Grampian Club > Scotland, social and domestic

322 Scotland, Social and Domestic.
pensed " witch-finders," remunerated " watchers," and
procured commissions from the Privy Council for the
condemnation of the accused. The destruction of a
witch on the day of rest was deemed a sanctifying of
the Sabbath."" About the year 1650, the Kirk-session
records of Glammis report that on a particular Sunday
public ordinances were omitted, on account of the min-
ister being absent at the execution of a witch.
The ecclesiastical authorities at Aberdeen were early
conspicuous in their efforts for the extirpation of sorcery.
Consequent on their strong representation, James VI.,
in 1596, appointed a commission for " haulding justice
courtis on witches " at Aberdeen. The following " dit-
tays," or indictments, preferred at this commission
against certain of the accused seem worthy of recital.
The " dittay " against Isabell Richie proceeds : —
" Thou art indyttit for the being at the two devylische
dances, betwixt Lumphanand and Craigleanche with
unquhill Margaret Bane upon alhallowevin last, quhair
thou conferritt with the Dewyll, and at that time thou
ressauit thyne honours fra the Dewyll, thy maister, and
were appoynted by him in all tymes thaireafter his
special domestic servant and furriour, quhilk thou can
nocht deny."
Margaret Og is thus accused, — " Thou art indyttit as
a notorious witche, for the bewitching of unquhill Agnes
Ross, Lady Auckinhuiff, in manner following, to wit : the
said unquhill Agnes having bocht a schowder of mut-
* At the same period it would have been held profane to celebrate
matrimonial rites or conduct the dead to burial on Sunday. Within
our own recollection a respectable peasant was denied church mem-
bership by the parochial incumbent for interring his child on the
Sabbath. The church courts viewed the case more lenientlv.