within the reach of the humblest and most contemptible magicians,
but that the practice of such-like arts was unholy as well as
vulgar.

We spoke of the bending twig by which, it is said, precious metals
may be discovered. In relation to this, the prophetess told me a
story rather against herself, and inconsistent with the notion of
her being perfect in her science; but I think that she mentioned
the facts as having happened before the time at which she attained
to the great spiritual authority which she now arrogated. She told
me that vast treasures were known to exist in a situation which she
mentioned, if I rightly remember, as being near Suez; that
Napoleon, profanely brave, thrust his arm into the cave containing
the coveted gold, and that instantly his flesh became palsied, but
the youthful hero (for she said he was great in his generation) was
not to be thus daunted; he fell back characteristically upon his
brazen resources, and ordered up his artillery; but man could not
strive with demons, and Napoleon was foiled. In after years came
Ibrahim Pasha, with heavy guns, and wicked spells to boot, but the
infernal guardians of the treasure were too strong for him. It was
after this that Lady Hester passed by the spot, and she described
with animated gesture the force and energy with which the divining
twig had suddenly leaped in her hands. She ordered excavations,
and no demons opposed her enterprise; the vast chest in which the
treasure had been deposited was at length discovered, but lo and
behold, it was full of pebbles! She said, however, that the times
were approaching in which the hidden treasures of the earth would
become available to those who had true knowledge.

Speaking of Ibrahim Pasha, Lady Hester said that he was a bold, bad