Chapter xxxvii.
Illusive Appearance of the Moon.
And they make moon and stars appear on the celling after this manner. In the central part of the ceiling, having fastened a mirror, placing a dish full of water equally [with the mirror] in the central portion of the floor, and setting in a central place likewise a candle, emitting a faint light from a higher position than the dish,—in this way, by reflection, [the magician] causes the moon to appear by the mirror. But frequently, also, they suspend on high from the ceiling, at a distance, a drum,[1] but which, being covered with some garment, is concealed by the accomplice, in order that [the heavenly body] may not appear before the [proper] time. And afterwards placing a candle [within the drum], when the magician gives the signal to the accomplice, he removes so much of the covering as may be sufficient for eflfecting an imitation representing the figure of the moon as it is at that particular time. He smears, however, the luminous parts of the drum with cinnabar and gum;[2] and having pared around the neck and bottom of a flagon[3] of glass ready behind, he puts a candle in it, and places around it some of the requisite contrivances for making the figures shine, which some one of the accomplices has concealed on high; and on receiving the signal, he throws down from above the contrivances, so to make the moon appear descending from the sky.
And the same result is achieved by means of a jar in sylvan localities.[4] For it is by means of a jar that the tricks in a house are performed. For having set up an altar, subsequently is [placed upon it] the jar, having a lighted lamp;
- ↑ Or, "suspending a drum, etc., covered with," etc.; or "frequently placing on an elevated position a drum." For πόῤῥωθεν, which is not here easy of explanation, some read τορνωθὲν, others πορπωθὲν, i.e. fastened with buckles; others, πόῤῥω τεθὲν.
- ↑ Schneidewin, but not the Abbe Cruice, thinks there is an hiatus here.
- ↑ There are different readings: (1) ἐτυμολογικῆς; (2) ἔτι ὁλοκλήρον; (3) ὑαλουργικῆς, i.e. composed of glass. (See next note.)
- ↑ The Abbe Cruice properly remarks that this has no meaning here. He would read ὑαλώδεσι τόποις, or by means of glass images.
