chical disturbances at B----; noises
between his bed and the ceiling, like continuous explosion of petards,
so that he could not hear himself speak, &c. &c.

"[Mr. Huggins afterwards recommended the use of a phonograph for these
noises, in order to ascertain absolutely whether they are objective or
subjective, and I wrote so to S---- of B----.]

"_Monday, August 8th._--Father H---- went away.

"_Tuesday, August 9th._--Mr. Huggins [now Sir William Huggins],
outgoing President of the British Association, and Mrs. Huggins came.

"_Saturday, August 13th._--Father H---- came.

"_Sunday, August 14th._--In afternoon with the children, &c., to the
Palace, leaving Mr. Huggins as much as possible alone with Father
H---- (both being with us), in order to interrogate him about the
psychical noises he heard recently at B----, when there, to give a
Retreat to some nuns.

"_Monday, August 15th._--Father H---- went away after luncheon."

Lord Bute recalls that Father H---- told him that he had been at B----
for the purpose of giving a Retreat [a series of sermons and
meditations] to some nuns, who were charitably allowed by Mr. S---- to
take a sort of holiday, at a house called B---- Cottage, which had
been originally built and occupied by the late Major S----, when he
first took up his residence at B----, which at the time was let.

Father H---- told Lord Bute that in consequence of the disturbance his
room had been several times changed, and he expressed surprise that
the sounds did not appear to be heard by anybody except himself. He
also said that he had spoken of the matter to Mr. S----, who expressed
an idea that the disturbances might be caused by his uncle, the late
Major S----, who was trying to attract attention in order that prayers
might be offered for the repose of his soul. The sounds occurred
during full daylight, and in a clear open space between his bed and
the ceiling. He did not know to what to compare them, but as he said
they were explosive in sound, Lord Bute suggested that they might be
compared to the sounds made by petards, which are commonly used in
Italy for firing _feux de joie_. Father H---- answered, "Yes perhaps,
if they were continuous enough." He said that the sound which alarmed
him more than any other was as of a large animal throwing itself
violently against the bottom of his door, outside. A third noise which
he had heard was of ordinary raps, of the kind called "spirit-raps."
He mentioned