The student who desires to become a finished performer should palm the various objects with equal facility in either hand.
When you can hold a coin properly, as described, practice with other objects of a similar size. In this case, however, owing to the greater extent of surface, it will not be found necessary to press the object into the palm, but simply to close the fingers round it, in the act of apparently placing it in the left hand.
THE PASS. Second only in importance to the palming is the pass. Hold the coin between the fingers and thumb of the left hand (Fig. 3), and then appear to take it in the right by passing the thumb under and the fingers over the coin.
Under cover of the right hand the coin is allowed to fall into the fingers of the left, where, by a slight contraction, it may be held between the first and second joints, or it may be allowed to fall into the palm proper. The right hand must be closed and raised as if it really contained the coin, and be followed by the eyes of the performer; the left falling to the side. This pass should be performed equally well from either hand.
THE FINGER PALM.--Lay a coin on the fingers as shown in Fig. 4. Then, in the act of apparently placing it in the left hand, raise the forefinger slightly and clip the coin between it and the second finger. The left hand must now close as if it contained the coin, and be followed by the eyes of the performer, while the right hand disposes of the coin as may be necessary.
Following is an illustration of the way in which this sleight can be employed with good effect.
Place a candle on the table to your left, and then execute the pass as above described. The thumb of the right hand should now close on the edge of the coin nearest to itself and draw it back a little; and at the same time the candle should be taken from the candlestick between the thumb and fingers of the same hand. (Fig. 5.) The left hand, which is supposed to contain the coin, should now be held over the candle and opened slowly, the effect to the spectators being that the coin is dissolved into the flame. Both hands at this point should be shown back and front, as the coin, owing to its peculiar position, cannot be seen at a short distance. You now take the upper part of the candle in the left hand, then lower the right hand to the lower end and produce the coin from thence, the effect being that the money is passing through the candle from one end to the other.