536 THE CRYSTAL : A RECORD OF 1665 



" And done, Master Dinford. And now we will end this subject ; 

 but favour me with a call ere noon to-morrow." 



I accordingly did call, and found him employed in his garden. 

 He received me with his usual urbanity and warmth, and walked 

 with me up and down the garden " for my dame Alice," said he, 

 " is a curious body, and will be listening if we go into the house." 



He inquired when I should like the experiment to be made ? 

 And when I had answered, " The sooner the better." He added, 

 " Then it may be very conveniently to-morrow evening at six. You 

 have nothing to do but to fast the three preceding hours, and remain, 

 during that period, in one place till you come to me. / must fast 

 longer ; but for this and my other trouble I intend to repay myself 

 abundantly at your feast next Friday." 



I followed his directions, and the next evening at the appointed 

 hour called upon him, and found his horse ready saddled at the door. 

 He received me with more solemnity than usual. He spoke not a 

 word ; but motioning me to remount my horse, he also mounted his. 

 We rode briskly till we reached the Pied Bull, where we left our 

 beasts, and proceeded on foot to Barnsbury-park, and there sat down 

 under a large elm out of observation. 



Dr. Henwick remained silent several minutes. He then said 

 " Master Dinford, the experiment I have selected as the most fitting 

 and easiest to satisfy you is one which may be useful to you in other 

 respects, and happy, too, or perhaps unhappy. I hope not; but this 

 will entirely depend on the nature of that proof which you require. 

 I have no instrument with me [and here he took from his pocket a 

 globular object, enclosed in a black velvet case] the CHBYSAT of 

 which you have doubtless heard. (I nodded assent). It will in liv- 

 ing pictures exhibit an answer to any question you may ask, whether 

 it relate to past, present, or future time. You can only ask three 

 questions ; and that your conviction may be the stronger, I would 

 advise you to let the best refer to some past transaction known only 

 to yourself. To show you there is no false contrivance or trickery in 

 the matter do not ask me your questions, but simply form the wisli 

 in your own mind, and utter it not. It shall then be satisfied. Now, 

 Sir, are you prepared ?" 



" Quite." 



He then uncovered the globe. It was of very fine glass, and, from 

 its weight, seemed to be somewhat hollow, but too thick for objects 

 to be seen through it with any distinctness. In one part there was 

 a very small perforation, not larger than the hole made by a pin, but 

 there was no other. He shewed the glass to me, and made me remark 

 that it presented no objects whatever. It did not even reflect the 

 objects before it, as thick glass is wont to do. 



The Doctor placed his left hand on my right, and so holding it, 

 desired me to lean my head forward upon my knees ; he did the same 

 himself, so placing the globe, that as he leaned forward his forehead 

 rested on it ; and in a low and gentle voice began to speak in a lan- 

 guage I did not understand. After about five minutes he lifted him- 

 self up and standing with the crystal tightly, pressed in both hands, 

 repeated in the English tongue, and in a somewhat louder voice than 



