Witchcraft

The Mysteries of All Nations Rise and Progress of Superstition, Laws Against and Trials of Witches, Ancient and Modern Delusions Together with Strange Customs, Fables, and Tales

PAGE Rise and Progress of Superstition--The Serpent--Cain's Departure from the true Worship--Worship of the Sun, Moon, and Stars--Strange Story of Abraham--The Gods of Antiquity--Ether, Air, Land, and Water filled with living Souls--Guardian Angel--Cause of the Flood--Magic--H...

Chapters

88. CHAPTER XV.

Introductory--St. Peter and Simon the Magician--Clement's Miracles and Death--St. Agnes the Innocent--A Miraculous Circumstance--St. Blase's Power over Men and Beasts--St. Agath...

87. CHAPTER XIV.

Names of Months, whence derived--January--First of January, how kept--Heathens and Christians--New Year Gifts--February--Sacrifices for purging Souls--Second of February, how ke...

109. CHAPTER XXXVI.

Leading Churchmen subjected to the Onslaught of Demons--Warfare with the Devil in corporeal shape--Triumph of Churchmen--St. Maurus rebuking a Troop of Evil Spirits--St. Romuald...

145. CHAPTER LXXI.

Superstition at Chelmsford--Woman Bewitched--Fortune-telling Quack--Old Zadkiel--Incantation in Somerset--Turning the Bible and Key--Woman assuming the form of a Hare--Woman rul...

85. CHAPTER XII.

Mythology of Germany, Great Britain, and Scandinavia--Scandinavian Gods, Giants, and Elves--The world Niflheim--The world Muspelheim--How Ymir was created--The cow Aedhumla--Ymi...

84. CHAPTER XI.

Achilles's Mother--Prediction concerning the taking of Troy--Bravery, Armour, Love, and Death of Achilles--Acrisius's Daughter--Danae and her son Perseus--Ardea changed into a B...

143. CHAPTER LXIX.

Ghost at Sea--Tragical Event--Ghosts in Edinburgh--Fear of Ghosts in Glasgow--Fortune-telling--Choice of Lovers, how decided--A handsome Dowry--Old Irish Story--How a Ghost sett...

131. CHAPTER LVIII.

Hiring a Witch to detect a Witch--Clerical Witch-finders--Agnew, the sturdy Beggar--His Diabolical Doings--Missiles thrown by Unseen Hands--Working Instruments destroyed--A Dist...

97. CHAPTER XXIV.

Louis XI. and the Astrologer--A King's Enchanted Cap--David I. and the Mysterious Stag--Merlin the Magician--Prophecies concerning Queen Elizabeth and Mary--Merlin's Mother--His...

91. CHAPTER XVIII.

The Poet Gay--The "Spell"--Hobnelia--Lubberkin going to Town--A Maiden fine--Spells resorted to--Marking the Ground, and turning three times round--Hempseed as a Charm--Valentin...

147. CHAPTER LXXIII.

Superstition in Roman Catholic Countries--Miracle-working Images, Winking Madonnas and Apparitions--Image paying Homage to the Virgin Mary--St. Dominic--Madonnas at Trastevere--...

89. CHAPTER XVI.

Prophetic Verse--Druids called Bardi--The Bardi as Instructors--Virtue of Serpents' Eggs--Bards maintained by Noblemen--Queen Elizabeth and the Bards--Effects of Prophetic Sayin...

129. CHAPTER LVI.

Witchcraft treated with great Severity--Cutting out the Tongue--Laws of AEthelstane--Witchcraft in England--Royal Writers--Sir Edward Cole's Opinion--Statute of Elizabeth agains...

95. CHAPTER XXII.

Allan Ramsay--"The Gentle Shepherd"--Bauldy the Clown--Mause the reputed Witch--A Witch's Crantraips--Praying Backwards--Sad Misfortunes attributed to Mause--Supposed Power of t...

90. CHAPTER XVII.

Shakspeare--An Outline of his Composition--"The Tempest"--Ship at Sea in a Storm--Miranda beseeching Prospero to allay the Wild Waters--Ariel's Readiness to serve his Master--Th...

142. CHAPTER LXVIII.

Generality of Superstition--The Church and Superstition--St. Mourie--People forbidden to resort to the island Innis Maree--Various Modes of Superstition--Charms--Lucky and Unluc...

93. CHAPTER XX.

Lord Byron taught Superstition by his Nurse and others--Byron and the Maid in Green--The Maid's Keepsake or Charm--Bridge of Balgonie--Byron's fear to ride over it--His belief i...

144. CHAPTER LXX.

Lizzie M'Gill, the Fifeshire Spaewife--Fortune-telling--Predicting a Storm at Sea--Servants alarmed thereby--Prediction Fulfilled--Adam Donald, an Aberdeenshire Prophet--Adam su...

81. CHAPTER VIII.

John Gomez the Wizard and Man-tiger--Lopez the Man-lion--Vermilion Marks rendered the Devil powerless--Sacrificing Children--Offerings to the Ganges--A Rajah offering himself as...

86. CHAPTER XIII.

The Calendar--Names of Days, whence derived--Worship of Plants--Nature-Worship--The Power of Jupiter--Influence of Zeus--The god Indra--Origin of the term "Hours"--Hours under P...

110. CHAPTER XXXVII.

Magic a Study among the Learned--Plato and Pythagoras travelled to learn the Art, and taught it--How to subdue a Furious Bull--How to make a tough Fowl tender--Eagles' Feathers-...

125. CHAPTER LII.

Curses, Excommunication, and Anathemas--Dirae, the Executioners of Vengeance--Curses and Anathemas not confined to the Vulgar--Excommunication generally accompanied by Anathema-...

136. CHAPTER LXII.

Witchcraft in Aberdeen--Dean of Guild rewarded for his Diligence in burning Witches--Trial of Thomas Leyis for Witchcraft--Found Guilty--Expense of burning Thomas Leyis--Expense...

113. CHAPTER XL.

Divination--Heathen Gods giving Signs--Sortes Pr[oe]nestinae--St. Augustine's View of Divination--Sortes Sanctorum--Divination in the Greek and Latin Churches--Ceremonies at the...

74. CHAPTER I.

Rise and Progress of Superstition--The Serpent--Cain's Departure from the true Worship--Worship of the Sun, Moon, and Stars--Strange Story of Abraham--The Gods of Antiquity--Eth...

80. CHAPTER VII.

Ethiopian Superstition--Sacred Bread--Customs of Ethiopian Monks--Heathen Indian Gods--Paraxacti and her three Sons--Thirty thousand millions of Gods--Fate of a Child written on...

92. CHAPTER XIX.

Sir Walter Scott, the "Great Unknown"--His belief in Superstition--How his Tales of Fiction are composed--A Town-Clerk frightened by an Apparition--A Ghost that did not understa...

137. CHAPTER LXIII.

Neither Police nor Medical Men much required in Olden Times--Instruments of Torture--Torture declared Illegal--Case of John Felton--Berkly Witch--Attempt on the Life of Edward I...

114. CHAPTER XLI.

Crying in Youth--Image of Opis--New-born Babes--Man born to Trouble--How Man's Time is spent--Bacon's Belief in Presages--Dugdale's Foresight--Sir Thomas More's Power to judge o...

78. CHAPTER V.

Greek Religion and Superstition--Whence the Greeks derived their Religion--Jupiter regarded as the President of the Law and Protector of Cities--Entertainment of Strangers--Drea...

94. CHAPTER XXI.

Tale by Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd--Aikwood Castle--Black Pages in Livery--The Witch Henbane--Imps demanding Work--Michael Scott--Curious Sport--Dreadful Threat--Rats transforme...

106. CHAPTER XXXIII.

Antonio the Rich--Soul sold to the Devil--Dreadful Announcement from a Volcano's Mouth--Three Ghosts--A Thrilling Story--Human Remains found behind a Stove--Mozart apprehensive...

117. CHAPTER XLIV.

Floors should not be swept at Night--Fires at New Year and Christmas--Presents at New Year and Christmas--Lucky and Unlucky "First-Foots"--Looking through a Ladder--Sneezing--Ai...

123. CHAPTER L.

Trials by Ordeal resorted to in Modern and Ancient Times--Ordeal by means of Hot Iron--Plunging the Arm into Boiling Water or Oil--Walking Blindfold in Dangerous Places--Weighin...

122. CHAPTER XLIX.

Precious Stones regarded as Objects of uncommon Virtue--Extravagance in Jewellery accounted for--Significance in relation to Gems--Abraham's Precious Stones--Altars called Livin...

121. CHAPTER XLVIII.

Earl of Derby's Death--A Queen Enchanted--Image of a young King made for Wicked Purposes--Belgrave on Charms--Childebert's Device for detecting Witches--A Pot of Ointment--Witch...

132. CHAPTER LIX.

Victims of Superstition--History of Lady Glammis--Her Trial for causing the Death of her Husband and attempting to poison the King--Found Guilty, and Burned--Lady Fowlis an inte...

96. CHAPTER XXIII.

Generality of Superstition--Commencement of Monarchy in Scotland--King Fergus I. crowned on the Fatal Stone of Destiny--Signs, Assistance of Spirits, Magicians, and Fortune-tell...

98. CHAPTER XXV.

Cromwell in league with the Devil--Cromwell consulting Astrologers--Memorable Days in the Life of Cromwell--Singular Narrative--Duke of Hamilton warned of his Fate--Peden's Pred...

124. CHAPTER LI.

A Popular Story--Ordeal of Red-hot Iron--Ordeal by Boiling Water--Theatberge, wife of Lothaire, accused of Incest--Purgation by Cold Water--Forbes's Memoirs--Ordeals by Boiling...

130. CHAPTER LVII.

Witch-finders--Disasters ascribed to Witches--Witch-marks--Witches Familiars--Preparing a Witch for Judicial Examination--John Kinnaird--Patrick Watson and his Wife pricked--Con...

141. CHAPTER LXVII.

Superstition in France--Pope John XXII. celebrated in the History of Sorcery and Magic--A Bishop skinned alive and torn by Horses for Witchcraft--King Philippe and Superstition-...

115. CHAPTER XLII.

Ornithomancy--Mohammed's Pigeons--A Gigantic Fowl--Cock-crowing--Sacred Geese saving a City--Phenomenon at Rome before Caesar's Death--Young Swallows--Virtue of a Goose's Tongue...

128. CHAPTER LV.

Dreaming Dictionaries--Dreaming of an Anchor--Sick Persons' Dreams--Coloured and Rich Raiment--Dreaming of Fruit--Funerals, Hearses, Graves--Dreams sometimes to be read contrari...

140. CHAPTER LXVI.

Scotchmen and Englishmen in America--Superstition in the Back Settlements--Witchcraft in New England--Rev. Cotton Mather's View of Witchcraft--Judges and Witnesses overawed by W...

146. CHAPTER LXXII.

Spiritualism--Spiritualism not a new Delusion--Phantoms at a _Seance_--Juggling of a Medium--Unsuccessful Effort at a Vulgar Deception--Spiritualists exposed--A Medium's Decepti...

104. CHAPTER XXXI.

Belief and Teaching of the Roman Catholic Church--Instructions to Ecclesiastics in reference to Demons--Swedenborg's Intercourse with Spirits--Marcus Brutus and his Evil Genius-...

103. CHAPTER XXX.

Belief in the Existence of Visible Ghosts--Superstition among the People dwelling on the Baltic Shores--A German Legend--Demons in the West of Europe--Love, how plighted in Orkn...

119. CHAPTER XLVI.

Ear-rings buried by Jacob--Solomon's Belief in Spells--Reginald Scot's Recipe for preserving Cattle--What Mr. Pennant says on Charms--Parts of the Chameleon as Charms--A Condemn...

126. CHAPTER LIII.

St. Adelbert's Curse a Charm against Thieves--Complexion of Blackamoors attributed to a Curse of Noah--False Accusation, and its Results--Preservation of Children--A Joyful Moth...

111. CHAPTER XXXVIII.

Josephus' Account of Astrology--Antediluvians acquainted with Astrology--Astrology after the Flood--Magicians in various Nations--The Spirit Bokim--Compact and Confederation wit...

77. CHAPTER IV.

Babylon--The Chaldeans were Priests, Philosophers, Astronomers, Astrologers, and Soothsayers--Downfall of Babylon predicted--Worship of the Medes and Persians--Devils confined i...

116. CHAPTER XLIII.

Caution of our Ancestors--A Magpie crossing one's Path--What four Magpies betokened--The Poet and the Magpies--More about Magpies--Flight of Birds--Swarming of Bees--Howling of...

105. CHAPTER XXXII.

Spiritualism Past and Present--Coffee-house Keeper--Magic taught in Leipsic--Intercourse with and Control over Spirits--Spirit of Marshal Saxe called up--How Spirits were Invoke...

118. CHAPTER XLV.

Amulets and Charms among the Chaldaeans, Jews, and Persians--Amulets among the Greeks and Romans--Ecclesiastics forbidden to wear Amulets and Phylacteries--Amulets and Charms ve...

101. CHAPTER XXVIII.

First Ideas of Demonology--Rabbinical Tradition--Adam's Marriage--The Wicked Lilith--Demons--Egyptian Tradition--Arabian Worship of Genii--Christians' Opinions of Demons--Forms...

139. CHAPTER LXV.

Elizabeth Style's Confession--Signing a Covenant with Blood--Alice Duke, Anne Bishop, and Mary Penny--Somerset Witches--Witch Oil--Power to injure Men and Cattle--Elizabeth Styl...

83. CHAPTER X.

Satyrs described--Diana's Retirement--Pallas, the Goddess of Shepherds and Pasture--The vile Flora--Pomona deceived--Celestial Nymphs--Terrestrial Nymphs--River Gods and Goddess...

135. CHAPTER LXI.

The Demon of Jedburgh--Recruiting Sergeant--Captain Douglas--An Apparition--Witch Shot in the form of a Cat--Isobel Gowdie, an Auldearne Witch--Sabbath Meetings with Satan--Poor...

107. CHAPTER XXXIV.

Sir George Villiers' Ghost warning his Son of Danger--Warnings Neglected--Duke of Buckingham Murdered--Apparitions do not lie--Lord Lyttelton and others profaning Christmas--A T...

127. CHAPTER LIV.

The Gift or Art of interpreting Dreams--Official Interpreters of Dreams--Sleep, how portrayed--Goddess of Dreams--Greeks soliciting the Inspiration of Dreams--Xenophon on Sleep-...

120. CHAPTER XLVII.

Horse Shoes used as Charms--Spitting on Money to secure Luck--Fortunate Persons to deal with--Methods of securing Cattle against Accidents--Effect of Herbs--Professor Playfair o...

82. CHAPTER IX.

The Classification of Gods and Goddesses--Primeval Parent Chaos--Creation--Influence of Ether--The Human Race in danger of Perishing--Celestial Fire--Birth of Cupid--Banishment...

100. CHAPTER XXVII.

Dr. Stuart On the Druids--Their Deities--Augury--Human Victims--Nature of the Gods--Gauls descendants of Dis--Funeral Rites--Slaves and Clients burned--What Pliny says--Tallies...

112. CHAPTER XXXIX.

Judicial Astrology--Reading the Heavens--Lucky and Unlucky Days discovered--Kings' and Queens' Unlucky Days--Highland Superstitions--Climacterics--Priests foretelling Children's...

79. CHAPTER VI.

Roman Delusions and Customs--Augury--Election to the Magistracy; Omens relative thereto--Tokens of Futurity--Dire Misfortunes followed the Contempt of Augurs--Drawing of Lots--E...

76. CHAPTER III.

Egypt steeped in Superstition--Power of Magicians--Way of obtaining Visions--Demons--Deification of Departed Heroes--Gods and Demi-gods--Altars or Living Stones--Sacred Animals-...

102. CHAPTER XXIX.

Heathen Devotion in Ceylon--Superstitious Customs among the Schismatic Greeks--Negro Belief in Fetishes or Genii--Charms and Sacred Rings and Belts--Magic taught by the Priests-...

138. CHAPTER LXIV.

Paying Blackmail to Witches--Breach of Contract with a Witch--Demon of Tedworth--Mysterious Drum--A Persecuted Family prayed for--Unaccountable Sounds and Sights--Satan's Audibl...

99. CHAPTER XXVI.

Druids laid claim to Supernatural Power--Functions exercised by Druids--Representations of the Sun and Moon--Belief of Druids--Beltane Feasts--Arkite and Sabian Superstition--Da...

75. CHAPTER II.

Men endowed with Prophetic Spirits--The Jews forbidden to consult the Oracles of the Heathen--Succession and Schools of Prophets--Burial of Prophets--Influence of Music--The Pro...

108. CHAPTER XXXV.

A Mysterious Hunter--Man and Horse supposed to be Devils--Extraordinary Talents of the suspected Hunter--Signs of Uneasiness--Terrible Shrieks--Groans of Despair--Tortured Spiri...

134. chapter XXIV.; but it may be further mentioned that in his time an

unprecedented number of reputed witches were put to death in Edinburgh. His brutish judges displayed unwonted activity in bringing men and women to an untimely end, because they...

133. CHAPTER LX.

Edinburgh and Leith Witches--Black Catalogue--Witches Burned and Drowned--James VI. and the Witches--Complaint to the Scottish Privy Council of Barbarous Conduct--Relics of Supe...

36. CHAPTER XXXVI.

Churchmen subjected to the Onslaught of Demons--St. Maurus rebuking Evil Spirits--St. Romualdus' Conflict with Satan--St. Frances--St. Gregory--Monk in Purgatory--Institution of...

15. CHAPTER XV.

St. Peter, and Simon the Magician--Clement's Miracles and Death--St. Agnes--A Miraculous Circumstance--St. Blase's Power--St. Agatha's Holy Life--St. Patrick's Missionary Labour...

56. CHAPTER LVI.

Witchcraft treated with Severity--Cutting out the Tongue--Laws of AEthelstane--Witchcraft in England--Royal Writers--Sir Edward Cole's Opinion--Statute of Elizabeth against Sorc...

60. CHAPTER LX.

Edinburgh and Leith Witches--Black Catalogue--James VI. and the Witches--Complaint to the Scottish Privy Council of Barbarous Conduct--Relics of Superstition--Witch-finders in E...

12. CHAPTER XII.

Mythology of Germany, Great Britain, and Scandinavia--The world Niflheim--The world Muspelheim--How Ymir was created--The cow Aedhumla--Ymir's Offspring--Odin, the chief God--Va...

11. CHAPTER XI.

Achilles--Taking of Troy--Acrisius's Daughter--Danae and her son Perseus--Ardea changed into a Bird--Pluto's Invisible Helmet--Minerva's Buckler--Mercury's Wings--Medusa deprive...

44. CHAPTER XLIV.

Sweeping Floors--New Year and Christmas--"First-Foots"--Weather Prognostications--How to secure Favourable Gales--Superstitious Customs--Corpse of one guilty of _Felo-de-se_--Fi...

53. CHAPTER LIII.

St. Adelbert's Curse--Complexion of Blackamoors attributed to a Curse of Noah--False Accusation, and its Results--Ancestors of the Whelphs and Guelphs of Germany--An Interesting...

54. CHAPTER LIV.

The Gift or Art of interpreting Dreams--Official Interpreters of Dreams--Sleep, how portrayed--Goddess of Dreams--Greeks soliciting the Inspiration of Dreams--Xenophon on Sleep-...

1. CHAPTER I.

PAGE Rise and Progress of Superstition--The Serpent--Cain's Departure from the true Worship--Worship of the Sun, Moon, and Stars--Strange Story of Abraham--The Gods of Antiquity...

67. CHAPTER LXVII.

Superstition in France--Pope John XXII. celebrated in the History of Sorcery and Magic--A Bishop skinned alive and torn by Horses for Witchcraft--King Philippe and Superstition-...

23. CHAPTER XXIII.

Superstition--Commencement of Monarchy in Scotland--King Fergus I. crowned on the Fatal Stone of Destiny--Signs, Assistance of Spirits, Magicians, and Fortune-tellers--Natholocu...

43. CHAPTER XLIII.

Caution of our Ancestors--Magpies--Flight of Birds--Swarming of Bees--Howling of Dogs--Lowing of Cattle--Crowing of Cocks--Stockings wrong side out--Sign of a Letter coming--Sne...

6. CHAPTER VI.

Roman Delusions and Customs--Tokens of Futurity--Drawing of Lots--Events foretold by reading the first passage that turned up on opening a Book--Lucky and Unlucky Stars--Fortune...

73. CHAPTER LXXIII.

Superstition in Roman Catholic Countries--Miracle-working Images, etc.--Image paying Homage to the Virgin Mary--Madonnas at Trastevere--Miraculous Cures--Superstitious Ceremony...

5. CHAPTER V.

Greek Religion and Superstition--Jupiter regarded as the President of the Law and Protector of Cities--Dreams and Charms--Sacred Stones--Omens of Evil--Sacrificing the Hair--Fli...

26. CHAPTER XXVI.

Druids laid claim to Supernatural Power--Representations of the Sun and Moon--Belief of Druids--Beltane Feasts--Arkite and Sabian Superstition--Dancing to the Song of the Cuckoo...

55. CHAPTER LV.

Dreaming Dictionaries--Dreaming of an Anchor--Sick Persons--Raiment--Fruit--Funerals--Dreams sometimes to be read contrariwise--Dreaming of Darkness--Jewellery--Losing and findi...

65. CHAPTER LXV.

Elizabeth Style's Confession--Signing a Covenant with Blood--Alice Duke, Anne Bishop, and Mary Penny--Somerset Witches--Running backwards round a Church--Compact with Satan--Acc...

24. CHAPTER XXIV.

Louis XI. and the Astrologer--A King's Enchanted Cap--David I. and the Mysterious Stag--Merlin the Magician--Prophecies concerning Queen Elizabeth and Mary--Dragon Caverns--Pred...

52. CHAPTER LII.

Curses, Excommunication, and Anathemas--Dirae, the Executioners of Vengeance--Interment of Excommunicated Persons--Excommunication among the Hebrews--Last Degree of Excommunicat...

59. CHAPTER LIX.

Victims of Superstition--Lady Glammis--Her Trial for causing the Death of her Husband and attempting to poison the King--Found Guilty, and Burned--Lady Fowlis an intended Victim...

58. CHAPTER LVIII.

Hiring a Witch to detect a Witch--Clerical Witch-finders--Agnew, the Sturdy Beggar--A Distressed Family--Minister's Remonstrance and Advice--Fresh Afflictions--Prayer and Fastin...

2. CHAPTER II.

Men endowed with Prophetic Spirits--The Jews forbidden to consult the Oracles of the Heathen--Schools of Prophets--Influence of Music--The Prophetic Mantle--Way Revelations were...

8. CHAPTER VIII.

Wizard and Man-tiger--Man-lion--Sacrificing Children--Offerings to the Ganges--A Rajah offering himself as a Sacrifice--Various Superstitious Ceremonies--King's Wives and Retain...

62. CHAPTER LXII.

Witchcraft in Aberdeen--Dean of Guild rewarded for his Diligence in burning Witches--Expense of burning Witches--The Marquis of Huntly's Desire to punish Witches--Action of the...

66. CHAPTER LXVI.

Scotchmen and Englishmen in America--Superstition in the Back Settlements--Witchcraft in New England--Rev. Cotton Mather's View of Witchcraft--Judges and Witnesses overawed by W...

27. CHAPTER XXVII.

Dr. Stuart on the Druids--Their Deities, etc.--Gauls descendants of Dis--Funeral Rites--Slaves and Clients burned--What Pliny says--Tallies used in making known the Will of Heav...

14. CHAPTER XIV.

Names of Months, whence derived--January--First of January, how kept--New Year Gifts--February--Sacrifices for purging Souls--Second of February--Virtue of Candles--Shrove Tuesd...

49. CHAPTER XLIX.

Precious Stones regarded as Objects of Virtue--Extravagance in Jewellery accounted for--Abraham's Precious Stones--Altars called Living Stones--Rod of Moses--Sacred Rings and Be...

46. CHAPTER XLVI.

Ear-rings buried by Jacob--Solomon's Belief in Spells--Reginald Scot's Recipe for preserving Cattle--What Mr. Pennant says on Charms--Images Powerful Charms--The Egyptians' Conf...

4. CHAPTER IV.

Babylon--The Chaldeans--Downfall of Babylon predicted--Worship of the Medes and Persians--Sacred Fire--The Gaures--Births and Deaths in Early Times--A Narrow Bridge--An Immense...

41. CHAPTER XLI.

Crying in Youth--Image of Opis--Man born to Trouble--Bacon's Belief in Presages--Dugdale's Foresight--Sir Thomas More's Power to judge of Passing Events--Erasmus at the Tomb of...

63. CHAPTER LXIII.

Neither Police nor Medical Men much required in Olden Times--Instrument of Torture--Torture declared Illegal--Berkly Witch--Attempt on the Life of Edward II.--Master John of Not...

19. CHAPTER XIX.

Sir Walter Scott--His Belief in Superstition--How his Tales of Fiction are composed--A Town-Clerk frightened by an Apparition--A Ghost that did not understand Erse, but could co...

37. CHAPTER XXXVII.

Magic a Study among the Learned--Plato and Pythagoras travelled to learn the Art, and taught it--Speakers made Eloquent by Magical Art--Virtue of Gems--How Jewels should be set-...

50. CHAPTER L.

Trials by Ordeal resorted to in Ancient and Modern Times--Ordeal by means of Hot Iron--Plunging the Arm into Boiling Water or Oil--Walking Blindfold in Dangerous Places--Weighin...

34. CHAPTER XXXIV.

Sir George Villiers' Ghost--Duke of Buckingham Murdered--Lord Lyttelton and others profaning Christmas--A Troubled Mind--Apparition of a Suicide--Neglected Warning--Ominous Hour...

57. CHAPTER LVII.

Witch-finders--Disasters ascribed to Witches--Witches' Familiars--John Kinnaird--Patrick Watson and his Wife pricked--The Devil's Sabbaths--Grandeur at Satan's Feasts--When Feas...

16. CHAPTER XVI.

Prophetic Verse--The Bardi--Bards maintained by Noblemen--Queen Elizabeth and the Bards--Effects of Prophetic Sayings and of Pipe Music--Messages to another World--Voices of Dec...

28. CHAPTER XXVIII.

First Ideas of Demonology--Rabbinical Tradition--Adam's Marriage--The Wicked Lilith--Egyptian Tradition--Arabian Worship of Genii--Christians' Opinions of Demons--Forms assumed...

29. CHAPTER XXIX.

Heathen Devotion in Ceylon--Superstitious Customs among the Schismatic Greeks--Negro Belief in Fetishes--Charms--Magic taught by the Priests--Dead Persons metamorphosed into Ser...

33. CHAPTER XXXIII.

Antonio the Rich--Dreadful Announcement from a Volcano's Mouth--Three Ghosts--Mozart apprehensive of Death--Mozart writing a Requiem for himself--Messenger from another World--M...

17. CHAPTER XVII.

Shakspeare--An Outline of his Composition--"The Tempest"--Miranda beseeching Prospero to allay the Wild Waters--Ariel's Readiness to serve his Master--The Witch Sycorax--Caliban...

45. CHAPTER XLV.

Amulets and Charms among the Chaldeans, Jews, and Persians--Amulets among the Greeks and Romans--Ecclesiastics forbidden to wear Amulets and Phylacteries--Pericles' Amulet--Lord...

30. CHAPTER XXX.

Visible Ghosts--Superstition on the Baltic Shores--A German Legend--Demons in the West of Europe--Love, how plighted in Orkney--The Monster Ymir--Origin of Fairies--The Duergar...

48. CHAPTER XLVIII.

Earl of Derby's Death--A Queen Enchanted--Image of a young King--Belgrave on Charms--Childebert's Device for detecting Witches--Witch Burned--Witch Ointment--Men-Wolves--Church...

13. CHAPTER XIII.

The Calendar--Names of Days, whence derived--The Power of Jupiter--Influence of Zeus--The God Indra--Origin of the term "Hours"--Hours under Planetary Control--Coronation of a P...

64. CHAPTER LXIV.

Paying Blackmail to Witches--Demon of Tedworth--A Persecuted Family prayed for--Unaccountable Sounds and Sights--Drummer found guilty of Sorcery--Raising Storms--A Wizard in Cro...

9. CHAPTER IX.

Classification of Gods and Goddesses--Primeval Parent Chaos--Creation--Influence of Ether--Celestial Fire--Birth and Banishment of Cupid--Fate--Eternal Decrees--Throne of Jove--...

21. CHAPTER XXI.

Tale by Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd--Aikwood Castle--The Witch Henbane--Imps demanding Work--Michael Scott--Curious Sport--Dreadful Threat--Rats transformed into the form of Men-...

32. CHAPTER XXXII.

Spiritualism Past and Present--Magic taught in Leipsic--Spirit of Marshal Saxe--How Spirits were Invoked--Voices of Spirits--Mysterious Death of a Magician--Unearthly Huntsman--...

38. CHAPTER XXXVIII.

Josephus' Account of Astrology--Antediluvians acquainted with Astrology--Astrology after the Flood--Magicians in various Nations--Compact and Confederation with Spirits--Feats o...

40. CHAPTER XL.

Divination--Heathen Gods giving Signs--Sortes Pr[oe]nestinae--St. Augustine's View of Divination--Sortes Sanctorum--Divination in the Greek and Latin Churches--Declarations of t...

22. CHAPTER XXII.

Allan Ramsay--"The Gentle Shepherd"--Bauldy the Clown--Mause the reputed Witch--Praying Backwards--Sad Misfortunes--Supposed Power of the Devil to raise the Wind and send Rain a...

51. CHAPTER LI.

A Popular Story--Theatberge, wife of Lothaire--Forbes's Memoirs--Trial by Wager of Battle--When Trial by Wager of Battle ceased--Trial by Jury--Court of King's Bench deciding th...

31. CHAPTER XXXI.

Belief and Teaching of the Roman Catholic Church--Swedenborg's Intercourse with Spirits--Marcus Brutus and his Evil Genius--Cassius and Julius Caesar's Ghost at Philippi--Plutar...

61. CHAPTER LXI.

The Demon of Jedburgh--An Apparition--Witch shot in the form of a Cat--Auldearne Witch--Sabbath Meetings with Satan--Farmer Breadley--Disinterring Unbaptised Children--Singularl...

47. CHAPTER XLVII.

Horse Shoes used as Charms--Spitting on Money to secure Luck--Fortunate Persons to deal with--Professor Playfair on Superstition--The Lee Penny--Divers Charms--A Seer's Prescrip...

25. CHAPTER XXV.

Cromwell in league with the Devil--Cromwell consulting Astrologers--Memorable Days in the Life of Cromwell--Duke of Hamilton warned of his Fate--Peden's Predictions--Traditions...

72. CHAPTER LXXII.

Spiritualism--Spiritualism not a new Delusion--Phantoms at a _Seance_--Juggling of a Medium--Unsuccessful Effort at a Vulgar Deception--Spiritualists Exposed--A Medium's Decepti...

69. CHAPTER LXIX.

Ghost at Sea--Ghosts in Edinburgh--Fear of Ghosts in Glasgow--Fortune-telling--Choice of Lovers, how decided--Irish Story--How a Ghost settled a Land Question--Prophecy respecti...

10. CHAPTER X.

Satyrs described--Diana's Retirement--Pallas, the Goddess of Shepherds--The vile Flora--Pomona deceived--Nymphs--River Gods and Goddesses--Sirens--Witch Circe--Infernal Deities-...

20. CHAPTER XX.

Lord Byron taught Superstition--Byron and the Maid in Green--Bridge of Balgonie--Byron's Fear to ride over it--His Belief in Unlucky Days and Presentiments--Socrates's Demon--Mo...

71. CHAPTER LXXI.

Superstition at Chelmsford--Woman Bewitched--Old Zadkiel--Incantation in Somerset--Turning the Bible and Key--Woman assuming the form of a Hare--Ruling the Stars--Superstition i...

35. CHAPTER XXXV.

A Mysterious Hunter--Man and Horse supposed to be Devils--Flagellation--Tales of the Scotch Highlands--Croaking Raven--Death of a suspected Witch--Resort of Witches and Evil Spi...

18. CHAPTER XVIII.

The Poet Gay--The "Spell"--Hobnelia--Lubberkin--Spells resorted to--Valentine Day--Ladybird sent on a Message of Love--Virtue of United Garters--Gipsies' Warnings--Knives sever...

68. CHAPTER LXVIII.

Generality of Superstition--The Church and Superstition--St. Mourie--Various Modes of Superstition--Charms--Lucky and Unlucky Times--Sailors' and Fishermen's Delusions--Weddings...

70. CHAPTER LXX.

Lizzie M'Gill, the Fifeshire Spae-wife--Predicting a Storm--Servants alarmed--Prediction fulfilled--Adam Donald, an Aberdeenshire Prophet--His Predictions and Cures--His Marriag...

3. CHAPTER III.

Egypt steeped in Superstition--Power of Magicians--Obtaining Visions--Demons--Departed Heroes--Gods and Demi-gods--Altars or Living Stones--Sacred Animals--Isis searching for Os...

39. CHAPTER XXXIX.

42. CHAPTER XLII.

Ornithomancy--Mohammed's Pigeons--Cock-crowing--Sacred Geese--Phenomenon at Rome--Divination by means of a Sieve--Capnomancy--Catoptromancy-- Dactyliomancy--Cledonism--Onomancy-...

7. CHAPTER VII.