some allusion to the battle of pamphlets of which it was the cause. Directly the trial was over the Rev. Francis Bragge rushed into print with a "A Full and Impartial Account of the Discovery of Sorcery and Witchcraft, Practis'd by Jane Wenham of Walkern in Hertfordshire," etc., etc. (see facsimile of the title page). It ran into five editions, four of them being published within a month.' This was followed by a second pamphlet by the same author, entitled, "Witchcraft Farther Display'd. Containing: I. An Account of the Witchcraft practis'd by Jane Wenham, of Walkerne in Hertfordshire, since her Condemnation, upon the bodies of Anne Thorne and Anne Street. . . . II. An Answer to the most general Objections against the Being and Power of Witches. With some Remarks upon the Case of Jane Wenham. . . . To which are added The Tryals of Florence Newton, a famous Irish Witch. ... 1661. As also of two Witches at the Assizes held at Bury St. Edmonds in Suffolk, Anno 1664, before Sir Matthew Hale. London. Printed for E. Curll. . . 1712." 8°. With a Preface signed "F. B." .... The third of the pamphlets is a criticism of the first, but whether favourable or otherwise I am unable to determine, as I have not yet succeeded in obtaining a copy. It is designated: "The Case of the Hertfordshire Witchcraft Consider'd. Being an Examination of a Book entitl'd, 'A Full and Impartial Account of the Discovery of Sorcery and Witchcraft, Practis'd by Jane Wenham of Walkern.' Printed for John Pemberton. 1712." This was followed by two pamphlets confuting and exposing the Walkern persecution. The first is called: "The Impossibility or Witchcraft. Plainly proving, from Scripture and Reason, that there never was a Witch; and that it is both Irrational and Impious to believe there ever was. In which the Depositions against Jane Wenham, Lately Try'd and Condemned for a Witch at Hertford are Confuted and Exposed. London. Printed and Sold by J. Baker. 1712." 8°. The second: "A Full Confutation of Witchcraft: More particularly of the Depositions against Jane Wenham, Lately Condemned for a Witch at Hertford. In which the Modern Notions of Witches are overthrown, and the Ill Consequences of such Doctrines are exposed by Arguments; proving that Witchcraft is 1 It was reprinted at Nottingham with the following title: "A True and Faithful Account of the Discovery of Sorcery and Witchcraft, Practis'd by Jane Wenham of Walkerne in Hertfordshire upon the Body of Anne Thorn. With the Proceedings against her, from her First Apprehension Till her Conviction and Condemnation, At the Assizes at Hertford before Mr. Justice Powell. March 4, 1711-12. Nottingham: Printed by William Ayscough in the Middle Pavement." Priestcraft. . . . In a Letter from a Physician in Hertfordshire to his Friend in London. Printed for J. Baker. . . . 1712." These were followed by a reply from the facile pen of the Rev. Francis Bragge. It is denominated: "A Defense of the Proceedings against Jane Wenham, wherein the Possibility and Reality of Witchcraft are Demonstrated from Scripture and the concurrent Testimonies of all ages. In Answer to Two Pamphlets Entitled, I. 'The Impossibility of Witchcraft,' etc. II. ‘A Full Confutation of Witchcraft,' By Francis Bragge, A.B.... 1712." This final effort of Mr. Bragge's was supported by a pamphlet designated: "The Belief of Witchcraft vindicated, proving from Scripture there have been Witches: and from reason that there may be such still. In answer to a late Pamphlet Intitled, 'The Impossibility of Witchcraft. Plainly proving from Scripture and Reason that there never was a Witch,' etc. By G. R. A. M. . . . 1712.” A rejoinder to G. R. A. M.'s vindication was published, but it is only known to me by a brief reference to it in a manuscript list of these pamphlets. It is called "The Impossibility of Witchcraft further vindicated", and the author is presumably to be identified with that of No. 3 on the list. In concluding this account of the so-called "Witch of Walkern" and her persecution, I cannot refrain from quoting two paragraphs from the Preface to "Witchcraft Farther Display'd." After describing the renewed sufferings of Anne Thorne and Anne Street, subsequent to the trial and pardon of their supposed tormenter, the Rev. Francis Bragge refers to what perhaps may be the key to his attempt to hound to death this poor woman. He says, As for Mother Wenham, I hear she has found out a Way to get plenty of Money while she is in Prison. She says she was Prosecuted out of spite, only because she went to the Dissenting Meetings: and by this means, she gets contributions from the Party and of a Wicked old Witch, is in a sudden become a Precious Saint. This Story puts me upon enquiring of Mr. Gardiner whether she had ever been counted a Dissenter, and he declared that he never before heard that she us'd to go to any Place of Divine Worship, and that he never took her to be of any Religion at all; however, we are very willing to part with her, and wish the Fanaticks much joy of their new Convert. I shall only take notice of one thing more to the Reader, viz., to assure him that neither Mr. Gardiner nor Mr. Strutt had any Hand in writing this Narrative of the Proceedings against Jane Wenham, altho' they are both Witnesses to the Truth of it; so that some Gentlemen (who in Justice and Gratitude, as well as good Manners, ought to have held their tongues) might as well have spar'd their personal Reflections. PICTURESQUE PETERSHAM: ITS Written and Illustrated by A. LEONARD SUMMERS. A T the base of Richmond's proud hill nestles in quiet rural simplicity the picturesque little village of Petersham, one of those sweet bits of rusticity now so few and far between around the great, bustling, boisterous Metropolis. Even as its fair sister, Richmond, Petersham was once the home and resort of the world's greatest, though to a lesser degree; and time has robbed both of their splendour and importance-as it is rapidly doing with regard to their natural beauty. Yet while the hilly village has conformed to modern demands and grown into a large, flourishing town of some repute, that in the dale below has been content to slumber on peacefully, forgetful of its past gaiety or grandeur, unenvying its sister's go-ahead ambitions. And so far from exhibiting any aspirations to growth, Petersham has, alas, on the contrary, shown a diminishing tendency, and all that was so interesting as landmarks of history is slowly but surely disappearing. Excepting Ham House-which, though in the parish of Petersham, stands some distance from the village-there is nothing left now but the stately Sudbrook and the quaint little church to remind us of past glories. Only a few years back (in 1895) the last was seen of one of the few remaining famous old mansions of the neighbourhood, viz., Bute House, formerly the seat of the Marquises of Bute. It will be remembered by many what an outcry was raised at that time, both by the people of Richmond and the London public, directly the fact became known that the fine old house was doomed to be pulled down, and its handsome grounds handed over to the ruthless speculative builder for the erection of "the vile suburban dwellings of the vain." The matter was taken up seriously by the Selborne Society, who appointed Sir Robert Hunter to act in conjunction with the Open Spaces Society to urge the Government to purchase the Bute estate from Sir J. Whittaker Ellis, Bart. (the owner, who generously offered to meet them easily). The hand of the spoiler was thus stayed for a time, the house remaining in a partly-demolished condition; but, apparently, the move was unsuccessful, as since then Bute House has been completely razed to the ground, and what will eventually be done with its twelve acres of delightful grounds can only be conjectured. In the Doomsday book, Petersham is styled "Patricesham," that |