[29] There was practically no spectral evidence in the Lancashire cases. Lister on his death-bed had cried out against Jennet Preston, and John Law was tormented with a vision of Alizon Device "both day and night"; Potts, Y 2 verso. But these were exceptional.
[30] See The Most Cruell and Bloody Murther committed by ... Annis Dell.... With the Severall Witch-crafts ... of one Johane Harrison and her Daughter (London, 1606).
[31] MS. account of the Northampton witches.
[32] See Potts, Z 2.
[33] The dramatist Dekker made use of this; see his Witch of Edmonton, act IV, scene I (Mermaid edition, London, 1904):
1st Countreyman.—This thatch is as good as a jury to prove she is a witch.
* * * * * * * *
Justice.—Come, come: firing her thatch? ridiculous!
Take heed, sirs, what you do; unless your proofs
Come better aimed, instead of turning her
Into a witch, you'll prove yourselves stark fools.
[34] See Potts, P 2.
[35] See ibid., Q verso. This, however, was the second time that the judge had tried this ruse; see ibid., P 2.