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Frontispiece.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

An ideal figure of the Devil is represented as descending from the upper world of light and reality, through an opening in the mists of Chaos, to the nether regions of the great Deep, of Delusion and Death. In the Deep are monstrous reptiles: and the land is peopled with Shades. A molten river flows from a region of fire, and falls into the Deep; and in the vapours which arise a sorceress appears casting her spells, while spectres float around. The figure of the Devil is of lurid fire, and with typical attributes: the different parts illustrate the concourse of ideas which go to make up the ideal, and the tracing of each to its origin.

Demons

P. 34

This is intended to illustrate the belief, almost universal amongst races of low culture, that all Nature is thronged with spiritual beings; and what a savage might expect to see, if his spiritual eyes were opened. Demons of storm and pestilence, issuing from a volcano, and identifying themselves with the clouds; spirits floating in the rays of the sun like motes: a legion of spectres swooping down from the mountains, and rushing over the waters of the lake like a chilling blast; the

mountains, rocks and stones resolving themselves into weird forms suggestive of spells, and magic, add to the terrors of the place. One man has fallen a victim, and is being seized by a fiend.

Nymphs, Dwarfs and Fairies

p. 64

An enchanted Valley lighted by the moon. Nymphs appear in the spray of the waterfall, in the silent pool, and dancing under the trees in company with Fauns and Satyrs. The Lorelei sits on a rock playing her harp. An opening in the mountain-side gives a glimpse of Fairy-land, and along the stream of light which issues from the opening flit various denizens of the fairy world. A dance of Elves is going on upon the sward, and in the shade crouch a group of uncouth dwarfs. Puck is flying through the air, bent on some mischief. On the mountain heights are communal and beehive huts, and some of their pigmy inhabitants.

Deposed Deities

P. 115

The Cross stands out in refulgent brightness, paramount amongst accredited symbols of religion. The Virgin Mary is almost equally prominent. The Crescent and Islam still hold their own and Brahma and Buddhism, although in the background in relation to Christianity, are still vigorous religions. Sunk into obscurity, in increasing degrees of depth, are Osiris, Jupiter, Mercury, Apollo, Serapis, Odin, Siva, Bacchus, Hercules, Saturn, the Serpent, Anubis, Bel and Bes: all degraded into Devils.

Hades

P. 147

Charon in his bark has just started to cross the Styx with a cargo of Shades, leaving behind a host of others imploring to be

ferried over. A Judge is enthroned on the further shore, trying the souls, as one by one they come before him from the crowd. To the right is the way to the Elysian fields; to the left, the gloomy plains of Hades, seen through the shadowy rocks: in the far distance are the towers and fire of Tartaros.

In a primeval dwelling, is seen the hearth-fire; on a cliff beyond, a beacon fire; still further on, the fire of a volcano. Round a large bonfire a number of men are dancing their religious exercise In the centre, the brazen figure of Moloch is receiving a child into its arms over the burning sacrificial fire. Below the earth, mining and smelting prepare the metals for the forge, and Vulcan and the Kyklops are busy making shields, and other armour and arms.

The Original Dragon

p. 198

This is an attempt to restore the Pterodactyle to its supposed living form; with some contemporary plants and animals; it is suggested that early Man may have seen some surviving individuals of this race of flying reptiles.

I.

THE DEVIL.

WHAT is understood by "The Devil”?

This question, apparently so simple, is nevertheless most difficult to answer. The difficulty arises from the multifarious and vague notions which at all times have been, and still are, held upon the subject, even by those from whom critical precision might fairly be expected. Comparatively few, however, have examined the subject: it is not deemed in itself an attractive one, and those who would enter upon the inquiry are open to the charge of either meddling with unwholesome subjects, or treading upon dangerous ground.

The term "devil" has enjoyed a very wide range of application, but, according to the most generally received notion, a devil is a spirit of Evil, and "The Devil" is the personification of supreme Evil. There have, in the human mind, been conceived as many devils as there have been ideas of evil; and the trooping legions of evil thoughts have naturally suggested legions of devils, legions have suggested leaders, and these have involved a supreme head; so

B