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ANIMAL MAGNETISM AND MAGIC. 335
than physical influences brought about in the way of the
intelligible nexus of causality.
It is a fortunate circumstance, that the rectification of
this view in our time should have come from medical science;
because it ensures us at the same time against the danger
of the pendulum of opinion receiving too strong an impulse
in the contrary direction, and thus carrying us back to
the superstition of ruder ages. Besides, as I have said,
Animal Magnetism and Charm- curing only save the reality
of a part of Magic, which included a good deal more, a
considerable portion of which must, for the present at
least, remain under the old sentence of condemnation or be
left in uncertainty ; whereas another portion will at any
rate have to be conceived as possible, through its analogy
to Animal Magnetism. For Animal Magnetism and
Charm-cures are but salutary influences exercised for cura
tive purposes, like those recorded in the "History of
Magic" as practised by the so-called (Spanish) Saludadores,
1
Church ;
who nevertheless were also condemned by the
whereas Magic was far oftener practised with an
evil intent. Nevertheless, to judge by analogy, it is more
than probable, that the same inherent force which, by
acting directly upon another individuality, can exercise a
salutary influence, will be at least as powerful to exercise
a prejudicial and pernicious one. If therefore there was
reality in any part of ancient Magic beyond what may be
referred to Animal Magnetism and curing by charms, it
must assuredly have been in that which is called male-
ficium and fascinatio, the very thing that gave rise to
most of the trials for witchcraft. In Most s book, too,
already mentioned, 2 a few facts are related which must
1 Delrio.
"
Disqu. Mag." L. III. P. 2, q. 4, s. 7 and "
Bodinus,
Mag.
Daemon," iii. 2.
2 2
See note , p.
97 of Most s book.
334, especially pp. 40, 41, and Nos. 89, 91, and