Lectures on Witchcraft, Comprising a History of the Delusion in Salem, in 1692

by Charles W. Upham

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1831. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... to witness the operations of the human imagination. It will be regarded by intelligent and judicious persons, as a circumstance of importance in reference to the view now given of the transaction, in which the witch of Endor acts the leading part, that Hugh Farmer, beyond all question, the most learned, discreet and profound writer on such subjects, is inclined to throw the weight of his authority in its favor. His ample and elaborate discussion of the question is to be seen in his work on Miracles, chap. iv. sec. Ii. Among the heathen nations of antiquity the art of divination consisted to a great degree in the magical use of mysterious charms. Many plants were considered as possessed of wonderful virtues, and there was scarcely a limit to the supposed power of thos*e persons who knew how to use and apply them skilfully. Virgil in his eighth eclogue thus speaks of this species of sorcery-- ' These herbs did Mccris give to me And poisons pluckt at Pontus, For there they grow and multiplie And do not so amongst us; With these she made herselfe become A wolfe, and hid hir in the wood, She fetcht up souls out of their toome, Removing corne from where it stood.'* In the fourth iEneid, the lovesick Tynan queen is thus made to describe the magic which was then believed t o be practised. ' Rejoice, ' she said, ' instructed from above. My lover I shall gain or lose my love, Nigh rising Atlas, next the falling sun Long tracts of Ethiopian climates run; There a Massylian priestess I have found, Honored for age, for magic arts renown'd; Th' Hesperian temple was her trusted care, 'Twas she supplied the wakeful dragon's fare. She, poppy-seeds in honey taught to steep, Reclaim'd his rage, and sooth'd him into sleep; She watch'd the golden fruit. Her charms unbind T...

92 pages, Paperback

First published March 10, 2009

About the author

Charles Wentworth Upham was a U.S. politician, having served twice each as a member of the Massachusetts State House of Representatives and Senate, plus a term as President of the latter; the 7th Mayor of Salem, Massachusetts, and finally as Representative from the 6th district of Massachusetts in the U.S. Congress.

A classmate and former friend of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Upham was an opponent of the burgeoning Transcendentalism movement. He wrote and spoke widely on Protestant religion and on Massachusetts history, with a particular focus on Salem and the late 17th century witch trials of that area.

Reviews

[lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

I quickly skim-read this, so don't really think I can rate it otherwise, but, from what I did read, it was very insightful. (Btw: I only skim-read it because it's for my dissertation & I really don't have the time to read it fully)

Charles W. Upham approaches witchcraft, most importantly, the Salem Witches, from a rational and condemning perspective, highlighting the issues with how society perceived and treated 'witches'. A very interesting read!