One day the Devil came to Antrim to claim Reverend Alexander Colville's soul, and the price for his wealthy lifestyle had to be paid in full. When the Old One arrived at the cleric's house, he was found reading the Bible by the light of a single candle. The Reverend asked the Devil to wait until the candle had fully burnt down and gone out. Not realising it was a trick, Old Nick agreed, because after all, he had all the time in the world. Colville immediately snuffed out the half burnt candle and placed it between the pages of the Bible where the Devil could not touch it. He then locked the book and the stub of the candle in a chest where he kept his hoard of gold coins. Frustrated, the Devil was forced to leave the house having failed to get the soul promised to him. When the Rev. Dr Colville died his will stated that the unburnt candle in the Bible should be placed in his coffin. And so in this manner the clergyman even cheated the Devil after death.
Irish history reveals a procession of accused and actual sorcerers, witches, and magicians such as Colville who used their powers to conjure spirits and work deeds of the Black Art. The fifth volume in Michael Howard's "Witchcraft in the British Isles" series, IRISH WITCHES, MAGICIANS AND FAERIES examines the sorcery and witchcraft of the Emerald Isle, as well as its vast array of colorful practitioners among whose ranks include Dame Alice Kyteler, known as 'The Noble Sorceress.'
