and by what naturall causes they may be, not that I touch euery particular thing of the Diuels power, for that were infinite: but onely, to speake scholastickely, (since this cannot be spoken in our language) I reason vpon genus, leauing species and differentia to bee comprehended therein." The writers whom James has mentioned in such indignant terms are entitled to a grateful tribute of applause: they flourished at a period when the existence of witchcraft was an established article of belief; and strenuously endeavoured by the force of reason to counteract the inhuman effects which frequently resulted from the false impression. They were the advocates of truth and humanity; James was the abettor of superstition and cruelty. Nor will it be considered as any disparagement to the royal author, to affirm that the learning of Scot and of Wierus was at least equal to his own'. The opinions advanced in this production have however subjected him to an undue degree of contempt; they were the current opinions of the age in which he lived. To demonstrate the prevalence of extreme credulity even among men of Reginald Scot, Esq. published a learned work with this title: "The Discovery of Witchcraft; proving the Compacts and Contracts of Witches with Devils and all Infernal Spirits or Familiars are but Erroneous Novelties and Imaginary Conceptions," &c. The third edition was published at London in folio in the year 1665. Wierus wrote a treatise De Lamiis, and another De Præstigiis Dæmonum. Opera. Amst. 1660, 4to.) (Joannis Wieri genius and erudition, a thousand examples might be amassed: I shall however content myself with a more moderate number. Julius Cæsar Scaliger, a man of stupendous intellect, persuaded himself and others that he was often visited with prophetic dreams: and his son Joseph, the rival of his fame, has not scrupled to record one of his divinations ". His antagonist Cardan was guilty of more remarkable weakness: he was professedly addicted to the study of judicial astrology his works are replenished with stories of devils and apparitions; he gravely informs us that his father had intercourse with a dæmon"; he pretends that he himself received such intimations from a dæmon as were granted to Socrates and other ancient philosophers"; and, to conclude the enumeration, he relates a silly story of an omen respecting the future destiny of his eldest son". During the sixteenth century, the existence of witches was strenuously maintained by Bodin and other authors. Even in England it was maintained at a later period by writers of no despicable character; by Meric Casaubon, Joseph Glanvil, and Henry More. It was maintained by a Scotish lawyer who flourished during the latter part of the seventeenth century. Of m Josephus Justus Scaliger de Vetustate et Splendore Gentis Scaligera, et J. C. Scaligeri Vitâ, p. 48. 53. Lugd. Bat. 1594, 4to. n Cardan, de Utilitate ex Adversis Capienda, p. 335. the existence of witchcraft, says Sir George Mackenzie, the lawyer cannot entertain any doubt; seeing our law ordains it to be punished by death." This argument is irrefragable! But, whatever may be its validity, it is well known that many inoffensive and miserable victims were legally murdered by the statute to which it refers. In the year 1643, upwards of thirty supposed witches were committed to the flames in the county of Fife within the space of a few months'. If James was remotely accessory to such a waste of human blood, he can only be charged with the sin of ignorance: and such ignorance as this will not appear very criminal when we candidly estimate the character of the age in which he lived. That age received his Dæmonologie with approbation. It is repeatedly quoted by the learned Scipio Gentilis in a manner which indicates his respect for the authors. In 1598 James published "The Trew Law of Free Monarchies; or the Reciprok and Mvtvall Dvetie betwixt a free King and his naturall Subiects." During the following year he committed to the press his Βασιλικον Δωρον. Οι his Maiesties In q Mackenzie's Criminal Law of Scotland, part i. tit. x. r Baillie's Letters, vol. i. p. 379. s" Sed eam firmat maximus et sapientissimus regum, idemque Magnæ Britanniæ primus monarcha Jacobus I. in lib. iii. Dæmonologiæ." GENTILIS in Apuleii Apologiam Commentarius, p. 162. strvctions to his dearest sonne, Henry the Prince." Of the circumstances attending the publication of this work, Archbishop Spotswood presents us with a particular account; "The same year did the king publish his Doron Basilicon upon this occasion. Sir James Semple, one of his Majesties servants, (whose hand was used in transcribing that treatise) upon an old familiarity with Mr Andrew Melvill, did give it him to read, who offending with some passages that touched the ministry and present discipline, took copies thereof, and dispersed the same among the ministers: thereupon a libel was formed, and cast in before the synod of St Andrews, wherein the passages at which they excepted being first set down, it was asked, 'What censure should be inflicted upon him that had given such instructions to the prince, (for that treatise was directed to Prince Henry); and if he could be thought well-affected to religion, that had delivered such precepts of government.?-----The rumour by this occasion dispersed, that the king had left certain directions to his son prejudicial to the church and religion, he took purpose to publish the work which being come abroad, and carried to England, it cannot be said how well the same was accepted, and what an admiration it raised in all mens hearts of him, and of his piety and wisdom"." t Spotswood's Hist. of the Church of Scotland, p. 457.-James, in the preface to his work, presents us with a different account of its publica tion; but I prefer the authority of Spotswood. The mysterious transaction known by the appellation of Gowrie's conspiracy ensued in the year 1600. An account of this conspiracy was -published by the king himself: but his statements were received with no very explicit credit. Robert Bruce, an eminent preacher, declared that "He would reverence his Majesty's report of that accident, but would not say he was persuaded of the truth of it." For these bold expressions he was banished the king's dominions". Queen Elizabeth died in the year 1603, after having nominated the Scotish king as her successor. He departed from Edinburgh on the fifth of April, and by slow journies proceeded towards London. The king and queen were solemnly crowned at Westminster on the twentyfifth of July. On this occasion James exhibited a characteristic instance of vanity; the money intended for distribution among the populace, he ordered to be struck with the inscription of Cæsar Cæsarum”. u Spotswood's History of the Church of Scotland, p. 462. edit. Lond. 1677, fol. With respect to this mysterious passage of history Mr Pinkerton has lately proposed a new theory. See his ingenious dissertation, inserted in the first volume of Mr Laing's History of Scotland. V "Jacques Roy d'Angleterre lors qu'il fut couronné, fit une largesse au peuple comme on fait à la creation de roys, et fit battre une nouvelle monnoye, ou il avoit fait mettre Casar Gasarum, chose absurde et inoüye: il tasche de les faire toutes refondre; j'en ay une piece. Le Roy d'Angleterre d'aujourd'huy est encore meilleur que ---O le pauvre roy!" SCALIGERANA, p. 116, |