existence. Yet there are thousands all round us, yes, many among
our friends or acquaintances, who live and die without ever having
known it, because in their egotism and folly they conceive of close
relations as founded on personal power, interest or the weakness of
others. The only fascination which such people can ever exercise is
that of the low and devilish kind, the influence of the cat on the
mouse, the eye of the snake on the bird, which in the end degrades
them into deeper evil. That there are such people, and that they
really make captive and oppress weaker minds, by suggestion, is true;
the marvel being that so few find it out.

But in proportion as this kind of fascination is vile and mean,
that which may be called altruistic or sympathetic attraction, or
Enchantment, is noble and pure, because it acquires strength in
proportion to the purity and beauty of the soul or will which inspires
it. It is as real and has as much power, and can be exercised by any
honest person whatever with wonderful effect, even to the performing
what are popularly called "miracles," which only means wonderful works
beyond _our_ power of explanation. But this kind of fascination is
little understood as yet, simply because it is based on purity,
morality and light, and hitherto the seekers for occult mysteries have
been chiefly occupied with the gloomy and mock-diabolical rubbish of
old tradition, instead of scientific investigation of our minds and
brains.

There is also in truth a Fascination by means of the Voice, which has
in it a much deeper and stronger power or action than that of merely
sweet sound as of an instrument. The Jesuit, GASPAR SCHOTT, in his
_Magio Medica_ treats of Fascination as twofold: _De Fascinatione per
Visunt et Vocem_. I have found among Italian witches as with Red