their
worthy, and noble-minded owners in past times. Haunted Jewel-houses are
they ; just as (to quote from Longfellow's notable verse) :—
"
All houses wherein men have lived, and died, Are haunted
houses.—Through the open doors The harmless phantoms on their errands
glide, With feet that make no sound upon the floors.
We meet them at the doorway, on the stair ;
Along the passages they come, and go ; Impalpable impressions on the air ;
A sense of something moving to, and fro.
There are more guests at table than the hosts
Invited ; the illuminated hall Is thronged with quiet, inoffensive ghosts,
As silent as the pictures on the wall.
The stranger at the fireside cannot see
The forms I see, nor hear the sounds I hear ;
He but perceives what is ; while unto me All that has been is visible, and clear.
The spirit-world around this world of sense Floats like an atmosphere, and everywhere
Wafts through these earthly mists, and vapours dense A vital breath of more ethereal air."
Similarly,
from remote times, Amulets, and Talismans were worn about the person,
being suspended from the neck, or bound round some part of the body ;
these being believed to be invested with virtues all but supernatural.
Two thousand years ago they were dispensed by the priests ; and
afterwards by those who practised medicine, alchemy, and astrology. An
Amulet consisted of some certain ornament in stone, or metal, carved,
or painted. Talismans were likewise objects usually of one of the
precious stones, or of metal, worn about the person, to ward off
danger, ill-luck, or the " evil eye," as well as for their reputed
medicinal virtues. By their means it was thought possible to commune
with the world of spirits. Pliny mentions their virtue ; while
