148 LETTERS ON NATURAL MAGIC. 



accidents, that I made acquaintance with a Sicilian priest, 

 who was a man of genius, and well versed in the Latin 

 and Greek authors. Happening one day to have some 

 conversation with him when the subject turned upon the 

 art of necromancy, I, who had a great desire to know 

 something of the matter, told him that I had all my life 

 felt a curiosity to be acquainted with the mysteries of 

 this art. 



" The priest made answer, * That the man must be of a 

 resolute and steady temper who enters upon that study.' 

 T replied, ' That I had fortitude and resolution enough, if 

 I could but find an opportunity.' The priest subjoined, 

 * If you think you have the heart to venture, I will give 

 you all the satisfaction you can desire.' Thus we agreed 

 to enter upon a plan of necromancy. The priest one 

 evening prepared to satisfy me, and desired me to look 

 out for a companion or two. I invited one Vincenzio 

 Romoli, who was my intimate acquaintance : he brought 

 with him a native of Pistoia, who cultivated the black 

 art himself. We repaired to the Colosseo, and the priest, 

 according to the custom of necromancers, began to draw 

 circles upon the ground, with the most impressive cere- 

 monies imaginable : he likewise brought hither assa- 

 fcetida, several precious perfumes, and fire, with some 

 compositions also, which diffused noisome odours. As 

 soon as he was in readiness, he made an opening to the 

 circle, and having taken us by the hand, ordered the 

 other necromancer, his partner, to throw the perfumes 

 into the fire at a proper time, intrusting the care of the 

 fire and perfumes to the rest ; and thus he began his 

 incantations. This ceremony lasted above an hour and 

 a half, when there appeared several legions of devils, 

 insomuch that the amphitheatre was quite filled with them. 

 I was busy about the perfumes, when the priest, perceiv- 

 ing there was a considerable number of infernal spirits, 



