Hocus Pocus; or The Whole Art of Legerdemain, in Perfection. By which the meanest capacity may perform the whole without the help of a teacher. Together with the Use of all the Instruments belonging thereto.

"Hocus Pocus; or The Whole Art of Legerdemain, in Perfection" by Henry Dean is a handbook from the 1700s teaching the secrets of magic. It's like a how-to guide for anyone wanting to learn cool tricks. It explores illusions with objects like balls, coins, and cards, revealing that the keys to fooling the audience lie in clever distraction and lots of practice. The book begins by laying out the crucial elements of a good magic show, such as speaking confidently and using movements to lead the audience's eye. From there, it jumps into demonstrating specific illusions. This part of the book provides a foundation for grasping the more complex tricks explained later on.