ABSTRACT
Repose, and the conversation of Lok, at length restored Waldorf to his original tranquillity; his heart was of an absorbent quality, and the magician was remembered no longer with horror: / the effect ceased with the cause; and the following remarks of his friend completed the apostacy of Waldorf. ‘It appears strange to me that you suffer yourself to be played on in this manner; twice has Zenna deluded you. His affected solemnity, and pretended magic, shake your best resolutions. You ought to know, that no supernatural effects can arise from natural causes. You tell me of a dreadful vision; but who could not raise one equally horrid, with the assistance of phosphorus, stupifying drugs, and certain chymical preparations, combined with mysterious words, and a ridiculous paraphernalia, intended to inspire awe? This fellow’s assumed knowledge / may pass current with the vulgar; and a few superficial sciences, with some cunning, may excite awe in the world: his dictatorial manners, and solemn deportment, pass him off for a divine. The world is fond of the marvellous, they chuckle at the idea of magic, and resolve to make him supernatural. I do not believe half their rumours; but, it is probable, he has sinister intentions with regard to you, and therefore, by his magical delusions, he may mean to reduce you to a proper awe, that you may neither suspect his proceedings or question their integrity. To this end it is necessary to dissolve our acquaintance, that I may not guard you against his machinations – / luckily, I have penetration. Germany swarms with these impostors; they have a thousand ways to deceive and circumvent; and, as they sometimes prove dangerous foes, I think you had better not come to an open quarrel with him: it is, therefore, my advice, to keep a luke-warm acquaintance with him.
