Birth
At Freefield, Scotland, on the 17th ult. the Lady of Major-General Sir ALEXANDER LEITH, K.C.B. of a son.
On Thursday last, at Ashbrook, the Lady of Wm. Hamilton Ash, Esq. of a daughter.
At Laughtamoneen, county Clare, aged 63 years, the wife of Mr. JAMES LYSAGHT, of a daughter. Her husband is in his 73d year. This happy couple had no increase to their family for the last twenty years.
Married
On Monday the 4th inst. by the Rev. John Porter, WILLIAM, youngest son of James M'Cleery, Esq. of this town, to FRANCES, eldest daughter of the late Archibald Douglas, Esq. of Randalstown.
Friday, in St. Anne's Church, by the Rev. Thomas Hincks, RAYMOND SAVAGE, Esq. of Belfast, second son of the late Rev. Henry Savage of Glastry, county Down, to ELIZA, third daughter of the late Edward Allinet Scott, of the City of Cork, Esq.
On the 22d ult. in the Holy Trinity Church, Hull, RICHARD, eldest son of Mr. John M'Morran, New Mills, Gilford, to SARAH CATHERINE, only daughter of the late William Frith, Esq. Silver-street, Hull.
On Monday the 27th ult. Mr. JAMES BROWN, to Miss ELIZA WOLSY, both of this town.
Died
On the 29th September, JANE HAMILTON, aged 24 years, daughter of the late Rev. Wm. Hamilton, of Ballymena.
In Verner-street, on Wednesday last, after a long illness, aged 53, Mrs. MACAULEY, wife of Mr. James Macauley, -- deservedly regretted.
At Newtoncrommelin, on the morning of 16th ult. after a few day's illness, Miss DICKSON, daughter of the late Wm. Dickson, of Ballymena, Esq.
At the house of his father, in this town, on Sunday the 26th ult. universally and deservedly regretted, Mr. JAMES JACOBSON, of Ballymena. His death was extremely premature; and what renders it still more calamitous, he was scarce two months married, and has left a very young and sincerely attached wile to deplore his sudden dissolution.
On the 22d ult. at Lurgan, ANNE, wife of Mr. Samuel Watts, and eldest daughter of the late John Haslett, of Lurgan.
On the 19th ult. at Ennagh, near Downpatrick, after a protracted illness, which she bore with pious resignation, Mrs. SMITH, relict of the late Mr. Alexander Smith, Surveyor of Excise, and daughter of the late Anthony Hull, Esq. of Lisburn.
In Newry, JOHN FITZGIBBON LOCKWOOD, Esq. youngest sen of the late Benjamin Lockwood, Esq. of Cashel.
On the 26th of August last, in the Parsonage-house, in Rye, in the United States of America, the Rev. WILLIAM THOMPSON, of the Episcopal Church, in that town, and formerly a respectable merchant of Enniskillen.
On the 4th of July last, in the 35th year of his age, at the house of his relative. Colonel Johnston, in Cipaquira, hear Bogotta, South America, WM. DUFFIN, son of Adam Duffin, of Oakland, Esq.
On the 15th ult. Mrs. DUNN, wife of Mr. John Dunn, of Gortavey.
On the 20th ult. MARY, wife to Captain Hamilton, of Derry, and daughter to the late Collon Maxwell, Esq. of Cottage, in the County Limerick, aged 54 years.
On the 29th ult. at Dunkeld, his Grace the Duke of Atholl. His Grace was Lord Lieutenant of Perthshire, and Governor of the Isle of Man; was born 30th June, 1755, and succeeded his father in 1774. He is succeeded by his son John, now Duke of Atholl, born in 1778.
Clippings
BELFAST SHIP NEWS.
The Hope, of Belfast, Captain Fitzsimons, is arrived at Leith, from Jamaica, all well.
The ship Dumfries, Captain Harvey, from this port, has arrived safe at Baltimore, after a quick and pleasant passage -- passengers all well.
The brig Mary Clarke, of Belfast, Battershell, master, arrived here on Friday last, from Port-au-Prince, Hayti.
The steamer Erin, M'Kibbin, for London, &c. sails on Wednesday, 6th Oct. at twelve o'clock noon; and again on Wednesday, 27th Oct. at six o'clock in the morning.
The steamer Shamrock, Soy, for Dublin, sails on Wednesday, at twelve o'clock noon.
The steamer Hibernia, Williams, for Liverpool, sails on Friday afternoon, at two o'clock.
The steamer Belfast, Leitch, for Greenock and Glasgow, calling at Arran, sails this day (Tuesday) at ten o'clock morning.
The steam-ship Corsair, Goodwin, for Liverpool, sails to-morrow, at twelve o'clock noon; and the Chieftain, Owens, on Monday, six o'clock in the evening.
Smack Herald, Shaw, has sailed for London.
Smack Ardent, Gowan, for London, clears on Saturday.
ARRIVED -- October 1, Williamson, Wilkinson, from Maryport; Ellen, Benn, do.; Margaret, Bell, Ayr; Ruby, Nicholson, do.; Amelia, M'Clelland, do.; Mary Clarke, Battershell, St. Domingo; Nymph, Molony, Jamaica; Resolution, Cranston, Glasgow. -- 2, Wm. and Sarah, Dickson, Whitehaven; Countess of Stair, M'Clelland; Ayr; Mary, Boyd, Glasgow; Edward, Mackey, do.; John, Mann, Mary, Russell, Troon; Valentine, Evans, do; Isabella, Williamson, do.; Lady Fullerton, Matthews, Irvine; Squid, Hood, do.; Margery, Wyse do.; John and Mary Wilson, Maryport; Peggy and Jenny, Waite, do.; Woods, Hewitt, do.; Brothers, Huddart, do.; Gypsey, Cockson, do,; Blanch, Griffiths, Liverpool. -- 4, Trader, Lightfoot, Maryport; Thomas, Leithwaite, do.; Cockson, Robinson, do; Ann, Snowden, do.; Clytie Tinian do.; Nelly, Lawson, do.; Jan Carl, Hammin, Pillau; Sisters, Armstrong, Glasgow; Hero, --, Irvine; Frances and Isabella, Snell, do.; John, M'Donald, do.; Edward, Sheridan, Workington; Brothers, O'Hara, Ayr; Sophia, Clanaghan, do.; Ellen, Bishop, do.; Andrew and Margaret, Quay, Cardiff; Hope, Llewellyn, Llanelly.
CLEARED OUT -- October 1, Camel, --, for Liverpool; Bolivar, Denman, Charleston. -- 2, St. Patrick, Veale, Ayr. 4, Elizabeth, Jack, Irvine; Margery, Wylie, do.; Freedom, Sommerville, Maryport.
BALTIC SHIPPING.
Passed the Sound homewards, from 18th to 21st Sept. -- 4 vessels for British ports with grain; 3 with flax, hemp and codilla; 1 with staves; 1 with oil cakes; the Kent, for Londonderry, with ashes. -- Passed upwards, 22 vessels for various ports in the Baltic, chiefly in ballast.
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THE HARVEST -- CLONES, OCT. 1 -- (From a Correspondent.) -- The last few days have been favourable for harvesting, and a great deal has been done; the grain is nearly all cut down in this neighbourhood, and a good deal has been housed during the last two days of fine weather. The price of oatmeal in this market yesterday was 15s per cwt; oats 1s. per. stone; potatoes 3d. to 4d. A fair was held here yesterday -- cows very low, and few sales effected; a bad assortment of horses, and little demand; sheep and pigs also very low, and few purchasers.
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ACCIDENTAL DEATH. -- Yesterday, about 8 o'clock in the morning, as a young man named Robert Richardson, of Derriaghy, was working on the bank of Mr. John M'Henry's Freestone Quarry, near Lambeg, the part on which he was standing gave way, and he was precipitated into a deep pond of water that had been collected below. Every effort that could be thought of to effect his rescue was made by his fellow-workmen, and by those whom the cry of alarm had drawn to the spot -- their exertions, however, proved unavailing. After considerable difficulty and searching, his body was at length got out of the water, but every symptom of life was extinct. He was a young man of quiet and industrious habits, and possessed a good and engaging disposition.
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ANTRIM GRAIN MARKET. -- It affords much pleasure to learn, that a regular weekly market for grain has been established in the Antrim, under the most advantageous regulations, to which, we understand, Lord Ferrard has kindly consented to lend his countenance and protection and the principal grain dralers in the neighbourhood have promised to attend. The market is to be opened every Tuesday morning, at ten o'clock by ring of bell. A Market Jury has been appointed, and a Committee, chosen from the most respectable inhabitants are appointed to superintend the market. The grain sold to be weighed at the public crane, or wherever the buyer or seller may appoint.
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COLERAINE. -- On Friday last, the election for a Mayor took place at Coleraine. A deputation from the Irish Society attended, accompanied by a Solicitor. The object of the deputation was to extend the privilege of voting on these occasions, to certain classes of persons, whom custom has hitherto excluded from all participation in the proceedings. They were not, however, allowed to enter the room in which the Corporation were assembled, till after the election had been over -- they subsequently addressed the people, and promised to exert every influence which they possessed in order to procure an extension of the right of voting.
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THE NAVY. -- His Majesty has commanded that the Captains of each ship shall, at the end of every three years in commission, send to the Admiralty the names of any petty officer or seaman, non-commissioned officer or private of marines, having served above 21 years, with a good character and good certificates, who shall be in the Captain's opinion deserving to be rewarded; when the persons so reported shall be paid a gratuity of £15, if a first class petty officer; of £7, if a second class petty officer; and £5, if an able seaman. All men receiving the said gratuity will be afterwards entitled to wear a silver medal, having on one side of it the words, "for long service and good conduct," and on the other an anchor and crown.
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THE ARMY.
WAR-OFFICE, SEPT. 28, 1830.
14th Light Dragoons -- Cornet E. Curwen to be Lieut. by purchase, Vice Kennedy, retires; C. Thornhill to be Cornet, by purchase, vice Curwen.
1st Foot Guards -- Lieut. and Captain J. O. Honeyman, to be Capt. and Lieut.-Col. by purchase, vice Clarke, retires; Ensign and Lieut. J. Dunlop to be Lieut. and Captain, by purchase, vice Honeyman; P. A. Freke to be Ensign and Lieut. by purchase, vice Dunlop.
3d Foot: To be Lieutenants -- Lieut. W. Thorpe, from 14th Foot, vice Johnstone, appointed to 33d Foot; Lieut. A. T. Eustace, from 14th Foot, vice J. Carr, retires on half-pay 14th Foot. -- 5th: Lieut W. Greene, from 6th Foot, to be Lieut. vice Cumberlege, retires upon half-pay 1st Foot. -- 6th: Captain J. Atherton, from half-pay, to be Captain, vice Campbell, appointed to 47th Foot. To be Lieutenants -- Lieut. M. G. Dennis, from R. African Corps, vice W. Curteis exchanges; J. G. Wilson, from 1st Foot, vice Greene, appointed to 5th Foot. To be Ensign, by purchase -- J. E. Young, vice Egerton, appointed to 18th Foot -- 8th: Lieut. S. H Cox, from the retired list late 4th Royal V. Bat to be Paymaster, vice M'Dermott, retired.
18th: Ensign A. Boddam to be Lieut. by purchase, vice Reed, promoted; Ensign T. G. Egerton, from 6th Foot, to be Ensign, vice Boddum. -- 19th: Ensign J. Semple to be Lieut. by purchase, vice Burns, promoted; R. A. M. Franklin to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Semple -- 20th: Lieut. J. Kennedy, from half-pay R. West India Rangers, to be Lieut. vice C. W. Combe, exchanges. -- 33d: Lieut. J. Johnstone, from 3d Foot, to be Lieut. vice J. G. Rogers, retires upon half-pay 14th Foot. -- 37th: A.-Surgeon F. M'Donogh, from half-pay Hospital Staff, to be A.-Surgeon. -- 38th: Lieut. J. Watson, from half-pay 14th Foot, to be Lieut. vice Vernon, appointed Paymaster -- 1st: To be Lieutenants -- Lieut. R. Jenkins, from 14th Foot, vice C. A. Sheppard, retires on half-pay 14h Foot; Lieut. J. M Ross, from 1st Foot, vice A. W. Horne, retires upon half-pay 14th Foot. -- 14th: Lieut. Collins, from 89th, to he Lieut. vice Crowther, appointed to 80th. -- 17th: To be Captains -- Captain J. A. Campbell, from 6th Foot, vice Clarke, appointed Paymaster; Captain Hon. S. Hawke, from 94th, vice W. Eccles, retires upon half-pay 6th D. Guards. -- To be Paymaster, Captain J. Clarke, vice Mitton, deceased. -- 18th: Lieut. J. Browne, from 1st Foot, to be Lieut. vice Hull, appointed to 69th Foot. -- 57th: Brevet Lieut-Col. T. Shadforth, to be Lieut.-Col. without purchase; Brevet Major R. Hunt to be Major, vice Shadforth; Lieut. J. Browne to be Captain, vice Hunt. -- To be Lieutenants without purchase -- Lieut. R. Ball, from half-pay 59th; Lieut. W. F. Putnam, from half-pay 101st; Lieut. W. J. Saunders, from 75th; Ensigns W. Lockyer, E. Lockyer, R. Alexander, and C. H. Darling; 2d Lieut. W. J. M'Carthy, from Ceylon Regt. Ensigns F. Barnes, from 88th Foot, R. Bevan, from 79th, and T C. Loft, from 92d, vice Brown. To be Ensigns -- Ensign J. D. Blythe, from 1st West India Regt, vice W. Lockyer; A. T. Allan, vice E. Lockyer; J. Spence, vice Alexander; S. F. DeSaumarez, vice Darling. -- 60th: A.-Surgeon W. S. M'Credie, from 65th to be A.-Surgeon. -- 65th: A.-Surgeon J. Miller, from half pay 5th West India R. to be A.-Surgeon, vice M'Credie, appointed to 60th. -- 69th: Lieut. A. H. Hull, from 48th to be Lieut. vice J. V. Vernon, retires upou half-pay 1st Foot. -- 74th: A.-Surgeon W. Stewart from half-pay 6th, to be A.-Surgeon, vice Hughes, whose appointment has not taken place. -- 77th: J. S. Atkinson to be Ensign, without purchase, vice Bevan promoted in 77th. -- 80th: Lieut. F. Crowther, from 44th to be Lieut. vice Thornley, whose appointment has not taken place. -- 83d: Ensign H. Howard, from 58th Foot to be Lieut. by purchase, vice Watson, appointed to 58th. -- 86th: Ensign W. Stuart to be Lieut. by purchase, vice Grant, promoted; J. Dowman, to be Ensign by purchase, vice Stuart. -- 88th: E. A. Hawker to be Ensign without purchase, vice Baynes, promoted in 57th. -- 92d: D. Stewart to be Ensign without purchase, vice Loft, promoted in 57th Foot. -- 93d: Ensign J. M. Grant, to be Lieut. by purchase, vice O'Meara, promoted; W. B. Ainslie to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Grant. -- 94th: Captain W. Mackie, from half-pay 6th D. Guards, to be Captain, vice Hawke, appointed to 41st; Ensign T. Cunninghame to be Lieut. by purchase, vice Workman, promoted; J. T. Bligh to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Cunninghame. -- 99th: Lieut. C. S. Bunyon, from half-pay 30th, to be Lieut vice J. Canny, exchanges.
1st West India R.: Lieut. J. Palmer, from half-pay R. York Rangers, to be Lieut. vice A. M'Intyre, exchanges; G. Rawstorne to be Ensign, without purchase, vice Blyth, appointed to 57th Foot. -- Ceylon Regiment: Lieut. L. Clare, from half-pay 60th Foot, to be 1st Lieut., vice W. Keen, exchanges; J. Heylinger to be 2d Lieut. without purchase, vice M'Carthy, promoted in 57th Foot.
BREVET. -- To be Major Generals in the Army: Colonels A. Bethune, half-pay 16th G. B.; W. Johnson, half-pay 3d Ceylon R. -- To be Colonel in the Army: Lieut.-Col. Sir D. St. Leger Hill, half-pay unattached. -- To be Lieut-Colonels in the Army: Major Colin Pringle, half-pay, 6th Line Bat. K. G. L.; Major H. Bristow, half-pay 38th Foot. -- To be Major in the Army: Captain G. Pinckney, 11th Foot.
MEMORANDUM. -- The titles of the undermentioned Officers have been changed, in conformity to his Majesty's warrant of 29th July. -- to be Principal Inspector-General of the Army Medical Department: Principal Inspector Sir W. Franklin. -- To be Inspectors-General of Hospitals: Inspector W. A. Burke, A. Baxter. -- To be Deputy Inspectors-General of Hospitals: Deputy Inspector J. Elry, T. Draper, J. Strachan, J. Forbes, J. Skey, H. Bone, D. Macleod. -- To be Assistant-Inspectors of Hospitals: Physicians T. Gordon, J. Weir, J. Clarke, A. Stewart, J. Davy and W. Sibbald. -- To be Assistant Surgeons -- Hospital Assistant A. H. Cowes, D. Pitcairn, J. Edmondson, W. Reid, B. G. Webb, J. Shields, R. W. Scott, A. Campbell, M. Nugent, J. Johnston, T. C. Gaulter, J. D. Grant, J. C. Minto, A. H. Hall, P. Baird, J. Y. Skelton, G. H. Gordon, A. S. Macdonnell, J. Jackson, J. Clark, J. Leithead, H. Thompson, R. Primrose, H. J. Hunt, R. Allan, A. T. Jackson, S. M. Hadaway, S. Lawson, J. Caw, G. M'Gregor, W. C. Robertson, J. Stewart, J. W. Moore, T. G. Logan, W. Robertson, R. Bell, J. Tully, F. D. Murray, W. J. Fagg, and J. Fox.
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THE WITCHES OF AULDEARNE.
We resume our extracts from Sir W. Scott's interesting letters on Demonology and Witchcraft. The following is an abridgement of a singular confession voluntarily made by Isabel Gowdie in 1662 -- she had been a resident of the parish of Auldearne in the county of Nairne --
"The witches of Auldearne, according to this penitent, were so numerous, that they were told off into squads, -- or covines, as they were termed, to each of which were appointed two officers. One of these was called the Maiden of the Covine, and was usually, like Tam o'Shanter's Nannie, a gIrl of personal attractions, whom Satan placed beside himself, and treated with a particular attention, which greatly provoked the spite of the old hags, who felt themselves insulted by the preference. When assembled, they dug up graves, and possessed themselves of the carcasses, (of unchristened infants in particular,) whose joints and members they used in their magic unguents and salves. When they desired to secure for their own use the crop of some neighbour, they made a pretence of ploughing it with a yoke of paddocks. These foul creatures drew the plough, which was held by the Devil himself. The plough, harness and soams, were of quicken grass, the sock and coulter were made out of a riglin's horn, and the covine attended on the operation, praying the devil to transfer to them the fruit of the ground so traversed, and leave the proprietors nothing but thistles and briers. The witches' sports, with their elfin archery, I have already noticed. They entered the houss of the Earl of Murray himself, and such other mansions as were not fenced against them by vigil and prayer, and feasted on the provisions they found there.
"As these witches were the countrywomen of the weird sisters in Macbeth, the reader may be desirous, to hear some of their spells, and of the poetry by which they were accompanied and enforced. They used to hash the flesh of an unchristened child, mixed with that of dogs and sheep, and place it in the house of those whom they devoted to destruction in body or goods, saying, or singing, --
"We put this intill this hame,
In our lord the Devil's name;
The first hands that handle thee,
Burn'd and scalded may they be!
We will destroy, houses and hald,
With the sheep and nolt into the fauld;
And little sall come to the fore,
Of all the rest of the little store!"
"Metamorphoses were, according to Isobel, very common among them, and the forms of crows, cats, hares, and other animals, were on such occasions assumed. In the hare shape Isobel herself had a bad adventure. She had been sent by the devil to Auldearne, in that favourite disguise, with some message to her neighbours, but had the misfortune to meet Peter Papley of Killhill's servants going to labour, having his hounds with them. The hounds sprung on the disguised witch, "And I," says Isobel, "run a very long time, but being hard pressed,'"was forced to take to my own house, the door being open, and there took refuge behind a chest." -- But the hounds came in, and took the other side of the chest, so that Isobel only escaped by getting into another house, and gaining time to say the disenchanting rhyme:--
"Hare, hare, God send thee care!
I am in a hare's likeness now;
But I shall be woman even now --
Hare, hare, God send thee care!"
"Such accidents, she said, were not uncommon, and the witches were sometimes bitten by dogs, of which the marks remained after their restoration to human shape. But none had been killed on such occasions.
The ceremonial of the Sabbath meetings was very strict. The foul fiend was very rigid in exacting the most ceremonious attention from his votaries, and the title of Lord when addressed by them. Sometimes, however, the weird sisters, when whispering amongst themselves, irreverently spoke of their sovereign by the name of Black John; upon such occasions, the fiend rushed on them like a schoolmaster who surprises his pupils in delict, and beat and buffetted them without mercy or discretion, saying, "I ken weel eneugh what you are saying of me." Then might be seen the various tempers of those whom he commanded. Alexander Elder in Earlseat, often fell under his lord's displeasure for neglect of duty, and being weak and simple, could never defend himself save with tears, cries, and entreaties for mercy; but some of the women, according to Isobel Gowdie's confession, had more of the spirit which animated the old dame of Kellyburn Braes. Margaret Wilson in Auldearne would "defend herself finely," and make her hands save her head, after the old Scottish manner. Bessie Wilson could also speak very crustily with her tongue, and "belled the cat" with the devil stoutly. The others chiefly took refuge in crying "pity! mercy!" and such like, while Satan kept-beating them with wool cards, and other sharp scourges, without attending to their entreaties or complaints. There were attendant devils and imps, who served the witches. They were usually distinguished by their liveries, which were, sad-dun, grass-green, sea-green, and yellow. The witches were taught to call these imps by names, some of which, might belong to humanity, while others had a diabolical sound. These were Robert the Jakis, Saunders the Red Reaver, Thomas the Feary, Swein, an old Scandinavian Duerg probably; the Roaring Lion, Thief of Hell, Wait-upon-Herseif, MacKeeler, Robert the Rule, Hendrie Craig, and Rorie. - -- Those names, odd and uncouth enough, are better imagined at least than those which Hopkins contrived for the imps which he discovered -- such as Pyewacket, Peck-in-the-Crown, Sack-and-Sugar, News, Vinegar-Tom, and Grizell-Greedigut, the broad vulgarity of which epithets shows what a flat imagination he brought to support his impudent fictions.
The Devil, who commanded the fair sisterhood, being fond of mimicking the forms of the Christian church, used to rebaptize the witches with their blood, and in his own great name. The proud-stomached Margaret Wilson, who scorned to take a blow unrepaid, even from Satan himself, was called Pickle-nearest-the-Wind; her compeer, Bessie Wilson was Throw-the-Corn-yard; Elspet Nishe's was Bessie Bald; Bessie Hay's nickname was, Able-and-Stout; and Jane Mairten, the Maiden of the Covine, was called Ower-the-Dike-with-it.
Isobel took upon herself, and imputed to her sisters, as already mentioned, the death of sundry persons shot with elf-arrows, because they had omitted to bless themselves as the aerial flight of the hags swept past them. She had herself the temerity to shoot at the Laird of Park as he was riding through a ford, but missed him, through the influence of the running stream perhaps, for which she thanks God in her confession; and adds, that at the time, she received a great cuff from Bessy Hay for her awkwardness. They devoted the male children of this gentleman, (of the well-known family of Gordon of Park, I presume,) to wasting illness, by the following lines, placing at the same time in the fire figures composed of clay mixed with paste, to represent the object:--
"We put this water amongst this meal,
For long dwining and ill heal;
We put it in into the fire,
To burn them up stook and stour.
That they be burned with our will,
Like any stikkle (stubble) in a kiln."
Such was the singular confession of Isabel Gowdie, made voluntarily, it would seem, and without compulsion of any kind, judicially authenticated by the subscription of the notary, clergymen, and gentlemen present; adhered to after their separate dicts, as they are called, of examination, an containing no variety or contradiction in its details. Whatever might be her state of mind in other respects, she seems to have been perfectly conscious of the perilous consequence of her disclosures to her own person. "I do not deserve," says she, "to be seated here at ease and unharmed, but rather to be stretched on an iron rack: nor can my crimes be atoned for, were I to be drawn asunder by wild horses."
The following stories are of a lighter character than the preceding, and are worth selection on account of their tendency to expose the ridiculous fears by which persons sometimes alarm themselves and others - --
An apparition which took place at Plymouth is well-known, but it has been differently related; and having some reason to think the following edition correct, it is an incident so much to my purpose, that you must pardon its insertion.
A club of persons connected with science and literature, was formed at the great sea-town we have named. During the summer months, the society met in a cave by the sea-shore; during those of autumn and winter, they convened within the premises of a tavern, but, for the sake of privacy, had their meetings in a summer-house, situated in the garden, at a distance from the main building. Some of the members to whom the position of their own dwellings rendered this convenient, had a pass key to the garden-door, by which they could enter the garden and reach the summerhouse without the publicity or trouble of passing through the open tavern. It was the rule of this club that its members presided alternately. On one occasion, in the winter, the president of the evening chanced to be very ill; indeed, was reported to be on his death-bed. The club met as usual, and from a sentiment of respect, left vacant the chair which ought to have been occupied by him, if in his usual health; for the same reason, the conversation turned upon the absent gentleman's talents, and the loss expected to the society by his death. While they were upon this melancholy theme, the door suddenly opened, and the appearance of the president entered the room. He wore a white wrapper, a nightcap round his brow, the appearance of which was that of death itself. He stalked into the room with unusual gravity, took the vacant place of ceremony, lifted the empty glass which stood before him, bowed around, and put it to his lips; then replaced it on the table, and stalked out of the room as silent as he had entered it. The company remained deeply appalled; at length, after many observations on the strangeness of what they had seen, they resolved to dispatch two of their number as ambassadors, to see how it fared with the president, who had thus strangely appeared among them. They went, and, returned with the frightful intelligence, that the friend, after whom they bad enquired, was that evening deceased.
The astonished party then resolved that they would remain silent respecting the wonderful sight which they had seen. Their habits were too philosophical to permit them to believe that they had actually seen the ghost of their deceased brother, and at the same time they were too wise men, to wish to confirm the superstition of the vulgar, by what might seem indubitable evidence of a ghost. The affair was therefore kept a strict secret, although, as usual, some dubious rumours of the tale found their way to the public. Several years afterwards, an old woman who had long filled the place of a sick-nurse, was taken very ill, and on her death-bed was attended by a medical member of the philosophical club. To him, with many expressions of regret, she acknowledged that she had long before attended Mr. -----, naming the president, whose appearance had surprised the club so strangely, and that she felt distress of conscience on account of the manner in which he died. She said, that as his malady was attended by light-headedness, she had been directed to keep a close watch upon him during his illness. Unhappily, she slept, and during her sleep the patient had awakened, and left the apartment. When, on her own awaking, she found the bed empty and the patient gone, she forthwith hurried out of the house to seek him, and met him in the act of returning. -- She got him, she said, replaced in bed, but it was only to die there. She added, to convince her bearer of the truth of what she said, that immediately after the poor gentleman expired, a deputation of the members from the club came to enquire after their president's health, and received for answer that he was already dead. This confession explained the whole matter. The delirious patient had very naturally taken the road to the club, from some recollections of his duty of the night. In approaching and retiring from the apartment, he had used one of the pass keys already mentioned, which made his way shorter. On the other hand, the gentlemen sent to enquire after his health had reached his lodging by a more circuitous road; and thus there had been time for him to return to what proved his death-bed, long before they reached his chamber. The philosophical witnesses of this strange scene were now as anxious to spread the story as they had formerly been to conceal it, since it shewed in what a remarkable manner men's eyes might turn traitors to them, and impress them with ideas far different from the truth.
A Teviotdale farmer was riding from a fair, at which he had indulged himself with John Barleycorn, but not to that extent of defying goblins which it inspired into the gallant Tam O'Shanter. He was pondering with some anxiety upon the dangers of travelling alone on a solitary road, which passed the corner of a church-yard, now near at hand, when he saw before him, in the moonlight, a pale female form standing upon the very wall which surrounded the cemetery. The road was very narrow, with no opportunity of giving the apparent phantom what seamen call a wide birth. It was, however, the only path which led to the rider's home, who therefore resolved, at all risks, to pass the apparition. -- He accordingly approached, as slowly as possible, the spot where the spectre stood, while the figure remained, now perfectly still and silent, now brandishing its arms, and gibbering to the moon. When the farmer came close to the spot, he dashed in the spurs, and set the horse off upon a gallop; but the spectre did not miss its opportunity. As he passed the corner where she was perched, she contrived to drop behind the horseman; and seize him round the waist; a manoeuvre which greatly increased the speed of the horse, and the terror of the rider; for the hand of her who sat behind him, when pressed upon his, felt as cold as that of a corpse. -- At his own house at length he arrived, and bid the servants who came to attend him, "Tak aff the ghaist!" They took off accordingly a female in white, and the poor farmer himself was conveyed to bed, where he lay struggling for weeks with a strong nervous fever. The female was found to be a maniac, who had been left a widow very suddenly by an affectionate husband, and the nature and couse of her malady induced her, when she could make her escape, to wander to the churchyard, where she sometimes wildly wept over his grave, and sometimes, standing on the churchyard wall, looked out, and mistook every stranger on horseback for the husband she had lost. If this woman, which is very possible, had dropped off from the horse unobserved by him whom she had made her involuntary companion, it would have been very hard to have convinced the honest farmer that he had not actually performed part of his journey with a ghost behind him.