172 HOME AMUSEMENTS,

REFRACTION OF LIGHT.

Take a basin, put a shilling into it, withdraw from
the basin until the shilling cannot be seen; then let the
basin be filled up with water and the coin will again
appear, This is caused by the rays of light passing
from the lighter medium of the air through the denser
medium of the water, and thus becoming refracted.

 

THE TWO-FOLD MEANING.

Pace a glass of water upon the table, put a hat over
it, and say that “I will engage to drink the water under
the hat, and yet I'll not touch the hat.” Then get under
the table, give three knocks and make a noise as if you
were swallowing the water; on rising from under the
table say, “ Now be pleased to look;” some one will no
doubt be eager to see if you have drunk the water, and
will raise the hat; you will then immediately seize the glass
and drink the contents, saying I have kept my promise.
You are all witnesses that J did not touch the hat.

 

THE MAGIC CIRCLE.
Say you can place a person in the centre of a room,
and draw a circle of chalk round him not exceeding three
feet in diameter, yet out of which he shall not be able to