THE MYSTERIES OF MAGIC;

A Digest of the Writings of Eliphas Levi, with Biographical and Critical Essay by Arthur Edward Waite.

“A very curious book.”—Time.

“To the rapidly-extending catalogue of remarkable books published by Mr. George Redway, of London, an important addition has been made by the issue of a digest of the writings of Eliphas Levi. Many people, we dare say, will consider the volume to be ‘full of nonsense,’ but it is really a very curious and improving work, going over a vast space of ground, and presenting a great deal of matter that is worth thinking over. The author has earned a title to be heard. As a contribution to what is called ‘occult science,’ the present book will, of course, find a welcome from many readers, among those especially whose passion it is to grope for the unseen, and to these the varied contents will give delight. The matter contained in Mr. Waite’s volume is wonderfully varied, and much of it worth reading, even by those who do not believe in magic of any kind, black or white.”—Glasgow Herald.

“No determined student of Nature’s higher mysteries, setting out from the standpoint of modern European culture, can afford to remain ignorant of Eliphas Levi’s works. But to study them in the original is a wearisome task, if for no other reason, on account of their aggregate length. The present single volume is a digest of half a dozen books enumerated by the present author in a ‘biographical and critical essay’ with which he prefaces his undertaking. These are the Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie, the Histoire de la Magie, the Clef des Grands Mystères, the Sorcier de Meudon, the Philosophie Occulte, and the Science des Esprits. To attack the whole series—which, indeed, it might be difficult to obtain now in a complete form—would be a bold undertaking, but Mr. Waite has endeavoured to give his readers the essence of the whole six books in a relatively compact compass.”—Light.

“Let no man think that such transcendental mysteries as the astrologer and the magician plunge into have disappeared from the face of the earth. Their votaries defy derision, they meet contempt with a calm consciousness of power, and a sublime sense of superiority; for in this generation the magicians have found a new prophet, a new hierophant—almost a new gospel.... Meanwhile, lest our readers should suppose that the modern students of the science of magic are not in deadly earnest, or that they are few in number or poor in substance, let them, with all due awe and thankfulness, buy this handsome volume, and as they open it let them cast a glance at the amazing list of works published and publishing by a single firm on the various branches of the occult sciences. Having done that, let them ask themselves whether some forms of faith—for we dare not drop a hint of disrespect—do not die hard.”—Athenæum, Aug. 6th, 1887.

12mo., cloth, 2s.