Second Edition of A Discovery Concerning Ghosts With a Rap at the "Spirit-Rappers"

I think it a duty to inform the Public that I have a Nephew whose Christian name is PERCY. He is employed by a person of the name of "READ," a Publisher, of Johnson's Court, Fleet Street; who, in Advertising any work executed by my Nephew, announces it as by "Cruikshank," instead of (as it ought to be) illustrated by "PERCY CRUIKSHANK." And having been informed by numerous persons that they have purchased these publications under the impression that they were works executed by me, I hereby caution the Public against buying any work as mine with the name of READ, of Johnson's Court, upon it as Publisher. I never did anything for that person, and never shall; and I beg the Public to understand that these observations are not directed against my Nephew, to whom I wish every good, but that they are against the said READ, who, by leaving out my Nephew's Christian name, PERCY, deprives him of whatever credit he may deserve for his literary and artistic productions, and thereby creating a confusion of persons, which, if not done for the purpose of DECEIVING THE PUBLIC, appears to be very much like it.

A DISCOVERY CONCERNING GHOSTS.

[Illustration: "Enter Ghost."]

HAMLET.--"Thou com'st in such a questionable shape."--

SHAKESPEARE.

Questionable!--ay; so very questionable, in my opinion, is the fact of their coming at all, that I am now going to question whether they ever did, or can come. This opinion I know is opposed to a very general, a long-established, and with some a deeply-rooted belief in supernatural appearances, and is opposed to what may be almost considered as well-authenticated facts, which neither the repeated exposure of very many "ghost tricks," and clearly-proved imposture, nor sound philosophical arguments, have been able to set aside altogether. Most persons, therefore, will no doubt consider that the task of "laying" all the ghosts that have appeared, and putting a stop to any others ever making an appearance, is a most difficult task. This is granted; and although I do not believe, like Owen Glendower, that I can "call the spirits from the vasty deep," but on the contrary agree in this respect with Hotspur, if I did call that they would not come, I nevertheless, although no conjuror, do conjure up for the occasion hosts of ghosts which I see I have to contend against. Yes, I do see before me, "in my mind's eye"--

A vast army, composed of ghost, goblin, and sprite! With their eyes full of fire, all gleaming with spite! All lurking about in the "dead of the night" With their faces so pale and their shrouds all so white! Or hiding about in dark holes and corners, To fright grown-up folk, or little "Jack Horners." But though they all stand in this fierce grim array, Armed with pen and with pencil, "I'll drive them away."

It is not only, however, against these horrible and ghastly-looking cloud of flimsy foes that one has to deal with in a question like this, but there are numbers of respectable and respected authors, and highly respectable witnesses, on the side of the ghosts; and it must be admitted that it is no easy matter to put aside the testimony of all these respectable persons. They may have thought, and some may still think, that they have done, and are doing, good, by supporting this belief; but I know on the contrary that they have done, and are doing, great harm; and I, therefore, stand forth in the hope of "laying" all the ghosts, and settling this long-disputed question for ever.