6o On Popular Illufions. 



4. Demonologifts build much on \\\t Jpe£lrctl 

 ftghty that is, on the apparition of the witch to a 

 patient, during the fit: this circumftance pro- 

 cured the condemnation of mod of the perfons 

 accufed in New England. It is well known, 

 that feveral diforders are attended with very 

 terrible fpedlral appearances; particularly the 

 ephialtes, or night-mare, the delirium of fevers, 

 and lome varieties of melancholy and madnefs. 

 It is equally certain, from the trials which have 

 been publifhed of thofe unhappy fufFerers in 

 America, that feveral of thofe who thought 

 themfelves bewitched, had no other complaint 

 than the night-mare, during the acceflion of 

 which, the image of fome unfortunate neighbour 

 was prefented to them, who paid for the fumes 

 of another's indigeftion, with life. 



Demonologifts have been much puzzled to 

 account for the fpedral fight, for it was long a 

 queftion among them, whether the devil could 

 tranfport the witch, bodilyy into a houfe when the 

 doors were lliut. Dr. More believed that the 

 afiraljprit only was carried about ; the American 

 demonologifts fuppofed that the devil produced 

 this appearance himfelf, by operating on the 

 patient's imagination : even Dr. Hutchinfon was 

 inclined to Wierus's opinion refpeding demo- 

 niacal interference*. This conceflion, which the 



writers 



* It was a queftion ferioufly agitated, among demonolo- 

 gical writeri, whether the devil can appear in the Ihape of 



a good 



