[194] Nicholas _Hemmingius_, I suppose, a native of the Island of Laland, born in 1513. His Business was that of a Smith, but taking to Learning, he studied with the celebrated Melancthon, and became a Professor of Hebrew at Copenhagen. He died in the Year 1600. [195] A Word not found in the Dictionaries. Perhaps it may be defined by the Readers of the Works of the elder Pliny. [196] This Story of the iron Spindle is briefly told by Lawson, who probably took it from our Author. See Lawson's Work, P. 102-3 of the London Edition. It is not in the original (Boston) Edition. [197] There were Pitmans at Marblehead, and Salem at this Time. Manchester was then included in Salem. There was a Thomas Pitman hung there not long before the Witch Cases occurred. [198] Perhaps Mr. John Higginson. [199] There was a Family of _Whitfords_ in Salem at this Time. [200] The shocking Barbarity employed in the Execution of this "poor Man" can only find a Parallel in an Age as benighted as this of 1692. A more diabolical Depravity could never exhibit itself in human Nature. The next Story seems to be introduced to lessen the Odium which it is probable the Author thought might attach itself to the Affair. It is wonderful indeed, that a foul Murder should have been kept so still, and then, at a late Day, to come out in a Dream. [201] A Son of the first Governor of the Colony, John Endicott. He resided a considerable Period in Boston. See _Historical and Gen. Register_, i. 335, _et seq._ He died in the Spring of 1684. [202] Anthony Horneck. The original Work was written in High Dutch. The Author's Name does not appear. We have the Work appended to the fourth Edition of Glanvil's _Sadducismus Triumphatus_, 1726. Dr. Mather has given but a brief Abstract. [203] It does not appear that a Thanksgiving was appointed, but the King appointed Commissioners to examine into the Matter. Those Commissioners proceeded to the Town, and at once entered upon an Investigation; "to whom both the Minister and several of the People of Fashion complained with Tears in their Eyes, of the miserable Condition they were in."--_Ibidem_, 484. [204] The Doctor omits some of the best Parts of these Stories. One or two will more than suffice probably. "Those [Witches] of Elfdale confessed, That the Devil used to play upon an Harp before them, and afterwards to go with them that he liked best, into a Chamber, where he committed venerous Acts with them; and this indeed all confessed; That he had carnal Knowledge of them, and that the Devil had Sons and Daughters by them, which he did marry together, and brought forth Toads and Serpents."--_Page_ 491. "They [the bewitched] said they had sometimes seen a very great Devil like a Dragon, with Fire round about him, and bound with an iron Chain; and the Devil that converses with them tells them, that if they confess anything, he will let that great Devil loose upon them, whereby all Sweedland shall come into great danger."--_Page_ 492.