Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-05-22
THE COCK LAIN GHOST.

The recent 9Rochester knockings" have recalled
"reminiscences Of similar impostures in the history OF
the past. Among the most celebrated is the story
of the "Cock lane Ghost" which for time startled
all London with its antics, and found believers a.
mong the most learned as we'll as the most ignorant
of the great metropolis.
In 1852, the Cock-lane ghost made its appearance
in London. At the house of MIR. Parsons, the pous
parish clerk of ST. Sepulchers, alarming knocklngs
and soratchings heard BY hio daughtcI, a" or'
less child, only twelve years ofage. On being close
iy questioned, she admitted that she had not only
heard these noises, but had seen fe apparilion OF
Mrs. Kent, formerly lodger in the house, reported
to have died OF the small pox after she left H. but be-
leved to have been murdered. The rumor spread
like wiId-fre and as it is always the creduous who
first assembled to witness the supernatural, crowds
of believers gathered at the Parish Clerks! The
kuockings aud scratchings became more violent, as
the number Of believers increased. clergyman was
selected among others to sit at the bedside OF Miss
Parsons 10 converse with, or exercise the ghos, as
the case might be. He informed the ghost In a loud
voice. that its answers, if in the affirmative, should
he indicated by one knock and If in the negative, by
two knocks. The arrangement being concluded, Inc
ghost was asked if it the spirit of the murdered
Mary Kent, and it answered with one knock. Ihis
heightened the public anxiety, and directly she was
removed from her home, to several houses IN sue
cession, and attended night after night by watchers
and committees embracing all the learned professions.
and number Of ladies. The knocklngs continued
no one could account for them, and the faithful ASK
ed"Iflhere is an mposture, explain how these KNOCK
ings are made?' Even DIR. johnson became cham
pion of the ghost The sequel OF the affair is mus
described by the historian:
"At length on being pressed TO give some PROOF o.
n
its yeracity, the ghost consented 10 attend one o.
the gentlemen into the vault where The body was
buried, and manifest lis presence by knock upon
the coffin.
"When the appointed hour arrived, the spirit was
very seriously advertised, shat the person to whom
the promise was made of striking the coffin was 'ner
about to vsitand that the performance OF The promise
| into the church, and the gentleman to whom thf
promise was made, went with one more, into the
vault The spirit was solemniy required to perform
its promise, but nothing more than silence ensueo
The person supposed TO be accused by the ghos'
then went down. with several olher but no effect wa
perceived. Upon their return, they examined tht
GIRL hnt conld dra confession fIUI her. Detweei
Two and three, she desred and was permitted, to g
home with her father.
@This want of punctually In the ghost gave ia
tai blow 10 its reputation. Even the most besotlet
of the believers were staggered by it flimsy at
tempt was therefore made 10 restore the ghosts credl
by asserting that The coffin and the corpse had bee
removed, which, of course, had prevented the sPlrl
from giving the signal butt on examination, the!
were found to be safe in the vault otricter pre-
cautions were now taken to guard against deception
being practced by the girl her bed was slung Tx
hammock. in the middle of the room, and she wa
closely watched. Driven to her last Shifts she con
triyed TO secrete-but not unseen-a bit of board
previously 10 her being put to bed and having,
she though secured the necessary materials Tor car
rying on the trick, she ventured to declare that sh
would bring the ghost at six in the morning, she &C
cordngly began 10 make the accustomed SOUNDS
and, on being asked if she had in the bed any woo
to strike upon, she positively denied The fact In
bed clothes were opened, the board was i9une
and this simple process annihilated the Cock-han
Ghost"