716 B. From Proceedings S.P.R., vol. viii. p. 236. In the narrative next to be cited, there is a record of prolonged speech, but in such cases, especially when few or no actual words are quoted, we can hardly be sure as to the degree of externalisation which the voice assumes. The apparition here seems to have at least comprehended the percipient's inward situation, although it is not clear that any prediction requiring supernormal insight was actually made. I owe the narrative to the kindness of Mr. Morell Theobald, who printed it first in Light for March 5th, 1892. It is written on an old piece of paper (sent to me) and marked "For Mr. B.'s private perusal." The history of the paper is as follows:- A Mr. C.

(I must not give the names), well known to Mr. Theobald, and holding a good position in one of the Australian colonies, discovered it among the private papers of his uncle, Mr. B., who died twelve years ago. The apparition, as will be seen, occurred on October 24th, 1860, and the account is endorsed on November 9th by the percipient's father. Further particulars, sent to Mr. B. by the percipient (who is here called Mr. D.) are dated November 13th, 1860. The first account seems to have been sent by the percipient to his father, and by the father to Mr. B.

The percipient has been identified, and confirms, as will be seen, this early narrative, which is as follows:-

On the evening of Wednesday, October 24th, 1860, having retired to bed about nine o'clock, I had slept, I conclude, about two hours, making it then about eleven o'clock p.m. I was awoke from my sleep by a hand touching my forehead, and the well-known voice of Mrs. B. pronouncing my name, E. I started up, and sat in bed, rubbed my eyes, and then saw Mrs. B. From the head to the waist the figure was distinct, clear, and well-defined: but from the waist downwards it was all misty and the lower part transparent. She appeared to be dressed in black silk. Her countenance was grave and rather sad, but not unhappy.

The words she first uttered were: "I have left dear John;" what followed related entirely to myself, and she was permitted by a most kind Providence to speak words of mercy, promise, and comfort, and assurance that what I most wished would come to pass. She came to me in an hour of bitter mental agony, and was sent as a messenger of mercy.

I would have spoken more to her, but the form faded, and in answer to an earnest appeal, a voice came to me which, though apparently hundreds of miles away, was distinct and clear, saying, "Only believe," and she was gone.

Throughout the interview I felt no fear, but an inward, heavenly peace. It was new moon, but the room was as light as day!

Our next information consists of a statement of Mr. D.'s, written in reply to Mr. B.'s questions, November 13th, 1860, found (in Mr. B.'s handwriting) among Mr. B.'s papers, and now summarised for us by Mr. C.

Mr. D. had been asleep, but could not say how long. Had not seen Mrs. B. for several months. Can't recollect what dress she had on then. Was not in bad health. Was alone in the house. The subject of his anxiety was not known to Mrs. B. nor connected with her. The apparition seemed to wait for questions, and when put they were answered. The subject of the communication was one greatly influencing his thoughts and feelings, and had been deeply agitating him before he went to bed. It was not a religious matter; but Scriptural language was used; Mark xi. 23, 24 were quoted - a passage well known to the writer, and often dwelt upon by him. The window faces north. The night was wet and cloudy. The writer did not put it down at the time, believing it too real ever to be forgotten. He had not mentioned it to any one but his father and [Mr.] B. He saw the notice of the death for the first time on Saturday in the Observer. Resided about ten miles from Gawler, which is twenty-five miles from Adelaide.

Mr. C. has forwarded to us a printed extract from the South Australian Register of October 25th, 1860, which includes a notice of the death of Mrs. B. on October 24th, at Bank Street, Adelaide. The hour of the death is fixed by Mr. C.'s own recollection, depending on his own fixed habits at the time. He writes to Mr. Theobald under date May 3rd, 1892:-

I was at that time a clerk in my uncle's office, which was at his house in Bank Street, Adelaide; but was staying just then at Glenelly. I left the office at 4 p.m. on the 23rd after saying good-bye to Mrs. B., leaving her in her usual state of health. She was taken ill about 11 p.m., and asked frequently for me, expressing a strong desire not to die before I arrived; but when I got to the house at the usual time, about 10 a.m. next morning, I was met with the news that she had been dead about two hours.

The death, therefore, had taken place more than twelve hours before the apparition was seen.

Mr. D. makes a slight mistake in his original account, in saying that it was new moon, whereas the moon was then ten days old. But as it was a cloudy night, and his window faced north, the light by which the figure was seen was doubtless, as in so many of these cases, itself a part of the apparition.

At Mr. Theobald's request Mr. C. communicated with Mr. D., who is still living; and we have therefore the opportunity of comparing a thirty years' old recollection with the same person's contemporary statement. The comparison shows that, - as I believe to be often the case, - the memory of the supernormal incident had not grown, but dwindled.

Reminded in a general way, but without detail, of the occurrence, Mr. D. writes (in a letter seen by me), April 21st, 1892:-

There was no conversation. She only said to me, "E., I have left dear John." I cannot remember whether it was wet or not; but as to the moon, it was not at all like that light. It was more like an electric light; - a subdued brilliancy. . . . "How long did the spirit remain in conversation with me?" Certainly not more than five minutes, if so long. ... I sent the account to my father, who probably handed it to [Mr.] B.

Further reminded of his contemporary account, Mr. D. writes, May 1st, 1892:- "I appear to have spoken, but have no distinct recollection of doing so. What she did say was entirely personal." It related to the removal of a painful misunderstanding with a friend. "So far as I know she had never seen, or even heard of, the friend alluded to." Mr. D. declines to give further detail; but he still considers that the communication showed "a plenary knowledge" of facts personal to himself. His hesitation of memory seems to have been on the point whether the hope and consolation were conveyed by spoken words, or in some directer fashion. The confidence inspired by the message was, he tells us, justified by the result. The supposed conversation in this case may have been more dream-like than the percipient imagined. It may have taken place, so to say, in his own mind, without definite auditory externalisation.