The Sir Roger de Coverley Papers from "The Spectator."

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1922. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... X. THE COVEKLEY GHOST. [Spectator No. 110. Friday, July 6, 1711. Addison.] Horror ubique animos, simul ipsa silentia terrent. Virgil. At a little distance from Sir Roger's house, among the ruins of an old abbey, there is a long walk of aged elms, which are shot up so very high that, when one passes under them, the rooks and crows that rest upon the tops of them seem to be cawing in another region. I am very much delighted with this sort of noise, which I consider as a kind of natural prayer to that Being who supplies the wants of His whole creation, and who, in the beautiful language of the Psalms,1 feedeth the young ravens that call upon Him. I like this retirement the better, because of an ill report it lies under of being haunted; for which reason (as I have been told in the family) no living creature ever walks in it besides the chaplain. My good friend, the butler, desired me, with a very grave face, not to venture myself in it after sunset, for that one of the footmen had been almost frighted out of his wits by a spirit that appeared to him in the shape of a black horse without an head; to which he added, that about a month ago one of the maids coming home late that way, with a pail of milk upon her head, heard such a rustling among the bushes that she let it fall. I was taking a walk in this place last night, between the hours of nine and ten, and could not but fancy it one of the most proper scenes2 in the world for a ghost to appear in. The ruins of the abbey are scattered up and down on * Find the Scriptural allusion by means of a concordance. * Appropriate places. 4 every side, and half covered with ivy and elder bushes, the harbors of several solitary birds, which seldom make their appearance till the dusk of the evening. The place was forme...