arose and saluted him, and desired him to sit down with them. But one of them whispering these words in his Ear; Do nothing this company invites you to. He therefore refused to sit down at the Table, and immediately the Table and all that belonged to it were gone; and the company are now dancing and playing upon Musical Instruments, and the Butler being desired to join himself to them; but he refusing this also, they fall all to work, and he not being to be prevailed with to accompany them in working any more than in feasting or dancing, they all disappeared, and the Butler is now alone. But instead of going forwards, home he returns as fast as he could drive, in a great consternation of mind. And was no sooner entred his Masters door, but down he falls, and lay some time sensless, but coming to himself again, he related to his Master what had happened to him.
The night following, there comes one of this company to his Bed-side, and tells him, that if he offered to stir out of doors the next day, he would be carried away. Hereupon he kept within, but towards the Evening, having need to make water, he adventured to put one foot over the threshold, several standing by. Which he had no sooner done, but they espyed a Rope cast about his middle, and the poor Man was hurried away with great swiftness, they following after him as fast as they could, but could not overtake him. At length they espyed a Horseman coming towards them, and made signs to him to stop the Man, whom he saw coming near him, and both the ends of the Rope, but no body drawing. When they met, he laid hold on one end of the Rope, and immediately had a smart blow given him over his Arm with the other end. But by this means the Man was stopt, and the Horse-man brought him back with him.
The Earl of Orrery hearing of these srange passages, sent to the Master to desire him to send this Man to his House, which he accordingly did. And the morning following, or quickly after, he told the Earl that his Spectre had been with him again, and assured him that that day he should most certainly be carried away, and that no endeavours should avail to the saving of him. Upon this he was kept in a large room, with a considerable number of persons to guard him, among whom was the famous Stroker, Mr. Greatrix, who was a Neighbour. There were besides other persons of Quality, two Bishops in the House at the same time, who were consulted touching the making use of a Medicine the Spectre or Ghost prescribed, of which, mention
