The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-02-28
AN ANTIQUARY'S GHOST STORY.


ed since my own personal experience of
mental phenomena was strikingly en-
larged by the occurrence with which the
following narrative deals. Yet already
find that round the original story there
has gathered surprising accumulation
OF the mythical element. and that | my
self am in danger of becoming a hero of
romance in more senses than one. AS
object to be looked upon as kind of me-
dunn to whom supernatural visitations
are vouchsafed, and, on the other hand.
do not wish to be set down as a crazy
dreamer whose disorganized nervous sys-
TEN renders him abnormally liable to
fantastic delusions, l have yielded to the
earnest request of some who have begged
me to make public the following paper
| am told that there are those who busy
themselves in collecting similar stories.
and if it be so, it is better they should
hear the facts from me than after they
have passed through other channels. The
narrative was written, at the request of
friend, not many days after the event,
when all the circumstances were fresh in
my recollection. On the 10th of Octo-
Der, 1879, | drove over from Norwich to
Warrington Hall to spend the night at
Lord Ortord's. Though was in perfect
health and high spirits. it is fair to state
that for some weeks previously had had
great deal to think about. some little
anxiety, and some considerable mental
strain of one kind or another. | was not
however, conscious Of anything approach.
ing WEAKNESS. irritability, or flag" |
arrived at =. NJ, and was engaged in
pleasant and animated conversation till
it was time to dress for dinner. We
dined at seven; our party numbered six
persons. OF these, four at least had
been great travellers. | myself was
rather listener: the talk was general
and discursive. and amused and interest
ed me greatly. Not for IA single moment
did it turn upon the supernatural; it was
chiefly concerned with questions of art.
and the experiences of men who had seen
4 great deal of the world. and could de-
scribe intelligently what they had seen,
and comment upon it suggestively. |
have very rarely been at a more pleasant
party. After dinner we played rubber.
We left of as We began" and us two
of the guests had some distance to drive,
we broke up at half past ten.
The main object of my going over to
Warrington was to examine and take
notes upon some very rare books in Lord
Oxford 5 library, which have been anx-
| iously wishing to get sight of for some
years, but had never been fortunate
enough to meet with up to this time.
| asked leave to sit up for some hours and
make transcripts. His lordship at first
wished me to let his valet remain in at
tendance to see all lights put out. but a.
this would have embarrassed me. and
compelled me to 90 to bed earlier than
wished. and as it seemed likely that
should be occupied till two OF three il
the morning. it was agreed that | SHOULD
be left to my own devices and the ser
wants should be allowed to retire. b,
eleven clock | was the only person down.
stairs. and | was very soon busy at work
and absorbed in my occupation.
| The room in which | was writing is .
large one, with huge fireplace and q
grand old chimney: and it is needless to
say that it is furnished with every com
fort and luxury. The library opens int
| this room, and | had to pass out from
where | was sitting into this library and
| get upon chair to reach the volumes
wanted to examine. There were siH
small volumes in all. | took them dow
and placed them at my right hand in
little pile, and set to work-so!netime
reading. sometimes writing. As | finish
ed with book. | placed it in front o,
me. There were four silver candleStick>
upon the table, the candles all burning.
and. as | am chilly person, sat mysel;
at one corner Of the table with the fire
at my left. and at intervals, as | had fin
ishcd with book, | rose, knocked the
fire together, and stood up to warm my
feet. | continued in this way at my task
till nearly one o'clock. | had got OF
better than | expected, and ! had only
one more book to occupy me. rose,
wound up my watch and opened bottle
of Settler water. and remember think
ing 10 myself that | should get to be.
by two after all | set to work at thu
last little book. | had been engaged
upon it about half an hour. and was jus,
| beginning to think that my work wa
drawing to a close. when, as / ,ras &c
tNdlly 1crtttng, | saw Il large white hand
within foot OF my elbow. Turning m,
head, there sat figure OF a somewhat
large man, with his back to the fire.
bending slightly over the table and ap-
parently examining the pile of books thai
had been at work upon. The man,
face was turned away from me, but |
saw his closely cut reddisll-brown hair
his ear and shaved cheek. the eyebrow
the corner of the right eye, the side OF
the forehead, and the large high cheek
bone. He was dressed in what | cal.
only describe as Il kind of ecclesiastical
habit of thick corded silk. or some such
material, close up to the throat and d
narrow rim OF edging. about an inch
| broad, of satin or velvet, serving as a
stand up collar, and fitting close to the
chin. The right hand. which had first
attracted my attention. was clasping
without any great pressure, the left hand;
both hands We're in perfect repose, and
the large blue veins of the right hand
were conspicuous. | remember thinking
that the hand WIS like the hand of We
lasquez' 5 magnificent Z" Dead Knight" il
the National Gallery. | looked at my
visitor for some seconds, and was per-
tectly sure that he was not a reality. A
thousand thoughts came crowding upon
me. but not the least feeling Of alarm. or
even uneasincss: curiosity and a strong
interest We're uppermost. For an instant
| felt eager to make a sketch of my
friend, and looked at a tray on my right
for pencil; then | thought, Up stairs
! have sketch book-shall | fetch it -
There he sat, and was fascinated: afraid
I not of his Stayinr int lest he SbOuh no