Screaming or howling

I could not possibly recollect from whom I first heard of the occurrence, as I was very young at the time ; but I have often heard it spoken of by different members of the family. I do not remember having had any conversation on the subject with Mrs. Fitzgerald. [The incident of the dog's howling seems not unlikely to have been imported into the story ; and it will be observed that neither it, nor the dramatic repetition of the experience, occurs in the more authentic account. We do not know that the coincidence of day was anything more than a conjecture.] (494) From Mr. H. Atkins, Office-keeper at the Royal Marine Office, 40, Spring Gardens, S.W. (originally published, with a nom de plume, in the Daily Telegraph, for October 20, 1881). In the year 1849, I was serving in H.M.S. ' Geyser,' on the east coast of Africa, and in company with H.M.S. ' Brilliant,' anchored in Tamatave Roads, Madagascar. The following facts I can vouch for. Some of our officers were dining on board the ' Brilliant.' A boat's crew were ordered to be ready at six bells (11 p.m.) to fetch them on board. The lights were out on the lower deck, and everything quiet. A messmate (T. Parker) and I, belonging to the boat, were sitting in the mess, abreast of the cook's galley, and opposite each other, he with his arms on the table, and face resting on them, and, as I thought, fast asleep — when all at once he jumped to his feet, declaring that he saw his mother cross the deck in front of the galley, and was very much excited. I pointed out to him that it was quite impossible, as his face was towards the table, at the same time laughing heartily at him for being so foolish. Our schoolmaster, Mr. T. Salsbury, was lying awake in his hammock close by, and in the morning he made a note of the circumstances, putting down time and date. On our arrival at the Isle of France, some time after, Parker received a letter from home, stating that his mother died that very night. I am no believer in ghosts, but think this a very remarkable coincidence. Mr. Atkins, from whom we first heard on February 12th, 1884, has added the following additional information : — It is quite possible that Parker may have raised his head from the IV.] '^ BORDERLAND CASES. 459 table, in which case he would have a clear view of the spot over which the apparition was said to walk. It was very dark, and a real person walking in the same place would have been unrecognisable. ^ There was not the slightest doubt, apparently, in Parker's mind ; for he did not examine the figure, but called instantly that he saw his mother, and then commenced sobbing and crying. These sounds drew the attention of Mr. Salsbury, the schoolmaster, and caused him to note the time of the circumstance. For the three or four months that elapsed before the Isle of France was reached, Parker ' moped about,' and would not be cheered. In comparing the date of the death with that of the apparition, allowance was made for the difference in time, and the two events were found to exactly correspond by the schoolmaster. [It would be a quite impossible task, Mr. Atkins says, to hunt up any of his old shipmates, but if he should meet with anyone who can corroborate his account, he has promised to communicate with us. The schoolmaster and Parker are dead.] (495) From Mr. George Waddington, of 26, Bagdale, Whitby, mentioned above (p. 366). Passing the night at an inn in Nevada City, California, I dreamt, or awoke, by the door of room where I was sleeping being opened, and the figure of my great-aunt, Mrs. Beaumont, of Wetherby, Yorkshire, observed standing in what was her usual dress, as worn in 1842, and heard to say, ' George, George.' A note was made at the time, the date being the 28th July, 1851. She died early that morning. She had the night before been the subject of my thought, on travelling late in the dense darkness of the forest.