wandered about for many days, till death ended her sufferings.

A Perthshire witch cured little children by various charms. A cake
made of meal obtained from nine several women was an infallible
medicine, when eaten by a little sufferer; and a decoction of certain
herbs, infused in water from the well of Ruthven, carried by one going
to and returning from the spring, silently and alone, was an
invaluable preparation. A neighbour, named John Gow, had a changeling
left in his house in place of a beautiful infant, belonging to him,
stolen by the fairies. The sickly-looking creature proved a source of
great annoyance to him and his spouse, but, thanks to a witch, it was
got rid of: a dose of her medicine administered to the disguised fairy
proved sufficient to despatch it to fairyland, or to some other
unknown place.

CHAPTER LXII.

Witchcraft in Aberdeen--Dean of Guild rewarded for his
Diligence in burning Witches--Trial of Thomas Leyis
for Witchcraft--Found Guilty--Expense of burning
Thomas Leyis--Expense of burning Janet Wischert and
Isobel Cocker--The Marquis of Huntly's Desire to
punish Witches--Action of the Presbytery anent
Witches--Helen Fraser--Man under the Protection of the
Fairy Queen--Janet Wischert causing a Man to melt away
like a Candle--Ruining a Man and his Wife--Margaret
Clark's Power--Strathdown Witches--Merry
Wives--Transforming Besoms into the Likeness of
Women--Riding on Brooms--Crossing the Spey in
Riddles--Disappearance of Witches--Madge M'Donald of
Tomintoul--Witches' Pool--A Mountain Tale--Girl
controlling the Elements--Witch Burned--Caithness
Witches--Margaret Olson, one of the Evil
Sisterhood--Investigation by the Sheriff--Margaret
Nin-Gilbert--Helen Andrew--Shetland Witches--An Orkney
Lady--Mary Lamont of Innerkip.

Judging from the number of persons burned for alleged supernatural
acts in Aberdeen--sometimes as many as twenty-three in a year--that
city must have been a hotbed of witches. To hunt down witches there,
and to bring them to the stake, met with general approval. Men in
public office, noble lords, ecclesiastics, and the common people
joined in the hunt, with results truly appalling. Under date 21st
September 1597, the provost, bailies, and council showed their
appreciation of the diligence of William Dunn in the discharge of his
duties as dean of guild;