Vitrification

Ralph Stokesey's Vitrification is an Aureate spell, the effect of which is to change its subject (which may be either inanimate or animate) to glass [61].

It is the last of the several spells John Childermass refers to when his agitated master demands the name of any which ceased to take effect after the Raven King's departure.* Reports of 'wild magic' happening in different parts of the country — spells worked spontaneously by persons without magical training — have alerted Mr Norrell to the success of his rival Strange in restoring true English magic.

The spell had not worked for some four centuries until Mr Norell successfully performs it in February of 1817. His friend Mr Lascelles attributes his success to skill; but Mr Norrell will have none of it, exclaiming, "I cannot do magic that is not there. Magic is returning to England. Strange has found a way to bring it back."

Notes

* The other spells Childermass mentions are Chauntlucet; Daedalus's Rose; and The Unrobed Ladies.