The Herald of Wales. — 1890-01-18 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

HACK WOOD HOUSE. In April, 1842, one of those atones of haunted bemire, which are continually "cropping up," both in print and in private conversation, went the usual round of the press. 'The,London correspondent of Sounds» News Lean', having read the comments of his contemporaries, told the tale in his own fashion as below. It should be premioecl that the "Mi.. R.---" of the story is Mr. Henry Phillip Roche, the friend of Lord Weatbury, and, thanks to that friendship, was by him appointed one of the Registrars ot the London Court of Bankruptcy. "Really, what with Mr. Home, Mr. Forster, and Sir Bulwer Lytton's Strawyr dory," says the correepondent, "London Society stoma just now affected with a general phantom mania. The last sew phase of the malady is a ghost story what has lately obtained extensive currency in which are called the 'upper circles,' and which claims for its lelievers two counsel learned in the law, and the Lord High Chancellor -himself. I codt pretend to vouch that the story can pretend to the *ghost' of a foundation for it. existence, I merely testify that it is being talked of by 'everybody,' and that the fret question asked at mot& dinner-tables is, "Have you heard of Lord Westbury's ghost ' "The story ri no t: us :—Lard Westbury late• 3 • purchased Rockwood House, au old inenewu near Basingstoke, the property of lord Bolton. Snatching a spare day or two to obtain a more minute inspection of his invizeitment, he took with him two of the gentlemen belonging to hie offical estabLehmeut, both members of tic teamed profession. On separating for the night, the bedroom destined for one of them, a Mr. It— was found to be on the opposite side of the hall to those of the other gentlemen; he therefore shook honsie and said 'good-night' in the hail, leaving the others talking there. He had not been very long asleep before he 'felt' himself awoke, but could neither hear nor percieve anything. By degrees, however, he became conscious of something luminous on the side of the room opposite his bed, which gradually assumed the appearance of a woman clothed in grey. He at first thought it was an optical illusion, next that his companions were playing Um some phoephoric trick, and then, turning round, he composed himself to sleep again. "Further on in the night he was awoke again, and then at once he saw the same figure brilliantly conspicuous on the wall. Whilst he was gazing at it, it seemed to leave the wall and advance into the middle of the apartment. He immediately jumped out of bed, rushed to it., and, of course, found—nothing. He was so impressed with the power of the delusion, thdt hi found it imposaible to seek any more sirs p. se the day was beginning to break, he dressed and wade his way into the glounda, whore he walked for some time, pondenng over the illusion so forcibly produced upon him. "On his return to his roan he wrote out an exact *mount of what he thought I.e had eenn. it being than gotta clear to him that it WU no trick played by others, but simply on halMcination of his own brain. At the broadesttable, however, he began to fancy that he had been cleverly imposed on by his friends, as they commenced at once bantning him on his night's rest, broken sleep, and so forth. Wishing to detect them if possible, he pretended unconsciousness' and utter ignorance of their meaning. when, to his horror, one of them exclaimed, 'Come, come, don't think we didn't see oue of the women in grey follow you into your room hA night.' Ile rushed up-stairs, produced his written account, which he gave them to read, and the consternation became general. On inquiry, of course, they found .the legend of murder done in the days of yore, and tha Lord Chancellor is supposed to be exceedingly vexed at an incident which hem decidedly shut up ow room in his house for ever, if not, in all probability, tabooed the mansion altogether. Thus much do the `upper ten thousand' aver—how truly is quite another question."  Published (for the Proprietone by Samro Daniels, at their General l'rinting Offices; Wind-street, Swansea, Jan le, 1800.  rs-- JO