Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-12-08
SUPERNATURAL AtNING.

The age Of superstition IS passed, and
there are few, except IN the lower rank
Of society, who will now give credit to
Improbable tales, however well they may
DC persuaded of the responsibility OF
their source, unless they have the means
Of bong acquainted with their truth and
authenticity. superstition, however,
has still her votaries; and In spite of the
enlightened aud civilized state Of socie-
ty, at the present time There are few who
will not feel interest at the recital Of n
story, in which anything connected with
supernatural agency IS introduced, and
more particularly 80 when that story is
in the most remote name founded on
fact. The tale / am about to narrate
desia,es but very slightly from n which
hcs been well authenticated, and at the
Inie when it was fresh upon our memory
va, almost universally believed.
A young gentleman by tho name of
C., was, some years ugo. residing
with a clergyman in tho north Of Eng
land, for the purpose Of finishing his ed
ucation. He was heir to a Urge fortune
particularly amiable, Of lively dispos-
ition, gay in his manners, and entirely
free from any faint or supcrstItious be-
lief, he was strong and healthy, und
very unlikely, and in any manner, to give
credit 10 tho workings Of his magma
ton, or to believe IN dreams. / mention
it because there are some whose weak
state OF health, or whose melancholy
disposition, might make them more liza
BILE to be exposed to the impression pro-
duced by any sudden alarm, or any un-
usual agitation. One morning, howcv-
or, q, breakfast, his haggard, and pale
looks, and his thoughtful manner, at
tracted the attention of his friends, who
were accustomed to see him animated
and healthy, and upon their pressing him
to account for his sudden alteration, he
confessed that he had, during the night,
had a dream, which had SO strong All
impression upon him that he could not
drive it from his thoughts. He said, that
he had seen a young woma enter the
room softly, with a light IN one hand, and
a knife in the other; that she made sew
eral attempts to slab hIm, but upon his
resistance she had disappeared He
then described her person and dress, both
Of which, he SAID, were SO deeply inn
pressed upon his memory, that thoy
never could be effaceG.
ii,s friends treated the matter lightly,
and e~ndeavoured to ridicule him for Civ
ing so mnch credit to n dream, and Mr..
G - himself, rs If ASHAMED 0fhis weak
ness, tried to Danish it from his thoughts
Several months passed away, and he re-
snmcd his usual gaity Of manner; every
thing appeared forgotten; and when his
dream intrnded itself upon his recollec-
ton, he laughed at himself for having
ever thought Of such atrifle.
Years had elapsed, and Mr.. c.
having come into the possession Ola large
property, proposed to an intimate friend
to visit the continent. They left England
together; and after having travelled
through most Of the countries in Europe,
were returning home in the autumn 81
-. A long aud tedious days journey
brought them very late one evening to a
retired village on the borders ofHunga-
ry; there was but one inn in the place
and that from appearance did not prom
iso them very comfortable accommoda-
tons. However, they had no choice: il
was TOO late to proceed, and they alight-
ed. There was nothing remarkable in
their reception, they were proceeding to
the apartment which was allotted to them
when Mt c. suddenly stopped short,
and uttered a scream ofhorror; his friend
ran to his assistance, surprised at an
emotion for which he could not account;
hut Mr.. c. having closed the door,
Immediately relat ed the circumstance Of
the dream which had so much impressed
upon him somc years before, adding, at
tho same time that the female servant
who had lighted them up stairs, was
tho same person, both in face, ap-
pearance, and dress, who had appeared
to them in his vision. The sudden and