Editor’s Note: the Corpse Candle is a white light that is associated with death.
A Clergyman’s son, in this County, but now a clergyman himself in England, who, in his younger days, was somewhat vicious; having been at a debauch one night, and coming home late when the doors were locked, and the people in bed, feared to disturb them; fearing also their chiding an expostulations about his staying so late, went to the servant who slept in an out room, as is often the manner in this Country; he could not awake the servant, but while he stood over him, he saw a small light come out of the servant’s nostrils, which soon became a Corpse Candle: he followed it out and it came to a foot bridge, which lay over a rivulet of water. It came into the gentleman’s head to raise up the end of the foot bridge from off the bank whereon it lay, to see what it would do. When it came, it seemed to offer to go over, but did not go, as if loath to go because the bridge was displaced: when he saw that, he put the bridge in its place, and stayed to see what the Candle would do. It came on the bridge when it was replaced; but when it came near him, it struck, as it were with an handkerchief; but the effect was strong, for he became dead upon the place, not knowing of himself a long time before he revived: such is the power of the Spirits of the other world, and it is ill jesting with them. A sadducee and a proud ridiculer of Apparitions in this gentleman’s place now, would have a pure seasoning for his pastime. ‘Tis true these men have not seen the Corpse Candles of Wales, but they should believe the numerous and ever continuing witnesses of it, and not foolishly discredit abundant matters of fact, attested by many honest wise men. We have heard of others, who, from an excess of natural courage, or being in liquor, have endeavoured to stop the Corpse Candles, and have been struck down upon the place: but now none offer it, being deterred by a few former examples related, remembered, and justly believed. Jones