Georgian Magic School October 13, 2015
Author: Beach Combing | in : Modern , trackback
The Magus by Francis Barrett (London 1801) is a typical work of modern magic: plagiarized from earlier works with badly drawn Hebrew letters strewn about like rice at a wedding. But the author Francis had one novel feature in his book. His announcement of, Beach can barely hold back his excitement, a magic school in Marylebone, London.
The Author of this Work respectfully informs those that are curious in the studies of Art and Nature, especially of Natural and Occult Philosophy, Chemistry, Astrology, etc., etc., that, having been indefatigable in his researches in those sublime Sciences; of which he has treated at large in this book, that he gives private instructions and lectures upon any of the above-mentioned Sciences; in the course of which he will discover many curious and rare experiments. Those who become Students will be initiated into the choicest operations of Natural Philosophy, Natural Magic, the Cabbala, Chemistry, the Talismanic Arts, Hermetic Philosophy, Astrology, Physiognomy, etc., etc. Likewise they will acquire the knowledge of the Rites, Mysteries, Ceremonies and Principles of the ancient Philosophers, Magi, Cabbalists, and Adepts, etc. The Purpose of this school (which will consist of no greater number than Twelve Students) being to investigate the hidden treasures of Nature; to bring the Mind to a contemplation of the Eternal Wisdom; to promote the discovery of whatever may conduce to the perfection of Man; the alleviating the miseries and calamities of this life, both in respect of ourselves and others; the study of morality and religion here, in order to secure to ourselves felicity hereafter; and, finally, the promulgation of whatever may conduce to the general happiness and welfare of mankind. Those who feel themselves thoroughly disposed to enter upon such a course of studies, as is above recited, with the same principles of philanthropy with which the author invites the lovers of philosophy, and wisdom, to incorporate themselves in so select, permanent, and desirable a society, may speak with the Author upon the subject, at any time between the hours of Eleven and Two o’clock, at 99 Norton Street, Mary-le-Bonne.
Letters (post paid) upon any subject treated of in this Book will be duly answered, with the necessary information.
Francis’s school did not become a regency Hogwarts. In fact, it never appears again in writing: though Beach likes to think of the twelve in a circle on the eve of Waterloo… Or is there, in fact, somewhere out there, a record? Drbeachcombing At yahoo DOT com
30 Oct 2015, Jane writes in: The following comes from Francis X. King’s The Flying Sorceror (1992), 78 pp, about Francis Barrett. Note that you missed the fact that Barrett was also a ballooner!
This advertisement is crossed through in that part of Barrett’s MS of the Magus which has survived and is today to be found in the Library of the Wellcome Institute. Clearly at some time between its drafting and the delivery of the MS to the printer Barrett and his family had migrated to 99 Norton Street where it seems likely that they rented a room, or rooms rather than the whole house. For the tenant of the house was a certain Catherine Collier, on at least one occasion referred to as Catherin Collier, and it was she who paid the Parish Rates and Land Tax.’ [33]
King speculates that she was a pupil or ‘the aunt of a Disciple’: I didn’t find this very convincing.
If Catherine Collier was neither a pupil of Francis Barrett nor a relation of one she was clearly a quite exceptionally tolerant landlady. For to allow a sub-tenant to not only establish an occult school in one’s home but to openly advertise its existence would have been a most curious procedure in 1801 – even at the present day it would be generally looked upon as a somewhat surprising one. I know of no evidence whatsoever concerning Francis Barrett’s activities after the ballooning exploits of 1802 – unless, indeed, he was the author of The Lives of Alchemical Philosophers which was first printed by Lackington, Allen, under a variant title in 1814. [33]
