2. The Art of Leger De Main, or jugling, otherwise called Hocus Pocus. Was a thing first by certaine Egyptians brought into this Kingdom, that were transported hither. Who dispersed themselves through most parts thereof, and being most Dexterous and expert in this Art, and Palmestrie, cousened the people in all places wheresoever they came, To whom diverse Vagrant English joyned in Society and in tyme learnt their Language and Cousening delusions, whereby they were at length discovered, and a Law enacted against such Idle Rogues and Vagabonds.
It is an Operation by which one may seem to work wonders, Impossible and Incredible things, and all by the agility and nimbleness and slight of the Hand. The Parts of this Art are principally two, The one in conveyance of Balls, Cards, Dice, Money &c. The other in Confedracie; yet neither can be well done without the help of Instruments leading thereunto.
For the Operator must have his Implements made of purpose to play withall, as Brass or Tin Cups, a long round Stick about a foot, small Balls or Cork, and great ones of Leather, Cards, Dice wooden Boxes, Knives, & Bodkins, Piles of Counters, Rings, Locks, Fulling dish &c. Of which I shall give you an example of some, for the rest I referr you to Hocus Pocus Iunior, Printed by him in the yeare 1634.
Juggling Bodkin, juggling knife and cheating knife
XXVI. Within this Square is three Instruments used
by Iuglers, a Science much practized amongst a pack of
wandering Rogues and Knaves, who delight in nothing
more than to Cosen and Cheat money out of the purses
of harmless and simple people, who think that what they
do is by the helpe of the Devill, or through Conjuration and Witchcraft; when there is no such thing, only a
Deceptio Visus, deceiving the eyes, by the quick and cunning motion of the hand.
The first is a Juggling Bodkin, by the helpe of this Instrument they will seem to thrust a Bodkin throwe their Arm, as if it were really so; whereas there is nothing of hurt, for the Haft is on one side the Arm, and the point on the other, which are held close to the Arm by the arched peece coming from them, which is hid under the Jugglers sleeve.
The Second is a Juggling Knife, by which they do seem to run a Knife through the Arm, or Legg, but it is don with the like fallacy as aforesaid in the Bodkin.
The Third is an other sort of Cheating Knife, by which they seem to strik or cut a deep slash in the Arm, or to to cut off halfe the Nose, whereas the semicircle in the blade of the Knife being set on the Arm, or Nose shews it to be but a deceipt of sight, through a want in the knife blade.
Cover for juggling pile of counters
Image from published plate[The cover in the sinister base]
Juggling cup
Image from proof plateXXXVII. This is a Juggling Cup, or Box, with which by the dexterity of the hands, Balls are conveyed under, and from under them, at pleasure; also from place to place invisibly, which causeth much admiration and wonder. These cups are made of Brass or Tyn, the bottom whereof must be set a little within the Cup, and made taper from the open to the said bottom, which in the figure is turned upside down, for so they are generally played withall in shewing their activity.
Related text(s) Juggling pudding Juggling pile of counters Juggling ring Juggling padlock Nuntius invisibilis Three card trick Tunnel Juggling feats
Previous section
Next section
