"I must fling myself down and writhe; I must strive with every piece of force I possess; I bruise and batter myself against the floor, the walls; I strain and sob and exhaust myself, and begin again, a…"

"To cause the face to appear in a mass of flame make use of the following: mix together thoroughly petroleum, lard, mutton tallow and quick lime."

"The greatest escape I ever made was when I left my home to become a magician."

"I always have on my mind the thought that next year I must do something greater, something more wonderful."

"I was never afraid of failure; for I would sooner fail than not be among the greatest."