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Alchemist, v. 2, issue 1, Autumn 1946

Page 38

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of its length. Somewhat similar is Sax Rohmer's non fiction "Romance of Sorcery" -- a fine, straightforward, and gripping account of sorcery and the black arts from what is mainly a biographical point of view. By selecting certain personalities typical of the periods and movements, the writer presents a noble pageant of developing magical beliefs through the ages. His work is extremely well done and interestingly handled. While it makes no pretense to a profound or thorough study, it is sound and picturesque, leaning toward a poetic and mystical viewpoint rather than a serious and scholarly one. However, within its pattern it presents a stimulating and convincing picture; the author is well-versed in his subject and writes well of esoteric matters. Without Satan there could be no Satanists. In homage to the Dark Master, I list two works dealing with his biography, Louis Coulange's "Life of the Devil" (Knopf, 1930) which is a long, precise and logical treatise (perhaps too logical for the Lord of Chaos) giving a skilfully patched together biography: excellent illustrations ---- and Margaret Alice Murray's "God of the Witches", which I have not read, but which has been highly recommended to me. Certain chapters in Paul LaCroix' 2 vol. "History of Prostitution" (Covici-Friede, Inc., 1931) are among the finest short works available on Incubi, Succubi, and the Black Mass. Incubi and Succubi are treated in chapter LXIII, under the heading Supernatural Aspect of Prostitu-
 
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