An account

I do not recollect being present when my brother had the monition, but my recollection is that he told me himself, or that it was told me by someone present. It made a strong impression on me at the time. We find from the Times that the late Duke of Cambridge died, somewhat suddenly, at 9.40 p.m., on July 9th, 1850; but bulletins as to his health had been published in the last week of June, and on the day before his death. Though the case is undoubtedly weakened by the fact that the person who died was old, and in failing health, such a coincidence — when backed by others of the same type — seems to claim attention ; at any rate till one hears of a good many cases where similarly positive statements have been made by clear-headed practical men, as to similar matters of which they could know nothing by normal means, and have proved incorrect. Yet to suppose a direct telepathic transfer from the dying man to a total stranger would seem extravagant ; and hardly less extravagant may seem the only alternative that it is easy to imagine — namely, that the agency was of a collective kind, and consisted in a certain shock of interest in the minds of a considerable number of persons who had already heard the news, I give three more examples — of which two are properly borderland cases, but are best presented in this connection. It is a rather quaint accident that the honour of occasioning such psychical storms should (so far as these instances go) seem reserved for persons of ducal or imperial rank. Mr. Gervase Marson, of Birk Crag, Higher Broughton, Manchester, writes, on Dec. 6, 1883 : — On the morning of December 6th, 1879, I suddenly awoke, and sat up in the bed, as if startled. To my great surprise I found myself uttering the words, ' Portland, Portland.' The next day I read in the papers of the death of the Duke of Portland, which I believe took place about the time when I was involuntarily uttering his name. I cannot account for this experience at all. No conversation respecting the Duke of Portland had taken place the evening previously ; I did not know he was ill ; never saw him in my life ; had never been at any of his residences ; and, in fact, neither knew nor cared anything about him. 1 was not dreaming just before I awoke, but believe I was sleeping, as is ray wont, quite soundly.