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Divination and Augury
in a Modern Light. ITUMANITY, from remotest ages, and in every
country, has been able--or believed itself to have been able—to consult superior and unseen intelligences on the course of action it should pursue in times of emergency. The writer of the following remarks is not going to pose as one who has a superior degree of illumination to throw upon the explanation of this belief and practice ; but merely as one who has wandered through most of the camps of investigation that are exploring the occult veins of past ages for gold, and who has observed this subject from various standpoints and in various lights and has, perhaps, passed over the whole field of enquiry. A few years ago the subject would have been dismissed as a remnant of past superstitions, or, at least, as of only an archaeological interest. To-day many will be more inclined to see whether there may not have been some reason, if not wisdom, in the habit of consulting the unseen upon our course of action.
It is in this broad sense that we shall use the terins Divination and Augury. It will be needless here to enumerate all the various methods adopted by individuals and nations, or to enquire from what source the Etruscans, Egyptians, Celphians, Magi, Indians, Mexicans, Negroes, Southsea Islanders and other people who have
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