‘About the latter end of _Decemb. 1662_. the _Drummings_ were less frequent, and the noise the _Fiend_ made, was a _gingling_, as it had been of money, occasioned, as ’twas thought, by some discourse of an antient Gentlewoman, Mother to M. _M._ (who was one day saying to a Neighbour that talked of _Fairies leaving money_, that she should like _It_ well, if _It_ would leave them some to make amends for the trouble _It_ made them) for that night there was a great _chinking_ of money all the house over; but he that rose earliest the next morning, was ne’re a groat the richer. After this _It_ desisted from its _ruder noises_, and employed _It_ self about little _apish_ Tricks, and less troublesome _Caprichios_. On _Christmas Eve_, an hour before day, one of the little Boyes arising out of his Bed, was hit on a sore place in his Heel by the latch of the Door, which the _waggish Dæmons_ had pluckt out and thrown at him. The Pin that fastened it was so small, that ’twas for the credit of his _Opticks_ that he pick’t it out without Candle-light. The night after _Christmas Day_, _It_ threw all the old Gentlewoman’s Cloaths about the Room, and hid her _Bible_ in the Ashes. In such _impertinent ludicrous fagaries_, it was frequent. After _this_ the _Spirit_ was very troublesome to a Servant of M. _Mompesson’s_, who was a stout fellow, and of sober conversation.... His Master permitted him to give this proof of his courage, and lodg’d him in the next room to his own. There was _John engarrison’d_, and provided for the assault with a trusty Sword, and other implements of War. And, for some time, there was scarce a night past without some doubty action and encounter, in which the success was various. One while, _John’s_ bag and baggage would be in the enemy’s _power_, _Doublet_ and _Breeches_ surprized, and his Shooes raised in _rebellion_ against him; and then _lusty John_ by _Dint_ of Weapon recovers all again, suppresseth the _insurrection_ of his _Shooes_, and holds his own in spight of _Satan_ and the _Drummer_. And for the most part, our combatant came off with honour and advantage, except when his enemy outwatch’d and surprized him, and then he’s made a prisoner, bound hand and foot, and at the mercy of the _Goblin_; till he hath got the opportunity of recovering his _Diabolical Blade_, and then our Champion is in good plight again....