to extract the essence of both.  While at Grand Cairo they were attracted by the report of a physician who could do the most singular magical feats, and was in the habit not only of relieving the living, but calling up the dead.  This sage was the member of a tribe in the interior part of Africa.  They were some time (two years) in finding him out, for he by no means pressed himself on the curious, nor did he on the other hand avoid them; but when he came to Grand Cairo readily agreed to gratify them by a sight of his wonders.  The scenes exhibited were not visible to the operator himself, nor to the person for whose satisfaction they were called up, but, as in the case of Dr. Dee and other adepts, by means of a viewer, an ignorant Nubian boy, whom, to prevent imposition, the English gentlemen selected for the purpose, and, as they thought, without any risk of imposture by confederacy betwixt him and the physician.  The process was as follows:—­A black square was drawn in the palm of the boy’s hand, or rather a kind of pentacle with an Arabic character inscribed at each angle.  The figures evoked were seen through this space as if the substance of the hand had been removed.  Magic rites, and particularly perfumes, were liberally resorted to.  After some fumigation the magician declared that they could not proceed until the seven flags should become visible.  The boy declared he saw nothing, then said he saw a flag, then two; often hesitated at the number for a certain time, and on several occasions the spell did not work and the operation went no further, but in general the boy saw the seven flags through the aperture in his hand.  The magician then said they must call the Sultan, and the boy said he saw a splendid tent fixed, surrounded by immense hosts, Eblis no doubt, and his angels.  The person evoked was then named, and appeared accordingly.  The only indispensable requisite was that he was named speedily, for the Sultan did not like to be kept waiting.  Accordingly, William Shakespeare being named, the boy declared that he saw a Frank in a dress which he described as that of the reign of Elizabeth or her successor, having a singular countenance, a high forehead, and a very little beard.  Another time a brother of the Colonel was named.  The boy said he saw a Frank in his uniform dress and a black groom behind him leading a superb horse.  The dress was a red jacket and white pantaloons; and the principal figure turning round, the boy announced that he wanted his arm, as was the case with Felix’s brother.  The ceremony was repeated fourteen times; successfully in twelve instances, and in two it failed from non-appearance of the seven banners in the first instance.  The apparent frankness of the operator was not the least surprising part of the affair.  He made no mystery, said he possessed this power by inheritance, as a family gift; yet that he could teach it, and was willing to do so, for no enormous sum—­nay, one which seemed very moderate.  I think two gentlemen embraced the offer.  One of them is dead and the other still abroad.  The sage also took a price for the exhibition of his skill, but it was a moderate one, being regulated by the extent of the perfumes consumed in the ceremony.