Wilson on magicians

“The function of the magician has characteristics in common with those of the criminal, of the actor and of the priest (it was quite natural that Charles Dickens, who had affinities with all three, should become an enthusiastic magician); and he enjoys certain special advantages impossible for these professions. Unlike the criminal, he has nothing to fear from police; unlike the actor, he can always have the stage to himself; unlike the priest, he need not trouble about questions of faith in connection with the mysteries at which he presides. This is perhaps one of the reasons that magicians, though sometimes rather egoistic, usually appear to be happy in their work. I have never met or heard of an accomplished magician who did not seem to be delighted with himself and to enjoy amazing people with tricks off the stage as well as on.”