The unknown author of the 'Discourse upon Divils and Spirits' which was inserted into the 1665 edition of Reginald Scot's Discoverie of Witchcraft included an account of an astral spirit or familiar which worked like a brownie but seems to have talked rather like the spirits raised by dee whose conversation was reported by Meric Casaubon. The whole chapter is as unlike as possible to the sturdy scepticism shown by Scot, and well illustrates the uprise of credulity towards the end of the 17th century, when the belief in fairies and magic flickered high like a dying flame.

Luridan, a familiar [the author says], did for many years inhabit the Island Pomonia, the largest of the Orcades in Scotland, supplying the place of Man-servant and maid-servant with wonderful diligence to these Families whom he did haunt, sweeping their rooms, and washing their dishes and making their fires before any were up in the morning. This Luridan affirmed. That he was the Genius Astral, of that Island, that his place or residence in the dayes of Solomon and David was at Jerusalem; That then he was called by the Jewes Belelah, and after that he remained Long in the Dominion of Wales, instructing their Bards in Brittish Poesy and Prophesies, being called Urthin, Wadd, Elgin: And now said he, I have removed hither, and alas my continuance is but short, for in 70 years I must resigne my place to Balkin, Lord of the Northern Mountains.

[Motifs: F480; F482.5.4]