George Harbin's copy.- Witchcraft, New England.- Hutchinson (Francis) An Historical essay concerning witchcraft, first edition, half-title, final advertisement f., occasional spotting or staining, lightly browned, contemporary blind-stamped panelled calf, joints splitting, but holding firm, spine ends little chipped, one lower corner worn, lower cover scuffed, rubbed, [Howes 848; Sabin 34063; ESTC T99484], 8vo, Printed for R. Knaplock, at the Bishop's Head, and D. Midwinter, at the Three Crowns in St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1718.

⁂ Hutchinson (1660-1739) was an Anglican minister in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, which saw its own witch trials in 1599 and 1694. The present work helped debunk much of the superstition surrounding witchcraft. Chapter V is devoted to the New England witch trials (which resulted in 19 hangings), and includes an attack on Cotton Mather for his defence of the proceedings in his Wonders of the invisible world, 1693.

Provenance: George Harbin (c. 1665-1744), non-juror and historical writer, who was chaplain and librarian to Thomas Thynne, 1st Viscount Weymouth (ink surname to upper corner of front free endpaper); Edward Haywood (contemporary ink inscription to title).