727 B. The following is another case which seems analogous to a deflected fulfilment of a compact, though we do not know that any compact to appear had been made, but only that the dying person had had a strong desire to see her niece before she died. The case is taken from the "Report on the Census of Hallucinations," Proceedings S.P.R., vol. x. p. 263. The account, given by Miss S. Money, was written in 1890.

47 Upper Baker Street, Regent's Park, N.W.

At Redhill on Thanksgiving Day, between eight and nine in the evening, when I was taking charge of the little daughter of a friend, during [my] friend's absence for that evening, I left the child sleeping in the bedroom, and went to drop the blinds in two neighbouring rooms, being absent about three minutes. On returning to the child's room, in the full light of the gas-burner from above I distinctly saw, coming from the child's cot, a white figure, which figure turned, looked me full in the face, and passed down the staircase. I instantly followed, leaned over the banisters in astonishment, and saw the glistening of the white drapery as the figure passed down the staircase, through the lighted hall, and silently through the hall door itself, which was barred, chained, and locked. I felt for the moment perfectly staggered, went back to the bedroom, and found the child peacefully sleeping. I related the circumstance to the mother immediately on her return late that night. She was incredulous, but said that my description of the figure answered to that of an invalid aunt of the child's. The next morning came a telegram to say that this relative, who had greatly wished to see her niece, had died between eight and nine the previous evening.

I had just put down the Pickwick Papers with which I had been whiling the time, was free from trouble, and in good health.

No one was in the house but myself, the child, and one servant, who, at the time, was in the kitchen, dressed in black.

This is the only experience of this nature I have ever had.

P.S. - The writer cannot give the date in figures without reference to an almanac of that year, but is certain that this occurred on the evening of Thanksgiving Day for the recovery of the Prince of Wales {i.e., February 27th, 1872.] S. Money.

In answer to our inquiries, the collector, Miss B. Garnett, writes: -

Highlands, Clarendon Road, Lewisham, S.E., December 20th, 1890.

I obtained lately an interview with Miss Money, and wrote down her replies to the four questions enclosed. This was all the information she was able to give. I should state that Miss Money's rather interesting experience was told me long before I was asked to collect answers for the Society, and then merely was told by her in the course of conversation, when I had been expressing my scepticism about all so-called spiritual manifestations. She then said she had been utterly sceptical until she herself met with this experience.

The replies enclosed were:-

1. The child's mother died about ten or eleven years ago.

2. Miss Money did not even know of the existence of the aunt at the time of [her] experience.

3. Miss Money has scruples about giving the name without permission. She states that the aunt was a single woman, and a step-sister of the father of the child, and that the aunt was not living near.

4. As the lady (the aunt) was no acquaintance of Miss Money's, and as she heard no further details, she knows of no further way of proving the fact. Miss Money lost sight of the parents, having been abroad herself for many years afterwards.

Miss Garnett says further, in speaking of the original account, which was first given to her verbally by Miss Money, "It was clearly and repeatedly given, amid many critical suggestions on my part. I may add that Miss Money's testimony on any subject is one that I have always found reliable. I merely add this because there are so many people who seem scarcely able to help exaggerating in the direction of the particular bias of their minds".

Mr. Podmore called on Miss Money on February 2nd, 1892, and heard full particulars of the incident from her. He further ascertained that no corroboration is now obtainable, and that Miss Money has failed to obtain permission to give the name of the lady who died. We have therefore been unable to verify the date of the death.