diff options
Diffstat (limited to '14461-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 14461-h/14461-h.htm | 11503 |
1 files changed, 11503 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/14461-h/14461-h.htm b/14461-h/14461-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9271678 --- /dev/null +++ b/14461-h/14461-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,11503 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> + <title>Letters On Demonology And Witchcraft, by Sir Walter Scott</title> + <meta content="pg2html (binary v0.17)" /> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .75em; margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%; text-align: justify; font-size: 80%; font-style: italic;} + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + .xx-small {font-size: 60%;} + .x-small {font-size: 75%;} + .small {font-size: 85%;} + .large {font-size: 115%;} + .x-large {font-size: 130%;} + .indent5 { margin-left: 5%;} + .indent10 { margin-left: 10%;} + .indent15 { margin-left: 15%;} + .indent20 { margin-left: 20%;} + .indent25 { margin-left: 25%;} + .indent30 { margin-left: 30%;} + .indent35 { margin-left: 35%;} + .indent40 { margin-left: 40%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {position: absolute; right: 1%; font-size: 0.6em; + font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; + text-align: right; background-color: #FFFACD; + border: 1px solid; padding: 0.3em;text-indent: 0em;} + .side { float: left; font-size: 75%; width: 15%; padding-left: 0.8em; + border-left: dashed thin; text-align: left; + text-indent: 0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; + font-weight: bold; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: solid 1px;} + .head { float: left; font-size: 90%; width: 98%; padding-left: 0.8em; + border-left: dashed thin; text-align: center; + text-indent: 0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; + font-weight: bold; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: solid 1px;} + p.pfirst, p.noindent {text-indent: 0} + span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 0.8 } + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} +</style> + </head> + <body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14461 ***</div> + + <div style="height: 8em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + LETTERS ON DEMONOLOGY AND WITCHCRAFT + </h1> + <h2> + By Sir Walter Scott, Bart. + </h2> + <h5> + With An Introduction By Henry Morley Ll.d., Professor Of English + Literature At University College, London + </h5> + <h4> + London George Routledge And Sons, Broadway, Ludgate Hill + </h4> + <h3> + 1884 + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + <b>CONTENTS</b> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_INTR"> INTRODUCTION. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> LETTER I. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> LETTER II. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> LETTER III. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> LETTER IV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> LETTER V. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> LETTER VI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> LETTER VII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> LETTER VIII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> LETTER IX. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> LETTER X. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_INTR" id="link2H_INTR"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + INTRODUCTION. + </h2> + <p class="pfirst"> + <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">S</span>ir Walter Scott’s + “Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft” were his contribution to a series + of books, published by John Murray, which appeared between the years 1829 + and 1847, and formed a collection of eighty volumes known as “Murray’s + Family Library.” The series was planned to secure a wide diffusion of good + literature in cheap five-shilling volumes, and Scott’s “Letters,” written + and published in 1830, formed one of the earlier books in the collection. + </p> + <p> + The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge had been founded in the + autumn of 1826, and Charles Knight, who had then conceived a plan of a + National Library, was entrusted, in July, 1827, with the superintendence + of its publications. Its first treatises appeared in sixpenny numbers, + once a fortnight. Its “British Almanac” and “Companion to the Almanac” + first appeared at the beginning of 1829. Charles Knight started also in + that year his own “Library of Entertaining Knowledge.” John Murray’s + “Family Library” was then begun, and in the spring of 1832—the year + of the Reform Bill—the advance of civilization by the diffusion of + good literature, through cheap journals as well as cheap books, was sought + by the establishment of “Chambers’s Edinburgh Journal” in the North, and + in London of “The Penny Magazine.” + </p> + <p> + In the autumn of that year, 1832, on the 21st of September, Sir Walter + Scott died. The first warning of death had come to him in February, 1830, + with a stroke of apoplexy. He had been visited by an old friend who + brought him memoirs of her father, which he had promised to revise for the + press. He seemed for half an hour to be bending over the papers at his + desk, and reading them; then he rose, staggered into the drawing-room, and + fell, remaining speechless until he had been bled. Dieted for weeks on + pulse and water, he so far recovered that to friends outside his family + but little change in him was visible. In that condition, in the month + after his seizure, he was writing these Letters, and also a fourth series + of the “Tales of a Grandfather.” The slight softening of the brain found + after death had then begun. But the old delight in anecdote and skill in + story-telling that, at the beginning of his career, had caused a critic of + his “Border Minstrelsy” to say that it contained the germs of a hundred + romances, yet survived. It gave to Scott’s “Letters on Demonology and + Witchcraft” what is for us now a pathetic charm. Here and there some + slight confusion of thought or style represents the flickering of a light + that flashes yet with its old brilliancy. There is not yet the manifest + suggestion of the loss of power that we find presently afterwards in + “Count Robert of Paris” and “Castle Dangerous,” published in 1831 as the + Fourth Series of “Tales of My Landlord,” with which he closed his life’s + work at the age of sixty. + </p> + <p> + Milton has said that he who would not be frustrate of his hope to write + well in laudable things, ought himself to be a true poem. Scott’s life was + a true poem, of which the music entered into all he wrote. If in his + earlier days the consciousness of an unlimited productive power tempted + him to make haste to be rich, that he might work out, as founder of a + family, an ideal of life touched by his own genius of romance, there was + not in his desire for gain one touch of sordid greed, and his ideal of + life only brought him closer home to all its duties. Sir Walter Scott’s + good sense, as Lord Cockburn said, was a more wonderful gift than his + genius. When the mistake of a trade connection with James Ballantyne + brought ruin to him in 1826, he repudiated bankruptcy, took on himself the + burden of a debt of £130,000, and sacrificed his life to the successful + endeavour to pay off all. What was left unpaid at his death was cleared + afterwards by the success of his annotated edition of his novels. No tale + of physical strife in the battlefield could be as heroic as the story of + the close of Scott’s life, with five years of a death-struggle against + adversity, animated by the truest sense of honour. When the ruin was + impending he wrote in his diary, “If things go badly in London, the magic + wand of the Unknown will be shivered in his grasp. The feast of fancy will + be over with the feeling of independence. He shall no longer have the + delight of waking in the morning with bright ideas in his mind, hasten to + commit them to paper, and count them monthly, as the means of planting + such scaurs and purchasing such wastes; replacing dreams of fiction by + other prospective visions of walks by + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +'Fountain-heads, and pathless groves; + Places which pale passion loves.’ +</pre> + <p> + This cannot be; but I may work substantial husbandry—<i>i.e.</i> + write history, and such concerns.” It was under pressure of calamity like + this that Sir Walter Scott was compelled to make himself known as the + author of “Waverley.” Closely upon this followed the death of his wife, + his thirty years’ companion. “I have been to her room,” he wrote in May, + 1826; “there was no voice in it—no stirring; the pressure of the + coffin was visible on the bed, but it had been removed elsewhere; all was + neat as she loved it, but all was calm—calm as death. I remembered + the last sight of her: she raised herself in bed, and tried to turn her + eyes after me, and said with a sort of smile, ‘You have all such + melancholy faces.’ These were the last words I ever heard her utter, and I + hurried away, for she did not seem quite conscious of what she said; when + I returned, immediately departing, she was in a deep sleep. It is deeper + now. This was but seven days since. They are arranging the chamber of + death—that which was long the apartment of connubial happiness, and + of whose arrangement (better than in richer houses) she was so proud. They + are treading fast and thick. For weeks you could have heard a footfall. + Oh, my God!” + </p> + <p> + A few years yet of his own battle, while the shadows of night and death + were gathering about him, and they were re-united. In these “Letters upon + Demonology and Witchcraft,” addressed to his son-in-law, written under the + first grasp of death, the old kindliness and good sense, joined to the old + charm in story-telling, stand firm yet against every assault; and even in + the decay that followed, when the powers were broken of the mind that had + breathed, and is still breathing, its own health into the minds of tens of + thousands of his countrymen, nothing could break the fine spirit of love + and honour that was in him. When the end was very near, and the son-in-law + to whom these Letters were addressed found him one morning entirely + himself, though in the last extreme of feebleness: his eye was clear and + calm—every trace of the wild fire of delirium was extinguished: + “Lockhart,” he said, “I may have but a minute to speak to you. My dear, be + a good man—be virtuous, be religious—be a good man. Nothing + else will give you any comfort when you come to lie here.” + </p> + <p> + Another volume of this Library may give occasion to recall Scott in the + noontide of his strength, companion of + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +“The blameless Muse who trains her sons + For hope and calm enjoyment.” + </pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +Here we remember only how from among dark clouds the last light of his +genius shone on the path of those who were endeavouring to make the +daily bread of intellectual life—good books—common to all. + + H.M. +<i>February, 1884.</i> +</pre> + <h3> + LETTERS + </h3> + <h3> + ON + </h3> + <h3> + DEMONOLOGY AND WITCHCRAFT + </h3> + <h3> + To J.G. LOCKHART, ESQ. + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER I. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Origin of the general Opinions respecting Demonology among + Mankind—The Belief in the Immortality of the Soul is the main + inducement to credit its occasional re-appearance—The Philosophical + Objections to the Apparition of an Abstract Spirit little understood + by the Vulgar and Ignorant—The situations of excited Passion + incident to Humanity, which teach Men to wish or apprehend + Supernatural Apparitions—They are often presented by the Sleeping + Sense—Story of Somnambulism—The Influence of Credulity contagious, + so that Individuals will trust the Evidence of others in despite of + their own Senses—Examples from the “Historia Verdadera” of Bernal + Dias del Castillo, and from the Works of Patrick Walker—The + apparent Evidence of Intercourse with the Supernatural World is + sometimes owing to a depraved State of the bodily Organs—Difference + between this Disorder and Insanity, in which the Organs retain their + tone, though that of the Mind is lost—Rebellion of the Senses of a + Lunatic against the current of his Reveries—Narratives of a + contrary Nature, in which the Evidence of the Eyes overbore the + Conviction of the Understanding—Example of a London Man of + Pleasure—Of Nicolai, the German Bookseller and Philosopher—Of a + Patient of Dr. Gregory—Of an Eminent Scottish Lawyer, deceased—Of + this same fallacious Disorder are other instances, which have but + sudden and momentary endurance—Apparition of Maupertuis—Of a late + illustrious modern Poet—The Cases quoted chiefly relating to false + Impressions on the Visual Nerve, those upon the Ear next + considered—Delusions of the Touch chiefly experienced in + Sleep—Delusions of the Taste—And of the Smelling—Sum of the + Argument. +</pre> + <p class="pfirst"> + <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">Y</span>ou have asked of + me, my dear friend, that I should assist the “Family Library” with the + history of a dark chapter in human nature, which the increasing + civilization of all well-instructed countries has now almost blotted out, + though the subject attracted no ordinary degree of consideration in the + older times of their history. + </p> + <p> + Among much reading of my earlier days, it is no doubt true that I + travelled a good deal in the twilight regions of superstitious + disquisitions. Many hours have I lost—“I would their debt were + less!”—in examining old as well as more recent narratives of this + character, and even in looking into some of the criminal trials so + frequent in early days, upon a subject which our fathers considered as a + matter of the last importance. And, of late years, the very curious + extracts published by Mr. Pitcairn, from the Criminal Records of Scotland, + are, besides their historical value, of a nature so much calculated to + illustrate the credulity of our ancestors on such subjects, that, by + perusing them, I have been induced more recently to recall what I had read + and thought upon the subject at a former period. + </p> + <p> + As, however, my information is only miscellaneous, and I make no + pretensions, either to combat the systems of those by whom I am + anticipated in consideration of the subject, or to erect any new one of my + own, my purpose is, after a general account of Demonology and Witchcraft, + to confine myself to narratives of remarkable cases, and to the + observations which naturally and easily arise out of them;—in the + confidence that such a plan is, at the present time of day, more likely to + suit the pages of a popular miscellany, than an attempt to reduce the + contents of many hundred tomes, from the largest to the smallest size, + into an abridgement, which, however compressed, must remain greatly too + large for the reader’s powers of patience. + </p> + <p> + A few general remarks on the nature of Demonology, and the original cause + of the almost universal belief in communication betwixt mortals and beings + of a power superior to themselves, and of a nature not to be comprehended + by human organs, are a necessary introduction to the subject. + </p> + <p> + The general, or, it may be termed, the universal belief of the inhabitants + of the earth, in the existence of spirits separated from the encumbrance + and incapacities of the body, is grounded on the consciousness of the + divinity that speaks in our bosoms, and demonstrates to all men, except + the few who are hardened to the celestial voice, that there is within us a + portion of the divine substance, which is not subject to the law of death + and dissolution, but which, when the body is no longer fit for its abode, + shall seek its own place, as a sentinel dismissed from his post. Unaided + by revelation, it cannot be hoped that mere earthly reason should be able + to form any rational or precise conjecture concerning the destination of + the soul when parted from the body; but the conviction that such an + indestructible essence exists, the belief expressed by the poet in a + different sense, <i>Non omnis moriar</i> must infer the existence of many + millions of spirits who have not been annihilated, though they have become + invisible to mortals who still see, hear, and perceive, only by means of + the imperfect organs of humanity. Probability may lead some of the most + reflecting to anticipate a state of future rewards and punishments; as + those experienced in the education of the deaf and dumb find that their + pupils, even while cut off from all instruction by ordinary means, have + been able to form, out of their own unassisted conjectures, some ideas of + the existence of a Deity, and of the distinction between the soul and body—a + circumstance which proves how naturally these truths arise in the human + mind. The principle that they do so arise, being taught or communicated, + leads to further conclusions. + </p> + <p> + These spirits, in a state of separate existence, being admitted to exist, + are not, it may be supposed, indifferent to the affairs of mortality, + perhaps not incapable of influencing them. It is true that, in a more + advanced state of society, the philosopher may challenge the possibility + of a separate appearance of a disembodied spirit, unless in the case of a + direct miracle, to which, being a suspension of the laws of nature, + directly wrought by the Maker of these laws, for some express purpose, no + bound or restraint can possibly be assigned. But under this necessary + limitation and exception, philosophers might plausibly argue that, when + the soul is divorced from the body, it loses all those qualities which + made it, when clothed with a mortal shape, obvious to the organs of its + fellow-men. The abstract idea of a spirit certainly implies that it has + neither substance, form, shape, voice, or anything which can render its + presence visible or sensible to human faculties. But these sceptic doubts + of philosophers on the possibility of the appearance of such separated + spirits, do not arise till a certain degree of information has dawned upon + a country, and even then only reach a very small proportion of reflecting + and better-informed members of society. To the multitude, the indubitable + fact, that so many millions of spirits exist around and even amongst us, + seems sufficient to support the belief that they are, in certain instances + at least, by some means or other, able to communicate with the world of + humanity. The more numerous part of mankind cannot form in their mind the + idea of the spirit of the deceased existing, without possessing or having + the power to assume the appearance which their acquaintance bore during + his life, and do not push their researches beyond this point. + </p> + <p> + Enthusiastic feelings of an impressive and solemn nature occur both in + private and public life, which seem to add ocular testimony to an + intercourse betwixt earth and the world beyond it. For example, the son + who has been lately deprived of his father feels a sudden crisis approach, + in which he is anxious to have recourse to his sagacious advice—or a + bereaved husband earnestly desires again to behold the form of which the + grave has deprived him for ever—or, to use a darker yet very common + instance, the wretched man who has dipped his hand in his + fellow-creature’s blood, is haunted by the apprehension that the phantom + of the slain stands by the bedside of his murderer. In all or any of these + cases, who shall doubt that imagination, favoured by circumstances, has + power to summon up to the organ of sight, spectres which only exist in the + mind of those by whom their apparition seems to be witnessed? + </p> + <p> + If we add, that such a vision may take place in the course of one of those + lively dreams in which the patient, except in respect to the single + subject of one strong impression, is, or seems, sensible of the real + particulars of the scene around him, a state of slumber which often + occurs; if he is so far conscious, for example, as to know that he is + lying on his own bed, and surrounded by his own familiar furniture at the + time when the supposed apparition is manifested, it becomes almost in vain + to argue with the visionary against the reality of his dream, since the + spectre, though itself purely fanciful, is inserted amidst so many + circumstances which he feels must be true beyond the reach of doubt or + question. That which is undeniably certain becomes, in a manner, a warrant + for the reality of the appearance to which doubt would have been otherwise + attached. And if any event, such as the death of the person dreamt of, + chances to take place, so as to correspond with the nature and the time of + the apparition, the coincidence, though one which must be frequent, since + our dreams usually refer to the accomplishment of that which haunts our + minds when awake, and often presage the most probable events, seems + perfect, and the chain of circumstances touching the evidence may not + unreasonably be considered as complete. Such a concatenation, we repeat, + must frequently take place, when it is considered of what stuff dreams are + made—how naturally they turn upon those who occupy our mind while + awake, and, when a soldier is exposed to death in battle, when a sailor is + incurring the dangers of the sea, when a beloved wife or relative is + attacked by disease, how readily our sleeping imagination rushes to the + very point of alarm, which when waking it had shuddered to anticipate. The + number of instances in which such lively dreams have been quoted, and both + asserted and received as spiritual communications, is very great at all + periods; in ignorant times, where the natural cause of dreaming is + misapprehended and confused with an idea of mysticism, it is much greater. + Yet, perhaps, considering the many thousands of dreams which must, night + after night, pass through the imagination of individuals, the number of + coincidences between the vision and real event are fewer and less + remarkable than a fair calculation of chances would warrant us to expect. + But in countries where such presaging dreams are subjects of attention, + the number of those which seemed to be coupled with the corresponding + issue, is large enough to spread a very general belief of a positive + communication betwixt the living and the dead. + </p> + <p> + Somnambulism and other nocturnal deceptions frequently lend their aid to + the formation of such <i>phantasmata</i> as are formed in this middle + state, betwixt sleeping and waking. A most respectable person, whose + active life had been spent as master and part owner of a large merchant + vessel in the Lisbon trade, gave the writer an account of such an instance + which came under his observation. He was lying in the Tagus, when he was + put to great anxiety and alarm by the following incident and its + consequences. One of his crew was murdered by a Portuguese assassin, and a + report arose that the ghost of the slain man haunted the vessel. Sailors + are generally superstitious, and those of my friend’s vessel became + unwilling to remain on board the ship; and it was probable they might + desert rather then return to England with the ghost for a passenger. To + prevent so great a calamity, the captain determined to examine the story + to the bottom. He soon found that, though all pretended to have seen + lights and heard noises, and so forth, the weight of the evidence lay upon + the statement of one of his own mates, an Irishman and a Catholic, which + might increase his tendency to superstition, but in other respects a + veracious, honest, and sensible person, whom Captain ——— + had no reason to suspect would wilfully deceive him. He affirmed to + Captain S——— with the deepest obtestations, that the + spectre of the murdered man appeared to him almost nightly, took him from + his place in the vessel, and, according to his own expression, worried his + life out. He made these communications with a degree of horror which + intimated the reality of his distress and apprehensions. The captain, + without any argument at the time, privately resolved to watch the motions + of the ghost-seer in the night; whether alone, or with a witness, I have + forgotten. As the ship bell struck twelve, the sleeper started up, with a + ghastly and disturbed countenance, and lighting a candle, proceeded to the + galley or cook-room of the vessel. He sate down with his eyes open, + staring before him as on some terrible object which he beheld with horror, + yet from which he could not withhold his eyes. After a short space he + arose, took up a tin can or decanter, filled it with water, muttering to + himself all the while—mixed salt in the water, and sprinkled it + about the galley. Finally, he sighed deeply, like one relieved from a + heavy burden, and, returning to his hammock, slept soundly. In the next + morning the haunted man told the usual precise story of his apparition, + with the additional circumstances, that the ghost had led him to the + galley, but that he had fortunately, he knew not how, obtained possession + of some holy water, and succeeded in getting rid of his unwelcome visitor. + The visionary was then informed of the real transactions of the night, + with so many particulars as to satisfy him he had been the dupe of his + imagination; he acquiesced in his commander’s reasoning, and the dream, as + often happens in these cases, returned no more after its imposture had + been detected. In this case, we find the excited imagination acting upon + the half-waking senses, which were intelligent enough for the purpose of + making him sensible where he was, but not sufficiently so to judge truly + of the objects before him. + </p> + <p> + But it is not only private life alone, or that tenor of thought which has + been depressed into melancholy by gloomy anticipations respecting the + future, which disposes the mind to mid-day fantasies, or to nightly + apparitions—a state of eager anxiety, or excited exertion, is + equally favourable to the indulgence of such supernatural communications. + The anticipation of a dubious battle, with all the doubt and uncertainty + of its event, and the conviction that it must involve his own fate and + that of his country, was powerful enough to conjure up to the anxious eye + of Brutus the spectre of his murdered friend Cæsar, respecting whose death + he perhaps thought himself less justified than at the Ides of March, + since, instead of having achieved the freedom of Rome, the event had only + been the renewal of civil wars, and the issue might appear most likely to + conclude in the total subjection of liberty. It is not miraculous that the + masculine spirit of Marcus Brutus, surrounded by darkness and solitude, + distracted probably by recollection of the kindness and favour of the + great individual whom he had put to death to avenge the wrongs of his + country, though by the slaughter of his own friend, should at length place + before his eyes in person the appearance which termed itself his evil + genius, and promised again to meet him at Philippi. Brutus’ own + intentions, and his knowledge of the military art, had probably long since + assured him that the decision of the civil war must take place at or near + that place; and, allowing that his own imagination supplied that part of + his dialogue with the spectre, there is nothing else which might not be + fashioned in a vivid dream or a waking reverie, approaching, in absorbing + and engrossing character, the usual matter of which dreams consist. That + Brutus, well acquainted with the opinions of the Platonists, should be + disposed to receive without doubt the idea that he had seen a real + apparition, and was not likely to scrutinize very minutely the supposed + vision, may be naturally conceived; and it is also natural to think, that + although no one saw the figure but himself, his contemporaries were little + disposed to examine the testimony of a man so eminent, by the strict rules + of cross-examination and conflicting evidence, which they might have + thought applicable to another person, and a less dignified occasion. + </p> + <p> + Even in the field of death, and amid the mortal tug of combat itself, + strong belief has wrought the same wonder, which we have hitherto + mentioned as occurring in solitude and amid darkness; and those who were + themselves on the verge of the world of spirits, or employed in + dispatching others to these gloomy regions, conceived they beheld the + apparitions of those beings whom their national mythology associated with + such scenes. In such moments of undecided battle, amid the violence, + hurry, and confusion of ideas incident to the situation, the ancients + supposed that they saw their deities, Castor and Pollux, fighting in the + van for their encouragement; the heathen Scandinavian beheld the Choosers + of the slain; and the Catholics were no less easily led to recognize the + warlike Saint George or Saint James in the very front of the strife, + showing them the way to conquest. Such apparitions being generally visible + to a multitude, have in all times been supported by the greatest strength + of testimony. When the common feeling of danger, and the animating burst + of enthusiasm, act on the feelings of many men at once, their minds hold a + natural correspondence with each other, as it is said is the case with + stringed instruments tuned to the same pitch, of which, when one is + played, the chords of the others are supposed to vibrate in unison with + the tones produced. If an artful or enthusiastic individual exclaims, in + the heat of action, that he perceives an apparition of the romantic kind + which has been intimated, his companions catch at the idea with emulation, + and most are willing to sacrifice the conviction of their own senses, + rather than allow that they did not witness the same favourable emblem, + from which all draw confidence and hope. One warrior catches the idea from + another; all are alike eager to acknowledge the present miracle, and the + battle is won before the mistake is discovered. In such cases, the number + of persons present, which would otherwise lead to detection of the + fallacy, becomes the means of strengthening it. + </p> + <p> + Of this disposition, to see as much of the supernatural as is seen by + others around, or, in other words, to trust to the eyes of others rather + than to our own, we may take the liberty to quote two remarkable + instances. + </p> + <p> + The first is from the “Historia Verdadera” of Don Bernal Dias del + Castillo, one of the companions of the celebrated Cortez in his Mexican + conquest. After having given an account of a great victory over extreme + odds, he mentions the report inserted in the contemporary Chronicle of + Gomara, that Saint Iago had appeared on a white horse in van of the + combat, and led on his beloved Spaniards to victory. It is very curious to + observe the Castilian cavalier’s internal conviction that the rumour arose + out of a mistake, the cause of which he explains from his own observation; + whilst, at the same time, he does not venture to disown the miracle. The + honest Conquestador owns that he himself did not see this animating + vision; nay, that he beheld an individual cavalier, named Francisco de + Morla, mounted on a chestnut horse, and fighting strenuously in the very + place where Saint James is said to have appeared. But instead of + proceeding to draw the necessary inference, the devout Conquestador + exclaims—“Sinner that I am, what am I that I should have beheld the + blessed apostle!” + </p> + <p> + The other instance of the infectious character of superstition occurs in a + Scottish book, and there can be little doubt that it refers, in its first + origin, to some uncommon appearance of the aurora borealis, or the + northern lights, which do not appear to have been seen in Scotland so + frequently as to be accounted a common and familiar atmospherical + phenomenon, until the beginning of the eighteenth century. The passage is + striking and curious, for the narrator, Peter Walker, though an + enthusiast, was a man of credit, and does not even affect to have seen the + wonders, the reality of which he unscrupulously adopts on the testimony of + others, to whose eyes he trusted rather than to his own. The conversion of + the sceptical gentleman of whom he speaks is highly illustrative of + popular credulity carried away into enthusiasm, or into imposture, by the + evidence of those around, and at once shows the imperfection of such a + general testimony, and the ease with which it is procured, since the + general excitement of the moment impels even the more cold-blooded and + judicious persons present to catch up the ideas and echo the exclamations + of the majority, who, from the first, had considered the heavenly + phenomenon as a supernatural weapon-schaw, held for the purpose of a sign + and warning of civil wars to come. + </p> + <p> + “In the year 1686, in the months of June and July,” says the honest + chronicler, “many yet alive can witness that about the Crossford Boat, two + miles beneath Lanark, especially at the Mains, on the water of Clyde, many + people gathered together for several afternoons, where there were showers + of bonnets, hats, guns, and swords, which covered the trees and the + ground; companies of men in arms marching in order upon the waterside; + companies meeting companies, going all through other, and then all falling + to the ground and disappearing; other companies immediately appeared, + marching the same way. I went there three afternoons together, and, as I + observed, there were two-thirds of the people that were together saw, and + a third that saw not; and, <i>though I could see nothing</i>, there was + such a fright and trembling on those that did see, that was discernible to + all from those that saw not. There was a gentleman standing next to me who + spoke as too many gentlemen and others speak, who said, ‘A pack of damned + witches and warlocks that have the second sight! the devil ha’t do I see;’ + and immediately there was a discernible change in his countenance. With as + much fear and trembling as any woman I saw there, he called out, ‘All you + that do not see, say nothing; for I persuade you it is matter of fact, and + discernible to all that is not stone-blind.’ And those who did see told + what works (<i>i.e.</i>, locks) the guns had, and their length and + wideness, and what handles the swords had, whether small or three-barr’d, + or Highland guards, and the closing knots of the bonnets, black or blue; + and those who did see them there, whenever they went abroad, saw a bonnet + and a sword drop in the way."<a href="#linknote-1" name="linknoteref-1" + id="linknoteref-1"><small>1</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-1" id="linknote-1"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 1 (<a href="#linknoteref-1">return</a>)<br /> [ Walker’s “Lives,” + Edinburgh, 1827, vol. i. p. xxxvi. It is evident that honest Peter + believed in the apparition of this martial gear on the principle of + Partridge’s terror for the ghost of Hamlet—not that he was afraid + himself, but because Garrick showed such evident marks of terror.] + </p> + <p> + This singular phenomenon, in which a multitude believed, although only + two-thirds of them saw what must, if real, have been equally obvious to + all, may be compared with the exploit of the humourist, who planted + himself in an attitude of astonishment, with his eyes riveted on the + well-known bronze lion that graces the front of Northumberland House in + the Strand, and having attracted the attention of those who looked at him + by muttering, “By heaven it wags! it wags again!” contrived in a few + minutes to blockade the whole street with an immense crowd, some + conceiving that they had absolutely seen the lion of Percy wag his tail, + others expecting’ to witness the same phenomenon. + </p> + <p> + On such occasions as we have hitherto mentioned, we have supposed that the + ghost-seer has been in full possession of his ordinary powers of + perception, unless in the case of dreamers, in whom they may have been + obscured by temporary slumber, and the possibility of correcting vagaries + of the imagination rendered more difficult by want of the ordinary appeal + to the evidence of the bodily senses. In other respects their blood beat + temperately, they possessed the ordinary capacity of ascertaining the + truth or discerning the falsehood of external appearances by an appeal to + the organ of sight. Unfortunately, however, as is now universally known + and admitted, there certainly exists more than one disorder known to + professional men of which one important symptom is a disposition to see + apparitions. + </p> + <p> + This frightful disorder is not properly insanity, although it is somewhat + allied to that most horrible of maladies, and may, in many constitutions, + be the means of bringing it on, and although such hallucinations are + proper to both. The difference I conceive to be that, in cases of + insanity, the mind of the patient is principally affected, while the + senses, or organic system, offer in vain to the lunatic their decided + testimony against the fantasy of a deranged imagination. Perhaps the + nature of this collision—between a disturbed imagination and organs + of sense possessed of their usual accuracy—cannot be better + described than in the embarrassment expressed by an insane patient + confined in the Infirmary of Edinburgh. The poor man’s malady had taken a + gay turn. The house, in his idea, was his own, and he contrived to account + for all that seemed inconsistent with his imaginary right of property—there + were many patients in it, but that was owing to the benevolence of his + nature, which made him love to see the relief of distress. He went little, + or rather never abroad—but then his habits were of a domestic and + rather sedentary character. He did not see much company—but he daily + received visits from the first characters in the renowned medical school + of this city, and he could not therefore be much in want of society. With + so many supposed comforts around him—with so many visions of wealth + and splendour—one thing alone disturbed the peace of the poor + optimist, and would indeed have confounded most <i>bons vivants</i>. “He + was curious,” he said, “in his table, choice in his selection of cooks, + had every day a dinner of three regular courses and a dessert; and yet, + somehow or other, everything he eat <i>tasted of porridge</i>.” This + dilemma could be no great wonder to the friend to whom the poor patient + communicated it, who knew the lunatic eat nothing but this simple aliment + at any of his meals. The case was obvious. The disease lay in the extreme + vivacity of the patient’s imagination, deluded in other instances, yet not + absolutely powerful enough to contend with the honest evidence of his + stomach and palate, which, like Lord Peter’s brethren in “The Tale of a + Tub,” were indignant at the attempt to impose boiled oatmeal upon them, + instead of such a banquet as Ude would have displayed when peers were to + partake of it. Here, therefore, is one instance of actual insanity, in + which the sense of taste controlled and attempted to restrain the ideal + hypothesis adopted by a deranged imagination. But the disorder to which I + previously alluded is entirely of a bodily character, and consists + principally in a disease of the visual organs, which present to the + patient a set of spectres or appearances which have no actual existence. + It is a disease of the same nature which renders many men incapable of + distinguishing colours; only the patients go a step further, and pervert + the external form of objects. In their case, therefore, contrary to that + of the maniac, it is not the mind, or rather the imagination, which + imposes upon and overpowers the evidence of the senses, but the sense of + seeing (or hearing) which betrays its duty and conveys false ideas to a + sane intellect. + </p> + <p> + More than one learned physician, who have given their attestations to the + existence of this most distressing complaint, have agreed that it actually + occurs, and is occasioned by different causes. The most frequent source of + the malady is in the dissipated and intemperate habits of those who, by a + continued series of intoxication, become subject to what is popularly + called the Blue Devils, instances of which mental disorder may be known to + most who have lived for any period of their lives in society where hard + drinking was a common vice. The joyous visions suggested by intoxication + when the habit is first acquired, in time disappear, and are supplied by + frightful impressions and scenes, which destroy the tranquillity of the + unhappy debauchee. Apparitions of the most unpleasant appearance are his + companions in solitude, and intrude even upon his hours of society: and + when by an alteration of habits, the mind is cleared of these frightful + ideas, it requires but the slightest renewal of the association to bring + back the full tide of misery upon the repentant libertine. + </p> + <p> + Of this the following instance was told to the author by a gentleman + connected with the sufferer. A young man of fortune, who had led what is + called so gay a life as considerably to injure both his health and + fortune, was at length obliged to consult the physician upon the means of + restoring, at least, the former. One of his principal complaints was the + frequent presence of a set of apparitions, resembling a band of figures + dressed in green, who performed in his drawing-room a singular dance, to + which he was compelled to bear witness, though he knew, to his great + annoyance, that the whole <i>corps de ballet</i> existed only in his own + imagination. His physician immediately informed him that he had lived upon + town too long and too fast not to require an exchange to a more healthy + and natural course of life. He therefore prescribed a gentle course of + medicine, but earnestly recommended to his patient to retire to his own + house in the country, observe a temperate diet and early hours, practising + regular exercise, on the same principle avoiding fatigue, and assured him + that by doing so he might bid adieu to black spirits and white, blue, + green, and grey, with all their trumpery. The patient observed the advice, + and prospered. His physician, after the interval of a month, received a + grateful letter from him, acknowledging the success of his regimen. The + greens goblins had disappeared, and with them the unpleasant train of + emotions to which their visits had given rise, and the patient had ordered + his town-house to be disfurnished and sold, while the furniture was to be + sent down to his residence in the country, where he was determined in + future to spend his life, without exposing himself to the temptations of + town. One would have supposed this a well-devised scheme for health. But, + alas! no sooner had the furniture of the London drawing-room been placed + in order in the gallery of the old manor-house, than the former delusion + returned in full force: the green <i>figurantés</i>, whom the patient’s + depraved imagination had so long associated with these moveables, came + capering and frisking to accompany them, exclaiming with great glee, as if + the sufferer should have been rejoiced to see them, “Here we all are—here + we all are!” The visionary, if I recollect right, was so much shocked at + their appearance, that he retired abroad, in despair that any part of + Britain could shelter him from the daily persecution of this domestic + ballet. + </p> + <p> + There is reason to believe that such cases are numerous, and that they may + perhaps arise not only from the debility of stomach brought on by excess + in wine or spirits, which derangement often sensibly affects the eyes and + sense of sight, but also because the mind becomes habitually predominated + over by a train of fantastic visions, the consequence of frequent + intoxication; and is thus, like a dislocated joint, apt again to go wrong, + even when a different cause occasions the derangement. + </p> + <p> + It is easy to be supposed that habitual excitement by means of any other + intoxicating drug, as opium, or its various substitutes, must expose those + who practise the dangerous custom to the same inconvenience. Very frequent + use of the nitrous oxide which affects the senses so strongly, and + produces a short but singular state of ecstasy, would probably be found to + occasion this species of disorder. But there are many other causes which + medical men find attended with the same symptom, of embodying before the + eyes of a patient imaginary illusions which are visible to no one else. + This persecution of spectral deceptions is also found to exist when no + excesses of the patient can be alleged as the cause, owing, doubtless, to + a deranged state of the blood or nervous system. + </p> + <p> + The learned and acute Dr. Ferriar of Manchester was the first who brought + before the English public the leading case, as it may be called, in this + department, namely, that of Mons. Nicolai, the celebrated bookseller of + Berlin. This gentleman was not a man merely of books, but of letters, and + had the moral courage to lay before the Philosophical Society of Berlin an + account of his own sufferings, from having been, by disease, subjected to + a series of spectral illusions. The leading circumstances of this case may + be stated very shortly, as it has been repeatedly before the public, and + is insisted on by Dr. Ferriar, Dr. Hibbert, and others who have assumed + Demonology as a subject. Nicolai traces his illness remotely to a series + of disagreeable incidents which had happened to him in the beginning of + the year 1791. The depression of spirits which was occasioned by these + unpleasant occurrences, was aided by the consequences of neglecting a + course of periodical bleeding which he had been accustomed to observe. + This state of health brought on the disposition to see <i>phantasmata</i>, + who visited, or it may be more properly said frequented, the apartments of + the learned bookseller, presenting crowds of persons who moved and acted + before him, nay, even spoke to and addressed him. These phantoms afforded + nothing unpleasant to the imagination of the visionary either in sight or + expression, and the patient was possessed of too much firmness to be + otherwise affected by their presence than with a species of curiosity, as + he remained convinced from the beginning to the end of the disorder, that + these singular effects were merely symptoms of the state of his health, + and did not in any other respect regard them as a subject of apprehension. + After a certain time, and some use of medicine, the phantoms became less + distinct in their outline, less vivid in their colouring, faded, as it + were, on the eye of the patient, and at length totally disappeared. + </p> + <p> + The case of Nicolai has unquestionably been that of many whose love of + science has not been able to overcome their natural reluctance to + communicate to the public the particulars attending the visitation of a + disease so peculiar. That such illnesses have been experienced, and have + ended fatally, there can be no doubt; though it is by no means to be + inferred, that the symptom of importance to our present discussion has, on + all occasions, been produced from the same identical cause. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Hibbert, who has most ingeniously, as well as philosophically, handled + this subject, has treated it also in a medical point of view, with science + to which we make no pretence, and a precision of detail to which our + superficial investigation affords us no room for extending ourselves. + </p> + <p> + The visitation of spectral phenomena is described by this learned + gentleman as incidental to sundry complaints; and he mentions, in + particular, that the symptom occurs not only in plethora, as in the case + of the learned Prussian we have just mentioned, but is a frequent hectic + symptom—often an associate of febrile and inflammatory disorders—frequently + accompanying inflammation of the brain—a concomitant also of highly + excited nervous irritability—equally connected with hypochondria—and + finally united in some cases with gout, and in others with the effects of + excitation produced by several gases. In all these cases there seems to be + a morbid degree of sensibility, with which this symptom is ready to ally + itself, and which, though inaccurate as a medical definition, may be held + sufficiently descriptive of one character of the various kinds of disorder + with which this painful symptom may be found allied. + </p> + <p> + A very singular and interesting illustration of such combinations as Dr. + Hibbert has recorded of the spectral illusion with an actual disorder, and + that of a dangerous kind, was frequently related in society by the late + learned and accomplished Dr. Gregory of Edinburgh, and sometimes, I + believe, quoted by him in his lectures. The narrative, to the author’s + best recollection, was as follows:—A patient of Dr. Gregory, a + person, it is understood, of some rank, having requested the doctor’s + advice, made the following extraordinary statement of his complaint. “I am + in the habit,” he said, “of dining at five, and exactly as the hour of six + arrives I am subjected to the following painful visitation. The door of + the room, even when I have been weak enough to bolt it, which I have + sometimes done, flies wide open; an old hag, like one of those who haunted + the heath of Forres, enters with a frowning and incensed countenance, + comes straight up to me with every demonstration of spite and indignation + which could characterize her who haunted the merchant Abudah in the + Oriental tale; she rushes upon me, says something, but so hastily that I + cannot discover the purport, and then strikes me a severe blow with her + staff. I fall from my chair in a swoon, which is of longer or shorter + endurance. To the recurrence of this apparition I am daily subjected. And + such is my new and singular complaint.” The doctor immediately asked + whether his patient had invited any one to sit with him when he expected + such a visitation. He was answered in the negative. The nature of the + complaint, he said, was so singular, it was so likely to be imputed to + fancy, or even to mental derangement, that he had shrunk from + communicating the circumstance to any one. “Then,” said the doctor, “with + your permission, I will dine with you to-day, <i>téte-à-téte</i>, and we + will see if your malignant old woman will venture to join our company.” + The patient accepted the proposal with hope and gratitude, for he had + expected ridicule rather than sympathy. They met at dinner, and Dr. + Gregory, who suspected some nervous disorder, exerted his powers of + conversation, well known to be of the most varied and brilliant character, + to keep the attention of his host engaged, and prevent him from thinking + on the approach of the fated hour, to which he was accustomed to look + forward with so much terror. He succeeded in his purpose better than he + had hoped. The hour of six came almost unnoticed, and it was hoped might + pass away without any evil consequence; but it was scarce a moment struck + when the owner of the house exclaimed, in an alarmed voice, “The hag comes + again!” and dropped back in his chair in a swoon, in the way he had + himself described. The physician caused him to be let blood, and satisfied + himself that the periodical shocks of which his patient complained arose + from a tendency to apoplexy. + </p> + <p> + The phantom with the crutch was only a species of machinery, such as that + with which fancy is found to supply the disorder called <i>Ephialtes</i>, + or nightmare, or indeed any other external impression upon our organs in + sleep, which the patient’s morbid imagination may introduce into the dream + preceding the swoon. In the nightmare an oppression and suffocation is + felt, and our fancy instantly conjures up a spectre to lie on our bosom. + In like manner it may be remarked, that any sudden noise which the + slumberer hears, without being actually awakened by it—any casual + touch of his person occurring in the same manner—becomes instantly + adopted in his dream, and accommodated to the tenor of the current train + of thought, whatever that may happen to be; and nothing is more remarkable + than the rapidity with which imagination supplies a complete explanation + of the interruption, according to the previous train of ideas expressed in + the dream, even when scarce a moment of time is allowed for that purpose. + In dreaming, for example, of a duel, the external sound becomes, in the + twinkling of an eye, the discharge of the combatants’ pistols;—is an + orator haranguing in his sleep, the sound becomes the applause of his + supposed audience;—is the dreamer wandering among supposed ruins, + the noise is that of the fall of some part of the mass. In short, an + explanatory system is adopted during sleep with such extreme rapidity, + that supposing the intruding alarm to have been the first call of some + person to awaken the slumberer, the explanation, though requiring some + process of argument or deduction, is usually formed and perfect before the + second effort of the speaker has restored the dreamer to the waking world + and its realities. So rapid and intuitive is the succession of ideas in + sleep, as to remind us of the vision of the prophet Mahommed, in which he + saw the whole wonders of heaven and hell, though the jar of water which + fell when his ecstasy commenced, had not spilled its contents when he + returned to ordinary existence. + </p> + <p> + A second, and equally remarkable instance, was communicated to the author + by the medical man under whose observation it fell, but who was, of + course, desirous to keep private the name of the hero of so singular a + history. Of the friend by whom the facts were attested I can only say, + that if I found myself at liberty to name him, the rank which he holds in + his profession, as well as his attainments in science and philosophy, form + an undisputed claim to the most implicit credit. + </p> + <p> + It was the fortune of this gentleman to be called in to attend the illness + of a person now long deceased, who in his lifetime stood, as I understand, + high in a particular department of the law, which often placed the + property of others at his discretion and control, and whose conduct, + therefore, being open to public observation, he had for many years borne + the character of a man of unusual steadiness, good sense, and integrity. + He was, at the time of my friend’s visits, confined principally to his + sick-room, sometimes to bed, yet occasionally attending to business, and + exerting his mind, apparently with all its usual strength and energy, to + the conduct of important affairs intrusted to him; nor did there, to a + superficial observer, appear anything in his conduct, while so engaged, + that could argue vacillation of intellect, or depression of mind. His + outward symptoms of malady argued no acute or alarming disease. But + slowness of pulse, absence of appetite, difficulty of digestion, and + constant depression of spirits, seemed to draw their origin from some + hidden cause, which the patient was determined to conceal. The deep gloom + of the unfortunate gentleman—the embarrassment, which he could not + conceal from his friendly physician—the briefness and obvious + constraint with which he answered the interrogations of his medical + adviser, induced my friend to take other methods for prosecuting his + inquiries. He applied to the sufferer’s family, to learn, if possible, the + source of that secret grief which was gnawing the heart and sucking the + life-blood of his unfortunate patient. The persons applied to, after + conversing together previously, denied all knowledge of any cause for the + burden which obviously affected their relative. So far as they knew—and + they thought they could hardly be deceived—his worldly affairs were + prosperous; no family loss had occurred which could be followed with such + persevering distress; no entanglements of affection could be supposed to + apply to his age, and no sensation of severe remorse could be consistent + with his character. The medical gentleman had finally recourse to serious + argument with the invalid himself, and urged to him the folly of devoting + himself to a lingering and melancholy death, rather than tell the subject + of affliction which was thus wasting him. He specially pressed upon him + the injury which he was doing to his own character, by suffering it to be + inferred that the secret cause of his dejection and its consequences was + something too scandalous or flagitious to be made known, bequeathing in + this manner to his family a suspected and dishonoured name, and leaving a + memory with which might be associated the idea of guilt, which the + criminal had died without confessing. The patient, more moved by this + species of appeal than by any which had yet been urged, expressed his + desire to speak out frankly to Dr.——. Every one else was + removed, and the door of the sick-room made secure, when he began his + confession in the following manner:— + </p> + <p> + “You cannot, my dear friend, be more conscious than I, that I am in the + course of dying under the oppression of the fatal disease which consumes + my vital powers; but neither can you understand the nature of my + complaint, and manner in which it acts upon me, nor, if you did, I fear, + could your zeal and skill avail to rid me of it.”—“It is possible,” + said the physician, “that my skill may not equal my wish of serving you; + yet medical science has many resources, of which those unacquainted with + its powers never can form an estimate. But until you plainly tell me your + symptoms of complaint, it is impossible for either of us to say what may + or may not be in my power, or within that of medicine.”—“I may + answer you,” replied the patient, “that my case is not a singular one, + since we read of it in the famous novel of Le Sage. You remember, + doubtless, the disease of which the Duke d’Olivarez is there stated to + have died?”—“Of the idea,” answered the medical gentleman, “that he + was haunted by an apparition, to the actual existence of which he gave no + credit, but died, nevertheless, because he was overcome and heart-broken + by its imaginary presence.”—“I, my dearest doctor,” said the sick + man, “am in that very case; and so painful and abhorrent is the presence + of the persecuting vision, that my reason is totally inadequate to combat + the effects of my morbid imagination, and I am sensible I am dying, a + wasted victim to an imaginary disease.” The medical gentleman listened + with anxiety to his patient’s statement, and for the present judiciously + avoiding any contradiction of the sick man’s preconceived fancy, contented + himself with more minute inquiry into the nature of the apparition with + which he conceived himself haunted, and into the history of the mode by + which so singular a disease had made itself master of his imagination, + secured, as it seemed, by strong powers of the understanding, against an + attack so irregular. The sick person replied by stating that its advances + were gradual, and at first not of a terrible or even disagreeable + character. To illustrate this, he gave the following account of the + progress of his disease:— + </p> + <p> + “My visions,” he said, “commenced two or three years since, when I found + myself from time to time embarrassed by the presence of a large cat, which + came and disappeared I could not exactly tell how, till the truth was + finally forced upon me, and I was compelled to regard it as no domestic + household cat, but as a bubble of the elements, which had no existence + save in my deranged visual organs or depraved imagination. Still I had not + that positive objection to the animal entertained by a late gallant + Highland chieftain, who has been seen to change to all the colours of his + own plaid if a cat by accident happened to be in the room with him, even + though he did not see it. On the contrary, I am rather a friend to cats, + and endured with so much equanimity the presence of my imaginary + attendant, that it had become almost indifferent to me; when, within the + course of a few months, it gave place to, or was succeeded by, a spectre + of a more important sort, or which at least had a more imposing + appearance. This was no other than the apparition of a gentleman-usher, + dressed as if to wait upon a Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, a Lord High + Commissioner of the Kirk, or any other who bears on his brow the rank and + stamp of delegated sovereignty. + </p> + <p> + “This personage, arrayed in a court dress, with bag and sword, tamboured + waistcoat, and chapeau-bras, glided beside me like the ghost of Beau Nash; + and, whether in my own house or in another, ascended the stairs before me, + as if to announce me in the drawing-room, and at sometimes appeared to + mingle with the company, though it was sufficiently evident that they were + not aware of his presence, and that I alone was sensible of the visionary + honours which this imaginary being seemed desirous to render me. This + freak of the fancy did not produce much impression on me, though it led me + to entertain doubts on the nature of my disorder and alarm for the effect + it might produce on my intellects. But that modification of my disease + also had its appointed duration. After a few months the phantom of the + gentleman-usher was seen no more, but was succeeded by one horrible to the + sight and distressing to the imagination, being no other than the image of + death itself—the apparition of a <i>skeleton</i>. Alone or in + company,” said the unfortunate invalid, “the presence of this last phantom + never quits me. I in vain tell myself a hundred times over that it is no + reality, but merely an image summoned up by the morbid acuteness of my own + excited imagination and deranged organs of sight. But what avail such + reflections, while the emblem at once and presage of mortality is before + my eyes, and while I feel myself, though in fancy only, the companion of a + phantom representing a ghastly inhabitant of the grave, even while I yet + breathe on the earth? Science, philosophy, even religion, has no cure for + such a disorder; and I feel too surely that I shall die the victim to so + melancholy a disease, although I have no belief whatever in the reality of + the phantom which it places before me.” + </p> + <p> + The physician was distressed to perceive, from these details, how strongly + this visionary apparition was fixed in the imagination of his patient. He + ingeniously urged the sick man, who was then in bed, with questions + concerning the circumstances of the phantom’s appearance, trusting he + might lead him, as a sensible man, into such contradictions and + inconsistencies as might bring his common-sense, which seemed to be + unimpaired, so strongly into the field as might combat successfully the + fantastic disorder which produced such fatal effects. “This skeleton, + then,” said the doctor, “seems to you to be always present to your eyes?” + “It is my fate, unhappily,” answered the invalid, “always to see it.” + “Then I understand,” continued the physician, “it is now present to your + imagination?” “To my imagination it certainly is so,” replied the sick + man. “And in what part of the chamber do you now conceive the apparition + to appear?” the physician inquired. “Immediately at the foot of my bed. + When the curtains are left a little open,” answered the invalid, “the + skeleton, to my thinking, is placed between them, and fills the vacant + space.” “You say you are sensible of the delusion,” said his friend; “have + you firmness to convince yourself of the truth of this? Can you take + courage enough to rise and place yourself in the spot so seeming to be + occupied, and convince yourself of the illusion?” The poor man sighed, and + shook his head negatively. “Well,” said the doctor, “we will try the + experiment otherwise.” Accordingly, he rose from his chair by the bedside, + and placing himself between the two half-drawn curtains at the foot of the + bed, indicated as the place occupied by the apparition, asked if the + spectre was still visible? “Not entirely so,” replied the patient, + “because your person is betwixt him and me; but I observe his skull + peering above your shoulder.” + </p> + <p> + It is alleged the man of science started on the instant, despite + philosophy, on receiving an answer ascertaining, with such minuteness, + that the ideal spectre was close to his own person. He resorted to other + means of investigation and cure, but with equally indifferent success. The + patient sunk into deeper and deeper dejection, and died in the same + distress of mind in which he had spent the latter months of his life; and + his case remains a melancholy instance of the power of imagination to kill + the body, even when its fantastic terrors cannot overcome the intellect, + of the unfortunate persons who suffer under them. The patient, in the + present case, sunk under his malady; and the circumstances of his singular + disorder remaining concealed, he did not, by his death and last illness, + lose any of his well-merited reputation for prudence and sagacity which + had attended him during the whole course of his life. + </p> + <p> + Having added these two remarkable instances to the general train of + similar facts quoted by Ferriar, Hibbert, and other writers who have more + recently considered the subject, there can, we think, be little doubt of + the proposition, that the external organs may, from various causes, become + so much deranged as to make false representations to the mind; and that, + in such cases, men, in the literal sense, really <i>see</i> the empty and + false forms and <i>hear</i> the ideal sounds which, in a more primitive + state of society, are naturally enough referred to the action of demons or + disembodied spirits. In such unhappy cases the patient is intellectually + in the condition of a general whose spies have been bribed by the enemy, + and who must engage himself in the difficult and delicate task of + examining and correcting, by his own powers of argument, the probability + of the reports which are too inconsistent to be trusted to. + </p> + <p> + But there is a corollary to this proposition, which is worthy of notice. + The same species of organic derangement which, as a continued habit of his + deranged vision, presented the subject of our last tale with the + successive apparitions of his cat, his gentleman-usher, and the fatal + skeleton, may occupy, for a brief or almost momentary space, the vision of + men who are otherwise perfectly clear-sighted. Transitory deceptions are + thus presented to the organs which, when they occur to men of strength of + mind and of education, give way to scrutiny, and their character being + once investigated, the true takes the place of the unreal representation. + But in ignorant times those instances in which any object is + misrepresented, whether through the action of the senses, or of the + imagination, or the combined influence of both, for however short a space + of time, may be admitted as direct evidence of a supernatural apparition; + a proof the more difficult to be disputed if the phantom has been + personally witnessed by a man of sense and estimation, who, perhaps + satisfied in the general as to the actual existence of apparitions, has + not taken time or trouble to correct his first impressions. This species + of deception is so frequent that one of the greatest poets of the present + time answered a lady who asked him if he believed in ghosts:—“No, + madam; I have seen too many myself.” I may mention one or two instances of + the kind, to which no doubt can be attached. + </p> + <p> + The first shall be the apparition of Maupertuis to a brother professor in + the Royal Society of Berlin. + </p> + <p> + This extraordinary circumstance appeared in the Transactions of the + Society, but is thus stated by M. Thiebault in his “Recollections of + Frederick the Great and the Court of Berlin.” It is necessary to premise + that M. Gleditsch, to whom the circumstance happened, was a botanist of + eminence, holding the professorship of natural philosophy at Berlin, and + respected as a man of an habitually serious, simple, and tranquil + character. + </p> + <p> + A short time after the death of Maupertuis,<a href="#linknote-2" + name="linknoteref-2" id="linknoteref-2"><small>2</small></a> M. Gleditsch + being obliged to traverse the hall in which the Academy held its sittings, + having some arrangements to make in the cabinet of natural history, which + was under his charge, and being willing to complete them on the Thursday + before the meeting, he perceived, on entering the hall, the apparition of + M. de Maupertuis, upright and stationary, in the first angle on his left + hand, having his eyes fixed on him. This was about three o’clock, + afternoon. The professor of natural philosophy was too well acquainted + with physical science to suppose that his late president, who had died at + Bâle, in the family of Messrs. Bernoullie, could have found his way back + to Berlin in person. He regarded the apparition in no other light than as + a phantom produced by some derangement of his own proper organs. M. + Gleditsch went to his own business, without stopping longer than to + ascertain exactly the appearance of that object. But he related the vision + to his brethren, and assured them that it was as defined and perfect as + the actual person of Maupertuis could have presented. When it is + recollected that Maupertuis died at a distance from Berlin, once the scene + of his triumphs—overwhelmed by the petulant ridicule of Voltaire, + and out of favour with Frederick, with whom to be ridiculous was to be + worthless—we can hardly wonder at the imagination even of a man of + physical science calling up his Eidolon in the hall of his former + greatness. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-2" id="linknote-2"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 2 (<a href="#linknoteref-2">return</a>)<br /> [ Long the president of the + Berlin Academy, and much favoured by Frederick II., till he was + overwhelmed by the ridicule of Voltaire. He retired, in a species of + disgrace, to his native country of Switzerland, and died there shortly + afterwards.] + </p> + <p> + The sober-minded professor did not, however, push his investigation to the + point to which it was carried by a gallant soldier, from whose mouth a + particular friend of the author received the following circumstances of a + similar story. + </p> + <p> + Captain C—— was a native of Britain, but bred in the Irish + Brigade. He was a man of the most dauntless courage, which he displayed in + some uncommonly desperate adventures during the first years of the French + Revolution, being repeatedly employed by the royal family in very + dangerous commissions. After the King’s death he came over to England, and + it was then the following circumstance took place. + </p> + <p> + Captain C—— was a Catholic, and, in his hour of adversity at + least, sincerely attached to the duties of his religion. His confessor was + a clergyman who was residing as chaplain to a man of rank in the west of + England, about four miles from the place where Captain C—— + lived. On riding over one morning to see this gentleman, his penitent had + the misfortune to find him very ill from a dangerous complaint. He retired + in great distress and apprehension of his friend’s life, and the feeling + brought back upon him many other painful and disagreeable recollections. + These occupied him till the hour of retiring to bed, when, to his great + astonishment, he saw in the room the figure of the absent confessor. He + addressed it, but received no answer—the eyes alone were impressed + by the appearance. Determined to push the matter to the end, Captain C—— + advanced on the phantom, which appeared to retreat gradually before him. + In this manner he followed it round the bed, when it seemed to sink down + on an elbow-chair, and remain there in a sitting posture. To ascertain + positively the nature of the apparition, the soldier himself sate down on + the same chair, ascertaining thus, beyond question, that the whole was + illusion; yet he owned that, had his friend died about the same time, he + would not well have known what name to give to his vision. But as the + confessor recovered, and, in Dr. Johnson’s phrase, “nothing came of it,” + the incident was only remarkable as showing that men of the strongest + nerves are not exempted from such delusions. + </p> + <p> + Another illusion of the same nature we have the best reason for vouching + as a fact, though, for certain reasons, we do not give the names of the + parties. Not long after the death of a late illustrious poet, who had + filled, while living, a great station in the eye of the public, a literary + friend, to whom the deceased had been well known, was engaged, during the + darkening twilight of an autumn evening, in perusing one of the + publications which professed to detail the habits and opinions of the + distinguished individual who was now no more. As the reader had enjoyed + the intimacy of the deceased to a considerable degree, he was deeply + interested in the publication, which contained some particulars relating + to himself and other friends. A visitor was sitting in the apartment, who + was also engaged in reading. Their sitting-room opened into an + entrance-hall, rather fantastically fitted up with articles of armour, + skins of wild animals, and the like. It was when laying down his book, and + passing into this hall, through which the moon was beginning to shine, + that the individual of whom I speak saw, right before him, and in a + standing posture, the exact representation of his departed friend, whose + recollection had been so strongly brought to his imagination. He stopped + for a single moment, so as to notice the wonderful accuracy with which + fancy had impressed upon the bodily eye the peculiarities of dress and + posture of the illustrious poet. Sensible, however, of the delusion, he + felt no sentiment save that of wonder at the extraordinary accuracy of the + resemblance, and stepped onwards towards the figure, which resolved + itself, as he approached, into the various materials of which it was + composed. These were merely a screen, occupied by great-coats, shawls, + plaids, and such other articles as usually are found in a country + entrance-hall. The spectator returned to the spot from which he had seen + the illusion, and endeavoured, with all his power, to recall the image + which had been so singularly vivid. But this was beyond his capacity; and + the person who had witnessed the apparition, or, more properly, whose + excited state had been the means of raising it, had only to return into + the apartment, and tell his young friend under what a striking + hallucination he had for a moment laboured. + </p> + <p> + There is every reason to believe that instances of this kind are frequent + among persons of a certain temperament, and when such occur in an early + period of society, they are almost certain to be considered as real + supernatural appearances. They differ from those of Nicolai, and others + formerly noticed, as being of short duration, and constituting no habitual + or constitutional derangement of the system. The apparition of Maupertuis + to Monsieur Gleditsch, that of the Catholic clergyman to Captain C——, + that of a late poet to his friend, are of the latter character. They bear + to the former the analogy, as we may say, which a sudden and temporary + fever-fit has to a serious feverish illness. But, even for this very + reason, it is more difficult to bring such momentary impressions back to + their real sphere of optical illusions, since they accord much better with + our idea of glimpses of the future world than those in which the vision is + continued or repeated for hours, days, and months, affording opportunities + of discovering, from other circumstances, that the symptom originates in + deranged health. + </p> + <p> + Before concluding these observations upon the deceptions of the senses, we + must remark that the eye is the organ most essential to the purpose of + realizing to our mind the appearance of external objects, and that when + the visual organ becomes depraved for a greater or less time, and to a + farther or more limited extent, its misrepresentation of the objects of + sight is peculiarly apt to terminate in such hallucinations as those we + have been detailing. Yet the other senses or organs, in their turn, and to + the extent of their power, are as ready, in their various departments, as + the sight itself, to retain false or doubtful impressions, which mislead, + instead of informing, the party to whom they are addressed. + </p> + <p> + Thus, in regard to the ear, the next organ in importance to the eye, we + are repeatedly deceived by such sounds as are imperfectly gathered up and + erroneously apprehended. From the false impressions received from this + organ also arise consequences similar to those derived from erroneous + reports made by the organs of sight. A whole class of superstitious + observances arise, and are grounded upon inaccurate and imperfect hearing. + To the excited and imperfect state of the ear we owe the existence of what + Milton sublimely calls— + </p> + <p> + The airy tongues that syllable men’s names, On shores, in desert sands, + and wildernesses. + </p> + <p> + These also appear such natural causes of alarm, that we do not sympathize + more readily with Robinson Crusoe’s apprehensions when he witnesses the + print of the savage’s foot in the sand, than in those which arise from his + being waked from sleep by some one calling his name in the solitary + island, where there existed no man but the shipwrecked mariner himself. + Amidst the train of superstitions deduced from the imperfections of the + ear, we may quote that visionary summons which the natives of the Hebrides + acknowledged as one sure sign of approaching fate. The voice of some + absent, or probably some deceased, relative was, in such cases, heard as + repeating the party’s name. Sometimes the aerial summoner intimated his + own death, and at others it was no uncommon circumstance that the person + who fancied himself so called, died in consequence;—for the same + reason that the negro pines to death who is laid under the ban of an Obi + woman, or the Cambro-Briton, whose name is put into the famous cursing + well, with the usual ceremonies, devoting him to the infernal gods, wastes + away and dies, as one doomed to do so. It may be remarked also, that Dr. + Johnson retained a deep impression that, while he was opening the door of + his college chambers, he heard the voice of his mother, then at many + miles’ distance, call him by his name; and it appears he was rather + disappointed that no event of consequence followed a summons sounding so + decidedly supernatural. It is unnecessary to dwell on this sort of + auricular deception, of which most men’s recollection will supply + instances. The following may be stated as one serving to show by what + slender accidents the human ear may be imposed upon. The author was + walking, about two years since, in a wild and solitary scene with a young + friend, who laboured under the infirmity of a severe deafness, when he + heard what he conceived to be the cry of a distant pack of hounds, + sounding intermittedly. As the season was summer, this, on a moment’s + reflection, satisfied the hearer that it could not be the clamour of an + actual chase, and yet his ears repeatedly brought back the supposed cry. + He called upon his own dogs, of which two or three were with the walking + party. They came in quietly, and obviously had no accession to the sounds + which had caught the author’s attention, so that he could not help saying + to his companion, “I am doubly sorry for your infirmity at this moment, + for I could otherwise have let you hear the cry of the Wild Huntsman.” As + the young gentleman used a hearing tube, he turned when spoken to, and, in + doing so, the cause of the phenomenon became apparent. The supposed + distant sound was in fact a nigh one, being the singing of the wind in the + instrument which the young gentleman was obliged to use, but which, from + various circumstances, had never occurred to his elder friend as likely to + produce the sounds he had heard. + </p> + <p> + It is scarce necessary to add, that the highly imaginative superstition of + the Wild Huntsman in Germany seems to have had its origin in strong fancy, + operating upon the auricular deceptions, respecting the numerous sounds + likely to occur in the dark recesses of pathless forests. The same clew + may be found to the kindred Scottish belief, so finely embodied by the + nameless author of “Albania:”— + </p> + <p> + “There, since of old the haughty Thanes of Ross Were wont, with clans and + ready vassals thronged, To wake the bounding stag, or guilty wolf; There + oft is heard at midnight or at noon, Beginning faint, but rising still + more loud, And louder, voice of hunters, and of hounds, And horns + hoarse-winded, blowing far and keen. Forthwith the hubbub multiplies, the + air Labours with louder shouts and rifer din Of close pursuit, the broken + cry of deer Mangled by throttling dogs, the shouts of men, And hoofs, + thick-beating on the hollow hill: Sudden the grazing heifer in the vale + Starts at the tumult, and the herdsman’s ears Tingle with inward dread. + Aghast he eyes The upland ridge, and every mountain round, But not one + trace of living wight discerns, Nor knows, o’erawed and trembling as he + stands, To what or whom he owes his idle fear— To ghost, to witch, + to fairy, or to fiend, But wonders, and no end of wondering finds."<a + href="#linknote-3" name="linknoteref-3" id="linknoteref-3"><small>3</small></a> + </p> + <p> + It must also be remembered, that to the auricular deceptions practised by + the means of ventriloquism or otherwise, may be traced many of the most + successful impostures which credulity has received as supernatural + communications. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-3" id="linknote-3"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 3 (<a href="#linknoteref-3">return</a>)<br /> [ The poem of “Albania” is, + in its original folio edition, so extremely scarce that I have only seen a + copy belonging to the amiable and ingenious Dr. Beattie, besides the one + which I myself possess, printed in the earlier part of last century. It + was reprinted by my late friend Dr. Leyden in a small volume entitled + “Scottish Descriptive Poems.” “Albania” contains the above, and many other + poetical passages of the highest merit.] + </p> + <p> + The sense of touch seems less liable to perversion than either that of + sight or smell, nor are there many cases in which it can become accessary + to such false intelligence as the eye and ear, collecting their objects + from a greater distance and by less accurate enquiry, are but too ready to + convey. Yet there is one circumstance in which the sense of touch as well + as others is very apt to betray its possessor into inaccuracy, in respect + to the circumstances which it impresses on its owner. The case occurs + during sleep, when the dreamer touches with his hand some other part of + his own person. He is clearly, in this case, both the actor and patient, + both the proprietor of the member touching, and of that which is touched; + while, to increase the complication, the hand is both toucher of the limb + on which it rests, and receives an impression of touch from it; and the + same is the case with the limb, which at one and the same time receives an + impression from the hand, and conveys to the mind a report respecting the + size, substance, and the like, of the member touching. Now, as during + sleep the patient is unconscious that both limbs are his own identical + property, his mind is apt to be much disturbed by the complication of + sensations arising from two parts of his person being at once acted upon, + and from their reciprocal action; and false impressions are thus received, + which, accurately enquired into, would afford a clew to many puzzling + phenomena in the theory of dreams. This peculiarity of the organ of touch, + as also that it is confined to no particular organ, but is diffused over + the whole person of the man, is noticed by Lucretius:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +“Ut si forte manu, quam vis jam corporis, ipse + Tute tibi partem ferias, reque experiare.” + </pre> + <p> + A remarkable instance of such an illusion was told me by a late nobleman. + He had fallen asleep, with some uneasy feelings arising from indigestion. + They operated in their usual course of visionary terrors. At length they + were all summed up in the apprehension that the phantom of a dead man held + the sleeper by the wrist, and endeavoured to drag him out of bed. He + awaked in horror, and still felt the cold dead grasp of a corpse’s hand on + his right wrist. It was a minute before he discovered that his own left + hand was in a state of numbness, and with it he had accidentally encircled + his right arm. + </p> + <p> + The taste and the smell, like the touch, convey more direct intelligence + than the eye and the ear, and are less likely than those senses to aid in + misleading the imagination. We have seen the palate, in the case of the + porridge-fed lunatic, enter its protest against the acquiescence of eyes, + ears, and touch, in the gay visions which gilded the patient’s + confinement. The palate, however, is subject to imposition as well as the + other senses. The best and most acute <i>bon vivant</i> loses his power of + discriminating betwixt different kinds of wine, if he is prevented from + assisting his palate by the aid of his eyes,—that is, if the glasses + of each are administered indiscriminately while he is blindfolded. Nay, we + are authorized to believe that individuals have died in consequence of + having supposed themselves to have taken poison, when, in reality, the + draught they had swallowed as such was of an innoxious or restorative + quality. The delusions of the stomach can seldom bear upon our present + subject, and are not otherwise connected with supernatural appearances, + than as a good dinner and its accompaniments are essential in fitting out + a daring Tam of Shanter, who is fittest to encounter them when the poet’s + observation is not unlikely to apply— + </p> + <p> + “Inspiring bauld John Barleycorn, What dangers thou canst make us scorn! + Wi’ tippenny we fear nae evil, Wi’ usquebae we’ll face the devil. The + swats sae ream’d in Tammie’s noddle, Fair play, he caredna deils a bodle!” + </p> + <p> + Neither has the sense of smell, in its ordinary state, much connexion with + our present subject. Mr. Aubrey tells us, indeed, of an apparition which + disappeared with a curious perfume as well as a most melodious twang; and + popular belief ascribes to the presence of infernal spirits a strong + relish of the sulphureous element of which they are inhabitants. Such + accompaniments, therefore, are usually united with other materials for + imposture. If, as a general opinion assures us, which is not positively + discountenanced by Dr. Hibbert, by the inhalation of certain gases or + poisonous herbs, necromancers can dispose a person to believe he sees + phantoms, it is likely that the nostrils are made to inhale such + suffumigation as well as the mouth.<a href="#linknote-4" + name="linknoteref-4" id="linknoteref-4"><small>4</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-4" id="linknote-4"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 4 (<a href="#linknoteref-4">return</a>)<br /> [ Most ancient authors, who + pretend to treat of the wonders of natural magic, give receipts for + calling up phantoms. The lighting lamps fed by peculiar kinds of medicated + oil, and the use of suffumigations of strong and deleterious herbs, are + the means recommended. From these authorities, perhaps, a professor of + legerdemain assured Dr. Alderson of Hull, that he could compose a + preparation of antimony, sulphur, and other drugs, which, when burnt in a + confined room, would have the effect of causing the patient to suppose he + saw phantoms.—See “Hibbert on Apparitions,” p. 120.] + </p> + <p> + I have now arrived, by a devious path, at the conclusion of this letter, + the object of which is to show from what attributes of our nature, whether + mental or corporeal, arises that predisposition to believe in supernatural + occurrences. It is, I think, conclusive that mankind, from a very early + period, have their minds prepared for such events by the consciousness of + the existence of a spiritual world, inferring in the general proposition + the undeniable truth that each man, from the monarch to the beggar, who + has once acted his part on the stage, continues to exist, and may again, + even in a disembodied state, if such is the pleasure of Heaven, for aught + that we know to the contrary, be permitted or ordained to mingle amongst + those who yet remain in the body. The abstract possibility of apparitions + must be admitted by every one who believes in a Deity, and His + superintending omnipotence. But imagination is apt to intrude its + explanations and inferences founded on inadequate evidence. Sometimes our + violent and inordinate passions, originating in sorrow for our friends, + remorse for our crimes, our eagerness of patriotism, or our deep sense of + devotion—these or other violent excitements of a moral character, in + the visions of night, or the rapt ecstasy of the day, persuade us that we + witness, with our eyes and ears, an actual instance of that supernatural + communication, the possibility of which cannot be denied. At other times + the corporeal organs impose upon the mind, while the eye and the ear, + diseased, deranged, or misled, convey false impressions to the patient. + Very often both the mental delusion and the physical deception exist at + the same time, and men’s belief of the phenomena presented to them, + however erroneously, by the senses, is the firmer and more readily + granted, that the physical impression corresponded with the mental + excitement. + </p> + <p> + So many causes acting thus upon each other in various degrees, or + sometimes separately, it must happen early in the infancy of every society + that there should occur many apparently well-authenticated instances of + supernatural intercourse, satisfactory enough to authenticate peculiar + examples of the general proposition which is impressed upon us by belief + of the immortality of the soul. These examples of undeniable apparitions + (for they are apprehended to be incontrovertible), fall like the seed of + the husbandman into fertile and prepared soil, and are usually followed by + a plentiful crop of superstitious figments, which derive their sources + from circumstances and enactments in sacred and profane history, hastily + adopted, and perverted from their genuine reading. This shall be the + subject of my next letter. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER II. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Consequences of the Fall on the Communication between Man and the + Spiritual World—Effects of the Flood—Wizards of Pharaoh—Text in + Exodus against Witches—The word <i>Witch</i> is by some said to mean + merely Poisoner—Or if in the Holy Text it also means a Divineress, + she must, at any rate, have been a Character very different to be + identified with it—The original, <i>Chasaph</i>, said to mean a person + who dealt in Poisons, often a Traffic of those who dealt with + familiar Spirits—But different from the European Witch of the + Middle Ages—Thus a Witch is not accessary to the Temptation of + Job—The Witch of the Hebrews probably did not rank higher than a + Divining Woman—Yet it was a Crime deserving the Doom of Death, + since it inferred the disowning of Jehovah’s Supremacy—Other Texts + of Scripture, in like manner, refer to something corresponding more + with a Fortune-teller or Divining Woman than what is now called a + Witch—Example of the Witch of Endor—Account of her Meeting with + Saul—Supposed by some a mere Impostor—By others, a Sorceress + powerful enough to raise the Spirit of the Prophet by her own + Art—Difficulties attending both Positions—A middle Course adopted, + supposing that, as in the Case of Balak, the Almighty had, by + Exertion of His Will, substituted Samuel, or a good Spirit in his + Character, for the Deception which the Witch intended to + produce—Resumption of the Argument, showing that the Witch of Endor + signified something very different from the modern Ideas of + Witchcraft—The Witches mentioned in the New Testament are not less + different from modern Ideas than those of the Books of Moses, nor do + they appear to have possessed the Power ascribed to + Magicians—Articles of Faith which we may gather from Scripture on + this point—That there might be certain Powers permitted by the + Almighty to Inferior, and even Evil Spirits, is possible; and in + some sense the Gods of the Heathens might be accounted Demons—More + frequently, and in a general sense, they were but logs of wood, + without sense or power of any kind, and their worship founded on + imposture—Opinion that the Oracles were silenced at the Nativity + adopted by Milton—Cases of Demoniacs—The Incarnate Possessions + probably ceased at the same time as the intervention of + Miracles—Opinion of the Catholics—Result, that witchcraft, as the + Word is interpreted in the Middle Ages, neither occurs under the + Mosaic or Gospel Dispensation—It arose in the Ignorant Period, when + the Christians considered the Gods of the Mahommedan or Heathen + Nations as Fiends, and their Priests as Conjurers or + Wizards—Instance as to the Saracens, and among the Northern + Europeans yet unconverted—The Gods of Mexico and Peru explained on + the same system—Also the Powahs of North America—Opinion of + Mather—Gibb, a supposed Warlock, persecuted by the other + Dissenters—Conclusion. +</pre> + <p class="pfirst"> + <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">W</span>hat degree of + communication might have existed between the human race and the + inhabitants of the other world had our first parents kept the commands of + the Creator, can only be subject of unavailing speculation. We do not, + perhaps, presume too much when we suppose, with Milton, that one necessary + consequence of eating the “fruit of that forbidden tree” was removing to a + wider distance from celestial essences the beings who, although originally + but a little lower than the angels, had, by their own crime, forfeited the + gift of immortality, and degraded themselves into an inferior rank of + creation. + </p> + <p> + Some communication between the spiritual world, by the union of those + termed in Scripture “sons of God” and the daughters of Adam, still + continued after the Fall, though their inter-alliance was not approved of + by the Ruler of mankind. We are given to understand—darkly, indeed, + but with as much certainty as we can be entitled to require—that the + mixture between the two species of created beings was sinful on the part + of both, and displeasing to the Almighty. It is probable, also, that the + extreme longevity of the antediluvian mortals prevented their feeling + sufficiently that they had brought themselves under the banner of Azrael, + the angel of death, and removed to too great a distance the period between + their crime and its punishment. The date of the avenging Flood gave birth + to a race whose life was gradually shortened, and who, being admitted to + slighter and rarer intimacy with beings who possessed a higher rank in + creation, assumed, as of course, a lower position in the scale. + Accordingly, after this period we hear no more of those unnatural + alliances which preceded the Flood, and are given to understand that + mankind, dispersing into different parts of the world, separated from each + other, and began, in various places, and under separate auspices, to + pursue the work of replenishing the world, which had been imposed upon + them as an end of their creation. In the meantime, while the Deity was + pleased to continue his manifestations to those who were destined to be + the fathers of his elect people, we are made to understand that wicked men—it + may be by the assistance of fallen angels—were enabled to assert + rank with, and attempt to match, the prophets of the God of Israel. The + matter must remain uncertain whether it was by sorcery or legerdemain that + the wizards of Pharaoh, King of Egypt, contended with Moses, in the face + of the prince and people, changed their rods into serpents, and imitated + several of the plagues denounced against the devoted kingdom. Those powers + of the Magi, however, whether obtained by supernatural communications, or + arising from knowledge of legerdemain and its kindred accomplishments, + were openly exhibited; and who can doubt that—though we may be left + in some darkness both respecting the extent of their skill and the source + from which it was drawn—we are told all which it can be important + for us to know? We arrive here at the period when the Almighty chose to + take upon himself directly to legislate for his chosen people, without + having obtained any accurate knowledge whether the crime of witchcraft, or + the intercourse between the spiritual world and embodied beings, for evil + purposes, either existed after the Flood, or was visited with any open + marks of Divine displeasure. + </p> + <p> + But in the law of Moses, dictated by the Divinity himself, was announced a + text, which, as interpreted literally, having been inserted into the + criminal code of all Christian nations, has occasioned much cruelty and + bloodshed, either from its tenor being misunderstood, or that, being + exclusively calculated for the Israelites, it made part of the judicial + Mosaic dispensation, and was abrogated, like the greater part of that law, + by the more benign and clement dispensation of the Gospel. + </p> + <p> + The text alluded to is that verse of the twenty-second chapter of Exodus + bearing, “men shall not suffer a witch to live.” Many learned men have + affirmed that in this remarkable passage the Hebrew word CHASAPH means + nothing more than poisoner, although, like the word <i>veneficus</i>, by + which it is rendered in the Latin version of the Septuagint, other learned + men contend that it hath the meaning of a witch also, and may be + understood as denoting a person who pretended to hurt his or her + neighbours in life, limb, or goods, either by noxious potions, by charms, + or similar mystical means. In this particular the witches of Scripture had + probably some resemblance to those of ancient Europe, who, although their + skill and power might be safely despised, as long as they confined + themselves to their charms and spells, were very apt to eke out their + capacity of mischief by the use of actual poison, so that the epithet of + sorceress and poisoner were almost synonymous. This is known to have been + the case in many of those darker iniquities which bear as their + characteristic something connected with hidden and prohibited arts. Such + was the statement in the indictment of those concerned in the famous + murder of Sir Thomas Overbury, when the arts of Forman and other sorcerers + having been found insufficient to touch the victim’s life, practice by + poison was at length successfully resorted to; and numerous similar + instances might be quoted. But supposing that the Hebrew witch proceeded + only by charms, invocations, or such means as might be innoxious, save for + the assistance of demons or familiars, the connexion between the conjurer + and the demon must have been of a very different character under the law + of Moses, from that which was conceived in latter days to constitute + witchcraft. There was no contract of subjection to a diabolic power, no + infernal stamp or sign of such a fatal league, no revellings of Satan and + his hags, and no infliction of disease or misfortune upon good men. At + least there is not a word in Scripture authorizing us to believe that such + a system existed. On the contrary, we are told (how far literally, how far + metaphorically, it is not for us to determine) that, when the Enemy of + mankind desired to probe the virtue of Job to the bottom, he applied for + permission to the Supreme Governor of the world, who granted him liberty + to try his faithful servant with a storm of disasters, for the more + brilliant exhibition of the faith which he reposed in his Maker. In all + this, had the scene occurred after the manner of the like events in latter + days, witchcraft, sorceries, and charms would have been introduced, and + the Devil, instead of his own permitted agency, would have employed his + servant the witch as the necessary instrument of the Man of Uzz’s + afflictions. In like manner, Satan desired to have Peter, that he might + sift him like wheat. But neither is there here the agency of any sorcerer + or witch. Luke xxii. 31. + </p> + <p> + Supposing the powers of the witch to be limited, in the time of Moses, to + enquiries at some pretended deity or real evil spirit concerning future + events, in what respect, may it be said, did such a crime deserve the + severe punishment of death? To answer this question, we must reflect that + the object of the Mosaic dispensation being to preserve the knowledge of + the True Deity within the breasts of a selected and separated people, the + God of Jacob necessarily showed himself a jealous God to all who, straying + from the path of direct worship of Jehovah, had recourse to other deities, + whether idols or evil spirits, the gods of the neighbouring heathen. The + swerving from their allegiance to the true Divinity, to the extent of + praying to senseless stocks and stones which could return them no answer, + was, by the Jewish law, an act of rebellion to their own Lord God, and as + such most fit to be punished capitally. Thus the prophets of Baal were + deservedly put to death, not on account of any success which they might + obtain by their intercessions and invocations (which, though enhanced with + all their vehemence, to the extent of cutting and wounding themselves, + proved so utterly unavailing as to incur the ridicule of the prophet), but + because they were guilty of apostasy from the real Deity, while they + worshipped, and encouraged others to worship, the false divinity Baal. The + Hebrew witch, therefore, or she who communicated, or attempted to + communicate, with an evil spirit, was justly punished with death, though + her communication with the spiritual world might either not exist at all, + or be of a nature much less intimate than has been ascribed to the witches + of later days; nor does the existence of this law, against the witches of + the Old Testament sanction, in any respect, the severity of similar + enactments subsequent to the Christian revelation, against a different + class of persons, accused of a very different species of crime. + </p> + <p> + In another passage, the practices of those persons termed witches in the + Holy Scriptures are again alluded to; and again it is made manifest that + the sorcery or witchcraft of the Old Testament resolves itself into a + trafficking with idols, and asking counsel of false deities; in other + words, into idolatry, which, notwithstanding repeated prohibitions, + examples, and judgments, was still the prevailing crime of the Israelites. + The passage alluded to is in Deuteronomy xviii. 10, ii—“There shall + not be found among you anyone that maketh his son or his daughter to pass + through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an + enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, + or a wizard, or a necromancer.” Similar denunciations occur in the + nineteenth and twentieth chapters of Leviticus. In like manner, it is a + charge against Manasses (2 Chronicles xxxviii.) that he caused his + children to pass through the fire, observed times, used enchantments and + witchcraft, and dealt with familiar spirits and with wizards. These + passages seem to concur with the former, in classing witchcraft among + other desertions of the prophets of the Deity, in order to obtain + responses by the superstitious practices of the pagan nations around them. + To understand the texts otherwise seems to confound the modern system of + witchcraft, with all its unnatural and improbable outrages on common + sense, with the crime of the person who, in classical days, consulted the + oracle of Apollo—a capital offence in a Jew, but surely a venial sin + in an ignorant and deluded pagan. + </p> + <p> + To illustrate the nature of the Hebrew witch and her prohibited criminal + traffic, those who have written on this subject have naturally dwelt upon + the interview between Saul and the Witch of Endor, the only detailed and + particular account of such a transaction which is to be found in the + Bible; a fact, by the way, which proves that the crime of witchcraft + (capitally punished as it was when discovered) was not frequent among the + chosen people, who enjoyed such peculiar manifestations of the Almighty’s + presence. The Scriptures seem only to have conveyed to us the general fact + (being what is chiefly edifying) of the interview between the witch and + the King of Israel. They inform us that Saul, disheartened and discouraged + by the general defection of his subjects, and the consciousness of his own + unworthy and ungrateful disobedience, despairing of obtaining an answer + from the offended Deity, who had previously communicated with him through + his prophets, at length resolved, in his desperation, to go to a divining + woman, by which course he involved himself in the crime of the person whom + he thus consulted, against whom the law denounced death—a sentence + which had been often executed by Saul himself on similar offenders. + Scripture proceeds to give us the general information that the king + directed the witch to call up the Spirit of Samuel, and that the female + exclaimed that gods had arisen out of the earth—that Saul, more + particularly requiring a description of the apparition (whom, + consequently, he did not himself see), she described it as the figure of + an old man with a mantle. In this figure the king acknowledges the + resemblance of Samuel, and sinking on his face, hears from the apparition, + speaking in the character of the prophet, the melancholy prediction of his + own defeat and death. + </p> + <p> + In this description, though all is told which is necessary to convey to us + an awful moral lesson, yet we are left ignorant of the minutiæ attending + the apparition, which perhaps we ought to accept as a sure sign that there + was no utility in our being made acquainted with them. It is impossible, + for instance, to know with certainty whether Saul was present when the + woman used her conjuration, or whether he himself personally ever saw the + appearance which the Pythoness described to him. It is left still more + doubtful whether anything supernatural was actually evoked, or whether the + Pythoness and her assistant meant to practise a mere deception, taking + their chance to prophesy the defeat and death of the broken-spirited king + as an event which the circumstances in which he was placed rendered highly + probable, since he was surrounded by a superior army of Philistines, and + his character as a soldier rendered it likely that he would not survive a + defeat which must involve the loss of his kingdom. On the other hand, + admitting that the apparition had really a supernatural character, it + remains equally uncertain what was its nature or by what power it was + compelled to an appearance, unpleasing, as it intimated, since the + supposed spirit of Samuel asks wherefore he was disquieted in the grave. + Was the power of the witch over the invisible world so great that, like + the Erictho of the heathen poet, she could disturb the sleep of the just, + and especially that of a prophet so important as Samuel; and are we to + suppose that he, upon whom the Spirit of the Lord was wont to descend, + even while he was clothed with frail mortality, should be subject to be + disquieted in his grave at the voice of a vile witch, and the command of + an apostate prince? Did the true Deity refuse Saul the response of his + prophets, and could a witch compel the actual spirit of Samuel to make + answer notwithstanding? + </p> + <p> + Embarrassed by such difficulties, another course of explanation has been + resorted to, which, freed from some of the objections which attend the two + extreme suppositions, is yet liable to others. It has been supposed that + something took place upon this remarkable occasion similar to that which + disturbed the preconcerted purpose of the prophet Balaam, and compelled + him to exchange his premeditated curses for blessings. According to this + hypothesis, the divining woman of Endor was preparing to practise upon + Saul those tricks of legerdemain or jugglery by which she imposed upon + meaner clients who resorted to her oracle. Or we may conceive that in + those days, when the laws of Nature were frequently suspended by + manifestations of the Divine Power, some degree of juggling might be + permitted between mortals and the spirits of lesser note; in which case we + must suppose that the woman really expected or hoped to call up some + supernatural appearance. But in either case, this second solution of the + story supposes that the will of the Almighty substituted, on that + memorable occasion, for the phantasmagoria intended by the witch, the + spirit of Samuel in his earthly resemblance—or, if the reader may + think this more likely, some good being, the messenger of the Divine + pleasure, in the likeness of the departed prophet—and, to the + surprise of the Pythoness herself, exchanged the juggling farce: of sheer + deceit or petty sorcery which she had intended to produce, for a deep + tragedy, capable of appalling the heart of the hardened tyrant, and + furnishing an awful lesson to future times. + </p> + <p> + This exposition has the advantage of explaining the surprise expressed by + the witch at the unexpected consequences of her own invocation, while it + removes the objection of supposing the spirit of Samuel subject to her + influence. It does not apply so well to the complaint of Samuel that he + was <i>disquieted</i>, since neither the prophet, nor any good angel + wearing his likeness, could be supposed to complain of an apparition which + took place in obedience to the direct command of the Deity. If, however, + the phrase is understood, not as a murmuring against the pleasure of + Providence, but as a reproach to the prophet’s former friend Saul, that + his sins and discontents, which were the ultimate cause of Samuel’s + appearance, had withdrawn the prophet for a space from the enjoyment and + repose of Heaven, to review this miserable spot of mortality, guilt, + grief, and misfortune, the words may, according to that interpretation, + wear no stronger sense of complaint than might become the spirit of a just + man made perfect, or any benevolent angel by whom he might be represented. + It may be observed that in Ecclesiasticus (xlvi. 19, 20), the opinion of + Samuel’s actual appearance is adopted, since it is said of this man of + God, that <i>after death he prophesied, and showed the king his latter end</i>. + </p> + <p> + Leaving the further discussion of this dark and difficult question to + those whose studies have qualified them to give judgment on so obscure a + subject, it so far appears clear that the Witch of Endor, was not a being + such as those believed in by our ancestors, who could transform themselves + and others into the appearance of the lower animals, raise and allay + tempests, frequent the company and join the revels of evil spirits, and, + by their counsel and assistance, destroy human lives, and waste the fruits + of the earth, or perform feats of such magnitude as to alter the face of + Nature. The Witch of Endor was a mere fortune-teller, to whom, in despair + of all aid or answer from the Almighty, the unfortunate King of Israel had + recourse in his despair, and by whom, in some way or other, he obtained + the awful certainty of his own defeat and death. She was liable, indeed, + deservedly to the punishment of death for intruding herself upon the task + of the real prophets, by whom the will of God was at that time regularly + made known. But her existence and her crimes can go no length to prove the + possibility that another class of witches, no otherwise resembling her + than as called by the same name, either existed at a more recent period, + or were liable to the same capital punishment, for a very different and + much more doubtful class of offences, which, however odious, are + nevertheless to be proved possible before they can be received as a + criminal charge. + </p> + <p> + Whatever may be thought of other occasional expressions in the Old + Testament, it cannot be said that, in any part of that sacred volume, a + text occurs indicating the existence of a system of witchcraft, under the + Jewish dispensation, in any respect similar to that against which the + law-books of so many European nations have, till very lately, denounced + punishment; far less under the Christian dispensation—a system under + which the emancipation of the human race from the Levitical law was + happily and miraculously perfected. This latter crime is supposed to infer + a compact implying reverence and adoration on the part of the witch who + comes under the fatal bond, and patronage, support, and assistance on the + part of the diabolical patron. Indeed, in the four Gospels, the word, + under any sense, does not occur; although, had the possibility of so + enormous a sin been admitted, it was not likely to escape the warning + censure of the Divine Person who came to take away the sins of the world. + Saint Paul, indeed, mentions the sin of witchcraft, in a cursory manner, + as superior in guilt to that of ingratitude; and in the offences of the + flesh it is ranked immediately after idolatry, which juxtaposition + inclines us to believe that the witchcraft mentioned by the Apostle must + have been analogous to that of the Old Testament, and equivalent to + resorting to the assistance of soothsayers, or similar forbidden arts, to + acquire knowledge of toturity. Sorcerers are also joined with other + criminals, in the Book of Revelations, as excluded from the city of God + And with these occasional notices, which indicate that there was a + transgression so called, but leave us ignorant of us exact nature, the + writers upon witchcraft attempt to wring out of the New Testament proofs + of a crime in itself so disgustingly improbable. Neither do the exploits + of Elymas, called the Sorcerer, or Simon, called Magus or the Magician, + entitle them to rank above the class of impostors who assumed a character + to which they had no real title, and put their own mystical and ridiculous + pretensions to supernatural power in competition with those who had been + conferred on purpose to diffuse the gospel, and facilitate its reception + by the exhibition of genuine miracles. It is clear that, from his + presumptuous and profane proposal to acquire, by purchase, a portion of + those powers which were directly derived from inspiration, Simon Magus + displayed a degree of profane and brutal ignorance inconsistent with his + possessing even the intelligence of a skilful impostor; and it is plain + that a leagued vassal of hell—should we pronounce him such—would + have better known his own rank and condition, compared to that of the + apostles, than to have made such a fruitless and unavailing proposal, by + which he could only expose his own impudence and ignorance. + </p> + <p> + With this observation we may conclude our brief remarks upon <i>witchcraft</i>, + as the word occurs in the Scripture; and it now only remains to mention + the nature of the <i>demonology</i>, which, as gathered from the sacred + volumes, every Christian believer is bound to receive as a thing declared + and proved to be true. + </p> + <p> + And in the first place, no man can read the Bible, or call himself a + Christian, without believing that, during the course of time comprehended + by the Divine writers, the Deity, to confirm the faith of the Jews, and to + overcome and confound the pride of the heathens, wrought in the land many + great miracles, using either good spirits, the instruments of his + pleasure, or fallen angels, the permitted agents of such evil as it was + his will should be inflicted upon, or suffered by, the children of men. + This proposition comprehends, of course, the acknowledgment of the truth + of miracles during this early period, by which the ordinary laws of nature + were occasionally suspended, and recognises the existence in the spiritual + world of the two grand divisions of angels and devils, severally + exercising their powers according to the commission or permission of the + Ruler of the universe. + </p> + <p> + Secondly, wise men have thought and argued that the idols of the heathen + were actually fiends, or, rather, that these enemies of mankind had power + to assume the shape and appearance of those feeble deities, and to give a + certain degree of countenance to the faith of the worshippers, by working + seeming miracles, and returning, by their priests or their oracles, + responses which “palter’d in a double sense” with the deluded persons who + consulted them. Most of the fathers of the Christian Church have intimated + such an opinion. This doctrine has the advantage of affording, to a + certain extent, a confirmation of many miracles related in pagan or + classical history, which are thus ascribed to the agency of evil spirits. + It corresponds also with the texts of Scripture which declare that the + gods of the heathen are all devils and evil spirits; and the idols of + Egypt are classed, as in Isaiah, chap. xix. ver. 2, with charmers, those + who have familiar spirits, and with wizards. But whatever license it may + be supposed was permitted to the evil spirits of that period—and + although, undoubtedly, men owned the sway of deities who were, in fact, + but personifications of certain evil passions of humanity, as, for + example, in their sacrifices to Venus, to Bacchus, to Mars, &c., and + therefore might be said, in one sense, to worship evil spirits—we + cannot, in reason, suppose that every one, or the thousandth part of the + innumerable idols worshipped among the heathen, was endowed with + supernatural power; it is clear that the greater number fell under the + description applied to them in another passage of Scripture, in which the + part of the tree burned in the fire for domestic purposes is treated as of + the same power and estimation as that carved into an image, and preferred + for Gentile homage. This striking passage, in which the impotence of the + senseless block, and the brutish ignorance of the worshipper, whose object + of adoration is the work of his own hands, occurs in the 44th chapter of + the prophecies of Isaiah, verse 10 <i>et seq</i>. The precise words of the + text, as well as common sense, forbid us to believe that the images so + constructed by common artisans became the habitation or resting-place of + demons, or possessed any manifestation of strength or power, whether + through demoniacal influence or otherwise. The whole system of doubt, + delusion, and trick exhibited by the oracles, savours of the mean juggling + of impostors, rather than the audacious intervention of demons. Whatever + degree of power the false gods of heathendom, or devils in their name, + might be permitted occasionally to exert, was unquestionably under the + general restraint and limitation of providence; and though, on the one + hand, we cannot deny the possibility of such permission being granted in + cases unknown to us, it is certain, on the other, that the Scriptures + mention no one specific instance of such influence expressly recommended + to our belief. + </p> + <p> + Thirdly, as the backsliders among the Jews repeatedly fell off to the + worship of the idols of the neighbouring heathens, so they also resorted + to the use of charms and enchantments, founded on a superstitious + perversion of their own Levitical ritual, in which they endeavoured by + sortilege, by Teraphim, by observation of augury, or the flight of birds, + which they called <i>Nahas</i>, by the means of Urim and Thummim, to find + as it were a byroad to the secrets of futurity. But for the same reason + that withholds us from delivering any opinion upon the degree to which the + devil and his angels might be allowed to countenance the impositions of + the heathen priesthood, it is impossible for us conclusively to pronounce + what effect might be permitted by supreme Providence to the ministry of + such evil spirits as presided over, and, so far as they had liberty, + directed, these sinful enquiries among the Jews themselves. We are indeed + assured from the sacred writings, that the promise of the Deity to his + chosen people, if they conducted themselves agreeably to the law which he + had given, was, that the communication with the invisible world would be + enlarged, so that in the fulness of his time he would pour out his spirit + upon all flesh, when their sons and daughters should prophesy, their old + men see visions, and their young men dream dreams. Such were the promises + delivered to the Israelites by Joel, Ezekiel, and other holy seers, of + which St. Peter, in the second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, hails + the fulfilment in the mission of our Saviour. And on the other hand, it is + no less evident that the Almighty, to punish the disobedience of the Jews, + abandoned them to their own fallacious desires, and suffered them to be + deceived by the lying oracles, to which, in flagrant violation of his + commands, they had recourse. Of this the punishment arising from the Deity + abandoning Ahab to his own devices, and suffering him to be deceived by a + lying spirit, forms a striking instance. + </p> + <p> + Fourthly, and on the other hand, abstaining with reverence from accounting + ourselves judges of the actions of Omnipotence, we may safely conclude + that it was not his pleasure to employ in the execution of his judgments + the consequences of any such species of league or compact betwixt devils + and deluded mortals, as that denounced in the laws of our own ancestors + under the name of <i>witchcraft</i>. What has been translated by that word + seems little more than the art of a medicator of poisons, combined with + that of a Pythoness or false prophetess; a crime, however, of a capital + nature, by the Levitical law, since, in the first capacity, it implied + great enmity to mankind, and in the second, direct treason to the divine + Legislator. The book of Tobit contains, indeed, a passage resembling more + an incident in an Arabian tale or Gothic romance, than a part of inspired + writing. In this, the fumes produced by broiling the liver of a certain + fish are described as having power to drive away an evil genius who guards + the nuptial chamber of an Assyrian princess, and who has strangled seven + bridegrooms in succession, as they approached the nuptial couch. But the + romantic and fabulous strain of this legend has induced the fathers of all + Protestant churches to deny it a place amongst the writings sanctioned by + divine origin, and we may therefore be excused from entering into + discussion on such imperfect evidence. + </p> + <p> + Lastly, in considering the incalculable change which took place upon the + Advent of our Saviour and the announcement of his law, we may observe + that, according to many wise and learned men, his mere appearance upon + earth, without awaiting the fulfilment of his mission, operated as an act + of banishment of such heathen deities as had hitherto been suffered to + deliver oracles, and ape in some degree the attributes of the Deity. + Milton has, in the “Paradise Lost,” it may be upon conviction of its + truth, embraced the theory which identifies the followers of Satan with + the gods of the heathen; and, in a tone of poetry almost unequalled, even + in his own splendid writings, he thus describes, in one of his earlier + pieces, the departure of these pretended deities on the eve of the blessed + Nativity:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “The oracles are dumb, + No voice or hideous hum +Runs through the arched roof in words deceiving; + Apollo from his shrine + Can no more divine, +With hollow shriek the steep of Delphos leaving; +No nightly trance or breathed spell +Inspires the pale-eyed priests from the prophetic cell. + + “The lonely mountains o’er, + And the resounding shore, +A voice of weeping heard and loud lament; + From haunted spring and dale, + Edged with poplar pale, +The parting Genius is with sighing sent; +With flower-inwoven tresses torn, +The Nymphs in twilight shade of tangled thickets mourn. + + “In consecrated earth, + And on the holy hearth, +The Lars and Lemures moan with midnight plaint; + In urns and altars round, + A drear and dying sound +Affrights the Flamens at their service quaint; +And the chill marble seems to sweat, +While each peculiar Power foregoes his wonted seat. + + “Peor and Baalim + Forsake their temples dim, +With that twice-battered god of Palestine; + And mooned Ashtaroth, + Heaven’s queen and mother both, +Now sits not girt with tapers’ holy shine; +The Lybic Hammon shrinks his horn; +In vain the Tyrian maids their wounded Thammuz mourn. + + “And sullen Moloch, fled, + Hath left in shadows dread +His burning idol all of darkest hue; + In vain with cymbals ring, + They call the grisly king, +In dismal dance about the furnace blue; +The brutish gods of Nile as fast, +Isis and Orus, and the Dog Anubis, haste.” + </pre> + <p> + The quotation is a long one, but it is scarcely possible to shorten what + is so beautiful and interesting a description of the heathen deities, + whether in the classic personifications of Greece, the horrible shapes + worshipped by mere barbarians, or the hieroglyphical enormities of the + Egyptian Mythology. The idea of identifying the pagan deities, especially + the most distinguished of them, with the manifestation of demoniac power, + and concluding that the descent of our Saviour struck them with silence, + so nobly expressed in the poetry of Milton, is not certainly to be lightly + rejected. It has been asserted, in simple prose, by authorities of no mean + weight; nor does there appear anything inconsistent in the faith of those + who, believing that, in the elder time, fiends and demons were permitted + an enlarged degree of power in uttering predictions, may also give credit + to the proposition, that at the Divine Advent that power was restrained, + the oracles silenced, and those demons who had aped the Divinity of the + place were driven from their abode on earth, honoured as it was by a guest + so awful. + </p> + <p> + It must be noticed, however, that this great event had not the same effect + on that peculiar class of fiends who were permitted to vex mortals by the + alienation of their minds, and the abuse of their persons, in the case of + what is called Demoniacal possession. In what exact sense we should + understand this word <i>possession</i> it is impossible to discover; but + we feel it impossible to doubt (notwithstanding learned authorities to the + contrary) that it was a dreadful disorder, of a kind not merely natural; + and may be pretty well assured that it was suffered to continue after the + Incarnation, because the miracles effected by our Saviour and his + apostles, in curing those tormented in this way, afforded the most direct + proofs of his divine mission, even out of the very mouths of those ejected + fiends, the most malignant enemies of a power to which they dared not + refuse homage and obedience. And here is an additional proof that + witchcraft, in its ordinary and popular sense, was unknown at that period; + although cases of possession are repeatedly mentioned in the Gospels and + Acts of the Apostles, yet in no one instance do the devils ejected mention + a witch or sorcerer, or plead the commands of such a person, as the cause + of occupying or tormenting the victim;—whereas, in a great + proportion of those melancholy cases of witchcraft with which the records + of later times abound, the stress of the evidence is rested on the + declaration of the possessed, or the demon within him, that some old man + or woman in the neighbourhood had compelled the fiend to be the instrument + of evil. + </p> + <p> + It must also be admitted that in another most remarkable respect, the + power of the Enemy of mankind was rather enlarged than bridled or + restrained, in consequence of the Saviour coming upon earth. It is + indisputable that, in order that Jesus might have his share in every + species of delusion and persecution which the fallen race of Adam is heir + to, he personally suffered the temptation in the wilderness at the hand of + Satan, whom, without resorting to his divine power, he drove, confuted, + silenced, and shamed, from his presence. But it appears, that although + Satan was allowed, upon this memorable occasion, to come on earth with + great power, the permission was given expressly because his time was + short. + </p> + <p> + The indulgence which was then granted to him in a case so unique and + peculiar soon passed over and was utterly restrained. It is evident that, + after the lapse of the period during which it pleased the Almighty to + establish His own Church by miraculous displays of power, it could not + consist with his kindness and wisdom to leave the enemy in the possession + of the privilege of deluding men by imaginary miracles calculated for the + perversion of that faith which real miracles were no longer present to + support. There would, we presume to say, be a shocking inconsistency in + supposing that false and deceitful prophecies and portents should be + freely circulated by any demoniacal influence, deceiving men’s bodily + organs, abusing their minds, and perverting their faith, while the true + religion was left by its great Author devoid of every supernatural sign + and token which, in the time of its Founder and His immediate disciples, + attested and celebrated their inappreciable mission. Such a permission on + the part of the Supreme Being would be (to speak under the deepest + reverence) an abandonment of His chosen people, ransomed at such a price, + to the snares of an enemy from whom the worst evils were to be + apprehended. Nor would it consist with the remarkable promise in holy + writ, that “God will not suffer His people to be tempted above what they + are able to bear.” I Cor. X. 13. The Fathers of the Faith are not strictly + agreed at what period the miraculous power was withdrawn from the Church; + but few Protestants are disposed to bring it down beneath the accession of + Constantine, when the Christian religion was fully established in + supremacy. The Roman Catholics, indeed, boldly affirm that the power of + miraculous interference with the course of Nature is still in being; but + the enlightened even of this faith, though they dare not deny a + fundamental tenet of their church, will hardly assent to any particular + case, without nearly the same evidence which might conquer the incredulity + of their neighbours the Protestants. It is alike inconsistent with the + common sense of either that fiends should be permitted to work marvels + which are no longer exhibited on the part of Heaven, or in behalf of + religion. + </p> + <p> + It will be observed that we have not been anxious to decide upon the + limits of probability on this question. It is not necessary for us to + ascertain in what degree the power of Satan was at liberty to display + itself during the Jewish dispensation, or down to what precise period in + the history of the Christian Church cures of demoniacal possession or + similar displays of miraculous power may have occurred. We have avoided + controversy on that head, because it comprehends questions not more + doubtful than unedifying. Little benefit could arise from attaining the + exact knowledge of the manner in which the apostate Jews practised + unlawful charms or auguries. After their conquest and dispersion they were + remarked among the Romans for such superstitious practices; and the like, + for What we know, may continue to linger among the benighted wanderers of + their race at the present day. But all these things are extraneous to our + enquiry, the purpose of which was to discover whether any real evidence + could be derived from sacred history to prove the early existence of that + branch of demonology which has been the object, in comparatively modern + times, of criminal prosecution and capital punishment. We have already + alluded to this as the contract of witchcraft, in which, as the term was + understood in the Middle Ages, the demon and the witch or wizard combined + their various powers of doing harm to inflict calamities upon the person + and property, the fortune and the fame, of innocent human beings, imposing + the most horrible diseases, and death itself, as marks of their slightest + ill-will; transforming their own persons and those of others at their + pleasure; raising tempests to ravage the crops of their enemies, or + carrying them home to their own garners; annihilating or transferring to + their own dairies the produce of herds; spreading pestilence among cattle, + infecting and blighting children; and, in a word, doing more evil than the + heart of man might be supposed capable of conceiving, by means far beyond + mere human power to accomplish. If it could be supposed that such + unnatural leagues existed, and that there were wretches wicked enough, + merely for the gratification of malignant spite or the enjoyment of some + beastly revelry, to become the wretched slaves of infernal spirits, most + just and equitable would be those laws which cut them off from the midst + of every Christian commonwealth. But it is still more just and equitable, + before punishment be inflicted for any crime, to prove that there is a + possibility of that crime being committed. We have therefore advanced an + important step in our enquiry when we have ascertained that the <i>witch</i> + of the Old Testament was not capable of anything beyond the administration + of baleful drugs or the practising of paltry imposture; in other words, + that she did not hold the character ascribed to a modern sorceress. We + have thus removed out of the argument the startling objection that, in + denying the existence of witchcraft, we deny the possibility of a crime + which was declared capital in the Mosaic law, and are left at full liberty + to adopt the opinion, that the more modern system of witchcraft was a + part, and by no means the least gross, of that mass of errors which + appeared among the members of the Christian Church when their religion, + becoming gradually corrupted by the devices of men and the barbarism of + those nations among whom it was spread showed, a light indeed, but one + deeply tinged with the remains of that very pagan ignorance which its + Divine Founder came to dispel. + </p> + <p> + We will, in a future part of this enquiry, endeavour to show that many of + the particular articles of the popular belief respecting magic and + witchcraft were derived from the opinions which the ancient heathens + entertained as part of their religion. To recommend them, however, they + had principles lying deep in the human mind and heart of all times; the + tendency to belief in supernatural agencies is natural, and indeed seems + connected with and deduced from the invaluable conviction of the certainty + of a future state. Moreover, it is very possible that particular stories + of this class may have seemed undeniable in the dark ages, though our + better instructed period can explain them in a satisfactory manner by the + excited temperament of spectators, or the influence of delusions produced + by derangement of the intellect or imperfect reports of the external + senses. They obtained, however, universal faith and credit; and the + churchmen, either from craft or from ignorance, favoured the progress of a + belief which certainly contributed in a most powerful manner to extend + their own authority over the human mind. + </p> + <p> + To pass from the pagans of antiquity—the Mahommedans, though their + profession of faith is exclusively unitarian, were accounted worshippers + of evil spirits, who were supposed to aid them in their continual warfare + against the Christians, or to protect and defend them in the Holy Land, + where their abode gave so much scandal and offence to the devout. Romance, + and even history, combined in representing all who were out of the pale of + the Church as the personal vassals of Satan, who played his deceptions + openly amongst them; and Mahound, Termagaunt, and <i>Apollo</i> were, in + the opinion of the Western Crusaders, only so many names of the arch-fiend + and his principal angels. The most enormous fictions spread abroad and + believed through Christendom attested the fact, that there were open + displays of supernatural aid afforded by the evil spirits to the Turks and + Saracens; and fictitious reports were not less liberal in assigning to the + Christians extraordinary means of defence through the direct protection of + blessed saints and angels, or of holy men yet in the flesh, but already + anticipating the privileges proper to a state of beatitude and glory, and + possessing the power to work miracles. + </p> + <p> + To show the extreme grossness of these legends, we may give an example + from the romance of “Richard Coeur de Lion,” premising at the same time + that, like other romances, it was written in what the author designed to + be the style of true history, and was addressed to hearers and readers, + not as a tale of fiction, but a real narrative of facts, so that the + legend is a proof of what the age esteemed credible and were disposed to + believe as much as if had been extracted from a graver chronicle. + </p> + <p> + The renowned Saladin, it is said, had dispatched an embassy to King + Richard, with the present of a colt recommended as a gallant war-horse, + challenging Coeur de Lion to meet him in single combat between the armies, + for the purpose of deciding at once their pretensions to the land of + Palestine, and the theological question whether the God of the Christians, + or Jupiter, the deity of the Saracens, should be the future object of + adoration by the subjects of both monarchs. Now, under this seemingly + chivalrous defiance was concealed a most unknightly stratagem, and which + we may at the same time call a very clumsy trick for the devil to be + concerned in. A Saracen clerk had conjured two devils into a mare and her + colt, with the instruction, that whenever the mare neighed, the foal, + which was a brute of uncommon size, should kneel down to suck his dam. The + enchanted foal was sent to King Richard in the belief that the foal, + obeying the signal of its dam as usual, the Soldan who mounted the mare + might get an easy advantage over him. + </p> + <p> + But the English king was warned by an angel in a dream of the intended + stratagem, and the colt was, by the celestial mandate, previously to the + combat, conjured in the holy name to be obedient to his rider during the + encounter. The fiend-horse intimated his submission by drooping his head, + but his word was not entirely credited. His ears were stopped with wax. In + this condition, Richard, armed at all points and with various marks of his + religious faith displayed on his weapons, rode forth to meet Saladin, and + the Soldan, confident of his stratagem, encountered him boldly. The mare + neighed till she shook the ground for miles around; but the sucking devil, + whom the wax prevented from hearing the summons, could not obey the + signal. Saladin was dismounted, and narrowly escaped death, while his army + were cut to pieces by the Christians. It is but an awkward tale of wonder + where a demon is worsted by a trick which could hardly have cheated a + common horse-jockey; but by such legends our ancestors were amused and + interested, till their belief respecting the demons of the Holy Land seems + to have been not very far different from that expressed in the title of + Ben Jonson’s play, “The Devil is an Ass.” + </p> + <p> + One of the earliest maps ever published, which appeared at Rome in the + sixteenth century, intimates a similar belief in the connexion of the + heathen nations of the north of Europe with the demons of the spiritual + world. In Esthonia, Lithuania, Courland, and such districts, the chart, + for want, it may be supposed, of an accurate account of the country, + exhibits rude cuts of the fur-clad natives paying homage at the shrines of + demons, who make themselves visibly present to them; while at other places + they are displayed as doing battle with the Teutonic knights, or other + military associations formed for the conversion or expulsion of the + heathens in these parts. Amid the pagans, armed with scimitars and dressed + in caftans, the fiends are painted as assisting them, pourtrayed in all + the modern horrors of the cloven foot, or, as the Germans term it, horse’s + foot, bat wings, saucer eyes, locks like serpents, and tail like a dragon. + These attributes, it may be cursorily noticed, themselves intimate the + connexion of modern demonology with the mythology of the ancients. The + cloven foot is the attribute of Pan—to whose talents for inspiring + terror we owe the word <i>panic</i>—the snaky tresses are borrowed + from the shield of Minerva, and the dragon train alone seems to be + connected with the Scriptural history.<a href="#linknote-5" + name="linknoteref-5" id="linknoteref-5"><small>5</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-5" id="linknote-5"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 5 (<a href="#linknoteref-5">return</a>)<br /> [ The chart alluded to is one + of the <i>jac-similes</i> of an ancient planisphere, engraved in bronze + about the end of the 15th century, and called the Borgian Table, from its + possessor, Cardinal Stephen Borgia, and preserved in his museum at + Veletri.] + </p> + <p> + Other heathen nations, whose creeds could not have directly contributed to + the system of demonology, because their manners and even their very + existence was unknown when it was adopted, were nevertheless involved, so + soon as Europeans became acquainted with them, in the same charge of + witchcraft and worship of demons brought by the Christians of the Middle + Ages against the heathens of northern Europe and the Mahommedans of the + East. We learn from the information of a Portuguese voyager that even the + native Christians (called those of St. Thomas), whom the discoverers found + in India when they first arrived there, fell under suspicion of diabolical + practices. It was almost in vain that the priests of one of their chapels + produced to the Portuguese officers and soldiers a holy image, and called + on them, as good Christians, to adore the Blessed Virgin. The sculptor had + been so little acquainted with his art, and the hideous form which he had + produced resembled an inhabitant of the infernal regions so much more than + Our Lady of Grace, that one of the European officers, while, like his + companions, he dropped on his knees, added the loud protest, that if the + image represented the Devil, he paid his homage to the Holy Virgin. + </p> + <p> + In South America the Spaniards justified the unrelenting cruelties + exercised on the unhappy natives by reiterating, in all their accounts of + the countries which they discovered and conquered, that the Indians, in + their idol worship, were favoured by the demons with a direct intercourse, + and that their priests inculcated doctrines and rites the foulest and most + abhorrent to Christian ears. The great snake-god of Mexico, and other + idols worshipped with human sacrifices and bathed in the gore of their + prisoners, gave but too much probability to this accusation; and if the + images themselves were not actually tenanted by evil spirits, the worship + which the Mexicans paid to them was founded upon such deadly cruelty and + dark superstition as might easily be believed to have been breathed into + mortals by the agency of hell. + </p> + <p> + Even in North America, the first settlers in New England and other parts + of that immense continent uniformly agreed that they detected among the + inhabitants traces of an intimate connexion with Satan. It is scarce + necessary to remark that this opinion was founded exclusively upon the + tricks practised by the native powahs, or cunning men, to raise themselves + to influence among the chiefs, and to obtain esteem with the people, + which, possessed as they were professionally of some skill in jugglery and + the knowledge of some medical herbs and secrets, the understanding of the + colonists was unable to trace to their real source—legerdemain and + imposture. By the account, however, of the Reverend Cotton Mather, in his + <i>Magnalia</i>, book vi.,<a href="#linknote-6" name="linknoteref-6" + id="linknoteref-6"><small>6</small></a> he does not ascribe to these + Indian conjurers any skill greatly superior to a maker of almanacks or + common fortune-teller. “They,” says the Doctor, “universally acknowledged + and worshipped many gods, and therefore highly esteemed and reverenced + their priests, powahs, or wizards, who were esteemed as having immediate + converse with the gods. To them, therefore, they addressed themselves in + all difficult cases: yet could not all that desired that dignity, as they + esteemed it, obtain familiarity with the infernal spirits. Nor were all + powahs alike successful in their addresses; but they became such, either + by immediate revelation, or in the use of certain rites and ceremonies, + which tradition had left as conducing to that end. In so much, that + parents, out of zeal, often dedicated their children to the gods, and + educated them accordingly, observing a certain diet, debarring sleep, + &c.: yet of the many designed, but few obtained their desire. + Supposing that where the practice of witchcraft has been highly esteemed, + there must be given the plainest demonstration of mortals having + familiarity with infernal spirits, I am willing to let my reader know, + that, not many years since, here died one of the powahs, who never + pretended to astrological knowledge, yet could precisely inform such who + desired his assistance, from whence goods stolen from them were gone, and + whither carried, with many things of the like nature; nor was he ever + known to endeavour to conceal his knowledge to be immediately <i>from a + god subservient to him that the English worship</i>. This powah, being by + an Englishman worthy of credit (who lately informed me of the same), + desired to advise him who had taken certain goods which had been stolen, + having formerly been an eye-witness of his ability, the powah, after a + little pausing, demanded why he requested that from him, since himself + served another God? that therefore he could not help him; but added, ‘<i>If + you can believe that my god may help you, I will try what I can do</i>; + which diverted the man from further enquiry. I must a little digress, and + tell my reader, that this powah’s wife was accounted a godly woman, and + lived in the practice and profession of the Christian religion, not only + by the approbation, but encouragement of her husband. She constantly + prayed in the family, and attended the public worship on the Lord’s days. + He declared that he could not blame her, for that she served a god that + was above his; but that as to himself, his god’s continued kindness + obliged him not to forsake his service.” It appears, from the above and + similar passages, that Dr. Cotton Mather, an honest and devout, but + sufficiently credulous man, had mistaken the purpose of the tolerant + powah. The latter only desired to elude the necessity of his practices + being brought under the observant eye of an European, while he found an + ingenious apology in the admitted superiority which he naturally conceded + to the Deity of a people, advanced, as he might well conceive, so far + above his own in power and attainments, as might reasonably infer a + corresponding superiority in the nature and objects of their worship. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-6" id="linknote-6"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 6 (<a href="#linknoteref-6">return</a>)<br /> [ “On Remarkable Mercies of + Divine Providence.”] + </p> + <p> + From another narrative we are entitled to infer that the European wizard + was held superior to the native sorcerer of North America. Among the + numberless extravagances of the Scottish Dissenters of the 17th century, + now canonized in a lump by those who view them in the general light of + enemies to Prelacy, was a certain ship-master, called, from his size, + Meikle John Gibb. This man, a person called Jamie, and one or two other + men, besides twenty or thirty females who adhered to them, went the + wildest lengths of enthusiasm. Gibb headed a party, who followed him into + the moorlands, and at the Ford Moss, between Airth and Stirling, burned + their Bibles, as an act of solemn adherence to their new faith. They were + apprehended in consequence, and committed to prison; and the rest of the + Dissenters, however differently they were affected by the persecution of + Government, when it applied to themselves, were nevertheless much offended + that these poor mad people were not brought to capital punishment for + their blasphemous extravagances; and imputed it as a fresh crime to the + Duke of York that, though he could not be often accused of toleration, he + considered the discipline of the house of correction as more likely to + bring the unfortunate Gibbites to their senses than the more dignified + severities of a public trial and the gallows. The Cameronians, however, + did their best to correct this scandalous lenity. As Meikle John Gibb, who + was their comrade in captivity, used to disturb their worship in jail by + his maniac howling, two of them took turn about to hold him down by force, + and silence him by a napkin thrust into his mouth. This mode of quieting + the unlucky heretic, though sufficiently emphatic, being deemed + ineffectual or inconvenient, George Jackson, a Cameronian, who afterwards + suffered at the gallows, dashed the maniac with his feet and hands against + the wall, and beat him so severely that the rest were afraid that he had + killed him outright. After which specimen of fraternal chastisement, the + lunatic, to avoid the repetition of the discipline, whenever the prisoners + began worship, ran behind the door, and there, with his own napkin crammed + into his mouth, sat howling like a chastised cur. But on being finally + transported to America, John Gibb, we are assured, was much admired by the + heathen for his familiar converse with the devil bodily, and offering + sacrifices to him. “He died there,” says Walker, “about the year 1720."<a + href="#linknote-7" name="linknoteref-7" id="linknoteref-7"><small>7</small></a> + We must necessarily infer that the pretensions of the natives to + supernatural communication could not be of a high class, since we find + them honouring this poor madman as their superior; and, in general, that + the magic, or powahing, of the North American Indians was not of a nature + to be much apprehended by the British colonists, since the natives + themselves gave honour and precedence to those Europeans who came among + them with the character of possessing intercourse with the spirits whom + they themselves professed to worship. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-7" id="linknote-7"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 7 (<a href="#linknoteref-7">return</a>)<br /> [ See Patrick Walker’s + “Biographia Presbyteriana,” vol. ii. p. 23; also “God’s Judgment upon + Persecutors,” and Wodrow’s “History,” upon the article John Gibb.] + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding this inferiority on the part of the powahs, it occurred to + the settlers that the heathen Indians and Roman Catholic Frenchmen were + particularly favoured by the demons, who sometimes adopted their + appearance, and showed themselves in their likeness, to the great + annoyance of the colonists. Thus, in the year 1692, a party of real or + imaginary French and Indians exhibited themselves occasionally to the + colonists of the town of Gloucester, in the county of Essex, New England, + alarmed the country around very greatly, skirmished repeatedly with the + English, and caused the raising of two regiments, and the dispatching a + strong reinforcement to the assistance of the settlement. But as these + visitants, by whom they were plagued more than a fortnight, though they + exchanged fire with the settlers, never killed or scalped any one, the + English became convinced that they were not real Indians and Frenchmen, + but that the devil and his agents had assumed such an appearance, although + seemingly not enabled effectually to support it, for the molestation of + the colony.<a href="#linknote-8" name="linknoteref-8" id="linknoteref-8"><small>8</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-8" id="linknote-8"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 8 (<a href="#linknoteref-8">return</a>)<br /> [ “Magnalia,” book vii. + article xviii. The fact is also alleged in the “Life of Sir William + Phipps.”] + </p> + <p> + It appears, then, that the ideas of superstition which the more ignorant + converts to the Christian faith borrowed from the wreck of the classic + mythology, were so rooted in the minds of their successors, that these + found corroboration of their faith in demonology in the practice of every + pagan nation whose destiny it was to encounter them as enemies, and that + as well within the limits of Europe as in every other part of the globe to + which their arms were carried. In a word, it may be safely laid down, that + the commonly received doctrine of demonology, presenting the same general + outlines, though varied according to the fancy of particular nations, + existed through all Europe. It seems to have been founded originally on + feelings incident to the human heart, or diseases to which the human frame + is liable—to have been largely augmented by what classic + superstitions survived the ruins of paganism—and to have received + new contributions from the opinions collected among the barbarous nations, + whether of the east or of the west. It is now necessary to enter more + minutely into the question, and endeavour to trace from what especial + sources the people of the Middle Ages derived those notions which + gradually assumed the shape of a regular system of demonology. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER III. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Creed of Zoroaster—Received partially into most Heathen + Nations—Instances among the Celtic Tribes of Scotland—Beltane + Feast—Gudeman’s Croft—Such abuses admitted into Christianity after + the earlier Ages of the Church—Law of the Romans against Witchcraft + —Roman customs survive the fall of their + Religion—Instances—Demonology of the Northern + Barbarians—Nicksas—Bhargeist—Correspondence between the Northern + and Roman Witches—The power of Fascination ascribed to the + Sorceresses—Example from the “Eyrbiggia Saga”—The Prophetesses of + the Germans—The Gods of Valhalla not highly regarded by their + Worshippers—Often defied by the Champions—Demons of the + North—Story of Assueit and Asmund—Action of Ejectment against + Spectres—Adventure of a Champion with the Goddess Freya—Conversion + of the Pagans of Iceland to Christianity—Northern Superstitions + mixed with those of the Celts—Satyrs of the North—Highland + Ourisk—Meming the Satyr. +</pre> + <p class="pfirst"> + <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he creed of + Zoroaster, which naturally occurs to unassisted reason as a mode of + accounting for the mingled existence of good and evil in the visible world—that + belief which, in one modification or another, supposes the co-existence of + a benevolent and malevolent principle, which contend together without + either being able decisively to prevail over his antagonist, leads the + fear and awe deeply impressed on the human mind to the worship as well of + the author of evil, so tremendous in all the effects of which credulity + accounts him the primary cause, as to that of his great opponent, who is + loved and adored as the father of all that is good and bountiful. Nay, + such is the timid servility of human nature that the worshippers will + neglect the altars of the Author of good rather than that of Arimanes, + trusting with indifference to the well-known mercy of the one, while they + shrink from the idea of irritating the vengeful jealousy of the awful + father of evil. + </p> + <p> + The Celtic tribes, by whom, under various denominations, Europe seems to + have been originally peopled, possessed, in common with other savages, a + natural tendency to the worship of the evil principle. They did not, + perhaps, adore Arimanes under one sole name, or consider the malignant + divinities as sufficiently powerful to undertake a direct struggle with + the more benevolent gods; yet they thought it worth while to propitiate + them by various expiatory rites and prayers, that they, and the elementary + tempests which they conceived to be under their direct command, might be + merciful to suppliants who had acknowledged their power, and deprecated + their vengeance. + </p> + <p> + Remains of these superstitions might be traced till past the middle of the + last century, though fast becoming obsolete, or passing into mere popular + customs of the country, which the peasantry observe without thinking of + their origin. About 1769, when Mr. Pennant made his tour, the ceremony of + the Baaltein, Beltane, or First of May, though varying in different + districts of the Highlands, was yet in strict observance, and the cake, + which was then baken with scrupulous attention to certain rites and forms, + was divided into fragments, which were formally dedicated to birds or + beasts of prey that they, or rather the being whose agents they were, + might spare the flocks and herds.<a href="#linknote-9" name="linknoteref-9" + id="linknoteref-9"><small>9</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-9" id="linknote-9"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 9 (<a href="#linknoteref-9">return</a>)<br /> [ See Tennant’s “Scottish + Tour,” vol. i. p. III. The traveller mentions that some festival of the + same kind was in his time observed in Gloucestershire.] + </p> + <p> + Another custom of similar origin lingered late among us. In many parishes + of Scotland there was suffered to exist a certain portion of land, called + <i>the gudeman’s croft</i>, which was never ploughed or cultivated, but + suffered to remain waste, like the TEMENOS of a pagan temple, Though it + was not expressly avowed, no one doubted that “the goodman’s croft” was + set apart for some evil being; in fact, that it was the portion of the + arch-fiend himself, whom our ancestors distinguished by a name which, + while it was generally understood, could not, it was supposed, be + offensive to the stern inhabitant of the regions of despair. This was so + general a custom that the Church published an ordinance against it as an + impious and blasphemous usage. + </p> + <p> + This singular custom sunk before the efforts of the clergy in the + seventeenth century; but there must still be many alive who, in childhood, + have been taught to look with wonder on knolls and patches of ground left + uncultivated, because, whenever a ploughshare entered the soil, the + elementary spirits were supposed to testify their displeasure by storm and + thunder. Within our own memory, many such places, sanctified to barrenness + by some favourite popular superstition, existed, both in Wales and + Ireland, as well as in Scotland; but the high price of agricultural + produce during the late war renders it doubtful if a veneration for + greybearded superstition has suffered any one of them to remain + undesecrated. For the same reason the mounts called Sith Bhruaith were + respected, and it was deemed unlawful and dangerous to cut wood, dig earth + and stones, or otherwise disturb them.<a href="#linknote-10" + name="linknoteref-10" id="linknoteref-10"><small>10</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-10" id="linknote-10"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 10 (<a href="#linknoteref-10">return</a>)<br /> [ See “Essay on the + Subterranean Commonwealth,” by Mr. Robert Kirke, minister of Aberfoyle.] + </p> + <p> + Now, it may at first sight seem strange that the Christian religion should + have permitted the existence of such gross and impious relics of + heathenism, in a land where its doctrines had obtained universal credence. + But this will not appear so wonderful when it is recollected that the + original Christians under the heathen emperors were called to conversion + by the voice of apostles and saints, invested for the purpose with + miraculous powers, as well of language, for communicating their doctrine + to the Gentiles, as of cures, for the purpose of authenticating their + mission. These converts must have been in general such elect persons as + were effectually called to make part of the infant church; and when + hypocrites ventured, like Ananias and Sapphira, to intrude themselves into + so select an association, they were liable, at the Divine pleasure, to be + detected and punished. On the contrary, the nations who were converted + after Christianity had become the religion of the empire were not brought + within the pale upon such a principle of selection, as when the church + consisted of a few individuals, who had, upon conviction, exchanged the + errors of the pagan religion for the dangers and duties incurred by those + who embraced a faith inferring the self-denial of its votaries, and at the + same time exposing them to persecution. When the cross became triumphant, + and its cause no longer required the direction of inspired men, or the + evidence of miracles, to compel reluctant belief, it is evident that the + converts who thronged into the fold must have, many of them, entered + because Christianity was the prevailing faith—many because it was + the church, the members of which rose most readily to promotion—many, + finally, who, though content to resign the worship of pagan divinities, + could not at once clear their minds of heathen ritual and heathen + observances, which they inconsistently laboured to unite with the more + simple and majestic faith that disdained such impure union. If this was + the case, even in the Roman empire, where the converts to the Christian + faith must have found, among the earlier members of the church, the + readiest and the soundest instruction, how much more imperfectly could + those foreign and barbarous tribes receive the necessary religious + information from some zealous and enthusiastic preacher, who christened + them by hundreds in one day? Still less could we imagine them to have + acquired a knowledge of Christianity, in the genuine and perfect sense of + the word, when, as was frequently the case, they only assumed the + profession of the religion that had become the choice of some favoured + chief, whose example they followed in mere love and loyalty, without, + perhaps, attaching more consequence to a change of religion than to a + change of garments. Such hasty converts, professing themselves Christians, + but neither weaned from their old belief, nor instructed in their new one, + entered the sanctuary without laying aside the superstitions with which + their young minds had been imbued; and accustomed to a plurality of + deities, some of them, who bestowed unusual thought on the matter, might + be of opinion that, in adopting the God of the Christians, they had not + renounced the service of every inferior power. + </p> + <p> + If, indeed, the laws of the empire could have been supposed to have had + any influence over those fierce barbarians, who conceived that the empire + itself lay before them as a spoil, they might have been told that + Constantine, taking the offence of alleged magicians and sorcerers in the + same light in which it was viewed in the law of Moses, had denounced death + against any who used these unlawful enquiries into futurity. “Let the + unlawful curiosity of prying into futurity,” says the law, “be silent in + every one henceforth and for ever.<a href="#linknote-11" + name="linknoteref-11" id="linknoteref-11"><small>11</small></a> For, + subjected to the avenging sword of the law, he shall be punished capitally + who disobeys our commands in this matter.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-11" id="linknote-11"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 11 (<a href="#linknoteref-11">return</a>)<br /> [ “Codex,” lib. ix. tit. + 18, cap. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8.] + </p> + <p> + If, however, we look more closely into this enactment, we shall be led to + conclude that the civil law does not found upon the prohibitions and + penalties in Scripture; although it condemns the <i>ars mathematica</i> + (for the most mystic and uncertain of all sciences, real or pretended, at + that time held the title which now distinguishes the most exact) as a + damnable art, and utterly interdicted, and declares that the practitioners + therein should die by fire, as enemies of the human race—yet the + reason of this severe treatment seems to be different from that acted upon + in the Mosaical institutions. The weight of the crime among the Jews was + placed on the blasphemy of the diviners, and their treason against the + theocracy instituted by Jehovah. The Roman legislators were, on the other + hand, moved chiefly by the danger arising to the person of the prince and + the quiet of the state, so apt to be unsettled by every pretence or + encouragement to innovation. The reigning emperors, therefore, were + desirous to place a check upon the mathematics (as they termed the art of + divination), much more for a political than a religious cause, since we + observe, in the history of the empire, how often the dethronement or death + of the sovereign was produced by conspiracies or mutinies which took their + rise from pretended prophecies. In this mode of viewing the crime, the + lawyers of the lower empire acted upon the example of those who had + compiled the laws of the twelve tables.<a href="#linknote-12" + name="linknoteref-12" id="linknoteref-12"><small>12</small></a> The + mistaken and misplaced devotion which Horace recommends to the rural + nymph, Phidyle, would have been a crime of a deep dye in a Christian + convert, and must have subjected him to excommunication, as one relapsed + to the rites of paganism; but he might indulge his superstition by + supposing that though he must not worship Pan or Ceres as gods, he was at + liberty to fear them in their new capacity of fiends. Some compromise + between the fear and the conscience of the new converts, at a time when + the church no longer consisted exclusively of saints, martyrs, and + confessors, the disciples of inspired Apostles, led them, and even their + priestly guides, subject like themselves to human passions and errors, to + resort as a charm, if not as an act of worship, to those sacrifices, + words, and ritual, by which the heathen, whom they had succeeded, + pretended to arrest evil or procure benefits. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-12" id="linknote-12"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 12 (<a href="#linknoteref-12">return</a>)<br /> [ By this more ancient + code, the punishment of death was indeed denounced against those who + destroyed crops, awakened storms, or brought over to their barns and + garners the fruits of the earth; but, by good fortune, it left the + agriculturists of the period at liberty to use the means they thought most + proper to render their fields fertile and plentiful. Pliny informs us that + one Caius Furius Cresinus, a Roman of mean estate, raised larger crops + from a small field than his neighbours could obtain from more ample + possessions. He was brought before the judge upon a charge averring that + he conjured the fruits of the earth, produced by his neighbours’ farms, + into his own possession. Cresinus appeared, and, having proved the return + of his farm to be the produce of his own hard and unremitting labour, as + well as superior skill, was dismissed with the highest honours.] + </p> + <p> + When such belief in a hostile principle and its imaginations was become + general in the Roman empire, the ignorance of its conquerors, those wild + nations, Franks, Goths, Vandals, Huns, and similar classes of unrefined + humanity, made them prone to an error which there were few judicious + preachers to warn them against; and we ought rather to wonder and admire + the Divine clemency, which imparted to so rude nations the light of the + Gospel, and disposed them to receive a religion so repugnant to their + warlike habits, than that they should, at the same time, have adopted many + gross superstitions, borrowed from the pagans, or retained numbers of + those which had made part of their own national forms of heathenism. + </p> + <p> + Thus, though the thrones of Jupiter and the superior deities of the + heathen Pantheon were totally overthrown and broken to pieces, fragments + of their worship and many of their rites survived the conversion to + Christianity—nay, are in existence even at this late and enlightened + period, although those by whom they are practised have not preserved the + least memory of their original purpose. We may hastily mention one or two + customs of classical origin, in addition to the Beltane and those already + noticed, which remain as examples that the manners of the Romans once gave + the tone to the greater part of the island of Britain, and at least to the + whole which was to the south of the wall of Severus. + </p> + <p> + The following customs still linger in the south of Scotland, and belong to + this class: The bride, when she enters the house of her husband, is lifted + over the threshold, and to step on it or over it voluntarily is reckoned a + bad omen. This custom was universal in Rome, where it was observed as + keeping in memory the rape of the Sabines, and that it was by a show of + violence towards the females that the object of peopling the city was + attained. On the same occasion a sweet cake, baked for the purpose, is + broken above the head of the bride; which is also a rite of classic + antiquity. + </p> + <p> + In like manner, the Scottish, even of the better rank, avoid contracting + marriage in the month of May, which genial season of flowers and breezes + might, in other respects, appear so peculiarly favourable for that + purpose. It was specially objected to the marriage of Mary with the + profligate Earl of Bothwell, that the union was formed within this + interdicted month. This prejudice was so rooted among the Scots that, in + 1684, a set of enthusiasts, called Gibbites, proposed to renounce it, + among a long list of stated festivals, fast-days, popish relics, not + forgetting the profane names of the days of the week, names of the months, + and all sorts of idle and silly practices which their tender consciences + took an exception to. This objection to solemnize marriage in the merry + month of May, however fit a season for courtship, is also borrowed from + the Roman pagans, which, had these fanatics been aware of it, would have + been an additional reason for their anathema against the practice. The + ancients have given us as a maxim, that it is only bad women who marry in + that month.<a href="#linknote-13" name="linknoteref-13" id="linknoteref-13"><small>13</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-13" id="linknote-13"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 13 (<a href="#linknoteref-13">return</a>)<br /> [ “Malæ nubent Maia.”] + </p> + <p> + The custom of saying God bless you, when a person in company sneezes, is, + in like manner, derived from sternutation being considered as a crisis of + the plague at Athens, and the hope that, when it was attained the patient + had a chance of recovery. + </p> + <p> + But besides these, and many other customs which the various nations of + Europe received from the classical times, and which it is not our object + to investigate, they derived from thence a shoal of superstitious beliefs, + which, blended and mingled with those which they brought with them out of + their own country, fostered and formed the materials of a demonological + creed which has descended down almost to our own times. Nixas, or Nicksa, + a river or ocean god, worshipped on the shores of the Baltic, seems to + have taken uncontested possession of the attributes of Neptune. Amid the + twilight winters and overpowering tempests of these gloomy regions, he had + been not unnaturally chosen as the power most adverse to man, and the + supernatural character with which he was invested has descended to our + time under two different aspects. The Nixa of the Germans is one of those + fascinating and lovely fays whom the ancients termed Naiads; and unless + her pride is insulted or her jealousy awakened by an inconstant lover, her + temper is generally mild and her actions beneficent. The Old Nick known in + England is an equally genuine descendant of the northern sea-god, and + possesses a larger portion of his powers and terrors The British sailor, + who fears nothing else, confesses his terror for this terrible being, and + believes him the author of almost all the various calamities to which the + precarious life of a seaman is so continually exposed. + </p> + <p> + The Bhar-guest, or Bhar-geist, by which name it is generally acknowledged + through various country parts of England, and particularly in Yorkshire, + also called a Dobie—a local spectre which haunts a particular spot + under various forms—is a deity, as his name implies, of Teutonic + descent; and if it be true, as the author has been informed, that some + families bearing the name of Dobie carry a phantom or spectre, passant, in + their armorial bearings,<a href="#linknote-14" name="linknoteref-14" + id="linknoteref-14"><small>14</small></a> it plainly implies that, however + the word may have been selected for a proper name, its original derivation + had not then been forgotten. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-14" id="linknote-14"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 14 (<a href="#linknoteref-14">return</a>)<br /> [ A similar bearing has + been ascribed, for the same reason, to those of the name of Fantome, who + carried of old a goblin, or phantom, in a shroud sable passant, on a field + azure. Both bearings are founded on what is called canting heraldry, a + species of art disowned by the writers on the science, yet universally + made use of by those who practice the art of blazonry.] + </p> + <p> + The classic mythology presented numerous points in which it readily + coalesced with that of the Germans, Danes, and Northmen of a later period. + They recognized the power of Erictho, Canidia, and other sorceresses, + whose spell could perplex the course of the elements, intercept the + influence of the sun, and prevent his beneficial operation upon the fruits + of the earth, call down the moon from her appointed sphere, and disturb + the original and destined course of Nature by their words and charms and + the power of the evil spirits whom they invoked. They were also + professionally implicated in all such mystic and secret rites and + ceremonies as were used to conciliate the favour of the infernal powers, + whose dispositions were supposed as dark and wayward as their realms were + gloomy and dismal. Such hags were frequent agents in the violation of + unburied bodies, and it was believed, by the vulgar at least, that it was + dangerous to leave corpses unguarded lest they should be mangled by the + witches, who took from them the most choice ingredients composing their + charms. Above all, it must not be forgotten that these frightful + sorceresses possessed the power of transforming themselves and others into + animals, which are used in their degree of quadrupeds, or in whatever + other laborious occupation belongs to the transformed state. The poets of + the heathens, with authors of fiction, such as Lucian and Apuleius, + ascribe all these powers to the witches of the pagan world, combining them + with the art of poisoning, and of making magical philtres to seduce the + affections of the young and beautiful; and such were the characteristics + which, in greater or less extent, the people of the Middle Ages ascribed + to the witches of their day. + </p> + <p> + But in thus adopting the superstitions of the ancients, the conquerors of + the Roman Empire combined them with similar articles of belief which they + had brought with them from their original settlements in the North, where + the existence of hags of the same character formed a great feature in + their Sagas and their Chronicles. It requires but a slight acquaintance + with these compositions to enable the reader to recognize in the + Galdrakinna of the Scalds the <i>Stryga</i> or witch-woman of more + classical climates. In the northern ideas of witches there was no + irreligion concerned with their lore. On the contrary, the possession of + magical knowledge was an especial attribute of Odin himself; and to + intrude themselves upon a deity, and compel him to instruct them in what + they desired to know, was accounted not an act of impiety, but of + gallantry and high courage, among those sons of the sword and the spear. + Their matrons possessed a high reputation for magic, for prophetic powers, + for creating illusions; and, if not capable of transformations of the + human body, they were at least able to impose such fascination on the + sight of their enemies as to conceal for a period the objects of which + they were in search. + </p> + <p> + There is a remarkable story in the Eyrbiggia Saga (“Historia Eyranorum”), + giving the result of such a controversy between two of these gifted women, + one of whom was determined on discovering and putting to death the son of + the other, named Katla, who in a brawl had cut off the hand of the + daughter-in-law of Geirada. A party detached to avenge this wrong, by + putting Oddo to death, returned deceived by the skill of his mother. They + had found only Katla, they said, spinning flax from a large distaff. + “Fools,” said Geirada, “that distaff was the man you sought.” They + returned, seized the distaff, and burnt it. But this second time, the + witch disguised her son under the appearance of a tame kid. A third time + he was a hog, which grovelled among the ashes. The party returned yet + again; augmented as one of Katla’s maidens, who kept watch, informed her + mistress, by one in a blue mantle. “Alas!” said Katla, “it is the + sorceress Geirada, against whom spells avail not.” Accordingly, the + hostile party, entering for the fourth time, seized on the object of their + animosity, and put him to death.<a href="#linknote-15" + name="linknoteref-15" id="linknoteref-15"><small>15</small></a> This + species of witchcraft is well known in Scotland as the <i>glamour,</i> or + <i>deceptio visus</i>, and was supposed to be a special attribute of the + race of Gipsies. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-15" id="linknote-15"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 15 (<a href="#linknoteref-15">return</a>)<br /> [ Eyrbiggia Saga, in + “Northern Antiquities.”] + </p> + <p> + Neither are those prophetesses to be forgotten, so much honoured among the + German tribes, that, as we are assured by Tacitus, they rose to the + highest rank in their councils, by their supposed supernatural knowledge, + and even obtained a share in the direction of their armies. This + peculiarity in the habits of the North was so general, that it was no + unusual thing to see females, from respect to their supposed views into + futurity, and the degree of divine inspiration which was vouchsafed to + them, arise to the degree of HAXA, or chief priestess, from which comes + the word <i>Hexe</i>, now universally used for a witch; a circumstance + which plainly shows that the mythological system of the ancient natives of + the North had given to the modern language an appropriate word for + distinguishing those females who had intercourse with the spiritual world.<a + href="#linknote-16" name="linknoteref-16" id="linknoteref-16"><small>16</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-16" id="linknote-16"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 16 (<a href="#linknoteref-16">return</a>)<br /> [ It may be worth while to + notice that the word Haxa is still used in Scotland in its sense of a + druidess, or chief priestess, to distinguish the places where such females + exercised their ritual. There is a species of small intrenchment on the + western descent of the Eildon hills, which Mr. Milne, in his account of + the parish of Melrose, drawn up about eighty years ago, says, was + denominated <i>Bourjo</i>, a word of unknown derivation, by which the + place is still known. Here an universal and subsisting tradition bore that + human sacrifices were of yore offered, while the people assisting could + behold the ceremony from the elevation of the glacis which slopes inward. + With this place of sacrifice communicated a path, still discernible, + called the <i>Haxell-gate</i>, leading to a small glen or narrow valley + called the <i>Haxellcleuch</i>—both which words are probably derived + from the Haxa or chief priestess of the pagans.] + </p> + <p> + It is undeniable that these Pythonesses were held in high respect while + the pagan religion lasted; but for that very reason they became odious so + soon as the tribe was converted to Christianity. They were, of course, if + they pretended to retain their influence, either despised as impostors or + feared as sorceresses; and the more that, in particular instances, they + became dreaded for their power, the more they were detested, under the + conviction that they derived it from the enemy of man. The deities of the + northern heathens underwent a similar metamorphosis, resembling that + proposed by Drawcansir in the “Rehearsal,” who threatens “to make a god + subscribe himself a devil.” + </p> + <p> + The warriors of the North received this new impression concerning the + influence of their deities, and the source from which it was derived, with + the more indifference, as their worship, when their mythology was most + generally established, was never of a very reverential or devotional + character. Their idea of their own merely human prowess was so high, that + the champions made it their boast, as we have already hinted, they would + not give way in fight even to the immortal gods themselves. Such, we learn + from Cæsar, was the idea of the Germans concerning the Suevi, or Swabians, + a tribe to whom the others yielded the palm of valour; and many individual + stories are told in the Sagas concerning bold champions, who had fought, + not only with the sorcerers, but with the demigods of the system, and come + off unharmed, if not victorious, in the contest. Hother, for example, + encountered the god Thor in battle, as Diomede, in the Iliad, engages with + Mars, and with like success. Bartholsine<a href="#linknote-17" + name="linknoteref-17" id="linknoteref-17"><small>17</small></a> gives us + repeated examples of the same kind. “Know this,” said Kiartan to Olaus + Trigguasen, “that I believe neither in idols nor demons. I have travelled + through various strange countries, and have encountered many giants and + monsters, and have never been conquered by them; I therefore put my sole + trust in my own strength of body and courage of soul.” Another yet more + broad answer was made to St. Olaus, King of Norway, by Gaukater. “I am + neither Pagan nor Christian. My comrades and I profess no other religion + than a perfect confidence in our own strength and invincibility in + battle.” Such chieftains were of the sect of Mezentius— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +“Dextra mihi Deus, et telum, quod missile libro, + Nunc adsint!”<a href="#linknote-18" name="linknoteref-18" id="linknoteref-18">18</a> +</pre> + <p> + And we cannot wonder that champions of such a character, careless of their + gods while yet acknowledged as such, readily regarded them as demons after + their conversion to Christianity. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-17" id="linknote-17"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 17 (<a href="#linknoteref-17">return</a>)<br /> [ “De causis contemptæ + necis,” lib. i. cap 6.] + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-18" id="linknote-18"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 18 (<a href="#linknoteref-18">return</a>)<br /> [ “Æneid,” lib. x. line + 773.] + </p> + <p> + To incur the highest extremity of danger became accounted a proof of that + insuperable valour for which every Northman desired to be famed, and their + annals afford numerous instances of encounters with ghosts, witches, + furies, and fiends, whom the Kiempé, or champions, compelled to submit to + their mere mortal strength, and yield to their service the weapons or + other treasures which they guarded in their tombs. + </p> + <p> + The Norsemen were the more prone to these superstitions, because it was a + favourite fancy of theirs that, in many instances, the change from life to + death altered the temper of the human spirit from benignant to malevolent; + or perhaps, that when the soul left the body, its departure was + occasionally supplied by a wicked demon, who took the opportunity to enter + and occupy its late habitation. + </p> + <p> + Upon such a supposition the wild fiction that follows is probably + grounded; which, extravagant as it is, possesses something striking to the + imagination. Saxo Grammaticus tells us of the fame of two Norse princes or + chiefs, who had formed what was called a brotherhood in arms, implying not + only the firmest friendship and constant support during all the adventures + which they should undertake in life, but binding them by a solemn compact, + that after the death of either, the survivor should descend alive into the + sepulchre of his brother-in-arms, and consent to be buried alongst with + him. The task of fulfilling this dreadful compact fell upon Asmund, his + companion, Assueit, having been slain in battle. The tomb was formed after + the ancient northern custom in what was called the age of hills, that is, + when it was usual to bury persons of distinguished merit or rank on some + conspicuous spot, which was crowned with a mound. With this purpose a deep + narrow vault was constructed, to be the apartment of the future tomb over + which the sepulchral heap was to be piled. Here they deposited arms, + trophies, poured forth, perhaps, the blood of victims, introduced into the + tomb the war-horses of the champions, and when these rites had been duly + paid, the body of Assueit was placed in the dark and narrow house, while + his faithful brother-in-arms entered and sat down by the corpse, without a + word or look which testified regret or unwillingness to fulfil his fearful + engagement. The soldiers who had witnessed this singular interment of the + dead and living, rolled a huge stone to the mouth of the tomb, and piled + so much earth and stones above the spot as made a mound visible from a + great distance, and then, with loud lamentation for the loss of such + undaunted leaders, they dispersed themselves like a flock which has lost + its shepherd. + </p> + <p> + Years passed away after years, and a century had elapsed ere a noble + Swedish rover, bound upon some high adventure and supported by a gallant + band of followers, arrived in the valley which took its name from the tomb + of the brethren-in-arms. The story was told to the strangers, whose leader + determined on opening the sepulchre, partly because, as already hinted, it + was reckoned a heroic action to brave the anger of departed heroes by + violating their tombs; partly to attain the arms and swords of proof with + which the deceased had done their great actions. He set his soldiers to + work, and soon removed the earth and stones from one side of the mound, + and laid bare the entrance. But the stoutest of the rovers started back + when, instead of the silence of a tomb, they heard within horrid cries, + the clash of swords, the clang of armour, and all the noise of a mortal + combat between two furious champions. A young warrior was let down into + the profound tomb by a cord, which was drawn up shortly after, in hopes of + news from beneath. But when the adventurer descended, some one threw him + from the cord, and took his place in the noose. When the rope was pulled + up, the soldiers, instead of their companion, beheld Asmund, the survivor + of the brethren-in-arms. He rushed into the open air, his sword drawn in + his hand, his armour half torn from his body, the left side of his face + almost scratched off, as by the talons of some wild beast. He had no + sooner appeared in the light of day, than, with the improvisatory poetic + talent, which these champions often united with heroic strength and + bravery, he poured forth a string of verses containing the history of his + hundred years’ conflict within the tomb. It seems that no sooner was the + sepulchre closed than the corpse of the slain Assueit arose from the + ground, inspired by some ravenous goule, and having first torn to pieces + and devoured the horses which had been entombed with them, threw himself + upon the companion who had just given him such a sign of devoted + friendship, in order to treat him in the same manner. The hero, no way + discountenanced by the horrors of his situation, took to his arms, and + defended himself manfully against Assueit, or rather against the evil + demon who tenanted that champion’s body. In this manner the living brother + waged a preternatural combat, which had endured during a whole century, + when Asmund, at last obtaining the victory, prostrated his enemy, and by + driving, as he boasted, a stake through his body, had finally reduced him + to the state of quiet becoming a tenant of the tomb. Having chanted the + triumphant account of his contest and victory, this mangled conqueror fell + dead before them. The body of Assueit was taken out of the tomb, burnt, + and the ashes dispersed to heaven; whilst that of the victor, now lifeless + and without a companion, was deposited there, so that it was hoped his + slumbers might remain undisturbed.<a href="#linknote-19" + name="linknoteref-19" id="linknoteref-19"><small>19</small></a> The + precautions taken against Assueit’s reviving a second time, remind us of + those adopted in the Greek islands and in the Turkish provinces against + the vampire. It affords also a derivation of the ancient English law in + case of suicide, when a stake was driven through the body, originally to + keep it secure in the tomb. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-19" id="linknote-19"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 19 (<a href="#linknoteref-19">return</a>)<br /> [ See Saxo Grammaticus, + “Hist. Dan.,” lib. v.] + </p> + <p> + The Northern people also acknowledged a kind of ghosts, who, when they had + obtained possession of a building, or the right of haunting it, did not + defend themselves against mortals on the knightly principle of duel, like + Assueit, nor were amenable to the prayers of the priest or the spells of + the sorcerer, but became tractable when properly convened in a legal + process. The Eyrbiggia Saga acquaints us, that the mansion of a + respectable landholder in Iceland was, soon after the settlement of that + island, exposed to a persecution of this kind. The molestation was + produced by the concurrence of certain mystical and spectral phenomena, + calculated to introduce such persecution. About the commencement of + winter, with that slight exchange of darkness and twilight which + constitutes night and day in these latitudes, a contagious disease arose + in a family of consequence and in the neighbourhood, which, sweeping off + several members of the family at different times, seemed to threaten them + all with death. But the death of these persons was attended with the + singular consequence that their spectres were seen to wander in the + neighbourhood of the mansion-house, terrifying, and even assaulting, those + of the living family who ventured abroad. As the number of the dead + members of the devoted household seemed to increase in proportion to that + of the survivors, the ghosts took it upon them to enter the house, and + produce their aërial forms and wasted physiognomy, even in the stove where + the fire was maintained for the general use of the inhabitants, and which, + in an Iceland winter, is the only comfortable place of assembling the + family. But the remaining inhabitants of the place, terrified by the + intrusion of these spectres, chose rather to withdraw to the other + extremity of the house, and abandon their warm seats, than to endure the + neighbourhood of the phantoms. Complaints were at length made to a pontiff + of the god Thor, named Snorro, who exercised considerable influence in the + island. By his counsel, the young proprietor of the haunted mansion + assembled a jury, or inquest, of his neighbours, constituted in the usual + judicial form, as if to judge an ordinary civil matter, and proceeded, in + their presence, to cite individually the various phantoms and resemblances + of the deceased members of the family, to show by what warrant they + disputed with him and his servants the quiet possession of his property, + and what defence they could plead for thus interfering with and + incommoding the living. The spectres of the dead, by name, and in order as + summoned, appeared on their being called, and muttering some regrets at + being obliged to abandon their dwelling, departed, or vanished, from the + astonished inquest. Judgment then went against the ghosts by default; and + the trial by jury, of which we here can trace the origin, obtained a + triumph unknown to any of the great writers who have made it the subject + of eulogy.<a href="#linknote-20" name="linknoteref-20" id="linknoteref-20"><small>20</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-20" id="linknote-20"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 20 (<a href="#linknoteref-20">return</a>)<br /> [ Eyrbiggia Saga. See + “Northern Antiquities.”] + </p> + <p> + It was not only with the spirits of the dead that the warlike people of + the North made war without timidity, and successfully entered into suits + of ejectment. These daring champions often braved the indignation even of + the superior deities of their mythology, rather than allow that there + existed any being before whom their boldness could quail. Such is the + singular story how a young man of high courage, in crossing a desolate + ridge of mountains, met with a huge waggon, in which the goddess, Freya (<i>i.e.</i>, + a gigantic idol formed to represent her), together with her shrine, and + the wealthy offerings attached to it, was travelling from one district of + the country to another. The shrine, or sanctuary of the idol, was, like a + modern caravan travelling with a show, screened by boards and curtains + from the public gaze, and the equipage was under the immediate guidance of + the priestess of Freya, a young, good-looking, and attractive woman. The + traveller naturally associated himself with the priestess, who, as she + walked on foot, apparently was in no degree displeased with the company of + a powerful and handsome young man, as a guide and companion on the + journey. It chanced, however, that the presence of the champion, and his + discourse with the priestess, was less satisfactory to the goddess than to + the parties principally concerned. By a certain signal the divinity + summoned the priestess to the sanctuary, who presently returned, with + tears in her eyes and terror in her countenance, to inform her companion + that it was the will of Freya that he should depart, and no longer travel + in their company. “You must have mistaken the meaning of the goddess,” + said the champion; “Freya cannot have formed a wish so unreasonable as to + desire I should abandon the straight and good road, which leads me + directly on my journey, to choose precipitous paths and by-roads, where I + may break my neck.” “Nevertheless,” said the priestess, “the goddess will + be highly offended if you disobey her commands, nor can I conceal from you + that she may personally assault you.” “It will be at her own peril if she + should be so audacious,” said the champion, “for I will try the power of + this axe against the strength of beams and boards.” The priestess chid him + for his impiety; but being unable to compel him to obey the goddess’s + mandate, they again relapsed into familiarity, which advanced to such a + point that a clattering noise within the tabernacle, as of machinery put + in motion, intimated to the travellers that Freya, who perhaps had some + qualities in common with the classical Vesta, thought a personal + interruption of this tête-à-tête ought to be deferred no longer. The + curtains flew open, and the massive and awkward idol, who, we may suppose, + resembled in form the giant created by Frankenstein, leapt lumbering from + the carriage, and, rushing on the intrusive traveller, dealt him, with its + wooden hands and arms, such tremendous blows, as were equally difficult to + parry or to endure. But the champion was armed with a double-edged Danish + axe, with which he bestirred himself with so much strength and activity, + that at length he split the head of the image, and with a severe blow + hewed off its left leg. The image of Freya then fell motionless to the + ground, and the demon which had animated it fled yelling from the battered + tenement. The champion was now victor; and, according to the law of arms, + took possession of the female and the baggage. The priestess, the divinity + of whose patroness had been by the event of the combat sorely lessened in + her eyes, was now easily induced to become the associate and concubine of + the conqueror. She accompanied him to the district whither he was + travelling, and there displayed the shrine of Freya, taking care to hide + the injuries which the goddess had received in the brawl. The champion + came in for a share of a gainful trade driven by the priestess, besides + appropriating to himself most of the treasures which the sanctuary had + formerly contained. Neither does it appear that Freya, having, perhaps, a + sensible recollection of the power of the axe, ever again ventured to + appear in person for the purpose of calling her false stewards to account. + </p> + <p> + The national estimation of deities, concerning whom such stories could be + told and believed, was, of course, of no deep or respectful character. The + Icelanders abandoned Odin, Freya, Thor, and their whole pagan mythology, + in consideration of a single disputation between the heathen priests and + the Christian missionaries. The priests threatened the island with a + desolating eruption of the volcano called Hecla, as the necessary + consequence of the vengeance of their deities. Snorro, the same who + advised the inquest against the ghosts, had become a convert to the + Christian religion, and was present on the occasion, and as the conference + was held on the surface of what had been a stream of lava, now covered + with vegetable substances, he answered the priests with much readiness, + “To what was the indignation of the gods owing when the substance on which + we stand was fluid and scorching? Believe me, men of Iceland, the eruption + of the volcano depends on natural circumstances now as it did then, and is + not the engine of vengeance intrusted to Thor and Odin.” It is evident + that men who reasoned with so much accuracy concerning the imbecility of + Odin and Thor were well prepared, on abandoning their worship, to consider + their former deities, of whom they believed so much that was impious, in + the light of evil demons. + </p> + <p> + But there were some particulars of the Northern creed in which it + corresponded so exactly with that of the classics as leaves room to doubt + whether the original Asæ, or Asiatics, the founders of the Scandinavian + system, had, before their migration from Asia, derived them from some + common source with those of the Greeks and Romans; or whether, on the + other hand, the same proneness of the human mind to superstition has + caused that similar ideas are adopted in different regions, as the same + plants are found in distant countries without the one, as far as can be + discovered, having obtained the seed from the others. + </p> + <p> + The classical fiction, for example, of the satyrs and other subordinate + deities of wood and wild, whose power is rather delusive than formidable, + and whose supernatural pranks intimate rather a wish to inflict terror + than to do hurt, was received among the Northern people, and perhaps + transferred by them to the Celtic tribes. It is an idea which seems common + to many nations. The existence of a satyr, in the silvan form, is even + pretended to be proved by the evidence of Saint Anthony, to whom one is + said to have appeared in the desert. The Scottish Gael have an idea of the + same kind, respecting a goblin called <i>Ourisk</i>, whose form is like + that of Pan, and his attendants something between a man and a goat, the + nether extremities being in the latter form. A species of cavern, or + rather hole, in the rock, affords to the wildest retreat in the romantic + neighbourhood of Loch Katrine a name taken from classical superstition. It + is not the least curious circumstance that from this silvan deity the + modern nations of Europe have borrowed the degrading and unsuitable + emblems of the goat’s visage and form, the horns, hoofs, and tail, with + which they have depicted the author of evil when it pleased him to show + himself on earth. So that the alteration of a single word would render + Pope’s well-known line more truly adapted to the fact, should we venture + to read— + </p> + <p> + “And Pan to <i>Satan</i> lends his heathen horn.” + </p> + <p> + We cannot attribute the transferrence of the attributes of the Northern + satyr, or Celtic ourisk, to the arch-fiend, to any particular resemblance + between the character of these deities and that of Satan. On the contrary, + the ourisk of the Celts was a creature by no means peculiarly malevolent + or formidably powerful, but rather a melancholy spirit, which dwelt in + wildernesses far removed from men. If we are to identify him with the + Brown Dwarf of the Border moors, the ourisk has a mortal term of life and + a hope of salvation, as indeed the same high claim was made by the satyr + who appeared to St. Anthony. Moreover, the Highland ourisk was a species + of lubber fiend, and capable of being over-reached by those who understood + philology. It is related of one of these goblins which frequented a mill + near the foot of Loch Lomond, that the miller, desiring to get rid of this + meddling spirit, who injured the machinery by setting the water on the + wheel when there was no grain to be grinded, contrived to have a meeting + with the goblin by watching in his mill till night. The ourisk then + entered, and demanded the miller’s name, and was informed that he was + called <i>Myself</i>; on which is founded a story almost exactly like that + of OUTIS in the “Odyssey,” a tale which, though classic, is by no means an + elegant or ingenious fiction, but which we are astonished to find in an + obscure district, and in the Celtic tongue, seeming to argue some + connexion or communication between these remote Highlands of Scotland and + the readers of Homer in former days, which we cannot account for. After + all, perhaps, some Churchman more learned than his brethren may have + transferred the legend from Sicily to Duncrune, from the shores of the + Mediterranean to those of Loch Lomond. I have heard it also told that the + celebrated freebooter, Rob Roy, once gained a victory by disguising a part + of his men with goat-skins, so as to resemble the <i>ourisk</i> or + Highland satyr. + </p> + <p> + There was an individual satyr called, I think, Meming, belonging to the + Scandinavian mythology, of a character different from the ourisk, though + similar in shape, whom it was the boast of the highest champions to seek + out in the solitudes which he inhabited. He was an armourer of extreme + dexterity, and the weapons which he forged were of the highest value. But + as club-law pervaded the ancient system of Scandinavia, Meming had the + humour of refusing to work for any customer save such as compelled him to + it with force of arms. He may be, perhaps, identified with the recusant + smith who fled before Fingal from Ireland to the Orkneys, and being there + overtaken, was compelled to forge the sword which Fingal afterwards wore + in all his battles, and which was called the Son of the dark brown Luno, + from the name of the armourer who forged it.<a href="#linknote-21" + name="linknoteref-21" id="linknoteref-21"><small>21</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-21" id="linknote-21"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 21 (<a href="#linknoteref-21">return</a>)<br /> [ The weapon is often + mentioned in Mr. MacPherson’s paraphrases; but the Irish ballad, which + gives a spirited account of the debate between the champion and the + armourer, is nowhere introduced.] + </p> + <p> + From this it will appear that there were originals enough in the mythology + of the Goths, as well as Celts, to furnish the modern attributes ascribed + to Satan in later times, when the object of painter or poet was to display + him in his true form and with all his terrors. Even the genius of Guido + and of Tasso have been unable to surmount this prejudice, the more rooted, + perhaps, that the wicked are described as goats in Scripture, and that the + devil is called the old dragon. In Raffael’s famous painting of the + archangel Michael binding Satan, the dignity, power, and angelic character + expressed by the seraph form an extraordinary contrast to the poor + conception of a being who ought not, even in that lowest degradation, to + have seemed so unworthy an antagonist. Neither has Tasso been more happy, + where he represents the divan of darkness in the enchanted forest as + presided over by a monarch having a huge tail, hoofs, and all the usual + accompaniments of popular diablerie. The genius of Milton alone could + discard all these vulgar puerilities, and assign to the author of evil the + terrible dignity of one who should seem not “less than archangel ruined.” + This species of degradation is yet grosser when we take into consideration + the changes which popular opinions have wrought respecting the taste, + habits, powers, modes of tempting, and habits of tormenting, which are + such as might rather be ascribed to some stupid superannuated and doting + ogre of a fairy tale, than to the powerful-minded demon who fell through + pride and rebellion, not through folly or incapacity. + </p> + <p> + Having, however, adopted our present ideas of the devil as they are + expressed by his nearest acquaintances, the witches, from the accounts of + satyrs, which seem to have been articles of faith both among the Celtic + and Gothic tribes, we must next notice another fruitful fountain of + demonological fancies. But as this source of the mythology of the Middle + Ages must necessarily comprehend some account of the fairy folk, to whom + much of it must be referred, it is necessary to make a pause before we + enter upon the mystic and marvellous connexion supposed to exist between + the impenitent kingdom of Satan and those merry dancers by moonlight. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER IV. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Fairy Superstition is derived from different sources—The + Classical Worship of the Silvans, or Rural Deities, proved by Roman + Altars discovered—The Gothic Duergar, or Dwarfs—Supposed to be + derived from the Northern Laps, or Fins—“The + Niebelungen-Lied”—King Laurin’s Adventure—Celtic Fairies of a + gayer character, yet their pleasures empty and illusory—Addicted to + carry off Human Beings, both Infants and Adults—Adventures of a + Butler in Ireland—The Elves supposed to pay a Tax to Hell—The + Irish, Welsh, Highlanders, and Manxmen held the same belief—It was + rather rendered more gloomy by the Northern Traditions—Merlin and + Arthur carried off by the Fairies—Also Thomas of Erceldoune—His + Amour with the Queen of Elfland—His re-appearance in latter + times—Another account from Reginald Scot—Conjectures on the + derivation of the word Fairy. +</pre> + <p class="pfirst"> + <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">W</span>e may premise by + observing, that the classics had not forgotten to enrol in their mythology + a certain species of subordinate deities, resembling the modern elves in + their habits. Good old Mr. Gibb, of the Advocates’ Library (whom all + lawyers whose youth he assisted in their studies, by his knowledge of that + noble collection, are bound to name with gratitude), used to point out, + amongst the ancient altars under his charge, one which is consecrated, <i>Diis + campestribus,</i> and usually added, with a wink, “The fairies, ye ken."<a + href="#linknote-22" name="linknoteref-22" id="linknoteref-22"><small>22</small></a> + This relic of antiquity was discovered near Roxburgh Castle, and a + vicinity more delightfully appropriate to the abode of the silvan deities + can hardly be found. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-22" id="linknote-22"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 22 (<a href="#linknoteref-22">return</a>)<br /> [ Another altar of elegant + form and perfectly preserved, was, within these few weeks, dug up near the + junction of the Leader and the Tweed, in the neighbourhood of the village + of Newstead, to the east of Melrose. It was inscribed by Carrius + Domitianus, the prefect of the twentieth legion, to the god Sylvanus, + forming another instance how much the wild and silvan character of the + country disposed the feelings of the Romans to acknowledge the presence of + the rural deities. The altar is preserved at Drygrange, the seat of Mr. + Tod.] + </p> + <p> + Two rivers of considerable size, made yet more remarkable by the fame + which has rendered them in some sort classical, unite their streams + beneath the vestiges of an extensive castle, renowned in the wars with + England, and for the valiant, noble, and even royal blood, which has been + shed around and before it—a landscape ornamented with the distant + village and huge abbey tower of Kelso, arising out of groves of aged trees—the + modern mansion of Fleurs, with its terrace, its woods, and its extensive + lawn—form altogether a kingdom for Oberon and Titania to reign in, + or any spirit who, before their time, might love scenery, of which the + majesty, and even the beauty, impress the mind with a sense of awe mingled + with pleasure. These silvans, satyrs, and fauns with whom superstition + peopled the lofty banks and tangled copses of this romantic country, were + obliged to give place to deities very nearly resembling themselves in + character, who probably derive some of their attributes from their classic + predecessors, although more immediately allied to the barbarian + conquerors. We allude to the fairies, which, as received into the popular + creed, and as described by the poets who have made use of them as + machinery, are certainly among the most pleasing legacies of fancy. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Leyden, who exhausted on this subject, as upon most others, a + profusion of learning, found the first idea of the elfin people in the + Northern opinions concerning the duergar, or dwarfs.<a href="#linknote-23" + name="linknoteref-23" id="linknoteref-23"><small>23</small></a> These + were, however, it must be owned, spirits of a coarser sort, more laborious + vocation, and more malignant temper, and in all respects less propitious + to humanity, than the fairies (properly so called), which were the + invention of the Celtic people, and displayed that superiority of taste + and fancy which, with the love of music and poetry, has been generally + ascribed to their race, through its various classes and modifications. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-23" id="linknote-23"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 23 (<a href="#linknoteref-23">return</a>)<br /> [ See the essay on the + Fairy Superstition, in the “Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border,” of which + many of the materials were contributed by Dr. Leyden, and the whole + brought into its present form by the author.] + </p> + <p> + In fact, there seems reason to conclude that these duergar were originally + nothing else than the diminutive natives of the Lappish, Lettish, and + Finnish nations, who, flying before the conquering weapons of the Asæ, + sought the most retired regions of the North, and there endeavoured to + hide themselves from their Eastern invaders. They were a little, + diminutive race, but possessed of some skill probably in mining or + smelting minerals, with which the country abounds. Perhaps also they + might, from their acquaintance with the changes of the clouds, or + meteorological phenomena, be judges of weather, and so enjoy another title + to supernatural skill. At any rate, it has been plausibly supposed that + these poor people, who sought caverns and hiding-places from the + persecution of the Asæ, were in some respects compensated for inferiority + in strength and stature by the art and power with which the superstition + of the enemy invested them. These oppressed yet dreaded fugitives + obtained, naturally enough, the character of the German spirits called + Kobold, from which the English goblin and the Scottish bogle, by some + inversion and alteration of pronunciation, are evidently derived. + </p> + <p> + The Kobolds were a species of gnomes, who haunted the dark and solitary + places, and were often seen in the mines, where they seemed to imitate the + labours of the miners, and sometimes took pleasure in frustrating their + objects and rendering their toil unfruitful. Sometimes they were + malignant, especially if neglected or insulted; but sometimes also they + were indulgent to individuals whom they took under their protection. When + a miner, therefore, hit upon a rich vein of ore, the inference commonly + was, not that he possessed more skill, industry, or even luck, than his + fellow-workmen, but that the spirits of the mine had directed him to the + treasure. The employment and apparent occupation of these subterranean + gnomes or fiends, led very naturally to identify the Fin, or Laplander, + with the Kobold; but it was a bolder stretch of the imagination which + confounded this reserved and sullen race with the livelier and gayer + spirit which bears correspondence with the British fairy. Neither can we + be surprised that the duergar, ascribed by many persons to this source, + should exhibit a darker and more malignant character than the elves that + revel by moonlight in more southern climates. + </p> + <p> + According to the old Norse belief, these dwarfs form the current machinery + of the Northern Sagas, and their inferiority in size is represented as + compensated by skill and wisdom superior to those of ordinary mortals. In + the “Niebelungen-Lied,” one of the oldest romances of Germany, and + compiled, it would seem, not long after the time of Attila, Theodorick of + Bern, or of Verona, figures among a cycle of champions over whom he + presides, like the Charlemagne of France or Arthur of England. Among + others vanquished by him is the Elf King, or Dwarf Laurin, whose dwelling + was in an enchanted garden of roses, and who had a body-guard of giants, a + sort of persons seldom supposed to be themselves conjurers. He becomes a + formidable opponent to Theodorick and his chivalry; but as he attempted by + treachery to attain the victory, he is, when overcome, condemned to fill + the dishonourable yet appropriate office of buffoon and juggler at the + Court of Verona.<a href="#linknote-24" name="linknoteref-24" + id="linknoteref-24"><small>24</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-24" id="linknote-24"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 24 (<a href="#linknoteref-24">return</a>)<br /> [ See an abstract, by the + late learned Henry Weber, of “A Lay on this subject of King Laurin,” + complied by Henry of Osterdingen. “Northern Antiquities,” Edinburgh, + 1814.] + </p> + <p> + Such possession of supernatural wisdom is still imputed by the natives of + the Orkney and Zetland Islands to the people called <i>Drows</i>, being a + corruption of duergar or <i>dwarfs</i>, and who may, in most other + respects, be identified with the Caledonian fairies. Lucas Jacobson Debes, + who dates his description of Feroe from his Pathmos, in Thorshaven, March + 12, 1670, dedicates a long chapter to the spectres who disturbed his + congregation, and sometimes carried off his hearers. The actors in these + disturbances he states to be the <i>Skow</i>, or <i>Biergen-Trold</i>—<i>i.e.</i>, + the spirits of the woods and mountains, sometimes called subterranean + people, and adds, they appeared in deep caverns and among horrid rocks; as + also, that they haunted the places where murders or other deeds of mortal + sin had been acted. They appear to have been the genuine northern dwarfs, + or Trows, another pronunciation of Trollds, and are considered by the + reverend author as something very little better than actual fiends. + </p> + <p> + But it is not only, or even chiefly, to the Gothic race that we must trace + the opinions concerning the elves of the middle ages; these, as already + hinted, were deeply blended with the attributes which the Celtic tribes + had, from the remotest ages, ascribed to their deities of rocks, valleys, + and forests. We have already observed, what indeed makes a great feature + of their national character, that the power of the imagination is + peculiarly active among the Celts, and leads to an enthusiasm concerning + national music and dancing, national poetry and song, the departments in + which fancy most readily indulges herself. The Irish, the Welsh, the Gael, + or Scottish Highlander, all tribes of Celtic descent, assigned to the Men + of Peace, Good Neighbours, or by whatever other names they called these + sylvan pigmies, more social habits, and a course of existence far more + gay, than the sullen and heavy toils of the more saturnine Duergar. Their + elves did not avoid the society of men, though they behaved to those who + associated with them with caprice, which rendered it dangerous to + displease them; and although their gifts were sometimes valuable, they + were usually wantonly given and unexpectedly resumed. + </p> + <p> + The employment, the benefits, the amusements of the Fairy court, resembled + the aerial people themselves. Their government was always represented as + monarchical. A King, more frequently a Queen of Fairies, was acknowledged; + and sometimes both held their court together. Their pageants and court + entertainments comprehended all that the imagination could conceive of + what was, by that age, accounted gallant and splendid. At their + processions they paraded more beautiful steeds than those of mere earthly + parentage—the hawks and hounds which they employed in their chase + were of the first race. At their daily banquets, the board was set forth + with a splendour which the proudest kings of the earth dared not aspire + to; and the hall of their dancers echoed to the most exquisite music. But + when viewed by the eye of a seer the illusion vanished. The young knights + and beautiful ladies showed themselves as wrinkled carles and odious hags—their + wealth turned into slate-stones—their splendid plate into pieces of + clay fantastically twisted—and their victuals, unsavoured by salt + (prohibited to them, we are told, because an emblem of eternity), became + tasteless and insipid—the stately halls were turned into miserable + damp caverns—all the delights of the Elfin Elysium vanished at once. + In a word, their pleasures were showy, but totally unsubstantial—their + activity unceasing, but fruitless and unavailing—and their + condemnation appears to have consisted in the necessity of maintaining the + appearance of constant industry or enjoyment, though their toil was + fruitless and their pleasures shadowy and unsubstantial. Hence poets have + designed them as “<i>the crew that never rest</i>.” Besides the unceasing + and useless bustle in which these spirits seemed to live, they had + propensities unfavourable and distressing to mortals. + </p> + <p> + One injury of a very serious nature was supposed to be constantly + practised by the fairies against “the human mortals,” that of carrying off + their children, and breeding them as beings of their race. Unchristened + infants were chiefly exposed to this calamity; but adults were also liable + to be abstracted from earthly commerce, notwithstanding it was their + natural sphere. With respect to the first, it may be easily conceived that + the want of the sacred ceremony of introduction into the Christian church + rendered them the more obnoxious to the power of those creatures, who, if + not to be in all respects considered as fiends, had nevertheless, + considering their constant round of idle occupation, little right to rank + themselves among good spirits, and were accounted by most divines as + belonging to a very different class. An adult, on the other hand, must + have been engaged in some action which exposed him to the power of the + spirits, and so, as the legal phrase went, “taken in the manner.” Sleeping + on a fairy mount, within which the Fairy court happened to be held for the + time, was a very ready mode of obtaining a pass for Elfland. It was well + for the individual if the irate elves were contented, on such occasions, + with transporting him through the air to a city at some forty miles’ + distance, and leaving, perhaps, his hat or bonnet on some steeple between, + to mark the direct line of his course. Others, when engaged in some + unlawful action, or in the act of giving way to some headlong and sinful + passion, exposed themselves also to become inmates of Fairyland. + </p> + <p> + The same belief on these points obtained in Ireland. Glanville, in his + “Eighteenth Relation,” tells us of the butler of a gentleman, a neighbour + of the Earl of Orrery, who was sent to purchase cards. In crossing the + fields, he saw a table surrounded by people apparently feasting and making + merry. They rose to salute him, and invited him to join in their revel; + but a friendly voice from the party whispered in his ear, “Do nothing + which this company invite you to.” Accordingly, when he refused to join in + feasting, the table vanished, and the company began to dance and play on + musical instruments; but the butler would not take part in these + recreations. They then left off dancing, and betook themselves to work; + but neither in this would the mortal join them. He was then left alone for + the present; but in spite of the exertions of my Lord Orrery, in spite of + two bishops who were his guests at the time, in spite of the celebrated + Mr. Greatrix, it was all they could do to prevent the butler from being + carried off bodily from amongst them by the fairies, who considered him as + their lawful prey. They raised him in the air above the heads of the + mortals, who could only run beneath, to break his fall when they pleased + to let him go. The spectre which formerly advised the poor man continued + to haunt him, and at length discovered himself to be the ghost of an + acquaintance who had been dead for seven years. “You know,” added he, “I + lived a loose life, and ever since have I been hurried up and down in a + restless condition, with the company you saw, and shall be till the day of + judgment.” He added, “that if the butler had acknowledged God in all his + ways, he had not suffered so much by their means; he reminded him that he + had not prayed to God in the morning before he met with this company in + the field, and, moreover, that he was then going on an unlawful business.” + </p> + <p> + It is pretended that Lord Orrery confirmed the whole of this story, even + to having seen the butler raised into the air by the invisible beings who + strove to carry him off. Only he did not bear witness to the passage which + seems to call the purchase of cards an unlawful errand.<a + href="#linknote-25" name="linknoteref-25" id="linknoteref-25"><small>25</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-25" id="linknote-25"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 25 (<a href="#linknoteref-25">return</a>)<br /> [ “Sadducismus + Triumphatus,” by Joseph Glanville, p. 131. Edinburgh, 1790.] + </p> + <p> + Individuals, whose lives had been engaged in intrigues of politics or + stratagems of war, were sometimes surreptitiously carried off to + Fairyland; as Alison Pearson, the sorceress who cured Archbishop Adamson, + averred that she had recognised in the Fairy court the celebrated + Secretary Lethington and the old Knight of Buccleuch, the one of whom had + been the most busy politician, the other one of the most unwearied + partisans of Queen Mary, during the reign of that unfortunate queen. Upon + the whole, persons carried off by sudden death were usually suspected of + having fallen into the hands of the fairies, and unless redeemed from + their power, which it was not always safe to attempt, were doomed to + conclude their lives with them. We must not omit to state that those who + had an intimate communication with these spirits, while they were yet + inhabitants of middle earth, were most apt to be seized upon and carried + off to Elfland before their death. + </p> + <p> + The reason assigned for this kidnapping of the human race, so peculiar to + the elfin people, is said to be that they were under a necessity of paying + to the infernal regions a yearly tribute out of their population, which + they were willing to defray by delivering up to the prince of these + regions the children of the human race, rather than their own. From this + it must be inferred, that they have offspring among themselves, as it is + said by some authorities, and particularly by Mr. Kirke, the minister of + Aberfoyle. He indeed adds that, after a certain length of life, these + spirits are subject to the universal lot of mortality—a position, + however, which has been controverted, and is scarcely reconcilable to that + which holds them amenable to pay a tax to hell, which infers existence as + eternal as the fire which is not quenched. The opinions on the subject of + the fairy people here expressed, are such as are entertained in the + Highlands and some remote quarters of the Lowlands of Scotland. We know, + from the lively and entertaining legends published by Mr. Crofton Croker—which, + though in most cases told with the wit of the editor and the humour of his + country, contain points of curious antiquarian information—that the + opinions of the Irish are conformable to the account we have given of the + general creed of the Celtic nations respecting elves. If the Irish elves + are anywise distinguished from those of Britain, it seems to be by their + disposition to divide into factions and fight among themselves—a + pugnacity characteristic of the Green Isle. The Welsh fairies, according + to John Lewis, barrister-at-law, agree in the same general attributes with + those of Ireland and Britain. We must not omit the creed of the Manxmen, + since we find, from the ingenious researches of Mr. Waldron, that the Isle + of Man, beyond other places in Britain, was a peculiar depository of the + fairy traditions, which, on the island being conquered by the Norse, + became, in all probability, chequered with those of Scandinavia from a + source peculiar and more direct than that by which they reached Scotland + or Ireland. + </p> + <p> + Such as it was, the popular system of the Celts easily received the + northern admixture of Drows and Duergar, which gave the belief, perhaps, a + darker colouring than originally belonged to the British fairyland. It was + from the same source also, in all probability, that additional legends + were obtained of a gigantic and malignant female, the Hecate of this + mythology, who rode on the storm and marshalled the rambling host of + wanderers under her grim banner. This hag (in all respects the reverse of + the Mab or Titania of the Celtic creed) was called Nicneven in that later + system which blended the faith of the Celts and of the Goths on this + subject. The great Scottish poet Dunbar has made a spirited description of + this Hecate riding at the head of witches and good neighbours (fairies, + namely), sorceresses and elves, indifferently, upon the ghostly eve of + All-Hallow Mass.<a href="#linknote-26" name="linknoteref-26" + id="linknoteref-26"><small>26</small></a> In Italy we hear of the hags + arraying themselves under the orders of Diana (in her triple character of + Hecate, doubtless) and Herodias, who were the joint leaders of their + choir. But we return to the more simple fairy belief, as entertained by + the Celts before they were conquered by the Saxons. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-26" id="linknote-26"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 26 (<a href="#linknoteref-26">return</a>)<br /> [ See “Flyting of Dunbar + and Kennedy.”] + </p> + <p> + Of these early times we can know little; but it is singular to remark what + light the traditions of Scotland throw upon the poetry of the Britons of + Cumberland, then called Reged. Merlin Wyllt, or the wild, is mentioned by + both; and that renowned wizard, the son of an elf or fairy, with King + Arthur, the dubious champion of Britain at that early period, were both + said by tradition to have been abstracted by the fairies, and to have + vanished without having suffered death, just at the time when it was + supposed that the magic of the wizard and the celebrated sword of the + monarch, which had done so much to preserve British independence, could no + longer avert the impending ruin. It may be conjectured that there was a + desire on the part of Arthur or his surviving champions to conceal his + having received a mortal wound in the fatal battle of Camlan; and to that + we owe the wild and beautiful incident so finely versified by Bishop + Percy, in which, in token of his renouncing in future the use of arms, the + monarch sends his attendant, sole survivor of the field, to throw his + sword Excalibar into the lake hard by. Twice eluding the request, the + esquire at last complied, and threw the far-famed weapon into the lonely + mere. A hand and arm arose from the water and caught Excalibar by the + hilt, flourished it thrice, and then sank into the lake.<a + href="#linknote-27" name="linknoteref-27" id="linknoteref-27"><small>27</small></a> + The astonished messenger returned to his master to tell him the marvels he + had seen, but he only saw a boat at a distance push from the land, and + heard shrieks of females in agony:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +“And whether the king was there or not + He never knew, he never colde + For never since that doleful day + Was British Arthur seen on molde.” + </pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-27" id="linknote-27"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 27 (<a href="#linknoteref-27">return</a>)<br /> [ See “Percy’s Reliques of + Ancient English Poetry.”] + </p> + <p> + The circumstances attending the disappearance of Merlin would probably be + found as imaginative as those of Arthur’s removal, but they cannot be + recovered; and what is singular enough, circumstances which originally + belonged to the history of this famous bard, said to be the son of the + Demon himself, have been transferred to a later poet, and surely one of + scarce inferior name, Thomas of Erceldoune. The legend was supposed to be + only preserved among the inhabitants of his native valleys, but a copy as + old as the reign of Henry VII. has been recovered. The story is + interesting and beautifully told, and, as one of the oldest fairy legends, + may well be quoted in this place. + </p> + <p> + Thomas of Erceldoune, in Lauderdale, called the Rhymer, on account of his + producing a poetical romance on the subject of Tristrem and Yseult, which + is curious as the earliest specimen of English verse known to exist, + flourished in the reign of Alexander III. of Scotland. Like other men of + talent of the period, Thomas was suspected of magic. He was said also to + have the gift of prophecy, which was accounted for in the following + peculiar manner, referring entirely to the elfin superstition:—As + True Thomas (we give him the epithet by anticipation) lay on Huntly Bank, + a place on the descent of the Eildon Hills, which raise their triple crest + above the celebrated Monastery of Melrose, he saw a lady so extremely + beautiful that he imagined it must be the Virgin Mary herself. Her + appointments, however, were rather those of an Amazon or goddess of the + woods. Her steed was of the highest beauty and spirit, and at his mane + hung thirty silver bells and nine, which made music to the wind as she + paced along. Her saddle was of <i>royal bone</i> (ivory), laid over with + <i>orfeverie</i>—<i>i.e.</i>, goldsmith’s work. Her stirrups, her + dress, all corresponded with her extreme beauty and the magnificence of + her array. The fair huntress had her bow in her hand, and her arrows at + her belt. She led three greyhounds in a leash, and three raches, or hounds + of scent, followed her closely. She rejected and disclaimed the homage + which Thomas desired to pay to her; so that, passing from one extremity to + the other, Thomas became as bold as he had at first been humble. The lady + warns him that he must become her slave if he should prosecute his suit + towards her in the manner he proposes. Before their interview terminates, + the appearance of the beautiful lady is changed into that of the most + hideous hag in existence. One side is blighted and wasted, as if by palsy; + one eye drops from her head; her colour, as clear as the virgin silver, is + now of a dun leaden hue. A witch from the spital or almshouse would have + been a goddess in comparison to the late beautiful huntress. Hideous as + she was, Thomas’s irregular desires had placed him under the control of + this hag, and when she bade him take leave of sun, and of the leaf that + grew on tree, he felt himself under the necessity of obeying her. A cavern + received them, in which, following his frightful guide, he for three days + travelled in darkness, sometimes hearing the booming of a distant ocean, + sometimes walking through rivers of blood, which crossed their + subterranean path. At length they emerged into daylight, in a most + beautiful orchard. Thomas, almost fainting for want of food, stretches out + his hand towards the goodly fruit which hangs around him, but is forbidden + by his conductress, who informs him these are the fatal apples which were + the cause of the fall of man. He perceives also that his guide had no + sooner entered this mysterious ground, and breathed its magic air, than + she was revived in beauty, equipage, and splendour, as fair, or fairer, + than he had first seen her on the mountain. She then commands him to lay + his head upon her knee, and proceeds to explain to him the character of + the country. “Yonder right-hand path,” she says, “conveys the spirits of + the blessed to Paradise; yon downward and well-worn way leads sinful souls + to the place of everlasting punishment; the third road, by yonder dark + brake, conducts to the milder place of pain from which prayer and mass may + release offenders. But see you yet a fourth road, sweeping along the plain + to yonder splendid castle? Yonder is the road to Elfland, to which we are + now bound. The lord of the castle is king of the country, and I am his + queen. But, Thomas, I would rather be drawn with wild horses, than he + should know what hath passed between you and me. Therefore, when we enter + yonder castle, observe strict silence, and answer no question that is + asked at you, and I will account for your silence by saying I took your + speech when I brought you from middle earth.” + </p> + <p> + Having thus instructed her lover, they journeyed on to the castle, and + entering by the kitchen, found themselves in the midst of such a festive + scene as might become the mansion of a great feudal lord or prince. Thirty + carcases of deer were lying on the massive kitchen board, under the hands + of numerous cooks, who toiled to cut them up and dress them, while the + gigantic greyhounds which had taken the spoil lay lapping the blood, and + enjoying the sight of the slain game. They came next to the royal hall, + where the king received his loving consort without censure or suspicion. + Knights and ladies, dancing by threes (reels perhaps), occupied the floor + of the hall, and Thomas, the fatigues of his journey from the Eildon hills + forgotten, went forward and joined in the revelry. After a period, + however, which seemed to him a very short one, the queen spoke with him + apart, and bade him prepare to return to his own country. “Now,” said the + queen, “how long think you that you have been here?” “Certes, fair lady,” + answered Thomas, “not above these seven days.” “You are deceived,” + answered the queen, “you have been seven <i>years</i> in this castle; and + it is full time you were gone. Know, Thomas, that the fiend of hell will + come to this castle to-morrow to demand his tribute, and so handsome a man + as you will attract his eye. For all the world would I not suffer you to + be betrayed to such a fate; therefore up, and let us be going.” These + terrible news reconciled Thomas to his departure from Elfin land, and the + queen was not long in placing him upon Huntly bank, where the birds were + singing. She took a tender leave of him, and to ensure his reputation, + bestowed on him the tongue which <i>could not lie</i>. Thomas in vain + objected to this inconvenient and involuntary adhesion to veracity, which + would make him, as he thought, unfit for church or for market, for king’s + court or for lady’s bower. But all his remonstrances were disregarded by + the lady, and Thomas the Rhymer, whenever the discourse turned on the + future, gained the credit of a prophet whether he would or not; for he + could say nothing but what was sure to come to pass. It is plain that had + Thomas been a legislator instead of a poet, we have here the story of Numa + and Egeria. Thomas remained several years in his own tower near + Erceldoune, and enjoyed the fame of his predictions, several of which are + current among the country people to this day. At length, as the prophet + was entertaining the Earl of March in his dwelling, a cry of astonishment + arose in the village, on the appearance of a hart and hind,<a + href="#linknote-28" name="linknoteref-28" id="linknoteref-28"><small>28</small></a> + which left the forest and, contrary to their shy nature, came quietly + onward, traversing the village towards the dwelling of Thomas. The prophet + instantly rose from the board; and, acknowledging the prodigy as the + summons of his fate, he accompanied the hart and hind into the forest, and + though occasionally seen by individuals to whom he has chosen to show + himself, has never again mixed familiarly with mankind. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-28" id="linknote-28"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 28 (<a href="#linknoteref-28">return</a>)<br /> [ This last circumstance + seems imitated from a passage in the “Life of Merlin,” by Jeffrey of + Monmouth. See Ellis’s “Ancient Romances,” vol. i. p. 73.] + </p> + <p> + Thomas of Erceldoune, during his retirement, has been supposed, from time + to time, to be levying forces to take the field in some crisis of his + country’s fate. The story has often been told of a daring horse-jockey + having sold a black horse to a man of venerable and antique appearance, + who appointed the remarkable hillock upon Eildon hills, called the + Lucken-hare, as the place where, at twelve o’clock at night, he should + receive the price. He came, his money was paid in ancient coin, and he was + invited by his customer to view his residence. The trader in horses + followed his guide in the deepest astonishment through several long ranges + of stalls, in each of which a horse stood motionless, while an armed + warrior lay equally still at the charger’s feet. “All these men,” said the + wizard in a whisper, “will awaken at the battle of Sheriffmoor.” At the + extremity of this extraordinary depot hung a sword and a horn, which the + prophet pointed out to the horse-dealer as containing the means of + dissolving the spell. The man in confusion took the horn, and attempted to + wind it. The horses instantly started in their stalls, stamped, and shook + their bridles, the men arose and clashed their armour, and the mortal, + terrified at the tumult he had excited, dropped the horn from his hand. A + voice like that of a giant, louder even than the tumult around, pronounced + these words:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +“Woe to the coward that ever he was born, + That did not draw the sword before he blew the horn!” + </pre> + <p> + A whirlwind expelled the horse-dealer from the cavern, the entrance to + which he could never again find. A moral might be perhaps extracted from + the legend—namely, that it is best to be armed against danger before + bidding it defiance. But it is a circumstance worth notice, that although + this edition of the tale is limited to the year 1715, by the very mention + of the Sheriffmoor, yet a similar story appears to have been current + during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, which is given by Reginald Scot. The + narrative is edifying as peculiarly illustrative of the mode of marring a + curious tale in telling it, which was one of the virtues professed by + Caius when he hired himself to King Lear. Reginald Scot, incredulous on + the subject of witchcraft, seems to have given some weight to the belief + of those who thought that the spirits of famous men do, after death, take + up some particular habitations near cities, towns, and countries, and act + as tutelary and guardian spirits to the places which they loved while in + the flesh. + </p> + <p> + “But more particularly to illustrate this conjecture,” says he, “I could + name a person who hath lately appeared thrice since his decease, at least + some ghostly being or other that calls itself by the name of such a person + who was dead above a hundred years ago, and was in his lifetime accounted + as a prophet or predicter by the assistance of sublunary spirits; and now, + at his appearance, did also give strange predictions respecting famine and + plenty, war and bloodshed, and the end of the world. By the information of + the person that had communication with him, the last of his appearances + was in the following manner:—“I had been,” said he, “to sell a horse + at the next market town, but not attaining my price, as I returned home by + the way I met this man, who began to be familiar with me, asking what + news, and how affairs moved through the country. I answered as I thought + fit; withal, I told him of my horse, whom he began to cheapen, and + proceeded with me so far that the price was agreed upon. So he turned back + with me, and told me that if I would go along with him I should receive my + money. On our way we went, I upon my horse, and he on another milk-white + beast After much travel I asked him where he dwelt and what his name was. + He told me that his dwelling was a mile off, at a place called <i>Farran</i>, + of which place I had never heard, though I knew all the country round + about.<a href="#linknote-29" name="linknoteref-29" id="linknoteref-29"><small>29</small></a> + He also told me that he himself was that person of the family of + Learmonths<a href="#linknote-30" name="linknoteref-30" id="linknoteref-30"><small>30</small></a> + so much spoken of as a prophet. At which I began to be somewhat fearful, + perceiving we were on a road which I never had been on before, which + increased my fear and amazement more. Well, on we went till he brought me + under ground, I knew not how, into the presence of a beautiful woman, who + paid the money without a word speaking. He conducted me out again through + a large and long entry, where I saw above six hundred men in armour laid + prostrate on the ground as if asleep. At last I found myself in the open + field by the help of the moonlight, in the very place where I first met + him, and made a shift to get home by three in the morning. But the money I + had received was just double of what I esteemed it when the woman paid me, + of which at this instant I have several pieces to show, consisting of + ninepennies, thirteen pence-halfpennies,” &c.<a href="#linknote-31" + name="linknoteref-31" id="linknoteref-31"><small>31</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-29" id="linknote-29"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 29 (<a href="#linknoteref-29">return</a>)<br /> [ In this the author is in + the same ignorance as his namesake Reginald, though having at least as + many opportunities of information.] + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-30" id="linknote-30"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 30 (<a href="#linknoteref-30">return</a>)<br /> [ In popular tradition, the + name of Thomas the Rhymer was always averred to be Learmonth. though he + neither uses it himself, nor is described by his son other than Le Rymour. + The Learmonths of Dairsie, in Fife, claimed descent from the prophet.] + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-31" id="linknote-31"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 31 (<a href="#linknoteref-31">return</a>)<br /> [ “Discourse of Devils and + Spirits appended to the Discovery of Witchcraft,” by Reginald Scot, Esq., + book ii. chap. 3, sec. 10.] + </p> + <p> + It is a great pity that this horse-dealer, having specimens of the fairy + coin, of a quality more permanent than usual, had not favoured us with an + account of an impress so valuable to medalists. It is not the less + edifying, as we are deprived of the more picturesque parts of the story, + to learn that Thomas’s payment was as faithful as his prophecies. The + beautiful lady who bore the purse must have been undoubtedly the Fairy + Queen, whose affection, though, like that of his own heroine Yseult, we + cannot term it altogether laudable, seems yet to have borne a faithful and + firm character. + </p> + <p> + I have dwelt at some length on the story of Thomas the Rhymer, as the + oldest tradition of the kind which has reached us in detail, and as + pretending to show the fate of the first Scottish poet, whose existence, + and its date, are established both by history and records; and who, if we + consider him as writing in the Anglo-Norman language, was certainly one + among the earliest of its versifiers. But the legend is still more + curious, from its being the first and most distinguished instance of a man + alleged to have obtained supernatural knowledge by means of the fairies. + </p> + <p> + Whence or how this singular community derived their more common popular + name, we may say has not as yet been very clearly established. It is the + opinion of the learned that the Persian word Peri, expressing an unearthly + being, of a species very similar, will afford the best derivation, if we + suppose it to have reached Europe through the medium of the Arabians, in + whose alphabet the letter P does not exist, so that they pronounce the + word Feri instead of Peri. Still there is something uncertain in this + etymology. We hesitate to ascribe either to the Persians or the Arabians + the distinguishing name of an ideal commonwealth, the notion of which they + certainly did not contribute to us. Some are, therefore, tempted to + suppose that the elves may have obtained their most frequent name from + their being <i>par excellence</i> a <i>fair</i> or <i>comely</i> people, a + quality which they affected on all occasions; while the superstition of + the Scottish was likely enough to give them a name which might propitiate + the vanity for which they deemed the race remarkable; just as, in other + instances, they called the fays “men of peace,” “good neighbours,” and by + other titles of the like import. It must be owned, at the same time, that + the words <i>fay</i> and <i>fairy</i> may have been mere adoptions of the + French <i>fee</i> and <i>feerie</i>, though these terms, on the other side + of the Channel, have reference to a class of spirits corresponding, not to + our fairies, but with the far different Fata of the Italians. But this is + a question which we willingly leave for the decision of better + etymologists than ourselves. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER V. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Those who dealt in fortune-telling, mystical cures by charms, and + the like, often claimed an intercourse with Fairyland—Hudhart or + Hudikin—Pitcairn’s “Scottish Criminal Trials”—Story of Bessie + Dunlop and her Adviser—Her Practice of Medicine—And of Discovery + of Theft—Account of her Familiar, Thome Reid—Trial of Alison + Pearson—Account of her Familiar, William Sympson—Trial of the Lady + Fowlis, and of Hector Munro, her Stepson—Extraordinary species of + Charm used by the latter—Confession of John Stewart, a Juggler, of + his Intercourse with the Fairies—Trial and Confession of Isobel + Gowdie—Use of Elf-arrow Heads—Parish of Aberfoyle—Mr. Kirke, the + Minister of Aberfoyle’s Work on Fairy Superstitions—He is himself + taken to Fairyland—Dr. Grahame’s interesting Work, and his + Information on Fairy Superstitions—Story of a Female in East + Lothian carried off by the Fairies—Another instance from Pennant. +</pre> + <p class="pfirst"> + <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>o return to Thomas + the Rhymer, with an account of whose legend I concluded last letter, it + would seem that the example which it afforded of obtaining the gift of + prescience, and other supernatural powers, by means of the fairy people, + became the common apology of those who attempted to cure diseases, to tell + fortunes, to revenge injuries, or to engage in traffic with the invisible + world, for the purpose of satisfying their own wishes, curiosity, or + revenge, or those of others. Those who practised the petty arts of + deception in such mystic cases, being naturally desirous to screen their + own impostures, were willing to be supposed to derive from the fairies, or + from mortals transported to fairyland the power necessary to effect the + displays of art which they pretended to exhibit. A confession of direct + communication and league with Satan, though the accused were too + frequently compelled by torture to admit and avow such horrors, might, the + poor wretches hoped, be avoided by the avowal of a less disgusting + intercourse with sublunary spirits, a race which might be described by + negatives, being neither angels, devils, nor the souls of deceased men; + nor would it, they might flatter themselves, be considered as any criminal + alliance, that they held communion with a race not properly hostile to + man, and willing, on certain conditions, to be useful and friendly to him. + Such an intercourse was certainly far short of the witch’s renouncing her + salvation, delivering herself personally to the devil, and at once + ensuring condemnation in this world, together with the like doom in the + next. + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, the credulous, who, in search of health, knowledge, + greatness, or moved by any of the numberless causes for which men seek to + look into futurity, were anxious to obtain superhuman assistance, as well + as the numbers who had it in view to dupe such willing clients, became + both cheated and cheaters, alike anxious to establish the possibility of a + harmless process of research into futurity, for laudable, or at least + innocent objects, as healing diseases and the like; in short, of the + existence of white magic, as it was called, in opposition to that black + art exclusively and directly derived from intercourse with Satan. Some + endeavoured to predict a man’s fortune in marriage or his success in life + by the aspect of the stars; others pretended to possess spells, by which + they could reduce and compel an elementary spirit to enter within a stone, + a looking-glass, or some other local place of abode, and confine her there + by the power of an especial charm, conjuring her to abide and answer the + questions of her master. Of these we shall afterwards say something; but + the species of evasion now under our investigation is that of the fanatics + or impostors who pretended to draw information from the equivocal spirits + called fairies; and the number of instances before us is so great as + induces us to believe that the pretence of communicating with Elfland, and + not with the actual demon, was the manner in which the persons accused of + witchcraft most frequently endeavoured to excuse themselves, or at least + to alleviate the charges brought against them of practising sorcery. But + the Scottish law did not acquit those who accomplished even praiseworthy + actions, such as remarkable cures by mysterious remedies; and the + proprietor of a patent medicine who should in those days have attested his + having wrought such miracles as we see sometimes advertised, might perhaps + have forfeited his life before he established the reputation of his drop, + elixir, or pill. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes the soothsayers, who pretended to act on this information from + sublunary spirits, soared to higher matters than the practice of physic, + and interfered in the fate of nations. When James I. was murdered at Perth + in 1437, a Highland woman prophesied the course and purpose of the + conspiracy, and had she been listened to, it might have been disconcerted. + Being asked her source of knowledge, she answered Hudhart had told her; + which might either be the same with Hudkin, a Dutch spirit somewhat + similar to Friar Rush or Robin Goodfellow,<a href="#linknote-32" + name="linknoteref-32" id="linknoteref-32"><small>32</small></a> or with + the red-capped demon so powerful in the case of Lord Soulis, and other + wizards, to whom the Scots assigned rather more serious influence. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-32" id="linknote-32"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 32 (<a href="#linknoteref-32">return</a>)<br /> [ Hudkin is a very familiar + devil, who will do nobody hurt, except he receive injury; but he cannot + abide that, nor yet be mocked. He talketh with men friendly, sometimes + visibly, sometimes invisibly. There go as many tales upon this Hudkin in + some parts of Germany as there did in England on Robin Goodfellow.—“Discourse + concerning Devils,” annexed to “The Discovery of Witchcraft,” by Reginald + Scot, book i. chap. 21.] + </p> + <p> + The most special account which I have found of the intercourse between + Fairyland and a female professing to have some influence in that court, + combined with a strong desire to be useful to the distressed of both + sexes, occurs in the early part of a work to which I have been exceedingly + obliged in the present and other publications.<a href="#linknote-33" + name="linknoteref-33" id="linknoteref-33"><small>33</small></a> The + details of the evidence, which consists chiefly of the unfortunate woman’s + own confession, are more full than usual, and comprehend some curious + particulars. To spare technical repetitions, I must endeavour to select + the principal facts in evidence in detail, so far as they bear upon the + present subject. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-33" id="linknote-33"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 33 (<a href="#linknoteref-33">return</a>)<br /> [ The curious collection of + trials, from “The Criminal Records of Scotland,” now in the course of + publication, by Robert Pitcairn, Esq., affords so singular a picture of + the manners and habits of our ancestors, while yet a semibarbarous people, + that it is equally worth the attention of the historian, the antiquary, + the philosopher, and the poet.] + </p> + <p> + On the 8th November, 1576, Elizabeth or Bessie Dunlop, spouse to Andro + Jak, in Lyne, in the Barony of Dalry, Ayrshire, was accused of sorcery and + witchcraft and abuse of the people. Her answers to the interrogatories of + the judges or prosecutors ran thus: It being required of her by what art + she could tell of lost goods or prophesy the event of illness, she replied + that of herself she had no knowledge or science of such matters, but that + when questions were asked at her concerning such matters, she was in the + habit of applying to one Thome Reid, who died at the battle of Pinkie + (10th September, 1547), as he himself affirmed, and who resolved her any + questions which she asked at him. This person she described as a + respectable elderly-looking man, grey-bearded, and wearing a grey coat, + with Lombard sleeves of the auld fashion. A pair of grey breeches and + white stockings gartered above the knee, a black bonnet on his head, close + behind and plain before, with silken laces drawn through the lips thereof, + and a white wand in his hand, completed the description of what we may + suppose a respectable-looking man of the province and period. Being + demanded concerning her first interview with this mysterious Thome Reid, + she gave rather an affecting account of the disasters with which she was + then afflicted, and a sense of which perhaps aided to conjure up the + imaginary counsellor. She was walking between her own house and the yard + of Monkcastle, driving her cows to the common pasture, and making heavy + moan with herself, weeping bitterly for her cow that was dead, her husband + and child that were sick of the land-ill (some contagious sickness of the + time), while she herself was in a very infirm state, having lately borne a + child. On this occasion she met Thome Reid for the first time, who saluted + her courteously, which she returned. “Sancta Maria, Bessie!” said the + apparition, “why must thou make such dole and weeping for any earthly + thing?” “Have I not reason for great sorrow,” said she, “since our + property is going to destruction, my husband is on the point of death, my + baby will not live, and I am myself at a weak point? Have I not cause to + have a sore heart?” “Bessie,” answered the spirit, “thou hast displeased + God in asking something that thou should not, and I counsel you to amend + your fault. I tell thee, thy child shall die ere thou get home; thy two + sheep shall also die; but thy husband shall recover, and be as well and + feir as ever he was.” The good woman was something comforted to hear that + her husband was to be spared in such her general calamity, but was rather + alarmed to see her ghostly counsellor pass from her and disappear through + a hole in the garden wall, seemingly too narrow to admit of any living + person passing through it. Another time he met her at the Thorn of + Dawmstarnik, and showed his ultimate purpose by offering her plenty of + every thing if she would but deny Christendom and the faith she took at + the font-stone. She answered, that rather than do that she would be torn + at horses’ heels, but that she would be conformable to his advice in less + matters. He parted with her in some displeasure. Shortly afterwards he + appeared in her own house about noon, which was at the time occupied by + her husband and three tailors. But neither Andrew Jak nor the three + tailors were sensible of the presence of the phantom warrior who was slain + at Pinkie; so that, without attracting their observation, he led out the + good-wife to the end of the house near the kiln. Here he showed her a + company of eight women and four men. The women were busked in their + plaids, and very seemly. The strangers saluted her, and said, “Welcome, + Bessie; wilt thou go with us?” But Bessie was silent, as Thome Reid had + previously recommended. After this she saw their lips move, but did not + understand what they said; and in a short time they removed from thence + with a hideous ugly howling sound, like that of a hurricane. Thome Reid + then acquainted her that these were the good wights (fairies) dwelling in + the court of Elfland, who came to invite her to go thither with them. + Bessie answered that, before she went that road, it would require some + consideration. Thome answered, “Seest thou not me both meat-worth, + clothes-worth, and well enough in person?” and engaged she should be + easier than ever she was. But she replied, she dwelt with her husband and + children, and would not leave them; to which Thome Reid replied, in very + ill-humour, that if such were her sentiments, she would get little good of + him. + </p> + <p> + Although they thus disagreed on the principal object of Thome Reid’s + visits, Bessie Dunlop affirmed he continued to come to her frequently, and + assist her with his counsel; and that if any one consulted her about the + ailments of human beings or of cattle, or the recovery of things lost and + stolen, she was, by the advice of Thome Reid, always able to answer the + querists. She was also taught by her (literally ghostly) adviser how to + watch the operation of the ointments he gave her, and to presage from them + the recovery or death of the patient. She said Thome gave her herbs with + his own hand, with which she cured John Jack’s bairn and Wilson’s of the + Townhead. She also was helpful to a waiting-woman of the young Lady + Stanlie, daughter of the Lady Johnstone, whose disease, according to the + opinion of the infallible Thome Reid, was “a cauld blood that came about + her heart,” and frequently caused her to swoon away. For this Thome mixed + a remedy as generous as the balm of Gilead itself. It was composed of the + most potent ale, concocted with spices and a little white sugar, to be + drunk every morning before taking food. For these prescriptions Bessie + Dunlop’s fee was a peck of meal and some cheese. The young woman + recovered. But the poor old Lady Kilbowie could get no help for her leg, + which had been crooked for years; for Thome Reid said the marrow of the + limb was perished and the blood benumbed, so that she would never recover, + and if she sought further assistance, it would be the worse for her. These + opinions indicate common sense and prudence at least, whether we consider + them as originating with the <i>umquhile</i> Thome Reid, or with the + culprit whom he patronized. The judgments given in the case of stolen + goods were also well chosen; for though they seldom led to recovering the + property, they generally alleged such satisfactory reasons for its not + being found as effectually to cover the credit of the prophetess. Thus + Hugh Scott’s cloak could not be returned, because the thieves had gained + time to make it into a kirtle. James Jamieson and James Baird would, by + her advice, have recovered their plough-irons, which had been stolen, had + it not been the will of fate that William Dougal, sheriff’s officer, one + of the parties searching for them, should accept a bribe of three pounds + not to find them. In short, although she lost a lace which Thome Reid gave + her out of his own hand, which, tied round women in childbirth, had the + power of helping their delivery, Bessy Dunlop’s profession of a wise woman + seems to have flourished indifferently well till it drew the evil eye of + the law upon her. + </p> + <p> + More minutely pressed upon the subject of her familiar, she said she had + never known him while among the living, but was aware that the person so + calling himself was one who had, in his lifetime, actually been known in + middle earth as Thome Reid, officer to the Laird of Blair, and who died at + Pinkie. Of this she was made certain, because he sent her on errands to + his son, who had succeeded in his office, and to others his relatives, + whom he named, and commanded them to amend certain trespasses which he had + done while alive, furnishing her with sure tokens by which they should + know that it was he who had sent her. One of these errands was somewhat + remarkable. She was to remind a neighbour of some particular which she was + to recall to his memory by the token that Thome Reid and he had set out + together to go to the battle which took place on the Black Saturday; that + the person to whom the message was sent was inclined rather to move in a + different direction, but that Thome Reid heartened him to pursue his + journey, and brought him to the Kirk of Dalry, where he bought a parcel of + figs, and made a present of them to his companion, tying them in his + handkerchief; after which they kept company till they came to the field + upon the fatal Black Saturday, as the battle of Pinkie was long called. + </p> + <p> + Of Thome’s other habits, she said that he always behaved with the + strictest propriety, only that he pressed her to go to Elfland with him, + and took hold of her apron as if to pull her along. Again, she said she + had seen him in public places, both in the churchyard at Dalry and on the + street of Edinburgh, where he walked about among other people, and handled + goods that were exposed to sale, without attracting any notice. She + herself did not then speak to him, for it was his command that, upon such + occasions, she should never address him unless he spoke first to her. In + his theological opinions, Mr. Reid appeared to lean to the Church of Rome, + which, indeed, was most indulgent to the fairy folk. He said that the <i>new + law, i.e.,</i> the Reformation, was not good, and that the old faith + should return again, but not exactly as it had been before. Being + questioned why this visionary sage attached himself to her more than to + others, the accused person replied, that when she was confined in + childbirth of one of her boys, a stout woman came into her hut, and sat + down on a bench by her bed, like a mere earthly gossip; that she demanded + a drink, and was accommodated accordingly; and thereafter told the invalid + that the child should die, but that her husband, who was then ailing, + should recover. This visit seems to have been previous to her meeting + Thome Reid near Monkcastle garden, for that worthy explained to her that + her stout visitant was Queen of Fairies, and that he had since attended + her by the express command of that lady, his queen and mistress. This + reminds us of the extreme doting attachment which the Queen of the Fairies + is represented to have taken for Dapper in “The Alchemist.” Thome Reid + attended her, it would seem, on being summoned thrice, and appeared to her + very often within four years. He often requested her to go with him on his + return to Fairyland, and when she refused, he shook his head, and said she + would repent it. + </p> + <p> + If the delicacy of the reader’s imagination be a little hurt at imagining + the elegant Titania in the disguise of a <i>stout</i> woman, a heavy + burden for a clumsy bench, drinking what Christopher Sly would have called + very sufficient small-beer with a peasant’s wife, the following + description of the fairy host may come more near the idea he has formed of + that invisible company:—Bessie Dunlop declared that as she went to + tether her nag by the side of Restalrig Loch (Lochend, near the eastern + port of Edinburgh), she heard a tremendous sound of a body of riders + rushing past her with such a noise as if heaven and earth would come + together; that the sound swept past her and seemed to rush into the lake + with a hideous rumbling noise. All this while she saw nothing; but Thome + Reid showed her that the noise was occasioned by the wights, who were + performing one of their cavalcades upon earth. + </p> + <p> + The intervention of Thome Reid as a partner in her trade of petty sorcery + did not avail poor Bessie Dunlop, although his affection to her was + apparently entirely platonic—the greatest familiarity on which he + ventured was taking hold of her gown as he pressed her to go with him to + Elfland. Neither did it avail her that the petty sorcery which she + practised was directed to venial or even beneficial purposes. The sad + words on the margin of the record, “Convict and burnt,” sufficiently + express the tragic conclusion of a curious tale. + </p> + <p> + Alison Pearson, in Byrehill, was, 28th May, 1588, tried for invocation of + the spirits of the devil, specially in the vision of one Mr. William + Sympson, her cousin and her mother’s brother’s son, who she affirmed was a + great scholar and doctor of medicine, dealing with charms and abusing the + ignorant people. Against this poor woman her own confession, as in the + case of Bessie Dunlop, was the principal evidence. + </p> + <p> + As Bessie Dunlop had Thome Reid, Alison Pearson had also a familiar in the + court of Elfland. This was her relative, William Sympson aforesaid, born + in Stirling, whose father was king’s smith in that town. William had been + taken away, she said, by a man of Egypt (a Gipsy), who carried him to + Egypt along with him; that he remained there twelve years, and that his + father died in the meantime for opening a priest’s book and looking upon + it. She declared that she had renewed her acquaintance with her kinsman so + soon as he returned. She further confessed that one day as she passed + through Grange Muir she lay down in a fit of sickness, and that a green + man came to her, and said if she would be faithful he might do her good. + In reply she charged him, in the name of God and by the law he lived upon, + if he came for her soul’s good to tell his errand. On this the green man + departed. But he afterwards appeared to her with many men and women with + him, and against her will she was obliged to pass with them farther than + she could tell, with piping, mirth, and good cheer; also that she + accompanied them into Lothian, where she saw puncheons of wine with tasses + or drinking-cups. She declared that when she told of these things she was + sorely tormented, and received a blow that took away the power of her left + side, and left on it an ugly mark which had no feeling. She also confessed + that she had seen before sunrise the good neighbours make their salves + with pans and fires. Sometimes, she said, they came in such fearful forms + as frightened her very much. At other times they spoke her fair, and + promised her that she should never want if faithful, but if she told of + them and their doings, they threatened to martyr her. She also boasted of + her favour with the Queen of Elfland and the good friends she had at that + court, notwithstanding that she was sometimes in disgrace there, and had + not seen the queen for seven years. She said William Sympson is with the + fairies, and that he lets her know when they are coming; and that he + taught her what remedies to use, and how to apply them. She declared that + when a whirlwind blew the fairies were commonly there, and that her cousin + Sympson confessed that every year the tithe of them were taken away to + hell. The celebrated Patrick Adamson, an excellent divine and accomplished + scholar, created by James VI. Archbishop of St. Andrews, swallowed the + prescriptions of this poor hypochondriac with good faith and will, eating + a stewed fowl, and drinking out at two draughts a quart of claret, + medicated with the drugs she recommended. According to the belief of the + time, this Alison Pearson transferred the bishop’s indisposition from + himself to a white palfrey, which died in consequence. There is a very + severe libel on him for this and other things unbecoming his order, with + which he was charged, and from which we learn that Lethington and + Buccleuch were seen by Dame Pearson in the Fairyland.<a href="#linknote-34" + name="linknoteref-34" id="linknoteref-34"><small>34</small></a> This poor + woman’s kinsman, Sympson, did not give better shelter to her than Thome + Reid had done to her predecessor. The margin of the court-book again bears + the melancholy and brief record, “<i>Convicta et combusta</i>.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-34" id="linknote-34"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 34 (<a href="#linknoteref-34">return</a>)<br /> [ See “Scottish Poems,” + edited by John G. Dalzell, p. 321.] + </p> + <p> + The two poor women last mentioned are the more to be pitied as, whether + enthusiasts or impostors, they practised their supposed art exclusively + for the advantage of mankind. The following extraordinary detail involves + persons of far higher quality, and who sought to familiars for more + baneful purposes. + </p> + <p> + Katherine Munro, Lady Fowlis, by birth Katherine Ross of Balnagowan, of + high rank, both by her own family and that of her husband, who was the + fifteenth Baron of Fowlis, and chief of the warlike clan of Munro, had a + stepmother’s quarrel with Robert Munro, eldest son of her husband, which + she gratified by forming a scheme for compassing his death by unlawful + arts. Her proposed advantage in this was, that the widow of Robert, when + he was thus removed, should marry with her brother, George Ross of + Balnagowan; and for this purpose, her sister-in-law, the present Lady + Balnagowan, was also to be removed. Lady Fowlis, if the indictment had a + syllable of truth, carried on her practices with the least possible + disguise. She assembled persons of the lowest order, stamped with an + infamous celebrity as witches; and, besides making pictures or models in + clay, by which they hoped to bewitch Robert Munro and Lady Balnagowan, + they brewed, upon one occasion, poison so strong that a page tasting of it + immediately took sickness. Another earthen jar (Scotticè <i>pig</i>) of + the same deleterious liquor was prepared by the Lady Fowlis, and sent with + her own nurse for the purpose of administering it to Robert Munro. The + messenger having stumbled in the dark, broke the jar, and a rank grass + grew on the spot where it fell, which sheep and cattle abhorred to touch; + but the nurse, having less sense than the brute beasts, and tasting of the + liquor which had been spilled, presently died. What is more to our present + purpose, Lady Fowlis made use of the artillery of Elfland in order to + destroy her stepson and sister-in-law. Laskie Loncart, one of the + assistant hags, produced two of what the common people call elf-arrow + heads, being, in fact, the points of flint used for arming the ends of + arrow-shafts in the most ancient times, but accounted by the superstitious + the weapons by which the fairies were wont to destroy both man and beast. + The pictures of the intended victims were then set up at the north end of + the apartment, and Christian Ross Malcolmson, an assistant hag, shot two + shafts at the image of Lady Balnagowan, and three against the picture of + Robert Munro, by which shots they were broken, and Lady Fowlis commanded + new figures to be modelled. Many similar acts of witchcraft and of + preparing poisons were alleged against Lady Fowlis. + </p> + <p> + Her son-in-law, Hector Munro, one of his stepmother’s prosecutors, was, + for reasons of his own, active in a similar conspiracy against the life of + his own brother. The rites that he practised were of an uncouth, + barbarous, and unusual nature. Hector, being taken ill, consulted on his + case some of the witches or soothsayers, to whom this family appears to + have been partial. The answer was unanimous that he must die unless the + principal man of his blood should suffer death in his stead. It was agreed + that the vicarious substitute for Hector must mean George Munro, brother + to him by the half-blood (the son of the Katharine Lady Fowlis before + commemorated). Hector sent at least seven messengers for this young man, + refusing to receive any of his other friends till he saw the substitute + whom he destined to take his place in the grave. When George at length + arrived, Hector, by advice of a notorious witch, called Marion + MacIngarach, and of his own foster-mother, Christian Neil Dalyell, + received him with peculiar coldness and restraint. He did not speak for + the space of an hour, till his brother broke silence and asked, “How he + did?” Hector replied, “That he was the better George had come to visit + him,” and relapsed into silence, which seemed singular when compared with + the anxiety he had displayed to see his brother; but it was, it seems, a + necessary part of the spell. After midnight the sorceress Marion + MacIngarach, the chief priestess or Nicneven of the company, went forth + with her accomplices, carrying spades with them. They then proceeded to + dig a grave not far from the seaside, upon a piece of land which formed + the boundary betwixt two proprietors. The grave was made as nearly as + possible to the size of their patient Hector Munro, the earth dug out of + the grave being laid aside for the time. After ascertaining that the + operation of the charm on George Munro, the destined victim, should be + suspended for a time, to avoid suspicion, the conspirators proceeded to + work their spell in a singular, impressive, and, I believe, unique manner. + The time being January, 1588, the patient, Hector Munro, was borne forth + in a pair of blankets, accompanied with all who were entrusted with the + secret, who were warned to be strictly silent till the chief sorceress + should have received her information from the angel whom they served. + Hector Munro was carried to his grave and laid therein, the earth being + filled in on him, and the grave secured with stakes as at a real funeral. + Marion MacIngarach, the Hecate of the night, then sat down by the grave, + while Christian Neil Dalyell, the foster-mother, ran the breadth of about + nine ridges distant, leading a boy in her hand, and, coming again to the + grave where Hector Munro was interred alive, demanded of the witch which + victim she would choose, who replied that she chose Hector to live and + George to die in his stead. This form of incantation was thrice repeated + ere Mr. Hector was removed from his chilling bed in a January grave and + carried home, all remaining mute as before. The consequence of a process + which seems ill-adapted to produce the former effect was that Hector Munro + recovered, and after the intervention of twelve months George Munro, his + brother, died. Hector took the principal witch into high favour, made her + keeper of his sheep, and evaded, it is said, to present her to trial when + charged at Aberdeen to produce her. Though one or two inferior persons + suffered death on account of the sorceries practised in the house of + Fowlis, the Lady Katharine and her stepson Hector had both the unusual + good fortune to be found not guilty. Mr. Pitcairn remarks that the juries, + being composed of subordinate persons not suitable to the rank or family + of the person tried, has all the appearance of having been packed on + purpose for acquittal. It might also, in some interval of good sense, + creep into the heads of Hector Munro’s assize that the enchantment being + performed in January, 1588, and the deceased being only taken ill of his + fatal disease in April, 1590, the distance between the events might seem + too great to admit the former being regarded as the cause of the latter.<a + href="#linknote-35" name="linknoteref-35" id="linknoteref-35"><small>35</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-35" id="linknote-35"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 35 (<a href="#linknoteref-35">return</a>)<br /> [ Pitcairn’s “Trials,” vol. + i. pp. 191-201.] + </p> + <p> + Another instance of the skill of a sorcerer being traced to the + instructions of the elves is found in the confession of John Stewart, + called a vagabond, but professing skill in palmistry and jugglery, and + accused of having assisted Margaret Barclay, or Dein, to sink or cast away + a vessel belonging to her own good brother. It being demanded of him by + what means he professed himself to have knowledge of things to come, the + said John confessed that the space of twenty-six years ago, he being + travelling on All-Hallow Even night, between the towns of Monygoif (so + spelled) and Clary, in Galway, he met with the King of the Fairies and his + company, and that the King of the Fairies gave him a stroke with a white + rod over the forehead, which took from him the power of speech and the use + of one eye, which he wanted for the space of three years. He declared that + the use of speech and eyesight was restored to him by the King of Fairies + and his company, on an Hallowe’en night, at the town of Dublin, in + Ireland, and that since that time he had joined these people every + Saturday at seven o’clock, and remained with them all the night; also, + that they met every Hallow-tide, sometimes on Lanark Hill (Tintock, + perhaps), sometimes on Kilmaurs Hill, and that he was then taught by them. + He pointed out the spot of his forehead on which, he said, the King of the + Fairies struck him with a white rod, whereupon the prisoner, being + blindfolded, they pricked the spot with a large pin, whereof he expressed + no sense or feeling. He made the usual declaration, that he had seen many + persons at the Court of Fairy, whose names he rehearsed particularly, and + declared that all such persons as are taken away by sudden death go with + the King of Elfland. With this man’s evidence we have at present no more + to do, though we may revert to the execrable proceedings which then took + place against this miserable juggler and the poor women who were accused + of the same crime. At present it is quoted as another instance of a + fortune-teller referring to Elfland as the source of his knowledge. + </p> + <p> + At Auldearne, a parish and burgh of barony in the county of Nairne, the + epidemic terror of witches seems to have gone very far. The confession of + a woman called Isobel Gowdie, of date April, 1662, implicates, as usual, + the Court of Fairy, and blends the operations of witchcraft with the + facilities afforded by the fairies. These need be the less insisted upon + in this place, as the arch-fiend, and not the elves, had the immediate + agency in the abominations which she narrates. Yet she had been, she said, + in the Dounie Hills, and got meat there from the Queen of Fairies more + than she could eat. She added, that the queen is bravely clothed in white + linen and in white and brown cloth, that the King of Fairy is a brave man; + and there were elf-bulls roaring and <i>skoilling</i> at the entrance of + their palace, which frightened her much. On another occasion this frank + penitent confesses her presence at a rendezvous of witches, Lammas, 1659, + where, after they had rambled through the country in different shapes—of + cats, hares, and the like—eating, drinking, and wasting the goods of + their neighbours into whose houses they could penetrate, they at length + came to the dounie Hills, where the mountain opened to receive them, and + they entered a fair big room, as bright as day. At the entrance ramped and + roared the large fairy bulls, which always alarmed Isobel Gowdie. These + animals are probably the water-bulls, famous both in Scottish and Irish + tradition, which are not supposed to be themselves altogether <i>canny</i> + or safe to have concern with. In their caverns the fairies manufactured + those elf-arrow heads with which the witches and they wrought so much + evil. The elves and the arch-fiend laboured jointly at this task, the + former forming and sharpening the dart from the rough flint, and the + latter perfecting and finishing (or, as it is called, <i>dighting</i>) it. + Then came the sport of the meeting. The witches bestrode either + corn-straws, bean-stalks, or rushes, and calling, “Horse and Hattock, in + the Devil’s name!” which is the elfin signal for mounting, they flew + wherever they listed. If the little whirlwind which accompanies their + transportation passed any mortal who neglected to bless himself, all such + fell under the witches’ power, and they acquired the right of shooting at + him. The penitent prisoner gives the names of many whom she and her + sisters had so slain, the death for which she was most sorry being that of + William Brown, in the Milntown of Mains. A shaft was also aimed at the + Reverend Harrie Forbes, a minister who was present at the examination of + Isobel, the confessing party. The arrow fell short, and the witch would + have taken aim again, but her master forbade her, saying the reverend + gentleman’s life was not subject to their power. To this strange and very + particular confession we shall have occasion to recur when witchcraft is + the more immediate subject. What is above narrated marks the manner in + which the belief in that crime was blended with the fairy superstition. + </p> + <p> + To proceed to more modern instances of persons supposed to have fallen + under the power of the fairy race, we must not forget the Reverend Robert + Kirke, minister of the Gospel, the first translator of the Psalms into + Gaelic verse. He was, in the end of the seventeenth century, successively + minister of the Highland parishes of Balquidder and Aberfoyle, lying in + the most romantic district of Perthshire, and within the Highland line. + These beautiful and wild regions, comprehending so many lakes, rocks, + sequestered valleys, and dim copsewoods, are not even yet quite abandoned + by the fairies, who have resolutely maintained secure footing in a region + so well suited for their residence. Indeed, so much was this the case + formerly, that Mr. Kirke, while in his latter charge of Aberfoyle, found + materials for collecting and compiling his Essay on the “Subterranean and + for the most part Invisible People heretofore going under the name of + Elves, Fawnes, and Fairies, or the like."<a href="#linknote-36" + name="linknoteref-36" id="linknoteref-36"><small>36</small></a> In this + discourse, the author, “with undoubting mind,” describes the fairy race as + a sort of astral spirits, of a kind betwixt humanity and angels—says, + that they have children, nurses, marriages, deaths, and burials, like + mortals in appearance; that, in some respect, they represent mortal men, + and that individual apparitions, or double-men, are found among them, + corresponding with mortals existing on earth. Mr. Kirke accuses them of + stealing the milk from the cows, and of carrying away, what is more + material, the women in pregnancy, and new-born children from their nurses. + The remedy is easy in both cases. The milk cannot be stolen if the mouth + of the calf, before he is permitted to suck, be rubbed with a certain + balsam, very easily come by; and the woman in travail is safe if a piece + of cold iron is put into the bed. Mr. Kirke accounts for this by informing + us that the great northern mines of iron, lying adjacent to the place of + eternal punishment, have a savour odious to these “fascinating creatures.” + They have, says the reverend author, what one would not expect, many light + toyish books (novels and plays, doubtless), others on Rosycrucian + subjects, and of an abstruse mystical character; but they have no Bibles + or works of devotion. The essayist fails not to mention the elf-arrow + heads, which have something of the subtlety of thunderbolts, and can + mortally wound the vital parts without breaking the skin. These wounds, he + says, he has himself observed in beasts, and felt the fatal lacerations + which he could not see. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-36" id="linknote-36"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 36 (<a href="#linknoteref-36">return</a>)<br /> [ The title continues:—“Among + the Low Country Scots, as they are described by those who have the second + sight, and now, to occasion farther enquiry, collected and compared by a + circumspect enquirer residing among the Scottish-Irish (<i>i.e.</i>, the + Gael, or Highlanders) in Scotland.” It was printed with the author’s name + in 1691, and reprinted, Edinburgh, 1815, for Longman & Co.] + </p> + <p> + It was by no means to be supposed that the elves, so jealous and irritable + a race as to be incensed against those who spoke of them under their + proper names, should be less than mortally offended at the temerity of the + reverend author, who had pryed so deeply into their mysteries, for the + purpose of giving them to the public. Although, therefore, the learned + divine’s monument, with his name duly inscribed, is to be seen at the east + end of the churchyard at Aberfoyle, yet those acquainted with his real + history do not believe that he enjoys the natural repose of the tomb. His + successor, the Rev. Dr. Grahame, has informed us of the general belief + that, as Mr. Kirke was walking one evening in his night-gown upon a <i>Dun-shi,</i> + or fairy mount, in the vicinity of the manse or parsonage, behold! he sunk + down in what seemed to be a fit of apoplexy, which the unenlightened took + for death, while the more understanding knew it to be a swoon produced by + the supernatural influence of the people whose precincts he had violated. + After the ceremony of a seeming funeral, the form of the Rev. Robert Kirke + appeared to a relation, and commanded him to go to Grahame of Duchray, + ancestor of the present General Graham Stirling. “Say to Duchray, who is + my cousin as well as your own, that I am not dead, but a captive in + Fairyland, and only one chance remains for my liberation. When the + posthumous child, of which my wife has been delivered since my + disappearance, shall be brought to baptism, I will appear in the room, + when, if Duchray shall throw over my head the knife or dirk which he holds + in his hand, I may be restored to society; but if this opportunity is + neglected, I am lost for ever.” Duchray was apprised of what was to be + done. The ceremony took place, and the apparition of Mr. Kirke was visibly + seen while they were seated at table; but Grahame of Duchray, in his + astonishment, failed to perform the ceremony enjoined, and it is to be + feared that Mr. Kirke still “drees his weird in Fairyland,” the Elfin + state declaring to him, as the Ocean to poor Falconer, who perished at sea + after having written his popular poem of “The Shipwreck”— + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast proclaimed our power—be thou our prey!” + </p> + <p> + Upon this subject the reader may consult a very entertaining little + volume, called “Sketches of Perthshire,"<a href="#linknote-37" + name="linknoteref-37" id="linknoteref-37"><small>37</small></a> by the + Rev. Dr. Grahame of Aberfoyle. The terrible visitation of fairy vengeance + which has lighted upon Mr. Kirke has not intimidated his successor, an + excellent man and good antiquary, from affording us some curious + information on fairy superstition. He tells us that these capricious elves + are chiefly dangerous on a Friday, when, as the day of the Crucifixion, + evil spirits have most power, and mentions their displeasure at any one + who assumes their accustomed livery of green, a colour fatal to several + families in Scotland, to the whole race of the gallant Grahames in + particular; insomuch that we have heard that in battle a Grahame is + generally shot through the green check of his plaid; moreover, that a + veteran sportsman of the name, having come by a bad fall, he thought it + sufficient to account for it, that he had a piece of green whip-cord to + complete the lash of his hunting-whip. I remember, also, that my late + amiable friend, James Grahame, author of “The Sabbath,” would not break + through this ancient prejudice of his clan, but had his library table + covered with blue or black cloth, rather than use the fated colour + commonly employed on such occasions. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-37" id="linknote-37"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 37 (<a href="#linknoteref-37">return</a>)<br /> [ Edinburgh, 1812.] + </p> + <p> + To return from the Perthshire fairies, I may quote a story of a nature + somewhat similar to that of Mas Robert Kirke. The life of the excellent + person who told it was, for the benefit of her friends and the poor, + protracted to an unusual duration; so I conceive that this adventure, + which took place in her childhood, might happen before the middle of last + century. She was residing with some relations near the small seaport town + of North Berwick, when the place and its vicinity were alarmed by the + following story:— + </p> + <p> + An industrious man, a weaver in the little town, was married to a + beautiful woman, who, after bearing two or three children, was so + unfortunate as to die during the birth of a fourth child. The infant was + saved, but the mother had expired in convulsions; and as she was much + disfigured after death, it became an opinion among her gossips that, from + some neglect of those who ought to have watched the sick woman, she must + have been carried off by the elves, and this ghastly corpse substituted in + the place of the body. The widower paid little attention to these rumours, + and, after bitterly lamenting his wife for a year of mourning, began to + think on the prudence of forming a new marriage, which, to a poor artisan + with so young a family, and without the assistance of a housewife, was + almost a matter of necessity. He readily found a neighbour with whose good + looks he was satisfied, whilst her character for temper seemed to warrant + her good usage of his children. He proposed himself and was accepted, and + carried the names of the parties to the clergyman (called, I believe, Mr. + Matthew Reid) for the due proclamation of banns. As the man had really + loved his late partner, it is likely that this proposed decisive + alteration of his condition brought back many reflections concerning the + period of their union, and with these recalled the extraordinary rumours + which were afloat at the time of her decease, so that the whole forced + upon him the following lively dream:—As he lay in his bed, awake as + he thought, he beheld, at the ghostly hour of midnight, the figure of a + female dressed in white, who entered his hut, stood by the side of his + bed, and appeared to him the very likeness of his late wife. He conjured + her to speak, and with astonishment heard her say, like the minister of + Aberfoyle, that she was not dead, but the unwilling captive of the Good + Neighbours. Like Mr. Kirke, too, she told him that if all the love which + he once had for her was not entirely gone, an opportunity still remained + of recovering her, or <i>winning her back</i>, as it was usually termed, + from the comfortless realms of Elfland. She charged him on a certain day + of the ensuing week that he should convene the most respectable + housekeepers in the town, with the clergyman at their head, and should + disinter the coffin in which she was supposed to have been buried. “The + clergyman is to recite certain prayers, upon which,” said the apparition, + “I will start from the coffin and fly with great speed round the church, + and you must have the fleetest runner of the parish (naming a man famed + for swiftness) to pursue me, and such a one, the smith, renowned for his + strength, to hold me fast after I am overtaken; and in that case I shall, + by the prayers of the church, and the efforts of my loving husband and + neighbours, again recover my station in human society.” In the morning the + poor widower was distressed with the recollection of his dream, but, + ashamed and puzzled, took no measures in consequence. A second night, as + is not very surprising, the visitation was again repeated. On the third + night she appeared with a sorrowful and displeased countenance, upbraided + him with want of love and affection, and conjured him, for the last time, + to attend to her instructions, which, if he now neglected, she would never + have power to visit earth or communicate with him again. In order to + convince him there was no delusion, he “saw in his dream” that she took up + the nursling at whose birth she had died, and gave it suck; she spilled + also a drop or two of her milk on the poor man’s bed-clothes, as if to + assure him of the reality of the vision. + </p> + <p> + The next morning the terrified widower carried a statement of his + perplexity to Mr. Matthew Reid, the clergyman. This reverend person, + besides being an excellent divine in other respects, was at the same time + a man of sagacity, who understood the human passions. He did not attempt + to combat the reality of the vision which had thrown his parishioner into + this tribulation, but he contended it could be only an illusion of the + devil. He explained to the widower that no created being could have the + right or power to imprison or detain the soul of a Christian—conjured + him not to believe that his wife was otherwise disposed of than according + to God’s pleasure—assured him that Protestant doctrine utterly + denies the existence of any middle state in the world to come—and + explained to him that he, as a clergyman of the Church of Scotland, + neither could nor dared authorize opening graves or using the intervention + of prayer to sanction rites of a suspicious character. The poor man, + confounded and perplexed by various feelings, asked his pastor what he + should do. “I will give you my best advice,” said the clergyman. “Get your + new bride’s consent to be married to-morrow, or to-day, if you can; I will + take it on me to dispense with the rest of the banns, or proclaim them + three times in one day. You will have a new wife, and, if you think of the + former, it will be only as of one from whom death has separated you, and + for whom you may have thoughts of affection and sorrow, but as a saint in + Heaven, and not as a prisoner in Elfland.” The advice was taken, and the + perplexed widower had no more visitations from his former spouse. + </p> + <p> + An instance, perhaps the latest which has been made public, of + communication with the Restless People—(a more proper epithet than + that of <i>Daoine Shi</i>, or Men of Peace, as they are called in Gaelic)—came + under Pennant’s notice so late as during that observant traveller’s tour + in 1769. Being perhaps the latest news from the invisible commonwealth, we + give the tourist’s own words. + </p> + <p> + “A poor visionary who had been working in his cabbage-garden (in + Breadalbane) imagined that he was raised suddenly up into the air, and + conveyed over a wall into an adjacent corn-field; that he found himself + surrounded by a crowd of men and women, many of whom he knew to have been + dead for some years, and who appeared to him skimming over the tops of the + unbending corn, and mingling together like bees going to hive; that they + spoke an unknown language, and with a hollow sound; that they very roughly + pushed him to and fro, but on his uttering the name of God all vanished, + but a female sprite, who, seizing him by the shoulder, obliged him to + promise an assignation at that very hour that day seven-night; that he + then found his hair was all tied in double knots (well known by the name + of elf-locks), and that he had almost lost his speech; that he kept his + word with the spectre, whom he soon saw floating through the air towards + him; that he spoke to her, but she told him she was at that time in too + much haste to attend to him, but bid him go away and no harm should befall + him, and so the affair rested when I left the country. But it is + incredible the mischief these <i>ægri somnia</i> did in the neighbourhood. + The friends and neighbours of the deceased, whom the old dreamer had + named, were in the utmost anxiety at finding them in such bad company in + the other world; the almost extinct belief of the old idle tales began to + gain ground, and the good minister will have many a weary discourse and + exhortation before he can eradicate the absurd ideas this idle story has + revived."<a href="#linknote-38" name="linknoteref-38" id="linknoteref-38"><small>38</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-38" id="linknote-38"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 38 (<a href="#linknoteref-38">return</a>)<br /> [ Pennant’s “Tour in + Scotland,” vol. i. p. 110.] + </p> + <p> + It is scarcely necessary to add that this comparatively recent tale is + just the counterpart of the story of Bessie Dunlop, Alison Pearson, and of + the Irish butler who was so nearly carried off, all of whom found in + Elfland some friend, formerly of middle earth, who attached themselves to + the child of humanity, and who endeavoured to protect a fellow-mortal + against their less philanthropic companions. + </p> + <p> + These instances may tend to show how the fairy superstition, which, in its + general sense of worshipping the <i>Dii Campestres</i>, was much the older + of the two, came to bear upon and have connexion with that horrid belief + in witchcraft which cost so many innocent persons and crazy impostors + their lives for the supposed commission of impossible crimes. In the next + chapter I propose to trace how the general disbelief in the fairy creed + began to take place, and gradually brought into discredit the supposed + feats of witchcraft, which afforded pretext for such cruel practical + consequences. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER VI. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Immediate Effect of Christianity on Articles of Popular + Superstition—Chaucer’s Account of the Roman Catholic Priests + banishing the Fairies—Bishop Corbett imputes the same Effect to the + Reformation—His Verses on that Subject—His Iter + Septentrionale—Robin Goodfellow and other Superstitions mentioned + by Reginald Scot—Character of the English Fairies—The Tradition + had become obsolete in that Author’s Time—That of Witches remained + in vigour—But impugned by various Authors after the Reformation, as + Wierus, Naudæus, Scot, and others—Demonology defended by Bodinus, + Remigius, &c.—Their mutual Abuse of each other—Imperfection of + Physical Science at this Period, and the Predominance of Mysticism + in that Department. +</pre> + <p class="pfirst"> + <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">A</span>lthough the + influence of the Christian religion was not introduced to the nations of + Europe with such radiance as to dispel at once those clouds of + superstition which continued to obscure the understanding of hasty and + ill-instructed converts, there can be no doubt that its immediate + operation went to modify the erroneous and extravagant articles of + credulity which lingered behind the old pagan faith, and which gave way + before it, in proportion as its light became more pure and refined from + the devices of men. + </p> + <p> + The poet Chaucer, indeed, pays the Church of Rome, with its monks and + preaching friars, the compliment of having, at an early period, expelled + from the land all spirits of an inferior and less holy character. The + verses are curious as well as picturesque, and may go some length to + establish the existence of doubts concerning the general belief in fairies + among the well-instructed in the time of Edward III. + </p> + <p> + The fairies of whom the bard of Woodstock talks are, it will be observed, + the ancient Celtic breed, and he seems to refer for the authorities of his + tale to Bretagne, or Armorica, a genuine Celtic colony:— + </p> + <p> + “In old time of the King Artour, Of which that Bretons speken great + honour, All was this land fulfilled of faerie; The Elf queen, with her + joly company, Danced full oft in many a grene mead. This was the old + opinion, as I rede— I speake of many hundred years ago, But now can + no man see no elves mo. For now the great charity and prayers Of + limitours,<a href="#linknote-39" name="linknoteref-39" id="linknoteref-39"><small>39</small></a> + and other holy freres, That searchen every land and every stream, As thick + as motes in the sunne-beam, Blessing halls, chambers, kitchenes, and + boures, Cities and burghes, castles high and towers, Thropes and barnes, + sheep-pens and dairies, This maketh that there ben no fairies. For there + as wont to walken was an elf, There walketh now the limitour himself, In + under nichtes and in morwenings, And saith his mattins and his holy + things, As he goeth in his limitation. Women may now go safely up and + doun; In every bush, and under every tree, There is no other incubus than + he, And he ne will don them no dishonour."<a href="#linknote-40" + name="linknoteref-40" id="linknoteref-40"><small>40</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-39" id="linknote-39"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 39 (<a href="#linknoteref-39">return</a>)<br /> [ Friars limited to beg + within a certain district.] + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-40" id="linknote-40"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 40 (<a href="#linknoteref-40">return</a>)<br /> [ “Wife of Bath’s Tale.”] + </p> + <p> + When we see the opinion which Chaucer has expressed of the regular clergy + of his time, in some of his other tales, we are tempted to suspect some + mixture of irony in the compliment which ascribes the exile of the + fairies, with whih the land was “fulfilled” in King Arthur’s time, to the + warmth and zeal of the devotion of the limitary friars. Individual + instances of scepticism there might exist among scholars, but a more + modern poet, with a vein of humour not unworthy of Geoffrey himself, has + with greater probability delayed the final banishment of the fairies from + England, that is, from popular faith, till the reign of Queen Elizabeth, + and has represented their expulsion as a consequence of the change of + religion. Two or three verses of this lively satire may be very well worth + the reader’s notice, who must, at the same time, be informed that the + author, Dr. Corbett, was nothing less than the Bishop of Oxford and + Norwich in the beginning of the seventeenth century. The poem is named “A + proper new Ballad, entitled the Fairies’ Farewell, to be sung or whistled + to the tune of the Meadow Brow by the learned; by the unlearned to the + tune of Fortune:”— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Farewell, rewards and fairies, + Good housewives now may say, + For now foul sluts in dairies + Do fare as well as they; + And though they sweep their hearths no less + Than maids were wont to do, + Yet who of late for cleanliness + Finds sixpence in her shoe? + + “Lament, lament, old abbies, + The fairies’ lost command; + They did but change priests’ babies, + But some have changed your land; + And all your children sprung from hence + Are now grown Puritans, + Who live as changelings ever since + For love of your domains. + + “At morning and at evening both, + You merry were and glad, + So little care of sleep and sloth + Those pretty ladies had. + When Tom came home from labour. + Or Cis to milking rose, + Then merrily, merrily went their tabor, + And merrily went their toes. + + “Witness those rings and roundelays + Of theirs, which yet remain, + Were footed, in Queen Mary’s days, + On many a grassy plain; + But since of late Elizabeth, + And later James came in, + They never danced on any heath + As when the time hath bin. + + “By which we note, the fairies + Were of the old profession, + Their songs were Ave Maries, + Their dances were procession. + But now, alas! they all are dead, + Or gone beyond the seas; + Or farther for religion fled, + Or else they take their ease.” + </pre> + <p> + The remaining part of the poem is dedicated to the praise and glory of old + William Chourne of Staffordshire, who remained a true and stanch evidence + in behalf of the departed elves, and kept, much it would seem to the + amusement of the witty bishop, an inexhaustible record of their pranks and + feats, whence the concluding verse— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +“To William all give audience, + And pray ye for his noddle, +For all the fairies’ evidence + Were lost if that were addle."<a href="#linknote-41" name="linknoteref-41" + id="linknoteref-41">41</a> +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-41" id="linknote-41"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 41 (<a href="#linknoteref-41">return</a>)<br /> [ Corbett’s Poems, edited + by Octavuis Gilchrist, p. 213.] + </p> + <p> + This William Chourne appears to have attended Dr. Corbett’s party on the + <i>iter septentrionale</i>, “two of which were, and two desired to be, + doctors;” but whether William was guide, friend, or domestic seems + uncertain. The travellers lose themselves in the mazes of Chorley Forest + on their way to Bosworth, and their route becomes so confused that they + return on their steps and labour— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “As in a conjuror’s circle—William found + A mean for our deliverance,—‘Turn your cloaks,’ + Quoth he, ‘for Puck is busy in these oaks; + If ever you at Bosworth would be found, + Then turn your cloaks, for this is fairy ground.’ + But ere this witchcraft was performed, we meet + A very man who had no cloven feet. + Though William, still of little faith, has doubt, + ‘Tis Robin, or some sprite that walks about. + ‘Strike him,’ quoth he, ‘and it will turn to air— + Cross yourselves thrice and strike it.’—‘Strike that dare,’ + Thought I, ‘for sure this massy forester, + In strokes will prove the better conjuror.’ + But ‘twas a gentle keeper, one that knew + Humanity and manners, where they grew, + And rode along so far, till he could say, + ‘See, yonder Bosworth stands, and this your way.’”<a href="#linknote-42" + name="linknoteref-42" id="linknoteref-42">42</a> +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-42" id="linknote-42"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 42 (<a href="#linknoteref-42">return</a>)<br /> [ Corbett’s Poems, p. 191.] + </p> + <p> + In this passage the bishop plainly shows the fairies maintained their + influence in William’s imagination, since the courteous keeper was + mistaken by their associate champion for Puck or Robin Goodfellow. The + spells resorted to to get rid of his supposed delusions are alternatively + that of turning the cloak—(recommended in visions of the + second-sight or similar illusions as a means of obtaining a certainty + concerning the being which is before imperfectly seen<a href="#linknote-43" + name="linknoteref-43" id="linknoteref-43"><small>43</small></a>)—and + that of exorcising the spirit with a cudgel; which last, Corbett prudently + thinks, ought not to be resorted to unless under an absolute conviction + that the exorcist is the stronger party. Chaucer, therefore, could not be + serious in averring that the fairy superstitions were obsolete in his day, + since they were found current three centuries afterwards. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-43" id="linknote-43"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 43 (<a href="#linknoteref-43">return</a>)<br /> [ A common instance is that + of a person haunted with a resemblance whose face he cannot see. If he + turn his cloak or plaid, he will obtain the full sight which he desires, + and may probably find it to be his own fetch, or wraith, or + double-ganger.] + </p> + <p> + It is not the less certain that, as knowledge and religion became more + widely and brightly displayed over any country, the superstitious fancies + of the people sunk gradually in esteem and influence; and in the time of + Queen Elizabeth the unceasing labour of many and popular preachers, who + declaimed against the “splendid miracles” of the Church of Rome, produced + also its natural effect upon the other stock of superstitions. + “Certainly,” said Reginald Scot, talking of times before his own, “some + one knave in a white sheet hath cozened and abused many thousands, + specially when Robin Goodfellow kept such a coil in the country. In our + childhood our mothers’ maids have so terrified us with an ugly devil + having horns on his head, fire in his mouth, and a tail at his breech; + eyes like a basin, fangs like a dog, claws like a bear, a skin like a + negro, and a voice roaring like a lion, whereby we start and are afraid + when we hear one cry, Boh! and they have so frayd us with bull-beggars, + spirits, witches, urchins, elves, hags, fairies, satyrs, Pans, faunes, + sylvans, Kitt-with-the-candlestick, tritons, centaurs, dwarfs, giants, + imps, calcars, conjurers, nymphs, changelings, incubus, Robin Goodfellow, + the spoorn, the man-in-the-oak, the hellwain, the fire-drake, the puckle, + Tom Thumb, Hobgoblin, Tom Tumbler, Boneless, and such other bugbears, that + we are afraid of our own shadows, insomuch that some never fear the devil + but on a dark night; and then a polled sheep is a perilous beast, and many + times is taken for our father’s soul, specially in a churchyard, where a + right hardy man heretofore durst not to have passed by night but his hair + would stand upright. Well, thanks be to God, this wretched and cowardly + infidelity, since the preaching of the Gospel, is in part forgotten, and + doubtless the rest of these illusions will in a short time, by God’s + grace, be detected and vanish away."<a href="#linknote-44" + name="linknoteref-44" id="linknoteref-44"><small>44</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-44" id="linknote-44"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 44 (<a href="#linknoteref-44">return</a>)<br /> [ Reginald Scot’s + “Discovery of Witchcraft,” book vii. chap. 15.] + </p> + <p> + It would require a better demonologist than I am to explain the various + obsolete superstitions which Reginald Scot has introduced as articles of + the old English faith, into the preceding passage. I might indeed say the + Phuca is a Celtic superstition, from which the word Pook or Puckle was + doubtless derived; and I might conjecture that the man-in-the-oak was the + same with the Erl-König of the Germans; and that the hellwain were a kind + of wandering spirits, the descendants of a champion named Hellequin, who + are introduced into the romance of Richard sans Peur. But most antiquaries + will be at fault concerning the spoorn, Kitt-with-the-candlestick, + Boneless, and some others. The catalogue, however, serves to show what + progress the English have made in two centuries, in forgetting the very + names of objects which had been the sources of terror to their ancestors + of the Elizabethan age. + </p> + <p> + Before leaving the subject of fairy superstition in England we may remark + that it was of a more playful and gentle, less wild and necromantic + character, than that received among the sister people. The amusements of + the southern fairies were light and sportive; their resentments were + satisfied with pinching or scratching the objects of their displeasure; + their peculiar sense of cleanliness rewarded the housewives with the + silver token in the shoe; their nicety was extreme concerning any + coarseness or negligence which could offend their delicacy; and I cannot + discern, except, perhaps, from the insinuations of some scrupulous + divines, that they were vassals to or in close alliance with the + infernals, as there is too much reason to believe was the case with their + North British sisterhood.<a href="#linknote-45" name="linknoteref-45" + id="linknoteref-45"><small>45</small></a> The common nursery story cannot + be forgotten, how, shortly after the death of what is called a nice tidy + housewife, the Elfin band was shocked to see that a person of different + character, with whom the widower had filled his deserted arms, instead of + the nicely arranged little loaf of the whitest bread, and a basin of sweet + cream, duly placed for their refreshment by the deceased, had substituted + a brown loaf and a cobb of herrings. Incensed at such a coarse regale, the + elves dragged the peccant housewife out of bed, and pulled her down the + wooden stairs by the heels, repeating, at the same time, in scorn of her + churlish hospitality— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +“Brown bread and herring cobb! + Thy fat sides shall have many a bob!” + </pre> + <p> + But beyond such playful malice they had no desire to extend their + resentment. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-45" id="linknote-45"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 45 (<a href="#linknoteref-45">return</a>)<br /> [ Dr. Jackson, in his + “Treatise on Unbelief,” opines for the severe opinion. “Thus are the + Fayries, from difference of events ascribed to them, divided into good and + bad, when as it is but one and the same malignant fiend that meddles in + both; seeking sometimes to be feared, otherwhiles to be loued as God, for + the bodily harmes or good turnes supposed to be in his power.”—Jackson + on Unbelief, p. 178, edit. 1625.] + </p> + <p> + The constant attendant upon the English Fairy court was the celebrated + Puck, or Robin Goodfellow, who to the elves acted in some measure as the + jester or clown of the company—(a character then to be found in the + establishment of every person of quality)—or to use a more modern + comparison, resembled the Pierrot of the pantomime. His jests were of the + most simple and at the same time the broadest comic character—to + mislead a clown on his path homeward, to disguise himself like a stool, in + order to induce an old gossip to commit the egregious mistake of sitting + down on the floor when she expected to repose on a chair, were his special + enjoyments. If he condescended to do some work for the sleeping family, in + which he had some resemblance to the Scottish household spirit called a + Brownie, the selfish Puck was far from practising this labour on the + disinterested principle of the northern goblin, who, if raiment or food + was left in his way and for his use, departed from the family in + displeasure. Robin Goodfellow, on the contrary, must have both his food + and his rest, as Milton informs us, amid his other notices of country + superstitions, in the poem of L’Allegro. And it is to be noticed that he + represents these tales of the fairies, told round the cottage hearth, as + of a cheerful rather than a serious cast; which illustrates what I have + said concerning the milder character of the southern superstitions, as + compared with those of the same class in Scotland—the stories of + which are for the most part of a frightful and not seldom of a disgusting + quality. + </p> + <p> + Poor Robin, however, between whom and King Oberon Shakespeare contrives to + keep a degree of distinct subordination, which for a moment deceives us by + its appearance of reality, notwithstanding his turn for wit and humour, + had been obscured by oblivion even in the days of Queen Bess. We have + already seen, in a passage quoted from Reginald Scot, that the belief was + fallen into abeyance; that which follows from the same author affirms more + positively that Robin’s date was over:— + </p> + <p> + “Know ye this, by the way, that heretofore Robin Goodfellow and Hobgoblin + were as terrible, and also as credible, to the people as hags and witches + be now; and in time to come a witch will be as much derided and condemned, + and as clearly perceived, as the illusion and knavery of Robin Goodfellow, + upon whom there have gone as many and as credible tales as witchcraft, + saving that it hath not pleased the translators of the Bible to call + spirits by the name of Robin Goodfellow, as they have diviners, + soothsayers, poisoners, and cozeners by the name of witches."<a + href="#linknote-46" name="linknoteref-46" id="linknoteref-46"><small>46</small></a> + In the same tone Reginald Scot addresses the reader in the preface:—“To + make a solemn suit to you that are partial readers to set aside + partiality, to take in good part my writings, and with indifferent eyes to + look upon my book, were labour lost and time ill-employed; for I should no + more prevail herein than if, a hundred years since, I should have + entreated your predecessors to believe that Robin Goodfellow, that great + and ancient bull-beggar, had been but a cozening merchant, and no devil + indeed. But Robin Goodfellow ceaseth now to be much feared, and Popery is + sufficiently discovered; nevertheless, witches’ charms and conjurers’ + cozenage are yet effectual.” This passage seems clearly to prove that the + belief in Robin Goodfellow and his fairy companions was now out of date; + while that as to witchcraft, as was afterwards but too well shown, kept + its ground against argument and controversy, and survived “to shed more + blood.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-46" id="linknote-46"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 46 (<a href="#linknoteref-46">return</a>)<br /> [ Reginald Scot’s + “Discovery of Witchcraft,” book vii. chap, ii.] + </p> + <p> + We are then to take leave of this fascinating article of the popular + creed, having in it so much of interest to the imagination that we almost + envy the credulity of those who, in the gentle moonlight of a summer night + in England, amid the tangled glades of a deep forest, or the turfy swell + of her romantic commons, could fancy they saw the fairies tracing their + sportive ring. But it is in vain to regret illusions which, however + engaging, must of necessity yield their place before the increase of + knowledge, like shadows at the advance of morn. These superstitions have + already survived their best and most useful purpose, having been embalmed + in the poetry of Milton and of Shakespeare, as well as writers only + inferior to these great names. Of Spenser we must say nothing, because in + his “Faery Queen” the title is the only circumstance which connects his + splendid allegory with the popular superstition, and, as he uses it, means + nothing more than an Utopia or nameless country. + </p> + <p> + With the fairy popular creed fell, doubtless, many subordinate articles of + credulity in England, but the belief in witches kept its ground. It was + rooted in the minds of the common people, as well by the easy solution it + afforded of much which they found otherwise hard to explain, as in + reverence to the Holy Scriptures, in which the word <i>witch,</i> being + used in several places, conveyed to those who did not trouble themselves + about the nicety of the translation from the Eastern tongues, the + inference that the same species of witches were meant as those against + whom modern legislation had, in most European nations, directed the + punishment of death. These two circumstances furnished the numerous + believers in witchcraft with arguments in divinity and law which they + conceived irrefragable. They might say to the theologist, Will you not + believe in witches? the Scriptures aver their existence;—to the + jurisconsult, Will you dispute the existence of a crime against which our + own statute-book, and the code of almost all civilized countries, have + attested, by laws upon which hundreds and thousands have been convicted, + many or even most of whom have, by their judicial confessions, + acknowledged their guilt and the justice of their punishment? It is a + strange scepticism, they might add, which rejects the evidence of + Scripture, of human legislature, and of the accused persons themselves. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding these specious reasons, the sixteenth and seventeenth + centuries were periods when the revival of learning, the invention of + printing, the fearless investigations of the Reformers into subjects + thought formerly too sacred for consideration of any save the clergy, had + introduced a system of doubt, enquiry, disregard of authority, when + unsupported by argument, and unhesitating exercise of the private + judgment, on subjects which had occupied the bulls of popes and decrees of + councils. In short, the spirit of the age was little disposed to spare + error, however venerable, or countenance imposture, however sanctioned by + length of time and universal acquiescence. Learned writers arose in + different countries to challenge the very existence of this imaginary + crime, to rescue the reputation of the great men whose knowledge, superior + to that of their age, had caused them to be suspected of magic, and to put + a stop to the horrid superstition whose victims were the aged, ignorant, + and defenceless, and which could only be compared to that which sent + victims of old through the fire to Moloch. + </p> + <p> + The courageous interposition of those philosophers who opposed science and + experience to the prejudices of superstition and ignorance, and in doing + so incurred much misrepresentation, and perhaps no little ill-will, in the + cause of truth and humanity, claim for them some distinction in a work on + Demonology. The pursuers of exact science to its coy retreats, were sure + to be the first to discover that the most remarkable phenomena in Nature + are regulated by certain fixed laws, and cannot rationally be referred to + supernatural agency, the sufficing cause to which superstition attributes + all that is beyond her own narrow power of explanation. Each advance in + natural knowledge teaches us that it is the pleasure of the Creator to + govern the world by the laws which he has imposed, and which are not in + our times interrupted or suspended. + </p> + <p> + The learned Wier, or Wierus, was a man of great research in physical + science, and studied under the celebrated Cornelius Agrippa, against whom + the charge of sorcery was repeatedly alleged by Paulus Jovius and other + authors, while he suffered, on the other hand, from the persecution of the + inquisitors of the Church, whose accusation against this celebrated man + was, that he denied the existence of spirits, a charge very inconsistent + with that of sorcery, which consists in corresponding with them. Wierus, + after taking his degree as a doctor of medicine, became physician to the + Duke of Cleves, at whose court he practised for thirty years with the + highest reputation. This learned man, disregarding the scandal which, by + so doing, he was likely to bring upon himself, was one of the first who + attacked the vulgar belief, and boldly assailed, both by serious arguments + and by ridicule, the vulgar credulity on the subject of wizards and + witches. + </p> + <p> + Gabriel Naudé, or Naudæus, as he termed himself, was a perfect scholar and + man of letters, busied during his whole life with assembling books + together, and enjoying the office of librarian to several persons of high + rank, amongst others, to Queen Christina of Sweden. He was, besides, a + beneficed clergyman, leading a most unblemished life, and so temperate as + never to taste any liquor stronger than water; yet did he not escape the + scandal which is usually flung by their prejudiced contemporaries upon + those disputants whom it is found more easy to defame than to answer. He + wrote an interesting work, entitled “Apologie pour les Grands Homines + Accusés de Magie;” and as he exhibited a good deal of vivacity of talent, + and an earnestness in pleading his cause, which did not always spare some + of the superstitions of Rome herself, he was charged by his contemporaries + as guilty of heresy and scepticism, when justice could only accuse him of + an incautious eagerness to make good his argument. + </p> + <p> + Among persons who, upon this subject, purged their eyes with rue and + euphrasie, besides the Rev. Dr. Harsnet and many others (who wrote rather + on special cases of Demonology than on the general question), Reginald + Scot ought to be distinguished. Webster assures us that he was a “person + of competent learning, pious, and of a good family.” He seems to have been + a zealous Protestant, and much of his book, as well as that of Harsnet, is + designed to throw upon the Papists in particular those tricks in which, by + confederacy and imposture, the popular ideas concerning witchcraft, + possession, and other supernatural fancies, were maintained and kept in + exercise; but he also writes on the general question with some force and + talent, considering that his subject is incapable of being reduced into a + regular form, and is of a nature particularly seductive to an excursive + talent. He appears to have studied legerdemain for the purpose of showing + how much that is apparently unaccountable can nevertheless be performed + without the intervention of supernatural assistance, even when it is + impossible to persuade the vulgar that the devil has not been consulted on + the occasion. Scot also had intercourse with some of the celebrated + fortune-tellers, or Philomaths, of the time; one of whom he brings forward + to declare the vanity of the science which he himself had once professed. + </p> + <p> + To defend the popular belief of witchcraft there arose a number of + advocates, of whom Bodin and some others neither wanted knowledge nor + powers of reasoning. They pressed the incredulous party with the charge + that they denied the existence of a crime against which the law had + denounced a capital punishment. As that law was understood to emanate from + James himself, who was reigning monarch during the hottest part of the + controversy, the English authors who defended the opposite side were + obliged to entrench themselves under an evasion, to avoid maintaining an + argument unpalatable to a degree to those in power, and which might + perchance have proved unsafe to those who used it. With a certain degree + of sophistry they answered that they did not doubt the possibility of + witches, but only demurred to what is their nature, and how they came to + be such—according to the scholastic jargon, that the question in + respect to witches was not <i>de existentia</i>, but only <i>de modo + existendi</i>. + </p> + <p> + By resorting to so subtle an argument those who impugned the popular + belief were obliged, with some inconsistency, to grant that witchcraft had + existed, and might exist, only insisting that it was a species of + witchcraft consisting of they knew not what, but certainly of something + different from that which legislators, judges, and juries had hitherto + considered the statute as designed to repress. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime (the rather that the debate was on a subject particularly + difficult of comprehension) the debating parties grew warm, and began to + call names. Bodin, a lively Frenchman of an irritable habit, explained the + zeal of Wierus to protect the tribe of sorcerers from punishment, by + stating that he himself was a conjurer and the scholar of Cornelius + Agrippa, and might therefore well desire to save the lives of those + accused of the same league with Satan. Hence they threw on their + antagonists the offensive names of witch-patrons and witch-advocates, as + if it were impossible for any to hold the opinion of Naudæus, Wierus, + Scot, &c., without patronizing the devil and the witches against their + brethren of mortality. Assailed by such heavy charges, the philosophers + themselves lost patience, and retorted abuse in their turn, calling Bodin, + Delrio, and others who used their arguments, witch-advocates, and the + like, as the affirming and defending the existence of the crime seemed to + increase the number of witches, and assuredly augmented the list of + executions. But for a certain time the preponderance of the argument lay + on the side of the Demonologists, and we may briefly observe the causes + which gave their opinions, for a period, greater influence than their + opponents on the public mind. + </p> + <p> + It is first to be observed that Wierus, for what reason cannot well be + conjectured, except to show the extent of his cabalistical knowledge, had + introduced into his work against witchcraft the whole Stenographia of + Trithemius, which he had copied from the original in the library of + Cornelius Agrippa; and which, suspicious from the place where he found it, + and from the long catalogue of fiends which it contained, with the charms + for raising and for binding them to the service of mortals, was considered + by Bodin as containing proof that Wierus himself was a sorcerer; not one + of the wisest, certainly, since he thus unnecessarily placed at the + disposal of any who might buy the book the whole secrets which formed his + stock-in-trade. + </p> + <p> + Secondly, we may notice that, from the state of physical science at the + period when Van Helmont, Paracelsus, and others began to penetrate into + its recesses, it was an unknown, obscure, and ill-defined region, and did + not permit those who laboured in it to give that precise and accurate + account of their discoveries which the progress of reasoning + experimentally and from analysis has enabled the late discoverers to do + with success. Natural magic—a phrase used to express those phenomena + which could be produced by a knowledge of the properties of matter—had + so much in it that was apparently uncombined and uncertain, that the art + of chemistry was accounted mystical, and an opinion prevailed that the + results now known to be the consequence of laws of matter, could not be + traced through their various combinations even by those who knew the + effects themselves. Physical science, in a word, was cumbered by a number + of fanciful and incorrect opinions, chiefly of a mystical character. If, + for instance, it was observed that a flag and a fern never grew near each + other, the circumstance was imputed to some antipathy between these + vegetables; nor was it for some time resolved by the natural rule, that + the flag has its nourishment in marshy ground, whereas the fern loves a + deep dryish soil. The attributes of the divining-rod were fully credited; + the discovery of the philosopher’s stone was daily hoped for; and + electricity, magnetism, and other remarkable and misconceived phenomena + were appealed to as proof of the reasonableness of their expectations. + Until such phenomena were traced to their sources, imaginary and often + mystical causes were assigned to them, for the same reason that, in the + wilds of a partially discovered country, according to the satirist, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +“Geographers on pathless downs + Place elephants for want of towns.” + </pre> + <p> + This substitution of mystical fancies for experimental reasoning gave, in + the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, a doubtful and twilight + appearance to the various branches of physical philosophy. The learned and + sensible Dr. Webster, for instance, writing in detection of supposed + witchcraft, assumes, as a string of undeniable facts, opinions which our + more experienced age would reject as frivolous fancies; “for example, the + effects of healing by the weapon-salve, the sympathetic powder, the curing + of various diseases by apprehensions, amulets, or by transplantation.” All + of which undoubted wonders he accuses the age of desiring to throw on the + devil’s back—an unnecessary load certainly, since such things do not + exist, and it is therefore in vain to seek to account for them. It + followed that, while the opposers of the ordinary theory might have struck + the deepest blows at the witch hypothesis by an appeal to common sense, + they were themselves hampered by articles of philosophical belief which + they must have been sensible contained nearly as deep draughts upon human + credulity as were made by the Demonologists, against whose doctrine they + protested. This error had a doubly bad effect, both as degrading the + immediate department in which it occurred, and as affording a protection + for falsehood in other branches of science. The champions who, in their + own province, were obliged by the imperfect knowledge of the times to + admit much that was mystical and inexplicable—those who opined, with + Bacon, that warts could be cured by sympathy—who thought, with + Napier, that hidden treasures could be discovered by the mathematics—who + salved the weapon instead of the wound, and detected murders as well as + springs of water by the divining-rod, could not consistently use, to + confute the believers in witches, an argument turning on the impossible or + the incredible. + </p> + <p> + Such were the obstacles arising from the vanity of philosophers and the + imperfection of their science, which suspended the strength of their + appeal to reason and common sense against the condemning of wretches to a + cruel death on account of crimes which the nature of things rendered in + modern times totally impossible. We cannot doubt that they suffered + considerably in the contest, which was carried on with much anger and + malevolence; but the good seed which they had sown remained uncorrupted in + the soil, to bear fruit so soon as the circumstances should be altered + which at first impeded its growth. In the next letter I shall take a view + of the causes which helped to remove these impediments, in addition, it + must always be remembered, to the general increase of knowledge and + improvement of experimental philosophy. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER VII. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Penal Laws unpopular when rigidly exercised—Prosecution of Witches + placed in the hand of Special Commissioners, <i>ad + inquirendum</i>—Prosecution for Witchcraft not frequent in the Elder + Period of the Roman Empire—Nor in the Middle Ages—Some Cases took + place, however—The Maid of Orleans—The Duchess of + Gloucester—Richard the Third’s Charge against the Relations of the + Queen Dowager—But Prosecutions against Sorcerers became more common + in the end of the Fourteenth Century—Usually united with the Charge + of Heresy—Monstrelet’s Account of the Persecution against the + Waldenses, under pretext of Witchcraft—Florimond’s Testimony + concerning the Increase of Witches in his own Time—Bull of Pope + Innocent VIII.—Various Prosecutions in Foreign Countries under this + severe Law—Prosecutions in Labourt by the Inquisitor De Lancre and + his Colleague—Lycanthropy—Witches in Spain—In Sweden—and + particularly those Apprehended at Mohra. +</pre> + <p class="pfirst"> + <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">P</span>enal laws, like + those of the Middle Ages, denounced against witchcraft, may be at first + hailed with unanimous acquiescence and approbation, but are uniformly + found to disgust and offend at least the more sensible part of the public + when the punishments become frequent and are relentlessly inflicted. Those + against treason are no exception. Each reflecting government will do well + to shorten that melancholy reign of terror which perhaps must necessarily + follow on the discovery of a plot or the defeat of an insurrection. They + ought not, either in humanity or policy, to wait till the voice of the + nation calls to them, as Mecænas to Augustus, “<i>Surge tandem carnifex</i>!” + </p> + <p> + It is accordingly remarkable, in different countries, how often at some + particular period of their history there occurred an epidemic of terror of + witches, which, as fear is always cruel and credulous, glutted the public + with seas of innocent blood; and how uniformly men loathed the gore after + having swallowed it, and by a reaction natural to the human mind desired, + in prudence, to take away or restrict those laws which had been the source + of carnage, in order that their posterity might neither have the will nor + the means to enter into similar excesses. + </p> + <p> + A short review of foreign countries, before we come to notice the British + Islands and their Colonies, will prove the truth of this statement. In + Catholic countries on the Continent, the various kingdoms adopted readily + that part of the civil law, already mentioned, which denounces sorcerers + and witches as rebels to God, and authors of sedition in the empire. But + being considered as obnoxious equally to the canon and civil law, + Commissions of Inquisition were especially empowered to weed out of the + land the witches and those who had intercourse with familiar spirits, or + in any other respect fell under the ban of the Church, as well as the + heretics who promulgated or adhered to false doctrine. Special warrants + were thus granted from time to time in behalf of such inquisitors, + authorizing them to visit those provinces of Germany, France, or Italy + where any report concerning witches or sorcery had alarmed the public + mind; and those Commissioners, proud of the trust reposed in them, thought + it becoming to use the utmost exertions on their part, that the subtlety + of the examinations, and the severity of the tortures they inflicted, + might wring the truth out of all suspected persons, until they rendered + the province in which they exercised their jurisdiction a desert from + which the inhabitants fled. It would be impossible to give credit to the + extent of this delusion, had not some of the inquisitors themselves been + reporters of their own judicial exploits: the same hand which subscribed + the sentence has recorded the execution. + </p> + <p> + In the earlier period of the Church of Rome witchcraft is frequently + alluded to, and a capital punishment assigned to those who were supposed + to have accomplished by sorcery the death of others, or to have attempted, + by false prophecies or otherwise, under pretext of consulting with the + spiritual world, to make innovation in the state. But no general + denunciation against witchcraft itself, as a league with the Enemy of Man, + or desertion of the Deity, and a crime <i>sui generis</i>, appears to have + been so acted upon, until the later period of the sixteenth century, when + the Papal system had attained its highest pitch of power and of + corruption. The influence of the Churchmen was in early times secure, and + they rather endeavoured, by the fabrication of false miracles, to prolong + the blind veneration of the people, than to vex others and weary + themselves by secret investigations into dubious and mystical trespasses, + in which probably the higher and better instructed members of the clerical + order put as little faith at that time as they do now. Did there remain a + mineral fountain, respected for the cures which it had wrought, a huge + oak-tree, or venerated mount, which beauty of situation had recommended to + traditional respect, the fathers of the Roman Church were in policy + reluctant to abandon such impressive spots, or to represent them as + exclusively the rendezvous of witches or of evil spirits. On the contrary, + by assigning the virtues of the spring or the beauty of the tree to the + guardianship of some saint, they acquired, as it were, for the defence of + their own doctrine, a frontier fortress which they wrested from the enemy, + and which it was at least needless to dismantle, if it could be + conveniently garrisoned and defended. Thus the Church secured possession + of many beautiful pieces of scenery, as Mr. Whitfield is said to have + grudged to the devil the monopoly of all the fine tunes. + </p> + <p> + It is true that this policy was not uniformly observed. The story of the + celebrated Jeanne d’Arc, called the Maid of Orleans, preserves the memory + of such a custom, which was in that case turned to the prejudice of the + poor woman who observed it. + </p> + <p> + It is well known that this unfortunate female fell into the hands of the + English, after having, by her courage and enthusiasm manifested on many + important occasions, revived the drooping courage of the French, and + inspired them with the hope of once more freeing their country. The + English vulgar regarded her as a sorceress—the French as an inspired + heroine; while the wise on both sides considered her as neither the one + nor the other, but a tool used by the celebrated Dunois to play the part + which he assigned her. The Duke of Bedford, when the ill-starred Jeanne + fell into his hands, took away her life in order to stigmatize her memory + with sorcery and to destroy the reputation she had acquired among the + French. The mean recurrence to such a charge against such a person had no + more success than it deserved, although Jeanne was condemned both by the + Parliament of Bordeux and the University of Paris. Her indictment accused + her of having frequented an ancient oak-tree, and a fountain arising under + it, called the Fated or Fairy Oak of Bourlemont. Here she was stated to + have repaired during the hours of divine service, dancing, skipping, and + making gestures, around the tree and fountain, and hanging on the branches + chaplets and garlands of flowers, gathered for the purpose, reviving, + doubtless, the obsolete idolatry which in ancient times had been rendered + on the same spot to the <i>Genius Loci</i>. The charmed sword and blessed + banner, which she had represented as signs of her celestial mission, were + in this hostile charge against her described as enchanted implements, + designed by the fiends and fairies whom she worshipped to accomplish her + temporary success. The death of the innocent, high-minded, and perhaps + amiable enthusiast, was not, we are sorry to say, a sacrifice to a + superstitious fear of witchcraft, but a cruel instance of wicked policy + mingled with national jealousy and hatred. + </p> + <p> + To the same cause, about the same period, we may impute the trial of the + Duchess of Gloucester, wife of the good Duke Humphrey, accused of + consulting witches concerning the mode of compassing the death of her + husband’s nephew, Henry VI. The Duchess was condemned to do penance, and + thereafter banished to the Isle of Man, while several of her accomplices + died in prison or were executed. But in this instance also the alleged + witchcraft was only the ostensible cause of a procedure which had its real + source in the deep hatred between the Duke of Gloucester and Cardinal + Beaufort, his half-brother. The same pretext was used by Richard III. when + he brought the charge of sorcery against the Queen Dowager, Jane Shore, + and the queen’s kinsmen; and yet again was by that unscrupulous prince + directed against Morton, afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury, and other + adherents of the Earl of Richmond. The accusation in both cases was only + chosen as a charge easily made and difficult to be eluded or repelled. + </p> + <p> + But in the meanwhile, as the accusation of witchcraft thus afforded to + tyranny or policy the ready means of assailing persons whom it might not + have been possible to convict of any other crime, the aspersion itself was + gradually considered with increase of terror as spreading wider and + becoming more contagious. So early as the year 1398 the University of + Paris, in laying down rules for the judicial prosecuting of witches, + express their regret that the crime was growing more frequent than in any + former age. The more severe enquiries and frequent punishments by which + the judges endeavoured to check the progress of this impious practice seem + to have increased the disease, as indeed it has been always remarked that + those morbid affections of mind which depend on the imagination are sure + to become more common in proportion as public attention is fastened on + stories connected with their display. + </p> + <p> + In the same century schisms arising from different causes greatly alarmed + the Church of Rome. The universal spirit of enquiry which was now afloat, + taking a different direction in different countries, had in almost all of + them stirred up a sceptical dissatisfaction with the dogmas of the Church—such + views being rendered more credible to the poorer classes through the + corruption of manners among the clergy, too many of whom wealth and ease + had caused to neglect that course of morality which best recommends + religious doctrine. In almost every nation in Europe there lurked in the + crowded cities, or the wild solitude of the country, sects who agreed + chiefly in their animosity to the supremacy of Rome and their desire to + cast off her domination. The Waldenses and Albigenses were parties + existing in great numbers through the south of France. The Romanists + became extremely desirous to combine the doctrine of the heretics with + witchcraft, which, according to their account, abounded especially where + the Protestants were most numerous; and, the bitterness increasing, they + scrupled not to throw the charge of sorcery, as a matter of course, upon + those who dissented from the Catholic standard of faith. The Jesuit Delrio + alleges several reasons for the affinity which he considers as existing + between the Protestant and the sorcerer; he accuses the former of + embracing the opinion of Wierus and other defenders of the devil (as he + calls all who oppose his own opinions concerning witchcraft), thus + fortifying the kingdom of Satan against that of the Church.<a + href="#linknote-47" name="linknoteref-47" id="linknoteref-47"><small>47</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-47" id="linknote-47"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 47 (<a href="#linknoteref-47">return</a>)<br /> [ Delrio, “De Magia.” See + the Preface.] + </p> + <p> + A remarkable passage in Monstrelet puts in a clear view the point aimed at + by the Catholics in thus confusing and blending the doctrines of heresy + and the practice of witchcraft, and how a meeting of inoffensive + Protestants could be cunningly identified with a Sabbath of hags and + fiends. + </p> + <p> + “In this year (1459), in the town of Arras and county of Artois, arose, + through a terrible and melancholy chance, an opinion called, I know not + why, the Religion of Vaudoisie. This sect consisted, it is said, of + certain persons, both men and women, who, under cloud of night, by the + power of the devil, repaired to some solitary spot, amid woods and + deserts, where the devil appeared before them in a human form—save + that his visage is never perfectly visible to them—read to the + assembly a book of his ordinances, informing them how he would be obeyed; + distributed a very little money and a plentiful meal, which was concluded + by a scene of general profligacy; after which each one of the party was + conveyed home to her or his own habitation. + </p> + <p> + “On accusations of access to such acts of madness,” continues Monstrelet, + “several creditable persons of the town of Arras were seized and + imprisoned along with some foolish women and persons of little + consequence. These were so horribly tortured that some of them admitted + the truth of the whole accusations, and said, besides, that they had seen + and recognised in their nocturnal assembly many persons of rank, prelates, + seigneurs, and governors of bailliages and cities, being such names as the + examinators had suggested to the persons examined, while they constrained + them by torture to impeach the persons to whom they belonged. Several of + those who had been thus informed against were arrested, thrown into + prison, and tortured for so long a time that they also were obliged to + confess what was charged against them. After this those of mean condition + were executed and inhumanly burnt, while the richer and more powerful of + the accused ransomed themselves by sums of money, to avoid the punishment + and the shame attending it. Many even of those also confessed being + persuaded to take that course by the interrogators, who promised them + indemnity for life and fortune. Some there were, of a truth, who suffered + with marvellous patience and constancy the torments inflicted on them, and + would confess nothing imputed to their charge; but they, too, had to give + large sums to the judges, who exacted that such of them as, + notwithstanding their mishandling, were still able to move, should banish + themselves from that part of the country.” Monstrelet winds up this + shocking narrative by informing us “that it ought not to be concealed that + the whole accusation was a stratagem of wicked men for their own covetous + purposes, and in order, by these false accusations and forced confessions, + to destroy the life, fame, and fortune of wealthy persons.” + </p> + <p> + Delrio himself confesses that Franciscus Balduinus gives an account of the + pretended punishment, but real persecution, of these Waldenses, in similar + terms with Monstrelet, whose suspicions are distinctly spoken out, and + adds that the Parliament of Paris, having heard the affair by appeal, had + declared the sentence illegal and the judges iniquitous, by an arrét dated + 20th May, 1491. The Jesuit Delrio quotes the passage, but adheres with + lingering reluctance to the truth of the accusation. “The Waldenses (of + whom the Albigenses are a species) were,” he says, “never free from the + most wretched excess of fascination;” and finally, though he allows the + conduct of the judges to have been most odious, he cannot prevail on + himself to acquit the parties charged by such interested accusers with + horrors which should hardly have been found proved even upon the most + distinct evidence. He appeals on this occasion to Florimond’s work on + Antichrist. The introduction of that work deserves to be quoted, as + strongly illustrative of the condition to which the country was reduced, + and calculated to make an impression the very reverse probably of that + which the writer would have desired:— + </p> + <p> + “All those who have afforded us some signs of the approach of Antichrist + agree that the increase of sorcery and witchcraft is to distinguish the + melancholy period of his advent; and was ever age so afflicted with them + as ours? The seats destined for criminals before our judicatories are + blackened with persons accused of this guilt. There are not judges enough + to try them. Our dungeons are gorged with them. No day passes that we do + not render our tribunals bloody by the dooms which we pronounce, or in + which we do not return to our homes discountenanced and terrified at the + horrible contents of the confessions which it has been our duty to hear. + And the devil is accounted so good a master that we cannot commit so great + a number of his slaves to the flames but what there shall arise from their + ashes a number sufficient to supply their place."<a href="#linknote-48" + name="linknoteref-48" id="linknoteref-48"><small>48</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-48" id="linknote-48"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 48 (<a href="#linknoteref-48">return</a>)<br /> [ Florimond, “Concerning + the Antichrist,” cap. 7, n. 5, quoted by Delrio, “De Magia,” p. 820.] + </p> + <p> + This last statement, by which it appears that the most active and + unsparing inquisition was taking place, corresponds with the historical + notices of repeated persecutions upon this dreadful charge of sorcery. A + bull of Pope Innocent VIII. rang the tocsin against this formidable crime, + and set forth in the most dismal colours the guilt, while it stimulated + the inquisitors to the unsparing discharge of their duty in searching out + and punishing the guilty. “It is come to our ears,” says the bull, “that + numbers of both sexes do not avoid to have intercourse with the infernal + fiends, and that by their sorceries they afflict both man and beast; that + they blight the marriage-bed, destroy the births of women, and the + increase of cattle; they blast the corn on the ground, the grapes of the + vineyard, the fruits of the trees, the grass and herbs of the field.” For + which reasons the inquisitors were armed with the apostolic power, and + called upon to “convict, imprison, and punish,” and so forth. + </p> + <p> + Dreadful were the consequences of this bull all over the Continent, + especially in Italy, Germany, and France,<a href="#linknote-49" + name="linknoteref-49" id="linknoteref-49"><small>49</small></a> About 1485 + Cumanus burnt as witches forty-one poor women in one year in the county of + Burlia. In the ensuing years he continued the prosecution with such + unremitting zeal that many fled from the country. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-49" id="linknote-49"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 49 (<a href="#linknoteref-49">return</a>)<br /> [ Dr. Hutchinson quotes “H. + Institor,” 105, 161.] + </p> + <p> + Alciatus states that an inquisitor, about the same period, burnt an + hundred sorcerers in Piedmont, and persevered in his inquiries till human + patience was exhausted, and the people arose and drove him out of the + country, after which the jurisdiction was deferred to the archbishop. That + prelate consulted Alciatus himself, who had just then obtained his + doctor’s degree in civil law, to which he was afterwards an honour. A + number of unfortunate wretches were brought for judgment, fitter, + according to the civilian’s opinion, for a course of hellebore than for + the stake. Some were accused of having dishonoured the crucifix and denied + their salvation; others of having absconded to keep the Devil’s Sabbath, + in spite of bolts and bars; others of having merely joined in the choral + dances around the witches’ tree of rendezvous. Several of their husbands + and relatives swore that they were in bed and asleep during these + pretended excursions. Alciatus recommended gentle and temperate measures; + and the minds of the country became at length composed.<a + href="#linknote-50" name="linknoteref-50" id="linknoteref-50"><small>50</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-50" id="linknote-50"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 50 (<a href="#linknoteref-50">return</a>)<br /> [ Alciat. “Parerg. Juris,” + lib. viii. chap. 22.] + </p> + <p> + In 1488, the country four leagues around Constance was laid waste by + lightning and tempest, and two women being, by fair means or foul, made to + confess themselves guilty as the cause of the devastation, suffered death. + </p> + <p> + About 1515, 500 persons were executed at Geneva, under the character of + “Protestant witches,” from which we may suppose many suffered for heresy. + Forty-eight witches were burnt at Ravensburgh within four years, as + Hutchison reports, on the authority of Mengho, the author of the “Malleus + Malleficarum.” In Lorraine the learned inquisitor, Remigius, boasts that + he put to death 900 people in fifteen years. As many were banished from + that country, so that whole towns were on the point of becoming desolate. + In 1524, 1,000 persons were put to death in one year at Como, in Italy, + and about 100 every year after for several years.<a href="#linknote-51" + name="linknoteref-51" id="linknoteref-51"><small>51</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-51" id="linknote-51"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 51 (<a href="#linknoteref-51">return</a>)<br /> [ Bart. de Spina, de + Strigilibus.] + </p> + <p> + In the beginning of the next century the persecution of witches broke out + in France with a fury which was hardly conceivable, and multitudes were + burnt amid that gay and lively people. Some notion of the extreme + prejudice of their judges may be drawn from the words of one of the + inquisitors themselves. Pierre de Lancre, royal councillor in the + Parliament of Bourdeaux, with whom the President Espaignel was joined in a + commission to enquire into certain acts of sorcery, reported to have been + committed in Labourt and its neighbourhood, at the foot of the Pyrenees, + about the month of May, 1619. A few extracts from the preface will best + evince the state of mind in which he proceeded to the discharge of his + commission. + </p> + <p> + His story assumes the form of a narrative of a direct war between Satan on + the one side and the Royal Commissioners on the other, “because,” says + Councillor de Lancre, with self-complaisance, “nothing is so calculated to + strike terror into the fiend and his dominions as a commission with such + plenary powers.” + </p> + <p> + At first, Satan endeavoured to supply his vassals who were brought before + the judges with strength to support the examinations, so that if, by + intermission of the torture, the wretches should fall into a doze, they + declared, when they were recalled from it to the question, that the + profound stupor “had something of Paradise in it, being gilded,” said the + judge, “with the immediate presence of the devil;” though, in all + probability, it rather derived its charms from the natural comparison + between the insensibility of exhaustion and the previous agony of acute + torture. The judges took care that the fiend seldom obtained any advantage + in the matter by refusing their victims, in most cases, any interval of + rest or sleep. Satan then proceeded, in the way of direct defiance, to + stop the mouth of the accused openly, and by mere force, with something + like a visible obstruction in their throat. Notwithstanding this, to put + the devil to shame, some of the accused found means, in spite of him, to + confess and be hanged, or rather burnt. The fiend lost much credit by his + failure on this occasion. Before the formidable Commissioners arrived, he + had held his <i>cour plénière</i> before the gates of Bourdeaux, and in + the square of the palace of Galienne, whereas he was now insulted publicly + by his own vassals, and in the midst of his festival of the Sabbath the + children and relations of the witches who had suffered not sticking to say + to him, “Out upon you! Your promise was that our mothers who were + prisoners should not die; and look how you have kept your word with us! + They have been burnt, and are a heap of ashes.” To appease this mutiny + Satan had two evasions. He produced illusory fires, and encouraged the + mutinous to walk through them, assuring them that the judicial pile was as + frigid and inoffensive as those which he exhibited to them. Again, taking + his refuge in lies, of which he is well known to be the father, he stoutly + affirmed that their parents, who seemed to have suffered, were safe in a + foreign country, and that if their children would call on them they would + receive an answer. They made the invocation accordingly, and Satan + answered each of them in a tone which resembled the voice of the lamented + parent almost as successfully as Monsieur Alexandra could have done. + </p> + <p> + Proceeding to a yet more close attack, the Commissioners, on the eve of + one of the Fiend’s Sabbaths, placed the gibbet on which they executed + their victims just on the spot where Satan’s gilded chair was usually + stationed. The devil was much offended at such an affront, and yet had so + little power in the matter that he could only express his resentment by + threats that he would hang Messieurs D’Amon and D’Urtubbe, gentlemen who + had solicited and promoted the issuing of the Commission, and would also + burn the Commissioners themselves in their own fire. We regret to say that + Satan was unable to execute either of these laudable resolutions. Ashamed + of his excuses, he abandoned for three or four sittings his attendance on + the Sabbaths, sending as his representative an imp of subordinate account, + and in whom no one reposed confidence. When he took courage again to face + his parliament, the Arch-fiend covered his defection by assuring them that + he had been engaged in a lawsuit with the Deity, which he had gained with + costs, and that six score of infant children were to be delivered up to + him in name of damages, and the witches were directed to procure such + victims accordingly. After this grand fiction he confined himself to the + petty vengeance of impeding the access of confessors to the condemned, + which was the more easy as few of them could speak the Basque language. I + have no time to detail the ingenious method by which the learned + Councillor de Lancre explains why the district of Labourt should be + particularly exposed to the pest of sorcery. The chief reason seems to be + that it is a mountainous, a sterile, and a border country, where the men + are all fishers and the women smoke tobacco and wear short petticoats. + </p> + <p> + To a person who, in this presumptuous, trifling, and conceited spirit, has + composed a quarto volume full of the greatest absurdities and grossest + obscenities ever impressed on paper, it was the pleasure of the most + Christian Monarch to consign the most absolute power which could be + exercised on these poor people; and he might with as much prudence have + turned a ravenous wolf upon an undefended flock, of whom the animal was + the natural enemy, as they were his natural prey. The priest, as well as + the ignorant peasant, fell under the suspicion of this fell Commission; + and De Lancre writes, with much complacency, that the accused were brought + to trial to the number of forty in one day—with what chance of + escape, when the judges were blinded with prejudice, and could only hear + the evidence and the defence through the medium of an interpreter, the + understanding of the reader may easily anticipate. + </p> + <p> + Among other gross transgressions of the most ordinary rules, it may be + remarked that the accused, in what their judges called confessions, + contradicted each other at every turn respecting the description of the + Domdaniel in which they pretended to have been assembled, and the fiend + who presided there. All spoke to a sort of gilded throne; but some saw a + hideous wild he-goat seated there; some a man disfigured and twisted, as + suffering torture; some, with better taste, beheld a huge indistinct form, + resembling one of those mutilated trunks of trees found in ancient + forests. But De Lancre was no “Daniel come to judgment,” and the + discrepancy of evidence, which saved the life and fame of Susannah, made + no impression in favour of the sorcerers of Labourt. + </p> + <p> + Instances occur in De Lancre’s book of the trial and condemnation of + persons accused of the crime of <i>lycanthropy</i>, a superstition which + was chiefly current in France, but was known in other countries, and is + the subject of great debate between Wier, Naudé, Scot, on the one hand, + and their demonological adversaries on the other. The idea, said the one + party, was that a human being had the power, by sorcery, of transforming + himself into the shape of a wolf, and in that capacity, being seized with + a species of fury, he rushed out and made havoc among the flocks, slaying + and wasting, like the animal whom he represented, far more than he could + devour. The more incredulous reasoners would not allow of a real + transformation, whether with or without the enchanted hide of a wolf, + which in some cases was supposed to aid the metamorphosis, and contended + that lycanthropy only subsisted as a woful species of disease, a + melancholy state of mind, broken with occasional fits of insanity, in + which the patient imagined that he committed the ravages of which he was + accused. Such a person, a mere youth, was tried at Besançon, who gave + himself out for a servant, or yeoman pricker, of the Lord of the Forest—so + he called his superior—who was judged to be the devil. He was, by + his master’s power, transformed into the likeness and performed the usual + functions of a wolf, and was attended in his course by one larger, which + he supposed the Lord of the Forest himself. These wolves, he said, ravaged + the flocks, and throttled the dogs which stood in their defence. If either + had not seen the other, he howled, after the manner of the animal, to call + his comrade to his share of the prey; if he did not come upon this signal, + he proceeded to bury it the best way he could. + </p> + <p> + Such was the general persecution under Messieurs Espiagnel and De Lancre. + Many similar scenes occurred in France, till the edict of Louis XIV. + discharging all future prosecutions for witchcraft, after which the crime + itself was heard of no more.<a href="#linknote-52" name="linknoteref-52" + id="linknoteref-52"><small>52</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-52" id="linknote-52"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 52 (<a href="#linknoteref-52">return</a>)<br /> [ The reader may sup full + on such wild horrors in the <i>causes célèbres</i>.] + </p> + <p> + While the spirit of superstition was working such horrors in France, it + was not, we may believe, more idle in other countries of Europe. In Spain, + particularly, long the residence of the Moors, a people putting deep faith + in all the day-dreams of witchcraft, good and evil genii, spells and + talismans, the ardent and devotional temper of the old Christians dictated + a severe research after sorcerers as well as heretics, and relapsed Jews + or Mahommedans. In former times, during the subsistence of the Moorish + kingdoms in Spain, a school was supposed to be kept open in Toboso for the + study, it is said, of magic, but more likely of chemistry, algebra, and + other sciences, which, altogether mistaken by the ignorant and vulgar, and + imperfectly understood even by those who studied them, were supposed to be + allied to necromancy, or at least to natural magic. It was, of course, the + business of the Inquisition to purify whatever such pursuits had left of + suspicious Catholicism, and their labours cost as much blood on + accusations of witchcraft and magic as for heresy and relapse. + </p> + <p> + Even the colder nations of Europe were subject to the same epidemic terror + for witchcraft, and a specimen of it was exhibited in the sober and + rational country of Sweden about the middle of last century, an account of + which, being translated into English by a respectable clergyman, Doctor + Horneck, excited general surprise how a whole people could be imposed upon + to the degree of shedding much blood, and committing great cruelty and + injustice, on account of the idle falsehoods propagated by a crew of lying + children, who in this case were both actors and witnesses. + </p> + <p> + The melancholy truth that “the human heart is deceitful above all things, + and desperately wicked,” is by nothing proved so strongly as by the + imperfect sense displayed by children of the sanctity of moral truth. Both + the gentlemen and the mass of the people, as they advance in years, learn + to despise and avoid falsehood; the former out of pride, and from a + remaining feeling, derived from the days of chivalry, that the character + of a liar is a deadly stain on their honour; the other, from some general + reflection upon the necessity of preserving a character for integrity in + the course of life, and a sense of the truth of the common adage, that + “honesty is the best policy.” But these are acquired habits of thinking. + The child has no natural love of truth, as is experienced by all who have + the least acquaintance with early youth. If they are charged with a fault + while they can hardly speak, the first words they stammer forth are a + falsehood to excuse it. Nor is this all: the temptation of attracting + attention, the pleasure of enjoying importance, the desire to escape from + an unpleasing task, or accomplish a holiday, will at any time overcome the + sentiment of truth, so weak is it within them. Hence thieves and + housebreakers, from a surprisingly early period, find means of rendering + children useful in their mystery; nor are such acolytes found to evade + justice with less dexterity than the more advanced rogues. Where a number + of them are concerned in the same mischief, there is something resembling + virtue in the fidelity with which the common secret is preserved. + Children, under the usual age of their being admitted to give evidence, + were necessarily often examined in witch trials; and it is terrible to see + how often the little impostors, from spite or in mere gaiety of spirit, + have by their art and perseverance made shipwreck of men’s lives. But it + would be hard to discover a case which, supported exclusively by the + evidence of children (the confessions under torture excepted), and + obviously existing only in the young witnesses’ own imagination, has been + attended with such serious consequences, or given cause to so extensive + and fatal a delusion, as that which occurred in Sweden. + </p> + <p> + The scene was the Swedish village of Mohra, in the province of Elfland, + which district had probably its name from some remnant of ancient + superstition. The delusion had come to a great height ere it reached the + ears of government, when, as was the general procedure, Royal + Commissioners were sent down, men well fitted for the duty entrusted to + them; that is, with ears open to receive the incredibilities with which + they were to be crammed, and hearts hardened against every degree of + compassion to the accused. The complaints of the common people, backed by + some persons of better condition, were that a number of persons, renowned + as witches, had drawn several hundred children of all classes under the + devil’s authority. They demanded, therefore, the punishment of these + agents of hell, reminding the judges that the province had been clear of + witches since the burning of some on a former occasion. The accused were + numerous, so many as threescore and ten witches and sorcerers being seized + in the village of Mohra; three-and-twenty confessed their crimes, and were + sent to Faluna, where most of them were executed. Fifteen of the children + were also led to death. Six-and-thirty of those who were young were forced + to run the gauntlet, as it is called, and were, besides, lashed weekly at + the church doors for a whole year. Twenty of the youngest were condemned + to the same discipline for three days only. + </p> + <p> + The process seems to have consisted in confronting the children with the + witches, and hearing the extraordinary story which the former insisted + upon maintaining. The children, to the number of three hundred, were found + more or less perfect in a tale as full of impossible absurdities as ever + was told around a nursery fire. Their confession ran thus:— + </p> + <p> + They were taught by the witches to go to a cross way, and with certain + ceremonies to invoke the devil by the name of Antecessor, begging him to + carry them off to Blockula, meaning, perhaps, the Brockenberg, in the + Hartz forest, a mountain infamous for being the common scene of witches’ + meetings, and to which Goethe represents the spirit Mephistopheles as + conducting his pupil Faustus. The devil courteously appeared at the call + of the children in various forms, but chiefly as a mad Merry-Andrew, with + a grey coat, red and blue stockings, a red beard, a high-crowned hat, with + linen of various colours wrapt round it, and garters of peculiar length. + He set each child on some beast of his providing, and anointed them with a + certain unguent composed of the scrapings of altars and the filings of + church clocks. There is here a discrepancy of evidence which in another + court would have cast the whole. Most of the children considered their + journey to be corporeal and actual. Some supposed, however, that their + strength or spirit only travelled with the fiend, and that their body + remained behind. Very few adopted this last hypothesis, though the parents + unanimously bore witness that the bodies of the children remained in bed, + and could not be awakened out of a deep sleep, though they shook them for + the purpose of awakening them. So strong was, nevertheless, the belief of + nurses and mothers in their actual transportation, that a sensible + clergyman, mentioned in the preface, who had resolved he would watch his + son the whole night and see what hag or fiend would take him from his + arms, had the utmost difficulty, notwithstanding, in convincing his mother + that the child had not been transported to Blockula during the very night + he held him in his embrace. + </p> + <p> + The learned translator candidly allows, “out of so great a multitude as + were accused, condemned, and executed, there might be some who suffered + unjustly, and owed their death more to the malice of their enemies than to + their skill in the black art, I will readily admit. Nor will I deny,” he + continues, “but that when the news of these transactions and accounts, how + the children bewitched fel into fits and strange unusual postures, spread + abroad in the kingdom, some fearful and credulous people, if they saw + their children any way disordered, might think they were bewitched or + ready to be carried away by imps."<a href="#linknote-53" + name="linknoteref-53" id="linknoteref-53"><small>53</small></a> The + learned gentleman here stops short in a train of reasoning, which, + followed out, would have deprived the world of the benefit of his + translation. For if it was possible that some of these unfortunate persons + fell a sacrifice to the malice of their neighbours or the prejudices of + witnesses, as he seems ready to grant, is it not more reasonable to + believe that the whole of the accused were convicted on similar grounds, + than to allow, as truth, the slightest part of the gross and vulgar + impossibilities upon which alone their execution can be justified? + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-53" id="linknote-53"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 53 (<a href="#linknoteref-53">return</a>)<br /> [ Translator’s preface to + Horneck’s “Account of what happened in the Kingdom of Sweden.” See + appendix to Glanville’s work.] + </p> + <p> + The Blockula, which was the object of their journey, was a house having a + fine gate painted with divers colours, with a paddock, in which they + turned the beasts to graze which had brought them to such scenes of + revelry. If human beings had been employed they were left slumbering + against the wall of the house. The plan of the devil’s palace consisted of + one large banqueting apartment and several withdrawing-rooms. Their food + was homely enough, being broth made of coleworts and bacon, with bread and + butter, and milk and cheese. The same acts of wickedness and profligacy + were committed at Blockula which are usually supposed to take place upon + the devil’s Sabbath elsewhere; but there was this particular, that the + witches had sons and daughters by the fiends, who were married together, + and produced an offspring of toads and serpents. + </p> + <p> + These confessions being delivered before the accused witches, they at + first stoutly denied them. At last some of them burst into tears, and + acquiesced in the horrors imputed to them. They said the practice of + carrying off children had been enlarged very lately (which shows the whole + rumours to have arisen recently); and the despairing wretches confirmed + what the children said, with many other extravagant circumstances, as the + mode of elongating a goat’s back by means of a spit, on which we care not + to be particular. It is worth mentioning that the devil, desirous of + enjoying his own reputation among his subjects, pretended at one time to + be dead, and was much lamented at Blockula—but he soon revived + again. + </p> + <p> + Some attempts these witches had made to harm individuals on middle earth, + but with little success. One old sorceress, indeed, attempted to strike a + nail, given her by the devil for that purpose, into the head of the + minister of Elfland; but as the skull was of unusual solidity, the + reverend gentleman only felt a headache from her efforts. They could not + be persuaded to exhibit any of their tricks before the Commissioners, + excusing themselves by alleging that their witchcraft had left them, and + that the devil had amused them with the vision of a burning pit, having a + hand thrust out of it. + </p> + <p> + The total number who lost their lives on this singular occasion was + fourscore and four persons, including fifteen children; and at this + expense of blood was extinguished a flame that arose as suddenly, burned + as fiercely, and decayed as rapidly, as any portent of the kind within the + annals of superstition. The Commissioners returned to Court with the high + approbation of all concerned; prayers were ordered through the churches + weekly, that Heaven would be pleased to restrain the powers of the devil, + and deliver the poor creatures who hitherto had groaned under it, as well + as the innocent children, who were carried off by hundreds at once. + </p> + <p> + If we could ever learn the true explanation of this story, we should + probably find that the cry was led by some clever mischievous boy, who + wished to apologise to his parents for lying an hour longer in the morning + by alleging he had been at Blockula on the preceding night; and that the + desire to be as much distinguished as their comrade had stimulated the + bolder and more acute of his companions to the like falsehoods; whilst + those of weaker minds assented, either from fear of punishment or the + force of dreaming over at night the horrors which were dinned into their + ears all day. Those who were ingenuous, as it was termed, in their + confessions, received praise and encouragement; and those who denied or + were silent, and, as it was considered, impenitent, were sure to bear the + harder share of the punishment which was addressed to all. It is worth + while also to observe, that the smarter children began to improve their + evidence and add touches to the general picture of Blockula. “Some of the + children talked much of a white angel, which used to forbid them what the + devil bid them do, and told them that these doings should not last long. + And (they added) this better being would place himself sometimes at the + door betwixt the witches and the children, and when they came to Blockula + he pulled the children back, but the witches went in.” + </p> + <p> + This additional evidence speaks for itself, and shows the whole tale to be + the fiction of the children’s imagination, which some of them wished to + improve upon. The reader may consult “An Account of what happened in the + Kingdom of Sweden in the years 1669 and 1670, and afterwards translated + out of High Dutch into English by Dr. Antony Horneck,” attached to + Glanville’s “Sadducismus Triumphatus.” The translator refers to the + evidence of Baron Sparr, Ambassador from the Court of Sweden to the Court + of England in 1672; and that of Baron Lyonberg, Envoy Extraordinary of the + same power, both of whom attest the confession and execution of the + witches. The King of Sweden himself answered the express inquiries of the + Duke of Holstein with marked reserve. “His judges and commissioners,” he + said, “had caused divers men, women, and children, to be burnt and + executed on such pregnant evidence as was brought before them. But whether + the actions confessed and proved against them were real, or only the + effects of strong imagination, he was not as yet able to determine”—a + sufficient reason, perhaps, why punishment should have been at least + deferred by the interposition of the royal authority. + </p> + <p> + We must now turn our eyes to Britain, in which our knowledge as to such + events is necessarily more extensive, and where it is in a high degree + more interesting to our present purpose. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER VIII. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Effects of the Witch Superstition are to be traced in the Laws + of a Kingdom—Usually punished in England as a Crime connected with + Politics—Attempt at Murder for Witchcraft not in itself + Capital—Trials of Persons of Rank for Witchcraft, connected with + State Crimes—Statutes of Henry VIII—How Witchcraft was regarded by + the three Leading Sects of Religion in the Sixteenth Century; first, + by the Catholics; second, by the Calvinists; third, by the Church of + England and Lutherans—Impostures unwarily countenanced by + individual Catholic Priests, and also by some Puritanic + Clergymen—Statute of 1562, and some cases upon it—Case of + Dugdale—Case of the Witches of Warbois, and the execution of the + Family of Samuel—That of Jane Wenham, in which some Church of + England Clergymen insisted on the Prosecution—Hutchison’s Rebuke to + them—James the First’s Opinion of Witchcraft—His celebrated + Statute, 1 Jac. I.—Canon passed by the Convocation against + Possession—Case of Mr. Fairfax’s Children—Lancashire Witches in + 1613—Another Discovery in 1634—Webster’s Account of the manner in + which the Imposture was managed—Superiority of the Calvinists is + followed by a severe Prosecution of Witches—Executions in Suffolk, + &c. to a dreadful extent—Hopkins, the pretended Witchfinder, the + cause of these Cruelties—His Brutal Practices—His + Letter—Execution of Mr. Lowis—Hopkins Punished—Restoration of + Charles—Trial of Coxe—Of Dunny and Callendar before Lord + Hales—Royal Society and Progress of Knowledge—Somersetshire + Witches—Opinions of the Populace—A Woman Swum for Witchcraft at + Oakly—- Murder at Tring—Act against Witchcraft abolished, and the + belief in the Crime becomes forgotten—Witch Trials in New + England—Dame Glover’s Trial—Affliction of the Parvises, and + frightful Increase of the Prosecutions—Suddenly put a stop to—The + Penitence of those concerned in them. +</pre> + <p class="pfirst"> + <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">O</span>ur account of + Demonology in England must naturally, as in every other country, depend + chiefly on the instances which history contains of the laws and + prosecutions against witchcraft. Other superstitions arose and decayed, + were dreaded or despised, without greater embarrassment, in the provinces + in which they have a temporary currency, than that cowards and children go + out more seldom at night, while the reports of ghosts and fairies are + peculiarly current. But when the alarm of witchcraft arises, Superstition + dips her hand in the blood of the persons accused, and records in the + annals of jurisprudence their trials and the causes alleged in vindication + of their execution. Respecting other fantastic allegations, the proof is + necessarily transient and doubtful, depending upon the inaccurate + testimony of vague report and of doting tradition. But in cases of + witchcraft we have before us the recorded evidence upon which judge and + jury acted, and can form an opinion with some degree of certainty of the + grounds, real or fanciful, on which they acquitted or condemned. It is, + therefore, in tracing, this part of Demonology, with its accompanying + circumstances, that we have the best chance of obtaining an accurate view + of our subject. + </p> + <p> + The existence of witchcraft was, no doubt, received and credited in + England, as in the countries on the Continent, and originally punished + accordingly. But after the fourteenth century the practices which fell + under such a description were thought unworthy of any peculiar + animadversion, unless they were connected with something which would have + been of itself a capital crime, by whatever means it had been either + essayed or accomplished. Thus the supposed paction between a witch and the + demon was perhaps deemed in itself to have terrors enough to prevent its + becoming an ordinary crime, and was not, therefore, visited with any + statutory penalty. But to attempt or execute bodily harm to others through + means of evil spirits, or, in a word, by the black art, was actionable at + common law as much as if the party accused had done the same harm with an + arrow or pistol-shot. The destruction or abstraction of goods by the like + instruments, supposing the charge proved, would, in like manner, be + punishable. <i>A fortiori</i>, the consulting soothsayers, familiar + spirits, or the like, and the obtaining and circulating pretended + prophecies to the unsettlement of the State and the endangering of the + King’s title, is yet a higher degree of guilt. And it may be remarked that + the inquiry into the date of the King’s life bears a close affinity with + the desiring or compassing the death of the Sovereign, which is the + essence of high treason. Upon such charges repeated trials took place in + the courts of the English, and condemnations were pronounced, with + sufficient justice, no doubt, where the connexion between the resort to + sorcerers and the design to perpetrate a felony could be clearly proved. + We would not, indeed, be disposed to go the length of so high an authority + as Selden, who pronounces (in his “Table-Talk”) that if a man heartily + believed that he could take the life of another by waving his hat three + times and crying Buzz! and should, under this fixed opinion, wave his hat + and cry Buzz! accordingly, he ought to be executed as a murderer. But a + false prophecy of the King’s death is not to be dealt with exactly on the + usual principle; because, however idle in itself, the promulgation of such + a prediction has, in times such as we are speaking of, a strong tendency + to work its completion. + </p> + <p> + Many persons, and some of great celebrity, suffered for the charge of + trafficking with witches, to the prejudice of those in authority. We have + already mentioned the instance of the Duchess of Gloucester, in Henry the + Sixth’s reign, and that of the Queen Dowager’s kinsmen, in the + Protectorate of Richard, afterwards the Third. In 1521, the Duke of + Buckingham was beheaded, owing much to his having listened to the + predictions of one Friar Hopkins. In the same reign, the Maid of Kent, who + had been esteemed a prophetess, was put to death as a cheat. She suffered + with seven persons who had managed her fits for the support of the + Catholic religion, and confessed her fraud upon the scaffold. About seven + years after this, Lord Hungerford was beheaded for consulting certain + soothsayers concerning the length of Henry the Eighth’s life. But these + cases rather relate to the purpose for which the sorcery was employed, + than to the fact of using it. + </p> + <p> + Two remarkable statutes were passed in the year 1541; one against false + prophecies, the other against the act of conjuration, witchcraft, and + sorcery, and at the same time against breaking and destroying crosses. The + former enactment was certainly made to ease the suspicious and wayward + fears of the tetchy King Henry. The prohibition against witchcraft might + be also dictated by the king’s jealous doubts of hazard to the succession. + The enactment against breaking crosses was obviously designed to check the + ravages of the Reformers, who in England as well as elsewhere desired to + sweep away Popery with the besom of destruction. This latter statute was + abrogated in the first year of Edward VI., perhaps as placing an undue + restraint on the zeal of good Protestants against idolatry. + </p> + <p> + At length, in 1562, a formal statute against sorcery, as penal in itself, + was actually passed; but as the penalty was limited to the pillory for the + first transgression, the legislature probably regarded those who might be + brought to trial as impostors rather than wizards. There are instances of + individuals tried and convicted as impostors and cheats, and who + acknowledged themselves such before the court and people; but in their + articles of visitation the prelates directed enquiry to be made after + those who should use enchantments, witchcraft, sorcery, or any like craft, + <i>invented by the devil</i>. + </p> + <p> + But it is here proper to make a pause for the purpose of enquiring in what + manner the religious disputes which occupied all Europe about this time + influenced the proceedings of the rival sects in relation to Demonology. + </p> + <p> + The Papal Church had long reigned by the proud and absolute humour which + she had assumed, of maintaining every doctrine which her rulers had + adopted in dark ages; but this pertinacity at length made her citadel too + large to be defended at every point by a garrison whom prudence would have + required to abandon positions which had been taken in times of darkness, + and were unsuited to the warfare of a more enlightened age. The sacred + motto of the Vatican was, “<i>Vestigia nulla retrorsum</i>;” and this + rendered it impossible to comply with the more wise and moderate of her + own party, who would otherwise have desired to make liberal concessions to + the Protestants, and thus prevent, in its commencement, a formidable + schism in the Christian world. + </p> + <p> + To the system of Rome the Calvinists offered the most determined + opposition, affecting upon every occasion and on all points to observe an + order of church-government, as well as of worship, expressly in the teeth + of its enactments;—in a word, to be a good Protestant, they held it + almost essential to be in all things diametrically opposite to the + Catholic form and faith. As the foundation of this sect was laid in + republican states, as its clerical discipline was settled on a democratic + basis, and as the countries which adopted that form of government were + chiefly poor, the preachers having lost the rank and opulence enjoyed by + the Roman Church, were gradually thrown on the support of the people. + Insensibly they became occupied with the ideas and tenets natural to the + common people, which, if they have usually the merit of being honestly + conceived and boldly expressed, are not the less often adopted with + credulity and precipitation, and carried into effect with unhesitating + harshness and severity. + </p> + <p> + Betwixt these extremes the Churchmen of England endeavoured to steer a + middle course, retaining a portion of the ritual and forms of Rome, as in + themselves admirable, and at any rate too greatly venerated by the people + to be changed merely for opposition’s sake. Their comparatively + undilapidated revenue, the connexion of their system with the state, with + views of ambition as ample as the station of a churchman ought to command, + rendered them independent of the necessity of courting their flocks by any + means save regular discharge of their duty; and the excellent provisions + made for their education afforded them learning to confute ignorance and + enlighten prejudice. + </p> + <p> + Such being the general character of the three Churches, their belief in + and persecution of such crimes as witchcraft and sorcery were necessarily + modelled upon the peculiar tenets which each system professed, and gave + rise to various results in the countries where they were severally + received. + </p> + <p> + The Church of Rome, as we have seen, was unwilling, in her period of + undisputed power, to call in the secular arm to punish men for witchcraft—a + crime which fell especially under ecclesiastical cognizance, and could, + according to her belief, be subdued by the spiritual arm alone. The + learned men at the head of the establishment might safely despise the + attempt at those hidden arts as impossible; or, even if they were of a + more credulous disposition, they might be unwilling to make laws by which + their own enquiries in the mathematics, algebra, chemistry, and other + pursuits vulgarly supposed to approach the confines of magic art, might be + inconveniently restricted. The more selfish part of the priesthood might + think that a general belief in the existence of witches should be + permitted to remain, as a source both of power and of revenue—that + if there were no possessions, there could be no exorcism-fees—and, + in short, that a wholesome faith in all the absurdities of the vulgar + creed as to supernatural influences was necessary to maintain the + influence of Diana of Ephesus. They suffered spells to be manufactured, + since every friar had the power of reversing them; they permitted poison + to be distilled, because every convent had the antidote, which was + disposed of to all who chose to demand it. It was not till the universal + progress of heresy, in the end of the fifteenth century, that the bull of + Pope Innocent VIII., already quoted, called to convict, imprison, and + condemn the sorcerers, chiefly because it was the object to transfer the + odium of these crimes to the Waldenses, and excite and direct the public + hatred against the new sect by confounding their doctrines with the + influences of the devil and his fiends. The bull of Pope Innocent was + afterwards, in the year 1523, enforced by Adrian VI. with a new one, in + which excommunication was directed against <i>sorcerers and heretics</i>. + </p> + <p> + While Rome thus positively declared herself against witches and sorcerers, + the Calvinists, in whose numbers must be included the greater part of the + English Puritans, who, though they had not finally severed from the + communion of the Anglican Church, yet disapproved of her ritual and + ceremonies as retaining too much of the Papal stamp, ranked themselves, in + accordance with their usual policy, in diametrical opposition to the + doctrine of the Mother Church. They assumed in the opposite sense whatever + Rome pretended to as a proof of her omnipotent authority. The exorcisms, + forms, and rites, by which good Catholics believed that incarnate fiends + could be expelled and evil spirits of every kind rebuked—these, like + the holy water, the robes of the priest, and the sign of the cross, the + Calvinists considered either with scorn and contempt as the tools of + deliberate quackery and imposture, or with horror and loathing, as the fit + emblems and instruments of an idolatrous system. + </p> + <p> + Such of them as did not absolutely deny the supernatural powers of which + the Romanists made boast, regarded the success of the exorcising priest, + to whatever extent they admitted it, as at best a casting out of devils by + the power of Beelzebub, the King of the Devils. They saw also, and + resented bitterly, the attempt to confound any dissent from the doctrines + of Rome with the proneness to an encouragement of rites of sorcery. On the + whole, the Calvinists, generally speaking, were of all the contending + sects the most suspicious of sorcery, the most undoubting believers in its + existence, and the most eager to follow it up with what they conceived to + be the due punishment of the most fearful of crimes. + </p> + <p> + The leading divines of the Church of England were, without doubt, + fundamentally as much opposed to the doctrines of Rome as those who + altogether disclaimed opinions and ceremonies merely because she had + entertained them. But their position in society tended strongly to keep + them from adopting, on such subjects as we are now discussing, either the + eager credulity of the vulgar mind or the fanatic ferocity of their + Calvinistic rivals. We have no purpose to discuss the matter in detail—enough + has probably been said to show generally why the Romanist should have + cried out a miracle respecting an incident which the Anglican would have + contemptuously termed an imposture; while the Calvinist, inspired with a + darker zeal, and, above all, with the unceasing desire of open controversy + with the Catholics, would have styled the same event an operation of the + devil. + </p> + <p> + It followed that, while the divines of the Church of England possessed the + upper hand in the kingdom, witchcraft, though trials and even + condemnations for that offence occasionally occurred, did not create that + epidemic terror which the very suspicion of the offence carried with it + elsewhere; so that Reginald Scot and others alleged it was the vain + pretences and empty forms of the Church of Rome, by the faith reposed in + them, which had led to the belief of witchcraft or sorcery in general. Nor + did prosecutions on account of such charges frequently involve a capital + punishment, while learned judges were jealous of the imperfection of the + evidence to support the charge, and entertained a strong and growing + suspicion that legitimate grounds for such trials seldom actually existed. + On the other hand, it usually happened that wherever the Calvinist + interest became predominant in Britain, a general persecution of sorcerers + and witches seemed to take place of consequence. Fearing and hating + sorcery more than other Protestants, connecting its ceremonies and usages + with those of the detested Catholic Church, the Calvinists were more eager + than other sects in searching after the traces of this crime, and, of + course, unusually successful, as they might suppose, in making discoveries + of guilt, and pursuing it to the expiation of the fagot. In a word, a + principle already referred to by Dr. Francis Hutchison will be found to + rule the tide and the reflux of such cases in the different churches. The + numbers of witches, and their supposed dealings with Satan, will increase + or decrease according as such doings are accounted probable or impossible. + Under the former supposition, charges and convictions will be found + augmented in a terrific degree. When the accusations are disbelieved and + dismissed as not worthy of attention, the crime becomes unfrequent, ceases + to occupy the public mind, and affords little trouble to the judges. + </p> + <p> + The passing of Elizabeth’s statute against witchcraft in 1562 does not + seem to have been intended to increase the number of trials, or cases of + conviction at least; and the fact is, it did neither the one nor the + other. Two children were tried in 1574 for counterfeiting possession, and + stood in the pillory for impostors. Mildred Norrington, called the Maid of + Westwell, furnished another instance of possession; but she also confessed + her imposture, and publicly showed her fits and tricks of mimicry. The + strong influence already possessed by the Puritans may probably be + sufficient to account for the darker issue of certain cases, in which both + juries and judges in Elizabeth’s time must be admitted to have shown + fearful severity. + </p> + <p> + These cases of possession were in some respects sore snares to the priests + of the Church of Rome, who, while they were too sagacious not to be aware + that the pretended fits, contortions, strange sounds, and other + extravagances, produced as evidence of the demon’s influence on the + possessed person, were nothing else than marks of imposture by some idle + vagabond, were nevertheless often tempted to admit them as real, and take + the credit of curing them. The period was one when the Catholic Church had + much occasion to rally around her all the respect that remained to her in + a schismatic and heretical kingdom; and when her fathers and doctors + announced the existence of such a dreadful disease, and of the power of + the church’s prayers, relics, and ceremonies, to cure it, it was difficult + for a priest, supposing him more tender of the interest of his order than + that of truth, to avoid such a tempting opportunity as a supposed case of + possession offered for displaying the high privilege in which his + profession made him a partaker, or to abstain from conniving at the + imposture, in order to obtain for his church the credit of expelling the + demon. It was hardly to be wondered at, if the ecclesiastic was sometimes + induced to aid the fraud of which such motives forbade him to be the + detector. At this he might hesitate the less, as he was not obliged to + adopt the suspected and degrading course of holding an immediate + communication <i>in limine</i> with the impostor, since a hint or two, + dropped in the supposed sufferer’s presence, might give him the necessary + information what was the most exact mode of performing his part, and if + the patient was possessed by a devil of any acuteness or dexterity, he + wanted no further instruction how to play it. Such combinations were + sometimes detected, and brought more discredit on the Church of Rome than + was counterbalanced by any which might be more cunningly managed. On this + subject the reader may turn to Dr. Harsnett’s celebrated book on Popish + Impostures, wherein he gives the history of several notorious cases of + detected fraud, in which Roman ecclesiastics had not hesitated to mingle + themselves. That of Grace Sowerbutts, instructed by a Catholic priest to + impeach her grandmother of witchcraft, was a very gross fraud. + </p> + <p> + Such cases were not, however, limited to the ecclesiastics of Rome. We + have already stated that, as extremes usually approach each other, the + Dissenters, in their violent opposition to the Papists, adopted some of + their ideas respecting demoniacs; and we have now to add that they also + claimed, by the vehemence of prayer and the authority of their own sacred + commission, that power of expelling devils which the Church of Rome + pretended to exercise by rites, ceremonies, and relics. The memorable case + of Richard Dugdale, called the Surrey Impostor, was one of the most + remarkable which the Dissenters brought forward. This youth was supposed + to have sold his soul to the devil, on condition of being made the best + dancer in Lancashire, and during his possession played a number of + fantastic tricks, not much different from those exhibited by expert + posture-masters of the present day. This person threw himself into the + hands of the Dissenters, who, in their eagerness, caught at an opportunity + to relieve an afflicted person, whose case the regular clergy appeared to + have neglected. They fixed a committee of their number, who weekly + attended the supposed sufferer, and exercised themselves in appointed days + of humiliation and fasting during the course of a whole year. All respect + for the demon seems to have abandoned the reverend gentlemen, after they + had relieved guard in this manner for some little time, and they got so + regardless of Satan as to taunt him with the mode in which he executed his + promise to teach his vassal dancing. The following specimen of raillery is + worth commemoration:—“What, Satan! is this the dancing that Richard + gave himself to thee for? &c. Canst thou dance no better? &c. + Ransack the old records of all past times and places in thy memory; canst + thou not there find out some better way of trampling? Pump thine invention + dry; cannot the universal seed-plot of subtile wiles and stratagems spring + up one new method of cutting capers? Is this the top of skill and pride, + to shuffle feet and brandish knees thus, and to trip like a doe and skip + like a squirrel? And wherein differ thy leapings from the hoppings of a + frog, or the bouncings of a goat, or friskings of a dog, or gesticulations + of a monkey? And cannot a palsy shake such a loose leg as that? Dost thou + not twirl like a calf that hath the turn, and twitch up thy houghs just + like a springhault tit?"<a href="#linknote-54" name="linknoteref-54" + id="linknoteref-54"><small>54</small></a> One might almost conceive the + demon replying to this raillery in the words of Dr. Johnson, “This + merriment of parsons is extremely offensive.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-54" id="linknote-54"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 54 (<a href="#linknoteref-54">return</a>)<br /> [ Hutchison on Witchcraft, + p. 162.] + </p> + <p> + The dissenters were probably too honest, however simple, to achieve a + complete cure on Dugdale by an amicable understanding; so, after their + year of vigil, they relinquished their task by degrees. Dugdale, weary of + his illness, which now attracted little notice, attended a regular + physician, and was cured of that part of his disease which was not + affected in a regular way <i>par ordonnance du médecin</i>. But the + reverend gentlemen who had taken his case in hand still assumed the credit + of curing him, and if anything could have induced them to sing <i>Te Deum</i>, + it would have been this occasion. They said that the effect of their + public prayers had been for a time suspended, until seconded by the + continued earnestness of their private devotions! + </p> + <p> + The ministers of the Church of England, though, from education, + intercourse with the world, and other advantages, they were less prone to + prejudice than those of other sects, are yet far from being entirely free + of the charge of encouraging in particular instances the witch + superstition. Even while Dr. Hutchison pleads that the Church of England + has the least to answer for in that matter, he is under the necessity of + acknowledging that some regular country clergymen so far shared the rooted + prejudices of congregations, and of the government which established laws + against it, as to be active in the persecution of the suspected, and even + in countenancing the superstitious signs by which in that period the + vulgar thought it possible to ascertain the existence of the afflictions + by witchcraft, and obtain the knowledge of the perpetrator. A singular + case is mentioned of three women, called the Witches of Warbois. Indeed, + their story is a matter of solemn enough record; for Sir Samuel Cromwell, + having received the sum of forty pounds as lord of the manor, out of the + estate of the poor persons who suffered, turned it into a rent-charge of + forty shillings yearly, for the endowment of an annual lecture on the + subject of witchcraft, to be preached by a doctor or bachelor of divinity + of Queen’s College, Cambridge. The accused, one Samuel and his wife, were + old and very poor persons, and their daughter a young woman. The daughter + of a Mr. Throgmorton, seeing the poor old woman in a black knitted cap, at + a time when she was not very well, took a whim that she had bewitched her, + and was ever after exclaiming against her. The other children of this + fanciful family caught up the same cry, and the eldest of them at last got + up a vastly pretty drama, in which she herself furnished all the scenes + and played all the parts. + </p> + <p> + Such imaginary scenes, or <i>make-believe</i> stories, are the common + amusement of lively children; and most readers may remember having had + some Utopia of their own. But the nursery drama of Miss Throgmorton had a + horrible conclusion. This young lady and her sisters were supposed to be + haunted by nine spirits, dispatched by the wicked Mother Samuel for that + purpose. The sapient parents heard one part of the dialogue, when the + children in their fits returned answers, as was supposed, to the spirits + who afflicted them; and when the patients from time to time recovered, + they furnished the counterpart by telling what the spirits had said to + them. The names of the spirits were Pluck, Hardname, Catch, Blue, and + three Smacks, who were cousins. Mrs. Joan Throgmorton, the eldest (who, + like other young women of her age, about fifteen, had some disease on her + nerves, and whose fancy ran apparently on love and gallantry), supposed + that one of the Smacks was her lover, did battle for her with the less + friendly spirits, and promised to protect her against Mother Samuel + herself; and the following curious extract will show on what a footing of + familiarity the damsel stood with her spiritual gallant: “From whence come + you, Mr. Smack?” says the afflicted young lady; “and what news do you + bring?” Smack, nothing abashed, informed her he came from fighting with + Pluck: the weapons, great cowl-staves; the scene, a ruinous bakehouse in + Dame Samuel’s yard. “And who got the mastery, I pray you?” said the + damsel. Smack answered, he had broken Pluck’s head. “I would,” said the + damsel, “he had broken your neck also.” “Is that the thanks I am to have + for my labour?” said the disappointed Smack. “Look you for thanks at my + hand?” said the distressed maiden. “I would you were all hanged up against + each other, with your dame for company, for you are all naught.” On this + repulse, exit Smack, and enter Pluck, Blue, and Catch, the first with his + head broken, the other limping, and the third with his arm in a sling, all + trophies of Smack’s victory. They disappeared after having threatened + vengeance upon the conquering Smack. However, he soon afterwards appeared + with his laurels. He told her of his various conflicts. “I wonder,” said + Mrs. Joan, or Jane, “that you are able to beat them; you are little, and + they very big.” “He cared not for that,” he replied; “he would beat the + best two of them, and his cousins Smacks would beat the other two.” This + most pitiful mirth, for such it certainly is, was mixed with tragedy + enough. Miss Throgmorton and her sisters railed against Darne Samuel; and + when Mr. Throgmorton brought her to his house by force, the little fiends + longed to draw blood of her, scratch her, and torture her, as the + witch-creed of that period recommended; yet the poor woman incurred deeper + suspicion when she expressed a wish to leave a house where she was so + coarsely treated and lay under such odious suspicions. + </p> + <p> + It was in vain that this unhappy creature endeavoured to avert their + resentment by submitting to all the ill-usage they chose to put upon her; + in vain that she underwent unresistingly the worst usage at the hand of + Lady Cromwell, her landlady, who, abusing her with the worst epithets, + tore her cap from her head, clipped out some of her hair, and gave it to + Mrs. Throgmorton to burn it for a counter-charm. Nay, Mother Samuel’s + complaisance in the latter case only led to a new charge. It happened that + the Lady Cromwell, on her return home, dreamed of her day’s work, and + especially of the old dame and her cat; and, as her ladyship died in a <i>year + and quarter</i> from that very day, it was sagaciously concluded that she + must have fallen a victim to the witcheries of the terrible Dame Samuel. + Mr. Throgmorton also compelled the old woman and her daughter to use + expressions which put their lives in the power of these malignant + children, who had carried on the farce so long that they could not well + escape from their own web of deceit but by the death of these helpless + creatures. For example, the prisoner, Dame Samuel, was induced to say to + the supposed spirit, “As I am a witch, and a causer of Lady Cromwell’s + death, I charge thee to come out of the maiden.” The girl lay still; and + this was accounted a proof that the poor woman, who, only subdued and + crushed by terror and tyranny, did as she was bidden, was a witch. One is + ashamed of an English judge and jury when it must be repeated that the + evidence of these enthusiastic and giddy-pated girls was deemed sufficient + to the condemnation of three innocent persons. Goody Samuel, indeed, was + at length worried into a confession of her guilt by the various vexations + which were practised on her. But her husband and daughter continued to + maintain their innocence. The last showed a high spirit and proud value + for her character. She was advised by some, who pitied her youth, to gain + at least a respite by pleading pregnancy; to which she answered + disdainfully, “No, I will not be both held witch and strumpet!” The + mother, to show her sanity of mind and the real value of her confession, + caught at the advice recommended to her daughter. As her years put such a + plea out of the question, there was a laugh among the unfeeling audience, + in which the poor old victim joined loudly and heartily. Some there were + who thought it no joking matter, and were inclined to think they had a + Joanna Southcote before them, and that the devil must be the father. These + unfortunate Samuels were condemned at Huntingdon, before Mr. Justice + Fenner, 4th April, 1593. It was a singular case to be commemorated by an + annual lecture, as provided by Sir Samuel Cromwell, for the purposes of + justice were never so perverted, nor her sword turned to a more flagrant + murder. + </p> + <p> + We may here mention, though mainly for the sake of contrast, the + much-disputed case of Jane Wenham, the Witch of Walkerne, as she was + termed, which was of a much later date. Some of the country clergy were + carried away by the land-flood of superstition in this instance also and + not only encouraged the charge, but gave their countenance to some of the + ridiculous and indecent tricks resorted to as proofs of witchcraft by the + lowest vulgar. But the good sense of the judge, seconded by that of other + reflecting and sensible persons, saved the country from the ultimate + disgrace attendant on too many of these unhallowed trials. The usual sort + of evidence was brought against this poor woman, by pretences of bewitched + persons vomiting fire—a trick very easy to those who chose to + exhibit such a piece of jugglery amongst such as rather desire to be taken + in by it than to detect the imposture. The witchfinder practised upon her + the most vulgar and ridiculous tricks or charms; and out of a perverted + examination they drew what they called a confession, though of a forced + and mutilated character. Under such proof the jury brought her in guilty, + and she was necessarily condemned to die. More fortunate, however, than + many persons placed in the like circumstances, Jane Wenham was tried + before a sensible and philosophic judge, who could not understand that the + life of an Englishwoman, however mean, should be taken away by a set of + barbarous tricks and experiments, the efficacy of which depended on + popular credulity. He reprieved the witch before he left the assize-town. + The rest of the history is equally a contrast to some we have told and + others we shall have to recount. A humane and high-spirited gentleman, + Colonel Plummer of Gilston, putting at defiance popular calumny, placed + the poor old woman in a small house near his own and under his immediate + protection. Here she lived and died, in honest and fair reputation, + edifying her visitors by her accuracy and attention in repeating her + devotions; and, removed from her brutal and malignant neighbours, never + afterwards gave the slightest cause of suspicion or offence till her dying + day. As this was one of the last cases of conviction in England, Dr + Hutchison has been led to dilate upon it with some strength of eloquence + as well as argument. + </p> + <p> + He thus expostulates with some of the better class who were eager for the + prosecution:—“(1) What single fact of sorcery did this Jane Wenham + do? What charm did she use, or what act of witchcraft could you prove upon + her? Laws are against evil actions that can be proved to be of the + person’s doing. What single fact that was against the statute could you + fix upon her? I ask (2) Did she so much as speak an imprudent word, or do + an immoral action, that you could put into the narrative of her case? When + she was denied a few turnips, she laid them down very submissively; when + she was called witch and bitch, she only took the proper means for the + vindication of her good name; when she saw this storm coming upon her she + locked herself in her own house and tried to keep herself out of your + cruel hands; when her door was broken open, and you gave way to that + barbarous usage that she met with, she protested her innocence, fell upon + her knees, and begged she might not go to gaol, and, in her innocent + simplicity, would have let you swim her; and at her trial she declared + herself a clear woman. This was her behaviour. And what could any of us + have done better, excepting in that case where she complied with you too + much, and offered to let you swim her? + </p> + <p> + “(3) When you used the meanest of paganish and popish superstitions—when + you scratched and mangled and ran pins into her flesh, and used that + ridiculous trial of the bottle, &c.—whom did you consult, and + from whom did you expect your answers? Who was your father? and into whose + hands did you put yourselves? and (if the true sense of the statute had + been turned upon you) which way would you have defended yourselves? (4) + Durst you have used her in this manner if she had been rich? and doth not + her poverty increase rather than lessen your guilt in what you did? + </p> + <p> + “And therefore, instead of closing your book with a <i>liberavimus animas + nostras</i>, and reflecting upon the court, I ask you (5) Whether you have + not more reason to give God thanks that you met with a wise judge, and a + sensible gentleman, who kept you from shedding innocent blood, and + reviving the meanest and cruelest of all superstitions amongst us?"<a + href="#linknote-55" name="linknoteref-55" id="linknoteref-55"><small>55</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-55" id="linknote-55"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 55 (<a href="#linknoteref-55">return</a>)<br /> [ Hutchison’s “Essay on + Witchcraft,” p. 166.] + </p> + <p> + But although individuals of the English Church might on some occasions be + justly accused of falling into lamentable errors on a subject where error + was so general, it was not an usual point of their professional character; + and it must be admitted that the most severe of the laws against + witchcraft originated with a Scottish King of England, and that the only + extensive persecution following that statute occurred during the time of + the Civil Wars, when the Calvinists obtained for a short period a + predominating influence in the councils of Parliament. + </p> + <p> + James succeeded to Elizabeth amidst the highest expectations on the part + of his new people, who, besides their general satisfaction at coming once + more under the rule of a king, were also proud of his supposed abilities + and real knowledge of books and languages, and were naturally, though + imprudently, disposed to gratify him by deferring to his judgment in + matters wherein his studies were supposed to have rendered him a special + proficient. Unfortunately, besides the more harmless freak of becoming a + prentice in the art of poetry, by which words and numbers were the only + sufferers, the monarch had composed a deep work upon Demonology, embracing + in their fullest extent the most absurd and gross of the popular errors on + this subject. He considered his crown and life as habitually aimed at by + the sworn slaves of Satan. Several had been executed for an attempt to + poison him by magical arts; and the turbulent Francis Stewart, Earl of + Bothwell, whose repeated attempts on his person had long been James’s + terror, had begun his course of rebellion by a consultation with the weird + sisters and soothsayers. Thus the king, who had proved with his pen the + supposed sorcerers to be the direct enemies of the Deity, and who + conceived he knew them from experience to be his own—who, moreover, + had upon much lighter occasions (as in the case of Vorstius) showed no + hesitation at throwing his royal authority into the scale to aid his + arguments—very naturally used his influence, when it was at the + highest, to extend and enforce the laws against a crime which he both + hated and feared. + </p> + <p> + The English statute against witchcraft, passed in the very first year of + that reign, is therefore of a most special nature, describing witchcraft + by all the various modes and ceremonies in which, according to King + James’s fancy, that crime could be perpetrated; each of which was declared + felony, without benefit of clergy. + </p> + <p> + This gave much wider scope to prosecution on the statute than had existed + under the milder acts of Elizabeth. Men might now be punished for the + practice of witchcraft, as itself a crime, without necessary reference to + the ulterior objects of the perpetrator. It is remarkable that in the same + year, when the legislature rather adopted the passions and fears of the + king than expressed their own by this fatal enactment, the Convocation of + the Church evinced a very different spirit; for, seeing the ridicule + brought on their sacred profession by forward and presumptuous men, in the + attempt to relieve demoniacs from a disease which was commonly occasioned + by natural causes, if not the mere creature of imposture, they passed a + canon, establishing that no minister or ministers should in future attempt + to expel any devil or devils, without the license of his bishop; thereby + virtually putting a stop to a fertile source of knavery among the people, + and disgraceful folly among the inferior churchmen. + </p> + <p> + The new statute of James does not, however, appear to have led at first to + many prosecutions. One of the most remarkable was (<i>proh pudor!</i>) + instigated by a gentleman, a scholar of classical taste, and a beautiful + poet, being no other than Edward Fairfax of Fayston, in Knaresborough + Forest, the translator of Tasso’s “Jerusalem Delivered.” In allusion to + his credulity on such subjects, Collins has introduced the following + elegant lines:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +“How have I sate while piped the pensive wind, + To hear thy harp, by British Fairfax strung; +Prevailing poet, whose undoubting mind + Believed the magic wonders which he sung!” + </pre> + <p> + Like Mr. Throgmorton in the Warbois case, Mr. Fairfax accused six of his + neighbours of tormenting his children by fits of an extraordinary kind, by + imps, and by appearing before the afflicted in their own shape during the + crisis of these operations. The admitting this last circumstance to be a + legitimate mode of proof, gave a most cruel advantage against the accused, + for it could not, according to the ideas of the demonologists, be confuted + even by the most distinct <i>alibi</i>. To a defence of that sort it was + replied that the afflicted person did not see the actual witch, whose + corporeal presence must indeed have been obvious to every one in the room + as well as to the afflicted, but that the evidence of the sufferers + related to the appearance of their <i>spectre</i>, or apparition; and this + was accounted a sure sign of guilt in those whose forms were so manifested + during the fits of the afflicted, and who were complained of and cried out + upon by the victim. The obvious tendency of this doctrine, as to visionary + or spectral evidence, as it was called, was to place the life and fame of + the accused in the power of any hypochondriac patient or malignant + impostor, who might either seem to see, or aver she saw, the <i>spectrum</i> + of the accused old man or old woman, as if enjoying and urging on the + afflictions which she complained of; and, strange to tell, the fatal + sentence was to rest, not upon the truth of the witnesses’ eyes, but that + of their imagination. It happened fortunately for Fairfax’s memory, that + the objects of his prosecution were persons of good character, and that + the judge was a man of sense, and made so wise and skilful a charge to the + jury, that they brought in a verdict of not guilty. + </p> + <p> + The celebrated case of “the Lancashire witches” (whose name was and will + be long remembered, partly from Shadwell’s play, but more from the + ingenious and well-merited compliment to the beauty of the females of that + province which it was held to contain), followed soon after. Whether the + first notice of this sorcery sprung from the idle head of a mischievous + boy, is uncertain; but there is no doubt that it was speedily caught up + and fostered for the purpose of gain. The original story ran thus:— + </p> + <p> + These Lancaster trials were at two periods, the one in 1613, before Sir + James Altham and Sir Edward Bromley, Barons of Exchequer, when nineteen + witches were tried at once at Lancaster, and another of the name of + Preston at York. The report against these people is drawn up by Thomas + Potts. An obliging correspondent sent me a sight of a copy of this curious + and rare book. The chief personage in the drama is Elizabeth Southam, a + witch redoubted under the name of Dembdike, an account of whom may be seen + in Mr. Roby’s “Antiquities of Lancaster,” as well as a description of + Maulkins’ Tower, the witches’ place of meeting. It appears that this + remote county was full of Popish recusants, travelling priests, and so + forth; and some of their spells are given in which the holy names and + things alluded to form a strange contrast with the purpose to which they + were applied, as to secure a good brewing of ale or the like. The public + imputed to the accused parties a long train of murders, conspiracies, + charms, mischances, hellish and damnable practices, “apparent,” says the + editor, “on their own examinations and confessions,” and, to speak the + truth, visible nowhere else. Mother Dembdike had the good luck to die + before conviction. Among other tales, we have one of two <i>female</i> + devils, called Fancy and Tib. It is remarkable that some of the + unfortunate women endeavoured to transfer the guilt from themselves to + others with whom they had old quarrels, which confessions were held good + evidence against those who made them, and against the alleged accomplice + also. Several of the unhappy women were found not guilty, to the great + displeasure of the ignorant people of the county. Such was the first + edition of the Lancashire witches. In that which follows the accusation + can be more clearly traced to the most villanous conspiracy. + </p> + <p> + About 1634 a boy called Edmund Robinson, whose father, a very poor man, + dwelt in Pendle Forest, the scene of the alleged witching, declared that + while gathering <i>bullees</i> (wild plums, perhaps) in one of the glades + of the forest, he saw two greyhounds, which he imagined to belong to + gentlemen in that neighbourhood. The boy reported that, seeing nobody + following them, he proposed to have a course; but though a hare was + started, the dogs refused to run. On this, young Robinson was about to + punish them with a switch, when one Dame Dickenson, a neighbour’s wife, + started up instead of the one greyhound; a little boy instead of the + other. The witness averred that Mother Dickenson offered him money to + conceal what he had seen, which he refused, saying “Nay, thou art a + witch.” Apparently she was determined he should have full evidence of the + truth of what he said, for, like the Magician Queen in the Arabian Tales, + she pulled out of her pocket a bridle and shook it over the head of the + boy who had so lately represented the other greyhound. He was directly + changed into a horse; Mother Dickenson mounted, and took Robinson before + her. They then rode to a large house or barn called Hourstoun, into which + Edmund Robinson entered with others. He there saw six or seven persons + pulling at halters, from which, as they pulled them, meat ready dressed + came flying in quantities, together with lumps of butter, porringers of + milk, and whatever else might, in the boy’s fancy, complete a rustic + feast. He declared that while engaged in the charm they made such ugly + faces and looked so fiendish that he was frightened. There was more to the + same purpose—as the boy’s having seen one of these hags sitting + half-way up his father’s chimney, and some such goodly matter. But it + ended in near a score of persons being committed to prison; and the + consequence was that young Robinson was carried from church to church in + the neighbourhood, that he might recognise the faces of any persons he had + seen at the rendezvous of witches. Old Robinson, who had been an evidence + against the former witches in 1613, went along with his son, and knew, + doubtless, how to make his journey profitable; and his son probably took + care to recognise none who might make a handsome consideration. “This + boy,” says Webster, “was brought into the church at Kildwick, a parish + church, where I, being then curate there, was preaching at the time, to + look about him, which made some little disturbance for the time.” After + prayers Mr. Webster sought and found the boy, and two very unlikely + persons, who, says he, “did conduct him and manage the business: I did + desire some discourse with the boy in private, but that they utterly + denied. In the presence of a great many many people I took the boy near me + and said, ‘Good boy, tell me truly and in earnest, didst thou hear and see + such strange things of the motions of the witches as many do report that + thou didst relate, or did not some person teach thee to say such things of + thyself?’ But the two men did pluck the boy from me, and said he had been + examined by two able justices of peace, and they never asked him such a + question. To whom I replied, ‘The persons accused had the more wrong.’” + The boy afterwards acknowledged, in his more advanced years, that he was + instructed and suborned to swear these things against the accused persons + by his father and others, and was heard often to confess that on the day + which he pretended to see the said witches at the house or barn, he was + gathering plums in a neighbour’s orchard.<a href="#linknote-56" + name="linknoteref-56" id="linknoteref-56"><small>56</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-56" id="linknote-56"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 56 (<a href="#linknoteref-56">return</a>)<br /> [ Webster on Witchcraft, + edition 1677, p. 278.] + </p> + <p> + There was now approaching a time when the law against witchcraft, + sufficiently bloody in itself, was to be pushed to more violent + extremities than the quiet scepticism of the Church of England clergy gave + way to. The great Civil War had been preceded and anticipated by the + fierce disputes of the ecclesiastical parties. The rash and ill-judged + attempt to enforce upon the Scottish a compliance with the government and + ceremonies of the High Church divines, and the severe prosecutions in the + Star Chamber and Prerogative Courts, had given the Presbyterian system for + a season a great degree of popularity in England; and as the King’s party + declined during the Civil War, and the state of church-government was + altered, the influence of the Calvinistic divines increased. With much + strict morality and pure practice of religion, it is to be regretted these + were still marked by unhesitating belief in the existence of sorcery, and + a keen desire to extend and enforce the legal penalties against it. Wier + has considered the clergy of every sect as being too eager in this species + of persecution: <i>Ad gravem hanc impietatem, connivent theologi plerique + omnes</i>. But it is not to be denied that the Presbyterian ecclesiastics + who, in Scotland, were often appointed by the Privy Council Commissioners + for the trial of witchcraft, evinced a very extraordinary degree of + credulity in such cases, and that the temporary superiority of the same + sect in England was marked by enormous cruelties of this kind. To this + general error we must impute the misfortune that good men, such as Calamy + and Baxter, should have countenanced or defended such proceedings as those + of the impudent and cruel wretch called Matthew Hopkins, who, in those + unsettled times, when men did what seemed good in their own eyes, assumed + the title of Witchfinder General, and, travelling through the counties of + Essex, Sussex, Norfolk, and Huntingdon, pretended to discover witches, + superintending their examination by the most unheard-of tortures, and + compelling forlorn and miserable wretches to admit and confess matters + equally absurd and impossible; the issue of which was the forfeiture of + their lives. Before examining these cases more minutely, I will quote + Baxter’s own words; for no one can have less desire to wrong a devout and + conscientious man, such as that divine most unquestionably was, though + borne aside on this occasion by prejudice and credulity. + </p> + <p> + “The hanging of a great number of witches in 1645 and 1646 is famously + known. Mr. Calamy went along with the judges on the circuit to hear their + confessions, and see there was no fraud or wrong done them. I spoke with + many understanding, pious, learned, and credible persons that lived in the + counties, and some that went to them in the prisons, and heard their sad + confessions. Among the rest an old <i>reading parson</i>, named Lowis, not + far from Framlingham, was one that was hanged, who confessed that he had + two imps, and that one of them was always putting him upon doing mischief; + and he, being near the sea, as he saw a ship under sail, it moved him to + send it to sink the ship; and he consented, and saw the ship sink before + them.” Mr. Baxter passes on to another story of a mother who gave her + child an imp like a mole, and told her to keep it in a can near the fire, + and she would never want; and more such stuff as nursery-maids tell + froward children to keep them quiet. + </p> + <p> + It is remarkable that in this passage Baxter names the Witchfinder General + rather slightly as “one Hopkins,” and without doing him the justice due to + one who had discovered more than one hundred witches, and brought them to + confessions, which that good man received as indubitable. Perhaps the + learned divine was one of those who believed that the Witchfinder General + had cheated the devil out of a certain memorandum-book, in which Satan, + for the benefit of his memory certainly, had entered all the witches’ + names in England, and that Hopkins availed himself of this record.<a + href="#linknote-57" name="linknoteref-57" id="linknoteref-57"><small>57</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-57" id="linknote-57"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 57 (<a href="#linknoteref-57">return</a>)<br /> [ This reproach is noticed + in a very rare tract, which was bought at Mr. Lort’s sale, by the + celebrated collector Mr. Bindley, and is now in the author’s possession. + Its full title is, “The Discovery of Witches, in Answer to several Queries + lately delivered to the Judge of Assize for the County of Norfolk; and now + published by Matthew Hopkins, Witchfinder, for the Benefit of the whole + Kingdom. Printed for R. Royston, at the Angel, in Inn Lane. 1647.”] + </p> + <p> + It may be noticed that times of misrule and violence seem to create + individuals fitted to take advantage from them, and having a character + suited to the seasons which raise them into notice and action; just as a + blight on any tree or vegetable calls to life a peculiar insect to feed + upon and enjoy the decay which it has produced. A monster like Hopkins + could only have existed during the confusion of civil dissension. He was + perhaps a native of Manningtree, in Essex; at any rate, he resided there + in the year 1644, when an epidemic outcry of witchcraft arose in that + town. Upon this occasion he had made himself busy, and, affecting more + zeal and knowledge than other men, learned his trade of a witchfinder, as + he pretends, from experiment. He was afterwards permitted to perform it as + a legal profession, and moved from one place to another, with an assistant + named Sterne, and a female. In his defence against an accusation of + fleecing the country, he declares his regular charge was twenty shillings + a town, including charges of living and journeying thither and back again + with his assistants. He also affirms that he went nowhere unless called + and invited. His principal mode of discovery was to strip the accused + persons naked, and thrust pins into various parts of their body, to + discover the witch’s mark, which was supposed to be inflicted by the devil + as a sign of his sovereignty, and at which she was also said to suckle her + imps. He also practised and stoutly defended the trial by swimming, when + the suspected person was wrapped in a sheet, having the great toes and + thumbs tied together, and so dragged through a pond or river. If she sank, + it was received in favour of the accused; but if the body floated (which + must have occurred ten times for once, if it was placed with care on the + surface of the water), the accused was condemned, on the principle of King + James, who, in treating of this mode of trial, lays down that, as witches + have renounced their baptism, so it is just that the element through which + the holy rite is enforced should reject them, which is a figure of speech, + and no argument. It was Hopkins’s custom to keep the poor wretches waking, + in order to prevent them from having encouragement from the devil, and, + doubtless, to put infirm, terrified, overwatched persons in the next state + to absolute madness; and for the same purpose they were dragged about by + their keepers till extreme weariness and the pain of blistered feet might + form additional inducements to confession. Hopkins confesses these last + practices of keeping the accused persons waking, and forcing them to walk + for the same purpose, had been originally used by him. But as his tract is + a professed answer to charges of cruelty and oppression, he affirms that + both practices were then disused, and that they had not of late been + resorted to. + </p> + <p> + The boast of the English nation is a manly independence and common-sense, + which will not long permit the license of tyranny or oppression on the + meanest and most obscure sufferers. Many clergymen and gentlemen made head + against the practices of this cruel oppressor of the defenceless, and it + required courage to do so when such an unscrupulous villain had so much + interest. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gaul, a clergyman, of Houghton, in Huntingdonshire, had the courage to + appear in print on the weaker side; and Hopkins, in consequence, assumed + the assurance to write to some functionaries of the place the following + letter, which is an admirable medley of impudence, bullying, and + cowardice:— + </p> + <p> + “My service to your worship presented.—I have this day received a + letter to come to a town called Great Houghton to search for evil-disposed + persons called witches (though I hear your minister is far against us, + through ignorance). I intend to come, God willing, the sooner to hear his + singular judgment in the behalf of such parties. I have known a minister + in Suffolk as much against this discovery in a pulpit, and forced to + recant it by the Committee<a href="#linknote-58" name="linknoteref-58" + id="linknoteref-58"><small>58</small></a> in the same place. I much marvel + such evil men should have any (much more any of the clergy, who should + daily speak terror to convince such offenders) stand up to take their + parts against such as are complainants for the king, and sufferers + themselves, with their families and estates. I intend to give your town a + visit suddenly. I will come to Kimbolton this week, and it will be ten to + one but I will come to your town first; but I would certainly know before + whether your town affords many sticklers for such cattle, or is willing to + give and allow us good welcome and entertainment, as others where I have + been, else I shall waive your shire (not as yet beginning in any part of + it myself), and betake me to such places where I do and may punish (not + only) without control, but with thanks and recompense. So I humbly take my + leave, and rest your servant to be commanded, + </p> + <h3> + “MATTHEW HOPKINS.” + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-58" id="linknote-58"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 58 (<a href="#linknoteref-58">return</a>)<br /> [ Of Parliament.] + </p> + <p> + The sensible and courageous Mr. Gaul describes the tortures employed by + this fellow as equal to any practised in the Inquisition. “Having taken + the suspected witch, she is placed in the middle of a room, upon a stool + or table, cross-legged, or in some other uneasy posture, to which, if she + submits not, she is then bound with cords; there she is watched and kept + without meat or sleep for four-and-twenty hours, for, they say, they shall + within that time see her imp come and suck. A little hole is likewise made + in the door for the imps to come in at; and lest they should come in some + less discernible shape, they that watch are taught to be ever and anon + sweeping the room, and if they see any spiders or flies, to kill them; and + if they cannot kill them, they may be sure they are their imps.” + </p> + <p> + If torture of this kind was applied to the Reverend Mr. Lewis, whose death + is too slightly announced by Mr. Baxter, we can conceive him, or any man, + to have indeed become so weary of his life as to acknowledge that, by + means of his imps, he sunk a vessel, without any purpose of gratification + to be procured to himself by such iniquity. But in another cause a judge + would have demanded some proof of the <i>corpus delecti</i>, some evidence + of a vessel being lost at the period, whence coming and whither bound; in + short, something to establish that the whole story was not the idle + imagination of a man who might have been entirely deranged, and certainly + was so at the time he made the admission. John Lewis was presented to the + vicarage of Brandiston, near Framlington, in Suffolk, 6th May, 1596, where + he lived about fifty years, till executed as a wizard on such evidence as + we have seen. Notwithstanding the story of his alleged confession, he + defended himself courageously at his trial, and was probably condemned + rather as a royalist and malignant than for any other cause. He showed at + the execution considerable energy, and to secure that the funeral service + of the church should be said over his body, he read it aloud for himself + while on the road to the gibbet. + </p> + <p> + We have seen that in 1647 Hopkins’s tone became lowered, and he began to + disavow some of the cruelties he had formerly practised. About the same + time a miserable old woman had fallen into the cruel hands of this + miscreant near Hoxne, a village in Suffolk, and had confessed all the + usual enormities, after being without food or rest a sufficient time. “Her + imp,” she said, “was called Nan.” A gentleman in the neighbourhood, whose + widow survived to authenticate the story, was so indignant that he went to + the house, took the woman out of such inhuman hands, dismissed the + witchfinders, and after due food and rest the poor old woman could + recollect nothing of the confession, but that she gave a favourite pullet + the name of Nan. For this Dr. Hutchison may be referred to, who quotes a + letter from the relict of the humane gentleman. + </p> + <p> + In the year 1645 a Commission of Parliament was sent down, comprehending + two clergymen in esteem with the leading party, one of whom, Mr. + Fairclough of Kellar, preached before the rest on the subject of + witchcraft; and after this appearance of enquiry the inquisitions and + executions went on as before. But the popular indignation was so strongly + excited against Hopkins, that some gentlemen seized on him, and put him to + his own favourite experiment of swimming, on which, as he happened to + float, he stood convicted of witchcraft, and so the country was rid of + him. Whether he was drowned outright or not does not exactly appear, but + he has had the honour to be commemorated by the author of Hudibras:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Hath not this present Parliament + A leiger to the devil sent, + Fully empower’d to treat about + Finding revolted witches out? + And has he not within a year + Hang’d threescore of them in one shire? + Some only for not being drown’d, + And some for sitting above ground + Whole days and nights upon their breeches, + And feeling pain, were hang’d for witches. + And some for putting knavish tricks + Upon green geese or turkey chicks; + Or pigs that suddenly deceased + Of griefs unnatural, as he guess’d, + Who proved himself at length a witch, + And made a rod for his own breech.” <a href="#linknote-59" + name="linknoteref-59" id="linknoteref-59">59</a> +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-59" id="linknote-59"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 59 (<a href="#linknoteref-59">return</a>)<br /> [ “Hudibras,” part ii. + canto 3.] + </p> + <p> + The understanding reader will easily conceive that this alteration of the + current in favour of those who disapproved of witch-prosecutions, must + have received encouragement from some quarter of weight and influence; yet + it may sound strangely enough that this spirit of lenity should have been + the result of the peculiar principles of those sectarians of all + denominations, classed in general as Independents, who, though they had + originally courted the Presbyterians as the more numerous and prevailing + party, had at length shaken themselves loose of that connexion, and + finally combated with and overcome them. The Independents were + distinguished by the wildest license in their religious tenets, mixed with + much that was nonsensical and mystical. They disowned even the title of a + regular clergy, and allowed the preaching of any one who could draw + together a congregation that would support him, or who was willing, + without recompense, to minister to the spiritual necessities of his + hearers. Although such laxity of discipline afforded scope to the wildest + enthusiasm, and room for all possible varieties of doctrine, it had, on + the other hand, this inestimable recommendation, that it contributed to a + degree of general toleration which was at that time unknown to any other + Christian establishment. The very genius of a religion which admitted of + the subdivision of sects <i>ad infinitum</i>, excluded a legal prosecution + of any one of these for heresy or apostasy. If there had even existed a + sect of Manichæans, who made it their practice to adore the Evil + Principle, it may be doubted whether the other sectaries would have + accounted them absolute outcasts from the pale of the church; and, + fortunately, the same sentiment induced them to regard with horror the + prosecutions against witchcraft. Thus the Independents, when, under + Cromwell, they attained a supremacy over the Presbyterians, who to a + certain point had been their allies, were disposed to counteract the + violence of such proceedings under pretence of witchcraft, as had been + driven forward by the wretched Hopkins, in Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk, + for three or four years previous to 1647. + </p> + <p> + The return of Charles II. to his crown and kingdom, served in some measure + to restrain the general and wholesale manner in which the laws against + witchcraft had been administered during the warmth of the Civil War. The + statute of the 1st of King James, nevertheless, yet subsisted; nor is it + in the least likely, considering the character of the prince, that he, to + save the lives of a few old men or women, would have run the risk of + incurring the odium of encouraging or sparing a crime still held in horror + by a great part of his subjects. The statute, however, was generally + administered by wise and skilful judges, and the accused had such a chance + of escape as the rigour of the absurd law permitted. + </p> + <p> + Nonsense, it is too obvious, remained in some cases predominant. In the + year 1663 an old dame, named Julian Coxe, was convicted chiefly on the + evidence of a huntsman, who declared on his oath, that he laid his + greyhounds on a hare, and coming up to the spot where he saw them mouth + her, there he found, on the other side of a bush, Julian Coxe lying + panting and breathless, in such a manner as to convince him that she had + been the creature which afforded him the course. The unhappy woman was + executed on this evidence. + </p> + <p> + Two years afterwards (1664), it is with regret we must quote the venerable + and devout Sir Matthew Hales, as presiding at a trial, in consequence of + which Amy Dunny and Rose Callender were hanged at Saint Edmondsbury. But + no man, unless very peculiarly circumstanced, can extricate himself from + the prejudices of his nation and age. The evidence against the accused was + laid, 1st, on the effect of spells used by ignorant persons to counteract + the supposed witchcraft; the use of which was, under the statute of James + I., as criminal as the act of sorcery which such counter-charms were meant + to neutralize, 2ndly, The two old women, refused even the privilege of + purchasing some herrings, having expressed themselves with angry + impatience, a child of the herring-merchant fell ill in consequence. + 3rdly, A cart was driven against the miserable cottage of Amy Dunny. She + scolded, of course; and shortly after the cart—(what a good driver + will scarce comprehend)—stuck fast in a gate, where its wheels + touched neither of the posts, and yet was moved easily forward on one of + the posts (by which it was <i>not</i> impeded) being cut down. 4thly, One + of the afflicted girls being closely muffled, went suddenly into a fit + upon being touched by one of the supposed witches. But upon another trial + it was found that the person so blindfolded fell into the same rage at the + touch of an unsuspected person. What perhaps sealed the fate of the + accused was the evidence of the celebrated Sir Thomas Browne, “that the + fits were natural, but heightened by the power of the devil co-operating + with the malice of witches;”—a strange opinion, certainly, from the + author of a treatise on “Vulgar Errors!”<a href="#linknote-60" + name="linknoteref-60" id="linknoteref-60"><small>60</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-60" id="linknote-60"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 60 (<a href="#linknoteref-60">return</a>)<br /> [ See the account of Sir T. + Browne in No. XIV. of the “Family Library” (“Lives of British + Physicians”), p. 60.] + </p> + <p> + But the torch of science was now fairly lighted, and gleamed in more than + one kingdom of the world, shooting its rays on every side, and catching at + all means which were calculated to increase the illumination. The Royal + Society, which had taken its rise at Oxford from a private association who + met in Dr. Wilkin’s chambers about the year 1652, was, the year after the + Restoration, incorporated by royal charter, and began to publish their + Transactions, and give a new and more rational character to the pursuits + of philosophy. + </p> + <p> + In France, where the mere will of the government could accomplish greater + changes, the consequence of an enlarged spirit of scientific discovery + was, that a decisive stop was put to the witch-prosecutions which had + heretofore been as common in that kingdom as in England. About the year + 1672 there was a general arrest of very many shepherds and others in + Normandy, and the Parliament of Rouen prepared to proceed in the + investigation with the usual severity. But an order, or <i>arret</i>, from + the king (Louis XIV.), with advice of his council, commanding all these + unfortunate persons to be set at liberty and protected, had the most + salutary effects all over the kingdom. The French Academy of Sciences was + also founded; and, in imitation, a society of learned Germans established + a similar institution at Leipsic. Prejudices, however old, were overawed + and controlled—much was accounted for on natural principles that had + hitherto been imputed to spiritual agency—everything seemed to + promise that farther access to the secrets of nature might be opened to + those who should prosecute their studies experimentally and by analysis—and + the mass of ancient opinions which overwhelmed the dark subject of which + we treat began to be derided and rejected by men of sense and education. + </p> + <p> + In many cases the prey was now snatched from the spoiler. A pragmatical + justice of peace in Somersetshire commenced a course of enquiry after + offenders against the statute of James I., and had he been allowed to + proceed, Mr. Hunt might have gained a name as renowned for witch-finding + as that of Mr. Hopkins; but his researches were stopped from higher + authority—the lives of the poor people arrested (twelve in number) + were saved, and the country remained at quiet, though the supposed witches + were suffered to live. The examinations attest some curious particulars, + which may be found in <i>Sadducismus Triumphatus</i>: for among the usual + string of froward, fanciful, or, as they were called, afflicted children, + brought forward to club their startings, starings, and screamings, there + appeared also certain remarkable confessions of the accused, from which we + learn that the Somerset Satan enlisted his witches, like a wily recruiting + sergeant, with one shilling in hand and twelve in promises; that when the + party of weird-sisters passed to the witch-meeting they used the magic + words, <i>Thout, tout, throughout, and about</i>; and that when they + departed they exclaimed, <i>Rentum, Tormentum</i>! We are further informed + that his Infernal Highness, on his departure, leaves a smell, and that (in + nursery-maid’s phrase) not a pretty one, behind him. Concerning this fact + we have a curious exposition by Mr. Glanville. “This,”—according to + that respectable authority, “seems to imply the reality of the business, + those ascititious particles which he held together in his sensible shape + being loosened at the vanishing, and so offending the nostrils by their + floating and diffusing themselves in the open air."<a href="#linknote-61" + name="linknoteref-61" id="linknoteref-61"><small>61</small></a> How much + are we bound to regret that Mr. Justice Hunt’s discovery “of this hellish + kind of witches,” in itself so clear and plain, and containing such + valuable information, should have been smothered by meeting with + opposition and discouragement from some then in authority! + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-61" id="linknote-61"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 61 (<a href="#linknoteref-61">return</a>)<br /> [ Glanville’s “Collection + of Relations.”] + </p> + <p> + Lord Keeper Guildford was also a stifler of the proceedings against + witches. Indeed, we may generally remark, during the latter part of the + seventeenth century, that where the judges were men of education and + courage, sharing in the information of the times, they were careful to + check the precipitate ignorance and prejudice of the juries, by giving + them a more precise idea of the indifferent value of confessions by the + accused themselves, and of testimony derived from the pretended visions of + those supposed to be bewitched. Where, on the contrary, judges shared with + the vulgar in their ideas of such fascination, or were contented to leave + the evidence with the jury, fearful to withstand the general cry too + common on such occasions, a verdict of guilty often followed. + </p> + <p> + We are informed by Roger North that a case of this kind happened at the + assizes in Exeter, where his brother, the Lord Chief Justice, did not + interfere with the crown trials, and the other judge left for execution a + poor old woman, condemned, as usual, on her own confession, and on the + testimony of a neighbour, who deponed that he saw a cat jump into the + accused person’s cottage window at twilight, one evening, and that he + verily believed the said cat to be the devil; on which precious testimony + the poor wretch was accordingly hanged. On another occasion, about the + same time, the passions of the great and little vulgar were so much + excited by the aquittal of an aged village dame, whom the judge had taken + some pains to rescue, that Sir John Long, a man of rank and fortune, came + to the judge in the greatest perplexity, requesting that the hag might not + be permitted to return to her miserable cottage on his estates, since all + his tenants had in that case threatened to leave him. In compassion to a + gentleman who apprehended ruin from a cause so whimsical, the dangerous + old woman was appointed to be kept by the town where she was acquitted, at + the rate of half-a-crown a week, paid by the parish to which she belonged. + But behold! in the period betwixt the two assizes Sir John Long and his + farmers had mustered courage enough to petition that this witch should be + sent back to them in all her terrors, because they could support her among + them at a shilling a week cheaper than they were obliged to pay to the + town for her maintenance. In a subsequent trial before Lord Chief Justice + North himself, that judge detected one of those practices which, it is to + be feared, were too common at the time, when witnesses found their + advantage in feigning themselves bewitched. A woman, supposed to be the + victim of the male sorcerer at the bar, vomited pins in quantities, and + those straight, differing from the crooked pins usually produced at such + times, and less easily concealed in the mouth. The judge, however, + discovered, by cross-examining a candid witness, that in counterfeiting + her fits of convulsion the woman sunk her head on her breast, so as to + take up with her lips the pins which she had placed ready in her + stomacher. The man was acquitted, of course. A frightful old hag, who was + present, distinguished herself so much by her benedictions on the judge, + that he asked the cause of the peculiar interest which she took in the + acquittal. “Twenty years ago,” said the poor woman, “they would have + hanged me for a witch, but could not; and now, but for your lordship, they + would have murdered my innocent son."<a href="#linknote-62" + name="linknoteref-62" id="linknoteref-62"><small>62</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-62" id="linknote-62"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 62 (<a href="#linknoteref-62">return</a>)<br /> [ Roger North’s “Life of + Lord-Keeper Guilford.”] + </p> + <p> + Such scenes happened frequently on the assizes, while country gentlemen, + like the excellent Sir Roger de Coverley, retained a private share in the + terror with which their tenants, servants, and retainers regarded some old + Moll White, who put the hounds at fault and ravaged the fields with hail + and hurricanes. Sir John Reresby, after an account of a poor woman tried + for a witch at York in 1686 and acquitted, as he thought, very properly, + proceeds to tell us that, notwithstanding, the sentinel upon the jail + where she was confined avowed “that he saw a scroll of paper creep from + under the prison-door, and then change itself first into a monkey and then + into a turkey, which the under-keeper confirmed. This,” says Sir John, “I + have heard from the mouth of both, and now leave it to be believed or + disbelieved as the reader may be inclined."<a href="#linknote-63" + name="linknoteref-63" id="linknoteref-63"><small>63</small></a> We may see + that Reresby, a statesman and a soldier, had not as yet “plucked the old + woman out of his heart.” Even Addison himself ventured no farther in his + incredulity respecting this crime than to contend that although witchcraft + might and did exist, there was no such thing as a modern instance + competently proved. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-63" id="linknote-63"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 63 (<a href="#linknoteref-63">return</a>)<br /> [ “Memoirs of Sir John + Reresby,” p. 237.] + </p> + <p> + As late as 1682 three unhappy women named Susan Edwards, Mary Trembles, + and Temperance Lloyd were hanged at Exeter for witchcraft, and, as usual, + on their own confession. This is believed to be the last execution of the + kind in England under form of judicial sentence. But the ancient + superstition, so interesting to vulgar credulity, like sediment clearing + itself from water, sunk down in a deeper shade upon the ignorant and + lowest classes of society in proportion as the higher regions were + purified from its influence. The populace, including the ignorant of every + class, were more enraged against witches when their passions were once + excited in proportion to the lenity exercised towards the objects of their + indignation by those who administered the laws. Several cases occurred in + which the mob, impressed with a conviction of the guilt of some destitute + old creatures, took the law into their own hands, and proceeding upon such + evidence as Hopkins would have had recourse to, at once, in their own + apprehension, ascertained their criminality and administered the deserved + punishment. + </p> + <p> + The following instance of such illegal and inhuman proceedings occurred at + Oakly, near Bedford, on 12th July, 1707. There was one woman, upwards of + sixty years of age, who, being under an imputation of witchcraft, was + desirous to escape from so foul a suspicion, and to conciliate the + good-will of her neighbours, by allowing them to duck her. The parish + officers so far consented to their humane experiment as to promise the + poor woman a guinea if she should clear herself by sinking. The + unfortunate object was tied up in a wet sheet, her thumbs and great toes + were bound together, her cap torn off, and all her apparel searched for + pins; for there is an idea that a single pin spoils the operation of the + charm. She was then dragged through the river Ouse by a rope tied round + her middle. Unhappily for the poor woman, her body floated, though her + head remained under water. The experiment was made three times with the + same effect. The cry to hang or drown the witch then became general, and + as she lay half-dead on the bank they loaded the wretch with reproaches, + and hardly forbore blows. A single humane bystander took her part, and + exposed himself to rough usage for doing so. Luckily one of the mob + themselves at length suggested the additional experiment of weighing the + witch against the church Bible. The friend of humanity caught at this + means of escape, supporting the proposal by the staggering argument that + the Scripture, being the work of God himself, must outweigh necessarily + all the operations or vassals of the devil. The reasoning was received as + conclusive, the more readily as it promised a new species of amusement. + The woman was then weighed against a church Bible of twelve pounds jockey + weight, and as she was considerably preponderant, was dismissed with + honour. But many of the mob counted her acquittal irregular, and would + have had the poor dame drowned or hanged on the result of her ducking, as + the more authentic species of trial. + </p> + <p> + At length a similar piece of inhumanity, which had a very different + conclusion, led to the final abolition of the statute of James I. as + affording countenance for such brutal proceedings. An aged pauper, named + Osborne, and his wife, who resided near Tring, in Staffordshire, fell + under the suspicion of the mob on account of supposed witchcraft. The + overseers of the poor, understanding that the rabble entertained a purpose + of swimming these infirm creatures, which indeed they had expressed in a + sort of proclamation, endeavoured to oppose their purpose by securing the + unhappy couple in the vestry-room, which they barricaded. They were + unable, however, to protect them in the manner they intended. The mob + forced the door, seized the accused, and, with ineffable brutality, + continued dragging the wretches through a pool of water till the woman + lost her life. A brute in human form, who had superintended the murder, + went among the spectators, and requested money for the sport he had shown + them! The life of the other victim was with great difficulty saved. Three + men were tried for their share in this inhuman action. Only one of them, + named Colley, was condemned and hanged. When he came to execution, the + rabble, instead of crowding round the gallows as usual, stood at a + distance, and abused those who were putting to death, they said, an honest + fellow for ridding the parish of an accursed witch. This abominable murder + was committed July 30, 1751. + </p> + <p> + The repetition of such horrors, the proneness of the people to so cruel + and heart-searing a superstition, was traced by the legislature to its + source, namely, the yet unabolished statute of James I. Accordingly, by + the 9th George II. cap. 5, that odious law, so long the object of horror + to all ancient and poverty-stricken females in the kingdom, was abrogated, + and all criminal procedure on the subject of sorcery or witchcraft + discharged in future throughout Great Britain; reserving for such as + should pretend to the skill of fortune-tellers, discoverers of stolen + goods, or the like, the punishment of the correction-house, as due to + rogues and vagabonds. Since that period witchcraft has been little heard + of in England, and although the belief in its existence has in remote + places survived the law that recognised the evidence of the crime, and + assigned its punishment—yet such faith is gradually becoming + forgotten since the rabble have been deprived of all pretext to awaken it + by their own riotous proceedings. Some rare instances have occurred of + attempts similar to that for which Colley suffered; and I observe one is + preserved in that curious register of knowledge, Mr. Hone’s “Popular + Amusements,” from which it appears that as late as the end of last century + this brutality was practised, though happily without loss of life. + </p> + <p> + The Irish statute against witchcraft still exists, as it would seem. + Nothing occurred in that kingdom which recommended its being formally + annulled; but it is considered as obsolete, and should so wild a thing be + attempted in the present day, no procedure, it is certain, would now be + permitted to lie upon it. + </p> + <p> + If anything were wanted to confirm the general proposition that the + epidemic terror of witchcraft increases and becomes general in proportion + to the increase of prosecutions against witches, it would be sufficient to + quote certain extraordinary occurrences in New England. Only a brief + account can be here given of the dreadful hallucination under which the + colonists of that province were for a time deluded and oppressed by a + strange contagious terror, and how suddenly and singularly it was cured, + even by its own excess; but it is too strong evidence of the imaginary + character of this hideous disorder to be altogether suppressed. + </p> + <p> + New England, as is well known, was peopled mainly by emigrants who had + been disgusted with the government of Charles I. in church and state, + previous to the great Civil War. Many of the more wealthy settlers were + Presbyterians and Calvinists; others, fewer in number and less influential + from their fortune, were Quakers, Anabaptists, or members of the other + sects who were included under the general name of Independents. The + Calvinists brought with them the same zeal for religion and strict + morality which everywhere distinguished them. Unfortunately, they were not + wise according to their zeal, but entertained a proneness to believe in + supernatural and direct personal intercourse between the devil and his + vassals, an error to which, as we have endeavoured to show, their brethren + in Europe had from the beginning been peculiarly subject. In a country + imperfectly cultivated, and where the partially improved spots were + embosomed in inaccessible forests, inhabited by numerous tribes of + savages, it was natural that a disposition to superstition should rather + gain than lose ground, and that to other dangers and horrors with which + they were surrounded, the colonists should have added fears of the devil, + not merely as the Evil Principle tempting human nature to sin, and thus + endangering our salvation, but as combined with sorcerers and witches to + inflict death and torture upon children and others. + </p> + <p> + The first case which I observe was that of four children of a person + called John Goodwin, a mason. The eldest, a girl, had quarrelled with the + laundress of the family about some linen which was amissing. The mother of + the laundress, an ignorant, testy, and choleric old Irishwoman, scolded + the accuser; and shortly after, the elder Goodwin, her sister and two + brothers, were seized with such strange diseases that all their neighbours + concluded they were bewitched. They conducted themselves as those supposed + to suffer under maladies created by such influence were accustomed to do. + They stiffened their necks so hard at one time that the joints could not + be moved; at another time their necks were so flexible and supple that it + seemed the bone was dissolved. They had violent convulsions, in which + their jaws snapped with the force of a spring-trap set for vermin. Their + limbs were curiously contorted, and to those who had a taste for the + marvellous, seemed entirely dislocated and displaced. Amid these + distortions, they cried out against the poor old woman, whose name was + Glover, alleging that she was in presence with them adding to their + torments. The miserable Irishwoman, who hardly could speak the English + language, repeated her Pater Noster and Ave Maria like a good Catholic; + but there were some words which she had forgotten. She was therefore + supposed to be unable to pronounce the whole consistently and correctly, + and condemned and executed accordingly. + </p> + <p> + But the children of Goodwin found the trade they were engaged in to be too + profitable to be laid aside, and the eldest in particular continued all + the external signs of witchcraft and possession. Some of these were + excellently calculated to flatter the self-opinion and prejudices of the + Calvinist ministers by whom she was attended, and accordingly bear in + their very front the character of studied and voluntary imposture. The + young woman, acting, as was supposed, under the influence of the devil, + read a Quaker treatise with ease and apparent satisfaction; but a book + written against the poor inoffensive Friends the devil would not allow his + victim to touch, She could look on a Church of England Prayer-book, and + read the portions of Scripture which it contains without difficulty or + impediment; but the spirit which possessed her threw her into fits if she + attempted to read the same Scriptures from the Bible, as if the awe which + it is supposed the fiends entertain for Holy Writ depended, not on the + meaning of the words, but the arrangement of the page, and the type in + which they were printed. This singular species of flattery was designed to + captivate the clergyman through his professional opinions; others were + more strictly personal. The afflicted damsel seems to have been somewhat + of the humour of the Inamorata of Messrs. Smack, Pluck, Catch, and + Company, and had, like her, merry as well as melancholy fits. She often + imagined that her attendant spirits brought her a handsome pony to ride + off with them to their rendezvous. On such occasions she made a spring + upwards, as if to mount her horse, and then, still seated on her chair, + mimicked with dexterity and agility the motions of the animal pacing, + trotting, and galloping, like a child on the nurse’s knee; but when she + cantered in this manner upstairs, she affected inability to enter the + clergyman’s study, and when she was pulled into it by force, used to + become quite well, and stand up as a rational being. “Reasons were given + for this,” says the simple minister, “that seem more kind than true.” + Shortly after this, she appears to have treated the poor divine with a + species of sweetness and attention, which gave him greater embarrassment + than her former violence. She used to break in upon him at his studies to + importune him to come downstairs, and thus advantaged doubtless the + kingdom of Satan by the interruption of his pursuits. At length the + Goodwins were, or appeared to be, cured. But the example had been given + and caught, and the blood of poor Dame Glover, which had been the + introduction to this tale of a hobby-horse, was to be the forerunner of + new atrocities and fearfully more general follies. + </p> + <p> + This scene opened by the illness of two girls, a daughter and niece of Mr. + Parvis, the minister of Salem, who fell under an affliction similar to + that of the Goodwins. Their mouths were stopped, their throats choked, + their limbs racked, thorns were stuck into their flesh, and pins were + ejected from their stomachs. An Indian and his wife, servants of the + family, endeavouring, by some spell of their own, to discover by whom the + fatal charm had been imposed on their master’s children, drew themselves + under suspicion, and were hanged. The judges and juries persevered, + encouraged by the discovery of these poor Indians’ guilt, and hoping they + might thus expel from the colony the authors of such practices. They + acted, says Mather, the historian, under a conscientious wish to do + justly; but the cases of witchcraft and possession increased as if they + were transmitted by contagion, and the same sort of spectral evidence + being received which had occasioned the condemnation of the Indian woman + Titu, became generally fatal. The afflicted persons failed not to see the + spectres, as they were termed, of the persons by whom they were tormented. + Against this species of evidence no <i>alibi</i> could be offered, because + it was admitted, as we have said elsewhere, that the real persons of the + accused were not there present; and everything rested upon the assumption + that the afflicted persons were telling the truth, since their evidence + could not be redargued. These spectres were generally represented as + offering their victims a book, on signing which they would be freed from + their torments. Sometimes the devil appeared in person, and added his own + eloquence to move the afflicted persons to consent. + </p> + <p> + At first, as seems natural enough, the poor and miserable alone were + involved; but presently, when such evidence was admitted as + incontrovertible, the afflicted began to see the spectral appearances of + persons of higher condition and of irreproachable lives, some of whom were + arrested, some made their escape, while several were executed. The more + that suffered the greater became the number of afflicted persons, and the + wider and the more numerous were the denunciations against supposed + witches. The accused were of all ages. A child of five years old was + indicted by some of the afflicted, who imagined they saw this juvenile + wizard active in tormenting them, and appealed to the mark of little teeth + on their bodies, where they stated it had bitten them. A poor dog was also + hanged as having been alleged to be busy in this infernal persecution. + These gross insults on common reason occasioned a revulsion in public + feeling, but not till many lives had been sacrificed. By this means + nineteen men and women were executed, besides a stouthearted man named + Cory, who refused to plead, and was accordingly pressed to death according + to the old law. On this horrible occasion a circumstance took place + disgusting to humanity, which must yet be told, to show how superstition + can steel the heart of a man against the misery of his fellow-creature. + The dying man, in the mortal agony, thrust out his tongue, which the + sheriff crammed with his cane back again into his mouth. Eight persons + were condemned besides those who had actually suffered, and no less than + two hundred were in prison and under examination. + </p> + <p> + Men began then to ask whether the devil might not artfully deceive the + afflicted into the accusation of good and innocent persons by presenting + witches and fiends in the resemblance of blameless persons, as engaged in + the tormenting of their diseased country-folk. This argument was by no + means inconsistent with the belief in witchcraft, and was the more readily + listened to on that account. Besides, men found that no rank or condition + could save them from the danger of this horrible accusation if they + continued to encourage the witnesses in such an unlimited course as had + hitherto been granted to them. Influenced by these reflections, the + settlers awoke as from a dream, and the voice of the public, which had so + lately demanded vengeance on all who were suspected of sorcery, began now, + on the other hand, to lament the effusion of blood, under the strong + suspicion that part of it at least had been innocently and unjustly + sacrificed. In Mather’s own language, which we use as that of a man deeply + convinced of the reality of the crime, “experience showed that the more + were apprehended the more were still afflicted by Satan, and the number of + confessions increasing did but increase the number of the accused, and the + execution of some made way to the apprehension of others. For still the + afflicted complained of being tormented by new objects as the former were + removed, so that some of those that were concerned grew amazed at the + number and condition of those that were accused, and feared that Satan, by + his wiles, had enwrapped innocent persons under the imputation of that + crime; and at last, as was evidently seen, there must be a stop put, or + the generation of the kingdom of God would fall under condemnation."<a + href="#linknote-64" name="linknoteref-64" id="linknoteref-64"><small>64</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-64" id="linknote-64"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 64 (<a href="#linknoteref-64">return</a>)<br /> [ Mather’s “Magnalia,” book + vi. chap. lxxxii. The zealous author, however, regrets the general gaol + delivery on the score of sorcery and thinks, had the times been calm, the + case might have required a farther investigation, and that, on the whole, + the matter was ended too abruptly But, the temper of the times considered, + he admits candidly that it is better to act moderately in matters capital, + and to let the guilty escape, than run the risk of destroying the + innocent.] + </p> + <p> + The prosecutions were therefore suddenly stopped, the prisoners dismissed, + the condemned pardoned, and even those who had confessed, the number of + whom was very extraordinary, were pardoned amongst others; and the author + we have just quoted thus records the result:—“When this prosecution + ceased, the Lord so chained up Satan that the afflicted grew presently + well. The accused were generally quiet, and for five years there was no + such molestation among us.” + </p> + <p> + To this it must be added that the congregation of Salem compelled Mr. + Parvis, in whose family the disturbance had begun, and who, they alleged, + was the person by whom it was most fiercely driven on in the commencement, + to leave his settlement amongst them. Such of the accused as had confessed + the acts of witchcraft imputed to them generally denied and retracted + their confessions, asserting them to have been made under fear of torture, + influence of persuasion, or other circumstances exclusive of their free + will. Several of the judges and jurors concerned in the sentence of those + who were executed published their penitence for their rashness in + convicting these unfortunate persons; and one of the judges, a man of the + most importance in the colony, observed, during the rest of his life, the + anniversary of the first execution as a day of solemn fast and humiliation + for his own share in the transaction. Even the barbarous Indians were + struck with wonder at the infatuation of the English colonists on this + occasion, and drew disadvantageous comparisons between them and the + French, among whom, as they remarked, “the Great Spirit sends no witches.” + </p> + <p> + The system of witchcraft, as believed in Scotland, must next claim our + attention, as it is different in some respects from that of England, and + subsisted to a later period, and was prosecuted with much more severity. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER IX. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Scottish Trials—Earl of Mar—Lady Glammis—William Barton—Witches + of Auldearne—Their Rites and Charms—Their Transformation into + Hares—Satan’s Severity towards them—Their Crimes—Sir George + Mackenzie’s Opinion of Witchcraft—Instances of Confessions made by + the Accused, in despair, and to avoid future annoyance and + persecution—Examination by Pricking—The Mode of Judicial Procedure + against Witches, and nature of the Evidence admissible, opened a + door to Accusers, and left the Accused no chance of escape—The + Superstition of the Scottish Clergy in King James VI.‘s time led + them, like their Sovereign, to encourage Witch-Prosecutions—Case of + Bessie Graham—Supposed Conspiracy to Shipwreck James in his Voyage + to Denmark—Meetings of the Witches, and Rites performed to + accomplish their purpose—Trial of Margaret Barclay in 1618—Case of + Major Weir—Sir John Clerk among the first who declined acting as + Commissioner on the Trial of a Witch—Paisley and Pittenweem + Witches—A Prosecution in Caithness prevented by the Interference of + the King’s Advocate in 1718—The Last Sentence of Death for + Witchcraft pronounced in Scotland in 1722—Remains of the Witch + Superstition—Case of supposed Witchcraft, related from the Author’s + own knowledge, which took place so late as 1800. +</pre> + <p class="pfirst"> + <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">F</span>or many years the + Scottish nation had been remarkable for a credulous belief in witchcraft, + and repeated examples were supplied by the annals of sanguinary executions + on this sad accusation. Our acquaintance with the slender foundation on + which Boetius and Buchanan reared the early part of their histories may + greatly incline us to doubt whether a king named Duffus ever reigned in + Scotland, and, still more, whether he died by the agency of a gang of + witches, who inflicted torments upon an image made in his name, for the + sake of compassing his death. In the tale of Macbeth, which is another + early instance of Demonology in Scottish history, the weird-sisters, who + were the original prophetesses, appeared to the usurper in a dream, and + are described as <i>volæ</i>, or sibyls, rather than as witches, though + Shakspeare has stamped the latter character indelibly upon them. + </p> + <p> + One of the earliest real cases of importance founded upon witchcraft was, + like those of the Duchess of Gloucester and others in the sister country, + mingled with an accusation of a political nature, which, rather than the + sorcery, brought the culprits to their fate. The Earl of Mar, brother of + James III. of Scotland, fell under the king’s suspicion for consulting + with witches and sorcerers how to shorten the king’s days. On such a + charge, very inexplicitly stated, the unhappy Mar was bled to death in his + own lodgings without either trial or conviction; immediately after which + catastrophe twelve women of obscure rank and three or four wizards, or + warlocks, as they were termed, were burnt at Edinburgh, to give a colour + to the Earl’s guilt. + </p> + <p> + In the year 1537 a noble matron fell a victim to a similar charge. This + was Janet Douglas, Lady Glammis, who, with her son, her second husband, + and several others, stood accused of attempting James’s life by poison, + with a view to the restoration of the Douglas family, of which Lady + Glammis’s brother, the Earl of Angus, was the head. She died much pitied + by the people, who seem to have thought the articles against her forged + for the purpose of taking her life, her kindred and very name being so + obnoxious to the King. + </p> + <p> + Previous to this lady’s execution there would appear to have been but few + prosecuted to death on the score of witchcraft, although the want of the + justiciary records of that period leaves us in uncertainty. But in the end + of the fifteenth and beginning of the sixteenth centuries, when such + charges grew general over Europe, cases of the kind occurred very often in + Scotland, and, as we have already noticed, were sometimes of a peculiar + character. There is, indeed, a certain monotony in most tales of the kind. + The vassals are usually induced to sell themselves at a small price to the + Author of Ill, who, having commonly to do with women, drives a very hard + bargain. On the contrary, when he was pleased to enact the female on a + similar occasion, he brought his gallant, one William Barton, a fortune of + no less than fifteen pounds, which, even supposing it to have been the + Scottish denomination of coin, was a very liberal endowment compared with + his niggardly conduct towards the fair sex on such an occasion. Neither + did he pass false coin on this occasion, but, on the contrary, generously + gave Burton a merk, to keep the fifteen pounds whole. In observing on + Satan’s conduct in this matter, Master George Sinclair observes that it is + fortunate the Enemy is but seldom permitted to bribe so high (as £15 + Scots); for were this the case, he might find few men or women capable of + resisting his munificence. I look upon this as one of the most severe + reflections on our forefathers’ poverty which is extant. + </p> + <p> + In many of the Scottish witches’ trials, as to the description of Satan’s + Domdaniel, and the Sabbath which he there celebrates, the northern + superstition agrees with that of England. But some of the confessions + depart from the monotony of repetition, and add some more fanciful + circumstances than occur in the general case. Isobel Gowdie’s confession, + already mentioned, is extremely minute, and some part of it at least may + be quoted, as there are other passages not very edifying. The witches of + Auldearne, according to this penitent, were so numerous, that they were + told off into squads, or <i>covines</i>, as they were termed, to each of + which were appointed two officers. One of these was called the Maiden of + the Covine, and was usually, like Tam o’ Shanter’s Nannie, a girl of + personal attractions, whom Satan placed beside himself, and treated with + particular attention, which greatly provoked the spite of the old hags, + who felt themselves insulted by the preference.<a href="#linknote-65" + name="linknoteref-65" id="linknoteref-65"><small>65</small></a> When + assembled, they dug up graves, and possessed themselves of the carcases + (of unchristened infants in particular), whose joints and members they + used in their magic unguents and salves. When they desired to secure for + their own use the crop of some neighbour, they made a pretence of + ploughing it with a yoke of paddocks. These foul creatures drew the + plough, which was held by the devil himself. The plough-harness and soams + were of quicken grass, the sock and coulter were made out of a riglen’s + horn, and the covine attended on the operation, praying the devil to + transfer to them the fruit of the ground so traversed, and leave the + proprietors nothing but thistles and briars. The witches’ sports, with + their elfin archery, I have already noticed (page 136). They entered the + house of the Earl of Murray himself, and such other mansions as were not + fenced against them by vigil and prayer, and feasted on the provisions + they found there. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-65" id="linknote-65"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 65 (<a href="#linknoteref-65">return</a>)<br /> [ This word Covine seems to + signify a subdivision or squad. The tree near the front of an ancient + castle was called the <i>Covine tree</i>, probably because the lord + received his company there. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +“He is lord of the hunting horn, + And king of the Covine tree; +He’s well loo’d in the western waters, + But best of his ain minnie.”] +</pre> + <p> + As these witches were the countrywomen of the weird sisters in Macbeth, + the reader may be desirous to hear some of their spells, and of the poetry + by which they were accompanied and enforced. They used to hash the flesh + of an unchristened child, mixed with that of dogs and sheep, and place it + in the house of those whom they devoted to destruction in body or goods, + saying or singing— + </p> + <p> + “We put this intill this hame, In our lord the Devil’s name; The first + hands that handle thee, Burn’d and scalded may they be! We will destroy + houses and hald, With the sheep and nolt into the fauld; And little sall + come to the fore, Of all the rest of the little store!” + </p> + <p> + Metamorphoses were, according to Isobel, very common among them, and the + forms of crows, cats, hares, and other animals, were on such occasions + assumed. In the hare shape Isobel herself had a bad adventure. She had + been sent by the devil to Auldearne in that favourite disguise, with some + message to her neighbours, but had the misfortune to meet Peter Papley of + Killhill’s servants going to labour, having his hounds with them. The + hounds sprung on the disguised witch, “and I,” says Isobel, “run a very + long time, but being hard pressed, was forced to take to my own house, the + door being open, and there took refuge behind a chest.” But the hounds + came in and took the other side of the chest, so that Isobel only escaped + by getting into another house, and gaining time to say the disenchanting + rhyme:— + </p> + <p> + “Hare, hare, God send thee care! I am in a hare’s likeness now; But I + shall be a woman even now— Hare, hare, God send thee care!” + </p> + <p> + Such accidents, she said, were not uncommon, and the witches were + sometimes bitten by the dogs, of which the marks remained after their + restoration to human shape. But none had been killed on such occasions. + </p> + <p> + The ceremonial of the Sabbath meetings was very strict. The Foul Fiend was + very rigid in exacting the most ceremonious attention from his votaries, + and the title of Lord when addressed by them. Sometimes, however, the + weird sisters, when whispering amongst themselves, irreverently spoke of + their sovereign by the name of Black John; upon such occasions the Fiend + rushed on them like a schoolmaster who surprises his pupils in delict, and + beat and buffeted them without mercy or discretion, saying, “I ken weel + eneugh what you are saying of me.” Then might be seen the various tempers + of those whom he commanded. Alexander Elder, in Earlseat, often fell under + his lord’s displeasure for neglect of duty, and, being weak and simple, + could never defend himself save with tears, cries, and entreaties for + mercy; but some of the women, according to Isobel Gowdie’s confession, had + more of the spirit which animated the old dame of Kellyburn Braes. + Margaret Wilson, in Auldearne, would “defend herself finely,” and make her + hands save her head, after the old Scottish manner. Bessie Wilson could + also speak very crustily with her tongue, and “belled the cat” with the + devil stoutly. The others chiefly took refuge in crying “Pity! mercy!” and + such like, while Satan kept beating them with wool cards and other sharp + scourges, without attending to their entreaties or complaints. There were + attendant devils and imps, who served the witches. They were usually + distinguished by their liveries, which were sad-dun, grass-green, + sea-green, and yellow. The witches were taught to call these imps by + names, some of which might belong to humanity, while others had a + diabolical sound. These were Robert the Jakis, Saunders the Red Reaver, + Thomas the Feary, Swein, an old Scandinavian Duerg probably; the Roaring + Lion, Thief of Hell, Wait-upon-Herself, MacKeeler, Robert the Rule, + Hendrie Craig, and Rorie. These names, odd and uncouth enough, are better + imagined at least than those which Hopkins contrived for the imps which he + discovered—such as Pyewacket, Peck-in-the-Crown, Sack-and-Sugar, + News, Vinegar-Tom, and Grizell Greedigut, the broad vulgarity of which + epithets shows what a flat imagination he brought to support his impudent + fictions. + </p> + <p> + The devil, who commanded the fair sisterhood, being fond of mimicking the + forms of the Christian church, used to rebaptize the witches with their + blood, and in his own great name. The proud-stomached Margaret Wilson, who + scorned to take a blow unrepaid, even from Satan himself, was called + Pickle-nearest-the-Wind; her compeer, Bessie Wilson, was + Throw-the-Cornyard; Elspet Nishe’s was Bessie Bald; Bessie Hay’s nickname + was Able-and-Stout; and Jane Mairten, the Maiden of the Covine, was called + Ower-the-Dike-with-it. + </p> + <p> + Isobel took upon herself, and imputed to her sisters, as already + mentioned, the death of sundry persons shot with elf-arrows, because they + had omitted to bless themselves as the aerial flight of the hags swept + past them.<a href="#linknote-66" name="linknoteref-66" id="linknoteref-66"><small>66</small></a> + She had herself the temerity to shoot at the Laird of Park as he was + riding through a ford, but missed him through the influence of the running + stream, perhaps, for which she thanks God in her confession; and adds, + that at the time she received a great cuff from Bessie Hay for her + awkwardness. They devoted the male children of this gentleman (of the + well-known family of Gordon of Park, I presume) to wasting illness, by the + following lines, placing at the same time in the fire figures composed of + clay mixed with paste, to represent the object:— + </p> + <p> + “We put this water amongst this meal, For long dwining<a + href="#linknote-67" name="linknoteref-67" id="linknoteref-67"><small>67</small></a> + and ill heal; We put it in into the fire, To burn them up stook and stour.<a + href="#linknote-68" name="linknoteref-68" id="linknoteref-68"><small>68</small></a> + That they be burned with our will, Like any stikkle<a href="#linknote-69" + name="linknoteref-69" id="linknoteref-69"><small>69</small></a> in a + kiln.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-66" id="linknote-66"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 66 (<a href="#linknoteref-66">return</a>)<br /> [ See p. 136.] + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-67" id="linknote-67"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 67 (<a href="#linknoteref-67">return</a>)<br /> [ Pining.] + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-68" id="linknote-68"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 68 (<a href="#linknoteref-68">return</a>)<br /> [ We should read perhaps, + “limb and lire.”] + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-69" id="linknote-69"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 69 (<a href="#linknoteref-69">return</a>)<br /> [ Stubble.] + </p> + <p> + Such was the singular confession of Isobel Gowdie, made voluntarily, it + would seem, and without compulsion of any kind, judicially authenticated + by the subscription of the notary, clergymen, and gentlemen present; + adhered to after their separate <i>diets</i>, as they are called, of + examination, and containing no variety or contradiction in its details. + Whatever might be her state of mind in other respects, she seems to have + been perfectly conscious of the perilous consequence of her disclosures to + her own person. “I do not deserve,” says she, “to be seated here at ease + and unharmed, but rather to be stretched on an iron rack: nor can my + crimes be atoned for, were I to be drawn asunder by wild horses.” + </p> + <p> + It only remains to suppose that this wretched creature was under the + dominion of some peculiar species of lunacy, to which a full perusal of + her confession might perhaps guide a medical person of judgment and + experience. Her case is interesting, as throwing upon the rites and + ceremonies of the Scottish witches a light which we seek in vain + elsewhere. + </p> + <p> + Other unfortunate persons were betrayed to their own reproof by other + means than the derangement of mind which seems to have operated on Isobel + Gowdie. Some, as we have seen, endeavoured to escape from the charge of + witchcraft by admitting an intercourse with the fairy people; an excuse + which was never admitted as relevant. Others were subjected to cruel + tortures, by which our ancestors thought the guilty might be brought to + confession, but which far more frequently compelled the innocent to bear + evidence against themselves. On this subject the celebrated Sir George + Mackenzie, “that noble wit of Scotland,” as he is termed by Dryden, has + some most judicious reflections, which we shall endeavour to abstract as + the result of the experience of one who, in his capacity of Lord Advocate, + had often occasion to conduct witch-trials, and who, not doubting the + existence of the crime, was of opinion that, on account of its very + horror, it required the clearest and most strict probation. + </p> + <p> + He first insists on the great improbability of the fiend, without riches + to bestow, and avowedly subjected to a higher power, being able to enlist + such numbers of recruits, and the little advantage which he himself would + gain by doing so. But, 2dly, says Mackenzie, “the persons ordinarily + accused of this crime are poor ignorant men, or else women, who understand + not the nature of what they are accused of; and many mistake their own + fears and apprehensions for witchcraft, of which I shall give two + instances. One, of a poor weaver who, after he had confessed witchcraft, + being asked how he saw the devil, made answer, ‘Like flies dancing about + the candle.’ Another, of a woman, who asked seriously, when she was + accused, if a woman might be a witch and not know it? And it is dangerous + that persons, of all others the most simple, should be tried for a crime + of all others the most mysterious. 3rdly, These poor creatures, when they + are defamed, become so confounded with fear and the close prison in which + they are kept, and so starved for want of meat and drink, either of which + wants is enough to disarm the strongest reason, that hardly wiser and more + serious people than they would escape distraction; and when men are + confounded with fear and apprehension, they will imagine things the most + ridiculous and absurd” of which instances are given. 4thly, “Most of these + poor creatures are tortured by their keepers, who, being persuaded they do + God good service, think it their duty to vex and torment poor prisoners + delivered up to them as rebels to heaven and enemies to men; and I know” + (continues Sir George), “<i>ex certissima scientia</i>, that most of all + that ever were taken were tormented in this manner, and this usage was the + ground of all their confession; and albeit the poor miscreants cannot + prove this usage, the actors being the only witnesses, yet the judge + should be jealous of it, as that which did at first elicit the confession, + and for fear of which they dare not retract it.” 5thly, This learned + author gives us an instance how these unfortunate creatures might be + reduced to confession by the very infamy which the accusation cast upon + them, and which was sure to follow, condemning them for life to a state of + necessity, misery, and suspicion, such as any person of reputation would + willingly exchange for a short death, however painful. + </p> + <p> + “I went when I was a justice-deput to examine some women who had confessed + judicially, and one of them, who was a silly creature, told me under + secresie, that she had not confest because she was guilty, but being a + poor creature who wrought for her meat, and being defamed for a witch, she + knew she would starve, for no person thereafter would either give her meat + or lodging, and that all men would beat her and hound dogs at her, and + that therefore she desired to be out of the world; whereupon she wept most + bitterly, and upon her knees called God to witness to what she said. + Another told me that she was afraid the devil would challenge a right to + her, after she was said to be his servant, and would haunt her, as the + minister said, when he was desiring her to confess, and therefore she + desired to die. And really ministers are oft times indiscreet in their + zeal to have poor creatures to confess in this; and I recommend to judges + that the wisest ministers should be sent to them, and those who are sent + should be cautious in this particular."<a href="#linknote-70" + name="linknoteref-70" id="linknoteref-70"><small>70</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-70" id="linknote-70"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 70 (<a href="#linknoteref-70">return</a>)<br /> [ Mackenzie’s “Criminal + Law,” p. 45.] + </p> + <p> + As a corollary to this affecting story, I may quote the case of a woman in + Lauder jail, who lay there with other females on a charge of witchcraft. + Her companions in prison were adjudged to die, and she too had, by a + confession as full as theirs, given herself up as guilty. She therefore + sent for the minister of the town, and entreated to be put to death with + the others who had been appointed to suffer upon the next Monday. The + clergyman, however, as well as others, had adopted a strong persuasion + that this confession was made up in the pride of her heart, for the + destruction of her own life, and had no foundation in truth. We give the + result in the minister’s words:— + </p> + <p> + “Therefore much pains was taken on her by ministers and others on + Saturday, Sunday, and Monday morning, that she might resile from that + confession which was suspected to be but a temptation of the devil, to + destroy both her soul and body; yea, it was charged home upon her by the + ministers, that there was just ground of jealousy that her confession was + not sincere, and she was charged before the Lord to declare the truth, and + not to take her blood upon her own head. Yet she stiffly adhered to what + she had said, and cried always to be put away with the rest. Whereupon, on + Monday morning, being called before the judges, and confessing before them + what she had said, she was found guilty and condemned to die with the rest + that same day. Being carried forth to the place of execution, she remained + silent during the first, second, and third prayer, and then perceiving + that there remained no more but to rise and go to the stake, she lifted up + her body, and with a loud voice cried out, ‘Now all you that see me this + day, know that I am now to die as a witch by my own confession, and I free + all men, especially the ministers and magistrates, of the guilt of my + blood. I take it wholly upon myself—my blood be upon my own head; + and as I must make answer to the God of Heaven presently, I declare I am + as free of witchcraft as any child; but being delated by a malicious + woman, and put in prison under the name of a witch, disowned by my husband + and friends, and seeing no ground of hope of my coming out of prison, or + ever coming in credit again, through the temptation of the devil I made up + that confession on purpose to destroy my own life, being weary of it, and + choosing rather to die than live;’—and so died. Which lamentable + story, as it did then astonish all the spectators, none of which could + restrain themselves from tears; so it may be to all a demonstration of + Satan’s subtlety, whose design is still to destroy all, partly by tempting + many to presumption, and some others to despair. These things to be of + truth, are attested by an eye and ear witness who is yet alive, a faithful + minister of the gospel."<a href="#linknote-71" name="linknoteref-71" + id="linknoteref-71"><small>71</small></a> It is strange the inference does + not seem to have been deduced, that as one woman out of very despair + renounced her own life, the same might have been the case in many other + instances, wherein the confessions of the accused constituted the + principal if not sole evidence of the guilt. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-71" id="linknote-71"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 71 (<a href="#linknoteref-71">return</a>)<br /> [ Sinclair’s “Satan’s + Invisible World Discovered,” p. 43.] + </p> + <p> + One celebrated mode of detecting witches and torturing them at the same + time, to draw forth confession, was by running pins into their body, on + pretence of discovering the devil’s stigma, or mark, which was said to be + inflicted by him upon all his vassals, and to be insensible to pain. This + species of search, the practice of the infamous Hopkins, was in Scotland + reduced to a trade; and the young witchfinder was allowed to torture the + accused party, as if in exercise of a lawful calling, although Sir George + Mackenzie stigmatises it as a horrid imposture. I observe in the + Collections of Mr. Pitcairn, that at the trial of Janet Peaston of + Dalkeith the magistrates and ministers of that market town caused John + Kincaid of Tranent, the common pricker, to exercise his craft upon her, + “who found two marks of what he called the devil’s making, and which + appeared indeed to be so, for she could not feel the pin when it was put + into either of the said marks, nor did they (the marks) bleed when they + were taken out again; and when she was asked where she thought the pins + were put in, she pointed to a part of her body distant from the real + place. They were pins of three inches in length.” + </p> + <p> + Besides the fact that the persons of old people especially sometimes + contain spots void of sensibility, there is also room to believe that the + professed prickers used a pin the point or lower part of which was, on + being pressed down, sheathed in the upper, which was hollow for the + purpose, and that which appeared to enter the body did not pierce it at + all. But, were it worth while to dwell on a subject so ridiculous, we + might recollect that in so terrible an agony of shame as is likely to + convulse a human being under such a trial, and such personal insults, the + blood is apt to return to the heart, and a slight wound, as with a pin, + may be inflicted without being followed by blood. In the latter end of the + seventeenth century this childish, indecent, and brutal practice began to + be called by its right name. Fountainhall has recorded that in 1678 the + Privy Council received the complaint of a poor woman who had been abused + by a country magistrate and one of those impostors called prickers. They + expressed high displeasure against the presumption of the parties + complained against, and treated the pricker as a common cheat.<a + href="#linknote-72" name="linknoteref-72" id="linknoteref-72"><small>72</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-72" id="linknote-72"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 72 (<a href="#linknoteref-72">return</a>)<br /> [ Fountainhall’s + “Decisions,” vol. i. p. 15.] + </p> + <p> + From this and other instances it appears that the predominance of the + superstition of witchcraft, and the proneness to persecute those accused + of such practices in Scotland, were increased by the too great readiness + of subordinate judges to interfere in matters which were, in fact, beyond + their jurisdiction. The Supreme Court of Justiciary was that in which the + cause properly and exclusively ought to have been tried. But, in practice, + each inferior judge in the country, the pettiest bailie in the most + trifling burgh, the smallest and most ignorant baron of a rude territory, + took it on him to arrest, imprison, and examine, in which examinations, as + we have already seen, the accused suffered the grossest injustice. The + copies of these examinations, made up of extorted confessions, or the + evidence of inhabile witnesses, were all that were transmitted to the + Privy Council, who were to direct the future mode of procedure. Thus no + creature was secure against the malice or folly of some defamatory + accusation, if there was a timid or superstitious judge, though of the + meanest denomination, to be found within the district. + </p> + <p> + But, secondly, it was the course of the Privy Council to appoint + commissions of the gentlemen of the country, and particularly of the + clergymen, though not likely, from their education, to be freed from + general prejudice, and peculiarly liable to be affected by the clamour of + the neighbourhood againt the delinquent. Now, as it is well known that + such a commission could not be granted in a case of murder in the county + where the crime was charged, there seems no good reason why the trial of + witches, so liable to excite the passions, should not have been uniformly + tried by a court whose rank and condition secured them from the suspicion + of partiality. But our ancestors arranged it otherwise, and it was the + consequence that such commissioners very seldom, by acquitting the persons + brought before them, lost an opportunity of destroying a witch. + </p> + <p> + Neither must it be forgotten that the proof led in support of the + prosecution was of a kind very unusual in jurisprudence. The lawyers + admitted as evidence what they called <i>damnum minatum, et malum secutum</i>—some + mischief, that is to say, following close upon a threat, or wish of + revenge, uttered by the supposed witch, which, though it might be + attributed to the most natural course of events, was supposed necessarily + to be in consequence of the menaces of the accused. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes this vague species of evidence was still more loosely adduced, + and allegations of danger threatened and mischief ensuing were admitted, + though the menaces had not come from the accused party herself. On 10th + June, 1661, as John Stewart, one of a party of stout burghers of Dalkeith + appointed to guard an old woman called Christian Wilson from that town to + Niddrie, was cleaning his gun, he was slyly questioned by Janet Cocke, + another confessing witch, who probably saw his courage was not entirely + constant, “What would you think if the devil raise a whirlwind, and take + her from you on the road to-morrow?” Sure enough, on their journey to + Niddrie the party actually were assailed by a sudden gust of wind (not a + very uncommon event in that climate), which scarce permitted the valiant + guard to keep their feet, while the miserable prisoner was blown into a + pool of water, and with difficulty raised again. There is some ground to + hope that this extraordinary evidence was not admitted upon the trial. + </p> + <p> + There is a story told of an old wizard, whose real name was Alexander + Hunter, though he was more generally known by the nickname of Hatteraick, + which it had pleased the devil to confer upon him. The man had for some + time adopted the credit of being a conjurer, and curing the diseases of + man and beast by spells and charms. One summer’s day, on a green + hill-side, the devil appeared to him in shape of a grave “Mediciner,” + addressing him thus roundly, “Sandie, you have too long followed my trade + without acknowledging me for a master. You must now enlist with me and + become my servant, and I will teach you your trade better.” Hatteraick + consented to the proposal, and we shall let the Rev. Mr. George Sinclair + tell the rest of the tale. + </p> + <p> + “After this he grew very famous through the country for his charming and + curing of diseases in men and beasts, and turned a vagrant fellow like a + jockie,<a href="#linknote-73" name="linknoteref-73" id="linknoteref-73"><small>73</small></a> + gaining meal, and flesh, and money by his charms, such was the ignorance + of many at that time. Whatever house he came to none durst refuse + Hatteraick an alms, rather for his ill than his good. One day he came to + the yait (gate) of Samuelston, when some friends after dinner were going + to horse. A young gentleman, brother to the lady, seeing him, switcht him + about the ears, saying—‘You warlock carle, what have you to do + here?’ Whereupon the fellow goes away grumbling, and was overheard to say, + ‘You shall dear buy this ere it be long.’ This was <i>damnum minatum</i>. + The young gentleman conveyed his friends a far way off, and came home that + way again, where he supped. After supper, taking his horse and crossing + Tyne water to go home, he rides through a shady piece of a haugh, commonly + called Allers, and the evening being somewhat dark, he met with some + persons there that begat a dreadful consternation in him, which for the + most part he would never reveal. This was <i>malum secutum</i>. When he + came home the servants observed terror and fear in his countenance. The + next day he became distracted, and was bound for several days. His sister, + the Lady Samuelston, hearing of it, was heard say, ‘Surely that knave + Hatteraick is the cause of his trouble; call for him in all haste.’ When + he had come to her, ‘Sandie,’ says she, ‘what is this you have done to my + brother William?’ ‘I told him,’ says he, ‘I should make him repent of his + striking me at the yait lately.’ She, giving the rogue fair words, and + promising him his pockful of meal, with beef and cheese, persuaded the + fellow to cure him again. He undertook the business. ‘But I must first,’ + says he, ‘have one of his sarks’ (shirts), which was soon gotten. What + pranks he played with it cannot be known, but within a short while the + gentleman recovered his health. When Hatteraick came to receive his wages + he told the lady, ‘Your brother William shall quickly go off the country, + but shall never return,’ She, knowing the fellow’s prophecies to hold + true, caused the brother to make a disposition to her of all his + patrimony, to the defrauding of his younger brother, George. After that + this warlock had abused the country for a long time, he was at last + apprehended at Dunbar, and brought into Edinburgh, and burnt upon the + Castlehill."<a href="#linknote-74" name="linknoteref-74" + id="linknoteref-74"><small>74</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-73" id="linknote-73"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 73 (<a href="#linknoteref-73">return</a>)<br /> [ Or Scottish wandering + beggar.] + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-74" id="linknote-74"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 74 (<a href="#linknoteref-74">return</a>)<br /> [ Sinclair’s “Satan’s + Invisible World Discovered,” p. 98.] + </p> + <p> + Now, if Hatteraick was really put to death on such evidence, it is worth + while to consider what was its real amount. A hot-tempered swaggering + young gentleman horsewhips a beggar of ill fame for loitering about the + gate of his sister’s house. The beggar grumbles, as any man would. The + young man, riding in the night, and probably in liquor, through a dark + shady place, is frightened by, he would not, and probably could not, tell + what, and has a fever fit. His sister employs the wizard to take off the + spell according to his profession; and here is <i>damnum minatum, et malum + secutum</i>, and all legal cause for burning a man to ashes! The vagrant + Hatteraick probably knew something of the wild young man which might soon + oblige him to leave the country; and the selfish Lady Samuelston, learning + the probability of his departure, committed a fraud which ought to have + rendered her evidence inadmissible. + </p> + <p> + Besides these particular disadvantages, to which the parties accused of + this crime in Scotland were necessarily exposed, both in relation to the + judicature by which they were tried and the evidence upon which they were + convicted, their situation was rendered intolerable by the detestation in + which they were held by all ranks. The gentry hated them because the + diseases and death of their relations and children were often imputed to + them; the grossly superstitious vulgar abhorred them with still more + perfect dread and loathing. And amongst those natural feelings, others of + a less pardonable description found means to shelter themselves. In one + case, we are informed by Mackenzie, a poor girl was to die for witchcraft, + of whom the real crime was that she had attracted too great a share, in + the lady’s opinion, of the attention of the laird. + </p> + <p> + Having thus given some reasons why the prosecutions for witchcraft in + Scotland were so numerous and fatal, we return to the general history of + the trials recorded from the reign of James V. to the union of the + kingdoms. Through the reign of Queen Mary these trials for sorcery became + numerous, and the crime was subjected to heavier punishment by the 73rd + Act of her 9th Parliament. But when James VI. approached to years of + discretion, the extreme anxiety which he displayed to penetrate more + deeply into mysteries which others had regarded as a very millstone of + obscurity, drew still larger attention to the subject. The sovereign had + exhausted his talents of investigation on the subject of witchcraft, and + credit was given to all who acted in defence of the opinions of the + reigning prince. This natural tendency to comply with the opinions of the + sovereign was much augmented by the disposition of the Kirk to the same + sentiments. We have already said that these venerable persons entertained, + with good faith, the general erroneous belief respecting witchcraft—regarding + it indeed as a crime which affected their own order more nearly than + others in the state, since, especially called to the service of heaven, + they were peculiarly bound to oppose the incursions of Satan. The works + which remain behind them show, among better things, an unhesitating belief + in what were called by them “special providences;” and this was equalled, + at least, by their credulity as to the actual interference of evil spirits + in the affairs of this world. They applied these principles of belief to + the meanest causes. A horse falling lame was a snare of the devil to keep + the good clergyman from preaching; the arrival of a skilful farrier was + accounted a special providence to defeat the purpose of Satan. This was, + doubtless, in a general sense true, since nothing can happen without the + foreknowledge and will of Heaven; but we are authorized to believe that + the period of supernatural interference has long passed away, and that the + great Creator is content to execute his purposes by the operation of those + laws which influence the general course of nature. Our ancient Scottish + divines thought otherwise. Surrounded, as they conceived themselves, by + the snares and temptations of hell, and relying on the aid of Heaven, they + entered into war with the kingdom of Satan, as the crusaders of old + invaded the land of Palestine, with the same confidence in the justice of + their cause and similar indifference concerning the feelings of those whom + they accounted the enemies of God and man. We have already seen that even + the conviction that a woman was innocent of the crime of witchcraft did + not induce a worthy clergyman to use any effort to withdraw her from the + stake; and in the same collection<a href="#linknote-75" + name="linknoteref-75" id="linknoteref-75"><small>75</small></a> there + occur some observable passages of God’s providence to a godly minister in + giving him “full clearness” concerning Bessie Grahame, suspected of + witchcraft. The whole detail is a curious illustration of the spirit of + credulity which well-disposed men brought with them to such + investigations, and how easily the gravest doubts were removed rather than + a witch should be left undetected. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-75" id="linknote-75"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 75 (<a href="#linknoteref-75">return</a>)<br /> [ “Satan’s Invisible + World,” by Mr. George Sinclair. The author was Professor of Moral + Philosophy in the University of Glasgow, and afterwards minister of + Eastwood, in Renfrewshire.] + </p> + <p> + Bessie Grahame had been committed, it would seem, under suspicions of no + great weight, since the minister, after various conferences, found her + defence so successful, that he actually pitied her hard usage, and wished + for her delivery from prison, especially as he doubted whether a civil + court would send her to an assize, or whether an assize would be disposed + to convict her. While the minister was in this doubt, a fellow named Begg + was employed as a skilful pricker; by whose authority it is not said, he + thrust a great brass pin up to the head in a wart on the woman’s back, + which he affirmed to be the devil’s mark. A commission was granted for + trial; but still the chief gentlemen in the county refused to act, and the + clergyman’s own doubts were far from being removed. This put the worthy + man upon a solemn prayer to God, “that if he would find out a way for + giving the minister full clearness of her guilt, he would acknowledge it + as a singular favour and mercy.” This, according to his idea, was + accomplished in the following manner, which he regarded as an answer to + his prayer. One evening the clergyman, with Alexander Simpson, the + kirk-officer, and his own servant, had visited Bessie in her cell, to urge + her to confession, but in vain. As they stood on the stair-head behind the + door, they heard the prisoner, whom they had left alone in her place of + confinement, discoursing with another person, who used a low and ghostly + tone, which the minister instantly recognised as the Foul Fiend’s voice. + But for this discovery we should have been of opinion that Bessie Grahame + talked to herself, as melancholy and despairing wretches are in the habit + of doing. But as Alexander Simpson pretended to understand the sense of + what was said within the cell, and the minister himself was pretty sure he + heard two voices at the same time, he regarded the overhearing this + conversation as the answer of the Deity to his petition, and thenceforth + was troubled with no doubts either as to the reasonableness and propriety + of his prayer, or the guilt of Bessie Grahame, though she died obstinate, + and would not confess; nay, made a most decent and Christian end, + acquitting her judges and jury of her blood, in respect of the strong + delusion under which they laboured. + </p> + <p> + Although the ministers, whose opinions were but two strongly on this head + in correspondence with the prevailing superstitions of the people, + nourished in the early system of church government a considerable desire + to secure their own immunities and privileges as a national church, which + failed not at last to be brought into contact with the king’s prerogative; + yet in the earlier part of his reign, James, when freed from the influence + of such a favourite as the profligate Stuart, Earl of Arran, was in his + personal qualities rather acceptable to the clergy of his kingdom and + period. At his departing from Scotland on his romantic expedition to bring + home a consort from Denmark, he very politically recommended to the clergy + to contribute all that lay in their power to assist the civil magistrates, + and preserve the public peace of the kingdom. The king after his return + acknowledged with many thanks the care which the clergy had bestowed in + this particular. Nor were they slack in assuming the merit to themselves, + for they often reminded him in their future discords that his kingdom had + never been so quiet as during his voyage to Denmark, when the clergy were + in a great measure intrusted with the charge of the public government. + </p> + <p> + During the halcyon period of union between kirk and king their hearty + agreement on the subject of witchcraft failed not to heat the fires + against the persons suspected of such iniquity. The clergy considered that + the Roman Catholics, their principal enemies, were equally devoted to the + devil, the mass, and the witches, which in their opinion were mutually + associated together, and natural allies in the great cause of mischief. On + the other hand, the pedantic sovereign having exercised his learning and + ingenuity in the Demonologia, considered the execution of every witch who + was burnt as a necessary conclusion of his own royal syllogisms. The + juries were also afraid of the consequences of acquittal to themselves, + being liable to suffer under an assize of error should they be thought to + have been unjustly merciful; and as the witches tried were personally as + insignificant as the charge itself was odious, there was no restraint + whatever upon those in whose hands their fate lay, and there seldom wanted + some such confession as we have often mentioned, or such evidence as that + collected by the minister who overheard the dialogue between the witch and + her master, to salve their consciences and reconcile them to bring in a + verdict of guilty. + </p> + <p> + The execution of witches became for these reasons very common in Scotland, + where the king seemed in some measure to have made himself a party in the + cause, and the clergy esteemed themselves such from the very nature of + their profession. But the general spite of Satan and his adherents was + supposed to be especially directed against James, on account of his match + with Anne of Denmark—the union of a Protestant princess with a + Protestant prince, the King of Scotland and heir of England being, it + could not be doubted, an event which struck the whole kingdom of darkness + with alarm. James was self-gratified by the unusual spirit which he had + displayed on his voyage in quest of his bride, and well disposed to fancy + that he had performed it in positive opposition, not only to the indirect + policy of Elizabeth, but to the malevolent purpose of hell itself. His + fleet had been tempest-tost, and he very naturally believed that the + prince of the power of the air had been personally active on the occasion. + </p> + <p> + The principal person implicated in these heretical and treasonable + undertakings was one Agnes Simpson, or Samson, called the Wise Wife of + Keith, and described by Archbishop Spottiswood, not as one of the base or + ignorant class of ordinary witches, but a grave matron, composed and + deliberate in her answers, which were all to some purpose. This grave + dame, from the terms of her indictment, seems to have been a kind of white + witch, affecting to cure diseases by words and charms, a dangerous + profession considering the times in which she lived. Neither did she + always keep the right and sheltered side of the law in such delicate + operations. One article of her indictment proves this, and at the same + time establishes that the Wise Woman of Keith knew how to turn her + profession to account; for, being consulted in the illness of Isobel + Hamilton, she gave her opinion that nothing could amend her unless the + devil was raised; and the sick woman’s husband, startling at the proposal, + and being indifferent perhaps about the issue, would not bestow the + necessary expenses, whereupon the Wise Wife refused to raise the devil, + and the patient died. This woman was principally engaged in an extensive + conspiracy to destroy the fleet of the queen by raising a tempest; and to + take the king’s life by anointing his linen with poisonous materials, and + by constructing figures of clay, to be wasted and tormented after the + usual fashion of necromancy. + </p> + <p> + Amongst her associates was an unhappy lady of much higher degree. This was + Dame Euphane MacCalzean, the widow of a Senator of the College of Justice, + and a person infinitely above the rank of the obscure witches with whom + she was joined in her crime. Mr. Pitcairn supposes that this connexion may + have arisen from her devotion to the Catholic faith and her friendship for + the Earl of Bothwell. + </p> + <p> + The third person in this singular league of sorcerers was Doctor John + Fian, otherwise Cunninghame, who was schoolmaster at Tranent, and enjoyed + much hazardous reputation as a warlock. This man was made the hero of the + whole tale of necromancy, in an account of it published at London, and + entitled, “News from Scotland,” which has been lately reprinted by the + Roxburghe Club. It is remarkable that the Scottish witchcrafts were not + thought sufficiently horrible by the editor of this tract, without adding + to them the story of a philtre being applied to a cow’s hair instead of + that of the young woman for whom it was designed, and telling how the + animal came lowing after the sorcerer to his schoolroom door, like a + second Pasiphaë, the original of which charm occurs in the story of + Apuleius.<a href="#linknote-76" name="linknoteref-76" id="linknoteref-76"><small>76</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-76" id="linknote-76"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 76 (<a href="#linknoteref-76">return</a>)<br /> [ “Lucii Apuleii + Metamorphoses,” lib. iii.] + </p> + <p> + Besides these persons, there was one Barbara Napier, alias Douglas, a + person of some rank; Geillis Duncan, a very active witch; and about thirty + other poor creatures of the lowest condition—among the rest, and + doorkeeper to the conclave, a silly old ploughman, called as his nickname + Graymeal, who was cuffed by the devil for saying simply, “God bless the + king!” + </p> + <p> + When the monarch of Scotland sprung this strong covey of his favourite + game, they afforded the Privy Council and him sport for the greatest part + of the remaining winter. He attended on the examinations himself, and by + one means or or other, they were indifferently well dressed to his palate. + </p> + <p> + Agnes Sampson, the grave matron before mentioned, after being an hour + tortured by the twisting of a cord around her head, according to the + custom of the Buccaneers, confessed that she had consulted with one + Richard Grahame concerning the probable length of the king’s life, and the + means of shortening it. But Satan, to whom they at length resorted for + advice, told them in French respecting King James, <i>Il est un homme de + Dieu</i>. The poor woman also acknowledged that she had held a meeting + with those of her sisterhood, who had charmed a cat by certain spells, + having four joints of men knit to its feet, which they threw into the sea + to excite a tempest. Another frolic they had when, like the weird sisters + in Macbeth, they embarked in sieves with much mirth and jollity, the Fiend + rolling himself before them upon the waves, dimly seen, and resembling a + huge haystack in size and appearance. They went on board of a foreign ship + richly laded with wines, where, invisible to the crew, they feasted till + the sport grew tiresome, and then Satan sunk the vessel and all on board. + </p> + <p> + Fian, or Cunninghame, was also visited by the sharpest tortures, ordinary + and extraordinary. The nails were torn from his fingers with smith’s + pincers; pins were driven into the places which the nails usually + defended; his knees were crushed in <i>the boots</i>, his finger bones + were splintered in the pilniewinks. At length his constancy, hitherto + sustained, as the bystanders supposed, by the help of the devil, was + fairly overcome, and he gave an account of a great witch-meeting at North + Berwick, where they paced round the church <i>withershinns</i>, that is, + in reverse of the motion of the sun. Fian then blew into the lock of the + church-door, whereupon the bolts gave way, the unhallowed crew entered, + and their master the devil appeared to his servants in the shape of a + black man occupying the pulpit. He was saluted with an “Hail, Master!” but + the company were dissatisfied with his not having brought a picture of the + king, repeatedly promised, which was to place his majesty at the mercy of + this infernal crew. The devil was particularly upbraided on this subject + by divers respectable-looking females—no question, Euphane + MacCalzean, Barbara Napier, Agnes Sampson, and some other amateur witch + above those of the ordinary profession. The devil on this memorable + occasion forgot himself, and called Fian by his own name, instead of the + demoniacal <i>sobriquet</i> of Rob the Rowar, which had been assigned to + him as Master of the Rows or Rolls. This was considered as bad taste, and + the rule is still observed at every rendezvous of forgers, smugglers, or + the like, where it is accounted very indifferent manners to name an + individual by his own name, in case of affording ground of evidence which + may upon a day of trial be brought against him. Satan, something + disconcerted, concluded the evening with a divertisement and a dance after + his own manner. The former consisted in disinterring a new-buried corpse, + and dividing it in fragments among the company, and the ball was + maintained by well-nigh two hundred persons, who danced a ring dance, + singing this chant— + </p> + <p> + “Cummer, gang ye before; Cummer gang ye. Gif ye will not gang before, + Cummers, let me.” + </p> + <p> + After this choral exhibition, the music seems to have been rather + imperfect, the number of dancers considered. Geillis Duncan was the only + instrumental performer, and she played on a Jew’s harp, called in Scotland + a <i>trump</i>. Dr. Fian, muffled, led the ring, and was highly honoured, + generally acting as clerk or recorder, as above mentioned. + </p> + <p> + King James was deeply interested in those mysterious meetings, and took + great delight to be present at the examinations of the accused. He sent + for Geillis Duncan, and caused her to play before him the same tune to + which Satan and his companions led the brawl in North Berwick churchyard.<a + href="#linknote-77" name="linknoteref-77" id="linknoteref-77"><small>77</small></a> + His ears were gratified in another way, for at this meeting it was said + the witches demanded of the devil why he did bear such enmity against the + king? who returned the flattering answer that the king was the greatest + enemy whom he had in the world. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-77" id="linknote-77"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 77 (<a href="#linknoteref-77">return</a>)<br /> [ The music of this witch + tune is unhappily lost. But that of another, believed to have been popular + on such occasions, is preserved. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +“The silly bit chicken, gar cast her a pickle, + And she will grow mickle, + And she will do good.”] +</pre> + <p> + Almost all these poor wretches were executed, nor did Euphane MacCalzean’s + station in life save her from the common doom, which was strangling to + death, and burning to ashes thereafter. The majority of the jury which + tried Barbara Napier having acquitted her of attendance at the North + Berwick meeting, were themselves threatened with a trial for wilful error + upon an assize, and could only escape from severe censure and punishment + by pleading guilty, and submitting themselves to the king’s pleasure. This + rigorous and iniquitous conduct shows a sufficient reason why there should + be so few acquittals from a charge of witchcraft where the juries were so + much at the mercy of the crown. + </p> + <p> + It would be disgusting to follow the numerous cases in which the same + uniform credulity, the same extorted confessions, the same prejudiced and + exaggerated evidence, concluded in the same tragedy at the stake and the + pile. The alterations and trenching which lately took place for the + purpose of improving the Castlehill of Edinburgh displayed the ashes of + the numbers who had perished in this manner, of whom a large proportion + must have been executed between 1590, when the great discovery was made + concerning Euphane MacCalzean and the Wise Wife of Keith and their + accomplices, and the union of the crowns. + </p> + <p> + Nor did King James’s removal to England soften this horrible persecution. + In Sir Thomas Hamilton’s Minutes of Proceedings in the Privy Council, + there occurs a singular entry, evincing plainly that the Earl of Mar, and + others of James’s Council, were becoming fully sensible of the desperate + iniquity and inhumanity of these proceedings. I have modernized the + spelling that this appalling record may be legible to all my readers. + </p> + <p> + “1608, December 1. The Earl of Mar declared to the Council that some women + were taken in Broughton as witches, and being put to an assize and + convicted, albeit they persevered constant in their denial to the end, yet + they were burned quick [<i>alive</i>] after such a cruel manner that some + of them died in despair, renouncing and blaspheming [God]; and others, + half burned, brak out of the fire,<a href="#linknote-78" + name="linknoteref-78" id="linknoteref-78"><small>78</small></a> and were + cast quick in it again, till they were burned to the death.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-78" id="linknote-78"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 78 (<a href="#linknoteref-78">return</a>)<br /> [ I am obliged to the + kindness of Mr. Pitcairn for this singular extract. The southern reader + must be informed that the jurisdiction or regality of Broughton embraced + Holyrood, Canongate, Leith, and other suburban parts of Edinburgh, and + bore the same relation to that city as the borough of Southwark to + London.] + </p> + <p> + This singular document shows that even in the reign of James, so soon as + his own august person was removed from Edinburgh, his dutiful Privy + Council began to think that they had supt full with horrors, and were + satiated with the excess of cruelty which dashed half-consumed wretches + back into the flames from which they were striving to escape. + </p> + <p> + But the picture, however much it may have been disgusting and terrifying + to the Council at the time, and though the intention of the entry upon the + records was obviously for the purpose of preventing such horrid cruelties + in future, had no lasting effect on the course of justice, as the + severities against witches were most unhappily still considered necessary. + Through the whole of the sixteenth, and the greater part of the + seventeenth century, little abatement in the persecution of this + metaphysical crime of witchcraft can be traced in the kingdom. Even while + the Independents held the reins of government, Cromwell himself, and his + major-generals and substitutes, were obliged to please the common people + of Scotland by abandoning the victims accused of witchcraft to the power + of the law, though the journals of the time express the horror and disgust + with which the English sectarians beheld a practice so inconsistent with + their own humane principle of universal toleration. + </p> + <p> + Instead of plunging into a history of these events which, generally + speaking, are in detail as monotonous as they are melancholy, it may amuse + the reader to confine the narrative to a single trial, having in the + course of it some peculiar and romantic events. It is the tale of a + sailor’s wife, more tragic in its event than that of the chestnut-muncher + in Macbeth.<a href="#linknote-79" name="linknoteref-79" id="linknoteref-79"><small>79</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-79" id="linknote-79"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 79 (<a href="#linknoteref-79">return</a>)<br /> [ A copy of the record of + the trial, which took place in Ayrshire, was sent to me by a friend who + withheld his name, so that I can only thank him in this general + acknowledgment.] + </p> + <p> + Margaret Barclay, wife of Archibald Dein, burgess of Irvine, had been + slandered by her sister-in-law, Janet Lyal, the spouse of John Dein, + brother of Archibald, and by John Dein himself, as guilty of some act of + theft. Upon this provocation Margaret Barclay raised an action of slander + before the church court, which prosecution, after some procedure, the + kirk-session discharged by directing a reconciliation between the parties. + Nevertheless, although the two women shook hands before the court, yet the + said Margaret Barclay declared that she gave her hand only in obedience to + the kirk-session, but that she still retained her hatred and ill-will + against John Dein and his wife, Janet Lyal. About this time the bark of + John Dein was about to sail for France, and Andrew Train, or Tran, provost + of the burgh of Irvine, who was an owner of the vessel, went with him to + superintend the commercial part of the voyage. Two other merchants of some + consequence went in the same vessel, with a sufficient number of mariners. + Margaret Barclay, the revengeful person already mentioned, was heard to + imprecate curses upon the provost’s argosy, praying to God that sea nor + salt-water might never bear the ship, and that <i>partans</i> (crabs) + might eat the crew at the bottom of the sea. + </p> + <p> + When, under these auspices, the ship was absent on her voyage, a vagabond + fellow, named John Stewart, pretending to have knowledge of jugglery, and + to possess the power of a spaeman, came to the residence of Tran, the + provost, and dropped explicit hints that the ship was lost, and that the + good woman of the house was a widow. The sad truth was afterwards learned + on more certain information. Two of the seamen, after a space of doubt and + anxiety, arrived, with the melancholy tidings that the bark, of which John + Dein was skipper and Provost Tran part owner, had been wrecked on the + coast of England, near Padstow, when all on board had been lost, except + the two sailors who brought the notice. Suspicion of sorcery, in those + days easily awakened, was fixed on Margaret Barclay, who had imprecated + curses on the ship, and on John Stewart, the juggler, who had seemed to + know of the evil fate of the voyage before he could have become acquainted + with it by natural means. + </p> + <p> + Stewart, who was first apprehended, acknowledged that Margaret Barclay, + the other suspected person, had applied to him to teach her some magic + arts, “in order that she might get gear, kye’s milk, love of man, her + heart’s desire on such persons as had done her wrong, and, finally, that + she might obtain the fruit of sea and land.” Stewart declared that he + denied to Margaret that he possessed the said arts himself, or had the + power of communicating them. So far was well; but, true or false, he added + a string of circumstances, whether voluntarily declared or extracted by + torture, which tended to fix the cause of the loss of the bark on Margaret + Barclay. He had come, he said, to this woman’s house in Irvine, shortly + after the ship set sail from harbour. He went to Margaret’s house by + night, and found her engaged, with other two women, in making clay + figures; one of the figures was made handsome, with fair hair, supposed to + represent Provost Tran. They then proceeded to mould a figure of a ship in + clay, and during this labour the devil appeared to the company in the + shape of a handsome black lap-dog, such as ladies use to keep.<a + href="#linknote-80" name="linknoteref-80" id="linknoteref-80"><small>80</small></a> + He added that the whole party left the house together, and went into an + empty waste-house nearer the seaport, which house he pointed out to the + city magistrates. From this house they went to the sea-side, followed by + the black lap-dog aforesaid, and cast in the figures of clay representing + the ship and the men; after which the sea raged, roared, and became red + like the juice of madder in a dyer’s cauldron. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-80" id="linknote-80"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 80 (<a href="#linknoteref-80">return</a>)<br /> [ This may remind the + reader of Cazotte’s “Diable Amoureux.”] + </p> + <p> + This confession having been extorted from the unfortunate juggler, the + female acquaintances of Margaret Barclay were next convened, that he might + point out her associates in forming the charm, when he pitched upon a + woman called Isobel Insh, or Taylor, who resolutely denied having ever + seen him before. She was imprisoned, however, in the belfry of the church. + An addition to the evidence against the poor old woman Insh was then + procured from her own daughter, Margaret Tailzeour, <i>a child of eight + years old</i>, who lived as servant with Margaret Barclay, the person + principally accused. This child, who was keeper of a baby belonging to + Margaret Barclay, either from terror or the innate love of falsehood which + we have observed as proper to childhood, declared that she was present + when the fatal models of clay were formed, and that, in plunging them in + the sea, Margaret Barclay her mistress, and her mother Isobel Insh, were + assisted by another woman, and a girl of fourteen years old, who dwelt at + the town-head. Legally considered, the evidence of this child was + contradictory and inconsistent with the confession of the juggler, for it + assigned other particulars and <i>dramatis personæ</i> in many respects + different. But all was accounted sufficiently regular, especially since + the girl failed not to swear to the presence of the black dog, to whose + appearance she also added the additional terrors of that of a black man. + The dog also, according to her account, emitted flashes from its jaws and + nostrils to illuminate the witches during the performance of the spell. + The child maintained this story even to her mother’s face, only alleging + that Isobel Insh remained behind in the waste-house, and was not present + when the images were put into the sea. For her own countenance and + presence on the occasion, and to ensure her secrecy, her mistress promised + her a pair of new shoes. + </p> + <p> + John Stewart, being re-examined and confronted with the child, was easily + compelled to allow that the “little smatchet” was there, and to give that + marvellous account of his correspondence with Elfland which we have + noticed elsewhere. + </p> + <p> + The conspiracy thus far, as they conceived, disclosed, the magistrates and + ministers wrought hard with Isobel Insh to prevail upon her to tell the + truth; and she at length acknowledged her presence at the time when the + models of the ship and mariners were destroyed, but endeavoured so to + modify her declaration as to deny all personal accession to the guilt. + This poor creature almost admitted the supernatural powers imputed to her, + promising Bailie Dunlop (also a mariner), by whom she was imprisoned, + that, if he would dismiss her, he should never make a bad voyage, but have + success in all his dealings by sea and land. She was finally brought to + promise that she would fully confess the whole that she knew of the affair + on the morrow. + </p> + <p> + But finding herself in so hard a strait, the unfortunate woman made use of + the darkness to attempt an escape. With this view she got out by a back + window of the belfry, although, says the report, there were “iron bolts, + locks, and fetters on her,” and attained the roof of the church, where, + losing her footing, she sustained a severe fall and was greatly bruised. + Being apprehended, Bailie Dunlop again urged her to confess; but the poor + woman was determined to appeal to a more merciful tribunal, and maintained + her innocence to the last minute of her life, denying all that she had + formerly admitted, and dying five days after her fall from the roof of the + church. The inhabitants of Irvine attributed her death to poison. + </p> + <p> + The scene began to thicken, for a commission was granted for the trial of + the two remaining persons accused, namely, Stewart, the juggler, and + Margaret Barclay. The day of trial being arrived, the following singular + events took place, which we give as stated in the record:— + </p> + <p> + “My Lord and Earl of Eglintoune (who dwells within the space of one mile + to the said burgh) having come to the said burgh at the earnest request of + the said justices, for giving to them of his lordship’s countenance, + concurrence and assistance, in trying of the foresaid devilish practices, + conform to the tenor of the foresaid commission, the said John Stewart, + for his better preserving to the day of the assize, was put in a sure + lockfast booth, where no manner of person might have access to him till + the downsitting of the Justice Court, and for avoiding of putting violent + hands on himself, he was very strictly guarded and fettered by the arms, + as use is. And upon that same day of the assize, about half an hour before + the downsitting of the Justice Court, Mr. David Dickson, minister at + Irvine, and Mr. George Dunbar, minister of Air, having gone to him to + exhort him to call on his God for mercy for his bygone wicked and evil + life, and that God would of his infinite mercy loose him out of the bonds + of the devil, whom he had served these many years bygone, he acquiesced in + their prayer and godly exhortation, and uttered these words:—“I am + so straitly guarded that it lies not in my power to get my hand to take + off my bonnet, nor to get bread to my mouth.” And immediately after the + departing of the two ministers from him, the juggler being sent for at the + desire of my Lord of Eglintoune, to be confronted with a woman of the + burgh of Air, called Janet Bous, who was apprehended by the magistrates of + the burgh of Air for witchcraft, and sent to the burgh of Irvine purposely + for that affair, he was found by the burgh officers who went about him, + strangled and hanged by the cruik of the door, with a <i>tait</i> of hemp, + or a string made of hemp, supposed to have been his garter, or string of + his bonnet, not above the length of two span long, his knees not being + from the ground half a span, and was brought out of the house, his life + not being totally expelled. But notwithstanding of whatsoever means used + in the contrary for remeid of his life, he revived not, but so ended his + life miserably, by the help of the devil his master. + </p> + <p> + “And because there was then only in life the said Margaret Barclay, and + that the persons summoned to pass upon her assize and upon the assize of + the juggler who, by the help of the devil his master, had put violent + hands on himself, were all present within the said burgh; therefore, and + for eschewing of the like in the person of the said Margaret, our + sovereign lord’s justices in that part particularly above-named, + constituted by commission after solemn deliberation and advice of the said + noble lord, whose concurrence and advice was chiefly required and taken in + this matter, concluded with all possible diligence before the downsitting + of the Justice Court to put the said Margaret in torture; in respect the + devil, by God’s permission, had made her associates who were the lights of + the cause, to be their own <i>burrioes</i> (slayers). They used the + torture underwritten as being most safe and gentle (as the said noble lord + assured the said justices), by putting of her two bare legs in a pair of + stocks, and thereafter by onlaying of certain iron gauds (bars) severally + one by one, and then eiking and augmenting the weight by laying on more + gauds, and in easing of her by offtaking of the iron gauds one or more as + occasion offered, which iron gauds were but little short gauds, and broke + not the skin of her legs, &c. + </p> + <p> + “After using of the which kind of <i>gentle torture</i>, the said Margaret + began, according to the increase of the pain, to cry and crave for God’s + cause to take off her shins the foresaid irons, and she should declare + truly the whole matter. Which being removed, she began at her former + denial; and being of new essayed in torture as of befoir, she then uttered + these words: ‘Take off, take off, and before God I shall show you the + whole form!’ + </p> + <p> + “And the said irons being of new, upon her faithfull promise, removed, she + then desired my Lord of Eglintoune, the said four justices, and the said + Mr. David Dickson, minister of the burgh, Mr. George Dunbar, minister of + Ayr, and Mr. Mitchell Wallace, minister of Kilmarnock, and Mr. John + Cunninghame, minister of Dalry, and Hugh Kennedy, provost of Ayr, to come + by themselves and to remove all others, and she should declare truly, as + she should answer to God the whole matter. Whose desire in that being + fulfilled she made her confession in this manner, but (<i>i.e.,</i> + without) any kind of demand, freely, without interrogation; God’s name by + earnest prayer being called upon for opening of her lips, and easing of + her heart, that she, by rendering of the truth, might glorify and magnify + his holy name, and disappoint the enemy of her salvation.”—<i>Trial + of Margaret Barclay, &c</i>., 1618. + </p> + <p> + Margaret Barclay, who was a young and lively person, had hitherto + conducted herself like a passionate and high-tempered woman innocently + accused, and the only appearance of conviction obtained against her was, + that she carried about her rowan-tree and coloured thread, to make, as she + said, her cow give milk, when it began to fail. But the <i>gentle torture</i>—a + strange junction of words—recommended as an anodyne by the good Lord + Eglinton—the placing, namely, her legs in the stocks, and loading + her bare shins with bars of iron, overcame her resolution; when, at her + screams and declarations that she was willing to tell all, the weights + were removed. She then told a story of destroying the ship of John Dein, + affirming that it was with the purpose of killing only her brother-in-law + and Provost Tran, and saving the rest of the crew. She at the same time + involved in the guilt Isobel Crawford. This poor woman was also + apprehended, and in great terror confessed the imputed crime, retorting + the principal blame on Margaret Barclay herself. The trial was then + appointed to proceed, when Alexander Dein, the husband of Margaret + Barclay, appeared in court with a lawyer to act in his wife’s behalf. + Apparently, the sight of her husband awakened some hope and desire of + life, for when the prisoner was asked by the lawyer whether she wished to + be defended? she answered, “As you please But all I have confest was in + agony of torture; and, before God, all I have spoken is false and untrue.” + To which she pathetically added, “Ye have been too long in coming.” + </p> + <p> + The jury, unmoved by these affecting circumstances, proceeded upon the + principle that the confession of the accused could not be considered as + made under the influence of torture, since the bars were not actually upon + her limbs at the time it was delivered, although they were placed at her + elbow ready to be again laid on her bare shins, if she was less explicit + in her declaration than her auditors wished. On this nice distinction they + in one voice found Margaret Barclay guilty. It is singular that she should + have again returned to her confession after sentence, and died affirming + it; the explanation of which, however, might be either that she had really + in her ignorance and folly tampered with some idle spells, or that an + apparent penitence for her offence, however imaginary, was the only mode + in which she could obtain any share of public sympathy at her death, or a + portion of the prayers of the clergy and congregation, which, in her + circumstances, she might be willing to purchase, even by confession of + what all believed respecting her. It is remarkable that she earnestly + entreated the magistrates that no harm should be done to Isobel Crawford, + the woman whom she had herself accused. This unfortunate young creature + was strangled at the stake, and her body burnt to ashes, having died with + many expressions of religion and penitence. + </p> + <p> + It was one fatal consequence of these cruel persecutions, that one pile + was usually lighted at the embers of another. Accordingly in the present + case, three victims having already perished by this accusation, the + magistrates, incensed at the nature of the crime, so perilous as it seemed + to men of a maritime life, and at the loss of several friends of their + own, one of “whom had been their principal magistrate, did not forbear to + insist against Isobel Crawford, inculpated by Margaret Barclay’s + confession. A new commission was granted for her trial, and after the + assistant minister of Irvine, Mr. David Dickson, had made earnest prayers + to God for opening her obdurate and closed heart, she was subjected to the + torture of iron bars laid upon her bare shins, her feet being in the + stocks, as in the case of Margaret Barclay. + </p> + <p> + She endured this torture with incredible firmness, since she did + “admirably, without any kind of din or exclamation, suffer above thirty + stone of iron to be laid on her legs, never shrinking thereat in any sort, + but remaining, as it were, steady.” But in shifting the situation of the + iron bars, and removing them to another part of her shins, her constancy + gave way; she broke out into horrible cries (though not more than three + bars were then actually on her person) of—“Tak aff—tak aff!” + On being relieved from the torture, she made the usual confession of all + that she was charged with, and of a connexion with the devil which had + subsisted for several years. Sentence was given against her accordingly. + After this had been denounced, she openly denied all her former + confessions, and died without any sign of repentance, offering repeated + interruption to the minister in his prayer, and absolutely refusing to + pardon the executioner. + </p> + <p> + This tragedy happened in the year 1613, and recorded, as it is, very + particularly and at considerable length, forms the most detailed specimen + I have met with of a Scottish trial for witchcraft—illustrating, in + particular, how poor wretches, abandoned, as they conceived, by God and + the world, deprived of all human sympathy, and exposed to personal + tortures of an acute description, became disposed to throw away the lives + that were rendered bitter to them by a voluntary confession of guilt, + rather than struggle hopelessly against so many evils. Four persons here + lost their lives, merely because the throwing some clay models into the + sea, a fact told differently by the witnesses who spoke of it, + corresponded with the season, for no day was fixed in which a particular + vessel was lost. It is scarce possible that, after reading such a story, a + man of sense can listen for an instant to the evidence founded on + confessions thus obtained, which has been almost the sole reason by which + a few individuals, even in modern times, have endeavoured to justify a + belief in the existence of witchcraft. + </p> + <p> + The result of the judicial examination of a criminal, when extorted by + such means, is the most suspicious of all evidence, and even when + voluntarily given, is scarce admissible without the corroboration of other + testimony. + </p> + <p> + We might here take leave of our Scottish history of witchcraft by barely + mentioning that many hundreds, nay perhaps thousands, lost their lives + during two centuries on such charges and such evidence as proved the death + of those persons in the trial of the Irvine witches. One case, however, is + so much distinguished by fame among the numerous instances which occurred + in Scottish history, that we are under the necessity of bestowing a few + words upon those celebrated persons, Major Weir and his sister. + </p> + <p> + The case of this notorious wizard was remarkable chiefly from his being a + man of some condition (the son of a gentleman, and his mother a lady of + family in Clydesdale), which was seldom the case with those that fell + under similar accusations. It was also remarkable in his case that he had + been a Covenanter, and peculiarly attached to that cause. In the years of + the Commonwealth this man was trusted and employed by those who were then + at the head of affairs, and was in 1649 commander of the City-Guard of + Edinburgh, which procured him his title of Major. In this capacity he was + understood, as was indeed implied in the duties of that officer at the + period, to be very strict in executing severity upon such Royalists as + fell under his military charge. It appears that the Major, with a maiden + sister who had kept his house, was subject to fits of melancholic lunacy, + an infirmity easily reconcilable with the formal pretences which he made + to a high show of religious zeal. He was peculiar in his gift of prayer, + and, as was the custom of the period, was often called to exercise his + talent by the bedside of sick persons, until it came to be observed that, + by some association, which it is more easy to conceive than to explain, he + could not pray with the same warmth and fluency of expression unless when + he had in his hand a stick of peculiar shape and appearance, which he + generally walked with. It was noticed, in short, that when this stick was + taken from him, his wit and talent appeared to forsake him. This Major + Weir was seized by the magistrates on a strange whisper that became + current respecting vile practices, which he seems to have admitted without + either shame or contrition. The disgusting profligacies which he confessed + were of such a character that it may be charitably hoped most of them were + the fruits of a depraved imagination, though he appears to have been in + many respects a wicked and criminal hypocrite. When he had completed his + confession, he avowed solemnly that he had not confessed the hundredth + part of the crimes which he had committed. From this time he would answer + no interrogatory, nor would he have recourse to prayer, arguing that, as + he had no hope whatever of escaping Satan, there was no need of incensing + him by vain efforts at repentance. His witchcraft seems to have been taken + for granted on his own confession, as his indictment was chiefly founded + on the same document, in which he alleged he had never seen the devil, but + any feeling he had of him was in the dark. He received sentence of death, + which he suffered 12th April, 1670, at the Gallow-hill, between Leith and + Edinburgh. He died so stupidly sullen and impenitent as to justify the + opinion that he was oppressed with a kind of melancholy frenzy, the + consequence perhaps of remorse, but such as urged him not to repent, but + to despair. It seems probable that he was burnt alive. His sister, with + whom he was supposed to have had an incestuous connexion, was condemned + also to death, leaving a stronger and more explicit testimony of their + mutual sins than could be extracted from the Major. She gave, as usual, + some account of her connexion with the queen of the fairies, and + acknowledged the assistance she received from that sovereign in spinning + an unusual quantity of yam. Of her brother she said that one day a friend + called upon them at noonday with a fiery chariot, and invited them to + visit a friend at Dalkeith, and that while there her brother received + information of the event of the battle of Worcester. No one saw the style + of their equipage except themselves. On the scaffold this woman, + determining, as she said, to die “with the greatest shame possible,” was + with difficulty prevented from throwing off her clothes before the people, + and with scarce less trouble was she flung from the ladder by the + executioner. Her last words were in the tone of the sect to which her + brother had so long affected to belong: “Many,” she said, “weep and lament + for a poor old wretch like me; but alas! few are weeping for a broken + Covenant.” + </p> + <p> + The Scottish prelatists, upon whom the Covenanters used to throw many + aspersions respecting their receiving proof against shot from the devil, + and other infernal practices, rejoiced to have an opportunity, in their + turn, to retort on their adversaries the charge of sorcery. Dr. Hickes, + the author of “Thesaurus Septentrionalis,” published on the subject of + Major Weir, and the case of Mitchell, who fired at the Archbishop of St. + Andrews his book called “Ravaillac Redivivus,” written with the unjust + purpose of attaching to the religious sect to which the wizard and + assassin belonged the charge of having fostered and encouraged the crimes + they committed or attempted. + </p> + <p> + It is certain that no story of witchcraft or necromancy, so many of which + occurred near and in Edinburgh, made such a lasting impression on the + public mind as that of Major Weir. The remains of the house in which he + and his sister lived are still shown at the head of the West Bow, which + has a gloomy aspect, well suited for a necromancer. It was at different + times a brazier’s shop and a magazine for lint, and in my younger days was + employed for the latter use; but no family would inhabit the haunted walls + as a residence; and bold was the urchin from the High School who dared + approach the gloomy ruin at the risk of seeing the Major’s enchanted staff + parading through the old apartments, or hearing the hum of the necromantic + wheel, which procured for his sister such a character as a spinner. At the + time I am writing this last fortress of superstitious renown is in the + course of being destroyed, in order to the modern improvements now + carrying on in a quarter long thought unimprovable. + </p> + <p> + As knowledge and learning began to increase, the gentlemen and clergy of + Scotland became ashamed of the credulity of their ancestors, and witch + trials, although not discontinued, more seldom disgrace our records of + criminal jurisprudence. + </p> + <p> + Sir John Clerk, a scholar and an antiquary, the grandfather of the late + celebrated John Clerk of Eldin, had the honour to be amongst the first to + decline acting as a commissioner on the trial of a witch, to which he was + appointed so early as 1678,<a href="#linknote-81" name="linknoteref-81" + id="linknoteref-81"><small>81</small></a> alleging, drily, that he did not + feel himself warlock (that is, conjurer) sufficient to be a judge upon + such an inquisition. Allan Ramsay, his friend, and who must be supposed to + speak the sense of his many respectable patrons, had delivered his opinion + on the subject in the “Gentle Shepherd,” where Mause’s imaginary + witchcraft constitutes the machinery of the poem. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-81" id="linknote-81"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 81 (<a href="#linknoteref-81">return</a>)<br /> [ See Fountainhall’s + “Decisions,” vol. i. p. 15.] + </p> + <p> + Yet these dawnings of sense and humanity were obscured by the clouds of + the ancient superstition on more than one distinguished occasion. In 1676, + Sir George Maxwell, of Pollock, apparently a man of melancholic and + valetudinary habits, believed himself bewitched to death by six witches, + one man and five women, who were leagued for the purpose of tormenting a + clay image in his likeness. The chief evidence on the subject was a + vagabond girl, pretending to be deaf and dumb. But as her imposture was + afterwards discovered and herself punished, it is reasonably to be + concluded that she had herself formed the picture or image of Sir George, + and had hid it where it was afterwards found in consequence of her own + information. In the meantime, five of the accused were executed, and the + sixth only escaped on account of extreme youth. + </p> + <p> + A still more remarkable case occurred at Paisley in 1697, where a young + girl, about eleven years of age, daughter of John Shaw, of Bargarran, was + the principal evidence. This unlucky damsel, beginning her practices out + of a quarrel with a maid-servant, continued to imitate a case of + possession so accurately that no less than twenty persons were condemned + upon her evidence, of whom five were executed, besides one John Reed, who + hanged himself in prison, or, as was charitably said, was strangled by the + devil in person, lest he should make disclosures to the detriment of the + service. But even those who believed in witchcraft were now beginning to + open their eyes to the dangers in the present mode of prosecution. “I + own,” says the Rev. Mr. Bell in his MS. “Treatise on Witchcraft,” “there + has been much harm done to worthy and innocent persons in the common way + of finding out witches, and in the means made use of for promoting the + discovery of such wretches and bringing them to justice; so that + oftentimes old age, poverty, features, and ill-fame, with such like + grounds not worthy to be represented to a magistrate, have yet moved many + to suspect and defame their neighbours, to the unspeakable prejudice of + Christian charity; a late instance whereof we had in the west, in the + business of the sorceries exercised upon the Laird of Bargarran’s + daughter, anno 1697—a time when persons of more goodness and esteem + than most of their calumniators were defamed for witches, and which was + occasioned mostly by the forwardness and absurd credulity of diverse + otherwise worthy ministers of the gospel, and some topping professors in + and about the city of Glasgow."<a href="#linknote-82" name="linknoteref-82" + id="linknoteref-82"><small>82</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-82" id="linknote-82"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 82 (<a href="#linknoteref-82">return</a>)<br /> [ Law’s “Memorialls,” + edited by C.K. Sliarpe, Esq.: Prefatory Notice, p. 93.] + </p> + <p> + Those who doubted of the sense of the law or reasonableness of the + practice in such cases, began to take courage and state their objections + boldly. In the year 1704 a frightful instance of popular bigotry occurred + at Pittenweem. A strolling vagabond, who affected fits, laid an accusation + of witchcraft against two women, who were accordingly seized on, and + imprisoned with the usual severities. One of the unhappy creatures, Janet + Cornfoot by name, escaped from prison, but was unhappily caught, and + brought back to Pittenweem, where she fell into the hands of a ferocious + mob, consisting of rude seamen and fishers. The magistrates made no + attempts for her rescue, and the crowd exercised their brutal pleasure on + the poor old woman, pelted her with stones, swung her suspended on a rope + betwixt a ship and the shore, and finally ended her miserable existence by + throwing a door over her as she lay exhausted on the beach, and heaping + stones upon it till she was pressed to death. As even the existing laws + against witchcraft were transgressed by this brutal riot, a warm attack + was made upon the magistrates and ministers of the town by those who were + shocked at a tragedy of such a horrible cast, There were answers + published, in which the parties assailed were zealously defended. The + superior authorities were expected to take up the affair, but it so + happened; during the general distraction of the country concerning the + Union, that the murder went without the investigation which a crime so + horrid demanded. Still, however, it was something gained that the cruelty + was exposed to the public. The voice of general opinion was now appealed + to, and in the long run the sentiments which it advocates are commonly + those of good sense and humanity. + </p> + <p> + The officers in the higher branches of the law dared now assert their + official authority and reserve for their own decision cases of supposed + witchcraft which the fear of public clamour had induced them formerly to + leave in the hands of inferior judges, operated upon by all the prejudices + of the country and the populace. + </p> + <p> + In 1718, the celebrated lawyer, Robert Dundas of Arniston, then King’s + Advocate, wrote a severe letter of censure to the Sheriff-depute of + Caithness, in the first place, as having neglected to communicate + officially certain precognitions which he had led respecting some recent + practices of witchcraft in his county. The Advocate reminded this local + judge that the duty of inferior magistrates, in such cases, was to advise + with the King’s Counsel, first, whether they should be made subject of a + trial or not; and if so, before what court, and in what manner, it should + take place. He also called the magistrate’s attention to a report, that + he, the Sheriff-depute, intended to judge in the case himself; “a thing of + too great difficulty to be tried without very deliberate advice, and + beyond the jurisdiction of an inferior court.” The Sheriff-depute sends, + with his apology, the <i>precognition</i><a href="#linknote-83" + name="linknoteref-83" id="linknoteref-83"><small>83</small></a> of the + affair, which is one of the most nonsensical in this nonsensical + department of the law. A certain carpenter, named William Montgomery, was + so infested with cats, which, as his servant-maid reported, “spoke among + themselves,” that he fell in a rage upon a party of these animals which + had assembled in his house at irregular hours, and betwixt his Highland + arms of knife, dirk, and broadsword, and his professional weapon of an + axe, he made such a dispersion that they were quiet for the night. In + consequence of his blows, two witches were said to have died. The case of + a third, named Nin-Gilbert, was still more remarkable. Her leg being + broken, the injured limb withered, pined, and finally fell off; on which + the hag was enclosed in prison, where she also died; and the question + which remained was, whether any process should be directed against persons + whom, in her compelled confession, she had, as usual, informed against. + The Lord Advocate, as may be supposed, quashed all further procedure. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-83" id="linknote-83"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 83 (<a href="#linknoteref-83">return</a>)<br /> [ The <i>precognition</i> + is the record of the preliminary evidence on which the public officers + charged in Scotland with duties entrusted to a grand jury in England, + incur the responsibility of sending an accused person to trial.] + </p> + <p> + In 1720, an unlucky boy, the third son of James, Lord Torphichen, took it + into his head, under instructions, it is said, from a knavish governor, to + play the possessed and bewitched person, laying the cause of his distress + on certain old witches in Calder, near to which village his father had his + mansion. The women were imprisoned, and one or two of them died; but the + Crown counsel would not proceed to trial. The noble family also began to + see through the cheat. The boy was sent to sea, and though he is said at + one time to have been disposed to try his fits while on board, when the + discipline of the navy proved too severe for his cunning, in process of + time he became a good sailor, assisted gallantly in defence of the vessel + against the pirates of Angria, and finally was drowned in a storm. + </p> + <p> + In the year 1722, a Sheriff-depute of Sutherland, Captain David Ross of + Littledean, took it upon him, in flagrant violation of the then + established rules of jurisdiction, to pronounce the last sentence of death + for witchcraft which was ever passed in Scotland. The victim was an insane + old woman belonging to the parish of Loth, who had so little idea of her + situation as to rejoice at the sight of the fire which was destined to + consume her. She had a daughter lame both of hands and feet, a + circumstance attributed to the witch’s having been used to transform her + into a pony, and get her shod by the devil. It does not appear that any + punishment was inflicted for this cruel abuse of the law on the person of + a creature so helpless; but the son of the lame daughter, he himself + distinguished by the same misfortune, was living so lately as to receive + the charity of the present Marchioness of Stafford, Countess of Sutherland + in her own right, to whom the poor of her extensive country are as well + known as those of the higher order. + </p> + <p> + Since this deplorable action there has been no judicial interference in + Scotland on account of witchcraft, unless to prevent explosions of popular + enmity against people suspected of such a crime, of which some instances + could be produced. The remains of the superstition sometimes occur; there + can be no doubt that the vulgar are still addicted to the custom of + scoring above the breath<a href="#linknote-84" name="linknoteref-84" + id="linknoteref-84"><small>84</small></a> (as it is termed), and other + counter-spells, evincing that the belief in witchcraft is only asleep, and + might in remote corners be again awakened to deeds of blood. An instance + or two may be quoted chiefly as facts known to the author himself. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-84" id="linknote-84"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 84 (<a href="#linknoteref-84">return</a>)<br /> [ Drawing blood, that is, + by two cuts in the form of a cross on the witch’s forehead, confided in + all throughout Scotland as the most powerful counter charm.] + </p> + <p> + In a remote part of the Highlands, an ignorant and malignant woman seems + really to have meditated the destruction of her neighbour’s property, by + placing in a cow-house, or byre as we call it, a pot of baked clay + containing locks of hair, parings of nails, and other trumpery. This + precious spell was discovered, the design conjectured, and the witch would + have been torn to pieces had not a high-spirited and excellent lady in the + neighbourhood gathered some of her people (though these were not very fond + of the service), and by main force taken the unfortunate creature out of + the hands of the populace. The formidable spell is now in my possession. + </p> + <p> + About two years since, as they were taking down the walls of a building + formerly used as a feeding-house for cattle, in the town of Dalkeith, + there was found below the threshold-stone the withered heart of some + animal stuck full of many scores of pins—a counter-charm, according + to tradition, against the operations of witchcraft on the cattle which are + kept within. Among the almost innumerable droves of bullocks which come + down every year from the Highlands for the south, there is scarce one but + has a curious knot upon his tail, which is also a precaution lest an evil + eye or an evil spell may do the animal harm. + </p> + <p> + The last Scottish story with which I will trouble you happened in or + shortly after the year 1800, and the whole circumstances are well known to + me. The dearth of the years in the end of the eighteenth and beginning of + this century was inconvenient to all, but distressing to the poor. A + solitary old woman, in a wild and lonely district, subsisted chiefly by + rearing chickens, an operation requiring so much care and attention that + the gentry, and even the farmers’ wives, often find it better to buy + poultry at a certain age than to undertake the trouble of bringing them + up. As the old woman in the present instance fought her way through life + better than her neighbours, envy stigmatized her as having some unlawful + mode of increasing the gains of her little trade, and apparently she did + not take much alarm at the accusation. But she felt, like others, the + dearth of the years alluded to, and chiefly because the farmers were + unwilling to sell grain in the very moderate quantities which she was able + to purchase, and without which her little stock of poultry must have been + inevitably starved. In distress on this account, the dame went to a + neighbouring farmer, a very good-natured, sensible, honest man, and + requested him as a favour to sell her a peck of oats at any price. “Good + neighbour,” he said, “I am sorry to be obliged to refuse you, but my corn + is measured out for Dalkeith market; my carts are loaded to set out, and + to open these sacks again, and for so small a quantity, would cast my + accounts loose, and create much trouble and disadvantage; I dare say you + will get all you want at such a place, or such a place.” On receiving this + answer, the old woman’s temper gave way. She scolded the wealthy farmer, + and wished evil to his property, which was just setting off for the + market. They parted, after some angry language on both sides; and sure + enough, as the carts crossed the ford of the river beneath the farm-house, + off came the wheel from one of them, and five or six sacks of corn were + damaged by the water. The good farmer hardly knew what to think of this; + there were the two circumstances deemed of old essential and sufficient to + the crime of witchcraft—<i>Damnum minatum, et malum secutum</i>. + Scarce knowing what to believe, he hastened to consult the sheriff of the + county, as a friend rather than a magistrate, upon a case so + extraordinary. The official person showed him that the laws against + witchcraft were abrogated, and had little difficulty to bring him to + regard the matter in its true light of an accident. + </p> + <p> + It is strange, but true, that the accused herself was not to be reconciled + to the sheriffs doctrine so easily. He reminded her that, if she used her + tongue with so much license, she must expose herself to suspicions, and + that should coincidences happen to irritate her neighbours, she, might + suffer harm at a time when there was no one to protect her. He therefore + requested her to be more cautious in her language for her own sake, + professing, at the same time, his belief that her words and intentions + were perfectly harmless, and that he had no apprehension of being hurt by + her, let her wish her worst to him. She was rather more angry than pleased + at the well-meaning sheriffs scepticism. “I would be laith to wish ony ill + either to you or yours, sir,” she said; “for I kenna how it is, but + something aye comes after my words when I am ill-guided and speak ower + fast.” In short, she was obstinate in claiming an influence over the + destiny of others by words and wishes, which might have in other times + conveyed her to the stake, for which her expressions, their consequences, + and her disposition to insist upon their efficacy, would certainly of old + have made her a fit victim. At present the story is scarcely worth + mentioning, but as it contains material resembling those out of which many + tragic incidents have arisen. + </p> + <p> + So low, in short, is now the belief in witchcraft, that perhaps it is only + received by those half-crazy individuals who feel a species of consequence + derived from accidental coincidences, which, were they received by the + community in general, would go near, as on former occasions, to cost the + lives of those who make their boast of them. At least one hypochondriac + patient is known to the author, who believes himself the victim of a gang + of witches, and ascribes his illness to their charms, so that he wants + nothing but an indulgent judge to awake again the old ideas of sorcery. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LETTER X. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Other Mystic Arts independent of Witchcraft—Astrology—Its + Influence during the 16th and 17th Centuries—Base Ignorance of + those who practised it—Lilly’s History of his Life and + Times—Astrologer’s Society—Dr. Lamb—Dr. Forman—Establishment of + the Royal Society—Partridge—Connexion of Astrologers with + Elementary Spirits—Dr. Dun—Irish Superstition of the + Banshie—Similar Superstition in the + Highlands—Brownie—Ghosts—Belief of Ancient Philosophers on that + Subject—Inquiry into the respect due to such Tales in Modern + Times—Evidence of a Ghost against a Murderer—Ghost of Sir George + Villiers—Story of Earl St. Vincent—Of a British General + Officer—Of an Apparition in France—Of the Second Lord + Lyttelton—Of Bill Jones—Of Jarvis Matcham—Trial of two + Highlanders for the Murder of Sergeant Davis, discovered by a + Ghost—Disturbances at Woodstock, anno 1649—Imposture called the + Stockwell Ghost—Similar Case in Scotland—Ghost appearing to an + Exciseman—Story of a Disturbed House discovered by the firmness of + the Proprietor—Apparition at Plymouth—A Club of + Philosophers—Ghost Adventure of a Farmer—Trick upon a Veteran + Soldier—Ghost Stories recommended by the Skill of the Authors who + compose them—Mrs. Veal’s Ghost—Dunton’s Apparition + Evidence—Effect of Appropriate Scenery to Encourage a Tendency to + Superstition—Differs at distant Periods of Life—Night at Glammis + Castle about 1791—Visit to Dunvegan in 1814. +</pre> + <p class="pfirst"> + <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">W</span>hile the vulgar + endeavoured to obtain a glance into the darkness of futurity by consulting + the witch or fortune-teller, the great were supposed to have a royal path + of their own, commanding a view from a loftier quarter of the same <i>terra + incognita</i>. This was represented as accessible by several routes. + Physiognomy, chiromancy, and other fantastic arts of prediction afforded + each its mystical assistance and guidance. But the road most flattering to + human vanity, while it was at the same time most seductive to human + credulity, was that of astrology, the queen of mystic sciences, who + flattered those who confided in her that the planets and stars in their + spheres figure forth and influence the fate of the creatures of mortality, + and that a sage acquainted with her lore could predict, with some approach + to certainty, the events of any man’s career, his chance of success in + life or in marriage, his advance in favour of the great, or answer any + other horary questions, as they were termed, which he might be anxious to + propound, provided always he could supply the exact moment of his birth. + This, in the sixteenth and greater part of the seventeenth centuries, was + all that was necessary to enable the astrologer to erect a scheme of the + position of the heavenly bodies, which should disclose the life of the + interrogator, or Native, as he was called, with all its changes, past, + present, and to come. + </p> + <p> + Imagination was dazzled by a prospect so splendid; and we find that in the + sixteenth century the cultivation of this fantastic science was the + serious object of men whose understandings and acquirements admit of no + question. Bacon himself allowed the truth which might be found in a + well-regulated astrology, making thus a distinction betwixt the art as + commonly practised and the manner in which it might, as he conceived, be + made a proper use of. But a grave or sober use of this science, if even + Bacon could have taught such moderation, would not have suited the temper + of those who, inflamed by hopes of temporal aggrandizement, pretended to + understand and explain to others the language of the stars. Almost all the + other paths of mystic knowledge led to poverty; even the alchemist, though + talking loud and high of the endless treasures his art was to produce, + lived from day to day and from year to year upon hopes as unsubstantial as + the smoke of his furnace. But the pursuits of the astrologer were such as + called for instant remuneration. He became rich by the eager hopes and + fond credulity of those who consulted him, and that artist lived by duping + others, instead of starving, like others, by duping himself. The wisest + men have been cheated by the idea that some supernatural influence upheld + and guided them; and from the time of Wallenstein to that of Buonaparte, + ambition and success have placed confidence in the species of fatalism + inspired by a belief of the influence of their own star. Such being the + case, the science was little pursued by those who, faithful in their + remarks and reports, must soon have discovered its delusive vanity through + the splendour of its professions; and the place of such calm and + disinterested pursuers of truth was occupied by a set of men sometimes + ingenious, always forward and assuming, whose knowledge was imposition, + whose responses were, like the oracles of yore, grounded on the desire of + deceit, and who, if sometimes they were elevated into rank and fortune, + were more frequently found classed with rogues and vagabonds. This was the + more apt to be the case that a sufficient stock of impudence, and some + knowledge by rote of the terms of art, were all the store of information + necessary for establishing a conjurer. The natural consequence of the + degraded character of the professors was the degradation of the art + itself. Lilly, who wrote the history of his own life and times, notices in + that curious volume the most distinguished persons of his day, who made + pretensions to astrology, and almost without exception describes them as + profligate, worthless, sharking cheats, abandoned to vice, and imposing, + by the grossest frauds, upon the silly fools who consulted them. From what + we learn of his own history, Lilly himself, a low-born ignorant man, with + some gloomy shades of fanaticism in his temperament, was sufficiently + fitted to dupe others, and perhaps cheated himself merely by perusing, at + an advanced period of life, some of the astrological tracts devised by men + of less cunning, though perhaps more pretence to science, than he himself + might boast. Yet the public still continue to swallow these gross + impositions, though coming from such unworthy authority. The astrologers + embraced different sides of the Civil War, and the king on one side, with + the Parliamentary leaders on the other, were both equally curious to know, + and eager to believe, what Lilly, Wharton, or Gadbury had discovered from + the heavens touching the fortune of the strife. Lilly was a prudent + person, contriving with some address to shift the sails of his prophetic + bark so as to suit the current of the time, and the gale of fortune. No + person could better discover from various omens the course of Charles’s + misfortunes, so soon as they had come to pass. In the time of the + Commonwealth he foresaw the perpetual destruction of the monarchy, and in + 1660 this did not prevent his foreseeing the restoration of Charles II. He + maintained some credit even among the better classes, for Aubrey and + Ashmole both called themselves his friends, being persons extremely + credulous, doubtless, respecting the mystic arts. Once a year, too, the + astrologers had a public dinner or feast, where the knaves were patronised + by the company of such fools as claimed the title of Philomaths—that + is, lovers of the mathematics, by which name were still distinguished + those who encouraged the pursuit of mystical prescience, the most opposite + possible to exact science. Elias Ashmole, the “most honourable Esquire,” + to whom Lilly’s life is dedicated, seldom failed to attend; nay, several + men of sense and knowledge honoured this rendezvous. Congreve’s picture of + a man like Foresight, the dupe of astrology and its sister arts, was then + common in society. But the astrologers of the 17th century did not confine + themselves to the stars. There was no province of fraud which they did not + practise; they were scandalous as panders, and as quacks sold potions for + the most unworthy purposes. For such reasons the common people detested + the astrologers of the great as cordially as they did the more vulgar + witches of their own sphere. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Lamb, patronised by the Duke of Buckingham, who, like other overgrown + favourites, was inclined to cherish astrology, was in 1640 pulled to + pieces in the city of London by the enraged populace, and his + maid-servant, thirteen years afterwards, hanged as a witch at Salisbury. + In the villanous transaction of the poisoning of Sir Thomas Overbury, in + King James’s time, much mention was made of the art and skill of Dr. + Forman, another professor of the same sort with Lamb, who was consulted by + the Countess of Essex on the best mode of conducting her guilty intrigue + with the Earl of Somerset. He was dead before the affair broke out, which + might otherwise have cost him the gibbet, as it did all others concerned, + with the exception only of the principal parties, the atrocious authors of + the crime. When the cause was tried, some little puppets were produced in + court, which were viewed by one party with horror, as representing the + most horrid spells. It was even said that the devil was about to pull down + the court-house on their being discovered. Others of the audience only saw + in them the baby figures on which the dressmakers then, as now, were + accustomed to expose new fashions. + </p> + <p> + The erection of the Royal Society, dedicated to far different purposes + than the pursuits of astrology, had a natural operation in bringing the + latter into discredit; and although the credulity of the ignorant and + uninformed continued to support some pretenders to that science, the name + of Philomath, assumed by these persons and their clients, began to sink + under ridicule and contempt. When Sir Richard Steele set up the paper + called the <i>Guardian</i>, he chose, under the title of Nestor Ironside, + to assume the character of an astrologer, and issued predictions + accordingly, one of which, announcing the death of a person called + Partridge, once a shoemaker, but at the time the conductor of an + Astrological Almanack, led to a controversy, which was supported with + great humour by Swift and other wags. I believe you will find that this, + with Swift’s Elegy on the same person, is one of the last occasions in + which astrology has afforded even a jest to the good people of England. + </p> + <p> + This dishonoured science has some right to be mentioned in a “Treatise on + Demonology,” because the earlier astrologers, though denying the use of + all necromancy—that is, unlawful or black magic—pretended + always to a correspondence with the various spirits of the elements, on + the principles of the Rosicrucian philosophy. They affirmed they could + bind to their service, and imprison in a ring, a mirror, or a stone, some + fairy, sylph, or salamander, and compel it to appear when called, and + render answers to such questions as the viewer should propose. It is + remarkable that the sage himself did not pretend to see the spirit; but + the task of viewer, or reader, was entrusted to a third party, a boy or + girl usually under the years of puberty. Dr. Dee, an excellent + mathematician, had a stone of this kind, and is said to have been imposed + upon concerning the spirits attached to it, their actions and answers, by + the report of one Kelly who acted as his viewer. The unfortunate Dee was + ruined by his associates both in fortune and reputation. His show-stone or + mirror is still preserved among other curiosities in the British Museum. + Some superstition of the same kind was introduced by the celebrated Count + Cagliostro, during the course of the intrigue respecting the diamond + necklace in which the late Marie Antoinette was so unfortunately + implicated. + </p> + <p> + Dismissing this general class of impostors, who are now seldom heard of, + we come now briefly to mention some leading superstitions once, perhaps, + common to all the countries of Europe, but now restricted to those which + continue to be inhabited by an undisturbed and native race. Of these, one + of the most beautiful is the Irish fiction which assigns to certain + families of ancient descent and distinguished rank the privilege of a + Banshie, as she is called, or household fairy, whose office it is to + appear, seemingly mourning, while she announces the approaching death of + some one of the destined race. The subject has been so lately and + beautifully investigated and illustrated by Mr. Crofton Croker and others, + that I may dispense with being very particular regarding it. If I am + rightly informed, the distinction of a banshie is only allowed to families + of the pure Milesian stock, and is never ascribed to any descendant of the + proudest Norman or boldest Saxon who followed the banner of Earl + Strongbow, much less to adventurers of later date who have obtained + settlements in the Green Isle. + </p> + <p> + Several families of the Highlands of Scotland anciently laid claim to the + distinction of an attendant spirit who performed the office of the Irish + banshie. Amongst them, however, the functions of this attendant genius, + whose form and appearance differed in different cases, were not limited to + announcing the dissolution of those whose days were numbered. The + Highlanders contrived to exact from them other points of service, + sometimes as warding off dangers of battle; at others, as guarding and + protecting the infant heir through the dangers of childhood; and sometimes + as condescending to interfere even in the sports of the chieftain, and + point out the fittest move to be made at chess, or the best card to be + played at any other game. Among those spirits who have deigned to vouch + their existence by appearance of late years, is that of an ancestor of the + family of MacLean of Lochbuy. Before the death of any of his race the + phantom-chief gallops along the sea-beach near to the castle, announcing + the event by cries and lamentations. The spectre is said to have rode his + rounds and uttered his death-cries within these few years, in consequence + of which the family and clan, though much shocked, were in no way + surprised to hear by next accounts that their gallant chief was dead at + Lisbon, where he served under Lord Wellington. + </p> + <p> + Of a meaner origin and occupation was the Scottish Brownie, already + mentioned as somewhat resembling Robin Goodfellow in the frolicsome days + of Old England. This spirit was easily banished, or, as it was styled, + hired away, by the offer of clothes or food; but many of the simple + inhabitants could little see the prudence of parting with such a useful + domestic drudge, who served faithfully, without fee and reward, food or + raiment. Neither was it all times safe to reject Brownie’s assistance. + Thus, we are informed by Brand, that a young man in the Orkneys “used to + brew, and sometimes read upon his Bible; to whom an old woman in the house + said, that Brownie was displeased with that book he read upon, which, if + he continued to do, they would get no more service of Brownie; but he, + being better instructed from that book, which was Brownie’s eyesore and + the object of his wrath, when he brewed, would not suffer any sacrifice to + be given to Brownie; whereupon the first and second brewings were spoilt, + and for no use; for though the wort wrought well, yet in a little time it + left off working, and grew cold; but of the third broust, or brewing, he + had ale very good, though he would not give any sacrifice to Brownie, with + whom afterwards they were no more troubled.” Another story of the same + kind is told of a lady in Uist, who refused, on religious grounds, the + usual sacrifice to this domestic spirit. The first and second brewings + failed, but the third succeeded; and thus, when Brownie lost the + perquisite to which he had been so long accustomed, he abandoned the + inhospitable house, where his services had so long been faithfully + rendered. The last place in the south of Scotland supposed to have been + honoured, or benefited, by the residence of a Brownie, was Bodsbeck in + Moffatdale, which has been the subject of an entertaining tale by Mr. + James Hogg, the self-instructed genius of Ettrick Forest. + </p> + <p> + These particular superstitions, however, are too limited, and too much + obliterated from recollection, to call for special discussion. The general + faith in fairies has already undergone our consideration; but something + remains to be said upon another species of superstition, so general that + it may be called proper to mankind in every climate; so deeply rooted also + in human belief, that it is found to survive in states of society during + which all other fictions of the same order are entirely dismissed from + influence. Mr. Crabbe, with his usual felicity, has called the belief in + ghosts “the last lingering fiction of the brain.” + </p> + <p> + Nothing appears more simple at the first view of the subject, than that + human memory should recall and bring back to the eye of the imagination, + in perfect similitude, even the very form and features of a person with + whom we have been long conversant, or which have been imprinted in our + minds with indelible strength by some striking circumstances touching our + meeting in life. The son does not easily forget the aspect of an + affectionate father; and, for reasons opposite but equally powerful, the + countenance of a murdered person is engraved upon the recollection of his + slayer. A thousand additional circumstances, far too obvious to require + recapitulation, render the supposed apparition of the dead the most + ordinary spectral phenomenon which is ever believed to occur among the + living. All that we have formerly said respecting supernatural appearances + in general, applies with peculiar force to the belief of ghosts; for + whether the cause of delusion exists in an excited imagination or a + disordered organic system, it is in this way that it commonly exhibits + itself. Hence Lucretius himself, the most absolute of sceptics, considers + the existence of ghosts, and their frequent apparition, as facts so + undeniable that he endeavours to account for them at the expense of + assenting to a class of phenomena very irreconcilable to his general + system. As he will not allow of the existence of the human soul, and at + the same time cannot venture to question the phenomena supposed to haunt + the repositories of the dead, he is obliged to adopt the belief that the + body consists of several coats like those of an onion, and that the + outmost and thinnest, being detached by death, continues to wander near + the place of sepulture, in the exact resemblance of the person while + alive. + </p> + <p> + We have said there are many ghost stories which we do not feel at liberty + to challenge as impostures, because we are confident that those who relate + them on their own authority actually believe what they assert, and may + have good reason for doing so, though there is no real phantom after all. + We are far, therefore, from averring that such tales are necessarily + false. It is easy to suppose the visionary has been imposed upon by a + lively dream, a waking reverie, the excitation of a powerful imagination, + or the misrepresentation of a diseased organ of sight; and in one or other + of these causes, to say nothing of a system of deception which may in many + instances be probable, we apprehend a solution will be found for all cases + of what are called real ghost stories. + </p> + <p> + In truth, the evidence with respect to such apparitions is very seldom + accurately or distinctly questioned. A supernatural tale is in most cases + received as an agreeable mode of amusing society, and he would be rather + accounted a sturdy moralist than an entertaining companion who should + employ himself in assailing its credibility. It would indeed be a solecism + in manners, something like that of impeaching the genuine value of the + antiquities exhibited by a good-natured collector for the gratification of + his guests. This difficulty will appear greater should a company have the + rare good fortune to meet the person who himself witnessed the wonders + which he tells; a well-bred or prudent man will, under such circumstances, + abstain from using the rules of cross-examination practised in a court of + justice; and if in any case he presumes to do so, he is in danger of + receiving answers, even from the most candid and honourable persons, which + are rather fitted to support the credit of the story which they stand + committed to maintain, than to the pure service of unadorned truth. The + narrator is asked, for example, some unimportant question with respect to + the apparition; he answers it on the hasty suggestion of his own + imagination, tinged as it is with belief of the general fact, and by doing + so often gives a feature of minute evidence which was before wanting, and + this with perfect unconsciousness on his own part. It is a rare + occurrence, indeed, to find an opportunity of dealing with an actual + ghost-seer; such instances, however, I have certainly myself met with, and + that in the case of able, wise, candid, and resolute persons, of whose + veracity I had every reason to be confident. But in such instances shades + of mental aberration have afterwards occurred, which sufficiently + accounted for the supposed apparitions, and will incline me always to feel + alarmed in behalf of the continued health of a friend who should conceive + himself to have witnessed such a visitation. + </p> + <p> + The nearest approximation which can be generally made to exact evidence in + this case, is the word of some individual who has had the story, it may + be, from the person to whom it has happened, but most likely from his + family, or some friend of the family. Far more commonly the narrator + possesses no better means of knowledge than that of dwelling in the + country where the thing happened, or being well acquainted with the + outside of the mansion in the inside of which the ghost appeared. + </p> + <p> + In every point the evidence of such a second-hand retailer of the mystic + story must fall under the adjudged case in an English court. The judge + stopped a witness who was about to give an account of the murder upon + trial, as it was narrated to him by the ghost of the murdered person. + “Hold, sir,” said his lordship; “the ghost is an excellent witness, and + his evidence the best possible; but he cannot be heard by proxy in this + court. Summon him hither, and I’ll hear him in person; but your + communication is mere hearsay, which my office compels me to reject.” Yet + it is upon the credit of one man, who pledges it upon that of three or + four persons, who have told it successively to each other, that we are + often expected to believe an incident inconsistent with the laws of + Nature, however agreeable to our love of the wonderful and the horrible. + </p> + <p> + In estimating the truth or falsehood of such stories it is evident we can + derive no proofs from that period of society when men affirmed boldly, and + believed stoutly, all the wonders which could be coined or fancied. That + such stories are believed and told by grave historians, only shows that + the wisest men cannot rise in all things above the general ignorance of + their age. Upon the evidence of such historians we might as well believe + the portents of ancient or the miracles of modern Rome. For example, we + read in Clarendon of the apparition of the ghost of Sir George Villiers to + an ancient dependant. This is no doubt a story told by a grave author, at + a time when such stories were believed by all the world; but does it + follow that our reason must acquiesce in a statement so positively + contradicted by the voice of Nature through all her works? The miracle of + raising a dead man was positively refused by our Saviour to the Jews, who + demanded it as a proof of his mission, because they had already sufficient + grounds of conviction; and, as they believed them not, it was irresistibly + argued by the Divine Person whom they tempted, that neither would they + believe if one arose from the dead. Shall we suppose that a miracle + refused for the conversion of God’s chosen people was sent on a vain + errand to save the life of a profligate spendthrift? I lay aside, you + observe, entirely the not unreasonable supposition that Towers, or + whatever was the ghost-seer’s name, desirous to make an impression upon + Buckingham, as an old servant of his house, might be tempted to give him + his advice, of which we are not told the import, in the character of his + father’s spirit, and authenticate the tale by the mention of some token + known to him as a former retainer of the family. The Duke was + superstitious, and the ready dupe of astrologers and soothsayers. The + manner in which he had provoked the fury of the people must have warned + every reflecting person of his approaching fate; and, the age considered, + it was not unnatural that a faithful friend should take this mode of + calling his attention to his perilous situation. Or, if we suppose that + the incident was not a mere pretext to obtain access to the Duke’s ear, + the messenger may have been impressed upon by an idle dream—in a + word, numberless conjectures might be formed for accounting for the event + in a natural way, the most extravagant of which is more probable than that + the laws of Nature were broken through in order to give a vain and + fruitless warning to an ambitious minion. + </p> + <p> + It is the same with all those that are called accredited ghost stories + usually told at the fireside. They want evidence. It is true that the + general wish to believe, rather than power of believing, has given some + such stories a certain currency in society. I may mention, as one of the + class of tales I mean, that of the late Earl St. Vincent, who watched, + with a friend, it is said, a whole night, in order to detect the cause of + certain nocturnal disturbances which took place in a certain mansion. The + house was under lease to Mrs. Ricketts, his sister. The result of his + lordship’s vigil is said to have been that he heard the noises without + being able to detect the causes, and insisted on his sister giving up the + house. This is told as a real story, with a thousand different + circumstances. But who has heard or seen an authentic account from Earl + St. Vincent, or from his “companion of the watch,” or from his lordship’s + sister? And as in any other case such sure species of direct evidence + would be necessary to prove the facts, it seems unreasonable to believe + such a story on slighter terms. When the particulars are precisely fixed + and known, it might be time to enquire whether Lord St. Vincent, amid the + other eminent qualities of a first-rate seaman, might not be in some + degree tinged with their tendency to superstition; and still farther, + whether, having ascertained the existence of disturbances not immediately + or easily detected, his lordship might not advise his sister rather to + remove than to remain in a house so haunted, though he might believe that + poachers or smugglers were the worst ghosts by whom it was disturbed. + </p> + <p> + The story of two highly respectable officers in the British army, who are + supposed to have seen the spectre of the brother of one of them in a hut, + or barrack, in America, is also one of those accredited ghost tales, which + attain a sort of brevet rank as true, from the mention of respectable + names as the parties who witnessed the vision. But we are left without a + glimpse when, how, and in what terms, this story obtained its currency; as + also by whom, and in what manner, it was first circulated; and among the + numbers by whom it has been quoted, although all agree in the general + event, scarcely two, even of those who pretend to the best information, + tell the story in the same way. + </p> + <p> + Another such story, in which the name of a lady of condition is made use + of as having seen an apparition in a country-seat in France, is so far + better borne out than those I have mentioned, that I have seen a narrative + of the circumstances attested by the party principally concerned. That the + house was disturbed seems to be certain, but the circumstances (though + very remarkable) did not, in my mind, by any means exclude the probability + that the disturbance and appearances were occasioned by the dexterous + management of some mischievously-disposed persons. + </p> + <p> + The remarkable circumstance of Thomas, the second Lord Lyttelton, + prophesying his own death within a few minutes, upon the information of an + apparition, has been always quoted as a true story. But of late it has + been said and published, that the unfortunate nobleman had previously + determined to take poison, and of course had it in his own power to + ascertain the execution of the prediction. It was no doubt singular that a + man, who meditated his exit from the world, should have chosen to play + such a trick on his friends. But it is still more credible that a + whimsical man should do so wild a thing, than that a messenger should be + sent from the dead to tell a libertine at what precise hour he should + expire. + </p> + <p> + To this list other stories of the same class might be added. But it is + sufficient to show that such stories as these, having gained a certain + degree of currency in the world, and bearing creditable names on their + front, walk through society unchallenged, like bills through a bank when + they bear respectable indorsations, although, it may be, the signatures + are forged after all. There is, indeed, an unwillingness very closely to + examine such subjects, for the secret fund of superstition in every man’s + bosom is gratified by believing them to be true, or at least induces him + to abstain from challenging them as false. And no doubt it must happen + that the transpiring of incidents, in which men have actually seen, or + conceived that they saw, apparitions which were invisible to others, + contributes to the increase of such stories—which do accordingly + sometimes meet us in a shape of veracity difficult to question. + </p> + <p> + The following story was narrated to me by my friend, Mr. William Clerk, + chief clerk to the Jury Court, Edinburgh, when he first learned it, now + nearly thirty years ago, from a passenger in the mail-coach. With Mr. + Clerk’s consent, I gave the story at that time to poor Mat Lewis, who + published it with a ghost-ballad which he adjusted on the same theme. From + the minuteness of the original detail, however, the narrative is better + calculated for prose than verse; and more especially as the friend to whom + it was originally communicated is one of the most accurate, intelligent, + and acute persons whom I have known in the course of my life, I am willing + to preserve the precise story in this place. + </p> + <p> + It was about the eventful year 1800, when the Emperor Paul laid his + ill-judged embargo on British trade, that my friend Mr. William Clerk, on + a journey to London, found himself in company, in the mail-coach, with a + seafaring man of middle age and respectable appearance, who announced + himself as master of a vessel in the Baltic trade, and a sufferer by the + embargo. In the course of the desultory conversation which takes place on + such occasions the seaman observed, in compliance with a common + superstition, “I wish we may have good luck on our journey—there is + a magpie.” “And why should that be unlucky?” said my friend. “I cannot + tell you that,” replied the sailor; “but all the world agrees that one + magpie bodes bad luck—two are not so bad, but three are the devil. I + never saw three magpies but twice, and once I had near lost my vessel, and + the second I fell from a horse, and was hurt.” This conversation led Mr. + Clerk to observe that he supposed he believed also in ghosts, since he + credited such auguries. “And if I do,” said the sailor, “I may have my own + reasons for doing so;” and he spoke this in a deep and serious manner, + implying that he felt deeply what he was saying. On being further urged, + he confessed that, if he could believe his own eyes, there was one ghost + at least which he had seen repeatedly. He then told his story as I now + relate it. + </p> + <p> + Our mariner had in his youth gone mate of a slave vessel from Liverpool, + of which town he seemed to be a native. The captain of the vessel was a + man of a variable temper, sometimes kind and courteous to his men, but + subject to fits of humour, dislike, and passion, during which he was very + violent, tyrannical, and cruel. He took a particular dislike at one sailor + aboard, an elderly man, called Bill Jones, or some such name. He seldom + spoke to this person without threats and abuse, which the old man, with + the license which sailors take on merchant vessels, was very apt to + return. On one occasion Bill Jones appeared slow in getting out on the + yard to hand a sail. The captain, according to custom, abused the seaman + as a lubberly rascal, who got fat by leaving his duty to other people. The + man made a saucy answer, almost amounting to mutiny, on which, in a + towering passion, the captain ran down to his cabin, and returned with a + blunderbuss loaded with slugs, with which he took deliberate aim at the + supposed mutineer, fired, and mortally wounded him. The man was handed + down from the yard, and stretched on the deck, evidently dying. He fixed + his eyes on the captain, and said, “Sir, you have done for me, but <i>I + will never leave you</i>” The captain, in return, swore at him for a fat + lubber, and said he would have him thrown into the slave-kettle, where + they made food for the negroes, and see how much fat he had got. The man + died. His body was actually thrown into the slave-kettle, and the narrator + observed, with a <i>naïveté</i> which confirmed the extent of his own + belief in the truth of what he told, “There was not much fat about him + after all.” + </p> + <p> + The captain told the crew they must keep absolute silence on the subject + of what had passed; and as the mate was not willing to give an explicit + and absolute promise, he ordered him to be confined below. After a day or + two he came to the mate, and demanded if he had an intention to deliver + him up for trial when the vessel got home. The mate, who was tired of + close confinement in that sultry climate, spoke his commander fair, and + obtained his liberty. When he mingled among the crew once more he found + them impressed with the idea, not unnatural in their situation, that the + ghost of the dead man appeared among them when they had a spell of duty, + especially if a sail was to be handed, on which occasion the spectre was + sure to be out upon the yard before any of the crew. The narrator had seen + this apparition himself repeatedly—he believed the captain saw it + also, but he took no notice of it for some time, and the crew, terrified + at the violent temper of the man, dared not call his attention to it. Thus + they held on their course homeward with great fear and anxiety. + </p> + <p> + At length, the captain invited the mate, who was now in a sort of favour, + to go down to the cabin and take a glass of grog with him. In this + interview he assumed a very grave and anxious aspect. “I need not tell + you, Jack,” he said, “what sort of hand we have got on board with us. He + told me he would never leave me, and he has kept his word. You only see + him now and then, but he is always by my side, and never out of my sight. + At this very moment I see him—I am determined to bear it no longer, + and I have resolved to leave you.” + </p> + <p> + The mate replied that his leaving the vessel while out of the sight of any + land was impossible. He advised, that if the captain apprehended any bad + consequences from what had happened, he should run for the west of France + or Ireland, and there go ashore, and leave him, the mate, to carry the + vessel into Liverpool. The captain only shook his head gloomily, and + reiterated his determination to leave the ship. At this moment the mate + was called to the deck for some purpose or other, and the instant he got + up the companion-ladder he heard a splash in the water, and looking over + the ship’s side, saw that the captain had thrown himself into the sea from + the quarter-gallery, and was running astern at the rate of six knots an + hour. When just about to sink he seemed to make a last exertion, sprung + half out of the water, and clasped his hands towards the mate, calling, + “By——, Bill is with me now!” and then sunk, to be seen no + more. + </p> + <p> + After hearing this singular story Mr. Clerk asked some questions about the + captain, and whether his companion considered him as at all times + rational. The sailor seemed struck with the question, and answered, after + a moment’s delay, that in general <i>he conversationed well enough</i>. + </p> + <p> + It would have been desirable to have been able to ascertain how far this + extraordinary tale was founded on fact; but want of time and other + circumstances prevented Mr. Clerk from learning the names and dates, that + might to a certain degree have verified the events. Granting the murder to + have taken place, and the tale to have been truly told, there was nothing + more likely to arise among the ship’s company than the belief in the + apparition; as the captain was a man of a passionate and irritable + disposition, it was nowise improbable that he, the victim of remorse, + should participate in the horrible visions of those less concerned, + especially as he was compelled to avoid communicating his sentiments with + any one else; and the catastrophe would in such a case be but the natural + consequence of that superstitious remorse which has conducted so many + criminals to suicide or the gallows. If the fellow-traveller of Mr. Clerk + be not allowed this degree of credit, he must at least be admitted to have + displayed a singular talent for the composition of the horrible in + fiction. The tale, properly detailed, might have made the fortune of a + romancer. + </p> + <p> + I cannot forbear giving you, as congenial to this story, another instance + of a guilt-formed phantom, which made considerable noise about twenty + years ago or more. I am, I think, tolerably correct in the details, though + I have lost the account of the trial. Jarvis Matcham—such, if I am + not mistaken, was the name of my hero—was pay-sergeant in a + regiment, where he was so highly esteemed as a steady and accurate man + that he was permitted opportunity to embezzle a considerable part of the + money lodged in his hands for pay of soldiers, bounty of recruits (then a + large sum), and other charges which fell within his duty. He was summoned + to join his regiment from a town where he had been on the recruiting + service, and this perhaps under some shade of suspicion. Matcham perceived + discovery was at hand, and would have deserted had it not been for the + presence of a little drummer lad, who was the only one of his party + appointed to attend him. In the desperation of his crime he resolved to + murder the poor boy, and avail himself of some balance of money to make + his escape. He meditated this wickedness the more readily that the + drummer, he thought, had been put as a spy on him. He perpetrated his + crime, and changing his dress after the deed was done, made a long walk + across the country to an inn on the Portsmouth road, where he halted and + went to bed, desiring to be called when the first Portsmouth coach came. + The waiter summoned him accordingly, but long after remembered that, when + he shook the guest by the shoulder, his first words as he awoke were: “My + God! I did not kill him.” + </p> + <p> + Matcham went to the seaport by the coach, and instantly entered as an + able-bodied landsman or marine, I know not which. His sobriety and + attention to duty gained him the same good opinion of the officers in his + new service which he had enjoyed in the army. He was afloat for several + years, and behaved remarkably well in some actions. At length the vessel + came into Plymouth, was paid off, and some of the crew, amongst whom was + Jarvis Matcham, were dismissed as too old for service. He and another + seaman resolved to walk to town, and took the route by Salisbury. It was + when within two or three miles of this celebrated city that they were + overtaken by a tempest so sudden, and accompanied with such vivid + lightning and thunder so dreadfully loud, that the obdurate conscience of + the old sinner began to be awakened. He expressed more terror than seemed + natural for one who was familiar with the war of elements, and began to + look and talk so wildly that his companion became aware that something + more than usual was the matter. At length Matcham complained to his + companion that the stones rose from the road and flew after him. He + desired the man to walk on the other side of the highway to see if they + would follow him when he was alone. The sailor complied, and Jarvis + Matcham complained that the stones still flew after him and did not pursue + the other. “But what is worse,” he added, coming up to his companion, and + whispering, with a tone of mystery and fear, “who is that little + drummer-boy, and what business has he to follow us so closely?” “I can see + no one,” answered the seaman, infected by the superstition of his + associate. “What! not see that little boy with the bloody pantaloons!” + exclaimed the secret murderer, so much to the terror of his comrade that + he conjured him, if he had anything on his mind, to make a clear + conscience as far as confession could do it. The criminal fetched a deep + groan, and declared that he was unable longer to endure the life which he + had led for years. He then confessed the murder of the drummer, and added + that, as a considerable reward had been offered, he wished his comrade to + deliver him up to the magistrates of Salisbury, as he would desire a + shipmate to profit by his fate, which he was now convinced was inevitable. + Having overcome his friend’s objections to this mode of proceeding, Jarvis + Matcham was surrendered to justice accordingly, and made a full confession + of his guilt But before the trial the love of life returned. The prisoner + denied his confession, and pleaded Not Guilty. By this time, however, full + evidence had been procured from other quarters. Witnesses appeared from + his former regiment to prove his identity with the murderer and deserter, + and the waiter remembered the ominous words which he had spoken when he + awoke him to join the Portsmouth coach. Jarvis Matcham was found guilty + and executed. When his last chance of life was over he returned to his + confession, and with his dying breath averred, and truly, as he thought, + the truth of the vision on Salisbury Plain. Similar stories might be + produced, showing plainly that, under the direction of Heaven, the + influence of superstitious fear may be the appointed means of bringing the + criminal to repentance for his own sake, and to punishment for the + advantage of society. + </p> + <p> + Cases of this kind are numerous and easily imagined, so I shall dwell on + them no further; but rather advert to at least an equally abundant class + of ghost stories, in which the apparition is pleased not to torment the + actual murderer, but proceeds in a very circuitous manner, acquainting + some stranger or ignorant old woman with the particulars of his fate, who, + though perhaps unacquainted with all the parties, is directed by a phantom + to lay the facts before a magistrate. In this respect we must certainly + allow that ghosts have, as we are informed by the facetious Captain Grose, + forms and customs peculiar to themselves. + </p> + <p> + There would be no edification and little amusement in treating of clumsy + deceptions of this kind, where the grossness of the imposture detects + itself. But occasionally cases occur like the following, with respect to + which it is more difficult, to use James Boswell’s phrase, “to know what + to think.” + </p> + <p> + Upon the 10th of June, 1754, Duncan Terig, <i>alias</i> Clark, and + Alexander Bain MacDonald, two Highlanders, were tried before the Court of + Justiciary, Edinburgh, for the murder of Arthur Davis, sergeant in Guise’s + regiment, on the 28th September, 1749. The accident happened not long + after the civil war, the embers of which were still reeking, so there + existed too many reasons on account of which an English soldier, + straggling far from assistance, might be privately cut off by the + inhabitants of these wilds. It appears that Sergeant Davis was missing for + years, without any certainty as to his fate. At length, an account of the + murder appeared from the evidence of one Alexander MacPherson (a + Highlander, speaking no language but Gaelic, and sworn by an interpreter), + who gave the following extraordinary account of his cause of knowledge:—He + was, he said, in bed in his cottage, when an apparition came to his + bedside and commanded him to rise and follow him out of doors. Believing + his visitor to be one Farquharson, a neighbour and friend, the witness did + as he was bid; and when they were without the cottage, the appearance told + the witness he was the ghost of Sergeant Davis, and requested him to go + and bury his mortal remains, which lay concealed in a place he pointed out + in a moorland tract called the Hill of Christie. He desired him to take + Farquharson with him as an assistant. Next day the witness went to the + place specified, and there found the bones of a human body much decayed. + The witness did not at that time bury the bones so found, in consequence + of which negligence the sergeant’s ghost again appeared to him, upbraiding + him with his breach of promise. On this occasion the witness asked the + ghost who were the murderers, and received for answer that he had been + slain by the prisoners at the bar. The witness, after this second + visitation, called the assistance of Farquharson, and buried the body. + </p> + <p> + Farquharson was brought in evidence to prove that the preceding witness, + MacPherson, had called him to the burial of the bones, and told him the + same story which he repeated in court. Isabel MacHardie, a person who + slept in one of the beds which run along the wall in an ordinary Highland + hut, declared that upon the night when MacPherson said he saw the ghost, + she saw a naked man enter the house and go towards MacPherson’s bed. + </p> + <p> + Yet though the supernatural incident was thus fortified, and although + there were other strong presumptions against the prisoners, the story of + the apparition threw an air of ridicule on the whole evidence for the + prosecution. It was followed up by the counsel for the prisoners asking, + in the cross-examination of MacPherson, “What language did the ghost speak + in?” The witness, who was himself ignorant of English, replied, “As good + Gaelic as I ever heard in Lochaber.” “Pretty well for the ghost of an + English sergeant,” answered the counsel. The inference was rather smart + and plausible than sound, for, the apparition of the ghost being admitted, + we know too little of the other world to judge whether all languages may + not be alike familiar to those who belonged to it. It imposed, however, on + the jury, who found the accused parties not guilty, although their counsel + and solicitor and most of the court were satisfied of their having + committed the murder. In this case the interference of the ghost seems to + have rather impeded the vengeance which it was doubtless the murdered + sergeant’s desire to obtain. Yet there may be various modes of explaining + this mysterious story, of which the following conjecture may pass for one. + </p> + <p> + The reader may suppose that MacPherson was privy to the fact of the + murder, perhaps as an accomplice or otherwise, and may also suppose that, + from motives of remorse for the action, or of enmity to those who had + committed it, he entertained a wish to bring them to justice. But through + the whole Highlands there is no character more detestable than that of an + informer, or one who takes what is called Tascal-money, or reward for + discovery of crimes. To have informed against Terig and MacDonald might + have cost MacPherson his life; and it is far from being impossible that he + had recourse to the story of the ghost, knowing well that his + superstitious countrymen would pardon his communicating the commission + entrusted to him by a being from the other world, although he might + probably have been murdered if his delation of the crime had been supposed + voluntary. This explanation, in exact conformity with the sentiments of + the Highlanders on such subjects, would reduce the whole story to a stroke + of address on the part of the witness. + </p> + <p> + It is therefore of the last consequence, in considering the truth of + stories of ghosts and apparitions, to consider the possibility of wilful + deception, whether on the part of those who are agents in the supposed + disturbances, or the author of the legend. We shall separately notice an + instance or two of either kind. + </p> + <p> + The most celebrated instance in which human agency was used to copy the + disturbances imputed to supernatural beings refers to the ancient palace + of Woodstock, when the Commissioners of the Long Parliament came down to + dispark what had been lately a royal residence. The Commissioners arrived + at Woodstock, 13th October, 1649, determined to wipe away the memory of + all that connected itself with the recollection of monarchy in England. + But in the course of their progress they were encountered by obstacles + which apparently came from the next world. Their bed-chambers were + infested with visits of a thing resembling a dog, but which came and + passed as mere earthly dogs cannot do. Logs of wood, the remains of a very + large tree called the King’s Oak, which they had splintered into billets + for burning, were tossed through the house, and the chairs displaced and + shuffled about. While they were in bed the feet of their couches were + lifted higher than their heads, and then dropped with violence. Trenchers + “without a wish” flew at their heads of free will. Thunder and lightning + came next, which were set down to the same cause. Spectres made their + appearance, as they thought, in different shapes, and one of the party saw + the apparition of a hoof, which kicked a candlestick and lighted candle + into the middle of the room, and then politely scratched on the red snuff + to extinguish it. Other and worse tricks were practised on the astonished + Commissioners who, considering that all the fiends of hell were let loose + upon them, retreated from Woodstock without completing an errand which + was, in their opinion, impeded by infernal powers, though the opposition + offered was rather of a playful and malicious than of a dangerous cast. + </p> + <p> + The whole matter was, after the Restoration, discovered to be the trick of + one of their own party, who had attended the Commissioners as a clerk, + under the name of Giles Sharp. This man, whose real name was Joseph + Collins of Oxford, called <i>Funny Joe</i>, was a concealed loyalist, and + well acquainted with the old mansion of Woodstock, where he had been + brought up before the Civil War. Being a bold, active spirited man, Joe + availed himself of his local knowledge of trap-doors and private passages + so as to favour the tricks which he played off upon his masters by aid of + his fellow-domestics. The Commissioners’ personal reliance on him made his + task the more easy, and it was all along remarked that trusty Giles Sharp + saw the most extraordinary sights and visions among the whole party. The + unearthly terrors experienced by the Commissioners are detailed with due + gravity by Sinclair, and also, I think, by Dr. Plott. But although the + detection or explanation of the real history of the Woodstock demons has + also been published, and I have myself seen it, I have at this time + forgotten whether it exists in a separate collection, or where it is to be + looked for. + </p> + <p> + Similar disturbances have been often experienced while it was the custom + to believe in and dread such frolics of the invisible world, and under + circumstances which induce us to wonder, both at the extreme trouble taken + by the agents in these impostures, and the slight motives from which they + have been induced to do much wanton mischief. Still greater is our modern + surprise at the apparently simple means by which terror has been excited + to so general an extent, that even the wisest and most prudent have not + escaped its contagious influence. + </p> + <p> + On the first point I am afraid there can be no better reason assigned than + the conscious pride of superiority, which induces the human being in all + cases to enjoy and practise every means of employing an influence over his + fellow-mortals; to which we may safely add that general love of + tormenting, as common to our race as to that noble mimick of humanity, the + monkey. To this is owing the delight with which every school-boy + anticipates the effects of throwing a stone into a glass shop; and to this + we must also ascribe the otherwise unaccountable pleasure which + individuals have taken in practising the tricksy pranks of a goblin, and + filling a household or neighbourhood with anxiety and dismay, with little + gratification to themselves besides the consciousness of dexterity if they + remain undiscovered, and with the risk of loss of character and punishment + should the imposture be found out. + </p> + <p> + In the year 1772, a train of transactions, commencing upon Twelfth Day, + threw the utmost consternation into the village of Stockwell, near London, + and impressed upon some of its inhabitants the inevitable belief that they + were produced by invisible agents. The plates, dishes, china, and + glass-ware and small movables of every kind, contained in the house of + Mrs. Golding, an elderly lady, seemed suddenly to become animated, shifted + their places, flew through the room, and were broken to pieces. The + particulars of this commotion were as curious as the loss and damage + occasioned in this extraordinary manner were alarming and intolerable. + Amidst this combustion, a young woman, Mrs. Golding’s maid, named Anne + Robinson, was walking backwards and forwards, nor could she be prevailed + on to sit down for a moment excepting while the family were at prayers, + during which time no disturbance happened. This Anne Robinson had been but + a few days in the old lady’s service, and it was remarkable that she + endured with great composure the extraordinary display which others beheld + with terror, and coolly advised her mistress not to be alarmed or uneasy, + as these things could not be helped. This excited an idea that she had + some reason for being so composed, not inconsistent with a degree of + connexion with what was going forward. The afflicted Mrs. Golding, as she + might be well termed, considering such a commotion and demolition among + her goods and chattels, invited neighbours to stay in her house, but they + soon became unable to bear the sight of these supernatural proceedings, + which went so far that not above two cups and saucers remained out of a + valuable set of china. She next abandoned her dwelling, and took refuge + with a neighbour, but, finding his movables were seized with the same sort + of St. Vitus’s dance, her landlord reluctantly refused to shelter any + longer a woman who seemed to be persecuted by so strange a subject of + vexation. Mrs. Golding’s suspicions against Anne Robinson now gaining + ground, she dismissed her maid, and the hubbub among her movables ceased + at once and for ever. + </p> + <p> + This circumstance of itself indicates that Anne Robinson was the cause of + these extraordinary disturbances, as has been since more completely + ascertained by a Mr. Brayfield, who persuaded Anne, long after the events + had happened, to make him her confidant. There was a love story connected + with the case, in which the only magic was the dexterity of Anne Robinson + and the simplicity of the spectators. She had fixed long horse hairs to + some of the crockery, and placed wires under others, by which she could + throw them down without touching them. Other things she dexterously threw + about, which the spectators, who did not watch her motions, imputed to + invisible agency. At times, when the family were absent, she loosened the + hold of the strings by which the hams, bacon, and similar articles were + suspended, so that they fell on the slightest motion. She employed some + simple chemical secrets, and, delighted with the success of her pranks, + pushed them farther than she at first intended. Such was the solution of + the whole mystery, which, known by the name of the Stockwell ghost, + terrified many well-meaning persons, and had been nearly as famous as that + of Cock Lane, which may be hinted at as another imposture of the same + kind. So many and wonderful are the appearances described, that when I + first met with the original publication I was strongly impressed with the + belief that the narrative was like some of Swift’s advertisements, a + jocular experiment upon the credulity of the public. But it was certainly + published <i>bona fide</i>, and Mr. Hone, on the authority of Mr. + Brayfield, has since fully explained the wonder.<a href="#linknote-85" + name="linknoteref-85" id="linknoteref-85"><small>85</small></a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-85" id="linknote-85"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 85 (<a href="#linknoteref-85">return</a>)<br /> [ See Hone’s “Every-Day + Book,” p. 62.] + </p> + <p> + Many such impositions have been detected, and many others have been + successfully concealed; but to know what has been discovered in many + instances gives us the assurance of the ruling cause in all. I remember a + scene of the kind attempted to be got up near Edinburgh, but detected at + once by a sheriff’s officer, a sort of persons whose habits of incredulity + and suspicious observation render them very dangerous spectators on such + occasions. The late excellent Mr. Walker, minister at Dunottar, in the + Mearns, gave me a curious account of an imposture of this kind, practised + by a young country girl, who was surprisingly quick at throwing stones, + turf, and other missiles, with such dexterity that it was for a long time + impossible to ascertain her agency in the disturbances of which she was + the sole cause. + </p> + <p> + The belief of the spectators that such scenes of disturbance arise from + invisible beings will appear less surprising if we consider the common + feats of jugglers, or professors of legerdemain, and recollect that it is + only the frequent exhibition of such powers which reconciles us to them as + matters of course, although they are wonders at which in our fathers’ time + men would have cried out either sorcery or miracles. The spectator also, + who has been himself duped, makes no very respectable appearance when + convicted of his error; and thence, if too candid to add to the evidence + of supernatural agency, is yet unwilling to stand convicted by + cross-examination, of having been imposed on, and unconsciously becomes + disposed rather to colour more highly than the truth, than acquiesce in an + explanation resting on his having been too hasty a believer. Very often, + too, the detection depends upon the combination of certain circumstances, + which, apprehended, necessarily explain the whole story. + </p> + <p> + For example, I once heard a sensible and intelligent friend in company + express himself convinced of the truth of a wonderful story, told him by + an intelligent and bold man, about an apparition. The scene lay in an + ancient castle on the coast of Morven or the Isle of Mull, where the + ghost-seer chanced to be resident. He was given to understand by the + family, when betaking himself to rest, that the chamber in which he slept + was occasionally disquieted by supernatural appearances. Being at that + time no believer in such stories, he attended little to this hint, until + the witching hour of night, when he was awakened from a dead sleep by the + pressure of a human hand on his body. He looked up at the figure of a tall + Highlander, in the antique and picturesque dress of his country, only that + his brows were bound with a bloody bandage. Struck with sudden and extreme + fear, he was willing to have sprung from bed, but the spectre stood before + him in the bright moonlight, its one arm extended so as to master him if + he attempted to rise; the other hand held up in a warning and grave + posture, as menacing the Lowlander if he should attempt to quit his + recumbent position. Thus he lay in mortal agony for more than an hour, + after which it pleased the spectre of ancient days to leave him to more + sound repose. So singular a story had on its side the usual number of + votes from the company, till, upon cross-examination, it was explained + that the principal person concerned was an exciseman. After which <i>eclaircissement</i> + the same explanation struck all present, viz., the Highlanders of the + mansion had chosen to detain the exciseman by the apparition of an ancient + heroic ghost, in order to disguise from his vigilance the removal of + certain modern enough spirits, which his duty might have called upon him + to seize. Here a single circumstance explained the whole ghost story. + </p> + <p> + At other times it happens that the meanness and trifling nature of a cause + not very obvious to observation has occasioned it to be entirely + overlooked, even on account of that very meanness, since no one is willing + to acknowledge that he has been alarmed by a cause of little consequence, + and which he would be ashamed of mentioning. An incident of this sort + happened to a gentleman of birth and distinction, who is well known in the + political world, and was detected by the precision of his observation. + Shortly after he succeeded to his estate and title, there was a rumour + among his servants concerning a strange noise heard in the family mansion + at night, the cause of which they had found it impossible to trace. The + gentleman resolved to watch himself, with a domestic who had grown old in + the family, and who had begun to murmur strange things concerning the + knocking having followed so close upon the death of his old master. They + watched until the noise was heard, which they listened to with that + strange uncertainty attending midnight sounds which prevents the hearers + from immediately tracing them to the spot where they arise, while the + silence of the night generally occasions the imputing to them more than + the due importance which they would receive if mingled with the usual + noises of daylight. At length the gentleman and his servant traced the + sounds which they had repeatedly heard to a small store-room used as a + place for keeping provisions of various kinds for the family, of which the + old butler had the key. They entered this place, and remained there for + some time without hearing the noises which they had traced thither; at + length the sound was heard, but much lower than it had formerly seemed to + be, while acted upon at a distance by the imagination of the hearers. The + cause was immediately discovered. A rat caught in an old-fashioned trap + had occasioned this tumult by its efforts to escape, in which it was able + to raise the trap-door of its prison to a certain height, but was then + obliged to drop it. The noise of the fall, resounding through the house, + had occasioned the disturbance which, but for the cool investigation of + the proprietor, might easily have established an accredited ghost story. + The circumstance was told me by the gentleman to whom it happened. + </p> + <p> + There are other occasions in which the ghost story is rendered credible by + some remarkable combination of circumstances very unlikely to have + happened, and which no one could have supposed unless some particular + fortune occasioned a discovery. + </p> + <p> + An apparition which took place at Plymouth is well known, but it has been + differently related; and having some reason to think the following edition + correct, it is an incident so much to my purpose that you must pardon its + insertion. + </p> + <p> + A club of persons connected with science and literature was formed at the + great sea-town I have named. During the summer months the society met in a + cave by the sea-shore; during those of autumn and winter they convened + within the premises of a tavern, but, for the sake of privacy, had their + meetings in a summer-house situated in the garden, at a distance from the + main building. Some of the members to whom the position of their own + dwellings rendered this convenient, had a pass-key to the garden-door, by + which they could enter the garden and reach the summer-house without the + publicity or trouble of passing through the open tavern. It was the rule + of this club that its members presided alternately. On one occasion, in + the winter, the president of the evening chanced to be very ill; indeed, + was reported to be on his death-bed. The club met as usual, and, from a + sentiment of respect, left vacant the chair which ought to have been + occupied by him if in his usual health; for the same reason, the + conversation turned upon the absent gentleman’s talents, and the loss + expected to the society by his death. While they were upon this melancholy + theme, the door suddenly opened, and the appearance of the president + entered the room. He wore a white wrapper, a nightcap round his brow, the + appearance of which was that of death itself. He stalked into the room + with unusual gravity, took the vacant place of ceremony, lifted the empty + glass which stood before him, bowed around, and put it to his lips; then + replaced it on the table, and stalked out of the room as silent as he had + entered it. The company remained deeply appalled; at length, after many + observations on the strangeness of what they had seen, they resolved to + dispatch two of their number as ambassadors, to see how it fared with the + president, who had thus strangely appeared among them. They went, and + returned with the frightful intelligence that the friend after whom they + had enquired was that evening deceased. + </p> + <p> + The astonished party then resolved that they would remain absolutely + silent respecting the wonderful sight which they had seen. Their habits + were too philosophical to permit them to believe that they had actually + seen the ghost of their deceased brother, and at the same time they were + too wise men to wish to confirm the superstition of the vulgar by what + might seem indubitable evidence of a ghost. The affair was therefore kept + a strict secret, although, as usual, some dubious rumours of the tale + found their way to the public. Several years afterwards, an old woman who + had long filled the place of a sick-nurse, was taken very ill, and on her + death-bed was attended by a medical member of the philosophical club. To + him, with many expressions of regret, she acknowledged that she had long + before attended Mr.——, naming the president whose appearance + had surprised the club so strangely, and that she felt distress of + conscience on account of the manner in which he died. She said that as his + malady was attended by light-headedness, she had been directed to keep a + close watch upon him during his illness. Unhappily she slept, and during + her sleep the patient had awaked and left the apartment. When, on her own + awaking, she found the bed empty and the patient gone, she forthwith + hurried out of the house to seek him, and met him in the act of returning. + She got him, she said, replaced in bed, but it was only to die there. She + added, to convince her hearer of the truth of what she said, that + immediately after the poor gentleman expired, a deputation of two members + from the club came to enquire after their president’s health, and received + for answer that he was already dead. This confession explained the whole + matter. The delirious patient had very naturally taken the road to the + club, from some recollections of his duty of the night. In approaching and + retiring from the apartment he had used one of the pass-keys already + mentioned, which made his way shorter. On the other hand, the gentlemen + sent to enquire after his health had reached his lodging by a more + circuitous road; and thus there had been time for him to return to what + proved his death-bed, long before they reached his chamber. The + philosophical witnesses of this strange scene were now as anxious to + spread the story as they had formerly been to conceal it, since it showed + in what a remarkable manner men’s eyes might turn traitors to them, and + impress them with ideas far different from the truth. + </p> + <p> + Another occurrence of the same kind, although scarcely so striking in its + circumstances, was yet one which, had it remained unexplained, might have + passed as an indubitable instance of a supernatural apparition. + </p> + <p> + A Teviotdale farmer was riding from a fair, at which he had indulged + himself with John Barleycorn, but not to that extent of defying goblins + which it inspired into the gallant Tam o’Shanter. He was pondering with + some anxiety upon the dangers of travelling alone on a solitary road which + passed the corner of a churchyard, now near at hand, when he saw before + him in the moonlight a pale female form standing upon the very wall which + surrounded the cemetery. The road was very narrow, with no opportunity of + giving the apparent phantom what seamen call a wide berth. It was, + however, the only path which led to the rider’s home, who therefore + resolved, at all risks, to pass the apparition. He accordingly approached, + as slowly as possible, the spot where the spectre stood, while the figure + remained, now perfectly still and silent, now brandishing its arms and + gibbering to the moon. When the farmer came close to the spot he dashed in + the spurs and set the horse off upon a gallop; but the spectre did not + miss its opportunity. As he passed the corner where she was perched, she + contrived to drop behind the horseman and seize him round the waist, a + manoeuvre which greatly increased the speed of the horse and the terror of + the rider; for the hand of her who sat behind him, when pressed upon his, + felt as cold as that of a corpse. At his own house at length he arrived, + and bid the servants who came to attend him, “Tak aff the ghaist!” They + took off accordingly a female in white, and the poor farmer himself was + conveyed to bed, where he lay struggling for weeks with a strong nervous + fever. The female was found to be a maniac, who had been left a widow very + suddenly by an affectionate husband, and the nature and cause of her + malady induced her, when she could make her escape, to wander to the + churchyard, where she sometimes wildly wept over his grave, and sometimes, + standing on the corner of the churchyard wall, looked out, and mistook + every stranger on horseback for the husband she had lost. If this woman, + which was very possible, had dropt from the horse unobserved by him whom + she had made her involuntary companion, it would have been very hard to + have convinced the honest farmer that he had not actually performed part + of his journey with a ghost behind him. + </p> + <p> + There is also a large class of stories of this sort, where various secrets + of chemistry, of acoustics, ventriloquism, or other arts, have been either + employed to dupe the spectators, or have tended to do so through mere + accident and coincidence. Of these it is scarce necessary to quote + instances; but the following may be told as a tale recounted by a foreign + nobleman known to me nearly thirty years ago, whose life, lost in the + service of his sovereign, proved too short for his friends and his native + land. + </p> + <p> + At a certain old castle on the confines of Hungary, the lord to whom it + belonged had determined upon giving an entertainment worthy of his own + rank and of the magnificence of the antique mansion which he inhabited. + The guests of course were numerous, and among them was a veteran officer + of hussars, remarkable for his bravery. When the arrangements for the + night were made this officer was informed that there would be difficulty + in accommodating the company in the castle, large as was, unless some one + would take the risk of sleeping in a room supposed to be haunted, and + that, as he was known to be above such prejudices, the apartment was in + the first place proposed for his occupation, as the person least likely to + suffer a bad night’s rest from such a cause. The major thankfully accepted + the preference, and having shared the festivity of the evening, retired + after midnight, having denounced vengeance against any one who should + presume by any trick to disturb his repose; a threat which his habits + would, it was supposed, render him sufficiently ready to execute. Somewhat + contrary to the custom in these cases, the major went to bed, having left + his candle burning and laid his trusty pistols, carefully loaded, on the + table by his bedside. + </p> + <p> + He had not slept an hour when he was awakened by a solemn strain of music. + He looked out. Three ladies, fantastically dressed in green, were seen in + the lower end of the apartment, who sung a solemn requiem. The major + listened for some time with delight; at length he tired. “Ladies,” he + said, “this is very well, but somewhat monotonous—will you be so + kind as to change the tune?” The ladies continued singing; he + expostulated, but the music was not interrupted. The major began to grow + angry: “Ladies,” he said, “I must consider this as a trick for the purpose + of terrifying me, and as I regard it as an impertinence, I shall take a + rough mode of stopping it.” With that he began to handle his pistols. The + ladies sung on. He then get seriously angry: “I will but wait five + minutes,” he said, “and then fire without hesitation.” The song was + uninterrupted—the five minutes were expired. “I still give you law, + ladies,” he said, “while I count twenty.” This produced as little effect + as his former threats. He counted one, two, three accordingly; but on + approaching the end of the number, and repeating more than once his + determination to fire, the last numbers, seventeen—eighteen—nineteen, + were pronounced with considerable pauses between, and an assurance that + the pistols were cocked. The ladies sung on. As he pronounced the word + twenty he fired both pistols against the musical damsels—but the + ladies sung on! The major was overcome by the unexpected inefficacy of his + violence, and had an illness which lasted more than three weeks. The trick + put upon him may be shortly described by the fact that the female + choristers were placed in an adjoining room, and that he only fired at + their reflection thrown forward into that in which he slept by the effect + of a concave mirror. + </p> + <p> + Other stories of the same kind are numerous and well known. The apparition + of the Brocken mountain, after having occasioned great admiration and some + fear, is now ascertained by philosophers to be a gigantic reflection, + which makes the traveller’s shadow, represented upon the misty clouds, + appear a colossal figure of almost immeasurable size. By a similar + deception men have been induced, in Westmoreland and other mountainous + countries, to imagine they saw troops of horse and armies marching and + countermarching, which were in fact only the reflection of horses + pasturing upon an opposite height, or of the forms of peaceful travellers. + </p> + <p> + A very curious case of this kind was communicated to me by the son of the + lady principally concerned, and tends to show out of what mean materials a + venerable apparition may be sometimes formed. In youth this lady resided + with her father, a man of sense and resolution. Their house was situated + in the principal street of a town of some size. The back part of the house + ran at right angles to an Anabaptist chapel, divided from it by a small + cabbage-garden. The young lady used sometimes to indulge the romantic love + of solitude by sitting in her own apartment in the evening till twilight, + and even darkness, was approaching. One evening, while she was thus + placed, she was surprised to see a gleamy figure, as of some aerial being, + hovering, as it were, against the arched window in the end of the + Anabaptist chapel. Its head was surrounded by that halo which painters + give to the Catholic saints; and while the young lady’s attention was + fixed on an object so extraordinary, the figure bent gracefully towards + her more than once, as if intimating a sense of her presence, and then + disappeared. The seer of this striking vision descended to her family, so + much discomposed as to call her father’s attention. He obtained an account + of the cause of her disturbance, and expressed his intention to watch in + the apartment next night. He sat accordingly in his daughter’s chamber, + where she also attended him. Twilight came, and nothing appeared; but as + the gray light faded into darkness, the same female figure was seen + hovering on the window; the same shadowy form, the same pale light-around + the head, the same inclinations, as the evening before. “What do you think + of this?” said the daughter to the astonished father. “Anything, my dear,” + said the father, “rather than allow that we look upon what is + supernatural.” A strict research established a natural cause for the + appearance on the window. It was the custom of an old woman, to whom the + garden beneath was rented, to go out at night to gather cabbages. The + lantern she carried in her hand threw up the refracted reflection of her + form on the chapel window. As she stooped to gather her cabbages the + reflection appeared to bend forward; and that was the whole matter. + </p> + <p> + Another species of deception, affecting the credit of such supernatural + communications, arises from the dexterity and skill of the authors who + have made it their business to present such stories in the shape most + likely to attract belief. Defoe—whose power in rendering credible + that which was in itself very much the reverse was so peculiarly + distinguished—has not failed to show his superiority in this species + of composition. A bookseller of his acquaintance had, in the trade phrase, + rather overprinted an edition of “Drelincourt on Death,” and complained to + Defoe of the loss which was likely to ensue. The experienced bookmaker, + with the purpose of recommending the edition, advised his friend to prefix + the celebrated narrative of Mrs. Veal’s ghost, which he wrote for the + occasion, with such an air of truth, that although in fact it does not + afford a single tittle of evidence properly so called, it nevertheless was + swallowed so eagerly by the people that Drelincourt’s work on death, which + the supposed spirit recommended to the perusal of her friend Mrs. + Bargrave, instead of sleeping on the editor’s shelf, moved off by + thousands at once; the story, incredible in itself, and unsupported as it + was by evidence or enquiry, was received as true, merely from the cunning + of the narrator, and the addition of a number of adventitious + circumstances, which no man alive could have conceived as having occurred + to the mind of a person composing a fiction. + </p> + <p> + It did not require the talents of Defoe, though in that species of + composition he must stand unrivalled, to fix the public attention on a + ghost story. John Dunton, a man of scribbling celebrity at the time, + succeeded to a great degree in imposing upon the public a tale which he + calls the Apparition Evidence. The beginning of it, at least (for it is of + great length), has something in it a little new. At Mynehead, in + Somersetshire, lived an ancient gentlewoman named Mrs. Leckie, whose only + son and daughter resided in family with her. The son traded to Ireland, + and was supposed to be worth eight or ten thousand pounds. They had a + child about five or six years old. This family was generally respected in + Mynehead; and especially Mrs. Leckie, the old lady, was so pleasant in + society, that her friends used to say to her, and to each other, that it + was a thousand pities such an excellent, good-humoured gentlewoman must, + from her age, be soon lost to her friends. To which Mrs. Leckie often made + the somewhat startling reply: “Forasmuch as you now seem to like me, I am + afraid you will but little care to see or speak with me after my death, + though I believe you may have that satisfaction.” Die, however, she did, + and after her funeral was repeatedly seen in her personal likeness, at + home and abroad, by night and by noonday. + </p> + <p> + One story is told of a doctor of physic walking into the fields, who in + his return met with this spectre, whom he at first accosted civilly, and + paid her the courtesy of handing her over a stile. Observing, however, + that she did not move her lips in speaking, or her eyes in looking round, + he became suspicious of the condition of his companion, and showed some + desire to be rid of her society. Offended at this, the hag at next stile + planted herself upon it, and obstructed his passage. He got through at + length with some difficulty, and not without a sound kick, and an + admonition to pay more attention to the next aged gentlewoman whom he met. + “But this,” says John Dunton, “was a petty and inconsiderable prank to + what she played in her son’s house and elsewhere. She would at noonday + appear upon the quay of Mynehead, and cry, ‘A boat, a boat, ho! a boat, a + boat, ho!’ If any boatmen or seamen were in sight, and did not come, they + were sure to be cast away; and if they did come, ‘twas all one, they were + cast away. It was equally dangerous to please and displease her. Her son + had several ships sailing between Ireland and England; no sooner did they + make land, and come in sight of England, but this ghost would appear in + the same garb and likeness as when she was alive, and, standing at the + mainmast, would blow with a whistle, and though it were never so great a + calm, yet immediately there would arise a most dreadful storm, that would + break, wreck, and drown the ship and goods; only the seamen would escape + with their lives—the devil had no permission from God to take them + away. Yet at this rate, by her frequent apparitions and disturbances, she + had made a poor merchant of her son, for his fair estate was all buried in + the sea, and he that was once worth thousands was reduced to a very poor + and low condition in the world; for whether the ship were his own or + hired, or he had but goods on board it to the value of twenty shillings, + this troublesome ghost would come as before, whistle in a calm at the + mainmast at noonday, when they had descried land, and then ship and goods + went all out of hand to wreck; insomuch that he could at last get no ships + wherein to stow his goods, nor any mariner to sail in them; for knowing + what an uncomfortable, fatal, and losing voyage they should make of it, + they did all decline his service. In her son’s house she hath her constant + haunts by day and night; but whether he did not, or would not own if he + did, see her, he always professed he never saw her. Sometimes when in bed + with his wife, she would cry out, ‘Husband, look, there’s your mother!’ + And when he would turn to the right side, then was she gone to the left; + and when to the left side of the bed, then was she gone to the right; only + one evening their only child, a girl of about five or six years old, lying + in a ruckle-bed under them, cries out, ‘Oh, help me, father! help me, + mother! for grandmother will choke me!’ and before they could get to their + child’s assistance she had murdered it; they finding the poor girl dead, + her throat having been pinched by two fingers, which stopped her breath + and strangled her. This was the sorest of all their afflictions; their + estate is gone, and now their child is gone also; you may guess at their + grief and great sorrow. One morning after the child’s funeral, her husband + being abroad, about eleven in the forenoon, Mrs. Leckie the younger goes + up into her chamber to dress her head, and as she was looking into the + glass she spies her mother-in-law, the old beldam, looking over her + shoulder. This cast her into a great horror; but recollecting her + affrighted spirits, and recovering the exercise of her reason, faith, and + hope, having cast up a short and silent prayer to God, she turns about, + and bespeaks her: ‘In the name of God, mother, why do you trouble me?’ + ‘Peace,’ says the spectrum; ‘I will do thee no hurt.’ ‘What will you have + of me?’ says the daughter,” &c.<a href="#linknote-86" + name="linknoteref-86" id="linknoteref-86"><small>86</small></a> Dunton, + the narrator and probably the contriver of the story, proceeds to inform + us at length of a commission which the wife of Mr. Leckie receives from + the ghost to deliver to Atherton, Bishop of Waterford, a guilty and + unfortunate man, who afterwards died by the hands of the executioner; but + that part of the subject is too disagreeable and tedious to enter upon. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="linknote-86" id="linknote-86"> Note--></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 86 (<a href="#linknoteref-86">return</a>)<br /> [ “Apparition Evidence.”] + </p> + <p> + So deep was the impression made by the story on the inhabitants of + Mynehead, that it is said the tradition of Mrs. Leckie still remains in + that port, and that mariners belonging to it often, amid tempestuous + weather, conceive they hear the whistle-call of the implacable hag who was + the source of so much mischief to her own family. However, already too + desultory and too long, it would become intolerably tedious were I to + insist farther on the peculiar sort of genius by which stories of this + kind may be embodied and prolonged. + </p> + <p> + I may, however, add, that the charm of the tale depends much upon the age + of the person to whom it is addressed; and that the vivacity of fancy + which engages us in youth to pass over much that is absurd, in order to + enjoy some single trait of imagination, dies within us when we obtain the + age of manhood, and the sadder and graver regions which lie beyond it. I + am the more conscious of this, because I have been myself at two periods + of my life, distant from each other, engaged in scenes favourable to that + degree of superstitious awe which my countrymen expressively call being <i>eerie</i>. + </p> + <p> + On the first of these occasions I was only ninteeen or twenty years old, + when I happened to pass a night in the magnificent old baronial castle of + Glammis, the hereditary seat of the Earls of Strathmore. The hoary pile + contains much in its appearance, and in the traditions connected with it, + impressive to the imagination. It was the scene of the murder of a + Scottish king of great antiquity; not indeed the gracious Duncan, with + whom the name naturally associates itself, but Malcolm the Second. It + contains also a curious monument of the peril of feudal times, being a + secret chamber, the entrance of which, by the law or custom of the family, + must only be known to three persons at once, viz., the Earl of Strathmore, + his heir apparent, and any third person whom they may take into their + confidence. The extreme antiquity of the building is vouched by the + immense thickness of the walls, and the wild and straggling arrangement of + the accommodation within doors. As the late Earl of Strathmore seldom + resided in that ancient mansion, it was, when I was there, but + half-furnished, and that with movables of great antiquity, which, with the + pieces of chivalric armour hanging upon the walls, greatly contributed to + the general effect of the whole. After a very hospitable reception from + the late Peter Proctor, Esq., then seneschal of the castle, in Lord + Strathmore’s absence, I was conducted to my apartment in a distant corner + of the building. I must own, that as I heard door after door shut, after + my conductor had retired, I began to consider myself too far from the + living and somewhat too near the dead. We had passed through what is + called “The King’s Room,” a vaulted apartment, garnished with stags’ + antlers and similar trophies of the chase, and said by tradition to be the + spot of Malcolm’s murder, and I had an idea of the vicinity of the castle + chapel. + </p> + <p> + In spite of the truth of history, the whole night-scene in Macbeth’s + castle rushed at once upon my mind, and struck my imagination more + forcibly than even when I have seen its terrors represented by the late + John Kemble and his inimitable sister. In a word, I experienced sensations + which, though not remarkable either for timidity or superstition, did not + fail to affect me to the point of being disagreeable, while they were + mingled at the same time with a strange and indescribable kind of + pleasure, the recollection of which affords me gratification at this + moment. + </p> + <p> + In the year 1814 accident placed me, then past middle life, in a situation + somewhat similar to that which I have described. + </p> + <p> + I had been on a pleasure voyage with some friends around the north coast + of Scotland, and in that course had arrived in the salt-water lake under + the castle of Dunvegan, whose turrets, situated upon a frowning rock, rise + immediately above the waves of the loch. As most of the party, and I + myself in particular, chanced to be well known to the Laird of Macleod, we + were welcomed to the castle with Highland hospitality, and glad to find + ourselves in polished society, after a cruise of some duration. The most + modern part of the castle was founded in the days of James VI.; the more + ancient is referred to a period “whose birth tradition notes not.” Until + the present Macleod connected by a drawbridge the site of the castle with + the mainland of Skye, the access must have been extremely difficult. + Indeed, so much greater was the regard paid to security than to + convenience, that in former times the only access to the mansion arose + through a vaulted cavern in a rock, up which a staircase ascended from the + sea-shore, like the buildings we read of in the romances of Mrs. + Radcliffe. + </p> + <p> + Such a castle, in the extremity of the Highlands, was of course furnished + with many a tale of tradition, and many a superstitious legend, to fill + occasional intervals in the music and song, as proper to the halls of + Dunvegan as when Johnson commemorated them. We reviewed the arms and + ancient valuables of this distinguished family—saw the dirk and + broadsword of Rorie Mhor, and his horn, which would drench three chiefs of + these degenerate days. The solemn drinking-cup of the Kings of Man must + not be forgotten, nor the fairy banner given to Macleod by the Queen of + Fairies; that magic flag which has been victorious in two pitched fields, + and will still float in the third, the bloodiest and the last, when the + Elfin Sovereign shall, after the fight is ended, recall her banner, and + carry off the standard-bearer. + </p> + <p> + Amid such tales of ancient tradition I had from Macleod and his lady the + courteous offer of the haunted apartment of the castle, about which, as a + stranger, I might be supposed interested. Accordingly, I took possession + of it about the witching hour. Except perhaps some tapestry hangings, and + the extreme thickness of the walls, which argued great antiquity, nothing + could have been more comfortable than the interior of the apartment; but + if you looked from the windows the view was such as to correspond with the + highest tone of superstition. An autumnal blast, sometimes driving mist + before it, swept along the troubled billows of the lake, which it + occasionally concealed, and by fits disclosed. The waves rushed in wild + disorder on the shore, and covered with foam the steep piles of rock, + which, rising from the sea in forms something resembling the human figure, + have obtained the name of Macleod’s Maidens, and in such a night seemed no + bad representatives of the Norwegian goddesses called Choosers of the + Slain, or Riders of the Storm. There was something of the dignity of + danger in the scene; for on a platform beneath the windows lay an ancient + battery of cannon, which had sometimes been used against privateers even + of late years. The distant scene was a view of that part of the Quillan + mountains which are called, from their form, Macleod’s Dining-Tables. The + voice of an angry cascade, termed the Nurse of Rorie Mhor, because that + chief slept best ‘in its vicinity, was heard from time to time mingling + its notes with those of wind and wave. Such was the haunted room at + Dunvegan, and as such it well deserved a less sleepy inhabitant. In the + language of Dr. Johnson, who has stamped his memory on this remote place, + “I looked around me, and wondered that I was not more affected; but the + mind is not at all times equally ready to be moved.” In a word, it is + necessary to confess that, of all I heard or saw, the most engaging + spectacle was the comfortable bed, in which I hoped to make amends for + some rough nights on ship-board, and where I slept accordingly without + thinking of ghost or goblin till I was called by my servant in the + morning. + </p> + <p> + From this I am taught to infer that tales of ghosts and demonology are out + of date at forty years and upwards; that it is only in the morning of life + that this feeling of superstition “comes o’er us like a summer cloud,” + affecting us with fear which is solemn and awful rather than painful; and + I am tempted to think that, if I were to write on the subject at all, it + should have been during a period of life when I could have treated it with + more interesting vivacity, and might have been at least amusing if I could + not be instructive. Even the present fashion of the world seems to be ill + suited for studies of this fantastic nature; and the most ordinary + mechanic has learning sufficient to laugh at the figments which in former + times were believed by persons far advanced in the deepest knowledge of + the age. + </p> + <p> + I cannot, however, in conscience carry my opinion of my countrymen’s good + sense so far as to exculpate them entirely from the charge of credulity. + Those who are disposed to look for them may, without much trouble, see + such manifest signs, both of superstition and the disposition to believe + in its doctrines, as may render it no useless occupation to compare the + follies of our fathers with our own. The sailors have a proverb that every + man in his lifetime must eat a peck of impurity; and it seems yet more + clear that every generation of the human race must swallow a certain + measure of nonsense. There remains hope, however, that the grosser faults + of our ancestors are now out of date; and that whatever follies the + present race may be guilty of, the sense of humanity is too universally + spread to permit them to think of tormenting wretches till they confess + what is impossible, and then burning them for their pains. + </p> + <h3> + THE END. + </h3> + <h5> + PRINTED BY BALLANTYNE, HANSON AND CO. LONDON AND EDINBURGH. + </h5> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + + <div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14461 ***</div> +</body> +</html> |