304 LETTERS ON NATURAL MAGIC. 



skin with oil. The receipt given by Albertus 

 Magnus for this purpose was of a different 

 nature. It consisted of a non-conducting calca- 

 reous paste, which was made to adhere to the 

 skin by the sap of the marsh-mallow, the slimy 

 seeds of the flea-bane, and the white of an egg. 

 As the ancients were acquainted with the in- 

 combustibility of asbestos or amianthus, and the 

 art of weaving it into cloth, it is highly probable 

 that it was employed in the performance of some 

 of their miracles, and it is equally probable that 

 it was subsequently used, along with some of the 

 processes already described, in enabling the vic- 

 tims of superstition to undergo without hazard 

 the trial of ordeal by fire. In every country 

 where this barbarous usage prevailed, whether in 

 the sanctuary of the Christian idolater, or in the 

 pagan temple of the Bramin, or under the wild 

 orgies of the African savage, Providence seems 

 to have provided the means of meeting it with 

 impunity. In Catholic countries this exculpatory 

 judgment was granted chiefly to persons in weak 

 health, who were incapable of using arms, and 

 particularly to monks and ecclesiastics, who could 

 not avail themselves of the trial by single combat. 

 The fire ordeal was conducted in the church 

 under the inspection of the clergy : mass was at 

 the same time celebrated, and the iron and the 

 victims were consecrated by the sprinkling of 

 holy water. The preparatory steps were also 

 under the direction of the priests. It was neces- 

 sary that the accused should be placed three days 

 and three nights under their care, both before 

 and after the trial. Under the pretence of pre- 

 venting the defendant from preparing his hands 



