The Tailor and the Ghost!!
Horrible! Most horrible!!
A letter from Norwich, dated Tuesday, contains the following:-
“The City of Norwich has been for several days past thrown into very great alarm occasioned by strange and most unaccountable noises, proceeding from a house on Orford Hill, occupied by an inoffensive old gentleman of the name of Hartt. The cirucmstances attending this extraordinary occrrence, appeared to be, that Mr Hartt, who is a nervous sort of man, possessing property to a considerable amount, has been annoyed by a ghost appearing to him for several nights past, in various shapes, calling out in a horrible and loud voice, “Beware! Leave off your wicked life, Hartt! Read your Bible.”
The old gentleman made his neighbours acquainted with the circumstances, and they all instantly volunteered to sit up with him during his frightful and sleepless nights. Night after night passed away, and no apparition appeared, still the noises were repeated with unabating horror, calling out to Hartt, to read his Bible, and to leave off his wicked way of life, an unnecessary piece of advice, for poor Hartt bears an unexceptionable moral character. The neighbours imbibed the alarm, but mustered up sufficient courage to commence a vigilant search; into whatever room they travelled, however, this odd voice was sure to accompany them, calling out lustily for “Bread and butter – Ham, and bread and butter – Blow my guts, I am so hungry.”
Strange and unaccountable as it all appeared, no person present was even able to trace out from whence or from whom the voice proceeded; sometimes it assailed them as if out of the walls, at other times either from the ceiling or from the floor.
An extraordinary circumstance like this could not fail at length to alarm the whole city, and hundreds flocked night after night to hear the hungry ghost call out for “ham and bread and butter.” On Saturday last the Mayor dispatched several of the police to the spot to examine the premises, with directions not to quit them without ascertaining the real fact. They searched into every hole and corner, remaining there during the whole night, but all to no purpose; the roof of the building was not even omitted in their search.
It was according to report, at length conceived prudent to lay it by holy word. A Reverend Gentleman was found, who proceeded to the spot, but, in defiance of the priest, the spectre raised its frightful noises again, which rattled horribly through the old chambers, at the same time telling him “to go home, and not to come there praying.” The Rev. Gentleman, unaccustomed to have mockery added to his responses, soon left the house.
A stout knight of the thimble living near, now doubly persuaded that the voice came from some villain concealed in the wall, fearlessly asserted, he would find it out; in he marched, bold as buckram, shouldering a huge poker, determined to exhibit himself sole victor in the combat, assuring his neighbours that the spectre should not long be suffered to go unpunished. His search was first on the ground-floor, and voices on both sides rose loud on his ear. He paused, but, eager for the conflict, he ascended the stairs, the voice all the time echoing his name, and telling him to go home, for it was of no use. On leaving one chamber, a large box was thrown at him, which rolling down the staircase, so alarmed the affrighted knight, that he soon hastened away, fairly vanquished.
The next knight, who sought to lay this spectre, was one whose honours were conferred on him, at the last Coronation. He soon discovered the author of the trick. It proved to be the servant girl of the house, who possessed an extraordinary power of ventriloquism. The girl was immediately taken into custody, since which no noise has been heard by poor Mr Hartt.”
Sun (London), 26th October 1826.
During the last fortnight the family of Mr Hart, upon Orford hill, has been annoyed by noises and conversation, apparently in the house, for which they could not account; and after repeated attempts to discover the cause, it was concluded that some perturbed spirit had taken up its abode there.
The circumstance being made known in the neighbourhood, hundreds of persons repaired to the spot in expectation of hearing the ghost, and some of the more valiant among them ventured to enter the house in search of him, sword in hand. The sprite however could not be seen, but was frequently heard to laugh at their folly and bid them give up their search, for it was of no use as he could not be found.
Day after day, and night after night did this tormenting imp continue his visits till his fame had reached all over the city; and so anxious were peopel to catch the sound of his voice that at last there was scarcely a possibility of passing in the street for the multitude, till Saturday last, when Martin the police-officer, having on the previous night examined the house, went into the adjoining premises lately occupied by Mr Cann, which are now empty, and there discovered the Ghost’s hiding place; where through a crevice in the wall he could see Mr Hart sitting in the kitchen.
Martin, to satisfy Mr H as to the cause of his fears, now turned Goblin himself, and for some time imitated him so well that it was thought the Old Ghost was paying another visit, when Martin made himself known; thus the delusion ended, and the Ghost has not since been heard.
It has not been ascertained who it was that so foolishly disturbed the peace of the neighbourhood, but it is hoped that the offender will be found out; when he will probably be “doom’d for a certain time to walk” the day, instead of “the night” – upon the Tread Wheel.
Bury and Norwich Post, 1st November 1826.
A religious ghost.
A very foolish attempt, under the disguise of a ghost, has been made during the last fortnight, to alarm a respectable family residing on Orford-hill, Norwich. The parties have been both day and night disturbed by noises, and voices telling them to read their Bible, &c.; and great numbers of persons have been attracted to the spot, in hopes of hearing or seeing the ghost, and to try to discover the trick; but to no purpose, till Saturday night, when Martin, the sheriff’s officer, searched the premises, and discovering that a boy had entered by some means from the adjoining house, which was unoccupied, and in concert with some one of the family had succeeded in remaining till then undiscovered. We sincerely hope the magistrates will make him suffer for his fun. – Bury Gazette.
Berkshire Chronicle, 28th October 1826.