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Francis Hutchinson (1660-1739), a British clergyman, studied several cases of witchcraft and witch trials, criticising some procedures. He opposed the idea that children and young teenagers acted as accusers in cases of bewitching after having reached the conclusion that they feigned demon possession and several innocents had died for that reason. The present book is credited with contributing to the end of the persecution of witches in England. With the ownership signature of Sir Robert Throckmorton, Bart., to the top of the title-page, his bookplate on front free endpaper. In the middle of the title is the early signature of Robt.(?) Walton.