enchantment. Culpepper had been his apprentice, and having also acquired considerable skill as a necromancer, was taken into partnership by the genial old magician, who from the first had taken a liking to the frank and fair-haired boy. Ten years ago (the date of my story) the firm of Baylis and Culpepper stood at the very head of the London family magicians. They did what is known as a pushing trade, but although they advertised largely, and never neglected a chance, it was admitted even by their rivals, that the goods they supplied could be relied on as sound useful articles. They had a special reputation for a class of serviceable family nativity, and they did a very large and increasing business in love philtres, “The Patent Oxy-Hydrogen Love-at-First-Sight Draught” in bottles at 1s. 1½d. and 2s. 3d. (“our leading article,” as Baylis called it) was strong enough in itself to keep the firm going, had all its other resources failed them. But the establishment in St. Martin's Lane was also a “Noted House for Amulets,” and if you wanted a neat, well-finished divining-rod, I don't know any place to which I would sooner recommend you. Their Curses at a shilling per dozen were the cheapest things in the trade, and they sold thousands of them in the course of the year. Their Blessings—also very cheap indeed, and quite effective—were not much asked for. “We always keep a few on hand as curiosities and for completeness, but we don't sell two in the twelvemonth,” said Mr. Baylis. “A gentleman bought one last week to send to his mother-in-law, but it turned out that he was afflicted in the head, and the persons who had charge of him declined to pay for
