tched Cattle--Mode of discovering a
Witch--Selling a Soul to the Devil--Witch Executed--A
Song of the Seventeenth Century.

In the seventeenth century it was not uncommon for people in England
to secure themselves against witchcraft after the manner Lowland
Scotchmen protected themselves from Highland robbers--by paying
"blackmail." In 1612 John Davice, a Lancashire man, agreed to give a
dangerous witch, residing near him, a quantity of meal annually, on
condition that she would not bewitch him or his. She adhered to her
part of the contract, but Davice, like a foolish fellow, ceased to
implement his part of it. The covenant being broken, he was no longer
safe, and she bewitched him to death.

Many have heard of the Demon of Tedworth, in the county of Wilts, in
the year 1661. Mr. John Mompesson, of Tedworth, hearing a drum beaten
one day, inquired what it meant. The bailiff told him that the people
had for some days been troubled with an idle drummer, who demanded
money from them. On learning this, Mr. Mompesson sent for the man,
and, on his coming, commanded him to lay aside his drum. At the same
time the gentleman directed the constable to carry the disturber of
the peace before a magistrate, in order to have him punished. The
fellow begged earnestly to have his drum, but it was not thought
advisable to let him have it; therefore it was kept in Mr. Mompesson's
house.

About a month after the drummer's apprehension, Mr. Mompesson's family
were sadly annoyed by violent knocking and drumming--at times
apparently in the house, and at other times seemingly on the
house-top. This disturbance continued for weeks without much change,
but then the annoyance became unbearable. An offensive smell pervaded
the house; boards danced through rooms and passages by day; and at
night, drumming was heard for hours together in the apartment where
the drum lay.

To administer comfort, if not to afford protection, to the family, the
minister and divers pious neighbours came to the house to pray. The
clergyman knelt down at a bed-side, but soon rose again, to avoid
being injured by shoes and other missiles thrown at him. Singing was
sometimes heard, blue lights were seen, doors closed and opened with a
bang ten times in as many minutes, although no one could be seen near
them. During the time of a more than ordinary alarm, when many people
were present, a gentleman said, "Satan, if the drummer set thee to
work, give thre