For the time ghosts had been only incidental to a performance; by-and-by they were to become the main features and attractions of stage representation. Still they had not escaped ridicule and caricature. Fielding, in his burlesque tragedy of "Tom Thumb," introduced the audience to a scene between King Arthur and the ghost of Gaffer Thumb. The king threatens to kill the ghost, and prepares to execute his threat, when the apparition kindly explains to him, "I am a ghost and am already dead." "Ye stars!" exclaims King Arthur, "'tis well." In his humorous notes to the published play, Fielding states, with mock gravity: "Of all the particulars in which the modern stage falls short of the ancient, there is none so much to be lamented as the great scarcity of ghosts. Whence this proceeds I will not presume to determine. Some are of opinion that the moderns are unequal to that sublime sort of language which a ghost ought to speak. One says ludicrously that ghosts are out of fashion; another that they are properer for comedy; forgetting, I suppose, that Aristotle hath told us that a ghost is the soul of tragedy," &c. &c. But when, towards the commencement of the present century, melodrama was first brought upon the boards, the novels of Mrs. Radcliffe were being dramatised, and such pieces as "The Tale of Mystery," "The Bleeding Nun," and "The Castle Spectre," were obtaining public favour, it was clear that room was being made for the stage ghost; the way was cleared for it to become the be-all and the end-all of the performance, the prominent attraction of the evening. Here is an extract from Lewis's "Castle Spectre," including certain stage directions, by no means the least important part of the play. _Enter_ HASSAN, _hastily_. HASSAN. My lord, all is lost! Percy has surprised the castle, and speeds this way! OSMOND. Confusion! Then I must be sudden! Aid me, Hassan! HASSAN _and_ OSMOND _force_ ANGELA _from her father, who suddenly disengages himself from_ MULEY _and_ ALARIC. OSMOND, _drawing his sword, rushes upon_ REGINALD, _who is disarmed, and beaten upon his knees; when at the moment that_ OSMOND _lifts his arm to stab him,_ EVELINA'S _ghost throws herself between them_. OSMOND _starts back and drops his sword._ OSMOND. Horror! What form is this? ANGELA. Die! _Disengages herself from_ HASSAN, _who springs suddenly forward, and plunges her dagger in_ OSMOND'S _bosom, who falls with a loud groan and faints. The ghost vanishes._ ANGELA _and_ REGINALD _rush into each other's arms._ "The Castle Spectre" enjoyed great success. It was supported by the whole strength of the Drury Lane company, John Kemble appearing as Earl Percy, and Mrs. Jordan as the heroine, and was repeated some fifty nights during its first season.