The Portland daily press., 1863-06-13
MISCELLANY.
The LyttIeton Ghost.

The Lyttleton ghost story is not new, but
the following version, recently published in
the New York Post with other memoranda
left in manuscript by Mrs. Piozzi, differs some-
what from previous accounts:
My first husband, Henry Thrale, was init
mate with Lord Westcote, uncle toyoung Lyt-
Teton. His picture hung in our library, and
he often dined and slept at Streatham Park.
Lord Sandy's hung next to him. they were
old college friends, both with each other and
with the master of the house. To him Lord
Westcote came one morning, and said his
nephew had somewhat disordered his spirits
by relating to him that, as he lay in bed the
night before, he observed small bird rustling
in his curtains, and on endeavoring to drive it
off, he saw a female figure, white i'm her ap-
pearance, stand at the beds foot. "What,"
said he eis your business here?" "To bid you
prepare for death, my lord" was the reply:
"you will soon be called for" "How soon ?"
cried Lyttleton, sin three years time ?"
"Three yedrsw said che, "three days. and
vanished. The valet. Mr.. Williams, was soon
rung for, and he told the tale exactly as his
lord had done. (which said the uncle, sis my
reason for believing it; the young man. though
my dear brothers son, is such a liar p To dear
Lord Sandys the same story went the same
morning. He was more thinking being than
Lord Westcote. you had better change your
mode of life," was his commentary; ''if this
means anything, it points at your lordship's
reformation and you should not tell such sto-
ries merely to laugh at u.s." The appointment
for Pitt Place, however, went on. Captain
Ayscough and some demi-rep cousins, Mrs.
Flood and the two Miss. Amphletts were the
party, which was joined by rake or two
MORE to all Of whom the vision had been talk
ed Of
Well, they, the merry makers, went on TO
Woodcote, and passed their time gayly till,
after supper, Lord Lyttleton said: "Al this is
very charming, but this is the third day of
my holidays. l have a speech to make on
Wednesday, and wish to look it over, so be
merry and never mind my Ascending l
must read little to night and as for the Wis
ionary figure, have already bilked the bitch"
mo, no my lord" was the universal cry. {" not
till twelve o'clock" He took his leave laugh
ing, and bid his valet get some nice rolls for
the morning breakfast. They were provided,
the man said and Lord Lyttletons reply was,
"that's good Williams. But what are you
doing there ?" continued he, "stirring nv pep
permint water and sugar with a toothpick?
Get spoon, you dog, do, and fetch it direct
ly." The fellow went, leaving his lord seated
on the bed, a table and books before him;
wearing his old yellow nightgown that he was
accustomed to study in. A violent noise, how
ever, soon recalled the man, who found his
master fallen headlong, the whole apparatus
overset. and Lytteton dying. "Ah. Williams! |
poor Williams !" was all he said. The servant |
horror-stricken, ran to the company, his |
watch in his hand, and as he passed the great |
clock on the stairs ii struck t,celrel
The sequel of this narrative depends on |
the veracty of Miles Peter Andrews who |
thus related it at Streatham Park twelve or |
fifteen years after-I was then wife to Piozzi. |
and my daughter, now Mrs. Merrick Hoare, |
begged him to tell me what passed.
had said he, often made appointment |
with Lord Lyttleton, that whichever of MS |
died first should appear to the other; but |
death was by no means in our minds when we
parted in London, for Mr.. Pigeons house in |
the country, he with intent to go in a few DAYS |
to Woodcote, near EPSON. The first night of |
my arrival at my friends house we parted at |
a little after eleven O'clock; and as l lay in !
bed, wide awake, Lord Lyttleton, dressed in |
ms yellow night gown, opened my curtains. |
and in a mournful tone cried, All! It's all |
over Andrews" Jumped up. and are you |
there, you dogT said l. running to the door.
the only door, and locking it. When arrived |
at the stairs head, and hearing the upper SER |
wants putting away the things, called the |
butler. and inquired of him when it was that |
Lord Lyttleton came, and what trick he had |
been playing to fright me. The man. aston
ished, said he was not come. 80. yes.' repli- |
~ - siiots ~ ics acouiStt ioi sdlc
now in my bed-chamber under lock and KEY |
The housekeeper was next summoned, and |
we entered the chamber together; but no |
Lord Lyttleton was there, nor any human |
creature but ourselves
swell, sir" said /, I" were you quite sober?n |
. As sober as yon are now" answered Miles
Peter Andrews. And do you vet believe
you saw him bodily" " Why, now, tits many
years ago. you are aware, and feel glad that
Mr.. and Mrs Pipon and their nppar servanfs
bear witness to the truth of the tale" "But
you do think You saw and heard him speak P"
= o, yes, and shake his head most piteously."
:" And you are sure he had his yellow gown |
on ?"s" am surew Then really, sir, If you |
have been so favored of Heaven you ought |
not sure to disregard such warning, but live |
life much more conformable to one who has |
had sort of peep into the world of spirits"
dc, &c. A loud laugh finished my intended |
but the two stories are well |
worth recording.