The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-12-28
Lancaster. Pa.

on the opposite side Of the page con-
tanning the foregoing announcement, the
last line Of which seems to indicate that
the book was not designed for general
circulation. but had a select aud favored
clientele. find the following striking as
suranee:
whoever carries this book with him
is safe from enemies, visible or invisible,
and whoever has this book with him can
not die 2 nor be drowned in any wa
Ter. nor burn up ia any ire; nor can any
unjust sentence be passed upon him. so
help me-"
Ia the preface which introduces "The
Long Lost Friend" the author informs
his reader that an introduction Of this
sort IS necessary .'in order 10 meet the er-
roneous views some men entertain in re-
gard to works OF this character. The ma
jority." he adds, undoubtedly approve
the publication and sale of such books,
yet some are always found who will per
sist in denonncing them AS something
wrong. This latter class" says Hoh-
mann, II can not help but pity for being
so far led assray; aud earnestly pray ev-
cry one who might ind il in his power TO
bring them from oil their way of error"
Here follows u vigorous apology by the
author for the publication OF his mystical
work, which is of professedly religious
tone, together with the most positive as
severations that he is personally aware of
the sovereign and infallible virtue Of the
"arts and remedies which he presents
for the amelioration of afflicted believers,
vehenently asserting that he could take
an oath al any time upon the fact Of hay
ing successfully applied many Of the pre-
scriptions contained herein"
The book comprises I2s pages. including
the index, which itself occupies 10 of the
pages. They are of small dimensions
five inches by three-so that the volume
may be readily carried in the pocket, and
it was evident that the well thumbed
copy which came in % my possession had
been so carried. Within these rude. un-
couth covers are contained no less than
200 separate and distinct ''arts and rene
oiss," along with household recipes, med
ical prescriptions, charms, talismans, div
nations, and every phase Of sorcery or
defense against sorcery that the most i'm
aginative mind could conceive or fanciful
invention impose upon childish credu-
lily. These arts, remedies, prescriptions,
charms and the like cover most extra
practical examples as the mending Of
broken glass, the constituents of good
eye-water or liniment, and proper meth
ods of forming plaster, to the hidden
mystery of words to be spoken while
making divinatory wands, the prevention
OF witches from enchanting cattle. irwin
cibility against bad inen and evil spirits,
remedies against calumniation and SLAM
der, the spellhinding of thieves, incendi-
aries ana assassins, and similar occult
aud supernatural potencies. 4 very large
proportion of the arts aud remedies refer
to agricultural aud domestic themes, the
care of live stock and the safe guarding
of health, while there are others of pure
ly abstact mysticism and medieval sor-
cery. And singular aspect of this mar
velons combination is that paragraphs
reading apparently sensible and rational
alternate with others OF the most gro
tesque and fantastic character. As al
ready said, a religions tone pervades
these pages, with but few exceptions, and
there are numerous scripuural quotations,
some in Latin, and others in the quaint
English Of he beginning of the century,
which To the followers of HOhmann's
creed, doubtless fortify his uttersnces 10
an appreeiable degree.