Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1828-11-18
SPECTRAL ILLUSION.

Edenburg chronological Journal 1t was COM
municated for that Journal by its learned author,
member of the English BAR by whom it was read
before the London chronological Society
q" In December, 1923, A. was confined
to his bed by inflammation on the chest,
and was supposed by his medical attend
ant to be in considerable danger. One
night, while unable to sleep from pain and
fever, he saw sitting in chair, on the
left side of his bed, female figure, which
he Immediately recognized to be that OF
a young lady who died two years before.
His first feeling was surprize, and perhaps
little alarm; his second, that he was
suffering from delirium. With this i'm
preston he put his head under the bed
clothes, and, after trying in vain to sleep,
as test of the soupdness of his mind, he
went through long and complicated pro-
cess of metaphysical reasoning. He then
peeped out and saw the figure in the same
situation and position. He had a fire, but
would not allow candle or nurse in the
room. A stick was kept at his side, to
knock for the nurse when he required her
attendance. Being too weak to move his
body, ne endeavoured to touch the figure
with his stick but, on real object being
put upon the chair, the imaginary one dis
appeared, and was not visible again that
night.
The nezt day he thought of little but
the vision, and expected its return without
alarm, and with some pleasure. He was
not disappointed. 1t took the same place
as before, and he employed himself in OBJ
servations. When he shut his eyes or turn
ed his head he ceased to see the figure
by interposing 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. 40 the fire declined, it became less
perceptible and as it went out, invisible.
a s;..-;ls.- ~sf,s,... .ovl i,l,.,>~
raj other nights, but it became less per-
ceptible. and its visits less frequent, as the
patient recovered from the Fever.
He says that the impressions on his
mind were always pleasing, as the spectre
looked at him with calmness and regard.
He never supposed it real but was unable
to account for it on any philosophical
principles within his knowledge.
I'm the autumn of 1925, AS. health
was perfectly restored, and he had been
free from any waking vision for nearly Is
months. Some circumstances occurred
which produced in him great mental ex-
element. One morning he dreamed of
the figure, which stood by his side in an
angry posture, and asked for locket
which he usually wore. He awoke, and
saw it at the toilet, with the locket in its
hand. He rushed out of bed, and it in
stantly disappeared. During the next six
weeks its visits were incessant, and the
sensations which they produced were in
variably horrible. Some years before he
had attended the dissection of woman in
state of rapid decomposition. Though
much disguised at the time, tile subject
had been long forgotten; but it was re-
called by the union of its putressent body
with the spectre's features. The visits
were not confined to the night, but fire.
quently occurred while several persons
were in the same room. They were re-
peated at intervals during the winter but
he was able to get rid Of them by moving
or sitting in an erect position. Though
well, his pulse was hard, and generally
from 80 to 100.
CA. is person of good education and
literary habits l have not the slightest
doubt of his veracity. He never supposed
the appearances aforementioned other
than illusions. He had always had pro-
pensity towards the supernatural, with
out any belief in it /; and he ascribes these
effects of imagination to the perusal of the
Tales of Wonder" and other ghost sto-
ries when boy. He will not allow me
to lay before the society an account of his
head, as connected with this statement,
as he would not like to be called dealer
in the marvellous. may, however, say,
that the ideality is large, and the reflective
faculties very good"
The following remarks on the above interesting |
statement are from the Boston Daily Advertiser =
Ghosts in our day, have seldom shown
themselves. The glory of " seeing sights"
has long since departed from us, and the
only favoured mortals now, are those who
have discovered in late supper of raw
pork and toasted cheese, more infalIible |
recipe for raising spirits and devils, than
ever Faustus, or the Witch of Endor her
self, possessed.
II ,yould III hocoY,a s,e 70 ovn.ose oro,,