On the Origin and Imaginary Efficacy of Amulets and Charms, in the Cure of Diseasès, Protection from Evil Spirits, &c. Effect of the Imagination on the Mind, &c. History of Popular Medicines, &c.-How influenced by Supersti- The Confessions of certain Scotch Witches, taken out of an authentic copy of their Trial at the Assizes held at Paisley, in Scotland, Feb. 15, 1678, touching the bewitching of Sir George Maxwell Demonology Gipsies-Egyptians} bustroo of bed yaiou8 Jugglers, their Origin, Exploits, &c. Legends, &c.Miracles, &c. 4 | Todisiler. Indi ;92(3931 and AMONG the multifarious absurdities chicaneries, which at different epocha of society have clung to, and engaged the attention of man, absorbing, as it were, his more active intelligence, the marvellous and the ridiculous have, alternately and conjointly had to contend for pre-eminence; that, whether it were a mountain in the moon or a bottle conjuror; a live lion stuffed with straw or a mermaid; a Cocklane ghost or a living skeleton; a giant or a pigmy; the delusive bait has invariably been swallowed with avidity, and credited with all the solemnity of absolute devotion. If we look back towards what are called the dark ages of the world, that is, at times when men were mere yokels, and when the reins of tyranny, superstition and idolatry, were controlled by a few knowing ones, we shall see the human mind at its lowest ebb of debasement, grovelling either under the lash |