Anonymous

“ Vernon; “as children cannot properly distinguish objects around them in the dark, their imagination, which is always smitten with the marvellous, shapes them out extraordinary figures, by enlarging or contracting what they look at, just as circumstances govern. Upon this, the notion of their weakness easily persuades them they are utterly unable to resist those monsters, [14] which they think armed to hurt them. Terror thus obtains possession of them, and too frequently impresses fears which have the worst consequences.” ”

“ Overcome with terror at the sight of such an apparition, he fell down, deprived of understanding. Poor Augustus, who had not foreseen the consequences of his fatal frolic, immediately [27] threw away his mask, and fell upon his brother’s almost breathless body; he tried every means in his power to re-animate him: but, alas! the poor little fellow was almost dead.
“In the greatest agony Augustus called loudly for help, and his parents instantly came running to the spot. They carried Charles into the house and put him to bed, but it was some [28] time before they could restore animation. ”

“ But Lambert’s notion is not, upon that account, less rational; for, as in all the monstrous shapes that we image out continually [16] to ourselves, we have but natural accidents to fear, we may ward off all danger by the sense of feeling, which distinguishes what frequently deceives the sight. ”

“ Vernon: “and assign the reason why your servant fancied thus extravagantly. When the fright first seized her and she swooned, the circulation of the blood was stopped, and she could not run away; so she thought that she had been held. Her [22] limbs were deprived of their strength, so that she could not hold the candle, and therefore supposed that the spectre took it from her.”
“We are happy,” added he, “that the understanding and good sense of people have begun to dissipate these foolish notions concerning ghosts and goblins. ”

“ It is the neglect of this precaution in our infancy, that makes so many of us fancy ghosts in every object round about us. I remember on this head, a story, comical enough, which I will tell you.”
The four children now came round their father, crying out, “A story! oh, a story!” and their father thus began it:—
“In my father’s house, there lived a maid-servant, who one night was sent for beer into the cellar. We were all seated at the table, but could not set eyes upon the servant or beer. My mother, who was rather of a hasty [17] temper, rose from table, and went out to call her. ”