ough as before, only _vice versa_.

AN ORIGINAL "EGGSTRA" SPECIAL COMBINATION.

BY T. HAYES, CONJURER AND ILLUSIONIST.

_Effect._--Appear with wand in hand, and after usual introductory
patter lay wand on table and pick up a piece of white tissue
paper--size, say, 6 by 4 inches. Roll this up into a ball and place on
the palm of the left hand; then, shaking it to and fro, it gradually
assumes the form of an egg. Lay this on the table while you light a
candle (ready in candlestick); pick up the egg again and hold it over
the candle to harden it. In a minute show the egg and have the same
examined. Make a few passes--limited only by the skill of the
performer--eventually placing it in the left hand (back to audience)
and command it to pass; show empty hand, at the same time point to
candle on table, when the audience see the egg balanced on top of same.
Take it off and bring forward with candle and show. Replace the candle
and pick up a handkerchief. Cover egg with handkerchief and taking hold
of egg through same, gather up the four loose ends and give to someone
to hold. Take up your pistol and fire at same, and laying down pistol,
pick up plate and ask assistant to place the handkerchief on it; then
open out handkerchief, and in centre in place of the egg he finds
original piece of paper (initialed previously if desired).

Now take piece of paper, and laying down plate and handkerchief, make a
fist of left hand and push paper in at top, draw it out at bottom of
hand, when it is seen to have changed to a white silk handkerchief.
Show this both sides, holding it at two top corners; then roll it up
rope fashion, and pulling hands apart, a handkerchief is seen in both
hands--one white and one yellow (here you may remark "The white and
yolk; simply a question of colour"). Now roll these two together in the
hands, and hold in right hand over candle, saying, "I will hard-boil
it," and show the egg again. Pass for examination, asking if it is a
good one; on reply of "Yes," say "Well, I have my doubts, but we will
test it." Throw it in the air two or three times and the egg
disappears, you remarking, "I was afraid there might be a chicken in
it."

_Explanation._--When you pick up piece of paper at first, you take up
with it a "skin" egg, neatly folded, with a thin strip of paper round
it to prevent it prematurely expanding. It is this that is placed in
palm of left hand, and paper strip torn loose. Lay gently on tabl