Page:Account of some imaginary apparitions, the effects of fear or fraud (NLS104184221).pdf/2

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An ACCOUNT of ſome IMAGINARY APPARITIONS.

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

A 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 diſ- uſe of the ſprightly part of his ſenſe, which he really had no want of at other times, ſuf- fered 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; ſome- times he was clear-ſighted, and clear-head- ed, 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 ac- count, 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 be- fore.

He knew his way perfectly well, for it was