Page:Account of some imaginary apparitions (NLS104186561).pdf/2

 An ACCOUNT of ſome IMAGINARY APPARITIONS.

''An Imaginary Apparition, the Effect of Fear. From the Secrets of the Inviſible World laid open.''

Sober grave gentleman, who muſt not wear a name in our ſtory becauſe it was rather a diſtemper in his mind than a real deficiency of brains, had by a long diſuſe of the ſprightly part of his ſenſe, which he really had no want of at other times, ſuffered himſelf to ſink a little too low in his ſpirits, and let the Hypochondria emit to ſtrongly in the vapour and ſumes up into his head. This had its fits and intervals; ſometimes he was clear-ſighted, and clear headed, but at other times he ſaw ſtars at noon-day, and devils at night: in a word, the world was an apparition to his imagination, when the flatus prevailed, and ſhe ſpleen boiled up: of all which he could give no account, nor could he aſſiſt the operation of phyſic by any of his own powers towards a Cure.

It happened, that he was abroad at a friend's houſe later than ordinary one night; but being noon light, and having a ſervant with him, he ſeemed to be eaſy and was obſerved to be cheerful and even merry, with a great deal of good-humour, more than had been obſerved in him for ſome time before.

He knew his way perfectly well, for it was within three miles of the town where he lived, and he was very well mounted; but