magic and real detectives-第23部分
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in which I left him。 I was able to juggle with four balls at once。
But this did not satisfy my ambition; so I placed a book before me;
and; while the balls were in the air; I accustomed myself to read
without any hesitation。
This will probably seem to my readers very extraordinary; but I
shall surprise them still more; when I say that I have just amused
myself by repeating this curious experiment。 Though thirty years
have elapsed since the time of which I am writing; and though I
scarcely once touched the balls during that period; I can still
manage to read with ease while keeping three balls up。
The practice of this trick gave my fingers a remarkable degree of
delicacy and certainty; while my eye was at the same time acquiring
a promptitude of perception that was quite marvelous。 Presently I
shall have to speak of the service this rendered me in my
experiment of second sight。 After having thus made my hands supple
and docile; I went on straight to sleight…of…hand; and I more
especially devoted myself to the manipulation of cards and
palmistry。
This operation requires a great deal of practice; for; while the
hand is held apparently open; balls; corks; lumps of sugar; coins;
etc。; must be held unseen; the fingers remaining perfectly free and
limber。
Owing to the little time at my disposal; the difficulties connected
with these new experiments would have been insurmountable had I not
found a mode of practicing without neglecting my business。 It was
the fashion in those days to wear coats with large pockets on the
hips; called a la proprietaire; so whenever my hands were not
otherwise engaged they slipped naturally into my pockets; and set
to work with cards; coins; or one of the objects I have mentioned。
It will be easily understood how much time I gained by this。 Thus;
for instance; when out on errands my hands could be at work on both
sides; at dinner; I often ate my soup with one hand while I was
learning to sauter la coupe with the otherin short; the slightest
moment of relaxation was devoted to my favorite pursuit。
II
〃SECOND SIGHT〃
'A thousand more trials of patience and perseverance finally
brought to the conjurer a Parisian theater and an appreciative
clientele。 But he never ceased to labor and improve the quality of
his marvelous effects。'
The experiment; however; to which I owed my reputation was one
inspired by that fantastic god to whom Pascal attributes all the
discoveries of this sublunary world: it was chance that led me
straight to the invention of SECOND SIGHT。
My two children were playing one day in the drawing…room at a game
they had invented for their own amusement。 The younger had
bandaged his elder brother's eyes; and made him guess the objects
he touched; and when the latter happened to guess right; they
changed places。 This simple game suggested to me the most
complicated idea that ever crossed my mind。
Pursued by the notion; I ran and shut myself up in my workroom; and
was fortunately in that happy state when the mind follows easily
the combinations traced by fancy。 I rested my hand in my hands;
and; in my excitement; laid down the first principles of second
sight。
My readers will remember the experiment suggested to me formerly by
the pianist's dexterity; and the strange faculty I succeeded in
attaining: I could read while juggling with four balls。 Thinking
seriously of this; I fancied that this 〃perception by appreciation〃
might be susceptible of equal development; if I applied its
principles to the memory and the mind。
I resolved; therefore; on making some experiments with my son
Emile; and; in order to make my young assistant understand the
nature of the exercise we were going to learn; I took a domino; the
cinq…quatre for instance; and laid it before him。 Instead of
letting him count the points of the two numbers; I requested the
boy to tell me the total at once。
〃Nine;〃 he said。
Then I added another domino; the quarter…tray。
〃That makes sixteen;〃 he said; without any hesitation。 I stopped
the first lesson here; the next day we succeeded in counting at a
single glance four dominoes; the day after six; and thus we at
length were enabled to give instantaneously the product of a dozen
dominoes。
This result obtained; we applied ourselves to a far more difficult
task; over which we spent a month。 My son and I passed rapidly
before a toy…shop; or any other displaying a variety of wares; and
cast an attentive glance upon it。 A few steps farther on we drew
paper and pencil from our pockets; and tried which could describe
the greater number of objects seen in passing。 I must own that my
son reached a perfection far greater than mine; for he could often
write down forty objects; while I could scarce reach thirty。 Often
feeling vexed at this defeat; I would return to the shop and verify
his statement; but he rarely made a mistake。
My male readers will certainly understand the possibility of this;
but they will recognize the difficulty。 As for my lady readers; I
am convinced beforehand they will not be of the same opinion; for
they daily perform far more astounding feats。 Thus; for instance;
I can safely assert that a lady seeing another pass at full speed
in a carriage; will have had time to analyze her toilet from her
bonnet to her shoes; and be able to describe not only the fashion
and quality of the stuffs; but also say if the lace be real or only
machine…made。 I have known ladies do this。
This natural; or acquired; faculty among ladies; but which my son
and I had only gained by constant practice; was of great service in
my performances; for while I was executing my tricks; I could see
everything that passed around me; and thus prepare to foil any
difficulties presented me。 This exercise had given me; so to
speak; the power of following two ideas simultaneously; and nothing
is more favorable in conjuring than to be able to think at the same
time both of what you are saying and of what you are doing。 I
eventually acquired such a knack in this that I frequently invented
new tricks while going through my performances。 One day; even; I
made a bet I would solve a problem in mechanics while taking my
part in conversation。 We were talking of the pleasure of a country
life; and I calculated during this time the quantity of wheels and
pinions; as well as the necessary cogs; to produce certain
revolutions required; without once failing in my reply。
This slight explanation will be sufficient to show what is the
essential basis of second sight; and I will add that a secret and
unnoticeable correspondence'1' existed between my son and myself;
by which I could announce to him the name; nature; and bulk of
objects handed me by spectators。
'1' 〃Telegraphy。〃
As none understood my mode of action; they were tempted to believe
in something extraordinary; and; indeed; my son Emile; then aged
twelve; possessed all the essential qualities to produce this
opinion; for his pale; intellectual; and ever thoughtful face
represented the type of a boy gifted with some supernatural power。
Two months were incessantly employed in erecting the scaffolding of
our tricks; and when we were quite confident of being able to
contend against the difficulties of such an undertaking; we
announced the first representation of second sight。 On the 12th of
February; 1846; I printed in the center of my bill the following
singular announcement:
〃In this performance M。 Robert…Houdin's son; who is gifted with a
marvelous second sight; after his eyes have been covered with a
thick bandage; will designate every object presented to him by the
audience。〃
I cannot say whether this announcement attracted any spectators;
for my room was constantly crowded; still I may affirm; what may
seem very extraordinary; that the experiment of second sight; which
afterwards became so fashionable; produced no effect on the first
performance。 I am inclined to believe that the spectators fancied
themselves the dupes of accomplices; but I was much annoyed by the
result; as I had built on the surprise I should produce; still;
having no reason to doubt its ultimate success; I was tempted to
make a second trial; which turned out well。
The next evening I noticed in my room several persons who had been
present on the previous night; and I felt they had come a second
time to assure themselves of the reality of the experiment。 It
seems they were convinced; for my success was complete; and amply
compensated for my former disappointment。
I especially remember a mark of singular approval with which one of
my pit audience favored me。 My son had named to him several
objects he offered in succession; but not feeling satisfied; my
incredulous friend; rising; as if to give more importance to the
difficulty he was about to present; handed me an instrument
peculiar to cloth merchants; and employed to count the number of
threads。 Acquiescing in his wish; I said to my boy; 〃What do I
hold in my hand?〃
〃It is an instrument to judge the fineness of cloth; and called a
thread counter。〃
〃By Jove!〃 my spectator said; energetically; 〃it is marvelous。 If
I had paid ten francs to see it; I should not begrudge them。〃
From this moment my room was much too small; and was crowded every
evening。
Still; success is not entirely rose…colored; and I could easily
narrate many disagreeable scenes produced by the reputation I had
of being a sorcerer; but I will only mention one; which forms a
resume of all I pass over:
A young lady of elegant manners paid me a visit one day; and
although her face was hidden by a thick veil; my practiced eyes
perfectly distinguished her features。 She was very pretty。
My incognita would not consent to sit down till she was assured we
were