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. XXVIII.

How to tell what Card any man thinketh, how to convey the same into a Kernel of a Nut or Cheristone, &c. and the same again into ones Pocket, how to make one draw the same, or any Card you list, and all under one device.

TAke a Nut, or a Cheristone,* 1.1 and burn a hole through the side of the top of the shell, and also through the kernel (if you will) with a hot Bod∣kin, or bore it with an Awl, and with the eie of an Needle pull out some of the Kernel, so as the same may be as wide as the hole of the shell. Then write the number or name of the Card in a piece of fine Paper one inch or half an inch in length, and half so much in breadth, and roll it up hard; then put it into a Nut, or Cheristone, and close the whole with a little red Wax, and rub the same with a little dust, and it will not be perceived, if the Nut or Cheristone be brown or old. Then let your confederate think that Card which you have in your Nut, &c. and either convey the same Nut or Cheristone into some bodies Pocket, or lay it in some strange place: then make one draw the same out of the stock held in your hand, which by use you may well do. But say not; I will make you perforce draw such a Card: but require some stander by to draw a Card, saying that it skils not what Card he draw. And if your hand serve you to use the Cards well, you shall preferr unto him, and he shall receive (even though he snatch at another) the very Card which you kept, and your confederate thought, and it is written in the Nut, and hidden in the pocket, &c. You must (while you hold the stock in your hands, toffing the Cards to and fro) remember alwayes to keep your Card in your eyes, and not to lose the sight thereof. Which feat, till you be perfect in, you may have the same privily marked; and when you perceive his hand ready to draw, put it a little out towards his hand, nimbly turn∣ing

over the cards, as though you numbred them, holding the same more loose and open than the rest, in no wise suffering him to draw any other; which if he should do, you must let three or four fall, that you may begin again. * 1.2 This will seem most strange, if your said Paper be inclosed in a Button, and by confederacy sowed upon the doublet or coat of any body. This trick they commonly end with a Nut full of Ink, in which case some wag or unhappy Boy is to be required to think a Card, and having so done, let the Nut be delivered him to crack, which he will not refuse to do, if he have seen the other feat played before.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Tricks with Cards, &c. which must be done with confederacy.
• * 1.2

  A merry con∣ceit, the like whereof you shall find in pag. 228. & 232.