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Article THE HISTORY OF MAGIC. ← Page 15 of 15 Article FROM ÆTNA. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The History Of Magic.
present day , bears , of course , no sort of resemblance to these arts of old ; merely exhibitional , it is only connected with them as the reflection of a disused mirror is with the glass from which it springs ; it is the shred of that occult skill which has been handed down , in varying forms , from age to age , and from nation to nation—but may still claim to derive
its origin from the mystic rites of antiquity . We have thus traced the progress of the secret science , from the mists of Chaldean obscurity to modern times ; and , in the course of the inquiry , the thinking mind must have been impressed with conviction of the powerful influence it has had on the character and destinies of nations . We
have pondered over the errors into which it has led the uneducated of all ages—the various reasons which have , at different times , enveloped it in mystery—the unhappy prejudices resulting from that mystery—and , finally , how it has silently , though surely , perished in the hands of the truly enlightened .
From Ætna.
FROM ? TNA .
GOOD MY FRIEND , — No more at ease I write beneath the forest trees ; Yet no fret , or sad restraint , Makes my weary senses faint ; Not a trace of life ' s hard stress Checks my spirit ' s happiness .
Not a care , or sombre cloud , In whose shadow joy is bow'd , Falls upon my trusting heart , Loving still with loving art . But mine eyes are very dim ,
And I know not if I see Truth , or some dread fantasy Round about this mountain's brim . Evermore I hear a song-Sung , as if its numbers told Homage to the brave and bold , And defiance to the wrong . Evermore there comes a cry
, As of mortal agony ; Now a louder , wilder strain , Breaks upon the wearied ear , As though earth were rent in twain , And all life convuls'd with fear .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The History Of Magic.
present day , bears , of course , no sort of resemblance to these arts of old ; merely exhibitional , it is only connected with them as the reflection of a disused mirror is with the glass from which it springs ; it is the shred of that occult skill which has been handed down , in varying forms , from age to age , and from nation to nation—but may still claim to derive
its origin from the mystic rites of antiquity . We have thus traced the progress of the secret science , from the mists of Chaldean obscurity to modern times ; and , in the course of the inquiry , the thinking mind must have been impressed with conviction of the powerful influence it has had on the character and destinies of nations . We
have pondered over the errors into which it has led the uneducated of all ages—the various reasons which have , at different times , enveloped it in mystery—the unhappy prejudices resulting from that mystery—and , finally , how it has silently , though surely , perished in the hands of the truly enlightened .
From Ætna.
FROM ? TNA .
GOOD MY FRIEND , — No more at ease I write beneath the forest trees ; Yet no fret , or sad restraint , Makes my weary senses faint ; Not a trace of life ' s hard stress Checks my spirit ' s happiness .
Not a care , or sombre cloud , In whose shadow joy is bow'd , Falls upon my trusting heart , Loving still with loving art . But mine eyes are very dim ,
And I know not if I see Truth , or some dread fantasy Round about this mountain's brim . Evermore I hear a song-Sung , as if its numbers told Homage to the brave and bold , And defiance to the wrong . Evermore there comes a cry
, As of mortal agony ; Now a louder , wilder strain , Breaks upon the wearied ear , As though earth were rent in twain , And all life convuls'd with fear .