Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-10-31


taken and opened at random before him, out OF
which he read fluentiy. | forbear giving tine
details Of these experiments, because similar
ones, which took place before me comml'.ee
Of investigation appointed BY the koya' hcaae
NV Of Medicine. in Paris. have been recorded
in The Hermes. -.
Not,wo months ago, Mr.. Editor, iloo'ishiy
declared, that nothing would ever induce me TO
believe the wonders related Of animal magnetism;
because, forsooih, had never seen or heara 'he
like: now am free TO acknowledge, tha' tnsre
may be more things in heaven and EARN, man
were dreamt of in my philosophy; OF ra!neI,
am more than ever ready 10 declare WIN '"e
the son of Jesse, that The works OF the LORD are
great-wor,hy to be studied and he,d 10 re-
me nbranca-sough: out of all them that nave
pleasure therein.
CASE OF SPECTRAL ILLUSION.
The following yeryu distinct and interesting
narrative was read TO the London fhrenoiosl'
cal Society, and communicated tor insertion IN
the PhyenologicaL Journal by its learned anthor'
a member Of the English bar.
"In December, 1928, A. was confined to his
| bed by Inflammation on The chest, and was
| supposed by his medical attendant TO be III
considerable danger. One night, while unable
10 sleep from pain and fever, he saw sitting IN
chair, on the left side OF his bed, female
figure, which he .immediately recognized 10 be
that Of a Young faOe who died about Two years
before His first feeling was surprise, and
perhaps little alarm; his scoopd that he was
| 81. ffarinr from delirium With this imprts'
| sion he put his head urder III" bed clothes, ard
after trying in vain to sleep, as 'est OF 'ne
sounhness of his mind,he went through long
aud complicated process of metaphysical rea'
! sonirg lie then peeped out, and saw the Inquire
| in inc came situation and position. lie had q
FIRE ,bu, would not allow a candle or nurse IN the
loom. \ sick was KEEP, by his side 10 knock
for the nurse when be rcQri,cG her attendance.
Being too weak 10 move his body, he fndea-
vored to touch the figure with the stick; but,
on real object being put upon The char, the
imaginary one disappeared, and was not visible
again that night.
Phe next day be thought OF little but the
vision, and expected its return without alarm,
and with some pleasure. lie was not dlsap'
pointed. II took the same place as before, and
he employed himself in observations. When
he shut his eyes or turned his head, lie ceased
to see the figure; by in,erposing his hand he
could hide part of it; and it was shown like any
mere material substance, by the rays of the fire
which fell upon, and were reflected from it,
AS the fire declined it became less perceptiblc;
and as it went out, invisible. A similar ap-
pearance took place on several other nights,
but il became less perez oIible, and It's visits
less frequent, as the patient recovered from the
| fever.
I" lie says that the impressions on his mind
were always pleasing, as the spectre looked at
him with calmness and regard. He never sup
posed it real; but was unable to account Tor
il on any philosophical principles within his
knowledge.
Gin the autumn OF 1925 AS health was
rss!aEsa and hs hsd Jbf6Bn l Tse 5Jabe
circumstances occurred which produced in
him great mental excitement. One morning
lie dreamed of the figure, which stood by his
side in an angry posture, and asked for lock-
| eT which he usually wore. He awoke, and saw
il al the toilet, with the locket in lis hand He
rushed ou, Of bed, and it Instantly disappeared
During the next six weeks It's visits were in,
cessant, and HE sensations which they produ-
ceG were invariably horrible. Some years be-
fore he had attended The dissection of a wo>
maj, in state Of rapid decomposition. Though
much disguised a; the time, the subject had
been long forgotten; but i, was recalled by The
nnion oil It's pu,rescent body with the spectre's
features. The visits were not confined 10 The
night, bnt fieFerlly occurred white several
.'''SO''
repeated a intervals during The winter; but he
was able to get rid of them by moving or sit
ing IN an erect position Though well, his
pulse was hard, and generally from 90 to loo
"A. is person of good education and i,era-
~ habits have not the slightest doub, of his
'sraci'y. lie never supposed the appearances
aforementioned other than Illusions. He has
always had propensity towards the supernat-
urAi, without any belief in it; and he ascribes
these effects of Imagination to the perusal Of
the :" ales OF " onder" and other ghost stories
when boy. lie will not allow me- to lay be.
Tore the society an account OF his head, as con-
necfd with this statement; as he would NOT
ike 10 be called a dealer in the ma, velous. |
may. however say, that Ideally is large, and the
reflective faculties very good"
Ednbwg chronological Journal
The THAMES TUNNEL
Is now entirely al a stand. brick wall has
been completed al the further extremity of the
EXCAVATION, which, being made water tiobt