The State Journal

WITCHCRAFT IN ENGLAND.

An old man, aged 86, living at Westdown, near Barnstable, was charged recently with using certain subtle crafts, means, or device, by palmistry and otherwise, to deceive and impose on certain of her Majesty's subjects. For some time a woman, named Elizabeth Sanders, living at Bishopshampton, had been ill. Doctors had been of no avail, and on Saturday, August 4th, her husband sent for a man named Harper, who is known by the name of the "White Witch," but who calls himself a herbalist. He went to the house of deceased, felt her pulse, and said he did not know whether he could do her any good, as he was only an humble instrument in the hands of God. He gave four or five iron rods in succession, with which she tapped a piece of iron held in the other hand while lying in bed. At the end of the rods were the names of different planets, such as Jupiter and Mercury. Defendant also asked the age of the woman, and the hour she was born, saying he wanted to find out under what planet she was born. He gave her some bitters to take, but she died a few days afterward. The defense was that the rods and piece of metal was a rude means of using electricity, by which means the defendant had made many cures, but no explanation was given as to the meaning of the names of the planets. It was proved that the White Witch charged the woman 25 shillings for his services, stayed in the house five hours, and had a glass of rum and some biscuits. Several witnesses were called, who proved having been cured of bad legs and bad arms by the defendant's magic rods when nobody else could help them. The bench sentenced the old wizard to a month's imprisonment. Notice was given of an appeal, and he was bailed out.