e demon."
There then all distinction is taken away. He says again that,
according to some, "nails, pins, bones, coals, packets of hair, or
rags, found by the head, of children's beds, are indications of a
compact express or tacit, because of the resemblance to the symbols
made use of by true magicians." Thus, then, witches and those who are
here styled _true magicians_ employ equally the same follies; they
equally place confidence in imaginary compacts--and consequently they
should both be classed in the same category.

IX. It is proper to notice here that it is not so great a novelty as
is generally believed, to make a distinction between witches and
magicians. Nearly two hundred years ago James Wier, a doctor by
profession, had already said the same thing. Never did an author write
more at length upon this matter; you may consult the sixth edition of
his book, _De Praestigiis Daemonum et Incantationibus_, published at
Basle. He there proves that witches ought not to be condemned to
death, because they are women whose brain is disturbed; because all
the crimes that are imputed to them are imaginary, having no reality
but in their ill will, and none at all in the execution; lastly,
because, according to the rules of the soundest jurisprudence, the
confession of having done impossible things is of no weight, and
cannot serve as the foundation of condemnation. He shows how these
foolish old women come to believe that they have held intercourse with
some evil spirit, or been carried through the air; so far nothing can
be better; but otherwise, being persuaded that there are really magic
wonders,[678] and thinking that he has himself experienced something
of the kind, he will have magicians severely punished. He says,[679]
"that very often they are learned men, who, to acquire this diabolical
art, have traveled a great deal; and who, learned[680] in Goesy and
Theurgy,[681] whether through the demon or through study,[682] make
use of strange terms, characters, exorcisms, and imprecations;" employ
"sacred words and divine names, and neglect nothing which can render
them skillful in the black art;"[683] which makes them deserving of
the punishment of death.[684] "But," according to him, "there is a
great difference between magicians and witches, inasmuch as these
latter[685] make use neither of books, nor exorcisms, nor characters,
but have only their mind and imagination corrupted by the demon." He
calls witches "those women