kmortis
21st September 2005, 08:11 AM
So, I was perusing the RSS feed from Project Gutenburg, when I happend across this book called "A Catechism of Familiar Things; Their History, and the Events Which Led to Their Discovery. With a Short Explanation of Some of the Principal Natural Phenomena. For the Use of Schools and Families. Enlarged and Revised Edition."
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/16728/16728-h/16728-h.htm
The title, as can be imagined, drew my interest. We homeschool, so I'm always on the lookout for books that we can use to catch the interest of the kids.
I started perusing when, low and behold, I happend across this passage:
What is understood by Magic?
Magic is a term used to signify an unlawful and wicked kind of science, depending, as was pretended, on the assistance of superhuman beings and of departed souls. The term was anciently applied to all kinds of learning, and in particular to the science of the Magi or Wise Men of Persia, from whom it was called magic. Natural magic is no more than the application of natural active causes to passive things or subjects, to produce effects apparently supernatural.
Supernatural, beyond the powers of nature; miraculous.
I had to giggle.
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/16728/16728-h/16728-h.htm
The title, as can be imagined, drew my interest. We homeschool, so I'm always on the lookout for books that we can use to catch the interest of the kids.
I started perusing when, low and behold, I happend across this passage:
What is understood by Magic?
Magic is a term used to signify an unlawful and wicked kind of science, depending, as was pretended, on the assistance of superhuman beings and of departed souls. The term was anciently applied to all kinds of learning, and in particular to the science of the Magi or Wise Men of Persia, from whom it was called magic. Natural magic is no more than the application of natural active causes to passive things or subjects, to produce effects apparently supernatural.
Supernatural, beyond the powers of nature; miraculous.
I had to giggle.