SORCERY

n : The ancient prototype and forerunner of political influence. It was, however, deemed le respectable and sometimes was punished by torture and death. Augustine Nicholas relates that a poor peasant who had been accused of sorcery was put to the torture to compel a confe ion. After enduring a few gentle agonies the suffering simpleton admitted his guilt, but naively asked his tormentors if it were not po ible to be a sorcerer without knowing it. 329