Relations between 
[August, 
462 
Colonel Churchill, in his work on Mount Lebanon, under 
the head of “ Magic,” gives an account of some manifesta- 
tions occurring there. The statement is eviden ^.j ia 
an eye-witness, or of one who had examined the evidenc 
and satisfied himself as to the faCts. He says (vol. 1., P- 104 
el infra) “ The son of Sheik Bechir is one of the best in- 
formed of the Druse Sheiks, and has acquired a store ot 
history and literature which makes his conversation in every 
way superior. He has for some years devoted his time, sin- 
gular as it may appear, to the cultivation of magic, and the 
stories he relates of his interviews with immaterial beings 
are novel and startling. At times he will place a jug between 
the hands of two persons sitting opposite to each other, 
when, after the recital of certain passages taken indiscrimi- 
nately from the Koran and the Psalms of David, it wr 
move spontaneously round to the astonishment ot the 
holders. A stick at his bidding will proceed unaided from 
one end of the room to the other. A new testament, sus- 
pended to a key by a piece of string, will in the same way 
turn violently round of itself. On two earthenware jugs 
being placed in opposite corners of the room, one being 
empty, the other filled with water, the empty jar will, on 
the recital of certain passages, move across the room ; the 
iar full of water, will rise of itself on the approach of its 
companion, and empty its contents into it, the lattei re- 
turning to its place in the same manner as it came. An 
egg boiling in the saucepan will be seen to spring suddenly 
out of the water, and be carried to a considerable distance. 
A double-locked door will unlock itself. There cannot be a 
doubt that an unseen influence of some bind is called into 
operation, but of what nature those may conjecture who 
like to speculate on such matters.” 
“ But it is in more serious cases of disease or lunacy that 
his supernaturally-derived powers are called into play. 
Previously to undertaking a cure he shuts himself up in a 
darkened room, and devotes his time to prayer and fasting. 
Fifteen and sometimes thirty days are passed in this sta e 
of abstinence and self-denial. At last one of the genu, 
described by him to be much of the same appearance as 
human beings, will suddenly appear before him and demand 
his bidding. He then states his position, and requites 
assistance in the case he is about to undertake. The genu 
replies at once that his request is granted, and encourages 
him to proceed.” A lady who had been for more than two 
years afflicted with a swelling, which had long been mis- 
taken for pregnancy, was cured by the passage of his hand 
