Republican Herald

DR. FOWLER, Bishop of Gloucester, in the early part of the eighteenth century, was a believer in apparitions. The following conversation of the Bishop with Judge Powell is recorded :

'Since I saw you,' said the lawyer. 'I have had ocular demonstrations of the existence of nocturnal apparitions. I am glad you are become a convert to truth; but do you say actually ocular demonstrations? Let me know the particulars of the story.'

My Lord, I will. It was, let me see last Thursday night, between the hours of eleven and twelve, but nearer the latter than the former, I lay sleeping in my bed, I was suddenly awakened by an uncommon noise, and heard something coming up stairs and stalking directly towards my room; the door flying open, I drew back my curtain and saw a faint glimmering light enter my chamber.

Of a blue color no doubt.'

The light was of a pale blue, my lord, and followed by a tall meagre personage, his locks hoary with age, and clothed in a long loose gown, a leathern girdle about his loins, his beard thick and grizzly, a large fur cap on his head, and a long staff in his hand. Struck with astonishment, I remained for some time motionless and silent; the figure advanced, staring me full in the face; I then said, 'Whence and what art thou?'

What was the answer-tell me- what was the answer?'

'The following was the answer I received: 'I am watchman of the night, an't please your honor, and made bold to come up stairs to inform the family of their street door being open, and that if it was not soon shut, they would probably be robbed before morning.'