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Show ROPE TRICK IS "EXPLAINED" English Writer Makes Explanation of Cunning Artifice Does Not Appear Ap-pear Conclusive, The Indian rope trick, which no one who has seen it performed has ever satisfactorily explained, is "explained" "explain-ed" by J. N. Maskelyne, an English writer. Mr. Maskelyne dismisses the trick as follows: Indian conditions of atmosphere at-mosphere are necessary to the success suc-cess of the trick. The spectators face the setting sun and are sheltered from it by an awning. The rope used is evidently a Jointed bamboo with the joints made to lock. Up this "rope" or "pole" a boy climbs to a height of about 30 feet or so, till out of sight of the people. Then he "disappears" as though into" space. What really happens, Mr. Maskelyne explains, is that the spectators are blinded by the setting sun and that the boy climbs up the pole or rope and then drops quickly to the ground. Before Be-fore the astonished onlookers know anything about it he is covered up with a sheet. This is the most ingenious- attempt at an explanation of the trick yet made, but it will not appear conclusive to all who have witnessed the performance. per-formance. The trick has been witnessed witness-ed at Khandalla a hill station near Bombay and again at Delhi at midday, mid-day, without any awning being used or any effects but the rope. |