Something Mysterious.
Touching the subject of ghosts, apparitions, spectres, and all the tribe of supernaturals, there is as great a diversity of opinion in the country, as exists on the Catholic Question, the Apocrypha Controversy, or Mr Irving’s Mellenium. And really this is not to be wondered at, when we recollect that this difference of opinion has existed among the most eminent of our English authors. Addison, for example, was an out-and-out infidel on the subject of apparitions, while the great Dr Johnson invariably expressed himself as firmly persuaded of their reality as he was of his own existence.
On such a subject as this we are not philosophers enough to hazard any opinion; but shall proceed to narrate the following mysterious affair, leaving our readers to say whether or not they think the matter can be accounted for on natural principles: –
A short time ago, the inmates of a humble habitation, in a parish at no great distance from Elgin, were one night disturbed, after they had been for some time fast locked in the arms of Morpheus, by strange noises in the house, accompanied by the derangement of the moveable furniture. The honest inhabitants were so greatly terrified by the singular occurrence, as to be unable to examine at the time into its probable cause. They wrapped the blankets fast about them, every moment apprehensive lest their persons should experience a fate similar to the domestic moveables which were flying about with amazing velocity, in all directions. In the course of half an hour, on the first night, all was restored to peace and quietness; and the gudeman of the house resolved not to mention the affair to his neighbours, lest the circumstance should only expose himself to their profane ridicule.
On the second night the supernatural gentry were still mroe busy and mischievous. Not only were the household utensils transferred from one place to the other; but several articles, such as plates, chairs, &c. were dashed into numberless pieces. The sounds, too, were most discordant – they were within a few removes of the absolutely horrible. Notwithstanding of all this, however, the annoyed inmates weathered out the second night, without mentioning their notcturnal misfortunes to any of their neighbours.
The third night came; and the unearthly visitants commenced their “wonted pranks” before the family retired to rest. The “gudeman o’ the house” seemed to be the chief object of their displeasure. The tails of his coat were cut off in an instant without his perceiving any earthly operation – chairs, stools, the tongs, pots, pans, &c., were hurled at him in rapid succession and from every quarter in the house. His alarm and that of the other inmates now became so great that they could no longer remain within doors. They, almost frightened out of the wits as well as their propriety [sic], ran to their nearest neighbours, where they passed the night.
On the following morning the mysterious occurrence was known to all the parish. One individual – a “march of intellect” gentleman – laughed outright at the good people’s narrative of what had occurred; and with admirable ease and expedition accounted for the whole matter, by attributing it either to the imagination, or to some evil-disposed neighbour. He agreed to watch on the following night, as a proof of his courage; but scarcely had he seated himself on a chair in the haunted house when a large peat, as if precipitated from the skies, fell with a tremendous force on his head – knocked his had fairly over his eyes – or, in other words, totally eclipsed him. Immediately after he was unmercifully pelted, back and belly, head and foot, with peats, sticks, coals, &c. The recent unbeliever ran out of the house as fast as possilbe, having by this time had what he considered sufficiently conclusive proof of the existence of evil spirits.
The affair excited an uncommon sensation in the district in which it happened; and has not, up to the moment at which we write, been accounted for. – Elgin Courier.
Morning Advertiser, 2nd April 1829.