collars, or witches' bridles, are still preserved in various
parts of Scotland, which had been used for such iniquitous purposes.
These instruments were so constructed that by means of a loop which
passed over the head, a piece of iron having four points or prongs,
was forcibly thrust into the mouth, two of these being directed to the
tongue and palate, the others pointing outward to each cheek. This
infernal machine was secured by a padlock. At the back of the collar
was fixed a ring, by which to attach the witch to a staple in the wall
of her cell. Thus equipped, and day and night waked and watched by
some skillful person appointed by her inquisitors, the unhappy
creature, after a few days of such discipline, maddened by the misery
of her forlorn and helpless state, would be rendered fit for
confessing anything, in order to be rid of the dregs of her wretched
life. At intervals fresh examinations took place, and they were
repeated from time to time until her "_contumacy_," as it was termed,
was subdued. The clergy and Kirk Sessions appear to have been the
unwearied instruments of "purging the land of witchcraft," and _to
them, in the first instance, all the complaints and informations were
made_.--_Pitcairn_, Vol. I., Part 2, p. 50.

[197] The following is an account of the material used, and the
expenses attending the execution of two witches in Scotland:

For 10 loads of coal to burn the witches..............L3 06 8
" a tar barrel....................................... 0 14 0
" towes.............................................. 0 06 0
" hurdles to be jumps for them....................... 3 10 0
" making of them.................................... 0 08 0
" one to go to Tinmouth for the lord to sit upon
the assize as judge ............................... 0 06 0
" the executioner for his pains...................... 8 14 0
" his expenses there................................. 0 16 4

_--Lectures on Witchcraft in Salem, Charles W. Upham._

[198] See an account of the tortures and death of Alison Balfour, in
which not only she, but her husband and her young children were also
grievously tortured in order to wring confession from the wife and
mother. This poor woman bore everything applied to herself, nor did
the sufferings of her husband and son compel a confession of guilt.
Not until her little daughter of seven or eight years was put to the
torture in her presence did the