Produced by Chris Curnow, Irma Spehar and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) THE WITCHES OF NEW YORK, AS ENCOUNTERED BY Q. K. PHILANDER DOESTICKS, P. B. NEW YORK: RUDD & CARLETON, 310 BROADWAY. MDCCCLIX. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1858, by RUDD & CARLETON, In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York. R. CRAIGHEAD, Printer, Stereotyper, and Electrotyper, Carton Building, _81, 83, and 85 Centre Street_. PREFACE. What the Witches of New York City personally told me, Doesticks, you will find written in this volume, without the slightest exaggeration or perversion. I set out now with no intention of misrepresenting anything that came under my observation in collecting the material for this book, but with an honest desire to tell the simple truth about the people I encountered, and the prophecies I paid for. So far from desiring to do any injustice to the Fortune Tellers of the Metropolis, I sincerely hope that my labors may avail something towards making their true deservings more widely appreciated, and their fitting reward more full and speedy. I am satisfied that so soon as their character is better understood, and certain peculiar features of their business more thoroughly comprehended by the public, they will meet with more attention from the dignitaries of the land than has ever before been vouchsafed them. I thank the public for the flattering consideration paid to what I have heretofore written, and respectfully submit that if they would increase the obligation, perhaps the readiest way is to buy and read the present volume. THE AUTHOR. _Sept. 20th, 1858._ CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. is simply Explanatory so far as regards the book, but in it the author takes occasion to pay himself several merited compliments on the score of honesty, ability, &c., &c., &c. 15 CHAPTER II. is devoted to the glorification of Madame Prewster, of No. 373 Bowery, the Pioneer Witch of New York. The “Individual” also herein bears his testimony that she is oily and water-proof. 27 CHAPTER III. wherein are related divers strange things of Madame Bruce, the “Mysterious Veiled Lady,” of No. 513 Broome Street. 51 CHAPTER IV. Relates the marvellous performances of Madame Widger, of No. 3 First Avenue, and how she looks into the future through a paving-stone. 73