A DEATH WARNING.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1243, 25 September 1884, Page 3

A DEATH WARNING.

Towards the close of November, 1779, Lord Lyttelton had gone down from London to Pitt Place tor the purpose of spending a week or two in field sports and other recreations, and he had taken with him a gay party of friends. On the 24th of that month he had retired to bed at midnight, after spending the evening at cards with hi* guests, when his attention was attracted by the fluttering of a bird, apparently a dove or pigeon, tapping at the window of his bed-chamber, He started, for he had only just put out the light, and was about to compose himself to rest, and sat up in bed to listen. He had gazed and listened for a minute or so, when he saw, or fancied, he saw, a female clothed in white enter—whether by the door or window we are not informed—and quietly approach the foot of the bed. " He was somewhat surprised, and not agreeably surprised, when the figure opened its pale lips and told him that three days from that very hour he should cease to live. In whatever manner this intimation, real or unreal, from the other world was conveyed to him, whether by the sound of the voice, or by any other mode of communication, one thing is certain, that Lord Lyttelton regarded it as an absolute reality, and as a message from the world of spirits. The third night came, and everything had gone on as usual. The guests had sat down to dinner, played their robbers of whist, and re- . tired ; but none of them had dared to rally the young Lord Lyttelton on the depression of spirits under which he laboured. Eleven o’clock came ; the party broke up and went to their several rooms, wishing each other good night, and heartily desiring that the night were past and gone, so restless, anxious, and uncomfortable did they feel without exception. Twelve o’clock came, and Lord Lyttelton was silting up in bed, having given bis servant orders to mix a dose of rhubarb, though apparently in j the best of health. The doso was poured out, and ha was just about to take it when he there was no teaspoon, A little out of patience with the valet for neglecting to have a spoon at hand, he ordered him to go and fetch one from the pantry at the foot of the stairs. The man 'sr.as not absent from the room more than a minute, or possibly a minute and a half, but when lie returned he foun 1 his master lying

hack at full length upon the. bed speechless and motionless. No efforts to restore, animation were of any avail, and no symptom of consciousness showed itself. His lordship was dead, having died on the third day, as the spectre had foretold.—Cassell’s Greater London.