Extent and interest of the subject--Science employed by ancient
governments to deceive and enslave their subjects--Influence
of the supernatural upon ignorant minds--Means employed by the
ancient magicians to establish their authority--Derived from a
knowledge of the phenomena of Nature--From the influence of narcotic
drugs upon the victims of their delusion--From every branch of
science--Acoustics--Hydrostatics--Mechanics--Optics--M. Salverte’s
work on the occult sciences--Object of the following letters.