The Project Gutenberg eBook ofEndless AmusementThis ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.Title: Endless AmusementAuthor: UnknownRelease date: May 23, 2010 [eBook #32492]Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by Chris Curnow and the Online DistributedProofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file wasproduced from images generously made available by TheInternet Archive)*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ENDLESS AMUSEMENT ***
This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.
Title: Endless AmusementAuthor: UnknownRelease date: May 23, 2010 [eBook #32492]Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by Chris Curnow and the Online DistributedProofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file wasproduced from images generously made available by TheInternet Archive)
Title: Endless Amusement
Author: Unknown
Author: Unknown
Release date: May 23, 2010 [eBook #32492]
Language: English
Credits: Produced by Chris Curnow and the Online DistributedProofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file wasproduced from images generously made available by TheInternet Archive)
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ENDLESS AMUSEMENT ***
PageAces, the convertible117Æolipiles60Aigrettes185Air-pump77bottles broken by77glass broken by77hand fixed by77water boiled by78bubbles, vegetable78electrified98Alarum147Alphabet, changes of, in square Yards59Apparition, armed126Atmosphere, to show the Pressure of137Aurora Borealis, electric91Bacchus, animated81Ball, electrified97Ball, electric99Balloon, artificial81Balloon, electric96Balloon, Cases in Fire-works184Balloons, Paper, to construct42Balloons, in Fire-works, to load with Stars, Serpents, &c.184Balls, dancing93Barley, the Awn of, an Hydrometer157Bell, magic79Bladder, exploded80Bladder, cemented81Blue, to change to White35Bodies, two inodorous, become pungent by Mixture145Body, combustible, to ignite by reflection57Bottle, magic48Bottle, enchanted59Bronzing, the Art of133Bubble, exploding13Bubbles, aërial78Burning-glasses, account of two32Busts, talking61Butterflies, to take Impressions of on Paper134Cameleon Spirit23Camera Obscura, to construct16Camphor, electrified100Candle lighted by electricity84Candle Bombs84Card, divining107Card, numerical108Card, hit upon by guess109Card, found by the Point of a Sword109Card, changed by Word of Command109Card, in the Ring112Card, in the Mirror113Card, in the Opera-glass113Card, discovered by the throw of a Die115Card, discovered under the Handkerchief117Card, to tell that a person has touched117Card, in the Pocket-book118Card, in the Egg118Card, discovered by the Touch or Smell119Cards, magnetic71Cards, Amusements with101Cards, Points on three, to name, &c.101Cards, to tell how many taken from a Pack102Cards, to name several fixed on104Cards, to name the Rank of, drawn from a Piquet Pack104Cards, to tell the Numbers of any two105Cards, to tell the Numbers of any three106Cards, four confederate108Cards, to separate the two Colours of a Pack of, at one Cut114Cards, metamorphosed114Cards, Number of, told by their Weight116Cards, to change, that several persons have drawn from the Pack116Cards, inverted119Cards, transmutable119Cards, convertible120Cascade, magical50Cascade, musical148Cascade, of fire, to represent151Cement, never-yielding37Changes on twelve Bells58Charcoal for Fire-works164Chase, magic88Coins, to take impressions of44Compositions for Fire-works, method of mixing168Concerto, solar62Cork heavier than Lead81Correspondence, secret18,25by music20Coruscations, artificial136Cotton electrified92Crackers, to make169Cylinder, illuminated91Dance, magic86Dancer, hydraulic49Detonating works190Detonating Girdle190Detonating Balls191Detonating Tape191Detonating Cards191Dial, magnetic71Dodecahedron in Fire-works187Duplicates, ten102Earthquake, artificial22,86,187Eclipse of the Sun, to observe129Egg, to form Figures on, in Relief35Eggs, white of, contains an Alkali144Electric effects of a Russian climate30Electricity, experiments in83Electricity, Resin lighted by95Electricity, Spirits ignited by95Eolian Harp, to make137Exhalations, subaqueous137Explosion, brilliant, under Water54Explosion, magical86Explosion, electric98Feather, animated83Feathers heavier than Lead79Figures, two, one blows out, and the other re-lights a Candle39Fire produced by the mixture of two cold Liquids13Fire produced from Cane136Fire-pumps in Fire-works186Fire-works in miniature27Fire-works imitative149Fire-works Art of making163Fire-works aquatic192Flash of Lightning, to resemble on entering a Room37Flower, to produce the Appearance of, from its Ashes149Flowers, restored26Flowers, to diversify the Colours of141Fountain, fiery44Fountain, globular48Fountain, illuminated51Fountain, which acts by the Heat of the Sun52Fountain, magic80Fountain, electrical87Fountains, Chinese, in Fire-works187Fruit, withered, restored78Fulminating Powders33more powerful34Fulminating Gold40Fulminating Mercury54Gas Bubbles, exploding160Ghastly Appearance, to give to Persons in a Room35Glass, so to fill with Water that it cannot be removed without spilling the whole38Gold Chain, old, to make look like new43Gold to give Silver the Colour of43Guinea, penetrative132Gunpowder165exploded by reflection125Brimstone and Charcoal, to meal for Fire-works165Halo, artificial80Horn, to make Moulds of134Horn, to soften134Hour of the Day or Night told by a suspended Shilling152Hydrogen Gas, to procure159Hydrogen Gas, to fill a Bladder with159Illuminations, artificial22Illuminations, chemical36Illusion, alternate146Incendiary, unconscious88Indromacus103Ink, invisible23Gold, Silver, Yellow, Red, Green, Violet, and Grey24,25secret Correspondence by Means of25Ink, golden41Ink, white42Iron, transformed into Copper36Iron, transformed into Silver36Iron, melted in a Moment and run into Drops37Iron, or Steel, to soften135Ivory, to cast Figures in Imitation of134Kings, the four inseparable116Kite, electric87Lamp to burn twelve Months without replenishing29Lamp Chronometer46Landscape, artificial66Landscape, to draw correctly67Lead, metallic, produced from the Powder141Leech, a Prognosticator of Weather157Leyden Phial94Light, rays of143Light, refraction of144Light, travelling of145Lightning, artificial14Lightning, its wonderful Nature144Lightning, to guard against153Liquor that shines in the Dark40Liquor luminous41Luminaries, miraculous89Magic Lantern, Experiment with the62Magic Lantern, Glasses to paint63Magic Lantern, solar60Magnetism, Experiments in70Memory, artificial158Microscope, Experiment for the145Mirror, Magician's124Mirror, perspective124Mirror, distorting126Mirror, oracular152Mirrors, magical53Mirrors, deforming123Mirrors, igniting125Money augmented by optical Illusion15Money melted in a Walnut-shell40Mortars, in Fire-works184Neptune in his Chariot198Number, to tell any, privately fixed on45without asking questions45Number, divisible by 9, &c.55Numbers, to find the difference of two, &c.56Objects, three, discernible only with both Eyes15Oil upon Water, and Water upon Oil, curious Effects of161Oil and Water, Experiments with161Opaque Bodies, seemingly transparent121Opaque Box made transparent130Opera-glass, diagonal129Oracle, inanimate61Orrery, magnetic72Orrery, electrical92,99Palace, enchanted120Parties, three magical110Paradox, dioptrical127Pass, how to make the107Perspective-glass, divining111Phantom126Phial of the four Elements48Philosophical Candle37Phosphorus Match Bottles34Phosphorus inflammable53Phosphorus, illuminated97Picture, magic13Pictures of Birds, to make, with their natural Feathers132Pieces, transposable131Plants, remarkable Properties in138Plaster of Paris cast, to take from a Person's Face135Pomatum, to make, with Wax and Water36Portrait, miraculous85Powder, which catches Fire when exposed to the Air39Prints, to remove Stains from38Prospect, boundless57Prospects, illuminated68Pyrotechny, a complete system of163Rain and Hail, artificial28Rain Gauge, to make142Rainbow, artificial60Reflector, magnifying16Ring, to suspend by a Thread after the Thread has been burnt35Ring, on the Finger, to name, &c.49Roman Candles, in Fire-works186Rocket Stars173Rocket to fix one on the Top of another174Rockets170Method of rolling170Composition for171to drive171Decorations for172Caduceous175Honorary175which form an arch in rising176to make several rise together176to fix several on the same Stick177to fire without Sticks178Scrolls for179Stands for179Table179Water192Rose, changeable41Resin lighted by Electricity95Salt, exploding127Saltpetre for Fire-works164Saltpetre, to pulverize for Fire-works164Sealing-wax spun into Threads by Electricity100Sea-fight, &c. in Aquatic Fire-works196Serpents, for Fire-works, to make169Shillings, a Person having an even number of in one Hand, and an odd Number in the other, to tell in which Hand the odd or even Number is17Shock, inconceivable88Shower, mercurial80Shower, fiery90Silver-plate, to give a Lustre to44Silver extracted from a gilded Ring135Sky-rockets170to fire under Water198Sound, travelling of141,142Sparks, electric93Sparks, in choked Cases167Sparrows, Experiments with82Spectre on the Table64Spider, artificial84Spirit, Cameleon23Spots in the Sun's Disk, to show128Spur-fire166Square Yards, to contain the Changes of the Alphabet59Squares, Magic55Squibs, to make169Stars, with Points, in Fire-works188Steam, Power of31Steel or Iron, to soften135Stone, floating78Storm at Sea, to represent by the Magic Lantern63Sulphur for Fire-works163Sun, fixed, with a transparent Face189Sun's Rays, Effects of, on different coloured Cloths146Swans and Ducks in Aquatic Fire-works199Tantalus, Cup of85Thunder, artificial14,15Touch-paper, to make167Transcolorations, curious29,30Transmutations, magical35Travelling of Sound141,142Travelling of Light145Tree, Silver27Tree, Lead27Tree, Iron55Tree, sublimated139Tube, Magic123Tulip, Experiment with140Vacuum, illuminated90Vase, Magic110Vessel, Magic21Vessel, that lets Water out of the Bottom as soon as the Mouth is uncorked39Verse, Magic74Viper, Experiment with82Visual Nerves, singular Impression on, by a luminous Object160Visual Nerves, singular Impression on, by looking through differently-coloured Glasses161Volcano, artificial22Wand, magnetic70Wand, mercurial79Watch Dial, to tell by one the Hour when a Person intends to rise17Watch mysterious70Watch Lamp140Water gilding on Silver43Water which gives Silver a Gold Colour43Water to give any Metal a Gold Colour43,44Water Sun50Water illuminated96Water colder than Ice127Water Experiment with a Glass of135Water beautifully transparent142Water Power of143Water Power in Steam158Water Pressure of143Water Mass of, contained in the Sea145Water Rockets192Water Wheels, horizontal193Water Pipes in Fire-works193Water Mines194Water Fire Globes194Water Balloons, odoriferous195Water Fire Fountains200Weather, to foretel140Weather, Table162Wheels, self-moving79,94Wheels, in Fire-works180Wheels, single vertical180Wheels, horizontal181Wheels, plural182Wheels, spiral182Wheels, Balloon183Wheels, double spiral183Wheels, illuminated spiral183Winter, changed to Spring26Writing, mysterious26Writing, illuminated28Writing, burnt, restored129Writing, in the Dark, to make luminous139Writing, on Glass by the Rays of the Sun148
PageAces, the convertible117Æolipiles60Aigrettes185Air-pump77bottles broken by77glass broken by77hand fixed by77water boiled by78bubbles, vegetable78electrified98Alarum147Alphabet, changes of, in square Yards59Apparition, armed126Atmosphere, to show the Pressure of137Aurora Borealis, electric91Bacchus, animated81Ball, electrified97Ball, electric99Balloon, artificial81Balloon, electric96Balloon, Cases in Fire-works184Balloons, Paper, to construct42Balloons, in Fire-works, to load with Stars, Serpents, &c.184Balls, dancing93Barley, the Awn of, an Hydrometer157Bell, magic79Bladder, exploded80Bladder, cemented81Blue, to change to White35Bodies, two inodorous, become pungent by Mixture145Body, combustible, to ignite by reflection57Bottle, magic48Bottle, enchanted59Bronzing, the Art of133Bubble, exploding13Bubbles, aërial78Burning-glasses, account of two32Busts, talking61Butterflies, to take Impressions of on Paper134Cameleon Spirit23Camera Obscura, to construct16Camphor, electrified100Candle lighted by electricity84Candle Bombs84Card, divining107Card, numerical108Card, hit upon by guess109Card, found by the Point of a Sword109Card, changed by Word of Command109Card, in the Ring112Card, in the Mirror113Card, in the Opera-glass113Card, discovered by the throw of a Die115Card, discovered under the Handkerchief117Card, to tell that a person has touched117Card, in the Pocket-book118Card, in the Egg118Card, discovered by the Touch or Smell119Cards, magnetic71Cards, Amusements with101Cards, Points on three, to name, &c.101Cards, to tell how many taken from a Pack102Cards, to name several fixed on104Cards, to name the Rank of, drawn from a Piquet Pack104Cards, to tell the Numbers of any two105Cards, to tell the Numbers of any three106Cards, four confederate108Cards, to separate the two Colours of a Pack of, at one Cut114Cards, metamorphosed114Cards, Number of, told by their Weight116Cards, to change, that several persons have drawn from the Pack116Cards, inverted119Cards, transmutable119Cards, convertible120Cascade, magical50Cascade, musical148Cascade, of fire, to represent151Cement, never-yielding37Changes on twelve Bells58Charcoal for Fire-works164Chase, magic88Coins, to take impressions of44Compositions for Fire-works, method of mixing168Concerto, solar62Cork heavier than Lead81Correspondence, secret18,25by music20Coruscations, artificial136Cotton electrified92Crackers, to make169Cylinder, illuminated91Dance, magic86Dancer, hydraulic49Detonating works190Detonating Girdle190Detonating Balls191Detonating Tape191Detonating Cards191Dial, magnetic71Dodecahedron in Fire-works187Duplicates, ten102Earthquake, artificial22,86,187Eclipse of the Sun, to observe129Egg, to form Figures on, in Relief35Eggs, white of, contains an Alkali144Electric effects of a Russian climate30Electricity, experiments in83Electricity, Resin lighted by95Electricity, Spirits ignited by95Eolian Harp, to make137Exhalations, subaqueous137Explosion, brilliant, under Water54Explosion, magical86Explosion, electric98Feather, animated83Feathers heavier than Lead79Figures, two, one blows out, and the other re-lights a Candle39Fire produced by the mixture of two cold Liquids13Fire produced from Cane136Fire-pumps in Fire-works186Fire-works in miniature27Fire-works imitative149Fire-works Art of making163Fire-works aquatic192Flash of Lightning, to resemble on entering a Room37Flower, to produce the Appearance of, from its Ashes149Flowers, restored26Flowers, to diversify the Colours of141Fountain, fiery44Fountain, globular48Fountain, illuminated51Fountain, which acts by the Heat of the Sun52Fountain, magic80Fountain, electrical87Fountains, Chinese, in Fire-works187Fruit, withered, restored78Fulminating Powders33more powerful34Fulminating Gold40Fulminating Mercury54Gas Bubbles, exploding160Ghastly Appearance, to give to Persons in a Room35Glass, so to fill with Water that it cannot be removed without spilling the whole38Gold Chain, old, to make look like new43Gold to give Silver the Colour of43Guinea, penetrative132Gunpowder165exploded by reflection125Brimstone and Charcoal, to meal for Fire-works165Halo, artificial80Horn, to make Moulds of134Horn, to soften134Hour of the Day or Night told by a suspended Shilling152Hydrogen Gas, to procure159Hydrogen Gas, to fill a Bladder with159Illuminations, artificial22Illuminations, chemical36Illusion, alternate146Incendiary, unconscious88Indromacus103Ink, invisible23Gold, Silver, Yellow, Red, Green, Violet, and Grey24,25secret Correspondence by Means of25Ink, golden41Ink, white42Iron, transformed into Copper36Iron, transformed into Silver36Iron, melted in a Moment and run into Drops37Iron, or Steel, to soften135Ivory, to cast Figures in Imitation of134Kings, the four inseparable116Kite, electric87Lamp to burn twelve Months without replenishing29Lamp Chronometer46Landscape, artificial66Landscape, to draw correctly67Lead, metallic, produced from the Powder141Leech, a Prognosticator of Weather157Leyden Phial94Light, rays of143Light, refraction of144Light, travelling of145Lightning, artificial14Lightning, its wonderful Nature144Lightning, to guard against153Liquor that shines in the Dark40Liquor luminous41Luminaries, miraculous89Magic Lantern, Experiment with the62Magic Lantern, Glasses to paint63Magic Lantern, solar60Magnetism, Experiments in70Memory, artificial158Microscope, Experiment for the145Mirror, Magician's124Mirror, perspective124Mirror, distorting126Mirror, oracular152Mirrors, magical53Mirrors, deforming123Mirrors, igniting125Money augmented by optical Illusion15Money melted in a Walnut-shell40Mortars, in Fire-works184Neptune in his Chariot198Number, to tell any, privately fixed on45without asking questions45Number, divisible by 9, &c.55Numbers, to find the difference of two, &c.56Objects, three, discernible only with both Eyes15Oil upon Water, and Water upon Oil, curious Effects of161Oil and Water, Experiments with161Opaque Bodies, seemingly transparent121Opaque Box made transparent130Opera-glass, diagonal129Oracle, inanimate61Orrery, magnetic72Orrery, electrical92,99Palace, enchanted120Parties, three magical110Paradox, dioptrical127Pass, how to make the107Perspective-glass, divining111Phantom126Phial of the four Elements48Philosophical Candle37Phosphorus Match Bottles34Phosphorus inflammable53Phosphorus, illuminated97Picture, magic13Pictures of Birds, to make, with their natural Feathers132Pieces, transposable131Plants, remarkable Properties in138Plaster of Paris cast, to take from a Person's Face135Pomatum, to make, with Wax and Water36Portrait, miraculous85Powder, which catches Fire when exposed to the Air39Prints, to remove Stains from38Prospect, boundless57Prospects, illuminated68Pyrotechny, a complete system of163Rain and Hail, artificial28Rain Gauge, to make142Rainbow, artificial60Reflector, magnifying16Ring, to suspend by a Thread after the Thread has been burnt35Ring, on the Finger, to name, &c.49Roman Candles, in Fire-works186Rocket Stars173Rocket to fix one on the Top of another174Rockets170Method of rolling170Composition for171to drive171Decorations for172Caduceous175Honorary175which form an arch in rising176to make several rise together176to fix several on the same Stick177to fire without Sticks178Scrolls for179Stands for179Table179Water192Rose, changeable41Resin lighted by Electricity95Salt, exploding127Saltpetre for Fire-works164Saltpetre, to pulverize for Fire-works164Sealing-wax spun into Threads by Electricity100Sea-fight, &c. in Aquatic Fire-works196Serpents, for Fire-works, to make169Shillings, a Person having an even number of in one Hand, and an odd Number in the other, to tell in which Hand the odd or even Number is17Shock, inconceivable88Shower, mercurial80Shower, fiery90Silver-plate, to give a Lustre to44Silver extracted from a gilded Ring135Sky-rockets170to fire under Water198Sound, travelling of141,142Sparks, electric93Sparks, in choked Cases167Sparrows, Experiments with82Spectre on the Table64Spider, artificial84Spirit, Cameleon23Spots in the Sun's Disk, to show128Spur-fire166Square Yards, to contain the Changes of the Alphabet59Squares, Magic55Squibs, to make169Stars, with Points, in Fire-works188Steam, Power of31Steel or Iron, to soften135Stone, floating78Storm at Sea, to represent by the Magic Lantern63Sulphur for Fire-works163Sun, fixed, with a transparent Face189Sun's Rays, Effects of, on different coloured Cloths146Swans and Ducks in Aquatic Fire-works199Tantalus, Cup of85Thunder, artificial14,15Touch-paper, to make167Transcolorations, curious29,30Transmutations, magical35Travelling of Sound141,142Travelling of Light145Tree, Silver27Tree, Lead27Tree, Iron55Tree, sublimated139Tube, Magic123Tulip, Experiment with140Vacuum, illuminated90Vase, Magic110Vessel, Magic21Vessel, that lets Water out of the Bottom as soon as the Mouth is uncorked39Verse, Magic74Viper, Experiment with82Visual Nerves, singular Impression on, by a luminous Object160Visual Nerves, singular Impression on, by looking through differently-coloured Glasses161Volcano, artificial22Wand, magnetic70Wand, mercurial79Watch Dial, to tell by one the Hour when a Person intends to rise17Watch mysterious70Watch Lamp140Water gilding on Silver43Water which gives Silver a Gold Colour43Water to give any Metal a Gold Colour43,44Water Sun50Water illuminated96Water colder than Ice127Water Experiment with a Glass of135Water beautifully transparent142Water Power of143Water Power in Steam158Water Pressure of143Water Mass of, contained in the Sea145Water Rockets192Water Wheels, horizontal193Water Pipes in Fire-works193Water Mines194Water Fire Globes194Water Balloons, odoriferous195Water Fire Fountains200Weather, to foretel140Weather, Table162Wheels, self-moving79,94Wheels, in Fire-works180Wheels, single vertical180Wheels, horizontal181Wheels, plural182Wheels, spiral182Wheels, Balloon183Wheels, double spiral183Wheels, illuminated spiral183Winter, changed to Spring26Writing, mysterious26Writing, illuminated28Writing, burnt, restored129Writing, in the Dark, to make luminous139Writing, on Glass by the Rays of the Sun148
Take half a pound of pure dry nitrate, in powder; put it into a retort that is quite dry; add an equal quantity of highly rectified oil of vitriol, and, distilling the mixture in a moderate sand heat, it will produce a liquor like a yellowish fume; this, when caught in a dry receiver, isGlauber's Spirits of Nitre; probably the preparation, under that name, may be obtained of the chemists, which will of course save much time and trouble.
You then put a drachm of distilled oil of cloves, turpentine, or carraways, in a glass vessel; and if you add an equal quantity, or rather more, of the above spirit, though both are in themselves perfectly cold, yet, on mixing them together, a great flame will arise and destroy them both, leaving only a little resinous matter at the bottom.
If you take up a small quantity of melted glass with a tube, (the bowl of a common tobacco-pipe will do,) and let a drop fall into a vessel of water, it will chill and condense with a fine spiral tail, which being broken, the whole substance will burst with a loud explosion, without injury either to the party that holds it, or him that breaks it; but if thethickend be struck, even with a hammer, it will not break.
Take two level pieces of glass, (plate glass is the best,) about three inches long and four wide, exactly of the same size; lay one on the other, and leave a space between themby pasting a piece of card, or two or three small pieces of thick paper, at each corner.
Join these glasses together at the edges by a composition of lime slaked by exposure to the air, and white of an egg. Cover all the edges of these glasses with parchment or bladder, except at one end, which is to be left open to admit the following composition.
Dissolve, by a slow fire, six ounces of hogs'-lard, with half an ounce of white wax; to which you may add an ounce of clear linseed oil.
This must be poured in a liquid state, and before a fire, between the glasses, by the space left in the sides, and which you are then to close up. Wipe the glasses clean, and hold them before the fire, to see that the composition will not run out at any part.
Then fasten with gum a picture or print, painted on very thin paper, with its face to one of the glasses, and, if you like, you may fix the whole in a frame.
While the mixture between the glasses is cold, the picture will be quite concealed, but become transparent when held to the fire; and, as the composition cools, it will gradually disappear.
Provide a tin tube that is larger at one end than it is at the other, and in which there are several holes. Fill this tube with powdered resin; and when it is shook over the flame of a torch, the reflection will produce the exact appearance of lightning.
Mix two drachms of the filings of iron, with one ounce of concentrated spirit of vitriol, in a strong bottle that holds about a quarter of a pint; stop it close, and in a few minutes shake the bottle; then taking out the cork, put a lighted candle near its mouth, which should be a little inclined, and you will soon observe an inflammation arise from the bottle, attended with a loud explosion.
To guard against the danger of the bottle bursting, the best way would be to bury it in the ground, and apply the light to the mouth by means of a taper fastened to the end of a long stick.
Mix three ounces of saltpetre, two ounces of salt of tartar, and two ounces of sulphur; roll the mixture up into a ball, of which take a quantity, about the size of a hazel-nut, and, placing it in a ladle or shovel over the fire, the explosion will resemble a loud clap of thunder.
You will produce a much more violent commotion if you double or treble the quantity of the last experiment; suppose you put two or three ounces of the mixture into the shovel. For fear of accidents, it should not be done in the house, but by placing the shovel over a chafing-dish of very hot coals, in the open air, standing a great distance off.
Common prudence will dictate the necessity of using great care in the above experiments, as an accident will soon happen if a person does not get out of the way before the composition explodes.
In a large drinking-glass of a conical shape, (small at the bottom and wide at the top,) put a shilling, and let the glass be half full of water; then place a plate on the top of it, and turn it quickly over, that the water may not escape. You will see on the plate a piece of coin of the size of half-a-crown; and a little higher up another the size of a shilling.
It will add to the amusement this experiment affords, by giving the glass to any one in company, (but who, of course, has not witnessed your operations,) and, desiring him to throw away the water, but save the pieces, he will not be a little surprised at finding only one.
If you fix three pieces of paper against the wall of a room at equal distances, at the height of your eye, placing yourself directly before them, at a few yards' distance, and close your right eye, and look at them with your left, you will see only two of them, suppose the first and second; alter the position of your eye, and you will see the first and third: alter your position a second time, you will see the secondand third, but never the whole three together; by which it appears, that a person who has only one eye can never see three objects placed in this position, nor all the parts of one object of the same extent, without altering his situation.
Make a circular hole in the shutter of a window, from whence there is a prospect of some distance; in this hole place a magnifying glass, either double or single, whose focus is at the distance of five or six feet; no light must enter the room but through this glass. At a distance from it, equal to its focus, place a very white pasteboard, (what is called a Bristol board, if you can procure one large enough, will answer extremely well;) this board must be two feet and a half long, and eighteen or twenty inches high, with a black border round it: bend the length of it inward to the form of part of a circle, whose diameter is equal to double the focal distance of the glass. Fix it on a frame of the same figure, and put it on a moveable foot, that it may be easily placed at that distance from the glass, where the objects appear to the greatest perfection. When it is thus placed, all the objects in front of the window will be painted on the paper in an inverted position, with the greatest regularity, and in the most natural colours. If you place a swing looking-glass outside the window, by turning it more or less, you will have on the paper all the objects on each side the window.
If, instead of placing the looking-glass outside the window, you place it in the room above the hole, (which must then be made near the top of the shutter,) you may have the representation on a paper placed horizontally on a table, and draw at your leisure all the objects reflected.
Observe, the best situation is directly north; and the best time of the day is noon.
Let the rays of light that pass through the magnifying glass in the shutter be thrown on a large concave mirror, properly fixed in a frame. Then take a third strip of glass, and stick any small object on it; hold it in the interveningrays at a little more than the focal distance from the mirror, and you will see on the opposite wall, amidst the reflected rays, the image of that object, very large, and beautifully clear and bright.
The person is told to set the hand of his watch at any hour he pleases, which hour he tells you; and you add in your mind 12 to it. You then desire him to count privately the number of that addition on the dial, commencing at the next hour to that at which he intends to rise, and including the hour at which he has placed the hand, which will give the answer: for example.
A intends to rise at 6, (this he conceals to himself;) he places the hand at 8, which he tells B, who, in his own mind, adds 12 to 8, which makes twenty. B then tells A to count twenty on the dial, beginning at the next hour to that at which he proposes to rise, which will be 5, and counting backwards, reckoning each hour as one, and including in his addition the number of the hour the hand is placed at, the addition will end at 6, which is the hour proposed; thus,