An essay towards a theory of apparitionsFerriar, John
Science
An essay towards a theory of apparitions
Ferriar, John
Apparitions; Hallucinations and illusions
“After having been here for the thirtieth time,” says M. Haue, “and,
besides other objects of my attention, having procured information
respecting the above-mentioned atmospheric phenomenon, I was at length
so fortunate as to have the pleasure of seeing it; and perhaps my
description may afford satisfaction to others who visit the Broken
through curiosity. The sun rose about four o’clock, and the atmosphere
being quite serene towards the east, his rays could pass without
any obstruction over the Heinnichshohe. In the south west, however,
towards the Achtermannshöhe, a brisk west wind carried before it their
transparent vapours, which were not yet condensed into thick heavy
clouds. About a quarter past four I went towards the inn, and looked
round to see whether the atmosphere would permit me to have a free
prospect to the south west; when I observed, at a very great distance
towards the Achtermannshöhe, a human figure of a monstrous size. A
violent gust of wind having almost carried away my hat, I clapped my
hand to it by moving my arm towards my head, and the colossal figure
did the same. The pleasure which I felt on this discovery can hardly be
described; for I had already walked many a weary step in the hope of
seeing this shadowy image without being able to satisfy my curiosity.
I immediately made another movement by bending my body, and the
colossal figure before me repeated it. I was desirous of doing the same
thing once more, but my colossus had vanished. I remained in the same
position, waiting to see whether it would return, and in a few minutes
it again made its appearance in the Achtermannshöhe. I paid my respects
to it a second time and it did the same to me. I then called the
landlord of the Broken; and having both taken the same position which I
had taken alone, we looked toward the Achtermannshöhe, but saw nothing.
We had not, however, stood long, when two such colossal figures were
formed over the above eminence, which repeated our compliment by
bending their bodies as we did; after which they vanished. We retained
our position; kept our eyes fixed upon the same spot, and in a little
the two figures again stood before us, and were joined by a third.
Every movement that we made by bending our bodies, these figures
imitated--but with this difference, that the phenomenon was sometimes
weak and faint, sometimes strong and well defined. Having thus had an
opportunity of discovering the whole secret of this phenomenon, I can
give the following information to such of my readers as may be desirous
of seeing it themselves. When the rising sun, and according to analogy
the case will be the same at the setting sun, throws his rays over the
Broken upon the body of a man standing opposite to fine light clouds
floating around, or hovering past him, he needs only fix his eye
steadfastly upon them, and in all probability, he will see the singular
spectacle of his own shadow extending to the length of five or six
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