initial commit of ebook 31341HEADmain

1 files changed, 6181 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/31341-8.txt b/31341-8.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7f2eda6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/31341-8.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,6181 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Apparitions; or, The Mystery of Ghosts,
+Hobgoblins, and Haunted Houses Developed, by Joseph Taylor
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Apparitions; or, The Mystery of Ghosts, Hobgoblins, and Haunted Houses Developed
+
+Author: Joseph Taylor
+
+Release Date: February 21, 2010 [EBook #31341]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK APPARITIONS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Bryan Ness, S.D., and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was
+produced from scanned images of public domain material
+from the Google Print project.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+APPARITIONS;
+
+OR,
+
+THE MYSTERY OF
+
+Ghosts, Hobgoblins,
+
+AND
+
+HAUNTED HOUSES,
+
+_DEVELOPED_.
+
+***
+
+"Animum rege."
+
+
+
+
+     "This Collection of Stories is well chosen, and affords a
+     fund of amusement that is cheap at the price of five
+     shillings. By putting such a book as this into the hands of
+     children, parents will more effectually guard their minds
+     against weak credulity, than by grave philosophic
+     admonition."                _Monthly Review, October 1814._
+
+
+Printed by Macdonald and Son, Cloth Fair, Smithfield
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration:
+
+H Corbould _delint_ C Knight _sculpt_ 1814
+
+_The Haunted Beach._]
+
+
+
+
+  APPARITIONS;
+
+  OR, THE MYSTERY OF
+  Ghosts,
+  _Hobgoblins_, _and Haunted Houses_,
+  DEVELOPED.
+
+  BEING A COLLECTION OF
+  ENTERTAINING STORIES,
+  _FOUNDED ON FACT_,
+  And selected for the purpose of
+
+  ERADICATING THOSE FEARS, WHICH THE IGNORANT, THE WEAK,
+  AND THE SUPERSTITIOUS, ARE BUT TOO APT TO ENCOURAGE,
+  FOR WANT OF PROPERLY EXAMINING INTO THE CAUSES
+  OF SUCH ABSURD IMPOSITIONS.
+
+  ***
+
+  BY JOSEPH TAYLOR.
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+  _SECOND EDITION, ENLARGED._
+
+  ***
+
+  London:
+  PRINTED FOR LACKINGTON, ALLEN, AND CO.
+  FINSBURY SQUARE.
+
+  ***
+
+  1815.
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION.
+
+
+The subsequent little Work owes its rise and progress to very trifling
+circumstances.
+
+In the early part of my life, having read many books in favour of Ghosts
+and Spectral Appearances, the recollection remained so strong in my
+mind, that, for _years_ after, the dread of phantoms bore irresistible
+sway. This dread continued till about my twenty-third year, when the
+following simple affair fully convinced me, how necessary it was
+_thoroughly_ to investigate _every thing_ that tended to supernatural
+agency, lest idle fear should gain a total ascendancy over my mind.
+
+About this period, I had apartments in a large old-fashioned country
+mansion. From my bed-chamber was a secret door leading to a private
+staircase, which communicated with some of the lower rooms. This door
+was fastened both within and without; consequently all fear of intrusion
+from that quarter was entirely removed. However, at times, I could not
+help ruminating on the malpractices that _might_ have been committed by
+evil-disposed persons, through this communication; and "busy meddling
+fancy" was fertile in conjuring up imaginary horrors. Every thing,
+however, was quiet, and agreeable to my wishes, for some months after my
+arrival. One moonlight night, in the month of June, I retired to my bed,
+full of thought, but slept soundly till about one o'clock; when I awoke,
+and discovered, by the help of the moon which shone full in my room, a
+tall figure in white, with arms extended, at the foot of my bed. Fear
+and astonishment overpowered me for a few seconds; I gazed on it with
+terror, and was afraid to move. At length I had courage to take a
+_second_ peep at this disturber of my rest, and still continued much
+alarmed, and irresolute how to act. I hesitated whether to speak to the
+figure, or arouse the family. The first idea I considered as a dangerous
+act of heroism; the latter, as a risk of being laughed at, should the
+subject of my story not prove supernatural. Therefore, after taking a
+_third_ view of the phantom, I mustered up all my resolution, jumped out
+of bed, and boldly went up to the figure, grasped it round and round,
+and found it incorporeal. I then looked at it again, and felt it again;
+when, reader, judge of my astonishment--this ghostly spectre proved to
+be nothing more than a large new flannel dressing-gown which had been
+sent home to me in the course of the day, and which had been hung on
+some pegs against the wainscot at the foot of my bed. One arm
+accidentally crossed two or three of the adjoining pegs, and the other
+was nearly parallel by coming in contact with some article of furniture
+which stood near. Now the mystery was developed: this dreadful
+hobgoblin, which a few minutes before I began to think was an aërial
+being, or sprite, and which must have gained admission either through
+the key-hole, or under the door, turned out to be my own garment. I
+smiled at my groundless fears, was pleased with any resolution, returned
+light-hearted to my bed, and moralized nearly the whole of the night on
+the simplicity of a great part of mankind in being so credulous as to
+believe every idle tale, or conceive every noise to be a spectre,
+without first duly examining into causes.
+
+This very trifling accident was of great service to me as I travelled
+onward through life. Similar circumstances transpired. Screams, and
+shades, I encountered; which always, upon due investigation, ended in
+"trifles light as air."
+
+Nor did the good end here. My story circulated, and put other young men
+upon the alert, to guard against similar delusions. They likewise
+imparted to me their ghostly encounters, and those I thought deserving
+of record I always committed to writing; and, as many of them are well
+authenticated facts, and both instructive and amusing, they form a part
+of the volume now presented to the Public.
+
+The other stories are selected from history, and respectable
+publications; forming in the whole, I hope, an antidote against a too
+credulous belief in every village tale, or old gossip's story.
+
+Though I candidly acknowledge to have received great pleasure in forming
+this Collection, I would by no means wish it to be imagined, that I am
+sceptical in my opinions, or entirely disbelieve and set my face against
+all apparitional record. No; I do believe that, for certain purposes,
+and on certain and all-wise occasions, such things _are_, and _have
+been_ permitted by the Almighty; but by no means do I believe they are
+suffered to appear half so frequently as our modern ghost-mongers
+manufacture them. Among the various idle tales in circulation, nothing
+is more common than the prevalent opinion concerning what is generally
+called a _death-watch_, and which is vulgarly believed to foretel the
+death of some one in the family. "This is," observes a writer in the
+Philosophical Transactions, "a ridiculous fancy crept into vulgar heads,
+and employed to terrify and affright weak people as a monitor of
+approaching death." Therefore, to prevent such causeless fears, I shall
+take this opportunity to undeceive the world, by shewing what it is, and
+that no such thing is intended by it. It has obtained the name of
+death-watch, by making a little clinking noise like a watch; which
+having given some disturbance to a gentleman in his chamber, who was not
+to be affrighted with such vulgar errors, it tempted him to a diligent
+search after the true cause of this noise, which I shall relate in his
+own words.
+
+"I have been, some time since, accompanied with this little noise. One
+evening, I sat down by a table from whence the noise proceeded, and laid
+my watch upon the same, and perceived, to my admiration, that the sound
+made by this invisible automaton was louder than that of the artificial
+machine. Its vibrations would fall as regular, but much quicker. Upon a
+strict examination, it was found to be nothing but a little beetle, or
+spider, in the wood of a box." Sometimes they are found in the
+plastering of a wall, and at other times in a rotten post, or in some
+old chest or trunk; and the noise is made by beating its head on the
+subject that it finds fit for sound. "The little animal that I found,"
+says the gentleman, "was about two lines and a half long, calling a
+line the eighth part of an inch. The colour was a dark brown, with spots
+somewhat lighter, and irregularly placed, which could not easily be
+rubbed off." It was sent to the publisher of the Philosophical
+Transactions of the Royal Society.
+
+Some people, influenced by common report, have fancied this little
+animal a spirit sent to admonish them of their deaths; and, to uphold
+the fancy, tell you of other strange monitors altogether as ridiculous.
+Though, as I before observed, I do not deny but the Almighty may employ
+unusual methods to warn us at times of our approaching ends, yet in
+general, such common and unaccountable tales are mere nonsense,
+originating from want of a proper investigation, and kept alive by an
+infatuated delight in telling strange stories, rendered more ridiculous
+by recapitulation. How charmingly does our poet Thomson touch upon this
+subject--
+
+    "Meantime the village rouses up the fire;
+     While, well attested, and as well believ'd,
+     Heard solemn, goes the goblin story round;
+     Till superstitious horror creeps o'er all."
+
+How cautious then ought parents and guardians to be over their children,
+and the young people committed to their charge. For, says an elegant
+writer, the superstitious impressions made upon their minds, by the
+tales of weak and ignorant people in their infancy; a time when the
+tender mind is most apt to receive the impressions of error and vice, as
+well as those of truth and virtue, and, having once received either the
+one or the other, is likely to retain them as long as it subsists in the
+body. All these deplorable follies proceed from wrong and unworthy
+apprehensions of God's providence, in his care of man, and government of
+the world. Surely no reasonable creature can ever imagine, that the
+all-wise God should inspire owls and ravens to hoot out the elegies of
+dying men; that he should have ordained a fatality in numbers, inflict
+punishment without an offence; and that being one amongst the fatal
+number at a table, should be a crime (though contrary to no command) not
+to be expiated but by death! Thus folly, like gunpowder, runs in a train
+from one generation to another, preserved and conveyed by the perpetual
+tradition of tattling gossips.
+
+I now conclude this Introduction; and, in the following pages, shall
+present my readers with some admirable Essays on the subject by eminent
+writers: and a Collection of Stories will follow, which, I trust, will
+not only entertain, but likewise convince the _thinking_ part of mankind
+of the absurdity in believing every silly tale without first tracing
+the promulgation to its original source; for
+
+    "Whatever warms the heart, or fills the head,
+     As the mind opens, and its functions spread,
+     Imagination plies her dangerous art,
+     And pours it all upon the peccant part."
+
+                                                      J. TAYLOR.
+
+_London, March 20, 1815._
+
+
+
+
+AN
+
+ESSAY
+
+ON
+
+GHOSTS AND APPARITIONS.
+
+
+There is no folly more predominant, in the country at least, than a
+ridiculous and superstitious fear of ghosts and apparitions. Servants,
+nurses, old women, and others of the same standard of wisdom, to pass
+away the tediousness of a winter's evening, please and terrify
+themselves, and the children who compose their audience, with strange
+relations of these things, till they are even afraid of removing their
+eyes from one another, for fear of seeing a _pale spectre_ entering the
+room. Frightful ideas raised in the minds of children take so strong a
+possession of the faculties, that they often remain for ever fixed, and
+all the arguments of reason are unable to remove them. Hence it is,
+that so many grown-up people still keep the ridiculous fears of their
+infancy. I know a lady, of very good sense in other things, who, if she
+is left by herself after ten o'clock at night, will faint away at the
+terror of thinking some horrid spectre, with eyes sunk, meagre
+countenance, and threatening aspect, is standing at her elbow. And an
+Officer in the Guards, of my acquaintance, who has often, abroad, shewn
+no concern in marching up to the mouth of a cannon, has not courage
+enough to be in the dark without company. As I take the fear of ghosts,
+like all other prejudices, to be imbibed in our infancy, I would
+recommend this advice to parents--to use the utmost care, that the minds
+of their children are not vitiated by their servants' tales of ghosts,
+hobgoblins, and bugbears; which, though told to please, or frighten them
+into good, seldom fail of producing the very worst effects.
+
+There are some who are ghost-mad, and terrify themselves, because the
+Scripture has mentioned the appearance of ghosts. I shall not dispute,
+but, by the power of God, an incorporeal being may be visible to human
+eyes; but then, an all-wise Power would not have recourse to a
+preternatural effect but on some important occasion. Therefore, my
+intention is only to laugh a ridiculous fear out of the world, by
+shewing on what absurd and improbable foundations the common nature of
+ghosts and apparitions are built.
+
+In the country, there are generally allowed to be two sorts of
+ghosts;--the vulgar ghost, and the ghost of dignity. The latter is
+always the spirit of some Lord of the Manor, or Justice of the Peace,
+who, still desirous to see how affairs go on in his parish, rattles
+through it in a coach and six, much about midnight. This ghost is, in
+every respect, the very same man that the person whom he represents was
+in his life-time. Nay, the spirit, though incorporeal, has on its body
+all the marks which the Squire had on his; the scar on the cheek, the
+dimple on the chin, and twenty other demonstrative signs, which are
+visible to any old woman in the parish, that can _see clearly in a dark
+night_!
+
+The ghost keeps up to the character of a good old grave gentleman, who
+is heartily sorry to think his son will not live upon his estate, but
+rambles up to London, and runs it out, perhaps, in extravagance. He
+therefore does nothing inconsistent with the gravity of his character;
+but, still retaining the generous heart of a true Briton, keeps up his
+equipage, and loves good living and hospitality; for, a little time
+after the coach and six has, with a solemn rumble, passed through the
+village into his own court-yard, there is a great noise heard in the
+house, of servants running up and down stairs, the jacks going, and a
+great clattering of plates and dishes. Thus he spends an hour or two
+every midnight, in living well, after he has been some years dead; but
+is complaisant enough to leave every thing, at his departure, in the
+same position that he found them.
+
+There is scarcely a little town in all England, but has an old female
+spirit appertaining to it, who, in her high-crown hat, nicely clean
+linen, and red petticoat, has been viewed by half the parish. This
+article of dress is of mighty concern among some ghosts; wherefore a
+skilful and learned apparition writer, in the Preface of Drelincourt on
+Death, makes a very pious ghost talk to a lady upon the important
+subject of scouring a mantua. Before I leave my ghost of dignity, I must
+take notice of some who delight to seem as formidable as possible, and
+who are not content with appearing without heads themselves, but their
+coachmen and horses must be without their's too, and the coach itself
+frequently all on fire. These spirits, I know not for what reason, are
+universally allowed to have been people of first quality, and courtiers.
+
+As for the vulgar ghost, it seldom appears in its own bodily likeness,
+unless it be with a throat cut from ear to ear, or a winding-sheet; but
+humbly contents itself with the body of a white horse, that gallops over
+the meadows without legs, and grazes without a head. On other occasions,
+it takes the appearance of a black shock dog, which, with great goggle,
+glaring eyes, stares you full in the face, but never hurts you more than
+unmannerly pushing you from the wall. Sometimes a friendly ghost
+surprises you with a hand as cold as clay; at other times, that same
+ghostly hand gives three solemn raps, with several particularities,
+according to the different dispositions of the ghost.
+
+The chief reason which calls them back again to visit the world by
+night, is their fondness for some old broad pieces, or a pot of money,
+they buried in their life-time; and they cannot rest to have it lie
+useless, therefore the gold raises them before the resurrection.
+
+Mr. Addison's charming Essay, in the _Spectator_, is so applicable and
+prefatory to a work of this nature, that we cannot resist inserting that
+inimitable production in his own words.
+
+"Going to dine," says he, "with an old acquaintance, I had the
+misfortune to find his whole family very much dejected. Upon asking him
+the occasion of it, he told me that his wife had dreamt a strange dream
+the night before, which they were afraid portended some misfortune to
+themselves or to their children. At her coming into the room, I observed
+a settled melancholy in her countenance, which I should have been
+troubled for, had I not heard from whence it proceeded. We were no
+sooner sat down, but, after having looked upon me a little while, 'My
+dear,' says she, turning to her husband, 'you may now see the stranger
+that was in the candle last night.' Soon after this, as they began to
+talk of family affairs, a little boy at the lower end of the table told
+her, that he was to go into join-hand on Thursday. 'Thursday!' says she;
+'no, child; if it please God, you shall not begin upon Childermas-day;
+tell your writing-master, that Friday will be soon enough.' I was
+reflecting with myself on the oddness of her fancy, and wondering that
+any body would establish it as a rule to lose a day in every week. In
+the midst of these my musings, she desired me to reach her a little salt
+upon the point of my knife, which I did in such a trepidation and hurry
+of obedience, that I let it drop by the way; at which she immediately
+startled, and said it fell towards her. Upon this I looked very blank;
+and, observing the concern of the whole table, began to consider myself,
+with some confusion, as a person that had brought a disaster upon the
+family. The lady, however, recovering herself after a little space,
+said to her husband, with a sigh, 'My dear, misfortunes never come
+single.' My friend, I found, acted but an under part at his table; and,
+being a man of more good-nature than understanding, thinks himself
+obliged to fall in with all the passions and humours of his yoke-fellow.
+'Do not you remember, child,' said she, 'that the pigeon-house fell the
+very afternoon that our careless wench spilt the salt upon the table?'
+'Yes,' says he, 'my dear; and the next post brought us an account of the
+battle of Almanza.' The reader may guess at the figure I made, after
+having done all this mischief. I dispatched my dinner as soon as I
+could, with my usual taciturnity; when, to my utter confusion, the lady
+seeing me quitting my knife and fork, and laying them across one another
+upon the plate, desired me that I would humour her so far as to take
+them out of that figure, and place them side by side. What the absurdity
+was which I had committed, I did not know, but I suppose there was some
+traditionary superstition in it; and therefore, in obedience to the lady
+of the house, I disposed of my knife and fork in two parallel lines,
+which is the figure I shall always lay them in for the future, though I
+do not know any reason for it.
+
+"It is not difficult for a man to see that a person has conceived an
+aversion to him. For my own part, I quickly found, by the lady's looks,
+that she regarded me as a very odd kind of fellow, with an unfortunate
+aspect. For which reason I took my leave immediately after dinner, and
+withdrew to my own lodgings. Upon my return home, I fell into a profound
+contemplation on the evils that attend these superstitious follies of
+mankind; how they subject us to imaginary afflictions and additional
+sorrows, that do not properly come within our lot. As if the natural
+calamities of life were not sufficient for it, we turn the most
+indifferent circumstances into misfortunes, and suffer as much from
+trifling accidents as from real evils. I have known the shooting of a
+star spoil a night's rest; and have seen a man in love grow pale, and
+lose his appetite, upon the plucking of a merry-thought. A screech-owl
+at midnight has alarmed a family more than a band of robbers; nay, the
+voice of a cricket hath struck more terror than the roaring of a lion.
+There is nothing so inconsiderable, which may not appear dreadful to an
+imagination that is filled with omens and prognostics. A rusty nail, or
+a crooked pin, shoot up into prodigies.
+
+"I remember, I was once in a mixed assembly, that was full of noise and
+mirth, when on a sudden an old woman unluckily observed there were
+thirteen of us in company. This remark struck a panic terror into
+several who were present, insomuch that one or two of the ladies were
+going to leave the room: but a friend of mine, taking notice that one of
+our female companions was big with child, affirmed there were fourteen
+in the room; and that, instead of portending one of the company should
+die, it plainly foretold one of them should be born. Had not my friend
+found out this expedient to break the omen, I question not but half the
+women in the company would have fallen sick that very night.
+
+"An old maid, that is troubled with the vapours, produces infinite
+disturbances of this kind among her friends and neighbours. I once knew
+a maiden aunt, of a great family, who is one of these antiquated sybils,
+that forebodes and prophesies from one end of the year to the other. She
+is always seeing apparitions, and hearing death-watches; and was the
+other day almost frightened out of her wits by the great house-dog, that
+howled in the stable at a time when she lay ill of the tooth-ach. Such
+an extravagant cast of mind engages multitudes of people not only in
+impertinent terrors, but in supernumerary duties of life; and arises
+from that fear and ignorance which are natural to the soul of man. The
+horror with which we entertain the thoughts of death or indeed of any
+future evil, and the uncertainty of its approach, fill a melancholy mind
+with innumerable apprehensions and suspicions, and consequently dispose
+it to the observation of such groundless prodigies and predictions. For,
+as it is the chief concern of wise men to retrench the evils of life by
+the reasonings of philosophy, it is the employment of fools to multiply
+them by the sentiments of superstition.
+
+"For my own part, I should be very much troubled, were I endowed with
+this divining quality, though it should inform me truly of every thing
+that can befal me. I would not anticipate the relish of any happiness,
+nor feel the weight of any misery, before it actually arrives.
+
+"I know but one way of fortifying my soul against these gloomy presages
+and terrors of mind; and that is, by securing to myself the friendship
+and protection of that Being who disposes of events, and governs
+futurity. He sees at one view the whole thread of my existence; not only
+that part of it which I have already passed through, but that which runs
+forward into all the depths of eternity. When I lay me down to sleep, I
+recommend myself to his care; when I awake, I give myself up to his
+direction. Amidst all the evils that threaten me, I will look up to him
+for help and question not but he will either avert them, or turn them
+to my advantage. Though I know neither the time nor the manner of the
+death I am to die, I am not at all solicitous about it; because I am
+sure that he knows them both, and that he will not fail to comfort and
+support me under them."
+
+In another paper, the same gentleman thus expresses himself on the same
+subject:--
+
+"I remember, last winter, there were several young girls of the
+neighbourhood sitting about the fire with my landlady's daughters, and
+telling stories of spirits and apparitions. Upon my opening the door,
+the young women broke off their discourse; but my landlady's daughters
+telling them it was nobody but the gentleman (for that is the name which
+I go by in the neighbourhood as well as in the family), they went on
+without minding me. I seated myself by the candle that stood on a table
+at one end of the room; and, pretending to read a book that I took out
+of my pocket, heard several dreadful stories of ghosts as pale as ashes,
+that stood at the feet of a bed, or walked over a church-yard by
+moonlight; and of others that had been conjured into the Red Sea, for
+disturbing people's rest, and drawing their curtains at midnight; with
+many other old women's fables of the like nature. As one spirit raised
+another, I observed that at the end of every story the whole company
+closed their ranks, and crowded about the fire. I took notice in
+particular of a little boy, who was so attentive to every story, that I
+am mistaken if he ventures to go to bed by himself this twelvemonth.
+Indeed, they talked so long, that the imaginations of the whole assembly
+were manifestly crazed, and, I am sure, will be the worse for it as long
+as they live. I heard one of the girls, that had looked upon me over her
+shoulder, asking the company how long I had been in the room, and
+whether I did not look paler than I used to do. This put me under some
+apprehensions that I should be forced to explain myself, if I did not
+retire; for which reason I took the candle in my hand, and went up into
+my chamber, not without wondering at this unaccountable weakness in
+reasonable creatures, that they should love to astonish and terrify one
+another. Were I a father, I should take particular care to preserve my
+children from those little horrors of imagination, which they are apt to
+contract when they are young, and are not able to shake off when they
+are in years. I have known a soldier, that has entered a breach,
+affrighted at his own shadow, and look pale upon a little scratching at
+his door, who the day before had marched up against a battery of cannon.
+There are instances of persons who have been terrified, even to
+distraction, at the figure of a tree, or the shaking of a bulrush. The
+truth of it is, I look upon a sound imagination as the greatest blessing
+of life, next to a clear judgment and a good conscience. In the mean
+time, since there are very few whose minds are not more or less subject
+to these dreadful thoughts and apprehensions, we ought to arm ourselves
+against them by the dictates of reason and religion, to _pull the old
+woman out of our hearts_ (as Persius expresses it), and extinguish those
+impertinent notions which we imbibed at a time that we were not able to
+judge of their absurdity. Or, if we believe, as many wise and good men
+have done, that there are such phantoms and apparitions as those I have
+been speaking of, let us endeavour to establish to ourselves an interest
+in Him who holds the reins of the whole creation in his hand, and
+moderates them after such a manner, that it is impossible for one being
+to break loose upon another without his knowledge and permission.
+
+"For my own part, I am apt to join in opinion with those who believe
+that all the regions of nature swarm with spirits; and that we have
+multitudes of spectators on all our actions, when we think ourselves
+most alone. But, instead of terrifying myself with such a notion, I am
+wonderfully pleased to think that I am always engaged with such an
+innumerable society, in searching out the wonders of the creation, and
+joining in the same concert of praise and adoration.
+
+"Milton has finely described this mixed communion of men and spirits in
+Paradise; and had, doubtless, his eye upon a verse in old Hesiod, which
+is almost, word for word, the same with his third line in the following
+passage:--
+
+    '----Nor think, though men were none,
+     That Heav'n would want spectators, God want praise:
+     Millions of spiritual creatures walk the earth
+     Unseen, both when we wake and when we sleep;
+     All these with ceaseless praise his works behold,
+     Both day and night. How often from the steep
+     Of echoing hill or thicket have we heard
+     Celestial voices to the midnight air,
+     Sole, or responsive each to other's note,
+     Singing their great Creator? Oft in bands,
+     While they keep watch, or nightly rounding walk,
+     With heav'nly touch of instrumental sounds,
+     In full harmonic number join'd, their songs
+     Divide the night, and lift our thoughts to heav'n.'--"
+
+Another celebrated writer says--"Some are over credulous in these
+stories, others sceptical and distrustful, and a third sort perfectly
+infidel.
+
+"Mr. Locke assures us, we have as clear an idea of spirit as of body.
+But, if it be asked, how a spirit, that never was embodied, can form to
+itself a body, and come up into a world where it has no right of
+residence, and have all its organs perfected at once; or how a spirit,
+once embodied, but now in a separate state, can take up its carcase out
+of the grave, sufficiently repaired, and make many resurrections before
+the last; or how the dead can counterfeit their own bodies, and make to
+themselves an image of themselves; by what ways and means, since
+miracles ceased, this transformation can be effected; by whose leave and
+permission, or by what power and authority, or with what wise design,
+and for what great ends and purposes, all this is done, we cannot easily
+imagine; and the divine and philosopher together will find it very
+difficult to resolve such questions.
+
+"Before the Christian æra, some messages from the other world might be
+of use, if not necessary, in some cases, and on some extraordinary
+occasions; but since that time we want no new, nor can we have any
+surer, informations.
+
+"Conscience, indeed, is a frightful apparition itself; and I make no
+question but it oftentimes haunts an oppressing criminal into
+restitution, and is a ghost to him sleeping or waking: nor is it the
+least testimony of an invisible world, that there is such a drummer as
+that in the soul, that can beat an alarm when he pleases, and so loud,
+as no other noise can drown it, no music quiet it, no power silence it,
+no mirth allay it, and no bribe corrupt it."
+
+Inexhaustible are the opinions on this subject: therefore we shall
+conclude this Essay, and proceed to the more illustrative part of our
+work, without any further quotations; for various are the methods
+proposed by the learned for the laying of ghosts and apparitions.
+Artificial ones are easily quieted, if we only take them for real and
+substantial beings, and proceed accordingly. Thus, when a Friar,
+personating an apparition, haunted the apartment of the late Emperor
+Joseph, King Augustus, then at the Imperial court, flung him out of the
+window, and laid him upon the pavement so effectually, that he never
+rose or appeared again in this world.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+DOMINICAN FRIAR.
+
+_An Extraordinary Event that happened lately at Aix-la-Chapelle._
+
+
+As the following story, which is averred to be authentic, and to have
+happened very lately, may serve to shew, that the stories of this kind,
+with which the public are, from time to time, every now and then
+alarmed, are nothing more than artful impostures, it is presumed, it
+will be useful as well as entertaining to our readers to give it a
+place.
+
+A person who kept a lodging-house near the springs at Aix-la-Chapelle,
+having lost his wife, committed the management of his family to his
+daughter, a sprightly, well-made, handsome girl, about twenty.
+
+There were, at that time, in the house, two ladies and their
+waiting-woman, two Dutch officers, and a Dominican Friar.
+
+It happened, that, as the young woman of the house was asleep one night
+in her bed, she was awakened by something that attempted to draw the
+clothes off the bed. She was at first frightened; but thinking, upon
+recollection, that it might be the house-dog, she called him by his
+name. The clothes, however, were still pulled from her; and she still
+imagining it was by the dog, took up a brush that lay in her reach, and
+attempted to strike him. At that moment she saw a flash of sudden light,
+that filled the whole room; upon which she shrieked out; all was again
+dark and silent, and the clothes were no longer drawn from her.
+
+In the morning, when she related this story, every one treated it as a
+dream; and the girl herself at last took it for granted, that it was no
+more than an illusion.
+
+The night following, she was again awakened by something that jogged
+her, and she thought she felt a hand in the bed; upon endeavouring to
+repress it, another flash of lightning threw her into a fit of terror:
+she shut her eyes, and crossed herself. When she ventured to open her
+eyes again, the light was vanished; but, in a short time, she felt what
+she supposed to be a hand again in the bed: she again endeavoured to
+repress it, and, looking towards the foot of the bed, saw a large
+luminous cross, on which was written distinctly, as with light, the
+words, "_Be Silent!_" She was now so terrified, that she had not power
+to break the injunction, but shrunk down into the bed, and covered
+herself over with the clothes.
+
+In this situation she continued a considerable time; but, being again
+molested, she ventured once more to peep out, when, to her unspeakable
+astonishment, she saw a phantasm stand by the side of her bed, almost as
+high as the ceiling: a kind of glory encircled its head, and the whole
+was in the form of a crucifix, except that it seemed to have several
+hands, one of which again approached the bed.
+
+Supposing the phenomenon to be some celestial vision, she exerted all
+her fortitude, and, leaping out of bed, threw herself upon her knees
+before it; but she instantly found herself assaulted in a manner which
+convinced her she was mistaken: she had not strength to disengage
+herself from something that embraced her, and therefore screamed out as
+loud as she could, to alarm the house, and bring somebody to her
+assistance.
+
+Her shrieks awakened the ladies who lay in an adjacent chamber, and they
+sent their woman to see what was the matter. The woman, upon opening the
+room, saw a luminous phantasm, which greatly terrified her, and heard,
+in a deep threatening tone, the words--"_At thy peril be gone!_"
+
+The woman instantly screamed out, and withdrew: the ladies rose in the
+utmost consternation and terror, but nobody came to their assistance:
+the old man, the father of the girl, was asleep in a remote part of the
+house; the Friar also rested in a room at the end of a long gallery in
+another story; and the two Dutch officers were absent on a visit, at a
+neighbouring village.
+
+No other violence, however, was offered to the girl that night. As soon
+as the morning dawned, she got up, ran down to her father, and told all
+that had happened: the two ladies were not long absent; they did not say
+much, but quitted the house. The Friar asked the girl several questions,
+and declared that he had heard other instances of the like nature, but
+said, the girl would do well to obey the commands of the vision, and
+that no harm would come of it. He said, he would remain to see the
+issue; and, in the mean time, ordered proper prayers and masses to be
+said at a neighbouring convent of his order, to which he most devoutly
+joined his own.
+
+The girl was comforted with this spiritual assistance; but,
+notwithstanding, took one of the maids to be her bedfellow the next
+night. In the dead of the night, the flaming cross was again visible,
+but no attempt was made on either of the women. They were, however,
+greatly terrified; and the servant said, she would rather leave her
+place, than lie in the room again.
+
+The Friar, the next morning, took the merit of the spirit's peaceable
+behaviour to himself. The prayers and masses were renewed, and
+application was made to the convents at Liege for auxiliary assistance.
+The good Friar, in the mean time, was by no means idle at home: he
+performed his devotions with great ardour, and towards evening bestowed
+a plentiful libation of holy water on the chamber and the bed.
+
+The girl not being able to persuade the servant to sleep with her again
+in the haunted room, and being encouraged by the Friar to abide the
+issue, having also great confidence herself in the prayers, masses, and
+sprinklings, that had been used on the occasion, she ventured once more
+to sleep in the same room by herself.
+
+In the night, after hearing some slight noises, she saw the room all in
+a blaze, and a great number of luminous crosses, with scraps of writing
+here and there very legible, among which the precept _to be silent_ was
+most conspicuous.
+
+In the middle of the room she saw something of a human appearance, which
+seemed covered only with a linen garment, like a shirt: it appeared to
+diffuse a radiance round it; and, at length, by a slow and silent pace,
+approached the bed.
+
+When it came up to the bed-side, it drew the curtain more open, and,
+lifting up the bed-clothes, was about to come in. The girl, now more
+terrified than ever, screamed out with all her power. As every body in
+the house was upon the watch, she was heard by them all; but the father
+only had courage to go to her assistance, and his bravery was probably
+owing to a considerable quantity of reliques, which he had procured from
+the convent, and which he brought in his hand.
+
+When he came, however, nothing was to be seen but some of the little
+crosses and inscriptions, several of which were now luminous only in
+part.
+
+Being himself greatly terrified at these appearances, he ran to the
+Friar's apartment, and with some difficulty prevailed upon him to go
+with him to the haunted room. The Friar at first excused himself upon
+account of the young woman's being there in bed. As soon as he entered,
+and saw the crosses, he prostrated himself on the ground, and uttered
+many prayers and incantations, to which the honest landlord most
+heartily said _Amen_.
+
+The poor girl, in the mean time, lay in a kind of trance; and her
+father, when the prayers were over, ran down stairs for some wine, a
+cordial being necessary to recover her: the Friar, at the same time,
+ordered him to light and bring with him a consecrated taper; for
+hitherto they had no light but that of the vision, which was still
+strong enough to discover every thing in the room.
+
+In a short time the old man entered with a taper in his hand; and in a
+moment all the luminous appearances vanished. The girl, soon after,
+recovered, and gave a very sensible account of all that had happened;
+and the landlord and the Friar spent the rest of the night together.
+
+The Friar, however, to shew the power of the dæmon, and the holy virtue
+of the taper, removed it several times from the chamber, before the day
+broke, and the crosses and inscriptions were again visible, and remained
+so till the taper was brought back, and then vanished as at first.
+
+When the sun arose, the Friar took his leave to go to matins, and did
+not return till noon. In the mean time the two Dutch officers came home,
+and soon learnt what had happened, though the landlord took all the
+pains he could to conceal it. The reports they heard were confirmed by
+the pale and terrified appearance of the girl; their curiosity was
+greatly excited, and they asked her innumerable questions. Her answers,
+instead of extinguishing, increased it. They assured the landlord, they
+would not leave his house, but, on the contrary, would afford him all
+the assistance in their power.
+
+As they were young gentlemen of a military profession, and Protestants,
+they were at once bold and incredulous. They pretended, however, to
+adopt the opinion of the landlord, that the appearances were
+supernatural; but it happened that, upon going into the room, they found
+the remainder of the taper, on the virtues of which the landlord had so
+largely expatiated, and immediately perceived that it was only a common
+candle of a large size, which he had brought by mistake in his fright.
+
+This discovery convinced them that there was a fraud, and that
+appearances that vanished at the approach of unconsecrated light must be
+produced by mere human artifice.
+
+They therefore consulted together, and at length agreed, that the masses
+should be continued; that the landlord should not say one word of the
+candle, or the suspicions it had produced; that his daughter, the next
+night, should sleep in the apartment which had been quitted by the
+ladies; and that one of the officers should lie in the girl's bed, while
+the other, with the landlord, should wait in the kitchen, to see the
+issue.
+
+This plan was accordingly, with great secrecy, carried into execution.
+
+For two hours after the officer had been in bed, all was silent and
+quiet, and he began to suspect that the girl had either been fanciful,
+or that their secret had transpired: when, all on a sudden, he heard
+the latch of the door gently raised; and, perceiving something approach
+the bed and attempt to take up the clothes, he resisted with sufficient
+strength to frustrate the attempt, and immediately the room appeared to
+be all in a flame; he saw many crosses, and inscriptions enjoining
+silence and a passive acquiescence in whatever should happen; he saw
+also, in the middle of the room, something of a human appearance, very
+tall, and very luminous. The officer was at first struck with terror,
+and the vision made a second approach to the bed-side; but the
+gentleman, recovering his fortitude with the first moment of reflection,
+dexterously threw a slip knot, which he had fastened to one of the
+bed-posts, over the phantom's neck: he instantly drew it close, which
+brought him to the ground, and then threw himself upon him. The fall and
+the struggle made so much noise, that the other officer and the landlord
+ran up with lights and weapons; and the goblin was found to be no other
+than the good Friar, who, having conceived something more than a
+spiritual affection for his landlord's pretty daughter, had played this
+infernal farce, to gratify his passion.
+
+Being now secured and detected, beyond hope of subterfuge or escape, he
+made a full confession of his guilt, and begged earnestly for mercy.
+
+It appeared that this fellow, who was near six feet high, had made
+himself appear still taller, by putting upon his head a kind of _tiara_
+of embossed paper, and had also thrust a stick through the sleeves of
+his habit, which formed the appearance of a cross, and still left his
+hands at liberty; and that he had rendered himself and his apparatus
+visible in the dark by _phosphorus_.
+
+The landlord contented himself with giving his reverence a hearty
+drubbing, and then turning him out of doors, with a strict injunction to
+quit the territory of Liege for ever, upon pain of being much more
+severely treated.
+
+When it is considered, that it is but a few years ago, that a poor
+woman, within twenty miles of London, lost her life upon supposition
+that she was a witch; and that it is not many years since the Cock-lane
+ghost found advocates, even in the heart of London itself, among those
+who, before, were never accounted fools; it cannot but be useful to put
+down on record every imposition of this kind.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+SUPERSTITIOUS COUPLE.
+
+
+In the letters from a gentleman on his travels in Italy to his friend in
+England, is the following curious account of an experiment tried with
+the Bolognian stone, of which phosphorus is made.
+
+There was an English maid-servant in the house where we lodged,
+(observes this gentleman), and her bed-chamber was immediately over the
+one occupied by myself and friend. My companion having found his way
+into it, or, at least, supposing he had done so, wrote with some paste
+made merely with flour and water, the terrible words--"REMEMBER DEATH!"
+in great capitals, on the inside of the bed-curtains. Over the wet
+letters he strewed some of the crust prepared from this stone, which he
+had powdered for that purpose in a mortar; and, when he had so done,
+called me up, to see the words in letters of fire. We sat up for the
+discovery; but something very different from what we had expected,
+happened. The Italians are bigots, and consequently superstitious. It
+happened that the room, into which my friend had found his way, was not,
+as he imagined, that of the maid-servant, but of a couple of devout
+people, who accidentally slept in the house. We heard them undress; and
+followed our scheme, by getting on the upper stairs near the door of the
+room: we heard two voices, and we saw the candle on a table near the
+bed-side. The lady was first in bed; and the good man no sooner
+followed, than the candle was put out. On the instant of its extinction,
+appeared the terrible words. The lady screamed her prayers; the husband
+trembled over his Ave-Marias. The letters were absolutely fire, and the
+bed was not injured. The language was unintelligible to those who saw
+the words; and, perhaps, it was in that respect more terrifying, than if
+the admonition had been understood. The _Mene Tekel_ of the prophet came
+into both their minds at once. They jumped out of bed, and alarmed the
+whole house. We were first in the room. My friend took occasion, in
+their confusion, to scrape off the whole matter very cleanly with his
+pocket knife. The company brought candles--there was nothing to be seen.
+Both husband and wife pointed to the place where the writing had
+appeared; but nothing but some smeared dirt was visible there. My friend
+kept his counsel, and the miracle was blazed all over Bologna the next
+day; and we left a legion of wondering priests in the house at our
+departure!
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+HAUNTED BED-ROOM.
+
+
+A young gentleman, going down from London to the west of England, to the
+house of a very worthy gentleman, to whom he had the honour to be
+related; it happened, that the gentleman's house was at that time full,
+by season of a kinswoman's wedding, that had lately been kept there. He
+therefore told the young gentleman, that he was very glad to see him,
+and that he was very welcome to him: "But," said he, "I know not how I
+shall do for a lodging for you; for my cousin's marriage has not left a
+room free, save one, and that is haunted; but if you will lie there, you
+shall have a very good bed, and all other accommodations." "Sir,"
+replied the young gentleman, "you will very much oblige me by letting me
+lie there; for I have often coveted to be in a place that was haunted."
+The gentleman, very glad that his kinsman was so well pleased with his
+accommodations, ordered the chamber to be got ready, and a good fire to
+be made in it, it being winter-time. When bed-time came, the young
+gentleman was conducted up into his chamber, which, besides a good fire,
+was furnished with all suitable accommodations; and, having recommended
+himself to the Divine protection, went to bed. Lying some time awake,
+and finding no disturbance, he fell asleep; out of which, however, he
+was awaked about three o'clock in the morning, by the opening of the
+chamber-door, and the entrance of somebody in the appearance of a young
+woman, having a night-dress on her head, and only her shift on: but he
+had no perfect view of her, for his candle was burnt out; and though
+there was a fire in the room, yet it gave not light enough to see her
+distinctly. But this unknown visitant going to the chimney, took the
+poker, and stirred up the fire; by the flaming light whereof, he could
+discern the appearance of a young gentlewoman more distinctly; but
+whether it was flesh and blood, or an airy phantom, he knew not. This
+appearance having stood some time before the fire, as if to warm itself,
+at last walked two or three times about the room, and then came to the
+bed-side; where having stood a little while, she took up the
+bed-clothes, and went into bed, pulling the bed-clothes upon her again,
+and lying very quietly. The young gentleman was a little startled at
+this unknown bed-fellow; and, upon her approach, lay on the further side
+of the bed, not knowing whether he had best rise or not. At last, lying
+very still, he perceived his bed-fellow to breathe; by which guessing
+her to be flesh and blood, he drew nearer to her, and taking her by the
+hand, found it warm, and that it was no airy phantom, but substantial
+flesh and blood; and finding she had a ring on her finger, he took it
+off unperceived. The gentlewoman being all this while asleep, he let her
+lie without disturbing her, and patiently waited the result of this
+singular situation. He had not long remained in suspense, when his fair
+companion hastily flung off the bed-clothes again, and getting up,
+walked three or four times about the room; as she had done before; and
+then, standing awhile before the door, opened it, went out, and shut it
+after her. The young gentleman, perceiving by this in what manner the
+room was haunted, rose up, and locked the door on the inside; and then
+lay down again, and slept till morning; at which time the master of the
+house came to him, to know how he did, and whether he had seen any
+thing, or not? He told him, that an apparition had appeared to him, but
+begged the favour of him that he would not urge him to say any thing
+further, till the whole family were all together. The gentleman complied
+with his request, telling his young friend, that, having found him well,
+he was perfectly satisfied.
+
+The desire the whole family had to know the issue of this affair, made
+them dress with more expedition than usual, so that there was a general
+assembly of the gentlemen and ladies before eleven o'clock, not one of
+them being willing to appear in dishabille. When they were all got
+together in the great hall, the young gentleman told them, he had one
+favour to desire of the ladies before he would say any thing, and that
+was, to know whether either of them had lost a ring? The young
+gentlewoman, from whose finger it was taken, having missed it all the
+morning, and not knowing how she lost it, was glad to hear of it again,
+and readily owned she wanted a ring. The young gentleman asked her if
+that was it, giving it into her hand, which she acknowledging to be
+her's, and thanking him, he turned to his kinsman, the master of the
+house--"Now Sir," said he, "I can assure you," (taking the gentlewoman
+by the hand) "this is the lovely spirit by which your chamber is
+haunted."--And thereupon repeated what is related.
+
+I want words to express the confusion the young gentlewoman seemed to be
+in at this relation, who declared herself perfectly ignorant of all that
+he said; but believed it might be so, because of the ring, which she
+perfectly well remembered she had on when she went to bed, and knew not
+how she had lost it.
+
+This relation gave the whole company a great deal of diversion; for,
+after all, the father declared, that since his daughter had already
+gone to bed to his kinsman, it should be his fault if he did not go to
+bed to his daughter, he being willing to bestow her upon him, and give
+her a good portion. This generous offer was so advantageous to the young
+gentleman, that he could by no means refuse it; and his late bed-fellow,
+hearing what her father had said, was easily prevailed upon to accept
+him for her husband.
+
+
+
+
+REMARKABLE INSTANCE
+
+OF THE
+
+POWER OF IMAGINATION.
+
+
+It has been remarked, that when the royal vault is opened for the
+interment of any of the royal family, Westminster Abbey is a place of
+great resort: some flock thither out of curiosity, others to indulge
+their solemn meditations.
+
+By the former of these motives it was, when the royal vault was opened
+for the interment of her illustrious Majesty Queen Caroline, that five
+or six gentlemen who had dined together at a tavern were drawn to visit
+that famous repository of the titled dead. As they descended down the
+steep descent, one cried--"It's hellish dark;" another stopped his
+nostrils, and exclaimed against the nauseous vapour that ascended from
+it; all had their different sayings. But, as it is natural for such
+spectacles to excite some moral reflections, even with the most gay and
+giddy, they all returned with countenances more serious than those they
+had entered with.
+
+Having agreed to pass the evening together, they all went back to the
+place where they dined; and the conversation turned on a future state,
+apparitions, and some such topics. One among them was an infidel in
+those matters, especially as to spirits becoming visible, and took upon
+him to rally the others, who seemed rather inclinable to the contrary
+way of thinking. As it is easier to deny than to prove, especially where
+those that maintain the negative will not admit any testimonies which
+can be brought against their own opinion, he singly held out against all
+they had to alledge. To end the contest, they proposed to him a wager of
+twenty guineas, that, as great a hero as he pretended, or really
+imagined himself, he had not courage enough to go alone at midnight into
+the vault they had seen that day. This he readily accepted, and was very
+merry with the thoughts of getting so much money with such ease. The
+money on both sides was deposited in the hands of the master of the
+house; and one of the vergers was sent for, whom they engaged, for a
+piece of gold, to attend the adventurer to the gate of the cathedral,
+then shut him in, and wait his return.
+
+Every thing being thus settled, the clock no sooner struck twelve, than
+they all set out together; they who laid the wager being resolved not to
+be imposed on by his tampering with the verger. As they passed along, a
+scruple arose, which was, that though they saw him enter the church, how
+they should be convinced he went as far as the vault; but he instantly
+removed their doubts, by pulling out a pen-knife he had in his pocket,
+and saying, "This will I stick into the earth, and leave it there; and
+if you do not find it in the inside of the vault, I will own the wager
+lost." These words left them nothing to suspect; and they agreed to wait
+at the door his coming out, believing he had no less stock of resolution
+than he had pretended: it is possible, the opinion they had of him was
+no more than justice.
+
+But, whatever stock of courage he had, on his entrance into that antique
+and reverend pile, he no sooner found himself shut alone in it, than, as
+he afterwards confessed, he found a kind of shuddering all over him,
+which, he was sensible, proceeded from something more than the coldness
+of the night. Every step he took was echoed by the hollow ground; and,
+though it was not altogether dark, the verger having left a lamp burning
+just before the door that led to the chapel (otherwise it would have
+been impossible for him to have found the place), yet did the glimmering
+it gave, rather add to, than diminish, the solemn horror of every thing
+around.
+
+He passed on, however; but protested, had not the shame of being laughed
+at, prevented him, he would have forfeited more than twice the sum he
+had staked to have been safe out again. At length he reached the
+entrance of the vault: his inward terror increased; yet, determined not
+to be overpowered by fear, he descended; and being come to the last
+stair, stooped forwards, and struck the pen-knife with his whole force
+into the earth. But, as he was rising in order to quit so dreadful a
+place, he felt something pluck him forward; the apprehension he before
+was in, made an easy way for surprise and terror to seize on all his
+faculties: he lost in one instant every thing that could support him,
+and fell into a swoon, with his head in the vault, and part of his body
+on the stairs.
+
+Till after one o'clock his friends waited with some degree of patience,
+though they thought he paid the titled dead a much longer visit than a
+living man could choose. But, finding he did not come, they began to
+fear some accident: the verger, they found, though accustomed to the
+place, did not choose to go alone; they therefore went with him,
+preceded by a torch, which a footman belonging to one of the company had
+with him. They all went into the Abbey, calling, as they went, as loud
+as they could: no answer being made, they moved on till they came to the
+vault; where, looking down, they soon perceived what posture he was in.
+They immediately used every means they could devise for his recovery,
+which they soon effected.
+
+After they got him out of the Abbey to the fresh air, he fetched two or
+three deep groans; and, in the greatest agitation, cried, "Heaven help
+me! Lord have mercy upon me!" These exclamations very much surprised
+them; but, imagining he was not yet come perfectly to his senses, they
+forbore farther questions, till they had got him into the tavern, where,
+having placed him in a chair, they began to ask how he did, and how he
+came to be so indisposed. He gave them a faithful detail, and said, he
+should have come back with the same sentiments he went with, had not an
+unseen hand convinced him of the injustice of his unbelief. While he was
+making his narrative, one of the company saw the pen-knife sticking
+through the fore-lappet of his coat. He immediately conjectured the
+mistake; and, pulling out the pen-knife before them all, cried out,
+"Here is the mystery discovered: for, in the attitude of stooping to
+stick the knife in the ground, it happened, as you see, to go through
+the coat; and, on your attempting to rise, the terror you was in
+magnified this little obstruction into an imaginary impossibility of
+withdrawing yourself, and had an effect on your senses before reason had
+time to operate." This, which was evidently the case, set every one,
+except the gentleman who had suffered so much by it, into a roar of
+laughter. But it was not easy to draw a single smile from him: he
+ruminated on the affair, while his companions rallied and ridiculed this
+change in him: he well remembered the agitations he had been in. "Well,"
+replied he; when he had sufficiently recovered, "there is certainly
+something after death, or these strange impulses could never be. What is
+there in a church more than in any other building? what in darkness more
+than light, which in themselves should have power to raise such ideas as
+I have now experienced? Yes," continued he, "I am convinced that I have
+been too presumptuous: and, whether spirits be or be not permitted to
+appear, that they exist, I ever shall believe."
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+WESTMINSTER SCHOLARS.
+
+
+A few years since, some Westminster scholars received great insult from
+a hackney-coachman, who treated them with the greatest scurrility,
+because they would not comply with an overcharge in his fare. This
+behaviour the youths did not forget, and were resolved to punish him
+without danger of prosecution; upon which one of them devised the
+following whimsical turn of revenge.
+
+Four of these gentlemen, one dark evening, about nine o'clock, (having
+previously learned where his coach would be) called him from off the
+stand, and desired the coachman to drive over Westminster Bridge to
+Newington. They had not long been seated, when one of them, with a
+sportive tone of voice, said, "Come, boys, let us begin."
+
+They then instantly dressed themselves in black clothes, and every
+necessary befitting mourners at a funeral, (which articles they brought
+with them in small parcels.) And the night was particularly favourable
+for carrying their scheme into execution: for it was uncommonly dark,
+and _very still_. 'Twas such a night that Apollonius Rhodius thus
+describes--
+
+    "Night on the earth pour'd darkness; on the sea,
+     The wakesome sailor to Orion's star
+     And Helice turn'd heedful. Sunk to rest,
+     The traveller forgot his toil; his charge,
+     The centinel; her death-devoted babe,
+     The mother's painless breast. The village dog
+     Had ceas'd his troublous bay: each busy tumult
+     Was hush'd at this dread hour; and darkness slept,
+     Lock'd in the arms of silence."
+
+To terrify him the more, they wore linen hat-bands and scarfs, instead
+of crape. And when they had got into the loneliest part of St. George's
+Fields (for at that time they were not built over as at present), they
+called to him, and desired him to stop, as they wanted to get out.
+
+They marked the side the coachman came to open the door of; and he that
+sat next the other door, opened it at the same instant.
+
+What the coachman felt on seeing the first mourner move out with the
+greatest solemnity, can be better conceived than expressed: but what
+were his terrors when the second approached him, a majestic spare figure
+about six feet perpendicular, who passed him (as did the first) without
+speaking a word.
+
+As fast as one youth got out, he went round to the other side of the
+coach, stepped in, and came out a second time at the opposite door.
+
+In this manner they continued, till the coachman, if he had the power
+of counting, might have told forty.
+
+When they had thus passed out seemingly to the number of twenty, the
+poor devil of a coachman, frightened almost to death, fell upon his
+knees, and begged for mercy's sake the King of Terrors would not suffer
+any more of his apparitions to appear; for, though he had a multitude of
+sins to account for, he had a wife and a large family of children, who
+depended upon his earnings for support.
+
+The tallest of these young gentlemen then asked him, in a hoarse tone of
+voice, what was his heaviest sin? He replied, committing his lodger, a
+poor carver and gilder, to the Marshalsea, for rent due to him, which
+the badness of the times, and his business in particular, would not
+enable him to pay. He said, he would not have confined him so long, but
+in revenge for a severe beating he gave him one day when they fell to
+loggerheads and boxed. He further told them, the poor man had been six
+months in captivity; and that he understood from a friend of his, the
+other day, that he made out but a miserable living by making brewers'
+pegs, bungs for their barrels, and watchmakers' skewers.
+
+The young gentleman then told him, that if he did not instantly sign his
+discharge, which he would write, he might rest assured of no mitigation
+of the dreadful punishment he would go through in a few minutes; for
+those he had seen come out of his coach were his harpies in disguise,
+and were now in readiness to bear him to the infernal regions.
+
+The trembling villain, without the least hesitation, complied. One of
+the scholars fortunately having a pen and ink, the King of Terrors wrote
+the discharge in a fair leaf of his pocket-book, as well as he could in
+the dark, and then made the coachman sign it.
+
+Having so done, the scholars told him he might go for the present, and
+that he would find his coach in less than an hour in Piccadilly or
+Oxford Street.
+
+One of the youths then mounted the box, while the others got within, and
+away they drove to the Marshalsea, but in the way they stopped till they
+had taken off their disguise.
+
+The youth who had the discharge, after making a collection among the
+others, went into the prison, and gave the poor fellow what set him at
+liberty the next morning.
+
+The scholars then drove on to Oxford Street, congratulating themselves
+on the success of their adventure, and all happy to a degree of rapture
+at being instrumental in obtaining the captive's liberty.
+
+About a quarter of an hour after they quitted the coach, they observed
+the coachman arrive; who mounted the box, and drove home, muttering the
+bitterest execrations, and damning his father confessor for bilking him
+of half a guinea which he gave him that morning for an absolution, that
+was to have rubbed out the entire score of his transgressions.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+IDEOT'S FUNERAL.
+
+
+The following extraordinary affair happened about ten years since, at a
+village in the north of England.
+
+About midnight, the minister of the parish was not a little alarmed at
+hearing the church bell tolling. He immediately dispatched one of his
+servants for the beadle, to inquire into the cause of this wonderful
+event; who, when he came, appeared to be under more dreadful
+apprehensions than the clergyman himself. However, the result of their
+deliberations was, that, in order to be certainly informed of the truth
+and ground of the matter, they should go forward to the church: but, on
+their way, what served considerably to increase their fears, was their
+seeing a light within the church. The great bell gave over tolling, and
+was succeeded, in its turn, by the little, or handbell (commonly used in
+that country at funerals), which, in a short time, also became silent.
+On their near approach to the church, they discovered, by the help of
+the light within, the _mort-cloth_ moving up and down the area thereof.
+Though this last part of the dreadful scene might have been sufficient
+to intimidate persons possessed of no ordinary degree of courage; yet
+such was the bravery and resolution of the Reverend Doctor, that he even
+ventured to accost the nocturnal disturber of their repose: when, on
+lifting up the _mort-cloth_, to his inexpressible surprise, he
+discovered the terrible apparition to be only an unhappy young man
+belonging to the parish, who had for some time past been disordered in
+his senses, and who had got into the church by some secret means or
+other, and, as the good Doctor readily conjectured, was amusing himself
+in this manner, by the representation of a funeral: a case not at all
+unlikely, as ideots in general are remarkably fond of any thing relative
+to a funeral procession.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+VENTRILOQUIST.
+
+
+The following anecdote is related by Adrianus Turnibis, the greatest
+critic of the sixteenth century, and who was admired and respected by
+all the learned in Europe.
+
+"There was a crafty fellow," says he, "called Petrus Brabantius, who, as
+often as he pleased, would speak from his stomach, with his mouth indeed
+open, but his lips unmoved, of which I have been repeatedly an eye and
+ear witness. In this manner he put divers cheats on several persons:
+amongst others, the following was well known.
+
+"There was a merchant of Lyons, lately dead, who had acquired a great
+estate by unjust dealings. Brabantius happening to be at Lyons, and
+hearing of this, comes one day to Cornutus, the son and heir of this
+merchant, as he walked in a portico behind the church-yard, and tells
+him that he was sent to inform him of what was to be done by him; and
+that it was more requisite to think about the soul and reputation of his
+father, than thus wander about the church-yard, lamenting his death. In
+an instant, while they were thus discoursing, a voice was heard, as if
+it was that of the father, though, in reality, it proceeded from his
+own stomach. Brabantius seemed terribly affrighted. The voice informed
+the son the state his father was in by reason of his injustice, what
+tortures he endured in purgatory, both on his own, and his son's
+account, whom he had left heir of his ill-gotten goods: that no freedom
+was to be expected by him, till just expiation was made by giving alms
+to such as stood most in need, and that these were the Christians who
+were taken by the Turks: that he should put entire confidence in the man
+who was by special providence now come to him, and give him money, to be
+employed by religious persons for the ransom of so many as were captives
+at Constantinople. Cornutus, who was a good sort of a man, yet loth to
+part with his money, told Brabantius that he would advise upon it; and
+desired he would meet him in the same place the next day. In the mean
+time, he began to suspect there might be some fraud in the place, as it
+was shady, dark, and fit for echoes or other delusions. The next day,
+therefore, he takes him to an open plain, where there was neither bush
+nor briar; but there, notwithstanding all his precaution, he hears the
+same story, with this addition, that he should forthwith deliver
+Brabantius six thousand franks, and purchase three masses daily to be
+said for him, or else the miserable soul of his father could not be
+freed. Cornutus, though thus bound by conscience, duty, and religion,
+yet with reluctance delivered him the money, without taking any receipt,
+or having any witness to the payment of it. Having thus dismissed him,
+and hearing no more of his father, he became somewhat more pleasant than
+he had been since his father's death. One day this change in him was
+observed by some friends, who were at dinner at his house; upon which he
+told them what had befallen him: when his friends so derided him, one
+and all, for his credulity, in being so simply cheated of his money,
+that, for mere grief and vexation, within a few days after, he died."
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+FEMALE FANATIC,
+
+AND
+
+_HEAVENLY VISITOR_.
+
+
+The following curious affair happened a few years since at Paris, and is
+well attested by a gentleman of the greatest respectability.
+
+A widow-lady, aged about sixty-two, who lodged in a two-pair-of-stairs
+floor, in the _Rue de la Ferronnerie_, with only a maid-servant, was
+accustomed to spend several hours every day at her devotions, before
+the altar dedicated to St. Paul, in a neighbouring church. Some villains
+observing her extreme bigotry, resolved (as she was known to be very
+rich) to share her wealth. Therefore one of them took the opportunity to
+conceal himself behind the carved work of the altar; and when no person
+but the old lady was in the church, in the dusk of the evening, he
+contrived to throw a letter just before her. She took it up, and not
+perceiving any one near her, supposed it came by a miracle; which she
+was the more confirmed in, when she saw it was signed, _Paul the
+Apostle_, and purported, "The satisfaction he received by her addressing
+her prayers to him, at a time when so many new-canonized saints
+engrossed the devotion of the world, and robbed the primitive saints of
+great part of their wonted adoration; and, to shew his regard for his
+devotee, said, he would come from Heaven, with the angel Gabriel, to sup
+with her, at eight in the evening."
+
+It is scarcely credible to think any one could be deceived by so gross a
+fraud: but to what length of credulity, will not superstition carry the
+weak mind! The infatuated lady believed it all; and rose from her knees
+in a transport, to prepare the entertainment for the heavenly guests she
+expected.
+
+When the supper was bespoke, and the sideboard set out to the best
+advantage, she thought that her own plate (which was worth near four
+hundred pounds sterling) did not make so elegant a shew as she desired;
+therefore sent to her brother (who was a Counsellor of the Parliament of
+Paris) to borrow all his plate; charging her maid not to tell the
+occasion, but only, that she had company to supper, and should be
+obliged to him if he would lend her his plate for that evening. The
+Counsellor was surprised at this message, as he knew the frugality of
+his sister's way of life; and suspected that she was enamoured with some
+fortune-hunter, who might marry her for her fortune, and thereby deprive
+the family of what he expected at his sister's death: therefore he
+absolutely refused to send the plate, unless the maid would tell him
+what guests she expected. The girl, alarmed for her mistress's honour,
+replied, that her pious lady had no thoughts of a husband; but that, as
+St. Paul had sent her a letter from heaven, saying, that he and the
+_Angel Gabriel_ would come to supper with her, her mistress wanted to
+make the entertainment as elegant as possible. The Counsellor, who knew
+the turn of his sister's mind, immediately suspected some villains had
+imposed on her; and sent the maid directly with the plate, while he went
+to the Commissary of the quarter, and gave him this information. The
+magistrate accompanied him to a house adjoining, from whence they saw,
+just before eight o'clock, a tall man, dressed in long vestments, with a
+white beard, and a young man in white, with large wings at his
+shoulders, alight from a hackney-coach, and go up to the widow's
+apartment. The Commissary immediately ordered twelve of the foot _guet_
+(the guards of Paris) to post themselves on the stairs, while he himself
+knocked at the door, and desired admittance. The old lady replied, that
+she had company, and could speak to no one. But the Commissary answered,
+that he must come in: for that he was St. Peter, and had come to ask St.
+Paul and the Angel, how they came out of heaven without his knowledge.
+The divine visitors were astonished at this, not expecting any more
+Saints to join them: but the lady, overjoyed at having so great an
+apostle with her, ran eagerly to the door; when the Commissary, her
+brother, and the _guet_, rushing in, presented their musquets, and
+seized her guests, whom they immediately carried to the Chatelot.
+
+On searching the criminals, two cords, a razor, and a pistol, were found
+in St. Paul's pocket; and a gag in that of the feigned angel. Three days
+after, their trial came on: when, in their defence, they pleaded, that
+the one was a soldier of the French foot-guards, and the other a
+barber's apprentice; and that they had no other evil design, but to
+procure a good supper for themselves at the expence of the widow's
+folly; that, it being carnival time, they had borrowed the above
+dresses; that the soldier had found the two cords, and put them into his
+pocket; the razor was what he used to shave himself with; and the pistol
+was to defend himself from any insults so strange a habit might expose
+him to, in going home. The barber's apprentice said, his design also was
+only diversion; and that, as his master was a tooth-drawer, the gag was
+what they sometimes used in their business. These excuses, frivolous as
+they were, were of some avail to them; and, as they had not manifested
+any evil design by an overt act, they were acquitted.
+
+But the Counsellor, who had foreseen what would happen, through the
+insufficiency of evidence, had provided another stroke for them. No
+sooner were they discharged from the civil power, but the Apparitor of
+the Archbishop of Paris seized them, and conveyed them to the
+Ecclesiastical Prison; and, in three days more, they were tried and
+convicted of a scandalous profanation, by assuming to themselves the
+names, characters, and appearances, of an holy apostle and a blessed
+angel, with an intent to deceive a pious and well-meaning woman, and to
+the scandal of religion. On this they were condemned to be publicly
+whipped, burnt on the shoulder by a hot iron, with the letters G.A.L.
+and sent to the galleys for fourteen years.
+
+The sentence was executed on them the next day, on a scaffold in the
+_Place de Greve_, amidst an innumerable crowd of spectators: many of
+whom condemned the superstition of the lady, when perhaps they would
+have shewn the same on a like occasion; since, it may be supposed, that
+if many of _their_ stories of apparitions, of saints, and angels, had
+been judiciously examined, they would have been found, like the above,
+to be either a gross fraud, or the dreams of an over-heated,
+enthusiastic imagination.
+
+I shall make no reflections on the above fact; but leave it to the
+impartial consideration of the reader.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+FEMALE SPRITES.
+
+
+In September 1764, the following extraordinary incident happened in the
+family of a clergyman then living in Bartholomew Close.
+
+The gentleman and his wife returning home about eleven o'clock from a
+friend's house, where they had been to spend the evening, desired the
+maid to get them warm water to mix with some wine. There being no fire
+in the parlour, they went into the kitchen; and while the water was
+heating, the gentleman ordered the maid to get a pan of coals, and warm
+the bed. The servant had not long been gone up stairs, when the
+gentleman and his wife heard an uncommon noise over their heads, like
+persons walking without shoes: and, presently after, a woman enters the
+kitchen, without any other clothes on than her shift and cap. Their
+astonishment at such a sight so greatly frightened them, that they had
+neither of them power to speak a word: and while they were thus absorbed
+in amazement, another woman entered the room in like manner. Just at
+this time the maid came down from warming the bed; and, though greatly
+surprised at so unexpected an appearance, had the courage to ask them
+who they were? and what they wanted? To which they replied, that they
+were servants at their next-door neighbour's, and, being awakened out of
+their sleep by their master's calling out, Fire and thieves! ran up
+stairs, and entering the garret window, came down, to preserve
+themselves from danger, and procure assistance. Upon this, inquiry being
+made, the gentleman's daughter at the adjoining house was found in
+violent fits, which occasioned his calling the maids hastily to her
+assistance; and this caused an alarm that had nearly proved fatal to the
+clergyman's wife, who was, at that time, far gone with child.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+PRUSSIAN DOMINO,
+
+OR
+
+_FATAL EFFECTS OF JEALOUSY_.
+
+
+An officer of rank in the service of the late King of Prussia, having
+lost an amiable wife whom he tenderly loved, became quite inconsolable.
+Deeply wounded with his affliction, his mind was so absorbed in
+melancholy, that the transient pleasures of life were no longer a
+delight to him; he retired from the court and the field, and at once
+secluded himself from all society.
+
+Among the numerous friends who lamented his excessive sorrow, his
+Monarch was not the least, who endeavoured to soothe his distracted mind
+with sympathetic tenderness. Indeed, his Majesty considered him not only
+an agreeable companion, but a valuable friend; and was so much
+interested in his behalf, that he was determined, if possible, to
+divert his immoderate grief. But neither the promises of promotion, or
+the threats of disgrace, could draw him from his retirement. At length,
+after many zealous efforts had proved ineffectual, a plan was suggested
+by the King himself, which promised success. His Majesty resolved to
+give a masquerade, to which, by inviting Lindorf (for that was the
+officer's name), an opportunity might be again taken to entice him
+within that circle of gaiety, of which he was once the admiration. The
+invitation being accompanied with an affectionate and earnest
+solicitation from the King, Lindorf could not refuse accepting the
+offer; and, on the evening appointed, he was once more seen in the rooms
+of splendour and festivity. On his entrance he met the King, who, after
+greeting him with great kindness, began to rally him upon his late
+weakness. Lindorf thanked his Majesty for the honour he did him, and,
+after a short reply, they for some time walked up and down the saloon
+together; when at length it was agreed to part, that each might amuse
+himself according to his own liking, with the different characters
+exhibited that evening. But the King's intention was solely to watch the
+movements of Lindorf; for with heartfelt regret he beheld, as they
+parted, the fixed melancholy that still brooded on his countenance: and,
+when he beheld him pass, with downcast eyes, the saloon, where the
+dance and music reigned with such irresistible sway, all hope of
+reclaiming the unhappy widower disappeared. For some time he was witness
+of his melancholy deportment, and was much affected to find that, where
+every face beamed a smile, the countenance of Lindorf alone was sad and
+dejected. The King, despairing of his project being successful, was
+about to quit the rooms, when he beheld Lindorf suddenly stop and speak
+to a lady in a black domino. Rejoiced at this circumstance, hope again
+revived, and he stayed his departure, to watch the event.
+
+Lindorf, when he quitted the King, continued to walk up and down the
+rooms, nothing attracting his attention but the lady in the black
+domino, who, wherever he turned, always appeared before him. At first he
+imagined the character intended merely to amuse him, and that her
+strange deportment was instigated by his friends; but the unusual
+solemnity attending her appearance, after he had in vain desired her to
+desist, struck him with astonishment. He suddenly stopped, and demanded
+who she was? "I dare not tell you," answered the domino, in a deep and
+plaintive tone of voice. Lindorf startled--his blood ran cold; it was
+exactly the voice of his deceased wife. "Who are you? for heaven's
+sake, tell me, or I die!" exclaimed Lindorf. "You will be more wretched
+than you are, if I tell you," replied the mysterious unknown, in accents
+that doubly excited his curiosity. "Tell me," said he, "I conjure you;
+for I cannot be more wretched than I now am. Tell me all, and do not
+leave me in this state of inquietude." "Know then," answered the domino,
+"I am your wife." Lindorf started--every nerve was wrung with anguish.
+"Impossible," said he in a fright, "it cannot be; yet the voice appears
+the same." Here his tongue faltering, he ceased to speak. When he had
+somewhat recovered his recollection, he ejaculated, "In the name of God,
+do tell me who you are? Is it a trick, or do I dream?" "Neither,"
+replied the unknown; and continued, in the same tone of voice, to
+describe several particulars relative to his family, and in what manner
+many things were placed in the drawers belonging to his deceased wife,
+which none but himself and the departed knew of. At length he was
+convinced the figure before him must be the apparition of his wife; and,
+in the voice of anguish and despair, requested she would unmask and let
+him see her face. That the figure refused to do, saying, that would be a
+sight he could not bear. "I can bear any thing," he replied, "but the
+pain your denial creates. I entreat you, let me see your face; do not
+refuse me!" Again she denied him; till at last, by repeated entreaties,
+and his promises not to be alarmed, she consented to unmask, and desired
+him to follow her into an anti-room, solemnly charging him not to give
+way to his feelings. They then proceeded to the adjoining room.
+
+The King, who was an eye-witness of the deep conversation they were
+engaged in, beheld, with rapture, their entrance into the anti-chamber,
+and saw the door closed. "He is certainly restored," said the Monarch to
+his confidential attendant; "Lindorf is most assuredly saved; he has
+made an appointment with some pretty woman, and has just retired to
+enjoy a private conversation. In her endearments he will, I hope, forget
+his sorrows. So we may now partake of the festivities of the evening."
+Saying which, he immediately joined the motley group with great
+cheerfulness.
+
+Lindorf felt his blood chill, as the door of the anti-chamber closed;
+but, the warmth of affection returning, he no sooner entered, than he
+claimed the dreadful promise. Again, in the most solemn manner, she
+advised him not to urge that which might tend to his misery, as she was
+certain he had not sufficient fortitude to endure a sight of her. With
+horror he heard the remonstrance; and the solemnity of her deportment
+only inspired his eager curiosity the more. At length, after many
+strict injunctions, she lifted up the mask; when the astonished Lindorf
+beheld the most horrid spectacle of a skeleton head. "Oh, God!" he
+exclaimed, and, groaning, fell senseless on the floor. In vain the
+mysterious domino attempted to recover him. Sorrow had for a long time
+preyed upon his existence, and terror had now for ever quieted the
+unhappy Lindorf. He breathed no more; he was a lifeless corpse.
+Instantly the domino quitted the room, and retired from the masquerade.
+
+The King had just returned to his post of observation, and saw the
+domino depart. In vain he waited for Lindorf to follow; an hour expired,
+and no Lindorf appeared. This raised the curiosity of the Monarch. The
+door was left partly open, and he resolved to enter; when, to his great
+surprise and sorrow, he beheld Lindorf stretched on the floor, a corpse.
+He instantly alarmed the company; but the mystery of his death in vain
+they attempted to develope. No marks of violence appeared on his body,
+which was the more astonishing; and, to add to the mystery, the masqued
+lady was not to be found in any of the rooms. Messengers were then
+dispatched, and advertisements distributed, all over the city of Berlin,
+offering large rewards for her apprehension; but no further information
+could be gained, than that deposed by two chairmen, who affirmed, they
+brought the domino to the rooms, which from their account only added to
+the mystery.
+
+Their declaration was as follows--"Having received a letter, enjoining
+secrecy, and desiring them to attend in the dusk of the evening, at a
+certain church porch, to carry a lady to the masquerade; they, thinking
+it was some person who intended to play the character of a hobgoblin, or
+sprite, did not hesitate, and made no farther inquiry, but proceeded, at
+the hour appointed, to the place mentioned; where they found a person
+waiting in a black domino, just as the advertisement described. On their
+arrival, without speaking a word, the domino placed the money for hire
+in their hands, and instantly entered the chair, which they immediately
+conveyed to the masquerade. On their arrival, without uttering a word,
+she darted from them into the crowd, and they saw no more of her until
+twelve o'clock, when, on passing the door, they discovered the domino
+again seated in the chair. They were much surprised at such strange
+conduct; but, without reflecting on the event, they conveyed her back
+again, as was agreed, to the same church porch, when they received a
+further gratuity, and departed." Such was the deposition of the two
+chairmen, at once mysterious and incomprehensible. This intelligence
+still more astonished the King, who in vain used every method to make
+further discovery in this extraordinary and unhappy affair.
+
+Several years elapsed, without any thing occurring that could lead to a
+developement of this dreadful catastrophe. All search after the lady was
+now given up, and nothing but the remembrance of the unhappy affair
+remained. At length the hour arrived, when this dreadful mystery was
+explained, which displayed one of the most diabolical and desperate
+transactions ever known. The particulars are as follow.
+
+A lady, then at the point of death, requested to see some confidential
+friend of the King's; which request was immediately complied with: to
+whom she made the following confession. In accents scarcely audible, she
+told them, she was the person who appeared in the black domino, in so
+mysterious a manner, to Lindorf, and which unhappily caused his death.
+That revenge for neglected love instigated her to play the part she did;
+but that she had no idea the consequence would have been so fatal: her
+intention being merely to assume the appearance of his deceased wife, in
+order that she might upbraid him, and gratify her revenge for having
+broke his vow in marrying her sister instead of herself; and also that
+she might effectually persuade him to desist from his melancholy
+intentions of remaining a widower, and prevail on him to marry her--for
+although he refused her request personally, yet she imagined the scheme
+must be successful, when played off under the appearance of a spirit of
+his deceased wife; and, to deceive his imagination, she had endeavoured
+to personify her; for which purpose she had procured the head of a
+skeleton, and assumed that character which had proved the death of the
+man she so ardently loved, and the source of endless misery to herself.
+She then related the conversation that had passed between them on that
+fatal evening, and fully described the whole particulars of that
+mysterious affair. She likewise acknowledged she endeavoured to imitate
+the voice of his deceased wife; and declared her intention for having
+the chair brought to the church porch was to render the proceeding the
+more mysterious and incomprehensible in case of a scrutiny. On
+concluding this melancholy tale, she fetched a deep sigh, and instantly
+expired.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+DEAD MAN
+
+AND
+
+_ANATOMICAL PROFESSOR_.
+
+
+Many, who were personally acquainted with Mr. Junker, have frequently
+heard him relate the following anecdote.
+
+Being Professor of Anatomy, he once procured, for dissection, the bodies
+of two criminals who had been hanged. The key of the dissecting room not
+being immediately at hand, when they were carried home to him, he
+ordered them to be laid down in a closet which opened into his own
+apartment. The evening came; and Junker, according to custom, proceeded
+to resume his literary labour before he retired to rest. It was now near
+midnight, and all his family were fast asleep, when he heard a rumbling
+noise in his closet. Thinking that, by some mistake, the cat had been
+shut up with the dead bodies, he arose, and, taking the candle, went to
+see what had happened. But what must have been his astonishment, or
+rather his panic, on perceiving that the sack which contained the two
+bodies was rent through the middle. He approached, and found that one
+of them was gone.
+
+The doors and windows were well secured, and he thought it impossible
+the bodies could have been stolen. He tremblingly looked round the
+closet, and observed the dead man seated in a corner.
+
+Junker stood for a moment motionless: the dead man seemed to look
+towards him; he moved both to the right and left, but the dead man still
+kept his eyes upon him.
+
+The Professor then retired, step by step, with his eyes still fixed upon
+the object of his alarm, and holding the candle in his hand, until he
+reached the door. The dead man instantly started up, and followed him. A
+figure of so hideous an appearance, naked, and in motion--the lateness
+of the hour--the deep silence which prevailed--every thing concurred to
+overwhelm him with confusion. He let fall the only candle which he had
+burning, and all was darkness. He made his escape to his bed-chamber,
+and threw himself on the bed: thither, however, he was pursued; and he
+soon felt the dead man embracing his legs, and loudly sobbing. Repeated
+cries of "Leave me! leave me!" released Junker from the grasp of the
+dead man; who now exclaimed, "Ah! good executioner! good executioner!
+have mercy upon me."
+
+Junker soon perceived the cause of what had happened, and resumed his
+fortitude. He informed the re-animated sufferer who he really was, and
+made a motion, in order to call up some of the family. "You wish then to
+destroy me," exclaimed the criminal. "If you call any one, my adventure
+will become public, and I shall be taken and executed a second time. In
+the name of humanity, I implore you to save my life."
+
+The physician struck a light, decorated his guest with an old
+night-gown, and, having made him take off a cordial, requested to know
+what had brought him to the gibbet. It would have been a truly singular
+exhibition, observed Junker, to have seen me, at that late hour, engaged
+in a _tête-à-tête_ with a dead man decked out in a night-gown.
+
+The poor wretch informed him, that he had enlisted as a soldier, but
+that, having no great attachment to the profession, he had determined to
+desert; that he had unfortunately entrusted his secret to a kind of
+crimp, a fellow of no principle, who recommended him to a woman, in
+whose house he was to remain concealed: that this woman had discovered
+his retreat to the officers of police, &c.
+
+Junker was extremely perplexed how to save the poor man. It was
+impossible to retain him in his own house, and keep the affair a secret;
+and to turn him out of doors, was to expose him to certain destruction.
+He therefore resolved to conduct him out of the city, in order that he
+might get into a foreign jurisdiction; but it was necessary to pass the
+gates of the city, which were strictly guarded. To accomplish this
+point, he dressed the man in some of his old clothes, covered him with a
+cloak, and, at an early hour, set out for the country, with his
+_protegé_ behind him. On arriving at the city gate, where he was well
+known, he said in a hurried tone, that he had been sent for to visit a
+sick person who was dying in the suburbs. He was permitted to pass.
+Having both got into the open fields, the deserter threw himself at the
+feet of his deliverer, to whom he vowed eternal gratitude; and, after
+receiving some pecuniary assistance, departed, offering up prayers for
+his happiness.
+
+Twelve years after, Junker, having occasion to go to Amsterdam, was
+accosted on the Exchange by a man well-dressed and of the best
+appearance, who, he had been informed, was one of the most respectable
+merchants in that city. The merchant, in a polite manner, inquired
+whether he was not Professor Junker of Halle; and, on being answered in
+the affirmative, he requested, in an earnest manner, his company to
+dinner. The Professor consented. Having reached the merchant's house,
+he was shewn into an elegant apartment, where he found a beautiful wife,
+and two fine healthy children: but he could scarcely suppress his
+astonishment at meeting with so cordial a reception from a family with
+whom, he thought he was entirely unacquainted.
+
+After dinner, the merchant, taking him into his counting-room, said,
+"You do not recollect me?"--"Not at all."--"But I well recollect you;
+and never shall your features be effaced from my remembrance. You are my
+benefactor. I am the person who came to life in your closet, and to whom
+you paid so much attention. On parting from you, I took the road to
+Holland. I wrote a good hand, was tolerably expert at accounts; my
+figure was somewhat interesting; and I soon obtained employment as a
+merchant's clerk. My good conduct, and my zeal for the interests of my
+patron, procured me his confidence, and his daughter's love. On his
+retiring from business, I succeeded him, and became his son-in-law. But
+for you, however, I should not have lived to experience all these
+enjoyments. Henceforth, look upon my house, my fortune, and myself, as
+at your disposal."
+
+Those who possess the smallest portion of sensibility can easily
+represent to themselves the feelings of Junker.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+DRUNKEN BUCKS,
+
+AND
+
+_CHIMNEY-SWEEP_.
+
+
+On March the 19th, 1765, four bucks assembled at an inn in Grantham, to
+drink a glass, and play a game of cards. The glass circulating very
+briskly, before midnight they became so intoxicated, that not one of
+them was able to determine how the game stood; and several disputes,
+interspersed with a considerable number of oaths, ensued, till they
+agreed to let the cards lie, and endeavour to drink themselves sober.
+Shortly after they resumed the game; and each man imagining himself
+capable of directing the rest, they soon came again to very high words;
+when the waiter, fearful that some bad consequences might ensue, let
+them know it was near three o'clock, and, if any gentleman pleased, he
+would wait on him home. Instead of complying with his request, the
+geniuses looked upon it as an indignity offered them, and declared, with
+the most horrid imprecations, that not one of them would depart till
+day-light. But, in the height of their anger, an uncommon noise in the
+chimney engaged their attention; when, on looking towards the
+fire-place, a black spectre made its appearance, and crying out in a
+hollow menacing tone--"_My father has sent me for you, infamous
+reprobates!_" They all, in the greatest fright, flew out of the room,
+without staying to take their hats, in broken accents confessing their
+sins, and begging for mercy.
+
+It appears, that the master of the inn, finding he could not get rid of
+his troublesome guests, and having a chimney-sweeper in his house
+sweeping other chimneys, he gave the boy directions to descend into the
+room as above related, whilst he stood at a distance, and enjoyed the
+droll scene of the bucks' flight.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+CRIPPLEGATE GHOST.
+
+
+The following story, well authenticated in the neighbourhood of
+Cripplegate, will convince the reader, that vicious intentions are
+sometimes productive of much good to the parties they intended to
+injure.
+
+A gentlewoman in that parish, having lain for some days in a trance, was
+at length laid out and buried for dead, with a gold ring on her finger.
+The sexton knowing thereof, he and his wife, with a lanthorn and candle,
+went privately the next night, and dug up the coffin, opened it, untied
+the winding sheet, and was going to cut off her finger for the sake of
+the valuable ring buried with her, they not being otherwise able to
+remove it; when, suddenly, the lady raised herself up (being just then
+supposed miraculously to come out of her trance). The sexton and his
+wife ran away in a horrible fright, leaving their lanthorn behind them;
+which the lady took up, and made haste home to her house. When knocking
+hard at the door, the maid-servant asked who was there? "'Tis I, your
+mistress," replied the lady; "and do, for God's sake, let me in
+immediately, as I am very cold." The maid, being much surprised and
+terrified at this reply, neglected to open the door, ran away to her
+master, and acquainted him with the circumstance; who would scarcely
+believe her tale, till he went himself to the door, and heard his wife
+relate the dreadful particulars. He immediately let her in, put her into
+a warm bed; and, by being well looked after, she soon perfectly
+recovered, and lived to have three children afterwards.
+
+This extraordinary resuscitation is conjectured, by the faculty, to have
+been occasioned by the sudden circulation of the blood on the villain's
+attempting to cut off the finger.
+
+A monument, with a curious inscription of this affair, is still to be
+seen in Cripplegate church.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+VENTRILOQUIST.
+
+
+The following anecdotes are related by the Abbé de la Chapelle, of the
+French Academy.
+
+This gentleman, having heard many surprising circumstances related
+concerning one Monsieur St. Gille, a grocer, at St. Germain-en-Laye,
+near Paris, whose astonishing powers as a ventriloquist had given
+occasion to many singular and diverting scenes, formed the resolution to
+see him. Struck by the many marvellous anecdotes related concerning him,
+the Abbé judged it necessary first to ascertain the truth by the
+testimony of his own senses, and then to inquire into the cause and
+manner in which the phenomena were produced.
+
+After some preparatory and necessary steps (for Monsieur St. Gille had
+been told he did not chuse to gratify the curiosity of every one), the
+Abbé waited upon him, informed him of his design, and was very cordially
+received. He was taken into a parlour on the ground floor; when
+Monsieur St. Gille and himself sat on the opposite sides of a small
+fire, with only a table between them, the Abbé keeping his eyes
+constantly fixed on Monsieur St. Gille all the time. Half an hour had
+passed, during which that gentleman diverted the Abbé with a relation of
+many comic scenes which he had given occasion to by this talent of his;
+when, all on a sudden, the Abbé heard himself called by his name and
+title, in a voice that seemed to come from the roof of a house at a
+distance. He was almost petrified with astonishment: on recollecting
+himself, however, he asked Monsieur St. Gille whether he had not just
+then given him a specimen of his art? He was answered only by a smile.
+But while the Abbé was pointing to the house from which the voice had
+appeared to him to proceed, his surprise was augmented on hearing
+himself answered, "It was not from that quarter," apparently in the same
+kind of voice as before, but which now seemed to issue from under the
+earth, at one of the corners of the room. In short, this factitious
+voice played, as it were, every where about him, and seemed to proceed
+from any quarter or distance from which the operator chose to transmit
+it to him. The illusion was so very strong, that, prepared as the Abbé
+was for this kind of conversation, his mere senses were absolutely
+incapable of undeceiving him. Though conscious that the voice proceeded
+from the mouth of Monsieur St. Gille, that gentleman appeared absolutely
+mute while he was exercising this talent; nor could the author perceive
+any change whatever in his countenance. He observed, however, at this
+first visit, that Monsieur St. Gille contrived, but without any
+affectation, to present only the profile of his face to him, while he
+was speaking as a ventriloquist.
+
+The next experiment made was no less curious than the former, and is
+related as follows--
+
+Monsieur St. Gille, returning home from a place where his business had
+carried him, sought for shelter from an approaching thunder-storm, in a
+neighbouring convent. Finding the whole community in mourning, he
+inquires the cause, and is told, that one of their body had lately died,
+who was the ornament and delight of the whole society. To pass away the
+time, he walks into the church, attended by some of the religious, who
+shew him the tomb of their deceased brother, and speak feelingly of the
+scanty honours they had bestowed on his memory. Suddenly, a voice is
+heard, apparently proceeding from the roof of the choir, lamenting the
+situation of the deceased in purgatory, and reproaching the brotherhood
+with their lukewarmness and want of zeal on his account. The friars, as
+soon as their astonishment gave them power to speak, consult together,
+and agree to acquaint the rest of the community with this singular
+event, so interesting to the whole society.
+
+Monsieur St. Gille, who wished to carry on the deception still farther,
+dissuaded them from taking this step; telling them, that they will be
+treated by their absent brethren as a set of fools and visionaries. He
+recommended to them, however, the immediately calling the whole
+community into the church, when the ghost of their departed brother may,
+probably, reiterate his complaints. Accordingly, all the friars,
+novices, lay-brothers, and even the domestics of the convent, are
+immediately summoned and collected together. In a short time, the voice
+from the roof renewed its lamentations and reproaches; and the whole
+convent fell on their faces, and vowed a solemn reparation. As a first
+step, they chaunted a _De Profundis_ in full choir; during the intervals
+of which, the ghost occasionally expressed the comfort he received from
+their pious exercises and ejaculations on his behalf. When all was over,
+the Prior entered into a serious conversation with Monsieur St. Gille;
+and, on the strength of what had just passed, sagaciously inveighed
+against the absurd incredulity of our modern sceptics, and pretended
+philosophers, as to the existence of ghosts or apparitions. Monsieur
+St. Gille thought it now high time to undeceive the good fathers. This
+purpose, however, he found extremely difficult to effect, till he had
+prevailed upon them to return with him into the church, and there be
+witnesses of the manner in which he had conducted this ludicrous
+deception.
+
+In consequence of these memoirs, presented by the author to the Royal
+Academy of Sciences at Paris, in which he communicated to them the
+observations that he had collected on the subject of ventriloquism in
+general, and those he had made on Monsieur St. Gille in particular; that
+learned body deputed two of its members, M. de Fouchy and Le Roi, to
+accompany him to St. Germain-en-Laye, in order to verify the facts, and
+to make their observations on the nature and causes of this
+extraordinary faculty. In the course of this inquiry, a very singular
+plan was laid and executed, to put Monsieur St. Gille's powers of
+deception to the trial, by engaging him to exert them in the presence of
+a large party, consisting of the commissaries of the Academy, and some
+persons of the highest quality, who were to dine in the open forest near
+St. Germain-en-Laye on a particular day. All the members of this party
+were in the secret, except a certain lady, here designated by the title
+of the Countess de B. who was pitched upon as a proper person for
+Monsieur St. Gille's delusive powers, as she knew nothing either of him
+or of ventriloquism; and possibly for another reason, which the Abbé,
+through politeness, suppresses. She had been told in general, that this
+party had been formed in consequence of a report, that an aërial spirit
+had lately established itself in the forest of St. Germain-en-Laye; and
+that a grand deputation from the Academy of Sciences was to pass the day
+there, to inquire into the reality of the fact.
+
+Monsieur St. Gille was one of the first of this select party; and,
+previous to his joining the company in the forest, he completely
+deceived one of the Commissaries of the Academy, who was then walking
+apart from the rest, and whom he accidentally met. Just as he was
+abreast of him, prepared and guarded as the academician was against a
+deception of this kind, he verily believed that he heard his associate
+M. de Fouchy, who was then with the company at above an hundred yards
+distance, calling after him to return as expeditiously as possible. His
+valet, too, after repeating to his master the purport of M. de Fouchy's
+supposed acclamation, turned about towards the company, and, with the
+greatest simplicity imaginable, bawled out as loud as he could, in
+answer to him, "Yes, Sir."
+
+After this promising beginning, the party sat down to dinner; and the
+aërial spirit, who had been previously furnished with proper anecdotes
+respecting the company, soon began to address the Countess of B.
+particularly, in a voice that seemed to be in the air over their heads.
+Sometimes he spoke to her from the tops of the trees around them, or
+from the surface of the ground, but at a great distance; and at other
+times seemed to speak from a considerable depth under her feet. During
+the dinner, the spirit appeared to be absolutely inexhaustible in the
+gallantries he addressed to her; though he sometimes said civil things
+to the rest of the company. This kind of conversation lasted above two
+hours; and, in fine, the Countess was firmly persuaded, as the rest of
+the company affected to be, that this was the voice of an aërial spirit:
+nor would she, as the author affirms, have been undeceived, had not the
+rest of the company, by their unguarded behaviour, at length excited in
+her some suspicions. The little plot against her was then owned; and she
+acknowledged herself to be mortified only in being awakened from such a
+pleasing delusion.
+
+Several other instances of Monsieur St. Gille's talents are related. He
+is not, however, the only ventriloquist now in being. The author, in the
+course of his inquiries on this subject, was informed that the Baron de
+Mengin, a German nobleman, possessed this art in a very high degree.
+The Baron has also constructed a little puppet, or doll, (the lower jaw
+of which he moves by a particular contrivance), with which he holds a
+spirited kind of dialogue. In the course of it, the little virago is so
+impertinent, that at last he thrusts her into his pocket; from whence
+she seems, to those present, to grumble, and complain of her hard
+treatment. Some time ago, the Baron, who was then at the court of
+Bareith, being in company with the Prince de Deux Ponts, and other
+noblemen, amused them with this scene. An Irish officer, who was then
+present, was so firmly persuaded that the Baron's doll was a real living
+animal, previously taught by him to repeat these responses, that he
+watched his opportunity at the close of the dialogue, and suddenly made
+an attempt to snatch it from his pocket. The little doll, as if in
+danger of being suffocated, during the struggle occasioned by this
+attempt, called out for help, and screamed incessantly from the pocket
+till the officer desisted. She then became silent; and the Baron was
+obliged to take her out from thence, to convince him, by handling her,
+that she was a mere piece of wood.
+
+It should have been observed, at the beginning of the Abbé's anecdotes,
+that ventriloquism is the art of vocal deception. It is an art, or
+quality, possessed by certain persons, by means of which they are
+enabled to speak inwardly, having the power of forming speech by drawing
+the air into the lungs, and to modify the voice in such a manner as to
+make it seem to proceed from any distance, or in any direction whatever.
+
+There is no doubt but many of these deceptions have been magnified by
+weak people into those dreadful stories of apparitions and hobgoblins,
+which the credulous and enthusiastic are too apt implicitly to believe.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+SCHOOL-BOY APPARITION.
+
+
+A few years since, the inhabitants of Dorking, in Surrey, entertained a
+notion, that a ghost walked in a certain place in that neighbourhood;
+and that she (for it was an ancient lady, lately dead) was seen hovering
+about the mansion-house, which was left uninhabited for some time; that
+she would be up and down in the house very often in the day-time, making
+a rumbling and a clattering noise; and in the night-time she walked in
+the neighbouring fields, with a candle in her hand, and though the wind
+blew ever so hard, it would not blow the candle out; that sometimes she
+would appear in the open fields, sometimes up in the trees; and, in
+particular, there was a little heath near Dorking, called Cotman Dean,
+where, it was said, she was frequently seen.
+
+There was a boarding-school of boys in that town, some of whom were
+particularly roguish, and contrived all this walking, from the beginning
+to the end. First, they got a small rope; and, tying one end of it to an
+old chair which stood in an upper room of the house (for they had found
+the means to get in and out of the house at pleasure), they brought the
+other end of the rope down on the other side of the house, in a private
+place, where it could not easily be seen; and by this they pulled the
+old chair up, and then let it fall down again: this made a great noise
+in the house, and was heard distinctly by many of the neighbours. Then
+other boys of the same gang took care to call out the old women in the
+next houses, that now they might hear the old lady playing her pranks;
+and, accordingly, they would all assemble in the court-yard, where they
+could plainly hear the noises, but not one of them would venture to go
+up stairs. If any one offered to go a little way up, then all was quiet;
+but, as soon as ever they retired, the rumbling would begin again. This
+was the day's deception.
+
+In the night, one of these unlucky boys got a dark lanthorn, which was
+a thing, at that time, the country-people did not understand; and with
+this he walked about the orchard, and two or three closes near the
+house, shewing the light in different directions. His comrades would
+then call all the old women about them to see it. Then, on a sudden, the
+light would seem to go out, as the boy closed up the lanthorn. Then he
+would run swiftly across the whole field, and shew his light again on
+the other side. Now he would be up in a tree, then in the road, then
+upon the middle of the heath; so that the country-people made no more
+question, but that the old lady walked with a candle in her hand, and
+that they saw the light of it; in a word, it passed for an apparition,
+and was generally conceived as such by the neighbourhood, till the
+knavery was discovered, the boys punished, and the towns-people laughed
+at for their credulity.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+CREDULOUS PEASANTS.
+
+
+No longer ago than the year 1788, when the husbandmen of Paris suffered
+so severely by the devastation on the 13th of July in that year, many of
+the farmers were positively so superstitious at their own created fears,
+that, notwithstanding considerable sums were offered to indemnify them
+for their losses, and to encourage them to carry on with spirit the
+cultivation of their lands, with new seeds, new implements, &c. they
+peremptorily refused, on account of a foolish report that was then
+prevalent in some parts of the country where the storm happened. They
+said, that two giants were seen peeping out of the clouds, and
+threatening, with terrible countenances, gigantic frowns, and
+high-sounding words, that they would return next year on the same
+thirteenth day of July, with a greater scourge than they then felt.
+Terrified either at the imagined report, or at the fancied sight of the
+giants (which terror and a weak brain will often produce), many of the
+unhappy sufferers abandoned their houses, and commenced beggars, rather
+than return to the labours of the field: so great was their affright,
+in consequence of that tremendous storm.
+
+This story, though hardly credible, may be depended on as a fact, and
+may be seen in many of the public prints of that time.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+NOCTURNAL DISTURBERS.
+
+
+The following authentic story is related by Dr. Plot, in his Natural
+History of Oxfordshire.
+
+Soon after the murder of King Charles the First, a commission was
+appointed to survey the King's house at Woodstock, with the manor, park,
+woods, and other demesnes thereunto belonging; and one Collins, under a
+feigned name, hired himself as Secretary to the Commissioners: who, upon
+the thirteenth of October 1849, met, and took up their residence in the
+King's own rooms. His Majesty's bed-chamber they made their kitchen; the
+council-hall, their pantry; and the presence-chamber was the place where
+they sat for the dispatch of business. His Majesty's dining room they
+made their wood-yard, and stored it with the wood of the famous royal
+oak, from the high park; which, that nothing might be left with the name
+of the King about it, they had dug up by the roots, and split, and
+bundled up into faggots for their firing.
+
+Things being thus prepared, they sat on the 16th of the same month for
+the dispatch of business; and in the midst of their first debate, there
+entered a large black dog, as they thought, which made a dreadful
+howling, overturned two or three of their chairs, and then crept under a
+bed, and vanished. This gave them the greater surprise, as the doors
+were kept constantly locked, so that no real dog could get in or out.
+The next day, their surprise was increased; when, sitting at dinner in a
+lower room, they heard plainly the noise of persons walking over their
+heads, though they well knew the doors were all locked, and there could
+be nobody there. Presently after, they heard also all the wood of the
+King's oak brought by parcels from the dining-room, and thrown with
+great violence into the chamber; as also the chairs, stools, tables, and
+other furniture, forcibly hurled about the room; their own papers of the
+minutes of their transactions torn; and the ink-glass broken. When this
+noise had some time ceased, Giles Sharp, their Secretary, proposed to
+enter first into these rooms; and, in presence of the Commissioners, of
+whom he received the key, he opened the doors, and found the wood spread
+about the room, the chairs tossed about, and broken, the papers torn,
+and the ink-glass broken (as has been said); but not the least track of
+any human creature, nor the least reason to suspect one, as the doors
+were all fast, and the keys in the custody of the Commissioners. It was
+therefore unanimously agreed, that the power who did this mischief must
+have entered the room at the key-hole.
+
+The night following, Sharp, the Secretary, with two of the
+Commissioners' servants, as they were in bed in the same room (which
+room was contiguous to that where the Commissioners lay), had their
+beds' feet lifted so much higher than their heads, that they expected to
+have their necks broken; and then they were let fall at once with so
+much violence, as shook the whole house, and more than ever terrified
+the Commissioners.
+
+On the night of the nineteenth, as all were in bed in the same room for
+greater safety, and lights burning by them, the candles in an instant
+went out with a sulphurous smell: and, that moment, many trenchers of
+wood were hurled about the room; which, next morning, were found to be
+the same their Honours had eaten off the day before, which were all
+removed from the pantry, though not a lock was found opened in the whole
+house. The next night, they fared still worse: the candles went out as
+before; the curtains of their Honours' beds were rattled to and fro
+with great violence; their Honours received many cruel blows and bruises
+by eight great pewter dishes, and a number of wooden trenchers, being
+thrown on their beds, which being heaved off were heard rolling about
+the room, though in the morning none of them were to be seen. The
+following night, likewise, they were alarmed with the tumbling down of
+oaken billets about their beds, and other frightful noises: but all was
+clear in the morning, as if no such thing had happened. The next night,
+the keeper of the King's house and his dog lay in the Commissioners'
+room; and then they had no disturbance. But, on the night of the
+twenty-second, though the dog lay in the room as before, yet the candles
+went out, a number of brickbats fell from the chimney into the room, the
+dog howled piteously, their bed-clothes were all stripped off, and their
+terror increased. On the twenty-fourth night, they thought all the wood
+of the King's oak was violently thrown down by their bed-sides; they
+counted sixty-four billets that fell, and some hit and shook the beds in
+which they lay: but in the morning none were found there, nor had the
+door been opened where the billet-wood was kept. The next night, the
+candles were put out, the curtains rattled, and a dreadful crack like
+thunder was heard; and one of the servants, running to see if his
+master was not killed, found three dozen of trenchers laid smoothly
+under the quilt by him.
+
+But all this was nothing to what succeeded afterwards. The twenty-ninth,
+about midnight, the candles went out; something walked majestically
+through the room, and opened and shut the windows; great stones were
+thrown violently into the room, some of which fell on the beds, others
+on the floor; and, about a quarter after one, a noise was heard, as of
+forty cannon discharged together, and again repeated at about eight
+minutes distance. This alarmed and raised all the neighbourhood; who,
+coming into their Honours' rooms, gathered up the great stones,
+fourscore in number, and laid them in the corner of a field, where, in
+Dr. Plot's time, who reported this story, they were to be seen. This
+noise, like the discharge of cannon, was heard through all the country
+for sixteen miles round. During these noises, which were heard in both
+rooms together, the Commissioners and their servants gave one another
+over for lost, and cried out for help; and Giles Sharp, snatching up a
+sword, had well nigh killed one of their Honours, mistaking him for the
+spirit, as he came in his shirt, from his own room to their's. While
+they were together, the noise was continued, and part of the tiling of
+the house was stripped off, and all the windows of an upper room were
+taken away with it.
+
+On the thirtieth at midnight, something walked into the chamber,
+treading like a bear; it walked many times about, then threw a
+warming-pan violently on the floor: at the same time a large quantity of
+broken glass, accompanied with great stones and horses' bones, came
+pouring into the room, with uncommon force; these were all found in the
+morning, to the astonishment and terror of the Commissioners, who were
+yet determined to go on with their business.
+
+But, on the first of November, the most dreadful scene of all ensued.
+Candles in every part of the house were lighted up, and a great fire
+made. At midnight, the candles all yet burning, a noise, like the burst
+of a cannon, was heard in the room, and the burning billets were tossed
+about by it even into their Honours' beds, who called Giles and his
+companions to their relief, otherwise the house had been burned to the
+ground. About an hour after, the candles went out as usual; the crack of
+as many cannon was heard; and many pailfuls of green stinking water were
+thrown upon their Honours' beds; great stones were thrown in, as before;
+the bed-curtains and bedsteads torn and broken; the windows shattered;
+and the whole neighbourhood alarmed with the most dreadful noises; nay,
+the very rabbit-stealers that were abroad that night in the warren, were
+so terrified, that they fled for fear, and left their ferrets behind
+them. One of their Honours, this night, spoke; and, in the name of God,
+asked what it was? and why it disturbed them so? No answer was given to
+this, but the noise ceased for a while; when the spirit came again, and,
+as they all agreed, brought with it seven devils worse than itself. One
+of the servants now lighted a large candle, and placed himself in the
+doorway between the two chambers, to see what passed; and, as he
+watched, he plainly saw a hoof striking the candle and candlestick into
+the middle of the room, and afterwards making three scrapes over the
+snuff, scraped it out. Upon this the same person was so bold as to draw
+a sword; but he had scarce got it out, when he felt an invisible hand
+had hold of it too, and pulled with him for it, and, at length
+prevailing, struck him so violently on the head with the hilt, that he
+fell down for dead with the blow. At this instant was heard another
+burst, like the discharge of the broadside of a ship of war; and, at
+about a minute or two's distance each, no less than nineteen more such.
+These shook the house so violently, that they expected every moment it
+would fall upon their heads. The neighbours, on this, as has been said,
+being all alarmed, flocked to the house in great numbers, and all
+joined in prayer and psalm-singing; during which the noise still
+continued in the other rooms, and the report of cannon was heard, as
+from without, though no visible agent was seen to discharge them.
+
+But what was the most alarming of all, and put an end to their
+proceedings effectually, happened the next day, as they were all at
+dinner; when a paper, in which they had signed a mutual agreement to
+reserve a part of the premises out of the general survey, and afterwards
+to share it equally amongst them, (which paper they had hid, for the
+present, under the earth, in a pot in one corner of the room, in which
+an orange-tree grew), was consumed in a wonderful manner, by the earth's
+taking fire, with which the pot was filled, and burning violently with a
+blue flame, and an intolerable stench, so that they were all driven out
+of the house, to which they could never again be prevailed upon to
+return.
+
+This wonderful contrivance was all the invention of the memorable Joseph
+Collins, of Oxford, otherwise called _Funny Joe_; who, having hired
+himself for their Secretary, under the name of Giles Sharp, by knowing
+the private traps belonging to the house, and the help of _pulvis
+fulminans_ and other chemical preparations, and letting his
+fellow-servants into the scheme, carried on the deceit, without
+discovery, to the very last, so dextrously, that the late Dr. Plot, in
+his Natural History, relates the whole for fact, in the gravest manner.
+
+
+
+
+MARESCHAL SAXE,
+
+AND
+
+_THE HAUNTED CASTLE_.
+
+
+The following very remarkable adventure, which befel the Mareschal de
+Saxe, whilst returning to his country-seat, near Dresden, in Saxony, has
+often been related by him to his friends and acquaintance; and, as the
+Mareschal was not less famed for his love of truth, than for his heroic
+courage as a warrior, none of them ever doubted the truth of his
+relation.
+
+"Returning," says the Mareschal, "from the fatigues of a very active
+campaign to my country-seat, in order to seek, in retirement, some
+relaxation during the remainder of the winter, I arrived on the third
+day at a small village, on the verge of an extensive forest. At about
+half a league from this village, stood an ancient castle, in which some
+of the country-people were usually wont to take up their abode, and from
+which they had of late been driven, according to their account, by the
+nightly appearance of a most terrific spectre, whose visit was announced
+by the most hideous groans. On conversing with some of the villagers,"
+observes the Mareschal, "I found that an universal terror pervaded the
+whole neighbourhood; many of them declaring they had actually seen the
+dreadful ghost; whilst others, taking their declaration for granted,
+promulgated the story, according as their imaginations were more or less
+affected by their fears.
+
+"Willing, if possible, to comfort these poor people, and to convince
+them that their senses were deceived, I told them they were wrong to
+suffer their fears to get the better of their reason; and that, if any
+of them had the courage to examine more closely into the affair, they
+would find the whole was nothing more than some imposture, or the
+effusion of a superstitious brain, or, at most, a trick played upon them
+by some wicked people on purpose to amuse themselves by sporting with
+their feelings. But I was much disappointed to find that my arguments
+had but little effect. I therefore determined, if possible, to trace the
+affair to the bottom before I departed, in order to dispel their fears,
+and do away the unfavourable impression they had so generally
+entertained of the castle being haunted.
+
+"I now told them, I would pass a night in one of the apartments of the
+castle, provided I were furnished with a bed, and other necessaries
+requisite for such an undertaking. 'Moreover,' said I, 'if this ghostly
+personage should honour me with a visit, I shall not fail to propose
+articles of accommodation between you.' To this they readily assented,
+and seemed much pleased with my proposition.
+
+"In the evening, my bed, fire, and other requisites, being ready, I was
+conducted to my new abode; on entering which, I proposed to some of my
+conductors to pass the night with me, which they, one and all, declined,
+under various pretences. 'Well then, my good people,' said I, rallying
+their want of courage, 'the day is now closing apace, I would have you
+return immediately, lest this nightly intruder should intercept you in
+your retreat.' Whereupon my companions took leave, and hastened with all
+speed from the castle.
+
+"Being now alone, I thought it prudent to examine the castle with the
+most minute circumspection. After various researches to discover all the
+private avenues of the place, I returned to the apartment I proposed
+sleeping in, at the further end of which I perceived a door that till
+now I had not discovered. I essayed to open it, but in vain, as it was
+fastened on the other side. This naturally excited my suspicion. I again
+made the attempt, and again was unsuccessful. I then prepared to guard
+myself against a surprise; I therefore charged my pistols, and laid them
+together with my sword in a convenient place to seize them on the least
+alarm. I then took a slight repast, of such provisions as had been
+prepared for me; after which I amused myself, until my usual hour of
+going to rest, with examining the Gothic decorations of my apartment,
+and then laid me down on the bed, and, being rather overcome with the
+fatigue of the day, I soon sunk into a profound sleep. How long I
+continued in this state, I cannot exactly say; but I conjectured it to
+be about midnight, when I was alarmed with the most unaccountable noise
+I had ever heard. I listened a few seconds, to ascertain from whence the
+sound came, and soon found it proceeded from without the door I had
+fruitlessly attempted to open. I instantly jumped from the bed, seized
+my arms, and was in the act of advancing towards it, determined to find
+out the cause of this disturbance, let what would be the consequence;
+when, suddenly the door flew open, with the most tremendous crash. A
+hollow groan issued from the vaults below; and a tall figure of gigantic
+appearance, clad in complete armour, rose to my view. The figure's
+appearance was so sudden and terrific, that I could not in a moment
+collect myself sufficiently to call out and speak to it; but, a moment
+after, my courage returned, and, calling to mind, that I could only find
+safety in my own courageous efforts, and not doubting but the intruder
+was a mortal like myself, I instantly levelled one of my pistols, and
+fired. The ball struck the breast-plate of the figure, glided quickly
+off, and lodged in the wall. I levelled again, fired, and with the same
+effect. I then drew my sword, at the same time exclaiming, 'Know that I
+am the Mareschal de Saxe; that I am a stranger to fear, and that this
+sword shall quickly prove whether thou art mortal or not!' 'Be thou the
+Mareschal de Saxe, or the devil,' replied the figure; 'thy courage here
+can avail thee nought. I have the means to destroy thee, or an hundred
+such, in an instant. But, follow me; thy obedience only can insure thy
+safety.' I now saw that resistance would be vain, as several figures
+clad in armour like the first, and well armed, appeared at each door.
+'Well then,' said I, 'since it is so, lead the way; but remember, that
+the first who dares touch me dies, if my own life is the immediate
+forfeiture.'
+
+"We then quitted the apartment, by the secret door already mentioned;
+and, descending by a circuitous flight of stairs, soon arrived at
+another door, which flew open on our approach. No sooner were we
+entered, than my guide gave a signal to those who followed, and the door
+was instantly shut. A number of Vulcan-like creatures now appeared,
+bearing lighted torches, and leading the way through a winding
+subterraneous passage. We soon came to a spacious arched vault, in which
+I beheld upwards of fifty persons very actively engaged in the various
+processes of coining. The whole mystery was now developed; and I
+discovered that, for the first time in my life, I had fallen into the
+hands of a most desperate gang of coiners. Escape was now utterly
+impossible; nor could I entertain the most distant hope of succour from
+without the castle, as my sudden disappearance would rather operate to
+confirm the terror of the villagers, than stimulate them to search after
+me.
+
+"The man in armour now turned to me, and addressed me in nearly the
+following words--'You now see for what purpose we are here arrived. I am
+the chief of this band; and it is principally to me you may attribute
+your preservation. We have but recently taken up our abode in this
+castle; and the plan we have fallen upon to terrify the villagers and
+country round, and thereby keep them from pursuing us, has hitherto
+succeeded beyond our most sanguine expectations; nor was it likely we
+should have been disturbed for years to come, had you not visited these
+parts. Of your resolute intention to sleep in the haunted apartment we
+were informed by our friends without; your name also was made known to
+us; upon which an universal consternation ensued. Many wished to fly, in
+order to avoid, what they conceived, inevitable destruction: others were
+of opinion, it would be better to suffer you to enter the castle
+quietly; and as, most likely you would be attended with but few persons,
+to dispatch you all in the night, and hide your bodies among the ruins
+in one of the vaults. This last proposition had the majority; as it was
+considered, that our own safety would not only be secured for the
+present by this act, but it would in all probability prevent others from
+making the like attempt hereafter. But this proceeding was happily
+over-ruled by me and a few others--I say, happily; for though we are
+considered, in the eye of the law, as co-brothers with assassins and
+midnight robbers, yet God forbid that we should add to our crimes by
+staining our hands with the blood of the innocent. To be brief, I
+promised that, with the aid of a few of my companions, I would drive you
+from the castle by the same stratagem I have before made use of to
+others, or, if that did not succeed, to secure and conduct you by force.
+Thus have I explained the cause of your present detention. The
+regaining your liberty must entirely depend on your acquiescence with
+our proposals; and there is a way I can point out, by which you may
+secure both your own safety and our's.' 'Name it not then,' said I,
+interrupting him, 'if it be dishonourable; for I had rather perish here
+by your hands, than owe my liberty to any connivance at your iniquities,
+or be the instrument of your future security!' 'Use your own pleasure,'
+continued he, in a determined tone of voice; 'but you certainly must not
+depart this place until you have bound yourself by your _honour_ not to
+divulge a secret, on which depend the lives of so many persons. That
+word, once pledged by the Mareschal de Saxe, will be a sufficient
+guarantee of our future safety. I could have wished our request had been
+more congenial to your feelings; but our situation is desperate, and
+consequently impels us to enforce, what we would, under all other
+circumstances, have solicited as the least of favours--your word of
+honour.
+
+"I paused for several minutes: a confused murmur now run throughout the
+whole place, and an universal disapprobation at the chief's forbearance
+began now to manifest itself. Add to which, I saw the utter
+impracticability of escape without complying with their demand; and I
+knew that their prepossession in my favour was but partial, and of
+course might soon give way to their former plan of assassinating me for
+their safety. If I continued inflexible, I perceived my death was
+inevitable. Therefore, as the majority were favourably inclined, I made
+a virtue of necessity, and gave them my word to keep the secret of the
+whole affair locked within my own breast. 'You are now at liberty,' said
+the chief, 'to return to your apartment, where you may rely on being
+perfectly safe until break of day, when you had better depart.'
+Whereupon the doors flew open, and I was conducted back to my old
+lodging, where I sat ruminating on the strangeness of the adventure.
+
+"Day now appearing, I quitted the castle, and hied me to the village,
+where I found most of the inhabitants already in waiting, eager to hear
+how I made out with the ghost. Numberless were their interrogatories,
+which I only answered by telling them I was not at liberty to disclose
+what I had seen and heard. Their old opinions were now more fully
+confirmed than ever; and, I believe, from that moment none have had
+courage to venture near the castle after dark; and it is probable that,
+to this day, the whole mystery has never been truly explained to their
+satisfaction. Shortly after, I set out on my journey, and soon arrived
+in safety at my own domain.
+
+"About four years after this, a person rode up to my gate, leading a
+couple of beautiful chargers, which he delivered, with a letter
+addressed to me, into the hands of my domestics; and, having so done, he
+clapped spurs to his horse, and disappeared in an instant. On opening
+the letter, I found it contained nearly the following words--
+
+'_From the pretended Ghost of the Haunted Castle, to the Mareschal de
+Saxe._
+
+'Brave Mareschal--You are now at liberty to divulge the secret of our
+affair in the haunted castle. Our fortunes are now made; and, ere you
+receive this, we shall be far from hence. But remember, that whatever
+the world may say as to the propriety of keeping your word with men like
+us, know, that the honour of a prince[A], once pledged, should be kept
+inviolate, even though given in a bad cause. My companions desired me to
+beg your acceptance of the horses you will receive herewith, as a mark
+of their most grateful acknowledgments. Adieu! May you live long, and be
+happy.'--"
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[A] The Mareschal was the son of a King.
+
+
+
+
+REMARKABLE RESUSCITATION.
+
+
+In the first volume of the _Causes Célèbres_, a popular French work, is
+the following extraordinary story, which occasioned a serious law-suit.
+
+Two men in trade, who lived in the street St. Honoré in Paris, nearly
+equal in circumstances, both following the same profession, and united
+in the closest friendship, had each of them a child, much about the same
+age. These children were brought up together, and conceived a mutual
+attachment, which, ripening with years into a stronger and more lively
+sentiment, was approved by the parents on both sides. This young couple
+was upon the point of being made happy, by a more solemn union, when a
+rich financier, conceiving a passion for the young maiden, unfortunately
+crossed their inclinations by demanding her in marriage. The allurements
+of a more brilliant fortune seduced her father and mother,
+notwithstanding their daughter's repugnance, to consent to the change.
+To their entreaties, however, she was obliged to yield, and sacrificed
+her affections by becoming the wife of the financier. Like a woman of
+virtue, she forbade her earlier lover the house. A fit of melancholy,
+the consequence of this violence done to her inclinations by entering
+into an engagement of interest, brought on her a malady, which so far
+benumbed her faculties, that at length she was given over by the
+faculty, apparently died, and was accordingly laid out for burial.
+
+Her former lover, who had once before beheld her in a similar situation,
+flattered himself that he might possibly again find her in a trance.
+This idea not only suspended his grief, but prompted him to bribe the
+grave-digger, by whose aid he dug up the body in the night-time, and
+conveyed it home. He then used every means in his power for recalling
+her to life, and was overjoyed on discovering that his endeavours were
+not ineffectual.
+
+It is not easy to conceive the surprise of the young woman on her
+resuscitation, when she found herself in a strange house, and, as it
+were, in the arms of her lover, who soon informed her of what had taken
+place on her account. She then comprehended the extent of her obligation
+to her deliverer; and love, more pathetic than all his persuasions to
+unite their destinies, determined her, on her recovery, to escape with
+him into England. This was effected; and they lived for some years in
+the closest union.
+
+At the end of ten years, they conceived the natural wish of revisiting
+their own country, and at length returned to Paris, where they took no
+precaution whatever of concealing themselves, being persuaded that no
+suspicion would attach to their arrival. It happened however, by chance,
+that the financier met his wife in one of the public walks. The sight of
+her made so strong an impression on him, that for some time he imagined
+it must be her apparition; and, being fully persuaded of her death, he
+could not for a long time efface that idea. However, he so contrived it
+as to join her; and, notwithstanding the language she made use of to
+impose upon him, he left her with the conviction that he was not
+deceived at finding her a living substance.
+
+The singularity of this event gave more charms to the woman in the eyes
+of her former husband than she before possessed. He therefore acted with
+such address, that he discovered her abode, notwithstanding all her
+precautions, and reclaimed her with all the regular formalities of
+justice.
+
+It was in vain that the lover maintained the right which his cares for
+his mistress gave him to the possession of her; that he represented her
+inevitable death but for him; that his adversary divested himself of all
+his own rights, by causing her to be buried; that he ought even to be
+accused of homicide, for want of having taken proper precautions to
+assure himself of her death; and a thousand other ingenious reasons,
+which love suggested to him. But, finding that the judicial ear was
+unfavourable, and not thinking it expedient to wait the result of a
+definitive judgment, he fled with his mistress into a foreign country;
+where they passed the remainder of their days without further
+molestation.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+CREDULOUS BISHOP.
+
+
+A few years since, a memorable conference took place between Dr. Fowler
+(then Bishop of Gloucester) and a Mr. Justice Powell: the former, a
+zealous defender of ghosts; and the latter, somewhat sceptical about
+them. They had several altercations upon the subject; and once, when the
+Bishop made a visit to the Justice, the latter, contracting the muscles
+of his face into an air of more than usual severity, assured the Bishop,
+that, since their last disputation, besides his Lordship's strong
+reasons, he had met with no less proof than ocular demonstration, to
+convince him of the real existence of ghosts. "How!" says the Bishop,
+"ocular demonstration! Well, I have preached, I have printed, upon the
+subject; but nothing will convince you sceptics but ocular
+demonstration. I am glad, Mr. Justice, you are become a convert. But
+pray, Sir, how went this affair? I beseech you, let me know the whole
+story." "My Lord," answered the Justice, "as I lay one night in my bed,
+and had gone through the better half of my first sleep, it being about
+twelve o'clock, on a sudden I was awakened by a very strange and
+uncommon noise, and heard something coming up stairs, and stalking
+directly towards my room. I had the courage to raise myself upon my
+pillow, and to draw the curtain, just as I heard my chamber-door open,
+and saw a glimmering light enter my chamber." "Of a blue colour, no
+doubt," says the Bishop. "Of a pale blue," answers the Justice. "But,
+permit me, my good Lord, to proceed. The light was followed by a tall,
+meagre, and stern personage, who seemed to be of the age of seventy, in
+a long dangling rug gown, bound round his loins with a broad leathern
+girdle; his beard was thick and grizzly; he had a large fur cap on his
+head, and a long staff in his hand; his face was full of wrinkles, and
+seemed to be of a dark and sable hue. I was struck with the appearance
+of so surprising a figure, and felt some shocks which I had never before
+been acquainted with. Soon after the spectre had entered my room, with
+a hasty, but somewhat stately pace, it drew near my bed, and stared me
+full in the face." "And did you not speak to it?" interrupted the
+Bishop, with a good deal of emotion. "With submission, my Lord," says
+the Justice, "please only to indulge me in a few words more." "But, Mr.
+Justice, Mr. Justice," replies the Bishop still more hastily, "you
+should have spoken to it; there was money hid, or a murder committed;
+and give me leave to observe that murder is a matter cognizable by law,
+and this came regularly into judgment before you." "Well, my Lord, you
+will have your way; but, in short, I did speak to it." "And what answer,
+Mr. Justice, I pray you--what answer did it make you?" "My Lord, the
+answer was, not without a thump with the staff, and a shake of the
+lanthorn, that he was the watch-man of the night, and came to give me
+notice, that he had found the street-door open, and that, unless I arose
+and shut it, I might chance to be robbed before break of day."
+
+The moment these words were out of the good Justice's mouth, the Bishop
+vanished with much more haste than did the supposed ghost, and in as
+great a surprise at the Justice's scepticism, as the Justice was at the
+Bishop's credulity.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+GHOSTLY ADVENTURER.
+
+
+About thirty years ago, some labouring mechanics met one Saturday
+evening, after receiving their wages, at a public-house, near Rippon, in
+Yorkshire, for the purpose of enjoying themselves convivially, after the
+cares and fatigues of the week. The glass circulated freely: every man
+told his story, or sung a song; and various were the subjects of
+conversation. At length that of courage was introduced; every man now
+considered himself a hero, as is generally the case when liquor begins
+to operate. One boasted his skill as a pugilist, and related how many
+battles he had fought, and came off victorious; another related a
+dreadful encounter he had lately had with a mad dog, whom he overpowered
+and left dead on the field; a third told a story of his sleeping in a
+haunted house, and his conversation with a dreadful ghost. In short,
+various and extravagant were the different tales they told; until one,
+who had hitherto remained silent, arose, and told them that,
+notwithstanding their boasted courage, he would wager a bet of five
+guineas, that not one of the company had resolution sufficient to go to
+the bone-house, in the parish church-yard (which was about a mile
+distant), and bring a skull from thence with him, and place it on the
+table before the guests. This wager was soon accepted by one of the
+party, who immediately set off on his expedition to the church-yard. The
+wag who had proposed the bet, and who knew a nearer by-way to the
+bone-house than his opponent had taken, requested of the landlady to
+lend him a white sheet, and that he would soon cool this heroic man's
+courage. The landlady, who enjoyed the joke, complied with his request,
+lent him the sheet, and off set our wag with the utmost speed. He
+arrived at the bone-house first, threw the sheet over him, and placed
+himself in one corner, waiting the arrival of his comrade. Presently
+after enters the first man, with slow deliberate pace; and observing a
+figure in white, he felt himself greatly alarmed (as he afterwards
+acknowledged). However, he resumed his courage, advanced, stooped down,
+and picked up a skull. Immediately the phantom exclaimed, in a deep and
+hollow tone, "_That's my father's skull!_" "Well then," replied the
+adventurer, "if it be thy father's skull, take it." So down he laid it,
+and took up another; when the figure replied, in the same hollow tone,
+"_That's my mother's skull!_" "Well then," the other again replied, "if
+it be thy mother's skull, take it." So down he laid it, and took up a
+third. The apparition now, in a tremendously awful manner, cried out,
+"_That's my skull!_" "If it be the devil's skull, I'll have it!"
+answered the hero; and off he ran with it in his hand, greatly
+terrified, and the spectre after him.
+
+In his flight through the church-yard, he stumbled over a tomb-stone,
+and fell; which occasioned the ghost likewise to fall upon him, which
+increased not a little his fright. However, he soon extricated himself,
+and again bent his flight towards the inn, which he soon reached; and,
+bolting suddenly into the room, exclaimed, with terrific countenance,
+his hair standing on end, "Here is the skull you sent me for: but, by
+George, the right owner's coming for it!" Saying which, down went the
+skull, and instantly appeared the figure with the white sheet on. This
+unexpected intrusion so much frightened all the company, that they ran
+out of the house as fast as possible, really believing it was an
+apparition from the tombs come to punish them for their sacrilegious
+theft. Such power has fear over the strongest mind when taken by
+surprise! The undaunted adventurer, however, won his wager; which was
+spent at the same house the Saturday following, when the joke was
+universally allowed to be a very good one.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+HEROIC MIDSHIPMAN;
+
+OR
+
+_CHURCH-YARD ENCOUNTER_.
+
+
+At a respectable inn, in a market-town, in the west of England, some few
+years since, a regular set of the inhabitants met every evening to smoke
+their pipes, and pass a convivial hour. The conversation, as is usual at
+those places, was generally desultory. One evening, the subject
+introduced was concerning ghosts and apparitions; and many were the
+dreadful stories then told. A young midshipman, having accidentally
+dropped in, sat a silent and an attentive hearer; and, among other
+tales, heard a dreadful one of a sprite or hobgoblin dressed in white,
+which every night was seen hovering over the graves, in a church-yard at
+no great distance from the inn, and through which was a foot-path to one
+of the principal streets in the town. Our young gentleman felt himself
+stimulated with an ardour of quixotism at this relation; and was
+determined in his own mind, whatever might be the consequence, to
+encounter this nightly spectre, which so much disturbed the courageous
+inhabitants of the place. His pride was, to perform this mighty
+achievement alone. Therefore, between eleven and twelve o'clock at
+night, out he sallies, without making his intentions known to any one,
+and entered the church-yard. But, I should observe, that he had his
+hanger by his side. Having reached about the middle of the church-yard,
+he observed, sure enough, something in white moving backwards and
+forwards; but the haziness of the night prevented his strict discernment
+of the figure's shape. As it appeared advancing towards him, a momentary
+trepidation seized him. He retreated a few steps; but, soon recovering
+himself, he resolutely cried out, "_Who comes here?_" No answer being
+made, he again cried out, "_Who comes here?_" Still no reply was made.
+He then groped about for a stone or brick-bat, which having found, he
+threw with great violence at the figure; upon which it appeared to move
+much quicker than before. He again spoke to the figure; and, receiving
+no answer, drew his hanger, and made a desperate stroke at this dreadful
+spectre, which moving with still greater agility, now alarmed our
+adventurer, and caused him to run away greatly terrified, believing he
+had encountered some supernatural appearance, which had resisted all his
+blows. It was not long ere he reached home, and went to bed; but his
+fright was so great, that sleep could not gain any ascendancy over him.
+He therefore lay ruminating on this extraordinary affair the whole
+night. In the morning, while at breakfast, the bellman, or crier, came
+nearly under his window, and began his usual introductory address of
+"_O-yez! O-yez!_" These words immediately arrested the ears of our
+adventurer; and, to his very great astonishment, he heard him thus
+proceed--"This is to give notice, that whereas some evil-disposed
+person, or persons, did wantonly cut and maim the parson's white mare,
+which was grazing in the church-yard last night, a reward of ten guineas
+will be given to any person who will discover the offender, or
+offenders, so that they may be brought to justice! _God save the King!_"
+Our champion now thought it prudent to decamp without beat of drum. Thus
+ended this ghostly adventure; the particulars of which the inhabitants
+were informed of by letter, the moment the young gentleman had got safe
+on board his ship.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+COCK-LANE GHOST.
+
+
+About the middle of January 1762, a gentleman was sent for to the house
+of one Parsons, the officiating parish clerk of St. Sepulchre's, in Cock
+Lane, near West Smithfield, to be witness to the noises, and other
+extraordinary circumstances, attending the supposed presence of a
+spirit, that, for two years preceding, had been heard in the night, to
+the great terror of the family. This knocking and scratching was always
+heard under the bed where the children lay; the eldest was about twelve
+years of age. To find out the cause, Mr. Parsons, the parish-clerk,
+ordered the wainscot to be taken down; which was accordingly done: but
+the noise, instead of ceasing, as he hoped, became more violent than
+ever. The children were afterwards removed into the two-pair of stairs
+room, where the same noise followed, and was frequently heard all night.
+
+From these circumstances it was apprehended that the house was haunted;
+and the other child declared, that she, some time ago, had seen the
+apparition of a woman, surrounded, as it were, with a blazing light.
+About two years prior to which, a publican in the neighbourhood,
+bringing a pot of beer into the house, about eleven o'clock at night,
+was so frightened that he let the beer fall, upon seeing on the stairs,
+as he was looking up, a bright shining figure of a woman, by which he
+saw through a window into the charity-school, and saw the dial in the
+school. The figure passed by him, and beckoned him to follow; but he was
+too much terrified to obey its directions: he ran home, and was very
+sick. Soon after, Mr. Parsons himself, having occasion to go into
+another room, saw the same appearance. Both these happened within the
+space of an hour.
+
+To throw some light upon this very mysterious affair, we shall begin
+with the narrative of Mr. Brown, of Amen Corner, published January 23d,
+1762; the substance of which is as follows--
+
+That in 1759, one Mr. K---- employed an agent to carry a letter to a
+young gentlewoman of a reputable family in Norfolk, and to bring her up
+to London in a post-chaise, if she would be willing to come. That she
+did come; but Mr. K----being at Greenwich, she followed him there
+directly, and was received by him, after a journey of one hundred miles
+performed in one day, with much tenderness. After some short stay at
+Greenwich, where it was thought necessary that she should make a will
+in his favour, she was removed to a lodging near the Mansion-House; from
+thence to lodgings, behind St. Sepulchre's church; and, lastly, to a
+house in Bartlett Court, in the parish of Clerkenwell. Here, in 1760,
+she was taken ill of the small-pox; and, on or about the 31st of
+January, her sister, who lived reputably in Pall-Mall, was first made
+acquainted with her illness, and place of residence. Being greatly
+concerned thus to hear of her, she went immediately, and found her in a
+fair way of doing well; next day she sent, and received a favourable
+account of her; but, on the morning following, word was brought that her
+sister was dead. She died February 2d, 1760; and was buried, in two or
+three days after, at the church of St. John, Clerkenwell. Her sister,
+attending her funeral, was surprised at not seeing a plate upon the
+coffin, and expressed that surprise to Mr. Brown after the funeral was
+over; lamenting, at the same time, she had not been permitted to see her
+sister's corpse, the coffin being screwed down before she came. She
+added, that K---- had married one of her sisters, and had ruined the
+other, who was buried by the name of ----, as appears by the parish
+register. By the will already mentioned, K---- availed himself of her
+fortune, to the prejudice of her brother and sisters, who all lived in
+perfect harmony until this unhappy affair happened.
+
+Such is the account given by Mr. Brown, of Amen Corner. A worthy
+clergyman, however, who attended her several times, and who administered
+to her the last comforts of his function, declares, that the small-pox
+with which she was seized, was of the confluent sort; and that the
+gentleman of the faculty, who attended her, had pronounced her
+irrecoverable some days before her death.
+
+It was, however, the ghost of this person, that Parsons declared had
+taken possession of his girl, a child about twelve years old, who lay
+with the deceased in the absence of her supposed husband, when he was in
+the country at a wedding; and then it was, that the knocking was first
+heard, to the great terror of this child, she frequently crying out that
+she might not be taken away. Soon after, this woman died, whose
+apparition was now supposed to appear to this same child; and, in answer
+to the question put to her, What was the occasion of the first knocking,
+&c. before she died? answered, that it was the spirit of her sister, the
+first wife of Mr. K----, who was husband to them both.
+
+Having now sufficiently prepared the reader, we shall proceed in our
+narrative. The gentleman already said to have been sent for, attended,
+and found the child in bed; and, the spirit being at hand, several
+questions were put to it by the father, which, to avoid repetition, we
+shall relate hereafter. The gentleman not caring to pronounce too
+hastily upon what appeared to him extraordinary, got some friends
+together, among whom were two or three clergymen, about twenty other
+persons, and two negroes, who sat up another night.
+
+They first thoroughly examined the bed, bed-clothes, &c.; and, being
+satisfied that there was no visible appearance of deceit, the child with
+its sister was put into bed, which was found to shake extremely by the
+gentleman who had placed himself at the foot of it. Among others, the
+following questions were asked--
+
+Whether her disturbance was occasioned by any ill-treatment from Mr.
+K----?--Yes.
+
+Whether she was brought to an untimely end by poison?--Yes.
+
+In what was the poison administered, beer or purl?--Purl.
+
+How long before her death?--Three hours.
+
+Is the person called Carrots, able to give information about the
+poison?--Yes.
+
+Whether she was K----'s wife's sister?--Yes.
+
+Whether she was married to K----?--No.
+
+Whether any other person than K---- was concerned in the poisoning?--No.
+
+Whether she could visibly appear to any one?--Yes.
+
+Whether she would do so?--Yes.
+
+Whether she could go out of that house?--Yes.
+
+Whether she would follow the child everywhere?--Yes.
+
+Whether she was pleased at being asked questions?--Yes.
+
+Whether it eased her mind?--Yes. (Here a mysterious noise, compared to
+the fluttering of wings round the room, was heard.)
+
+How long before her death had she told Carrots (her servant) that she
+was poisoned?--One hour. (Here Carrots, who was admitted to be one of
+the company on Tuesday night, asserted that the deceased had not told
+her so, she being at that time speechless.)
+
+How long did Carrots live with her?--Three or four days. (Carrots
+attested the truth of this.)
+
+Whether, if the accused should be taken up, he would confess?--Yes.
+
+Whether she should be at ease in her mind, if the man was hanged?--Yes.
+
+How long it would be before he would be executed?--Three years.
+
+How many clergymen were in the room?--Three.
+
+How many negroes?--Two.
+
+Whether she could distinguish the person of any one in the room?--Yes.
+
+Whether the colour of a watch held up by one of the clergymen was white,
+yellow, blue, or black?--Black. (The watch was in a black shagreen
+case.)
+
+At what time she would depart in the morning?--At four o'clock.
+
+Accordingly, at this hour the noise removed to the Wheat-sheaf, a
+public-house at the distance of a few doors, in the bed-chamber of the
+landlord and landlady, to the great affright and terror of them both.
+Such was the manner of interrogating the spirit: the answer was given by
+knocking or scratching. An affirmative was one knock; a negative, two.
+Displeasure was expressed by scratching.
+
+Nothing more occurred till the following morning, when the knocking
+began about seven o'clock. But, notwithstanding some extraordinary
+answers to the several questions proposed, it was still a matter of
+doubt whether the whole was not a piece of imposition; and it was
+resolved to remove the child elsewhere. Accordingly, instead of its
+being carried home, it was conveyed to a house in Crown-and-Cushion
+Court, at the upper end of Cow Lane, near Smithfield, where two
+clergymen, several gentlemen, and some ladies, assembled in the evening.
+
+About eleven o'clock the knocking began; when a gentleman in the room,
+speaking angrily to the girl, and hinting that he suspected it was some
+trick of her's, the child was uneasy, and cried: on which the knocking
+was heard louder, and much faster than before; but no answer could be
+obtained to any question while that gentleman staid in the room.
+
+After he was gone, the noise ceased: and nothing was heard till a little
+after twelve o'clock, when the child was seized with a trembling and
+shivering; in which manner she had always been affected, on the
+departure as well as the approach of the ghost. Upon this, one of the
+company asked, whether it would return again, and at what time? Answer
+was made in the usual manner by knocks, that it would return again
+before seven in the morning; and then a noise, like the fluttering of
+wings, was heard; after which all was quiet till between six and seven
+on Friday morning, when the knocking began again.
+
+A little before seven, two clergymen came, when the fluttering noise was
+repeated, which in this strange affair was considered as a mark of the
+spirit's being pleased. Then several questions, particularly one, by a
+gentlewoman who was an acquaintance of the deceased, who came out of
+mere curiosity, and had been to see her some time before she died: the
+question was, How many days it was before her death, that this
+gentlewoman came to see her? The answer given was three knocks,
+signifying three days; which was exactly right. Another question was,
+Whether some of the then company had not a relation that had been buried
+in the same vault where she lay? To which it replied by one knock, Yes.
+They asked, severally, if it was their relation? To all of which, except
+the last, she answered by two knocks, meaning No; but to the last person
+she gave one knock, which was right. These two circumstances greatly
+alarmed all the company.
+
+Near twenty persons sat up in the room: but it was not till about six
+o'clock in the morning that the first alarm was given, which coming
+spontaneously, as well as suddenly, a good deal struck the imagination
+of the auditors. The scratches were compared to that of a cat upon a
+cane chair. The child now appeared to be in a sound sleep, and nothing
+further could be obtained. It had been observed, in conversation, by a
+person who expressed himself pretty warmly on the subject, that the
+whole was an imposture, and more to the same purpose; which gave rise to
+some sharp altercation among the company--some believing, and others
+disbelieving the reality of the apparition. This dispute was no sooner
+begun, than the spirit was gone; and no more knocking and scratching
+was to be heard.
+
+About seven o'clock the girl seemed to awake in a violent fit of crying
+and tears. Upon being asked the occasion, and assured that nothing of
+harm should happen to her, she declared that her tears were the effect
+of her imagination at what would become of her daddy, who must needs be
+ruined and undone, if this matter should be supposed to be an imposture.
+She was told, that the company had looked upon her as in a sound sleep
+when the above dispute happened. To which she replied, "Aye, but not so
+sound but that I could hear all you said."
+
+On the Sunday night following, the girl lay at a house opposite the
+school-house in Cock Lane; at which place a person of distinction, two
+clergymen, and several other persons, were present. Between ten and
+eleven o'clock the knocking began: the principal questions and answers
+were the same as those already mentioned; but among some new ones of
+little consequence, was the following?--Will you attend the girl at any
+place whither she may be appointed to be carried, by authority? Answered
+in the affirmative. At eleven o'clock, eleven distinct knocks were
+heard; and at twelve, when being asked if it was going away, and when it
+would return again, seven knocks were given. Accordingly, when St.
+Sepulchre's clock struck seven, on Monday morning, this invisible agent
+knocked the same number of times. Some few questions were asked at this
+meeting, much to the same purport as those above inserted, and answered
+in the same manner. Every person was put out of the room, who could be
+supposed to have the least connexion with the girl: her hands were laid
+over the bed-clothes, and the bed narrowly looked under, &c. but no
+discovery was made.
+
+On the night of the 1st of February, many gentlemen, eminent for their
+rank and character, were, by the invitation of the Reverend Mr. Aldrich,
+of Clerkenwell, assembled at his house, for the examination of the
+noises supposed to be made by a departed spirit for the detection of
+some enormous crime.
+
+About ten at night, the gentlemen met in the chamber, in which the girl
+supposed to be disturbed by a spirit had, with proper caution, been put
+to bed by several ladies. They sat with her rather more than an hour;
+and, hearing nothing, went down stairs, when they interrogated the
+father of the girl, who denied, in the strongest terms, any knowledge or
+belief of fraud.
+
+The supposed spirit had before publicly promised, by an affirmative
+knock, that it would attend one of the gentlemen into the vault under
+the church of St. John, Clerkenwell, where the body was deposited; and
+give a token of her presence there, by a knock upon her coffin: it was,
+therefore, determined to make this trial of the existence or veracity of
+the supposed spirit.
+
+While they were inquiring and deliberating, they were summoned into the
+girl's chamber by the ladies who remained near her bed, and who heard
+knocks and scratches. When the gentlemen entered, the girl declared that
+she felt the spirit like a mouse upon her back, and was required to hold
+her hands out of bed. From that time, though the spirit was very
+solemnly required to manifest its existence, by appearance, by
+impression on the hand or body of any person present, by scratches,
+knocks, or any other agency, no evidence of any preternatural power was
+exhibited.
+
+The spirit was then very seriously advertised, that the person to whom
+the promise was made, of striking the coffin, was then about to visit
+the vault, and that the performance of the promise was then claimed. The
+company, at one o'clock, went into the church; and that gentleman, to
+whom the promise was made, went, with one more, into the vault. The
+spirit was very solemnly required to perform its promise, but nothing
+more than silence ensued: the person supposed to be accused by the
+spirit then went down, with several others, but no effect was
+perceived. Upon their return, they examined the girl, but could draw no
+confession from her. Between two and three, she desired, and was
+permitted, to go home with her father.
+
+No doubt now remained of the fallacy of this spirit. It was supposed
+that the girl was practised in the art of ventriloquism, an art better
+known now than formerly; but it was soon after discovered that there was
+not so much ingenuity in the fraud.
+
+A bed was slung like a hammock, in the middle of a room, at a
+gentleman's house, where the girl was sent. The servants were ordered to
+watch her narrowly; and, about a quarter of an hour before bed-time, she
+was observed to conceal something under her clothes. Information of this
+being given to the gentlemen attending, they were of opinion, that a
+connivance at the beginning of the scene would be the most likely means
+of leading them to a full discovery of the fact. In the morning, about
+six o'clock, the knockings came, and answered to questions as usual, but
+in so different a sound, that it was very apparent this method of
+operating was a fresh contrivance. When the knockings, which continued
+for near half an hour, were over, she was several times asked, if she
+had any wood or other thing in the bed, against which she could strike?
+which she obstinately denied. Two maid-servants being then ordered to
+take her out of bed, a piece of board was found in it, which, as was
+observed, she had conveyed there the night before.
+
+Soon after, a trial came on before Lord Mansfield, in the Court of
+King's Bench, Guildhall, by a special jury, on an indictment against
+Richard Parsons, and Elizabeth his wife, Mary Fraser, a clergyman, and a
+reputable tradesman, for a conspiracy in the Cock-Lane ghost affair, to
+injure the character, &c. of Mr. William Kent; when they were all found
+guilty. The trial lasted about twelve hours.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+HYPOCHONDRIAC GENTLEMAN
+
+AND
+
+_THE JACK-ASS_.
+
+
+A sober gentleman of very great respectability, who was low-spirited and
+hypochondriac to a degree, was at times so fanciful, that almost every
+rustling noise he heard was taken for an apparition or hobgoblin.
+
+It happened that he was abroad at a friend's house later than ordinary
+one night; but, it being moon-light, and having a servant with him, he
+seemed to be easy, and was observed to be cheerful, and even merry, with
+a great deal more of good-humour than had been observed in him for some
+time before.
+
+He knew his way perfectly well, for it was within three miles of the
+town where he lived, and he was very well mounted: but, though the moon
+was up, an accident, which a little disordered him, was, that a very
+thick black cloud appeared to him to come suddenly over his head, which
+made it very dark; and, to add to his discomfort, it began to rain
+violently.
+
+Upon this he resolved to ride for it, having not above two miles to the
+town; so, clapping spurs to his horse, he galloped away. His man (whose
+name was Jervais), not being so well mounted, was a considerable way
+behind. The darkness of the night, and the rain together, put him a
+little out of humour, and made him ride rather harder than his usual
+pace.
+
+In his way home, there was a small river for him to pass; but there was
+a good bridge over it, well walled on both sides, so that there was no
+more danger than in any other place. The gentleman kept on at a good
+pace, and was rather more than half over the bridge, when his horse
+stopped all on a sudden, and would not go on. He saw nothing at first,
+and was therefore not much discomposed at it, but spurred his horse to
+go forward. The horse then went two or three steps; then stopped again,
+snorted, and started; then attempted to turn short back. The gentleman,
+in endeavouring to see what frightened the horse, saw two broad staring
+eyes looking him full in the face.
+
+He was now most heartily frightened; but, by this time, he heard his man
+Jervais coming up. When he came near, the first thing he heard his
+master say, was, "Bless me, it is the devil!" at which exclamation the
+man was almost as much frightened as his master. However, the gentleman,
+a little encouraged to hear his man so near him, pressed his horse once
+more to go forward, and called aloud to his servant to follow; but
+Jervais, being much frightened, made no haste. At length, with great
+difficulty, he got over the bridge, and passed by the creature with the
+broad staring eyes, which he positively affirmed was the devil.
+
+Though Jervais was near enough, yet fearing his master would order him
+to go before, he kept as far off as he possibly could. When his master
+called, he answered, but proceeded very slowly, till he observed his
+master had gone past; when, being obliged to follow, he went on very
+softly till he came to the bridge, where he plainly saw what it was his
+master's horse snorted at, which the reader will be made acquainted with
+presently.
+
+The gentleman, having now past the difficulty, galloped home as fast as
+possible, and got into the house long before Jervais could get up with
+him. As soon as he alighted, he swooned away, such an effect the fright
+had on him; and with much difficulty they brought him to himself. When
+he recovered, he told the family a formal story, that at such a bridge
+he met with the devil, who was standing at the left-hand corner of the
+wall, and stared him full in the face; and he so fully expatiated on
+this subject, that all believed, at least, he had met with an
+apparition.
+
+Jervais soon after came home, and went directly to the stable to take
+care of the horses; where he told _his story_ in the following manner to
+his fellow-servants: "Finding," says he, "that my master was in danger
+of being thrown over the bridge, I fearlessly rode near him; when, to my
+very great surprise, I found that my master's horse (which was young and
+skittish) was frightened at an ass, which stood grazing near the corner
+of the wall." "Are you sure it was an ass, Jervais?" asked the servants,
+staring one at another, half frightened themselves. "Are you quite sure
+of it?" "Yes," replied the man; "for, as soon as my master had got by, I
+rode up to it; and, on discovering the cause of our fear, I thrashed it
+with my stick, on which it fell a braying; and I rode home after my
+master." "Why, Jervais," said the servants, "your master believes it was
+the devil." "I am sorry," said the man, "my master should have been so
+much deceived; but, really, it was nothing more nor less than an ass."
+
+The story now got vent; and the first part of it flew all over the town,
+that Mr. ---- (mentioning his name) had seen the devil, and was almost
+frightened to death.
+
+Shortly after, the man's tale was circulated, that Mr. ----'s strange
+and wonderful apparition of the devil was nothing more than an ass;
+which raised the laugh sufficiently against the master.
+
+However, poor Jervais lost his place for gossiping; and his master
+insists upon it to this day, that it was the devil, and that he knew him
+by his broad eyes and cloven feet. Such is the power of imagination over
+the weak and credulous!
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+CASTLE APPARITION.
+
+_Translated by the Rev. Weeden Butler, Jun. from a Monkish Manuscript._
+
+
+In the vicinity of Chamberry, a town in Savoy, stood the ancient mansion
+of the Albertini: round it were several little buildings, in which were
+deposited the cattle, poultry, &c. &c. belonging to the family. A young
+gentleman, by name Barbarosse, came to the chateau on a visit for a few
+days; he was cordially received, being of a pleasing lively disposition;
+and an elegant room in the east wing was prepared for his accommodation.
+
+The family, and their young guests, spent the day very agreeably; and,
+after supper, they sat round a comfortable large fire, and diverted
+themselves with songs and stories: the former, as is generally the case,
+were some of the sprightly, some of the tender and pathetic kind; but
+the latter were, for the most part, of the melancholy cast, particularly
+those which related to preternatural occurrences. The social party
+separated at half past twelve o'clock; and Barbarosse retired to his
+chamber. It was a handsome room on the first floor, having three doors;
+two of these belonged to two little closets, one on the right that
+overlooked a farm-yard, and another more to the left that presented a
+view through the window of a large romantic wood; the third door was
+that by which he entered his room, after traversing a long passage. Our
+youth had visited this room in the morning, and looked out of the window
+to enjoy the prospect for a great while.
+
+As he entered this apartment, with his mind full of the diversion just
+left, he set his candle down upon the table, and looked about him. There
+was an excellent fire in the chimney, with an iron grating before it, to
+prevent accidents; a large elbow-chair stood near it; and, not being at
+all sleepy, he sat down reflecting on the amusements of the day, and
+endeavoured to remember the tales he had heard. In some he thought he
+perceived strong traits of truth; and in others he discovered palpable
+fiction and absurdity. Whilst he was deliberating on the various
+incidents, the heavy watch-bell tolled two; but Barbarosse did not
+attend to it, being deeply engaged in his contemplations. He was
+suddenly awakened from his reveries by an uncommon rustling sound
+issuing from the closet on the right hand; and, listening attentively,
+he heard distinct taps upon the floor at short intervals.
+
+Alarmed at the circumstance, he walked slowly to his bed-side, and drew
+forth his pocket-pistols from under the pillow; these he carefully
+placed upon the table, and resumed the elbow-chair. All was again still
+as death; and nought but the winds, which whistled round the watch-tower
+and the adjacent buildings, could be heard.
+
+Barbarosse looked towards the door of the closet, which he then, and not
+till then, perceived was not shut, but found that it hung upon the jar;
+immediately a furious blast forced it wide open; the taper burnt blue,
+and the fire seemed almost extinct.
+
+Barbarosse arose, put forth a silent hasty ejaculation of prayer, and
+sat down again; again he heard the noise! He started up, seized the
+pistols, and stood motionless; whilst large cold drops of dew hung upon
+his face. Still his heart continued firm, and he grew more composed,
+when the rustling taps were renewed! Barbarosse desperately invoked the
+protection of Heaven, cocked one of the pistols, and was about to rush
+into the portentous apartment, when the noise increased and drew nearer:
+a loud peal of thunder, that seemed to rend the firmament, shook
+violently the solid battlements of the watch-tower; the deep-toned bell
+tolled three, and its hollow sound long vibrated on the ear of
+Barbarosse with fainter and fainter murmurs; when a tremendous cry
+thrilled him with terror and dismay; and, lo! the long-dreaded spectre
+stalked into the middle of the room: and Barbarosse, overcome with
+surprise and astonishment at the _unexpected_ apparition, sunk down
+_convulsed_[B] in his chair.
+
+The phantom was armed _de cap en pied_, and clad in a black garment. On
+his crest a black plume waved majestically; and, instead of a glove or
+any other sort of lady's favour, he wore a blood-red token. He bore no
+weapon of offence in his hand; but a gloomy shield, made of the feathers
+of some kind of bird, was cast over each shoulder. He was booted and
+spurred; and, looking upon Barbarosse with ardent eyes, raised his
+feathery arms, and struck them vehemently against his sides, making at
+the same time the most vociferous noise!
+
+Then it was, that Barbarosse found he had not shut down the window in
+the morning; from which neglect it happened, that a _black game-cock_
+had flown into the closet, and created all this inexpressible confusion.
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[B] Lest any of the faculty should wish, ineffectually, to be informed
+what species of convulsions affected Barbarosse, I think it proper
+(observes the translator) to satisfy their truly laudable curiosity by
+anticipation, and to assure them, _fois d'homme d'honneur_, that this
+disorder was a _convulsion of laughter_.
+
+
+
+
+THE TWINS,
+
+OR
+
+_GHOST OF THE FIELD_.
+
+
+    Ye who delight in old traditions,
+    And love to talk of apparitions,
+    Whose chairs around are closely join'd,
+    While no one dares to look behind,
+    Thinking there's some hobgoblin near,
+    Ready to whisper in his ear;
+    Oh! listen, while I lay before ye
+    My well-authenticated story.
+
+      Two twins, of understanding good,
+    Together liv'd, as brothers should:
+    This was named Thomas, that was John;
+    But all things else they had as one.
+    At length, by industry in trade,
+    They had a pretty fortune made,
+    And had, like others in the city,
+    A country cottage very pretty;
+    Where they amused their leisure hours,
+    In innocence, with plants and flowers,
+    Till fate had cut Tom's thread across,
+    And left poor John to wail his loss.
+
+      John left alone, when now some weeks
+    Had wip'd the tears from off his cheeks,
+    To muse within himself began
+    On what should be his future plan:
+    "Ye woods, ye fields, my sweet domain,
+    When shall I see your face again?
+    When shall I pass the vacant hours,
+    Rejoicing in my woodbine bowers;
+    To smoke my pipe, and sing my song;
+    Regardless how they pass along?
+    When take my fill of pastime there,
+    In sweet forgetfulness of care?"
+
+      He said; and, on his purpose bent,
+    Soon to his country cottage went,
+    Swill'd home-brew'd ale and gooseberry fool:
+    John never ate or drank by rule.
+
+      His arms were folded now to rest,
+    The night-mare sat upon his breast;
+    From right to left, and left to right,
+    He turn'd and toss'd, throughout the night:
+    A thousand fears disturb'd his head,
+    And phantoms danced around his bed;
+    His lab'ring stomach, though he slept,
+    The fancy wide awake had kept:
+    His brother's ghost approach'd his side,
+    And thus in feeble accents cried--
+    "Be not alarm'd, my brother dear,
+    To see your buried partner here;
+    I come to tell you where to find
+    A treasure, which I left behind:
+    I had not time to let you know it,
+    But follow me, and now I'll shew it."
+    John trembled at the awful sight,
+    But hopes of gain suppress'd his fright;
+    Oft will the parching thirst of gold,
+    Make even errant cowards bold.
+
+      John, rising up without delay,
+    Went where the spectre led the way;
+    Which, after many turnings past,
+    Stopp'd in an open field at last,
+    Where late the hind had sow'd his grain,
+    And made the whole a level plain.
+    The spectre pointed to the spot,
+    Where he had hid the golden pot:
+    "Deep in the earth," says he, "'tis laid."
+    But John, alas! had got no spade;
+    And, as the night was pretty dark,
+    He felt around him for a mark,
+    That he might know again the place,
+    Soon as Aurora shew'd her face.
+    In vain he stoop'd and felt around,
+    No stick or stone was to be found;
+    But nature now, before oppress'd,
+    By change of posture sore distress'd,
+    Gave an alarming crack; a hint
+    Of what, as sure as stick or flint,
+    To-morrow morn the place would tell,
+    If he had either sight or smell.
+    This done, he rose to go to bed;
+    He wak'd, how chang'd! the night-mare fled;
+    The ghost was vanish'd from his sight,
+    And John himself in piteous plight.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+DOUBLE MISTAKE,
+
+OR
+
+_COLLEGE GHOST_.
+
+
+Mr. Samuel Foote, the celebrated comedian, played the following trick
+upon Doctor Gower, who was then provost of his college, a man of
+considerable learning, but rather of a grave pedantic turn of mind.
+
+The church belonging to the college fronted the side of a lane, where
+cattle were sometimes turned out to graze during the night; and from the
+steeple hung the bell-rope, very low in the middle of the outside porch.
+Foote saw in this an object likely to produce some fun, and immediately
+set about to accomplish his purpose. He accordingly, one night, slily
+tied a wisp of hay to the rope, as a bait for the cows in their
+peregrination to the grazing ground. The scheme succeeded to his wish.
+One of the cows soon after, smelling the hay as she passed by the
+church-door, instantly seized on it, and, by tugging at the rope, made
+the bell ring, to the astonishment of the sexton and the whole parish.
+
+This happened several nights successively; and the incident gave rise to
+various reports--such as, not only that the church was haunted by evil
+spirits, but that several spectres were seen walking about the
+church-yard, in all those hideous and frightful shapes, which fear,
+ignorance, and fancy, usually suggest on such occasions.
+
+An event of this kind, however, was to be explored, for the honour of
+philosophy, as well as for the quiet of the parish. Accordingly, the
+Doctor and the sexton agreed to sit up one night, and, on the first
+alarm, to run out, and drag the culprit to condign punishment. Their
+plan being arranged, they waited with the utmost impatience for the
+appointed signal: at last, the bell began to sound its usual alarm, and
+they both sallied out in the dark, determined on making a discovery.
+
+The sexton was the first in the attack: he seized the cow by the tail,
+and cried out it was a gentleman commoner, as he had him by the tail of
+his gown; while the Doctor, who had caught the cow by the horns at the
+same time, immediately replied, "No, no, you blockhead, 'tis the
+postman; and here I have hold of the rascal by his blowing-horn." Lights
+however were immediately brought, when the character of the real
+offender was discovered, and the laugh of the whole town was turned upon
+the Doctor.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+HAUNTED CASTLE.
+
+
+The castle of Ardivillers, near Breteuil, was reported to be haunted by
+evil spirits. Dreadful noises were heard; and flames were seen, by
+night, to issue from various apertures. The farmer who was entrusted
+with the care of the house, in the absence of its owner, the President
+d'Ardivillers, could alone live there. The spirit seemed to respect him;
+but any person who ventured to take up a night's lodging in the castle
+was sure to bear the marks of his audacity.
+
+Superstition is catching. The peasants in the neighbourhood at length
+began to see strange sights. Sometimes a dozen of ghosts would appear in
+the air above the castle dancing. At other times, a number of presidents
+and counsellors, in red robes, appeared in the adjacent meadow. There
+they sat in judgment on a gentleman of the country, who had been
+beheaded for some crime an hundred years before. In short, many had
+seen, and all had heard, the wonders of the castle of Ardivillers.
+
+This affair had continued four or five years, to the great loss of the
+President, who had been obliged to let the estate to the farmer at a
+very low rent. At length, suspecting some artifice, he resolved to visit
+and inspect the castle himself.
+
+Taking with him two gentlemen, his friends, they determined to pass the
+night in the same apartment; and if any noise or apparition disturbed
+them, to discharge their pistols at either ghost or sound. As spirits
+know all things, they were probably aware of these preparations, and not
+one appeared. But, in the chamber just above, a dreadful rattling of
+chains was heard; and the wife and children of the farmer ran to assist
+their lord. They threw themselves on their knees, begging that he would
+not visit that terrible room. "My lord," said they, "what can human
+force effect against people of t'other world? Monsieur de Ficancout
+attempted the same enterprise years ago, and he returned with a
+dislocated arm. M. D'Urselles tried too; he was overwhelmed with bundles
+of hay, and was ill for a long time after." In short, so many attempts
+were mentioned, that the President's friends advised _him_ to abandon
+the design.
+
+But still _they_ determined to encounter the danger. Proceeding up
+stairs to an extensive room, each having a candle in one hand, and a
+pistol in the other, they found it full of thick smoke, which increased
+more and more from some flames that were visible. Soon after, the ghost
+or spirit faintly appeared in the middle: he seemed quite black, and was
+amusing himself with cutting capers; but another eruption of flame and
+smoke hid him from their view. He had horns and a long tail; and was, in
+truth, a dreadful object.
+
+One of the gentlemen found his courage rather fail. "This is certainly
+supernatural," said he; "let us retire." The other, endued with more
+boldness, asserted that the smoke was that of gunpowder, which is no
+supernatural composition; "and if this same spirit," added he, "knew his
+own nature and trade, he should have extinguished our candles."
+
+With these words, he jumped amidst the smoke and flames, and pursued the
+spectre. He soon discharged the pistol at his back, and hit him exactly
+in the middle; but was himself seized with fear, when the spirit, far
+from falling, turned round and rushed upon him. Soon recovering himself,
+he resolved to grasp the ghost, to discover if it were indeed aërial
+and impassable. Mr. Spectre, disordered by this new manoeuvre, rushed to
+the tower, and descended a small staircase.
+
+The gentleman ran after, and, never losing sight of him, passed several
+courts and gardens, still turning as the spirit winded, till at length
+they entered into an open barn. Here the pursuer, certain, as he
+thought, of his prey, shut the door, but when he turned round, what was
+his amazement, to see the spirit totally disappear.
+
+In great confusion, he called to the servants for more lights. On
+examining the spot of the spirit's disappearance, he found a trap-door;
+upon raising which, several mattresses appeared, to break the fall of
+any headlong adventurer. Therefore, descending, he found the spirit to
+be no other than the _farmer_ himself. His dress, of a complete bull's
+hide, had secured him from the pistol-shot; and the horns and tail were
+not diabolic, but mere natural appendages of the original. The rogue
+confessed his tricks, and was pardoned, on paying the arrears due for
+five years, at the old rent of the land.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+HAMMERSMITH GHOST.
+
+
+In the year 1804, the inhabitants of Hammersmith were much alarmed by a
+nocturnal appearance; which, for a considerable time, eluded detection
+or discovery. In the course of this unfortunate affair, two innocent
+persons met with an untimely death; and as this transaction engaged the
+attention of the public in a high degree, we shall fully relate the
+particulars of it.
+
+An unknown person made it his diversion to alarm the inhabitants, in
+January 1804, by assuming the figure of a spectre. This sham ghost has
+certainly much to answer for. One poor woman, who was far advanced in
+her pregnancy of a second child, was so much shocked, that she took to
+her bed, and survived only two days. She had been crossing near the
+church-yard about ten o'clock at night, when she beheld something, as
+she described, rise from the tomb-stones. The figure was very tall, and
+very white! She attempted to run, but the supposed ghost soon overtook
+her, and, pressing her in his arms, she fainted; in which situation she
+remained some hours, till discovered by the neighbours, who kindly led
+her home, when she took to her bed, from which, alas! she never rose. A
+waggoner belonging to Mr. Russell was also so alarmed, while driving a
+team of eight horses, which had sixteen passengers at the time, that he
+took to his heels, and left the waggon, horses, and passengers, in the
+greatest danger. Neither man, woman, or child, would pass that way for
+some time; and the report was, that it was the apparition of a man who
+had cut his throat in that neighbourhood above a year before. Several
+lay in wait different nights for the ghost; but there were so many
+bye-lanes, and paths leading to Hammersmith, that he was always sure of
+being in that which was unguarded, and every night played off his
+tricks, to the terror of the passengers.
+
+One Francis Smith, doubtless incensed at the unknown person who was in
+the habit of assuming the supernatural character, and thus frightening
+the superstitious inhabitants of the village, rashly determined on
+watching for, and shooting the ghost; when, unfortunately, in Black-Lion
+Lane, he shot a poor innocent man, Thomas Millwood, a bricklayer, who
+was in a white dress, the usual habiliment of his occupation. This rash
+act, having been judged wilful murder by the coroner's inquest, Smith
+was accordingly committed to gaol, and took his trial at the ensuing
+sessions at the Old Bailey, January 13th, 1804. The jury at first found
+him guilty of manslaughter; but the crime being deemed murder in the eye
+of the law, the judge could only receive a verdict of Guilty, or
+acquittal. He was then found guilty, and received sentence of death, but
+was afterwards pardoned on condition of being imprisoned one year.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+FRIGHTENED CARRIER.
+
+
+In October 1813, a little before midnight, as one of the carriers
+between Nottingham and Loughborough, was passing near the village of
+Rempstone, he was extremely surprised at meeting what he thought was a
+funeral procession, marching in a most solemn and steady order in the
+centre of the road. The carrier, with a becoming propriety and decorum,
+drew his cart to the side of the road, that the mournful cavalcade might
+pass without any interruption. Very active inquiry was immediately
+afterwards made in the neighbourhood, but not the least knowledge could
+be obtained as to where this solemn group had come from, or whither it
+was going; it was therefore concluded, that some ghostly apparition or
+other had thought proper to be then exercising its nocturnal avocation.
+Some days afterwards it was found out, that a person, who lived in the
+neighbouring village, had been endeavouring to construct a carriage upon
+such a principle as to go without horses; and, wishing to make his
+experiment as secret as possible, had chosen that dead hour of the
+night, for trying his apparatus on the turnpike road; but unluckily
+meeting with the carrier, he became alarmed for fear of an exposure, and
+therefore threw a large sheet over the machinery, and passed the cart as
+silently as possible, to avoid being detected.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+CLUB-ROOM GHOST.
+
+
+At a town in the west of England, was held a club of twenty-four
+persons, which assembled once a week, to drink punch, smoke tobacco, and
+talk politics. Like Rubens's Academy at Antwerp, each member had his
+peculiar chair, and the president's was more exalted than the rest. One
+of the members had been in a dying state for some time; of course, his
+chair, while he was absent, remained vacant.
+
+The club being met on their usual night, inquiries were naturally made
+after their associate. As he lived in the adjoining house, a particular
+friend went himself to inquire for him, and returned with the dismal
+tidings, that he could not possibly survive the night. This threw a
+gloom on the company, and all efforts to turn the conversation from the
+sad subject before them were ineffectual.
+
+About midnight (the time, by long prescription, appropriated for the
+walking of spectres), the door opened; and the form, in white, of the
+dying, or rather of the dead man, walked into the room, and took his
+seat in the accustomed chair: there he remained in silence, and in
+silence was he gazed at. The apparition continued a sufficient time in
+the chair to convince all present of the reality of the vision: at
+length, he arose, and stalked towards the door, which he opened as if
+living--went out, and then shut the door after him. After a long pause,
+some one, at last, had the resolution to say, "If only one of us had
+seen this, he would not have been believed; but it is impossible that so
+many persons can be deceived."
+
+The company, by degrees, recovered their speech; and the whole
+conversation, as may be imagined, was upon the dreadful object which
+had engaged their attention. They broke up, and went home. In the
+morning, inquiry was made after their sick friend; it was answered by an
+account of his death, which happened nearly at the time of his appearing
+in the club. There could be little doubt before, but now nothing could
+be more certain, than the reality of the apparition, which had been seen
+by so many persons together.
+
+It is needless to say, that such a story spread over the country, and
+found credit, even from infidels; for, in this case, all reasoning
+became superfluous, when opposed to a plain fact, attested by
+three-and-twenty witnesses. To assert the doctrine of the fixed laws of
+nature, was ridiculous, when there were so many people of credit to
+prove that they might be unfixed. Years rolled on; the story ceased to
+engage attention, and it was forgotten, unless when occasionally
+produced to silence an unbeliever.
+
+One of the club was an apothecary. In the course of his practice, he was
+called to an old woman, whose profession was attending on sick persons.
+She told him, that she could leave the world with a quiet conscience,
+but for one thing which lay on her mind. "Do not you remember Mr. ----,
+whose ghost has been so much talked of? I was his nurse. The night he
+died, I left the room for something that was wanted. I am sure I had
+not been absent long; but, at my return, I found the bed without my
+patient. He was delirious; and I feared that he had thrown himself out
+of the window. I was so frightened that I had no power to stir; but,
+after some time, to my great astonishment, he entered the room
+shivering, and his teeth chattering--laid down on the bed, and died.
+Considering myself as the cause of his death, I kept this a secret, for
+fear of what might be done to me. Though I could contradict all the
+story of the ghost, I dared not do it. I knew, by what had happened,
+that it was he himself who had been in the club-room (perhaps
+recollecting, in his delirium, that it was the night of meeting): but I
+hope God and the poor gentleman's friends will forgive me, and then I
+shall die contented."
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+LUNATIC APPARITION.
+
+
+The celebrated historian De Thou had a very singular adventure at
+Saumer, in the year 1598. One night, having retired to rest, very much
+fatigued, while he was enjoying a sound sleep, he felt a very
+extraordinary weight upon his feet, which, having made him turn
+suddenly, fell down and awakened him. At first he imagined that it had
+been only a dream: but, hearing soon after some noise in the chamber, he
+drew aside the curtains, and saw, by the help of the moon (which at that
+time shone very bright), a large white figure walking up and down; and,
+at the same time, observed upon a chair some rags, which he thought
+belonged to thieves who had come to rob him. The figure then approaching
+his bed, he had the courage to ask it what it was. "I am," said it, "the
+_Queen of Heaven_." Had such a figure appeared to any credulous ignorant
+man in the dead of night, and made such a speech, would he not have
+trembled with fear, and have frightened the whole neighbourhood with a
+marvellous description of it? But De Thou had too much understanding to
+be so imposed upon. Upon hearing the words which dropped from the
+figure, he immediately concluded that it was some mad woman, got up,
+called his servants, and ordered them to turn her out of doors; after
+which he returned to bed, and fell asleep. Next morning he found that he
+had not been deceived in his conjecture; and that, having forgot to shut
+his door, this female figure had escaped from her keepers, and entered
+his apartment. The brave Schomberg, to whom De Thou related this
+adventure, some days after, confessed, that in such a case he should
+not have shewn so much courage. The King also, who was informed of it by
+Schomberg, made the same acknowledgment.
+
+
+
+
+SUPPOSED
+
+SUPERNATURAL APPEARANCE.
+
+
+Some few years since, before ghosts and spectres were commonly
+introduced among us by means of the pantomimes and novels of the day, a
+gentleman of a philosophical turn of mind, who was hardy enough to deny
+the existence of any thing supernatural, happened to pay a visit at an
+old house in Gloucestershire, whose unfortunate owner had just become a
+bankrupt, with a view to offer such assistance and consolation as he
+could bestow: when, in one rainy dull evening in the month of March, the
+family being seated by the kitchen fire-side, the conversation turned on
+supernatural appearances. The philosopher was endeavouring to convince
+his auditors of the folly and absurdity of such opinions, with rather an
+unbecoming levity, when the wife left the party and went up stairs; but
+had hardly quitted the kitchen three minutes, before a dreadful noise
+was heard, mingled with horrid screams. The poor maid changed
+countenance, and her red hair stood erect, in every direction; the
+husband trembled in his chair; and the philosopher began to look
+serious. At last, the husband rose from his seat, and ascended the
+stairs in search of his wife, when a second dreadful scream was heard:
+the maid mustered resolution to follow her master, and a third scream
+ensued. The philosopher, who was not quite at ease, now thought it high
+time for him to set out in search of a _cause_: when, arriving at the
+landing-place, he found the maid in a fit; the master lying flat, with
+his face upon the floor, which was stained with blood; and, on advancing
+a little farther, the mistress in nearly the same condition. To the
+latter the philosopher paid immediate attention; and, finding she had
+only swooned away, brought her in his arms down stairs, and placed her
+on the floor of the kitchen. The pump was at hand, and he had the
+presence of mind to run to it to get some water in a glass; but what was
+his astonishment, when he found that he pumped only copious streams of
+blood! which extraordinary appearance, joined to the other
+circumstances, made the unbeliever tremble in every limb: a sudden
+perspiration overspread the surface of his skin; and the supernatural
+possessed his imagination in all its true colours of dread and horror.
+Again and again he repeated his efforts; and, again and again, threw
+away the loathsome contents of the glass.
+
+Had the story stopped here, what would not superstition have made of it?
+But the philosopher, who was still pumping, now found the water grew
+paler; and, at last, pure water filled the vessel. Overjoyed at this
+observation, he threw the limpid stream in the face of the mistress,
+whose recovery was assisted by the appearance of her husband and Betty.
+
+The mystery, when explained, turned out to be simply this--The good
+housewife, when she knew that a docket had been struck against her
+husband, had taken care to conceal some of her choice cherry brandy,
+from the rapacious gripe of the messenger to the Commissioners of
+Bankrupts, on some shelves in a closet up stairs, which also contained,
+agreeably to the ancient architecture of the building, the trunk of the
+pump below; and, in trying to move the jars, to get at a drop for the
+party at the kitchen fire, the shelf gave way with a tremendous crash;
+the jars were broken into an hundred pieces; the rich juice descended in
+torrents down the trunk of the pump, and filled, with its ruby current,
+the sucker beneath; and this was the self-same fluid which the
+philosopher, in his fright, had so madly thrown away. The wife had
+swooned at the accident; the husband, in his haste, had fallen on his
+nose, which ran with blood; and the maid's legs, in her hurry, coming in
+contact with her fallen master's ribs, she, like "vaulting ambition,"
+overleaped herself, and fell on the other side.
+
+Often has this story been told, by one who knew the philosopher, with
+great effect, till the last act, or _denouement_; when disappointment
+was mostly visible in the looks of his auditors, at finding there was
+actually nothing supernatural in the affair, and no ghost.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+APPARITION INVESTIGATED.
+
+
+In a village in one of the midland counties of Scotland, lived a widow,
+distinguished among her neighbours for decency of manners, integrity,
+and respect for religion. She affirmed that, for several nights
+together, she had heard a supernatural voice exclaiming aloud, _Murder!
+Murder!_ This was immediately reported through the neighbourhood: all
+were alarmed, and looked around them with solicitude for the detection
+of the murder which they supposed to have been committed; and it was
+not long till a discovery seemed actually to be made. It was reported,
+that a gentleman, who had relations at no great distance, and had been
+residing in the West Indies, had lately arrived with a considerable
+fortune; that he had lodged at an inn about three miles off; and that he
+had afterwards been seen entering a house in the village where the widow
+lived, from which he had never returned. It was next affirmed, that a
+tradesman, passing the church-yard about twelve at midnight, had seen
+four men carry a dead corpse into that cemetery.
+
+These three facts being joined together, seemed perfectly to agree, and
+to confirm one another; and all believed some horrible murder had been
+committed. The relations of the gentleman thought they were called upon
+to make inquiry into the truth of these allegations: they accordingly
+came first to the church-yard, where, in company with the sexton, they
+examined all the graves with great care, in order to discover whether
+any of them had lately been dug, or had the appearance of containing
+more than one coffin. But this search was to no purpose, for no
+alteration had been made upon the graves. It was next reported, that the
+murdered man had been buried in a plantation about a mile distant from
+the village. As the alarm was now very general, a number of the
+inhabitants proposed, of their own accord, to explore it. They
+accordingly spread themselves over the wood, and searched it with care;
+but no grave, or new-dug earth, was found.
+
+The matter did not rest here. The person who was said to have seen four
+men carry a dead corpse into the church-yard at midnight, was summoned
+to appear before a meeting of the justices of the peace. Upon
+examination, he denied any knowledge of the affair; but referred the
+court to another person, from whom he had received his information. This
+person was examined, and the result was the same as the former. In
+short, one person had heard it from another, who had received it from a
+third, who had heard it from a fourth; but it had received a little
+embellishment from every person who repeated it: it turned out to be the
+same with Smollett's story of the three black crows, which somebody was
+said to have vomited.
+
+Upon inquiry at the inn, where it was said the West-India gentleman had
+lodged, no such gentleman had been seen there; and it was found
+afterwards, he had never left the West Indies.
+
+Still, however, the veracity of the widow was not disputed; and some
+dark and secret transaction was suspected. But the whole affair was at
+length explained, by discovering that she was somewhat deranged by
+melancholy; and the cries which she at first imagined she had heard,
+were afterwards imitated by some roguish person, who was highly amused
+with spreading terror among the credulous.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+BENIGHTED TRAVELLER,
+
+AND
+
+_HAUNTED ROOM_.
+
+
+A gentleman was benighted, while travelling alone, in a remote part of
+the highlands of Scotland, and was compelled to ask shelter for the
+evening at a small lonely hut. When he was conducted to his bed-room,
+the landlady observed, with mysterious reluctance, that he would find
+the window very insecure. On examination, part of the wall appeared to
+have been broken down, to enlarge the opening.
+
+After some inquiry, he was told, that a pedlar, who had lodged in the
+room a short time before, had committed suicide, and was found hanging
+behind the door in the morning. According to the superstition of the
+country, it was deemed improper to remove the body through the door of
+the house; and to convey it through the window was impossible, without
+removing part of the wall. Some hints were dropped, that the room had
+been subsequently haunted by the poor man's spirit.
+
+The gentleman laid his arms, properly prepared against intrusion of any
+kind, by the bed-side, and retired to rest, not without some degree of
+apprehension. He was visited, in a dream, by a frightful apparition;
+and, awaking in agony, found himself sitting up in bed, with a pistol
+grasped in his right hand. On casting a fearful glance round the room,
+he discovered, by the moonlight, a corpse, dressed in a shroud, reared
+erect against the wall, close by the window. With much difficulty, he
+summoned up resolution to approach the dismal object, the features of
+which, and the minutest parts of its funereal apparel, he perceived
+distinctly: he passed one hand over it, felt nothing, and staggered back
+to the bed. After a long interval, and much reasoning with himself, he
+renewed his investigation, and at length discovered that the object of
+his terror was produced by the moonbeams forming a long bright image
+through the broken window, on which his fancy, impressed by his dream,
+had pictured, with mischievous accuracy, the lineaments of a body
+prepared for interment. Powerful associations of terror, in this
+instance, had excited the recollected images with uncommon force and
+effect.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+HAUNTED BEACH,
+
+OR
+
+_Power of Conscience on a Murderer_.
+
+BY MRS. ROBINSON.
+
+
+    Upon a lonely desert beach,
+      Where the white foam was scatter'd,
+    A little shed uprear'd its head,
+      Though lofty barks were shatter'd.
+    The sea-weeds gath'ring near the door,
+          A sombre path display'd;
+    And, all around, the deaf'ning roar
+    Re-echo'd on the chalky shore,
+          By the green billows made.
+
+    Above, a jutting cliff was seen,
+      Where sea-birds hover'd craving;
+    And, all around, the craggs were bound
+      With weeds--for ever waving.
+    And, here and there, a cavern wide
+          Its shad'wy jaws display'd;
+    And near the sands, at ebb of tide,
+    A shiver'd mast was seen to ride,
+          Where the green billows stray'd.
+
+    And often, while the moaning wind
+      Stole o'er the summer ocean,
+    The moonlight scene was all serene,
+      The waters scarce in motion;
+    Then, while the smoothly slanting sand
+          The tall cliff wrapp'd in shade,
+    The Fisherman beheld a band
+    Of spectres, gliding hand in hand,
+          Where the green billows play'd.
+
+    And pale their faces were as snow,
+      And sullenly they wandered;
+    And to the skies, with hollow eyes,
+      They look'd, as though they ponder'd.
+    And sometimes, from their hammock shroud,
+          They dismal howlings made,
+    And while the blast blew strong and loud
+    The clear moon marked the ghastly crowd,
+          Where the green billows play'd!
+
+    And then, above the haunted hut,
+      The curlews screaming hover'd;
+    And the low door, with furious roar,
+      The frothy breakers cover'd.
+    For in the Fisherman's lone shed,
+          _A murder'd man_ was laid,
+    With ten wide gashes in his head;
+    And deep was made his sandy bed,
+          Where the green billows play'd.
+
+    A shipwreck'd mariner was he,
+      Doom'd from his home to sever,
+    Who swore to be, thro' wind and sea,
+      Firm and undaunted ever;
+    And when the waves resistless roll'd,
+          About his arm he made
+    A packet rich of Spanish gold,
+    And, like a British sailor bold,
+          Plung'd where the billows play'd!
+
+    The spectre band, his messmates brave,
+      Sunk in the yawning ocean,
+    While to the mast he lash'd him fast,
+      And brav'd the storm's commotion:
+    The winter moon upon the sand
+          A silv'ry carpet made,
+    And mark'd the sailor reach the land,
+    And mark'd his murd'rer wash his hand,
+          Where the green billows play'd.
+
+    And, since that hour, the Fisherman
+      Has toil'd and toil'd in vain;
+    For all the night the moony light
+      Gleams on the spectred main!
+    And when the skies are veil'd in gloom,
+          The murd'rer's liquid way
+    Bounds o'er the deeply yawning tomb,
+    And flashing fires the sands illume,
+          Where the green billows play!
+
+    Full thirty years his task has been,
+      Day after day, more weary;
+    For Heav'n design'd his guilty mind
+      Should dwell on prospects dreary.
+    Bound by a strong and mystic chain,
+          He has not pow'r to stray;
+    But, destin'd mis'ry to sustain,
+    He wastes, in solitude and pain,
+          A loathsome life away.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+SUBTERRANEAN TRAVELLER;
+
+OR
+
+_GHOST AND NO GHOST_.
+
+
+The following record is copied verbatim from an old newspaper--_The
+Weekly Journal, or British Gazetteer._
+
+                                    "_Bedlam, January 18, 1719._
+
+"It is not long since one of the female inhabitants of these frantic
+territories gave the following occasion for a very pleasing
+entertainment. Some bricklayers happened to be at work here, to repair
+and clean the passage leading to the common sewer; who going to dinner,
+and leaving the ladder which descended to it, standing, the said
+unfortunate inhabitant had a sort of an odd notion, that the workmen had
+been prying into the secrets of the lower world, and therefore (nobody
+seeing her) she went down the ladder which led into the common sewer;
+and, in that subterraneous cavern, finding none to control or stop her
+passage, she travelled, with great pleasure and curiosity, till she came
+to _Tokenhouse Yard_, which is near half a mile. There it happened that
+a couple of young females, coming to the vault, heard a noise below,
+crying, '_Who the plague are ye? What d'ye make that noise for? What, is
+the devil in ye?_' Upon which, away flew the women, not staying to look
+behind them; and coming half-frightened into the house, said, the devil
+was in the vault. Accordingly, more company going, they still heard the
+same noise. Upon which they called out, and asked, '_Who's there? What
+are ye?_' '_The Devil_,' replied the traveller below. '_How came you
+there?_' said they. '_Nay, how the devil know I?_' answered the
+mad-woman. '_Why don't you bring me a candle, that I may find my way?_'
+Finding it certain to be a human voice, they feared somebody might
+accidentally have fallen in, and therefore they immediately went to
+work, to deliver the poor wretch from her suffocating thraldom, and
+found her a lamentable spectacle; so that they began to question her how
+she came there, and where she lived. She answered _that she was going to
+Hell, but had lost her way; that there were several in her company, who
+had got thither, and the gate was shut upon them; that she had lost her
+way, but should overtake them by and by_. These wild expressions made
+some of them fancy she was a mad-woman; and, after some consideration,
+they resolved to bring her hither; when she was presently owned, and
+the people that brought her let us into the story: but her head still
+runs on her journey, and she talks of little else."
+
+
+
+
+THE MILKMAN
+
+AND
+
+_CHURCH-YARD GHOST_.
+
+
+A man much addicted to the heinous sin of drunkenness, in coming home
+late one winter's night, had to cross Stepney church-yard; where, close
+to the foot path, a deep grave had been opened the day before. He, being
+very drunk, staggered into the grave; it was a great mercy he did not
+break his neck, or any of his limbs; but, as it rained hard all night,
+and the grave was so deep that he could not got out, he had but an
+uncomfortable bed. For some hours nobody passed by; till, shortly after
+the clock had struck four, a milkman, who had been to the cow-house for
+his milk, came by, and said to himself, "I wonder what o'clock it is."
+The man in the grave hallooed out, "Just gone four." The milkman seeing
+nobody, immediately conceived a ghost from one of the graves had
+answered him, and took to his heels with such rapidity, that when he
+reached an ale-house he was ready to faint; and, what added to his
+trouble, in running, he so jumbled his pails as to spill great part of
+his milk. The people who heard his relation, believed it must have been
+a ghost that had answered him. The tale went round, and would have been
+credited, perhaps, till now, had not the drunkard, sitting one day in
+the very alehouse the milkman had stopped at, on hearing the story
+repeated, with a hearty laugh acknowledged himself to be the ghost, and
+that he had much enjoyed the jumbling of the man's pails, as he ran
+away, and the loss which it occasioned him.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+FAKENHAM GHOST.
+
+
+    The lawns were dry in Euston Park;
+      (Here truth inspires my tale)
+    The lonely footpath, still and dark,
+      Led over hill and dale.
+
+    Benighted was an ancient dame,
+      And fearful haste she made
+    To gain the vale of Fakenham,
+      And hail its willow shade.
+
+    Her footsteps knew no idle stops,
+      But follow'd faster still;
+    And echo'd to the darksome copse
+      That whisper'd on the hill.
+
+    Where clam'rous rooks, yet scarcely hush'd,
+      Bespoke a peopled shade;
+    And many a wing the foliage brush'd,
+      And hov'ring circuits made.
+
+    The dappled herd of grazing deer,
+      That sought the shades by day,
+    Now started from her path with fear,
+      And gave the stranger way.
+
+    Darker it grew; and darker fears
+      Came o'er her troubled mind;
+    When, now, a short quick step she hears
+      Come patting close behind.
+
+    She turn'd; it stopt!--nought could she see
+      Upon the gloomy plain!
+    But, as she strove the sprite to flee,
+      She heard the same again.
+
+    Now terror seiz'd her quaking frame:
+      For, where the path was bare,
+    The trotting ghost kept on the same!
+      She mutter'd many a pray'r.
+
+    Yet once again, amidst her fright
+      She tried what sight could do;
+    When through the cheating glooms of night,
+      A monster stood in view.
+
+    Regardless of whate'er she felt,
+      It follow'd down the plain!
+    She own'd her sins, and down she knelt,
+      And said her pray'rs again.
+
+    Then on she sped; and hope grew strong,
+      The white park-gate in view,
+    Which, pushing hard, so long it swung,
+      That ghost and all past through.
+
+    Loud fell the gate against the post,
+      Her heart-strings like to crack,
+    For much she fear'd the grisly ghost
+      Would leap upon her back.
+
+    Still on, pat, pat, the goblin went,
+      As it had done before;
+    Her strength and resolution spent,
+      She fainted at the door.
+
+    Out came her husband, much surpris'd,
+      Out came her daughter dear;
+    Good-natur'd souls, all unadvis'd
+      Of what they had to fear.
+
+    The candle's gleam pierc'd through the night,
+      Some short space o'er the green;
+    And there the little trotting sprite
+      Distinctly might be seen.
+
+    An _ass's foal_ had lost its dam
+      Within the spacious park,
+    And, simple as the playful lamb,
+      Had follow'd in the dark.
+
+    No goblin he, nor imp of sin,
+      No crimes he'd ever known.
+    They took the shaggy stranger in,
+      And rear'd him as their own.
+
+    His little hoofs would rattle round
+      Upon the cottage floor;
+    The matron learn'd to love the sound,
+      That frighten'd her before.
+
+    A favourite the ghost became,
+      And 'twas his fate to thrive;
+    And long he liv'd, and spread his fame,
+      And kept the joke alive.
+
+    For many a laugh went through the vale,
+      And some conviction too;
+    Each thought some other goblin tale
+      Perhaps was just as true.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+UNFORTUNATE PRIEST,
+
+AND
+
+_DEAD BODY_.
+
+
+In a province of Prussia, a man being dead, was carried, as is
+customary, into the church, the evening previous to the day of his
+interment. It is usual to place the corpse in an open coffin; and a
+priest, attended only by a boy of the choir, remains all night praying
+by the side of the dead body, and on the following day the friends of
+the deceased come to close up the coffin, and inter the corpse. On this
+occasion, after the evening service had been performed, every one
+retired from the church: and the priest, with the young chorister,
+withdrew to supper; but soon returned, and the former commenced the
+usual prayers. What was his astonishment, when he beheld the dead body
+rise from the coffin, and advance towards him. Terrified in the extreme,
+the priest flew to the font; and, conjuring the corpse to return to its
+proper station, showered holy water on him in abundance. But the
+obstinate and evil-minded spirit, disregarding the power of holy water,
+seized the unfortunate priest, threw him to the ground, and soon, by
+repeated blows, left him extended, without life, on the pavement. Having
+committed this act of barbarity, he appeared to return quietly to his
+coffin. On the following morning, the persons who came to prepare for
+the funeral, found the priest murdered, and the corpse, as before, in
+the coffin. Nothing could throw any light on this extraordinary event
+but the testimony of the boy, who had concealed himself on the first
+movement of the dead body, and who persisted in declaring, that he saw
+from his hiding-place the priest killed by the corpse. Conjecture, and
+endeavours to discover the truth, were alike vain, tormenting, and
+fruitless. Many resources were tried; for it was not every one that
+submitted themselves to the belief of a dead body rising to kill a
+priest, and then quietly resigning itself to the place of its
+consignment. Many years afterwards, a malefactor, condemned to death for
+various crimes, and brought to the torture, confessed, that having (for
+some unknown reason) conceived an implacable hatred against the priest
+in question, he had formed the design of thus avenging himself. Having
+found means to remain in the church, he seized the moment of the
+priest's retiring to supper, withdrew the dead body from the coffin, and
+placed himself in its stead, in the shroud and other appurtenances.
+After executing the murder of the priest, he returned the corpse to its
+place, and got unperceived out of the church, when the friends of the
+deceased came in the morning to attend the funeral.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+VIGIL OF SAINT MARK,
+
+OR
+
+_FATAL SUPERSTITION_.
+
+
+    Rebecca was the fairest maid
+    That on the Danube's borders play'd;
+    And many a handsome nobleman
+    For her in tilt and tourney ran:
+    While she, in secret, wished to see
+    What youth her husband was to be.
+
+    Rebecca heard the gossips say,
+    "Alone, from dusk till midnight, stay
+    Within the church-porch drear and dark,
+    Upon the Vigil of St. Mark;
+    And, lovely maiden, you shall see
+    What youth your husband is to be."
+
+    Rebecca, when the night grew dark,
+    Upon the Vigil of St. Mark,
+    Observ'd by Paul, a roguish scout,
+    Who guess'd the task she went about,
+    Stepp'd to St. Stephen's church to see
+    What youth her husband was to be.
+
+    Rebecca heard the screech-owl cry,
+    And saw the black-bat round her fly;
+    She sat till, wild with fear at last,
+    Her blood grew cold, her pulse beat fast;
+    And yet, rash maid, she stopp'd to see
+    What youth her husband was to be.
+
+    Rebecca heard the midnight chime
+    Ring out the yawning peal of time,
+    When shrouded Paul, unlucky knave!
+    Rose, like a spectre from the grave,
+    And cried--"_Fair maiden, come with me,
+    For I your bridegroom am to be._"
+
+    Rebecca turned her head aside,
+    Sent forth a horrid shriek--and died;
+    While Paul confess'd himself in vain
+    Rebecca never spoke again.
+    Ah! little, hapless girl, did she
+    Think _Death_ her bridegroom was to be.
+
+    Rebecca, may thy story long
+    Instruct the giddy and the young!
+    Fright not, fond youths, the timid fair:
+    And you, too, gentle maids, beware;
+    Nor seek, by dreadful arts, to see
+    What youths your husbands are to be.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+FLOATING WONDER,
+
+OR
+
+_FEMALE SPECTRE_.
+
+
+The bridge over the river Usk, near Caerleon, in Wales, is formed of
+wood, and very curiously constructed, the tide rising occasionally to
+the almost incredible height of fifty or sixty feet. The boards which
+compose the flooring of this bridge being designedly loose, in order to
+float with the tide, when it exceeds a certain height, are prevented
+from escaping only by little pegs at the end of them; which mode of
+fastening does not afford a very safe footing for the traveller, and
+some awkward accidents have been known to arise from this cause. The
+following singular adventure occurred about twenty years since to a
+female of the neighbourhood, as she was passing it at night.
+
+The heroine in question was a Mrs. Williams, who had been to spend a
+cheerful evening at a neighbour's house on the eastern side of the
+river, and was returning home at a decent hour. The night being
+extremely dark, she had provided herself with a lanthorn and candle, by
+the assistance of which she found her way to the bridge, and had already
+passed part of the dangerous structure, when she unfortunately trod on a
+plank that had by some accident lost the tenons originally fixed to the
+ends of it, and had slipped from its proper situation; the faithless
+board yielded to the weight of the good lady, who was rather corpulent,
+and carried her through the flooring, with her candle and lanthorn, into
+the river. Fortunately, at the moment of falling, she was standing in
+such a position, as gave her a seat on the plank similar to that of a
+horseman on his nag. It may be easily imagined, that Mrs. Williams must
+have been dreadfully alarmed at this change of situation, as well as the
+difference of element. Blessed, however, with great presence of mind,
+and a patient endurance of evil, the good lady was not overwhelmed by
+her fall, but steadily maintained her seat on the board; taking care, at
+the same time, to preserve her candle lighted, rightly supposing it
+would serve as a guide to any one who might be able or willing to assist
+her. Thus bestriding the plank, our heroine was hurried down the river
+towards Newport, the bridge of which, she trusted, would stop her
+progress, or that she might alarm the inhabitants with her cries. In
+both her hopes, however, she was disappointed: the rapidity of a spring
+tide sent her through the arch with the velocity of an arrow discharged
+from a bow, and the good people of the town had long been wrapped in
+slumber. Thus situated, her prospect became each moment more desperate;
+her candle was nearly extinguished! and every limb so benumbed with
+cold, that she had the greatest difficulty in _keeping her saddle_.
+Already she had reached the mouth of the Usk, and was on the point of
+encountering the turbulent waves of the British Channel, when the master
+of a fishing-boat, who was returning from his nightly toils, discovered
+the gleaming of her taper, and bearing her calls for assistance, though
+he at first thought her a witch, yet ventured to approach this floating
+wonder, and happily succeeded in rescuing Mrs. Williams from a watery
+grave, and bringing her in safety to the shore in his boat.
+
+Thus was the life of a fellow-creature preserved by a poor fisherman's
+courage, in not being daunted by what he at first conceived a mysterious
+light proceeding from some sprite or hobgoblin; but, from duly examining
+into causes, proved himself both a hero and friend.
+
+
+
+
+POOR MARY,
+
+_THE MAID OF THE INN_.
+
+
+    Who is she, the poor maniac, whose wildly fix'd eyes
+        Seem a heart overcharg'd to express?
+    She weeps not, yet often and deeply she sighs;
+    She never complains, but her silence implies
+        The composure of settled distress.
+
+    No aid, no compassion, the maniac will seek;
+        Cold and hunger awake not her care:
+    Through her rags do the winds of the winter blow bleak
+    On her poor wither'd bosom, half bare; and her cheek
+        Has the deathly pale hue of despair.
+
+    Yet cheerful and happy, nor distant the day,
+        Poor Mary the maniac has been!
+    The trav'ller remembers, who journey'd this way,
+    No damsel so lovely, no damsel so gay,
+        As Mary the Maid of the Inn.
+
+    Her cheerful address fill'd the guests with delight,
+        As she welcom'd them in with a smile:
+    Her heart was a stranger to childish affright,
+    And Mary would walk by the abbey at night,
+        When the wind whistled down the dark aisle.
+
+    She lov'd; and young Richard had settled the day,
+        And she hoped to be happy for life:
+    But Richard was idle and worthless; and they
+    Who knew him would pity poor Mary, and say,
+        That she was too good for his wife.
+
+    'Twas in autumn, and stormy and dark was the night,
+        And fast were the windows and door;
+    Two guests sat enjoying the fire that burnt bright,
+    And, smoking in silence with tranquil delight,
+        They listen'd to hear the wind roar.
+
+    "'Tis pleasant," cried one, "seated by the fire-side,
+        To hear the wind whistle without."
+    "A fine night for the abbey!" his comrade replied,
+    "Methinks, a man's courage would now be well tried,
+        Who should wander the ruins about.
+
+    "I myself, like a school-boy, should tremble to hear
+        The hoarse ivy shake over my head;
+    And could fancy I saw, half-persuaded by fear,
+    Some ugly old abbot's white spirit appear,
+        For this wind might awaken the dead!"
+
+    "I'll wager a dinner," the other one cried,
+        "That Mary would venture there now."
+    "Then wager and lose!" with a sneer, he replied,
+    "I'll warrant she'd fancy a ghost by her side,
+        And faint if she saw a white cow."
+
+    "Will Mary this charge on her courage allow?"
+        His companion exclaim'd with a smile;
+    "I shall win, for I know she will venture there now,
+    And earn a new bonnet by bringing a bough
+        From the elder that glows in the aisle."
+
+    With fearless good humour did Mary comply,
+        And her way to the abbey she bent;
+    The night it was dark, and the wind it was high,
+    And as hollowly howling it swept through the sky,
+        She shiver'd with cold as she went.
+
+    O'er the path so well known still proceeded the maid,
+        Where the abbey rose dim on the sight.
+    Through the gate-way she entered, she felt not afraid,
+    Yet the ruins were lonely and wild, and their shade
+        Seem'd to deepen the gloom of the night.
+
+    All around her was silent, save when the rude blast
+        Howl'd dismally round the old pile;
+    Over weed-cover'd fragments still fearless she past,
+    And arriv'd in the innermost ruin at last,
+        Where the elder-tree grew in the aisle.
+
+    Well pleas'd did she reach it, and quickly drew near,
+        And hastily gather'd the bough;
+    When the sound of a voice seem'd to rise on her ear--
+    She paus'd, and she listen'd all eager to hear,
+        And her heart panted fearfully now.
+
+    The wind blew, the hoarse ivy shook over her head,
+        She listen'd--nought else could she hear;
+    The wind ceas'd; her heart sunk in her bosom with dread,
+    For she heard in the ruins distinctly the tread
+        Of footsteps approaching her near.
+
+    Behind a white column, half breathless with fear,
+        She crept to conceal herself there:
+    That instant the moon o'er a dark cloud shone clear,
+    And she saw in the moon-light two ruffians appear,
+        And between them a corpse did they bear.
+
+    Then Mary could feel her heart-blood curdle cold!
+        Again the rough wind hurried by--
+    It blew off the hat of the one,[C] and, behold,
+    Even close to the foot of poor Mary it roll'd--
+        She felt, and expected to die.
+
+    "Curse the hat!" he exclaims. "Nay, come on, and first hide
+        The dead body," his comrade replies.
+    She beheld them in safety pass on by her side,
+    She seizes the hat, fear her courage supplied,
+        And fast through the abbey she flies.
+
+    She ran with wild speed, she rush'd in at the door,
+        She gaz'd horribly eager around:
+    Then her limbs could support their faint burden no more,
+    And exhausted and breathless she sunk on the floor,
+        Unable to utter a sound.
+
+    Ere yet her cold lips could the story impart,
+      For a moment the hat met her view--[D]
+    Her eyes from that object convulsively start,
+    For, oh! God! what cold horror then thrill'd through her heart,
+        When the name of her Richard she knew.
+
+    Where the old abbey stands on the common hard by,
+        His gibbet is now to be seen:
+    Not far from the road it engages the eye,
+    The trav'ller beholds it, and thinks, with a sigh,
+        Of poor Mary, the Maid of the Inn.
+
+                                                SOUTHEY'S POEMS.
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[C] The hat of one of the ruffians.
+
+[D] She knew it to be Richard's hat.
+
+
+
+
+GILES THE SHEPHERD,
+
+_AND SPECTRE_.
+
+
+    * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
+
+    Giles, ere he sleeps, his little flock must tell.
+    From the fire-side with many a shrug he hies,
+    Glad if the full-orb'd moon salute his eyes.
+
+    * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
+
+    And down a narrow lane, well known by day,
+    With all his speed pursues his sounding way,
+    In thought still half absorb'd, and chill'd with cold,
+    When, lo! an object frightful to behold,
+    A grisly _spectre_, cloth'd in silver grey,
+    Around whose feet the waving shadows play,
+    Stands in his path! He stops, and not a breath
+    Heaves from his heart, that sinks almost to death.
+    Loud the owl hallooes o'er his head unseen;
+    All else is silence, dismally serene:
+    Some prompt ejaculation, whisper'd low,
+    Yet bears him up against the threat'ning foe;
+    And thus poor Giles, though half inclin'd to fly,
+    Mutters his doubts, and strains his stedfast eye.
+    "'Tis not my crimes thou com'st here to reprove;
+    No murders stain my soul, no perjur'd love:
+    If thou'rt indeed what here thou seem'st to be,
+    Thy dreadful mission cannot reach to me.
+    By parents taught still to mistrust mine eyes,
+    Still to approach each object of surprise,
+    Lest fancy's formful vision should deceive
+    In moonlight paths, or glooms of falling eve,
+    'Tis then's the moment when my mind should try
+    To scan the motionless deformity;
+    But oh, the fearful task!--yet well I know
+    An aged ash, with many a spreading bough,
+    (Beneath whose leaves I've found a summer's bow'r,
+    Beneath whose trunk I've weather'd many a show'r)
+    Stands singly down this solitary way,
+    But far beyond where now my footsteps stay.
+    'Tis true, thus far I've come with heedless haste;
+    No reck'ning kept, no passing objects trac'd:
+    And can I then have reach'd that very tree?
+    Or is its rev'rend form assum'd by thee?"
+    The happy thought alleviates his pain;
+    He creeps another step; then stops again;
+    Till slowly as his noiseless feet drew near,
+    Its perfect lineaments at once appear;
+    Its crown of shiv'ring ivy whispering peace,
+    And its white bark that fronts the moon's pale face.
+    Now, while his blood mounts upward, now he knows
+    The solid gain that from conviction flows;
+    And strengthen'd confidence shall hence fulfil
+    (With conscious innocence, more valued still)
+    The dreariest task that winter nights can bring,
+    By church-yard dark, or grove, or fairy ring;
+    Still buoying up the timid mind of youth,
+    Till loit'ring reason hoists the scale of truth.
+    With those blest guardians, Giles his course pursues,
+    Till numbering his heavy-sided ewes,
+    Surrounding stilness tranquillize his breast,
+    And shape the dreams that wait his hours of rest.
+
+                                    BLOOMFIELD'S _Farmer's Boy_.
+
+
+
+
+A
+
+MAN WITH HIS HEAD ON FIRE,
+
+AND COVERED WITH BLOOD.
+
+
+The following singular adventure is related by a military captain.
+
+"I was coming home one night on horseback, from a visit I had been
+making to a number of the neighbouring villages, where I had quartered
+my recruits. It happened there had fallen a deal of rain that day, since
+noon, and during all the evening, which had broken up the roads, and it
+was raining still with equal violence; but, being forced to join my
+company next morning, I set out, provided with a lanthorn, having to
+pass a strait defile between two mountains. I had cleared it, when a
+gust of wind took off my hat, and carried it so far, that I despaired of
+getting it again, and therefore gave the matter up. By great good
+fortune, I had with me my red cloak. I covered my head and shoulders
+with it, leaving nothing but a little hole to see my way, and breathe
+through; and, for fear the wind should take a fancy to my cloak, as well
+as my hat, I passed my right arm round my body to secure it: so that,
+riding on in this position, you may easily conceive my lanthorn, which
+I held in my right hand, was under my left shoulder. At the entrance of
+a village on a hill, I met three travellers, who no sooner saw me than
+they ran away as fast as possible. For my part, I went on upon the
+gallop; and when I came into the town, alighted at an inn, where I
+designed to rest myself a little. Soon after, who should enter, but my
+three poltroons, as pale as death itself. They told the landlord and his
+people, trembling as they spoke, that in the road they had encountered a
+great figure of a man all over blood, whose head was like a flame of
+fire, and to increase the wonder, placed beneath his shoulder. He was
+mounted on a dreadful horse, said they, quite black behind, and grey
+before; which, notwithstanding it was lame, he spurred and whipped right
+up the mountain with extraordinary swiftness. Here they ended their
+relation. They had taken care to spread the alarm as they were flying
+from this wondrous apparition, and the people had come with them to the
+inn in such a drove, that upwards of an hundred were all squeezed
+together, opening both their mouths and ears at this tremendous story.
+To make up in some sort for my dismal journey, I resolved to laugh a
+little, and be merry at their cost, intending to cure them of such
+fright, by shewing them their folly in the present instance. With this
+view, I got upon my horse again, behind the inn, and went round about
+till I had rode the distance of a mile or thereabouts; when, turning, I
+disposed of my accoutrements, that is to say, my cloak and lanthorn, as
+before, and on I came upon a gallop towards the inn. You should have
+seen the frighted mob of peasants, how they hid their faces at the
+sight, and got into the passage. There was no one but the host had
+courage to remain, and keep his eye upon me. I was now before the door,
+on which I shifted the position of my lanthorn, let my cloak drop down
+upon my shoulders, and appeared the figure he had seen me by his kitchen
+fire. It was not without real difficulty, we could bring the simple
+people who had crowded in for safety from their terror: the three
+travellers, in particular, as the first impression was still strong
+within them, they could not credit what they saw. We finished by a
+hearty laugh at their expence, and by drinking to the man whose head was
+like a flame of fire, and placed beneath his shoulder."
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+INNOCENT DEVIL,
+
+OR
+
+_AGREEABLE DISAPPOINTMENT_.
+
+
+The following story is extracted from a letter I received, some time
+since, from a friend, on the subject of apparitions.
+
+"Returning, one evening in the summer, to my apartments, at a short
+distance from town, I was invited by my landlady, a brisk young widow,
+to partake of _un petit souper_, as she termed it. The invitation, of
+course, I accepted; and, after a pleasant repast, the cloth being
+removed, various conversation ensued, and the terminating subject was
+ghosts and hobgoblins. After my attention had been greatly excited by
+many dreadful recitals, I thought I perceived something black glide
+swiftly by my feet. My back at that time being towards the door, I
+instantly turned round; and, perceiving the same to be shut, I fancied
+my fear to be only a chimæra arising from the subject we had been
+conversing on. I therefore replenished my glass; and the subject of
+spectres was again renewed. In the midst of the discourse, when I was
+all attention to some dreadful tale, I felt something gently brush the
+bottom of my chair; when, on looking down, I beheld the most hideous
+black figure imagination can conceive. It was a monster on all fours,
+with cloven feet, horns on its head, and a long tail trailing after it
+as it moved along. My terror, I will acknowledge, was so great, that I
+instantly jumped up as high as the table, and loudly vociferated, 'Lord
+have mercy upon me! what is it?' My friendly hostess now begged me to
+sit down and be a little calm, and she would explain to me the cause of
+my alarm. The figure having again disappeared, the lady of the
+ceremonies thus addressed me--'I beg your pardon, Sir, for the fright I
+have thus occasioned you. It is only a little joke I have been playing
+off, merely to see whether you were proof against supernatural
+appearances. A friend of mine having been to a masqued ball in a domino,
+I prepared the stratagem, by making a head-piece to the dress, with
+horns, false legs, cloven feet, and a tail. I then instructed my
+servant, who was by agreement to be in the adjoining room, on hearing a
+certain part of my story, to open the door as softly as possible, and to
+make her _entré_, in this habiliment. This she attempted before the plot
+was sufficiently ripe, when you turned round towards the door, and she
+retreated. The second attempt too effectually succeeded; for which I
+again ask your pardon, and am extremely sorry, though luckily it has had
+no bad effect. But I will never, while I live, again be induced to act
+so foolishly.'--"
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+SPECTRE OF THE BROKEN.
+
+
+The following observations on that singular phenomenon called the
+Spectre of the Broken, in Germany, is related by Monsieur J. L. Jordan,
+in the following words.
+
+"In the course of my repeated tours through the Harz (mountains in
+Germany), I ascended the Broken twelve times: but I had the good fortune
+only twice (both times about Whitsuntide) to see that atmospheric
+phenomenon called the Spectre of the Broken, which appears to me so
+worthy of particular attention, as it must, no doubt, be observed on
+other high mountains, which have a situation favourable for producing
+it. The first time I was deceived by this extraordinary phenomenon, I
+had clambered up to the summit of the Broken very early in the morning,
+in order to wait for the inexpressibly beautiful view of the sun rising
+in the east. The heavens were already streaked with red; the sun was
+just appearing above the horizon in full majesty; and the most perfect
+serenity prevailed throughout the surrounding country; when the other
+Harz mountains in the south-west, towards the Worm mountains, &c. lying
+under the Broken, began to be covered by thick clouds. Ascending at that
+moment the granite rocks called the Tempelskanzel, there appeared before
+me, though at a great distance, towards the Worm mountains and the
+Auchtermanshohe, the gigantic figure of a man, as if standing on a large
+pedestal. But scarcely had I discovered it, when it began to disappear;
+the clouds sunk down speedily, and expanded; and I saw the phenomenon no
+more. The second time, however, I saw this spectre somewhat more
+distinctly, a little below the summit of the Broken, and near the
+Heinnichshohe, as I was looking at the sun-rising, about four o'clock in
+the morning. The weather was rather tempestuous; the sky towards the
+level country was pretty clear; but the Harz mountains had attracted
+several thick clouds which had been hovering round them, and which,
+beginning on the Broken, confined the prospect. In these clouds, soon
+after the rising of the sun, I saw my own shadow, of a monstrous size,
+move itself, for a couple of seconds, in the clouds; and the phenomenon
+disappeared. It is impossible to see this phenomenon, except when the
+sun is at such an altitude as to throw his rays upon the body in an
+horizontal direction; for if he is higher, the shadow is thrown rather
+under the body than before it.
+
+"In the month of September, last year, as I was making a tour through
+the Harz with a very agreeable party, and ascended the Broken, I found
+an excellent account and explanation of this phenomenon, as seen by M.
+Haue on the 23d of May 1797, in his diary of an excursion to that
+mountain; I shall therefore take the liberty of transcribing it.
+
+"'After having been here for the thirtieth time,' says M. Haue; 'and,
+besides other objects of my attention, having procured information
+respecting the above-mentioned atmospheric phenomenon, I was at length
+so fortunate as to have the pleasure of seeing it; and, perhaps, my
+description may afford satisfaction to others who visit the Broken
+through curiosity. The sun rose about four o'clock; and, the atmosphere
+being quite serene towards the east, his rays could pass without any
+obstruction over the Heinnichshohe. In the south-west, however, towards
+the Auchtermaunshohe, a brisk west wind carried before it their
+transparent vapours, which were not yet condensed into thick heavy
+clouds. About a quarter past four I went towards the inn, and looked
+round to see whether the atmosphere would permit me to have a free
+prospect to the south-west; when I observed, at a very great distance,
+towards the Auchtermaunshohe, a human figure, of a monstrous size. A
+violent gust of wind having almost carried away my hat, I clapped my
+hand to it by moving my arm towards my head, and the colossal figure did
+the same. The pleasure which I felt on this discovery can hardly be
+described; for I had already walked many a weary step in the hope of
+seeing this shadowy image, without being able to satisfy my curiosity. I
+immediately made another movement by bending my body, and the colossal
+figure before me repeated it. I was desirous of doing the same thing
+once more; but my colossus had vanished. I remained in the same
+position, waiting to see whether it would return; and, in a few minutes,
+it again made its appearance in the Auchtermaunshohe. I paid my respects
+to it a second time, and it did the same to me. I then called the
+landlord of the Broken; and, having both taken the same position which I
+had taken alone, we looked towards the Auchtermaunshohe, but saw
+nothing. We had not, however, stood long, when two such colossal figures
+were formed over the above eminence, which repeated our compliment, by
+bending their bodies as we did; after which they vanished. We retained
+our position, kept our eyes fixed upon the same spot; and, in a little
+time, the two figures again stood before us, and were joined by a third.
+Every movement that we made by bending our bodies, these figures
+imitated; but with this difference, that the phenomenon was sometimes
+weak and faint, sometimes strong and well-defined. Having thus had an
+opportunity of discovering the whole secret of this phenomenon, I can
+give the following information to such of my readers as may be desirous
+of seeing it themselves. When the rising sun (and, according to analogy,
+the case will be the same at the setting sun) throws his rays over the
+Broken upon the body of a man standing opposite to fine light clouds
+floating around or hovering past him, he needs only fix his eye
+stedfastly upon them, and in all probability he will see the singular
+spectacle of his own shadow extending to the length of five or six
+hundred feet, at the distance of about two miles from him. This is one
+of the most agreeable phenomena I have ever had an opportunity of
+remarking on the great observations of Germany.'--"
+
+
+
+
+SIR HUGH ACKLAND.
+
+
+The following remarkable fact shews the necessity of minutely examining
+people after death, prior to interment, and of not giving way to
+ridiculous fears about supernatural appearances.
+
+The late Sir Hugh Ackland, of Devonshire, apparently died of a fever,
+and was laid out as dead. The nurse, with two of the footmen, sat up
+with the corpse; and Lady Ackland sent them a bottle of brandy to drink
+in the night. One of the servants, being an arch rogue, told the other,
+that his master dearly loved brandy when he was alive; "and," says he,
+"I am resolved he shall drink one glass with us now he is dead." The
+fellow, accordingly, poured out a bumper of brandy, and forced it down
+his throat. A gurgling immediately ensued, and a violent motion of the
+neck and upper part of the breast. The other footman and the nurse were
+so terrified, that they ran down stairs; and the brandy genius,
+hastening away with rather too much speed, tumbled down stairs head
+foremost. The noise of the fall, and his cries, alarmed a young
+gentleman who slept in the house that night; who got up, and went to
+the room where the corpse lay, and, to his great surprise, saw Sir Hugh
+sitting upright. He called the servants; Sir Hugh was put into a warm
+bed, and the physician and apothecary sent for. These gentlemen, in a
+few weeks, perfectly restored their patient to health, and he lived
+several years afterwards.
+
+The above story is well known to the Devonshire people; as in most
+companies Sir Hugh used to tell this strange circumstance, and talk of
+his resurrection by his brandy footman, to whom (when he really died) he
+left a handsome annuity.
+
+
+
+
+AN
+
+AGREEABLE EXPLANATION.
+
+
+A gentleman of undoubted veracity relates the following story.
+
+"When I was a young man, I took up my residence at a lodging-house,
+which was occupied by several families. On taking possession of my
+apartments, I agreed with the old lady of the house, who had two
+children, to accommodate me with a key to the street-door, to prevent
+unnecessary trouble to the servant or family, as I should very
+frequently stay out late in the evening. This was agreed to; and, by way
+of making things more agreeable, I had always a light left burning for
+me on the staircase, which was opposite to the outer door. This
+arrangement being made, things continued very comfortable for some
+months; till, one night, or rather morning, returning and opening the
+door as usual, I thought I heard a faint scream--I paused for a few
+seconds. The cry of 'Murder!' now feebly succeeded. I hesitated how to
+act, when the cry of 'Murder!' was again more loudly vociferated. This
+very much alarmed me; and, instead of going forward, I instantly
+re-opened the street-door, and was in the act of calling the watch, when
+a tall spare figure, at least six feet high, in a complete white dress,
+and pointed cap, with a candle in its hand, appeared before me. This
+unexpected encounter completed my astonishment, and I was about to
+speak, when the phantom (which proved to be my good old landlady) thus
+addressed me--'I hope, Sir, I have not alarmed you; but, just before you
+came to the door, I had a most frightful dream. I thought robbers had
+broken into my house, and, not content with plunder, had murdered my
+children, and were about to destroy me; when the noise you made on
+opening the door increased my agony of mind; and, before I was
+sufficiently sensible, I screamed out _Murder!_ as you must have
+heard.' This explanation having taken place, the poor woman retired, and
+was for several days after extremely ill; and I was not a little pleased
+myself at finding what I at first supposed a supernatural encounter thus
+terminate, without having recourse to a divine exorcist."
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+SOMERSETSHIRE DEMONIAC.
+
+
+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.
+
+Lukins was first attacked by a kind of epileptic fit, when he was going
+about acting Christmas plays, or mummeries: 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 of the right hand; he frequently uttered
+dreadful execrations during the fits: and the whole duration of this
+disorder was eighteen years.
+
+At length, _viz._ in June 1788, he declared, that he was possessed by
+seven devils, and could only be freed by the prayers, _in faith_, of
+seven clergymen. Accordingly, the requisite number was summoned, and the
+patient sung, swore, laughed, barked, and treated the company with a
+ludicrous parody on the _Te Deum_. These astonishing symptoms resisted
+both hymns and prayers, till a _small, faint voice_ admonished the
+ministers to adjure. The spirits, after some murmuring, yielded to the
+adjuration; and the happy patient returned thanks for his wonderful
+cure. It is remarkable, that, during this solemn mockery, the fiend
+swore, by his infernal den, that he would not quit his patient; an oath,
+I believe, no where to be found but in the Pilgrim's Progress, from
+whence Lukins probably got it.
+
+Very soon after, the first relation of this story was published, a
+person well acquainted with Lukins, took the trouble of undeceiving the
+public, with regard to his pretended disorder, in a plain, sensible,
+narrative of his conduct. He asserts, that Lukins's first seizure was
+nothing else than a fit of drunkenness; that he always foretold his
+fits, and remained sensible during their continuance. That he frequently
+saw Lukins in his fits; in every one of which, except in singing, he
+performed not more than most active young people can easily do. That he
+was detected in an imposture with respect to the clenching of his hands.
+That after money had been collected for him, he got very suddenly well.
+That he never had any fits while he was at St. George's Hospital, in
+London; nor when visitors were excluded from his lodgings by desire of
+the author of the narrative: and that he was particularly careful never
+to hurt himself by his exertions during the paroxysm.
+
+Is it for the credit of this philosophical age, that so bungling an
+imposture should deceive seven clergymen into a public act of exorcism?
+This would not have passed even on the authors of the _Malleus
+Maleficarum_; for they required signs of supernatural agency, such as
+the suspension of the possessed in the air without any visible support,
+or the use of different languages, unknown to the demoniac in his
+natural state.
+
+
+
+
+THE MANIAC,
+
+OR
+
+_FATAL EFFECTS OF WANTON MISCHIEF_.
+
+
+Some years ago, a very intelligent, handsome, and promising youth, whose
+names is Henry Pargeter Lewis, the son of a respectable attorney, in the
+town of Dudley, was placed for a probationary time, previously to an
+intended apprenticeship, with a surgeon and apothecary of the name of
+Powell, in the immediate neighbourhood of one of our great public
+schools. He had not been there long, before one of the scholars, who
+lodged at the surgeon's, in league with the servant-boy of the house,
+devised the following stratagem to frighten him. One night, during an
+absence of the master, the servant-boy concealed himself under the bed
+of Henry, before the latter retired to rest, and remained there till the
+hour of midnight; when, on a preconcerted signal of three raps at the
+chamber door, it suddenly opened, and in stalked the school-boy, habited
+in a white sheet, with his face horribly disguised, and bearing a
+lighted candle in his hand; the servant-boy, at the same moment, heaving
+up the bed under Henry with his back. How long this was acted is not
+known: it was done long enough, however, completely to dethrone the
+reason of the unfortunate youth; who, it is supposed, immediately
+covered himself with the bed-clothes, and so continued till the morning.
+On his not rising at the usual time, some one of the family went to call
+him; and, not answering, except by incoherent cries, was discovered in
+the state just described.
+
+The melancholy tidings of his situation were conveyed to his friends, on
+his removal to them; the facts having been disclosed, partly by the
+confession of the servant-boy, and partly by the unfortunate youth
+himself, during the few lucid intervals which occurred in the course of
+the first year after his misfortune.
+
+His father and mother were then living, but they are now both dead: and
+the little property they left to support him is now nearly exhausted,
+together with a small subscription which was also raised to furnish him
+with necessaries, and to remunerate a person to take care of him. He is
+perfectly harmless and gentle, being rather in a state of idiotcy than
+insanity; seldom betraying any symptoms of violent emotion, except
+occasionally about midnight (the time of his unhappy disaster), when,
+full of indescribable terror, he exclaims, "_Oh! they are coming! they
+are coming!_" All hope of recovery is at an end; more than twenty years
+having elapsed since the catastrophe happened.
+
+It is sincerely hoped that this pitiable case may prove a warning to
+inconsiderate youth; by showing them what dreadful effects may follow
+such wanton acts of mischief.
+
+
+
+
+EXTRAORDINARY
+
+DOUBLE DREAM,
+
+_Without any Corresponding Event_.
+
+
+The late Reverend Mr. Joseph Wilkins, a dissenting clergyman, at
+Weymouth, in Dorsetshire, had the following remarkable dream, which is
+copied verbatim from a short account of his life.
+
+"One night, soon after I was in bed, I fell asleep, and dreamed I was
+going to London. I thought it would not be much out of my way to go
+through Gloucestershire, and call upon my friends there. Accordingly, I
+set out; but remember nothing that happened by the way, till I came to
+my father's house, when I went to the fore door and tried to open it,
+but found it fast; then I went to our back door, which I opened and went
+in: but finding all the family were in bed, I went across the rooms
+only, and walked up stairs, entered the room where my father and mother
+were in bed, and as I passed by the side of the bed in which my father
+lay, I found him asleep, or thought he was so; then I went to the other
+side, and as I just turned the foot of the bed, I found my mother awake,
+to whom I said these words, 'Mother, I am going a long journey, and am
+come to bid you good-bye;' upon which she answered me in a fright--'_O!
+dear son, thee art dead!_' with which I awoke, and took no notice of it
+more than a common dream, only it appeared to me very perfect, as
+sometimes dreams will. But, in a few days after, as soon as a letter
+could reach me, I received one by the post from my father; upon the
+receipt of which I was a little surprised, and concluded something
+extraordinary must have happened, as it was but a little before I had
+had a letter from my friends, and all were well: but, upon opening it, I
+was still more surprised; for my father addressed me as though I was
+dead, desiring me, if alive, or whose ever hands the letter might fall
+into, to write immediately. But, if the letter found me living, they
+concluded I should not live long, and gave this as a reason for their
+fears--That on such a night (naming it), after they were in bed, my
+father asleep and my mother awake, she heard somebody try to open the
+fore door, but finding it fast, he went to the back door, which he
+opened, and came in, and went directly through the room up stairs, and
+she perfectly knew it to be my step, come to her bed-side, and spoke to
+her these words, 'Mother, I am going a long journey, and am come to bid
+you good-bye,' upon which she answered in a fright, '_O! dear son, thee
+art dead!_' (which were the very circumstances and words of _my_ dream);
+but she heard nothing more, she saw nothing (neither did I in my dream,
+as it was all dark). Upon this she awoke my father, and told him what
+had passed, but he endeavoured to appease her, persuading her it was
+only a dream; but she insisted on it, it was no dream, for that she was
+as perfectly awake as ever, and had not had the least inclination to
+sleep since she had been in bed (from which I am apt to think it was at
+the _very same instant_ with my dream, though the distance between us
+was about one hundred miles, but of this I cannot speak positively).
+This affair happened whilst I was at the academy at Ottery, in the
+county of Devon, and I believe in the year 1754; and at this distance
+every circumstance is very fresh in my mind. I have since had frequent
+opportunities of talking over the affair with my mother, and the whole
+circumstance was as fresh upon her mind as it was upon mine. I have
+often thought that her sensation as to this matter was stronger than
+mine; and, what some may think strange, I cannot remember any thing
+remarkable happened thereon; and that this is only a plain simple
+narrative of matter of fact."
+
+The above relation must convince credulous people how necessary it is,
+not to place implicit confidence in dreams, or suffer them to make too
+great an impression on the mind, as they are most frequently merely the
+result of our waking thoughts.
+
+
+
+
+REMARKABLE INSTANCES
+
+OF THE
+
+POWER OF VISION.
+
+
+A shepherd upon one of the mountains in Cumberland, was suddenly
+enveloped with a thick fog or mist, through which every object appeared
+so greatly increased in magnitude, that he no longer knew where he was.
+In this state of confusion he wandered in search of some unknown object,
+from which he might direct his future steps. Chance, at last, brought
+this lost shepherd within sight of what he supposed to be a very large
+mansion, which he did not remember ever to have seen before; but, on his
+entering this visionary castle, to inquire his way home, he found it
+inhabited by his own family. It was nothing more than his own cottage.
+But his organs of sight had so far misled his mental faculties, that
+some little time elapsed before he could be convinced that he saw real
+objects. Instances of the same kind of illusion, though not to the same
+degree, are not unfrequent in those mountainous regions.
+
+From these effects of vision, it is evident that the pupil and the
+picture of an object within the eye, increase at the same time.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The writer of the above account was passing the Frith of Forth, at
+Queensferry, near Edinburgh, one morning when it was extremely foggy.
+Though the water is only two miles broad, the boat did not get within
+sight of the southern shore till it approached very near it. He then
+saw, to his great surprise, a large perpendicular rock, where he knew
+the shore was low and almost flat. As the boat advanced a little nearer,
+the rock seemed to split perpendicularly into portions, which separated
+at a little distance from one another. He next saw these perpendicular
+divisions move; and, upon approaching a little nearer, found it was a
+number of people, standing on the beach, waiting the arrival of the
+ferry-boat.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The following extract of a letter, from a gentleman of undoubted
+veracity, is another curious instance of the property of vision:--
+
+"When I was a young man, I was, like others, fond of sporting, and
+seldom liked to miss a day, if I could any way go out. From my own house
+I set out on foot, and pursued my diversion on a foggy day; and, after I
+had been out some time, the fog or mist increased to so great a degree,
+that, however familiar the hedges, trees, &c. were to me, I lost myself,
+insomuch that I did not know whether I was going to or from home. In a
+field where I then was, I suddenly discovered what I imagined was a well
+known hedge-row, interspersed with pollard trees, &c. under which I
+purposed to proceed homewards; but, to my great surprise, upon
+approaching this appearance, I discovered a row of the plants known by
+the name of _rag_, and by the vulgar, _canker weed_, growing on a mere
+balk, dividing ploughed fields: the whole height of both could not
+exceed three feet, or three feet and a half. It struck me so forcibly
+that I shall never forget it; this too in a field which I knew as well
+as any man, could know a field."
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+PHILOSOPHER GASSENDI,
+
+AND THE
+
+_HAUNTED BED-ROOM_.
+
+
+In one of the letters of this celebrated philosopher, he says, that he
+was consulted by his friend and patron the Count d'Alais, governor of
+Provence, on a phenomenon that haunted his bed-chamber while he was at
+Marseilles on some business relative to his office. The Count tells
+Gassendi, that, for several successive nights, as soon as the candle was
+taken away, he and his Countess saw a luminous spectre, sometimes of an
+oval, and sometimes of a triangular form; that it always disappeared
+when light came into the room; that he had often struck at it, but could
+discover nothing solid. Gassendi, as a natural philosopher, endeavoured
+to account for it; sometimes attributing it to some defect of vision, or
+to some dampness of the room, insinuating that perhaps it might be sent
+from Heaven to him, to give him a warning in due time of something that
+should happen. The spectre still continued its visits all the time that
+he staid at Marseilles; and some years afterwards, on their return to
+Aix, the Countess d'Alais confessed to her husband, that she played him
+this trick, by means of one of her women placed under the bed with a
+phial of phosphorus, with an intention to frighten him away from
+Marseilles, a place in which she very much disliked to live.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+GHOST ON SHIP-BOARD.
+
+
+A gentleman of high respectability in the navy relates the following
+story.
+
+"When on a voyage to New York, we had not been four days at sea, before
+an occurrence of a very singular nature broke in upon our quiet. _It was
+a ghost!_ One night, when all was still and dark, and the ship rolling
+at sea before the wind, a man sprung suddenly upon deck in his shirt,
+his hair erect, his eyes starting from their sockets, and loudly
+vociferating he had seen a ghost. After his horror had a little
+subsided, we asked him what he had seen?--he said, the figure of a woman
+dressed in white, with eyes of flaming fire; that she came to his
+hammock, and stared him in the face. This we treated as an idle dream,
+and sent the frantic fellow to his bed. The story became the subject of
+every one; and the succeeding night produced half a dozen more
+terrified men to corroborate what had happened the first, and all agreed
+in the same story, that it was a woman. This rumour daily increasing, at
+length came to the ears of the captain and officers, who were all
+equally solicitous to discover the true cause of this terrific report. I
+placed myself night by night beneath the hammocks to watch its
+appearance, but all in vain; yet still the appearance was nightly, as
+usual, and the horrors and fears of the people rather daily increased
+than diminished. A phantom of this sort rather amused than perplexed my
+mind; and when I had given over every idea of discovering the cause of
+this strange circumstance, and the thing began to wear away, I was
+surprised, one very dark night, as seated under the boats, with a
+stately figure in white stalking along the deck! The singularity of the
+event struck my mind that this must be the very identical ghost which
+had of late so much disturbed the ship's company. I therefore instantly
+dropped down from the place I was in, to the deck on which it appeared,
+when it passed me immediately very quickly, turned round, and marched
+directly forwards. I followed it closely, through the gallery, and out
+at the head-doors, when the figure instantly disappeared, which very
+much astonished me. I then leaped upon the forecastle, and asked of the
+people who were walking there, if such a figure had passed them? They
+replied, No, with some emotion and pleasure, as I had ever ridiculed all
+their reports on this subject. However, this night-scene between me and
+the ghost became the theme of the ensuing day. Nothing particular
+transpired till twelve o'clock, when, as the people were pricking at the
+tub for their beef, it was discovered Jack Sutton was missing. The
+ship's company was directly mustered, and Jack was no where to be found.
+I then inquired of his messmates the character of the man; and, after a
+number of interrogatories, one of them said, that poor Sutton used to
+tell him a number of comical jokes about his walking in his sleep. Now
+the mystery was unravelled; and this terrific ghost, which had so much
+alarmed all the sailors, now proved to be the poor unfortunate Jack
+Sutton, who had walked overboard in his dream."
+
+The first fellow who spread this report, and who shewed such signs of
+horror, was found on inquiry to be a most flagitious villain, who had
+murdered a woman, who he believed always haunted him, and the appearance
+of this sleepwalker confirmed in his mind the ghost of the murdered fair
+one; for, in such cases, conscience is a busy monitor, and ever active
+to its own pain and disturbance.
+
+
+
+
+A REMARKABLE STORY
+
+OF
+
+A GHOST,
+
+_Thrice called for, as an Evidence, in a Court of Justice_.
+
+
+A farmer, on his return from the market at Southam, in the county of
+Warwick, was murdered. A man went the next morning to his house, and
+inquired of the mistress, if her husband came home the evening before;
+she replied, No, and that she was under the utmost anxiety and terror on
+that account. "Your terror," added he, "cannot equal mine; for, last
+night, as I lay in bed quite awake, the apparition of your husband
+appeared to me, shewed me several ghastly stabs in his body; told me
+that he had been murdered by such a person (naming the man), and his
+body thrown into such a marl-pit, which he then particularly described.
+The alarm was given, the pit searched, the body found, and the wounds
+answered the description given of them. The man whom the ghost had
+accused was apprehended, and committed, on a violent suspicion of
+murder. His trial came on at Warwick, before the Lord Chief Justice
+Raymond; when the jury would have convicted, as rashly as the
+magistrate had committed him, had not the judge checked them. He
+addressed himself to them in words to this purpose--"I think, Gentlemen,
+you seem inclined to lay more stress on the evidence of an apparition
+than it will bear. I cannot say that I give much credit to these kind of
+stories: but, be that as it will, we have no right to follow our own
+private opinions here. We are now in a court of law, and must determine
+according to it; and I know of no law now in being, which will admit of
+the testimony of an apparition: not yet, if it did, doth the ghost
+appear to give evidence. Crier," said he, "call the ghost." Which was
+_thrice_ done, to no manner of purpose: it appeared not. "Gentlemen of
+the Jury," continued the Judge, "the prisoner at the bar, as you have
+heard by undeniable witnesses, is a man of the most unblemished
+character; nor has it appeared in the course of the examination, that
+there was any manner of quarrel or grudge between him and the party
+deceased. I do believe him to be perfectly innocent; and, as there is no
+evidence against him, either positive or circumstantial, he must be
+acquitted. But, from many circumstances which have arisen during the
+trial, I do strongly suspect that the gentleman who saw the apparition
+was himself the murderer: in which case he might easily ascertain the
+pit, the wounds, &c. without any supernatural assistance; and on
+suspicion, I shall think myself justified in committing him to close
+custody, till the matter can be fairly inquired into. This was
+immediately done, and a warrant granted for searching his house; when
+such strong proofs of guilt appeared against him, that he confessed the
+murder: for which he was executed.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+LADY OF THE BLACK TOWER.
+
+BY MRS. ROBINSON.
+
+
+    "Watch no more the twinkling stars;
+      Watch no more the chalky bourne;
+    Lady, from the holy wars
+      Never will thy love return!
+          Cease to watch, and cease to mourn;
+          Thy lover never will return!
+
+    "Watch no more the yellow moon,
+      Peering o'er the mountain's head;
+    Rosy day, returning soon,
+      Will see thy lover pale and dead!
+          Cease to weep, and cease to mourn:
+          Thy lover will no more return.
+
+    "Lady, in the holy wars,
+      Fighting for the cross, he died;
+    Low he lies, and many scars
+      Mark his cold and mangled side;
+          In his winding-sheet he lies.
+          Lady, check those rending sighs.
+
+    "Hark! the hollow-sounding gale
+      Seems to sweep in murmurs by,
+    Sinking slowly down the vale;
+      Wherefore, gentle lady, sigh?
+          Wherefore moan, and wherefore sigh?
+          Lady, all that live must die.
+
+    "Now the stars are fading fast,
+      Swift their brilliant course are run:
+    Soon shall dreary night be past,
+      Soon shall rise the cheering sun!
+          The sun will rise to gladden thee;
+          Lady, lady, cheerful be."
+
+    So spake a voice; while, sad and lone,
+      Upon a lofty tow'r reclin'd,
+    A lady sat: the pale moon shone,
+      And sweetly blew the summer wind;
+          Yet still, disconsolate in mind,
+          The lovely lady sat reclin'd.
+
+    The lofty tow'r was ivy-clad;
+      And round a dreary forest rose;
+    The midnight bell was tolling sad,
+      'Twas tolling for a soul's repose.
+          The lady heard the gates unclose,
+          And from her seat in terror rose.
+
+    The summer moon shone bright and clear;
+      She saw the castle gates unclose;
+    And now she saw four monks appear,
+      Loud chanting for a soul's repose.
+          Forbear, O lady! look no more:
+          They pass'd--a livid corpse they bore.
+
+    They pass'd, and all was silent now;
+      The breeze upon the forest slept;
+    The moon stole o'er the mountain's brow;
+      Again the lady sigh'd and wept.
+          She watch'd the holy fathers go
+          Along the forest path below.
+
+    And now the dawn was bright; the dew
+      Upon the yellow heath was seen;
+    The clouds were of a rosy hue,
+      The sunny lustre shone between:
+          The lady to the chapel ran,
+          While the slow matin pray'r began.
+
+    And then, once more, the fathers grey
+      She mark'd, employ'd in holy pray'r;
+    Her heart was full, she could not pray,
+      For love and fear were masters there!
+          Ah, lady! thou wilt pray, ere long,
+          To sleep those lonely aisles among!
+
+    And now the matin pray'rs were o'er;
+      The barefoot monks, of order grey,
+    Were thronging to the chapel door:
+      When there the lady stopp'd the way;
+          "Tell me," she cried, "whose corpse so pale
+          Last night ye bore along the vale?"
+
+    "O lady! question us no more:
+      No corpse did we bear down the dale."
+    The lady sunk upon the floor,
+      Her quiv'ring lip was deathly pale!
+          The barefoot monks now whisper'd, sad,
+          "God grant our lady be not mad!"
+
+    The monks departing, one by one,
+      The chapel gates in silence close,
+    When from the altar steps of stone
+      The trembling lady feebly goes;
+          While morning sheds a ruby light,
+          The painted windows glowing bright.
+
+    And now she heard a hollow sound;
+      It seem'd to come from graves below;
+    And now again she look'd around,
+      A voice came murm'ring sad and slow
+          And now she heard it feebly cry,
+          "Lady, all that live must die!
+
+    "Watch no more from yonder tow'r,
+      Watch no more the star of day!
+    Watch no more the dawning hour,
+      That chases sullen night away!
+          Cease to watch, and cease to mourn;
+          Thy lover will no more return!"
+
+    She look'd around, and now she view'd,
+      Clad in a doublet gold and green,
+    A youthful knight: he frowning stood,
+      And noble was his mournful mien;
+          And now he said, with heaving sigh,
+          "Lady, all that live must die."
+
+    She rose to quit the altar's stone,
+      She cast a look to heav'n, and sigh'd:
+    When, lo! the youthful knight was gone;
+      And, scowling by the lady's side,
+          With sightless skull and bony hand,
+          She saw a giant spectre stand!
+
+    His flowing robe was long and clear,
+      His ribs were white as drifted snow.
+    The lady's heart was chill'd with fear;
+      She rose, but scarce had power to go:
+          The spectre grinn'd a dreadful smile,
+          And walk'd beside her down the aisle.
+
+    And now he wav'd his ratt'ling hand;
+      And now they reach'd the chapel door,
+    And there the spectre took his stand;
+      While, rising from the marble floor,
+          A hollow voice was heard to cry,
+          "Lady, all that live must die.
+
+    "Watch no more the evening star!
+      Watch no more the glimpse of morn!
+    Never from the holy war,
+      Lady, will thy love return!
+          See this bloody cross; and, see,
+          His bloody scarf he sends to thee!"
+
+    And now again the youthful knight
+      Stood smiling by the lady's side!
+    His helmet shone with crimson light,
+      His sword with drops of blood was dy'd:
+          And now a soft and mournful song
+          Stole the chapel aisles among.
+
+    Now from the spectre's paley cheek
+      The flesh began to waste away;
+    The vaulted doors were heard to creak,
+      And dark became the summer day!
+          The spectre's eyes were sunk, but he
+          Seem'd with their sockets still to see;
+
+    The second bell is heard to ring:
+      Four barefoot monks, of orders grey,
+    Again their holy service sing,
+      And round their chapel altar pray:
+          The lady counted o'er and o'er,
+          And shudder'd while she counted _four_!
+
+    "Oh! fathers, who was he, so gay,
+      That stood beside the chapel door?
+    Oh! tell me, fathers, tell me, pray,"
+      The monks replied, "We fathers four:
+          Lady, _no other_ have we seen,
+          Since in this holy place we've been!"
+
+
+_PART SECOND._
+
+    Now the merry bugle-horn
+      Through the forest sounded far;
+    When on the lofty tow'r, forlorn,
+      The lady watch'd the evening star;
+          The evening star that seemed to be
+          Rising from the dark'ned sea.
+
+    The summer sea was dark and still,
+      The sky was streak'd with lines of gold,
+    The mist rose grey above the hill,
+      And low the clouds of amber roll'd:
+          The lady on the lofty tow'r
+          Watch'd the calm and silent hour.
+
+    And while she watch'd, she saw advance
+      A ship, with painted streamers gay:
+    She saw it on the green wave dance,
+      And plunge amid the silver spray;
+          While from the forest's haunts forlorn,
+          Again she heard the bugle horn.
+
+    The sails were full; the breezes rose;
+      The billows curl'd along the shore;
+    And now the day began to close--
+      The bugle horn was heard no more.
+          But, rising from the wat'ry way
+          An airy voice was heard to say--
+
+    "Watch no more the evening star;
+      Watch no more the billowy sea;
+    Lady, from the holy war,
+      Thy lover hastes to comfort thee:
+          Lady, lady, cease to mourn;
+          Soon thy lover will return."
+
+    Now she hastens to the bay;
+      Now the rising storm she hears:
+    Now the sailors smiling say,
+      "Lady, lady, check your fears:
+          Trust us, lady; we will be
+          Your pilots o'er the stormy sea."
+
+    Now the little bark she view'd,
+      Moor'd beside the flinty steep;
+    And now, upon the foamy flood,
+      The tranquil breezes seemed to sleep.
+          The moon arose; her silver ray
+          Seem'd on the silent deep to play.
+
+    Now music stole across the main:
+      It was a sweet but mournful tone;
+    It came a slow and dulcet strain;
+      It came from where the pale moon shone:
+          And while it pass'd across the sea,
+          More soft and soft it seem'd to be.
+
+    Now on the deck the lady stands.
+      The vessel steers across the main;
+    It steers towards the Holy Land,
+      Never to return again:
+          Still the sailors cry, "We'll be
+          Your pilots o'er the stormy sea."
+
+    Now she hears a low voice say,
+      "Deeper, deeper, deeper still;
+    Hark! the black'ning billows play;
+      Hark! the waves the vessel fill:
+          Lower, lower, down we go;
+          All is dark and still below."
+
+    Now a flash of vivid light
+      On the rolling deep was seen!
+    And now the lady saw the knight,
+      With doublet rich, of gold and green:
+          From the sockets of his eyes,
+          A pale and streaming light she spies.
+
+    And now his form transparent stood,
+      Smiling with a ghastly mien:
+    And now the calm and boundless flood
+      Was like the emerald, bright and green;
+          And now 'twas of a troubled hue,
+          While "Deeper, deeper," sang the crew.
+
+    Slow advanced the morning light,
+      Slow they plough'd the wavy tide;
+    When, on a cliff of dreadful height,
+      A castle's lofty tow'r they spied:
+          The lady heard the sailor-band
+          Cry, "Lady, this is Holy Land.
+
+    "Watch no more the glitt'ring spray;
+      Watch no more the weedy sand;
+    Watch no more the star of day;
+      Lady, this is Holy Land:
+          This castle's lord shall welcome thee;
+          Then, lady, lady, cheerful be!"
+
+    Now the castle-gates they pass;
+      Now across the spacious square,
+    Cover'd high with dewy grass,
+      Trembling steals the lady fair:
+          And now _the castle's lord_ was seen,
+          Clad in a doublet gold and green.
+
+    He led her through the Gothic hall,
+      With bones and skulls encircled round;
+    "Oh, let not this thy soul appal!"
+      He cried, "for this is holy ground."
+          He led her through the chambers lone,
+         'Mid many a shriek and many a groan.
+
+    Now to the banquet-room they came:
+      Around a table of black stone,
+    She mark'd a faint and vapoury flame;
+      Upon the horrid feast it shone--
+          And there, to close the madd'ning sight,
+          Unnumber'd spectres met the light.
+
+    Their teeth were like the brilliant, bright;
+      Their eyes were blue as sapphire clear;
+    Their bones were of a polish'd white;
+      Gigantic did their ribs appear!
+          And now the knight the lady led,
+          And placed her at the table's head!
+
+    Just now the lady _woke_:--for she
+      Had slept upon the lofty tow'r,
+    And dreams of dreadful phantasie
+      Had fill'd the lonely moonlight hour:
+          Her pillow was the turret stone,
+          And on her breast the pale moon shone.
+
+    But now _a real_ voice she hears:
+      It was her lover's voice; for he,
+    To calm her bosom's rending fears,
+      That night had cross'd the stormy sea:
+          "I come," said he, "from Palestine,
+          To prove myself, _sweet Lady, thine_."
+
+
+
+
+INDEX.
+
+
+Ackland, Sir Hugh, his Extraordinary Resuscitation, Page 208
+
+Agreeable Explanation, 209
+
+Aix-la-Chapelle, Extraordinary Event at, 29
+
+Anatomical Professor, and the Dead Man, 75
+
+Apparitions, Essay on, 13
+
+Apparition, the Castle, 143
+
+Apparition Investigated, 167
+
+
+B.
+
+Bed-Room, the Haunted, 41
+
+Benighted Traveller, and Haunted Room, 170
+
+Bishop, the Credulous, 116
+
+
+C.
+
+Carrier, the Frightened, 158
+
+Castle Apparition, 143
+
+Castle, Haunted, 152
+
+Chimney-Sweep, and Drunken Bucks, 80
+
+Church-Yard Encounter, or Heroic Midshipman, 122
+
+Church-Yard Ghost, and Milkman, 178
+
+Club-Room Ghost, 159
+
+Cock-Lane Ghost, 125
+
+College Ghost, or Double Mistake, 150
+
+Couple, the Superstitious, 39
+
+Credulous Bishop, 116
+
+Credulous Peasants, 94
+
+Cripplegate Ghost, 81
+
+
+D.
+
+Dead Body, and Unfortunate Priest, 183
+
+Dead Man, and Anatomical Professor, 75
+
+Dominican Friar, 29
+
+Double Mistake, or College Ghost, 150
+
+Drunken Bucks, and Chimney Sweep, 80
+
+
+E.
+
+Essay on Apparitions, &c., 13
+
+Extraordinary Double Dream, 216
+
+
+F.
+
+Fakenham Ghost, 179
+
+Fatal Superstition, 185
+
+Fatal Effects of Wanton Mischief, 214
+
+Female Fanatic, and Heavenly Visitor, 59
+
+Female Sprites, 64
+
+Floating Wonder, or Female Spectre, 187
+
+Friar, the Dominican, 29
+
+Frightened Carrier, 158
+
+Funeral, the Ideot's, 55
+
+
+G.
+
+Gassendi, the Philosopher, and Haunted Bed-Room, 222
+
+Giles the Shepherd, and Spectre, 195
+
+Ghost of the Field, or the Twins, 147
+
+Ghost, and no Ghost, 176
+
+Ghost on Ship-Board, 223
+
+Ghostly Adventurer, 119
+
+Ghost, thrice called for, as an Evidence in a Court of Justice, 226
+
+
+H.
+
+Hammersmith Ghost, 156
+
+Haunted Beach, or Power of Conscience on a Murderer, 172
+
+Haunted Bed-Room, 41
+
+Haunted Bed-Room, and Benighted Traveller, 170
+
+Haunted Castle, 152
+
+Haunted Castle, and Mareschal Saxe, 103
+
+Heavenly Visitor, and Female Fanatic, 59
+
+Heroic Midshipman, or Church-Yard Encounter, 122
+
+Hypochondriac Gentleman, and Jack Ass, 138
+
+
+I.
+
+Ideot's Funeral, 55
+
+Imagination, Remarkable Instance of the Power of, 45
+
+Innocent Devil, or Agreeable Disappointment, 201
+
+
+J.
+
+Jealousy, Fatal Effects of, or the Prussian Domino, 66
+
+
+L.
+
+Lady of the Black Tower, 228
+
+Lunatic Apparition, 162
+
+
+M.
+
+Maniac; or, Fatal Effects of Wanton Mischief, 214
+
+Man with his Head on Fire, and covered with Blood, 198
+
+Mareschal Saxe, and the Haunted Castle, 103
+
+Mary (Poor), the Maid of the Inn, 190
+
+Midshipman, Heroic, and Church-Yard Encounter, 122
+
+Milkman, and Church-Yard Ghost, 178
+
+
+N.
+
+Nocturnal Disturber, 95
+
+
+P.
+
+Peasants, the Credulous, 94
+
+Poor Mary, the Maid of the Inn, 190
+
+Power of Conscience on a Murderer, 172
+
+Priest, the Unfortunate, and Dead Body, 183
+
+Prussian Domino, or Fatal Effects of Jealousy, 66
+
+
+R.
+
+Resuscitation, Remarkable, 113
+
+Remarkable Effects of the Power of Vision, 219
+
+
+S.
+
+School-Boy Apparition, 91
+
+Sir Hugh Ackland, 208
+
+Somersetshire Demoniac, 211
+
+Sprites, the Female, 64
+
+Spectre of the Broken, 203
+
+Superstitious Couple, 39
+
+Subterranean Traveller, or Ghost and No Ghost, 176
+
+Supposed Supernatural Appearance, 164
+
+Sweep, and Drunken Bucks, 80
+
+
+T.
+
+Twin Brothers, or Ghost of the Field, 147
+
+
+V.
+
+Ventriloquist, 57, 83
+
+Vigil of St. Mark, or Fatal Superstition, 185
+
+Vision, Remarkable Effects of the Power of, 219
+
+
+W.
+
+Westminster Scholars, and Hackney Coachman, 51
+
+
+FINIS.
+
+
+
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Transcriber's Note:
+
+
+The following errors have been corrected:
+
+  p. xi: pecant to peccant (upon the peccant part)
+  p. 15: ramble to rumble (solemn rumble)
+  p. 23: adyantage to advantage (turn them to my advantage)
+  p. 31: cieling to ceiling (as high as the ceiling)
+  p. 36: missing "been" added (had been in bed)
+  p. 51: instanly to instantly (They then instantly dressed)
+  p. 53: mercy to mercy's (for mercy's sake)
+  p. 59: Ferronerie to Ferronnerie (Rue de la Ferronnerie)
+  p. 64: Bartholemew to Bartholomew (Bartholomew Close)
+  p. 68: plantive to plaintive (plaintive tone of voice)
+  p. 69: faultering to faltering (his tongue faltering)
+  p. 104: announed to announced (whose visit was announced)
+  p. 104: colon to period (their feelings. But I was)
+  p. 113: Célébres to Célèbres (Causes Célèbres)
+  p. 130: missing closing bracket added (was heard.))
+  p. 158: Remnstone to Rempstone (the village of Rempstone)
+  p. 165: accended to ascended (ascended the stairs)
+  p. 177: missing open quote added ('_Who's there? What are ye?_')
+  p. 177: missing close quote added ('_How came you there?_')
+  p. 187: extra "in" removed (Caerleon, in Wales)
+  p. 191: comma to period (They listen'd to hear the wind roar.)
+  p. 205: missing open quote added ("'After having been here for)
+  p. 217: missing close quote added (thee art dead!_')
+  p. 225: missing close quote added (in his dream.")
+  p. 237: missing open quote added ("Deeper, deeper, deeper still;)
+  p. 239: line indented to match others (Her pillow was the turret stone,)
+
+Archaic and inconsistent spelling and hyphenation have not been
+corrected. Inconsistencies between the Index and the rest of the text
+have also been left as in the original.
+
+As in the original, there are two different stories called "THE
+VENTRILOQUIST."
+
+Omitted lines of poetry on p. 195 are represented with a line of 23
+asterisks in the plain text versions, as in the original. Short lines
+used as thought breaks on pp. 220 and 221 are represented with a line of
+5 asterisks.
+
+In the plain text versions, two superscript t's with a dot below them in
+the caption of the Frontispiece are represented as plain letter t's, and
+oe-ligatures have been changed to oe.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Apparitions; or, The Mystery of
+Ghosts, Hobgoblins, and Haunted Houses Developed, by Joseph Taylor
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK APPARITIONS ***
+
+***** This file should be named 31341-8.txt or 31341-8.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/3/1/3/4/31341/
+
+Produced by Bryan Ness, S.D., and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was
+produced from scanned images of public domain material
+from the Google Print project.)
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.