ABSTRACT
Theprimitivesimplicityoftheincantationsof Chaldeanmagicstrikesusforciblywhenwecompare themwiththoseoftheEgyptianmagic,andthisfact givestothemastampofgreaterantiquity.Every thingisexpressedveryclearlyandsimplywithoutany attemptatobscurity,orpremeditatedcomplications. Thebeliefinspiritsisseenthereinitsmostancient
andperfectform,withoutanyphilosophicalrefinementastothedivinesubstance,withoutasingle traceofmysticism,andaboveallwithoutanyallusions tothevastnumberofmythologicallegendswhich filltheEgyptianformulre,andrenderthemperfectly unintelligiblewithoutavoluminouscommentary.