which induced deep sleep, when they lay down on a bed, and fell so fast asleep that it was impossible to awake them, even by sticking pins into them, or by the application of fire. Whilst in this state Satan presented strange phantasmagoria to them, so that they imagined themselves to be present at lordly feasts, and to be dancing, and enjoying all manner of sensual delights.

Luther, Tome 1. Jenens, in his Exposition of the Ten Commandments, allows a good deal to sorcerers, but will not admit that they sally forth to their assemblies on wicked goats, broomsticks, pitchforks, and the like, and declares this to be incredible. He adduces from D. John Geilers Kaysersberg, formerly cathedral priest at Strasburg, a story of an old beggar, who, in order to convict his priest of falsehood in rejecting the travels of witches through the air as fabulous and imaginary, summoned him to him, and annointed himself in his presence, after which he seated himself astride a pitchfork as though he would ride thereon; but, instead of flying through the air, he fell fast asleep, and tumbled about in a wonderful manner, until at length he fell from his perch and cut his head. When he woke up, and came to himself, he began to narrate a variety of won

derful things which he had seen and done when he was in that condition, but he was cut short and confounded on being referred to the wound on his skull.

John Baptista Porta, who also appears to have had some little more common sense than fell to the lot of the generality of writers in those days, also states, in the 26th chapter of his Second book on Natural Magic, that the imagination and fancy of foolish people, especially of weak women, works so powerfully, that, after having anointed themselves with a certain ointment, which induces deep sleep, they imagine that they are carried away to a princely meal, to magnificent assemblies, &c., "which," says he," is clear delusion," and then continues:"Whilst I now was diligently enquiring into these matters, and pondering deeply over them, because I was much distracted with doubt thereanent, an old beggar woman came to me, and voluntarily promised and vowed to me that she would very quickly solve my doubts and give me an answer thereon. She allowed me and some others who were with me as witnesses, to retire into the room, whilst she went out and anointed herself all over. Now there happened to be a chink in the panel of the door, through which we peeped, and observed that

she fell down in a profound slumber through the power of that somniferous ointment. We opened the door and stole out, when we observed that her skin had turned perfectly blue, and that she was so fast asleep that blows made not the slightest impression upon her, whilst she continued unconscious of our presence. At length the effect of the ointment gradually ceased to operate, when the woman woke up, and began to tell us many wonderful stories as to how she had travelled over hills and vallies, and all manner of streams. We stoutly contradicted her, and, although, we pointed out to her the marks of the stripes on her body, which we had inflicted on her in her sleep, she remained obstinate in her assertions, persisting therein, and continuing impervious to all our arguments and declarations."

We shall conclude this chapter with a quotation from the book entitled Malleus Judicum, or the Law-hammer of the unmerciful Judge of Witches, where, in the chapter on "Whether witches ride upon broomsticks, pitchforks, and sticks, and sally forth to dances and luxurious banquets," S. 4., we find as follows:-"It is clearly against all reason and nature that a full grown person can pass through a funnel for smoke, which is often so narrow as barely to

admit the fist. Yea, they have even asserted that they have occasionaly slipped through a little hole into which one can barely introduce the finger. Whoever can believe this, will believe also that a camel can go through the eye of a needle-a tun of wine be contained in an aume, or a bushel of corn in a thimble. But men say, 'say what you will, we, nevertheless, do see witches attending these dances and we know them by sight; to which we reply, that, if any man does see these things, he does not see men nor any corporeal being, but a spirit, whereby many innocent men are brought into evil report and into peril of their lives. There are, however, doubtless, people, who know how to describe the dances of witches, recognise persons, and actually delineate them. These people are well nigh altogether given over to the Devil, assisting him in his lies and murders, receiving wage and pay from him, and are much worse, more deserving of punishment than witches." See further on this head, if the reader chooses to consult him, Augustin Lercheimer, chap. 13. It is a pity that the author of Malleus Judicum, having so clear a judgment as to the impossibility of the accomplishment of witches' feasts, was yet not sufficiently free from the superstitions of the age, to discredit the appearance of spirits.

CHAPTER VI.

"Der püder ist so wie der rock,
Fur alt und grane weifchen,

Drum sitz ich nachanf meinin bock

Und zeig ein der bes leibehen."

GOETHE.

THE GOAT, AS THE WITCHEs' palfrey.

Gentle reader we are writing, currente calamo, sometimes in our own person, and referring here and there to the author, who forms our text book, and now and then, perhaps, translating whole pages literally from him. If then a change of style be here and there visible, to this cause must it be attributed.

Some chapters further back, we informed you