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to publish letters to the editor, answer general questions, and issue
corrections from time-to-time and as required by applicable federal regulations.
If you have a question, mistake, suggestion about something appearing in
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Q: What is roughing fluid? Where can I get some and what would I do with
it when I got it?
- A Magician, Lake Park, Florida.
A: Dear "A Magician," if that's your real name, Roughing
Fluid is an anachronistic phrase used to describe any sort of liquid or
semi-solid material produced by physical exertion.
Sweat is the most common form
of Roughing Fluid because it is easily collected by the performer who is either
"roughed up" or "roughing it."
Robert-Houdin was the first to describe Roughing Fluid in his
little-appreciated Mes Fluides Magiques, ("My Magic Fluids").
"Perspiration is produced often by the performer because lighting
demands and nerves of the performer.
This is often wasted or collected by
clothing through absorption or wiped onto the clothing of audience members or
assistants.
This too is a shame because the very same fluids can be used most effectively
to produce more magic of a most mysterious – and often odorless –
manner."
The Mirror of England has taken up the exclusive responsibility for following the David Blaine underwater stunt. We don't know if they paid Mr. Blaine for the right to claim exclusivity for the UK News Market but to be honest, we don't really care enough to find out.
It is hard to imagine
"EXCLUSIVE: BLAINE'S BUBBLE
EXCLUSIVE BREATHTAKING WEEK FOR MAGICIAN
Ryan Parry In New York
MAGICIAN David Blaine as he begins his latest bizarre stunt today – living in a water-filled plastic bubble for a week.
At the end of the marathon, Blaine will try to break the world record for holding breath underwater, which stands at eight minutes 58 seconds.
The 33-year-old illusionist, who spent 44 days suspended in a glass box in London in 2003, will be sealed in the 8ft-high bubble outside the Lincoln Centre in New York in an event dubbed "Drowned Alive".
He will be supplied with air and liquid nutrition through a tube.
Blaine nearly drowned while he was rehearsing holding his breath. He blamed the incident on his strict diet, saying: "I've been working too hard and I'm already dieting, so missing one meal can really mess me up."
During Blaine's London stunt suspended in his glass box over the Thames, some onlookers hurled food and abuse at him after he vowed not to eat anything.
His other stunts have included balancing on top of a 90ft-high pillar for 35 hours and spending 61 hours encased in ice."
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We heard the very sad news of Billy McComb's passing from Steve Dacri, through Jack Straw.
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