Chapter I: Preface

It is surprising, considering the gigantic strides effected by modern science, how many of the errors and prejudices engendered by the ignorance of the dark ages remain current in the world in its present days of enlightenment. Like the winged seeds of certain weeds, their light and impalpable nature renders them only the more difficult of extirpation.

A cursory review and refutation of these popular prejudices and vulgar errors has been attempted in the following Manual. A more scientific analysis of so spreading a field would have expanded into a Cyclopædia. But the ancient traditions and modern instances collected in its pages may afford the reader amusement and instruction for the passing hour, as well as an incentive to more profound investigations in hours to come.

LONDON,
NOVEMBER, 1845.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

CHAPTER I.
LONGEVITY OF ANIMALS 1-10

CHAPTER II.
INCOMBUSTIBLE MEN 11-22

CHAPTER III.
VENTRILOQUISTS 23-31

CHAPTER IV.
POPE JOAN AND THE WANDERING JEW 32-36

CHAPTER V.
THE FABLES OF HISTORY 37-45

CHAPTER VI.
MELONS AND MONSTERS 46-53

CHAPTER VII.
THE JEWS 54-60

CHAPTER VIII.
VERBAL DELICACY 61-64

CHAPTER IX.
AEROLITES AND MIRACULOUS SHOWERS 65-74

CHAPTER X.
NOSTRUMS AND SPECIFICS 75-82

CHAPTER XI.
PHYSIOGNOMISTS 83-95

CHAPTER XII.
LAST WORDS OF DYING PERSONS 96-98

CHAPTER XIII.
THE ANTIPODES--MORNING AND EVENING DEW 99-102

CHAPTER XIV.
PERPETUAL LAMPS AND ARCHIMEDES 103-109

CHAPTER XV.
THE LYNX AND THE CAMELEON 110-115

CHAPTER XVI.
WILD WOMEN 116-118

CHAPTER XVII.
SYBILS 119-123

CHAPTER XVIII.
FORTUNE-TELLERS AND CHIROMACY 124-130

CHAPTER XIX.
ALBERTUS MAGNUS AND NOSTRADAMUS 131-137

CHAPTER XX.
LEECHES, SERPENTS, AND THE SONG OF THE DYING SWAN 138-146

CHAPTER XXI.
NEGROES 147-160

CHAPTER XXII.
FASCINATION; OR, THE ART OF PLEASING 161-170

CHAPTER XXIII.
THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE 171-177

CHAPTER XXIV.
GIANTS AND DWARFS 178-183

CHAPTER XXV.
ASTROLOGY 184-190

CHAPTER XXVI.
THE MOON AND LUNAR INFLUENCE 191-193

CHAPTER XXVII.
APPARITIONS 194-201

CHAPTER XXVIII.
NOBILITY AND TRADE 202-208

CHAPTER XXIX.
MERIT AND POPULARITY 209-219

CHAPTER XXX.
COMETS 220-223

CHAPTER XXXI.
POPULAR ERRORS 224-232

CHAPTER XXXII.
DREAMS 233-237

CHAPTER XXXIII.
PREJUDICES ATTACHED TO CERTAIN ANIMALS 238-243

CHAPTER XXXIV.
CONTENT AND COURTESY 244-248

CHAPTER XXXV.
THE DIVINING ROD 249-254

CHAPTER XXXVI.
BEES AND ANTS 255-260

CHAPTER XXXVII.
PREPOSSESSIONS AND ANTIPATHIES 261-265

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
THE INFLUENCE OF BELLS UPON THUNDER STORMS 266-269

CHAPTER XXXIX.
SMALL POX AND VACCINATION 270-273

CHAPTER XL.
PRECOCIOUS AND CLEVER CHILDREN 274-279

CHAPTER XLI.
EDUCATION OF CHILDREN 280-282

CHAPTER XLII.
PREJUDICES OF THE FRENCH 283-288

CHAPTER XLIII.
MONSTROUS BIRTHS 289-293

CHAPTER XLIV.
THE ICHNEUMON AND THE HALCYON 294-295

CHAPTER XLV.
SORCERERS AND MAGICIANS 296-300

CHAPTER XLVI.
MALE AND FEMALE 301-307

CHAPTER XLVII.
MINOR SUPERSTITIONS 308-309

CHAPTER XLVIII.
SOMNAMBULISM 310-314

CHAPTER XLIX.
A FEW MORE WORDS ABOUT GHOSTS AND VAMPIRES, AND
LOUP-GAROUX 315-344

CHAPTER L.
APOCRYPHAL ANIMALS 345-352

CHAPTER LI.
PROFESSIONS ESTEEMED INFAMOUS 353-356

CHAPTER LII.
SUPERNATURAL HUMAN BEINGS 357-361

A WORLD OF WONDERS.