Page 120 - Child's own book

who knew little of life, and much less of the Jaw, behaved very
idly ; and though nobody Teas able to prove anything against
her, asked whom she could bring to her character? “ AVhom
can you bring against my character, sir \ ” said she. “ There are
people enough who would appear in my
defcnce, were it necessary ; hut 1 never
supposed any one here could be so
weak as to believe that there was any
such thing as a witch. If I am a witch,
this is my charm • (and laying a baro­
meter or weather-glass on the table)
it is with this,"said she, “ that I have
taught my neighbours to know the
state of the weather.” All the company laughed ; and Sir
William Duve, who was on the bench, asked her accusers how
they could he such fijoFs as to think that there was any such
thing as a witch! “ It is true," continued he, “ many innocent
and worthy puopie have boon abused* and even murdered, on
this absurd and foolish supposition, which is a scandal to our
religion* to our laws, to our nation, and to L-ommon sense ;—hut
I wilt tell you a story.— There was in the west of England
a poor industrious woman, who laboured under the same evil
report which this good woman is accused of. Every hog that
died of the murrain, every cow that slipped her calf* she was
accountable for. If a horse had (he staggers, she was supposed
to be in his head ; and whenever tho wind blew a little harder*
than usual, Goody Giles was riding upon a broomstick in the
air. These, and many other phantasies, too ridiculous to
recite, possessed the pates of the common people: horses' shoes
were nailed with the heels upwards, and many tricks made use
of to mortify her. Such was their rage against her, that they
petitioned Mr, IViiliauis, the parson of the parish, not to h>*
i