The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-10-10
The Anti-AGOnOpO1ist.

and, herein may possibly be found an
explanation of the visions of the enthusi-
asts and seers Of all nations and ages. as
we'll as those of modern spiritualism,
whenever the latter are not the result of
sleight-of-hand or other deception.
TIE sixth case cited by DR.. Clarke is
an extraordinary account 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 retired merchant
Possessing an ample fortune, he devoted
more time to Intellectual aesthetic pur-
suits than to business. He was passion
ately fond of music, was familiar with
the works of the great composers, and in
Europe listened to artists who interpreted
them. He was also endowded 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 with an active
temperament, good habits and strong
physical organization, he had good health
until year or two after he became an
octogenarian. Towards the close of life
he was troubled with severe cerebral dis
ease. Its precise character, however, was
not ascertained by post-mortem exami-
nation. 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 renter
red to, at his usual 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 reccollect. He had partaken of
his usual diet, and followed his Gus
tomary mode of life. Soon after retiring
ne feel asleep, and slept we'll until about
2 A. NJ, when he was awakened by the
sound Of music, which seemed to come
from the street near the house. Thinking
a serenade was going on, he got up to as
certain where it was, but discovered moth
ing. The sound ceased. when he arose.
On returning to bed, he heard the sound
of music again, and was at the same time
surprised at the appearance of three
persons standing near each other in his
chamber, opposite the foot of his bed
It was his habit to sleep with the gas
light burning feetly near the head of his
bed. He turned the gas on to its full
power and inspected the intruders. They
appeared tn be musicians, who were hum.
ming and singing, as if in preparation
for musical performance. He rang 9
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
'Whatp he exclaimed, do you see no one
there2' No one, said John. Go where
those chairs are, and move them,' was
Mr.. AS next direction. John did so. The
strangers stepped aside, but did not 90
out. By this time Mr.. A. had gathered
his wits about him, and was satisfied tina;
hewas the victim of hallucination; and
be determined to observe its phenomena
carefully. Accordingly he bade his serv.
ant depart, and prepared to watch his
visitors. But they were so life like and
human that he was again staggered, and
recalling John told him to go to the
housekeeper. She soon came. and on be-
ing interrogated, confirmed Johns state.
ment, that there were no strangers in the
chamber, and no sounds to be heard
Convinced by the testimony of two wit.
nesseses, Mr.. A. yielded to the decision
of his reason, AMI again resolved to 90
on with the investigation of the strange
phenomena. The musicians had now re-
sumei their position near the window
and opposite the foot of the bed.
Mr.. A. turned the light of the gas full up
on them. He looked at his watch, which
marked the hour of ha)f-past-two. He
then arranged his pillows, so as to sit
almost upright IN bed, and 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 mar, who bore
some resemblance to Brignol. The two
others were of less size and shorter statue
than their companions. All were habited
in dresscoats, and white waistcoats, and
wore white cravats and white gloves
After little time spent in coughing and
clearing out their threats, they began to
sing. They sang at first few SIMPLE
airs, Sweet Home among others. They
then attempted more difficult music, and
gave selections from Beethoven and No
Fart. Between the pieces they chatted
with each other in q foreign language
which Mr.. A. took to be Italian. but they
did not address him. Occasionally
they changed their position, turned in
various directions and part of the time
gasp own.
Mr.. A said the singing was excellent
he had rarely heard better After the
first feeling Of surprise and amazemen,
had passed away, he enjoyed the music
exceedingly. The performance continu-
ed in this way for some time, when il
suddenly came to an end. The singing
ceased and the singers vanished. &c
looked at his watch and found that the
time was four o'clock. The concert IL
his brain had lasted nearly an hour and 9
half. almost the length Of an ordinary
concert. He reflected for q while upon
this strange occurrence, but, not being
able to arrive Al any satisfa ctory explana.
ton of it, he turned his gas down and
went to sleep. The next morning he
called at my Office, as previously stated,
to ascertain, if possible, what pranks his
brain had been playin1. aud If he shouId