J. R. (Cork.)
General Wolfe (Vol. iv., p. 439.).
—To the inquiries of Ȝ. relative to General Wolfe, I can only answer that the northern English county to which his ancestor, Captain George Woulfe, made his escape in 1651 from Ireton's proscription, was understood to be Yorkshire. After his expatriation and change of religion, the family in Clare lost, in a great measure, sight of him and of his descendants, until, like Epaminondas and Nelson, crowned with victory and glory at his death.
I may be here permitted to observe that your correspondent distinguishes me as J. R. (of Cork); but, whether with the single initials, or the local addition, the signature is mine, though latterly, to avoid all mistake, I append my locality.
J. R. (Cork.)
Ghost Stories (Vol. iv., p. 5.; Vol. v., p. 89.).
—Baron Reichenbach has evidently overrated the importance of his discovery, but his system may be advantageously applied to the explanation of corpse-candles, illuminated church-yards, and other articles of Welsh and English superstition. Aubrey tells us, that "when any Christian is drowned in the river Dee, there will appear over the water where the corpse is a light, by which means they do find the body." The Welsh also to this day believe that the body of a secretly buried person may be discovered by the lambent blue flame which hovers round the grave at night.
I would also refer DR. MAITLAND to Baxter's Certainty of the World of Spirits, and the chapter on "Spectral Lights" in Mrs. Crowe's Night-side of Nature.
T. STERNBERG.