CURIOUS DELUSION.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1666, 23 June 1879, Page 3

CURIOUS DELUSION.

Dr. B. H. Clark, an American physician of celebrity, who died a short time ago, left with Dr. O. W. Holmes the manuscript of a curious work entitled “ Visions, a Study of False Light,” which has recently been published. It contains many curious facts which came under the doctor’s own knowledge, and amongst others is the following: —The subject was a retired merchant of Boston, who was a man of parts and education. Possessed of an ample fortune, he devoted more time to intellectual and rcsthotic pursuits than to business. He was particularly fon 1 of music, was familiar with the work of great composers, and hoard with delight the artists who interpreted them. Early in his career ho occasionally visited Europe. These facts are given incidentally, because it is probable that his love for music had much to do with the extraordinary occurrence that happened to him. He had partaken of his usual diet, and followed his customary mode of life. Soon after retiring he fell asleep, and slept until 2 a.m., when he was awakened by the sound of music, which seemed to come from the street near bis house. Thinking a seranade was going on, he got up to ascertain where it was, but discovered nothing. The sound ceased when he arose. On returning to bed he heard the sound of music again, and was at the same time surprised by the appearance of three persons standing near each other in his chamber opposite tho foot of his bed. It was his habit to sleep with the gas-light burning feebly near the head of his bed. He turned tho gas on to its full power, and inspected the intruders. They appeared to be musicians, who were humming and singing as if in preparation for a musical performance. He rang a bell which summoned his man-servant. John soon arrived, and was ordered to put the strangers out. “ There is nobody here, sir,” was John’s reply to the order. For a moment Mr A. was not only amazed, hut alarmed. “ What!” he exclaimed, “do you see no one there ?” “No one,” said John. “G o where those chairs are, and move them,” was Mr A.’s next direction. John did so. The strangers stepped aside, but did not go out. By this time Mr A. had gathered his wits about him, and was satisfied he was the victim of a hallucination, and he determined to observe its phenomena. Two or three years after this phenomenon Mr A. suffered from a cerebral malady, which at length terminated fatally. Its precise character, however, was not ascertained even by a post mortem examination.