The great trouble with magicians is the fact that they believe when they have bought a certain trick or piece of apparatus, and know the method of procedure, that they are full-fledged mystifiers.

In all feats of fire-eating it should be noted that the head is thrown well back, so that the flame may pass out of the open mouth instead of up into the roof, as it would if the head were held naturally.

Flames from the lips may be produced by holding in the mouth a sponge saturated with the purest gasoline.

The secret of showmanship consists not of what you really do, but what the mystery-loving public thinks you do.

The pickpocket is usually very well dressed and of prepossessing appearance.

I always have on my mind the thought that next year I must do something greater, something more wonderful.

Another method of eating burning coals employs small balls of burned cotton in a dish of burning alcohol.