f Edinburgh: He was travelling on the dreary road
across the Grampians, called the Cairn o' Mont, on which stood a lone
desolate inn. It has now disappeared, but I remember it in its dreary
old age, standing alone on the moor, with its grim gables and its
loupin'-on stane,--just the sort of place where, in the romances, the
horrified traveller used to observe a trap-door in his bedroom floor,
and at supper picked the finger of a murdered man out of a mutton-pie.
There Rule arrived late at night seeking accommodation, but he could get
none--the house was crammed. The only alternative was to make a bed for
him in an empty house close by; it had been unoccupied for thirty years,
and had a bad repute. He had to sleep there alone, for his servant would
not go with him. Let Wodrow himself tell what came to pass.

"He walked some time in the room, and committed himself to God's
protection, and went to bed. There were two candles left on the table,
and these he put out. There was a large bright fire remaining. He had
not been long in bed till the room door is opened, and an apparition, in
shape of a country tradesman, came in and opened the curtains without
speaking a word. Mr Rule was resolved to do nothing till it should speak
or attack him, but lay still with full composure, committing himself to
the Divine protection and conduct. The apparition went to the table,
lighted the two candles, brought them to the bedside, and made some
steps toward the door, looking still to the bed, as if he would have Mr
Rule rising and following. Mr Rule still lay still, till he should see
his way further cleared. Then the apparition, who the whole time spoke
none, took an effectual way to raise the doctor. He carried back the
candles to the table, and went to the fire, and with the tongs took down
the kindled coals, and laid them on the deal chamber floor. The doctor
then thought it time to rise and put on his clothes, in the time of
which the spectre laid up the coals again in the chimney, and, going to
the table, lifted the candles and went to the door, opened it, still
looking to the Principal as he would have him following the candles,
which he now, thinking there was something extraordinary in the case,
after looking to God for direction, inclined to do. The apparition went
down some steps with the candles, and carried them into a long trance,
at the end of which there was a stair which carried down to a low room.
This the spectre went do