fortunes, to have their horoscopes made, and to ascertain by 

 magical arts lucky days as well as unlucky ones, for all 

 undertakings great and small. In return for these services 

 his credulous visitors seldom failed to leave in his hands silver 

 and gold coins, of which, however, he saw fewer than his 

 household and comfort required. 

 He was one of those who : 



"Deal in Destiny's dark counsels, 

 And sage opinions of the moon sell; 

 To whom all people, far and near, 

 On deep importances repair, 

 When brass and pewter hap to stray, 

 And linen slinks out of the way." 



Like many learned men in the Middle Ages Dr. Dee was 

 supposed to be in league with evil spirits, and he was regarded 

 by his neighbors and enemies as a dangerous man. His evil 

 reputation for sorcery more than once brought him into con- 

 flict with the officers of the law ; under Queen Mary he was 

 accused of heresy and of attempting to injure the Princess 

 Elizabeth by witchcraft; being cast into a dungeon he saw 

 with horror his cell-mate dragged forth to perish at the stake, 

 but he was leniently treated at his trial and escaped \vith a 

 mild sentence. On the accession ot Elizabeth to the throne? 

 Dee was consulted by the Earl of Leicester to secure a luck} 

 day for her coronation, and the result of his prognostication 

 seems to have won her good will : for she afterwards became 

 an appreciative client ; she invited him to court for consul 

 tations, and even visited Dee's modest dwelling; though 

 naturally penurious, her Majesty occasionally gave sub- 

 stantial proofs of her confidence, in pieces of gold. The 

 Doctor was at this time a very handsome man, tall and 

 slender, very fair, \vith a sanguine complexion and a long 

 pointed beard, which, as he grew older, acquired a snow-white 



