The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1878-07-17
PHENOMENA OF VISIONS.
Graphic and Interesting sketches-A Ma,
Who Had n COncert In His Brain.

Who Had Concert In His Brain.
| A Boston correspondent writes: AT
the time of his death DIR. Edward H.
/ Clarke, of this city, whose essays en-
titled "Sex in Education and "The
Building of Brain" provoked more or
less sharp antagonism, left unfinished an
essay entitled "Visions: A Study of
False Sight (pseudopia). His nearest
friend, DIR. Oliver Wendell Holmes, to
whom DIR. Clarke left the manuscript
and it's disposition, had no hesitation in
deciding that, imperfect as it was, it
should be given to the.~public. Inge-
NOUS and interesting as are the specu-
lative portions of bhe essay, the numer-
ous hitherto unrecorded cases will be
found its most permanently valuable
contribution TO science; and herein
may possibly be found an motion of
the visions of the enthusir aud seers
OF all nations and ages, as veil as those
of modern spiritualism, whenever the
latter are not the result Of sleight-of-
hand or other deception.
The sixth case cited by DIR. Clarke is
an extraordinary account of visions, be-
ing an instance of the abnormal action
of two senses-pseudopia and pseudotia
simultaneously, which finally proved
fatal:
''The subject was Mr.. A., over eighty
years of age. He was a retired mer-
chant. Possessing an ample fortune,
he devoted more time to intellectual
aesthetic pursuits than to business. He
was passionately fond of music, was
familiar with the works OF the great
composers, and in Europe listened to
artists who interpreted them. He was
also endowed with the rare gift of good
common sense. Few persons could be
found less likely than he to be led astray-
by their imagination. or superstition.
Armed yithran active temperament, good
habits and strong physical organiza-
tion, he had good health until year or
two after he became an octogenarian.
Towards the close of life he was troubled
with severe cerebral disease. Its pre-
else character, however. was not ascer-
tanned by a post-mortem examination.
The account, as given below, is in his
own language, with the exception OF
changing the first to the third person:
He had retired, on the night refer
red to, at his usual hour and in his
usual health. Nothing had occurred for
the day previous or for several days
previens, to disturb him in any way SO
far as he could recollect. He had par
taken of his usual diet, and followed his
customary mode Of life Soon after re-
firing he fell asleep, and slept well until
about two A. NJ, when he was awak-
ened by the sound of music, which
seemed to come from the street near his
house. Thinking a serenade was going
on, he got up to ascertain where it was,
but discovered nothing. The sound
ceased when he arose. On returning to
bed, he heard the sound of music again,
and was at the same time surprised by
the appearance of three persons stand
ing near each other in his chamber, op-
posite the foot of his bed. 1t was his
habit to sleep with the gas.hght burning
feebly near the head of his bed. He
turned the gas on to its full power and
inspected the intruders. They appeared
to be musicians, who were humming and
singing, as if in preparation for musi-
cal performance. He rang bell which
summoned his man servant. John soon
arrived and was ordered to put the
strangers out. There is nobody here,
sir, was Johns reply to this order. For
a moment Mr.. A. was not only amazed,
but alarmed. What I he exclaimed,
do you see no one there?' No one,
and move them, was Mr.. A. 8 next di-
stepped aside, but did not go out. By
this time Mr.. A. had gathered his wits
about him, and was satisfied that he was
the victim of hallucination; and he de-
termined to observe it's phenomena care.
fully. Accordingly, he bade his servant
depart, and prepared to watch his visi-
tors. But they were 80 hfe-like and
human that he was again staggered, and
recalling John told him to go to the
housekeeper. She soon came, and on
being interrogated, confirmed Johns
statement, that there were no strangers
in the chamber, and no sounds to bt
heard. Convinced by the testimony OF
two witnesses, Mr.. A. yielded to the deci.
sion of his reason, and again resolved Il
go on with the investigation of the
strange phenomena. The musicians
had now resumed their position neal
the window and opposite the foot of the
bed. Mr.. A. turned the light Of the ga
full upon them. He looked at hi
watch, which marked the hour of half
past-two. He then arranged his pillows
so as to sit almost upright in bed, anC
waited for the next scene of the play
He was able to note the size, form, dress
and faces of the performers. One was
large man, who bore some resemblance
to Brignoli. The two others were o
less size and shorter stature than thei
companion. All were habited in dress
coats, and white waistcoats, and wor
white cravats and white gloves. After
little time spent in coughing and clear
ing their throats, they began to sing
| They sang at first few simple airs
Sweet Home among others. The
then attempted more difficult music, an
gave selections from Beethoven and Nc
zart. Between the pieces they chatte