ips made up by the first cards turned down to be
44.

There is another way of performing this striking trick. Direct six
parcels of cards to be made up in the manner aforesaid, and then, on
being informed of the number of cards remaining over, add that number to
26, and the sum will be the number of pips made up by the first cards of
the six parcels.

Such are the methods prescribed for performing this trick; but I have
discovered another, which although, perhaps, a little more complicated,
has the desirable advantage of explaining the seeming mystery.

Find the number of cards in the parcels, by subtracting the remainder,
if any, from 52. Subtract the number of pip cards therefrom, deduct this
last from the number made up of the number of parcels multiplied by 12,
and the remainder will be the number of pips on the first cards.

To demonstrate this take the case just given. There are seven parcels
and five cards over. First, this proves that there are 47 cards in the
seven parcels made up of pips and cards. Secondly, subtract the number
of pip cards--seven from the number of cards in the parcels; then, 7
from 47, 40 remain (cards). Thirdly, now, as the seven parcels are made
up both of the pip cards and cards, it is evident that we have only
to find the number of cards got at as above, to get the number of pips
required. Thus, there being seven packets, 7 times 12 make 84; take
40, as above found (the number of cards), and the remainder is 44, the
number of pips as found by the first method explained,--the process
being as follows:--

52 - 5 = 47 - 7 = 40.

Then, 7 X 12 = 84 - 40 = 44.

In general, however, the first method, being the easiest of performance,
should be adopted. The second is in many respects very objectionable.

18. To get a card into a pack firmly held by a party.

This trick strikingly shows how easily we may all be deceived by
appearances.

Select the five or seven of any suit, say the seven of hearts, and
handing the remainder of the pack to a party, show him the card, with
your thumb on the seventh pip, so as to conceal it, saying:--'Now, hold
the pack as firmly as you can, and keep your eye upon it to see that
there is no trickery, and yet I undertake to get into it this six of
hearts.' This injunction rivets his attention, and doubtless, like other
wise people destined to be deceived, he feels quite sure that nobody can
'take him in.' In this satisfactory condition for the operati