This at once afforded new scope for the activity of Mr.Parris.Magnifying his office, he immediately began making a great stir in Salem and in the country round about.

Two magistrates were summoned.

With them came a crowd, and a court was held at the meeting-house.

The scenes which then took place would have been the richest of farces had they not led to events so tragical.

The possessed went into spasms at the approach of those charged with witchcraft, and when the poor old men and women attempted to attest their innocence they were overwhelmed with outcries by the possessed, quotations of Scripture by the ministers, and denunciations by the mob.