On Popular Illufions, 105 



many writers, who copy it from each other, 

 or from an original of little authority, their real 

 number is found to be fmall, and of thefe few, 

 the greater part has been proved to be fallacious. 

 From the denial ofthofe fa6ts, therefore, nothin'y 

 can be concluded to the injury of hiftory, however 

 cautious a reader may become, by obferving 

 in what manner the fame fafts are altered, by 

 undergoing the fuccefTive efforts of men differ- 

 ing in abilities and difpofitions. He may even 

 be tempted to believe, that he difcovers the 

 foundation of many recorded enormities, in the 

 paffions and weakneffes of the hiftorian : for 

 fome men fee their own darling vice in all others, 

 as fome gouty phyficians difcover the gout, in 

 every patient who comes under their care. 



Laftly, an acquaintance with the hiftories and 

 arguments of demonologifts produces an ufeful 

 hefitation, in affenting to evidence, hov/ever fpe- 

 cious; for in doubtful cafes, however numerou?; 

 the witneffes may be, it will always be remem- 

 bered, how frequently men have (hewed them-- 

 felves determined, to fee and believe thing.i 

 jnvifible and incredible. 



NOTES. 



