The Life of Captain Sir Richard F. Burton, volume 2 (of 2): By His Wife, Isabel BurtonBurton, Isabel, Lady
History
The Life of Captain Sir Richard F. Burton, volume 2 (of 2): By His Wife, Isabel Burton
Burton, Isabel, Lady
Burton, Richard Francis, Sir, 1821-1890; Explorers -- Great Britain -- Biography; Scholars -- Great Britain -- Biography
"'_On the night of the 22nd of January,_ when the lights were put
out, the ghost reappeared, passing through the shut and tied door.
This was in presence of Wollf Engelbrecht, Baron Gallen, of the lord
of the castle, and of three priests, namely, Georg Schiffrer, curate
of Laagkh, Georg André Schlebnikh, and Lorenz. There were several
others. This time the ghost did not make a frightful noise as before,
the reason being that eight Masses had been said. So at least it
appeared from its address, "Ankha, Ankha, I thank thee; I shall soon
be released." The wench rejoined, "O my good spirit, dost thou feel
any comfort after the eight Masses?" The apparition replied, "Yea,
verily, my Ankha;" and, when asked how many were wanted, answered,
"Twenty-two." As it had declared its family name, it was now prayed
to disclose its Christian name, in order that the latter might be
introduced into the Masses by the four reverends. It said, "My name is
Mary Elizabeth Gallenbergerinn." Further it was asked whether, being a
Gallenberg, the thirty Masses should be paid by the Lord of Gallenberg
or by "Zetschkher" of Weixelstein. It ejaculated, "Zetschkher"
(without giving the title); and added, "A thousand, thousand, and a
thousand thanks to thee, dear Ankha." The latter said, "O my good
spirit, tell me what wrong didst thou do with the sixty gulden, that
we may make restoration to the rightful owner." The ghost replied,
"Ankha, this must I tell thee in secret." The wench begged that the
matter might be disclosed in public, so that men might believe it; but
the ghost answered, "No, Ankha; in private." It then took leave and
disappeared, promising to come back for three more evenings.
"'On the 23rd of January the lord of the castle, with three priests,
prayed at the altar of Saint Anthony of Jagnenz, and five more Masses
were said. They all lodged that night with Georg André, of Altenhoff,
not far from the church. When the lamps were put out Ankha was placed
sitting upon a chest, or box, between two ecclesiastics, Georg
Schiffrer, of Laagkh, and André Navadnikh. Then after three raps, the
ghost came in, and pulled the hair of one of these reverends. He stood
up from the chest, whereupon it struck Ankha so violent a box on the
ear (_ohrfeige_) that it sounded like a sharp clapping of hands, and
could be heard over all the dwelling-place (_Läben_). Lights were
brought, and showed the print of a left hand burnt in the coif on the
right side of the wench's head; she was not hurt, but the cap remained
heated for some time. Nothing else occurred that night.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account