e knocks, and no more." Three knocks immediately
followed. For further trial, the gentleman said, "If the drummer has
instructed thee, Satan, to molest this innocent family, give five
knocks, and no more, to-night." Five knocks were given in response,
which were the last knockings heard before next day.

One morning Mr. Mompesson, seeing a quantity of wood in a corner of
the house, discharged a pistol at the sticks, as he thought a person
lay concealed under them. On their being removed, no one could be
seen, but a pool of blood met the eye. For a whole year the family
suffered by the wicked arts of the vagabond drummer. For his malicious
doings he was tried at the Salisbury assizes. On the evidence of the
parish minister, and of other intelligent witnesses, he was found
guilty of sorcery, and condemned to transportation. It is reported
that, on the voyage to the penal settlements, he alarmed the sailors
and endangered the ship, by raising storms which almost engulphed the
vessel. The drummer told a few confidential companions that he had
served in Cromwell's army with another soldier, a well-known wizard,
who instructed him in the magical art.

Florence Newton was committed to Youghal prison the same year (1661)
for witchcraft. The mayor of Youghal, in giving evidence against her,
said there were three aldermen, whose children had been bewitched to
death by the accused kissing the little ones. The indictment also
contain a charge against her for bewitching David Jones to death, by
kissing his hand through the prison grating. It appears that Jones and
Francis Besely were watching Newton one night in the prison, to see if
she had any familiars resorting to her. David Jones told the prisoner
that he had heard she could not say the Lord's Prayer, to which she
replied that she could. They found, however, that she could not repeat
it. David tried to instruct her; but, all he could do, she would not
utter the words, "Forgive us our trespasses." Seemingly grateful for
his assistance, she asked him to come near her, that she might kiss
his hand. He stretched out his hand, and she kissed it through a
window protected with iron bars. Subsequently Jones told deponent that
ever since the old hag kissed his hand he felt ill. At times he
imagined she was pulling his arm. The court found Newton guilty of
witchcraft, and she fell a victim to the popular superstition of her
time.

Julian Cox, aged seventy years, was indicted at Taunt