WITCHES IN ENGLAND.

Grey River Argus, 31 December 1927, Page 8

WITCHES IN ENGLAND.

A Cornish gipsy was charged and sentenced for pretending to exercise witchcraft, sorcery, and enchantment, writes Horace Newtc. In other words, for putting the “evil eye” on a man and demanding money down for its removal.

The Magistrate declared it was an amazing story; but if he had had much to do with certain rural villages in Essex and Dorset he would not have been so surprised. For in those places the “wise woman” is a village institution, and contributes to the drama of daily existence by putting on spells or taking them off. This last for value received. Moreover, this “wise woman” can (so the villagers believe) put on disguises, or turn herself into some animal for her own purposes.

I knew a good-living man in Essex who held fast to his faith in witchcraft. He met me one Sunday morning and said the witch bad again been up to her tricks. When I asked what these were, he solemnly told me that when he had got to his stables that morning the, horses were standing still harnessed. This had been the work of the witch. And when I suggested that Saturday night had made him forgetful, he shook his head and told me that that very morunig the witch, in the shape of a black eat, had entered his home and spas at his wife, before flying out of the window. No argument of mine would change his convictions.

A woman who worked for me in a Dorset village told me that the “wise • woman” had put the evil eye on her children and given the “ influenzies. ” I asked what she was doing about itl. and a few days later she came with a smiling face. The “wise woman” in a neighbouring village had told her that by putting a twig of hazel down her back the spell would be removed. This she had done, and her children had almost recovered.

These are two illustrations of many I could furnish to show that witchcraft is still a flourishing industry. Industry, because the explanation of its activities, as of so many other activities, is merely economic. The “Evil Eye” is kept off by making offerings of eggs, and fruit, and poultry to the “wise woman.” Thus, as has been done before in the history of the world, she makes a soft living from the persistence of current superstitions.