By J. MILTON SANDERS.
The great magician Züto sat alone in his study. A volume of ponderous dimensions was spread out before him, upon the pages of which he gazed so intently, and apparently so absorbed, as not to heed the servant who stood before him striving to attract his attention. The stern countenance of the magician relaxed into a grim smile, and finally his features assumed a peculiar degree of complacency, as he muttered in a low voice—as if addressing some invisible being which his magic had summoned to his presence.
"Tis even so! the invisible elements, when conjoined I in certain proportions, and under certain circumstances, assume a nature and quality entirely dissimilar—so may it be here! What is gold? Certain molecules of matter, which exists invisibly in the air, are brought together by certain processes, when the metal is formed. Place this gold upon the furnace, these particles separate, fly off, and the gold is gone. True, true! When men learn to dream less and to act more, then—and not till then— may we expect to handle the philosopher's stone, and the servant, and looked up.
"What would'st thou here? He quickly asked, angered at being so unceremoniously interrupted.
" Be it thy wish that the Duke of Olmutz enter?"
The features of Züto assumed at once a frigid and haughty expression.
" Admit him when the convent bell tolls the hour of noon—depart." The servant who had been gazing around the apartment in superstitious fear —gladly obeyed the mandate and hurried out.
"The Duke of Olmutz!" muttered Züto, in an abstracted manner, "what would he with me? Some charm which may realize a wild dream of ambition, or some filter which may render pregnable the walls of some uncapricious female heart, and thus render them open to his lustful assaults! The Duke of Olmutz indeed! He whose only redeeming virtue is, that he loved our science, but who hates every thing else—I must prepare for his reception." Rising to his feet, the great magician proceeded to arrange his apartment in the most imposing manner possible. The horoscope was suspended against the wall, so that its ample dimensions and broad disc might first attract the duke's eyes. Many a curiously shaped vase, with strange hieroglyphics upon the outside, and stranger compounds within, was placed upon the shelves opposite the door. Instruments, whose use were only known to the masters of the black art, were arranged upon the walls in the most imposing manner possible. After having adjusted every thing, Züto placed himself at the door—and about the spot where the duke would stand as he caught the first glance of the apartment—where he examined every object with that scrutiny and fastidiousness which characterizes a modern French master of ceremonies. Having placed every thing to create the greatest effect at a coup d'oeil the magician devoted some attention to his own attire. After polishing a metallic plate, till its burnished surface faithfully reflected every object placed before it, he proceeded to arrange his dress. The same eye to effect was manifested here. As the great bell announced the hour of noon, Züto spread the folio open before him, and throwing himself upon his chair in a particular attitude, awaited the entrance of his lordly visitor. He was necessitated to await but a few seconds, when the door slowly opened, and the duke entered. Now the Duke of Olmutz was as brave a knight as ever splintered a lance, or shivered a Damascus blade; but like the bravest of that age, he feared that which was not tangible. He started and turned pale, for the great disc the horoscope, with its strange and magic figures, at the first glance, stared him in the face. The next look caused the duke even greater uneasiness, for there sat the far-famed magician himself but so busied in the contents of his book as not to notice the intrusion which had been made into his domicil. At length, however, he looked up, and in his usual haughty and cold manner, bade him close the door and come in. The duke hesitated a moment, but feeling his sword, he did as was was ordered, and sat himself down by the side of Züto. " The fame of the great Zuto hath not passed by us unheeded," said the duke, in a patronizing tone, but the curl of Zuto's upper lip caused the speaker to model the rest of his speech as if he was addressing an equal, not a courtier. " Having heard of thy miraculous powers," continued the duke, " I felt impelled to pay thee a visit, to seek thy potent aid in a matter which lies next to my heart."
