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. Footnote 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. A third came mounted on a _Lion_, compass’d with _Serpents_, like Girdles. The next came in with a Pavilion, or Canopy of Light, distended over his Head. Another entered surrounded with Flames of Fire, turning about him; so that none durst come near him. After _him_ appeared one with dreadful Birds, perching about his Head, and shaking their Wings like Vulturs and black Eagles.