Part II: a choice collection of modern relations, part 6 of 12

ADVERTISEMENT.

This Relation is taken out of a Copy of an Authentick Record, as I conceive, every half sheet having W. Aston writ in the Margin, and then again W. Aston at the end of all, who in all likelihood must be some publick Notary or Record-Keeper. But this Witch of Youghall is so famous, that I have heard Mr. Greatrix speak of her at my Lord Conway's at Ragley, and remember very well he told the story of the Awl to me there. There is in this Relation an eximious example of the Magical venome of Witches (whence they are called Veneficae) in that all the mischief this Witch did, was by kissing, or some way touching the party she bewitched, and she confest unless she touched her, she could do her no hurt. Which may be called a Magical venome or contagion. But how Over-looking and Bewitching are distinguished with those of this Hellish Fraternity, I know not. But that Mary Longdon was bewitch'd by her over-looking her is manifest. Whether this Over-looking relates to [non-Latin script], and that the Magical venome came out at her Eyes when she kissed the Maid, and whether this [non-Latin script] was the first kind of Witchery distinct from that of bewitching people by Images made of Wax, and afterward any bewitching by meer looking or touching, was called Over-looking, we will leave to the Criticks of that black School to decide. As also what is that, which in the Witches shape, so haunts and torments the bewitched party. For that it is not the meer fancy of the bewitched seems reasonable to judge, because their meer fancy could not create such kinds of extream torments to them. And therefore it is either the Witches Familiar in her shape, or the Astral Spirit of the Witch, because the Witch is sometimes wounded by striking at her Appearance, as it happened in the appearance of Jane Brooks, and also in that of Julian Cox, as you shall find in the Relation following.

RELAT. VIII. The Narrative of Mr. Pool, a Servant and Officer in the Court to Judge Archer in his Circuits, concerning the Trial of Julian Cox for Witchcraft; who being himself then present an Officer in the Court, noted as follows, viz.

JUlian Cox, aged about 70 years, was Indicted at Taunton in Somersetshire, about Summer Assizes 1663. before Judge Archer then Judge of Assize there, for Witchcraft, which she practised upon a young Maid, whereby her body languished, and was impaired of Health, by reason of strange fits upon account of the said Witchcraft.

The evidence against her was divided into two Branches; First, to prove her a Witch in general; Secondly, to prove her guilty of the Witchcraft contained in the Indictment.

For the proof of the first particular, The first Witness was an Huntsman, who swore that he went out with a pack of Hounds to hunt a Hare, and not far off from Julian Cox her house, he at last started a Hare. The Dogs hunted her very close, and the third ring hunted her in view, till at last the Huntsman perceiving the Hare almost spent, and making towards a great Bush, he ran on the other side of the Bush to take her up, and preserve her from the Dogs. But as soon as he laid hands on her, it proved to be Julian Cox, who had her head groveling on the ground, and her globes (as he exprest it) upward. He knowing her, was affrighted, that his Hair on his Head stood on end; and yet spake to her, and askt her what brought her there. But she was so far out of Breath, that she could not make him any answer. His Dogs also came up with full cry to recover the game, and smelt at her, and so left off hunting any further. And the Huntsman with his Dogs went home presently, sadly affrighted.

Secondly, Another Witness swore, that as he passed by Cox her Door, she was taking a Pipe of Tobacco upon the Threshold of her Door, and invited him to come in and take a Pipe, which he did. And as he was taking Julian said to him, Neighbour look what a pretty thing there is. He look't down, and there was a monstrous great Toad betwixt his Leggs, staring him in the face. He endeavoured to kill it by spurning it, but could not hit it. Whereupon Julian bad him forbear, and it would do him no hurt. But he threw down his Pipe and went home, (which was about two Miles off of Julian Cox her house) and told his Family what had happened, and that he believed it was one of Julian Cox her Devils. After, he was taking a Pipe of Tobacco at home, and the same Toad appeared betwixt his Leggs. He took the Toad out to kill it, and to his thinking cut it in several pieces, but returning to his Pipe, the Toad still appeared. He endeavored to burn it, but could not. At length he took a Switch and beat it. The Toad ran several times about the Room to avoid him, he still pursuing it with correction. At length the Toad cryed and vanish't, and he was never after troubled with it.

Thirdly, Another swore that Julian past by his Yard while his Beasts were in Milking, and stooping down scored upon the ground for some small time. During which time his Cattle ran mad, and some ran their heads against the Trees, and most of them dyed speedily. Whereupon concluding they were bewitched, he was after advised to this Experiment, to find out the Witch, viz. to cut off the Ears of the bewitched Beasts and burn them, and that the Witch would be in misery and could not rest till they were plucked out. Which he tryed, and while they were burning, Julian Cox came into the House, raging and scolding that they had abused her without cause, but she went presently to the fire and took out the Ears that were burning, and then she was quiet.

Fourthly, Another Witness swore that she had seen Julian Cox fly into her own Chamber Window in her full proportion, and that she very well knew her, and was sure it was she.

Fifthly, Another evidence was the confession of Julian Cox her self upon her Examination before a Justice of Peace, which was to this purpose, That she had been often tempted by the Devil to be a Witch, but never consented. That one evening she walkt out about a Mile from her own House, and there came riding towards her three persons upon three Broom-staves, born up abo[…] yard and an half from the ground. Two of them she formerly knew, which was a Witch and a Wizzard that were hanged for Witchcraft several years before. The third person she knew not. He came in the shape of a black Man, and tempted her to give him her Soul, or to that effect, and to express it by pricking her finger, and giving her name in her Blood in token of it, and told her that she had revenge against several persons that had wronged her, but could not bring her purpose to pass without his help, and that upon the terms aforesaid he would assist her to be revenged against them. But she said, she did not consent to it. This was the sum of the general Evidence to prove her a Witch.

But now for the second particular, to prove her guilty of the Witchcraft upon the Maid whereof she was indicted, this Evidence was offered:

It was proved that Julian Cox came for an Alms to the house where this Maid was a Servant, and that the Maid told her, she should have none, and gave her a cross answer that displeased Julian. Whereupon Julian was angry and told the Maid she should repent it before Night, and so she did. For before Night she was taken with a Convulsion fit, and after that left her, she saw Julian Cox following her and cryed out to the People in the house to save her from Julian.

But none saw Julian but the Maid, and all did impute it to her imagination onely. And in the Night she cryed out of Julian Cox, and the black Man, that they came upon her bed and tempted her to drink something they offered her. But she cryed out, she desied the Devils Drenches. This also they imputed to her imagination, and bad her be quiet, because they in the same Chamber with her did not see or hear any thing, and they thought it had been her conceit onely.

The Maid the next Night expecting the same conflict she had the Night before, brought up with her a Knife, and laid it at her beds head: About the same time of the Night as before, Julian and the black Man came again upon the Maids bed and tempted her to drink that which they brought, but she refused, crying in the audience of the rest of the Family, that she defied the Devils Drenches, and took the Knife and stabbed Julian, and, as she said, she wounded her in the Leg and was importunate with the Witness to ride to Julian Cox's house presently to see if it were not so. The Witness went and took the Knife with him. Julian Cox would not let him in, but they forced the Door open and found a fresh wound in Julian's Leg, as the Maid had said, which did suit with the Knife, and Julian had been just dressing it when the Witness came. There was blood also found upon the Maids bed.

The next Morning the Maid continued her out-cries that Julian Cox appeared to her in the house wall, and offered her great Pins which she was forced to swallow. And all the Day the Maid was observed to conveigh her hand to the house wall, and from the wall to her Mouth, and she seemed by the motion of her Mouth as if she did eat something. But none saw any thing but the Maid, and therefore thought still it might be her phansy, and did not much mind it. But towards Night this Maid began to be very ill and complained, that the Pins that Julian forced her to eat out of the wall, did torment her in all parts of her Body that she could not endure it, and made lamentable out-cries for pain. Whereupon several Persons being present the Maid was undressed, and in several parts of the Maids Body several great swellings appeared, and out of the head of the swellings several great Pins points appeared. Which the Witnesses took out, and upon the Trial there were about Thirty great Pins produced in Court (which I my self handled) all which were sworn by several Witnesses that they were taken out of the Maids Body in manner as is aforesaid.

Judge Archer who tryed the Prisoner, told the Jury that he had heard that a Witch could not repeat that petition in the Lords Prayer, viz. [And lead us not into temptation] and having this occasion he would try the Experiment, and told the Jury that whether she could or could not, they were not in the least measure to guide their Verdict according to it, because it was not legal Evidence, but that they must be guided in their Verdict by the former Evidences given in upon Oath onely.

The Prisoner was called for up to the next Bar to the Court, and demanded if she could say the Lords Prayer? She said she could, and went over the Prayer readily till she came to that petition. Then she said [And lead us into temptation] or [And lead us not into no temptation] but could not say [And lead us not into temptation] though she was directed to say it after one that repeated it to her distinctly. But she could not repeat it otherwise than is expressed already, though tried to do it near half a score times in open Court. After all which the Jury found her guilty, and Judgment having been given within three or four days, she was Executed without any Confession of the Fact.

ADVERTISEMENT.

This is a Copy of the Narrative sent by Mr. Pool, Octob. 24. 1672. to Mr. Archer of Emanuel Colledge, Nephew to the Judge upon the desire of Dr. Bright. But I remember here at Cambridge, I heard the main passages of this Narrative when they first were spread abroad after the Assizes, and particularly by G. Rust after Bishop of Dromore in Ireland. Nor do I doubt but it is a true account of what was attested before Judge Archer at the Assizes. For it is a thing to me altogether incredible, that he that was an Officer or Servant of the Judge and present in the Court at the Examination and Trial, and there took Notes, should write a Narrative, when there were so many Ear-witnesses besides himself of the same things, that would be obnoxious to the disproof of those who were present as well as himself. It may not be amiss here to transcribe what Dr. M. did write to Mr. G. touching this story in a Letter dated Dec. 26. 1678.

This Narrative, says he, hath the most Authentick confirmation that human affairs are capable of, Sense and the sacredness of an Oath. But yet I confess I have heard that judge Archer has been taxed by some of overmuch credulity, for sentencing Julian Cox to death upon those Evidences. But to deal freely I suspect by such as out of their ignorance misinterpreted several passages in the Evidence, or were of such a dull stupid Sadducean temper, that they believe there are no Spirits nor Witches. And truly I must confess that the Huntsman, though he deposed upon Oath, that when he came in to take up the Hare at the Bush, it proved to be Julian Cox with her face towards the ground, &c. his expressing of himself touching her Globes and the Doggs smelling, &c. looks something humoursomly and ludicrousty on it. But I must further add, that I think it was onely that his fancie was tickled with the featness of the Phaenomenon, not that he would be so wicked as to tell a lye upon Oath and that for nothing. Sic vita hominum est, says Tully, ut ad maleficium nemo conetur sine spe atque emolumento accedere. But that those half-witted People thought he swore false, I suppose was because they imagined that what he told implied that Julian Cox was turned into an Hare. Which she was not, nor did his report imply any such real Metamorphosis of her body, but that these ludicrous Daemons exhibited to the sight of this Huntsman and his Doggs the shape of an Hare, one of them turning himself into such a form, and others hurrying on the body of Julian near the same place, and at the same swiftness, but interposing betwixt that Hare-like Spectre and her body, modifying the Air so that the scene there, to the beholders sight, was as if nothing but Air were there, and a shew of Earth perpetually suited to that where the Hare passed. As I have heard of some Painters that have drawn the Sky in an huge large Landskip, so lively that the Birds have flown against it, thinking it free Air, and so have fallen down. And if Painters' and Juglers by the tricks of Legerdemain can do such strange feats to the deceiving of the sight, it is no wonder that these Airy invisible Spirits as far surpass them in all such praestigious doings as the Air surpasses the Earth for subtilty.

And the like Praestigiae may be in the Toad. It might be a real Toad (though actuated and guided by a Daemon) which was cut in pieces, and that also which was whipt about, and at last snatcht out of sight (as if it had vanished) by these AErial Hocus-Pocus's. And if some Juglers have tricks to take hot Coals into their Mouth without hurt, certainly it is no strange thing that some small attempt did not suffice to burn that Toad. That such a Toad, sent by a Witch and crawling up the Body of the Man of the house as he sate by the fire's side, was overmastered by him and his Wife together, and burnt in the fire; I have heard sometime ago credibly reported by one of the Isle of Ely. Of these Daemoniack Vermin, I have heard other stories also, as of a Rat that followed a Man some score of Miles trudging through thick and thin along with him. So little difficulty is there in that of the Toad.

And that of Julian Cox's being seen to fly in at her own Chamber Window, there is no difficulty in it, if it be understood of her Familiar, the black Man, that had transformed himself into her shape. For this is no such unusual thing for Witches to appear either in their Astral Spirits or by their Familiars, as if it were their very bodily Persons. But when she appeared to the Maid together with the black Man and offered her to drink, it is likely it was her Astral Spirit, and Julians being wounded in her body by the wound on her Astral Spirit is just such another case, as that of Jane Brooks, which you your self note in your Book of Witchcraft.

The most incredible thing is her eating of Pins, she knowing them to be such. But they that are bewitched are not themselves, and being possessed are actuated in the parts of their body, and their mind driven by that ugly inmate in them, to what he will; which is notorious in the story of Mrs. Frogmorton's Children. And for the Pins thus swallowed, their comeing out into the exterior parts of her body, Examples of this sort are infinite; and far more strange than these are recorded by Baptista Van Helmont, de Injectis.

These are the most incredible passages in this Narrative, and yet you see how credible they are, if rightly understood. But those that believe no Spirits will believe nothing never so credible of this kind, and others that have some natural aversion from these things will presently interpret them in the vulgar sense, and then sweetly snear at their own ignorance. But I must confess if this be a true Relation of what passed in the Court, I do not question but the things that were sworn did so appear to them that swore them. Or else there is nothing to be credited in human affairs. But concerning the truth of the Relation, besides what I hinted in my last to you, you would do well to write to some or other in Taunton, &c. Thus far Dr. M.

And if any one be so curious as to desire an account of Mr. G. his further inquiry into this business, I can tell him that he wrote to Mr. Hunt who then busy in some Court, yet made shift to read the Narrative and wrote two or three lines to him back to this effect. That one principal Evidence was omitted in the Narrative, but that is nothing against the truth of the rest. But he adds also, that some things were false. Which would stumble one and make him think that the credit of this Narrative is quite blasted thereby. But this Riddle is easily unriddled by him that considers, that Mr. Hunt may respect those things that are said to be confest by her in her examination before a Justice of Peace. For he also having some time Examined her, and she making no such confession to him (as Mr. G. himself says in a Letter to Dr. M. that he perused that Examination in Mr. Hunts Book, and there was not any thing considerable therein) might speak this in reference to the Examination which he had taken, she then not confessing so freely as to some other Justice, whose Examination therefore was made use of in the Court. But this cannot concern at all the rest of the Narrative, which was given upon Oath in the Court in the hearing of all. This I thought fit not to omit as being desirous to deal with all faithfulness in concealing nothing, and not to impose upon the Reader, but that he may make his judgment upon the whole matter.

As for the Witches being hurried along with that Hare-like Spectre, her being out of breath (as the Huntsman testified) makes it most probable; or at least that she was hurried from some other place on the earth, or in the air (to meet there at length with the Hare-like Spectre) but this invisibly by that [non-Latin script], or Prestigiatory art or faculty of these ludicrous Daemons, whereby they can so modifie the Air immediately next to the party they would conceal, that it looks there like the free Skie, or what Landskip they please; as when they shew in a Shew-stone or Glass, the very Room in which the party is, the Daemon by the power of his Imagination, so modifying at least his own Vehicle. Which power some of those of the Atheistick Brotherhood cannot wish any face deny, supposing there are Daemons, they giving a greater power to the Imagination of a Man, as if it were able to transform the Air into real Birds or Mice, or such like Creatures livingly such for the present. But any thing must be believed, rather than the Existence of Witches and Daemons.

It will not be amiss here to take notice what an eminent example this Julian Cox is of Moses his Megnonenah or Mecassephah taken in the same sense, that is, of such a Witch as is thought by a [non-Latin script], or prestigiatory power (though it is the Devil that does these feats, not she) to transform her self into strange shapes, and use other like deceptions of the sight. As also it is a notable instance of the Astral Spirits of Witches, how strongly, though at a distance of place, they are tyed together in a fatal Sympathy with their Bodies, the Body of Julian being wounded by a stab at her Astral Spirit, as it fared also in Jane Brooks, and an Old Woman in Cambridge-shire, whose Astral Spirit coming into a Mans house, (as he was sitting alone at the fire) in the shape of an huge Cat, and setting her self before the fire, not sar from him, he stole a stroke at the back of it with a Fire-fork, and seemed to break the back of it, but it scambled from him, and vanisht be kn[…]w not how. But such an Old Woman, a reputed Witch, was found dead in her Bed that very night, with her Back broken, as I have heard some years ago credibly reported.

That also is a marvellous Magical Sympathy in this story of Julian Cox, that the burning of the Ears of the Beast bewitched by her, should put her into such rage and torment. Like the heating of the Tile red hot in the story of Florence Newton, and pouring some of the bewitched Maids water upon it. Which puts me in mind of a very remarkable story of this kind, told me by Mr. Brearly, once Fellow of Christs Colledge in Cambridge, who boarded in an house in Suffolk, where his Landlady had been ill handled by Witchcraft.

For an Old Man that Travelled up and down the Country, and had some acquaintance at that house, calling in and asking the Man of the house how he did and his Wife; He told him that himself was well, but his Wife had been a long time in a languishing condition, and that she was haunted with a thing in the shape of a Bird, that would flurr near to her face, and that she could not enjoy her natural rest well. The Old Man bid him and his Wife be of good courage. It was but a dead Spright, he said, and he would put him in a course to rid his Wife of this languishment and trouble. He therefore advised him to take a Bottle, and put his Wives Urine into it, together with Pins and Needles and Nails, and Cork them up, and set the Bottle to the fire, but be sure the Cork be fast in it, that it fly not out. The Man followed the prescription, and set the Bootle to the fire well corkt, which when it had felt a while the heat of the fire began to move and joggle a little, but he for sureness took the Fireshovel, and held it hard upon the Cork. And as he thought he felt something one while on this side, another while on that, shove the Fireshovel off, which he still quickly put on again, but at last at one shoving the Cork bounced out, and the Urine, Pins, Nails and Needles all flew up, and gave a report like a Pistol, and his Wife continued in the same trouble and languishment still.

Not long after, the Old Man came to the house again, and inquired of the Man of the house how his Wife did. Who answered as ill as ever, if not worse. He askt him if he had followed his direction. Yes, says he, and told him the event as is abovesaid. Ha, quoth he, it seems it was too nimble for you. But now I will put you in a way, that will make the business sure. Take your Wive's Urine as before, and Cork it in a Bottle with Nails, Pins and Needles, and bury it in the Earth; and that will do the feat. The Man did accordingly. And his Wife began to mend sensibly, and in a competent time was finely well recovered. But there came a Woman from a Town some miles off to their house, with a lamentable Out-cry, that they had killed her Husband. They askt her what she meant and thought her distracted, telling her they knew neither her nor her husband. Yes, saith she, you have killed my husband, he told me so on his Death-bed. But at last they understood by her, that her Husband was a Wizzard, and had bewitched this Mans Wife, and that this Counter-practice prescribed by the Old Man, which saved the Mans Wife from languishment, was the death of that Wizzard that had bewitcht her. This story did Mr. Brearly hear from the Man and Womans own Mouth who were concerned, and at whose House he for a time Boarded, nor is there any doubt of the truth thereof.

But it will be more easie for any rational Man to believe stories of this kind, than to find out a satisfactory account of the operation and effect, or to assure the lawfulness of such counter-practice against Witchcraft, unless they can be resolved into the Sympathy and Synenergy of the Spiritus Mundanus, (which Plotinus calls [non-Latin script], the grand Magician) such as the operation of the Weapon-salve, and other Magnetick Cures are resolved into. And forasmuch as the power of a truly Divine Magick, such as Prophets and Holy Law-givers are endued with, is too great and August to be sound in ordinary good Men, that are to bring in no new Law or Religion into the World, the benignity of Providence is to be acknowledged in that the Villanies of Witchcraft lye obnoxious to such a natural or ratified way of Discoveries and Counter-practices as these. But how this obnoxiousness of Witches is complicated with their Familiars sucking their Bodies, is a point too nice and prolix to enter upon here. But it is most safe not to tamper at all with these things, and most happy to have no occasion for it.

Lastly, as for Julian Cox her not being able to say one of the Petitions in the Lords Prayer, the case is like that of Florence Newton the Irish Witch, but unlike in this, that it was not the same Petition Florence Newton stuck at. And I remember when I had the curiosity with a friend of mine, of examining certain Witches at Castle-hill in Cambridge, the most notorious of them, who also was hanged for a Witch, offered to say the Creed and Lords Prayer, as an Argument she was no Witch, and so far as I remember, she said the Lords Prayer right, but was out at the Creed; nor do I think this any certain sign of their guilt or innocenty, and therefore Judge Archer did well to lay no stress on it. But these things are of less moment, and therefore I pass to the next Relation, which looks not so much like Witchcraft, as the Apparition of the Ghost of one deceased.