AUTHENTIC ACCOUNT OP AN APPARITION BEFORE

DEATH. The following extraordinary, and evidently supernatural, occurrence, caused a considerable sensation in the middle of the eighteenth century; as the names and places of abode of the parties were made known at the time—a circumstance not frequently the case in ghost stories.

Mr. Joseph Glew, a sword-hilt maker, lived with his wife (both elderly people) many years, and one female lodger, in the house over the archway in the passage to Bear-yard, near the Oratory in Lincoln's-inn-fields; and, for the sake of company, desired a nephew of his by marriage to come and lodge in his house. Accordingly, in the beginning of January 1739, the nephew came to his uncle, and spent every evening with him and his wife, in reading, &c. for their amusement.

About the twenty-fifth of the same month, after the nephew had been reading to his uncle and aunt (who were at that time in very good health) some meditations out of Dr. Thomas Coney's “Devout Soul," he retired to his chamber-a large back room, up two pair of stairs; and, having fastened the door, went to bed, and fell asleep before ten o'clock.

A little before the clock struck twelve, he was awakened by the drawing of the curtains of his bed, and, on starting up, saw, by a glimmering light, resembling that of the moon, the spirit of his uncle, in the night-gown and cap he had on when he last parted with him, standing on the right side, near the head of the bed, holding the head curtain back with his left hand, and seemed as if he was either

going to strike or caress him with his right : but the nephew believed the latter, as the face of the ghost had a cheerful look, and they lived in the greatest amity.

At this instant, Mrs. Cooke, an elderly woman that lodged in the fore two pair of stairs room, and who formerly belonged to Mr. Rich's company of comedians several years, came out of her apartment to light down stairs the widow of the facetious James Spiller, who had been this evening to visit her. He now heard the clock, which was in his uncle's apartments underneath, strike twelve, and tried to call out to the two women as they passed by his door ; but in vain, for he had lost all power of utterance. The spectre kept its position, and the nephew kept his eyes fixed on it; and, to be certain of his being actually awake, remembered hearing, that when the two women opened the street-door, they called to the watchman, as he came by crying the hour of twelve, and agreed to give him some pence to light Mrs. Spiller to her lodging, which was but at a little distance; on which she went away, and Mrs. Cooke having again fastened the door, was coming up-stairs, when the nephew supposes he swooned away; for, on coming again to the use of his reason, he found himself halt out of bed, and inmersed in a cold and clammy sweat.

The first thing he heard, after he had recovered from his fright, was the clock striking one! He now wrapped himself up in his bed clothes, but closed his eyes no more the whole night. About eight in the morning, as soon as he heard his aunt open the door of her apartment, he jumped out of

bed, and putting on his apparel with as much expedition as he could, hurried down to his aunt's room, and having asked how his uncle did, heard he was pretty well.

On this, he told his aunt what he had seen, with the time and circumstances; but she looking on it as chimerical, they called for Mrs. Cooke, who was just got up, and she confirmed everything he had said concerning Mrs. Spiller and the watchman-a positive proof he was awake, and in his senses. The aunt now desired he would not mention it to his uncle, which he promised he would not, but told her he could never sleep in that chamber any more, and took his leave.

The same day, before one o'clock, the nephew received a message from his aunt, where he was at work, in Fleet Street, desiring him to come immediately to her. He accordingly went to her house, when he found his uncle dead, and was told that he fell down in crossing the room, and died suddenly, about three minutes before twelve o'clock; exactly twelve hours from his ghost's appearance to his nephew.

This circumstance induced the young man to think his uncle might want to reveal something to him; and, therefore, he desired to sit up with his corpse the night preceding his interment; which the aunt agreeing to, he fortified his mind, and prepared a devotional book for his companion, with which he shut himself up in the room with the body, about six in the evening, in hopes he might see the spirit of his uncle, if he had anything to say or open to him; but, as nothing occurred during ourteen hours he was alone with the corpse, the

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following evening he attended his funeral to the north part of the churchyard of St. Giles in the Fields, where his body was interred ; leaving behind him the character of a good Christian, a tender husband, and a sincere friend!

MARVELLOUS PROPERTIES OF HERBS,

STONES, ROOTS, &c.

TO SLEEP WITHOUT DANGER.

~ Whosoever weareth vervain or dill,

May be bold to sleep on every hill.” The herb Dill is said to procure sleep, sound and secure; and in ancient times it was thus that garlands were used to be worn at riotous feasts, that thereby they might not only sleep, but sleep withe ut danger.

SECRETS OF ALBERTUS MAGNUS.

THE HERB CELANDINE. No less extraordinary is the property of the herb celandine ; which, it is said, if suspended over the head of a sick person, will set him singing aloud if he be likely to live; but, if to die, it will make

him weep

THE HERB PERIWINKLE. The herb periwinkle, Albertus Magnus tells us, being pulverized with earth-worms and sen-green,

creates affection between man and wife, by putting a portion of it in their food. A small quantity of the above preparation, with some sulphur, being thrown into a fish-pond, will destroy the fish.

THE HERB HENBANE, The herb henbane, mixed with wild saffron, and given to a mad dog, kills him instantaneously; and mixed with the blood of a leveret, is said to fascinate hares.

THE LILY, ASTROLOGICALLY GATHERED. Gather the lily while the sun is in Leo (which is from the 23d of July to the 21st of August), mix it with the juice of the laurel ; which done, bury it for some time under dung, and worms shall be bred from it, which worms being reduced to a powder, and applied to one's neck, will not let the bearer sleep. If put into a vessel containing cow's milk, and covered with the hide of a cow of one colour, It will dry up the udders of the whole herd.

THE MISLETOE. It is said, that if the above herb be put into the mouth of any person, and that he think of a certain thing, it will dwell upon his memory if it be to happen; if not to happen, it will escape his remembrance entirely. Let it be suspended from a tree with the wing of a swallow, and birds without num ber will flock thither.

THE HERB CENTAURY. The same writer mentions many wonderful virtues of the herb centaury; as, for instance, if it be put