Ignorance, and its inseparable attendant, Superstition, appear to pursue their march through Spain; and the impediments constantly thrown in the way of the development of light and instruction, have the effect of giving a deeper root to these two scourges, which have already been the sources of so much evil. The following fact, the subject at present of general conversation at Barcelona, will fully elucidate our assertion: –
The Profession of Physic in that city reckons amongst its Professors Doctor Savall. This partisan of absolute government, who is distinguished amongst the highest of the class, had a son, who did not coincide with him in political opinions. The bad treatment which he suffered for this reasons prompted the young man, about a year since, to deprive himself of a life thus rendered miserable.
For some time back a violent noise has been heard in the Doctor’s house – large stones have fallen with violence from the top of the staircase, and no person could distinguish the hand that threw them. None would venture to ascend lest he should be stoned.
The Doctor, and the Monks of the neighbourhood, whom he summoned to his assistance on the occasion, had not the least doubt that it was the wandering soul of young Savall that occasioned all this uproar. All haste was made to exorcise the evil spirits, and they traversed with this intention all the Chambers in the house, but when they had to ascend the staircase they were obliged to cover their heads with chairs, as with shields, to save themselves from being crushed by the stones which fell upon them.
However, by means of this precaution, they enabled armedmen to ascend upon the roof. The shower of stones ceased for the present, but it was renewed upon the next and the following days, so that the Doctor, and many others as superstitious as he, are fully convinced that the ghost of his son pursues him incessantly.
– Courrier Francais.
British Press, 27th October 1824.