THE LATEST ILLUSION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1468, 28 January 1887, Page 2

THE LATEST ILLUSION.

THE VaNIsHTinG LiDY.

Perhaps the best merit cf a conjurer is the ability to devise new illusions; and this merit Buatier de Kolta possesses m a high decree. His latest triok is the vanishing of a lady, It is the most startling and effective illusion which has been brought oat since the sphinx originally astonished and delighted the world a Boore of years ngo or more. Baatier de Kolta is now performing the feat nightly at the Eden Theatre m Paris with so great aacc«ss that he has been compelled to postpone his promised visit to London, where he had intended appearing At t^e Egyptian Hall during the autumn tour of Messrs Maakelyne and Oooke. This triok was brought to England by M, VerbeoV, who did it last year at the Picoadilly Hall ; but Mr Betram accomplishes it without the aid of an assistant Mid without leaving th.i s l .age. Me Betram tnVoB a large newspaper, which he unfolds m the centre of the stage to cut cff communication with any possible trap-door. On thin newspaper he places a chair. In the chair he places a young lady, who oroßses h r hands m her hp over hot iaoe handkerchief. After aho has apparently been rendered insensible by inhalations Mr Betram produces an erorraous black silk handkerchief, about five feet wide by seven feet long. This he brings down to the audienoe to show that ifc is not m any way prepared, and the spectator can see that the silken stuff 'B thin enough to be transluoent. With this flinwy shawl Mr Bel ram completely covers the youne lady, carefully adjusting It to the fl -or, and as oarefully tying it behind her head. When all has been done regularly and m order, and there Is only to be seen the figure of the young lady as she tits m the chair, enshrouded m the black vail, Mr Betram suddenly snatches away the silken shawl, which disappears from his hands at once. The young lady has vanished; the ohiir stands there empty, save that there remains on the seat the lace handkerchief which aba fcttd held m her fingers ; it has fallen from the touok of a vanishing hand. Athld the applause which the strange dtsappearar cs calls forth, Mr Betram steps to the door at the aide of the stage and. leads on again the younp lady who vitnt dc disparaitre. —Saturday Review. •