736 C. From the "Report on the Census of Hallucinations," Proceedings S.P.R., vol. x. p. 373. In the following case the hallucination occurred shortly after the death, - perhaps within twenty-four hours of it, - and the apparition indicated leave-taking. It is an interesting example (the only one in the Census) of a prima facie veridical hallucination coinciding with the arrival of a letter bearing on the subject. Another remarkable feature in the case is the persistent repetition of the percept. The account was written by Miss E. L. M. in 1889.

On the morning of January 14th, 1876, I was in the B. schoolroom, a small village near to A. in Hants, when I saw what appeared to me to be a favourite cousin. She was close beside me, and appeared in good health, as I had every reason to suppose her to be. I should here explain that I held in my hand a letter which had just been brought to me, and which I had not yet opened, telling me that my cousin was seriously ill with scarlet fever. The fact was that at the time she was actually dead, her death having occurred after the posting of the letter. I was waiting for children to assemble in school, and was in good health and in no grief or anxiety. I knew immediately that it was my cousin whom I saw, and believed her to be at the time at her own home. I could not understand what she meant by saying "Good-bye," which I cannot say I heard, but saw by the movement of her lips.

The village children and my sister [were present]. The former I have no reason to think saw anything, and my sister only laughed at me. I continued to see her all day, and when indoors my sister would persist in strumming on the piano, although I remonstrated with her, - "How can you keep on with that noise when Jessie is dead?" I received a letter the next morning informing me that she was dead, after which I saw her only at intervals that day and part of the next, when the appearances ceased.

Miss M. had had previously another veridical experience, described in the "Report," relating to the death of an aunt.

Miss M.'s sister writes:-

November 9th, 1889.

I distinctly remember the circumstances respecting my cousin Jessie. All one day my sister was telling me she saw her, and that she knew she was dead, and we had a letter next morning with the news, so that we knew before the letter arrived.

I have asked my mother about it, and she remembers my sister telling her at the time.