RANDOM NOTES

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 101, 23 January 1935, Page 8

RANDOM NOTES

Sidelights on Current Events (By Kickshaws.) The Diet is reported to have reassembled in Japan, but the task ahead, we understand, is to get the Japanese to swallow it. * * » It is reported that eggs have collapsed in Britain. .Well, well, it looks like-a ease of scrambled eggs. What baffles us about this “pact” craze in the international situation is whether to spell it with a “p” or a “t.” “As you appear to be infallible in all subjects, would you kindly state which is the correct method of holding a dinner knife?” asks “Old Timer.” “Does the base of the knife handle rest in the palm of the hand, or does it pass between the thumb and outside of the hand? I notice a great number of people these days using the latter method.” [The more usual is for the handle of the knife to be held in the palm and not like a pen. There is, however, no definite method; either is permissible. Those who delight to eat peas off the blade of their knife will find the palm hold superior, but the knife was not intended to be used for that purpose, which is looked upon askance in most circles.] » » • The recent picture in “The Dominion” of the Indian rope trick depicting a lad at the top of the rigid rope would appear to indicate that photographs of this trick are not as illusory as has been made out. On several occasions photographs have been taken of the trick in process of being performed. Lord Hamilton, for example, claims to have photographed the trick. The pictures so obtained showed that the boy remained on the ground all the time. Others who have taken photographs have all said the same result was obtained. The inference therefore is that the drick is mass hypnotism. Indeed it seems impossible to get to the truth about this rope trick. There is the evidence of eye-witnesses who declare that they have seen the trick performed. Some of the eye-witnesses are sufficiently reliable for their word not to be doubted. On the other hand there are others who declare that the trick never has been performed and never will. They point out that when King Edward went to India huge sums were offered for a performance of the trick. The country was searched, without avail for someone who could do the trick. Perhaps it would be as well to explain just what does occur in the Indian rope trick about which there is so much doubt. A rope is thrown in the air by the Indian magician concerned. The top extremity is lost to view but the rope remains rigid in the air. A boy climbs up the rope till he disappears from view. A few seconds later his dismembered body falls to the ground. Thereupon the boy reappears hale and sound. The trick is no new thing. It was described as long ago as the thirteenth century by a famous Muslim traveller named Ibn Battuta. For the last CO years controversy has raged over the trick. Maskelyne and Devaut have offered a tempting annuity to anyone who could perform the trick. Lord Curzon, during his vice-royalty of India, offered a large reward to anyone who could perform the trick. The reward was never claimed. Nevertheless it is perhaps of interest to point our that the trick has recently been performed at Cheltenham by a man named Bofeys. The daughter of one of the ' invited spectators climber! the rope, vanishing at the top. Subsequently she was found inside a Wicker basket at the foot of the rope: When queSj tioned she said that she was unaware of anything happening. Bofeys declared the trick was pure illusion. * * * The faet that a trick is an illusion does not destroy its magic. . Many tricks are Illusions, in fact, most of them are. But the rope trick is not the only clever illusion that comes from the Orient. The famous mango tree trick is too well known to require explanation. This trick must also be sheer illusion or quick transposition, but it is a good trick when cleverly done. The basket'trick is another illusion that baffles explanation. A boy is strapped into a basket.' After the basket is closed, it is pierced repeatedly with a sword. From the screams it seems that there is no hope for the lad. When the basket is opened it is found to be empty. While on the subject of illusion and hypnotism, it is perhaps timely to point out that massed hypnotism is of common occurrence in Tibet. The lamas are capable of hypnotising a crowd and of hypnotising themselves. Telepathy is well-developed among them. It is said that a lama can recall his acolytes from miles around by sheer will power. Lamas can also communicate beyond earshot by the same means. Among other miracles, the lamas are said to bo expert at levitation, killing froni a distance, and in the art of travelling on foot at high speed over immense distances while in a trance. “Fish-hook” says: “I was in Niue, one of the Cook Island Group, last month. The Administrator, Captain Bell, had some fish-hooks made of wood; small branch twigs had been used, the books being about tw o inches in length, very slender, and they had a barb They had l>een handed to the captain by a’ native. He is very keep to know if these hooks, or similar ones, have been recorded. The line on which they were attached was coconut fibre. The Hue is common in the Islands, as are hooks of mother-of-pearl, but apparently Captain Bell can find out nothing about wooden hooks. Perhaps some of your readers will bo kind enough to supply further information.” [Readers may care to enlarge upon this aspect of primitive fishing gear. The Maoris, of course, used all manner of materials for their fish-hooks. The earliest known fish-hooks seem to have been made of bone: the horns of deer were popular for the purpose and for spear heads. Shell hooks are common: even flint hooks are not unknown. One can readily believe that wood was pressed into use for the purpose, as al=o have been the bones of the fish themselves, bent pins, fencing wire and staples.] A fire-mist and a planet, A crystal and a cell, A jelly fish and a sauriao. And caves where the cavemen dwell: Then a sense of law and beauty. And a face turned from the clod — Some call it evolution. And others call it God. _ Carrnfifr,