155 



On this specimen I found three hairs without much difficulty, and 

 wrote to Mr. Way as follows : — "I have been again fortunate in 

 making out the specimen of skin you last sent me to be human ; 

 I found on it three hairs, which I have preserved. I should further 

 state, that the skin was in all probability removed from the back of the 

 Dane, and that he was a fair-haired person." At the end of the fol- 

 lowing month I was again addressed by Mr. Way to the following 

 effect. 



(No. 4.) 

 My dear Sir, 



Wonham, Reigate, 

 Aug. 31, 1847. 



I have again to trouble you in this curious 

 inquiry regarding human skin attached to the doors of churches. 

 I have been fortunate enough to obtain from the Incumbent of Cop- 

 ford, Essex, a portion of skin taken from the church door, and to 

 which the like strange tradition had been assigned as in the two former 

 cases, which you have so kindly taken the pains to elucidate for me 

 in so satisfactory a manner. I am anxious to place these curious 

 facts on record. Will you permit me to state them on the authority 

 of the microscopic examination which you have had the kindness to 

 give to these specimens ? As soon as you may favour me with a ver- 

 dict upon that now submitted for your kind consideration, I shall 

 prepare a short statement for publication in our Quarterly Journal. If 

 the portions of skin to which these strange traditions, long preserved, 

 have by your friendly aid, been authenticated, should appear worthy 

 to be deposited in the valuable collection under your charge at 

 the College of Surgeons, I shall be much gratified in placing them 

 at your disposal. 



I remain, dear Sir, yours very truly, 



Albert Way. 



On this portion of skin I found numerous hairs, which were both 

 larger and darker than those from the other fragments, and to 

 Mr. Way's communication I replied as follows : — "I am happy 

 to tell you, that I have succeeded in making out the Copford speci- 

 men to be human, as well as the others : I have shown the hairs from 



