Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-01-29
Ernra The Diaru of q PhYs,ciaa.

THE SPECTRAL DOG.-AN ILLCSiON.
The age of ghosts and hobgoblins is gone by,
SAYS the worthy DIR. HILBERT; and So, after him,
saws almost every body nowadays. These mys-
terious visitants are henceforh to be resolved IN
TO mere optical deluslon, acting on an excitable
fancy. and an irritable nervous temperament, and
the report of real bona ,fde ghost or appari,on.
is utterly secuted. Possibly this may not be
aoiuq too far, even though it be in the teeth OF
some of the most stubborn facts on record. One,
or possibly two, of this character, l may perhaps
nresent to the reader on future occasion, but
AT present | shall cortcnt myself with relating a
very curious aud interesting case Of acknow ledg-
ed opfical delusion; and have no doubt that
many of nv medical readers can parallel it with
similar occurrences IN the sphere vi their own
observation.
Mr.. D. was a clergyman of the Church Of
England, educated at Oxford,-'a ripe and good
one.'-a man of remarkably acute and powerful
understanding; but, according to his own ac-
count, destitute of even an atom OF Imagination.
He was also an exemplary minister; preached
twice. willingly, every Sunday; and performed
all the other duties of his office with jealous fde
li,y, and to the full satisfaction of his parishon-
ers. IL any man is less likely to be terrified
with Ghosts. or has less reason to be so, than
other, surely It was in such character as MIR.
lie had been officiating on Sunday evening for
an invalid friend, at the latter's church, few
miles distance from London, and was walking
homewards ENJOYING the tranquility of the night,
and enivened by the cheerful beams Of the full
moon. When at about three miles distance from
town. he suddenly heard, or fancied he heard,
Immediately behind him, the sound of gasping
and painting, as of dog following behind his
heels, breathless with running. He looked round,
ON both sides, but seeing no dog, thought he must
have been deceived. and resumed his walk and
mcditatious. The Sound was presently repeat
ed. Again he looked round, but with no better
success than before. After little pause, thinking
there was something rather odd about it, 1T sudden
" struck him. that what he had heard was nothing
more than the noise of his own hard breathing,
accustomed by the insensibly accelerated pace at
at which he was walking, intent upon some sub
iect which then particularly occupied his thoughts
lie had not walked more than ten PAGES further,
when he again heard precisely similar sounds;
but with running accompaniment-If may be
allowed pun--Of the pit-pattering OF dogs
feet. following close behind his left side.
God bless me!!' exclaimed MIR. D. aloud,
stopping for the third time, and looking round in
all directions, far and near; swhy, really, that's
reru odd-very! Surely could not have been
mistaken againf' He continued standing still,
wped his forehead, and with hde trepidation,
resumed his walk, striking his stout black walk.
ing stick on the ground with certain energy and
resoluteness. which sufficed re-assuring his
own Hurried spirits. The next thirty or forty
PAGES of his walk Mr.. D. passed over 'erec-
lis aurr6,ts' and hearing nothing similar to the
sounds which had thrice attacked his attention,
was relapsiug into his meditatiye mood, when,
in few moments, the noise was repeated, appa-
rently from his right hand side, and he gave some
thing like start from the path side into the road,
on feeling the calf of his leg brushed past-as he
described ,t-by the shaggy coat OF his invisible
attendant. He hooked suddenly down, and, to
his very great alarm and astonishment. beheld
the dim outline of a large Newfoundland dog
of blue color
He moved from the spot where he was stand
ine: the phantom followed him; he rubbed his
ewes with his hands, shook his mead, and again
looked: but there it still was. large as Young
calf, Ito which he himself compared it, and had
assumed more distinct and definite form. The
color. however. continued the same--faint blue
He observed, too, his eyes-like dim decayins
FIRE eoals-asH looked up conPosedly in his