Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-09-03
MISCELLANY A Y.
From Chambers Edia6urg Journal.
The Necromancy of Science.

PART IA living philosopher has written a
book to point out that there is poetry IN SCIENCE
and has occupied goodly number ofpages with
his demonstration. think, however, his work
altogether superperogation. | not only admit
the claim. but it is my present purpose to at
tempt to show that science also possesses anotil-
er attribute which people are generally less like
" to expect to find in conLeyion with 1T. The
driest matter-of-fact has commonly mixed up
with it romance that the wondrous taleteler
who amused the sleepless nights OF the Arabian
caliph would have thought too wild for her nc.
tions The little barber who stood upon his
head never saw anything with his inverted or
gans of vision half so strange as scenes Eng
lishmen of the present day may look upon when
ever they please with their upright eyes. Ihe
Genius of the Lamp was an incompetent DunSler
in his profession compared with certain mem
ber of the same fraternity who now attends the
summons of such Magi as possess the spell that
entities to his service short time since 1t
was nv good fortune to receive an invitation to
witness an exhibition of the power OF this genius
in one of the secret hauDts of its activity. Some
little misgiving came over my mind when
found myself about to enter the circle OF en-
chantment, in reply to my invitation; but, being
true grandson OF Eve, my curiosity proved 100
strong for nv discretion. This | rejoice to say ;
for.haying come out from the ordeal unscathed,
/ can now, like the Latin poet who knew the
Augustan Caesar, recount how near my sublime
head" has been to striking the lofty stars"
When I entered the Magian's cave, to which
had been hidden, under the kind guidance OF
the sage ruler of its mysteries, found myself LII
a spacious hall, illumined with soft dim light
by means of which perceived, scattered around
me, strange cabalistic instruments-the material
Nf fha hon n
huge tube of iron balanced itself, with outstretch
ed arms, upon massive pyramids of masonry !;
there, brazen wheels were braced upon faces OF
rock, and were bound with bars that looked as
if prepared for the manacles of some wretched
Ixion who was expected soon to arrive in execu-
ton of his sentence. Giant screws, that seemed
to have nothing but themselves to carry, but
which, nevertheless, ran upon wheels, skulked
in remote corners. Strange pieces OF upholstery,
that were neither couches nor chairs, and that
yet looked as if they could be either or both up
on occasion, with odd joints in their backs and
slippery rollers under their feet, waited some
necromantic occupants, for whom they were OBJ
viously intended to serve as locomotive cars
But conspicuous beyond all the rest, and with
his back firmly planted against neighooring
wall, stood on uncouth figure, made up OF long,
stiff quadrangular body, surmounted above by
once attracted my attention in consequence of
its being manifestly possessed of some peculiar
life of its own; for as it stood there on its pedes
tai calm and erect it continued to chant an IN
varying monotone song, that was plaintive, not
from moduation but from the even repetition
of its rhythm; and as it did so, it jerked one
slender finger onwards round and round upon its
face in never-ending circles, and in unison with
the chant. There was an earnestness IN this
grotesque performance that did not allow one
moments doubt to be entertained of there being
some object and de6nitivo purpose involved in
it. could not help fancying that the resolute
performer meant something which was expec-
ted to understand, and that he might soon be-
come angry at my slowness OF apprehension it
did not catch his purport. therefore turned
to my guide with look Of inquiry, when at
once appealed to his considerate Kindness
"Oh, that" said he, 'is merely my slave, he
Is the Ariel of my enchantnents. de IS very
good fellow in his way, and worthy OF lmphcit
trust If ne is only kept out of the reach oftemp-
tation and dissipation; so fix him to my WALL
as Sycorax planted o kindred spirit of old in
cloven pine, IN order that may know where to
find him when want him. Look will show
you the secret springs of his present movement"
As he spoke he opened the little window or
shutter in the front of the quadrangular body,
and through it saw in the place Of vitals, a
glittering heavy weight, swinging backwards
and forwards, from side to side, at the repetition
oftthe chaunt. There" said he, 1--WE have made
the honest fellow to do some things for us which
will astonsh you very much when tell you of
them. We have made him find out for us the
precise shape and exact dimensions Of this stu
penduous world, that is accorded to us as basis
for our incantations. We have compelled him
to exhibit that world to our senses engaged in
the performance of its daily whirl And, besides
this, we are now causing him to weigh its enor-
nous mass against an ordinary pound weight
hung in an ordinary pair Of scales; and when he
has accomplished this task we intend to make
him perform the same office for the other
spheres of our family of worlds-thoSe magnih-
cent planets that shine down upon our vision at