Spirit Rapping.
Not very long ago, this was a favourite subject of disputation among our Transatlantic friends, and much controversy ensued as to the mysterious manifestations supposed to have been made by spirits of the other world, bearing messages to the inhabitants of our planet. But like the table-turning and phrenological controversies, “spirit rapping” had its day, and we have of late heard nothing about these supposedly unearthly visitations, until we found the subject suddenly turning up in such close proximity, as to give it more interest than such a matter would excite at a distance.
Within the last few days, whispers have got abroad that a real bona fide case of “spirit rapping” – had occurred at the house of a respectable tradesman in one of the principal streets in this city; and if we were to adopt the construction put upon circumstances at present not easily explicable, we have a genuine case of “spirit rapping” duly authenticated.
The sounds which have given rise to so much gossip during the present week – be they “airs from Heaven or blasts from” – the other place, have “manifested” themselves (we believe, that is the legitimate term) at the house of Messrs. Laugher and Pearman, drapers, of High-street. They were first noticed at the end of last week, and excited from their singularity, not a little commotion in the household. Every effort was made to discover the cause, but without effect; and in the belief that this might be traced to material, and not spiritual causes, the police were called in; but, however great their ability to cope with corporeal antagonists, their vigilance, sagacity and courage proved alike unavailing against the unseen and assumed spiritual agency. Indeed, one of these guardians of the peace actually shed tears, so excited were his feelings when (with his nose nearly touching the window), he heard these mysterious rappings!
The “rapping” is described as resembling what would be given with the butt-end of a riding whip, by an impatient horseman, and it has been heard in various parts of the back of the house, against doors, partitions, and glass, and several panes in different windows have been broken by the violence of the knocks. One pane was actually shattered to pieces in the presence of Mr Pearman, as he sat in the sitting-room, and while the officers were also watching in anxious expectancy upon one occasion, the “perturbed spirit” gave such a rat-tat as to shiver a pane of glass; but though every search was made, no perpetrator could be discovered; it were needless to say, greatly to their chagrin.
The sounds are not, it seems, heard during the night. Since Tuesday afternoon, there has been a cessation of the raps. Of course, surmise and conjecture have been rife as to the cause of the annoyance; by the matter-of-fact and unsuperstitious, the noises are ascribed to natural agency, and were the house a new one, the most reasonable solution of the mystery would be to attribute it to the settlement of the foundation. Others will have it that the sounds are due to the freaks of some one of mortal mould, who it is to be hoped will be discovered and laid up in ordinary.
It will be remembered, that some years back the premises of Messrs. Freame, in St. Swithin-street, were the scene of some supposed “spiritual agencies,” which, however, were proved of another origin. A suggestion has been made, that the “rapping” may have been caused by an escape of foul air from an over-charged sink pit, in close proximity to the kitchen.
Worcester Journal, 20th February 1858.
A Cock Lane Ghost in Worcester.
Some singular occurences have taken place at the house of our neighbours, Messrs. Laugher and Pearman, drapers, High-street, during the past week. On Sunday last such strange noises and rappings at the windows were heard in various parts of the house that the inmates became alarmed, and sent to the police-station for assistance in their perplexity. Detective Holmes repaired to the scene and soon became astonished at the rappings, which at one moment were heard up-stairs and in the next down below, the mysterious and invisible rapper apparently taking a very discursive and eccentric flight about the building. Several panes of glass were broken in the face and eyes of spectators, and no one knew how.
A suspicion arose that one of the servant girls knew something of the matter, and that the rappings followed her; accordingly she was ordered into the cellar, while Holmes and others remained in the parlour above; and while the girl was so placed to test her, and Holmes was looking out of a window, keenly on the scent for trickery, a startling rat-tat of four raps, like that made rapidly by the edge of a penny-piece, came on the pane of glass within a few inches of his nose, and no visible agency was seen, although it was in the broad glare of midday. Then suddenly it was heard at the top of the house in the same way. Afterwards Holmes quietly followed the girl into the pantry to watch her, when a rap came to the pantry window, but she had evidently nothing to do with it.
Of course the whole household were greatly frightened, and in the evening the girl went to a relative’s in St. John’s. During her absence the noises were not heard, but they returned with her; and about ten o’clock the same night, as she and some others were coming down stairs, the noise was so great that all imagined the house was about to tumble on their heads. Early on Monday morning it was renewed; two other officers were sent for, but could discover nothing. On Monday and Tuesday evenings the rappings were repeated; but on Wednesday night, after a good shaking of the windows, the supposed ghost took his departure, and we are happy to say has not returned at this present writing (2 p.m. Friday). – Worcester Herald.
Hereford Journal, 3rd March 1858.