Letters on natural magic, addressed to Sir W. Scott / [Sir David Brewster].

  • David Brewster
Date:
1833
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Letters on natural magic, addressed to Sir W. Scott / [Sir David Brewster]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    corpses, round the head, and under the chin, and though the eyes were open, the features were solemn and rigid. The dress was evidently a shroud, as Mrs. A. remarked even the punctured pattern usu- ally worked in a peculiar manner round the edges of that garment. Mrs. A. described herself as at the time sensible of a feeling like what we conceive of fascination, compelling her for a time to gaze on this melancholy apparition, which was as distinct and vivid as any reflected reality could be, the light of the candles upon the dressing-table appearing to shine fully upon its face. After a few minutes, she turned round to look for the reality of the form over her shoulder; but it was not visible, and it had also disappeared from the glass when she looked again in that direction. 5. In the beginning of March, when Mr. A. had been about a fortnight from home, Mrs. A. fre- quently heard him moving near her. Nearly every night as she lay awake, she distinctly heard sounds like his breathing hard on the pillow by her side, and other sounds such as he might make while turning in bed. 6. On another occasion, during Mr. A.'s absence, while riding with a neighbour Mr. , she heard his voice frequently as if he were riding by his side. She heard also the tramp of his horse's feet, and was almost puzzled by hearing him address her at the same time with the person really in com- pany. His voice made remarks on the scenery, improvements, &c., such as he probably should have done had he been present. On this occasion, however, there was no visible apparition. 7. On the ] 7th March, Mrs. A. was preparing