SPECTEAL ILLUSIONS. 43 



figure of a near relation, who was then in 

 Scotland and in perfect health. The apparition 

 appeared over her left shoulder, and its eyes met 

 hers in the glass. It was enveloped in grave- 

 clothes, closely pinned, as is usual with 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 usually 

 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 con- 

 ceive 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. 

 frequently 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 ab- 

 sence, 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 company. His voice made remarks on 



