There is No Death in Bruges-la-Morte
by In her book on spiritism “There Is No Death”, published in 1891, Florence Marryat told the story of a séance that was held in a haunted house in Bruges, that soon would be known as “Bruges-la-Morte”, because of the famous novel of Georges Rodenbach…
Mr Eglinton awoke, terribly exhausted, his face as white as a sheet, trembling violently. “They are doing something to my forehead,” he muttered. “Burn a piece of paper… Give me the ashes…”
He rubbed the ashes between his eyes and immediately the sign of the cross became visible, drawn on his forehead in deep red lines. In a trance, his control-spirits led him to the cabinet, where they all formed a circle in front of him while he was sitting in an arm-chair. A cross of fire now appeared outside the curtain of the cabinet, illuminating it, while the head and shoulders of a nun appeared there, floating, her white coif and chin-piece pinned, her face that of a young and pretty woman. The spirit seemed very anxious to show herself and came close to each of them in turn.
“Are you Hortense Dupont,” Mrs Marryat asked, and the apparition nodded her head in acquiescence.
The Third Séance
On the third day, when they were all dining, loud raps were heard. As soon as they were seated in the cabinet, Mr Eglinton became entranced. He crawled up the stairs that led to the padded door which he found open now, drew a long breath and went to the winding turret staircase where he was carried up and down in a wonderful manner, only placing his hand on the balustrades.
They all ended up in the drawing-room of the sombre old house, watching by the ghastly light of a lamp the acting of that terrible tragedy – holding their breath as the murderer crouched by the chapel door, retreated with his dagger in his hand, and then stabbed his victim, and stabbed again, and again.
At last, and only for a brief moment, he seemed paralyzed. Then he started back, both hands clasped to his forehead. He flung himself on the body, frantically kissing the ground. Waking to the fear of detection, he raised the corpse in his arms, seized it, dragged it, slipping on the stone floor to the cellars below, and moaning all the time.
They all knelt with him and began to pray. As he heard their voices he turned towards them, his lips moving while he was trying to speak, trying to bless them, his arms outstretched, his tongue protruded. He was unable to articulate, but a beautiful smile broke out over his countenance and he fell prostrate on the floor.
“Where am I?” Mr Eglinton asked them. “What on earth has happened? I feel so queer!”
The medium was exhausted, but nevertheless felt a great calm and peace.
Copyright by Patrick Bernauw
This account was also published in the Spiritualist Newspaper, on August 29th, 1879 – when the séance had just occurred.
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Post CommentLauren Axelrod
On August 11, 2009 at 11:01 am
Spooky story.
Juancav
On August 11, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Scare but amusing history.
Crucifix
On August 14, 2009 at 1:53 am
Crucifix must be from Holy Land and then it will have a real power.
MMV Abad
On August 26, 2009 at 11:34 am
Creepy and interesting.
RS Wing
On November 3, 2009 at 2:38 am
I’m getting real glued to your writing. Evocations……really scary but quite intriguing. Really deep knowledge you possess Patrick. Wish I were in Belgium…..to listen and be blown away! Your command and usage of the written word is just so perfect. Great work!
Allison Jae
On January 29, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Cool and interesting article.