-
Articles/Ads
Article THE HISTORY OF MAGIC. ← Page 14 of 15 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The History Of Magic.
In estimating the probable effects of these marvels upon the beholder , we must keep in mind that even ordinary arts , if known but to few , are capable of producing results which pass for magical . Thus , certain industrious men , who carried the art of working iron into Cyprus and Rhodes , were reckoned as magiciansand received the name of Selchines .
, The Finns of Scandinavia are described in their poetry as sorcerers , on account of their skill in the manufacture of weapons and armour—and the northern legends speak of Wailand the armourer and sorcerer — a blacksmith who had been initiated in the mysteries of the sciences . Much miht be said on other matters which connect
themg selves with the art of magic . In the trial by ordeal , the results were in the hands of the officiating priests ; if by water , the ligatures might be arranged either as life-preservers , or to more effectually confine the victim ; in the case of the
iron collar , it was so contrived as to allow of its being closed by the jniest and strangling the person whose guilt it was requisite to establish ; if by fire , it was possible to render their garments , their bodies , ' ( even internally as well as externally ) proof against the effects of a most powerful heat . Augury , also , is supposed to have been managed
by connivance , and assisted frequently by equivocation and the dubious wording of the prophetic statements . Tarquin cut through the flint-stone with a razor upon the augur Ntevius informing him that it was possible ; but it seems likely that Tarquin wished to withdraw in honour from his projectsand concerted this trick with Nseviusto give to his
, , withdrawal a colour of deference to the gods . Many of the omens were founded upon the results of natural occurrences , the flight of birds , & c , and to them we may refer the absurdities as to the unluckiness of Friday , the spilling of salt , the deathwatch , and other superstitions familiar to all .
We might further enlarge upon the faith in amulets , the abraxas , and talismans , which have , in different forms , appeared in many ages and countries , and played an important part in the hands of the ancient magicians , as well as in those of more modern professors . But enough has already been said to illustrate these mattersso far as they are
, connected with the history of the occult sciences—that antique lore , whose mysteries we smile at , though our ridicule is tinged with something of wonder and of reverence , when we consider its enormous influence and vast antiquity . The magic , if such a name can be applied to the jugglery , of the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The History Of Magic.
In estimating the probable effects of these marvels upon the beholder , we must keep in mind that even ordinary arts , if known but to few , are capable of producing results which pass for magical . Thus , certain industrious men , who carried the art of working iron into Cyprus and Rhodes , were reckoned as magiciansand received the name of Selchines .
, The Finns of Scandinavia are described in their poetry as sorcerers , on account of their skill in the manufacture of weapons and armour—and the northern legends speak of Wailand the armourer and sorcerer — a blacksmith who had been initiated in the mysteries of the sciences . Much miht be said on other matters which connect
themg selves with the art of magic . In the trial by ordeal , the results were in the hands of the officiating priests ; if by water , the ligatures might be arranged either as life-preservers , or to more effectually confine the victim ; in the case of the
iron collar , it was so contrived as to allow of its being closed by the jniest and strangling the person whose guilt it was requisite to establish ; if by fire , it was possible to render their garments , their bodies , ' ( even internally as well as externally ) proof against the effects of a most powerful heat . Augury , also , is supposed to have been managed
by connivance , and assisted frequently by equivocation and the dubious wording of the prophetic statements . Tarquin cut through the flint-stone with a razor upon the augur Ntevius informing him that it was possible ; but it seems likely that Tarquin wished to withdraw in honour from his projectsand concerted this trick with Nseviusto give to his
, , withdrawal a colour of deference to the gods . Many of the omens were founded upon the results of natural occurrences , the flight of birds , & c , and to them we may refer the absurdities as to the unluckiness of Friday , the spilling of salt , the deathwatch , and other superstitions familiar to all .
We might further enlarge upon the faith in amulets , the abraxas , and talismans , which have , in different forms , appeared in many ages and countries , and played an important part in the hands of the ancient magicians , as well as in those of more modern professors . But enough has already been said to illustrate these mattersso far as they are
, connected with the history of the occult sciences—that antique lore , whose mysteries we smile at , though our ridicule is tinged with something of wonder and of reverence , when we consider its enormous influence and vast antiquity . The magic , if such a name can be applied to the jugglery , of the