I intend to give an account of some odd occurrences in my life. Some
have been exquisite, some queer Recollecting them, I am myself in
doubt if I have not dreamed them. I have known a Gascon cabalist, of
whom I could not say that he was wise, because he perished
miserably, but he delivered sublime discourses to me, on a certain
night on the Isle of Swans, speeches [Footnote: The original
manuscript, written in a fine hand, of the eighteenth century, bears
the sub-heading "Vie et Opinions de M. l'Abbe Jerome Coignard"
[_The Editor_].] I was happy enough to keep in my memory, and
careful enough to put into writing. Those speeches referred to magic
and to occult sciences, with which people were very much infatuated
in my days.

Everyone speaks of naught else but Rosicrucian mysteries.[Footnote:
This writing dates from the second half of the eighteenth century
[_The Editor_]]. Besides I do not myself expect to gain great
honour by these revelations. Some will say that everything is of my
own invention, and that it is not the true doctrine, others that I
only said what one had already known. I own that I am not very
learned in cabalistic lore, my master having perished at the
beginning of my initiation. But, little as I have learned of his
craft, it makes me vehemently suspect that all of it is illusion,
deception and vanity.

I think it quite sufficient to repudiate magic with all my strength,
because it is contrary to religion. But still I believe myself to be
obliged to explain concerning one point of this false science, so
that none may judge me to be more ignorant than I really am. I know
that cabalists generally think that Sylphs, Salamanders, Elves,
Gnomes and Gnomides are born with a soul perishable like their