The inhabitants of Ludborough, near Grimsby, have of late been alarmed by a house being haunted, somewhat similar to the Cock-lane Ghost, which some years ago made a great noise in London. The only part of the house which at present the ghost seems to trouble, is the oven, which as soon as anything is put into it, immediately flies out again, and those who stand nearest the oven generally get a very violent blow.
Great numbers of people flock from Louth, Grimsby and all the neighbouring towns to see this surprising ghost, which at present confounds the wisest men, to comprehend what can be the cause of those very violent and sudden emotions in the oven.
Stamford Mercury, 6th May 1785.
(and Derby Mercury, 5th May 1785)
The devil having got into the oven at Ludborough, has given great alarm to the bakers, as they are afraid he has been sent to punish them for their short-weight bread, stealing pigeons out of pies, and other tricks.
As the new Cock-lane Ghost in Ludborough, has appeared, or been heard from an oven, it is supposed the accomplices in this imposture intend to make their bread by it.
A petition from the inhabitatnts of Ludborough, it is said, has been presented to the House of Commons, praying to have their oven exorcised, but the House have referred the matter to the Spiritual Court.
Extract of a letter from Ludborough, in this county, giving some particulars of the Haunted Oven, at that place, in which a very extraordinary ghost has taken residence:
The apparition I write of, is evidently better off than the ghost in Hamlet, which confesses itself “confined to fast in fires!” Now this spectre being imprisoned in an oven, is not under the necessity of fasting, as a variety of pies, puddings, etc. are daily placed before it. Strange however are the accounts related of these dishes; all of which jump out of the oven soon after they are put in. The following detail of a few particulars, which we seriously affirm to be facts, will, we trust, meet public attention.
A very fine tansey pie had scarce been placed in the oven, when it returned so terrified, that it was mistaken for a quaking pudding!
A goose stuffed with sage, sagaciously followed on its stumps; which is something more than Vestris ever attempted.
A duck pie was observed to waddle close behind.
A sucking pig took to its petty toes, which lay by way of garnish round the dish, and escaped with great precipitation.
A hare pie was chased three times round the oven, by a hunting pudding, and at length out-ran its pursuer!
Some half-hatched eggs, which had been beat together in a custard, became so extremely agitated, that they ran away in teh shape of chickens.
Eight pigeons which lay snug together in a pie, lifted up the crust, with one consent, and took to flight without the help of feathers.
A leg of pork hopped away with as much dexterity, as if he had practised under the learned pig.
A potato pie, which the owner of a manufactory, in consequence of Mr Pitt’s Irish propositions, was obliged to substituted for roast beef, in endeavouring to escape, violently assaulted and overset a batter pudding.
A batch of French rolls, in consistence with the nation after which they were named, scampered away with the utmost speed; and to the honor of Old England, a plain brown loaf was the only article which maintained its ground.
Stamford Mercury, 20th May 1785.