CHAPTER VIII.
THE MAGIC GLASS.
The old College of Manchester occupied, as is well known, the site ofthe existing structure, called after the benevolent individual by whomthat admirable charity was founded, and whom we have ventured tointroduce in this history,--the Chetham Hospital. Much, indeed, of theancient building remains; for though it was considerably repaired andenlarged, being "very ruinous and in great decay," at the time of itspurchase in 1654, by the feoffees under Humphrey Chetham's will, fromthe sequestrators of the Earl of Derby's estates, still the generalcharacter of the fabric has been preserved, and several of its chambersretained. Originally built on the foundation of a manor-housedenominated The Baron's Hall,--the abode of the Grelleys and the De laWarrs, lords of Manchester,--the College continued to be used as theresidence of the warden and fellows of the Collegiate Church until thereign of Edward the First, when that body was dissolved. On theaccession, however, of Mary, the College was re-established; but theresidence of the ecclesiastical body being removed to a house inDeansgate, the building was allowed to become extremely dilapidated, andwas used partly as a prison for recusants and other offenders, andpartly as a magazine for powder. In this state Dr. Dee found it when hesucceeded to the wardenship in 1595, and preferring it, notwithstandingits ruinous condition, to the house appointed for him elsewhere, took uphis abode within it.
Situated on a high rock, overhanging the river Irk--at that time a clearstream, remarkable for the excellence of its fish,--and constructedentirely of stone, the old College had then, and still has to a certainextent, a venerable and monastic appearance. During Dee's occupation ofit, it became a sort of weird abode in the eyes of the vulgar, and manya timorous look was cast at it by those who walked at eventide on theopposite bank of the Irk. Sometimes the curiosity of the watchers wasrewarded by beholding a few sparks issue from the chimney, and now andthen, the red reflection of a fire might be discerned through thewindow. But generally nothing could be perceived, and the buildingseemed as dark and mysterious as its occupant.
One night, however, a loud explosion took place,--so loud, indeed, thatit shook the whole pile to its foundation, dislodged one or two of thechimneys, and overthrew an old wall, the stones of which rolled into theriver beneath. Alarmed by the concussion, the inhabitants of Hunt's Bankrushed forth, and saw, to their great alarm, that the wing of thecollege occupied by Doctor Dee was in flames. Though many of themattributed the circumstance to supernatural agency, and were fullypersuaded that the enemy of mankind was at that instant bearing off theconjuror and his assistant, and refused to interfere to stop theconflagration, others, more humane and less superstitious, hastened tolend their aid to extinguish the flames. On reaching the College, theycould scarcely credit their senses on finding that there was noappearance of fire; and they were met by the Doctor and his companion atthe gates, who informed them that their presence was unnecessary, as alldanger was over. From that night Doctor Dee's reputation as a wizardwas firmly established.
At the period of this history, Doctor Dee was fast verging on eighty,having passed a long life in severe and abstruse study. He had travelledmuch, had visited most of the foreign courts, where he was generallywell received, and was profoundly versed in mathematics, astronomy, thethen popular science of judicial astrology, and other occult learning.So accurate were his calculations esteemed, that he was universallyconsulted as an oracle. For some time, he resided in Germany, where hewas invited by the Emperor Charles the Fifth, and retained by hisbrother and successor, Ferdinando. He next went to Louvain, where hisreputation had preceded him; and from thence to Paris, where he lecturedat the schools on geometry, and was offered a professorship of theuniversity, but declined it. On his return to England in 1551, he wasappointed one of the instructors of the youthful monarch, Edward theSixth, who presented him with an annual pension of a hundred marks. Thishe was permitted to commute for the rectory of Upton-upon-Severn, whichhe retained until the accession of Mary, when being charged withdevising her Majesty's destruction by enchantments,--certain waxenimages of the Queen having been found within his abode,--he was throwninto prison, rigorously treated, and kept in durance for a long period.At length, from want of sufficient proof against him, he was liberated.
Dee shared the common fate of all astrologers: he was alternatelyhonoured and disgraced. His next patron was Lord Robert Dudley(afterwards the celebrated Earl of Leicester), who, it is well-known,was a firm believer in the superstitious arts to which Dee was addicted,and by whom he was employed, on the accession of Elizabeth, to erect ascheme to ascertain the best day for her coronation. His prediction wasso fortunate that it procured him the favour of the Queen, from whom hereceived many marks of regard. As it is not needful to follow himthrough his various wanderings, it may be sufficient to mention, that in1564 he proceeded to Germany on a visit to the Emperor Maximilian, towhom he dedicated his "_Monas Hieroglyphica_;" that in 1571 he fellgrievously sick in Lorrain, whither two physicians were despatched tohis aid by Elizabeth; and that on his recovery he returned to his owncountry, and retired to Mortlake, where he gathered together a vastlibrary, comprising the rarest and most curious works on all sciences,together with a large collection of manuscripts.
While thus living in retirement, he was sought out by Edward Kelley, anative of Worcestershire, who represented himself as in possession of anold book of magic, containing forms of invocation, by which spiritsmight be summoned and controlled, as well as a ball of ivory, found inthe tomb of a bishop who had made great progress in hermeticphilosophy, which was filled with the powder of projection. Thesetreasures Kelley offered to place in the hands of the Doctor on certainconditions, which were immediately acquiesced in, and thenceforth Kelleybecame a constant inmate in his house, and an assistant in all hispractices. Shortly afterwards, they were joined by a Polish nobleman,Albert de Laski, Palatine of Suabia, whom they accompanied to Prague, atthe instance of the Emperor Rodolph the Second, who desired to beinitiated into their mysteries. Their reception at this court was notsuch as to induce a long sojourn at it; and Dee having been warned byhis familiar spirits to sell his effects and depart, complied with theintimation, and removed to Poland. The same fate attended him here. Thenuncio of the Pope denounced him as a sorcerer, and demanded that heshould be delivered up to the Inquisition. This was refused by themonarch; but Dee and his companion were banished from his dominions, andcompelled to fly to Bohemia, where they took refuge in the castle ofTrebona, belonging to Count Rosenberg. Shortly afterwards, Dee andKelley separated, the magical instruments being delivered to the former,who bent his course homewards; and on his arrival in London was warmlywelcomed by the Queen. During his absence, his house at Mortlake hadbeen broken open by the populace, under the pretence of its being theabode of a wizard, and rifled of its valuable library andmanuscripts,--a loss severely felt by its owner. Some years were nowpassed by Dee in great destitution, during which he prosecuted hisstudies with the same ardour as before, until at length in 1595, when hewas turned seventy, fortune again smiled upon him, and he was appointedto the wardenship of the College at Manchester, whither he repaired, andwas installed in great pomp.
But his residence in this place was not destined to be a tranquil one.His reputation as a dealer in the black art had preceded him, andrendered him obnoxious to the clergy, with whom he had constantdisputes, and a feud subsisted between him and the fellows of hischurch. It has already been mentioned that he refused to occupy thehouse allotted him, but preferred taking up his quarters in the olddilapidated College. Various reasons were assigned by his enemies forthis singular choice of abode. They affirmed--and with some reason--thathe selected it because he desired to elude observation,--and that hismode of life, sufficiently improper in a layman, was altogetherindecorous in an ecclesiastic. By the common people he was universallyregarded as a conjuror--and many at first came to consult him; but heperemptorily dismissed all such applicants; and, when seven females,supposed to be possessed, were brought to him that he might e
xercise hispower over the evil spirits, he refused to interfere. He also publiclyexamined and rebuked a juggler, named Hartley, who pretended to magicalknowledge. But these things did not blind his enemies, who continued toharass him to such a degree, that he addressed a petition to James theFirst, entreating to be brought to trial, when the accusations preferredagainst him might be fully investigated, and his character cleared. Theapplication, and another to the like effect addressed to parliament,were disregarded. Dee had not been long established in Manchester whenhe was secretly joined by Kelley, and they recommenced their searchafter the grand secret,--passing the nights in making various alchymicalexperiments, or in fancied conferences with invisible beings.
Among other magical articles possessed by Doctor Dee was a large globeof crystal, which he termed the Holy Stone, because he believed it hadbeen brought him by "angelical ministry;" and "in which," according toMeric Casaubon, "and out of which, by persons qualified for it, andadmitted to the sight of it, all shapes and figures mentioned in everyaction were seen, and voices heard." The same writer informs us it was"round-shaped, of a pretty bigness, and most like unto crystal." Deehimself declared to the Emperor Rodolph, "that the spirits had broughthim a stone of that value that no earthly kingdom was of such worthinessas to be compared to the virtue and dignity thereof." He was in thehabit of daily consulting this marvellous stone, and recording thevisions he saw therein, and the conferences he held through it with theinvisible world.
Followed by Guy Fawkes and Kelley, the Doctor took his way down LongMill Gate, and stopping at an arched gateway on the left, near which, onthe site of the modern structure, stood the public school, founded acentury before by Hugh Oldham, Bishop of Exeter,--he unlocked a smallwicket, and entered a spacious court, surrounded on one side by highstone walls, and on the other by a wing of the College.
Conducting his guest to the principal entrance of the building, whichlay at the farther end of the court, Doctor Dee ushered him into a largechamber, panelled with oak, and having a curiously-moulded ceiling,ornamented with grotesque sculpture. This room, still in existence, andnow occupied by the master of the school, formed Doctor Dee's library.Offering Fawkes a chair, the Doctor informed him that when all wasready, Kelley should summon him, and, accompanied by his assistant, hewithdrew. Half an hour elapsed before Kelley returned. Motioning GuyFawkes to follow him, he led the way through several intricate passagesto a chamber which was evidently the magician's sacred retreat. In arecess on one side stood a table, covered with cabalistic characters andfigures, referring to the celestial influences. On it was placed theholy stone, diffusing such a glistening radiance as is emitted by thepebble called cat's-eye. On the floor a wide circle was described, inthe rings of which magical characters, resembling those on the table,were traced. In front stood a brasier, filled with flaming coals; andbefore it hung a heavy black curtain, appearing to shroud some mysteryfrom view.
Desiring Fawkes to place himself in the centre of the circle, Doctor Deetook several ingredients from a basket handed him by Kelley, and castthem into the brasier. As each herb or gum was ignited, the flamechanged its colour; now becoming crimson, now green, now blue, whilefragrant or noxious odours loaded the atmosphere. These suffumigationsended, Dee seated himself on a chair near the table, whither he wasfollowed by Kelley, and commanding Fawkes not to move a footstep, as hevalued his safety, he waved his wand, and began in a solemn tone toutter an invocation. As he continued, a hollow noise was heard overhead,which gradually increased in loudness, until it appeared as if the wallswere tumbling about their ears.
"The spirits are at hand!" cried Dee. "Do not look behind you, or theywill tear you in pieces."
As he spoke, a horrible din was heard, as of mingled howling, shrieking,and laughter. It was succeeded by a low faint strain of music, whichgradually died away, and then all was silent.
"All is prepared," cried Dee. "Now, what would you behold?"
"The progress of the great enterprise," replied Fawkes.
Doctor Dee waved his wand. The curtains slowly unfolded, and Guy Fawkesperceived as in a glass a group of dark figures; amongst which henoticed one in all respects resembling himself. A priest was apparentlyproposing an oath, which the others were uttering.
"Do you recognise them?" said Doctor Dee.
"Perfectly," replied Fawkes.
"Look again," said Dee.
As he spoke the figures melted away, and a new scene was presented onthe glass. It was a gloomy vault, filled with barrels, partly coveredwith fagots and billets of wood.
"Have you seen enough?" demanded Dee.
"No," replied Fawkes, firmly. "I have seen what is past. I would beholdthat which is to come."
"Look again, then," rejoined the Doctor, waving his wand.
For an instant the glass was darkened, and nothing could be discernedexcept the lurid flame and thick smoke arising from the brasier. Thenext moment, an icy chill shot through the frame of Guy Fawkes as hebeheld a throng of skeletons arranged before him. The bony fingers ofthe foremost of the grisly assemblage were pointed towards an indistinctobject at its feet. As this object gradually became more defined, GuyFawkes perceived that it was a figure resembling himself, stretched uponthe wheel, and writhing in the agonies of torture.
He uttered an exclamation of terror, and the curtains were instantlyclosed.
Half an hour afterwards, Guy Fawkes quitted the College, and returned tothe Seven Stars.