REQUISITES.--An ordinary pack of cards and two extra cards stuck securely together.
Place the double card below a previously noted card. Hold the pack in the left hand so that the thumb can pass readily down the cards at the upper corner. Now pass the thumb of the right hand down the cards so as to ruffle them. You will find that the thumb is automatically stopped at the double card. By requesting a spectator to take the card immediately above the break in the pack, you can then proceed with any trick in which a forced card is necessary. Numerous other uses for the double card will readily occur to my readers from the hint given.
Place the pack face down on the table and cover it with a serviette. Then request a member of the company to put his hand under the serviette and take a card at random; to be careful not to let you see it but show it to the company and then return it to the pack and to square the pack through the serviette after the card has been replaced. You then lift up the side of the serviette nearest to you and at once produce the card.
EXPLANATION.--When the company are looking at the card slip your hand under the serviette and turn the pack over, and, of course, you can at once detect the "faced" card when it is replaced. On withdrawing it with your right hand turn the pack over with your left and lift off the serviette.
Place ten coins--say shillings--in any empty finger-bowl and request a member of the company to select one, put a private mark on it, and then holding it in his closed hand, to close his eyes and think of the appearance of the coin very hard. In about a minute pick up the bowl, and going to him, request him to open his eyes; gaze in them, and then make a few mesmeric passes over his face. Then request him to drop the coin he holds in the bowl and to mix it up thoroughly with the other nine shillings. Now ask some one to blindfold you; when this is done place your hand in the bowl, and picking up the shillings one at a time, you can at once detect his, which you throw across the table to him for confirmation. The secret is that the coin held in the person's hand has obtained a certain degree of warmth and can at once be detected in consequence.