Inferences from Haunted Houses and Haunted MenHarris, J. W. (John William)
Science
Inferences from Haunted Houses and Haunted Men
Harris, J. W. (John William)
Ghosts; Hypnotism
She does not see things in a flash. Thus when she saw a brown wood
crucifix, she saw a hand holding it, whilst a clergyman who saw the same
crucifix (Father H. also saw it) got just a glimpse of it. It was also
seen by Miss Langton.[15]
[Footnote 15: _Ibid._, p. 132.]
To turn to another characteristic of the disturbers of the peace at
B----, and to illustrate it by comparison. In Mr. Podmore's book on
Psychical research,[16] in the chapter describing phenomena of the
Poltergeist order--the Poltergeist in one case was a girl of about
twelve, Alice. She, Mrs. B. and Miss B., and Miss K. were seated at a
table; it moved sharply and struck Miss K. on the arm. Miss K. was an
inmate of the house, and no doubt Alice preferred hitting her to
hitting her mother and sister.
[Footnote 16: "Studies," p. 153.]
Similarly the disturbers at B---- House showed great respect for the
press. When a leading Edinburgh editor's son was there all was quiet; and
although they flew at their pet prey the priests, yet a bishop was too
imposing for them; and after he had blessed the house from top to bottom,
they left it quiet for the remaining week of Miss Freer's stay.[17]
[Footnote 17: "Alleged Haunting," p. 215.]
This might be sufficient to lull any further zeal the Catholic regular
clergy might find for the matter.
Again the strange fact may be noted that, a gardener coming every night
to look after the stoves between 10 and 10.30, no noises were noted at
that time, with one exception. The gardener therefore kept the ghosts
away.
But the one exception was when a servants' ball was being given, and the
gardener was in the house, in the billiard-room, where the supper was
served. To obtain re-hypnotism it was necessary for the disturbers to
approach the house. Their object would easily be affected with people
already hypnotised in the railway station or train.
These would suffer from fatigue and nervousness, but would put it down to
the journey.
The approach to the house with rights of way close by would be very easy.
The brave garrison who were so well commanded by Miss Freer, and who,
with three or four exceptions, support her account, were generally
affected (if well known, and not as Mr. Z., the editor's son, too
dangerous) on the first night of their arrival at B----.
Miss Freer and Miss Moore, her comrade who shared her bedroom during the
greater part of the B---- siege, were thus attacked. Mr. L.F. was
disturbed, and also Colonel Taylor (in whose name the house was taken,
and who was almost impervious to influences), on their first night at
B----. Why the Honourable E.F. did not suffer at all is not clear.
Perhaps he was left alone on account of his scientific capacities.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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