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magic and real detectives-第23部分

小说: magic and real detectives 字数: 每页4000字

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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 

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