Creatures--Egyptian Magicians--Horses' and Asses'
Heads--Magical Circles--Throwing Old Shoes--Figures on
Shoes--A Hangman's Soul--Directions for raising Ghosts
and Spirits.

Magic was, in ancient times, a favourite study among the learned.
Plato, Pythagoras, and other men of note, travelled over many
countries to learn this art. After studying for a long time, they
publicly communicated the knowledge of magic to students from every
quarter of the globe. The knowledge acquired by magicians, if real,
was wonderful. One discovered that, by tying a bull to a fig tree, the
animal, though of a furious nature, instantly became subdued. The same
authority states that, by hanging an old tough fowl on the same
description of tree, it would become tender. Another professor of
magic taught that the feathers of an eagle, mixed with those of other
birds, would consume them, and that a small fish called Remora could
stop the progress of a ship at sea. Magicians supplied precious stones
to public speakers, the possession of which made them eloquent, and
brought them into favour with princes. A certain gem carried in a
husband's pocket made him love his wife, and enabled him to overcome
his enemies. Coral was a preventative against witchcraft, hence the
fashion of ladies and children wearing necklaces and bracelets of this
material. Hyacinth brought down rain, obscured the sun, and preserved
from lightning. One stone resisted drunkenness, so that the bearer
could be able to drink freely without becoming intoxicated. A
chalcedony made the wearer lucky at law, increased the vigour of one's
body, and prevented illusions of the devil. Those acquainted with
magical art concluded that all stones possessed virtues, infused into
them by the influence of planets. Alexander, Hermes, Zoroaster, and
several other ancients, entertained this opinion. Magicians were the
first to set stones in rings--an invention which, if not beneficial to
man and woman, has helped to adorn their persons.

Gems used for magical purposes required to be set in such metals as
had affinity with the planets whereby they (the gems) were influenced.
The image of Saturn should be made in lead; of Sol, in gold; of Luna,
in silver; of Jupiter, in tin; of Mars, in iron; of Venus, in copper;
of Mercury, in quicksilver. A proper time should be observed for the
graving of magical figures. If love is to be procured, the graving
must be done under proper and fr