Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Conjuring

CONJURING, the production of effects apparently miraculous by natural means. The earlier professors of the art claimed bonâ fide supernatural powers; and in ages when the most elementary principles of physical science were unknown beyond a very limited circle, it was not difficult to gain credence for such a pretension. The modern conjurer makes no such claim, but tells the public frankly that his marvels are illusory, and rest either on personal dexterity or on some ingenious application of natural principles. Of the conjurers of remote antiquity we have few reliable records; though it is a tolerably safe conjecture that the prestige of the ancient mysteries rested in no small degree upon effects of natural magic. The founder of the modern school of conjuring was Robert Houdin (1805-1871), with whom a new era began in 1841. He was followed by Frikell, Hartz, Herrmann, Buatier de Kolta, Verbeck, Lynn, Bertram, etc., producing their magical results with the minimum of visible apparatus. There are, however, signs of a reaction in favor of more spectacular illusions in which the resources of optical and acoustic, as well as mechanical science, are laid under contribution in aid of conjuring proper.