The Magic Funnel

Having given a glass of wine or water to one of the

audience to drink, it is said he has imbibed too much, and

a portion of it is drawn off from his elbow. The funnel,

which comprises all the necessary apparatus required in

this performance, is made double, a space of about

one-third of an inch intervening between the outer and

inner side, and is joined in a slanting position at the top, so

that it has merely the appearance of an ordinary funnel.

By placing your finger over the bottom of the funnel at A,

and filling it, the inner concealed part also becomes full.

There is a small air-vent beneath the handle, and by

covering this with the thumb, which can be easily done,

and has a most natural appearance when the funnel is

held by the handle, all the concealed liquid is kept intact,

although that in the funnel proper runs out directly the

finger is removed from the bottom.

We will presume then that the performer has had the services of one of the juveniles of

the company for some trick and is about to dismiss him, when suddenly, as if struck with

an idea, he calls him to his side, and remarking, ‘You have been very expert and willing in

your endeavours to assist me, and you must allow me to offer you some refreshment

before leaving,’ he then either hands him a glass of liquor, or producing the funnel, holds

it to the youngster’s lips and tells him to drink half. He purposely allows him to take more

than the allotted quantity, and then exclaims, ‘Oh, this is scarcely fair, sir; you have taken

more than the stipulated allowance, and have not left sufficient for me.’

He then, if using the funnel, allows the spare liquor to run into a glass and shows the

funnel as being empty, or if using a glass, goes behind his screen and brings forward the

funnel prepared. A second juvenile is now called up to assist, who is informed that the

first young gentleman having drunk more than his allotted share, must be made to give

back part, and this by means of the power of Magic is about to be accomplished. Assistant

No. 2 is requested to take hold of the right arm of No. 1, and work it up and down like a

pump. The professor then places the funnel to the elbow of the left arm, and holding a

glass beneath the funnel, removes his thumb a little from the hole, when a few drops of

liquor fall. Turning to No. 2, he says, ‘You are not working hard enough, sir; pump away.’

In response to which exhortation the youngster works like a fire-engine, and the hole

being now entirely uncovered, a perfect little stream descends.