The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-11-26
From the Edinburg chronological Journal.
SPECTRAL ILLUSION.

NAL
The following very distinct and interest
ing narrative was read to the London Phre-
biological Society, and kindly communicated
to US, for insertion in the chronological Jour-
nal, by its learned author, member of the
English bar.
i" In December, 1923, A. was confined to
his bed by Inflammation in the chest, and
WAS supposed by his medical attendant to he
IN considerable danger. One night, while
unable to sleep from pain and fever, he saw
sitting in a chair, on the left side ofhis bed,
a female figure, which he Immediately re-
cognlsed to be that of young lady who died
about two years before. His first feeling
was surprise, and, perhaps, little alarm
his second, that he was suffering from de-
llrium. With this impression, he put his
head under the bed clothes, and after trying
in vain to sleep, as test Of the soundness
of his mind, he went through long and
complicated process of metaphysical reason
ing. He then peeped out, and saw the fig
nre in the same situation and position. He
had a fire, but would not allow candle or
nurse in the room. A stick was kept by his
side, to knock for the nurse when he requir-
ed her attendance. Being too weak to move
his body, he endeavored to touch the figure
with the stick, but, on real object being
put upon the chair, the imaginary one dis
appeared, and was not visible again that
night.
"The next 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 be-
fore, and he employed himself in ohserva-
tons. When he shut his eyes, or turned
his head, he ceased to see the figure by
interposing his hand, he could see 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 perceptible
and as it went out, invisible. A similar APP
pearance took place on other nights, but it
became less perceptible, 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 new
er supposed it real hut was unable to ac-
count for it on any philosophical principles
within his knowledge.
ain the Autumn of 1925, AS. health was
perfectly restored, and he had been free
from any waking visions for nearly eighteen
months. Some circumstance occurred which
produced in him great mental excitement.
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 instantly disappeared. During the
next six weeks, its visits were incessant,
and the sensations which they produced,
were invariably horrible. Some years be-
| fore, he had attended the dissection of a
woman in state of rapid decomposition.
| Though much Disguised at the time, the sub
ject had been long forgotten; but it was re-
called by the union of its putrescent body
with the spectre's features. The visits were
not confined to the night, but frequently oc-
cured while several persons were in the
same room. They were repeated at inter.
walls during the winter; but he was able L
get rid of them by moving or sitting in al
erect position. Though well, his pulse wa.
hard, and generally from 80 to 100.
"a. is person of good education and lit
erary habits. have not the slightest doub
of his veracity. He never supposed the ap
pearances above mentioned other than illu
sions. He has always had a propensity to
wards the supernatural, without any belle
in it; and he ascribes these effects of imag
ination to the perusal Of the Tales Of Non
der, and other ghost stories, when a boy
He will not allow me to lay before the soci
ETY. an account of his head, as connected
with this statement, as he would not like t,
lie called dealer in the marvellous. / may
however, say that Ideally is large, and tn,
reflective faculties very good"
The Boston Advertiser accompanies the pub
lication of the above article with the following
remarks:
Ghosts, in our day, have seldom show
themselves. The glory of "seeing sights
has long since departed from us, and the on
ly favored mortals now, are those who hav
discovered in late supper Of raw pork an
toasted cheese, a more infallible recipe TO
raising spirits and devils, than ever Faustu'
or the Witch of Endor herself possessed.
Itwould i'll become us to express, even b