D'Eslon
(See Hypnotism.) Desmond, Gerald, sixteenth earl of Desmond, who was killed in 1583, had some repute as a magician, and was known as the "Great Earl." Many curious stories are current concerning him. He dwelt in his castle on a small island in Lough Gur, and there, in time, he brought his young bride, to whom he was so passionately attached that he could deny her nothing. Seeking him one day in the chamber where he worked his magic spells, she demanded to know the secret of the Black Cat. In vain he told her of the terrible things she must witness; she would not be dissuaded. So he warned her solemnly that if she uttered a word the castle would sink to the bottom of Lough Gur, and set to work. Terrible indeed were the sights she beheld, but she stood firm and uttered neither word nor cry, until her husband lay down on the floor and stretched till he reached almost from end to end of the room. she uttered a wild shriek, and the castle sank instantly to the bottom of Lough Gur, where it still remains. Once in every seven years Desmond, mounted on a white horse, rises from the water and rides round the Lough. His horse is shod with silver shoes, and when these wear out the spell will be broken, Desmond will return, and his vast estates shall once more be restored to him. دو Then D'Espagnet, Jean : A Hermetic philosopher who left two treatises Enchiridion Physica Restitutæ and Arcanum Philosophiæ Hermitace which have also been claimed as the works of one calling himself the "Chevalier Imperial." "The Secret of Hermetic Philosophy embraces the practical side of the Magnum Opus and the "Enchiridion" treats of the physical possibility of transmutation. D'Espagnet also wrote the preface to the Tableau de l' Inconstance des Démons by Pierre Delancre. The "Arcanum" is better known as the "Canons of Espagnet" and has been claimed as a treatise on mystical Alchemy. The Author states, however, that "the science of producing Nature's grand Secret is a perfect knowledge of nature universally and of Art, concerning the realm of Metals; the practice whereof is conversant in finding the principles of Metals by analysis."
The authorities cited by Espagnet are those who like Trévisan are known to have devoted their lives to practical Alchemy. Nevertheless, it may be granted that while much of the matter treats of a physical object it may be extended to the psychic side of Hermetic Art. "Deuce Take You": A vulgar saying which had its origin in antiquity. The deuce is practically synonymous with the devil, the word being derived from Dusins, the ancient name given by the Gauls to a sort of demon or devil.