The magician's own book, or The whole art of conjuring (1862)
Arnold, George, 1834-1865, Cahill, Frank · New York, Dick & Fitzgerald · leaf 201
THE CHINESE MANDARIN. Construct out of the pith of elder a little mandarin ; thenprovide a base for it to sit in, like a kettle-drum. Into thisput some heavy substance, such as half a leaden bullet ;fasten the figure to this, and in whatever position it may beplaced, it will, when left to itself,…
Magic tricks
Internet Archive · University of Pittsburgh Library · Public Domain Mark 1.0. Free to use for anything.
