PART I

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.
TRICTLY speaking, perhaps no- thing is a science which is not dem- onstrable. Yet it would savor too strongly of hypercriticism to reject the generic term "Occult Sciences," in reference to the systems of Astrology, Conjuration, Demonology, ©ivination, Enchantment, Fascination, Magic, Ne- cromancy, Sorcery, Witchcraft, &,c. At all events, we have the high- est sanction for the usage.
The following pages, which embrace the substance of a lecture de- livered before several lyceum institutions, contain as full an examina- tion of those in all ages more or less prevalent systems, as practicable. But Witchcraft is the subject chiefly dwelt upon, that seeming of rather the most tangible nature, and most interesting in its develop- ments and history.*
No subject, probably, has been more diversely estimated by differ- ent minds, or more generally passed over without such examination as might lead to a just conclusion as to its nature and merits, than that popularly known as Witchcraft. Yet, at least that strange and start- ling episode in the history of New England, known as the Salem Witchcraft — the witchcraft of 1692 — is worthy of something more than a sneer. We are accustomed to look back upon that terriffic outbreak as a wild, a fearful dream of the past — sad in its effects, but
*Rev. Mr. Upliam, of Salem, a few years since published a volume upon Witchcraft. It contains much valuable matter, presented in an interesting form. And there would certainly be no apology for the publication of a portion of the present work, were it not that the writer has ventured to take a somewhat different view of the merits of the subject, from that taken by the learned and experienced author referred to. This, however, he has done with the most un- feigned diffidence,
a genuine delusion — the legitimate offspring of no recognised princi- ple of human action — an occurrence, justly exciting in one, pity; in another, contempt ; in another, mirth ; in all, astonishment ; but in none, serious consideration.
It is not conclusive evidence of perfect wisdom in the fancied seek- ers after truth, to be continually tossed upon a sea of doubt. This, however, is in general the only evidence we have of their wisdom. A well-ordered shaking of the head has with many proved very produc- tive philosophical capital. But there are strange peculiarities in the honest reasoning and observation of men. Illimitable is the number of those who appear to think there is no truth, save such as can be recognised by one at least of the externa! senses. Others seem to have little pr no affection for truth, unless they find her sporting in a mantle of mystery. "Unlimited skepticism," says Dugald Stuart, ''is as much the child of imbecility as implicit credulity."
Every observing mind, too, has been astonished to perceive what diversity there is among people, as to the weight they attach to evi- dence of the different kinds, or to that connected with any given sub- ject.* And it is a curious fact that some begin to doubt at the very point where others begin to believe. This is clearly exemplified both among the learned and the ignorant. We may refer to the celebrated Dr. Johnson, in illustration. He was remarkable for his disbelief in all relations of uncommon occurrences in the natural world, and quite as remarkable for his firm belief in wonders of the spiritual world. It was really dangerous for any one to attempt to give him an account of an extraordinary tempest, a hurricane, or conflagration, if he had his cane at hand. The narrator was fortunate if he escaped with no se- verer visitation than the characteristic vociferation — You lie sir! hold your tongue sir! Yet if one went to him with the whimsical de- tails of some ghost-hunting expedition, or of the fulfilment of some wonderful dream, he was sure of a patieni hearing. It is said that he
* '.This is one circumstance which not unfrequently occasions great perplexity in courts of justice. Some people can feel no force in evidence which is perfectly convincing to others. And it is curious to observe how often witnesses, all testifying to the same facts, which came under the immediate observation of each, and all conscientiously aiming to disclose the truth, seemingly all but directly contradict each other. The inexperienced jurors smile, but the judges and attorneys take it gravely as a matter of course. These disagreements in testimony may arise from the different lights in which people view things, from the different impressions made upon the mind, and from the fact that one mind may fix upon a point as the most impor- tant, which to another is so frivolous as to be entirely overlooked. What to one may at the time have appeared the whole gist of the matter to another may have seemed a mere incident. A.nd the whole web of testimony is woven accordingly.
and John Wesley once came near having a serious quarrel, because the latter did not pursue, with sufficient zeal to suit the Doctor, a ghost, represented to have appeared in some part of London.
The credulity of others — of a vast majority, perhaps — runs in a channel directly the reverse. They will believe utter absurdities — im- possibilities— when they relate to the physical world. But of transac- tions beyond the possibility of recognition by the senses, they have no conception, will believe nothing.
Prejudice, or professional dignity, or a deep rooted affection for the good old ways of our fathers, it is to be apprehended, too often prevents a successful search after truth, among those otherwise most competent for the labor. Sir Astley Cooper refused to be present at some novel though highly important experiments undertaken by a pro- fessional brother, because he had a character to lose! The professor of philosophy at Padua, refused to look through Galileo's telescope for the purpose of convincing himself that Jupiter had satellites; and together with an equally wise philosophical brother of Pisa, made speeches to prove that Jupiter could boast of no such ornaments ; but, as Galileo sagely intimates, it proved impossible for them to argue the luminaries >out of heaven. Cecil spoke of Lord Bacon as a man of mere speculation ; and of his philosophical discoveries as new and amusing, but fanciful and absurd ! But examples are not required, to show that the schoolmen are sufficiently inclined to pursue the beaten track, without risking reputation in the endeavor to discover and ex- hibit new truths.
Most people prefer laboring with their hands rather than their heads. They are more ready to act than think — unless they are too indolent to do either. And hence, when a subject, no matter how deep or complicated, is presented, they at once give a jump at a conclusion as to its nature or merits*! and just where they happen to alight, there they forever remain ; there they plant their sympathies and mould their principles. Some of their neighbors, perhaps, land far enough from them, and each, of course, looks upon the other as lamentably blinded by the mire into which he has fallen. From this very aversion to men- tal exercise, many and gross errors are entertained by the great mass of mankind. *
And again : The modes of thinking are about as much guided by fashion as the modes of dress. One community will hold, as with a death-grasp, principles which would shock another community ; and -one age will cherish and nurse, with the lenderest solicitude, senti-
ments which would excite nothing but contempt and ridicule inanoth* er age. The old proverb that it is as well to be out of the world as out of the fashion, bears sway in mental action, to as great an extent as elsewhere. Most people have the utmost horror of appearing singular, in their conduct or opinions, and hence carefully avoid straying from the path which others have trodden. And some again are so timid, that they would forever let their sails lie loose, rather than run into a strange country.
Our sympathies, too, have more to do with moulding our views, than we are generally aware of. The judgment is frequently led cap- tive by the sympathies. Curious experiments have been tried on this point. By a skilful hand, whole communities, whole nations, have been thoroughly imbued with the most absurd notions, the most re- volting principles. This is the great high road on which quackery, and creatures far more to be dreaded, travel in safety. And the sym- pathies operate as a contagious medium, through which people catch opinions as readily as they catch the measles; and oftentimes with just about as much benefit 10 themselves and those around them. The story of the nun will be remembered. Though she was not probably attempting any philosophical experiment, the case affords just as apt an illustration. From some strange impulse, she began one day, to mew, like a cat. And the next day, and the next, from the same impulse, she repeated her feline exercise. At length, one or two of her recluse sisters imitated her. The contagion spread through the community, and the interesting performance was no more neglected than was the duty of saying prayers. Not one could give any more satisfactory reason for the habit, than that the others did so. The grave old abbess herself finally joined them. And the ludicrous exhibitions did not close, till a most severe penalty was attached to every such breach of decorum, by the authorities. The counteraction induced, soon opened their eyes to the perfect absurdity of the habit, and for a time it was about as hard to restrain their laughter at the delusive spell from which they had become released, as it was to break the spell itself. But there was a kind of reality in all this; a reality similar to that in witchcraft. " The mass of mankind," as Dr. Paley observes, " act more from habit than reflection."
Truth itself is immutable. And fashion, sympathy, prejudice, nor age, can change its nature.