegraphy, in which the entries represented by brief signs, contain a comparatively large amount of information. This device is too well known to need special description. The most efficient application of the principle known as code-work is found in the performance of those who combine various devices, or at any rate do not confine themselves to one particular device or form of code. Such performances are necessarily more effective and more inscrutable than can possibly be the case with but one single device. The-so-called "silent" thought transference is very often silent only in the name, the performers talking almost as much as in the case in the ordinary "second sight" business. But, where the feats are actually performed in silence, visible signals are generally used. In fact, some exponents of the truly silent device, when presenting their experiments, might almost be mistaken for playmates in the game of "Here we go round the mulberry bush," so pronounced are the signals they adopt. In other instances, the silence is only apparent, not real. The signals are conveyed by audible means, but not such as are evident to the audience.

Secret Speech is the principle of conveying messages from one person to another by means of some concealed device, such as a speaking tube. When this principle is employed, it usually necessitates the intervention of a third person, by whom the actual speaking is done, from some position more or less remote. In this case, obviously, additional means are requisite for conveying to the intermediary the information to be transmitted.

Secret Conveyance of Documents is a principle which, like the preceding, can only be used with the assistance of some physical device. It consists in the actual passing on of written or printed matter, the recipient having facilities for reading it in private. "Billet reading," as usually performed by two persons, illustrates the application of this principle to a device for learning the contents of sealed envelopes.

Duplicate Reading is the principle of using two similar books, newspapers, or what not, one being in the hands of the audience and the other made available secretly to a performer. A certain page or paragraph having been selected, particulars are signalled to the, performer, who turns to the place notified and proceeds to read out the chosen words, apparently from the publication held by the spectator seated at a distance.

Under the general heading of Memorization, there are only two principles which have any claim to special characteristics. These are Artificial Memory and Counting Down. The former, of course, consists in the adaptation to magical purposes, of the methods of mnemonics or other systems devised for assisting or training one's memory. The principle is useful, not only in combination with devices of other kinds, but even as the basis for experiments in which memory alone is involved. The memorization, for instance, of a number of articles in prescribed order, the list being read over once only to the performer, has proved to be a most interesting item in magical entertainments. There are some persons whose memories are sufficiently retentive to enable them to perform this feat without the aid of artificial memory. They are, however, few in number.

Counting Down is the principle of committing to memory the order in which certain objects in a series are arranged. The purpose is to enable the performer to know what will follow in succession, should circumstances render that knowledge useful to him. This principle is largely adopted by gambling sharps in connection with card games. When it is the sharp's turn to deal, he memorizes the names and order of as many cards as he is able, while in the act of collecting the pack together. Making a false shuffle, he leaves the memorized cards undisturbed in the middle of the pack. When the pack is cut, the known sequence is brought, in all probability, near to the top. Thus, when the cards are dealt, a glance at his own hand will show him a great deal about those of his partner and opponents alike. The method may readily be adapted to magical purposes, and should be more generally recognized as a valuable aid in the invention of new experiments with cards.

The principles relating to the type of magic called Divination, are three in number, viz.-Clairvoyance, Discovery, and Prediction. They are, however, subtypes, rather than actual principles-forms of divination rather than fundamental methods embodied in the devices used for divination. Nevertheless, it is difficult to prescribe any form of classification more suitable in the present instance. As they stand, the terms speak for themselves. In practice, the devices assignable to each particular group are, primarily, related to principles of other types, and therefore need no special comment in this place.

Previous | Next | Contents