It was well known that to witchcraft was ascribed only the power of effecting the destruction of certain parts of the human body, and that some of the members could be protected against the effects of incantation.  The spells of contra-incantation were often successfully exerted in the destruction of the human body, except in those parts previously rendered invulnerable.  Jezebel was destroyed except her hands and feet, and the same fate is recorded of many other witches, or of those who suffered under the influence of malevolent spells.

Might not the vulgar, in search of a cause for so singular a phenomenon, which has often occurred, as spontaneous combustion of the human body, find in the powers of witchcraft an easy solution?  Grace Pitt who was burnt in this manner in Suffolk (recorded in the Philosophical Transactions,) was a reputed witch, and her death was assigned by the country people to the effects of contra-incantation; that her hands and feet (generally left untouched by this phenomenon) were not consumed, was attributed to the influence of her spell.  Indeed, we may suppose that these old ladies, who were distinguished by the respectable appellation of witches, gained that title by their excessive devotion to spirituous liquors, which, in every case that has occurred, have been found to predispose to spontaneous combustion, of the human body.

Colchester.

A. Booth.

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THE COSMOPOLITE.

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ANCIENTS AND MODERNS, OR THE TOILETTE OF MADAME DE POMPADOUR.

(From the French of Voltaire.)

Mad. de Pomp.—­Who may this lady be with acquiline nose and large black eyes; with such height and noble bearing; with mien so proud, yet so coquettish, who enters my chamber without being announced, and makes her obeisance in a religious fashion?

Tullia.—­I am Tullia, born at Rome, about eighteen hundred years ago; I make the Roman obeisance, not the French, and have come, I scarce know from whence, to see your country, yourself, and your toilette.

Mad. de.  P.—­Ah, madam, do me the honour of seating yourself.  An arm-chair for the Lady Tullia.

Tullia.—­For whom? me, madam? and am I to sit on that little incommodious sort of throne, so that my legs must hang down and become quite red?

Mad. de P.—­Upon what then would you sit?

Tullia.—­Madam, upon a couch.

Mad. de P.—­Ay, I understand—­you would say upon a sofa; there stands one, upon which you may recline at your ease.

Tullia.—­I am charmed to see that the French have furniture as convenient as ours.

Mad. de P.—­Hah, hah, madam, you’ve no stockings! your legs are naked, but ornamented, however, with a very pretty ribbon, after the fashion of a sandal.