LETTERS 



ON 



NATURAL MAGIC; 



ADDRESSED TO 



SIR WALTER SCOTT, BART. 



LETTER I. 



Extent and interest of the subject Science employed by 

 ancient governments to deceive and enslave their subjects 

 Influence of the supernatural upon ignorant minds 

 Means employed by the ancient magicians to establish 

 their authority Derived from a knowledge of the pheno- 

 mena of Nature From the influence of narcotic drugs 

 upon the victims of their delusion From every branch of 

 science Acoustics Hydrostatics Mechanics Optic? 

 M. Salverte'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 



