1884 .] On Electricity and its Present Applications. 333 
pleasuiable and salubrious feelings, or sensations of the 
most disagreeable nature. 
There are various ways in which the Magi at first suc- 
ceeded in conjuring this potent spirit, making him give 
indications of his presence. Sometimes this was done by 
making a grateful and rapid friftion with a metallic or other 
substance of which he is known to be fond, through the 
medium or interposition of a suitable receptacle placed in 
communication or en rapport with the earth where he resides. 
The result is that he comes gradually into the vessel or trap, 
and indicates his presence by a crackling noise and the 
emission of sparks, just as is done by him when the back of 
a cat is treated in a similar manner. At other times he was 
tempted to make his appearance by a dish of metals stewed 
in an acid, for which he has a well-known predilection. 
But now, by God’s permission, the power has been given 
to the wise men of various countries — more especially those 
of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, and America— 
to secure, bind, and imprison him in a leaden vessel or 
casket, and to seal it with the seal of Solomon the Wise, so 
that he can be kept there as the submissive slave of his 
captor, carried to a distance, and when released forced to 
perform whatever work may be appointed him to do. In 
this way he can, under proper superintendence, be made to 
perform the work of a domestic slave or servant, in sewing, 
washing, &c., and even in lying on the watch and sounding 
an alarm in the event of robbery or of fire. He can also be 
made use of as the motive power of vehicles and machinery 
of all kinds. In short, he can be made to perform any kind 
of mechanical labour which does not require the direCt 
exertion of mind and intelligence — gifts which God has 
bestowed on man alone. In view of the grandeur and im- 
mensity of his attributes we might almost think that the 
following sublime language of St. John, in the Apocalypse, 
is intended to pourtray him ! 
Rev. x., 1. — “And I saw another mighty angel come 
down from heaven, clothed with a cloud, and a rainbow was 
upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his 
feet as pillars of fire ; and he had in his hand a little book 
open : and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left 
foot on the earth, and cried with a loud voice as when a 
lion roareth : and when he cried, seven thunders uttered 
their voices. . . . And the voice which I had heard from 
heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the 
little book which is in the hand of the angel which standeth 
upon the sea and the earth. And I went unto the angel 
