--in days when philosophy stumbled and murder arrayed itself in the robes of justice--by an enlightened exercise of the kingly prerogative of mercy. Proceeding from such a fountain of honour, and purified by such an appropriation, the title of witch has long lost its original opprobrium in the County Palatine, and survives only to call forth the gayest and most delightful associations. In process of time even the term _witchfinder_ may lose the stains which have adhered to it from the atrocities of Hopkins, and may be adopted by general usage, as a sort of companion phrase, to signify the fortunate individual, who, by an union with a Lancashire witch, has just asserted his indefeasible title to be considered as the happiest of men. J.C. THE WONDERFVLL DISCOVERIE OF WITCHES, &c. THE WONDERFVLL DISCOVERIE OF WITCHES IN THE COVNTIE OF LANCASTER. With the Arraignement and Triall of Nineteene notorious WITCHES, at the Assizes and generall Gaole deliuerie, holden at the Castle of LANCASTER, _vpon Munday, the seuenteenth_ _of August last_, 1612. Before Sir IAMES ALTHAM, and Sir EDWARD BROMLEY, Knights; BARONS of his Maiesties Court of EXCHEQVER: And Iustices _of Assize_, Oyer _and_ Terminor, _and generall_ Gaole deliuerie in the circuit of the _North Parts._ Together with the Arraignement and Triall of IENNET PRESTON, _at the Assizes holden at the Castle of Yorke_, _the seuen and twentieth day of Iulie last past_, with her Execution for the murther of Master LISTER _by Witchcraft._ Published and set forth by commandement of his Maiesties Iustices of Assize in the North Parts. _By_ THOMAS POTTS _Esquier._ * * * * * LONDON, Printed by _W. Stansby_ for _John Barnes_, dwelling neare Holborne Conduit. 1613. [Illustration: decoration] TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE, _THOMAS_, LORD KNYVET, BARON OF ESCRICK[A1] in the Countie of Yorke, my very honorable _good Lord and Master._ AND TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE _AND VERTVOVS LADIE, THE_ _Ladie_ ELIZABETH KNYVET _his Wife, my_ honorable good Ladie and MISTRIS. * * * * * RIGHT HONORABLE, _Let it stand (I beseech you) with your fauours whom profession of the same true Religion towards God, and so great loue hath vnited together in one, Jointly to accept the Protection and Patronage of these my labours, which not their owne worth hath encouraged, but your Worthinesse hath enforced me to consecrate vnto your Honours._