Will you believe it, Madam, in spite of what I thought of my acquaintance of the next chamber, I ascribed it to him. I believed little in the supernatural, and concluded it to be some dreadful dream. It is astonishing the thought never struck me that a _continuous_ dream of such a character was scarcely possible. It did not, however, and despite of its unearthly character, and the apparent woe of the unfortunate one--the despair, as I said before, of a lost soul--I continued to associate it all with my neighbour next door, until the events which occurred at my last visit entirely upset my conviction, and I became at once assured I had been doing him a great injustice. Like some of the cases in the "Night Side of Nature," you will perceive here a great difference in the manifestations--to some it was given to _hear_, to others to _see_. Are you still of opinion that this results from what you term comparative freedom of _rapport_! Do you not think there _are_ times when the material may give place to the supernatural? I admit freely the truth of spectral illusions--I have myself experienced one--but knew it to be nothing more. Still, notwithstanding this, and my further belief in a _certain_ connection of mind and matter, I cannot altogether cast from me the persuasion that the Almighty One may _at times_ think fit to exercise a power independent of all rule, for the attainment of certain ends to us, perhaps, unknown. I cannot conclude without telling you that with regard to what I have mentioned above, nothing in the shape of _trick_ could possibly have been practised. Trusting I may not have trespassed too much on your patience, I will now remain, Madam, yours very respectfully, J. H. H. * * * * * LETTER II. _Gloucestershire, June 10, 1854._ MADAM, Being not long ago on a visit of some days at the house of a friend, I happened to meet with your work, entitled "The Night side of Nature."