CHAPTER XV.

Feats of Jugglers formerly attributed to witchcraft--Anglo-Saxon Gleemen--Norman Jugglers or Tregatours--Chaucer’s Description of the Wonders performed by them--Means probably employed by them--Recipe for making the Appearance of a Flood--Jugglers fashionable in the Reign of Charles II.--Evelyn’s Account of a Fire-eater--Katterfelto--Superiority of Asiatic and Eygptian pretenders to magical Skill--Mandeville’s Account of Juggling at the Court of the Great Khan--Extraordinary Feats witnessed by the Emperor Jehanguire--Ibn Batuta’s Account of Hindustanee Jugglers--Account of a Bramin who sat upon the Air--Egyptian Jugglers--Mr. Lane’s Account of the Performance of one of them--Another fails in satisfying Captain Scott. 212