NOTE 7, p. 335. THERE is not a more frequent subject of marvellous narrations, whether true or false, than the ghost of some departed friend appearing to an individual in fulfilment of a previous compact made before death. But the writer in "Le Mercure Gallant," of the year 1690, whom I have before quoted, though uttering his sentiments in a superstitious age and country, has not hesitated to express some doubts on the subject. "Souls do not take flight from their bodies to return to them, the tarrying-place being too indifferent for such spirits, however delightful it may be in young persons. If it was otherwise, I should have seen Plusside since her death. This beauty, of whom you have heard me say so much, had sworn to me, in the strength of our affections, one day in Easter, at the foot of the altar, that if she died before me, she would come and see me, and tell me all the news of the other state. I also made her the same promise, and sanctified it with an oath. Nevertheless, many years have elapsed since she has paid the debt of nature, without having accomplished what she owed to friendship and to her word. THE END. PRINTED BY OLIVER & BOYD. |