Knocking

The death-cry of the child was heard by us at the precise time of her death, and the mother (who has been dead more than 30 years) recognised the cry I imitated as the last cry of her dear child. To a request for his wife's written corroboration, Mr. Stephenson replies : — I am sorry that I cannot comply with your request. My dear wife is a confirmed invalid and cannot be persuaded to do what you wish. You are not to suppose that there is any doubt as to the truth of what I related to you. (679) From the mother of a Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge, who desires that her name may not be published. ft 1884. On the 15th of May, 1829, my mother, myself, and a servant were in the hall, when we heard a loud groan. We were somewhat startled, and a short time after we heard the groan repeated, but louder. We then looked about the garden and in the street, but could see nothing. We had just returned to the house, when a third time ^ the groan was repeated, but still louder. We were much startled, and again looked about to find the 1 It is very doubtful, of course, whether this particular description woidd have been given but for the fact of the death, which was afterwards ascertained. 2 See p. 229, note. 636 SUPPLEMENT. [chap, cause, but to no purpose. Shortly after, my brother came in, in breathless haste, to tell his mother that his grandfather was thrown from his horse, and nearly killed. The dear old man died the same night. We find from a copy of a tombstone in Loughton churchyard, that the death occurred on May 16th (not 15th), 1829. The parish-clerk tells us that the accident took place about 100 yards from his house. (680) From Mr. Charles H. Kallensee, Croan House, Sladesbridge, Cornwall. December 30th, 1882. In the year 1841, an elder brother of mine died, at Princess Street, Devonport. When I returned from school on the day of his death, I was told to go to his room, as he had inquired for me. On entering the room, I found a great change in him since the morning, and I, who had never seen death, yet knew that he was dying. In the room were my father and mother ; my father standing at the side of my brother's bed, while my dear mother sat weeping near the foot. I took a seat near my mother's side. It might have been an hour or more that we remained thus, listening to the breathing of my brother, expecting each breath to be the last. I remember it was a beautiful afternoon, and the sun shone into the room and across my brother's bed. Suddenly there were three violent blows or concussions, so violent that I felt the room shake. My mother sprang to her feet, and with excitement exclaimed, ' There it is again ' ; at the same time I saw my father stooping down and turning back the carpet that went round the bed. My own feeling was one of wonder and curiosity, and on looking at my brother, I saw he was dead. My father's stooping down and examining the carpet was explained by him, after he had felt the third blow strike him at the bottom of his foot ; while my mother's exclamation, ' There it is again,' was because she had heard similar manifestations at the death of other members of her family. I know nothing of Spiritualism per se ; I never attended any meeting or seances on the subject, therefore cannot say whether the knocking I heard was of that character ; but of this I am quite certain, that no known power produced the noise.