THE EVIL EYE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 10921, 12 June 1929, Page 3

THE EVIL EYE

RELIEF IN WITCHCRAFT SI R V IVUS. SOMERSET FARMER ROUND OVER. WOMAN MURDERED IN HUNGARY. United Press Assn, b.v El. Tel. Copyright iAustralian Press assiiomuon.. LONDON. June 10. How belief in witchcraft- -stiSl survives in agricultural districts is shown by two episodes occurring as tar apart as Somersetshire and Hungary. in the Somerset case a farmer was bound over to keep the peace for threatening an ancient neighbor whom ho accused of casting the evil eve.

The Hungarian case had a more tragic ending. A farmer, Eittlik, 'became mysteriously ill and in a Ircnzv prophesied that a witch who had cast n spell over him would appear in the sick room. At the exact moment an old liag hobb'ed into the room. Pittlik’s family heat her to death with sticks and Pittiik leapt from his bed completely cured. The assailants were arrested and sentenced to long terms. They appealed to the Supreme Court, and the. sentences were reduced to three months’ imprisonment, the court holding that the family was ,justified in the assumption that the woman was a witch.