Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-04-22
CRYSTAL GAZING.
An Ancient Fad Which May Be
come Popular.
Two of the Noted so-CaIIed AIchtmists
.--the occult Qualities of Crystal Balls.

| Two of the Noted So-CaIled AIch-mIsIs
---the occult Qualities of Crystal Balls.
In recent issue of one of our Metropoli-
tan Journals, an item appeared concerning
| the prevalence of Crystal Gazing" and
mentioned the fact, that person of wealth
and position had recently procured from
Japan the most perfect crystal ever seen
in this country, and perhaps in the world,
measuring some eight inches in diameter
and mounted in gold. 1t was also stated
that the cost of the sphere was $4,000,
while that of the gold setting $1,000 more.
In reading their account, we are carried
back in thought to the history of divna-
ton by crystalomancy and lithomancy
and indirectly to that of alchemy. The
latter has been called the preface to the
modern sciences of chemistry and metal
lurgy, for not only were the attempted So
buttons of the mysteries of the unseen
world, but also the study of the trans
mutation of baser metals into gold, fav
orite pursuits of certain scholars from the
10Th to the 18th centuries Bacon says
that Gin their vain search of the philoso-
piers stone, the ancient pioneers OF chem
zeal science were like the young men in the
fable, who carefully digged, and re-digged
their ia hers field. in search of treasure
which they never found, but whose labor
was amply repaid by the fertility of the
soil, which they turned up, with far other
intentions
Among the so-called alchemists and d.
viners of the is h and 18th centuries. We
find accounts OF two men. who have been
styled curiOus examples Of learning, en-
thu,iasm and imposture-Dr Dee and
Edward Kelly. The former was born in
the year 1927 and died in 1905, living under
the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward Vi.
Mary, Elizabeth and James l. He is called
by historians. both mathematician and
an astrologer and was remarkable in his
time for bis talents and learning. Edu-
Gated at Cambridge, he made great pro
gress in the sciences, especially IN that of
astronomy. During the reign of Mary he
was imprisoned, upon the charge of using
magical arts against the Queens life, but
when Elizabeth assembled the throne of
England he was liberated and requested
by Lord Dudley TO name a propitious day
for her coronation. This brought him to
the notice Of the Queen, who afterward
became his pupil, in the mystical interpre-
tation of his writings, and made him great
promises of advancement, which, however,
it appears, were never fulfilled. He is
represented as al indefatigable student,
anu WAS dDlt 10 MAKE a CURIOUS anu Ndlu-
able collection OF books and manuscripts,
together with a variety of scientific instru-
ments, all of which. however. were de-
stroyed by an ignorant mob during his alb
sence from home on account OF his sup
, posed familiarity with the evil one.
, In the year 1881, he formed an acquain-
: lance with Edward Kelly, and as CON
sequence of that intimacy, his philosoph-
ical researches soon degenerated into what
! has been called "Necromantic vagaries,
incantations, and imaginary intercourse
with departed spirits " Prof Pepper of
England in one of his popular scientific
works, does not hesitate TO make use of
the following language respecting these
two persons: These two men were GER
tainly curious examples of learning, en-
thusiasm, and imposture combined. Kelly
appears to have been firm believer in al
chemy, but an unmitigated scoundrel,
while DR.. Dee was half crazed with his be
lief in alchemy, and also in his crystal OF
convex form, which he alleged had been
8, presented TO him by no less a parsonage
/ than the angel Uriel. The doctor also be-
iieved in form OF spirit rappinc, by
means OF which il was possible for one to
communicate with beings in the invisible
world, and suppos ed that he had only to
look intently into his crystal, to behold
] those who had been long dead, and hold
converse with them; but how he could
look into the stone, it is impossible TO say,
considering the fact that his crystal was
only polished piece of camel coal, and
5 is thus described in the supplement to
Changers Biographical History:
The black stone, into which DR.. John
Dee used TO call his spirits, was in the
; collection of the Ear of Peterborough,
from whence it came TO Lady Elizabeth
Germaine. 1t was next the property of
the late Duke Of Argyle, and is now MI
Walpole's and it appears upon examina-
ton TO be nothing more than polished
piece of camel coal
In Mr.. Geo. Robins catalogue, publish
ed in 1912. of the collection made by Hor-
ace Walpole, may be found the following
, extract: lone glance must be allowed of
the little glass case in the corner, which
is filled with curiosties. Here is the won
drous spectrum of the renowned DR.. Dee,
the mirror in which Kelly did all his feals
upon 1t is a piece of highly polished
camel coal, OF a circular form, with a
! handle to it: it is a very mysterious look
b ing object, and worthy of being called
the devils looking glass
S In the Christmas number of Chambers 5
q journal, 1897, there is a most int resting
s article entitled "Modern Magic and As
. trolOgy In this paper the writer treats
, at length of that awakened interest in oc-
f cult philosophY-th curious phase of hui
? man nature which exists today, as well as
n in medieval times among a large number
e of people, concerning belief in the SUI
# pernatural which finds expression in va
r rious forms of dlvlnation, in the use of
u "cards, charms, talismans, discs of gold and
J silver, and crystal spheres" and exposes
the popular decisions in respect to these
e things. In regard to the occult properties
!. of crystal balls he says: SIT would be quite
= wrong TO conclude that the crystal sphere
e is discredited; large numbers are sold every
: year. The genuine article, real crystal, is
+ a luxury only accessible to the wealthy
and earnest prober into the future. For
/; 10 shillings, or guinea, you may possess
ii yourself of a composition or glass ball in a
If morocco case lined with satin like jewel
er's casket, and this will answer the pur-
: pose equally well (?) These are usually
perfect spheres, but if you prefer it egg
shaped You can order an 'ovoid crystal.
Tinted balls tor weak eyed students 1.-THE
writer does not mention weak minded
ones) and silver mirrored crystals, resem.
bling those that are used in decorating
Christmas trees, are worth passing men
ton. The chief essential to success with
the crystal, is great concentration on the