the magistrates entered, in all their stern authority, and the scene opened on the 1st of March, 1692.  A minister, probably Mr. Parris, began, according to the custom of the times, with prayer.  From what we know of his skill and talent in meeting such occasions, it may well be supposed that his language and manner heightened still more the passions of the hour.  The marshal, of tall and imposing stature and aspect, accompanied by his constables, brought in the prisoners.  Sarah Good, a poverty-stricken, wandering, and wretched victim of ill-fortune and ill-usage, was put to the bar.  Every effort was made by the examining magistrate, aided by the officious interference of the marshal, or other deluded or evil-disposed persons,—­who, like him, were permitted to interpose with charges or abusive expressions,—­to overawe and confound, involve in contradictions, and mislead the poor creature, and force her to confess herself guilty and accuse others.  In due time, the “afflicted children” were brought in; and a scene ensued, such as no person in that crowd or in that generation had ever witnessed before.  Immediately on being confronted with the prisoner, and meeting her eye, they fell, as if struck dead, to the floor; or screeched in agony; or went into fearful spasms or convulsive fits; or cried out that they were pricked with pins, pinched, or throttled by invisible hands.  They were severally brought up to the prisoner, and, upon touching her person, instantly became calm, quiet, and fully restored to their senses.  With one voice they all declared that Sarah Good had thus tormented them, by her power as a witch in league with the Devil.  The truth of this charge, in the effect produced by the malign influence proceeding from her, was thus visible to all eyes.  All saw, too, how instantly upon touching her the diabolical effect ceased; the malignant fluid passing back, like an electric stream, into the body of the witch.  The spectacle was repeated once and again, the acting perfect, and the delusion consummated.  The magistrates and all present considered the guilt of the prisoner demonstrated, and regarded her as wilfully and wickedly obstinate in not at once confessing what her eyes, as well as theirs, saw.  Her refusal to confess was considered as the highest proof of her guilt.  They passed judgment against her, committed her to the marshal, who hurried her to prison, bound her with cords, and loaded her with irons; for it was thought that no ordinary fastenings could hold a witch.  Similar proceedings, with suitable variations, were had with Sarah Osburn and Tituba.  The confession of the last-named, the immediate relief thereafter of the afflicted children, and the dreadful torments which Tituba herself experienced, on the spot, from the unseen hand of the Devil wreaking vengeance upon her, put the finishing touch to the delusion.  The excitement was kept up, and spread far and wide, by the officers and magistrates riding in cavalcade, day after day, to and from the town and village; and by the constables, with their assistants, carrying their manacled prisoners from jail to jail in Ipswich, Salem, and Boston.