This story was published by the celebrated Abbé de St. Pierre, who concluded, very justly, that the whole appearances might be explained from natural causes, though he failed in his mode of deduction.
The first impression was evidently occasioned by Bezuel’s fainting. I know, from my own experience, as well as that of others, that the approach of syncope is sometimes attended with a spectral appearance, which I believe is always a recollected image. But the subsequent attacks, in this case, appear to have been delirious; there can be little doubt that Bezuel was deceived in the length of his supposed dialogue with the spectre. We know well, how fallacious, in this respect, the train of thought proves, in dreams, and in delirium.
In this case also, we perceive, what I have frequently had occasion to notice, the obstinacy with which a morbid impression is preserved, and defended, long after the restoration of health. I could give most singular, and impressive examples of this nature, if professional delicacy permitted. In one instance, which I heard from a friend on whose veracity I could depend, a gentleman fancied during the delirium of a fever, that a considerable estate had been bequeathed to him; the impression continued long after his recovery, and he was not undeceived without much trouble and difficulty.
There is a relation, published by authority, of some apparitions, which were seen at Portnedown bridge, after the Irish massacre, which deserves consideration, as it must be explained on principles somewhat different.
I shall give copies of the evidence, produced by Sir John Temple, and shall then endeavour to explain the alarming appearances and sounds, on natural principles.
I. James Shaw of Market-hill in the county of Armagh, inn-keeper, deposeth, that many of the Irish rebels, in the time of this deponent’s restraint, and staying among them, told him very often, and it was a common report, that all those who lived about the bridge of Portnedown, were so affrighted with the cries and noise made there of some spirits or visions for revenge, as that they durst not stay, but fled away thence, so as they protested, affrighted to Market-hill, saying, they durst not stay nor return thither, for fear of those cries and spirits, but took grounds and made creats, (Creaghs) in or near the parish of Mullabrac. Jurat. Aug. 14, 1642.
II. Joan, the relict of Gabriel Constable, late of Drumard, in the county of Armagh, gent, deposeth and saith, that she often heard the rebels, Owen O‘Farren, Patrick O‘Conellan, and divers others of the rebels at Drumard, earnestly say, protest and tell one another, that the blood of some of those that were knocked on the head, and afterwards drowned at Portnedown bridge, still remained on the bridge, and would not be washed away; and that often there appeared visions or apparitions, sometimes of men, sometimes of women, breast-high above the water, at or near Portnedown, which did most extremely and fearfully screech and cry out for vengeance against the Irish that had murdered their bodies there: and that their cries and screeches did so terrify the Irish thereabouts, that none durst stay nor live longer there, but fled and removed further into the country, and this was common report amongst the rebels there, and that it passed for a truth amongst them, for any thing she could ever observe to the contrary. Jurat. Jan. 1, 1643.
III. Katherine, the relict of William Coke, late of the county of Armagh, carpenter, sworn and examined, saith, that about the 20th of December, 1641, a great number of rebels in that county, did most barbarously drown at that time one hundred and eighty protestants, men, women, and children in the river at the bridge of Portnedown; and that about nine days afterwards, she saw a vision or spirit in the shape of a man, as she apprehended, that appeared in that river, in the place of the drowning, bolt upright heart high, with hands lifted up, and stood in that place there, until the latter end of Lent next following; about which time some of the English army marching in those parts, whereof her husband was one (as he and they confidently affirmed to this deponent) saw that spirit or vision standing upright, and in the posture aforementioned; but after that time the said spirit or vision, vanished and appeared no more, that she knoweth. And she heard, but saw not, that there were other visions and apparitions, and much screeching, and strange noises heard in that river at times afterwards. Jurat. February 24, 1643.
IV. Elizabeth, the wife of Captain Rice Price of Armagh, deposeth and saith, that she and other women whose husbands were murderers, hearing of divers apparitions, and visions that were seen near Portnedown Bridge, since the drowning of her children and the rest of the protestants there, went unto the bridge aforesaid about twilight in the evening; then and there upon a sudden, there appeared unto them a vision or spirit, assuming the shape of a woman, waist-high upright in the water, naked with elevated and closed hands, her hair hanging down, very white, her eyes seemed to twinkle, and her skin as white as snow; which spirit seemed to stand straight up in the water, and often repeated the word, Revenge, Revenge, Revenge; whereat this deponent and the rest being put into a strong amazement and affright walked from the place. Jurat. January 29, 1642.
V. Arthur Arlun, of Clowarghter in the county of Cavan, Esquire, deposeth that he was credibly informed by some that were present there, that there were thirty women and young children and seven men flung into the river of Belturbet, and when some of them offered to swim for their lives, they were by the rebels, followed in carts, and knocked upon the head with poles; the same day they hanged two women at Turbet; and this deponent doth verily believe, that Rulmore O‘Rely the then sheriff, had a hand in commanding the murder of those said persons, for that he saw him write two notes which he sent to Turbet by Brian O‘Rely, upon whose coming there murders were committed: and those persons who were present also affirmed, that the bodies of those thirty persons drowned did not appear upon the water till about six weeks after past; as the said Rely came to the town, all the bodies came floating up to the very bridge; and those persons were all formerly stayed in the town by his protection, when the rest of their neighbours in the town went away.[25]