Francis Barrett F.R.C.
Written and compiled by George Knowles
Francis Barrett is one of those authors about whom precious little is known, we would guess from what little is known, that he was born in London sometime between 1770 and 1780. As the author, or more correctly ‘the compiler’ of a single book: "The Magus" (Lackington, Allen and Co, Temple of the Muses, Finsbury Square, 1801), Barrett’s efforts to revive interest in the mysteries of magic and the occult, has influenced many for over two centuries. A classic best selling book, ‘The Magus’ today, still takes pride of place on the bookshelves of occultists and ceremonial magicians worldwide.
Francis Barrett, F.R.C. bills himself as a Professor of Chemistry, natural and occult Philosophy, and the Cabbala, etc., etc. That he was a learned man is beyond question, but where he acquired his knowledge and qualification is not known, for records of his education in the colleges and universities of England, have yet to be found. What is known is that he lived, advertised and gave lessons from an address in Marylebone, London, where he clearly spent long hours meticulously pouring over and translating Cabbalistic and ancient texts on occult lore, much of which had never before been translated into English. He also appears to have been a keen enthusiast of flight, and during the early pioneering days of Hot Air Balloons, attempted several ill-fated balloon ascents in the Summer and Autumn of 1802.
Montague Summers that eminent scholar and author who wrote extensively about the darker sides of witchcraft and the occult, demonology, vampirism and lycanthropy, has much to say about Francis Barrett and The Magus. In his own book ‘Witchcraft and Black Magic’ (London; New York: Rider, 1946), he describes The Magus as: “Among the most interesting and most valuable books of English occult lore”. He then goes on to describe Barrett’s teachings:
“In addition to the explanations and directions contained in The Magus, it appears from the following ‘Advertisement’ that Barrett gave oral instructions and conducted practical occult experiments, in fact that he trained serious inquirers into these esoteric arts and seekers after mystical knowledge:
‘Advertisement’
“The Author of this Work respectfully informs those that are curious in the studies of Art and Nature, especially of Natural and Occult Philosophy, Chemistry, Astrology, etc., etc., that, having been indefatigable in his researches in those sublime Sciences; of which he has treated at large in this book, that he gives private instructions and lectures upon any of the above-mentioned Sciences; in the course of which he will discover many curious and rare experiments.
Those who become Students will be initiated into the choicest operations of Natural Philosophy, Natural Magic, the Cabbala, Chemistry, the Talismanic Arts, Hermetic Philosophy, Astrology, Physiognomy, etc., etc. Likewise they will acquire the knowledge of the Rites, Mysteries, Ceremonies and Principles of the ancient Philosophers, Magi, Cabbalists, and Adepts, etc.
The Purpose of this school (which will consist of no greater number than Twelve Students) being to investigate the hidden treasures of Nature; to bring the Mind to a contemplation of the Eternal Wisdom; to promote the discovery of whatever may conduce to the perfection of Man; the alleviating the miseries and calamities of this life, both in respect of ourselves and others; the study of morality and religion here, in order to secure to ourselves felicity hereafter; and, finally, the promulgation of whatever may conduce to the general happiness and welfare of mankind.
Those who feel themselves thoroughly disposed to enter upon such a course of studies, as above recited, with the same principles of philanthropy with the Author invites the lovers of philosophy and wisdom, to incorporate themselves in so select, permanent and desirable a society, may speak with the Author upon the subject, at any time between the hours of Eleven and Two o’clock, at: 99 Norton Street, Mary-le-Bone. Letters (post paid) upon any subject treated of in this Book, will be duly answered, with the necessary information”.
It is interesting here to note that Barrett is restricting his students to a class of Twelve, with himself as teacher/leader making Thirteen, the classic number of a witches coven.
Montague Summers then goes on to elucidate on his own research and findings regarding the elusive Francis Barrett:
“I have been told that Francis Barrett actually founded a small sodality of students of these dark and deep mysteries, and that under his tuition, for he was profoundly learned in these things, some advanced far upon the path of transcendental wisdom. One at least was a Cambridge man, of what status, whether an undergraduate or Fellow of a College, I do not know, but there is reason to believe that he initiated others, and until quite recent years, it perhaps persists even to today. The Barrett tradition was maintained at Cambridge, but very privately, and his teachings have been handed on to promising subjects. At any rate, I have myself been shown and examined cabbalistic manuscripts written by Francis Barrett, and certain secret matters which he did not think proper to entrust to the publicity of print".
Summers then goes onto a long and detailed explanation of the merits and worth of The Magus, which he ends with:
“Not the least remarkable thing about this remarkable book The Magus, is that it clearly proves how at the beginning of the nineteenth century esoteric traditions were preserved, ceremonial magic was practiced, and the secrets of cabbalistic lore were eagerly studied”.
That Barrett did manage to
form some sort of Academy of Magic in the London is now beyond question as a
number of his students have come to light.
One was John Parkins, a
practicing magician and cunning man in Lincolnshire, England during the early
19th century. In a 1802 manuscript
entitled: ‘Directions for the
Invocations of Spirits’, Parkins is mentioned as a pupil of Barrett, with whom
he seems to have studied and practiced: Horary
Astrology, Crystal Gazing, Geomancy, Herbal Medicine, the construction of
Astrological Talismans and Ceremonial Magic.
Two
associates of Barrett during the time he was writing The Magus were Frederick
Hockley and John Denley. Hockley
met Barrett through Denley, who at the time was a bookseller specialising in
occult books. Hockley who worked
for Denley was involved in copying many of the occult manuscripts he had for
sale. According to Hockley, Denley
gave much of his information to Barrett for his book The Magus.
Most experts now agree that The Magus consists
for a large part, of translated selections taken from Cornelius Agrippa's Three
Books of Occult Philosophy and the Fourth Book of Occult Philosophy also
attributed to Agrippa. Other
selections appear to come from Robert Turner's 1655 translation of the
Heptameron of Peter of Abano. Barrett
it seems made a few modifications and modernized the spelling and syntax of
these selections.
After
its publication in 1801, The Magus went largely unnoticed until the early
1860’s, when Eliphas
Levi and Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton met together in England and joined an
occult group to study clairvoyance, magic, astrology and mesmerism.
Each was greatly influenced by The Magus, and they in turn would
influence other great writers and occultists in its use.
In 1875, The Magus received its first reprinting, just when interest in
occult mysteries was under going a huge revival, groups and organizations such
as Freemasonry, the
Rosicrucian’s and other Hermetic groups such as the Order
of the Golden Dawn, were all becoming prominent and interest in The Magus
flourished.
When writing about Witches, Barrett believed that their power to torment or kill by enchantment, touch and wax effigy did not come from Satan. He claimed that if the Devil wanted to kill a man guilty of deadly sin, he would not need a Witch as an intermediary to do it for him. Barrett’s belief in magical power can be summed up as: “Magical power is contained in the inward or inner man. A certain proportion of the inner man longs for the external in all things. When the person is in the appropriate disposition, an appropriate connection between man and object can be attained”.
The Magus had been written while Barrett was still quite young, perhaps while in his late twenties early thirties, yet there is nothing known about him since after its publication?
End.
