Tempo:
INTERIOR VISION. 39
fectly scientific, the whole thing being of a magnetic nature, — clairvoyance under unusual conditions, and easily formulated exactly, as will be done before I finish this monograph. I quote: —
Frederick, the Great, was thus forced to resume his’ philosophical serenity without assistance.
He said, ‘Since we are talking’ of Cagliostro, and the hour for ghosts and stories has come, I will tell you one which will show how hard it is to have faith in sorcerers. My story is true; for I have it from the person to whom it happened last year.”
‘Ts the story terrible?” asked La Mettrie.
‘* Perhaps,” said Frederick.
“Then I will shut the door; for I cannot listen with a door gaping.”
La Mettrie shut the door, and the king spoke as follows: —
“ Cagliostro, as you know, had the trick of showing people pictures, or rather magic mirrors, on which he caused the absent to appear. He pretended to be able to reveal the most secret occupations of their lives in this manner. Jealous women went to consult him about the infidelities of their husbands, and some lovers and husbands have learned a great deat about their ladies’ capers. The magic mirror has betrayed mysteries of iniquity. Be that as it may, the opera-singers all met one night and offered him a good supper and admirable music, provided he would perform some ofhis feats. He consented, and appointed a day to meet Porporino, Conciolini, the Signora Astrua, and Porporina, and show them heaven or hell, as they pleased.
“The Barberini family were also there. Giovonna Barberini asked to see the late Doge of Venice, and as Cagliostro gets up ghosts in very good style, she was very much frightened, and rushed completely overpowered from the cabinet in which Cagliostro had placed her, tete-a-tete with the doge. La Porporina, with the calm expression which, as you know, is so peculiar to her, told Cagliostro she would have faith in his science, if he would show her the person of whom she then thought, but whom it was not necessary for her to name, for if he was a sorcerer, he must be able to read her soul as he would read a book.
s¢¢ What you ask is not atrifie,’ said our count; ‘ yet I think I can satisfy you, provided that you swear, by all that is holy and terrible, not to speak to the person I shall evoke, to make no motion nor gesture, to utter no sound, while the apparition stands before you.’
“ Porporina promised to do so, and went boldly into the dark closet.
*T need not tell you, gentlemen, that this young woman is one of the most intellectual and correct persons to be met with. She is well educated, thinks well about all matters, and I have reason to know no narrow or restricted idea makes any impression upon her.
“ She remained in the ghost-room long enough to make her companions very uneasy. All was silent as possible, and finally she came out very
fectly scientific, the whole thing being of a magnetic nature, — clairvoyance under unusual conditions, and easily formulated exactly, as will be done before I finish this monograph. I quote: —
Frederick, the Great, was thus forced to resume his’ philosophical serenity without assistance.
He said, ‘Since we are talking’ of Cagliostro, and the hour for ghosts and stories has come, I will tell you one which will show how hard it is to have faith in sorcerers. My story is true; for I have it from the person to whom it happened last year.”
‘Ts the story terrible?” asked La Mettrie.
‘* Perhaps,” said Frederick.
“Then I will shut the door; for I cannot listen with a door gaping.”
La Mettrie shut the door, and the king spoke as follows: —
“ Cagliostro, as you know, had the trick of showing people pictures, or rather magic mirrors, on which he caused the absent to appear. He pretended to be able to reveal the most secret occupations of their lives in this manner. Jealous women went to consult him about the infidelities of their husbands, and some lovers and husbands have learned a great deat about their ladies’ capers. The magic mirror has betrayed mysteries of iniquity. Be that as it may, the opera-singers all met one night and offered him a good supper and admirable music, provided he would perform some ofhis feats. He consented, and appointed a day to meet Porporino, Conciolini, the Signora Astrua, and Porporina, and show them heaven or hell, as they pleased.
“The Barberini family were also there. Giovonna Barberini asked to see the late Doge of Venice, and as Cagliostro gets up ghosts in very good style, she was very much frightened, and rushed completely overpowered from the cabinet in which Cagliostro had placed her, tete-a-tete with the doge. La Porporina, with the calm expression which, as you know, is so peculiar to her, told Cagliostro she would have faith in his science, if he would show her the person of whom she then thought, but whom it was not necessary for her to name, for if he was a sorcerer, he must be able to read her soul as he would read a book.
s¢¢ What you ask is not atrifie,’ said our count; ‘ yet I think I can satisfy you, provided that you swear, by all that is holy and terrible, not to speak to the person I shall evoke, to make no motion nor gesture, to utter no sound, while the apparition stands before you.’
“ Porporina promised to do so, and went boldly into the dark closet.
*T need not tell you, gentlemen, that this young woman is one of the most intellectual and correct persons to be met with. She is well educated, thinks well about all matters, and I have reason to know no narrow or restricted idea makes any impression upon her.
“ She remained in the ghost-room long enough to make her companions very uneasy. All was silent as possible, and finally she came out very
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