y
now be in the centre of Africa, or climbing the heights of the Himalaya
Mountains. But as I happen to be better informed, I know that both he
and his faithful Selim slipped out of New York as quietly as possible,
and returned to their homes in the sunny South. They have since then
married, have settled down into quiet orderly citizens, and have given
up all practical jokes; but they frequently amuse their wives with some
of their varied experience, obtained when playing the role of
astrologers in New York.

"But you do not really think people could be so cheated now-a-days,
uncle!" cried George.

"I certainly do not consider the world too wise to be fooled in almost
any way," answered his uncle. "Look at the various _isms_ which have
sprung up, even in our own day. Think of the imposture of Mormonism,--it
has fairly peopled a territory. Think of the pretensions of
clairvoyance, claiming almost omniscience and omnipresence for the human
spirit. Think of Matthias and his followers. But remarkable as that
delusion was, it is almost forgotten now, so many extravagancies tread
upon one another's heels, and hustle each its predecessor off the stage.
Spirit-rapping is the last, and is spreading like wildfire throughout
the land: some characters have so much tinder in their composition, that
they catch in a moment. But it will soon go out--'tis like the crackling
of thorns under the pot--a quick blaze for a moment, and then it
expires."

"The alarm about witchcraft, both in England and America, was, I think,
one of the most noticeable delusions of modern times," said Mrs.
Wyndham. "How many eminent and excellent men were deceived by it! The
learned, judicious, and pious Sir Matthew Hale condemned at least one
witch to be burnt alive--although, I believe, it cost him some remorse
afterwards. And in New England, Cotton Mather was prominent in hunting
out those who were supposed by their neighbors to be on too familiar
terms with a certain nameless individual. I am glad I did not live in
those days! If a poor old woman was ugly, and cross, and mumbled to
herself, as we old women will do sometimes, and above all, if she kept a
large black cat, woe betide her! her fate was well-nigh sealed."

"I don't think you would have been in any danger, Aunt Lucy," said Amy,
laughing.

"I don't know, indeed--probably not, while I had such an array of young
people around me. But if I were left desolate and alone in the world,
and became