This page has been validated.

CHAPTER SIX

THE ARCANA OF THE FIRE-EATERS: THE FORMULA OF ALBERTUS MAGNUS.—OF HOCUS POCUS.—RICHARDSON'S METHOD.—PHILOPYRAPHAGUS ASHBURNIENSIS.—TO BREATHE FORTH SPARKS, SMOKE, AND FLAMES.—TO SPOUT NATURAL GAS.—PROFESSOR SEMENTINI'S DISCOVERIES.—TO BITE OFF RED-HOT IRON.—TO COOK IN A BURNING CAGE.—CHABERT'S OVEN.—TO EAT COALS OF FIRE.—TO DRINK BURNING OIL.—TO CHEW MOLTEN LEAD.—TO CHEW BURNING BRIMSTONE.—TO WREATHE THE FACE IN FLAMES.—TO IGNITE PAPER WITH THE BREATH.—TO DRINK BOILING LIQUOR AND EAT FLAMING WAX.

THE yellow thread of exposure seems to be inextricably woven into all fabrics whose strength is secrecy, and experience proves that it is much easier to become fireproof than to become exposure proof. It is still an open question, however, as to what extent exposure

98