Richard Bovet, "Gentleman," gave the world in 1684 _Pandæmonium, or the Devil's Cloyster; being a further Blow to Modern Sadduceism_. There was nothing new about his discussion, which he dedicates to Dr. Henry More. His attitude was defensive in the extreme. He was consumed with indignation at disbelievers: "They oppose their simple _ipse dixit_ against the most unquestionable Testimonies"; they even dare to "affront that relation of the Dæmon of Tedworth." He was indeed cast down over the situation. He himself relates a very patent instance of witchcraft in Somerset; yet, despite the fact that numerous physicians agreed on the matter, no "justice was applyed." One of Bovet's chief purposes in his work was to show "the Confederacy of several Popes and Roman Priests with the Devil." He makes one important admission in regard to witchcraft; namely, that the confessions of witches might sometimes be the result of "a Deep Melancholy, or some Terrour that they may have been under." [50] _Works_, ed. of 1835-1836, IV, 389. [51] For Boyle's opinions see also Webster, _Displaying of Supposed Witchcraft_, 248. [52] He says also: "For my part I am ... somewhat cotive of belief. The evidences I have represented are natural, viz., slight, and frivolous, such as poor old women were wont to be hang'd upon." The play may be found in all editions of Shadwell's works. I have used the rare privately printed volume in which, under the title of _The Poetry of Witchcraft_ (Brixton Hill, 1853), J. O. Halliwell [-Phillips] united this play of Shadwell's with that of Heywood and Brome on _The late Lancashire Witches_. These two plays, so similar in title, that of Heywood and Brome in 1634, based on the case of 1633, and that of Shadwell in 1682, based on the affair of 1612, must not be confused. See above pp. 121, 158-160, 244-245. [53] See above, pp. 238-239. [54] _The True Intellectual System of the Universe_ (London, 1678), 702. [55] See above, p. 256 and note. [56] See his _Lives of Sundry Eminent Persons_ (London, 1683), 172; also his _Mirrour or Looking Glass, Both for Saints and Sinners_ (London, 1657-1671), I, 35-38; II, 159-183. [57] London, 1678; see pp. 515-518. [58] _Works_ (ed. of Edinburgh, 1841), II, 162. [59] Glanvill, _Sadducismus Triumphatus_, 80. [60] By the eighties it is very clear that the justices were ceasing to press charges against witches. [61] In an article to be published separately. [62] See his essay "Of Poetry" in his _Works_ (London, 1814), III, 430-431. [63] Justice Jeffreys and Justice Herbert both acquitted witches according to F. A. Inderwick, _Sidelights on the Stuarts_ (2d ed., London, 1891), 174. CHAPTER XIII. THE FINAL DECLINE.