Hoffman.] ^^^ [May 3, 1889. 



nor's house, and, a pair of scales being erected, the suspected persons were 

 each weighed against a hxrge Bible, but all of them outweighing it ; the 

 accused were then tied head and feet together, and put into a river, on 

 supposition that if they swam they must be guilty. This they offered to 

 undergo in case the accuser should be served in the like manner ; which 

 being done, they all swam very buoyant, and cleared the accuser." 



The other trial above referred to is related as follows :* "In the south- 

 ern part of Williams township, Nortliamptoa county, there is a hill, to 

 which the witches have left their evil name and fame. It is known as 

 ' Der Hexenkopf, ' or ' the Witches' Head,' because it was there that their 

 ladyships were supposed to hold nightly revels. On these occasions they 

 bewitched their neighbors' cattle, and made themselves generally hateful 

 to all good, order-loving citizens. They did not, however, always escape 

 with impunity, as is proved by the following indictment, which is care- 

 fully transcribed from the Session Docket, omitting only names and date. 

 The case was 'for bewitching a horse whereby he became wasted and be- 

 came worse.' 



" 'The jurors do upon their oaths, present, — That S B of 



William township, in the county of Northampton, widow, on the — day 



of in tlie year at the said county of Northampton aforesaid, 



did commit certain most wicked acts (called enchantments and charms), 

 at the county aforesaid, maliciously and diabolically against a certain 

 white horse of the value of £i, of the goods and chattels of a certain Jus- 

 tice W of William township aforesaid, on the day aforesaid, and 



county aforesaid then being, did exercise and practice, by means of which 



tlie said horse of the said Justice W , on the day aforesaid at the 



township of Williams aforesaid, greatly worstended [ix'joratus est) and 

 wasted away, against the peace of our said Commonwealtli, and against 

 the laws in this case made and provided.'" * * * "'Judgment: a 

 year's imprisonment, and every quarter to stand six hours in the pil- 

 lory.' " 



"The poor woman at first resolutely denied the charge ; but the learned 

 judges at last convinced her of her guilt, and she always confessed herself 

 a witch, tliough she was unable to say in what manner her enchantments 

 had been performed." 



* The Historical Magaziae, N. Y., vii, 1853, p. 283 ; reprinted from the Lulheran, under 

 t\\i title of Qleanings of an AiUiquarhn in German Pennsylv inia. 



April 19, being Good Friday, a public holiday in 

 Pennsylvania, no meeting of th3 Society was held. 



