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Letters on Natural Magic
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Letters on Natural Magic were a series of thirteen letters written by Sir David Brewster in correspondence with Sir Walter Scott throughout 1832. They examined magic created of natural and mechanical occurrences.
Topics
The Letters covered a wide variety of topics, including :
- Authority of ancient magicians
- The blind spot
- Spectral illusions
- Deceptions with mirrors
- Optical illusions
- Illusions regarding the ear
- Musical and harmonic sounds
- Echoes
- Ancient inventions
- Automata
- Chemistry/Alchemy
- Spontaneous combustion
- Fire breathing
The Letters also contained a rather extensive examination of The Turk.
Publication
The Letters were published three years after their original writing in a compiled book format.
- Letters on Natural Magic, Harper & Bros. , New York, 1835
They are now in Public Domain.
References
- Arment Biological Press Electronic Edition [1]
- Letters, as they regard the Turk [2]
- Conjuring Arts Research Center [3]
- Internet Archive, multiple format readable e-book [4]