MODERN NECROMANCY. 69 



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.' I 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 ac- 

 quaintance : 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 ceremonies imaginable : he likewise 

 brought hither asafoetida, several precious per- 

 fumes, 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, entrust- 

 ing the care of the tire and perfumes to the rest ; 

 and thus he began his incantations. This cere- 

 mony lasted above an hour and a half, when 

 there appeared several legions of devils, inso- 

 much that the amphitheatre was quite filled with 

 them. I was busy about the perfumes, when the 

 priest, perceiving there was a considerable num- 

 ber of infernal spirits, turned to me and said, 



