THE CONJURER'S PAN.

A fan is shown which can be used like any other, but all of a sudden it breaks to pieces in the performer's grasp, each pallet becoming separated from its neighbour; and though the fragments of the silk which covered it at first have been seen fluttering, the whole is made perfect again, without the fan once leaving the owner's hand.

Explanation.—The pallets of the fan are made as usual, with the exception of the two end-pieces being somewhat thicker.

The silk used to cover the fan is rather stiff. Through loops at the back of it run two parallel elastic cords, A A, B B. The two end-pieces are split from the base nearly to the top, in order that these two cords may move freely up and down them. A spiral spring on each end-pallet drives a series of thin tubes, constructed to slide into each other, on the telescopic plan, at the performer's will, while the spring is strong enough to push the cords, and the silk they carry, np into their places, as at first; the top tube, or rather rod, has the ends of the cords fastened to it; the other pallets have their tops tipped with down, and on them is glued pieces of silk like the pattern of the cover itself, with rough edges.

Action.—In closing the fan, the silk is drawn down and gathered np in the hand at the base of the fan. Besides, the knuckles of the hand are turned towards the audience.

Another Way.—Instead of the above plan, there may be adopted that of making a double fan. That is to say, in one end-pallet is sufficient space to contain six thin pallets, which are opened out as if those first seen were separated. The fan proper with the silk on it is made thinner than usual, and can, in its turn, be contained in the pallet, to which one end of it is solidly attached, together with its pallets, agreeing in number with those shown separated. Unless this work is very well done, however, the increased bulk may betray the modus operandi.

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