Fiends, Ghosts, and Sprites

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. A belief in the supernatural has existed in all ages and among all nations. To trace the origin of this belief, the causes of the various modifications it has undergone, and the phases it has assumed, is, perhaps, one of the most interesting researches to which the mind can be given, - interesting, inasmuch as we find pervading every part of it the effects of those passions and affections which are most powerful and permanent in our nature.