by
exciting and stirring up the superabundant humours; he did afflict them in
a more surprising manner by the same diseases their bodies were usually
subject to; that these fits might be natural, only raised to a great
degree by the subtlety of the devil, co-operating with the malice of these
witches.

[Illustration: SIR THOMAS BROWN.]

The evidence being concluded, Sir Matthew Hale addressed the jury. He
said, he would waive repeating the evidence, to prevent any mistake, and
told the jury there were two things they had to inquire into. First,
Whether or not these children were bewitched; secondly, Whether these
women did bewitch them. He said, he did not in the least doubt there were
witches; first, Because the Scriptures affirmed it; secondly, Because the
wisdom of all nations, particularly our own, had provided laws against
witchcraft, which implied their belief of such a crime. He desired them
strictly to observe the evidence, and begged of God to direct their hearts
in the weighty concern they had in hand, since, to condemn the innocent
and let the guilty go free are both an abomination to the Lord.

The jury then retired, and in about half an hour returned a verdict of
guilty upon all the indictments, being thirteen in number. The next
morning the children came with their father to the lodgings of Sir Matthew
Hale, very well, and quite restored to their usual health. Mr. Pacey,
being asked at what time their health began to improve, replied, that they
were quite well in half an hour after the conviction of the prisoners.

Many attempts were made to induce the unfortunate women to confess their
guilt; but in vain, and they were both hanged.

Eleven trials were instituted before Chief Justice Holt for witchcraft,
between the years 1694 and 1701. The evidence was of the usual character;
but Holt appealed so successfully in each case to the common sense of the
jury, that they were every one acquitted. A general feeling seemed to
pervade the country that blood enough had been shed upon these absurd
charges. Now and then, the flame of persecution burnt up in a remote
district; but these instances were no longer looked upon as mere matters
of course. They appear, on the contrary, to have excited much attention; a
sure proof, if no other were to be obtained, that they were becoming
unfrequent.

A case of witchcraft was tried in 1711, before Lord Chief Justice Powell;
in which, however, the jury persisted in a verd