| CHAPTER I. |
| | PAGE |
| The magi of the east—Magical power attributed to numbers, plants, and minerals | [5] |
| CHAPTER II. |
| Feats of modern magicians—Their wonders explained—The snake-charmers of India—A Chinese delusion—The magician of Cairo | [10] |
| CHAPTER III. |
| Machines considered magical in ancient times—Remarkable modern automata—Minute engines—The calculating machine | [30] |
| CHAPTER IV. |
| Terrestrial phenomena—Footmarks on rocks—The Logan stone—Sounds in stones—The cave of St. Paul—Atmospherical phenomena—Intermitting springs—Waters of magical power | [41] |
| CHAPTER V. |
| Chemical wonders—Ice obtained in a red-hot vessel—The corpse candles of Wales—Luminous appearances after death—Sadoomeh the magician—The laughing gas—Sulphuric ether—Chloroform—Gunpowder compared with gun-cotton | [62] |
| CHAPTER VI. |
| Light and its phenomena—Magic pictures—The optical paradox—Chinese metallic mirrors—Effect of an optical instrument on a superstitious mind—Origin of photography—The Talbotype—The Daguerreotype—Sunlight pictures | [87] |
| CHAPTER VII. |
| Heat, the cause of many wonders—Its universal diffusion and application—Story of a burning-glass—The Augustine friars and the Jesuits—Impostures as to the endurance of heat—Burning mirrors—The blow-pipe—The Giants’ Causeway—Application of currents of heated air—Travelling by steam | [107] |
| CHAPTER VIII. |
| The magic swan—Properties of the magnet—The mariners’ compass—Process of magnetizing—The dip of the needle—Magnetic properties in various substances | [124] |
| CHAPTER IX. |
| The electrical kite—Candles magically lighted—St. Elmo’s fire—The chronoscope—The electric clock—The electric telegraph—Sub-marine telegraphs—The overruling providence of God | [133] |
| CHAPTER X. |
| Claims of the church of Rome to miraculous power—The Franciscans and Dominicans—Tale of bishop Remi—The effect of relics—Friars’ pretended dispossession of evil spirits—Tragical event—Appearance of the virgin Mary to shepherds exposed—Pretended miracle of the Greek church | [154] |
| CHAPTER XI. |
| Real miracles—A miracle defined by archbishop Tillotson—The miracles of Moses—The miracles of our Lord Jesus Christ—The miracles of the apostles—Collision with those who pretended to supernatural power—The magicians of Egypt—Magical arts at Ephesus—The miraculous power of the Saviour inherent, that of the prophets and apostles derived—Cessation of miraculous gifts | [177] |