Observations placeholder

As described in Illustrations Of The Influence Of The Mind Upon The Body In Health And Disease, Designed To Elucidate The Action Of The Imagination - Daniel Hack Tuke, M.D., M.R.C.P.,

PART I. THE INTELLECT.
CHAPTER IV. INFLUENCE OF THE INTELLECT UPON THE INVOLUNTARY MUSCLES.

A lady, the daughter of Sir Charles Lee, died at the hour foretold by an apparition. Believers in the reality of ghosts will perhaps not dispute the fitness of such a case as an illustration in point, if we suggest that even a supernatural visitant might, by this principle, bring about the event.

The apparition, that of a little woman, appeared between her curtain and pillow at 2 o'clock, and assured her that by 12 o'clock that day she would be with her. "Whereupon," says the narrative (Beaumont's World of Spirits, Miscellanies. By Dr. J. A. Symonds. 1871, p. 262),

"she knocked for her maid, called for her clothes, and when she was dressed went into her closet, and came not out again till nine, and then brought out with her a letter sealed to her father, brought it to her aunt, the Lady Everard, told her what had happened, and declared that as soon as she was dead it might be sent to him.

The Lady thought she was suddenly fallen mad, and therefore sent presently away to Chelmsford for a physician and surgeon, who both came immediately, but the physician could discern no indication of what the Lady imagined, or of any indisposition of her body; notwithstanding, the Lady would needs have her let blood, which was done accordingly. And when the young woman had patiently let them do what they would with her, she desired that the chaplain might be called to read prayers; and when prayers were ended, she took her guitar and psalm-book and sat down upon a chair without arms, and played and sung so melodiously and admirably, that her music master, who was then there, admired at it; and near the stroke of twelve she rose and sat herself down in a great chair with arms, and presently fetching a strong breathing or two, immediately expired, and was so suddenly cold as was much wondered at by the physician and surgeon.

She died at Waltham in Essex, three miles from Chelmsford, and the letter was sent to Sir Charles at his house in Warwickshire ; but he was so afflicted at the death of his daughter, that he came not until she was buried ; but when he came he caused her to be taken up, and to be buried with her mother at Edmonton, as she desired in her letter."