he appeared at Dresden, where his
magical skill attracted many followers. His reputation reached Prince
Charles of Saxony, who had been instrumental in causing the magician
to depart from Leipsic; he visited Schrepfer, apologised for what he
had done, and requested him to give manifestations of his supernatural
art. He accepted the apologies, and exhibited many difficult
operations in the science of magic. The prince requested Schrepfer,
who had the power of calling before him the ghost of any one, however
long dead, to bring up the ghost of Marshal Saxe, Charles's uncle, in
the hope that information would be obtained regarding a vast amount of
hidden treasure the deceased was supposed to have concealed from his
relatives. This was a few years after the Chevalier de Saxe died, yet
the magician readily agreed to comply with the request. The place
chosen for commanding the spirit to appear was Prince Charles's palace
in Dresden. On the appointed night, the prince and a large company of
friends assembled in the apartment named for the purpose. Everything
being in readiness, the door and windows were secured, that none
possessed of mere human strength could effect an entrance. Schrepfer
retired into a corner of the room, knelt down, and, with many
mysterious ceremonies, invoked the spirits to come to his aid. A
considerable time elapsed before they obeyed. While waiting he was
under great agitation, being wet with sweat, and bordering on
convulsions. At length a loud noise was heard at the windows, followed
by other noises of a peculiar description, not easily described. The
second sounds Schrepfer announced as the voices of good spirits come
to help him. A short time afterwards frightful yelling was heard,
which came, he declared, from malignant spirits, whose presence, he
affirmed, was also essential. By this time the prince and his friends
were filled with horror, wishing that the scene was over; but their
courage had to stand more severe tests. Schrepfer continuing his
invocations, the door suddenly opened with violence, and something
resembling a black globe rolled into the room. It was surrounded with
smoke or cloud, in the midst of which appeared to be a human face like
the countenance of the Chevalier de Saxe. In a loud and angry voice
the form inquired why it was disturbed. Great consternation prevailed
among the spectators at such a sight. Charles did not venture to say a
word concerning the concealed treasure, ne