I 
421 
BOOK XXX. 
EEMEDIES DERIVED FROM LIVING CREATURES. 
CHAP. 1. (1.) THE ORIGIN OF THE MAGIC AKT. 
In former parts of this work, I have had occasion more than 
once, when the subject demanded it, to refute the impostures 
of the magic art, and it is now my intention to continue stiil 
further my exposure thereof. Indeed, there are few subjects 
on which more might be profitably said, were it only that, 
being, as it is, the most deceptive of all known arts, it has 
exercised the greatest influence in every country and in nearly 
every age. And no one can be surprised at the extent of its 
influence and authority, when he reflects that by its own ener- 
gies it has embraced, and thoroughly amalgamated with itself, 
the three other sciences^ which hold the greatest sway upon 
the mind of man. 
That it first originated in medicine, no one entertains a 
doubt or that, under the plausible guise of promoting health, 
it insinuated itself among mankind, as a higher and more holy 
branch of the medical art. Then, in the next place, to pro- 
mises the most seductive and the most flattering^ it has added 
all the resources of religion, a subject upon which, at the pre- 
sent day, man is still entirely in the dark. Last of all, to 
complete its universal sway, it has incorporated with itself the 
astrological art there being no man who is not desirous to 
know his future destiny, or who is not ready to believe that 
this knowledge may with the greatest certainty be obtained, 
by observing the face of the heavens. The senses of men 
being thus enthralled by a three-fold bond, the art of magic 
has attained an influence so mighty, that at the present day 
even, it holds sway throughout a great part of the world, and 
rules the kings * of kings in the East. 
^ Artes." Medicine, religion, and the art of divination. 
2 Ajasson remarks thai, on the contrary, this is a subject of great doubt. 
2 Mathematicas artes." 
* The title of the ancient kings of Persia. 
