LETTERS ON NATURAL MAGIC, 



SIR WALTER SCOTT, BART. 



LETTER I. 



Extent and interest of the subject Science employed by ancient govern- 

 ments to deceive and enslave their subjects Influence of the super- 

 natural upon ignorant minds Means employed by the ancient 

 magicians to establish their authority Derived from a knowledge 

 of tlie phenomena of Nature From the influence of narcotic- 

 drugs upon the victims of their delusion From every branch, of 

 science Acoustics Hydrostatics Mechanics Optics M. Sal- 

 verte's work on the occult sciences Object of the following Letters. 



MY DEAR SIR WALTER, 



As it was at your suggestion that I undertook to 

 draw up a popular account of those prodigies of the 

 material world which have received the appellation of 

 Natural Magic, I have availed myself of the privilege of 

 introducing it under the shelter of your name. Although 

 I cannot hope to produce a volume at all approaching 

 in interest to that which you have contributed to the 

 Family Library, yet the popular character of some of 

 the topics which belong to this branch of Demonology 

 may atone for the defects of the following Letters ; and I 

 shall deem it no slight honour if they shall be considered 

 as forming an appropriate supplement to your valuable 

 work. 



