“then, a naked man in half length; "but I knew him not.

They helped me to go down the "ladder; I held the steps fast; but be"cause I saw Desfontaines my school"fellow at the bottom of the ladder, I “had again a fainting fit: my head got "between two steps, and I again lost 'my senses. They let me down, and

set me upon a large beam, which "served for a seat in the great Place de Capucins. I sat upon it, and then I "no longer saw Mr. de Sortoville, nor "his servants, though they were present. "And perceiving Desfontaines near the "foot of the ladder, who made me a 'sign to come to him, I went back

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upon my seat, as it were to make 66 room for him; and those who saw "me, and whom I did not see, though

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my eyes were open, observed that "motion.

"Because he did not come, I got up "to go to him: he came up to me, took "hold of my left arm with his right

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hand, and carried me thirty paces "farther into a by-lane, holding me

"fast.

"The servants believing that I was "well again, went to their business, except a little foot-boy, who told Mr. "de Sortoville, that I was talking to

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myself. Mr. de Sortoville thought I "was drunk. He came near me, and "heard me ask some questions, and "return some answers, as he told me ❝ since.

I am

"I talked with Desfontaines nearly three quarters of an hour. I promised 66 you, said he, that if I died before you, "I would come and tell you so. "dead: I was drowned in the river of Caen, yesterday, about this hour. I "was walking with such and such per

sons. It was very hot weather; the

fancy took us to go into the water; " I grew faint, and sunk to the bottom "of the river. The Abbé Meniljean,

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my school-fellow, dived to take me up. I took hold of his foot; but "whether he was afraid, or had a mind "to rise to the top of the water, he "struck out his leg so violently, that he

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gave me a blow on the breast, and "threw me again to the bottom of the "river, which is there very deep.

"He always appeared to me taller than “I had seen him, and even taller than "he was when he died. I always saw "him in half-length, and naked, bare

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headed, with his fine light hair, and "a white paper upon his forehead "twisted in his hair, on which there "was a writing, but I could only read "In &c.."*

* Memoirs de Trevoux, T. viii.-1726.

These spectral impressions were repeated more than once, with conversations. The accidental death of the young man was ascertained very quickly.

This story was published by the celebrated Abbé de St. Pierre, who concluded, very justly, that the whole appearances might be explained from natural causes, though he failed in his mode of deduction.

The first impression was evidently occasioned by Bezuel's fainting. I know, from my own experience, as well as that of others, that the approach of syncope is sometimes attended with a spectral appearance, which I believe is always a recollected image. But the subsequent attacks, in this case, appear to have been delirious; there can be little doubt that Bezuel was deceived in the length of his supposed dialogue with the spectre. We know well, how fal

lacious, in this respect, the train of thought proves, in dreams, and in delirium.

In this case also, we perceive, what I have frequently had occasion to notice, the obstinacy with which a morbid impression is preserved, and defended, long after the restoration of health. I could give most singular, and impressive examples of this nature, if professional delicacy permitted. In one instance, which I heard from a friend on whose veracity I could depend, a gentleman fancied during the delirium of a fever, that a considerable estate had been bequeathed to him; the impression continued long after his recovery, and he was not undeceived without much trouble and difficulty.

There is a relation, published by authority, of some apparitions, which were seen at Portnedown bridge, after the