Heat, the cause of many wonders--Its universal diffusion and application--Story of a burning-glass--The Augustine friars and the Jesuits--Impostures as to the endurance of heat--Burning mirrors--The blow-pipe--The Giants’ Causeway--Application of currents of heated air--Travelling by steam 107 CHAPTER VIII. The magic swan--Properties of the magnet--The mariners’ compass--Process of magnetizing--The dip of the needle--Magnetic properties in various substances 124 CHAPTER IX. The electrical kite--Candles magically lighted--St. Elmo’s fire--The chronoscope--The electric clock--The electric telegraph--Sub-marine telegraphs--The overruling providence of God 133 CHAPTER X. Claims of the church of Rome to miraculous power--The Franciscans and Dominicans--Tale of bishop Remi--The effect of relics--Friars’ pretended dispossession of evil spirits--Tragical event--Appearance of the virgin Mary to shepherds exposed--Pretended miracle of the Greek church 154 CHAPTER XI. Real miracles--A miracle defined by archbishop Tillotson--The miracles of Moses--The miracles of our Lord Jesus Christ--The miracles of the apostles--Collision with those who pretended to supernatural power--The magicians of Egypt--Magical arts at Ephesus--The miraculous power of the Saviour inherent, that of the prophets and apostles derived--Cessation of miraculous gifts 177 MAGIC, PRETENDED MIRACLES, ETC CHAPTER I. The magi of the east--Magical power attributed to numbers, plants, and minerals. The magi formed one of the six tribes into which the nation of the Medes was divided in ancient times. To them was entrusted the special charge of religion; and, as priests, they were superior in education and training to the people in general. Among the Persians, “the lovers of wisdom and the servants of God” were, according to Suidas, called magi. It seems also, that they extended themselves into other lands, and that among the Chaldeans they were an organized body. We read in the inspired book of Daniel, of “the magi,” or “wise men,” among whom the prophet himself was classed; and others, we know, directed by “the star in the east,” went to the infant Saviour, when born, at Bethlehem, “as Christ the Lord,” and presented to him their offerings, “gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” Among the Greeks and Romans, the same class of persons was styled Chaldeans and magi.