Product Synopsis

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1852. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXXII. CONCLUSION. The narrative of Satan's doings in New England may be looked upon as an appropriate conclusion to an historical sketch of the prosecutions lor witchcraft. We see here combined in one short act the sudden force exercised by the superstition over the popular mind, the disasters to which it led, and the final triumph of good sense and honest feelings in dispelling the illusion. It was that good sense which was now overcoming popular ignorance in most of the countries of Europe. In France, where in the earlier period the persecution of witches was most intense, the same circumstances had not existed to keep it up as in England and Scotland. With the exception of several cases of pretended possession, intrigues of the catholic priesthood, who thus practised on the credulity of the populace, which occurred at this time, we hear little of witchcraft in France during the latter half of the seventeenth century. The belief still existed among the peasantry, who, when blights 'and diseases fell upon their produce or stock unexpectedly, were too apt to ascribe it to such agency, but they were discountenanced by the better classes of society. In 1672, a great number of shepherds were arrested in Normandy, on a charge of witchcraft, and prosecuted before the parliament of Rouen; but when the king was informed of it, he at once put a stop to the process by an order of council, directing the prisoners to be set at liberty This proceeding on the part of the king had the immediate effect defaire taire la demon ! Yet a similar accusation was brought against the shepherds of Brie in 1691. Still the belief existed in sufficient force to admit of its being used as an instrument for indulging personal animosity, and that between a minister of the cr...