in law, is either actual, where a person actually enters into lands or tenements defended or conveyed to him; or where lands are defended to a person, and he has not yet entered into them. A long possession is much favoured by the law as an argument of right, even though no deed can be shown, and it is more regarded than an ancient deed without possession.

If he that is out of possession of land brings an action, he must prove an undeniable title to it; and when a person would recover anything of another, it is not sufficient to destroy the title of the person in possession without he can prove that his own right is better than his.

In order to make possession lawful upon an entry, the former possessor and his servants are to be removed from off the premises entered on; but a person by leave and release is in possession without making any entry upon the lands.

Scots law. See Law, Part III., No. clxii., 11., &c.

Demoniacal Possession. (See Daemon and Demoniacs.) In the third volume of the Manchester Transactions, there is a paper on popular illusions or medical demonology by Dr Ferriar. He informs us in a note, that, on the 13th of June 1788, George Lukins of Yatton in Somersetshire was exorcised in the temple church at Bristol, and delivered from the possession of seven devils by the efforts of seven clergymen. An account of his deliverance was published in several of the public papers, authenticated by the Reverend Mr Enderbrook, vicar of the temple church in Bristol.—Dr Ferriar gives us the following particulars, extracted from this account, which we shall here insert.

"Lukins was first attacked by a kind of epileptic fit, when he was going about acting Christmas plays, or numerics: this he ascribed to a blow given by an invisible hand. He was afterwards seized by fits; during which he declared, with a roaring voice, that he was the devil, and sung different songs in a variety of keys. The fits always began and ended with a strong agitation." Post, a stake or piece of timber set upright. Posts are used both in building and in fencing ground. In brick-buildings much of the strength of the fabric depends on the nature of the posts; as it is through them that the several parts are sustained and held together. The corner posts are called the principal posts; those formed into brewhouses between principal posts for strengthening the carcass of the house are called the prick-posts. Posts which are to be set in the ground ought to be well seasoned and coated to preserve them from rotting; burning the downward end has been recommended as an excellent preservative, but a coating of pitch or tar, particularly the late invented coal-tar, can be most safely relied upon. For the various uses to which posts may be applied, and the form and species of them fitted to be employed in each case, see the articles Architecture, Joining, Gardening, House, Fence, &c. In architecture and sculpture posts are a term used to denote certain ornaments formed after the manner of rolls or wreathings.