AN

ESSA Y

TOWARDS

A THEORY

OF

APPARITIONS.

BY

JOHN FERRIAR, M. D.

A thousand fantasies
Begin to throng into my memory,
Of calling shapes, and beck’ning shadows dire,
And airy tongues, that syllable men's names
On sands, and shores, and desert Wildernesses.
These thoughts may startle well, but not astound,

CoMus, 1. 205.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR CADELL AND DAVIES;

BY

J. AND J. HADDOCK,

WARRINGTON,

1813,

CONTENTS.

Page.

Chapter I. Reality of spectral impressions-

General law of the system, to which they may

be referred -Division of the subject-Spectral

illusions eremplified

13

CHAPTER II. A lawyer's argument for the exist-

ence of witchcraft-Proofs of spectral inpres-

sions, from recollected perceptions-New Eng-

land witches-Cardun - Donne-Jonson-The

maid of France- and other visionaries

28

CHAPTER III. Beaumont's Visions—Those of

Tasso -Kotter -- Drabicius Arise Evans-

Bovet

69

CHAPTER IV. Medical distinctions of spectral

impressions. Sepulchral remedies: Preparations

of the human skull—Mumia— Apparition of

Ficinus to Michael Mercato—Warning voice

to Quarræus—Visions of Dr. Pordage. Latent

lunacy; exemplified in the character of Hamlet

95