A WORLD OF WONDERS.

A

WORLD OF WONDERS,

WITH

ANECDOTES AND OPINIONS

CONCERNING

POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS.

EDITED BY
ALBANY POYNTZ.

LONDON:
RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET,
Publisher in Ordinary to Her Majesty.
1845.

LONDON:
Printed by Schulze and Co., 13, Poland Street.

PREFACE.

It is surprising, considering the gigantic strides effected by modernscience, how many of the errors and prejudices engendered by the ignoranceof the dark ages remain current in the world in its present days ofenlightenment. Like the winged seeds of certain weeds, their light andimpalpable nature renders them only the more difficult of extirpation.

A cursory review and refutation of these popular prejudices and vulgarerrors has been attempted in the following Manual. A more scientificanalysis of so spreading a field would have expanded into a Cyclopædia.But the ancient traditions and modern instances collected in its pages mayafford the reader amusement and instruction for the passing hour, as wellas an incentive to more profound investigations in hours to come.

LONDON,
NOVEMBER, 1845.

[Pg vii]

CONTENTS.