Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1860-03-20

human voice; any way, II gavs no answer. bat dis
The next day Mr.. oogswell Thought oysr the
matter. attributed II to some optical deusion, and
in the evening proceeded with his worn q usual.
Again he wished TO refer 10 some books. and again
visited the southwestern alcoye. There. seuin. a.
large as life. was the ghost very cslnly sna pla-
cldiy surveying tho shelves. Mr.. Cogswsn again
spoke to 1t:
"Dr. -" said he. "again ask you Why
troable II now whom deadr
Again the ghost vanished, and tho undauntsd
librarian pursued has task without interruption
Tho next day he examined the shelves before
which the apparitiou had bscn seen standing and
by singular coincidence found that they wore
filed with books devoted TO demonology, witcf
orait magic, spiritualism. &c. some Of these
books are rare tones, several centuries DID, writ
ten In Latin, illustrated with quaint diagrams and
redolent Of mysticism !; while on tho next shelves
are their younger brethren, the neat, spruce
works Of modern spiritnalists, of Britain, Davis,
Edmonds and The very titles on those mys-
t,e books are suggestive These are the Prophe-
sizes or Representations of Michael Nostranda-
mus, folio published in london in 1872; Alba
mnsar do Conjeetionbus; Kerner's Majikon
Godwin's Lives of tho Neeromancers; Glanvil on
Witches and Apparitions ]; Cornelius Agrippa
Bodin's Demonomania hhly's Astrology, and
others, perusal of which would efectually mur-
uef Siccp VI u pcTsoh Vi oJutuhFN utfVo LOE -
least half a dozen nights. II was these volumes
that appeared to attract tho appnriton.
The third night, Mr.. 0ogsweIl, still determined
that the shade, spirit, deluson or effect Of indi-
gestion, Whatever it might be, should not inter
lere with his duties, again visited the various
books to which he wished to refer to, and whom,
occasion demanded did not fail 10 approaSh the
mystic alcove. There again was the appasitisaS
dressed precisely as before, in o gentlema<ks q -
nj costume. ns natural as life, and with D hand
raiscd MS II about to take down bosk MfsCegs-
well again spoke:
"Dr. -" no said boldly, this 10 tho third
time have met you. Tell me If any oi this class
of books now disturb your If they do, will
have them removed"
But tho ungrateful ghost, without acknowlsdg.
ing this accommodating spirit on the part Of its
interrogation, disappeared. nor has il been sssn
since, and tho librarian has continued his nightly
researches since without interruption. ".
A few days ago ut dinner party ut the house
of well known wealthy gentleman, Mr.. Cogswsll
rolated the circumstances "a above recorded, ~
nearly as We can learn. A. some eighteen or
twenty people wero present, The remarkable story
of course, was soon spread abouta numbers d
literary mon, including an eminent historian and
Other. heard the recital. and though they s.'sios;
tod Mr.. CogswelPs ghost sssing 20 thas and
tension Of his nerves during histWo pfotsesasd ~
bors ut the catalogue they yet seoafssS that the
story has it remarkable phasss.A, Ho1h Ms. Cogs.
well and the deceased physicish'w fsfsons Of .
practical turn Of mind, and Glways treated the
marvellous ghost stories sometimes see aAoat with
deserved oontsmpt. And, ID they wsrs not ct oil
intimate, it will be at least curious question for
tho psychologists to determine why the idea Of the
deceased gentleman should oonne 10 Mr. Oogswoll's
brain and resolve itself into apparition whom
engaged in dry, statistical labors which should
cicctualy Danish all thoughts Of the marvel
Gus. 1t s--D
Acting on the advice OF several friends, Mr.
Cogswell Is now absent on short trip to Charles
ton to recuperatc his energies. His indsfatigable
industry, bis devotion to the interests Of the
library, and his great efficiency as o librarian
renders it highly desirable that hc should enjoy
recreation md repose, and not endanger his health
by too close application ts his duties. In regard
to the apparition we will makano comments, but
give tho story ~, related by Mr. Cogswell, as we
nre credby informed and rs it has already been
talked about in varioas literary and domestic
circles in this city.