667 A. From Phantasms of the Living, vol. i. p. 527. The next account was from a lady known to Mr. Gurney, whose only reason for withholding her name and address was her fear that a near relation might object to their publication.

December 17th, 1883.

Years ago, a friend and myself made the time-worn arrangement that whichever died first would endeavour to return to visit the other. Some years after, I asked this man's sister to remember me to him and say, did he remember his promise, and having received for answer "Perfectly, and I hope I shall appear to-----, and not she to me," the whole matter passed out of my mind. My friend was in New Zealand, his sister I don't know where. One night I awoke with a feeling some one was in the room. I must tell you that I always have a bright light burning on a table, not far from my bed. I looked about, and presently saw something behind the little table; felt myself grow perfectly cold; was not in the least frightened, rubbed my eyes to be sure I was quite awake, and looked at it steadfastly. Gradually a man's head and shoulders were perfectly formed, but in a sort of misty material, if I may use such a word. The head and features were distinct, but the whole appearance was not substantial and plain; in fact it was like a cloud, formed as a man's head and shoulders.

At first I gazed and thought, who is it, some one must be here, but who? Then the formation of the head and forehead (which are most marked in my friend) made me exclaim to myself " Captain W------." The appearance faded away.

I got up and put the date down: and waited until news from New Zealand was possible. I made inquiries about my friend, never doubting but that he was dead. The answer always came "No news." At last this also, "We are so anxious, it is so long since we have heard. We shall again wait another mail, and write to so-and-so." And then came the news, a mere scrap, " Have had a severe fall off the coach; can't write; head all wrong still." That was all, and pretty much the exact words as far as I can remember. In due time we heard more. He had fallen off the coach, and was insensible for some time, and then, as he had said, his head was not clear for a while. I have never had the slightest doubt but that, while insensible, his spirit came here. The appearance to me was coincident with the time of his insensibility. I have never had but this one experience of an apparition. E. W. R.

In a subsequent letter, Miss R. adds: -

January 1st, 1884.

I put the date down in a book I use daily: there is a page for every day in the month. I mentioned it to several people - quite three or four. One was extremely amused because my friend had not died; which she always used to assure me was - she was sure - a cause of sincere regret to me.

"The present writer (says Gurney) has seen the book, which is one containing reading for every day of the month. The words written in pencil, on the page of the 15th day, are: 'Night of this day, March, '74.' "

The following corroborative note was obtained from Miss R.'s sister: -

Dltchingham, May 1st, 1884.

As far as I can remember, my sister told me of her vision soon after it occurred, and before the news of her friend's accident arrived. It is so many years ago that I cannot speak more positively. Mother C.

In conversation, Miss R. especially, and unasked, confirmed the fact that the feeling of a presence in the room preceded the vision. She described the formation of the figure as like a cloud taking a definite shape.

She further said that the hair of the head which appeared was distinctly grey, and that this was the chief reason why she did not sooner recognise the face. Her friend had black hair when she last saw him, and she had never thought of him otherwise; but she found out afterwards that he had become grey, and was so at the time of his accident. She also stated that she had ascertained beyond a doubt that her vision fell during the period of her friend's insensibility.

See also another "compact" case in Phantasms of the Living, vol. ii. P- 253.