The patient, Mr Edward Stapleton, had died, apparently of typhus fever, accompanied with some anomalous symptoms which had excited the curiosity medical attendants Upon his seeming decease, his friends were requested to sanction post-mortem examination, but declined to permit it As often happens, when such refusals are made, the practitioners resolved to disinter the body and dissect it at leisure, in private Arrangements were easily effected with numerous corps of body-snatchers, London abounds; and, third night funeral, the supposed corpse was unearthed from grave eight feet deep, and deposited opening chamber of private hospitals

An incision of some extent actually made abdomen, fresh and undecayed appearance subject suggested an application battery One experiment succeeded another, customary effects supervened, with nothing to characterize them in any respect, except, upon occasions, more than ordinary degree of life-likeness convulsive action

It grew late The day was about to dawn; and thought expedient, , at once dissection student, however, was especially desirous of testing theory own, and insisted upon applying the battery to pectoral muscles rough gash , and wire hastily brought in contact, patient, with hurried but quite unconvulsive movement, arose table, stepped middle floor, gazed about him uneasily for few seconds, and then -- spoke What was unintelligible, but words were uttered; the syllabification was distinct Having spoken, he fell heavily floor

For some moments all were paralyzed with awe -- but the urgency case soon restored them their presence of mind seen that Mr Stapleton was alive, although in swoon Upon exhibition of ether he revived and was rapidly restored to health, and society friends -- from whom, however, all knowledge resuscitation was withheld, until relapse was no longer apprehended Their wonder -- their rapturous astonishment -- conceived

The most thrilling peculiarity incident, nevertheless, is involved in what Mr S himself asserts He declares that at no period was he altogether insensible -- that, dully and confusedly, aware of everything which happened to him, moment pronounced dead by his physicians, he fell swooning floor hospital " alive," were the uncomprehended words which, upon recognizing the locality dissecting-room, he had endeavored, extremity, to utter

It were an easy matter to multiply such histories -- but I forbear -- for, indeed, no need to establish the fact that premature interments occur When we reflect how very rarely, nature case, it power to detect them, admit may frequently occur without our cognizance Scarcely, in truth, is graveyard ever encroached upon, for any purpose, to any great extent, that skeletons found in postures which suggest the most fearful of suspicions

Fearful indeed the suspicion -- but more fearful the doom ! It asserted, without hesitation, that no event is so terribly well adapted to inspire the supremeness of bodily and of mental distress, as is burial before death The unendurable oppression lungs -- the stifling fumes damp earth -- the clinging death garments -- the rigid embrace narrow house -- the blackness absolute Night -- the silence like sea that overwhelms -- the unseen but palpable presence Conqueror Worm -- these things, thoughts air and grass above, with memory of dear friends fly to save us if but informed fate, and with consciousness that fate never be informed -- hopeless portion really dead -- these considerations, , carry heart, which still palpitates, degree of appalling and intolerable horror the most daring imagination must recoil of nothing so agonizing upon Earth -- dream of nothing half so hideous realms nethermost Hell And thus all narratives topic have an interest profound; an interest, nevertheless, which, sacred awe topic itself, very properly and very peculiarly depends upon our conviction truth matter narrated What now is own actual knowledge -- own positive and personal experience

For several years I subject to attacks singular disorder which physicians have agreed to term catalepsy, in default of more definitive title Although both the immediate predisposing causes, and even the actual diagnosis, disease are still mysterious, its obvious and apparent character is sufficiently well understood Its variations chiefly of degree Sometimes the patient lies, for day only, or even for shorter period, in species of exaggerated lethargy senseless and externally motionless; but the pulsation heart is still faintly perceptible; some traces of warmth remain; slight color lingers centre cheek; and, upon application of mirror lips, detect torpid, unequal, and vacillating action lungs Then again the duration trance is for weeks -- even for months; while the closest scrutiny, most rigorous medical tests, fail to establish any material distinction state sufferer and what we conceive of absolute death Very usually saved from premature interment solely knowledge friends that he previously subject to catalepsy, consequent suspicion excited, and, above all, non-appearance of decay The advances malady are, luckily, gradual The first manifestations, although marked, are unequivocal The fits grow successively more and more distinctive, and endure each for longer term preceding lies the principal security from inhumation The unfortunate whose first attack extreme character occasionally seen, would almost inevitably be consigned alive tomb

My own case differed in no important particular from those mentioned in medical books Sometimes, without any apparent cause, I sank, little by little, into condition of hemi-syncope, or half swoon; and, condition, without pain, without ability to stir, or, strictly speaking, , but with dull lethargic consciousness of life and presence who surrounded my bed, I remained, until the crisis disease restored me, suddenly, to perfect sensation At other times quickly and impetuously smitten I grew sick, and numb, and chilly, and dizzy, and so fell prostrate at once Then, for weeks, all was void, and black, and silent, and Nothing became the universe Total annihilation no more latter attacks I awoke, however, with gradation slow in proportion suddenness seizure Just day dawns friendless and houseless beggar who roams the streets long desolate winter night -- just so tardily -- just so wearily -- just so cheerily came back the light Soul

Apart tendency to trance, however, my general health appeared good; nor could I perceive at all affected one prevalent malady -- unless, indeed, an idiosyncrasy in my ordinary sleep looked upon as superinduced Upon awaking from slumber, never gain, at once, thorough possession senses, and always remained, for many minutes, in much bewilderment and perplexity; -- the mental faculties in general, but the memory in especial, being in condition of absolute abeyance

In all that I endured no physical suffering but of moral distress an infinitude My fancy grew charnel, "of worms, of tombs, and epitaphs " lost in reveries of death, idea of premature burial held continual possession brain The ghastly Danger subjected haunted me day and night former, the torture of meditation was excessive -- latter, supreme grim Darkness overspread the Earth, then, with every horror of thought, I shook -- shook quivering plumes hearse When Nature could endure wakefulness no longer, with struggle that I consented to sleep -- for I shuddered to reflect that, upon awaking, find myself the tenant of grave And when, finally, I sank into slumber, only to rush at once into world of phantasms, above which, with vast, sable, overshadowing wing, hovered, predominant, the one sepulchral Idea

innumerable images of gloom which thus oppressed me in dreams, I select for record but solitary vision Methought immersed in cataleptic trance of more than usual duration and profundity Suddenly there came an icy hand upon my forehead, and an impatient, gibbering voice whispered the word "Arise ! " within my ear

I sat erect The darkness was total I the figure of him who had aroused me call to mind neither the period at which I had fallen trance, nor the locality I then lay While I remained motionless, and busied in endeavors to collect my thought, the cold hand grasped me fiercely wrist, shaking it petulantly, while the gibbering voice said again:

"Arise ! did I not bid thee arise ? "

"And who," I demanded, "art thou ? "

" no name regions which I inhabit," replied the voice, mournfully; " mortal, but am fiend merciless, but am pitiful Thou dost feel that I shudder -- My teeth chatter as I speak, yet chilliness night -- night without end But this hideousness is insufferable How canst thou tranquilly sleep ? rest cry great agonies These sights are more than bear Get thee up ! Come with me outer Night, and let me unfold to thee the graves this spectacle of woe ? -- Behold ! "