"I do love these ancient ruins. We never tread upon them but we set Our foot upon some reverend history; And, questionless, here in this open court, Which now lies naked to the injuries Of stormy weather, some men lie interred that Lov'd the Church so well and gave so largely to't, They thought it should have canopied their bones Till doomsday: but all things have their end. Churches and cities, which have diseases like to men, Must have like death that we have."] [Footnote 30: Webster's death took place on the 18th June, 1682. He left an extensive library, composed principally of chemical, hermetical, and philosophical works, of which the MSS. catalogue is now in the possession of my friend, the Rev. T. Corser. I have two books which appear to have at one time formed part of his collection, from having his favourite signature, Johannes Hyphantes, in his autograph, on the title pages. Before I conclude with Webster, I ought perhaps to observe, that in the valuable edition of the works of Webster, the dramatic poet, published by the Rev. A. Dyce, that most accurate and judicious editor has proved indisputably, by an elaborate argument, that the John Webster, the writer of the _Examen Academiarum_, and John Webster, the author of the _Displaying of Supposed Witchcraft_, were one and the same person, who was not identical with the dramatic writer of the same name. Mr. Dyce does not, however, appear to have been aware, that the identity of the author of the _Examen Academiarum_ and the writer on witchcraft is distinctly stated by Dr. Henry More, in his _Praefatio Generalissima_, to the Latin edition of his works, whose testimony being that of a contemporary, who was, like Webster, "a Cambridge scholar," may perhaps be considered sufficient, without resorting to internal and circumstantial evidence. The inscription on Webster's monument in the chapel of St. Mary Magdalen, at Clitheroe, is too characteristic and curious to be omitted. I give it entire:-- "_Qui hanc figuram intelligunt Me etiam intellexisse, intelligent._ [Illustration] _Hic jacet ignotus mundo, mersusque tumultu Invidiae, semper mens tamen aequa fuit, Multa tulit veterum ut sciret secreta sophorum Ac tandem vires noverit ignis aquae._ * * * * * _Johannes Hyphantes sive Webster, In villa Spinosa supermontana, in Parochia silvae cuculatae, in agro Eboracensi, natus 1610 Feb. 3, Ergastulum animae deposuit 1682, Junii 18, Annoq. aetatis suae 72 currente._ _Sicq. peroravit moriens mundo huic valedicens, Aurea pax vivis, requies aeterna sepultis._"] But it is necessary to proceed from the authors on witchcraft to that extraordinary case which forms the subject of the present republication, and which first gave to Pendle its title to be considered as the Hartz Forest of England.