If we consider the strange Things done by _Force of Words_, so much extoll’d in Antiquity, it will be no wonder to see _Letters_, out of which _Words are form’d, made the Rudiment and first Study of human Life_: But as to the _Mode of Operation_ by _Words_, the Learned are not agreed. Some say, there is a natural Virtue and Efficacy in Words, and appeal to the _notable Feats_ done by _Force of Eloquence_. This was the favourite Study and View of _Orators_; in this they triumph’d, and never wanted Acclamations and loud Applauses. In _Plutarch_, we have, among others, one remarkable Instance, _viz._ _Cæsar_, upon the Accusations brought in by _Tubero_ against _Quintus Ligarius_ (_Pompey_’s Friend) he was resolved to sacrifice that Rebel, till he was charm’d by the _Words_ of the _Orator_ that pleaded in his favour—No sooner did _Cicero_ begin his Oration in his defence, but _Cæsar_’s Countenance chang’d, and his Indignation begun to soften ... but when the Orator touch’d upon the Battle of _Pharsalia_ (where _Cæsar_ was Conqueror) _Cæsar_’s Heart tender’d, his Body trembled with Joy, and certain Papers in his Hands dropt to the ground.—And when _Cicero_ had finish’d his Oration, _Cæsar_’s Wrath against his Enemy was intirely extinguish’d; and _Ligarius_ was set at liberty[127]. The same Orator, by the Dint of Eloquence, overthrew the Constitution of the _Decemviri_. Footnote 127: _Plutarch_’s Life of _Cicero_. Others say, there is a mighty Force in Words in such a _Tone_, and _Talismanical Characters_, rightly-adapted Figures, and Images _under certain Constellations_[128]. Footnote 128: _Paracelsus_, _C. Agrippa_, Life of Mr. _Duncan Campbell_, _A. D. 1720_, page 256. _Gaffarel._ Some affirm that _Magick_ consists in the _Spirit of Faith_, for _Faith_ is the _Magnet of Magicians_, by which they draw Spirits to them, and by which Spirits they do wonderful Things, that to vulgar Eyes appear like Miracles. No doubt but several extraordinary Effects have been ascrib’d to the Devil, that in reality were natural, and artfully disguised: The Story of Sieur _Brioche_, a famous Puppet-player, is well known, who in a Town in _Switzerland_, where that _Show_ had never been seen before, he was apprehended as a Warlock or Magician, and ran the hazard of being punish’d as such[129]. Footnote 129: _De Saint Andre_’s Letters. Others affirm, that _Charms by Words_ are but means to heighten the Imagination; and the strange Effects produced by ’em, flow’d only from the Activity of an exalted Thought, or Fancy of heated Brains. In proof of this ’tis said, that if a Woman at a certain Season, strongly fix her Imagination upon any particular Object, the Child will bear the Image thereof.