More food for superstition.
A singular occurrence has recently taken place at Mytton Old Hall, near Boroughbridge, Yorkshire. This house had for a considerable time been untenanted, owing to a rumour very generally circulated in that part of the country, that it was haunted. About a year since a very respectable family, despising such ridiculous notions, entered upon the premises, which they inhabited for some time undisturbed. The particular room which had been pointed out was used as the bedroom of one of the tenant’s daughters, and a young lady then on a visit to her. Strange noises were occasionally heard, and being generally attributed to a servant, about the middle of last November, the two young ladies were awakened by what they thought was the snapping of a pistol by their bedside. They listened for some time with considerable anxiety and alarm, scarcely daring to breathe; when at last, by an invisible power, they were forced out of the bed and room, with so much violence, that the noise was distinctly heard over the whole house. In consequence of this extraordinary event, every possible search was made, and – “Those felt doubts, who ne’er felt doubts before.”
The respectability of the family, and the acknowledged veracity of the terrified females, induced many confident visitors, Clergymen, and others to examine into the cause of such strange occurrences. Clergymen have slept in the room, and others have watched throughout the whole night, but all experienced similar disturbances, with more or less violence, and have quitted the house in silent thought and reflection upon the origin of what they now uniformly believe to be the work of no human means. The family are leaving the residence, which they can no longer tenant with domestic comfort. At a future period the artificer will no doubt be detected, and we trust the contrivers of so mischievous a device will not escape unpunished.
Morning Post, 27th January 1804.