The Enchanted Palace

On the six-sided plane A B C D E F, Fig. 21, draw six semi-diameters;

and on each of these place perpendicularly two plane mirrors, which

must join exactly at the centre, and which, placed back to back, must

be as thin as possible. Decorate the exterior boundary of this piece,

(which is at the extremity of the angles of the hexagon,) with six

columns, that at the same time serve to support the mirrors by grooves

formed on their inner sides. Add to these columns their entablatures,

and cover the edifice in whatever manner you please. In each one of

these six triangular spaces, contained between two mirrors, place

little figures of pasteboard, in relief, representing such subjects,

as, when seen in an hexagonal form, will produce an agreeable effect.

To these add small figures of enamel, and take particular care to

conceal by some object that has no relation to the subject, the place

where the mirrors join, which, as before observed, all meet in the

common centre.






When you look into any one of the six openings of this palace, the

objects there contained, being reflected six times, will seem entirely

to fill up the whole of the building. This illusion will appear very

remarkable, especially if the objects chosen are properly adapted to

the effect which the mirrors are intended to produce.



If you place between two of these mirrors part of a fortification, as

a curtain, and two demi-bastions, you will see an entire citadel with

six bastions; or if you place part of a ball-room, ornamented with

chandeliers and figures, all these objects being here multiplied, will

afford a very pleasing prospect.