From the introductory NOTE. This facsimile of one of the earliest books on "the Art of Legerdemain" has been produced in the belief that it will prove interesting to the lovers of the Art in the present day. The "patter" to tricks on pages 16 and 43, and the trick of 'how to thrust a dagger into your guts," are perhaps not quite suitable for a modern drawing-room entertainment; but it is remarkable that a number of most effective modern experiments are simple elaborations of tricks at least one hundred years old. The confederacy trick on page 51 contains the essence of "second-sight," brought to such perfection by the late Robert Heller; it also contains the essence of one of the most celebrated feats of the great Robert Houdin; and the card trick on page 62 contains the secret of the trick - of reading names written on pieces of paper - so often performed that peculiar breed of conjurers who pretend to expose Spiritualism.... and From the PREFACE. To the Kind Reader. HAVING in my former book of LEGERDEMAIN, promised you farther improvements, accordingly I have discovered herein to you the greatest and most wonderful secrets of this ART, never written or, published by any man, before: therefore I do not doubt but herein you will find pleasure to your full satisfaction; which is all my desire. -Henry Dean