ccused of magical practices before the Emperor,
and beheaded at Ephesus in the year 366.

CHAPTER XXIV.

Louis XI. and the Astrologer--A King's Enchanted
Cap--David I. and the Mysterious Stag--Merlin the
Magician--Prophecies concerning Queen Elizabeth and
Mary--Merlin's Mother--His mysterious Birth--Dragon
Caverns--Predictions of Evil--Strange Sights and
Sounds in the Air--Changing a King's Love--The Holy
Maid of Kent--Nobles put to Death for keeping company
with Sorcerers--James I. of England and the
Witches--His Queen in Danger--Marriage of the King and
Queen--Tranent Witches and Warlocks--Wise Wife of
Keith--Engagements to serve the Devil--Satan's Respect
of Persons--Two Hundred Witches sailing in
Sieves--Mischief at Sea--Raising Storms at Sea--Witch
and Warlock Convention at Newhaven--Meeting of Witches
at North Berwick--Dead Men's Joints used for Magical
Purposes--Witches tortured in Holyrood--The Devil's
Mark--Strange Confessions--Bothwell's Fortune
told--Witches and their Associates burned.

An astrologer told Louis XI. that a lady to whom he was fondly
attached would die in a few days, and the prediction was fulfilled.
The king caused the astrologer to be brought before him in an upper
chamber, and commanded the royal servants to throw the prophet out of
the window on a certain signal being given. As soon as the astrologer
was dragged before the king, the latter said, "You who pretend to be a
foreteller of events, and know so exactly the fate of others, tell me
instantly when and in what way your end will come." "Sire," replied
the astrologer, knowing he had much to fear, but without displaying
alarm, "I shall die just three days before your Majesty." On hearing
this the king's countenance changed from rage to concern, if not
alarm; and instead of giving the signal of death, he dismissed the
astrologer in peace, heaped honours on him, and took special care to
prolong his life.

King Erricus of Sweden publicly confessed that he was a magician. He
had an enchanted cap, which he pretended enabled him to control
spirits, and to turn the wind into any direction he pleased. So firmly
did his subjects believe in his supernatural powers, that when a storm
arose they would exclaim, "Ah! the king has got on his magic cap."

David I. founded the abbey of Holyrood. By tradition we are informed
that, i