A History of the Ridiculous Extravagancies of Monsieur Oufle

HISTORY

OF THE

Ridiculous Extravagancies

Monfieur OUFLE;

Occafion'd by his reading Books treating
of Magick, the Black-Art, Damoniacks, Conjurers.
Witches, Hobgoblins, Incubus's, Succubus's, and the
Diabolical Sabbath; of Elves Fairies, Wanton Spirits,
Genius's, Spectres and Ghofts; of Dreams, the Phi
lofopher's-Stone, Judicial Aftrology, Herofcopes, Talif
mans Lucky and Unlucky Days Eclipfes, Comets,
and all forts of Apparitions, Divinations, Charms,
Enchantments, and other Superftitious Practices.

WITH

NOTES containing a multitude of Quotations
out of thofe Books, which have either Cauted fuch
Extravagant Imaginations, or may ferve to Cure them.

Written Originally in French, by the Abbot B;
and now Tranflated into English.

LONDON:

Printed for J. Morphew, near Stationers Hall. 1711.

Everal very Entertaining Fictions have been publifh'd to Expofe thofe deprav'd by reading Poets, Romances, Books of Chivalry, and other fuch Trifles, widely diftant from Truth, and all Probability. The most Confiderable of this Kind, are Don Quixote, the Extravagant Shepherd, and the Falfe Clelia. They are daily read with Pleafure, which I take to be chiefly owing to their lively Defcription of certain Characters which are very Natural: Experience fufficiently convincing us, that very few who give into whimsical Studies, ever fail of becoming themselves ridiculously whimsical. There are very few Children who don't fondly believe Elop's Fables, and the Tales of Fairies, when those whose Duty 'tis to take care of their Conduct, and give them a good Education, are not wife enough to prevent this fort of Credulity. It also frequently hap= pens, that even thofe of riper Tears, are yet full as weak as Children, in swallowing whatever they read, if it does but feem uncommon, wonderful and prodigious. The Perfon whofe Extravagancies we are going to perufe, was perfectly of this Opinion; he believ'd nothing fo firmly, as what appear'd incredible to others.

This weak Man pent a great part of his Life reading a vaft Number of Books which treat of Magick, Witchcraft, Spettres, Phantoms, Hobgoblins, Wanton Spirits, Elves, Fairies, Judicial Aftrology, Divinations, Apparitions, Charms, and, in a Word, whatever the most Celebrated Authors have written in favour of a great many Superftitious Practices.

A 2

The

The first Books which fell into his Hands, and to which he most intirely abandon'd himself, were thofe which relate as Truths, a thousand fabulous Stories on thefe Heads; and this Poffeffion having thus wholly feiz'd his Mind, he became a continual Prey to pretended Hobgoblins, Ghofts, Fortun-Tellers, Talifman and Horoscope-mongers; and in general to all those who aim'd at either advantaging or diverting themfelves by his Credulity: Nor did thefe Impoflors meet with much Difficulty in Impofing on him, because he met them above half way, and his obftinate Prevention drew him to believe even whatever they wou'd have him. If the Readers will recur to, and recolle&t what they have frequently obferv'd in the World, to refult from Prejudice and Prepoffeffion, they 12% will not doubt of the Truth of what I fay, much I fs of what they will meet with in the following Hiftory.

I shall say no more of him in this Place, fince the firft Chapter is felel din'd to Characterize him and thofe of bis Family,confiderably concern'd in this Story.

The exactnefs with which thofe Paffages in the Superftitious Bocks, which tainted Monf.Oufle are pointed out,gives reafon to hope that the Notes which faith. fully recite them, will help to render this Hiftory the more agreeable, and confequently giving the Reader the greater pleasure, will not be unworthy his Curiofity; and indeed these Notes alone, wou'd furnish fuffcient Matter for a Book equally Amusing and Inftrudive: Amusing by the variety of extraordinary and furprizing Incidents; and Inftructive, by their many Learned Quotations, which either Thew the Extent of Superftition, or confute it, and demonftrate its Ridi entenfness.

CON

Chap. I.