N. B. Trasantem is a Word latiniz’d from the old French Tracer or Trasser, signifying to follow by the Track.
If any shou’d suggest, That this derogates from the Wisdom and Goodness of the Creator, who has given to some Beasts stronger Perceptions, Nerves more exquisitely fine and delicate than he has bestow’d upon Man:
I answer, this is so far from derogating from divine Wisdom and Goodness, that it is an admirable Instance and Illustration of both; for were our olfactory Nerves susceptible of such quick Sensations as Dogs and some other Animals, we shou’d be continually annoy’d with pestiferous Fumes and Exhalations, so as not only to render most Situations troublesome, but even Life it self miserable and wretched.
Such quick Sensations may be very useful to carnivorous Animals, so as to direct them to their Prey, but to human Beings it wou’d be very vexatious, if not pestiferous and deadly. I shall only add to this Digression, a short Hint about the Magic Art, the most surprising of all Arts, and in its first Appearance most innocent and useful.
Among the antient Chaldeans, Babylonians, and Persians, where the Art-magic was first and principally cultivated, it signified no more than Wisdom and hence the Sophi, or Wisemen of the Greeks were by them call’d μαγοι that is, Magicians; who being acquainted with many of the hidden Powers of Nature, directed them in such manner, as to produce Effects, whose Causes being unknown to the Vulgar, were attributed to Dæmons.
Hence the Art in process of Time came into Disrepute, and Magicians have been censur’d, as working by Compact with the Devil: But this is invidious; for in the Gospel we find, the Magi or Magicians, are said to come from the East to Jerusalem, saying, where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we—are come to worship him. No body can imagine this to be understood of those that have been called Sorcerers, Wizards, Conjurers, Witches or Magicians, in the modern Sense of that Word[[133]]; for those who were familiar with the Devil, would scarce come to enquire after him, who came to destroy his Works.
[133]. Matt. ii. 1, 2.
The Notion of Witches in the Days of Ignorance and Superstition, was very prevailing in this Island, but of late Years has undergone a parliamentary Excommunication; though the Lancashire Witches, who are constituted of the fairer Part of the fairer Sex, triumph even over our Senators, and will maintain their fascinating Charms, while their rival Beauties, the Sun and Stars endure.
We read of a certain King of Egypt, who having assembled his Magical Priests without the City Memphis, caus’d them to enter where the People were gather’d, by Beat of Drum: All of them made some miraculous Discovery of their Magic and Wisdom. One had his Face surrounded with a Light, like that of the Sun, so bright that none could look earnestly upon him.
Another seem’d as if enrob’d with precious Stones of diverse Colours, red, green, yellow, or wrought with Gold.