The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-09-17

turbed, and try there all sorts of lodges to test
the reality of the trance. Truly marvellous
things come out in this way. You can hardly
believe the evidence of your own senses some
times"
"Humphw responded Cameron-net con-
temptuously, but as though something had just
occurred to him that he meant to keep to him
SELF
eff one could believe in that" said another
of the friends, "it would induce q more ready
belief in the existence of soul and a future
state-two things, by the way, that | have had
no faith in for some years past"
"Yes: if you could allow mesmerism, you
might swallow anything" observed Arthur
Leigh 1.-THE chairman.) cameron here feels
disposed to credit this humbug because his
childhood was spent amidst the mists, literal
and metaphysical, Of the Scotch mountains
WHY, could make out much atronger claim
for !: belief in ghosts and hobgoblius of every
description, although was reared amid the sun
ny vale Of pnvcnshre might make out an
hereditary title to tie power of seeing visions;
for iny mother and all her ancestors, as far as
we can trace them back, had all of them this
peculiar privilege. Nay, | might even assure
you that had seen ghost or wrath myself
when was about ten years old. but that pre-
fer giving more rational explanation to the
circumstance"
"What was it 2" asked two or three at once.
1--WE lived in Devonshire, on account of my
mother health, as she was consumptive," con-
tinued the pale student "The night that she
died, | awoke suddenly, from consciousness
al. t.ar cfn nd
ing by my bedside. | was a little surprised, as
she had not been strong enough to leave her
bed for some weeks past; and asked her if she
felt better 'Oll. yes she answered, Il am quite
well now She then went slowly out Of the
room. The next morning they told me that she
had died during the night; and when | related
the visit she had paid me, they looked at each
other in alarm, and afterwards understood that
was supposed to have seen my mothers spir-
it. But the affair admits of so easy an explain
alton, that any such idea is perfectly preposte.
rous. In one Of chose accessions of strength so
common before death, my mother had natural
ly felt a wish to see her only child, and had
risen from her bed to come and see me"
"But was no one sitting up with her!" asked
Dunsfred.
"Yes-an old nurse But nurses always 60
to sleep, and never will own it. She said she
had been wide awake all the time, but that's all
rubbish. | dare say | could have heard her
snoring if i hnd listeaed." 49,. -.
"Was your room close to your moher's"
said Cameron, thoughtfuy.
"No; it was at the end Of long passage and
flight of stairs"
"And do you think that any person who had
been for weeks unable to rise from her bed could
traverse that passage, down those stairs, and
back again, an hour or so before her death Z |
should rather suppose it the effect of your own
imagination"
"Anything you like, except a ghost" said
Arthur Leigh, rising to replenish his pipe.
"Theres some one knocking at the door"
said one of the students.
"Come in ~ shouted Cameron, but no one en-.
tered. "Cone in p he repeated "-Arthur, as
you are on your legs, just sec who it is will
you {"
Here the knock was heard again by all in the
room, aad Arthur opened the door
"Here is an old lady who wants you, sup
pose, Cameron" he said, turning to his friend.
Cameron started up and went to the door.
"Where is she2" he asked while an unac-
countable sensation caused his heart to stand
still, and his cheek to blanch.
"She was here this moment, vow." said the
other, looking eagerly around. "Where can
she have gone tos My eyes were not off her
more than an instant"
"Did she speak what was she like I" were
Cameron's hasty questions.
,,;l SHoll Wu1fnr Cop,oron