In January, 1734, the ship Elizabeth, Captain Walker, lay at anchor in the harbour of Cadiz, and had on board Mr. Burnel, a surgeon, and a native of Ireknd, who was returning to his native country. Being a very intelligent man, and a most entertaining companion, the Captain conceived a particular friendship for him. One day the conversation turned on apparitions. Burnet seemed to be a firm believer in ghosts; at least he related a great number of extraordinary stories, which might be considered to argue such a belief. Walker, on the contrary, satisfied in his own mind of the impossibility of supernatural appearances, endeavoured to convince his friend of the absurdity and defective evidence of those stories; and declared that nothing on earth could induce him to adopt other notions at the expense of his reason, and convert him to the faith in the visible appearance of the spirits of deceased persons.
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"I thrust the supposed culprit violently against the door, which stood ajar, so as to shut it."

Experience seems to justify the notion formerly more prevalent than at present, that one who has died a violent death is more likely to return to terrify the living than those who have been gathered in peace to their fathers. The experience of the writer of the following narrative once confirmed this notion in a manner equally convincing and frightful. It is calculated to lower the tone of the obstinate skeptic, who denies the possibility of the re-appearance of deceased persons, and especially such as have been prematurely cut off. It may fare with them as it did with him. Their evil genius, to punish them for their unbelief, may lie in ambush for them, and expose their credulity, were it only for a short time. The story of his instructive adventure is as follows:
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