58 On Popular Illufmis. 



the frequency of witchcraft, during the general 

 delufion, to fpirits fent among them by the 

 Indian conjurers, or Paw-waws, as the colonilts 

 term them*. Another inftrudive circumftance 

 is, that as foon as the profecutions were flopped, 

 all reports of witchcraft ceafed. 



In this country, the difcouragement long given 

 to all fufpicions of witchcraft, and the repeal of 

 the ftatutes againft that crime, though they have 

 much weakened, have not eradicated the perfua- 

 fioni fome periodical publications, conduced by 

 men of letters, afford proof of this, and the 

 Briltol ftory, though unpublifhed, is a recent and 

 ftriking confirmation. 



In 1786 however, the Count de Caglioftro 

 was accufed of forcery by Madame de la Mottef, 

 at Paris. 



It will be eafier to difcover the fources of de- 

 ception in thofe cafes, if we confider the figns 

 of fafcination in the patient, eftablifhed by de- 

 monologifts ; the indications by which the for- 

 cerer was traced ; and the nature of the remedies 

 which have proved fuccefsful in demoniacal cafes. 



I. I. A fudden attack of any difeafe, in a perfon 

 previoufly in good health, was held a reafon for 



^ Id. p. 101. Maffinger has made ufe of this opinion, 

 in his City Madam. 



t Memoire pour le C. de CaglioUro. 



fufpefting 



