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R. A. Davenport. Sketches of Imposture, Deception, and Credulity
Sketches of Imposture, Deception, and Credulity
Table of Contents
CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
CHAPTER II. ON ANCIENT ORACLES, ETC
CHAPTER III. FALSE MESSIAHS, PROPHETS, AND MIRACLES
CHAPTER IV. ROMAN CATHOLIC SUPERSTITIONS, ETC
CHAPTER V. ROYAL IMPOSTORS
CHAPTER VI. DISGUISES ASSUMED BY, OR IN BEHALF OF, ROYALTY
CHAPTER VII. MILITARY STRATAGEMS
CHAPTER VIII. MALINGERING, OR SIMULATION OF DISEASES
CHAPTER IX. MISCELLANEOUS IMPOSTORS AND IMPOSTURES
CHAPTER X. LITERARY IMPOSTORS AND DISGUISES
THE EPISTLES OF PHALARIS
THE ANABASIS OF XENOPHON
CHAPTER XI. IMPOSTURES IN ENGRAVING
CHAPTER XII. FORGED INSCRIPTIONS AND SPURIOUS MEDALS
CHAPTER XIII. ATTEMPT TO STEAL THE REGALIA FROM THE TOWER
CHAPTER XIV. VAMPYRISM
CHAPTER XV. JUGGLING
CHAPTER XVI. PRODIGIES
CHAPTER XVII. THE DELUSIONS OF ALCHEMY
CHAPTER XVIII. ASTROLOGY
CHAPTER XIX. MEDICAL DELUSIONS AND FRAUDS
CONCLUDING CHAPTER. MISCELLANEOUS
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R. A. Davenport
Published by Good Press, 2021
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“To cut the Gordian knot” has long been proverbial for an independent and unexpected way of overcoming difficulties, however great. It took its rise from a circumstance related with some variations by several ancient authors, and with great simplicity by Arrian; it is the more a curiosity as coming from a man of his eminence in his enlightened age.
At a remote period, says he, a Phrygian yeoman, named Gordius, was holding his own plough on his own land, when an eagle perched on the yoke and remained whilst he continued his work. Wondering at a matter so apparently preternatural, he deemed it expedient to consult some person among those who had reputation for expounding indications of the divine will. In the neighbouring province of Pisidia the people of Telmissus had wide fame for that skill; it was supposed instinctive and hereditary in men and women of particular families. Going thither, as he approached the first village of the Telmissian territory, he saw a girl drawing water at a spring; and making some inquiry, which led to further conversation, he related the phenomenon. It happened that the girl was of a race of seers; she told him to return immediately home, and sacrifice to Jupiter the king. Satisfied so far, he remained anxious about the manner of performing the ceremony, so that it might be certainly acceptable to the deity; and the result was that he married the girl, and she accompanied him home.
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