THE SACK TRICK.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3421, 9 December 1879, Page 1

THE SACK TRICK.

With reference to a controversy which is going on about the wonders of Spiritualinn,l express no opinion here,, but it is necessary to remark that because a thing appears to be impossible it does not follow that the accomplishment of it is super* natural. For instance, what can be mow mar?ellous at first sight than the sack and box trick which conjurors sometimes per* form ? A. man is put in a sack, the neck. of which is securely tied up with string and the knots carelully sealed. The sack. is then placed on a box which stands on,' a platform upon the stage; the'box is' locked, and numerous" seals are placed on the crack where the lid closes. How utterly incredible it seems that a man can free himself—that is to say until oh© knows how it is done. The first'idea which will occur to the inquirer is that the prisoner falls through a trap door and is released below. This, however is impracticable, for a trap in the platform and another in the box could scarcely be made > so neatly as to avoid detection; and, besides, visitors are invited to place strings, sticks, &c, below the platform, any disturbance in the position of which could be detected. But how is it done? Very simply indeed, darkness been secured. Tk* sack is made of elastic fibrous stuff, through which the captive can easily make his way without disturbing the neck ; and the hole through which he esi caped closes behind him in consequence of; the elasticity of the material. ,He is now free in a sealed box, and what doeshe do next ? The top of the box is so constructed that when a spring is touched it turns easily upon- a rod inserted longitudinally through the top There is, iv fact, a false top, some inches above the apparent top where the locks and seals are. They remain intact while the* false top is now stringing loosely. A second touch of the spring when the captive has slipped out securely fastens the false top. The lights ;are. turned on, spectators are summoned to look at the seals, which have not, of course, been touched; the seals are broken, the box unlocked,* and there in the box is the empty sack, while, to the amazement of all present, who do not know the secret, the man who was so firmly entrapped steps forward upon the, ■t«ge.' ■ ■ '

Mr Wh. McCnitoir&H baring Veen'ap* pointed agent on the TJiatnes .for the Imperial Fire Insurance Company, is prepared to take risks at the lowest rate*. The Imperial Company was established iv 1803, and" has * capital of £1,600,000, wifh its beafl office 1 at No. 1, Old JBroad street, London. The Mel* bourne directory ha* upon it.some of the moat - influential man in that city, r.ml the nauieth* Company has feuiued for itself bj its prompt and liberal settlement of claims, while charg*, ing moderate rates, has secured it large amount ot btifinets not only iv Australian Coiunieo,. but in all parts ot the world iv' which agencies* hare bwn eiUblished. —Adyt*