tremely popular; but the Irish family of the
Beresfords lay peculiar and original claim to this singular legend.
Who has not heard of "The Beresford Ghost?"--Nay, but we must crave
the liberty of re-publishing an oft-told tale, were it only in
gratitude to some kind and esteemed Irish friends, who, believing that
it might prove a novelty to several English readers, procured for
us--from a lineal descendant of the family, and inheritor of the name,
&c.--the following genuine and authentic document, concerning the
celebrated Beresford Ghost:

"Sir Tristram Beresford was a general, in the service of King George
I., who married Lady Hamilton, one of the co-heiresses of Lord
Glenawley; and having large estates in the county of Tyrone, the
family mansion of which was the Castle of Ballygawley, there Sir
Tristram and his lady resided. Sir T. was ordered to join his
regiment, then serving in Flanders;--he was severely wounded in an
engagement, and reported to be dead. The means of communication with
most places being in those days extremely difficult and uncertain,
Lady Beresford had no means of knowing that the report of her
husband's death was premature; but firmly believing it, she married
immediately, as it should seem, a young officer named Georges, to whom
she had long been greatly attached. The demise of Sir Tristram
Beresford did not, in fact, take place till some days after their
union; but on the night when it actually occurred, Captain Georges and
his lady having retired to rest, a figure resembling Sir Tristram
stood beside their bed, and having undrawn the curtains nearest his
late wife, upbraided her with the indecent haste she had used in
concluding her second marriage, which had caused her, in fact, to be
for many days guilty of an adulterous connexion with her present
husband.--She asked him, whether he were yet living?--He answered,
that he had died that very hour; and also said, that she had made a
disastrous choice, for that her husband would prove very unkind to
her, and that she should die in giving birth to their fifth child.

"Captain G. had fallen into a profound slumber, from which, although
during this conversation his wife made every effort to arouse him, he
could not be awakened. She then said to the semblance of Sir
Tristram--

"'How shall I know that this is not a trick, and that you are not some
person disguised to deceive me?'

"Upon which the spectre took up the curtains of the bed, which