TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Page.
Introduction.	[1]
I.
The connection of the Mathers with theSuperstitions of their time.	[1]
II.
The Goodwin Children. Some GeneralRemarks upon the Criticisms of theNorth American Review.	[4]
III.
Cotton Mather and the Goodwin Children.John Baily. John Hale.Goodwin's Certificates.Mather's idea of Witchcraft as a Warwith the Devil. His use of Prayer.Connection between the Case ofthe Goodwin Children and SalemWitchcraft.	[6]
IV.
The Relation of the Mathers to theAdministration of Massachusetts, in1692. The New Charter. The Governmentunder it arranged by them.Arrival of Sir William Phips.	[12]
V.
The Special Court of Oyer and Terminer.How it was established. Whoresponsible for it. The Governmentof the Province concentrated in itsChief-justice.	[15]
VI.
Cotton Mather's connection with theCourt. Spectral Evidence. Letterto John Richards. Advice of theMinisters.	[19]
VII.
Advice of the Ministers, furtherconsidered. Cotton Mather's Plan fordealing with Spectral Testimony.	[23]
VIII.
Cotton Mather and Spectral Evidence.	[30]
IX.
Cotton Mather and the PreliminaryExaminations. John Proctor. GeorgeBurroughs.	[32]
X.
Cotton Mather and the WitchcraftTrials. The Executions.	[38]
XI.
Letter to Stephen Sewall. "Wondersof the Invisible World." Its originand design. Cotton Mather's accountof the Trials.	[44]
XII.
"Wonders of the Invisible World,"continued. Passages from it. "Casesof Conscience." Increase Mather.	[50]
XIII.
The Court of Oyer and Terminer broughtto a sudden end. Sir William Phips.	[54]
XIV.
Cotton Mather's Writings subsequent tothe Witchcraft Prosecutions.	[57]
XV.
History of Opinion as to Cotton Mather'sconnection with Salem Witchcraft.Thomas Brattle. The peopleof Salem Village. John Hale.John Higginson. Michael Wigglesworth.	[61]
XVI.
History of Opinion as to Cotton Mather,continued. Francis Hutchinson. DanielNeal. Isaac Watts. Thomas Hutchinson.William Bentley. JohnEliot. Josiah Quincy.	[68]
XVII.
The Effect upon the Power of the Mathers,in the Public Affairs of theProvince, of their Connection withWitchcraft.	[70]
XVIII.
Cotton Mather's Writings and Character.	[74]
XIX.
Robert Calef's Writings and Character.	[77]
XX.
Miscellaneous Remarks. Conclusion.	[84]

SALEM WITCHCRAFT AND COTTON MATHER.

INTRODUCTION.

An article in The North American Review, for April, 1869, is mostly devoted to a notice of the work published by me, in 1867, entitled Salem Witchcraft, with an account of Salem Village, and a history of opinions on witchcraft and kindred subjects. If the article had contained criticisms, in the usual style, merely affecting the character of that work, in a literary point of view, no other duty would have devolved upon me, than carefully to consider and respectfully heed its suggestions. But it raises questions of an historical nature that seem to demand a response, either acknowledging the correctness of its statements or vindicating my own.

The character of the Periodical in which it appears; the manner in which it was heralded by rumor, long before its publication; its circulation, since, in a separate pamphlet form; and the extent to which, in certain quarters, its assumptions have been endorsed, make a reply imperative.

The subject to which it relates is of acknowledged interest and importance. The Witchcraft Delusion of 1692 has justly arrested a wider notice, and probably always will, than any other occurrence in the early colonial history of this country. It presents phenomena in the realm of our spiritual nature, belonging to that higher department of physiology, known as Psychology, of the greatest moment; and illustrates the operations of the imagination upon the passions and faculties in immediate connection with it, and the perils to which the soul and society are thereby exposed, in a manner more striking, startling and instructive than is elsewhere to be found. For all reasons, truth and justice require of those who venture to explore and portray it, the utmost efforts to elucidate its passages and delineate correctly its actors.