would suppose they knew either the construction or consequence of what they said. All the rest of the evidence was trifling.

"I, sitting in the Court next day, took up the file of informations taken by the justices, which were laid out on the table, and against one of the old women read thus: This informant saith he saw a cat leap in at her (the old woman's) window, when it was twilight; and this informant further saith that he firmly believeth the said cat to be the devil, and more saith not.' The Judge made no nice distinctions, as, how possible it was for old women, in a sort of melancholy madness, by often thinking, in pain and want of spirits, to contract an opinion of themselves that was false, and that their confession ought not to be taken against themselves, without plain evidence that it was rational and sensible, no more than that of a lunatic or distracted man; but he left the point upon the evidence fairly (as they called it) to the jury, and they convicted them both, as I remember, but most certainly one was hanged."

A striking instance of the real nature of these confessions is mentioned in "Sinclair's Satan's Invisible World Discovered." Several witches were tried in 1649, and all condemned except one. This woman, previous to her examination, made a confession of her dealings with the devil, and though urged to revoke it, persisted, and was taken to execution with the rest. At the stake she spoke as follows:-"Now, all you that see me this day know that I am now to die a witch, by my own confession; and I free all such, especially the ministry and magistrates, from the guilt of my blood. I take it wholly upon myself; my blood be upon my own head. And as I must make answer to the God of Heaven presently, I declare I am as free from witchcraft as any child; but being deluded by a malicious woman, and