Originally published in Terrific Register (Sherwood, Jones, and Co.; 1825).
Dec. 15th, 1697.
Sir,
When I was in London, in April last, Mr. Caswell, the Mathematician to the learned Dr. Bently, then living in Bishop Stillingfleet's family, I fully intended to have waited upon you again, as I said; but a cold and lameness seized me next day, The cold took away my voice, and the other my power of walking, so I presently took coach fur Oxford. I am much your debtor, and in particular for your good intentions in relation to Mr. D. though that, as it is proved, would not have turned to my advantage. However I am obliged to you, upon that and other accounts, and if I had opportunity to shew it, you should find how much I am your faithful servant.
1 have sent you incloscd a relation of an apparition; the story I had from two persons, who each had it from the author, and yet their accounts somewhat varied, and passing through more mouths, has varied much more; therefore, [ got a friend to bring me to the author's, at a chamber, where I wrote it down from the author's own mouth, after which I read it to him, and gave him another copy; he said he could swear to the truth of it as far as he is concerned: he is the curate of Warblington, batchelor of arts, of Trinity College in Oxford, about six years standing in the University; I hear no ill report of his behaviour here, he is now gone to his curacy; he has promised to send up the hand writing of the tenant and his man, who is a smith by trade, and the farmer's men, as far as they are concerned. Mr. Brereton, the rector, would have him say nothing of the story, for that he can get no tenant, though be has offered the house for ten pounds a year less. Mr. P. the former incumbent, whom the apparition represented, was a man of very ill report, supposed to have had children by his maid, and to have murdered them; but I advised the curate to say nothing himself of this last part of P. but leave that to the parishioners who knew him. Those who knew this P. said he had exactly such a gown, and that he used to whistle. Yours, J. Casswell.