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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44625 ***
+
+Note: Images of the original pages are available through
+      Internet Archive/American Libraries. See
+      https://archive.org/details/trueghoststories00carr
+
+
+Transcriber's note:
+
+      Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).
+
+
+
+
+
+TRUE GHOST STORIES
+
+by
+
+HEREWARD CARRINGTON
+
+Author of "The Physical Phenomena of Spiritualism," "The Coming
+Science," "Death: its Causes and Phenomena,"
+"Death Deferred," etc.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+New York
+The J. S. Ogilvie Publishing Company
+57 Rose Street
+
+Copyright, 1915, by
+J. S. Ogilvie Publishing Company
+
+
+
+
+  _To_
+  MY DEAR FRIENDS
+  THE MARSHALLS
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH                      7
+  PREFACE                                  9
+
+  CHAPTER I
+  What is a Ghost?                         13
+  The Terror of the Dark                   14
+  What is a Ghost?                         18
+  Historic Investigations                  20
+  Death Coincidences                       21
+  Are They Due to Chance?                  24
+  The Explanation                          26
+  Experimental Apparitions                 27
+  Telepathic Hallucinations                32
+  Ghosts Which Move Material Objects       37
+  Photographs of Ghosts                    38
+  The "Double" and the Spiritual Body      40
+  What Happens at the Moment of Death      43
+  How the Soul May Leave the Body          47
+  Theories of Haunted Houses               51
+  The Ghosts of Animals                    53
+  The Clothes of Ghosts                    55
+  Telepathy from the Dead                  57
+  The Psychic Atmosphere                   59
+  Forms Created by Will                    60
+  Physical Manifestations                  62
+  Can Haunted Houses be "Cured"?           63
+
+  CHAPTER II
+  Phantasms of the Dead--I                 65
+  A Russian Ghost                          65
+  Grasped by a Spirit Hand                 71
+  "I Am Shot!"                             74
+  "Heave the Lead!"                        75
+  The Rescue at Sea                        78
+  How Ghosts Influence Us                  86
+  How a Ghost Warned the King              90
+  The Stains of Blood                      93
+  Face to Face                             96
+  "Julia, Darling!"                        98
+  The Cut Across the Cheek                 99
+  The Invisible Hand                      100
+  The Apparition of the Radiant Boy       104
+  Fisher's Ghost                          106
+  Harriet Hosmer's Vision                 109
+  The Apparition of the Murdered Boy      112
+  The Ghost in Yellow Calico              116
+
+  CHAPTER III
+  More Phantasms of the Dead--II          120
+  Compacts to Appear after Death          120
+  Lord Brougham's Vision                  122
+  The Tyrone Ghost                        125
+  Dead or Alive!                          128
+  The Scratch on the Cheek                135
+  A Ghost in Hampton Court                139
+  Half-Past One O'clock                   147
+  My Own True Ghost Story                 155
+
+  CHAPTER IV
+  Haunted Houses                          163
+  The Record of a Haunted House           165
+  Proofs of Immateriality                 168
+  Conduct of Animals in the House         169
+  B---- House                             170
+  Willington Mill                         174
+  The Great Amherst Mystery               176
+  Brook House                             186
+
+  CHAPTER V
+  Ghost Stories of a More Dramatic Nature 194
+  Disease-Phantoms                        194
+  The Tale of a Mummy                     198
+  Face Slapped by a Ghost                 204
+  Alone with a Ghost in Church            207
+  A Haunted House in France               210
+  A Haunted House in Georgia              213
+  Shaken by a Ghost                       220
+  The House and the Brain                 221
+
+  APPENDIX A
+  Historical Ghosts                       230
+
+  APPENDIX B
+  The Phantom Armies Seen in France       236
+
+  APPENDIX C
+  Bibliography                            245
+
+
+
+
+PUBLISHER'S NOTE.
+
+
+HEREWARD CARRINGTON, author of "True Ghost Stories," is well known
+in this country, and in Europe, as a prominent scientific writer on
+psychical and occult subjects. He has been a member of both the English
+and American Societies of Psychical Research for more than 15 years;
+has written over a dozen books on the subject--a number of which has
+been translated into foreign languages (such as Japanese and Arabic),
+and he has lectured in London, Paris, Rome, Venice, Milan, Genoa,
+Turin, etc.--before scientific organizations. His writings are well
+known, and have earned him a high place in psychical circles. He's a
+late member of the Council of the American Scientific Society, of the
+American Geographical Society, and of the American Health League. He
+collaborated in the "American Encyclopædia," "The Standard Dictionary,"
+etc. His experience in the investigation of psychical mysteries is
+unrivalled. He has travelled all over the country investigating
+"cases," spending nights in "haunted houses," and accounts of his
+investigations have appeared in the Reports of the various Psychical
+Societies, and also in his own publications.
+
+In "True Ghost Stories," Mr. Carrington presents a number of startling
+cases of this character; but they are not the ordinary "ghost
+stories"--based on pure fiction, and having no foundation in reality.
+Here we have a well-arranged collection of incidents, all thoroughly
+investigated and vouched for, and the testimony obtained first-hand and
+corroborated by others. The chapter on "Haunted Houses" is particularly
+striking. The first chapter deals with the interesting question, "What
+is a Ghost?" and attempts to answer this question in the light of the
+latest scientific theories which have been advanced to explain these
+supernatural happenings and visitants. It is a book of absorbing
+interest, and cannot fail to grip and hold the attention of every
+reader--no matter whether he be a student of these questions, or one
+merely in search of hair-raising anecdotes and stories. He will find
+them here a-plenty!
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE
+
+
+The following little book endeavors to bring together a number of
+"ghost stories" of the more startling and dramatic type,--but stories,
+nevertheless, which seem to be well authenticated; and which have
+been obtained, in most instances, at first hand, from the original
+witnesses; and often contain corroborative testimony from others who
+also experienced the ghostly phenomena. Some of these incidents,
+indeed, rise to the dignity of scientific evidence; others are less
+well authenticated cases,--but interesting for all that. These have
+been grouped in various Chapters, according to their evidential value.
+Chapters II. and III. contain well-evidenced cases, some of which have
+been taken from the _Proceedings_ and _Journals_ of the Society for
+Psychical Research (S. P. R.), or from _Phantasms of the Living_, or
+from other scientific books, in which narratives of this character
+receive serious consideration. Chapter V., on the contrary, contains a
+number of incidents which,--striking and dramatic as they are,--cannot
+be included in the two earlier Chapters, as presenting real evidence
+of Ghosts; but are published rather as startling and interesting ghost
+_stories_. Chapter IV., devoted to "Haunted Houses," contains brief
+accounts of the most famous Haunted Houses, and of the phenomena which
+have been witnessed within them. Appendix A gives a list of a few of
+the important "Historical Ghosts," Appendix B describes the "Phantom
+Armies" lately seen by the Allied troops in France--while Appendix C
+lists a number of books of Ghost Stories which the interested reader
+may care to peruse. A short Glossary, at the beginning of the book,
+explains the meaning of certain terms used,--which are not, perhaps,
+ordinarily met with in books of this character.
+
+In the Introductory Chapter, I have endeavored to explain, very
+briefly, the nature and character of Ghosts; what they _are_; and the
+various scientific theories which have been brought forward, of late
+years, to explain Ghosts. I hope that this may prove of interest to the
+reader; in case it does not do so, he is invited to "skip" directly to
+Chapter II., which begins our account of "True Ghost Stories."
+
+I wish to express my thanks in this place to the Council of the English
+S. P. R. for special permission to quote and to summarize several
+striking cases here reproduced; also to Miss Estelle Stead, for
+permission to utilize several cases previously printed at length in Mr.
+Wm. T. Stead's collections of Ghost Stories.
+
+  H. C.
+
+
+
+
+GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED
+
+
+AGENT--The person who, in thought-transference experiments, endeavors
+to impress his thoughts upon the "percipient" or "receiver."
+
+DEATH-COINCIDENCE--A case in which an apparition or other ghostly
+phenomenon has taken place, at the moment of the death of the person
+represented by the phantom.
+
+GHOST--An apparition, a phantom. Some contend that all ghosts are
+"subjective" or purely mental (hallucinations); others that some
+ghosts are "objective"--that is, space-occupying entities, which exist
+apart from the seer, who sees them. These points will be found fully
+discussed in this book.
+
+HALLUCINATION--A mental experience, in which a phantom is seen, a voice
+heard, etc., when there is no real external cause for this seeing or
+hearing. Hallucinations are more complete than mere "illusions."
+
+PACT--An agreement, entered into before death, between two persons,
+that, whichever one dies first, shall appear to the other one. These
+are here called "Pact Cases." [A Pact may also mean an agreement
+between a necromancer of some spirit-intelligence, as in Magic; but
+the word is not used in that sense in this book.]
+
+PERCIPIENT--The receiver of the telepathic or other message. The one
+who experiences the phenomenon.
+
+PHANTASM--A phantom; an apparition; a "ghost." The word is more
+inclusive than any of the words suggested; and is used by preference,
+by most psychic students.
+
+TELEPATHY--Mind-reading; thought-transference.
+
+
+
+
+TRUE GHOST STORIES
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+
+WHAT IS A GHOST?
+
+Ghosts have been believed in by every nation, at every time and at
+every stage of the world's evolution. No matter where we may go, we
+find them stalking through the pages of history;[1] and even in our own
+cynical and materialistic age, we not only find "ghosts" still; but
+the evidence for their existence is stronger than ever! It is nonsense
+to say that "no sensible person believes in ghosts," because many
+thousands of them _do_. Why do they believe? Would they believe if they
+had no cause to do so?
+
+      [1] See Appendix A.
+
+The "terror of the dark," which we all have more or less, from which
+every child suffers (how intensely!) during its early years--a terror
+which is, to a certain extent, shared by animals and even insects--does
+all this signify nothing? Those who have looked into this question
+thoroughly, believe that there is, in every truth, a terrible reality
+justifying this instinctive fear; that evil and horrible things lurk
+about us in the still, weird hours of the night; that there are truly
+"powers and principalities" with which we often toy, without knowing or
+realizing the frightful dangers which result from this tampering with
+the unseen world. Yes; there is a true "tyranny of the dark." Phenomena
+and ghostly manifestations take place in darkness which would never
+occur in light; and which cease when a light is struck. All ghostly
+phenomena are associated with darkness, and the "wee small hours of the
+night."
+
+All this is exemplified in the following interesting narrative, which I
+may entitle:
+
+
+THE TERROR OF THE DARK
+
+"All my life I have been afraid of the dark," said an acquaintance to
+me the other day, when we were discussing psychical matters. "I know
+that it is childish," he continued, "and I ought to have outgrown it
+years ago; but, as a matter of fact, I haven't. After all, isn't there
+some reason for the fears that we all feel, more or less, at that time?
+Doesn't the Bible speak of 'the terrors of the Dark;' and are not all
+animals, and even insects, afraid of the dark--so much so that you
+cannot induce them to enter a dark place if they can help it? Light not
+only enables you to see what is around you; but it acts in a certain
+positive manner over 'the powers of darkness,' whatever they are,
+and prevents their operation. All spirit mediums will tell you that
+materialization and manifestations of that character cannot take place
+in the light; it prevents their occurrence. So, after all, as I said,
+isn't there some reasonable ground for one's fear at such times?"
+
+I said nothing; but gazed into the fire. After all, were not his
+arguments somewhat impressive?
+
+"But," continued my friend, "it is not altogether because of these
+speculative reasons that I fear the dark; it is because of a terrible
+experience I once had, and which has left me terror-struck, ever since,
+whenever I am left without light even for an instant. I will tell you
+the story, and let you judge for yourself.
+
+"It was several years ago; in an old house we rented at that time, and
+from which we removed soon after the event I am about to relate. I was
+afraid of the dark, even then, and always left a night-light burning by
+the side of my bed when I went to sleep. One night I woke up, feeling
+the springs of the bed on which I was lying vibrate in a peculiar
+manner, impossible to describe.
+
+"Looking up, I saw, standing by the side of my bed, a young man,
+dressed in rags, having a face ghastly white, and showing every
+indication of dissipation. He was regarding me intently.
+
+"I shall never forget the shock I received on beholding that figure;
+not only because of the unexpected appearance; but because of the fact
+that I could perceive the opposite wall and furniture _through_ the
+body. I knew at once that I beheld a spirit; and my blood ran cold at
+the thought. What I had dreaded all my life was at last fulfilled!
+
+"My next thought was 'I am so glad the night-light is burning. What
+should I do if I were in darkness?' As though the form read my
+thoughts, and was intent on torturing me to the limit of endurance, it
+leaned over, and the next instant had snuffed the candle! The phantom
+and I were alone in the black darkness!
+
+"Words cannot describe my feelings at that instant. The blood froze
+in my veins, and the tongue clave to the roof of my mouth. I tried to
+speak, but could not. I only held out one hand as if to ward off the
+awful presence by pressing it away.
+
+"The next instant I felt the bed-clothes gently turned down on the
+further side of the bed, and partly pulled off me. The springs of the
+bed were depressed, and I knew that the fearsome visitor was crawling
+into bed! It would lie down by my side; perhaps touch me; perhaps--who
+could tell? The agony of mind I experienced in those few moments I
+shall never forget! My only wonder is that my reason did not give way!
+
+"Then a curious thing happened. Even in the state of mind, as I was
+then, I could perceive that the bed was gradually rising up again into
+its normal position. The weight upon it was growing less and less.
+Finally, it was again level, and I felt the bed clothes carefully
+replaced over me. The phantom had withdrawn!
+
+"For hours I lay awake, not daring to move. After what seemed a
+century, the first faint shafts of light fell across the room,
+betokening the welcome morn. Finally glorious day broke. Glorious
+light! Hateful darkness! Cannot you see why I hate it so?"
+
+But, fortunately, this evil and horrible side of ghost-land is not
+universal.
+
+Ghosts do not always present themselves as so formidable and gruesome!
+Some of them prove helpful; others seem to wish to right a wrong; some
+even seem to have a sense of humor! So there are all sorts of ghosts,
+just as there are all sorts of people; and the variety is just as great
+in the one case as in the other.
+
+
+WHAT IS A GHOST?
+
+But, after all, what _is_ a ghost? What do we mean by this? Where do
+ghosts live, and how? What do they do with themselves? How do they
+manifest? Why do they return? These are some of the questions which the
+average man asks himself--unless he totally disbelieves in them.
+
+Most men, it is true, disbelieve in ghosts--unless they have had some
+experience to convince them to the contrary. Yet, after all, why should
+they? As Mr. W. T. Stead once remarked:
+
+"Real Ghost Stories! How can there be real ghost stories when there are
+no real ghosts?
+
+"But are there no real ghosts? You may not have seen one, but it does
+not follow that therefore they do not exist. How many of us have seen
+the microbe that kills? There are at least as many persons who testify
+that they have seen apparitions as there are men of science who have
+examined the microbe. You and I, who have seen neither, must perforce
+take the testimony of others. The evidence for the microbe may be
+conclusive, the evidence as to apparitions may be worthless; but in
+both cases it is a case of testimony, not of personal experience."
+
+The average conception of a Ghost is probably somewhat as follows:
+That it is a thin, tall figure, wrapped in a sheet, walking about the
+house, clanking chains behind it, and scaring out of his wits anyone
+who sees it. According to this view, a ghost would be as material
+and substantial a thing as a buzz-saw or a lap-dog, and exists just
+as fully "in space." Such, however, is not the conception of the
+ghost which modern science entertains. Many investigators who have
+examined this question closely have come to the conclusion that
+ghosts _do_ actually exist; but when we come to the more troublesome
+question: _What are they?_ we are met at once with difficulties and
+disagreements. The recent scientific theories and explanations of the
+subject are complex and subtle; and necessitate a certain preliminary
+knowledge on the part of the student in order for him to understand
+them. I shall explain as briefly and clearly as possible exactly what
+these theories are. For the moment, I wish to speak, first of all, of
+the history of psychic investigation; and particularly that portion of
+it which deals with apparitions or "ghost hunting."
+
+
+HISTORIC INVESTIGATIONS
+
+Here and there, serious investigators have always existed. In the
+sixteenth century Dr. Glanvil pursued this study with great genius
+and patience; Dr. Johnson also was a firm believer in the reality of
+"ghosts"; Sir Walter Scott and others of his time were investigators,
+the famous Dr. Perrier wrote a treatise on apparitions, and similar
+investigations have been continued up to the present day. The first
+organized and systematic attempt to solve the problem, and to find
+out exactly _what ghosts are_, however, was made by the Society
+for Psychical Research (S. P. R.) in 1882. Practically all the
+investigations which have been carried on since then have led to
+important results.
+
+Soon after the above mentioned Society was founded, and material began
+to be collected, it was found that many cases had to do with haunted
+houses, many with apparitions, but the greater number of them hinged
+around the one point--the coincidence of apparitions with the death
+of the persons represented. An apparition of a certain person would
+be seen in London, let us say; and some hours later a telegram would
+arrive, conveying the news that this person had just been killed. When
+the time was compared, it was found to agree exactly; the hour of the
+death and that of the apparition tallying to the minute.
+
+Chance, you say? Perhaps so. _One_ case of this character might be
+explained in such manner; but could _fifty_? Could a _hundred_? It
+became a question of statistics--of figures; these alone can answer our
+question.
+
+Before considering these, however, let us give a few examples of cases
+of "death-coincidences," so that the reader may see the character of
+the evidence presented. He may then appreciate the value of a great
+mass of such evidence, when published _in extenso_.
+
+
+DEATH-COINCIDENCES
+
+The first case we take is from M. Flammarion's book, _The Unknown_ (p.
+108), and is as follows:
+
+"My mother ... who lived in Burgundy, heard one Tuesday, between nine
+and ten o'clock, the door of the bedroom open and close violently. At
+the same time, she heard herself called twice--'Lucie, Lucie!' The
+following Tuesday, she heard that her uncle Clementin, who had always
+had a great affection for her, had died that Tuesday morning, precisely
+between nine and ten o'clock...."
+
+In the following instance, the notification is in visual, instead of
+auditory form, and is taken from the _Proceedings_, S. P. R., Vol. X.,
+pp. 213-14:
+
+"About the 14th of September, 1882, my sister and I felt worried
+and distressed by hearing the 'death watch'; it lasted a whole day
+and night. We got up earlier than usual the next morning, about six
+o'clock, to finish some birthday presents for our mother. As my sister
+and I were working and talking together, I looked up, and saw our young
+acquaintance standing in front of me and looking at us. I turned to
+my sister; she saw nothing. I looked again to where he stood; he had
+vanished. We agreed not to tell any one....
+
+"Some time afterwards we heard that our young acquaintance had either
+committed suicide or had been killed; he was found dead in the woods,
+twenty-four hours after landing. On looking back to my diary, I found
+that the marks I made in it corresponded to the date of his death."
+
+The following case is reported in Podmore's _Apparitions and Thought
+Transference_, p. 265:
+
+"The first Thursday of April, 1881, while sitting at tea with my back
+to the window, and talking with my wife in the usual way, I plainly
+heard a rap at the window, and, looking round, I said to my wife,
+'Why, there's my grandmother,' and went to the door, but could not see
+anyone; and still feeling sure it was my grandmother, and, knowing
+that, though eighty-three years of age, she was very active and fond of
+a joke, I went round the house, but could not see anyone. My wife did
+not hear it. On the following Saturday, I had news that my grandmother
+died in Yorkshire about half an hour before the time I heard the
+rapping. The last time I saw her alive I promised, if well, I would
+attend her funeral; that was some two years before. I was in good
+health and had no trouble; age, twenty-six years. I did not know that
+my grandmother was ill.
+
+  "REV. MATTHEW FROST."
+
+
+Mrs. Frost writes:
+
+"I beg to certify that I perfectly remember all the circumstances my
+husband has named, but I heard and saw nothing myself."
+
+The following case is from _Phantasms of the Living_, Vol. II., p. 50:
+
+"On February 26th, 1850, I was awake, for I was to go to my
+sister-in-law, and visiting was then an event for me. About two o'clock
+in the morning my brother walked into our room (my sister's) and
+stood beside my bed. I called to her, 'Here is ----.' He was at the
+time quartered at Paisley, and a mail-car from Belfast passed about
+that hour not more than a mile from our village.... He looked down on
+us most lovingly, and kindly, and waved his hand, and he was gone! I
+recollect it all as if it were only last night it occurred, and my
+feeling of astonishment, not at his coming into the room at all, but
+where he could have gone. At that very hour he died."
+
+Mr. Gurney writes:
+
+"We have confirmed the date of death in the Army List, and find from a
+newspaper notice that the death took place in the early morning, and
+was extremely sudden."
+
+Cases such as the above could be multiplied into the hundreds; but it
+is not necessary. For our present purposes, the above samples will at
+least serve to show the character of these "death-coincidences," and
+how accurate and how numerous they often are.
+
+
+ARE THEY DUE TO CHANCE?
+
+The cases of "death-coincidences" came in so thick and so fast that,
+some time after its foundation, the Society for Psychical Research
+published an enormous book in two volumes, called "Phantasms of
+the Living," which contained some 702 cases of this character. The
+possibility of "chance coincidence" was very carefully worked out; and
+it was ascertained that the number of collected cases was many thousand
+times more numerous than chance alone could be supposed to account for.
+A "connection" of some sort was thought to be proved.
+
+But objections at once began to be heard! "In order to prove your point
+you must collect a greater number of cases than this; you must get more
+facts before we can consider your point proved!"
+
+So the investigators again set to work, and carried on a far more
+extensive investigation, in several countries, covering a period of
+several years. The results were the same. After collecting some 30,000
+cases, and calculating the number of death-coincidences contained in
+this number, it was again proved, and most conclusively, that the
+number of coincidences was far more numerous than could be accounted
+for by any theory of chance. Professor Sidgwick's Committee, therefore,
+signed the following joint statement, at the conclusion of their
+lengthy Report:
+
+"_Between deaths and apparitions of the dying person a connection
+exists which is not due to chance alone. This we hold as a proved
+fact...._"
+
+These are weighty words. They represent an important forward step in
+our investigation of these involved and complex questions. _Something_
+takes place at death, which serves to unite, in some sort of spiritual
+bond, the dying and the still living relatives or friends. _What is_
+this connection? In what may it be supposed to consist?
+
+
+THE EXPLANATION
+
+For an explanation, we must begin by going back to experimental
+thought-transference. We know that it is possible, under certain
+conditions, for one person to affect another, otherwise than through
+the regular avenues of the five senses. This "telepathic" action
+between mind and mind is now pretty well known, and operates more or
+less throughout life. By means of this, it is occasionally possible for
+one person to impress a scene or a picture upon the mind of another,
+so that the other shall see before him, as it were, in space, a vivid
+mental picture of the scene in the other's mind.
+
+This being so, it seems plausible to suppose that it might be possible
+to convey the impression or picture of _one's self_ to another--since
+this may be supposed to be the most precise and best-known picture we
+have. Would it not be possible to think of one's own appearance so
+intensely as to cause a mental representation of it to appear before
+another person, distant some miles away?
+
+Apparently this _has_ been done, many times. "Experimental apparitions"
+of this character have frequently been _induced_; accounts of a few of
+which will be found in this volume. The picture is mental, in such a
+case; it is an imaginative creation; it is a hallucination,--although
+it was caused or created by another, distant mind. It was, it is true,
+a hallucination; but as it was induced by telepathy, we have for such
+apparitions the name of "telepathic hallucinations." It is this theory
+of "telepathic hallucinations" which is invoked to explain many of
+these cases of death-coincidences, or apparitions of the dying.
+
+
+EXPERIMENTAL APPARITIONS
+
+The following types of "experimental apparitions" are good examples of
+the ability to induce a phantasmal form at a distance by "willing" to
+do so. As to the nature of this figure: there is as yet no unanimity
+of opinion--some authorities preferring to believe that such cases
+represent merely an extension of the power of thought-transference,
+known to us; others, on the contrary, contending that such cases prove
+the existence and travelling powers of the "astral" or "spiritual
+body." Of this, however, more later.
+
+Here is a case of this nature, experienced by the English investigator,
+the Rev. William Stainton Moses, who corroborates the following
+account, which is furnished by the agent:--
+
+"One evening I resolved to appear to Z., at some miles' distance. I did
+not inform him beforehand of the intended experiment, but retired to
+rest shortly before midnight, my thoughts intently fixed on Z., with
+whose rooms and surroundings I was quite unacquainted. I soon fell
+asleep, and woke next morning unconscious of anything having taken
+place. On seeing Z. a few days afterwards, I inquired: 'Did anything
+happen at your rooms on Saturday night?' 'Yes,' he replied, 'a great
+deal happened. I had been sitting over the fire with M., smoking and
+chatting. About 12:30 he rose to leave, and I let him out myself. I
+returned to the fire to finish my pipe, when I saw you sitting in the
+chair just vacated by him. I looked intently at you, and then took up
+a newspaper to assure myself that I was not dreaming; but on laying it
+down I saw you still there. While I gazed, without speaking, you faded
+away.'"
+
+In the case which follows, the initials only are used; but the writer
+of the account was known to the officers of the S. P. R., who vouched
+for the general trustworthiness of the writer:
+
+"On a certain Sunday evening in November, 1881, having been reading
+of the great power which the human will is capable of exercising, I
+determined, with the whole force of my being, that I would be present
+in spirit in the front bedroom of the second floor of a house situated
+at 22 Hogarth Road, Kensington, in which room slept two young ladies
+of my acquaintance,--namely, Miss L. S. V. and Miss E. C. V., aged
+respectively twenty-five and eleven years. I was living at the time at
+23 Kildare Gardens, at a distance of about three miles from Hogarth
+Road, and I had not mentioned in any way my intention of trying this
+experiment to either of the above ladies, for the simple reason that
+it was only on retiring to rest upon this Sunday night that I made
+up my mind to do so. The time at which I determined to be there was
+one o'clock in the morning; and I had a strong intention of making
+my presence perceptible. On the following Thursday I went to see the
+ladies in question, and, in the course of my conversation (without any
+allusion to the subject on my part), the elder one told me that on
+the previous Saturday night she had been much terrified by perceiving
+me standing by her bedside, and that she screamed when the apparition
+advanced towards her, and awoke her little sister, who also saw me.
+
+"I asked her if she was awake at the time, and she replied most
+decidedly in the affirmative; and, upon my inquiring the time of the
+occurrence, she replied, 'About one o'clock in the morning.'
+
+"This lady at my request wrote down a statement of the event, and
+signed it...."
+
+Mr. Gurney (one of the authors of _Phantasms of the Living_) became
+deeply interested in these experiments, and requested Mr. B. to notify
+him in advance on the next occasion when he proposed to make his
+presence known in this strange manner. Accordingly, March 22d, 1884, he
+received the following letter:
+
+  "Dear Mr. Gurney:--I am going to try the experiment to-night of
+  making my presence perceptible at 44 Morland Square, at 12 P. M.
+  I will let you know the result in a few days.
+
+  Yours very sincerely,      "S. H. B."
+
+The next letter, which was written on April 3, contained the following
+statement, prepared by the recipient, Miss L. S. Verity:
+
+"On Saturday night, March 22, 1884, at about midnight, I had a distinct
+impression that Mr. S. H. B. was present in my room, and I distinctly
+saw him, being quite awake. He came toward me and stroked my hair.
+I voluntarily gave him this information when he called to see me on
+Wednesday, April 2, telling him the time and the circumstances of the
+apparition without any suggestion on his part. The appearance in my
+room was most vivid and quite unmistakable."
+
+Miss A. S. Verity also furnishes this corroborative statement:
+
+"I remember my sister telling me that she had seen S. H. B. and that he
+touched her hair, before he came to see us on April 2."
+
+The agent's statement of the affair is as follows:
+
+"On Saturday, March 22, I determined to make my presence perceptible
+to Miss V. at 44 Morland Square, Notting Hill, at twelve midnight; and
+as I had previously arranged with Mr. Gurney that I should post him a
+letter of the evening on which I tried my next experiment (stating the
+time and other particulars) I sent him a note to acquaint him with the
+above facts. About ten days afterwards I called upon Miss V., and she
+voluntarily told me that on March 22, at twelve o'clock, midnight, she
+had seen me so vividly in her room (whilst wide awake) that her nerves
+had been much shaken, and she had been obliged to send for a doctor in
+the morning."
+
+These cases will at least prove the possibility of such a thing as
+"experimental apparitions," and, explain them as we may, they are, at
+all events, most interesting and significant. They prove the reality of
+"telepathic phantasms"--of apparitions produced in another by the power
+of mind. This is, at least, the modern conception of the facts.
+
+
+TELEPATHIC HALLUCINATIONS
+
+How may the theory be said to work? How can a telepathic impulse from a
+distant mind cause a picture to appear in space, as it were, before the
+recipient? Here is the last word of modern science in this direction;
+here is the theory which has been advanced to explain puzzling cases of
+this character.
+
+When we look at and see an object, the sight-centers of the brain are
+roused into activity; unless they are so aroused, we see nothing, and
+whenever they are so aroused, _no matter from what cause_, we have the
+sensation of sight. We _see_.
+
+But we get no further than this; we do not reason about the thing seen,
+or analyze; or think to ourselves, "this is a red apple; I like red
+apples," etc. No, we only see or perceive the object. All the reasoning
+_about_ the object takes place in the higher thought-centres of the
+brain. A diagram will, perhaps, help to make all this clear.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+When light-waves coming from the eye, A, travel along the optic nerves,
+and excite into activity the sight-centers--at B--we have the sensation
+of sight, as before said. Nerve currents then travel _up_ the nerves,
+going from B to C, and in these higher centers, they are associated and
+analyzed, and we then "reflect" upon the thing seen, etc. This is the
+normal process of sight.
+
+Now, if the eye, or the optic nerves, or the sight-centers themselves
+become diseased, we still have the sensation of seeing, though there
+is no material object there; we have ordinary hallucinations of all
+kinds--delirium tremens, etc. If the sight-centers are stimulated _as
+much_ as they would be by the incoming nerve stimuli from the eye, we
+have "full-blown hallucinations."
+
+Now, it is obvious that one method of stimulating the sight-centers
+into activity is for a nervous current to come _downwards_, along the
+nerves running from C to B. It is probable that something of this sort
+takes place when we experience "memory pictures." If you shut your eyes
+and picture the face of some dear friend, you will be able to see it
+before you more or less clearly. The higher psychical centers of the
+brain have excited the sight-centers into a certain activity; and these
+have given us the sensation of dim, inward sight. If the stimulus were
+stronger, we should have cases of intense "visualization"; such as the
+figures which occur in the crystal ball, etc.--they being doubtless
+produced in this manner.
+
+Although the "sluice-gates," so to speak, running from C to B are,
+therefore, always open _slightly_; they are never open wide; it
+is not natural for them to be so. But if, under any great stress,
+thought or emotion, the downward nervous current were as strong as
+that ordinarily running from A to B; then we should appear to see as
+clearly; the object would appear just as solid and real and outstanding
+to us as any other entity. We should experience a "full-blown
+hallucination."
+
+All this being so, it is almost natural to suppose that _one_ method
+by which these psychical sluice-gates could be more widely opened
+would be under the impact of _a telepathic impulse_. If we assume that
+this in some manner arouses into instantaneous and great activity the
+higher psychical centers (C), these would very probably communicate
+this impulse to B--downwards, along the nerve-tracts connecting the
+two (or to the hearing centers, when we should experience an auditory
+hallucination, and hear our name spoken, etc.). In this way we could
+account for a telepathic hallucination, originating in this manner; and
+it is surely to be supposed that, at the moment of death, some peculiar
+quickening of the mental and spiritual life takes place--the peculiar
+flashes of memory by those drowning, etc., seeming to show this.
+
+So, then, we arrive at a sort of explanation of many of these cases
+of apparitions, occurring at the moment of death; for we have shown
+them to be "telepathic hallucinations." This is also the correct
+explanation, doubtless, for many cases in which apparitions of the
+living have been seen--in which a phantasm of a living person has
+appeared to another, during sleep, or in hypnotic trance, etc.
+
+But how about those ghosts which appear some time after death? They, at
+least, cannot be explained by any such theory. What has been said by
+way of explanation of these cases?
+
+It will be remembered that telepathy is the basis of the explanation
+thus far. Let us extend this. We have only to suppose that the spirit
+of man survives the shock of death, and that it can continue to exert
+its powers and capacities also. For, if a living mind can influence the
+living by telepathy; why not a "dead" one? Why should not the surviving
+spirit of man continue to influence us, by telepathy? If they could,
+we should still have cases of telepathic hallucinations--induced from
+the mind of a discarnate, not an incarnate, spirit. The "ghost" might
+still be a telepathic hallucination. And if several persons saw the
+figure at once, we should, on this theory, have a case of collective
+hallucination--in which one mind affected all the rest equally and
+simultaneously.
+
+
+GHOSTS WHICH MOVE MATERIAL OBJECTS
+
+Such is the theory--rather far-fetched, it is true; but certainly the
+most rational and common-sense so far advanced to explain many of the
+facts. It is probable, however, that this explanation will not serve
+to explain _all_ of them. Thus, in those cases where the apparition
+moved a material object, opened a door, etc., such a theory would
+have to be abandoned, for the simple reason that a mental concept,
+an hallucination, cannot open doors and move objects! There must be
+an outstanding, material entity to effect this. There must be a real
+ghost. And in those cases where the apparition has been seen by several
+persons at once, or even photographed, it seems more reasonable to
+suppose that a material, space-occupying body was present rather than
+to assume that the various witnesses or the camera were hallucinated.
+
+In the following cases, for example, the apparition performs a definite
+physical action--snuffs a candle with its fingers, an action which a
+pure hallucination could hardly be supposed to perform. The account
+is by the Rev. D. W. G. Gwynne, M.I., and is printed in _Phantasms
+of the Living_, Vol. II., pp. 202-3. After telling of certain minor
+phenomena, he proceeds:
+
+"I now come to the mutual experience of something that is as fresh in
+its impression as if it were the occurrence of yesterday. During the
+night I became aware of a draped figure passing across the foot of
+the bed towards the fireplace. I had the impression that the arm was
+raised, pointing with the hand towards the mantlepiece, on which a
+night-light was burning. Mrs. Gwynne at this moment seized my arm, and
+the light _was extinguished_. Notwithstanding, I distinctly saw the
+figure returning towards the door, and being under the impression that
+one of our servants had found her way into the room, I leaped out of
+bed to intercept the intruder, but found, and saw, nothing...."
+
+[Mrs. Gwynne confirms the story, adding, "I distinctly saw the
+hand of the phantom placed over the night-light, which was at once
+extinguished."]
+
+
+PHOTOGRAPHS OF GHOSTS
+
+Again, it is claimed that ghosts have sometimes been photographed,
+though very rarely. In a number of cases, attempts have been made to
+photograph ghosts seen in haunted-houses; but, though the figures
+have been seen by all present, the photographic plate has failed to
+record any impression of the phantom. In other cases, on the contrary,
+definite impressions _have_ been obtained; and, though there is
+doubtless much fraud among professional mediums, who claim to produce
+"spirit photographs," there are many cases on record in which no
+professional medium was employed, and in which faces were certainly
+seen upon the developed plate. Experiments have also been made in
+photographing the body at the moment of death; to see if any impression
+could be made upon the plate--by the soul, in its passage from the
+body; and, though many of these have proved negative, Dr. Baraduc,
+of Paris, has obtained a number of photographs which have never been
+explained. Again, numerous researches in the region of so-called
+"thought photography" have given some basis for the belief that thought
+may be, under certain conditions, photographed--as for example, in the
+experiments of Dr. Ochorowicz and others. It may be said, therefore,
+that some progress is being made in this direction by psychic
+investigators (particularly by the French observers, who are far ahead
+of the rest of the world in these branches of psychic investigation),
+and that, with increased sensitiveness of film and plate, and greater
+perfection of lens and camera, it is to be hoped that the time is not
+far distant when it will be possible to photograph the unseen just as
+we photograph living persons.
+
+There are "ghosts," therefore, which are hallucinations; and there are
+ghosts which are genuine phantasms--the "real article." It becomes a
+question, in each instance, of sifting the evidence; finding out _which
+they are_. Yet, if there are real, objective, outstanding ghosts, how
+can we explain them? In what do they consist? In short, we are back to
+our original question: What are ghosts?
+
+
+THE "DOUBLE," AND THE SPIRITUAL BODY
+
+Before we can answer this question satisfactorily, we must consider
+one or two preliminary questions. First of all, we must speak of the
+"double"--the astral or spiritual or ethic body, which resides in man,
+as well as his physical body.[2]
+
+      [2] Theosophists distinguish between all these various bodies;
+      psychic students strive, for the most part, only to prove the
+      objective existence of any one of them.
+
+St. Paul constantly emphasized the fact that man has a material body
+and a "spiritual body." This inner body is the exact shape of the
+physical body--its counterpart, its double. In life, under ordinary
+conditions, the two are inseparable; but at death, the severance takes
+place and man continues to live on in this etheric envelope. This
+inner body has been studied very carefully by students of the occult;
+and a good deal is now known about it--its comings and goings, its
+composition, and the method of its departure at death. For our present
+purposes, however, it is enough to say that such a body exists, and
+that it is the vehicle man continues to use and manipulate, after his
+death and his departure from this plane.
+
+It so happens that, under certain peculiar conditions, the inner body
+of man is capable of being detached or separated from the physical
+body. This usually occurs in trance, sleep, hypnotic and mesmeric
+states, etc.; or may be performed "experimentally," by some who have
+cultivated this power in themselves. When this body goes on such
+"excursions"--leaving the physical body practically dead, to all
+appearances--it may be seen by those in its immediate vicinity, just
+as a material body would be--if they are sufficiently sensitive or
+receptive.
+
+The following interesting case, (recorded in _Phantasms of the Living_,
+Vol. I, pp. 225-26) is a good example of the apparent traveling of the
+body to another place, and the perception of that body by a second
+person, who happens to be there. Two individuals, at all events, shared
+in the experience, which is otherwise hard to account for. The case is
+recorded by the Rev. P. H. Newnham, and is as follows:
+
+"In March, 1854, I was up at Oxford, keeping my last term, in lodgings.
+I was subject to violent neuralgic headaches, which always culminated
+in sleep. One evening, about 8 p.m., I had an unusually violent one;
+when it became unendurable, about 9 p.m., I went into my bedroom, and
+flung myself, without undressing, on the bed, and soon fell asleep.
+
+"I then had a singularly clear and vivid dream, all the incidents of
+which are as clear in my memory as ever. I dreamed that I was stopping
+with the family of a lady who subsequently became my wife. All the
+younger ones had gone to bed, and I stopped chatting to the father and
+mother, standing up by the fireplace. Presently I bade them good-night,
+took my candle, and went off to bed. On arriving in the hall, I
+perceived that my fiancee had been detained downstairs, and was only
+then near the top of the staircase. I rushed upstairs, overtook her on
+the top step, and passed my two arms around her waist, under her arms,
+from behind. Although I was carrying my candle in the left hand, when
+I ran upstairs, this did not, in my dream, interfere with this gesture.
+
+"On this I woke, and the clock in the house struck ten almost
+immediately afterwards.
+
+"So strong was the impression of the dream that I wrote a detailed
+account of it the next morning to my fiancee.
+
+"_Crossing_ my letter, _not_ in answer to it, I received a letter from
+the lady in question: 'Were you thinking about me very specially last
+night, just about ten o'clock? For, as I was going upstairs to bed, I
+distinctly heard your footsteps on the stairs, and felt you put your
+arms round my waist.'"
+
+[Mrs. Newnham wrote a confirmation of this account, which was also
+published.]
+
+
+WHAT HAPPENS AT THE MOMENT OF DEATH
+
+In all these cases, of course, the psychic body of the subject returns
+and re-animates the physical body; for if it did not do so, death would
+take place. When death does actually take place, this is what occurs;
+and psychics and clairvoyants assert that they are able to see and
+follow this process perfectly; and many of them have described exactly
+what takes place at the moment of death. The following description,
+for example, given by Andrew Jackson Davis, is taken from his _Death,
+and the After Life_, pp. 15-16, and is as follows:
+
+"Suppose the person is now dying. It is to be a rapid death. The feet
+first grow cold. The clairvoyant sees over the head what may be called
+a magnetic halo--an etherial emanation, in appearance golden, and
+throbbing as though conscious. The body is now cold up to the knees
+and elbows, and the emanation has ascended higher in the air. The legs
+are cold to the hips and the arms to the shoulders; and the emanation,
+though it has not risen higher in the room, is more expanded. The
+death-coldness steals over the breast and round on either side, and
+the emanation has attained a higher position nearer the ceiling. The
+person has ceased to breathe, the pulse is still, and the emanation
+is elongated and fashioned in the outline of a human form. Beneath,
+it is connected with the brain. The head of the person is internally
+throbbing--a slow, deep throb--not painful but like the beat of the
+sea. Hence the thinking faculties are rational, while nearly every part
+of the person is dead. Owing to the brain's momentum, I have seen a
+dying person, even at the last feeble pulsebeat, rouse impulsively and
+rise up in bed to converse with a friend, but the next instant he was
+gone--his brain being the last to yield up the life principle.
+
+"The golden emanation, which extends up midway to the ceiling, is
+connected to the brain by a very fine life-thread. Now the body of the
+emanation ascends. Then appears something white and shining, like a
+human head; next, in a very few moments, a faint outline of the face
+divine, then the fair neck and beautiful shoulders; then, in rapid
+succession, come all parts of the new body down to the feet--a bright,
+shining image, a little smaller than its physical body, but a perfect
+prototype or reproduction in all except its disfigurements. The fine
+life-thread continues attached to the old brain. The next thing is
+the withdrawal of the electric principle. When this thread snaps the
+spiritual body is free, and prepared to accompany its guardians to the
+Summer-Land. Yes, there is a spiritual body; it is sown in dishonor and
+raised in brightness."
+
+It is doubtless this spiritual body which is the true cause of many
+apparitions--of many ghost stories. It is this body which is seen by
+the seer or percipient in many a ghost story; it is this body which
+moves objects and touches the individual who sees the ghost. This body
+is detached at death, as we have seen, and afterwards is free to rove
+at its own free will. Apparitions of the dead might thus be accounted
+for; while all those cases of apparitions of the dying which are with
+difficulty explained as due to pure telepathy might also thus find
+their explanation. The spiritual body, freed at that moment, would
+manifest its presence to the distant percipient as it did after death.
+So far so good, but how about apparitions of the living? How explain
+those cases in which the apparition of a living person has been seen,
+when the spiritual body is supposedly safely attached to the physical
+body?
+
+Many of them are doubtless cases of telepathy; but in those cases
+which seem to demand the presence of a body of some sort, we may
+suppose that the spiritual body may become detached, at times, under
+certain peculiar conditions, from the material body which it inhabits
+and animates, and can then manifest independently at a distance. The
+following cases are illustrative, apparently, of this fact; showing us
+that the "etheric body" can manifest on occasion at will at a distance
+from the physical body.
+
+
+HOW THE SOUL MAY LEAVE THE BODY
+
+"... I put out the light and returned, but no sooner had I done this
+than ... I could feel a creeping sensation moving up my legs. I got up
+and lit the gas and went back to bed; with pillows arranged in such
+a way as to make me comfortable. In a comparatively short time, all
+circulation ceased in my legs, and they were as cold as those of the
+dead. The creeping sensation began in the lower part of the body, and
+that also became cold.... There was no sensation of pain or even of
+physical discomfort. I would pinch my legs with my thumb and finger,
+and there was no feeling or no indication of blood whatever. I might as
+well have pinched a piece of rubber so far as the sensation produced
+was concerned. As the movement continued upward, all at once there
+came a flashing of lights in my eyes and a ringing in my ears, and
+it seemed for an instant as though I had become unconscious. When I
+came out of this state, I seemed to be walking in the air. No words
+can describe the exhilaration and freedom that I experienced. At no
+time in my life had my mind been so clear and so free. Just then I
+thought of a friend who was more than a thousand miles distant. Then
+I seemed to be traveling with great rapidity through the atmosphere
+about me. Everything was light and yet it was not the light of the
+day or the sun, but, I might say, a peculiar light of its own, such
+as I have never known. It could not have been a minute after that I
+thought of my friends, before I was conscious of standing in a room
+where the gas-jets were turned up, and my friend was standing with his
+back toward me, but, suddenly turning and seeing me, said: 'What in
+the world are you doing here? I thought you were in Florida'--and he
+started to come toward me. While I heard the words distinctly, I was
+unable to answer. An instant later I was gone; and the consciousness
+of the memorable things that transpired that memorable night has never
+been forgotten. I seemed to leave the earth, and everything pertaining
+to it, and enter a condition of life of which it is absolutely
+impossible to give here any thought I had concerning it, because there
+was no correspondence to anything I had ever seen or heard or known of
+in any way. The wonder and the joy of it was unspeakable; and I can
+readily understand now what Paul meant when he said 'I knew a man,
+whether in the body or out of it I know not, who was caught up to the
+third heaven, and saw things which it is not possible (lawful) to
+utter.'
+
+"In this latter experience there was neither consciousness of time
+nor of space; in fact, it can be described more as a consciousness of
+elastic feeling than anything else. It came to me after a time that I
+could _stay_ there if I so desired, but with that thought came also the
+consciousness of the friends on earth and the duties there required of
+me. The desire to stay was intense, but in my mind I clearly reasoned
+over it--whether I should gratify my desire or return to my work on
+earth. Four times my thought and reason told me that my duties required
+me to return, but I was so dissatisfied with each conclusion that
+I finally said: 'Now I will think and reason this matter out once
+more, and whatever conclusion I reach I will abide by.' I reached the
+same conclusion, and had not much more than reached it when I became
+conscious of being in a room and looking down on a body propped up in
+bed, which I recognized as my own! I cannot tell what strange feelings
+came over me. This body, to all intents and purposes, looked to be
+dead. There was no indication of life about it, and yet here I was
+apart from the body, with my mind perfectly clear and alert, and the
+consciousness of another body to which matter of any kind offered no
+resistance.
+
+"After what might have been a minute or two, looking at the body, I
+began to try and control it, and in a very short time all sense of
+separation from the physical body ceased, and I was only conscious of
+a directed effort toward its use. After what seemed to be quite a long
+time, I was able to move, got up from the bed, dressed myself, and went
+down to breakfast....
+
+"I may add that the friend referred to as having been seen by me
+that night was also distinctly conscious of my presence and made
+the exclamation mentioned. We both wrote the next day, relating the
+experience of the night, and the letters corroborating the incident
+crossed in the post."
+
+Such strange doings certainly tend to prove that the human spirit can
+leave its body and rove abroad, at times; and if this is the case, it
+shows us that our body is far more detachable than we usually suppose;
+and hence that it can probably continue to exist after the death of the
+physical body, when it is detached altogether. Once this is proved, all
+objection to the reality and existence of "objective" ghosts will have
+been done away with.
+
+
+THEORIES OF HAUNTED HOUSES
+
+If we grant that certain houses may be "haunted," in the sense that
+they may be the centers of influences and forces as yet unseen and
+unknown, the question is: How explain such cases? What hypotheses can
+we advance to explain cases of haunted houses, which will recognize the
+reality of the phantom witnessed therein, and attempt to explain them
+as rationally as possible? Four main theories have been advanced by way
+of explanation, which I shall briefly outline.
+
+(1). There is the theory that the figures seen in houses of this nature
+are genuine, outstanding entities--real beings, which are just as real,
+though less solid and tangible, as any of the living inhabitants of the
+house. This is, of course, the popular conception of the ghosts seen in
+haunted houses, and it must be admitted that such a theory covers and
+explains the facts more completely and fully than any other. There are
+also many facts telling in its favor. For instance, when two persons
+see a figure from different angles or viewpoints; and one describes
+it in profile, while the other describes it as presenting a full face
+likeness; and if this is the angle in each case from which a real
+figure would naturally be seen, this surely seems to indicate that a
+solid form of some sort was present.
+
+Again, when three or four or more people see a figure at the same time,
+it is surely a strain upon our credulity to believe that a number of
+persons were similarly "hallucinated" at precisely the same time and in
+the same manner; and easier to believe that they all saw a figure at
+the same time, though in differing degrees of vividness and detail.
+
+Thirdly, we have the evidence from photography. In some instances,
+these figures have been photographed; and though there is doubtless
+much fraud in this connection, there is evidence that, in certain
+cases, genuine photographs of this nature have been taken. This is
+discussed elsewhere in this volume, however.
+
+Fourthly, we have the behavior of animals, in haunted houses. They
+often appear to see figures visible or invisible to others present at
+the time--bark at them, rub against them, stare at them, act as though
+terrified at what they see, etc. This will be noticed in many of the
+stories; and can be explained only with difficulty if we are to believe
+that the figures seen are merely hallucinations.
+
+
+THE GHOSTS OF ANIMALS, ETC.
+
+I have elsewhere spoken of the apparent ability of animals to see
+phantasmal forms and figures. The reverse of this is also true. Ghosts
+of animals have been seen--spectral dogs, cats, horses as well as human
+beings. These apparitions are very perplexing, and raise the question
+of the immortality of animals--a very vexed question, which has given
+rise to much discussion. Mr. H. Rider Haggard records the case of his
+own dog, whose apparition he saw at the very moment that the dog was
+killed by an express train some miles away. Did the animal succeed
+in affecting his master by telepathy? If not, why the coincidence? I
+myself have recorded a case in which a (real) cat spat at a phantom
+dog, seen independently by a clairvoyant, who had described it a
+few moments before to a group of spectators. Such cases are very
+interesting. They tend to prove that dogs, cats, horses and other
+animals also survive death--a conclusion which is certainly the most
+humane and logical to many minds.
+
+In addition to these animal apparitions, there are also grotesque,
+horrible, monstrous and undefinable ghosts. One or two cases of this
+character are described in this book. Sometimes the "seer" sees
+something awful, but cannot describe in words what it is. Many of the
+phantoms of the imaginative type are of this character. Again, there
+are grave-yard ghosts; banshees, gnomes, elementals, pixies, fairies,
+brownies, nature-spirits, hobgoblins, sylphs, salamanders, dragons,
+vampires, wraiths, corpse-candles, and many other awful beings which
+have been described from time to time in the past. We need not consider
+these in a book of this character, however. But, to return to our
+argument for the objective reality of "ghosts."
+
+Fifthly, we have those cases in which the apparition has produced
+a physical effect in the material world--snuffed a light, opened a
+door, pulled back the bed-curtains, etc. A hallucinatory figure could
+not do this. It has been suggested that all this is only a part of
+the hallucination, but when the thing is found to have been moved in
+reality, we must explain this somehow; for otherwise how did it change
+its place?
+
+Sixthly, we have cases in which the same apparition has been seen by
+several separate and independent persons in the same room or house,
+and afterwards they have recognized the features of this person in
+a photograph shown them--the photograph of the person supposed to
+haunt that particular house. If we were to believe that a simple
+hallucination caused the figure, how account for this identification?
+Surely the theory is far-fetched!
+
+For all these reasons, therefore, and others it would be possible
+to mention, there is much to be said in favor of this theory of
+haunted houses; the theory which says that the figures seen are real,
+semi-material entities.
+
+
+THE CLOTHES OF GHOSTS
+
+(2). The second view, opposed to that mentioned above, is this: Someone
+living in a house has experienced a hallucination, and then seen the
+same thing over and over again, by reason of auto-suggestion; or, if he
+moves away, and another tenant takes the house in turn, the thoughts
+of this second tenant are influenced, through thought-transference,
+by the first tenant, who broods and thinks over his experiences in
+the "haunted house," wonders whether the people now living in it
+are experiencing phenomena, etc. In this way, the minds of those
+living in the house are constantly influenced by thought-transference
+by living minds; and hallucinatory figures are produced in them,
+just as the picture of a playing card is induced in experimental
+thought-transference.
+
+There are two things to be said in favor of such a theory. In the first
+place, we have the analogy which telepathic experiments give us, in
+which certain visual images are undoubtedly transmitted from one mind
+to another; and it is natural to assume that an extension of this same
+process might account for many of the phantasmal forms seen in haunted
+houses, as explained elsewhere.
+
+In the second place, we immediately surmount the difficulty presented
+by the ghost's _clothes_. This is a stumbling-block to many
+investigators. However much we might believe that an etheric or astral
+or spiritual body might continue to persist after death, it is hard to
+believe that the clothes of the person who died also had "spiritual
+counterparts," and returned with him, to visit the earth and the scenes
+of former joys and miseries! We seldom read of a ghost without clothes;
+nude ghosts are not the fashion! Yet if we cannot believe this, how are
+we to explain this difficulty--and the fact that ghosts wear ghostly
+garments?
+
+If the ghost were a hallucination, we could understand all this easily
+enough. The clothes were imaginary, just as the figure was; they formed
+part of the mental image, just like the figures seen in dreams, etc.
+This, therefore, is one very strong point in favor of this hypothesis;
+but if the ghost is a real, outstanding entity, how account for his
+clothes?
+
+Several tentative explanations have been forthcoming. In the first
+place, it has been suggested that all ghosts are in reality partial
+"materializations" and that it is possible for a spirit to materialize
+and form drapery as well as solid flesh and bone. Both are a sort of
+condensation of matter, in varying degrees.
+
+Again, it has been suggested that a spirit has the power to create
+objects by the power of will; by merely thinking and willing to do so.
+In this way, man would be a real creator, in a miniature scale, and
+certain analogies could be found for this in the material world. The
+returning spirit would desire to return clothed; and this very desire
+would create the fitting garb. Other theories have been advanced, but
+the above are the simplest and most intelligible, and are all we need
+consider at present.
+
+All these difficulties, however, tell against the substantiality of
+ghosts; and in favor of this second theory of haunted houses.
+
+
+TELEPATHY FROM THE DEAD
+
+(3). The third theory which has been advanced, is an extension of the
+second. Thought-transference is still the agency invoked to explain
+the facts--but from the minds of dead, and not living persons. That
+is, assuming telepathy to be true, and possible between living minds;
+and assuming that individual consciousness survives the change called
+death; we can readily imagine that those who have "passed over" might
+affect and influence the living by thought-transference also, just as
+they did in life. On this theory, therefore, the ghost would still
+represent a hallucination; a mental or imaginary figure, and it would
+still be induced by telepathy from a distant mind; but that mind would
+be that of a so-called dead person. After death, we might suppose, this
+person would be thinking or dreaming over the past events; the scenes
+of his joys and sorrows; and these dreams would tend to influence the
+minds of those still living, and cause them to see the figures seen.
+The figures, on this theory, would be hallucinatory, but they would
+have a real, objective basis and starting-point for all that; and, as
+such, would represent the continued existence and activity on the part
+of the dead.
+
+Against this ingenious theory may be urged all those arguments which
+have been cited in favor of the materiality of apparitions.
+
+
+THE PSYCHIC ATMOSPHERE
+
+(4). A fourth theory is that which says that some _subtle psychic
+atmosphere_ is present in certain houses; and that this "atmosphere"
+affects and influences all who live within them, just as their physical
+atmosphere would, only in a different manner and degree. Everyone has
+doubtless experienced this atmosphere in certain houses, if they are
+at all sensitive. They either "like" a house or "dislike" it--for no
+apparent reason. Some houses rest and refresh you; others irritate you,
+etc. This theory contends that every living human being is constantly
+giving off a peculiar vital emanation or aura or effluence; and that
+this charges-up or impregnates the material objects in his immediate
+neighborhood, which soak it up like a sponge, and retain it after being
+removed from its presence. It is because of this fact that articles
+presented to trance mediums often recall the person to whom they
+belonged; it is because of this that "psychometry" is possible--that
+is, the ability of some persons to give the past history of an object
+by merely handling it; and it is because of this that certain houses
+become so charged with this magnetic aura, or whatever it may be, that
+they remain "charged" for some time; and, in discharging, create
+psychic disturbances and impressions which are seen or experienced as
+phantasmal appearances.
+
+The chief objection to this theory is that it is difficult to see how
+this general and impersonal "charging" process can create definite and
+clear-cut forms, possessing all the appearances of reality. Doubtless
+each theory contains much truth; and haunted houses represent, in
+many cases, a combination of _all_ these causes, working together and
+combining into one complex and unfortunately ill-understood whole. It
+is the duty of the future to disentangle this maze, as best it can; and
+explain the various factors which go to make up a haunted house of this
+character.
+
+
+FORMS CREATED BY WILL
+
+(5). Besides these theories, another might be suggested, which
+has never so far been advanced, so far as I am aware. It is that
+the phantasmal forms seen in haunted houses are real substantial
+_creations_, manufactured by the thoughts or will of the discarnate
+spirit, who fashions it out of "such stuff as dreams are made of." It
+has been said that "thoughts are things," and many believe that this
+is literally true. Certain it is that a limited number of peculiarly
+constructed persons can produce phenomena which seem to be solid
+creations of the will. So, if thought could ever be proved to be
+really creative; if it could not only _formulate_ but _objectify_ and
+_project into space_ images and forms, we should have here a rational
+explanation of many ghosts, as well as of their behavior. And just here
+a few words as to this latter may not be out of place.
+
+It has often been objected that ghosts cannot be realities; they cannot
+be real spirits, for the reason that they act in such a senseless
+manner. They seldom speak or reply, when spoken to. They seldom have
+any definite purpose. In short, they betray no intelligence. This being
+so, they must be hallucinations and not the realities they claim to be!
+
+The answer to this objection is found in the following consideration.
+Even granting all this to be true, many believing in ghosts do not for
+an instant contend that such ghosts represent the actual person the
+figure symbolises. It is a mere projection; a shell; a form created
+by the discarnate spirit, a resemblance, a phantasm. The central
+consciousness which animated and still animates that person is not _in_
+the ghostly form, but elsewhere. The phantasm represents, merely, a
+sort of impersonal wraith, and, as such, cannot be expected to possess
+intelligence or human characteristics. None are present within it.
+It is a very different thing from the real person it represents. The
+insipid and unintelligent behavior of ghosts, therefore, is only what
+we should expect. This fact is no argument against their reality, when
+rightly understood and interpreted.
+
+
+PHYSICAL MANIFESTATIONS
+
+In addition to haunted houses of this type, there are others, which
+must be referred to very briefly. Thus, in some cases, no figures have
+been seen, but remarkable sounds have been heard--sounds which have
+never been accounted for. Bangs, knocks, monotonous reading aloud,
+whispering, footsteps, etc., are some of the noises and sounds which
+have been heard in this way, and their origin often remains a mystery.
+It would take too long to discuss the various explanatory theories
+which have been advanced by psychic students to account for these
+sounds.
+
+In other types of haunted houses, physical manifestations take place,
+though nothing unusual is either seen or heard. Thus, in one case
+recorded by Lombroso (_After Death: What?_) numbers of bottles
+were broken one after the other, for no apparent cause, when he was
+actually looking at them. In still other cases, furniture has been
+upset, crockery broken, doorbells rung, etc., by no visible agency.
+John Wesley was persecuted in this manner for several years; and the
+reason was never discovered. Such cases are technically known as
+"poltergeists," and may be found in abundance in the "history of the
+supernatural."
+
+
+CAN HAUNTED HOUSES BE "CURED"?
+
+One question of considerable interest remains. It is this: Can
+so-called Haunted Houses be _cured_? Many of those who live in houses
+of this character would like to have these influences removed; but are
+unable to rid themselves of them. Can this be done?
+
+In some cases, this has doubtless been accomplished; while in others it
+has failed. We know too little as yet to lay down any arbitrary laws
+or rules which may be followed with safety in cases of this character.
+Sometimes one method succeeds, while another fails. I have known of
+cases where "exorcism" worked a complete cure; of others in which it
+failed miserably. I have known of cases in which suggestion, rightly
+applied, rid the house of its ghost; in other instances, no result was
+produced by similar methods! In a few instances mediums and psychics
+have been able to assist; in others their presence only seemed to
+make matters worse. We can but experiment and learn. Those who may be
+more interested in this aspect of the question will find it treated
+in Chapter XV. of my book "_The Coming Science_," which is devoted to
+"Haunted Houses and their Cure."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+
+PHANTASMS OF THE DEAD--I.
+
+In the following Chapter, I shall give a number of cases in which
+"Ghosts," or "Phantasms of the Dead," as they are called, have appeared
+to one or more persons at one time; sometimes telling them something
+they did not know; sometimes moving material objects in the room;
+sometimes pulling the bed-clothes off, etc. Nearly all these cases are
+well authenticated, and have been narrated at first-hand. Many of them
+have the corroborative testimony of several other persons, who also saw
+the phantasmal figure, or in some way shared in the experience. I shall
+begin with--
+
+
+A RUSSIAN GHOST
+
+The following story is vouched for by Mr. W. D. Addison, of Riga, and
+sent by him to Mr. W. T. Stead, who published it in _Borderland_:
+
+"It was in February, 1884, that the incidents I am about to relate
+occurred to me, and the story is well-known to my immediate friends.
+
+"Five weeks previously my wife had presented me with our first baby,
+and our house being a small one, I had to sleep on a bed made up in
+the drawing room--a spacious but cozy apartment, and the last place in
+which one would expect ghosts to select for their wanderings.
+
+"On the night in question I retired to my couch soon after ten, and
+fell asleep almost the moment I was between the sheets.
+
+"Instead of sleeping as, I am thankful to say, is my habit, straight
+through till morning, I woke up after a short dreamless sleep with
+the dim consciousness upon me that some one had called me by name. I
+was just turning the idea over in my mind when all doubts were solved
+by my hearing my name pronounced in a faint whisper, 'Willy.' Now the
+nurse who was in attendance on the baby, and who slept in the dressing
+room adjoining our bedroom, had been ill for the past few days, and on
+the previous evening my wife had come and asked me to assist her with
+the baby. As soon, therefore, as I heard this whisper, I turned round
+thinking, 'Ah, it is the baby again.'
+
+"The room had three windows in it, the night was moonless but starlit;
+there was snow on the ground, and therefore, 'snowlight,' and the
+blinds being up the room was by no means dark.
+
+"The first thing I noticed on turning round was the figure of a
+woman close to the foot of the bed, and whom (following the bent of
+my thoughts) I supposed to be my wife. 'What is up?' I asked, but
+the figure remained silent and motionless, and my eyes being more
+accustomed to the dimness, I noticed that it had a gray looking shawl
+over its head and shoulders, and that it was too short in stature to be
+my wife. I gazed at it silently, wondering who it could be; apparitions
+and ghosts were far from my thoughts, and the mistiness of the outlines
+of this silent figure did not strike me at the moment as it did
+afterwards.
+
+"I again addressed it, this time in the language of the country, 'What
+do you want?' Again no answer. And now it occurred to me that our
+servant girl sometimes walked in her sleep, and that this was she.
+Behind the head of my bed stood a small table, and I reached round for
+the match-box which was on it, never removing my eyes from the supposed
+somnambulist. The match-box was now in my hands, but just as I was
+taking out a match, the figure, to my astonishment, seemed to rise up
+from the floor, and move backwards toward the end window; at the same
+time it faded rapidly and became blurred with the gray light streaming
+in at the window, and 'ere I could strike the match it was gone. I lit
+the candle, jumped out of bed and ran to the door: it was fastened! To
+the left of the drawing room there was a boudoir, separated only by a
+curtain, this room was empty too, and the door likewise fastened.
+
+"I rubbed my eyes. I was puzzled. It struck me now for the first time
+that the figure was hazy looking, also that my wife was the only person
+who called me 'Willy,' and certainly the only person who could give the
+word its English pronunciation. I first searched both drawing room and
+boudoir, and then, opening the door, stepped into the passage, and went
+to my wife's door and listened. The baby was crying and my wife was up,
+so I knocked and was admitted. Knowing her to be strong minded and not
+nervous, I quietly related my experience. She expressed astonishment,
+and asked if I was not afraid to return to my bed in the drawing room.
+However, I was not, and after chatting for a few moments went back
+to my quarters, fastened the door, and getting into bed, thought the
+whole matter over very quietly. I could think of no explanation of the
+occurrence, and, feeling sleepy, blew out the light and was soon sound
+asleep again.
+
+"After a short but sound and dreamless slumber, I was again awakened,
+this time with my face towards the middle window; and there, close up
+against it, was the figure again, and owing to its propinquity to the
+light, it appeared to be a very dark object.
+
+"I at once reached out for the matches, but in doing so upset the
+table, and down it went with my candlestick, my watch, keys, etc.,
+making a terrific crash. As before, I had kept my eyes fixed on the
+figure, and I now observed that, whatever it was, it was advancing
+straight towards me, and in another moment retreat to the door would be
+cut off. It was not a comfortable idea to cope with the unknown in the
+dark, and in an instant I had seized the bed-clothes, and grasping a
+corner of them in each hand, and holding them up before me, I charged
+straight at the figure. (I suppose I thought that, by smothering the
+head of my supposed assailant, I could best repel the coming attack.)
+
+"The next moment I had landed on my knees on a sofa by the window with
+my arms on the window-sill, and with the consciousness that 'it' was
+now behind me--I having passed through it. With a bound I faced round,
+and was immediately immersed in a darkness impalpable to the touch,
+but so dense that it seemed to be weighing me down and squeezing me
+from all sides. I could not stir; the bed-clothes which I had seized
+as described hung over my left arm, the other was free, but seemed
+pressed down by a benumbing weight. I essayed to cry for help, but
+realized for the first time in my life what it means for the 'tongue
+to cleave to the roof of the mouth'; my tongue seemed to have become
+dry and to have swelled to a thickness of some inches; it stuck to
+the roof of my mouth, and I could not ejaculate a syllable. At last,
+after an appalling struggle, I succeeded in uttering, and I know that
+disjointed words, half prayer, half execrations of fear, left my lips,
+then my mind seemed to make one frantic effort, there seemed to come a
+wrench like an electric shock and my limbs were free; it was as tho' I
+tore myself out of something. In a few seconds I had reached and opened
+the door and was in the passage, listening to the hammerings of my
+heart-beats. All fear was gone from me, but I felt as though I had run
+miles for my life and that another ten yards of it would have killed me.
+
+"I again went to the door of my wife's room, and, hearing that she was
+up with the baby, I knocked and she opened. She is a witness to the
+state I was in: the drops rolling down my face, my hair was damp, and
+the beatings of my heart were audible some paces off. I can offer no
+explanations of what I saw, but as soon as my story became known, the
+people who had occupied the house previously told me that they had once
+put a visitor in that same drawing room, who had declared the room to
+be haunted and had refused to stay in it...."
+
+
+GRASPED BY A SPIRIT HAND
+
+The following account is vouched for by Major C. G. MacGregor, Ireland,
+who writes as follows:
+
+"In the end of the year 1871 I went over from Scotland to pay a short
+visit to a relative living in a square on the north side of Dublin.
+
+"In January, 1872, the husband of my relative, then in his
+eighty-fourth year, was seized with paralysis, and, having no trained
+nurse, the footman and I sat up with him for sixteen nights during his
+recovery. On the seventeenth night, at about 11:30 p.m., I said to the
+footman: 'The master seems so well, and sleeping soundly, I shall go
+to bed; and if he awakes worse, or you require me, call me.' I then
+retired to my room, which was over the one occupied by the invalid.
+
+"I went to bed and was soon asleep, when some time afterwards I was
+awakened by a slight push on the left shoulder. I was at the time
+lying on my right side facing the door (which was on the right side of
+my bed, and the fireplace on the left). I started up and said: 'Edward,
+is there anything wrong?' I received no answer, but immediately
+received another push. I got annoyed and said, 'Can you not speak, man,
+and tell me if anything is wrong?' Still no answer; and I had a feeling
+that I was going to get another push when I suddenly turned around
+and caught (what I then thought) a human hand, warm, soft and plump.
+I said: 'Who are you?' but I got no answer. I then tried to pull the
+person towards me, to endeavor to find out who it was, but although I
+am nearly thirteen stone, I could not move whoever it was, but felt
+that I myself was likely to be drawn from the bed. I then said, 'I will
+know who you are,' and having the hand tight in my hand, with my left I
+felt the wrist and arm--enclosed, as it seemed to me, in a tight sleeve
+of some winter material with a linen cuff; but when I got to the elbow
+all trace of the arm ceased! I was so astonished that I let the hand
+go, and just then the house clock struck 2 a.m. I then thought no one
+could possibly get to the door without my catching them; but lo! the
+door was fast shut as when I came to bed, and another thought struck
+me--the fact that, when I pulled the hand, I heard no one breathing,
+though I myself was 'puffed' from the strength I used!
+
+"Including the mistress of the house, there were in all five females,
+and I am assured that the hand belonged to no one of them. When I
+related the adventure, the servants exclaimed, 'Oh, it must be the
+master's old aunt Betty,'--an old lady who had lived for many years
+in the upper part of the house, occupying two rooms, and had died
+over fifty years ago, at a great age. I afterwards learned that the
+_room_ in which I felt the hand had been considered 'haunted,' and many
+curious noises and peculiar incidents had occurred there, such as the
+bed-clothes being torn off. One lady got a slap in the face from some
+invisible hand, and, when she lighted her candle, she saw something
+opaque fall, or jump off the bed. A general officer, a brother of the
+lady, slept there two nights, but preferred going to an hotel rather
+than remaining a third! He never would say what he heard or saw, but
+always asserted the room was 'uncanny.' I slept for months in that room
+afterwards and was never in the least disturbed. I never knew what
+nervousness was in my life, and only regret that my astonishment caused
+me to let go the hand before finding out the purpose of the visit.
+Whether it was meant for a warning or not, I may add that the old
+gentleman lived three years and six months afterwards...."
+
+
+"I AM SHOT!"
+
+The next case is well authenticated, and appeared in the _Proceedings_
+of the Society for Psychical Research (S. P. R.):
+
+After some preliminary remarks, the writer proceeds:
+
+"I awoke and saw standing by my bed, between me and the chest of
+drawers, a figure, which, in spite of the unwonted dress--unwonted, at
+least, to me--and of a full, black beard, I at once recognized as that
+of my old brother officer. He had on the usual khaki coat, worn by the
+officers on service in eastern climates.... His face was pale, but his
+bright black eyes shone as keenly as when, a year and a half before,
+they had looked upon me as he stood with one foot on the hansom,
+bidding me _adieu_.
+
+"Fully impressed for the moment that we were stationed together in
+Ireland or somewhere, and thinking I was in my barrack-room, I said,
+'Hello, P., am I late for parade?' P. looked at me steadily, and
+replied, 'I'm shot!'
+
+"'Shot!' I exclaimed, 'Good God, how and where?'
+
+"'Through the lungs,' replied P.; and as he spoke his right hand moved
+slowly up to his breast, until the fingers rested over the right lung.
+
+"'What were you doing?' I asked.
+
+"'The General sent me forward,' he answered; and the right hand left
+the breast to move slowly to the front, pointing over my head to the
+window, and at the same moment the figure melted away. I rubbed my
+eyes, to make sure I was not dreaming, and sprang out of bed. It was
+then 4.10 a.m. by the clock on my mantelpiece.
+
+"Two days later news was received that he had been killed at Lang's
+Neck between 11 and 12 o'clock on the night in question."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The following is a nautical story:
+
+
+HEAVE THE LEAD!
+
+In the year 1664, Captain Thomas Rogers, commander of a ship called the
+_Society_, was bound on a voyage from London to Virginia. The vessel
+being sent light to Virginia, for a loading of tobacco, carried little
+freight in her outward hold.
+
+"One day when they made an observation, the mates and officers brought
+their books and cast up their reckonings with the captain, to see how
+near they were to the coast of America. They all agreed that they were
+a _hundred leagues_ from the capes of Virginia. Upon these customary
+reckonings, and heaving the lead, and finding no ground at a hundred
+fathoms, they set the watch, and the captain turned in.
+
+"The weather was fine; a moderate gale of wind blew from the coast; so
+that the ship might have run about twelve or thirteen leagues in the
+night, after the captain was in his cabin.
+
+"He fell asleep, and slept very soundly for about three hours, when he
+woke again, and lay still till he heard his second mate turn out and
+relieve the watch. He then called his first mate, as he was going off
+watch, and asked him how all things fared? The mate answered that all
+was well, though the gale had freshened, and they were running at a
+great rate; but it was a fair wind, and a fair, clear night.
+
+"The captain then went to sleep again.
+
+"About an hour after, he dreamed that some one had pulled him, and bade
+him turn out and look abroad. He, however, lay still and went to sleep
+again; but was suddenly re-awakened. This occurred several times; and,
+though he knew not what was the reason, yet he found it impossible to
+go to sleep any more. Still he heard the vision say: 'Turn out and look
+abroad.'
+
+"The captain lay in this state of uneasiness nearly two hours, until
+finally he felt compelled to don his great coat and go on deck. All was
+well; it was a fine, clear night.
+
+"The men saluted him; and the captain called out: 'How's she heading?'
+
+"'Southwest by south, sir,' answered the mate; 'fair for the coast, and
+the wind east by north.'
+
+"'Very good,' said the captain, and as he was about to return to his
+cabin, _something_ stood by him, and said: 'Heave the lead.'
+
+"Upon hearing this the captain said to the second mate: 'When did you
+heave the lead? What water had you?'
+
+"'About an hour ago, sir,' replied the mate; 'sixty fathom.'
+
+"'Heave again,' the captain commanded.
+
+"When the lead was cast they had ground at eleven fathoms. This
+surprised them all; but much more when, at the next cast, it came up
+_seven_ fathoms.
+
+"Upon this, the captain, in a fright, bid them put the helm alee, and
+about ship, all hands ordered to back the sails, as is usual in such
+cases.
+
+"The proper orders being observed, the ship 'stayed' and came about;
+but before the sails filled, she had but four-fathoms-and-a-half water
+under her stern. As soon as she filled and stood off, they had seven
+fathoms again, and at the next cast eleven fathoms, and so on to twenty
+fathoms. They then stood off to seaward all the rest of the watch, to
+get into deep water, till daybreak, when, being a clear morning, the
+capes of Virginia were in fair view under their stern, and but a few
+leagues distant. Had they stood-on but one cable-length further, as
+they were going, they would have been ashore, and certainly lost their
+ship, if not their lives--all through the erroneous reckonings of the
+previous day. _Who_ or _what_ was it that waked the captain and bade
+him save the ship? That he has never been able to tell!"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The incident which follows is somewhat similar--though more
+dramatic--being also a nautical story:
+
+
+THE RESCUE AT SEA
+
+The following famous narrative is taken from Mr. Robert Dale Owen's
+collection, printed in his _Footfalls on the Boundary of Another
+World_, and _The Debatable Land Between this World and the Next_. It is
+quite a famous case, and is vouched for by Mr. Owen. It is as follows:
+
+"Mr. Robert Bruce, descended from some branch of the Scottish family of
+the same name, was born in humble circumstances about the close of the
+eighteenth century at Torbay, in the south of England, and there bred
+up to a seafaring life. When about thirty years of age (in the year
+1828), he was first mate on board a barque trading between Liverpool
+and St. John's, New Brunswick.
+
+"On one of her voyages, bound westward, being then some five or six
+weeks out, and having neared the eastern portion of the Banks of
+Newfoundland, the captain and the mate had been on deck at noon, taking
+an observation of the sun; after which they both descended to calculate
+their day's work.
+
+"The cabin, a small one, was immediately at the stern of the vessel,
+and the short stairway, descending to it, ran athwart-ships.
+Immediately opposite to this stairway, just beyond a small, square
+landing, was the mate's state room; and from that landing there were
+two doors, close to each other--the one opening aft into the cabin,
+the other fronting the stairway into the stateroom. The desk in the
+stateroom was in the forward part of it, close to the door; so that
+anyone sitting at it, and looking over his shoulder, could see into the
+cabin.
+
+"The mate, absorbed in his calculation, which did not result as he
+expected, varying considerably from the 'dead reckoning,' had not
+noticed the captain's motions. When he had completed his calculations,
+he cried out, without looking round, 'I make our latitude and longitude
+so-and-so. Can that be right? How is yours, sir?'
+
+"Receiving no reply he repeated the question, glancing over his
+shoulder and perceiving, as he thought, the captain busy at his slate.
+Still no answer! Thereupon he rose, and, as he fronted the cabin
+door, the figure he had mistaken for the captain raised his head and
+disclosed to the astonished mate the features of an entire stranger.
+
+"Bruce was no coward, but as he met that fixed gaze, looking directly
+at him in grave silence, and became assured that it was no one whom he
+had ever seen before, it was too much for him; and, instead of stopping
+to question the seeming intruder, he rushed upon deck in such evident
+alarm that it instantly attracted the captain's attention.
+
+"'Why, Mr. Bruce,' said the latter, 'what in the world is the matter
+with you?'
+
+"'The matter, sir? Who is that at your desk?'
+
+"'No one that I know of.'
+
+"'But there _is_, sir, there's a stranger there.'
+
+"'A stranger? Why, man, you must be dreaming! You must have seen the
+steward there, or the second mate. Who else would venture down without
+orders?'
+
+"'But, sir, he was sitting in your arm chair, fronting the door,
+writing on your slate. Then he looked up full in my face; and if ever I
+saw a man plainly and distinctly in the world I saw him.'
+
+"'Him! Who?'
+
+"'Heaven knows, sir; I don't! I saw a man and a man I have never seen
+in my life before.'
+
+"'You must be going crazy, Mr. Bruce. A stranger, and we nearly six
+weeks out!'
+
+"The captain descended the stairs, and the mate followed him. Nobody in
+the cabin! They examined the staterooms. Not a soul could be found.
+
+"'Well, Mr. Bruce,' said the Captain, 'did not I tell you that you had
+been dreaming?'
+
+"'It's all very well to say so, sir; but if I didn't see that man
+writing on the slate may I never see home and family again!'
+
+"'Ah! Writing on the slate. Then it should be there still!' And the
+captain took it up. 'By heaven,' he exclaimed, 'here's something sure
+enough! Is that your writing, Mr. Bruce?'
+
+"The mate took the slate; and there, in plain, legible characters,
+stood the words: 'Steer to the Nor'-west.'
+
+"The captain sat down at his desk, the slate before him, in deep
+thought. At last turning the slate over, and pushing it toward Bruce,
+he said: 'Write down: "Steer to the nor'west."'
+
+"The mate complied; and the captain, comparing the two handwritings,
+said: 'Mr. Bruce, go and tell the second mate to come down here.'
+
+"He came, and at the captain's request, he also wrote the words. So did
+the steward. So in succession did every man of the crew who could write
+at all. But not one of the various hands resembled, in any degree, the
+mysterious writing.
+
+"When the crew retired, the captain sat deep in thought. 'Could anyone
+have been stowed away?' at last he said. 'The ship must be searched.
+Order up all hands.'
+
+"Every nook and corner of the vessel was thoroughly searched; not a
+living soul was found.
+
+"Accordingly, the captain decided to change the vessel's course
+according to the instructions received. A look-out was posted; who
+shortly reported an iceberg, and then, shortly after, a vessel close to
+it.
+
+"As they approached, the captain's glass disclosed the fact that it was
+a dismantled ship, apparently frozen to the ice.... It proved to be a
+vessel from Quebec, bound for Liverpool, with passengers on board. She
+had got entangled in the ice, and finally frozen fast; and had passed
+several weeks in a most critical situation. She was stove, her decks
+swept; in fact, a mere wreck; all her provisions and almost all her
+water gone. Her crew and passengers had lost all hope of being saved,
+and their gratitude at the unexpected rescue was proportionately great.
+
+"As one of the men who had been brought away in the third boat ascended
+the ship's side, the mate, catching a glimpse of his face, started back
+in consternation. It was the very face he had seen three or four hours
+before, looking up at him from the captain's desk! He communicated this
+fact to the captain.
+
+"After the comfort of the passengers had been seen to, the captain
+turned to the stranger, and said to him: 'I hope, sir, you will not
+think I am trifling with you, but I would be much obliged to you if you
+would write a few words on this slate.' And he handed him the slate,
+with that side up on which the mysterious writing was not.
+
+"'I will do anything you ask,' replied the passenger, 'but what shall I
+write?'
+
+"'A few words are all I want. Suppose you write: 'Steer to the
+nor'-west.'
+
+"The passenger, evidently puzzled to make out the motive of such a
+request, complied, however, with a smile. The captain took up the slate
+and examined it closely; then stepping aside so as to conceal the slate
+from the passenger, he turned it over and gave it to him the other side
+up.
+
+"'You say that this is your handwriting?' said he.
+
+"'I need not say so,' replied the other, looking at it, 'for you saw me
+write it.'
+
+"'And this?' said the captain, turning the slate over.
+
+"The man looked first at one writing, then at the other, quite
+confounded. At last: 'What is the meaning of this?' said he. 'I only
+wrote _one_ of these. Who wrote the _other_?'
+
+"'That's more than I can tell you, sir. My mate here says you wrote it,
+sitting at this desk, at noon to-day!'
+
+"The captain of the wreck and the passenger looked at each other,
+exchanging glances of intelligence and surprise; then the former asked
+the latter: 'Did you dream that you wrote on this slate?'
+
+"'No, sir, not that I remember.'
+
+"'You speak of dreaming,' said the captain of the barque. 'What was
+this gentleman about at noon to-day?'
+
+"'Captain,' rejoined the other, (the captain of the wreck), 'the
+whole thing is most mysterious and extraordinary; and I had intended
+to speak to you about it as soon as we got a little quiet. This
+gentleman--pointing to the passenger--being much exhausted, fell into
+a heavy sleep, or what seemed such, some time before noon. After an
+hour or more, he awoke, and said to me: 'Captain, we shall be relieved
+this very day.' When I asked him what reason he had for saying so, he
+replied that he had dreamed that he was on board a barque, and that
+she was coming to our rescue. He described her appearance and rig,
+and, to our utter astonishment, when your vessel hove in sight, she
+corresponded exactly to his description of her! We had not put much
+faith in what he said; yet still we hoped there might be something in
+it, for drowning men, as you know, catch at straws. As it turned out, I
+cannot doubt that it was all arranged by some overruling Providence.'
+
+"'There is not a doubt,' replied the captain of the barque, 'that the
+writing on the slate, let it come there as it may, saved all your
+lives. I was steering at the time considerably south of west, and I
+altered my course for the nor'-west, and had a look-out aloft, to
+see what would come of it. But you say,' he added, turning to the
+passenger, 'that you did not dream of writing on a slate?'
+
+"'No, sir. I have no recollection whatever of doing so. I got the
+impression that the barque I saw in my dream was coming to rescue us;
+but _how_ that impression came I cannot tell. There is another very
+strange thing about it,' he added. 'Everything here on board seems to
+be quite familiar; yet I am very sure that I was never in your vessel
+before. It is all a puzzle to me! What did your mate see?'
+
+"Thereupon Mr. Bruce related to them all the circumstances above
+detailed."
+
+
+HOW GHOSTS INFLUENCE US
+
+The following is a very interesting case, which brings vividly before
+us the fact that ghosts often draw power from those who witness their
+manifestations--just as they draw vitality from a materializing
+"medium," during a seance. As cases of this character are rare, the
+following is of considerable value:
+
+"It was an afternoon, last autumn, about six o'clock. I had returned
+from a stroll and was sitting in my own apartment on Central Park West,
+reading _Vanity Fair_. While turning over its pages I became suddenly
+aware of a novel and indescribable sensation. My chest and breathing
+became inwardly oppressed by some ponderous weight, while I became
+conscious of some 'presence' behind me, exerting a powerful influence
+on the forces within. On trying to turn my head to see what it could
+be, I was powerless to do so; neither could I lift a hand, or move in
+any way. I was not a little alarmed, and began immediately to reason.
+My mind was alive, though physically I was unable to move a muscle.
+It was as if the current of nerve force within seemed forcibly drawn
+together and focussed on a spot in front of me.
+
+"I gazed motionless, as though with something intenser than ordinary
+eyesight, on what was no longer vacant space. There an oval, misty
+light was forming--elongatory, widening, yes, actually developing
+into a human face and form. Was this hallucination, or some vision
+of the unseen, coming in so unexpected a fashion? Before me had
+arisen a remarkable figure, never seen before in a picture or
+life--dark-skinned, aged, with white beard, the expression intensely
+earnest, the features small, the bald head finely moulded, lofty over
+the forehead, the whole demeanor instinct with solemn grace.
+
+"He was speaking to me in deep tones, as if in urgent entreaty.
+What would I not give to hear words from such a figure! But no
+effort availed me to distinguish one articular sound. I tried to
+speak, but could not. With desperate effort I shook out the words,
+'Speak louder.' The face grew more intent, the voice louder and more
+emphatic. Was there something amiss with my own hearing, then, that
+I could distinguish no word amid these deeply emphasized tones?
+Slowly and deliberately the figure vanished--through the same stages
+of indistinctness, back to the globular lamplike whiteness, till it
+faded to nothingness. Before it had quite faded away, the face only
+of a woman arose, indistinct and dim. The same emphatic hum, though
+in a subdued note; the same paralysis of voice and muscle, the same
+strange force, as it was overshadowing me. With the disappearance of
+this second and far less interesting figure, I recovered my power of
+movement and arose.
+
+"My first impulse was to look around for the origin of this strange
+force; my second to rush to the looking-glass to make sure of myself.
+There could be no illusion. There I was, paler than usual, the forehead
+bathed in perspiration. I threw open the window. It was no dream. There
+were the passing trolley cars below, clanging up and down, while a
+crowd of noisy youngsters were playing in the park across the way. I
+sponged my face, and, greatly agitated, walked hurriedly to and fro.
+If this is real, I thought, it may recur. I would sit in the same
+position, try to be calm, read a book, remain as still and passive as I
+could, and see the result.
+
+"To my intense interest, and almost at once, the strange sense of some
+power operating on the nerve-forces within, followed by the same loss
+of muscular power, the same wide-awakeness of the reason, the same
+drawing out and concentrating of the energies on that spot in front,
+repeated itself--this time more deliberately, leaving me freer to take
+mental notes of what was happening. Again arose the noble, earnest
+figure, gazing at me, the hands moving in solemn accompaniment to the
+deep tones of voice. The same effort, painful on my part, to hear, with
+no result. The vision passed. Again the woman's face, insignificant and
+meaningless, succeeded it as before. She spoke, but in less emphatic
+tones. It flashed upon me that I _would_ hear. After a frantic effort,
+I caught two words--'Land,' 'America'--with positively no clue to their
+meaning.
+
+"I was wide awake when the first apparition appeared, and in a highly
+excited state of mind on its re-appearance."
+
+
+HOW A GHOST WARNED THE KING
+
+Kings and queens are not exempt from visitations of the supernatural;
+indeed, a large number of royal dignitaries have seen "ghosts," and
+have been haunted by specters in as unpleasant a manner as any ordinary
+mortal. Were we to hunt through the pages of history, we should find
+many of these--some of which it will doubtless be of interest to give
+at some future time. The following account is taken from the _Annals
+of the Kingdom of Scotland_, and is told in queer old English, with
+long 's's,' and so on, making it very hard to read in the original! I
+interpret it into modern English as best I can, maintaining its form:
+
+"While James IV. stayed at Linlithgow, to gather up the scattered
+remains of his army, which had been defeated by the Earl of Surrey, at
+Flodden-field, he went into the Church of St. Michael there to hear
+evening prayer. While he was at his devotion, a remarkable figure
+of an ancient man, with flowing amber-colored hair hanging over his
+shoulders, his forehead high, and inclining to baldness, his garments
+of a fine blue color, somewhat long and girded together, with a fine
+white cloth, of comely and very reverent aspect, was seen inquiring
+for the king; when his majesty being pointed out to him he made his
+way through the crowd till he came to him, and then, with a clown's
+simplicity, leaning over the cannon's feet, he addressed him in the
+following words: 'Sir, I am sent hither to entreat you to delay your
+intended expedition for this time, and proceed no further; for if you
+do, you will be unfortunate, and not prosper in your enterprise, nor
+any of your followers. I am further charged to warn you, not to follow
+the acquaintance, company or counsel of women, as you value your life,
+honour and estate.'
+
+"After giving him this admonition, he withdrew himself back through the
+crowd and disappeared.
+
+"When service was ended, the king enquired earnestly after him, but
+he could not be found or heard of anywhere, neither could any of the
+bystanders (of whom many narrowly watched him, resolving afterwards
+to have discoursed with him) feel or perceive how, when or where he
+passed from them, having in a manner vanished from their sight.
+
+"This caused the king to feel some uneasiness; 'for,' said he, 'if he
+were mortal man, how did he go so quickly hence, and how did he give me
+such advice, which I, of all men, know at this time to be of value?'
+The king was sorely puzzled; and called the warden of the church to
+him, and questioned him as to the man whom he had seen.
+
+"And when the warden had heard the tale from the king, he questioned
+him in turn, as to the man's appearance--whether he was this and that;
+and of the man's manner of speech. And when the king had answered to
+his satisfaction, he turned pale; and said: 'Oh, king, the personage
+whom you saw to-day was not mortal man; but one dead long ago; one
+who lived and died close here; and known to many of us well. He has
+been known to come before in times of great stress; and his advice has
+always been good. Truly, my lord, you have this day seen an apparition
+of a dead man.'
+
+"And the king marvelled at what he had seen."
+
+Thus ends the curious old narrative. It will be seen that several
+others saw the ghost besides the king. These are called "collective
+cases" by those engaged in psychical studies; for the reason that
+several persons saw the figure at the same time, or "collectively."
+Such cases have never been satisfactorily explained. For, if the
+phantom were a mere hallucination, as many claim, how did several see
+it at once?
+
+
+THE STAINS OF BLOOD
+
+The following narrative was personally related to Robert Dale Owen, by
+a clergyman of the Church of England, who was Chaplain, at the time, to
+the British Legation in Florence. It is as follows:
+
+"In the year 1856, I was staying with my wife and children, at a
+favorite watering place. In order to attend to some affairs of my
+own, I determined to leave my family there for three or four days.
+Accordingly, on the 8th of August, I took the railway, and arrived that
+evening an unexpected guest at the Hall--the residence of a gentleman
+whose acquaintance I had recently made, and with whom my sister was
+then staying.
+
+"I arrived late, soon afterwards went to bed, and before long fell
+asleep. Awaking after three or four hours, I was not surprised to find
+that I could sleep no more--for I never rest well in a strange bed.
+After trying, therefore, in vain to induce sleep, I began to arrange
+my plans for the day. I had been engaged some little time in this way,
+when I became suddenly sensitive to the fact that there was a light in
+the room. Turning round, I distinctly perceived a female figure; and
+what attracted my special attention was that the light by which I saw
+it emanated from itself. I watched the figure attentively. The features
+were not perceptible. After moving a little distance, it disappeared as
+suddenly as it had appeared.
+
+"My first thoughts were that there was some trick. I immediately got
+out of bed, struck a light, and found my bedroom door still locked. I
+then carefully examined the walls, to ascertain if there was any other
+concealed means of entrance or exit, but none could I find. I drew the
+curtains and opened the shutters, but all outside was silent and dark,
+there being no moonlight. After examining the room in every part, I
+went back to bed, and began thinking calmly over the whole matter. What
+had I seen? And why did _It appear_?
+
+"In the morning, as soon as I was up and dressed, I told my sister what
+I had seen. She then informed me that the house had the reputation of
+being 'haunted'; and that a murder had been committed in it; but not
+in the room in which I had slept. Later in the day I left--after making
+my sister promise to do all she could to unravel the mystery.
+
+"On the following Wednesday morning, I received a letter from my
+sister, in which she informed me that, since I left, she had made
+inquiries and had ascertained that the murder _was_ committed in the
+very room in which I slept! She added that she proposed visiting us the
+next day, and that she would like me to write out an account of what I
+had seen--together with a plan of the room, and that on that plan she
+wished me to mark the place of the appearance and disappearance of the
+figure.
+
+"This I immediately did; and the next day when my sister arrived, she
+asked me if I had complied with her request? I replied, pointing to the
+drawing room table: 'Yes, there is the account and the plan.'
+
+"As she rose to examine it, I prevented her, saying: 'Do not look
+at it until you have told me all you have to say, because you might
+unintentionally color your story by what you may read there.'
+
+"Thereupon she informed me that she had had the carpet taken up in the
+room I had occupied, and that the marks of blood from the murdered
+person were there, plainly visible, on a particular part of the floor.
+At my request she also then drew a plan of the room, and marked upon it
+the spots which still bore traces of blood. The two plans--my sister's
+and mine--were now compared; and we verified the most remarkable fact
+that _the place she had marked as the beginning and ending of the
+traces of blood coincided exactly with the spots marked on my plan as
+those on which the female figure had appeared and disappeared_!"
+
+
+FACE TO FACE!
+
+The following case is recorded by the wife of Colonel Lewin, and is
+reported in the _Proceedings_ of the S. P. R.:
+
+"In January, 1868, I took a house close to Hastings.... One night
+there was a heavy storm, the weather was bitterly cold, and a fire was
+burning in my bedroom when I went to bed at 10.30. I tried to go to
+sleep, but it was no use; the noise of the wind and the rain kept me
+awake. I must have been lying like this for a couple of hours when I
+became conscious of what seemed like a light in the room.... I thought
+the fire must have re-kindled itself, and crawled along on my knees
+on the bed to look at the fire over the high wooden foot, to see how
+this might be. I had no thought of anything but the fire, and was not
+nervous in the slightest degree. As I raised myself on my knees and
+looked over the foot of the bed, I found myself face to face, at a
+distance of about three feet, with the semblance of a man. I never for
+a moment thought he was a man, but was struck with the feeling that
+this was one from the dead.
+
+"The light seemed to emanate from round this figure, but the only
+portions which I saw clearly were the head and shoulders. The face I
+shall never forget; it was pale, emaciated, with a thin, high-bridged
+nose, and eyes deeply sunk and glowing in the sockets with a sort of
+glare. A long beard was seemingly rolled in under a white comforter,
+and on the head was a slouched felt hat. I had a nervous shock, and
+felt a dead person was looking upon _me_--a living one, but had no
+sensation of being actually frightened, until the figure moved slowly
+as if interposing between me and the door, then horror overcame me and
+I fell back in a dead faint. How long I remained unconscious I know
+not, but I came to myself cold and cramped; the room was quite dark and
+nothing was visible. Thoroughly tired out, I got into bed, and slept
+soundly until morning."
+
+
+JULIA, DARLING!
+
+The next example is from the _Proceedings_ of the S. P. R. (Vol. V.,
+pp. 440-41), and Mr. Myers states that the writer was well known to
+him. The account reads in part:
+
+"My mother died on the 24th of June, 1874, at Slima, Malta, where we
+were then residing for her health. Seven nights later she appeared
+to me.... I seemed to have been sleeping some time when I woke, and,
+turning over on the other side towards the window, saw my mother
+standing by my bedside, crying and wringing her hands. I had not
+been awake long enough to remember that she was dead, and exclaimed
+quite naturally, 'Why, dear, what's the matter?' and then suddenly
+remembering, I screamed. The nurse sprang up from the next room, but
+on the top step flung herself on her knees and began to tell her beads
+and cry. My father at the same moment arrived at the opposite door, and
+I heard his sudden exclamation of 'Julia, darling.' My mother turned
+towards him, and then to me, and, wringing her hands again, retreated
+towards the nursery and was lost. The nurse afterwards stated that she
+distinctly felt something pass her.... My father ordered her out of the
+room, and telling me that I had only been dreaming, stayed until I
+fell asleep. The next day, however, he told me that he, too, had seen
+the vision, and that he hoped to do so again, and that if ever she came
+to see me ... I was not to be frightened ... but she never appeared
+again."
+
+
+THE CUT ACROSS THE CHEEK
+
+In the narrative which follows, the apparition conveyed--by its very
+appearance--information which the percipient could not possibly have
+known. It is from Mr. H. Walton, of Dent, Sedburgh, England, and was
+sent to Mr. Stead, who published it:
+
+"In the month of April, 1881, I was located in Norfolk, and my duties
+took me once a fortnight to a fishing village on the coast--so I can
+guarantee the following facts: It is customary for the fishing smacks
+to go to Grimsby 'line fishing' in the spring. The vessels started one
+afternoon on their journey north. In the evening, a heavy north-east
+wind blew, and one of the boats mistook the white surf on the rocks
+for the reflection of a lighthouse. In consequence the boat got into
+shallow water, a heavy sea came, and swept two men from the deck. One
+man grasped a rope and was saved; the other, a younger man, failed to
+save himself, though an expert swimmer. It was said that he was heard
+to shout about 11 o'clock.
+
+"Towards one o'clock, the young man's mother, lying awake, saw his
+apparition come to the foot of the bed, clad in white, and she screamed
+with fright, and told her husband what she had seen, and that J. was
+drowned. He sought in vain to calm her by saying that she must have
+been dreaming. She asserted the contrary. Next day, when her daughter
+came in with the telegram of the sad event, before her daughter had
+time to speak, she cried out: 'J. is drowned,' and became unconscious;
+she remained in this state for many hours. When she regained
+consciousness, she told them particularly and distinctly what she had
+seen; and what is to the point is this remarkable thing: she said: 'If
+ever the body is found, it has a cut across the cheek,'--specifying
+which cheek. The body was found some days after, and exactly as mother
+had seen it, was the cut on the cheek."
+
+
+THE INVISIBLE HAND
+
+The following account was sent to the S. P. R. Ghosts are usually
+_seen_; they are sometimes heard; they are very rarely _felt_. The
+account which follows is an example of the latter class, in which the
+ghost was not only seen but touched.
+
+After stating that she was visiting a friend of hers in the country,
+when the event occurred, the narrator proceeds:
+
+"We went upstairs together, I being perhaps a couple of steps behind my
+friend, when, on reaching the topmost step, I felt something suddenly
+slip behind me from an unoccupied room on the left of the stairs.
+Thinking it must be imagination, no one being in the house except the
+widow and servant, who occupied rooms on another landing, I did not
+speak to my friend, who turned off to a room on the right, but walked
+quickly into my room, which faced the staircase, still feeling as
+though a tall figure was bending over me. I turned on the gas, struck a
+light, and was in the act of applying it, when I felt a heavy grasp on
+my arm of a hand, minus the middle finger. Upon this I uttered a loud
+cry, which brought my friend, the widow lady, and the servant girl,
+into the room to inquire the cause of my alarm. The two latter turned
+very pale on hearing the story. The house was thoroughly searched, but
+nothing was discovered.
+
+"Some weeks passed, and I had ceased to be alarmed at the occurrence,
+when I chanced to mention it whilst spending the afternoon with some
+friends. A gentleman asked me if I had ever heard a description or
+seen a 'carte' of the lady's late husband. On receiving a reply in the
+negative, he said, singularly enough, he was tall, had a slight stoop,
+and has lost the middle finger on his hand! On my return, I inquired of
+the servant, who had been in the family from childhood, if such were
+the case, and learned that it was quite correct, and that she (the
+girl) had once, when sleeping in the same room, awakened on feeling
+some one pressing down her knees, and on opening her eyes saw her late
+master by the bed side--on which she fainted, and had never dared to
+enter the room after dark since. She is not an imaginative girl; nor am
+I. When I was grasped, however, _I_ did not _see_ anything.
+
+"But worse was to follow! It so chanced that I had to sleep in that
+room once again, as the house was full of company, and there was
+nowhere else for me to go. I had by this time got over my fears, and
+hardly minded the idea of sleeping in the room at all. I left the room
+door open, turned out the light and was soon sound asleep.
+
+"Some time in the early hours of the morning I awoke with an
+indescribable feeling. I was _suddenly_ wide awake--without the
+slightest traces of sleep; yet I did not know _how_ I awoke; and had
+not any recollection of waking. But there I was wide awake, and staring
+up at the ceiling with wide-open eyes. My right hand was hanging over
+the side of the bed; so that it fell outwards, into the room. Imagine
+my horror, then, in feeling a hand suddenly grasp my hand, and I felt
+distinctly that it was _minus the middle finger_. The hand was icy
+cold, and of a peculiar hardness. I hung on to the hand, however,
+determined to go to the bottom of the affair. I gripped tightly; and
+still retained the hand in my grip. Bending over, I stretched out my
+left hand, and, with the fingers of that hand, felt over the hand and
+wrist I was holding. I then commenced to trace it up the arm. I had
+about reached the elbow--or a little below--when the arm suddenly
+ended--came to nothing; was no more! Yet the hand in mine was as
+solid as ever. This gave me such a shock that I let go the hand I was
+holding, and sank back onto my pillows. Then terror took possession of
+me; and I do not know what happened later. I only know that I had brain
+fever, which laid me low for several weeks. The occurrence has never
+been explained."
+
+
+THE APPARITION OF THE RADIANT BOY
+
+The following is a famous case, well-known as the "Apparition of the
+Radiant Boy." It was seen by the Marquis of Londonderry, and frequently
+spoken of by him afterwards.
+
+At the time of the appearance, Lord Londonderry was on a visit to a
+friend in the North of Ireland. The apartment assigned to him was one
+calculated to foster the belief in ghosts, because of its richly carved
+paneling--its huge fireplace, looking like the open entrance into a
+tomb--and the vast, ponderous draperies that hung in thick folds around
+the room.
+
+Lord Londonderry examined his chamber; he made himself acquainted with
+the forms and faces of the ancient possessors of the mansion, whose
+portraits hung around the room. Then, after dismissing his valet, he
+retired to bed.
+
+His candles had not long been extinguished when he perceived a light
+gleaming on the draperies of the lofty canopies over his head.
+Conscious that there was no fire in the grate--that the curtains were
+closed--that the chamber had been in perfect darkness but a few minutes
+before, he supposed that some intruder must have accidentally entered
+his apartment; and, turning hastily around to the side from which the
+light proceeded, saw, to his infinite astonishment, not the form of a
+human visitor, but the figure of a fair boy, who seemed to be garmented
+in rays of mild and tempered glory, which beamed palely from his
+slender form, like the faint light of the declining moon and rendered
+the objects nearest to him dimly and indistinctly visible. The spirit
+stood but a short distance from the side of the bed.
+
+Certain that his own faculties were not deceiving him, Lord Londonderry
+got up and moved towards the figure. It retreated before him; as he
+slowly advanced, and with equal pace, slowly retired. It entered the
+gloomy arch of the capacious chimney, and then sank into the earth.
+Lord Londonderry returned to his bed, but not to rest; his mind was
+harassed by the consideration of the extraordinary event which had
+occurred to him. Was it real? Was it the work of imagination? Was it
+the result of imposture? It was all incomprehensible.
+
+He resolved in the morning not to mention the appearance till he should
+have well observed the manners and countenances of the family; he was
+conscious that, if any deception had been practised, its authors would
+be too delighted with their success to conceal the vanity of their
+triumph.
+
+When the guests assembled at the breakfast table, the eye of Lord
+Londonderry searched in vain for latent smiles--those conscious
+looks--that silent communication between the parties, by which
+the authors of such domestic conspiracies are generally betrayed.
+Everything, apparently, proceeded in its ordinary course. At last the
+hero of the tale felt bound to mention the occurrence of the night.
+
+At its conclusion, his host said: "The circumstances which you have
+just recounted appear very extraordinary to those who have not long
+been inmates of my dwelling; and are not conversant with the legends
+of my family; and to those who are, the event which has happened will
+only serve as the corroboration of an old tradition that has long been
+related of the apartment in which you slept. You have seen the 'Radiant
+Boy'; be content--it is an omen of prosperous fortunes. I would rather
+that this subject should not be mentioned." And here the affair ended.
+
+
+FISHER'S GHOST
+
+The following incident comes from Australia, and is well-known in that
+part of the world. It is usually known as "Fisher's Ghost," and is to
+the following effect:
+
+"A number of years ago, a free settler, named John Fisher, who had
+long successfully cultivated a grant of land in a remote district, and
+who was known to be possessed of a considerable sum of money, had been
+missing for some time after having visited the nearest market town,
+whither he had been in the habit of repairing with cattle and produce
+for sale.
+
+"An inquiry was instituted by his acquaintances; but his head servant,
+or rather his assistant on the farm--an ex-convict, who had lived many
+years with him in that situation--declared that his master had left the
+colony for some time on business, and that he expected him to return in
+a few months. As this man was generally known as Fisher's confidential
+servant, his assertion was believed--though some expressed surprise
+at the settler's abrupt and clandestine departure; for his character
+was good in every way. The 'month's wonder' soon subsided, however,
+and Fisher was forgotten. His assistant, meanwhile, managed the farm,
+bought and sold, and spent money freely. If questioned, which was
+but rarely, he would express his surprise at his master's delay, and
+pretend to expect him daily.
+
+"A few months after he had been first missed, a neighbouring settler,
+who was returning late on Saturday night from the market town, had
+occasion to pass within half a mile of Fisher's house. As he was riding
+by the fence which separated the farm from the high road, he distinctly
+saw the figure of a man seated on the railing, and at once recognized
+the form and features of his lost neighbor.
+
+"He instantly stopped and called to him by name; but the figure
+descended from the railing, and pointing appealingly toward the house,
+walked slowly across the field in that direction. The settler, having
+lost sight of him in the gloom, proceeded on his journey, and informed
+his family and neighbors that he had seen Fisher and spoken to him.
+On inquiry, however, Fisher's assistant said that he had not arrived,
+and affected to laugh at the settler's story--insinuating that he had
+probably drunk too freely at the market.
+
+"The neighbors were, however, not satisfied. The strange appearance of
+Fisher, sitting on the rail and pointing, with so much meaning, toward
+his own house aroused their suspicions, and they insisted upon a strict
+and immediate investigation by the police.
+
+"The party of investigators took with them an old and clever native.
+They had not proceeded far in the underbrush when they discovered a
+log, on which was a dark brown stain. This the native examined, and
+at once declared it to be '_white man's blood_.' He then, without
+hesitation, set off at a full run, toward a pond not far from the house.
+
+"He ran backwards and forwards about the pond, like a dog on the scent;
+and finally, borrowing a ram-rod from one of the settlers, ran it into
+the earth. He did this in one or two places; and finally said: '_White
+man here._'
+
+"The spot was immediately dug up, and a corpse, identified as that of
+Fisher, was discovered, its skull fractured, and evidently many weeks
+buried.
+
+"The guilty assistant was immediately arrested, and tried at Sydney, on
+circumstantial evidence alone--strong enough, however, to convict him,
+in spite of his self-possession, and protestations of innocence. He
+was sentenced to death; and, previous to his execution, made an ample
+confession of his guilt."
+
+
+HARRIET HOSMER'S VISION
+
+Lydia Maria Child relates the following interesting narrative:
+
+"When Harriet Hosmer, the sculptor, visited her native country a few
+years ago, I had an interview with her, during which our conversation
+happened to turn on dreams and visions.
+
+"'I have had some experience in that way,' said she. 'Let me tell
+you a singular circumstance that happened to me in Rome. An Italian
+girl named Rosa was in my employ for a long time, but was finally
+obliged to return to her mother on account of confirmed ill-health. We
+were mutually sorry to part, for we liked each other. When I took my
+customary exercise on horseback, I frequently called to see her. On one
+of these occasions, I found her brighter than I had seen her for some
+time past. I had long relinquished hopes of her recovery, but there was
+nothing in her appearance that gave the appearance of immediate danger.
+I left her with the expectation of calling to see her again many times.
+During the remainder of the day, I was busy in my studio, and I do not
+recollect that Rosa was in my thoughts after I had parted from her. I
+retired to rest in good health, and in a quiet frame of mind. But I
+woke from a sound sleep with the oppressive feeling that someone was in
+the room. I wondered at the sensation, for it was entirely new to me;
+but in vain I tried to dispel it. I peered beyond the curtains of my
+bed but could distinguish no objects in the darkness. Trying to gather
+my thoughts I reflected that the door was locked, and that I had put
+the key under my bolster. I felt for it and found it where I had placed
+it. I said to myself that I had probably had some ugly dream, and had
+waked with a vague impression of it still on my mind. Reasoning thus, I
+arranged myself comfortably for another nap.
+
+"'I am habitually a good sleeper and a stranger to fear, but do what I
+would, the idea still haunted me that someone was in the room. Finding
+it impossible to sleep, I longed for daylight to dawn, that I might
+rise and pursue my customary avocation. It was not long before I was
+able dimly to distinguish the furniture in my room, and, soon after,
+to hear familiar noises of servants opening windows and doors. An old
+clock with ringing vibration, proclaimed the hour. I counted one,
+two, three, four, five, and resolved to rise immediately. My bed was
+partially screened by a long curtain looped up at one side. As I raised
+my head from the pillow, Rosa looked inside the curtain, and smiled at
+me. The idea of anything supernatural did not occur to me. I was simply
+surprised and exclaimed: "Why, Rosa! How came you here when you are so
+ill?"
+
+"'In the old familiar tone to which I was so much accustomed, a voice
+replied, "I am well now."
+
+"'With no other thought but that of greeting her joyfully, I sprang out
+of bed. There was no Rosa there! When I became convinced that there was
+no one in the room but myself, I recollected the fact that my door was
+locked, and thought I must have seen a vision.
+
+"'At the breakfast table, I said to the old lady with whom I boarded:
+"Rosa is dead." I then summoned a messenger and sent him to inquire how
+Rosa was. He returned with the answer that she died that morning at 5
+o'clock.'
+
+"I wrote the story as Miss Hosmer told it to me, and after I had shown
+it to her, I asked her if she had any objection to its being published
+without suppression of names. She replied: 'You have reported the story
+of Rosa correctly. Make what use you please of it. You cannot think it
+more interesting or unaccountable than I do myself.'"
+
+
+THE APPARITION OF THE MURDERED BOY
+
+At the commencement of the French Revolution, Lady Pennyman and her
+two daughters and her friend, Mrs. Atkins, retired to Lisle, where
+they had hired a large and handsome house. A few weeks after taking
+possession, the housekeeper, with many apologies for being obliged to
+mention anything that might appear so idle and absurd, came to the
+apartment in which her mistress was sitting, and said that two of
+the servants who had accompanied her ladyship from England had that
+morning given warning, and expressed a determination of quitting her
+ladyship's service, on account of the mysterious noises by which they
+had been night after night disturbed and terrified. The room from which
+the sounds were supposed to have proceeded was at a distance from Lady
+Pennyman's apartments, and immediately over those that were occupied by
+the servants. To quiet the alarm Lady Pennyman resolved on leaving her
+own chamber for a time and establishing herself in the one which had
+been lately occupied by the domestics.
+
+The room above was a long, spacious one, which appeared to have been
+for a long time deserted. In the center of the chamber was a large iron
+cage. It was said that the late proprietor of the house--a young man of
+enormous wealth--had in his minority been confined in this cage by his
+uncle and guardian and starved to death.
+
+On the first night or two of Lady Pennyman's being established in her
+new apartment, she met with no interruption. This quiet, however, was
+of very short duration. One night she was awakened from her sleep by a
+slow and heavy step pacing the chamber overhead. It continued to move
+backwards and forwards for nearly an hour. There were more complaints
+from the housekeeper, no servants would remain. Lady Pennyman began
+herself to be alarmed. She requested the advice of Mrs. Atkins--a woman
+devoid of every kind of superstitious fear, and of tried courage. Mrs.
+Atkins determined to make the Cage room itself her sleeping quarters.
+A bed was accordingly placed in the apartment, and Mrs. Atkins retired
+to rest attended by her favorite spaniel--saying, as she bade them all
+good-night, "I and my dog are able to compete with a myriad of ghosts."
+
+Mrs. Atkins examined the chamber in every imaginable direction; she
+sounded every panel of the wainscot to prove there was no hollowness
+that might argue a concealed passage; and having securely bolted the
+door of the room, retired to rest, confident that she was secure
+against every material visitor, and totally incredulous of the airy
+encroachments of spiritual beings. She had only been asleep a few
+minutes, when her dog, which lay by her bedside, leaped, howling and
+terrified, on the bed. The bolted door of the chamber slowly opened and
+a pale, thin, sickly youth came in, cast his eyes mildly toward her,
+walked up to the iron cage in the middle of the room, and then leaned
+in the melancholy attitude of one revolving in his mind the sorrows of
+a cheerless and unblest existence. After a while he again withdrew, and
+retired by the way he entered.
+
+Mrs. Atkins, on witnessing his departure, felt the return of her
+resolution. She persuaded herself to believe the figure the work of
+some skillful imposter, and she determined on following its footsteps.
+She took up her lamp and hastened to the door. To her infinite
+surprise, she discovered it to be fastened, as she had herself left it
+on retiring to bed. On withdrawing the bolt, and opening the door, she
+saw the back of the youth descending the staircase. She followed till,
+on reaching the foot of the stairs, the form seemed to sink into the
+earth.
+
+The event was related to Lady Pennyman. She determined to remain no
+longer in her present habitation. Another residence was offered in the
+vicinity of Lisle, and this she took under the pretext that it was
+better suited to the size of her family.
+
+
+THE GHOST IN YELLOW CALICO
+
+The Rev. Elwyn Thomas, 35, Park Village East, N. W., London, has
+published a very remarkable experience of his own. It is as follows:
+
+"Twelve years ago," says the doctor, "I was the second minister of
+the Bryn Mawr Welsh Wesleyan Circuit, in the South Wales District. It
+was a beautiful evening in June when, after conducting the service
+at Llanyndir, I told the gentlemen with whom I generally stayed when
+preaching there, that three young friends had come to meet me from
+Crickhowell, and that I meant to accompany them back for about half a
+mile on their return journey, so would not be home before nine o'clock.
+
+"When I wished good-night to my friends it was about twenty minutes
+to nine but still light enough to see a good distance. The subject
+of our conversation all the way from the chapel until we parted
+was of a certain eccentric old character who then belonged to the
+Crickhowell church. I walked a little further down the road than I
+intended in order to hear the end of a very amusing story about him.
+Our conversation had no reference whatever to ghosts. Personally I was
+a strong disbeliever in ghosts and invariably ridiculed anyone whom I
+thought superstitious enough to believe in them.
+
+"When I had walked about a hundred yards away from my friends, after
+parting from them, I saw on the bank of the canal, what I thought at
+the moment was an old beggar. I couldn't help asking myself where this
+old man had come from. I had not seen him in going down the road. I
+turned round quite unconcernedly to have another look at him, and had
+no sooner done so than I saw, within half a yard of me one of the
+most remarkable and startling sights I hope it will ever be my lot to
+see. Almost on a level with my own face, I saw that of an old man,
+over every feature of which the putty colored skin was drawn tightly,
+except the forehead which was lined with deep wrinkles. The lips were
+extremely thin and appeared perfectly bloodless. The toothless mouth
+stood half open. The cheeks were hollow and sunken like those of a
+corpse, and the eyes which seemed far back in the middle of the head,
+were unnaturally luminous and piercing. The terrible object was wrapped
+in two bands of old yellow calico, one of which was drawn under the
+chin, and over the cheeks and tied at the top of the head, the other
+was drawn round the top of the wrinkled forehead and fastened at the
+back of the head. So deep and indelible an impression it made on my
+mind, that, were I an artist, I could paint that face to-day.
+
+"What I have thus tried to describe in many words, I saw at a glance.
+Acting on the impulse of the moment, I turned my face toward the
+village and ran away from the horrible vision with all my might for
+about sixty yards. I then stopped and turned around to see how far I
+had distanced it, and to my unspeakable horror, there it was still face
+to face with me as if I had not moved an inch. I grasped my umbrella
+and raised it to strike him, and you can imagine my feelings when I
+could see nothing between the face and the ground, except an irregular
+column of intense darkness, through which my umbrella passed as a stick
+goes through water!
+
+"I am sorry to say that I took to my heels with increasing speed. A
+little further than the space of this second encounter, the road which
+led to my host's house branched off the main road. Having gone two or
+three yards down this branch road, I turned around again. He had not
+followed me after I left the main road, but I could see the horribly
+fascinating face quite as plainly as when it was close by. It stood
+for a few minutes looking intently at me from the center of the main
+road. I then realized fully that it was not a human being in flesh and
+blood; and, with every vestige of fear gone, I quickly walked toward
+it to put my questions. But I was disappointed, for, no sooner had I
+made toward it, than it began to move slowly down the road keeping the
+same distance above it until it reached the churchyard wall; it then
+crossed the road and disappeared near where the yew tree stood inside.
+The moment it disappeared, I became unconscious. Two hours later I came
+to myself and I made my way slowly to my home. I could not say a word
+to explain what had happened, though I tried several times. It was five
+o'clock in the morning when I regained my power of speech. The whole of
+the following week I was laid up with a nervous prostration.
+
+"My host, after questioning me closely, told me that fifteen years
+before that time an old recluse of eccentric character, answering
+in every detail to my description (yellow calicoes, bands, and all)
+lived in a house whose ruins still stand close by where I saw the face
+disappear."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+
+MORE PHANTASMS OF THE DEAD--II.
+
+The cases included in this chapter are also very well
+authenticated--some of them being longer and more detailed than those
+included in the last chapter. I shall begin with a group of so-called
+"Pact" Cases--cases, that is, in which a Pact or Agreement was made
+before death--to appear after death, if possible; when that promise
+seems to have been kept. The first case of this character is short, and
+merely illustrative of the kind of ghostly phenomena to be expected
+in cases of this nature. The latter cases are better attested. I give
+first the case of the Marquis of Rambouillet.
+
+
+COMPACTS TO APPEAR AFTER DEATH
+
+The story of the Marquis of Rambouillet's appearing after his death
+to his cousin, the Marquis de Precy, is well authenticated. These two
+noblemen, talking one day concerning the affairs of the next world, in
+a manner which showed they did not believe much about it, entered into
+an agreement that the first who died should come and give intelligence
+to the other.
+
+Soon afterwards the Marquis of Rambouillet set out for Flanders, which
+was then the seat of war, and the Marquis de Precy remained in Paris,
+being ill of a violent fever. About six weeks after, early one morning,
+he heard someone draw the curtains of his bed, and turning to see who
+it was, discovered the Marquis of Rambouillet in a buff coat and boots.
+He instantly got out of bed, and attempted to shake hands with his
+friend, but Rambouillet drew back, and told him he had only come to
+perform the promise he had formerly made; that nothing was more certain
+than another life; and that he earnestly advised him to alter his mode
+of life, for in the first battle he would be engaged in, he would
+certainly fall.
+
+Precy made a fresh attempt to touch his friend, but he immediately
+withdrew. Precy lay upon his bed wondering upon the strangeness of the
+circumstances for some time, when he saw the same appearance re-enter
+the apartment. Rambouillet, finding that Precy still disbelieved what
+he was told, showed him the wound of which he had died, and from which
+the blood still seemed to flow.
+
+Soon after this, Precy received a confirmation of Rambouillet's death,
+and was killed himself, according to the prediction, in the civil wars,
+at the battle of Faubourg St. Antoine.
+
+
+LORD BROUGHAM'S VISION
+
+The promise to appear was given and kept in the case of the apparition
+seen by Lord Brougham.
+
+The story is given as follows in the first volume of "Lord Brougham's
+Memoirs":
+
+"A most remarkable thing happened to me, so remarkable that I must
+tell the story from the beginning. After I left the High School I went
+with G----, my most intimate friend, to attend the classes in the
+University. There was no divinity class, but we frequently in our walks
+discussed many grave subjects--among others the immortality of the soul
+and a future state. This question, and the possibility of the dead
+appearing to the living, were the subject of much speculation, and we
+actually committed the folly of drawing up an agreement, written with
+our blood, to the effect that whichever of us died the first should
+appear to the other, and thus solve any doubts we had entertained of
+the 'life after death.' After we had finished our classes at the
+College, G---- went to India, having got an appointment there in the
+Civil Service. He seldom wrote to me, and after a lapse of a few years
+I had nearly forgotten his existence.... One day I had taken, as I have
+said, a warm bath, and, while lying in it and enjoying the comfort of
+the heat, I turned my head round, looking towards the chair on which
+I had deposited my clothes, as I was about to get out of the bath. On
+the chair sat G----, looking calmly at me! How I got out of the bath
+I know not; but on recovering my senses, I found myself sprawling
+on the floor. The apparition, or whatever it was that had taken the
+likeness of G----, had disappeared. This vision had produced such a
+shock that I had no inclination to talk about it, or to speak about it
+even to Stewart, but the impression it made upon me was too vivid to
+be easily forgotten, and so strongly was I affected by it that I have
+here written down the whole history, with the date, December 19th, and
+all the particulars, as they are now fresh before me. No doubt I had
+fallen asleep, and that the apparition presented so distinctly before
+my eyes was a dream I cannot for a moment doubt; yet for years I had
+had no communication with G----, nor had there been anything to recall
+him to my recollection. Nothing had taken place concerning our Swedish
+travels connected with G----, or with India, or with anything relating
+to him, or to any member of his family. I recollected quickly enough
+our old discussion, and the bargain we had made. I could not discharge
+from my mind the impression that G---- must have died, and that his
+appearance to me was to be received by me as a proof of a future state.
+This was on December 19th, 1799."
+
+In October, 1862, Lord Brougham added as a Postscript:
+
+"I have just been copying out from my Journal the account of this
+strange dream. _Certissima mortis imago!_ And now to finish the story
+begun about sixty years ago: Soon after my return to Edinborough there
+arrived a letter from India announcing G----'s death, and stating that
+he died on December 19th."
+
+Lord Brougham attempts to account for this vision by stating that it
+was probably a dream. But this is negatived by the fact that he was so
+startled by it as to scramble out of the bath in a great hurry--which
+would not be at all likely had it been a dream--for, as we know,
+nothing surprises us in dreams, or seems unlikely. And even granting
+that it were a dream, we still have the _coincidence_ to account for.
+_Why_ should Lord Brougham have dreamed this particular dream at the
+very moment his friend died? That fact has yet to be accounted for.
+
+
+THE TYRONE GHOST
+
+This is also known as the Beresford Ghost, and is one of the most
+famous cases of its kind on record. The account, as herein given, is
+that supplied by the granddaughter of Lady Beresford, to whom the
+experience came; and hence may be considered as accurate as it can
+be made. It furnishes us with a definite example of a "ghost that
+touches," and leaves a permanent mark of its visit, ever afterwards.
+Here is the account:
+
+"In the month of October, 1693, Sir Tristram and Lady Beresford went
+on a visit to her sister, Lady Macgill, at Gill Hall, now the seat of
+Lord Clanwilliam.... One morning Sir Tristram arose early, leaving Lady
+Beresford asleep, and went out for a walk before breakfast. When his
+wife joined the table very late, her appearance and the embarrassment
+of her manner attracted general attention, especially that of her
+husband. He made anxious inquiries as to her health, and asked her
+apart what had happened to her wrist, which was tied up with black
+ribbon tightly bound round it. She earnestly entreated him not to
+inquire more then, or thereafter, as to the cause of her wearing or
+continuing afterwards to wear that ribbon; 'for,' she added, 'you will
+never see me without it.' He replied: 'Since you urge it so vehemently,
+I promise you not to inquire more about it.'
+
+"After completing her hurried breakfast, she made inquiries as to
+whether the post had yet arrived. It had not yet come in, and Sir
+Tristram asked: 'Why are you so particularly eager about letters
+to-day?' 'Because I expect to hear of Lord Tyrone's death, which took
+place on Tuesday.' 'Well,' remarked Sir Tristram, 'I never put you
+down for a superstitious person, but I suppose that some idle dream
+has disturbed you.' Shortly after, the servant brought in the letters;
+one was sealed with black wax. 'It is as I expected,' she cried, 'he
+is dead.' The letter was from Lord Tyrone's steward to inform them
+that his master had died in Dublin, on Tuesday, 14 October, at 4 p.m.
+Sir Tristram endeavored to console her, and begged her to restrain her
+grief, when she assured him that she felt relieved and easier, now
+that she knew the actual fact. She added, 'I can now give you a most
+satisfactory piece of intelligence, _viz._, that I am with child, and
+that it will be a boy.' A son was born the following July.
+
+"On her forty-seventh birthday, Lady Beresford summoned her children
+to her side, and said to them: 'I have something of deep importance
+to communicate to you, my dear children, before I die. You are no
+strangers to the intimacy and affection which subsisted in early life
+between Lord Tyrone and myself.... We had made a solemn promise to
+one another, that whichever died first should, if permitted, appear
+to the other.... One night, years after this interchange of promises,
+I was sleeping with your father at Gill Hall, when I suddenly awoke
+and discovered Lord Tyrone sitting visibly by the side of the bed. I
+screamed out and vainly tried to arouse Sir Tristram. "Tell me," I
+said, "Lord Tyrone, why and wherefore are you here at this time of the
+night?" "Have you then forgotten our promises to each other, pledged
+in early life? I died on Tuesday, at 4 o'clock. I have been permitted
+thus to appear.... I am also suffered to inform you that you are with
+child, and will produce a son, who will marry an heiress; that Sir
+Tristram will not live long, that you will marry again, and you will
+die in your forty-seventh year." I begged from him some convincing sign
+or proof so that when the morning came I might rely upon it, and that
+it was not the phantom of my imagination. He caused the hangings of
+the bed to be drawn in an unusual way and impossible manner through
+an iron hook. I still was not satisfied, when he wrote his signature
+in my pocketbook. I wanted, however, more substantial proof of his
+visit, when he laid his hand, which was cold as marble, on my wrist;
+the sinews shrunk up, the nerves withered at the touch. "Now," he said,
+"let no mortal eye while you live ever see that wrist," and vanished.
+While I was conversing with him my thoughts were calm, but as soon as
+he disappeared I felt chilled with horror and dismay, a cold sweat came
+over me, and I again endeavored, but vainly, to awaken Sir Tristram; a
+flood of tears came to my relief, and I fell asleep....'
+
+"That year Lady Beresford died. On her deathbed, Lady Riverson unbound
+the black ribbon and found the wrist exactly as Lady Beresford had
+described it--every nerve withered, every sinew shrunk...."
+
+
+"DEAD OR ALIVE"
+
+In the following case the ghost kept its promise to appear--doing
+so, to all appearances, in spite of great obstacles. The incident is
+reported in Mr. W. T. Stead's _Real Ghost Stories_, pp. 205-8:
+
+"The following incident occurred to me some years ago, and all the
+details can be substantiated. The date was August 26, 1867, at
+midnight. I was then residing in the neighborhood of Hull, and held an
+appointment under the crown which necessitated my repairing thither
+every day for a few hours duty. My berth was almost a sinecure; and I
+had for some time been engaged to a young north country heiress, it
+being understood that on our marriage I should take her name and 'stand
+for the county' or rather for one of its divisions.
+
+"For her sake I had to break off a love affair, not of the most
+reputable order, with a girl in Hull. I will call her Louise. She was
+young, beautiful, and devoted to me. On the night of the 26th of August
+we took our last walk together, and a few minutes before midnight
+paused on a wooden bridge running across a kind of canal, locally
+termed a 'drain.' We paused on the bridge, listening to the swirling
+of the current against the wooden piles, and waiting for the stroke
+of midnight to part forever. In the few minutes interval she repeated
+_sotto voce_, Longfellow's 'Bridge,' the words of which, 'I stood on
+the bridge at midnight,' seemed terribly appropriate. After nearly
+twenty-five years I can never hear that piece recited without feeling
+a deadly chill, and the whole scene of two souls in agony again rising
+before me. Well! Midnight struck and we parted; but Louise said: 'Grant
+me one favor, the only one that I shall ever ask you on this earth;
+promise to meet me here twelve months from to-night at this same hour.'
+I demurred at first, thinking it would be bad for both of us, and only
+re-open partially-healed wounds. At last, however, I consented, saying,
+'Well, I will come if I am alive.' But she said, 'Say alive or dead.' I
+said, 'Very well, then, we will meet, dead or alive.'
+
+"The next year I was on the spot a few minutes before the time; and,
+punctual to the stroke of midnight, Louise arrived. By this time I had
+begun to regret the arrangement I had made; but it was of too solemn a
+nature to put aside. I therefore kept the appointment; but said that
+I did not care to renew the compact. Louise, however, persuaded me to
+renew it for one more year; and I consented, much against my will; and
+we again left each other, repeating the same formula, 'Dead or Alive.'
+
+"The next year after passed rapidly until the first week in July,
+when I was shot dangerously in the thigh by a fisherman named Thomas
+Piles, of Hull, a reputed smuggler. A party of four of us had hired
+his ten-ton yawl to go yachting round the Yorkshire coast, and amuse
+ourselves by shooting sea-birds amongst the millions of them at
+Flamborough Head. The third or fourth day out I was shot in the right
+thigh by the skipper Piles; and the day after, one and a quarter ounce
+of number 2 shot were cut out therefrom by the coastguard surgeon at
+Bridlington Quay (whose name I forget for the moment), assisted by Dr.
+Alexander Mackey, at the Black Lion hotel. The affair was in all the
+papers at the time, about a column of it appearing in the _Eastern
+Morning News_, of Hull.
+
+"As soon as I was able to be removed (two or three weeks) I was taken
+home, where Dr. Melburne King, of Hull, attended me. The day--and the
+night--(the 26th of August) came. I was then unable to walk without
+crutches, and that for only a short distance, so had to be wheeled
+about in a Bath chair. The distance to the trysting place being rather
+long, and the time and the circumstances being very peculiar, I did
+not avail myself of the services of my usual attendant, but specially
+retained an old servant of the family, who frequently did confidential
+commissions for me, and who knew Miss Louise well. We set forth
+'without beat of drum' and arrived at the bridge about a few minutes
+to midnight. I remember that it was a brilliant starlight night, but I
+do not think that there was any moon--at all events, at that hour. 'Old
+Bob,' as he was always affectionately called, wheeled me to the bridge,
+helped me out of the Bath chair, and gave me my crutch. I walked on to
+the bridge, and leaned my back against the white painted rail top, then
+lighted my briar-root, and had a comfortable smoke.
+
+"I was very much annoyed that I had allowed myself to be persuaded to
+come a second time, and determined to tell Louise positively that this
+should be our last meeting. Besides, _now_, I did not consider it fair
+to Miss K., with whom I was again 'negotiating.' So, if anything, it
+was in rather a sulky frame of mind that I awaited Louise. Just as the
+quarters before the hour began to chime I distinctly heard the 'clink,
+clink' of the little brass heels, which she always wore, sounding on
+the long flagged causeway, leading for 200 yards up to the bridge.
+As she got nearer, I could see her pass lamp after lamp in rapid
+succession, while the strokes of the large clock at Hull resounded
+through the stilly night.
+
+"At last the patter, patter of the tiny feet sounded on the woodwork
+of the bridge, and I saw her distinctly pass under the lamp at my
+side. When she got close to me I saw that she had neither hat nor cape
+on, and concluded that she had taken a cab at the further end of the
+flagged causeway, and (it being a very warm night) had left her wraps
+in the cab, and, for purposes of effect, had come the short distance in
+evening dress.
+
+"'Clink, clink,' went the brass heels, and she seemed about passing me,
+when I suddenly, urged by an impulse of affection, stretched out my
+arms to receive her. She passed _through_ them, intangible, impalpable,
+and as she looked at me I distinctly saw her lips move, and form the
+words 'Dead or Alive.' I even heard the words, but not with my outward
+ears, with something else, some other sense--what, I know not. I felt
+startled, surprised, but not afraid, until a moment afterwards, when I
+_felt_, but could not see, some other presence following her. I could
+_feel_, though I could not _hear_, the heavy, clumsy thud of feet
+following her; and my blood seemed turned to ice. Recovering myself
+with an effort, I shouted out to Old Bob, who was safely ensconsed
+with the Bath chair in a nook out of sight round the corner: 'Bob, who
+passed you just now?' In an instant the old Yorkshire-man was by my
+side. 'Ne'er a one passed me, sir.' 'Nonsense, Bob,' I replied, 'I told
+you that I was coming to meet Miss Louise, and she just passed me on
+the bridge, and _must_ have passed you, because there is no where else
+she _could_ go. You don't mean to tell me you didn't see her?' The old
+man replied solemnly: 'Maister Rob, there's something uncanny about it.
+I heered her come on the bridge, and off it, and I knaw them clickety
+heels onywhere! but I'm domned, sir, if she passed me! I'm thinking
+we'd better gang.' And 'gang' we did; and it was the small hours of the
+morning (getting daylight) before we left off talking over the affair,
+and went to bed.
+
+"The next day I made inquiries from Louise's family about her, and
+ascertained that she had died in Liverpool three months previously,
+being apparently delirious for a few hours before her death, and, our
+parting compact evidently weighing on her mind, as she kept repeating,
+'Dead or Alive--shall I be there?'--to the utter bewilderment of her
+friends, who could not divine her meaning--being, of course, entirely
+unaware of our agreement."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+This completes the examples of the so-called "Pact" cases. In the
+following example, the phantasmal form conveyed a piece of information
+to the percipient which he could not well have known by any normal
+means.
+
+
+THE SCRATCH ON THE CHEEK
+
+The case appeared in the _Proceedings_ of the Amer. S. P. R., and the
+high character of the witnesses was vouched for by Dr. Hodgson and
+Prof. Royce. It is to the following effect:
+
+  "_January 11, 1888._
+
+"Sir: Replying to your recently published request for actual
+occurrences of psychical phenomena, I respectively submit the following
+remarkable occurrence to the consideration of your distinguished
+Society, with the assurance that the event made a more powerful
+impression upon my mind than the combined incidents of my whole
+life.... I was never in better health or possessed a clearer head and
+mind than at the time the incident occurred.
+
+"In 1867, my only sister, a young lady of eighteen years, died suddenly
+of cholera, in St. Louis, Mo. My attachment for her was very strong,
+and the blow a severe one to me. A year or so after her death, I became
+a commercial traveller, and it was in 1876, while on one of my Western
+trips that the event occurred.
+
+"I had 'drummed' the city of St. Joseph, Mo., and had gone to my room
+at the Pacific House to send in my orders, which were unusually large
+ones, so that I was in a very happy frame of mind indeed. My thoughts,
+of course, were about these orders, knowing how pleased my house would
+be at my success. I had not been thinking of my late sister, or in
+any manner reflecting on the past. The hour was high noon, and the
+sun was shining cheerfully into my room. While busy smoking a cigar,
+and writing out my orders, I suddenly became conscious that some one
+was sitting on my left, with one arm resting on the table. Quick as a
+flash I turned, and distinctly saw the form of my dead sister, and for
+a brief second or two looked her squarely in the face; and so sure was
+I that it was she, that I sprang forward in delight, calling her by
+name, and, as I did so, the apparition instantly vanished. Naturally I
+was startled and dumbfounded, almost doubting my senses; but the cigar
+in my mouth, and pen in hand, with the ink still moist on my letter,
+I satisfied myself I had not been dreaming and was still awake. I was
+near enough to touch her, had it been a physical possibility, and noted
+her features, expression, and details of dress, etc. She appeared as
+if alive. Her eyes looked kindly and perfectly naturally into mine.
+Her skin was so perfectly life-like that I could see the glow or
+moisture in the surface, and, on the whole there was no change in her
+appearance, otherwise than when alive.
+
+"Now comes the most remarkable confirmation of my statement, which
+cannot be doubted by those who know what I state actually occurred.
+This visitation, or whatever you may call it, so impressed me that I
+took the next train home, and in the presence of my parents and others
+I related what had occurred. My father, a man of rare good sense and
+very practical, was inclined to ridicule me, as he saw how earnestly
+I believed what I stated; but he, too, was amazed when later on I
+told them of a bright red line or _scratch_ on the right-hand side of
+my sister's face, which I distinctly had seen. When I mentioned this
+my mother rose trembling to her feet and nearly fainted away, and
+as soon as she had sufficiently recovered her self-possession, with
+tears streaming down her face, she exclaimed that I had indeed seen
+my sister, as no living mortal but herself was aware of that scratch,
+which she had actually made while doing some little act of kindness
+after my sister's death. She said she well remembered how pained she
+was to think she should have, unintentionally, marred the features
+of her dead daughter, and that, unknown to all, she had carefully
+obliterated all traces of the slight scratch with the aid of powder,
+etc., and that she had never mentioned it to a human being, from that
+day to this.... Yet I saw the scratch as bright as if just made...."
+
+[Confirmatory statements were obtained from the narrator's father and
+brother; his mother having died in the interval.]
+
+
+A GHOST IN HAMPTON COURT
+
+Miss X. (Mrs. Hans Spoer) relates the following interesting case, as
+occurring to herself, on a visit to the well-known Hampton Court.
+(_Essays in Psychical Research_, pp. 31-34):
+
+"I recently found myself the guest of a lady occupying a pleasant suite
+of rooms in Hampton Court Palace. For obvious reasons I cannot specify
+the name of my hostess, the exact date of my visit, or the precise
+whereabouts of her apartment.
+
+"Of course I was familiar with the Hampton Court ghost legend.... I
+examined the scene of the occurrences, and was allowed to ask questions
+at will. The ghost, I was told, visited habitually in a dozen different
+rooms--not, however, in the bright, dainty drawing room in which we
+were chatting, and where it was difficult to believe that we were
+discussing recent history.
+
+"As a matter of fact, it was very recent, indeed. But a few nights
+earlier, in a certain small but cheerful bedroom, a little girl had
+been awakened out of her sleep by a visitant so dramatic that I
+wondered whether the child had possibly gone to sleep again, after her
+original fright, and dreamed the later and more sensational part of the
+story.
+
+"My room was quaintly pretty, but somewhat peculiar in arrangement, and
+lighted only from the roof. I have seen 'ghosts' before, have slept for
+months together in haunted houses; and, though I find such visitants
+somewhat exciting, I cannot say that my prospects for the night filled
+me with any degree of apprehension.
+
+"At dinner and during the evening ghostly topics were avoided; there
+were other guests, and music and chat occupied us till 11 o'clock,
+when my hostess accompanied me to my room. I asked various questions
+as to my neighbours above and below, and the exact position of other
+members of the household, with a view to knowing how to interpret any
+sounds which might occur. About a third of the ceiling of my room was
+skylight; the servant's bedroom being situated over the remainder. Two
+sides of the room were bounded by a corridor, into which it opened;
+a third of the wall by the state apartments, while the fourth opened
+by folding doors upon a room for the time unoccupied (except by a cat,
+asleep upon a chair) out of which there opened a door, leading by a
+secret passage to the bank of the river.
+
+"I ascertained that the folding doors were locked; moreover, a heavy
+table stood against them on the outer side, and a wardrobe on the
+inner. The bedstead was a small one, without curtains; indeed, the room
+contained no hangings whatever. The door into the room opened so nearly
+to the head of my bed that there was space only for a small table, upon
+which I took care to place two long candles, and a plentiful supply of
+matches, being somewhat addicted to late and early reading.
+
+"I was tired, but a sense of duty demanded that I should not sleep
+through the 'witching hours,' so I sat up in bed, and gave my best
+attention to Lord Farrer's problem, 'Shall We Degrade our Standard
+of Value?' in the current number of the _National Review_, and, on
+the principle of always trying to see both sides of a question,
+thought of several reasons why we should not, with the author, come
+to a negative conclusion. The matter did not, however, excite me to
+the pitch of wakefulness; and when I finished the article, as the
+clock struck half-past one, I considered myself absolved from further
+responsibility, put out my lights, and was asleep before the next
+quarter sounded.
+
+"Nearly three hours later I was suddenly awakened from dreamless
+slumber by the sound of the opening of a door against which some piece
+of furniture was standing, in, as it seemed, the empty room to my
+right. I remembered the cat, and tried to conceive by what kind of
+'rampaging' she could contrive to be so noisy. A minute later there
+followed a thud apparently on _this_ side of the folding doors, and too
+heavy for even the prize animals of my home circle, not to speak of a
+mongrel stray, newly adopted and not yet doing credit to her keep! 'A
+dress fallen in the wardrobe,' was my next thought, and I stretched out
+my hand for the match-box, as a preliminary to enquiry.
+
+"I did not reach the matches. It seemed to me that a restraining
+hand was laid upon mine; I withdrew it quickly, and gazed around me
+in the darkness. Some minutes passed in blackness and silence. I had
+the sensation of a presence in the room, and finally, mindful of the
+tradition that a ghost should be spoken to, I said gently: 'Is anyone
+there? Can I do anything for you?' I remembered that the last person
+who entertained the ghost had said: 'Go away, I don't want you!' and I
+hoped that my visitor would admire my better manners and be responsive.
+However, there was no answer--no sound of any kind; and returning to
+my theory of the cat and the fallen dress, though nevertheless so far
+influenced by the recollection of those detaining fingers as not to
+attempt to strike a light, I rose and walked round my bed, keeping
+the right hand on the edge of the bedstead, while, with my left arm
+extended, I swept the surrounding space. As the room is small, I thus
+fairly well satisfied myself that it contained nothing unusual.
+
+"I was, though somewhat perplexed, about to grant myself license to
+go to sleep again, when in the darkness before me there began to glow
+a soft light. I watched it increase in brightness and in extent. It
+seemed to radiate from a central point, which gradually took form
+and became a tall, slight woman, moving slowly across the room from
+the folding doors on my right. As she passed the foot of my bed I
+felt a slight vibration of the spring mattress. At the further corner
+she stopped, so that I had time to observe her profile and general
+appearance. Her face was insipidly pretty; that of a woman from thirty
+to thirty-five years of age, her figure slight, her dress of a soft
+dark material, having a full skirt and broad sash or soft waist-band
+tied high up, almost under her arms, a crossed or draped 'kerchief over
+the shoulders, sleeves which I noticed fitted very tight below the
+elbow, and hair which was dressed so as not to lie flat to the head,
+either in curls or bows, I could not tell which. As she appeared to
+stand between me and the light, I cannot speak with any certainty as
+to the color, but the dress, though dark, was, I think, not black. In
+spite of all this definiteness, I was, of course, conscious that the
+figure was unsubstantial, and I felt guilty of absurdity in asking once
+more: 'Will you let me help you? Can I be of use to you?'
+
+"My voice sounded preternaturally loud, but I felt no surprise at
+noticing that it produced no effect upon my visitor. She stood still
+for perhaps two minutes--though it is very difficult to estimate time
+on such occasions. She then raised her hands, which were long and
+white, and held them before her as she sank upon her knees and slowly
+buried the face in her palms, in the attitude of prayer--when, quite
+suddenly, the light went out, and I was alone in the darkness.
+
+"I felt that the scene was ended, the curtain down, and had no
+hesitation in lighting the candle at my side.
+
+"I tried to examine the impression the vision conveyed. I felt that it
+was definitely that of reproach, yet of gentle resignation. There was
+no force, no passion; I had seen a meek, sad woman who had succumbed. I
+began to turn over in my mind the illustrious names of former occupants
+of the chamber. I fixed on one--a bad man of the worst kind, a mad
+fool of that time of wickedness and folly, the Regency--I thought of
+the secret passage in the next room, and began to weave an elaborate
+romance.
+
+"'This will not do here and now,' I reflected, as the clock struck
+four; and, as an act of mental discipline, I returned to my _National
+Review_.... I turned to Mr. Myers' article on 'The Drift of Psychical
+Research,' which I had already seen. I read:
+
+"'... Where telepathy operates, many intelligences may affect our
+own. Some of these are the minds of living persons, but some appear
+to be discarnate, to be spirits like ourselves, but released from the
+body, although still retaining much of the personality of earth. These
+spirits appear still to have some knowledge of our world, and to be in
+certain ways able to affect it.'
+
+"Here was, so to speak, the text of my illustration. I had quite enough
+to think about--more than I needed for that occasion. I never heard the
+clock strike five!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Let us try to examine this, a type of many ghost stories.
+
+"Elsewhere I have classified visions of persons, whether seen in the
+crystal or otherwise, as:
+
+"1. Visions of the living, clairvoyant or telepathic, usually
+accompanied by their own background, or adapting themselves to mine.
+
+"2. Visions of the departed, having no obvious relations to time and
+space.
+
+"3. Visions which are more or less of the nature of pictures, such
+as those which I voluntarily produce in the crystal from memory or
+imagination, or which appear in the background of real persons as
+illustrative of their thoughts of history. This is very often the case
+when an impression reaches me in visual form from the mind of a friend
+who, it may be, imperfectly remembers or is imperfectly informed as to
+the form and color of the picture his mind conveys.
+
+"Again I emphasize the fact that I am speculating, not
+dogmatizing--that I am speaking from internal evidence, with no
+possibility of corroboration, and that I am perfectly aware that
+each reader must take this for what it seems to him worth. Such being
+the case, I venture to classify the vision under Class III. Again,
+to borrow from Mr. Myers, I believe that what I saw may have been
+a _telepathic impression of the dreams_ (or I should prefer to say
+'_thoughts_') _of the dead_. If what I saw were indeed veridical or
+truth-telling--if my readers will agree to admit that what I saw was
+no mere illusion, or morbid hallucination, or imagination (taking the
+word in its commonly-accepted sense)--then I believe that my visitor
+was not a departed spirit, such as it has before now, perhaps, been
+my privilege to meet, but rather an image as such--just as the figure
+which, it may be, sits at my dining table is not _really_ the friend
+whose visit a few hours later it announces, but only a representation
+of him, having no objective existence apart from the truth of the
+information it conveys--a thought which is personal to the brain which
+thinks it.
+
+"I have already said that, preconceived notions apart, I had no
+impression of reality. I recognized that what I saw and felt was an
+externalization of impressions unconsciously received, possibly from
+some discarnate mind...."
+
+
+HALF-PAST ONE O'CLOCK
+
+The following case is in many ways classical. Mrs. Claughton, to whom
+the experience came, was a widowed lady, living in good social circles.
+The full account of her experience is to be found in the _Proceedings_
+of the Society for Psychical Research (Vol. XI., pp. 547-59), and
+contains statements and personal investigations by Dr. Ferrier, Andrew
+Lang, Mr. Myers and the Marquis of Bute as well as corroborative
+testimony from the Clerk at Meresby, Mrs. Claughton's governess, copies
+of letters, diaries, memoranda, etc. The whole case is very complicated
+and impressive; and embodies a combination of apparent spirit
+communication, clairvoyance, telepathy, precognition, apparitions,
+and supernormal dreams. The chief and most interesting account is the
+statement made by Mrs. Claughton to the Marquis of Bute, and recorded
+by him as follows:
+
+"She was staying in 1893 with her two children at 6 Blake St., a house
+belonging to Mrs. Appleby, daughter of the late Mrs. Blackburn ...
+but let to Mrs. Buckley. She had heard the house was haunted, and may
+have heard that the ghost was Mrs. Blackburn's. She had been told also
+that water was spilt on the floors inexplicably. They arrived on
+October 4th. About 1.15 a.m., Monday, October 9th, Mrs. Claughton was
+in bed with one of her children, the other sleeping in the room. Mrs.
+Claughton had offered to be of any use she could to Miss Buckley, who
+had arrived from London on the Saturday, not feeling very well. She
+had been asleep, and was awakened by the footsteps of a person coming
+downstairs, whom she supposed to be a servant coming to call her. The
+steps stopped at the door. The sounds were repeated twice more at the
+interval of a few moments. Mrs. Claughton rose, lit the candle, and
+opened the door. There was no one there. She noticed the clock outside
+pointed to 1.20 a.m. She shut the door, got into bed, read, and,
+leaving the candle burning, went to sleep. Woke up, finding the candle
+spluttering out. Heard a sound like a sigh. Saw a woman standing by
+the bed. She had a soft white shawl round the shoulders, held by the
+right hand towards the left shoulder, bending slightly forwards. Mrs.
+Claughton thinks the hair was lightish brown, and the shawl partly
+over the head, but does not remember distinctly, and has no impression
+of the rest of the dress; it was not grave-clothes. She said: 'Follow
+me.' Mrs. Claughton rose, took the candle, and followed her out of
+the room, across the passage, and into the drawing-room. She had no
+recollection as to the opening of the doors. The house maid next day
+declared that the drawing-room door had been locked by her. On entering
+the drawing-room, Mrs. Claughton, finding the candle on the point of
+extinction, replaced it by a pink one from the chiffonier near the
+door. The figure nearly at the end of the room, turned three-quarters
+round, said 'to-morrow,' and disappeared. Mrs. Claughton returned to
+the bedroom, where she found her elder child (not the one in the bed)
+sitting up. It asked: 'Who is the lady in white?' Mrs. Claughton thinks
+she answered the child: 'It's only me--mother; go to sleep,' or the
+like words, and hushed her to sleep in her arms. The baby remained fast
+asleep. She lit the gas and remained awake for some two hours, then put
+out the lights and went to sleep. Had no fear while seeing the figure,
+but was upset after seeing it. Would not be prepared to swear that she
+might not have walked in her sleep. Pink candle, partly burned, in her
+room in morning. Does not know if she took it burnt or new.
+
+"In the morning she spoke to Mr. Buckley, on whose advice she went to
+ask Dr. Ferrier as to the figure about 3 p.m. He and his wife said
+the description was like that of Mrs. Blackburn, whom Mrs. Claughton
+already suspected it to be. Thinks Dr. Ferrier already told her that
+Miss Blackburn (Mrs. Appleby) had seen her mother in the same house.
+Mrs. Claughton cannot recognize the photograph of Mrs. Blackburn shown
+to her by Mr. Y. (who got it from Mrs. M.). She says the figure seemed
+smaller, and the features were more pinched and attenuated, like those
+of a person in the last stages of consumption, which was also the
+general appearance. By his advice, Mr. Buckley put an electric bell
+under Mrs. Claughton's pillow, communicating with Miss Buckley's room,
+as Mrs. Claughton determined to sit up that night and watch.
+
+"That night Mrs. Claughton sat up dressed, with the gas burning. About
+12 she partly undressed, put on a dressing gown, and lay down outside
+the bed, gas still burning, and fell asleep reading. Woke up and found
+the same woman as before, but the expression even more agitated. She
+bent over Mrs. Claughton and said: 'I have come, listen.' She then made
+a certain statement and asked Mrs. Claughton to do certain things.
+Mrs. Claughton said: 'Am I dreaming, or is it true?' The figure said
+something like: 'If you doubt me, you will find that the date of my
+marriage was * * *.' (This was the date of the marriage, which took
+place in India, of Mrs. Blackburn to Mr. Blackburn, who is alive and
+married again. Mrs. Claughton first learned the corroboration of the
+date from Dr. Ferrier on the following Thursday). After this Mrs.
+Claughton saw a man standing on Mrs. B.'s left hand--tall, dark, well
+made, healthy, sixty years old, or more, ordinary man's day clothes,
+kind, good expression. A conversation ensued between the three, in
+course of which man stated himself to be George Howard, buried in
+Meresby Churchyard (Mrs. Claughton had never heard of Meresby or of
+George Howard) and gave the date of his marriage * * * and death * * *.
+[Entries of these dates seen by me in Mrs. Claughton's pocketbook, as
+torn out and lent to me. F. W. H. Myers.] He desired Mrs. Claughton to
+go to Meresby and verify these dates in the registration, and, if found
+correct, to go to the church at the ensuing 1.15 a.m. and wait at the
+grave therein (S. W. corner of S. aisle) of Richard Hart, died * * *,
+ætat * * *. She was to verify this reference also in the registers.
+He said her railway ticket would not be taken, and she was to send it
+along with a white rose from his grave to Dr. Ferrier. Forbade her
+having any previous communication with the place, or going in her own
+name. Said Joseph Wright, a dark man, to whom she should describe him,
+would help her. That she would lodge with a woman who would tell her
+that she had a child (drowned) buried in the same churchyard. When Mrs.
+Claughton had done all this, she should hear the rest of the history.
+Towards the end of the conversation, Mrs. Claughton saw a third
+phantom, that of a man whose name she is not free to give, in great
+trouble, standing, with hands on face (which he afterwards lowered,
+showing face) behind Mrs. Blackburn's right. The three disappeared.
+Mrs. Claughton rose and went to the door to look out at the clock, but
+was seized with faintness, returned and rang the electric bell. Mr.
+Buckley found her on the ground. She was able to ask the time, which
+was about 1.20 a.m. Then fainted, and the Buckleys undressed her and
+put her to bed.
+
+"That morning, Tuesday, Mrs. Claughton sent for Dr. Ferrier, who
+corroborated certain matters so far as she asked him, and ascertained
+for her the date of Mrs. Blackburn's marriage (she received his note
+of the date on Thursday). She went to the Post Office, and found that
+Meresby existed. Returned, and ascertained that it was in Suffolk,
+and so wrote that evening to Dr. Ferrier, and went to London with her
+daughters that (Thursday) evening.
+
+"Friday night, Mrs. Claughton dreamt that she arrived at 5, after
+dusk, that a fair was going on, and that she had to go to place after
+place to get lodgings. Also, she and her eldest daughter dreamt that
+she would fail if she did not go alone. Went to Station for 12 noon
+train on Saturday. Went to refreshment room for luncheon, telling
+porter to call her in time. He went by mistake to waiting room, and
+she missed train and had to wait (going to the British Museum, where
+she wrote her name in Jewel room) until 3.5, as stated. House where
+she finally found lodgings was that of Joseph Wright, who turned out
+to be the parish clerk. She sent for the curate by porter, to ask as
+to consulting registers, but as he was dining out he did not come till
+after she had gone to bed. Sunday morning, Mrs. Wright spoke to her
+about the drowned child buried in the churchyard. Went to forenoon
+service, and immediately afterwards went into vestry and verified the
+registers; described George Howard to Joseph Wright, who had known him
+and recognized description; then was taken by Joseph Wright to the
+graves of Richard Hart and George Howard. On the latter there is no
+stone, but three mounds surrounded by a railing overgrown with white
+roses. She gathered rose for Dr. Ferrier, as had been directed. Walked
+and talked with curate, who was not sympathetic. After luncheon went
+with Mrs. Wright and walked round Howard's house (country house in
+park). Attended evening service, and afterwards, while, watching the
+lights put out and the church furniture covered up, wondered if she
+would have the nerve to go on. Back to supper; afterwards slept and had
+dream of a terrorizing character, whereof has full written description.
+Dark night, hardly any moon, a few stars. To church with Joseph Wright
+at 1 a.m., with whom searched interior and found it empty. At 1.20
+a.m. was locked in alone, having no light; had been told to take
+Bible, but had only church-service, which she had left in vestry in
+the morning. Waited near grave of Richard Hart; felt no fear. Received
+communication, but does not feel free to give any detail; no light.
+History begun at Blake street then completed. Was directed to take
+another white rose from George Howard's grave and gathered rose for
+Miss Howard, as had been directed. Home and bed, and slept well for the
+first time since first seeing Mrs. Blackburn.
+
+"Next day went and sketched church and identified grave of Mrs. Rose,
+on whose grave, she had been told in church, she would find a message
+for herself. The words engraved were * * *.
+
+"Then called on Miss Howard and recognized strong likeness to her
+father. Carried out all things desired by the dead to the full, as
+had been requested. Has had no communication from any of them since.
+Nothing since has appeared in Blake street. The wishes expressed to
+her were not illogical or unreasonable, as the ratiocination of dreams
+often appears, but perfectly rational, reasonable, and of natural
+importance."
+
+
+MY OWN TRUE GHOST STORY
+
+The following narrative was told to me by a very well-known artist; who
+maintains the strict accuracy of every word in his account, as given
+below:
+
+"I had been living in Paris for some months when I decided to change
+my quarters, and move into a studio more in keeping with my present
+allowance. After a brief search, I saw one which exactly suited me. It
+was a large room, at the end of a long, dark rambling passage, with
+doors leading into other studios on either side all the way down. As my
+neighbours turned out to be a very jolly, happy crew, I liked the life
+immensely, and everything promised well for the new abode.
+
+"I had been there for, perhaps, two weeks when I had my first 'ghostly'
+adventure. I had been out rather late, having had late supper, and
+perhaps a little too much wine for my best health. At the same time, I
+was absolutely sober, and in full possession of all my senses. I felt a
+little happy and convivial--that was all.
+
+"Walking along the passage, I was approaching my door when I distinctly
+heard the rustle of a silk skirt walking down the passage ahead of
+me. As the hallway was dark, I could not see whether or not the girl
+was just in front of me, or some distance away. It never for a moment
+struck me that it was not a flesh-and-blood visitant. My only thought
+was: One of the boys has been having a little supper, and this must
+be one of his visitors going home. I called aloud: 'Mayn't I strike
+a light and show you the way along this dark hall?' And, suiting the
+action to the word, I struck a match, and held it up over my head.
+Nothing was visible! I peered into vacancy; no female figure could
+I see. I listened for the sound of steps, or the swish of a silken
+petticoat; but not a sound could I hear. I walked along the passage;
+not a sign of life was anywhere manifest. Everything was dark, lonely
+and deserted.
+
+"I came to the conclusion that I must have been deceived; and thought
+no more about it. I went to bed and to sleep.
+
+"It was, perhaps, two nights later when the same thing occurred. Coming
+home, about 10 o'clock at night, I heard the same swish of the skirt;
+the same soft, feminine footsteps. This time the hall was light, and I
+could _see_ that no one was there. I recalled the incident of the other
+evening, and a cold chill began to creep up my backbone. I entered my
+room, however, lit the lamp, leaving my door open. 'Now,' thought I,
+'if anyone passes that door again, I shall surely see them.' I put on a
+dressing gown and a pair of slippers, and sat down to read--facing the
+door.
+
+"Perhaps five minutes had elapsed when I saw the door very slowly
+open still further on its hinges. A moment later I felt in the room a
+'Presence,' which I distinctly felt to be that of a young woman, about
+twenty years of age. So vivid was the mental picture I formed of this
+person that her very features and coloring were sensed by me--though,
+of course, I had no means of knowing whether or not I was right.
+
+"The Presence glided across the room, and sat itself upon the edge of
+my sofa, about three feet distant from where I sat. I looked at the
+spot intently, and felt that the eyes of my invisible visitor were
+upon me, regarding me intently, as though studying my character to the
+best of her ability. She had a comfortable sort of feeling about her,
+which made me seem at once at home with her; so that, without further
+ceremony, I said to the Presence: 'Pray make yourself at home. If I can
+do anything for you, let me know.'
+
+"I waited, but of course there was no response. Only I thought I caught
+again the faintest rustle of silk, as the figure seated itself in a
+more comfortable position. I put down my book, and began to paint. The
+feeling of loneliness, which I had experienced ever since my removal
+into the new studio, vanished immediately. I felt that a living,
+human--if invisible--being was with me, watching my work and keeping me
+company during the long hours of discouragement and unproductive effort.
+
+"Several times, during the course of the evening, I spoke to the
+Presence; but received no reply. Only I felt its proximity, and knew
+when the figure changed its position, as it did once or twice. Once it
+came over and stood by my side, as though looking at the canvas, and
+criticising it with me. Then it went back to its seat at the end of
+the sofa.
+
+"Bed time came. I felt almost abashed to go to bed with this feminine
+presence in the room! However, as there was nothing left for me to do,
+I undressed, got into bed, and blew out the light. The Presence came
+over and sat on the side of my bed. When I went to sleep, it was still
+sitting there.
+
+"The next morning it had gone. I felt inexpressibly lonely. I missed
+the Presence, whom I now began to call 'Her' instead of 'It,' and
+wished she would return and keep me company! It did not do so, however,
+until the following evening, when, about nine o'clock, I again felt her
+approach, felt her entrance through my studio door, and felt her seat
+herself in my easy chair, and turn her eyes upon me. I knew that she
+was regarding me intently--perhaps critically--and I felt almost angry
+that I, in turn, could not see her. I gazed at the chair _determined_
+to see her; but nothing save empty space met my gaze! With a gesture of
+impatience and irritation, I turned away, and went on with my painting.
+
+"Presently, I was aware that She was standing beside me, examining
+the painting upon the easel. 'Well, do you like it?' I said almost
+caustically. The Presence immediately returned and sat in the chair,
+and I knew that I had offended Her. I threw my brush and pallet aside
+and apologized. So she came and stood by me again; and again she
+remained with me until I closed my eyes in sleep.
+
+"This sort of thing went on for several weeks. Every evening the
+Presence visited me, kept me company, making the day seem long and
+dreary until she came. I waited for her appearance with growing
+impatience. I could never see or feel anything; my spoken words
+brought no response; yet there she was; and I felt just as assured of
+the presence, in my studio, of a feminine spiritual being as of my
+own existence. Every evening the Presence was with me when I went to
+sleep; every morning it had vanished. The sense of friendliness and
+companionship was complete and unmistakable.
+
+"One evening my visitor failed to appear! I could do no work; I
+paced the floor, I could do nothing, think of nothing! The sense of
+desolation and loneliness was absolute. I hardly realized, until then,
+how completely I had grown accustomed to the presence of my invisible
+visitor. I missed her more than I ever dreamed I could miss anyone in
+life. Forlorn and forsaken, I went to bed, and finally dropped into a
+fitful and broken sleep.
+
+"For about a week things went on in this way. I had grown gradually
+reconciled to my lonely life, and was painting hard for an exhibition
+which was near at hand. One evening I came into the studio, and I found
+the Presence waiting for me--seated in the easy chair, by the fire.
+
+"I felt my heart and whole being give a throb of joy and
+recognition--just as it would at the sight of an old and very dear
+friend. I knew how much I had missed her! I knew that She had risen,
+and was standing, facing me, as I entered. Before I had time to check
+myself, or think what I was doing, I had rushed forward, crying
+'Dearest,' with outstretched arms, and had embraced the spot where I
+knew her to be standing! I grasped the empty air, but I somehow felt
+two hands placed upon my shoulders, and the imprint of a delicate kiss
+upon my lips.
+
+"I no longer felt lonely. I whistled, I sang, I took off my coat,
+and, donning jacket and slippers, set to work with joy upon my
+picture. I painted hard, and all the while the Presence stood by me,
+criticising--approving or disapproving--and in every instance I felt
+Her criticism and judgment to be right.
+
+"A year went by. I had to give up my studio, and return to America, on
+my father's sudden death. The parting with the Presence I shall never
+forget. Had two lovers in the flesh parted from one another, it could
+not have been more real, more touching, more sincere. For my own part I
+was heartbroken. The Presence, too, I knew to be weeping. The parting
+was long and sorrowful. Finally, I tore myself away.
+
+"I have never seen or felt anything from that day to this. But of
+the reality and objective existence of that Presence I am as assured
+as I am of any event in my life. No one can tell me that it was a
+trick of the imagination--I know better! She was as real to me as any
+personality I have ever known. Yes, the Unreal is Real, of that I have
+no doubt whatever. My own experience with the Ghostly world has proved
+that to _my_ satisfaction!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+
+HAUNTED HOUSES
+
+When "phantasms of the dead" constantly appear in one house, and
+there only, that house is said to be "haunted" and, in such a case,
+the phantasms seem to be attracted to the _locality_ more than to the
+individuals living in it. This is usually the case in so-called haunted
+houses; no matter _who_ lives within them, they one and all see the
+spectral forms; but this is not invariably so. In the case of the
+"Great Amherst Mystery," for example--given below--the haunting seemed
+to be associated with the _person_ more than the _house_, so that we
+might be said to have here a case of a Haunted Man (or Woman). But this
+is the exception, not the rule.
+
+The cases that follow are all well-attested; and the phenomena have
+been witnessed by many persons. The original Reports, for the most
+part, have appeared in the _Proceedings_ of the S. P. R., and the facts
+were carefully investigated at the time, by competent investigators.
+The first instance is particularly interesting, because of the
+experiments which were tried to ascertain the nature of the "ghost,"
+and if many more such experiments were conducted, we might hope, in
+time, to know something about them. I shall begin with a carefully
+recorded example, which I may call--
+
+
+THE RECORD OF A HAUNTED HOUSE
+
+The case of a haunted house here given is very well authenticated, and
+corroborated by six written and signed statements, as well as that
+of the original informant. The account originally appeared in the
+_Proceedings_ of the S. P. R., Vol. VIII., pp. 311-32, and is drawn up
+by Miss Morton, a lady of scientific training who resided for a long
+time in the house in question. She was well-known to Mr. Myers, then
+Hon. Sec. of the Society. Very interesting experiments were conducted
+to test the nature of the "ghost" as the following brief account will
+show:
+
+"My father took the house in March, 1882, none of us having then heard
+of anything unusual about the house. We moved in towards the end of
+April, and it was not until the following June that I first saw the
+apparition.
+
+"I had gone up to my room, but was not yet in bed, when I heard
+someone at the door, and went to it, thinking it might be my mother.
+On opening the door, I saw no one; but on going a few steps along the
+passage I saw the figure of a tall lady, dressed in black, standing at
+the head of the stairs. After a few moments she descended the stairs,
+and I followed for a short distance, feeling curious what it could be.
+I had only a small piece of candle, and it suddenly burnt itself out;
+and, being unable to see more, I went back to my room.
+
+"On the night of August 2, the footsteps were heard by my three sisters
+and by the cook, all of whom slept on the top landing--also by my
+married sister, Mrs. K., who was sleeping on the floor below. They all
+said the next morning that they had heard them very plainly pass and
+repass their doors.... These footsteps are very characteristic, and are
+not at all like those of any people in the house; they are soft and
+rather slow, though decided and even. My sisters would not go out on
+the landing after hearing them pass, but each time when I have gone out
+after hearing them, I have seen the figure there.
+
+"On the evening of August 1, we were sitting in the drawing-room,
+with the gas lit but the shutters not shut, the light outside getting
+dusk--my brothers and a friend having just given up tennis, finding it
+too dark; my elder sister, Mrs. E., and myself both saw the figure on
+the balcony outside, looking in at the window. She stood there some
+minutes, then walked to the end and back again, after which she seemed
+to disappear. She soon after came into the drawing-room, when I saw
+her, but my sister did not.
+
+"The apparitions were (always) of exactly the same type, seen in the
+same places by the same people, at varying intervals.
+
+"The footsteps continued, and were heard by several visitors and new
+servants, who had taken the places of those who had left, as well as by
+myself, four sisters and brothers; in all by about twenty people, many
+of them not having previously heard of the apparitions and sounds.
+
+"Other sounds were also heard in addition which seemed gradually to
+increase in intensity. They consisted in walking up and down on the
+second floor landing, of bumps against the doors of the bedrooms, and
+of the handles of the doors turning. The bumps against the doors were
+so marked as to terrify a new servant, who had heard nothing of the
+haunting, into the belief that burglars were breaking into her room....
+
+"During the year, at Mr. Myers' suggestion, I kept a photographic
+camera constantly ready to try to photograph the figure, but on the
+few occasions I was able to do so, I got no result; at night, usually
+only by candle light, a long exposure would be necessary for so dark a
+figure, and this I could not obtain.
+
+"I also tried to communicate with the figure, constantly speaking to
+it and asking it to make signs, if not able to speak, but with no
+result. I also tried especially to _touch_ her, but did not succeed. On
+cornering her, as I did once or twice, she vanished.
+
+"One night, my sister E. went up to her room on the second story, but
+as she passed the room where my two sisters L. and M. were sleeping,
+they opened their door to say that they had heard noises, and also
+seen what they described as a _flame_ of a candle, without candle or
+handle visible, cross the room diagonally from corner to corner. Two
+of the maids opened the doors of their two bedrooms, and said that
+they also heard noises; they all 5 stood at their doors with their
+lighted candles for some little time. They all heard steps walking up
+and down the landing between them; as they passed they felt a sensation
+which they described as a 'cold wind' though their candles were not
+blown out. They saw nothing. The steps then descended the stairs,
+re-ascended, again descended, and did not return....
+
+"The figure became much less substantial on its later appearances. Up
+to about 1886 it was so solid and life-like that it was often mistaken
+for a real person. It gradually became less distinct. At all times it
+intercepted the light; we have not been able to ascertain if it cast a
+shadow. I should mention that it has been seen through window glass,
+and that I myself wear glasses habitually, though none of the other
+percipients do so. The upper part of the figure always left a more
+distinct impression than the lower, but this may partly be due to the
+fact that one naturally looks at people's faces before their feet.
+
+
+PROOFS OF IMMATERIALITY
+
+"1. I have several times fastened fine strings across the stairs at
+various heights before going to bed, but after all others have gone up
+to their rooms.... I have twice, at least, seen the figure pass through
+the cords, leaving them intact.
+
+"2. The sudden and complete disappearance of the figure while still in
+full view.
+
+"3. The impossibility of touching the figure....
+
+"4. It has appeared in a room with the doors shut.
+
+
+CONDUCT OF ANIMALS IN THE HOUSE
+
+"We have strong grounds for believing that the apparition was seen by
+two dogs.
+
+"Twice I remember seeing our dog suddenly run up to the mat at the foot
+of the stairs in the hall, wagging his tail, and moving his back in the
+way dogs do when expecting to be caressed. It jumped up, fawning as it
+would do if a person was standing there, but suddenly slunk away with
+its tail between its legs, and retreated, trembling, under a sofa. We
+were all strongly under the impression that it had seen the figure. Its
+action was peculiar, and was much more striking to an onlooker than it
+could possibly appear from a description.
+
+"In conclusion, as to the feelings aroused by the presence of the
+figure, it is very difficult to describe them; on the first few
+occasions, I think the feeling of awe at something unknown, mixed with
+a strong desire to know more about it, predominated. Later, when I was
+able to analyze my feelings more closely, and the first novelty had
+gone off, I was conscious of a feeling of _loss_, as if I had lost
+power to the figure.
+
+"Most of the other percipients speak of a feeling of cold wind, but I
+myself have not experienced this...."
+
+
+B---- HOUSE
+
+This is a very famous case of "Haunting," which was investigated by
+Sir Oliver Lodge, Mr. F. W. H. Myers, Colonel Taylor (a specialist on
+Haunted Houses), Miss X., the Marquis of Bute, etc. The chief reports
+of the occurrence are due to the last three named persons; and from the
+Journal kept during their occupancy of the house the following extracts
+are made:
+
+
+"_February 4, Thursday._ I awoke suddenly, just before 3 a.m. Miss
+Moore, who had been lying awake for over two hours, said: 'I want you
+to stay awake and listen.' Almost immediately I was startled by a
+loud clanging sound, which seemed to resound through the house. The
+mental image it brought to my mind was as of a long metal bar, such
+as I have seen near iron-foundries, being struck at intervals with a
+wooden mallet. The noise was distinctly that of metal struck with wood;
+it seemed to come diagonally across the house. It sounded very loud,
+though distinct, and the idea that any inmate of the house should not
+hear it seemed preposterous....
+
+"I also had an experience this morning which may have been purely
+subjective, but which should be recorded. About 10 a.m., I was writing
+in the library, face to light, back to fire. Mrs. W. was in the
+room, and addressed me once or twice; but I was aware of not being
+responsive, as I was much occupied. I wrote on, and presently felt a
+distinct, but gentle push against my chair. I thought it was the dog,
+and looked down, but he was not there. I went on writing, and in a few
+minutes felt a push, firm and decided, against myself which moved me on
+my chair. I thought it was Mrs. W----, who, having spoken and obtained
+no answer, was reminding me of her presence. I looked backward with an
+exclamation--the room was empty! She came in presently, and called my
+attention to the dog, who was gazing intently from the hearth-rug at
+the place where I had expected (before) to see him....
+
+"As the day began with the above, and as I had had a quiet rest, I went
+to 'the copse' at dusk. The moon was bright, and the twilight lingered.
+We waited about in the avenue to let it get darker, but it was still
+far from dark. Then we made our way up to the glen--Miss Moore, Miss
+Langton and myself.
+
+"I saw 'Ishbel' and 'Marget' in the old spot across the burn. [Two
+'spirits' who had been seen about the house, several times before].
+'Ishbel' was on her knees in the attitude of weeping, 'Marget'
+apparently reasoning with her in a low voice, to which 'Ishbel' replied
+very occasionally. I could not hear what was said from the noise of
+the burn. We waited for perhaps ten or fifteen minutes. They had
+appeared when I had been there for three or four. When we regained
+the avenue (in silence) Miss Moore asked Miss Langton, 'What did you
+see?' (She had been told nothing, except that the Colonel, who did
+not know details then, had said in her presence something about 'a
+couple of nuns.') She said: 'I saw nothing, but I heard a low talking.'
+Questioned further, she said it seemed close behind. The glen is so
+narrow that this might be quite consistent with what I heard and saw.
+Miss Moore heard a murmuring voice, and is quite certain it was not
+the burn. She is less suggestible than almost any one I know.... The
+dog ran up while we were there, pointed, and ran straight for the two
+women. He afterwards left us, and we found him barking in the glen. He
+is a dog who hardly ever barks. We went up among the trees where he
+was, and could find no cause....
+
+"This morning's phenomenon is the most incomprehensible I have yet
+known. I heard the banging sounds after we were in bed last night.
+Early this morning, about 5.30, I was awakened by them. They continued
+for nearly an hour. Then another sound began _in_ the room. It might
+have been made by a very lively kitten jumping and pouncing, or even by
+a very large bird; there was a fluttering noise too.[3] It was close,
+exactly opposite the bed. Miss Moore woke up, and we heard the noise
+going on till nearly eight o'clock. I drew up the blinds and opened the
+windows wide. I sought all over the room, looking into cupboards and
+under furniture. We cannot guess at any possible explanation...."
+
+      [3] This fluttering noise, as of a bird, is very often met with
+      in the literature of the occult, and is typical of 'haunted
+      houses.' In the famous case of Lord Lyttleton, for instance,
+      this was recorded, and was said to announce his death. He died
+      three days later, in bed.
+
+A few weeks later, Miss X., wrote in her "Journal":
+
+"The general tone of things is disquieting, and new in our experience.
+Hitherto, in our first occupation, the phenomena affected one
+as melancholy, depressing and perplexing, but now all, quite
+independently, say the same thing--that the influence is evil and
+horrible--even poor little 'Spooks' (the dog) who was never terrified
+before, has been since our return here. The worn faces at breakfast are
+really a dismal sight."
+
+Soon after this the investigators left the house.
+
+
+WILLINGTON MILL
+
+This is one of the most famous Haunted Houses on record. The case has
+been described in various books on ghosts, the most complete account
+being that contained in the _Journal_ of the Psychical Research
+Society.... Mr. Proctor lived for several years in the haunted mill,
+and got quite used to the apparitions, which stalked about the place at
+all hours. Visitors, however, did not like them as much as he did. The
+following extracts will suffice to explain the general character of the
+haunting in this case--
+
+"When two of Mrs. Proctor's sisters were staying at the Mill on a
+visit, their bed was suddenly violently shaken, the curtains hoisted up
+all round to their tester and then as rapidly let down again, and this
+again in rapid succession. The curtains were taken off the next night,
+with the result that they both saw a female figure, of mysterious
+substance and of a greyish-blue hue come out of the wall at the head
+of the bed and lean over them. They both saw it distinctly. They saw
+it come out of and go back again into the wall.... Mrs. Davidson's
+sister-in-law had a curious experience on one occasion. One evening
+she was putting one of the bedrooms right, and, looking toward the
+dressing table, saw what she supposed was a white towel lying on the
+ground. She went to pick it up, but imagine her surprise when she found
+that it rose up, and went up behind the dressing-table over the top,
+down on the floor across the room, disappeared under the door, and was
+heard to descend the stairs with a heavy step! The noise which it made
+in doing so was distinctly heard by Mr. Proctor and others in the house.
+
+"On one occasion, Mr. Mann, the old mill foreman, with his wife and
+daughter, and Mrs. Proctor's sister, all four saw the figure of a bald
+headed old man in a flowing robe like a surplice gliding backwards and
+forwards about three feet from the floor, level with the bottom of the
+second story window; he then stood still in the middle of the window
+and part of the body which appeared quite luminous showed through the
+blind. While in that position, the framework of the window was visible,
+while the body was as brilliant as a star, and diffused a radiance all
+round; then it turned a bluish tinge, and gradually faded away from the
+head downwards.
+
+"The children, however, were the chief ghost-seers. On one occasion one
+of the little girls came to Mrs. Davidson and said: 'There is a lady
+sitting on the bed in mamma's bedroom. She has eyeholes but no eyes;
+and she looked so hard at me.' On another occasion a boy of two years
+old was charmed with the ghost, and laughed and kicked, crying out: 'Ah
+dares somebody--pee, pee!' On one occasion the mother saw through the
+bed curtain a figure cross the room to the table on which the light was
+burning, take up the snuffers and snuff the candle....
+
+"Several experiments were made with a clairvoyant by the name of
+Jane, to ascertain the cause of the mystery. In the mesmeric trance
+she described the house accurately; described the nature of the
+disturbances which were going on within it; and stated that the chief
+cause of the trouble was to be found 'in the cellar.' This was not
+verified. The full story, as narrated, is certainly one of the most
+curious to be found anywhere."
+
+
+THE GREAT AMHERST MYSTERY
+
+This is one of the most remarkable cases on record. It is the case
+of a haunted house, in which many _physical_ manifestations of all
+sorts took place, and were observed by nearly a hundred persons,
+all of whom testified as to the reality of the facts. The house in
+question is situated in Amherst, N. S.--hence the name. Residing in
+this small house were (when the events occurred) Mr. and Mrs. Teed,
+their children, Willie, aged five years, and George, aged seventeen
+months. His wife's two sisters, Jennie and Esther Cox, also lived with
+them--Esther being the person around whom nearly all the phenomena
+centered. John Teed and William Cox also boarded at the house--brothers
+of Mr. and Mrs. Teed, respectively.
+
+The manifestations began in a very peculiar manner. The two girls,
+who had just gone to bed (they slept together) were on the point of
+falling asleep, when Esther suddenly jumped out of bed with a scream,
+exclaiming that there was a mouse in the mattress. A careful search
+failed, however, to reveal the presence of any mouse. The same thing
+happened the next night; and when the girls got up to search for the
+mouse, a paste-board box, which was under the bed, jumped up in the air
+and fell over on its side. They decided to say nothing about it; got
+into bed again, and were soon asleep.
+
+The next night manifestations began in earnest. Esther began to swell;
+her body became puffed all over, and she thought she was going to
+burst. She screamed with pain. Just then, however, three terrific
+reports shook the room, and the swelling suddenly subsided. She was
+placed in bed; but no sooner had she been placed upon it than all the
+bed-clothes flew off her, and settled in the far corner of the room.
+"They could see them passing through the air by the light of the
+kerosene lamp which was lighted and standing on the table, and both
+screamed as only scared girls can, and then Jennie fainted."
+
+The bed-clothes were replaced. No sooner was this done than the pillow
+flew out from under her head, and landed in the center of the floor. It
+was replaced, but again flew out, hitting Mr. Teed in the face. Three
+deafening reports then shook the house; after which all manifestations
+ceased for the night.
+
+The next night, these manifestations were repeated; the bed-clothes
+flew off, in view of all; and in the midst of this, the sound of
+scratching became audible, as of a metallic object scraping plaster.
+"All looked at the wall whence the sound of writing came, when, to
+their great astonishment, there could be plainly read these words:
+'Esther Cox, you are mine to kill.' Every person in the room could see
+the writing plainly, and yet but a moment before nothing was to be seen
+but the plain kalsomined wall!...
+
+These things continued day after day, and were seen by many persons.
+Articles would be thrown about the house; Dr. Carrittee, the family
+physician, saw "a bucket of cold water become agitated, and, to all
+appearances, boil while standing on the kitchen table." A voice
+was heard, in the atmosphere of the house, talking to Esther; and
+telling her all manner of horrible things. Soon after this, to the
+consternation of all present, "all saw a lighted match fall from the
+ceiling to the bed, having come out of the air, which would certainly
+have set the bed-clothing on fire, had not Jennie put it out instantly.
+During the next two minutes, eight or ten lighted matches fell on the
+bed and about the room, out of the air, but were all extinguished
+before anything could be set fire by them...."
+
+This fire-raising continued for several days. The family would smell
+smoke, and, on running up into the bedroom, they would find a bundle
+of clothes placed in the center of the floor, blazing. Or they would
+descend to the cellar; and there find a pile of shavings alight and
+blazing merrily. They lived in constant danger of having the house
+burned over their heads.
+
+Soon after this, things got so bad that Esther Cox had to leave home,
+and went to visit a friend by the name of White, in the hope that the
+manifestations would cease, when she was removed from her own home. For
+four weeks things went well; then they began again just as ever. Knocks
+and raps were heard all over the house, which answered questions asked
+them; and told the amount of money people had in their pockets, etc.
+Articles of furniture were thrown about; voices sounded; and, worst of
+all, Esther now began to _see_ the ghost; and described it to those
+about her. Among other terrifying phenomena, which took place at Mr.
+Whites' house, the following should be mentioned--
+
+"... A clasp-knife belonging to little Frederic White was taken from
+his hand, while he was whittling something, by the devilish ghost,
+who instantly stabbed Esther in the back with it, leaving the knife
+sticking in the wound, which was bleeding profusely. Frederic pulled
+the bloody knife from the wound, wiped it, closed it and put it in his
+pocket, which he had no sooner done than the ghost obtained possession
+of it again and, quick as a flash of lightning, stuck it into the same
+wound...."
+
+Some person tried the experiment of placing three or four large iron
+spikes on Esther's lap while she was seated in the dining-saloon. To
+the unutterable astonishment of Mr. White, Frederic and other persons
+present, the spikes were not instantly removed, as it was expected they
+would be, but, instead, remained on her lap until they became too hot
+to be handled with comfort, when they were thrown by the ghost to the
+far end of the saloon--a distance of twenty feet. This fact was fully
+corroborated.
+
+It was at this stage of the proceedings that the spot was visited by
+Walter Hubbell, an actor, who remained some time in Amherst, studying
+the case, and who has written a whole book about it--"The Great Amherst
+Mystery." On the night of his arrival, they all sat round a table, in
+full light, to see what they could see, and knocks and raps resounded
+immediately. "We could all hear even the scratching sound of invisible
+human finger nails, and the dull sounds produced by the hands, as they
+rubbed the table, and struck it with invisible, clenched fists, in
+knocking in response to questions."
+
+The next day, Mr. Hubbell records the following facts, among others: "I
+had been seated about five minutes when, to my great astonishment, my
+umbrella was thrown a distance of sixteen feet, passing over my head
+in its strange flight, and almost at the same instant a large carving
+knife came whizzing through the air, passing over Esther's head, who
+was just then coming out of the pantry with a large dish in both hands,
+and fell in front of her, near me--having come from behind her out of
+the pantry. I naturally went to the door and looked in, but no person
+was there.
+
+"After dinner I lay down on the sofa in the parlor; Esther was in
+the room seated near the center in a rocking chair. I did not sleep,
+but lay with my eyes only partially closed so that I could see her.
+While lying there a large glass paper-weight, weighing fully a pound,
+came whizzing through the air from a corner of the room, where I had
+previously noticed it on an ornamental shelf, a distance of some twelve
+or fifteen feet from the sofa. Had it struck my head, I should surely
+have been killed, so great was the force with which it was thrown....
+
+"On Monday, June 23, they commenced again with great violence. At
+breakfast, the lid of the sugar bowl was heard to fall on the floor.
+Mrs. Teed, Esther and myself searched for it for fully five minutes,
+and had abandoned our search as useless, when all three saw it fall
+from the ceiling. I saw it, just before it fell, and it was at the
+moment suspended in the air about one foot from the ceiling. No one
+was within five feet of it at the time. The table knives were then
+thrown upon the floor, the chairs pitched over, and after breakfast
+the dining-table fell over on its side, rugs upon the floor were slid
+about, and the whole room literally turned into a pandemonium, so
+filled with dust that I went into the parlor. Just as I got inside the
+parlor door a large flower pot, containing a plant in full bloom, was
+taken from among Jennie's flowers on the stand near the window; and in
+a second, a tin pail, with a handle, was brought half-filled with water
+from the kitchen and placed beside the plant on the floor, both in the
+center of the parlor, and put there by a ghost. Just think of such
+a thing happening while the sun was shining, and only a few minutes
+before I had seen this same tin pail from the dining-room hanging on a
+nail in the kitchen, empty! And yet people say, and thousands believe,
+that there are no haunted houses! What a great mistake they make in so
+asserting; but then they never lived in a genuine one, where there was
+an invisible power that had full and complete sway. By all the demons!
+When I read the accounts now in my 'Journal,' from which my experience
+is copied, I am almost speechless with wonder that I ever lived to
+behold such sights....
+
+"On this same day, Esther's face was slapped by the ghosts, so that the
+marks of fingers could be plainly seen--just exactly as if a human
+hand had slapped her face; these slaps could be plainly heard by all
+present. I heard them distinctly, time and again....
+
+"On Thursday, June 26, Jennie and Esther told me that the night before
+Bob, the demon, had been in their room again. They stated he had stuck
+them with pins and marked them from head to foot with crosses. I saw
+some of the crosses, which were bloody marks, scratched upon their
+hands, necks and arms. It was a sad sight. During the entire day, I
+was busy pulling pins out of Esther; they came out of the air from all
+quarters, and were stuck into all the exposed portions of her person,
+even the head, and inside of her ears. Maggie, the ghost, took quite
+an interest in me, and came to my room at night, while the lamp was
+burning, and knocked on the headboard of my bed and on the wall near
+the bed, which was _not_ next to the room occupied by the girls, but
+on an outside wall facing the stable. I carried on a most interesting
+conversation with her, asking a great many questions which were
+answered by knocks....
+
+"A trumpet was heard in the house all day. The sound came from within
+the atmosphere--I can give no other description of its effect on our
+sense of hearing.... I wish to state, most emphatically, that I could
+tell the difference in the knocks made by each ghost just as well as
+if they had spoken. The knocks made by Maggie were delicate and soft,
+as if made by a woman's hand, while those made by Bob Nickle were loud
+and strong, denoting great strength and evidently large hands. When he
+knocked with those terrible sledge-hammer blows, he certainly must have
+used a large rock or some other heavy object, for such loud knocks were
+not produced with hard knuckles...."
+
+In July the phenomena became so bad that the landlord came and told the
+Teed family that either Esther would have to go, or they would all have
+to leave the house. It was decided that Esther should go, which she
+did, visiting some friends by the name of Van Amburgh. From the time
+she left her home the second time, she was never afterwards troubled
+with the ghosts. Some years later, she married and went to live in
+another town--where she was interviewed by the present writer in 1907.
+
+This account was sworn to by Mr. Hubbell before a notary public, and he
+asserts under oath that every word of the account is true. He has also
+produced the written confirmatory testimony of a score of still-living
+witnesses of the phenomena in Amherst.
+
+A very similar case occurred in Tennessee, in 1818, and is recorded in
+full by M. V. Ingram, in his book, "The Bell Witch." Many other cases
+of a like nature are to be found in the "History of the Supernatural."
+
+    _For ghosts of the dead
+    Through Infinite ages
+    Have wandered and lurked
+    In earth's atmosphere;
+    Watchful and eager
+    For victims to torture
+    To follow and kill,
+    Or make tremble with fear.
+    Yes, ghosts of the dead
+    Revengeful and evil,
+    Still come in hordes
+    From the Stygian shore;
+    Entering houses
+    To torment our maidens
+    Burning and wrecking
+    Our homes evermore._
+
+
+BROOK HOUSE
+
+The following case is given in full by Mr. W. T. Stead in his _Real
+Ghost Stories_, and I extract from his narrative some of the most
+striking and interesting passages. It is a truly remarkable narrative,
+well worthy of careful perusal.
+
+Mr. Ralph Hastings, of Broadmeadow, Teignmouth, wrote in October, 1891,
+enclosing the following extracts from his diary, which he had kept in
+the haunted house:
+
+"I was spending some months of the summer of '73 at a favorite
+watering place in the S.E. coast. One afternoon I went to visit some
+old friends who lived in an old house which stood in a quadrangle,
+and was approached from the church by a narrow lane. Brook House was
+a commodious, red-brick structure of three stories, faced by a Court,
+with its ground-floor windows unseen from the outside by reason of the
+lofty wall which encircled them.
+
+"On the day in question, as I approached the house from the Church
+side, I happened to glance at the window to the right on the second
+floor. There I saw, to my astonishment, the apparent figure of Miss B.,
+standing partially dressed, arranging her hair and looking intently at
+me. On entering the house, I was at once shown into the drawing-room,
+and I found Miss B. reading. In reply to my question, she told me she
+had been there an hour!
+
+"My curiosity was now fully aroused, and I went to the house the next
+day, July 4, accompanied by a lady, a mutual friend. We went up into
+the room in which I had seen the figure, threw the window open--it
+being very hot--looking on to the garden, and then went downstairs into
+the drawing-room, where we had some music. We went up again in about
+half an hour's time. The window was _shut_.... We went back into the
+garden, and looked up at the window. Presently, to our horror, a figure
+appeared resembling Miss B., yet most unlike her--its fearful eyes
+were gazing at me without movement and totally expressionless. What,
+then, caused the arresting of the heart's pulsation (as it felt) and
+blood--that the moment before had burnt as it coursed madly through the
+veins--to be chilled to ice? This--one was face to face with a spirit,
+and withered by the contact. Those eyes--I can see them--I can feel
+them--after a lapse of nearly twenty years. Miss B. had incontinently
+fainted when she saw the shoulders (as she described it) of the figure.
+I continued gazing spellbound; like the 'Wedding Guest' I was held by
+the spirit's eye, and I could not choose but look. The dreadful hands
+were lifted automatically; they rested on the window sash. It came
+partly down, stayed a moment, then noiselessly closed, and I saw a
+hand rise and clasp it. I gazed steadfastly throughout. What impressed
+me strangely was this peculiarity, that as soon as the sash had passed
+the face the latter vanished, the hands remained; the unreality of
+the actual movement of the window, as it descended, also seemed to
+contradict me: it suggested (for want of a better comparison) the
+mechanical passage of stage scenery, and some sorts of toys that are
+pulled by wires; it made no noise whatever. Now I distinctly recognized
+the shape as that of Rhoda, Miss B.'s elder sister, who had been dead
+some twelve years.... We looked again, and saw the backs of two hands
+on the _outside_ of the window, but they did not move it.
+
+"We then went in, coming out again almost directly, and saw the window
+nearly closed; then went upstairs into the room; and again I flung the
+window as wide open as it would go, and before leaving set the door
+open, with a heavy chair against it; but previous to this (I omitted to
+mention) as we were looking up at the window after the appearance of
+the hands, we saw a horrible object come from the right (the apparition
+invariably did); it resembled a large, white bundle, called by Miss B.,
+who had before seen it, 'The Headless Woman'; it came in front of the
+window and then began walking backwards and forwards. After a lapse
+of half an hour, we went upstairs again, and found the chair by the
+window, and the door closed; whereupon I wrote 'It' a letter to this
+effect: 'Miss B. and Mr. H. present their compliments to the "Lady
+Headless" and request her acceptance of this fruit from their garden;
+they hope it will please, as she has often been seen admiring it. A
+reply will oblige, but the bearer does not wait for the answer.' We put
+the chair once more against the window, placing the fruit and note on
+it; two or three times we went up, but nothing had changed.
+
+"We then went and stood outside the summer house, whence a clear
+view of the window could be obtained; presently there came forward
+the headless figure; and distinctly bowed two or three times, then
+immediately afterwards a deafening slam of the door. The apex of this
+figure, which was rotund, _i.e._, headless, once or twice dilated, and
+we feared seeing something, we knew not what; it then vanished, and
+we saw a beautiful arm come from the curtain and wave to us. Upstairs
+again, the door was shut; on entering we saw the chair overturned in
+the middle of the room, the fruit scattered in all directions, and, to
+our horror, the note, which I had folded crosswise, was charred at each
+corner. I took it up; but lacked the courage to open, and perhaps find
+a possible reply. Placing it in a plate I burnt it. The process was a
+very slow one; and it distilled a dark mucus.
+
+"The whimsical idea now possessed me to arrange the room like a
+theatre, the armchair and others I placed facing the stand; on them
+I laid antimacassars, and books for programmes. We then went down to
+the end of the garden which commanded a view of the room, and looked:
+blank space, nothing more--stay! A curious filmy vapor begins to float
+in the air, which slowly cohered, evolved vague phantasms; they unite,
+and gradually assume a definite shape. The headless woman fronts us
+at the window, she vanishes, and an immense sheet is waved twice or
+thrice from the right side of the window, something is flung out; we
+walk quickly up the garden and there, under the window, lies one of the
+books. What had hastened our steps was the frantic gesticulating of the
+servant. She was frightened out of her senses by the peculiar sounds
+proceeding from the room; but she could not describe them, saying
+that they seemed to be a terrible hurrying to and fro, accompanied
+by strange noises.... We took the Bible and entered the room, which
+was in disorder: the flower-stand was thrown down, the two chairs
+widely apart, one of the antimacassars was tightly folded up under the
+recumbent towel horse, the other with the towel was airing itself on
+the gigantic tree some seven feet from the window....
+
+"The next day we went into the room, and discovered an impression in
+the bed, as though some 'thing' had lain in it. On closer inspection,
+we distinctly saw the coverlet gently moving, resembling the very
+gentle respiration of a body beneath. We returned to the garden, having
+thrown open the window. After waiting for a long time, we saw what
+looked like a hand appear on the center of the window sill, then from
+the curtain came the white figure.
+
+"It disappeared and after a moment or two the hand also; but there must
+have been a _something_ besides crouching under the window, for it
+heaved upwards and seemed to fill the window for an instant. It then
+sank, the hand vanished, and we saw no more. We waited a long time,
+till I spoke of going. I had noticed as a curious thing that almost
+always, when I had wearied of looking, seeing _nothing_ and about to
+leave, something was sure to happen....
+
+"This ends my personal experiences. My health became impaired, and
+for upwards of two years I was invalided, but as time wore on and
+the impressions waned, I gradually recovered. I often wander back in
+imagination to the many mysteries that in the long ago held sway at
+Brook House."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+
+GHOST STORIES OF A MORE DRAMATIC NATURE
+
+In the cases which are adduced in the present chapter, the standard
+of evidence cannot be considered so high; many of them have been
+recorded in good faith as actual experiences, but they will probably
+fail to carry conviction to the same extent as those which have gone
+before. Still, many of these narratives are singularly striking and
+interesting; and for this reason deserve to be included in this
+volume. The reader may therefore place any construction he may choose
+upon these cases; as they are presented not as evidence but as
+entertainment. I shall begin with some personal experiences of a Scotch
+seer, who, according to his own accounts, has experienced some of the
+most dramatic and remarkable manifestations conceivable.
+
+
+DISEASE-PHANTOMS
+
+Mr. Elliott O'Donnell--a man about whom it has been said that "the
+gates of his soul are open on the Hell side," has had many strange
+experiences with spirits, mostly evil and horrible, and has recorded
+these in his books "Ghostly Phenomena," "Byways of Ghostland," etc.
+From his voluminous writings on his own personal experiences, I cite a
+few cases, to show the character of the phenomena:
+
+"I have, from time to time, witnessed many manifestations which I
+believe to be super-physical, both from the peculiarity of their
+properties, and from the effect their presence invariably produce
+on me--an effect I cannot associate with anything physical. One of
+the first occult phenomena I remember, appeared to me when I was
+about five years of age. I was then living in a town in the West of
+England, and had, according to the usual custom, been put to bed at
+six o'clock. I had spent a very happy day, playing with my favorite
+toys--soldiers--and, not being in the least degree tired, was amusing
+myself with planning a fresh campaign for the following morning, when
+I noticed suddenly that the bedroom door (which I distinctly remember
+my nurse carefully latching) was slowly opening. Thinking this was very
+curious, but without the slightest suspicion of 'ghosts,' I sat up in
+bed and watched.
+
+"The door continued to open, and at last I caught sight of something
+so extraordinary that my guilty conscience at once associated it with
+the Devil--with regard to whom I distinctly recollected to have spoken
+that afternoon in a sceptical, and I frankly admit, very disrespectful
+manner. But far from feeling the proximity of that heat which all those
+who profess authority on Satanic matters ascribe to Satan, I felt
+decidedly cold--so cold, indeed, that my hands grew numb and my teeth
+chattered. At first I only saw two light glittering eyes that fixed
+themselves upon me with an expression of diabolical glee, but I was
+soon able to perceive that they were set in a huge, flat face, covered
+with fulsome-looking yellow spots about the size of a threepenny bit.
+I do not remember noticing any of the other features, save the mouth,
+which was large and gaping. The body to which the head was attached
+was quite nude, and covered all over with spots similar to those on
+the face. I cannot recall any arms, though I have vivid recollections
+of two thick and, to all appearances, jointless legs, by the use of
+which it left the doorway, and gliding noiselessly over the carpet,
+approached the empty bed, placed in a parallel position to my own.
+There it halted, and thrusting its mis-shapen head forward, it fixed
+its malevolent eyes on me with a penetrating stare. On this occasion,
+I was far less frightened than on any of my subsequent experiences with
+the occult. Why, I cannot say, as the manifestation was certainly one
+of the most hideous I have ever seen. My curiosity, however, was far
+greater than my fear, and I kept asking myself what the thing was, and
+why it was there?
+
+"It did not seem to be composed of ordinary flesh and blood, but rather
+of some luminous matter that resembles the light emanating from a
+glow-worm.
+
+"After remaining in the same attitude for what seemed to me an
+incalculably long time, it gradually receded, and assuming all of
+a sudden a horizontal attitude, passed head first through the wall
+opposite to where I sat. Next day, I made a sketch of the apparition,
+and showed it to my relatives, who, of course, told me I had been
+dreaming. About two weeks later I was ill in bed with a painful, if
+not actually dangerous, disease. I was giving an account of this
+manifestation at a lecture I delivered two or three years ago in
+B., and when I had finished speaking, I was called aside by one of
+the audience who very shyly told me that he too had had a similar
+experience. Prior to being attacked by diphtheria, he had seen a
+queer-looking apparition which had approached his bedside and leaned
+over him. He assured me that he had been fully awake at the time, and
+had applied tests to prove that the phantom was entirely objective.
+
+"A number of other cases, too, have been reported to me, in which
+various species of phantasms have been seen before various illnesses.
+Hence I believe that certain spirits are symbolical of certain
+diseases, if not the actual creators of the bacilli from which
+these diseases arise. To these phantasms I have given the name of
+_Morbas_...."
+
+
+THE TALE OF THE MUMMY
+
+"During one of my sojourns in Paris," says Mr. Elliott O'Donnell, in
+his "Byways of Ghost Land," "I met a Frenchman who, he informed me, had
+just returned from the East. I asked him if he had brought back any
+curios such as vases, funeral urns, weapons or amulets. 'Yes, lots,'
+he replied, 'two cases full. But no mummies! Mon Dieu! No mummies. You
+ask me why? Ah! Thereby hangs a tale. If you will have patience, I will
+tell it you.'
+
+"The following is the gist of his narrative:
+
+"'Some seasons ago I traveled up the Nile as far as Assiut, and when
+there, managed to pay a visit to the grand ruins of Thebes. Among the
+various treasures I brought away with me was a mummy. I found it lying
+in an enormous lidless sarcophagus, close to a mutilated statue of
+Anubis. On my return to Assiut, I had the mummy placed in my tent, and
+thought no more of it till something awoke me with startling suddenness
+in the night. Then, obeying a peculiar impulse, I turned over on my
+side and looked in the direction of my treasure.
+
+"'The nights in the Soudan at this time of year are brilliant, one can
+even see to read, and every object in the desert is almost as clearly
+visible as by day. But I was quite startled by the whiteness of the
+glow which rested on the mummy, the face of which was immediately
+opposite mine. The remains--those of Met-Om-Karema, lady of the College
+of the god Amen-ra--were swathed in bandages, some of which had worn
+away in parts or become loose; and the figure, plainly discernible, was
+that of a shapely woman with elegant bust, well-formed limbs, rounded
+arms and small hands. The thumbs were slender, and the fingers, each of
+which was separately bandaged, long and tapering. The neck was full,
+the cranium rather long, the nose aquiline, the chin firm. Imitation
+eyes, brows, and lips were painted on the wrappings, and the effect
+thus produced and in the phosphorescent glare of the moonbeams, was
+very weird. I was quite alone in the tent, the only European who
+accompanied me to Assiut, having stayed in the town by preference, and
+my servants being encamped at one hundred or so yards from me on the
+ground.
+
+"'Sound travels far in the desert, but the silence now was absolute,
+and, though I listened attentively, I could not detect the slightest
+noise--man, beast and insect were abnormally still. There was something
+in the air, too, which struck me as unusual; an odd, clammy coldness
+that reminded me at once of the catacombs in Paris. I had hardly,
+however, conceived the resemblance, when a sob--low, gentle, but very
+distinct--sent a thrill of horror through me. It was ridiculous,
+absurd. It could not be, and I fought against the idea as to whence
+the sound had proceeded, as something too utterly fantastic, too
+utterly impossible. I tried to occupy my mind with other thoughts--the
+frivolities of Cairo, the casinos of Nice; but all to no purpose;
+and soon, on my eager, throbbing ear there again fell that sound,
+that low and gentle sob. My hair stood on end; this time there was no
+doubt, no possible manner of doubt--the mummy lived! I looked at it
+aghast. I strained my vision to detect any movement in its limbs,
+but none was perceptible. Yet the noise had come from it, it had
+breathed--breathed--and even as I hissed the word unconsciously through
+my clenched lips, the bosom of the mummy rose and fell.
+
+"'A frightful terror seized me. I tried to shriek to my servants; I
+could not ejaculate a syllable. I tried to close my eye-lids, but
+they were held open as in a vice. Again there came a sob that was
+immediately succeeded by a sigh; and a tremor ran through the figure
+from head to foot. One of its hands then began to move, the fingers
+clutched the air convulsively, then grew rigid, then curled slowly
+into the palms, then suddenly straightened. The bandages concealing
+them from view then fell off, and to my agonized sight were disclosed
+objects that struck me as strangely familiar. There is something about
+fingers, a marked individuality, I never forget. No two persons' hands
+are alike. And in these fingers, in their excessive whiteness, round
+knuckles, and blue veins, I read a likeness whose prototype, struggle
+how I would, I could not recall. Gradually the hand moved upwards, and,
+reaching the throat, the fingers set to work at once to remove the
+wrappings. My terror was now sublime. I dare not imagine, I dare not
+for one instant think, what I should see. And there was no getting away
+from it; I could not stir an inch, and the ghastly revelation would
+take place within a yard of my face!
+
+"'One by one the bandages came off. A glimmer of skin, pale as marble;
+the beginning of the nose, the whole nose; the upper lip, exquisitely,
+delicately cut; the teeth, white and even on the whole, but here and
+there a shining gold filling; the under lip, soft and gentle; a mouth
+I knew, but--God, where? In my dreams, in the wild fantasies that had
+oft-times visited by pillow at night--in delirium, in reality, where?
+Mon Dieu! WHERE?
+
+"'The uncasing continued. The chin next, a chin that was purely
+feminine, purely classical; then the upper part of the head--the hair
+long, black, luxuriant--the forehead low and white--the brows black,
+firmly pencilled; and last of all, the eyes!--and as they met my
+frenzied gaze, smiled, smiled right down into the depths of my living
+soul, I recognized them--they were the eyes of my mother, my mother
+who had died in my boyhood! Seized with a madness that knew no bounds,
+I sprang to my feet. The figure rose and confronted me. I flung open
+my arms to embrace her, the woman of all women in the world I loved
+best, the only woman I had ever loved. Shrinking from my touch, she
+cowered against the side of the tent. I fell on my knees before her and
+kissed--what? Not the feet of my mother, but those of the long-buried
+dead. Sick with repulsion and fear I looked up, and there bending over
+and peering into my eyes was the face, the fleshless, mouldering face
+of the foul and barely recognizable corpse! With a shriek of horror
+I rolled backwards, and, springing to my feet, prepared to fly. I
+glanced at the mummy. It was lying on the ground, stiff and still,
+every bandage in its place; whilst standing over it, a look of fiendish
+glee in its light, doglike eyes, was the figure of Anubis, lurid and
+menacing.
+
+"'The voices of my servants, assuring me they were coming, broke the
+silence, and in an instant the apparition vanished.
+
+"'I had had enough of the tent, however, at least for that night, and,
+seeking refuge in the town, I whiled away the hours till morning with
+a fragrant cigar and a novel. Directly I had breakfasted, I took the
+mummy back to Thebes, and left it there. No thank you, Mr. O'Donnell, I
+collect many kinds of curios, but--no more mummies!'"
+
+
+FACE SLAPPED BY A GHOST
+
+The following remarkable event occurred to a friend of mine--an
+elderly, married lady, whom I have known for some time. She is now
+making her home in Brooklyn, but at the time of her gruesome experience
+was residing in England. It is some years since this occurred, but the
+incident, she assured me, lives just as vividly in her mind as though
+it all happened yesterday. This is her story, just as she told it to me:
+
+"I was staying with some friends in the country. They had an old,
+rambling house, with long, draughty halls and corridors all over it. As
+the house was already full of guests, I had to sleep in a large room,
+at the end of the long passage, on the ground floor. The room in itself
+was comfortable enough--large and warm. Yet there was an atmosphere
+about that apartment which I did not quite like; in fact, the whole
+house made me feel 'creepy,' for no reason that I can give.
+
+"Bed-time came all too soon; and I took my candle and was shown my
+room. My hostess saw that I had everything I needed; and then, saying
+good-night, went upstairs to bed.
+
+"I had half undressed when I saw the door of my room gently and quietly
+opened, as though a stealthy hand were softly pressing it open. I
+gazed transfixed, until, when wide open, I could see that no one was,
+in reality, on the other side of the door. At that I drew a breath
+of relief. 'A draught,' I thought, 'coming down the hallway. It is
+nothing.' And I chided myself on my fears; shut the door, and proceeded
+to undress.
+
+"I had not gone far, however, when to my amazement the door opened
+again; just as quietly and stealthily as before. Again I closed the
+door, and proceeded with my undressing. I had by this time finished,
+and had donned my night-gown preparatory to getting into bed.
+
+"At that moment I was horrified to see my door open for the _third_
+time, just as it did before--slowly, slowly, until it rested on its
+hinges, wide open to the hall. I now determined to investigate; so,
+taking my candle in my hand, I stepped out into the hall and proceeded
+down towards the front door.
+
+"I had not taken more than three or four steps, however, when the
+candle in my hands was extinguished--as though a breath of wind, coming
+from nowhere, had blown it out. I did not much relish this, as the
+matches were in my room. But I determined to keep on, in the dark,
+and see what the cause of this could be. So I kept on and on, down
+the dark hall--my left hand holding the extinguished candle; my right
+extended so that I could feel the solid masonry all the way down the
+corridor.
+
+"I had proceeded, perhaps, half way, when a strange thing occurred. I
+suddenly felt myself slapped on the left cheek by something cold and
+moist and clammy. I put my hand up to my face, and felt it was wet. For
+an instant I hesitated; then I proceeded, down the hall, until I came
+to the front door. That I found closed and locked. Having thus explored
+the whole length of the hall and found nothing, I turned back to regain
+my room. Still holding the candle in my left hand, and still feeling
+the wall with my outstretched right hand, I crept cautiously along, not
+knowing what to expect.
+
+"Again, I had proceeded about half way down the hall when I felt the
+same cold, quick slap in the face (this time on the right cheek) and
+again I found it was wet.
+
+"Thoroughly frightened now, I fled to my room as fast as my legs could
+carry me. Once within, I closed and secured the door by placing a chair
+against it. Next, finding my box of matches, I relighted my candle.
+Then I surveyed myself in the mirror, to see what could be upon my
+face.
+
+"Imagine my horror when, on looking in the glass, I discovered two
+long streaks of blood, one upon either cheek! I was so terror-struck
+that I gazed at myself for a few moments unable to move or speak. Then
+I screamed, and after that I have no very clear recollection of what
+happened. I have a hazy recollection of anxious faces bending over me;
+of a low hum of voices; then oblivion.
+
+"It took me many weeks to recover from the shock of that night."
+
+
+ALONE WITH A GHOST IN A CHURCH
+
+The following case is sent me by a correspondent:
+
+I once knew a young man by the name of Charles D. Bradlaugh, who took a
+delight in ridiculing ghost stories and, whenever possible, in proving
+them to be due to fraud, trickery or hallucination. He stated he was
+"afraid of nothing." I said to him one day in conversation: "If you are
+as fearless as you say, would you be willing to spend a night alone,
+locked up in a Church with a corpse freshly placed in its coffin?"
+
+He replied that he would do it any time; so the test was shortly
+arranged. One of the parishioners had just died, and had been placed
+in the crypt of the church, with the lid of the coffin removed. The
+lights were all extinguished; we locked the door after us, and went
+away, leaving Bradlaugh and the spirits to fight it out between them.
+
+What occurred during the night must be told in Bradlaugh's own words,
+as nearly as I can recall them:
+
+"When I heard the key turn in the door, that night, I confess that a
+strange feeling came over me for the first time in my life. I wanted
+to get out; but of course I knew it was useless; and in the next place
+my pride forbade my leaving. Shaking off the superstitious fear that
+had settled upon me, I turned away; and proceeded to explore, as best I
+could, the whole of the church.
+
+"A bright moonlight fell in through the windows, casting queer shadows
+in various directions; and across the long rows of pews and the altar
+at the far end of the church. I walked about, looking at everything
+curiously, as it had been long since I found myself inside a church.
+Then I proceeded to the crypt, and, walking boldly up to the coffin, I
+gazed long and earnestly at the corpse lying within it, as though to
+familiarize myself with it. I went on the principle that 'familiarity
+breeds contempt.' When I had done this, I went back to the nave of the
+church, and, finding a comfortable place, I lay down, and was soon in
+a state bordering on sleep. I should have been asleep, probably, very
+soon; but, just as I was dropping off, I heard a faint sound coming
+from the direction of the crypt. It was like a deep sigh, and this
+was followed by other sounds which I find it hard to describe. All I
+know is that, in the quiet and stillness of that awful place, those
+sounds, slight as they were, were truly appalling, and chilled the very
+blood in my veins. Their very indistinctness added to their terror. I
+could not conceive what could make such uncanny noises. I sat up, and
+strained my eyes in the darkness, trying to penetrate the gloom. Then
+I heard the first faint footsteps coming up the stairs from the crypt!
+At first, these were faint, but they became louder and louder; until
+finally I could hear them plainly. Undoubtedly they were foot-falls, as
+though a human being were mounting the steps from the crypt where the
+corpse had been laid!
+
+"I rose from my seat, my hair standing on end, while queer, cold
+shivers ran up and down my back. I advanced one or two paces toward the
+door, hardly knowing what to expect. Then, as I looked, I saw step into
+the bright moonlight, the corpse that a few moments before I had seen
+lying in the coffin downstairs!
+
+"Frantic with fear, I rushed at the corpse, still shrouded, as it was,
+in the white wrappings which, torn and dishevelled, still enveloped the
+body. I raised one hand as though to strike the ghost, and thrust the
+hateful thing from me; when I felt a stunning blow on the point of my
+jaw, and a moment later I had lost sensibility. When I awoke, you were
+all round me. You know the rest."
+
+To make a long story short, it turned out that the supposed "corpse"
+was not really dead at all, but in a sort of trance; and had been
+buried prematurely. He had revived in the night; and was advancing into
+the church when he encountered Bradlaugh in the doorway. Thinking him a
+robber or an assassin, he had struck first; and, being a powerful man
+and a good boxer, he had knocked out Bradlaugh by a blow on the jaw.
+When we arrived in the morning, we found Bradlaugh senseless, and the
+"corpse," now stripped of his grave clothes, bending over him, dashing
+cold water in his face!
+
+
+A HAUNTED HOUSE IN FRANCE
+
+The following case, said to be authentic, is quoted here because of
+the incident of the "shouts and laughter" which were heard, and which
+serve to throw an interesting sidelight on the case which follows it.
+
+The Rev. F. G. Lee, in his book, _Sights and Shadows_, gives the
+following account, sent to him, of a haunted house in France:
+
+"In the spring of the year 1891, great excitement was occasioned by
+a disembodied spirit in a haunted house in LePort, at Nice. This is
+situated in a terrace close to the quarries, where, after the reports
+concerning it, as many as two thousand persons were often gathered
+round it. The spirits haunting it--never visible, however--would
+beat the inmates so unmercifully that the blows would leave bruises.
+Hundreds of persons saw the result, and testified to the undoubted
+facts. The local police, on being appealed to, and having heard the
+evidence of numerous eye-witnesses, and of those persons who were
+inconvenienced, formed a body of organized inquirers, who, shrewd
+enough in mundane matters, utterly failed to discover anything or
+anybody.
+
+"On one occasion, thirteen men sat up in three rooms which had been
+well lighted, and some of them played cards for several hours to while
+away the time. During the whole of this occurrence, the strangest
+noises were heard in various parts of the building. It seemed, at
+one time, as if a whole regiment of soldiers were tramping up the
+chief staircase. Pictures swung to and fro upon the walls, without any
+visible motive effect.[4] Then heavy blows were heard on the walls, and
+it appeared that the closed doors and the shutters were being violently
+struck and thumped, as if with a large hammer wrapped in cloth.
+
+      [4] This is a common feature of haunted houses.--H.C.
+
+"On two occasions, a room on the ground floor was found to be in the
+densest darkness, though outside the house the sun was shining. On
+another occasion, just before midnight, when certain persons were
+specially present to note any supernatural occurrences, all the lamps
+in the house were suddenly put out; while shouts and laughter were
+heard in every part of the place, more particularly from the empty
+rooms. At the same time, heavy blows were experienced by those present,
+who were very severely bruised, and a large bottle of ink was thrown by
+invisible hands from the top of the staircase.
+
+"Every attempt was made to discover the source of these extraordinary
+disorders, but without avail. They were reported to have ceased for
+several months, but to have commenced again at a later period. A local
+communication says that they still 'occur at intervals.'"
+
+
+A HAUNTED HOUSE IN GEORGIA
+
+The following account is taken from the report of the San Francisco
+_Examiner_, and is certainly one of the most striking cases of the
+character on record. It is not put forward as strictly "evidential,"
+but its interesting nature certainly warrants its insertion in this
+volume.
+
+"Soon after the Walsinghams took up their abode in their new home,
+they began to be disturbed by strange sounds and odd phenomena. These
+disturbances generally took the form of noises in the house after the
+family had retired and the lights had been extinguished--continual
+banging of the doors, things overturned, the doorbell rang, and the
+annoying of the house dog, a large and intelligent mastiff.
+
+"One day Don Cæsar, the mastiff, was found in the hallway barking
+furiously and bristling with rage, while his eyes seemed directed to
+the wall just before him. At last he made a spring forward with a
+hoarse yelp of ungovernable fury, only to fall back as if flung down by
+some powerful and cruel hand. Upon examination it was found that his
+neck had been broken.
+
+"The house cat, on the contrary, seemed rather to enjoy the favor of
+the ghost, and would often enter a door as if escorting some visitor,
+whose hand was stroking her back. She would also climb about a chair,
+rubbing herself and purring as if well pleased at the presence of some
+one in the seat. She and Don Cæsar invariably manifested this eccentric
+conduct at the same time, as though the mysterious being were visible
+to both of them.
+
+"The annoying visitant finally took to arousing the family at all hours
+of the night by making such a row as to render any rest impossible.
+
+"This noise, which consisted of shouts, groans, hideous laughter, and a
+peculiar, most distressing wail, would sometimes proceed, apparently,
+from under the house, sometimes from the ceiling and at other times in
+the very room in which the family was seated. One night Miss Amelia
+Walsingham, the young lady daughter, was engaged at her toilet, when
+she felt a hand softly laid on her shoulder. Thinking it her mother or
+sister, she glanced at the glass before her, only to be thunderstruck
+at seeing the mirror reflect no form but her own, though she could
+plainly see a man's broad hand lying on her arm.
+
+"She brought the family to her by her screams, but when they reached
+her all sign of the mysterious hand had gone. Mr. Walsingham himself
+saw footsteps form beside his own while walking through the garden
+after a light rain.
+
+"The marks were those of a man's naked feet, and fell beside his own,
+as if the person walked at his side.
+
+"Matters grew so serious that the Walsinghams became frightened, and
+talked of leaving the house, when an event took place which confirmed
+them in this determination. The family was seated at the supper table
+with several guests who were spending the evening when a loud groan was
+heard in the room overhead.
+
+"This was, however, nothing unusual, and very little notice was taken
+of it until one of the visitors pointed out a stain of what looked like
+blood on the white table cloth, and it was seen that some liquid was
+slowly dripping on the table from the ceiling overhead. This liquid was
+so much like freshly-shed blood that it horrified those who watched its
+slow dropping. Mr. Walsingham, with several of his guests, ran hastily
+upstairs and into the room directly over the one in which the blood was
+dripping.
+
+"A carpet covered the floor, and nothing appeared to explain the source
+of the ghastly rain; but, anxious to satisfy themselves thoroughly,
+the carpet was immediately ripped up, and the boarding found to be
+perfectly dry, and even covered with a thin layer of dust, and all the
+while the floor was being examined the persons below could swear the
+blood never ceased to drop. A stain the size of a dinner-plate was
+formed before the drops ceased to fall. This stain was examined the
+next day under the microscope, and was pronounced by competent chemists
+to be human blood.
+
+"The Walsinghams left the house next day, and since then the place
+has been apparently given over to spooks and evil spirits, which make
+the night hideous with the noise of revel, shouts and furious yells.
+Hundreds from all over this county and adjacent ones have visited the
+place, but few have had the courage to pass the night in the haunted
+house. One daring spirit, however, Horace Gunn, of Savannah, accepted
+a wager that he could not spend twenty-four hours in it, and did so,
+though he declares that there is not enough money in the country to
+make him pass another night there. He was found the morning after
+by his friends with whom he made the wager, in a swoon. He has never
+recovered from the shock of his horrible experience, and is still
+confined to his bed suffering from nervous prostration.
+
+"His story is that shortly after nightfall he endeavored to kindle
+a fire in one of the rooms, and to light the lamp with which he had
+provided himself, but to his surprise and consternation, found it
+impossible to do either. An icy breath, which seemed to proceed from
+some invisible person at his side, extinguished each match as he
+lighted it. At this peculiarly terrifying turn of affairs Mr. Gunn
+would have left the house and forfeited the amount of his wager, a
+considerable one, but he was restrained by the fear of ridicule. He
+steadied himself in the dark with what calmness he could, and waited
+developments.
+
+"For some time nothing occurred, and the young man was half-dozing,
+when, after an hour or two, he was brought to his feet by a sudden yell
+of pain or rage that seemed to come from under the house. This appeared
+to be the signal for an outbreak of hideous noises all over the house.
+The sound of running feet could be heard scurrying up and down the
+stairs, hastening from one room to another, as if one person fled from
+the pursuit of a second. This kept up for nearly an hour, but at last
+ceased altogether, and for some time Mr. Gunn sat in darkness and
+quiet, and had about concluded that the performance was over for the
+night. At last, however, his attention was attracted by a white spot
+that gradually appeared on the opposite wall.
+
+"The spot continued to brighten, until it seemed a disc of white
+fire, when the horrified spectator saw that the light emanated from
+and surrounded a human head, which, without a body, or any visible
+means of support, was moving slowly along the wall, about the height
+of a man from the floor. This ghastly head appeared to be that of
+an aged person, though whether male or female it was difficult to
+determine. The hair was long and gray, and matted together with
+dark clots of blood, which also issued from a deep jagged wound in
+one temple. The cheeks were fallen in and the whole face indicated
+suffering and unspeakable misery. The eyes were wide open, and gleamed
+with an unearthly fire, while the glassy eyes seemed to follow the
+terror-stricken Gunn, who was too thoroughly paralyzed by what he saw
+to move or cry out. Finally, the head disappeared and the room was once
+more left in darkness, but the young man could hear what seemed to be
+half a dozen persons moving about him, while the whole house shook as
+if rocked by some violent earthquake.
+
+"The groaning and the wailing that broke forth from every direction was
+something terrific, and an unearthly rattle and banging as of china
+or tin pans being flung to the ground floor from the upper story added
+to the deafening noise. Gunn at last roused himself sufficiently to
+try and leave the haunted house. Feeling his way along the wall, in
+order to avoid the beings, whatever they were, that filled the room,
+the young man had nearly succeeded in reaching the door when he found
+himself seized by the ankle and was violently thrown to the floor. He
+was grasped by icy hands, which sought to grip him about the throat. He
+struggled with his unseen foe, but was soon overpowered and choked into
+insensibility. When found by his friends, his throat was black with the
+marks of long, thin fingers, armed with cruel, curved nails.
+
+"The only explanation which, can be found for these mysterious
+manifestations is that about three months before, a number of bones
+were discovered on the Walsingham place, which some declared even then
+to be those of a human being. Mr. Walsingham pronounced them, however,
+to be an animal's, and they were hastily thrown into an adjacent
+limekiln. It is supposed to be the outraged spirit of a person to whom
+they belonged in life which is now creating such consternation."
+
+
+SHAKEN BY A GHOST
+
+The following narrative is vouched for by Mrs. H. S. Iredell, of
+Tunbridge Wells, England, a relative of the Rev. Dr. Lee, who gives the
+case in his _Sights and Shadows_:
+
+"The haunted house in question is near Wandsworth common. The late
+occupants of it were a man, his wife and their child. They had to
+leave it, for they could get no rest in it at night for the fearful
+noises which went on incessantly, like sounds as of a sledge-hammer
+wrapped in flannel struck against the walls. The sister-in-law of the
+late occupants, who told me of it, had spent some days at the house,
+so I heard all the story first-hand. One night she likewise felt as if
+someone had taken her by the shoulders and she was being roughly shaken
+from side to side. Her husband, who was with her, saw her at the time
+she was being shaken by an invisible power, stretched out his hand
+to take hold of her; but he felt right up his arm to his shoulder a
+_shock_, as it were of electricity, which made him instantly draw back
+and cry out. Nothing was ever seen, but in the special sleeping-room
+which seemed to be haunted, the clothes used to be pulled off the bed
+at night and thrown on the floor, and then they used to raise or rear
+themselves up again on the bed....
+
+"Since the above was written, it is reported, that no less than five
+families have respectively occupied the house as tenants, who one and
+all have left it as soon as possible. It is now said to be permanently
+untenanted."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+This case is given because of the incident of the "electric shock"
+which the percipient received, when attempting to interfere with
+the "spirit"; and serves as an interesting modern and apparently
+well-authenticated instance of what occurred in Lytton's story, which
+follows.
+
+
+THE HOUSE AND THE BRAIN
+
+Bulwer Lytton's story, "The House and the Brain," is, perhaps, the most
+remarkable ghost story of this character on record, and is considered,
+by many, the best ever written. The phenomena occur in a house which
+is reputed to be haunted; no one will live in it. At last one brave
+soul determines to pass the night within its walls; he and his servant
+take up their abode in it, and, after various startling adventures of
+a minor character, the "grand climax" of the night is reached. As the
+author sat reading by the fire, the following occurred, which is told
+in his own words:
+
+"I now became aware that something interposed between the page and the
+light--the page was over-shadowed; I looked up, and I saw what I shall
+find it very difficult, perhaps impossible, to describe.
+
+"It was a Darkness shaping itself forth from the air in very undefined
+outline. I cannot say it was a human form, and yet it had more
+resemblance to a human form, or rather shadow, than to anything else.
+As it stood, wholly apart and distinct from the air and light around
+it, its dimensions seemed gigantic, the summit nearly touching the
+ceiling. While I gazed, a feeling of intense cold seized me. An iceberg
+could not more have chilled me; nor could the cold of an iceberg have
+been more purely physical. I feel convinced that it was not the cold
+caused by fear. As I continued to gaze, I thought--but this I cannot
+say with precision--that I distinguished two eyes looking on me from
+the height. One moment I fancied that I distinguished them clearly; the
+next they seemed gone; but still two rays of pale blue light frequently
+shot through the darkness, as from the height on which, I half
+believed, half doubted, that I had encountered the eyes.
+
+"I strove to speak--my voice utterly failed me; I could only think to
+myself, Is this fear? It is _not_ fear! I strove to rise; in vain; I
+felt weighed down by an irresistible force. Indeed, my impression was
+that of an immense and overwhelming Power opposed to my volition; that
+sense of utter inadequacy to cope with a force beyond man's, which one
+may feel _physically_ in a storm at sea, in a conflagration, or when
+confronting some terrible wild beast--or rather, perhaps, the shark of
+the ocean, I felt _morally_. Opposed to my will was another will, as
+far superior to its strength as storm, fire and shark are superior in
+material force to the force of man.
+
+"And now--as this impression grew on me--now came, at last,
+horror--horror of a degree that no words can convey. Still I retained
+pride, if not courage; and in my own mind I said: 'This is horror, but
+it is not fear; unless I fear I cannot be harmed; my reason rejects
+this thing; it is an illusion--I do not fear.' With a violent effort I
+succeeded at last in stretching out my hand towards the weapon on the
+table; as I did so, on the arm and shoulder I received a strange shock,
+and my arm fell to my side powerless. And now, to add to my horror,
+the light began slowly to wane from the candles--they were not, as it
+were, extinguished, but their flame seemed very gradually withdrawn--it
+was the same with the fire; the light was extinguished from the fuel;
+in a few minutes the room was in utter darkness. The dread that came
+over me, to be thus in the dark with that Thing, whose power was so
+intensely felt, brought on a reaction of nerve. In fact, terror had
+reached that climax, that either my senses must have deserted me, or I
+must have burst through the spell. I _did_ burst through it. I found
+voice, though the voice was a shriek. I remember that I broke forth
+with words like these--'I do not fear, my soul does not fear'; and at
+the same time I found the strength to rise. Still in that profound
+gloom I rushed to one of the windows--tore aside the curtain--flung
+open the shutters; my first thought was--LIGHT. And when I saw the
+moon high, clear and calm, I felt a joy that almost compensated me for
+my previous terror. There was the moon; there also was the light from
+the gas lamps in the deserted, slumberous street. I turned to look
+back into the room; the moon penetrated its shadow very palely and
+partially--but still there was light. The dark Thing, whatever it might
+be, was gone--except that I could yet see a dim shadow, which seemed
+the shadow of that shade against the opposite wall.
+
+"My eye now rested on the table, and from under the table (which was
+without cloth or cover--an old mahogany round table) there rose a
+hand, visible as far as the wrist. It was a hand, seemingly, as much
+of flesh and blood as my own, but the hand of an aged person--lean,
+wrinkled, small too--a woman's hand. That hand very softly closed on
+the two letters that lay on the table; hand and letters both vanished.
+Then there came the same three loud, measured knocks I had heard on the
+bed-head before this extraordinary drama commenced.
+
+"As these sounds slowly ceased, I felt the whole room vibrate sensibly;
+and at the far end there rose, from the floor, sparks or globules, like
+globules of light, many colored--green, yellow, fire-red, azure. Up
+and down, to and fro, hither, thither, as tiny Will o' the Wisps, the
+sparks moved, slow and swift, each at its own caprice. A chair (as in
+the drawing-room below) was now advanced from the wall without apparent
+agency, and placed at the opposite side of the table. Suddenly, as
+forth from the air, there grew a shape, a woman's shape. It was
+distinct as a shape of life--ghastly as the shape of death. The face
+was that of youth, with a strange, mournful beauty; the throat and
+shoulders were bare; the rest of the form in a loose robe of cloudy
+white. It began sleeking its long, yellow hair, which fell over its
+shoulders; its eyes were not turned towards me, but to the floor; it
+seemed listening, watching, waiting. The shadow of the shade in the
+background grew darker; and again I thought I saw the eyes gleaming out
+from the summit of the shadow--eyes fixed upon that shape.
+
+"As if from the door, though it did not open, there grew out another
+shape, equally distinct, equally ghastly--a man's shape--a young man's.
+It was in the dress of the last century, or rather the likeness to such
+dress (for both the male and the female, though defined, were evidently
+unsubstantial, impalpable, simulacra, phantasms), and there was
+something incongruous, grotesque, yet fearful in the contrast between
+the elaborate finery, the courtly precision of that old-fashioned garb,
+with its ruffles and lace and buckles, and the corpse-like aspect and
+ghost-like stillness of the flitting wearer. Just as the male shape
+approached the female, the dark shadow started from the wall, and
+all three for a moment were wrapped in darkness. When the pale light
+returned, the two phantasms were as if in the grasp of the shadow, that
+towered between them, and there was a blood stain on the breast of the
+female; and the phantom male was leaning on its phantom sword, and
+blood seemed trickling fast from the ruffles, from the lace; and the
+darkness of the intermediate Shadow swallowed them up--they were gone.
+And again the bubbles of light shot, and sailed, and undulated, growing
+thicker and thicker and more wildly confused in their movements.
+
+"The closet door to the right of the fireplace now opened, and from
+the aperture there came the form of an aged woman. In her hand she
+held letters--the very letters over which I had seen the hand close;
+and behind her I heard a footstep. She turned round as if to listen,
+and then she opened her letters and seemed to read; and over her
+shoulder I saw a livid face, the face of a man long drowned--bloated,
+bleached--seaweed tangled in its dripping hair, and at her feet lay a
+form as of a corpse, and beside the corpse there towered a child, a
+miserable, squalid child, with famine in its cheeks and fear in its
+eyes. And as I looked in the old woman's face, the wrinkles and lines
+vanished; and it became the face of youth--hard-eyed, stony, but still
+youth; and the Shadow darted forth and darkened over these phantoms as
+it had darkened over the last.
+
+"Nothing now was left but the Shadow, and on that my eyes were intently
+fixed, till again eyes grew out of the Shadow--malignant, serpent
+eyes. And the bubbles of light again rose and fell, and in their
+disordered, irregular, turbulent maze, mingled with the wan moonlight.
+And now from these globules themselves, as from the shell of an egg,
+monstrous things burst out; the air grew filled with them; larvæ so
+bloodless and so hideous that I can in no way describe them except
+to remind the reader of the swarming life which the solar microscope
+brings before the eyes in a drop of water--things transparent, supple,
+agile, chasing each other, devouring each other--forms like nought
+ever beheld by the naked eye. As the shapes were without symmetry, so
+their movements were without order. In their very vagrancies there
+was no sport; they came round me and round; thicker and faster and
+swifter, swarming over my head, crawling over my right arm, which was
+outstretched in involuntary command against all evil things. Sometimes
+I felt myself touched, but not by them; invisible hands touched me.
+Once I felt the clutch of cold, soft fingers at my throat, I was still
+equally conscious that if I gave way to fear I should be in bodily
+peril; and I concentrated all my faculties in the single focus of
+resisting, stubborn will. And I turned my sight from the Shadow--above
+all, from those strange serpent eyes--eyes that had now become
+distinctly visible. For there, though in nought else round me, I was
+aware that there was a WILL, and a will of intense, creative, working
+evil, which might crush down my own.
+
+"The pale atmosphere in the room began now to redden as if in the air
+of some near conflagration. The larvæ grew lurid as things that live on
+fire. Again the room vibrated; again I heard the three measured knocks;
+and again all things were swallowed up in the darkness of the dark
+shadow--as if out of that darkness all had come, into that darkness all
+had returned.
+
+"As the gloom receded, the Shadow was wholly gone. Slowly, as it had
+been withdrawn, the flame grew again into the candles on the table,
+again into the fuel in the grate....
+
+"The room came once more calmly, healthfully into sight.
+
+"Nothing more chanced for the rest of the night. Nor, indeed, had I
+long to wait before the dawn broke...."
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX A
+
+HISTORICAL GHOSTS
+
+
+Royalty and well-known personages have seen ghosts in all ages of the
+world's history; certainly they are not exempt from the common run of
+humanity so far as ghostly visitations are concerned! Mr. Stead has
+compiled a number of notable cases of this character, of which the
+following are probably the most noteworthy:
+
+
+ROYAL
+
+_Henry IV._ of France told D'Aubigne that, in the presence of
+himself, the Archbishop of Lyons, and three ladies of the Court, the
+Queen (Margaret of Valois) saw the apparition of a certain Cardinal
+afterwards found to have died at the moment.
+
+_Abel the Fratricide_, King of Denmark, still haunts the woods of
+Poole, near the city of Sleswig.
+
+_Valdemar IV._ haunts Gurre Wood, near Elsinore.
+
+_Charles XI._, of Sweden, accompanied by his chamberlain and state
+physician, witnessed the trial of the assassin of Gartavus III., which
+occurred nearly a century later.
+
+_James IV._, of Scotland, was warned by an apparition against his
+intended expedition into England. He, however, proceeded and fell at
+Flodden Field.
+
+_Charles I._, of England, was also warned by an apparition, but paying
+no heed, was disastrously defeated at Naseby.
+
+_Queen Elizabeth_ is said to have been warned of her death by the
+apparition of her own double.
+
+
+EMPERORS
+
+_Trajan_ and _Caracalla_ both saw apparitions, which they recorded.
+
+_Theodosius_ and _Julian the Apostate_ both beheld apparitions, at
+important crises in their lives.
+
+
+FAMOUS MEN
+
+_Sir Robert Peel_ and his brother both saw Lord Byron in London when he
+was in reality lying dangerously ill of a fever in Patras. During the
+same fever, he also appeared to others.
+
+_Julius Caesar_, _Xerxes_, _Drusus_, _Pausanius_, _Dio_ (General of
+Syracuse), _Admiral Coligni_ all saw apparitions, which made a deep
+impression on them in every case.
+
+_Napoleon_, at St. Helena, saw and conversed with the apparition of
+Josephine, who warned him of his approaching death. _Blucher_, on
+the day of his death, was also told of it by an apparition. _General
+Garfield_ saw and conversed with his father, latterly deceased.
+_Lincoln_ had a certain premonitory dream which occurred three times
+in relation to important battles, and the fourth on the eve of his
+assassination.
+
+_Dante_, son of the poet, was visited in a dream by his father, who
+conversed with him and told him (correctly) where to find the missing
+thirteen cantos of the "Commedia."
+
+_Goethe_ saw his own double riding by his side under conditions which
+really occurred years later.
+
+_Tasso_ saw and conversed with beings invisible to those about him.
+
+_Cellini_ was dissuaded from suicide by the apparition of a young man
+who frequently visited and encouraged him.
+
+_Mozart_ was visited by a mysterious person who ordered him to compose
+a _requiem_, and came frequently to inquire after its progress, but
+disappeared on its completion, which occurred just in time for its
+performance at his own funeral.
+
+_Ben Johnson_ was visited by the apparition of his eldest son with the
+mark of a bloody cross upon his forehead at the moment of his death by
+the plague.
+
+_Thackery_ wrote: "It is all very well for you who have probably never
+seen spirit manifestations to talk as you do, but had you seen what I
+have witnessed you would hold a different opinion."
+
+_Hugh Miller_, _Maria Edgeworth_, _Captain Marryat_, _Madame de Stael_,
+_Sir Humphrey Davy_, _William Harvey_, _Francis Bacon_, _Martin
+Luther_, _George Fox_, _Cardinal Newman_, _Bishop Wilberforce_, and
+many others have seen apparitions, or held converse with the unseen
+world in one form or another, as recorded by themselves.
+
+Among the famous historical hauntings, we must not forget to mention
+the famous _Cock Lane Ghost_ which occurred about 1760. According to a
+brief paragraph printed in the _London Ledger_, 1762, we read that:
+
+"For some time a great knocking having been heard in the night, at
+the officiating parish clerk's of St. Sepulchre's, in Cock Lane near
+Smithfield, to the great terror of the family, and all means used to
+discover the meaning of it having failed, four gentlemen sat up there
+last Friday night, among whom was a clergyman standing withinside the
+door, who asked various questions. On his asking whether anyone had
+been murdered, no answer was made; but on his asking whether anyone had
+been poisoned, it knocked one and thirty times. The report current in
+the neighborhood is that a woman was some time ago poisoned, and buried
+in St. John's Clerkenwell, by her brother-in-law."
+
+These knockings and phenomena occurred for a considerable time, until
+the whole community became interested in the manifestations. While
+various theories were advanced at the time--and since--to explain this
+ghost, no definite conclusion has ever been arrived at.
+
+The _Drummer of Tedworth_ is a still older and equally famous ghost,
+who flourished about a hundred years before the Cock Lane Ghost, and
+was investigated (and the results carefully recorded) by Sir Joseph
+Glanvil, F.R.S., who wrote a book about the case: "_Sadducismus
+Triumphatus_," which was also devoted to the general phenomena of
+witchcraft. Here, also, we find records of unaccountable "knockings"
+and similar phenomena, which lasted for a considerable time, and which
+have never yet been explained.
+
+The ghost which invaded _John Wesley's_ house stayed with them for
+several years, and manifested his presence in a variety of elaborate
+and ingenious ways. Those who are interested in this ghost and his
+doings should read Wesley's _Journal_; also the various discussions,
+_pro_ and _con._, which have appeared in the _Proceedings_ of the
+Society for Psychical Research, from time to time. It is a most curious
+and suggestive record.
+
+The _Devils of Loudon_ might also be cited as an interesting case
+of psychic phenomena; and here trance, automatic speech, etc., were
+observed--as well as the usual physical phenomena. This is perhaps
+one of the earliest cases which was closely observed, and in which
+skeptical criticism was applied. This case will be found recorded in
+Mr. H. Addington Bruce's "_Historic Ghosts and Ghost Hunters_."
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX B
+
+THE PHANTOM ARMIES SEEN IN FRANCE
+
+
+History abounds in cases showing the apparent intrusion of spiritual
+help in time of trouble, and in the annals of military history, these
+accounts are not lacking. On several occasions, the Crusaders thought
+that they saw angelic hosts fighting for them--phantom horsemen
+charging the enemy, when their own utter destruction seemed imminent.
+In the wars between the English and the Scotch, several such cases were
+cited, and the Napoleonic wars also furnished examples. But the most
+striking evidence of this character--because the newest--and supported,
+apparently, by a good deal of first-hand and sincere testimony, is
+that afforded by the Phantom Armies seen in France during the retreat
+of the British army from Mons--the field of Agincourt. Cut off by
+overwhelming numbers, and all but annihilated, the British army fought
+desperately, but the 80,000 were opposed by 300,000 Germans, backed by
+a terrific fire of artillery, and were indeed in a critical position.
+They were only saved, as we know, by the heroism of a small force of
+men--a rearguard--who were practically wiped out in consequence. At the
+most critical moment came what appeared to be angelic assistance. The
+tide of battle seemed to be stemmed by supernatural means. In a letter
+written by a soldier who actually witnessed these startling events,
+quoted by the Hon. Mrs. St. John Mildmay (_North American Review_,
+August, 1915), the following graphic account is given. Our soldier
+writes--
+
+"The men joked at the shells and found many funny names for them, and
+had bets about them, and greeted them with music-hall songs, as they
+screamed in this terrific cannonade.... The climax seemed to have been
+reached, but 'a seven-times heated hell' of the enemy's onslaught fell
+upon them, rending brother from brother. At that very moment, they saw
+from their trenches a tremendous host moving against their lines. Five
+hundred of the thousand (who had been detailed to fight the rear-guard
+action) remained, and as far as they could see the German infantry was
+pressing on against them, column by column, a grey world of men--10,000
+of them, as it appeared afterwards. There was no hope at all. Some of
+them shook hands. One man improvised a new version of the battle song
+Tipperary, ending 'and we shan't get there!' And all went on firing
+steadily.... The enemy dropped line after line, while the few machine
+guns did their best. Everyone knew it was of no use. The dead grey
+bodies lay in companies and battalions, but others came on and on,
+swarming and advancing from beyond and beyond.
+
+"'World without end, Amen,' said one of the British soldiers, with some
+irreverence, as he took aim and fired. Then he remembered a vegetarian
+restaurant in London, where he had once or twice eaten queer dishes of
+cutlets made of lentils and nuts that pretended to be steaks. On all
+the plates in this restaurant a figure of St. George was printed in
+blue with the motto, _Adsit Anglis Sanctus Georgius_ (May St. George
+be a present help to England!) The soldier happened to know 'Latin
+and other useless things,' so now, as he fired at the grey advancing
+mass, 300 yards away, he uttered the pious vegetarian motto. He went
+on firing to the end, till at last Bill on his right had to clout him
+cheerfully on the head to make him stop, pointing out as he did so that
+the King's ammunition cost money and was not lightly to be wasted....
+For, as the Latin scholar uttered his invocation, he felt something
+between a shudder and an electric shock pass through his body. The roar
+of the battle died down in his ears to a gentle murmur, and instead of
+it, he says, he heard a great voice louder than a thunder peal, crying
+'Array! Array!' His heart grew hot as a burning coal, then it grew cold
+as ice within him, for it seemed to him a tumult of voices answered to
+the summons. He heard or seemed to hear thousands shouting:
+
+  "'_St. George! St. George!_
+
+  "'_Ha! Messire, Ha! Sweet Saint, grant us good deliverance!_
+
+  "'_St. George for Merrie England!_
+
+  "'_Harow! Harow! Monseigneur St. George, succour us, Ha! St.
+  George! A low bow, and a strong bow, Knight of Heaven, aid us!_'
+
+"As the soldier heard these voices, he saw before him, beyond the
+trench, a long line of shapes with a shining about them. They were like
+men who drew the bow, and with another shout their cloud of arrows flew
+singing through the air toward the German host. The other men in the
+trenches were firing all the while. They had no hope, but they aimed
+just as if they had been shooting at Bisley.
+
+"Suddenly one of these lifted up his voice in plain English. 'Gawd help
+us,' he bellowed to the man next him, 'but we're bloomin' marvels! Look
+at those grey gentlemen! Look at them! They're not going down in dozens
+or hundreds--its _thousands_ it is! Look, look! There's a regiment gone
+while I'm talking to ye!'
+
+"'Shut it,' the other soldier bellowed, taking aim. 'What are ye
+talkin' about?' But he gulped with astonishment even as he spoke, for
+indeed the grey men were falling by the thousands. The English could
+hear the guttural scream of their revolvers as they shot, and line
+after line crashed to the earth. All the while the Latin-bred soldier
+heard the cry 'Harow, Harow! Monseigneur! Dear Saint! Quick to our aid!
+St. George help us!'
+
+"The singing arrows darkened the air, the hordes melted before them.
+'More machine guns,' Bill yelled to Tom. 'Don't hear them,' Tom yelled
+back, 'but thank God, anyway, that they have got it in the neck!'
+
+"In fact, there were ten thousand dead German soldiers left before
+that salient of the English army, and consequently--_no Sedan_. In
+Germany the General Staff decided that the English must have employed
+turpenite shells, as no wounds were discernible on the bodies of the
+dead soldiers. But the man who knew what nuts tasted like when they
+called themselves steak, knew also that St. George had brought his
+Agincourt Bowmen to help the English."
+
+Such accounts have been confirmed by others. Thus, Miss Phyllis
+Campbell, writing in "_The Occult Review_" (October, 1915), says:
+
+"I tremble, now that it is safely past, to look back on the terrible
+week that brought the Allies to Vitry-le-Francois. We had not had
+our clothes off for the whole of that week, because no sooner had we
+reached home, too weary to undress, or to eat, and fallen on our beds,
+than the 'chug-chug' of the commandant's car would sound into the
+silence of the deserted street, and the horn would imperatively summon
+us back to duty--because, in addition to our duties as _ambulancier
+auxiliare_, we were interpreters to the post, now at this moment
+diminished to half-a-dozen.
+
+"Returning at 4.30 in the morning, we stood on the end of the
+platform, watching the train crawl through the blue-green mist of
+the forest, into the clearing, and draw up with the first wounded
+from Vitry-le-Francois. It was packed with dead and dying and badly
+wounded. For a time we forgot our weariness in a race against
+time--removing the dead and dying, and attending to those in need. I
+was bandaging a man's shattered arm with the _majeur_ instructing me,
+while he stitched a horrible gap in his head, when Madame de A----,
+the heroic president of the post, came and replaced me. 'There is an
+English in the fifth wagon,' she said. 'He wants something--I think a
+holy picture!'
+
+"The idea of an English soldier wanting a holy picture struck me, even
+in that atmosphere of blood and misery, as something to smile at--but I
+hurried away. 'The English' was a Lancashire Fusilier. He was propped
+in a corner, his left arm tied-up in a peasant woman's handkerchief,
+and his head newly bandaged. He should have been in a state of collapse
+from loss of blood, for his tattered uniform was soaked and caked in
+blood, and his face paper-white under the dirt of conflict. He looked
+at me with bright, courageous eyes and asked for a picture or a medal
+(he didn't care which) of St. George. I asked him if he was a Catholic.
+'No,' he was Wesleyan Methodist, ... and he wanted a picture or a medal
+of St. George, _because he had seen him on a white horse_, leading the
+British at Vitry-le-Francois, when the Allies turned.
+
+"There was an F.R.A. man, wounded in the leg, sitting beside him on
+the floor; he saw my look of amazement, and hastened in: 'It's true,
+sister,' he said. 'We all saw it. First there was a sort of yellow-mist
+like, sort of risin' before the Germans as they came on the top of the
+hill--come on like a solid wall, they did--springing out of the earth
+just solid--no end to 'em! I just give up. No use fighting the whole
+German race, thinks I; it's all up with _us_. The next minute comes
+this funny cloud of light, and when it clears off, there's a tall man
+with yellow hair in golden armour, on a white horse, holding his sword
+up, and his mouth open as if he was saying: "Come on, boys! I'll put
+the kybosh on the devils!" Sort of "This is my picnic" expression.
+Then, before you could say "knife," the Germans had turned, and we were
+after them, fighting like ninety....'
+
+"'Where was this?' I asked. But neither of them could tell. They had
+marched, fighting a rearguard action, from Mons, till St. George had
+appeared through the haze of light, and turned the enemy. They both
+_knew_ it was St. George. Hadn't they seen him with a sword on every
+'quid' they'd ever seen? The Frenchies had seen him too--ask them; but
+they said it was St. Michæl...."
+
+Much additional testimony of a like nature might be given--and has
+been collected by students of psychical research. If the spiritual
+world ever intervenes in matters mundane, it assuredly did so on this
+occasion. And it could hardly have chosen a more opportune time. Could
+the aspiring thoughts of the dead and dying, and those still living
+and fighting for their country, have drawn "St. George" to earth, to
+aid in again redeeming his country from a foreign foe? Could a simple
+"hallucination" have been so widespread and so prevalent? Or might
+there not have been some spiritual energy behind the visions thus
+seen--stimulating them, and inspiring and encouraging the stricken
+soldiers? We cannot say. We only know what the soldiers themselves
+say; and we also know the undoubted effects upon the enemy. For on
+both occasions were the Germans repulsed with terrible slaughter.
+Perhaps the vision of St. George led our soldiers into closer touch and
+_rapport_ with the consciousness of some high intelligence--or the veil
+was rent, separating the two worlds--as so often appears to be the case
+in apparitions and visions of this character.
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX C
+
+BIBLIOGRAPHY
+
+
+Ghost Stories of an Antiquary. M. R. James.
+
+Wandering Ghosts. F. Marion Crawford.
+
+John Silence. A. Blackwood.
+
+Modern Ghosts. DeMaupassant, (and others).
+
+Twenty-five Ghost Stories. W. Bob Holland.
+
+A Book of Ghosts. Baring Gould.
+
+The Shape of Fear. Peattie.
+
+Book of Dreams and Ghosts. Andrew Lang.
+
+Cock Lane and Common Sense. A. Lang.
+
+Real Ghost Stories. W. T. Stead.
+
+More Ghost Stories. W. T. Stead.
+
+The Great Amherst Mystery. Walter Hubbell.
+
+The Bell Witch. M. V. Ingram.
+
+The Alleged Haunting of B---- House. Miss X.
+
+Haunted Houses and Haunted Men. Hon. John Harris.
+
+Ghostly Phenomena. Elliott O'Donnell.
+
+Byways of Ghost Land. Elliott O'Donnell.
+
+Historic Ghosts and Ghost Hunters. H. A. Bruce.
+
+Posthumous Humanity: a Study of Phantoms. D'Assier.
+
+Apparitions and Thought-Transference. Frank Podmore.
+
+The New View of Ghosts. F. Podmore.
+
+_Proceedings_ and _Journals_ of the S. P. R.
+
+Borderland (Magazine). _Ed. by_ W. T. Stead.
+
+Haunted Houses of Great Britain. Ingraham.
+
+The Night Side of Nature. Catherine Crowe.
+
+The House and the Brain. Bulwer Lytton.
+
+Nightmare Tales. H. P. Blavatsky.
+
+Apparitions: a Narrative of Facts. B. W. Saville.
+
+Startling Ghost Stories. Anon.
+
+Sights and Shadows. F. G. Lee.
+
+Dracula. Bram Stoker.
+
+The Phantom of the Opera. Gaston Leroux.
+
+
+[NOTE.--The above list does not pretend to be in any way exhaustive nor
+are the books quoted in any way equal in evidential value. They are
+merely types or examples of Ghost Stories, from various points of view;
+which, if the reader is interested, he may read with both pleasure and
+profit.]
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's note:
+
+Small capitals were changed to all capitals.
+
+The following 3 missing section headers were added to the table of
+contents: The Ghosts of Animals p. 53, Proofs of Immateriality p. 168,
+and Conduct of Animals in the House p. 169; but minor differences
+between the section headers in the table of contents and in the text
+were not corrected.
+
+Errors in punctuation were corrected.
+
+Several badly printed words were guessed from the context and filled
+in.
+
+Otherwise the original was preserved, including unusual and
+inconsistent spelling and hyphenation and unmatched double
+quotation marks.
+
+The following corrections were made, on page
+
+    7 "Par's" changed to "Paris" (in London, Paris, Rome, Venice)
+   11 "occuping" changed to "occupying" (space-occupying entities)
+   14 "wierd" changed to "weird" (in the still, weird hours of the
+      night)
+   63 "polteregists" changed to "poltergeists" (technically known as
+      "poltergeists,")
+   79 "Boundry" changed to "Boundary" (Footfalls on the Boundary of
+      Another World)
+  106 "occurence" changed to "occurrence" (mention the occurrence of
+      the night)
+  110 "mutally" changed to "mutually" (We were mutually sorry to part)
+  131 "trysing" changed to "trysting" (distance to the trysting place)
+  146 "exterminalization" changed to "externalization" (what I saw and
+      felt was an externalization of impressions)
+  182 "lynig" changed to "lying" (While lying there a large glass
+      paper-weight)
+  183 "gneuine" changed to "genuine" (they never lived in a genuine
+      one)
+  186 extra blank line removed within poem (To follow and kill,/Or
+      make tremble with fear.)
+  191 "possesed" changed to "possessed" (The whimsical idea now
+      possessed me to arrange the room)
+  194 "etxent" changed to "extent" (conviction to the same extent as
+      those)
+  196 "slink" changed to "slunk" (but suddenly slunk away with its
+      tail between its legs)
+  196 "has" changed to "had" (the impression that it had seen)
+  197 "fright-than" changed to "frightened than" (far less frightened
+      than on any of my subsequent experiences)
+  198 "pantasms" changed to "phantasms" (To these phantasms I have
+      given the name)
+  208 "familiary" changed to "familiarity" (familiarity breeds
+      contempt)
+  231 "assasin" changed to "assassin" (the trial of the assassin of
+      Gartavus III.)
+  238 "batallions" changed to "battalions" (companies and battalions)
+  240 "gutteral" changed to "guttural" (could hear the guttural scream
+      of their revolvers)
+  241 "Vitry-le-Francoise" changed to "Vitry-le-Francois" (draw up with
+      the first wounded from Vitry-le-Francois).
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44625 ***