Observe, however, that the following treatise is applicable, in its principles, to profane history, and to the delusions of individuals only. If any thing contained in the ensuing pages could be construed into the most indirect reference to theological discussions, the manuscript would have been committed, without mercy, to the flames. What methods may have been employed by Providence, on extraordinary occasions, to communicate with men, I do not presume to investigate; nor could I hope to display them in language equal to the numbers of our sweetest poet, with which I shall conclude these remarks: And is there care in heaven? and is there love In heavenly spirits to these creatures base, That may compassion of their evils move? There is: else much more wretched were the case Of men than beasts. But O th’ exceeding grace Of highest God! that loves his creatures so, And all his works with mercies doth embrace, That blessed angels he sends to and fro, To serve to wicked man, to serve his wicked foe. How oft do they their silver bowers leave, To come to succour us, that succour want? How oft do they with golden pinions cleave The flitting skies, like flying pursuivant, Against foul fiends to aid us militant? They for us fight, they watch and duly ward, And their bright squadrons round about us plant, And all for love, and nothing for reward: O why should heavenly God to men have such regard? _Faerie Queene_, _Cant._ viii. THEORY OF APPARITIONS. OF THE THEORY OF APPARITIONS. CHAPTER I. _Reality of spectral impressions--General law of the system, to which they may be referred--Division of the subject--Spectral illusions exemplified._ I shall begin this discussion, by admitting, as an undeniable fact, that the forms of dead, or absent persons have been seen, and their voices have been heard, by witnesses whose testimony is entitled to belief. It would be an endless task to ransack the pages of antiquity, for instances of this kind. The apparition of the Genius to Brutus, and of the Fury to Dion, cannot be doubted. We may be allowed, however, to enquire, whether the improved state of physiology affords any glimpse of light on this subject, and whether such extraordinary and terrific impressions cannot be explained, from the known laws of the animal œconomy, independent of supernatural causes, in the examples furnished by profane history.