remember perfectly well standing by the bedside when the lady appeared."

Chapter III.

Aimless Doubles.

The following curious experience is sent me by a commercial traveller,
who gives his name and address in support of his testimony. Writing from
Nottingham, he says:--

"On Tuesday, the 6th October, I had a very singular experience. I am
a commercial traveller, and represent a firm of cigar manufacturers.
I left my hotel about four o'clock on the above date to call upon a
customer, a Mr. Southam, Myton Gate, Hull. I met this gentleman in
the street, nearly opposite his office; he shook hands, and said,
'How are you? I am waiting to see a friend; I don't think I shall
want any cigars this journey, but look in before eight o'clock.' I
called at 7.30, and spoke to the clerk in the office. He said, 'Mr.
Southam has made out your cheque and there is also a small order.' I
said, 'Thanks, I should have liked to have seen him; he made an
appointment this afternoon for about eight.' The clerk said,
'Where?' I said, 'Just outside.' He said, 'That is impossible, as
both Mr. and Mrs. Southam have been confined to their room for a
fortnight and have never been out.' I said, 'How strange. I said to
Mr. S----, "You look different to your usual; what's the matter with
you?" Mr. S---- said, "Don't you see I am in my _deshabille_?"' The
clerk remarked, 'You must have seen his second self, for he has not
been up to-day.' I came away feeling very strange.

"J. P. Brooks.

"Sydney Villa, Ratcliffe Road, Bridgeford."

Mrs. Eliz. G. L----, of H---- House, sends me the following report of
her experience of the double. She writes:--

"The only time I ever saw an apparition was on the evening of the last
day of May, 1860. The impression then made is most vivid, and the day
seldom recurs without my thinking of what happened then.

"It was a little after seven o'clock, the time for my husband's return
from business. I was passing through the hall into the dining-room,
where tea was laid, when (the front door being open) I saw my husband
coming up the garden path, which was in a direct line with the hall. It
was broad daylight, and nothing obstructed my view of him, and he was
not more than nine or ten yards from me. Instead of going to him, I
turned back, and said to the servant in the kitchen, 'Take tea in
immediately, your master is come.' I th