le another witch, with a young
boy in her hand, ran the breadth of nine rigs, coming back to the
grave and asking who was her choice? The response came that Hector was
to live and George to die for him. The ceremony being gone through
three times, all the parties present, except the devil in bodily
shape, returned home. Hector, like his step-mother, escaped
punishment, though the evidence against him was lengthy and weighty.

In 1633 Sir John Colquhoun of Luss, and Thomas Carlips, a German
servant in his employment, were charged with consulting necromancers
and sorcerers, and with incest, contrary to the Act of Parliament 9
Queen Mary, and of an Act of James VI. Colquhoun was married to Lady
Lilias Grahame, the Earl of Montrose's eldest daughter. The Earl being
dead, Lady Colquhoun brought home Lady Catherine, her second sister (a
beautiful young woman), to reside with her and Sir John. Colquhoun,
fascinated with his sister-in-law's charms, made love to her, but,
meeting with no encouragement from the young lady, he consulted with
Carlips (a necromancer) and with several witches and sorcerers as to
the best way of making her return his affection. They gave her
philters and enchanted love tokens, including a jewel of gold set with
rubies and diamonds. The enchanted jewel proved effectual: Lady
Catherine's scruples were overcome, and she and Sir John eloped,
making their way to London, whither they were accompanied by Carlips.
Sir John and Carlips, though indicted, failed to answer the charge,
and they were therefore declared rebels, and "put to the horn."

A singular account is given of the bewitching of Sir George Maxwell,
who died in 1677. The story is founded on information supplied by his
son. It appears that Sir George Maxwell, being in Glasgow on the 14th
October 1676, was suddenly seized at night with a hot and fiery
disease. He hastened home, fearing the worst; and it was well he did
so, for he was long confined to bed of a painful disorder, that would
not yield to his skilful physician's treatment. It happened about this
time that a young dumb girl, a stranger, appeared in Polloktown. She
came occasionally to Sir George's house, soliciting assistance.
Observing the gentleman's state, she seemed much troubled, and, by
signs, signified to his daughters that a woman had pricked Sir
George's sides. The girl subsequently pointed out Janet Mathie as the
person who had done the mischief. As suggested by the girl, Math