So many undefined charges have been brought against Mother Demdike, that at last they have fixed a stigma on her name, and made her an object of dread and suspicion.

She is endowed with mysterious power, which would have no effect if not believed in; and now must be burned because she is called a witch, and is doting and vain enough to accept the title." "There is something in a witch difficult, nay, almost impossible to describe," said Nicholas, "but you cannot be mistaken about her.

By her general ill course of life, by repeated acts of mischief, and by threats, followed by the consequences menaced, she becomes known.

There is much mystery in the matter, not permitted human knowledge entirely to penetrate; but, as we know from the Scriptures that the sin of witchcraft did exist, and as we have no evidence that it has ceased, so it is fair to conclude, that there may be practisers of the dark offence in our own days, and such I hold to be Mother Demdike and Mother Chattox.

Rival potentates in evil, they contend which shall do most mischief, but it must be admitted the former bears away the bell." "If all the ill attributed to her were really caused by her machinations, this might be correct," replied Richard, "but it only shows her to be more calumniated than the other.