36 On Popular Ulufions. 



to derrionologifts, fince we meet with nearly the 

 fame thing in the Eneid, when Latinus confults 

 the oracle of Faunus ; 



hue dona facerdos 



Cum tulit, et caefarum ovium fub node filenti 

 Pellibus incubuit ftratis, fomnofque petivit ; 

 Multa modis fimulacra videt volitantia miris, 

 Et varias audit voces, fruiturque Deorum 

 Colloquio, atque imis Acheronta affatur Avernis. 



Lib. VII. 86. ' 



The inhabitants of the weftern ifles ufed to 

 divine, alfo, by reading a cat. 



The original opinion of Magic feems to have 

 been formed merely from the fuperior knowledge 

 or dexterity of individuals. The fulled proot 

 of this may be found in Naude's Apology for great 

 Men accufed of Magic; where he makes it apparent, 

 that, at particular times, fuperior abilities always 

 drew this imputation on their poflefTor. And 

 all the writers on this fubjeft allow, that natural 

 magic, which is their fird divifion, implies no 

 more than an acquaintance with the lead ob- 

 vious fads of natural philofophy*. Excellence 

 in a particular profeflion fometimes conftituted 

 a magician ; thus, in the lad century. Dr. 

 Bartolo was feized by the inquifition at Rome, 

 on a charge of necromancy, becaufe he unex- 

 pe6ledly cured a nobleman of the goutf. It is 



* See Agrippa, Cicogna, MorhofF, &c. &c 

 •J- Eryth. Pinacoth. flj. p. 75. 



probable 



