ABSTRACT
This nation has in all ages been much more addicted to folly and superstition than any other whatever. The belief of GHOSTS and APPARITIONS is at present as strongly implanted in the minds of the major part of the inhabitants of this kingdom as it was in the days when ignorance and want of knowledge and experience blinded the eyes of men. I have always looked upon this foible as the creation of guilt or weakness. FEAR is the centre of both, and this continually fills our thoughts with unreal objects, full of darkness and horror. I have had frequent opportunities to realize this remark: several times have I gone through a CHURCH-YARD by night in company with persons whom I knew to be much given to melancholy and horrid thoughts. I have oft seen them start at the least noise, and when the glimpses of the MOON formed their own shadow upon the ground I could behold them suddenly stop and gaze at it with looks full of wildness and amazement.
