delay, assigning him a form, insomuch that the matter was incontinently done; and after I had disbursed into the secretary’s hands certain moneys for signitary purposes, as the manner of such officers hath always been, the bishop did himself affix his signature under the sigillum of his see, and deliver the document into my hands.  When I knelt down to receive his benediction, he softly said, ’Let it be secret, Mr R. Weak brethren! weak brethren!’”

This interview with the bishop, and the success with which he vanquished his lordship’s scruples, would seem to have confirmed Parson Rudall very strongly in his own esteem, and to have invested him with that courage which he evidently lacked at his first encounter with the ghost.

The entries proceed:  “January 11, 1665.—­Therewithal did I hasten home and prepare my instruments, and cast my figures for the onset of the next day.  Took out my ring of brass, and put it on the index-finger of my right hand, with the scutum Davidis traced thereon.

“January 12, 1665.—­Rode into the gateway at Botathen, armed at all points, but not with Saul’s armour, and ready.  There is danger from the demons, but so there is in the surrounding air every day.  At early morning then, and alone,—­for so the usage ordains,—­I betook me towards the field.  It was void, and I had thereby due time to prepare.  First, I paced and measured out my circle on the grass.  Then did I mark my pentacle in the very midst, and at the intersection of the five angles I did set up and fix my crutch of raun (rowan).  Lastly, I took my station south, at the true line of the meridian, and stood facing due north.  I waited and watched for a long time.  At last there was a kind of trouble in the air, a soft and rippling sound, and all at once the shape appeared, and came on towards me gradually.  I opened my parchment scroll, and read aloud the command.  She paused, and seemed to waver and doubt; stood still; then I rehearsed the sentence, sounding out every syllable like a chant.  She drew near my ring, but halted at first outside, on the brink.  I sounded again, and now at the third time I gave the signal in Syriac,—­the speech which is used, they say, where such ones dwell and converse in thoughts that glide.

“She was at last obedient, and swam into the midst of the circle, and there stood still, suddenly.  I saw, moreover, that she drew back her pointing hand.  All this while I do confess that my knees shook under me, and the drops of sweat ran down my flesh like rain.  But now, although face to face with the spirit, my heart grew calm, and my mind was composed.  I knew that the pentacle would govern her, and the ring must bind, until I gave the word.  Then I called to mind the rule laid down of old, that no angel or fiend, no spirit, good or evil, will ever speak until they have been first spoken to. N.B.—­This is the great law of prayer.  God Himself will not yield reply until man hath made vocal entreaty,