The Friendly Daemon, or the Generous Apparition: Being a True Narrative of a Miraculous Cure, Newly Perform'd Upon That Famous Deaf and Dumb Gentleman, Dr. Duncan Campbel, by a Familiar Spirit That Appear'd to Him in a White Surplice, Like a Cathedral Singing BoyDefoe, Daniel
Religion
The Friendly Daemon, or the Generous Apparition: Being a True Narrative of a Miraculous Cure, Newly Perform'd Upon That Famous Deaf and Dumb Gentleman, Dr. Duncan Campbel, by a Familiar Spirit That Appear'd to Him in a White Surplice, Like a Cathedral Singing Boy
Defoe, Daniel
Epistolary fiction, English -- 18th century
FROM hence I conclude, That the same sort of Spirit that attended
_Corasse_, has been always a Friend to you, not only of late, in your
miraculous Recovery, but has at all Times assisted you in Writing
the Names of Strangers, discovering the most secret Intrigues and
foretelling future Events, for which you have long been Famous. As a
further Proof of the Existence of Spirits and that at some other Times,
as well as in your Case, they have prescrib'd Physick to their living
Friends, I shall quote an Instance out of Mr. _Glanvil_'s _Reports_,
attested by the late Lord _Orrery_, the Famous Mr. _Greatrix_, and many
others, living in the Reign of King _Charles_ the Second.
A Gentleman in _Ireland_, near to the Earl of _Orrery_'s House, sending
his Butler one Afternoon to a neighbouring Village to buy Cards, as he
pass'd a Field, espy'd a Company in the middle thereof, sitting round
a Table, with several Dishes of good Cheer before them, and moving
towards 'em, they all arose and Saluted him, desiring him to sit down
and take part with them; but one of them whisper'd these Words in his
Ear, _viz._ _Do nothing this Company invites you to_: Whereupon, he
refusing to accept of their Kindness, the Table and all the Dainties
it was furnish'd with immediately vanish'd, but the Company fell to
Dancing and playing upon divers Musical Instruments, the Butler being
a second Time solicited to partake of their Diversions, but would not
be prevail'd upon to engage himself with them; upon which, they left
off their Merry-making and all fell to Work, still pressing the Butler
to make one among 'em, but to no purpose; so that, upon his third
refusal, they all vanish'd and left the Butler alone, who in a great
Consternation return'd home, without the Cards, fell into a Fit as he
enter'd the House, but, soon recovering his Senses, related to his
Master all that had pass'd.
THE following Night, one of the Ghostly Company came to the Butler's
Bed-side and told him, that if he offer'd to stir out the next Day, he
would be carry'd away; upon whose Advice, he kept within till towards
the Evening, and having then an Occasion to make Water, ventur'd to
set one Foot over the Threshold of the Door, in order to ease himself,
which he had no sooner done, but a Rope was cast about his Middle, in
the Sight of several Standers-by, and the poor Man was hurry'd from
the Porch with unaccountable Swiftness, follow'd by many Persons, but
they were not nimble enough to overtake him, till a Horseman, well
mounted, happening to meet him upon the Road, and seeing many followers
in pursuit of a Man hurry'd along in a Rope, without any Body to
force him, catch'd hold of the Cord and stop'd him in his Career, but
receiv'd, for his Pains, such a strap upon his Back with one End of
the Rope, as almost fell'd him from his Horse; however, being a good
Christian, he was too strong for the Devil, and recover'd the Butler
out of the Spirits Clutches and brought him back to his Friends.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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