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pencil of Prout; his old buildings and architectural subjects, taken during his Continental tour, are treated with great spirit. The Views of Strasburg, Mayence, and Liege, are highly but not coarsely coloured,

and full of bustle and spirit. We regret that the Society should have attached any mark of its approbation to a picture in all respects so worthless as Mr. Smith's view of Naples. We missed Dewint sadly.

MR. MARTIN'S PICTURES.

We visited, last week, with considerable though not unmixed gratification, Mr. Martin's pictures now exhibiting in Piccadilly. Mr. Martin certainly displays great facility, both in conception and realization, but he will excuse us the friendly intimation that he appears to be in some danger of confounding glare with effect, and violence with genuine power. His Herculaneum is a fine picture, but there is in it too palpable an obtrusion of colour and attitude, as the vehicles of grandeur and pathos. He delights too much in the untempered effect of dazzling tint, and his reds and blues and yellows are dashed in with a fierce and undiscriminating

hand. We shall not repeat what has been so often said respecting his figures, but we would urgently recommend to Mr. Martin the close and unwearied study of the living and antique models. The Bard is altogether a failure, and we completely coincide with the just criticism of our very respectable correspondent, Mrs. Winifred Lloyd. Mr. M.'s earlier pictures strike us as his best; the Storming of Babylon, though not historically accurate, and the harrowing situation of Sadak in his efforts to reach the Fountain of Oblivion, are undeniable proofs of his great talents.

EXHIBITION OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY.

We have heard the approaching exhibition of the Royal Academy so highly spoken of by those who have access to the best means of information, that we look forward to a much more substantial feast for the eye and intellect, than has of late years been afforded us. A liberal discrimination has been exercised, and few applicants have had to sustain the mortification of exclusion. The President has sent in his fine portraits of the King and the Duke of York. Our unrivalled Chantrey has finished a bust of the sovereign with all that striking combination of simplicity and spirit, which forms the characteristic excellence of his style. Last year Mr. Baily exhibited a beautiful model of Eve; he has since transferred his design to marble, and in the truth and graceful loveliness which he has communicated to his work, has surpassed any of the female figures which Thorvaldsen has sent to this country. Flaxman's profound knowledge of classic principle has not, we understand, deserted him in his group of St. Michael subduing the Great Dragon. Psyche, a standing figure, executed by Westmacott, for the Duke of Bedford, is said to possess considerable grace; a statue of Charity has the faults of all allegorical produc

tions, it is cold and uninteresting. There is considerable talent in the group which obtained the gold medal for Mr. Frederick Smith, a pupil of Chantrey, but we can only ac cept it as a promise of far better things. He has evidently high power, but he must resolutely settle his mind to the achievement of excellence, by patient meditation and indefatigable labour. There is a bust, by the same hand, of John Keats the poet, which strongly recals the gifted author of Endymion to our remembrance. We have heard favourable report of a portrait of the Duke of York, by Jackson. Northcote has sent in several pictures; we hope that we shall find among them a fair proportion of his spirited representations of animals. Howard again moves on classic ground; and Thomson has sought inspiration from Shakspeare. Wilkie's Chelsea Pensioners hearing the Intelligence of the Battle of Waterloo, exhibits a great variety of excellently disposed groups, in which the military costumes of the old and new schools are contrasted with the happiest effect. The hu mours of Pay-day among the battered veterans are expressively blended with the strong excitement produced by the reading of the Gazette. We are sorry to learn, that

Turner has contributed but one small picture. Hilton's Meleager is a most animated and richly painted display of the vigorous action and varied attitudes of the hazardous boar-hunt. The catastrophe of the Broken Fiddle, by Allan, is well conceived and expressed, though the picture is not, perhaps, fully equal to some of his former efforts. The old but inexhaustible subject of Hector reproving Paris, has been treated with great boldness and originality, by Mr. Wainewright. Mr. Rippingille has sent in two paintings,

the Recruiting Party, and the Burial by Torch-light of Cannynge, the founder of Redcliffe Church. Collins exhibits four pictures executed in his usual interesting manner. We have heard only of one by Callcott; but from the same authority we entertain the strongest expectation of pleasure in its actual inspection. If we add to this rich, but, of course, imperfect anticipation, the names of Fuseli, Westall, and Leslie, we shall have held forth a promise of gratification, which, however large, gives little risk of disappointment.

ON WITCHCRAFT.
No. III.

On the Origin, Progress, and Decay of Witchcraft.

Somnia, terrores magicos, miracula, sagas,
Nocturnos lemures, portentaque Thessala rides ? Horace.
These dreams and terrors magicall,

These miracles and witches,

Night-walking sprites, or Thessal bugs—
Esteeme them not two rushes.-

Abraham Fleming's Translation.

THE existence of the parent stock whence witchcraft was derived may be traced to a very remote period. The proneness of the human mind to pry into futurity, and the disposition which mankind, in the earlier ages of the world, have evinced to invest themselves and others with supernatural powers, commenced with the primary origin of society. An inquisitiveness as to future events, is, in some measure, a necessary consequence of the importance we attach to them; and where these events depend on circumstances which we cannot regulate, a power which we cannot evade, and a will which we can neither scrutinize nor controul, -our anxiety will increase according to the magnitude of our hopes and fears. Hence, in all ages, some means have been resorted to for the discovery of that which was to come; and as, with our limited knowledge and observation, we are able, in some degree, to foresee what will follow from particular circumstances, or modes of action, in which persons of certain dispositions are engaged, and also to determine the regular effects of physical causes, so do we readily infer that beings of a higher

order, who are endowed with a far more extensive intelligence, may and must be able to discern much to which our faculties cannot penetrate. To attain a similar extent of knowledge was the prime object of the magician and the astrologer; but there is a certain limit assigned to human wisdom, beyond which, even their consummate ingenuity could never pass without some powerful and extraordinary aid. They consequently endeavoured to accomplish their designs by an unhallowed interCourse with higher powers, and, giving full scope to their imaginations, they soon created an easy theory, the reality of which was readily confirmed by the casual occurrence of certain contingent circumstances. Did a victory ensue after an eagle had hovered over an army, or perched upon a standard,-the majestic bird became the omen of conquest. Did a gloomy dream disturb the rest of an anxious mind, and evil, previously apprehended, follow, the dream was undoubtedly predictive. Had any one, whose birth was welcomed by the rising sun, or marked by the glorious brilliancy of a planet, risen to preeminence, and run a course of glory,

-the heavenly bodies indicated the fate of the hero's life, by their timely appearance at his birth. Such was the origin of Divination and Astrology; the root, as it were, of the magic art, and the stem from which a flourishing tree sprang up, affording numerous offsets and branches, as the "growth of ages " added to its magnitude.

There can be no doubt, that Witchcraft was nearly allied in the beginning to all the magical artifices of our ancestors. It was one of the species of an extensive genus, which comprised divination, astrology, omens, portents, chiromancy, sortilegy, catoptromancy, sorcery, and conjuration, and it had flourished with much vigour in the several countries of Europe before it become firmly established in England. The first dealer in diabolical magic, is supposed to have been Zoroaster, the king of the Bactrians, who lived Anno Mundi 2000. He was gifted with the knowledge of astronomy, and of the seven liberal arts, and was well versed in the nature and value of precious stones. "At his birth," observes an old writer, "he laughed: and his head did so beat, that it struck back the midwife's hand,-a good sign of abundance of spirits, which are the best instruments of a happy wit." Zoroaster was not long without imitators. Divination and astrology, with several other species of the Mayos TEXun, were adopted by the priests and philosophers of those times, and attained an admirable perfection under the fostering auspices of subsequent practitioners. The Chaldæ in Assyria, the Brachmans in India, the Druids in Britain, the Magi in Persia, and the priesthood of Greece and Rome, all sought assistance from one species or other of occult science, and with numerous welldevised stratagems, impressed upon the minds of their disciples an awful idea of their might and their holiness. We can easily imagine how necessary it must have been, in those early ages, to adopt some singular and extraordinary means of riveting the attention of a community of rude barbarians. Precepts and exhortations,

however congenial they might have been to their habits and feelings, be came futile and invalid, unless recommended by some striking_proof of their utility and goodness. Hence, the sages and instructors of old had recourse to other and more effectual measures than those of mild admonition, and established their dominion over the minds of the people by a skilful series of impostures, rather than by the force of reason, or the power of persuasion.

A remarkable proof of the supposed influence of magic in those early ages is to be found in St. Chrysostom's work, De Sacerdotio, which exhibits a scene of enchantment not exceeded by any romance of the middle ages. We suppose a spectator overlooking a field of battle, attended by one that points out all the various objects of horror, the engines of destruction, and the arts of slaughter. AavýTO δε ἔτι παρὰ τοῖς ἐναντίοις, καὶ πετομές νους ἱππους, διά τῖνος μαγγανείας, καὶ ὁπλίτας δι' αέρος φερομενους, καὶ πάσην γοητείας δύναμιν, καὶ ἰδέαν. "Let him then show him in the opposite armies horses flying by magic, armed men transported through the air, and every power and form of enchantment.' Whether St. Chrysostom himself believed that such performances were really to be seen in a dav of battle, or whether he merely endeavoured to enliven his description by such narrations, we have no opportunity of judging; but it is quite certain, that in his time such notions were eagerly received, and implicitly credited.

But they carried their faith in the utility of magic to a much greater extent in Spain; for there they had public schools at Toledo, Seville, and Salamanca, where the principles of this mysterious science were regularly taught. In the latter city, they were held in a deep cavern, the mouth of which was walled up by Queen Isabella, wife of King Ferdinand. The celebrated magician Maugis, cousin to Rinaldo of Montalban, called by Ariosto Malagigi, studied the black art at Toledo; he even held a professor's chair in the necromantic university; for so, observes Sir Walter

Dr. Howel (Instit. of Gen. Hist. Part I.) is of opinion that Zoroaster, the Magi cian, lived many years after this king of the Bactrians; and Fabricius, (Biblioth. Grad tom. 1. cap. 36.) thinks it a difficult matter to adjust the time in which he lived, there being several of that name.

Scott, I interpret the passage "qu'en tous les sept ars d'enchantement, de charmes et conjurations-il n'y avoit meilleur maistre que lui; et en tel renom qu'on le lassoit en chaise, et l'appelloit on maistre Maugis.'

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But although magic had become thus introduced into the world, several centuries elapsed before witchcraft was practised with all its peculiar and abominable ceremonies. The first approach towards system in this respect, is to be found in the diabolical ingenuity of Theoris of Athens. This enchantress was put to death by the Athenians on the accusation of her servant and accomplice, who displayed to them the charms and medicaments by which her patroness wrought her miracles. Theoris appears to have been the first witch who had recourse to charms, and we find that, shortly afterwards, these new instruments of preternatural power were greatly multiplied.

The appearance of our Saviour upon earth, and the inculcation of Christianity with all its mild and beautiful attributes, did not dispel the gathering evil by destroying the mummeries of the delusion. Magic, in many of its branches, flourished in full vigour; and even during the arduous ministry of Christ,-while he was yet wandering about the country preaching peace and salvation to man, the abominable practices of pretended magicians were steadily persisted in, and their execrable im postures freely exercised. The following examples will show the prevalence of the delusion about the period in question :

Anno Domini, 14. Tiberius put many honourable citizens to death, pretending that they had consulted with Chaldæans.

A. D. 19. Germanicus, the adopted son of Tiberius, died; and several unhallowed Charms and curses, leaden tablets with his name inscribed thereon, pieces of human flesh, halfburnt ashes, and other things used in witchcraft." He was poisoned by order of his patron, and Tacitus thus relates the

relics were found in his house.

event. "Tum Seleuciam digreditur, opperiens ægritudinem, quæ rursum Germanico acciderat: savam vim morbi augebat persuasio veneni a Pisone accepti: et reperiebantur solo ac parietibus eruta humanorum corporum reliquiæ, carmina, et tabulis insculptum, semiusti cineres, ac tabe devotiones, et nomen Germanici plumbeis obliti, aliaque maleficia, quîs creditur animas numinibus infernis sacrari: Simul missi a Pisone incusabantur, ut valetudinis adversa rimantes.” Annal, lib. 2, cap. lxix.

Pontius Pilate destroyed many of the most vir' uous Jews, besides our blessed Saviour. I find, says Dr. Hutchinson, several quote the Talmud to prove that he executed many witches.

Simon was a noted magician, and most of the first heretics took their rise from him. Elymas, the sorcerer, opposed St. Paul.

A. D. 41. Claudius condemned a poor knight to die, because the egg of a serpent was found in his possession: he confessed that he carried it about with him for the purpose of securing a favourable termination to a law-suit then pending against him.

A. D. 54. Nero submitted to all the rites and preparations of magic, and performed the ceremonies of initiation with the most celebrated magicians of the day. He did not, however, receive any benefit for his pains, but discovered that all their art was pretension and deceit, and that they wrought no miracles save some unexpected cures which they performed with certain herbs and drugs, the virtues of which were not generally known. Menander, Basi, lides, and many of the first heretics, are said to have used magic.‡

The faith which the generality of mankind thus reposed in the capabi lity and influence of magicians, placed the truly learned and virtuous in a situation of no small peril. Such individuals as were gifted with superior abilities, and with more extensive means of information than the people among whom they dwelt, subjected themselves to a suspicion at once dishonourable and dangerous; and the philosopher, who devoted all his time to the acquirement of an abstruse science, and longed, like the pupil of Faustus,

Ardently to know,
Whatever man may learn below,➡

* Vide, the notes to the Lay of the Last Minstrel. +Demosthenes having occasion to mention Thecris, calls her, that Lemnian woman— that paguanida; and, in speaking of her, he uses the terms both of witchery and imposture, (βάσκανος, μαγγανέω, φενακίζω,) concluding with a jest upon her and her confede rate, for pretending to cure others of their maladies, when they themselves were sick of all kinds of vices. Vide, Demosthen. Orat. 1. advers. Aristogen.

Hutchinson's Historical Essay, p. 15, 16

All that we contemplate on earth, And all that in the heaven hath birth, To roam through learning's wond'rous ways, And comprehend all Nature's ways, became, if successful in his pursuits, an object of reverence indeed to the vulgar,-but of envy and detestation to his equals in society. "Wonderful operations," observes an amusing author, "astonish the mind, especially when the head is not overburthened with brains; and custom has made it so natural to give the devil either the honour or scandal of every thing that we cannot otherwise account for, that it is not possible to put the people out of the road of such an idea." * Hence it was, that our predecessors imputed to the devotee of science more than an earthly share of power, and invested the philosopher with attributes above the reach of common capability; and hence, also, it was, that, to borrow the words of Mr. Coleridge, the real teachers and discoverers of truth were exposed to the hazard of fire and faggot,-adungeon being the best shrine that was vouchsafed to a Roger Bacon or a Galileo !+

Under such circumstances as these we must not be surprised at the rapid extension of this credulity; but many years elapsed before it degenerated into witchcraft, "properly so called." The propagation of this vulgar delusion must have been greatly accelerated by the proceedings of Pope Innocent VIII. who issued a bull in 1484, to the inquisitors of Almain, exhorting them to discover,

and empowering them to destroy, all such as were guilty of witchcraft.

Of this unlimited authority, the inquisitors took more than a due advantage. They hunted out and dragged to the torture with true inquisitorial sagacity, all suspected persons within their reach; and found, to their infinite delight, that no sooner had they destroyed one reputed witch, than, like the heads of the hydra, ten sprang up in her place. Now it was, that all the thunders of the Catholic church were directed to the destruction of witches and wizards; and the crafty priesthood, with the most remorseless and bloodthirsty eagerness, glutted themselves with streams of blood and slaughter. Dreadful, indeed, was the havoc which ensued, and the following extract from Dr. Hutchinson's Chronological Table will show the extent and enormity of these vigorous proceedings.

A. D. 1485, Cumanus (an inquisitor) burnt forty-one poor women for witches, in the country of Burlia, in one year. He caused them to be shaven first, that they might be searched for marks. He continued the prosecutions in the year following, and many fled out of the country. Hen. Inst. p. 105, 161.

About this time, Alciat, a famous law

yer, in his Parerga, says, "One inqui

proceeded daily to burn more, till the people rose against the inquisitor, and chased him out of the country." Wierus de Præstigiis Damon. c. 22.

sitor burnt a hundred in Piedmont, and

A. D. 1488. A violent tempest of thunder and lightning in Constance, de

* Defoe's Hist. of the Devil, p. 380, where the following curious occurrence is quoted from the Count de Rochfort's Memoirs, p. 179. "The magistrates of Berne, in Switzerland, finding that a gang of French actors of puppet-show opened their stage in the town, upon hearing the surprising accounts which the people gave of their wonderful puppets, how they made them speak, answer questions, and discourse, appear and disappear in a moment, pop up here, as if they rose out of the earth, and down there, as if they vanished,—and abundance more feats of art, censured them as demons; and, if they had not packed up their trinkets, and disappeared almost as dexterously as their puppets, they had certainly condemned the poor puppets, and censured, if not otherwise punished their

masters."

+Friend, Vol. ii. p. 89.-Ed. 1818.

Those who had seceded from the Catholic religion appear to have been the chief objects of cruelty. Dr. Hutchinson says, that," from the time of this superstitious bull, the number of executions greatly increased; but chiefly in the places where the Waldenses and Protestants were most numerous." 29 Historical Essay, p. 22.

§"One other caution is, that the witch must be shaven, so as there remained not one haire about her; for sometimes they keep secrets for taciturnity, and other purposes also, in their haire, and between their skin and their flesh. For which cause, I marvel they fica them not, for one of their witches would not burne, being in the middest of the flame, as Malleus Maleficar: reporteth, untill a charme written on a little scroll was es◄ pied to be hidden between her skin and her flesh, and taken away." Scot's Discover b. 2, c. 8.

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