ns seemed to possess more
power than others, and, since no one could tell what was impossible,
what appear to us the most absurd claims were put forth. Things were
believed because they were impossible. It was under the encouragement
of this "will to believe" that magic flourished until the slow growth
of civilization and the awakening reason of man cast doubts upon it.

To study the more technical developments of magic is extremely
interesting. Magicians as a class evolved a lore which was looked upon
by the uninitiated as occult and mysterious. The mass of the people
did not know of any bounds which could be set to their power. They and
their deeds were shrouded in darkness and surrounded by all the
gruesome associations which the awe-struck imagination could conjure
up. Such was the case especially when magic became outlawed as an
underhand means of obtaining things. But magic had by then fallen on
evil days. It was not yet disbelieved but simply condemned because it
did not fit in with the dominant religious and social order. The exact
{51} relation of religion and magic is a somewhat complex problem which
we must postpone for a while.

The orient was always the fertile home of magic: here it reached its
more technical developments. In _Lucian_ we read of the reputed power
of the Chaldean wise men who were able to recite spells which would
move even the gods. All through the East this esoteric science
existed. In Egypt the magicians claimed to be able to compel the
highest gods to do their bidding. By this time magic had, however,
passed beyond its more primitive character. So far as it involved
signs and acts, these were of a highly symbolic type. Geometrical
figures of intricate construction, phrases consisting of apparently
meaningless words or of words supposed to have a peculiar significance,
and the names of gods or demons were used with appropriate ceremonies.
Many of these magical formulae have come down to us. They are spells
which are supposed to constrain even the highest gods.

The story of Faust reflects very well the notion of magic existing in
Europe during the Middle Ages. The reader will call to mind the scene
in which Faust calls up the Earth-Spirit. Devotees of Victor Hugo will
remember the description given in his _Notre-Dame_ of Dom Claude's cell
and this ecclesiast's unsuccessful attempts to use the hammer of
Ezekiel. The important thing was to discover the magic word which