The crystal ball was not an astrological instrument, but many of the astrologers practised by means of it. This instrument of pretence and imposture has been revived in our own times. The ball was held in the hand by those who had “the sight.” Then things and persons were seen. Thus there was one Sarah Skelhorn who had a perfect “sight.” She could see in the ball what any persons were doing at any time or in any place, but seems to have used this remarkable gift for objects quite paltry, as when she observed her mother, who was many miles away, taking a red waistcoat out of a trunk—a really terrible waste of good power. How useful would Sarah be in time of war in order to tell exactly where the enemy was and what the enemy was doing! She was also familiar with angels, who were so fond of her that they followed her about until she was really tired of them. There was Ellen Evans, daughter of the scandalous _défroqué_ above mentioned. She could call up the Queen of the Pigmies whenever she pleased merely by saying, “O Micol! O tu Micol, Regina Pygmeorum, veni!” There was also Sir Robert Holborn, Knight, who “formerly had sight and conference with Uriel and Raphael, but lost them both by carelessness.” And so on. The volume is redeemed from intolerable silliness by the firm belief of the author in the science. It shows, however, that the whole of the country was filled with credulity and childish superstition. The following lines are the commencement of a Latin epitaph composed for Lilly by one George Smalridge, student of Christ Church, Oxford:— “Occidit, atque suis annalibus addidit atram Astrologus, qua non tristior ulla, diem. Pone triumphales, lugubris Luna, quadrigas; Sol, maestum picea nube reconde caput. Illum, qui Phoebi scripsit, Phoebesque labores, Eclipsen docuit Stella maligna pati. Invidia Astrorum cecidit, qui sidera rexit; Tanta erat in notas scandere cura domos Quod vidit, risum cupiit, potiturque, cupito Coelo, et sidereo fulget in orbe decus.” Two official superstitions must be recorded, if only because they were practised and no doubt fully believed in London. They were touching for the King’s Evil and the blessing of the Cramp Ring. The ceremonies for both these observances are here described. First, the touching for the King’s Evil— “_The King, kneeling, shall say_, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. _And so soon as He hath said that, He shall say_, Give the blessing. _The Chaplain, kneeling before the King, and having a Stole about his Neck, shall answer and say_, The Lord be in your heart and in your lips, to confess all your sins. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. _Or else he shall say_, Christ hear us. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.