Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-03-23


Is. faatpres those more transient evanescent IN
dcations which are truer characteristics OF the
complaint than perhaps any other. with TINS oo'
iect did pay close attention to the very singular
and affecting case detailedi in the following narra
tive Ihave not given the whole of my observa-
tions-far from it; those only are recorded which
seemed TO me to have claims to the consideration
of both medical and general readers. The ap-
parent eccentricity Of the title will BE- found ac-
counted for i'm the course of the narrative.
Mr.. M, as one of very large party. had
been enjoyin the splendid hospitality OF Lady
-, and did not leave till late-or rather
early, hour in the morning. Pretty women. mu'
sic, and champaign, had almost turned his head
and it was rather fortunate for him that HACKNEY
coach stand was within stones throw OF the
house he was leaving. Mufling his cloak closely
around him. he contrived to move towards II III
toIerably direct line. and few moments time
behold him driving, at the usual snaii's pace OF
those ricketty vehicles, to Linco!n's Ian; tor Mr.
M-was a low student. IT. spite OF the tran.
sient exhiaration produced by the scenes ne han
lust quilted. and the excitement consequent on
the prominent share he took in an animated DIS
cussion. in the presence of about thirty OF the most
elegant women that could well be brought togeth'
err, he found himself becoming the subject OF
most unaccountabie depression of spirits. Even
while at Lady IS, he had Iatterly perceived
himself talking oftea for mere talking's sake
the chain Of lis thoughts perpetually broken
and an mpatencc and irritablity OF manner TO-
wards those whom he addressed, which ereadlly
resolved into the reaction following high excite
ment. NJ, ought before, perhaps, to have
mentioned, was man OF great talent. chiefly
however, imaginative, and had that evening been
f,rn tto n
blerie and NV sticism; towards which he generally
contriyed TO incline every conversation in which
he bore part. lie had been dilating. IN parti-
cular. on the power which Mr. Maturin had u
exciting the most fearful and hdrifc ideas in the
minds of his readers instaucing one OF his roman
ces, the title of which have forgotten. Long
before he had reached home, the fumes OF vine
had eyaporated, and the influence OF excitement
subsidized; and, with reference to intoXication, he
was as sober and calm as ever he was IN his life.
Why-he knew not, but his heart seemed to grow
heavier and heavier, aud his thoughts gloomier,
every step by which he neared Lincon's lnn.-
1t struck S o'clo;k as he entered the Soinbrous
portals of the ancient inn OF court lhepertect
silence, the moonlight shinnlng sadly on the dusky
buildlngs-the cold Qnivering stars-aii these,
together, combined to enhance his nervousness.
He described it to me as though things tcemed
to wear a strange, spectral. supernatural aspect.
Not a Waterman of the inn was heard CRYING the
hour--not porter moving-no living being but
himself visible in the large square he was eros
sing As he nearcd his staircase, he felt his heart
futteriug; in short, he felt under some strange
unaccountable influence, which, mad he reflected
a little, he would have disc 0vered to arise merey
from an excitable nervous temperament, oPerat-
i'm on an imagination peculiarly attuned to sym
patlIze with terror. His chamber lay on the
third floor of the staircase; and on reaching 1t, he
found his door lamp gimmering with its last ex-
hiring raw. lie opened his door, and after CROP
ing some time in the dark of his sittng-room,
found his chamber candlestiGk. In attempting
to light it, he put out the lamp. He went down
stairs. but found that the lamp of every landing
had shared the tate of his own; so he returned,
rather irriated, thinking to amerce the porter for
his customary Christmas-box for his niggard sup
ply of oil. After ~ome time spent in the search.
he discovered his tinder-boX, and proceeded to
strike light. This was not the work of a mo-
ment. And where is the bachelor 10 whom it is:
The potent spark, however, dropped at last into
the very centre Of the soft finder, NJ blew
it caueht--spreadA ,he match quickly kindled.
ard he lighted his candle. He took it inhis hand
and was maxim 70, bed. when his eyes caught a
glimpse of ali object which Dronght him scnseless
TO the fioar The furniture OF his room was dis
posed as Hhyn ne had left it; for his Iaundress
had neglectri come and put things in order;
the table, with few books on it. drawn towards
the fireplace, and by ITS side the ampe-cushioned
cas-, chair The first object visible, with sud
den ,lis,inctness. was figure sitting in the arm
chair. 1t was that of gentleman. dressed in
dark -cooured clothes, mis- hands, white as alabas-
Ter. closed together over his lap. and the face
looking away; bat itturned slowly towards NJ.
revealing to him countenance OF CHASTITY hue
the features glswing like steel heated to a
white heat. and the two eyes turned full towards
him. and blazing--absolutely blazing. he des-
cribed it, with a most horrible lustre. The APP
palins spectre, while Ms eyes were riveted
upon It, though glazing fast with fright, slowly
rose from his seat, stretched oI' both its arms,
and seemed approaching him, when he fell down
senseless on the floor as if smitten with apopexy.
He recolected nothing more, TILL he found him-
self about the middle of the next day 10 bed, his
laundress, myself, an apothecary, and several
others, standing round him. His situation was
not discovered till more than an hour after he
had fallen, as nearly as could be subsequently