An illustration of Hindu conjurers, from a 1921 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine.

"After all [comma] champagne should be a celebration and a properly popping cork is its first hurrah [exclamation point]" —Bryce Courtenay, Brother Fish (2004)

An illustration from an 1892 issue of Harper's magazine.

An illustration from an 1897 issue of The Ludgate Illustrated magazine.  The caption reads: "Seated by the other Stephen King."

An illustration from a 1901 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine.  The caption reads: "Fear."

"Mad Impulse": an illustration from an 1876 issue of Frank Leslie's Pleasant Hours magazine.  The caption reads: "My assault was so sudden, that, without even a cry, he tottered, threw up his arms, and the next instant the place that had known him was empty."

Dedicated to Teresa Burritt.

"The Bird-charmer": an illustration from an 1873 issue of Frank Leslie's Pleasant Hours magazine.

An illustration from an 1874 issue of Frank Leslie's Pleasant Hours magazine.

An illustration from an 1893 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine.  The caption reads: "Strangers to the universal panic."

"The Friends": an illustration from an 1853 issue of Graham's magazine.

An illustration from an 1869 issue of Harper's magazine.  The caption reads: "The night-watch."

An illustration from an 1880 issue of Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly magazine.

An illustration from an 1898 issue of The Strand magazine.  The caption reads: "I was a great cloud anchored to my body."

Staring into the depths: an illustration from a 1903 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine.  The caption reads: "Subject fixes the gaze on dancing mirrors."

"There is another way": an illustration from an 1897 issue of The Ludgate Illustrated magazine.

An illustration from a 1902 issue of English Illustrated magazine.  The caption reads: "And then the thing took a certain shape and form."

An illustration from a 1902 issue of The Strand magazine.  The caption reads: "Either you are the spectre, or it is supernatural."

An illustration from a 1914 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine.  The caption reads: "As she wound her weight of muscle about his trunk, he found himself staring into her face."