Solid historical background for a picaresque sort of story, with characters, customs, gossip, legend of 17th century England, New England and Barbadoes. The story of Samuel Parris, who had known the Plague in England, the Great Fire in London, friendship, death and romance. He comes to Boston to prepare for the ministry; he meets again the girl he had loved in England, now married; he has to go to the Barbadoes to take up his father's business -- and eventually he returns to New England to wed the widowed Elizabeth. The church calls him again, and in Salem his family becomes involved in the witchcraft storm. A good job. Should appeal to the Mason audience.