{"product_id":"letters-on-natural-magic-addressed-to-sir-walter-scott-paperback-9781108025553","title":"Letters on Natural Magic, Addressed to Sir Walter Scott (Paperback \/ softback) 9781108025553","description":"\u003cfont face=\"Georgia\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"6\"\u003eLetters on Natural Magic, Addressed to Sir Walter Scott\u003c\/font\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis 1832 publication seeks to expose the fraudulent workings of the alleged supernatural phenomena of the nineteenth century.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"4\"\u003eDavid Brewster (Author)\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e9781108025553, Cambridge University Press\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003ePaperback \/ softback, published 27 January 2011\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e366 pages, 79 b\/w illus.\u003cbr\u003e21.6 x 14 x 2.1 cm, 0.47 kg\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eIntended as a supplement to Sir Walter Scott's 1830 Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft, this 1832 publication seeks to explain and expose the science behind the alleged 'magic' of spiritualists and conjurors. David Brewster (1781–1868), a Scottish natural philosopher and historian of science, was highly regarded in his lifetime but has since faded into obscurity. Penned at the request of Scott, Brewster's friend and neighbour, this book follows an epistolary structure, consisting of thirteen letters each addressing and exposing different aspects of the alleged supernatural activity, in keeping with the format of Scott's publication. Brewster's subject matter includes optics, magic lanterns, automata, alchemy, fire-breathing, spontaneous combustion, spectral illusions and various other phenomena. In each case he carefully outlines how this 'magic' is created with optical illusion, narcotic drugs, gas inhalation, and chemical tricks. The book offers an intriguing insight into nineteenth-century attitudes towards the supernatural.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e1. Extent and interest of the subject\u003cbr\u003e 2. The eye the most important of our organs\u003cbr\u003e 3. Subject of spectral illusions\u003cbr\u003e 4. Science used as an instrument of imposture\u003cbr\u003e 5. Miscellaneous optical illusions\u003cbr\u003e 6. Natural phenomena marked with the marvellous\u003cbr\u003e 7. Illusions depending on the ear\u003cbr\u003e 8. Musical and harmonic sounds explained\u003cbr\u003e 9. Singular effects in nature depending on sound\u003cbr\u003e 10. Mechanical inventions of the ancients few in number\u003cbr\u003e 11. Mechanical automata of the ancients\u003cbr\u003e 12. Wonders of chemistry\u003cbr\u003e 13. Spontaneous combustion.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eSubject Areas: History of ideas [\u003ca title=\"See our other books on History of ideas\" href=\"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/search?q=%22History%20of%20ideas%20%5BJFCX%5D%22\"\u003eJFCX\u003c\/a\u003e]\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003c\/font\u003e","brand":"Cambridge University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46265980125464,"sku":"9781108025553","price":32.29,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0730\/2037\/5320\/products\/9781108025553i_f6978ef4-8d5f-47e8-ad84-73ee8c0d240c.jpg?v=1694873371","url":"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/products\/letters-on-natural-magic-addressed-to-sir-walter-scott-paperback-9781108025553","provider":"Freshly Printed Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}