Letters on Natural Magic

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 the regard the Turk [2]
• Conjuring Arts Research Center [3]
• Internet Archive, multiple format readable e-book [4]