Witcheraft in Wiltshire. 159 
and who laughed at him for having doubted it. He had no doubt at all that 
the germs of superstition were still existing amongst the people of this country, 
especially in the modern form connected with Theosophy and nef'vous forms of 
belief, and he was sometimes afraid they would see a recrudescence of the old 
miserable business. | 
WITCHCRAFT IN WILTSHIRE 
It seems worth while to print as an Appendix to Dr. Straton’s 
paper the following ‘‘ Anecdotes of Witchcraft in Wiltshire,” 
contributed to the Gentleman’s Magazine for May and June, 1882, 
by “B.C. 'T.,” of Malmesbury. The original MS., in the form of 
a letter, dated Ash Wednesday, 1685-6, was apparently written by 
the justice who arrived late. He does not give his name. After 
some preliminary observations on witchcraft he proceeds as follows : 
“Tt is not possible as yet for me to set out all the Charges against the persons 
I mention now who have suffered on the accompt of Witches, there having been 
many convicted formerly before my time, and some since, of whom I onely can 
now give the names; such was John Barlowes wife, convicted of and executed 
for Witchcraft about 55 years since. Alice Elger, widow, dwelling in Westport, 
became so audaciously noxious to the good inhabitance, there being none but 
martial law then, it was about 1643; Malmesbury then being in the hands of 
the Armys ranged against the King; that the Soldiers and some of the lowest 
_ of the people did in the mercat place use her very roughly, moved by an instant 
emergent, so that shee, perhaps to avoyd the like, went home and poysoned 
herselfe, as was then beleeved, and was buried in a cross way as a felon of herself. 
“Orchard, widow, was beleeved to be a Witch universally, and was very con- 
versant with Alice Elgar, and thought to bee her Confederate about 27 years 
since; shee came to the house of Hugh Bartholomew, of Malmesbury, brewer, 
‘and finding his daughter Mary, since wife to Robert Web, not long since Alderman 
_ of Malmesbury, now deceased, about the doore, Orchard asked her for some barme 
- or yeast. Thesayd Mary, apprehending harme from her, if she should give her any, 
refused her, and sayd there was none to spare. Orchard told her there were 40 
_ hogsheads or barrels then working, but was told by the sayd Mary, there was none 
for her. She rejoyned, ‘ Then you will give me none? ’twere better for you you 
_ had; and went away muttering to herself.’ Immediately after shee was gone, a 
____ great cipress chest in which Mr.Bartholomew kept his money, being in the chamber 
over the roome where he and his company were, was lifted up and let fall, so 
that it shook the whole house ; immediately afterwards they heard great cracks, 
and the gingling of money, of which there was above 200/. as they thought, and 
as in truth it was. Mr. Bartholomew beleeved his chest had been broken, and 
his money or part of it lost, went not upp into the chamber, but followed Orchard 
