, even in France, few save Mr. Michelet
could have produced. Founded on truth and close inquiry, it still
reads more like a poem than a sober history. As a beautiful
speculation, which has nearly, but not quite, grasped the physical
causes underlying the whole history of magic and illusion in all ages,
it may be read with profit as well as pleasure in this age of vulgar
spirit-rapping. But the true history of Witchcraft has yet to be
written by some cooler hand.

L. T.

_May 11th, 1863._

CONTENTS.

PAGE

INTRODUCTION 1
To One Wizard Ten Thousand Witches 1
The Witch was the sole Physician of the People 4
Terrorism of the Middle Ages 5
The Witch was the Offspring of Despair 9
She in her Turn created Satan 12
Satan, Prince of the World, Physician, Innovator 13
His School--of Witches, Shepherds, and Headsmen 15
His Decline 16

BOOK I.

CHAPTER I.--THE DEATH OF THE GODS 19
Christianity thought the World was Dying 20
The World of Demons 24
The Bride of Corinth 26

CHAPTER II.--WHY THE MIDDLE AGES FELL INTO DESPAIR 30
The People make their own Legends 31
But are forbidden to do so any more 35
The People guard their Territory 38
But are made Serfs 40

CHAPTER III.--THE LITTLE DEVIL OF THE FIRESIDE 43
Ancient Communism of the _Villa_ 43
The Hearth made independent 44
The Wife of the Serf 45
Her Loyalty to the Olden Gods 46
The Goblin 53

CHAPTER IV.--TEMPTATIONS 57
The Serf invokes the Spirit of Hidden Treasures