The-Royal Illusionists.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3296, 15 July 1879, Page 2

The-Royal Illusionists.

This companJEaof conjurers and spiritualism exposerß made their first appearance at the Academy of Music last evening before a good house. The first portion of the evening's entertainmefft consists of, clever feats of legerdemain > some old and some new. Mr Thorn exhibited his won-" derful dexterity as a conjurer by producing fish-globes full of water from a. small handkerchief. He. repeated the trick in the midst of the audience. His bird-cage trick is his greatest feat; it fairly bewildered the audience. The trftk is worthy of description. Mr Thjorb, appears on the stage with -*■ bird.cage— somewhat resembling a small rat-trap— in which is a live canary bird.« He holds it in his hands towards the audience, and, before their eyes it vanishes. H# repeated the trick standing in the stalls, and the audience was. even more mystified than before. The part of entertainment called the "Exposure of Spiritualism!^ then commenced. Major Murray, Capt. J. .8. Small, and Mr W. Martin, a well* known spiritualist, acting as a committee on behalf of the audience. .These gentlemen then securely bound Messrs Thorn and Darvin |n the cabinet, and, almost immediately after the do6rV were closed,'hands appearfd at openings in the cabinet, and bells and other instruments were played. On the doors being opined the Illusionists were discovered bound as before. Professor Fay's coat trick and the pillory test were also performed to the satisfaction of the audience. Mr Thorn"' explained how several.of the. tricks were done, and promised to reveal something every evening. *, 3 :