The discovery of witchcraft proving that the compacts and contracts of witches with devils and all infernal spirits or familiars are but erroneous novelties and imaginary conceptions : also discovering, how far their power extendeth in killing, tormenting, consuming, or curing the bodies of men, women, children, or animals by charms, philtres, periapts, pentacles, curses, and conjurations : wherein likewise the unchristian practices and inhumane dealings of searchers and witch-tryers upon aged, melancholly, and superstitious people, in extorting confessions by terrors and tortures, and in devising false marks and symptoms, are notably detected ... : in sixteen books / by Reginald Scot ... ; whereunto is added an excellent Discourse of the nature and substance of devils and spirits, in two books : the first by the aforesaid author, the second now added in this third edition ... conducing to the compleating of the whole work, with nine chapters at the beginning of the fifteenth [sic] book of The discovery.

CHAP. XIX.

That great Matters may be wrought by this Art, when Princes esteem and maintain it: of divers wonderful Experiments, and of strange Conclusions in Glasses of the Art perspective, &c.

HOwbeit, these are but trifles in respect of other experiments to this ef∣fect, specially when great Princes maintain and give countenance to students in those magical Arts, which in these Countries and in this Age is rather prohibited than allowed, by reason of the abuse commonly coupled therewith; which in truth is it that moveth admiration and estimation of miracu∣lous workings. As for example, if I affirm, that with certain Charms and Popish Prayers I can set an Horse or an Asses head upon a mans shoulders, I shall not be believed;* 1.1 or if I do it, I shall be thought a Witch. And yet if J. Bap. Neap. ex∣periments be true, it is no difficult matter to make it seem so; and the Charm of a Witch or a Papist joyned with the experiment, will also make the wonder seem to proceed thereof. The words used in such case are uncertain, and to be recited at the pleasure of the Witch or Cosener.* 1.2 But the conclusion of this, cut off the head of a Horse or an Ass (before they be dead, otherwise the vertue or strength there∣of will be the less effectual) and make an earthen vessel of fit capacity to contain the same, and let it be filled with the oyl and fat thereof, cover it close, and dawb it over with lome; let it boyl over a soft fire three days continually, that the flesh boyled may run into oyl, so as the bare bones may be seen, beat the hair into pow∣der, and mingle the same with the oyl; and annoint the heads of the standers by, and they shall seem to have Horses or Asses heads. If Beasts heads be anointed with the like oyl made of a mans head, they shall seem to have mens faces, as di∣vers Authors soberly affirm. If a Lamp be anointed herewith, every thing shall seem most monstrous. It is also written, that if that which is called Sperma in any beast be burned, and any bodies face therewithal anointed he shall seem to have the like face as the Beast had. But if you beat Arsenick very fine, and boyl it with a little sulphur in a covered pot, and kindle it with a new candle, the stan∣ders by will seem to be headless. Aqua composita and salt being fired in the night, and all other lights extinguished, make the standers by seem as dead. All these things might be very well perceived and known, and also practised by Jannes and Jambres.* 1.3 But the wondrous devices, and miraculous sights, and conceits, made and contained in glass, do far exceed all other; whereto the Art perspective is very necessary. For it shews the illusions of them, whose experiments be seen in divers sorts of Glasses; as in the hollow, the plain, the embossed, the columnary, the pyramidate or piked, the turbinal, the bounched, the round, the cornered, the inversed, the eversed, the massie, the regular, the irregular, the coloured and clear Glasses; for you may have Glasses so made, as what image or favour so∣ever you print in your imagination, you shall think you see the same therein. Others are so framed, as therein one may see what others do in places far distant; others, whereby you shall see men hanging in the Air; others, where∣by you may perceive men flying in the Air; others, wherein you may see one coming, and another going; others, where one Image shall seem to be one hundred, &c. There be Glasses also wherein one man may see another

mans image, and not his own, others, to make many similitudes; others, to make none at all. Others, contrary to the use of all Glasses make the right side turn to the right, and the left side to the left; others, that burn before and behind; others, that represent not the Images received within them,* 1.4 but cast them far off in the Air, appearing like aiery Images, and by the collection of the Sun-beams, with great force set fire (very far off) on every thing that may be burned. There be clear Glasses, that make great things seem little; things far off to be at hand; and that which is near to be far off; such things as are over us, to seem under us; and those that are under us, to be above us. There are some Glasses also, that represent things in divers colours, and them most gorgeous, specially any white thing. Finally, the thing most worthy of admiration concerning these Glasses, is, that the lesser Glass doth lessen their shape; but how big soever it be, it maketh the shape no bigger then it is. And therefore Augustine thinketh some hidden mystery to be therein. Vitellius, and J. Bap. Neap. write largely hereof. These I have for the most part seen, and have the receipt how to make them; which if desire of brevity had not forbidden me, I would here have set down. But I think not but Pharaohs Magicians had better experience then I for those and such like devices. And as (Pompanatius saith) it is most true, that some for these feats have been accounted Saints,* 1.5 some other Witches. And therefore I say, that the Pope maketh rich Witches Saints; and burneth the poor Witches.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Wonderful experiments.
• * 1.2

  To set an horses or an asses head on a mans neck and shoulders.
• * 1.3

  Strange things to be done by perspective glasses.
• * 1.4

  Concerning these glasses remember that the eye-sight is deceived; for Non est in spe∣culo res quae speculatur in illo.
• * 1.5

  Rash opinion can never judge soundly.