In the Saxon seats of Transylvania they often put them to that vulgar trial of water; and I have heard it avowed by those, who have declared themselves to have been eye witnesses, that some suspected persons could never sink below the surface of the water, when others immediately subsided to the bottom[132]. And in such cases the poor afflicted, tortured, and now perhaps distracted person, confesses the indictment, and then without the least repreive is committed to the faggot. But as ignorant places have been always reputed most subject to witchcraft, this very well suits the state of Transylvania; where every petty district is the seat of its own judicature, and the power of life and death is consequently lodged in illiterate and superstitious persons. June ii. But it is now time to proceed on our journey, in which one Hungarian mile and a half carried us to _Szekhelyhíd_, where his Excellency lodged in the house of a popish prelate, by name _Joannes Smitz_, of the order of the _Praemonstratenses_, a gentile and agreable person. In his parlour, where he had an altar and crucifix, I observed over the former a profane picture of the _Holy Trinity_, representing an _Old Man_, with his _Son_ sitting betwixt his legs, and at the son’s feet the _Holy Ghost_ in the shape of a _dove_. June iii. Three Hungarian miles and a half farther brought us this day to _Debrecyn_, thro a rich soil, not destitute of wood, nor water; the latter of which is plentifully found in this countrey, as also in Transylvania and Valachia, by reason of its frequent and extended lakes; tho fountains are scarce any where to be observed. This city has lately obtained the privilege of being _libera et regia_ from the Emperor, in consideration of its late grievous oppressions between the Turkish and German forces; since which, like other free cities, it is governed by its own judge, senate, and commonalty. It is large and populous, and sets up for the bulwark of the reformed church in Hungary; which character it maintains by its large and well disciplined college of almost two hundred students, under the care of two eminent professors; one of divinity, named _Johannes Koes_, who is likewise bishop or superintendent of the province; and the other of philosophy, whose name is _Michael Vaári_. As this college is kept in good repair, so the students are allowed their constant diet, and the professors receive their salary, at the sole charge of the city. There are likewise two spatious churches, served by three able and learned pastors, _Thomas Veresedgyhazi_, _Michael Rapoti_, and _Stephanus Patai_. The city is likewise furnished at the public charge with a capacious and well stored dispensary.