The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-06-27
a spirit Concert.
TIE QUEER VISION OF AN AGED MUSICAL ANA
TstIg AND Ifs EXPLANATION.

THUR ANU41S hAti4AsAAkOkSsfs1zI
Or. Edward H. Clark, in a book he has
lust published, entitled ssVisions; 9 Study
OF False Sight = narrases the following
strange incident:
!. ar, A., a man OF parts ana education,
was retired merchant. Possessed OF an
ample fortune, he devoted more time to in-
teNeetuai. aud aesthetic pursuits than 10
business. He was particularly fond OF,
music, was familiar with the works OF the
great composers, and heard sstth delight
The artists who interpreted them. During
a long life he was frequent attendant at
operas and concerts where the best music
Syas produced. Early i'm his career be occa-
sionally visited Europe, and when he did so
he improved the opportunities which his
visits afforded Of indutging his musical
tastes more liberally than he could
do in this country. The fact OF his possess
ing a fine musical taste, aud OF his indulS-
ing and cultivatiDg it, Is emphasized IN this
connection in consequence Of its possible
or probable relation to the phenomena
.whici, will be related presently. 1t should
be added, that he was 0 man OF more than
ordinary intellectual ability, and was en-
dowed with the rare git OF good common
sense. Few persons could be found less
likely than he, to be LED astray by their ina
gination or superstition, Armed with an
active temperament, good habits, ana 8
strong physical Organization, he enjoyed
good health until after thes age .sof eighty.
He then suffered for two or sthree years
from cerebral nasady, which at length
terminated fatally. "a moderate degree OF
deafness, persistent ussHttus astriana, occa-
sional vertigo, and slight loss OF memory,
were the prominent symptoms OF his con-
dfsion for year OF two after he became az
octogenarian. Toward the close OF life,
ineoherence, deliriIm, stupor, and the
like, Indicated with sufficient Certainty the
presence OF severe cerebral disease. Its
precise character, however, was not ascer-
famed by poSt-smortene examination.
"When about eighty years OF age, and
when suffering from tho deafness, tin7o1tuS
s1ariana, &C., Just alluded TO, he called Mt
my house early one morning, and gave me
the following account OF an extraordinary
occurrence that had happened TO him the
previous night. Hepreiaced his story with
the remark: have come to ask you, doc
tor, IL the time has arrived for me to step
out Of this world?' In reply to what ne
meant by such question he said that he
had witnessed most singular affair during
the previous night, Of which he could give
thought might very likely be the iorerun-.
ner OF serious trouble in his BRAN. The
account is given, as nearly asI can remem-
Der it, in his own language, with the eXcep-
ton OF changing the first to the third per-
son.
"He had retired on the night referred to
at his usua! hour and in his usual health.
Nothing had occurred for the day previous,
or for several days previous, to disturb him
in any way, so far as he could recoleet. He
had partaken OF his usual diet and followed
his customary mode OF life. Soon after re-
firing he fell asleep, and slept well until
about . A. NJ, when he was awakened by
the sound Of music, which seemed to come
from the street near his house. Thinking q
serenade was going on he got up to ascer-
tain where twas, but discovered nothing.
The sound ceased when he arose. On re-
turning to bed he heard the music again,
and was at the same time surprised by the
appearance OF three persons standing near
each other in his chamber, opposite the foot Of
mis- bed. TWAS his habitt sleep with the gas
light burning feebly, near the head Of his
bed. He turned the gas on to its full power
and inspected the 4intruders. They ap-
Deared to be musicians, who were humming
and singing as il in preparation for must
cal performance. He rang bell, which
summoned his man-servant. John soon ar
rived, and was ordered to put the strangers
out. There is nobody here, sir,'sswas
Johns reply to che order! For moment
Mr.. A. was not only amazed but alarmed.
3What?' he exclaimed, do you see no
one there?' mo one,' said John. $50
where those chairs are and move them,'
was Mr.. A.'s next direction. John did so.
The strangers stepped aside, but did not go
out. BY this time MIR. A. had gathered his
wits about him, and was satisfied that he
was the victim of hallucination; and he de-
termined to observe its phenomena
carefully. Accordingly he babe his
servant depart, and prepared to watch
his visitors. But they were so life
like and human that ne was again stag
gered, aud recalling John, told him to go
for the rhousekeeper. She soon came, and
on being Intercepted confirmed Johns
statements that there were no strangers in
the chamber and no sounds to be heard.
Convinced by the testimony Of two wit
nesses, Mr.. A. yielded to the decision OF
his reason, and again resolved to so on With
the investigation Of the strange phenomena.
The musicians had now resumed their po-
sition near the window and opposite the
foot OF the bed. Mr.. A. turned the light OF
the gas full upon them. He looked at his
watch, which marked the hour OF haif-rast
g. He then arranged his pillows so as to
sit almost upright In bed, and waited Tor
the next scene IN the play;, He was able to
note the size, form, dress, and faces OF the
performers. One was q large man, who
bore some resemblance to Brignoli. The
two others were OF less size and shorter
stature than their companion. All were
habited in dress-coats, with white waist
coats, and wore white crayats and white
gloves. After little time, spent in cough
ing and clearing their threats, they began
TO sing. They sang ut first n few simple
airs, sSweet Home among others. They
then attempted more difficult music, and
gave selections from Beethoven and Mozart.
Between the pieces they chatted with each
other in foreign language, which Mr.. a.
took to be Italian, but they did not adj
dress him. Occasionally they changed their
position, turned in various directions, and
part of the time sat down. Mr.. A. said
the singing was excellent; he had rarely
heard better. After the first feeling Of
surprise and amaZement had passed away |
he enjoyed the music exceedingly. The per-
Torrance continued in this way for some |
time, when it suddenly came to an end. |
The singing ceased, and the singers van
ished. He looked at his watch, and found /
that the time was O'Clock. The concert
in his brain had lasted nearly an hour and
3 half, almost the length Of M ordinary
concert. He reflected for a while upon this
strange occurrence, but not, being able to
arrive at any satisfactory explanation Of it
he tarned his gas down and went to sleep.
The aext morning he called a. my office, as
previously stated, 60 ascertain, IL possible,
wbat pranks his brain had been playing,