Did the
time agree, it is possible these pictures might be the
ground of those mistaken, if mistaken, waxen images, which I
desire to be taught by others who can give a better
account.--_Casaubon's (M.) Treatise, proving Spirits,
Witches, and Supernatural Operations_, 1672. 12mo., p. 92.
In Scotland this practice was in high favour with witches, both in
ancient and modern times. The lamentable story of poor King Duff, as
related by Hector Boethius, a story which has blanched the cheek and
spoiled the rest of many a youthful reader, is too well known to need
extracting. Even so late as 1676, Sir George Maxwell, of Pollock, (See
Scott's _Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft_, p. 323,) apparently a
man of melancholy and valetudinarian habits, believed himself
bewitched to death by six witches, one man and five women, who were
leagued for the purpose of tormenting a clay image in his likeness.
Five of the accused were executed, and the sixth only escaped on
account of extreme youth.
Isabel Gowdie, the famous Scotch witch before referred to, in her
confessions gives a very particular account of the mode in which these
images were manufactured. It is curious, and worth quoting:--
_Johne Taylor_ and _Janet Breadhead_, his wyff, in
Bellnakeith, _Bessie Wilsone_, in Aulderne, and _Margret
Wilsone_, spows to _Donald Callam_ in Aulderne, and I, maid
an pictur of clay, to distroy _the Laird of Parkis_
meall[62] children.
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