Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft

Webster on Witchcraft, edition 1677, p. 278.

[57]

This reproach is noticed in a very rare tract, which was bought at Mr. Lort's sale, by the celebrated collector Mr. Bindley, and is now in the author's possession. Its full title is, 'The Discovery of Witches, in Answer to several Queries lately delivered to the Judge of Assize for the County of Norfolk; and now published by Matthew Hopkins, Witchfinder, for the Benefit of the whole Kingdom. Printed for R. Royston, at the Angel, in Inn Lane. 1647.'

[58]

Of Parliament.

[59]

'Hudibras,' part ii. canto 3.

[60]

See the account of Sir T. Browne in No. XIV. of the 'Family Library' ('Lives of British Physicians'), p. 60.

[61]

Glanville's 'Collection of Relations.'

[62]

Roger North's 'Life of Lord-Keeper Guilford.'

[63]

'Memoirs of Sir John Reresby,' p. 237.

[64]

Mather's 'Magnalia,' book vi. chap. lxxxii. The zealous author, however, regrets the general gaol delivery on the score of sorcery and thinks, had the times been calm, the case might have required a farther investigation, and that, on the whole, the matter was ended too abruptly But, the temper of the times considered, he admits candidly that it is better to act moderately in matters capital, and to let the guilty escape, than run the risk of destroying the innocent.

[65]

This word Covine seems to signify a subdivision or squad. The tree near the front of an ancient castle was called the Covine tree, probably because the lord received his company there. 

'He is lord of the hunting horn,
  And king of the Covine tree;
He's well loo'd in the western waters,
  But best of his ain minnie.' 

[66]

See p. 136.

[67]

Pining.

[68]

We should read perhaps, 'limb and lire.'

[69]

Stubble.

[70]