MAGIC SQUARE. 191 



make his sight pierce into what is to us the 

 invisible world. 



A chafing-dish, with some live charcoal in 

 it, having been previously prepared, frank- 

 incense and coriander seed were put therein, 

 and it was placed before the magician and 

 the boy, the latter appearing about eight years 

 of age ; then taking hold of the boy's right hand 

 he drew therein with pen and ink a magic 

 square. In the centre he poured a little ink, 

 and desired the boy to look into it and tell him 

 if he could see the reflection of his own 

 face therein ; the boy replied that he did 

 so clearly. The magician, all the while hold- 

 ing the boy's hand, desired him to continue 

 looking intently on the ink, and not to raise 

 his head. He then took one of the strips 

 of paper, inscribed witli the invocation, and 

 dropped it into the chafing-disli upon the 

 burning coals and perfumes, which had al- 

 ready filled the room with smoke ; and as 

 he did this he kept up an indistinct mutter- 

 ing of words, which he continued during the 

 whole process, except when asking the boy 

 a question. The piece of paper, containing 



