Hoxton.
_Covines_ (Vol. iv., p. 208.).--A. N.'s inquiry for a reference not
having been answered, I beg to name Sir Walter Scott's _Demonology and
Witchcraft_, p. 206.; or, if he desires to "sup full of horrors,"
Pitcairn's _Criminal Trials in Scotland_, vol. iv. Appendix, p. 602.,
where the confessions of the witches of Aulderne are given at length. It
appears by these confessions that a _covine_ consists of thirteen
witches ("the Deil's dozen?"), of whom two are officials, the _Maiden of
the Covine_, who sits next the Deil, and with whom he leads off the
dance (called _Gillatrypes_), and the _officer_, who, like the crier in
a court of justice, calls the witches at the door, when the Deil calls
the names from his book.
_Covine_ is conventus. _Covent_ Garden. See Dr. Jamieson on the word
_Covine-tree_.