Popular Voyages and Travels Throughout the Continent

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1820 Excerpt: ...room, with a very long face. What is the matter, Colin, ' said Dr. Walker kindly to him. I hope nothing has occurred to distress you? Naething has happened yet, replied the Highlander, . but I ken muckle well that. we'll not all get safe to Dresden, for I couldna sleep all night for the dead watch.' Why, Colin, you are not superstitious, said Edward? Dr. Walker.-- Come, my good Colin, set your heart at rest, and I will explain to you the cause of your alarm.--This is the precise time of the year towards the conclusion of the spring or beginning of summer, that the little insect called the death ivatch, is mostly heard. This insect is of a dark brown colour, and so nearly resembles dried and decayed wood, that you may look long before you distinctly discover it. It is about a quarter of an inch in length, and of a proportionate thickness. The noise is not produced by the voice of the insect, but by its striking any hard substance with the shield or fore part of its head. I dare say you have observed, that it strikes from seven to nine, or eleven strokes distinctly, and this regularity of number has perhaps given rise to much of the terror it inspires. It always haunts old houses, and this inn, Colin, is very old, and may be heard at all hours of the day. Now listen attentively, I dare say we shall hear its formidable and portentous noise; the weather is very warm for the time of the year, and that is another reason why we should hear it. There, resumed the Doctor, I hear it now, 'tis just like the noise one makes by tapping upon the table with one's nail. I have heard they may be induced to repeat the strokes by imitating them. Let us try.' Edward tapped nine times on the table, and...