AN

ESSA Y

TOWARDS

A THEORY

OF

APPARITION S.

BY
JOHN FERRIAR, M. D.

A thousand fantasies
Begin to throng into my memory,
Of calling shapes, and beck’ning shadows dire,
And airy tongues, that syllable men's names
On sands, and shores, and desert Wildernesses.
These thoughts may starlle well, but not astound,

Comus, l. 205.

LONDON:
PRINTED FOR CADELL AND DAVIES;

BY :
J. AND J. HADDOCK,

WARRINGTON.

19609

CONTENTS.

Page.

Chapter I. Reality of spectral impressions

General law of the system, to which they may

be referred - Division of the subject-Spectral

illusions exemplified - - - - - - - -

13

Chapter II. A lawyer's argument for the exist-

ence of witchcraft-Proofs of spectral inpres-

sions, from recollected perceptions-New Eng-

land witches-Cardun-Donne—Jonson—The

maid of France, and other visionaries .. 28

CHAPTER III. Beaumont's Visions—Those of

Tasso - Kotter - Drabicius - Arise Evans-

Bovet - - - - - - - - - - - -

CHAPTER IV. Medical distinctions of spectral

impressions. Sepulchral remedies: Preparations

of the human skull–Mumia— Apparition of

Ficinus to Michael Mercato—Warning voice

to Quarræus—Visions of Dr. Pordage. Latent

lunacy ; exemplified in the character of Hamlet

Chapter V. Accessory causes of delusion, re.

garding spectral impressions—Apparition of

Desfontaines—Ghosts at Portne down Bridge

Lucian's story of a Split Ghost - Instance of a

Ghost in two places at once.