Practical Psychomancy and Crystal GazingAtkinson, William Walker
Religion
Practical Psychomancy and Crystal Gazing
Atkinson, William Walker
Clairvoyance; Crystal gazing; Magic
An instance of this phase of the phenomena, well known in England, is
that connected with the assassination of Mr. Percival in the lobby of
the House of Commons. This deed was foreseen by John Williams, a
Cornish mine manager, some nine days before its actual occurrence, the
vision being perfect down to the most minute details. Williams had the
vision three times in succession. He saw a small man, dressed in a blue
coat and white waistcoat, enter the lobby of the House of Commons, when
another person, dressed in a snuff-colored coat, stepped forward and
drawing a pistol from an inside pocket fired at and shot the little
man, the bullet lodging in the left breast. He seemed to ask some
bystander who was the victim, and he received the reply that it was Mr.
Percival, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Williams was so much wrought
up over the vision, that he seriously contemplated going to London to
warn the victim, but his friends, to whom he told the story, ridiculed
him and persuaded him not to go on "a fool's errand." A few days later
the news was received of the assassination of Mr. Percival, in
precisely the manner indicated by the vision.
George Fox the Quaker, experienced the impression of "a waft of death"
about Cromwell when he met him riding at Hampton Court, shortly before
his fatal illness. Fox also foretold the expulsion of the "Rump
Parliament;" the restoration of Charles II; and the Fire of London.
Caesar's wife had a warning of her husband's death. The Bible is filled
with similar instances.
We will conclude this lesson with a recital of the wonderful instance
of Cazotte, whose prediction, and its literal fulfillment, are now
matters of French history. La Harpe tells the story as follows:
"It appears but as yesterday, and yet, nevertheless, it was at the
beginning of the year 1788. We were dining with one of our brethren at
the Academy--a man of considerable wealth and genius. The conversation
became serious; much admiration was expressed on the revolution in
thought which Voltaire had effected, and it was agreed that it was his
first claim to the reputation he enjoyed. We concluded that the
revolution must soon be consummated; that it was indispensable that
superstition and fanaticism should give place to philosophy, and we
began to calculate the probability of the period when this should be,
and which of the present company should live to see it. The oldest
complained that they could scarcely flatter themselves with the hope;
the younger rejoiced that they might entertain this very probable
expectation; and they congratulated the Academy especially for having
prepared this great work, and for having been the great rallying point,
the centre, and the prime mover of the liberty of thought.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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