AN UNIMPEACHABLE PRESENTIMENT.
[To THE EDITOR Or THE "SPECTATOR.`]
Sia,—As official shorthand writer for the Crown in East Fife, I took notes of evidence, under "The Fatal Accidents Inquiry (Scotland) Act, 1895," last week in a case that might not be uninteresting to your readers, psychologists, and spiritualists. The witnesses were sworn, and their evidence was given in open Court. It is, therefore, a case of unim- peachable presentiment. Peter Duncan, an apprentice slater, residing at 2 Hillbank Road, Dundee, fell from the top of Haugh Mill, Windygates, Fifeshire, on Tuesday, October 20th, and received injuries which resulted in death on Novem- ber 7th. Mr. Alexander Watson Laburn, brother-in-law, de- posed that the deceased lived with him. On Monday night, October 19th, the deceased was sitting in his house, and was rather gloomy. He heard his wife say to him, " You are very gloomy ; what is ado with you ? " Deceased replied, "I +Enna ken ; I think something is going to happen to-morrow." When deceased got up on the Tuesday morning, and got a. cup of coffee, he was in the very best of spirits and of health. Deceased never complained about giddiness when at his work. Deceased went to Windygates from Dundee on the Tuesday, with the above result.
Discussing the subject with an M.D., he pointed out that presentiments might fulfil their own destiny. A man might be physically weak and depressed in mind when he uttered such words as are quoted. He might gradually become more debilitated. When in a perilous position his increasing morbidity might lead to giddiness and the fulfilment of the unknown in accidents. That is quite true, but the sworn testimony is diametrically opposed to such a rational and natural explanation in the present instance. I did not at the moment when Mr. R. W. Renton, Procurator Fiscal, put the questions as to giddiness and health, perceive the important bearing they had on what may be termed the supernatural aspect of this singular case.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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