DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70302#0015
EXTRAORDINARY VISIONS. 3
master’s son had himself discovered the aerial troopers ;
and when conscious that the same appearances were
visible to both, they informed the family, and the phe-
nomena were seen alike by all.
These visionary horsemen seemed to come from the
lowest part of Souter Fell, and became visible at a place
called Knott ; they then moved in regular troops along
the side of the Fell, till they became opposite to Blake-
hills, when they went over the mountain ; thus they de-
scribed a kind of curvilineal path, and both their first
and last appearance were bounded by the top of the
mountain.
The pace at which these shadowy forms proceeded,
was a regular swift walk ; and the whole time of the
continuance of their appearance was upwards of two
hours ; but further observation was then precluded by
the approach of darkness. Many troops were seen in
succession, and frequently the last, or last but one in a
troop, would quit his position, gallop to the front, and
then observe the same pace with the others. The same
changes were visible to all the spectators ; and the view
of the phenomena was not confined to Blakehills only,
“ but was seen by every person, at every cottage within
the distance of a mile.” Such are the particulars of this
singular relation, as given by Mr. Clarke. The attesta-
tion is signed by Lancaster and Stricket, and dated the
21st of July, 1785. The number of persons who wit-
nessed the march of these aerial travellers seems to have
been twenty-six.
These phenomena have by some been considered as a
mere deceptio visus; but to us it appears in the highest
degree improbable, that so many spectators should expe-
rience the same kind of illusion, and at exactly the same
period. We should rather attribute the appearances to
particular states of the atmosphere, and suppose them to
b 2 l)e
master’s son had himself discovered the aerial troopers ;
and when conscious that the same appearances were
visible to both, they informed the family, and the phe-
nomena were seen alike by all.
These visionary horsemen seemed to come from the
lowest part of Souter Fell, and became visible at a place
called Knott ; they then moved in regular troops along
the side of the Fell, till they became opposite to Blake-
hills, when they went over the mountain ; thus they de-
scribed a kind of curvilineal path, and both their first
and last appearance were bounded by the top of the
mountain.
The pace at which these shadowy forms proceeded,
was a regular swift walk ; and the whole time of the
continuance of their appearance was upwards of two
hours ; but further observation was then precluded by
the approach of darkness. Many troops were seen in
succession, and frequently the last, or last but one in a
troop, would quit his position, gallop to the front, and
then observe the same pace with the others. The same
changes were visible to all the spectators ; and the view
of the phenomena was not confined to Blakehills only,
“ but was seen by every person, at every cottage within
the distance of a mile.” Such are the particulars of this
singular relation, as given by Mr. Clarke. The attesta-
tion is signed by Lancaster and Stricket, and dated the
21st of July, 1785. The number of persons who wit-
nessed the march of these aerial travellers seems to have
been twenty-six.
These phenomena have by some been considered as a
mere deceptio visus; but to us it appears in the highest
degree improbable, that so many spectators should expe-
rience the same kind of illusion, and at exactly the same
period. We should rather attribute the appearances to
particular states of the atmosphere, and suppose them to
b 2 l)e