66 66 sons. It was very hot weather; the fancy took us to go into the water; " I grew faint, and sunk to the bottom "of the river. The Abbé Meniljean, my school-fellow, dived to take me 66 up. I took hold of his foot; but "whether he was afraid, or had a mind "to rise to the top of the water, he "struck out his leg so violently, that he 66 gave me a blow on the breast, and "threw me again to the bottom of the river, which is there very deep. 66 "He always appeared to me taller than "I had seen him, and even taller than "he was when he died. I always saw "him in half-length, and naked, bare 66 headed, with his fine light hair, and "a white paper upon his forehead "twisted in his hair, on which there "was a writing, but I could only read " In &c.."* * Memoirs de Trevoux, T. viii.-1726. These spectral impressions were repeated more than once, with conversations. The accidental death of the man was ascertained very quickly. young This story was published by the cele brated Abbé de St. Pierre, who concluded, very justly, that the whole appearances might be explained from natural causes, though he failed in his mode of deduction. The first impression was evidently occasioned by Bezuel's fainting. I know, from my own experience, as well as that of others, that the approach of syncope is sometimes attended with a spectral appearance, which I believe is always a recollected image. But the subsequent attacks, in this case, appear to have been delirious; there can be little doubt that Bezuel was deceived in the length of his supposed dialogue with the spectre. We know well, how fal lacious, in this respect, the train- of thought proves, in dreams, and in delirium. In this case also, we perceive, what I have frequently had occasion to notice, the obstinacy with which a morbid impression is preserved, and defended, long after the restoration of health. I could give most singular, and impressive examples of this nature, if professional delicacy permitted. In one instance, which I heard from a friend on whose veracity I could depend, a gentleman fancied during the delirium of a fever, that a considerable estate had been bequeathed to him; the impression continued long after his recovery, and he was not undeceived without much trouble and difficulty. There is a relation, published by authority, of some apparitions, which were seen at Portnedown bridge, after the Irish massacre, which deserves consideration, as it must be explained on principles somewhat different. I shall give copies of the evidence, produced by Sir John Temple, and shall then endeavour to explain the alarming appearances and sounds, on natural principles. I. James Shaw of Market-hill in the county of Armagh, inn-keeper, deposeth, that many of the Irish rebels, in the time of this deponent's restraint, and staying among them, told him very often, and it was a common report, that all those who lived about the bridge of Portnedown, were so affrighted with the cries and noise made there of some spirits or visions for revenge, as that they durst not stay, but fled away thence, so as they protested, affrighted to Market-hill, saying, they durst not stay nor return thither, for fear of those cries and spi rits, but took grounds and made creats, (Creaghs) in or near the parish of Mullabrac. Jurat. Aug. 14, 1642. II. Joan, the relict of Gabriel Constable, late of Drumard, in the county of Armagh, gent, deposeth and saith, that she often heard the rebels, Owen O'Farren, Patrick O'Conellan, and divers others of the rebels at Drumard, earnestly say, protest and tell one another, that the blood of some of those that were knocked on the head, and afterwards drowned at Portnedown bridge, still remained on the bridge, and would not be washed away; and that often there appeared visions or apparitions, sometimes of men, sometimes of women, breast-high above the water, at or near Portnedown, which did most extremely and fearfully screech and cry out for vengeance against the Irish that had murdered their bodies there: and that their cries and screeches did so terrify |