Second sight explained a complete exposition of clairvoyance or second sight as exhibited by the late Robert Houdin and Robert Heller showing how the supposed phenomena may be produced 1880

Excerpt from Second Sight A Complete Exposition of Clairvoyance or Second Sight, as Exhibited by the Late Robert Houdin and Robert Heller, Showing How the Supposed Phenomena May Be Produced

Written by Frederick Wicks, who used Bishop's name by arrangement.

Clairvoyance may be said to have been an invention of the juggler Houdin. It had existed before his time in an. incomplete manner; and there is no doubt that many of the so-called Sorcerers of ancient times worked upon some similar method. Houdin was much improved upon by the late Mr. Heller, whose exhibitions excited the liveliest interest in the audiences before whom he performed; and, without doubt, he was the most finished conductor of a Clairvoyant entertainment who has ever exhibited. It would have been an ungracious act during his lifetime to withdraw the veil from the mystery of his performances; but now that he is dead no reason can be offered against the plainest possible exposition of his method of work.

There is, indeed, much reason in favour of an explanation of Clairvoyance, because knowledge of the process is still sufficiently obscure to enable unprincipled persons to use the influence that this supposed power gives them for improper purposes.