jonathan strange and mr norrell by susanna clarke

Mr Segundus said that he had studied magic for many years and knew the histories of all the great magicians of long ago. Northern magicians, he reminded his audience, had always been better respected than southern ones.

He hinted that it had been no small inducement to him in coming to York to know of the existence of such a society. He began by complimenting the gentlemen upon their distinguished history he listed the many celebrated magicians and historians that had at one time or another belonged to the York society. At the first meeting that he attended Mr Segundus rose and addressed the society. In the autumn of 1806 they received an addition in a gentleman called John Segundus. must pound and rack their brains to make the least learning go in, but quarrelling always comes very naturally to them', l and the York magicians had proved the truth of this for a number of years. But, with this one minor reservation, they enjoyed a reputation as some of the wisest and most magical gentlemen in Yorkshire.Ī great magician has said of his profession that its practitioners '. In fact, to own the truth, not one of these magicians had ever cast the smallest spell, nor by magic caused one leaf to tremble upon a tree, made one mote of dust to alter its course or changed a single hair upon anyone's head. They were gentleman-magicians, which is to say they had never harmed anyone by magic - nor ever done anyone the slightest good.

They met upon the third Wednesday of every month and read each other long, dull papers upon the history of English magic. SOME YEARS AGO there was in the city of York a society of magicians.

Jonathan strange and mr norrell by susanna clarke