The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-04-15
superssisxea In the Hseaga 81 James the
Rlrst.

The reign OF James was abundant I'D
for the discovery Of gold and OF
hidden treasure by charms; and the general
prevalence of such belief may be imagln:
ed, when we find that David Ramsay, known
to our readers as the Kings matchmaker, in
the Fortunes of Nigel, having been told
that large quantity Of treasure was buried
in the cloisters of Westminster Abbey, beg
ged permission of Williams. then Dean, to
search for it. Williams, with the proviso |
that the church should have a share, gave
his consent. Now. David Ramsay did not
90 10 work in common manner, but. un
der the direction Of a cunning man, named
John Scott, he. with several others, en-
tered the eloisters with hazel rods. and ''play
ed them" On the west side the rods 'turned
the one over the other;" so, thinking that
the treasure was there, they began to dig,
but found only a coffin. Again and again
they tried. but were disappointed, until
David and his company, with ''hali1uart-
ern sack, to put the treasure in, were CON-
PEELED to return no richer than they came.
As John Scott had prophesied success, sui.
6cient excuse must be found, 50, as very
"blustering wind" arose before they hsd
finished, the demons, who were unwilling
the treasure should be discovered, determin-
ed their search should he in vuin. These
cunning men, who used the hazel rod, and
crystal, were most indignant at being con-
founded with wizards and "such slaves Of
the DEVIL" for they pretended 'to acquaint,
ance with angels" Such was old Mr..
William Hodges, under whom the aforesaid
John Scott studied John Scott al length
took his leave Of his msster, "being to re-
turn to London" to ge. married. Proba-
bly, anxious 10 test the skill Of old Mr.
William Hodges, he requested him to show
him his lady in the crystal. Hodges com
piled, and bede him say what he saw. "a
ruddy -complexioned wench, in RED waist
coat, drawing a can Of beer" is the reply.
"She must be your wife" said the owner
Of the crystal. "Never," replied the Scott;
81 am to marry a tall sentlewoman in the
Old Bailey" "You must marry the red
waistcoat," was the oraculsI decision. Away
went Scott, fully determined to take hi
own way; but when he arrived at the Ole
Bailey, he found the tall gentlewoman al
ready married. Two years passed; anc
then. on journey, going into an inn a
Canterbury. John Scott went by mistake
into the kitchen instead OF the sitting. room
and behold there was maiden in rec
waistcoat, drawing can OF beer! The star
had certainly led him thither; and who. il
the seventeenth century, could resist thei
influence? So John Scott "became suit
er" to red waistcoat, married her, and livet
very happy ever after, as the old stories say
In this case the prediction undoubtedl.
wrought its own fulflment, and this wa
often the case when 50 much faith was Join
ed to so much credulity. The belief in tn
power Of the crystal 10 foreshadow futur
; events was held, however. by many grav'
divine at this period. The bold and ambl
, tious mother Of James's last fayorite wa
believed, when mere humble dependau
in noble family. who have seen herself il
this magic mirror, blazing with gold an
gems, Just as she appeared at Whitehall
r when courted by the prouaest mobiles, an
= complimented by the king hin'self.-Brit
ist Quarterly.