Chapter II: Part 2

_Isebelle_, femme de _Jean de Moygne_, ayant esté mise a la question, a tout aussytost confessé qu'elle est Sorciere: et que sur ce qu'elle tomba en querelle avec la _Girarde_, sa belle-soeur: le Diable en forme de lievre print occasion de la seduire: se representant à elle en plain jour dans une ruë pres de sa maison: et la persuadant et incitant de se donner à luy: et que l'aideroit à se venger de la dite _Girarde_ et de tous aultres: à laquelle persuation n'ayant icelle à l'instant voulu condescendre: aussy tout disparut: mais incontinent luy vint derechef au devant en la mesme ruë, et poursuyvant sa premiere pointe: l'exhortoit aux mesmes fins que dessus: cela fait, ill la laissa et se retira, apres luy avoir, au prealable, mis une pochée de pasnés; qu'elle portoit pour lors, une certaine pouldre noire envelopée dans ung linge qu'il mist: laquelle pouldre elle retint par devers soy. S'aparut à elle une autre fois en mesme forme au territoire de la ville, l'incitant dereschef à se donner à luy, à quoy ne voulant icelle condescendre luy fist adonc requeste de luy donner une beste vive: lors de ce pas revint ches elle querir ung poullet, qu'elle luy apporta au mesme lieu où l'avoit laissé, lequell ill print: et appres l'avoir remerecie luy donna assignation de se trouver le lendemain avant jour au Sabath, avec promesse qu'il l'enverroit querir: suivant laquelle promesse, estant la nuittée ensuivant, la vielle _Collette du Mont_ venant la querir, lui bailla de l'onguent noir qu'elle avoit eu du Diable; duquell (apprès s'estre despouillée) s'oignit le dos, et le ventre, puis s'estant revestuë, sortit l'huis de sa maison: lors fut à l'instant enlevée: et transportée au travers hayes et buissons, pres la banque sur le bord de la mer, aux environs du Chasteau de Rocquaine, lieu ordinaire où le Diable gardoit son Sabath; là où ne fut sytost arivée, que le Diable ne vint la trouver en forme de chien avec deux grandes cornes dressées en hault: et de l'une de ses pattes (qui lui sembloyent comme mains), la print par la main: et l'appellant par son nom, luy dist qu'estoit la bien venuë: lors aussytost le Diable la fist mettre sur ses genoux: luy se tenant debout sur ses pieds de derrière; luy ayant fait detester l'Esternelle en ses mots: _Je renie Dieu le Pere, Dieu le Fils et Dieu le St. Esprit_; se fist adorer et invocquer en ses termes: _Nostre Grand Maistre aide nous!_ avec paction expresse d'adherer à luy; que cela fait, ill ont copulation avec elle en la susdite forme de chien, ung peu plus grand: puis elle et les aultres danserent avec luy dos à dos: qu'apres avoir dansé, le Diable versoit hors d'un pot du vin noir, qu'il leur presentoit dans une escuelle de bois, duquell elle beut, toutesfois ne luy sembloit sy bon que le vin quj se boit ordinairement: qu'il y avoit du pain--mais n'en mangea point: confesse qu'elle se donna lors à luy pour ung mois: ainsy retournerent du Sabath comme y estoyent allés.

Que seconde fois fut au Sabath, apres que la vielle _Collette_ l'eut esté querir et qu'elle se fist oindre d'onguent cy dessus;--declare qu'à l'entree du Sabath eut dereschef copulation avec le Diable, et dansa avec luy; appres avoir dansé, à sa solicitation de prolonger le temps, se donna à luy pour trois ans; qu'au Sabath le Diable faisoit evocation des Sorciers et Sorcieres par ordre (se souvient tresbien y avoir ouy le Diable appeller la vielle _Collette_, la premiere, en ces termes: _Madame la Vielle Becquette_); puis la _Fallaise_; appres la _Hardie_. Item, _Marie_, femme de _Massy_, fille de la dite _Collette_. Dit appres eux, elle mesme estoit evosquée par le Diable, en ses termes: _La Petite Becquette_; qu'elle y a ouy aussy evosquer _Collas Becquet_, fils de la dit vielle (lequell la tenoit par la main en dansant, et une que ne cognoist la tenoit par l'autre main): qu'il y en avoit viron six autres que ne cognoissoit: que la dite vielle estoit tousjours proche du Diable: que quelque fois tandis que les uns dansoyent les autres avoyent copulation avec les Diables en forme de chien: et estoyent au Sabath viron trois ou quatre heures, non plus.

Qu'estant au Sabath le Diable la mercha en haut de la cuisse: laquelle merche ayant esté reuisitée par les sage femmes, ont raporté avoir mis dedans une petite espingue bien avant, qu'elle n'a point senty, et n'en est sorty aulcuns sang; ne scait par ou le Diable a merche les autres: que les premiers venues au lieu du Sabath attendoyent les autres; et apparoissoyent tous les Sorciers et Sorcieres en leur propre formes: toutesfois noircis et defficgurés, et ne les pouvoit en cognoistre.

Que le Diable apparoissoit quelque fois en forme de boucq au Sabath; ne la veu en autres formes; qu'au departir, ill se faisoit baiser la derriere, leur demandant quant reviendroyent: les exhortoit qu'eussent à adherer tousiours a luy: et faire des maux, et pour cest effet leur bailloit certaines pouldres noires envelopées dans ung drapeau, pour en ietter sur ceux qu'ils vouloyent ensorcerer: qu'au departir du Sabath le Diable s'en alloit d'un coste et eux de l'autre: appres les avoir toutes prinses par la main: Qu'à l'instigation du Diable elle en a jetté sur plusieurs personnes et bestes: notament sur _Jean Jehan_, lors qu'il vint chez elle querir ung pourceau. Item, sur l'enfant _James Gallienne_, et sur aultres: Item, sur les bestes de _Brouart_ et aultres.

Que c'estoit le Diable qui fut veu ches le susdit _Gallienne_, en forme de rat et bellette, ycelle estant pour lors aux environs de la maison du dit _Gallienne_, et s'estant venu rendre à elle en resemblance d'homme, la frapa de plusieurs coups par le visage et teste: dont estoit ainsy meurdie et deschirée lors que fut veüe le lendemain par _Thomas Sohier_. Et croit que la cause de ce maltraitement fut pour ce que ne voulut aller avec le Diable chez le dit _Gallienne_.

Qu'elle n'alloit point au Sabath sinon lors que son mary estoit demeuré la nuict en pescherie à la mer.

Que lors qu'elle vouloit ensorceler quelcun, sa poudre estant faillie, le Diable s'aparoissoit à elle, luy disant qu'allast en querir en tell endroit qu'il luy nommoit, ce qu'elle faisoit, et ne falloit d'y en trouver.

CONFESSION OF ISABEL BECQUET.

_Isabel_, wife of _Jean le Moygne_, having been put to the question, at once confessed that she was a Witch: and that upon her getting into a quarrel with the woman _Girarde_, who was her sister-in-law: the Devil, in the form of a hare, took occasion to tempt her: appearing to her in broad daylight in a road near her house: and persuading and inciting her to give herself to him: and that he would help her to avenge herself on the said _Girarde_, and everybody else: to which persuasion she would not at the moment condescend to yield: so he at once disappeared: but very soon he came again to her in the same road, and pursuing his previous argument: exhorted her in the same terms as above: that done, he left her and went away, after having previously put her a sackful of parsnips; she then took a certain black powder wrapped in a cloth which he placed; which powder she kept by her. He appeared to her another time under the same form in the town district, inciting her anew to give herself to him, but she not wishing to comply, he next made a request to her to give him some living animal: whereupon she returned to her dwelling and fetched a chicken, which she carried to him to the same place where she had left him, and he took it: and after having thanked her he made an appointment for her to be present the next morning before daylight at the Sabbath, promising that he would send for her: according to which promise, during the ensuing night, the old woman _Collette du Mont_, came to fetch her, and gave her some black ointment, which she had had from the Devil; with this (after having stripped herself) she anointed her back and belly, then having dressed herself again she went out of her house door: when she was instantly caught up: and carried across hedges and bushes to the bank on the sea shore, in the neighbourhood of Rocquaine Castle, the usual place where the Devil kept his Sabbath; no sooner had she arrived there than the Devil came to her in the form of a dog, with two great horns sticking up: and with one of his paws (which seemed to her like hands) took her by the hand: and calling her by her name told her that she was welcome: then immediately the Devil made her kneel down: while he himself stood up on his hind legs; he then made her express detestation of the Eternal in these words: _I renounce God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost_; and then caused her to worship and invoke himself in these terms: _Our Great Master, help us!_ with a special compact to be faithful to him; and when this was done he had connection with her in the aforesaid form of a dog, but a little larger: then she and the others danced with him back to back: after having danced, the Devil poured out of a jug some black wine, which he presented to them in a wooden bowl, from which she drank, but it did not seem to her so good as the wine which is usually drunk: there was also bread--but she did not eat any: confessed that she gave herself to him for a month: they returned from the Sabbath in the same manner that they went there.

The second time she was at the Sabbath was after the old woman _Collette_ had been to fetch her, and she anointed herself with the ointment as above stated;--declared, that on entering the Sabbath, she again had connection with the Devil and danced with him; after having danced, and upon his solicitation to prolong the time, she gave herself to him for three years; at the Sabbath the Devil used to summon the Wizards and Witches in regular order (she remembered very well having heard him call the old woman _Collette_ the first, in these terms: _Madame the Old Woman Becquette_): then the woman _Fallaise_; and afterwards the woman _Hardie_. Item, he also called _Marie_, wife of _Massy_, and daughter of the said _Collette_. Said that after them, she herself was called by the Devil: in these terms: _The Little Becquette_: she also heard him call there _Collas Becquet_, son of the said old woman (who [_Collas_] held her by the hand in dancing, and someone [a woman] whom she did not know, held her by the other hand): there were about six others there she did not know: the said old woman was always the nearest to the Devil: occasionally while some were dancing, others were having connection with the Devils in the form of dogs; they remained at the Sabbath about three or four hours, not more.

While at the Sabbath the Devil marked her at the upper part of the thigh: which mark having been examined by the midwives, they reported that they had stuck a small pin deeply into it, and that she had not felt it, and that no blood had issued: she did not know in what part the Devil had marked the others: those who came first to the place of the Sabbath, waited for the others; and all the Wizards and Witches appeared in their proper forms: but blackened and disfigured so that they could not be recognised.

The Devil appeared sometimes in the form of a goat at the Sabbath; never saw him in other forms: on their departure he made them kiss him behind, and asked them when they would come again: he exhorted them always to be true to him: and to do evil deeds, and to this end he gave them certain black powders, wrapped in a cloth, for them to throw upon those whom they wished to bewitch: on leaving the Sabbath, the Devil went away in one direction and they in the other: after he had taken them all by the hand: At the instigation of the Devil she threw some of the powder over several persons and cattle: notably over _Jean Jehan_, when he came to her house to look for a pig. Item, over the child of _James Gallienne_, and over others. Item, over the cattle of _Brouart_, and of others.

It was the Devil that was seen at the said _Gallienne's_ house in the form of a rat and a weazle, she herself being then in the neighbourhood of _Gallienne's_ house, and he [the Devil] came to her in the form of a man, and struck her several blows on the face and head: by which she was bruised and torn in the way that she was seen the next day by _Thomas Sohier_. And she believed that the cause of this maltreatment was because she would not go with the Devil to the house of the said _Gallienne_.

She never went to the Sabbath except when her husband remained all night fishing at sea.

Whenever she wanted to bewitch anyone and her powder happened to have been all used up, the Devil appeared to her and told her to go to such a place, which he named, for some more, and when she did so, she never failed to find it there.

DEPOSITIONS CONTRE COLLAS BECQUET.

_Le xvij Mai 1617._

_Susanne Le Tellier_, veufve de _Pierre Rougier_, depose que son mary estant decedé, trouva des sorcerots en son lict; et qu'en son djt lict mortuaire, il se plaignoit esté ensorcelé par _Collas Becquet_, avec lequel avoit eu dispute, sur laquelle dispute luy dyt que s'en repentiroit; et la dessus fut prins de m...[A] duquel fut douze jours malade; qu'ils trouverent quarante-quatre sorcerots en l'oreiller de son enfant, que les uns estoyent fait comme herissons, les autres comme pommes, et les autres plats comme la rouelle de la main; et du fill de chanvre entortillé avec de plumes.

[Footnote A: Illegible in the record.]

_Susanne_, femme de _Jean Le Messurier_, depose que son mary et _Collas Becquet_ plaiderent à jour passé ensemble; qu'allors ils avoyent ung enfant ayant de viron six semaines, et comme elle le despouilloit au soir, pour le coucher, il tomba sur l'estomac du djt enfant une beste noire laquelle fondit si tost que fut tombée, d'aultant qu'elle fist debvoir de la rechercher et ne peut jamais apercevoir qu'elle devint; incontinent l'enfant fut prins de mal et ne voulu teter, mais fut fort tormenté; que s'estant avisée de regarder dans l'oreiller du djt enfant y trouverent des sorcerots cousus de fil, et les ayant tirés et bien espluché la plume de l'oreiller, y regarda sept jours appres et y entrouva derechef avec une febve noire percée; dequoy, ayant le djt _Becquet_ ouy qu'il en estoit suspecté, sa femme vint ches la deposante comme le djt _Becquet_ estoit à la mer, et luy djt qu'à raison du bruit que la deposante avoit sucité sur son mary, iceluy _Becquet_ fuetteroit le djt _Mesurier_, son mary, et elle, et les tueroit; qu'apres cela la deposante fut ches eux leur dire que ne les craignoit, ny luy ny elle, de ce qu'ils la menacoyent de tuer son mary et elle; qu'ayant la deposante un jour six grands poulets qui couroyent appres leur mere, ils sortirent de leur maison et revinent au soir; et un à un se mirent a saulter en hault contre la cheminée et manget la scie, qu'ils moururent tous un à un, à voy ...[B] comme ils sautoyent, jusques au dernier qui dura en vie jusqu'à une heure devant le jour qu'il mourut; que depuis que l'eurent declare à _Mr Deljsle_ et les eut menacés, il a amendé à son enfant et se porte bien.

[Footnote B: Illegible in the record.]

_Collas Rougier_ depose que son frere _Piere Rougier_ en mourant chargeoit _Collas Becquet_ de sa mort.

_Collas Hugues_ raport qu'estant en une nopsce y survint _Collas Becquet_ jouet avec sa belle-fille, laquelle le rebouta; et des le mesme soir elle fut frapée de telle facon qu'on pensoit qu'elle mourust à chacune heure; qu'elle est demeurée mechaignée de coste, et trouva un des sorcerots en son lict, qui pour lors furent monstrés à Messrs de Justice qui estoyent à tenir des veues à St. Pierre; que la djte fille tomboit quelque fois y terre toute aveuglée.

La femme du djt _Hugues_ depose tout de mesme que son mary.

_Jean De Garis_, fils _Guillaume_, depose qu'il y a viron deux ou trois ans qu'ayant presté quelque argent sur un gage à _Collas Becquet_, luy demandant son argent, ou qu'il feroit ventiller son gage; luy repartit le djt _Becquet_ à feray donc ventiller autre chose; qu'estant le djt _de Garis_ arivé en sa maison, trouva la fille malade et affligée; qu'ils trouverent des sorcerots et aultres brouilleries par plusieurs fois à l'oreiller de leur enfant; mais que la mere du djt _Becquet_ estant venue en la maison du djt _de Garis_, luy donna à boire de l'eau et la moitié d'un pain comme avoit esté conseillé de faire; depuis ne trouverent plus rien à l'oreiller du djt enfant; toutesfois pour eviter les djts sorcerots, ont toujours depuis couché leur enfant sur la paille; croit que ce mal leur ariva par leur moyen.

_Mr Thomas de Ljsle_ depose que _Thomas Brouart_, qui demeure en sa maison, ayant appellé le fils de _Collas Becquet_, sorcier, il arriva qu'il fut un jour trouvé au lict du djt _Thomas_ grand nombre de vers, et les ayant le djt _Sieur de Ljsle_ veus, les jugea comme une formioniere, tant estoyent mouvans et espais, et à peine en peuvent vuider le dit enfant, l'ayant mis en plusieurs endroits; qu'appres fut le djt enfant accueillis de poulx de telle maniere que quoyque luy changeassent des chemises et habits tous les jours ne l'en pouvoyent franchir; et qu'ayant le djt _Thomas Brouart_ un corset tout neuf, fut tellement couvert de poulx qu'on n'auroit peu cognoistre le drap, et fut contraint le faire jetter parmy les choux; surquoy fait menacer aultre _Massi_ de la batre si elle ne s'abstenoit d'ainsy traiter son enfant; qu'estant revenu trouva le djt corset parmis les choux denue de poulx, lesquels du depuis ont quitté le djt _Brouart_.

_Jacques le Mesurier_ depose qu'il y a viron deux ou trois ans qu'il rencontra _Collas Becquet_ et _Perot Massi_, quj avoyent du poisson, et d'aultant qu'ils lui debvoyent de l'argent, il voulut prendre de leur poisson à rabatre, mais ne luy en voulant bailler, eurent quelque dispute; sur quoy l'un des djts _Becquet_ ou _Massi_ le menacerent qu'il s'en repentiroit; qu'au bout de deux ou trois jours il fut saisi d'un mal que le brusloit, et quelques fois devenoit tout morfondu, sans qu'on le peust eschauffer, et sans aulcune relache; qu'il fut en ces tourments pres d'un mois. _Collas Becquet_ entendit que le deposant le chargeoit d'estre causte de son mal, et menacoit qu'il tueroit le djt deposant; mais bientost appres fut le djt deposant guery; dit de cuider et de croire les djts _Becquet_ et _Massy_, ou un d'iceux, fut cause de son mal.

DEPOSITIONS AGAINST COLLAS BECQUET.

_MAY 17, 1617._

_Susanne Le Tellier_, widow of _Pierre Rougier_, deposed that after her husband was dead she found witches' spells in his bed; and that while he was upon his said deathbed he complained of being bewitched by _Collas Becquet_, with whom he had had a quarrel, and who during the quarrel told him he would repent of it; whereupon he was taken with ...[A], whereof he was ill for twelve days; they also found forty-four witches' spells in her child's pillow, some of which were made like hedgehogs, others round like apples, and others again flat like the palm of the hand; and they were of hempen thread twisted with feathers.

[Footnote A: Illegible in the record.]

_Susanne_, wife of _Jean Le Messurier_, deposed that her husband and _Collas Becquet_ had angry words together one day; they had an infant about six weeks old, and as she was undressing it in the evening to put it to bed, there fell upon the stomach of the said infant, a black beast which melted away as soon as it fell, so that although she carefully sought for it, she could never discover what had become of it; immediately afterwards the infant was taken ill and would not suck, but was much tormented; being advised to look into the said infant's pillow, she found there several witches' spells sewn with thread; these she took out and carefully dressed all the feathers in the pillow; yet when she examined it again a week afterwards, she found there a black bean with a hole in it; of which, the said _Becquet_ hearing that he was suspected, his wife came to witness's house while the said _Becquet_ was at sea, and told her that on account of the rumour which witness had raised about her husband, he the said _Becquet_ would thrash the said _Messurier_, her husband, and herself, and would kill them; after that, witness went to their house to say they were not afraid either of him or her, or of their threats to kill her husband and her; witness had six big chickens which ran after their mother, going out of the house in the morning and returning at night; and one by one they began to jump up against the chimney and eat the soot, so that they all died one after the other, ...[B] as they jumped, until the last one which remained alive up to one hour of daybreak, when it died; after they had told this to _Mr. de Lisle_, and he had threatened the people, her infant recovered and remained well.

[Footnote B: Illegible in the record.]

_Collas Rougier_ deposed that his brother _Pierre Rougier_ when dying charged _Collas Becquet_ with causing his death.

_Collas Hugues_ reported that being at a wedding, _Collas Becquet_ arrived there, and began to toy with his daughter-in-law, who repelled his advances; the very same evening she was taken ill in such a manner that they thought she would have died from one hour to another; besides which she remained under the charm, and they found one of the witches' spells in her bed, which was shown to the Members of the Court, who were making an inspection at St. Peter's; the said girl sometimes fell to the ground quite blinded.

The wife of the said _Hugues_ deposed to exactly the same as her husband.

_Jean de Garis_, son of _William_, deposed that about two or three years ago, having lent some money on pledge to _Collas Becquet_, he asked him for the money, or else for a verification of his security; when the said _Becquet_ replied that he would let him know what his security was; the said _de Garis_ having then returned home, found his daughter sick and afflicted; they found witches' spells and other conjurations several times in their child's pillow; but the mother of the said _Becquet_ having come to the said _de Garis's_ house, he gave her a drink of water and half-a-loaf of bread, as he had been advised to do; since which time they had found nothing more in the child's pillow; however to avoid all risk of the said witches' spells they had always since then let their child sleep upon straw; he fully believed that this evil had come upon them by their means.

_Mr. Thomas de Lisle_ deposed that _Thomas Brouart_, who resided in his house, having called the son of _Collas Becquet_ a wizard, it happened that there was one day found in the said _Thomas's_ bed a great number of maggots, which the said _Sieur de Lisle_ saw, and compared to an ant-hill, so lively and thick were they, and they could hardly clear the said child of them, although they put it in different places; afterwards the said child gathered lice in such a manner that although its shirts and clothes were changed every day they could not free it; the said _Thomas Brouart_ also had a brand new vest, which was so covered with lice that it was impossible to see the cloth, and he was compelled to have it thrown among the cabbages; upon which he went and threatened _Massi's_ wife that he would beat her if she did not abstain from thus treating his child; and on returning he found the said vest among the cabbages clear of lice, which had also since then quitted the said _Brouart_.

_Jacques le Mesurier_ deposed that about two or three years ago he met _Collas Becquet_ and _Perot Massi_, who had some fish and who moreover owed him money; he wished to take some of their fish at a reduced price, but they would not agree to it, and they quarrelled; whereupon one of the two, either _Becquet_ or _Massi_, threatened him that he would repent of it; and at the end of two or three days, he was seized with a sickness in which he first burnt like fire and then was benumbed with cold so that nothing would warm him, and this without any cessation; he suffered in this way for nearly a month. _Collas Becquet_ heard that witness charged him with being the cause of his sickness, and he threatened that he would kill witness; but very soon afterwards the said witness was cured; and he affirms and believes that the said _Becquet_ and _Massy_, or one of them, was the cause of his attack.

* * * * *

NOTE ON THE GUERNSEY RECORDS.

The Records at the Guernsey _Greffe_, from which the foregoing confessions and depositions have been transcribed, and whence the following list of accusations is compiled, are of a very voluminous character. In fact there is enough matter in them, connected with Witchcraft alone, to fill at least a couple of thick octavo volumes. There is, however, so much sameness in the different cases, and such a common tradition running through the whole, that the present excerpts give a very fair idea of the features which characterise the mass. While some of these Records are tolerably complete, the greater part of them unfortunately are fragmentary and imperfect. The books in which they were originally written seem to have been formed of a few sheets of paper stitched together. Then at some later period a number of these separate sections--in a more or less tattered condition--were gathered into volumes and bound together in vellum. It is evident, however, that very little care was exercised in their arrangement in chronological order. The consequence is that one portion of a trial sometimes occurs in one part of a volume, and the rest in another part; sometimes the depositions alone seem to have been preserved; sometimes the confessions; while in many cases the sentences pronounced are all that can now be discovered. Nevertheless these old Records enshrine much that is interesting, and very well deserve a more exhaustive analysis than they have ever yet received. There are also in the margins of these volumes, scores of pen-and-ink sketches of a most primitive description, depicting the carrying out of the various rigours of the law. Rough and uncouth as these illustrations are, they nevertheless possess a good deal of graphic significance, and I hope to reproduce some of them in facsimile, in a future publication. They represent, for instance, culprits hanging on the gallows--sometimes two or three in a row--with a fire kindled underneath; others attached to stakes in the midst of the flames; others, again, racing away under the lash of the executioner, &c., &c., and thus form a most realistic comment on the judicial severities recorded in the text.

WITCHCRAFT TRIALS IN GUERNSEY,

From 1563 to 1634, a period of 71 years.

QUEEN ELIZABETH.--1558-1603.

HELIER GOSSELIN, Bailiff, 1550-1563.

_November 19th, 1563._

Gracyene Gousset, Catherine Prays, Collette Salmon, wife of Collas Dupont,

Condemned to death and the Royal pardon refused.

_December 17th, 1563._

Françoise Regnouff, Martin Tulouff,

Condemned to death and the Royal pardon refused.

_December 22nd, 1563._

Collette Gascoing.

This woman was found guilty, and the Royal pardon being
refused, she was whipped, had one of her ears cut off, and
was banished from the island.

THOMAS COMPTON, Bailiff, 1563-1572.

_July 30th, 1570._

Jeannette Du Mareesc,

Was banished for seven years.

_October 27th, 1570._

Michelle Tourtell,

Banished from the island.

_November 3rd, 1570._

Coliche Tourtell, James de la Rue,

Both banished from the island.

_November 10th, 1570._

Lorenche Faleze, wife of Henry Johan,

Banished from the island.

_November 17th, 1570._

Thomasse Salmon. Marie Gauvein, wife of Ozouet.

Both these women were whipped, had each an ear cut off, and
were banished from the island.

GUILLAUME BEAUVOIR, Bailiff, 1572-1581.

No prosecutions for Witchcraft seem to have taken place
during his tenure of office.

THOMAS WIGMORE, Bailiff, 1581-1588.

_1583._

Collas de la Rue.

The result of this trial is uncertain.

LOUIS DEVYCKE, Bailiff, 1588-1600.

No Witchcraft prosecutions during his term of office.

KING JAMES I.--1603-1625.

AMICE DE CARTERET, Bailiff, 1601-1631.

_1611._

Marie Rolland.

The result of this trial is uncertain.

_June 11th, 1613._

Oliver Omont, Cecille Vaultier, wife of Omont, Guillemine, their daughter,

Were all banished from the island.

_July 17th, 1613._

Laurence Leustace, wife of Thomas Le Compte,

Banished from the island.

_July 4th, 1617._

Collette du Mont, widow of Jean Becquet. Marie, her daughter, wife of Pierre Massy. Isabel Becquet, wife of Jean Le Moygne.

All three women, after being found guilty, confessed under
torture, and were then hanged and burnt.

_August 8th, 1617._

Michelle Jervaise, widow Salmon. Jeanne Guignon, wife of J. de Callais, and two of her children.

These four persons were hanged and burnt, after being put to
the question.

_October 17th, 1617._

Marie de Callais. Philipine le Parmentier, widow of Nicolle, of Sark.

These two women were hanged and burnt, after being
previously put to the question.

_November 25th, 1617._

Thomasse de Calais, wife of Isaac le Patourel,

Banished from the island.

_November 25th, 1617._

Christine Hamon, wife of Etienne Gobetell.

This woman was banished from the island, but returned on May
6th, 1626, when she was again arrested and sentenced to
death. She was hanged July 21st, 1626.

_August 1st, 1618._

Jean de Callais, together with his son, and servants.

All these were charged with practicing Witchcraft, and were
sent out of the island.

_December, 1618._

Jean Nicolle, of Sark,

Being found guilty, was whipped, had an ear cut off, and was
banished from the island.

_May 1st, 1619._

Pierre Massi,

Condemned to be hanged. He, however, contrived to get out of
prison and drowned himself.

_August 7th, 1619._

Jeanne Behot,

Banished from the island.

_April 22nd, 1620._

Girete Parmentier, Jeanne Le Cornu, widow of Collas le Vallois.

These two women were banished.

_May 8th, 1622._

Collette de l'Estac, wife of Thomas Tourgis. Collette Robin. Catherine Hallouris, widow Heaulme.

These three women were hanged and burnt, after being put to
the question.

_October 17th, 1622._

Thomas Tourgis, of the Forest. Jeanne Tourgis, his daughter. Michelle Chivret, wife of Pierre Omont.

All three were burnt alive.

_October 19th, 1622._

Jean Le Moigne. Guillemine la Bousse.

This man and woman were set at liberty.

_November 30th, 1622._

Perine Marest, wife of Pierre Gauvin,

Banished, together with her husband and children.

_October 3rd, 1623._

Etienne Le Compte,

Hanged and burnt.

_May 28th, 1624._

Marguerite Tardif, wife of P. Ozanne,

Set at liberty.

_June 4th, 1624._

Ester Henry, wife of Jean de France.

This woman was burnt alive. The sentence states that her
flesh and bones are to be reduced to ashes and scattered by
the winds, as being unworthy of any sepulture.

_July 16th, 1624._

Collette la Gelée.

This woman was hanged and burnt.

_October 22nd, 1624._

Jean Quaripel,

Hanged and burnt.

KING CHARLES I.--1625-1649.

_July 23rd, 1625._

Elizabeth, wife of Pierre Duquemin,

Banished for 7 years.

_August 11th, 1626._

Jeanne de Bertran, wife of Jean Thomas,

Hanged and burnt.

_August 12th, 1626._

Marie Sohier, wife of J. de Garis,

Hanged and burnt.

_November 10th, 1626._

Judith Alexander, of Jersey, wife of Pierre Jehan,

Hanged and burnt.

_August 25th, 1627._

Job Nicolle, of Sark,

Condemned to perpetual banishment.

_January 16th, 1629._

Anne Blampied, wife of Thomas Heaulme, of the Forest. Thomas Heaulme, of the Forest.

Both banished for seven years.

_May 1st, 1629._

Marguerite Picot (l'Aubaine),

Hanged and burnt.

_August 7th, 1629._

Susanne Prudhome, wife of Guilbert, of the Castel,

Put to the question, hanged, and burnt.

JEAN DE QUETTEVILLE, Bailiff, 1631-1644.

_July 1st, 1631._

Jehan Nicolle, of Sark,

Set at liberty.

_July 15th, 1631._

Marie Mabile, wife of Pierre de Vauriouf. Thomas Civret.

Both were put to the question, hanged, and burnt.

_July 23rd, 1631._

Susanne Rouane, wife of Etienne Le Compte, Judith Le Compte, } Bertrane " } four daughters of the above. Ester " } Rachel " }

The mother was condemned to perpetual banishment from the
island, and the daughters were banished for fifteen years.

_October 1st, 1631._

Marie Mortimer, wife of François Chirret. Also her son.

Both were set at liberty.

_October 1st, 1631._

Vincente Canu, wife of André Odouère. Marie de Callais.

Both were set at liberty.

_December 10th, 1631._

Jehan Canivet. Renette de Garis, wife of Martin Maugeur. Elizabeth le Hardy, wife of Collas Deslandes. Simeone Mollett. Marie Clouet, wife of Pierre Beneste.

All the above were condemned to perpetual banishment.

_January 28th, 1634._

Jacob Gaudion, of Alderney,

Condemned to perpetual banishment.

_May 16th, 1634._

Marie Guillemotte, wife of Samuel Roland, known as Dugorne. Marie Rolland, her daughter.

The mother was hanged and burnt, and the daughter was
condemned to perpetual banishment.

THE STORY IN BRIEF

OF THE

GUILLE-ALLÈS LIBRARY,

GUERNSEY.

BY J. LINWOOD PITTS.

In concluding the editorial duties connected with the issue of this fourth volume of the "Guille-Allès Library Series," it seems to me that the time is an opportune one for adding some short account of the origin and foundation of the noble Institution from which the "Series" takes its name. The Guille-Allès Library is proving such an immense boon to our little insular community, that very naturally, many inquiries are from time to time made--especially by strangers--as to how its existence came about.

In order to answer these questions we must go as far back as the year 1834. At that time Mr. Guille--who is a Guernseyman by birth--was but a boy of sixteen, and had been two years in America. He was serving his apprenticeship with a well-known firm in New York, and he enjoyed the privilege of access to a very extensive library in that city, founded by a wealthy corporation known as _The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen_. The pleasure and profit which he derived from this source were so great, and made such a deep impression upon his mind that, young as he was, he formed the resolution that if his future life proved prosperous, and his position enabled him to do so, he would one day found a similar institution in his own little native island of Guernsey. Throughout the whole of his future career this intention was present with him; and commencing at once,--in spite of his then very limited means--to purchase books which should form a nucleus for the anticipated collection, he began to lay the foundation of the literary treasures which crowd the shelves of the Guille-Allès Library to-day. At the age of twenty, when out of his apprenticeship, he found himself the possessor of several hundreds of volumes of standard works, many of which are now in the Library, and upon which he must naturally look with peculiar and very legitimate pleasure, as being the corner stones of the subsequent splendid superstructure.

Business affairs prospered with Mr. Guille. As time rolled on he was taken into partnership with the firm, as was also his friend and fellow-countryman, Mr. F.M. Allès, and his increasing prosperity enabled him to put his cherished project into more tangible shape. While on a visit to Guernsey in 1851, he wrote a few articles in the _Gazette Officielle_, with the view of drawing public attention to the importance of forming district or parish libraries. These articles attracted the notice of _The Farmers' Club_, an association of intelligent country gentlemen who met at the Castel. Their secretary, the late Mr. Nicholas Le Beir, wrote to Mr. Guille at the request of the members, informing him of their appreciation of his views, and of his having been elected an honorary member of their association, in token of their esteem. They had previously elected in a similar way the famous French poet Béranger, and also Guernsey's national bard, the late Mr. George Métivier. Mr. Guille accepted the honour, and the correspondence which ensued resulted in his offering his collection of books--supplemented by a considerable sum of money--towards forming the commencement of such libraries as he had been advocating. Nothing, however, really definite was done until Mr. Guille's next visit to Guernsey in 1855-6, when after consultation with that devoted friend of education, the late Mr. Peter Roussel, a meeting of a few friends--including Mr. Roussel and his venerable mother, Mr. Guille, Judge Clucas, Mr. Le Beir, and Mr. Henry E. Marquand--who were known to be favourable to the project was held, several handsome subscriptions were promised, Mr. Guille renewed his offer previously made to _The Farmers' Club_, and a workable scheme was matured.

THE GUILLE LIBRARY,

for so the Committee decided to name the undertaking, consequently commenced its useful career in 1856. The collection of books was divided into five sections, which were placed in separate cases, and located at convenient distances about the island--where they were taken charge of by friends--the largest being reserved for the town. The intention was to exchange these cases in rotation, and so establish a circulating library in the most comprehensive sense of the term. But this was, in reality, never carried out, for after the volumes had been read in their respective stations, they were returned to their places, and left to slumber unused, until Mr. Guille once more came to the island in 1867, with the intention of remaining permanently, and he then had them all brought to town and arranged in one central _depôt_.

Mr. Guille also opened a branch Reading-room and Library at St. Martin's, in the hope of being able thereby to draw the young men of the parish from the degrading attractions of the public house. For three years he kept this comfortable room open, while in winter and summer neither rain nor storm prevented him from being present there every evening to personally superintend the undertaking. Ultimately, however, he found the strain too much for his health, and he discontinued the branch so as to concentrate more attention upon the central establishment in town.

For five-and-twenty years, from 1856 to 1881, Mr. Guille worked steadily and unostentatiously at the benevolent enterprise which he had inaugurated. Death removed several of his early coadjutors, and for many years he bore all the financial burdens and toiled on single-handed and alone. What was still more discouraging was that he unfortunately had to encounter for a very long time an almost incredible amount of mental supineness on the part of those whom he was so disinterestedly seeking to benefit. It was not as though any desire for knowledge existed among the mass of the Guernsey people, and he only had to assume the pleasant duty of satisfying that desire. Such a desire did not exist. Many of the people not only never had read any books but they flatly declined to begin. Mr. Guille felt that this deplorable attitude ought to be combatted, and he therefore persevered in the thankless and difficult task of trying in the first place to create the want, and in the second place to satisfy it. A quarter-of-a-century's earnest effort in a good cause, however, cannot fail to produce some fruit, and within the last three or four years much brighter days have dawned. Mr. Guille's lifelong friend and former business partner, Mr. F.M. Allès,--who had often previously substantially assisted him,--has latterly thoroughly associated himself with the work, and the result is that the rudimentary scheme of 1856 has at length culminated in the splendid

GUILLE-ALLÈS LIBRARY,

which was thrown open to the public in the old Assembly Rooms, on the 2nd of January, 1882, and bears on its portal the appropriate motto: _Ingredere ut proficias_--"Enter that thou mayst profit." How admirably this fine Institution is fulfilling its mission is well-known to all who frequent it. It already contains a collection of over 35,000 volumes--to which constant additions are being made--of valuable and standard works in all branches of science, literature and art, both in the French and English languages, besides numerous works in German, Italian, Greek, Latin, &c. It has a commodious Reading-room, well supplied with journals and periodical publications; while a Society of Natural Science has also been inaugurated and meets in connection with it. The Guernsey Mechanics' Institution--after an existence of just half-a-century--was absorbed into it at the close of 1881; and the Library of the _Société Guernesiaise_--founded in 1867--now finds a home on its shelves. The subscription for membership is merely nominal, and Messrs. Guille and Allès have made arrangements to endow the Institution with such ample funds as shall secure in perpetuity the many benefits which it is conferring upon the island.

THE FUTURE OF THE INSTITUTION

is therefore fully assured and its wants provided for. The spacious new buildings which have been for many months in process of erection are now (December, 1885) rapidly approaching completion. They comprise a spacious and handsome Lecture Hall, capable of seating from 250 to 300 persons; a Book-room 63-ft. by 25-ft., exclusively for the lending department, and which will accommodate on its shelves from 45,000 to 50,000 additional volumes--with a large anteroom for the convenience of the subscribers. The present Reading-room will then be used for a Reference Library and Students' Consulting and Reading-room. There are also a General Reading-room, a Working Men's Reading-room, and numerous apartments suitable for Class-rooms and Committee-rooms. The roof of the original building has been reconstructed and raised so as to form a suite of rooms 100-ft. long, 24-ft. wide, and 10-ft. high. Lighted from the top these are specially adapted for the exhibition of objects of interest, pictures, or for a local museum. A convenient residence for the Librarian is arranged in a separate building, which is extended so as to provide on the ground floor convenient rooms for the reception and storing of books and for the special work of the Librarians.

When the Library was first removed to the Assembly Rooms, the premises were leased from the States, who had purchased them in 1870. Subsequently, however, in December, 1883, Messrs. Guille and Allès purchased the Rooms from the States for £900 British, and afterwards bought from the Parish the plot of land behind the Rooms--which belonged to the Rectory--and upon which they have now built the spacious new premises above-mentioned. As soon as these extensions are available, the founders purpose inaugurating comprehensive courses of popular illustrated lectures on physical science, economic products, natural history, microscopic science, literary subjects, &c., which will appeal at once to the eye and the understanding, and impart a large amount of very useful knowledge in an easy and agreeable way. There will also be classes in various subjects, including the French, German and Italian languages, drawing, music, &c., &c., all of which will be open to girls as well as boys, women as well as men. In an island like Guernsey, where from the smallness of the community many of the young people necessarily have to go and seek their fortunes abroad, the advantages for self-culture offered by an Institution like this can scarcely be over-rated. The local facilities afforded for the acquisition of French are particularly marked, while it cannot for a moment be doubted that a young man or woman who can use both French and English with fluency, is much better equipped for the battle of life than is a person knowing only one of these languages. Whatever intellectual needs may become apparent in the people, these the Guille-Allès Library will set itself to supply. Its founders, indeed, are especially anxious that there should be no hard and fast barriers about its settlement, which might cramp its expansion or fetter its usefulness. On the contrary they desire--while adhering, of course, to certain main lines of intellectual activity--to imbue it with such elasticity of adaptation as will enable it to successfully grapple with the changing necessities of changing times. The chief wants of to-day may not necessarily be the most pressing requisites of a century hence. Therefore, one of the greatest essentials--and at the same time one of the greatest difficulties--in a foundation like this, is to provide for and combine within it such a fixity of principle and such an adaptability of administration as shall enable it to keep pace with the progress of the ages, and suit itself to the several requirements of succeeding generations as they pass.

COST AND ENDOWMENT.

The cost of carrying out this great enterprise--including the erection of buildings, purchase of books, fittings, &c.--has already amounted to between £15,000 and £20,000, and the outlay shows no signs of cessation. In addition to these expenses there is the Endowment Fund already referred to, and for this the munificent donors intend to set apart a sum to which the above amount bears but a small proportion. So that altogether the community will be indebted to them for an educational foundation worth a magnificent figure in money value alone, while besides this, we must not forget the long years of thoughtful care and of self-denying energy involved in maturing these splendid projects, or the healthy mental and moral stimulus which the conduct of these patriotic gentlemen has supplied.

PRESENTATION OF PORTRAITS.

A very pleasing ceremony took place on Wednesday, December 17th, 1884, at St. Julian's Hall, when His Excellency Major-General Sarel, C.B., Lieut.-Governor, presented Messrs. Guille and Allès with their portraits on behalf of a numerous body of subscribers resident in all parts of the island, and also in Paris, New York, and Brooklyn. A public meeting had been called on the 4th of February previous, when an influential Committee was appointed; about £227 was speedily raised, and then Mr. Frank Brooks was commissioned to paint two life-size portraits in oil, which gave great satisfaction when finished, and are now hung in the Library. Julius Carey, Esq., Chief Constable (Mayor) of St. Peter-Port, as President of the Portrait Committee, opened the proceedings, by briefly narrating the circumstances which had called the meeting together.

His Excellency then, after a few preliminary remarks, said:--

He must express the very great pleasure which he felt in
being present on such an interesting occasion, when the
whole community were testifying their appreciation of the
noble Library which had been founded for their benefit.
Indeed he felt it a great honour to have been asked to
present these handsome portraits to Messrs. Guille and
Allès. It would not be necessary for him to dwell at any
length on the antecedents of these gentlemen, who were
well-known in the island. Many years ago Mr. Guille went to
the United States, and there he found the advantages which
accrued from having access to a good library. He then
conceived the idea of one day bestowing a similar boon upon
his own native island, and this project he had been happily
spared to carry out. During his exile the thought had
remained ever with him; he had not allowed business to
engross all his attention; and now that he had returned once
more to settle down in the little rock-bound island-home of
his youth, he was reducing to practice the beneficent plans
of earlier years. He was not content to lead a life of ease
with the produce of his industry, but he had founded an
institution of incalculable value for the moral and
intellectual welfare of the isle. Then there was another
large-hearted Guernseyman, Mr. Allès, who determined that
his old friend Mr. Guille should not be left to carry out
his noble scheme alone. They had long been associated in
business enterprises, and they were now linked in the higher
bond of a common desire for the well-being of their
fellow-citizens. All honour to them for it. The Library told
its own story and needed no encomium. All it wanted was
constant readers and plenty of them, and he could not too
strongly impress upon the people--and especially upon the
rising generation--the immense advantages they would derive
from availing themselves of its literary treasures. In
conclusion, it simply remained for him, on behalf of the
Committee and the Subscribers, to ask Messrs. Guille and
Allès to accept these paintings, which would show to future
generations of Guernseymen the form and features of two
public benefactors who had deserved so well of their country
and their kind.

Mr. Guille, in response, gave a very interesting address in English, and Mr. Allès followed with an equally appropriate and practical speech in French, both gentlemen being received with prolonged applause, and listened to by the numerous assembly with the most interested attention.

Brief complimentary addresses were then delivered by Edgar MacCulloch, Esq., F.S.A., Bailiff (Chief Magistrate) of Guernsey, and by F.J. Jeremie, Esq., M.A., Jurat of the Royal Court, and the proceedings terminated with a hearty vote of thanks to the Lieut.-Governor, proposed by the Very Rev. Carey Brock, M.A., Dean of Guernsey.

A brass plate attached to Mr. Guille's portrait bears the following inscription:--

Presented to THOMAS GUILLE, Esq., by his numerous friends, in recognition of the great benefit he has conferred upon the inhabitants of his native Island as one of the Founders of the Guille-Allès Library.

Guernsey, 17 December, 1884.

A similar plate, bearing the name of Mr. Frederick Mansell Allès, is attached to his portrait.

Note.--The Assembly Rooms were built by private subscription
in 1782, at a cost of about £2,500, and had therefore been
in existence exactly a century when they passed into the
hands of Messrs. Guille and Allès in 1882. During this long
period they were the fashionable _foyer_ of the Island's
festivity and gaiety, and formed the scene of many a
brilliant gathering.

* * * * *

A. DE GRUCHY & Co.

THE

OLDEST AND LARGEST HOUSE

IN THE

CHANNEL ISLANDS.

ESTABLISHED 1810.

GENERAL DRAPERY DEPARTMENTS
50 and 52, KING STREET,
2 and 6, KING'S ARCADE.

_TAILORING and GENTLEMEN'S_ OUTFITTING DEPARTMENTS

46 and 48, KING STREET, and
1, KING'S ARCADE.

FURNISHING DEPARTMENT

50, KING STREET,
10, KING'S ARCADE, and
NEW STREET.

Furnishing Ironmongery Department

5, KING'S ARCADE.

ST. HELIER'S, JERSEY.

* * * * *

GUERNSEY.

VAL-NORD BANK HOUSE

Classical and Mathematical School

MR. CHAMBERLAIN, PRINCIPAL. MONS. H. FRANÇOIS, FRENCH PROFESSOR. MISS LANE, AFTERNOON JUNIOR CLASS.

The object Mr. Chamberlain has in view is to supply a thoroughly liberal Education. The general School Course comprises Biblical History, Ancient History, the History and Literature of our own Country; the Greek, Latin and French Languages; Geometrical, Isometrical, Architectural and Landscape Drawing; Euclid, Algebra and Trigonometry; Navigation, Geography and Mapping; the use of the Globes, both table and high-standing; Land Surveying, Mensuration, Book-keeping, English Grammar, Composition with Précis-writing and Analysis; and such branches of Natural Science as it may be practicable from time to time to introduce into the School teaching.

The classification of the School, and the System adopted, secure all the advantages of emulation and honourable rivalry.

THE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE DEPARTMENT.--Familiar Lectures are given occasionally during the Winter Months on Electricity, Galvanism, Magnetism, Chemistry, Telegraphy and Printing.

ELECTRICITY.--Is shown and explained by the use of a large Plate Glass Electrifying Machine, next in size smaller than the one at the Royal Polytechnic, with all the apparatus required.

CHEMISTRY.--The Elucidation of Principles and the explanation of Chemical Phenomena are made as clear and concise as possible, by many experiments.

MAGNETISM.--This is so very instructive a branch of Science that many experiments are well understood by the Pupils, both in the use of the Natural Magnet and the Electro-Magnet.

GALVANISM.--There are several Galvanic Batteries in use, so that the Boys accustomed to them can readily apply a particular sort to any experiment.

TELEGRAPHY.--Communication is carried on at any distance chosen, or from one part of the house to another.

PRINTING.--This is likewise thoroughly explained by the use of a Press and all the apparatus attached, including several cases of Type.

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN, having full command of the School of Science Department, is enabled, without engaging the services of Professional Men (who generally make a very high charge), to give suitable Lectures without increasing the Fees as contained below.

Parents will thus see that the lectures _being both amusing and instructive_ must be conducive to the _expansion of the mind_, at the same time making an _agreeable change_ in the general School routine.

SCHOOL FEES:

For Pupils above 10 years of age 8 Guineas per Annum. " " under 10 " " 6 " "

EXTRAS.--PER ANNUM.

French 1 Guinea. Painting 6 Guineas. Drawing 4 Guineas. Music and German [Transcriber's Note: missing]

HOURS FROM 9 TO 12 A.M. AND FROM 1 TO 3 P.M.

_Three Months' notice will be required previous to the Removal of a Pupil._

* * * * *

JUST PUBLISHED.