rs of
the Great Rebellion, and a monkey's skull, not exhibited to any
anatomist, are said to have been discovered under the floor of the
lobby, or of one of the rooms. Mrs. Ricketts adds sadly, "The
unbelief of Chancellor Hoadley went nearest my heart," as he had
previously a high opinion of her veracity. The Bishop of St. Asaph
was incredulous, "on the ground that such means were unworthy of the
Deity to employ".

Probably a modern bishop would say that there were no noises at all,
that every one who heard the sounds was under the influence of
"suggestion," caused first in Mrs. Ricketts' own mind by vague tales
of a gentleman in drab seen by the servants.

The contagion, to be sure, also reached two distinguished captains in
the navy, but not till one of them was told about disturbances which
had not previously disturbed him. If this explanation be true, it
casts an unusual light on the human imagination. Physical science has
lately invented a new theory. Disturbances of this kind are perhaps
"seismic,"--caused by earthquakes! (See Professor Milne, in The
Times, 21st June, 1897.)

CHAPTER XI

A Question for Physicians. Professor William James's Opinion.
Hysterical Disease? Little Hands. Domestic Arson. The Wem Case.
"The Saucepan began it." The Nurse-maid. Boots Fly Off.
Investigation. Emma's Partial Confession. Corroborative Evidence.
Question of Disease Repeated. Chinese Cases. Haunted Mrs. Chang.
Mr. Niu's Female Slave. The Great Amherst Mystery. Run as a Show.
Failure. Later Miracles. The Fire-raiser Arrested. Parallels. A
Highland Case. A Hero of the Forty-Five. Donald na Bocan. Donald's
Hymn. Icelandic Cases. The Devil of Hjalta-stad. The Ghost at
Garpsdal.

MORE HAUNTED HOUSES

A physician, as we have seen, got the better of the demon in Mrs.
Shchapoff's case, at least while the lady was under his care. Really
these disturbances appear to demand the attention of medical men. If
the whole phenomena are caused by imposture, the actors, or actresses,
display a wonderful similarity of symptoms and an alarming taste for
fire-raising. Professor William James, the well-known psychologist,
mentions ten cases whose resemblances "suggest a natural type," and we
ask, is it a type of hysterical disease? {229} He chooses, among
others, an instance in Dr. Nevius's book on Demon Possession in China,
and there is another in Peru. He also mentions The Great Amherst
Mystery, wh