An account

' I do not care in any way to enter into such matters. What I told you, to the best of my knowledge, is true, but undoubtedly the impression then made has been deepened by hearing mother speak of it ; and I always think such things that we cannot account for in any way or understand are best let alone.' [Details again cannot be relied on, the narrator having been so young at the time. But the fact of the mother's subsequent references to the incident favours the supposition that she herself shared the experience, and that it was not a mere frightened dream of the child's.] (658) From Mrs. Spenser (mentioned above, p. 575). The account was copied for us by Mrs. Saxby, of Mount Elton, Clevedon, from a private letter. a 97^ Railway Street, Southport. September 1st, 1871. My sister Elizabeth had a young friend staying with her, who shared the same bed. They had ceased chatting, and were preparing for sleep, when Elizabeth touched Henriette, saying, ' Look at that beautiful light ! ' Henriette exclaimed, ' Very beautiful, but what is it ? ' Elizabeth replied, ' Oh, it is little Mary Stanger ! How exquisitely beautiful. She is floating away,' and the vision passed. Early the next morning, she sent to Mr. Stanger's house, and learnt that the dear child had died at the exact time she had seen the vision, about 11 o'clock the previous night. The appearance was of the perfect child, enveloped in a soft cloud of the faintest bluish light •} so clear, and emitting or reflecting a light which illuminated the whole exquisitely beautiful little vision ; but Elizabeth did not seem to know whether the light originated in the cloud or in the lovely little figure. Henriette saw the light clearly, as well as Elizabeth.