SECOND SIGHT

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 3713, 5 October 1926, Page 2

SECOND SIGHT

Stories of second sight and of “ visions ” are common enough in Scotland; in England they arc comparatively rare and are generally received with incredulity. The Times ’ of a recent date Lady Frances Balfour contributed an unusual story of a “vision” which she believes 'lias never before been published in its original form. The story was set down in a letter written from Inveraray on November 8, 1808, by Alexander Bell, Writer to the Signet, and addressed to Colonel Campbell, yr. of Shawfield. Bell’s grandfather and father were together when they saw the “vision, and each told the story to Bell on many occasions, so that he was well acquainted with the circumstances. The letter is a long one, and tells in detail how the writer’s grandfather and tathei saw the “vision” “about -‘1 o’clock in the afternoon ol a very clear, sunny dav in the month ot June or July, between the years 174(5 and 1753.” They were within sight of Inveraray when “they were very much surprised to behold a great number of men under arms marching on foot towards them.” The troops were led by an officer on horsehack, who wore “ a gold-laced hat and a blue hussar cloak, with wide open loose sleeves, all lined with red.” Fearj„„ that he might be compelled to join Hie troops, the father of the writer made off over a dyke, leaving the grandfather (then a middle-aged man) standing on the road. When the father turned to look again at the troops he found to his astonishment that they were all vanished; not a soul of them was to lie seen!” This, too. was the

grandfather's experience. The account concludes with (lie remark that “it. mav perhaps be not improper to add that upon the day on which the vision was seen neither my father nor grandfather had tasted anything stronger than milk.”

"In recent years there has been a saving in Bn gland of 37,000 infant lives per. annum, largely as a result of the work of health visitors,” said Mrs Hilton Philipson, M.P., recently. Seedsmen in Britain who are fortunate enough to possess a stock of double petunia, seed, valued at £375 a pound, often rend it to their banks for safety.