before he had been convinced, as he now is, of the imposture. I gladly state this, on the authority of an enlightened and honourable man, to disabuse minds that have wandered into serious speculation on a matter which I cannot but feel to be quite undeserving of it.”[C]--So true is it, that, while many effects, which appear mysterious to the multitude, may be explained by those of greater knowledge, others, which, for a time, defy penetration, are, at length, clearly exhibited in their true light. It becomes us, therefore, carefully to examine testimony, to receive that only which will bear scrutiny, and to suspend our judgment whenever we are unacquainted with the _whole_ case. The best of men are prone to err; and well is it, if, ceasing from them, we have been led by Divine grace to trust implicitly in the God of truth. CHAPTER III. Machines considered magical in ancient times--Remarkable modern automata--Minute engines--The calculating machine. The light of modern science has revealed to us many important secrets. In the dark ages there were but few books; it was then the fashion to write them in Latin; and as, from their costliness, they could only be obtained by men of wealth, so they could be understood alone by such as had enjoyed the advantages of education. Science is now easily accessible, but, though it is not necessary for us all to become philosophers, there is no good reason why people generally should not be acquainted with some of the most remarkable phenomena of the natural world. The inspired psalmist has said, “The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein;” and it becomes all, according to their means and opportunities, to lay this truth to heart. We proceed now to consider some effects regarded as magical, which are satisfactorily explained on natural principles, beginning with mechanics. An ability to construct wonderful or magical machines was manifest among the ancients. Archytas, a native of Tarentum, in Italy, who lived four hundred years before the birth of our Lord and Saviour, is said to have made a wooden dove, which flew and sustained itself for some time in the air. Other clever contrivances are also mentioned. “A magician,” says D’Israeli, “was annoyed, as philosophers still are, by passengers in the street; and he, particularly so, by having horses led to drink under his window. He made a magical horse of wood, according to one of the books of Hermes, which perfectly answered his purpose, by frightening away the horses, or, rather, the grooms! The wooden horse, no doubt, gave some palpable kick.”