Tales and Legends of the English Lakes Part 17

THE SPECTRE ARMY.

A WEIRD TALE OF SOUTRA FELL.

Souter Fell, or Soutra Fell as it is sometimes called, is a considerable mountain situated to the eastward of Skiddaw and Blencathara. The west and north sides are barricaded with steep rocks, apparently 900 yards in height, and everywhere difficult of access.

A very remarkable phenomenon has exhibited itself on this mountain, which, though difficult to account for satisfactorily, is too well authenticated by numerous spectators to be discredited. We allude to the appearance of troops of visionary hors.e.m.e.n, crossing the mountains, advancing, retreating, and performing different military evolutions--an optical delusion which has been observed in this vicinity, to the great astonishment of the rustics of the vale.

"As when a shepherd of the Hebrid isles Placed far amid the melancholy main (Whether it be lone fancy him beguiles, Or that aerial beings sometimes deign To stand, embodied, to our senses plain), Sees on the naked hill or valley low, The whilst in ocean Phoebus dips his wain, A vast a.s.sembly moving to and fro; Then all at once in air dissolves the wondrous show."

THOMSON.

The following account of this singular appearance, which is scarcely paralleled in history, is contained in Hutchison's History of c.u.mberland, the particulars being collected by Mr. Smith, who observes that he went himself to examine the spectators, who a.s.serted the facts very positively. "On midsummer eve, 1735, a servant in the employ of William Lancaster, of Blakehills, about half a mile from Souterfell, related that he saw the east side of the mountain, towards the summit, covered with a regular marching army for above an hour together. They consisted of distinct bodies of troops, which appeared to proceed from an eminence in the north end, and marched over a niche in the top, marked A and B in the sketch given in the above work; but as no other person in the neighbourhood had seen a similar appearance, he was discredited and laughed at.

"Two years after, on midsummer eve also, between the hours of eight and nine, William Lancaster himself imagined that several gentlemen were following their horses at a distance, as if they had been hunting; and taking them for such, paid no regard to it, till about ten minutes after, again turning his head towards the place, they appeared to be mounted, and a vast army following, five in rank, crowding over at the same place, where the servant said he saw them two years before. He then called his family, who all agreed in the same opinion; and what was most extraordinary, he frequently observed that some one of the five would quit the ranks, and seem to stand in a fronting posture, as if he was observing and regulating the order of their march, or taking account of the numbers, and after some time appeared to return full-gallop to the station he had left, which they never failed to do as often as they quitted their lines, and the figure that did so was generally one of the middlemost men in the rank. As it grew later, they seemed more regardless of discipline, and rather had the appearance of people riding from a market, than an army, though they continued crowding on, and marching off, as long as there was light to see them."

This phenomenon was no more observed till the remarkably serene midsummer evening which preceded the last Scotch rebellion. The parties who had witnessed it on the previous occasion, having been much ridiculed for their report, were determined to call a greater number of witnesses of this strange phenomenon; and having first observed it rigidly, and with great caution themselves, and being fully a.s.sured they were not deceived as to the actual appearances, they convened about twenty-six persons from different places in the neighbourhood to bear testimony to the existence of the fact. These all affirmed, and attested before a magistrate, that they saw a similar appearance to that just described, but not conducted with the same regularity, having also the appearance of carriages interspersed. The numbers of the troops were incredible, for they filled lengthways nearly half a mile, and continued so in a brisk march for above an hour, and would probably have done so much longer had not the darkness of approaching night intervened.

"Anon appears a brave, a gorgeous show Of hors.e.m.e.n shadows, moving to and fro.

Silent the visionary warriors go, Wending in ordered pomp their upward way, Till the last banner of the long array Had disappeared, and every trace is fled Of splendour--save the beacon's spiry head, Tipt with eve's latest gleam of burning red."

WORDSWORTH.

The horse and man, upon strict looking at, appeared to be but one being, rather than two distinct ones, but they did not at all resemble clouds or vapours of any kind.

William Lancaster observed that he never considered these aerial images to be real beings, because of the impracticability of a march over the precipices they seemed to traverse, where horses' hoofs had never trod before. They did not, however, appear to be any less real than on the former occasion; for so convinced were the spectators of the reality of what they had seen, that, as soon as the sun had dawned next morning, several of them climbed the mountain, through an idle expectation of finding the marks of horses' feet, after so numerous an army; but when they arrived at the supposed scene of action, not the mark of a single hoof was discernible, nor have any tidings been received of troops being in the neighbourhood up to this time.[6]

Though this part of the country, like every other, where cultivation has been lately introduced, abounds in all the _aniles fabellae_ of fairies, ghosts, and apparitions, these are never even fabled to have been seen by more than one or two persons at a time, and the view is always said to be momentary. But in this case the twenty-six spectators saw all alike the same changes, and at the same time, as they discovered by asking each other questions as any change took place. Nor was this wonderful phenomenon observed by these individuals only; it was seen by every person, at every cottage, for a mile round; neither was it confined to a momentary view; for, from the time it was first observed, the appearance must have lasted at least two hours and a half, viz., from half-past seven, till the night coming on prevented the further view; nor yet was the distance such as could impose rude resemblances on the eyes of credulity. The whole story has certainly much of the air of a romance, and it may appear to some fittest for Amadis de Gaul, or Glenville's System of Witches, than for insertion here as a fact. But although it may be difficult to reconcile its probability, and beyond even philosophy to explain, yet such is the evidence we have of its occurrence, that I do not myself entertain the slightest doubt of its having actually taken place as here related. The whole, however, was unquestionably an optical delusion.

As instances have frequently occurred in which the forms and action of human beings have been pictured in the clouds, or in vapour, it seems highly probable, on a consideration of all the circ.u.mstances of the case, that certain vapours must have hovered round the mountain when these appearances were observed. It is also possible that these vapours may have been impressed with the shadowy forms which seemed to "imitate humanity," by a particular operation of the sun's rays, united with some singular, but unknown, refractive combination then taking place in the atmosphere.

It has been remarked that these appearances were observed most particularly on the eve of the last Scotch Rebellion, when troops of hors.e.m.e.n might be privately exercising at no great distance. Indeed, the Editor of the _Lonsdale Magazine_, without giving his authority, observes, that it was afterwards actually discovered "to have been the rebels exercising on the western coast of Scotland, whose movements had been reflected by some fine transparent vapour similar to the Fata Morgana."[7]

Instances are recorded of the phenomena of spectral armies having been occasionally witnessed in other localities. It has been stated that a troop of phantom hors.e.m.e.n was seen coursing over the heights of Helvellyn the day before the battle of Marston Moor.[8] Hutchinson, in his _History of c.u.mberland_, relates the following as a parallel instance with that of Soutra Fell. In the spring of 1707, early in a serene morning, was observed by two persons in Leicestershire an appearance of an army marching along, till going behind a great hill it disappeared. The forms of pikes, and carbines were distinguishable; the march was not entirely in one direction, but was at the first like the junction of two armies, and the meeting of generals.[9] There is also a well-authenticated statement of a similar phenomenon, witnessed not long ago, on the Mendip Hills, in Somersetshire;[10] and Speed tells us of something of a like nature as preceding a dreadful intestine war.[11]

Something of this kind may have given rise to Ossian's grand and awful mythology.

These optical illusions, occurring on Soutra Fell, form a subject peculiarly adapted for "the poet's pen," and are finely ill.u.s.trated in the following poem, written in conformity with the popular belief of the lake villagers, that it really was a presentiment of the Scotch Rebellion, and that the horrors of the final battle were depicted in a prophetic manner. There can be no impiety in supposing, as this happened immediately before that rebellion which was intended to subvert the liberty, the law, and the religion of England, that though immediate prophecies may have ceased, these visionary beings might be directed to warn mankind of approaching tumults.

"Look how the world's poor people are amazed At apparitions, signs, and prodigies, Whereon with fearful eyes they long have gazed, Infusing them with dreadful prophecies."

SHAKESPEARE'S _Venus and Adonis_.

A VISIONARY TALE OF THE SCOTCH REBELLION.

While yet I gazed on Soutra's fell, A sight appeared (I live and tell!), Strange, ominous, and yet obscure, But fate has wrought the vision sure; Too soon explained, it bodes no good, But desolation marks, and blood, I saw at once in full career Equestrian troops dire-armed appear, Descending swift the mountains steep No earthly steed could footstep keep; Yet many hundreds were their might.

The glitt'ring stars revealed the sight-- Lightnings, forbidding to conceal, Burst, 'midst drawn swords and helmets' steel.

On me when burst their dreadful gleam Faint my sunk soul emits a scream; And Walter Selby thus began-- (Walter still less, or more than man) Shouting till every echo round The mountain nymphs appalled resound; "Saw ever man such gallant sight?

A thousand steeds on Soutra's height, Its fierce descent--in martial pride A thousand riders stem its side, With managed pride and daring front!

What mortal force shall bide their brunt?

See how they gallop down yon rock!-- What mortal eye can bear the shock?

The roe of Soutra's lightest bound Shrinks from the delvy deep profound, Where not the falcon strains her flight Above the eagled eyrey's height.

O, for a steed so sure and swift That might me with these hors.e.m.e.n lift-- These airy knights! My wanton brown, Famed far and wide for fleet renown, That darts o'er Derwent like a bird, Matched with such palfrey and its lord With wonder froze, its progress slow, Would think the Derwent ceased to flow.

Ne'er gossamer in summer race So swift, so sylphy held the chace.

Alarm in every village dwells, For we all know what this foretells-- A battle lost, a ruined cause.

I heard my father say there was Then seen on dread Helvellyn's side An armed host like this to ride: Yet difference marked--beneath a crown The eye of royalty there frowns; A regal glaive, like mailed Mars, That streams a meteor thro' the wars, Points at their head to Marston Moor, Soon to be drenched with British gore.

On those whose standard new unfurls, Menace the coronets of earls; The wode weird sisters waft each count, And thanes ride wild at their surmount.

"Now Heav'n's right hand protect us!" cried The dame that shares stern Wilton's pride; (Once bride of Grey, for beauty famed, And oft for boast of lineage named; But now her blood, by age grown cold, Yet tumult's in her mortal mould); "What evils shall I yet sustain!

Portentous scene--terrific train!

What follows these?" with instant breath The pedlar cries; "misfortune--death: To many, misery--death, to some-- Some who are present, sure will come Death sudden, early--"

"Cease thy croak, Thou northern raven," Walter spoke; "If they are phantoms, let them pa.s.s-- For men of mist what care e'er was In constant souls; if flesh and bone, (Such by their bearing are alone This gallant band) as I believe, As such I greet them and receive, Good, gallant soldiers for our King-- For them shall then the welkin ring."

No sooner said, but seized his horn; Around the mountain echoes borne Resounds the bugle far and wide.

The spectred steedmen then descried A mile's full quarter, seem'd to halt; The youth again, with lips at fault, Seized mad the ill-directed horn; His hand the pedlar seized with scorn; "Unhallowed, dare not thus deride What heaven's all pregnant powers confide, For man's instruction is this vision sent;"

(With that the bugle from his hand he rent); "Young gentleman, be wise, be ruled:"

The lost musician stood in silence school'd.

The shadowy troops with sword and lance, And martial pride elate, advance; Within a hundred yards they seem; Terrific now their hauberks gleam-- As dazzling more than mortal sight.

Yet 'midst my trance of wild affright, I marked them, as along they went, And living forms as such they meant, I then imagined that I knew Of many men in dreadful hue-- Death's pale discolour--doomed the ghost to yield, Instance exact to perish in the field, Or in cold blood to wait their doom-- The scaffold's fate--without a tomb; Pride of the Stuart's strength, nor unallied, In blood, that Brunswick's happier host defied; The Maxwells, Boyds, Drummonds, and Gordons famed, Scots, Ogilvies, Camerons, Foresters, high named!

One youth there was--for now the battle raged, A band more powerful, vengeance nigh presaged, A fierce a.s.sault proclaims the adverse power-- One youth there was, amidst destruction's lour, Turned still the stream and every foe defied, Oft raised his arm, and oft in blood 'twas dyed; And, as his faint companions fell, he stood Erect in arms, and drenched in hostile blood; At last his prowess sunk--a falchion keen Light' on his helmet, and burst the warrior's screen; Then, as he fell, a visage too well known Burst on my view, with death's stern front though p.r.o.ne, 'Twas Selby's self--his dread eidolon's form, Like Brutus threatened in Philippi's storm.

Selby looked thunderstruck with wild amaze, But mortal eye could not abide the gaze.

He sunk, forestalled the agonies of death, And on the ground suspended was his breath; His horn then sounds the melody of woe, Some few sad notes that reach the issue's flow, E're the seer's hand had checked his purpose bold; Such notes the furies whilsom did unfold, When Plato gave to Proserpine his hand, And love stood awed, nor dared his force withstand The tyrant's force--we wait all frenzied o'er, And Selby yet alive, as dead, deplore.

All this was horror, but how faint the view To what too soon all real must ensue, Shall I relate how sunk each n.o.ble name?

Too well 'tis known in blasts of hideous fame; In prose 'tis written, and in verse 'tis strung, And songs funereal the dire dirge have sung.

The ruined castle, and the prostrate hall, The exile's wand'ring, and the hero's fall; Sons unattainted, sires suspicion haunts, And childless sires their offspring's exit taunts; Where such is heard in lamentation's air, And more sunk deep in silence of despair; Feelings of family perpetual burn, And tears incessant fill the nation's urn.

Such was the scene ere dire Culloden's plain The northern ravens glutted with the slain; Nor rested then, for in the ebon car The dire Erynnis of fell civil war Held yoked her dark steeds from the fatal field, A part succeeded reckless yet to yield, With colours flying, and the pibroch's sound, As if they scorned the violated ground, As vengeance filled their bosoms fraught with ire, As if they sought a respite to retire, On adverse fortune scorned to waste their strength, But thought calamity would reach its length; Then, to return--but n.o.bler thoughts evince, Convinced by reason they salute their Prince, Convinced, revere the majesty of laws, Nor wreck their fortunes in a desperate cause; 'Twas thus each fought with still undaunted heart, And each 'twas thought maintained the better part.

Now civil war has spent its savage rage, Say, shall we now for anarchy engage?

Exhaust all purpose of heaven-granted life, For no one purpose but the love of strife.

Rather than that, let's seek the pristine Cain, Or rather seek with Lamech's force to reign, Lamech, than Cain, the seven times told more curs'd, For even Cain was not yet found the worst.

Then check this brutal rage, while yet there's power, While yet the monster's something to devour; While not by treason borne, to ruin hurled, Stands in its frame the firm majestic world.

Another curious and interesting phenomenon was once observed on Souter Fell, somewhat differing from that already described, though probably resulting from the same combined causes. "One summer evening, in the year 1743, the servant of Mr. Wren, of Wilton Hall, was sitting at the door with his master, when they both saw the figure of a man with a dog, pursuing some horses along the mountain side, a place so steep that a horse could scarcely keep his footing upon it. These visionary forms appeared to run at an amazing pace, till they got out of sight at the lower end of the Fell. Mr. Wren and his servant next morning ascended the steep mountain, expecting to find the man dead, being persuaded he must be killed in galloping at so furious a rate; but to their surprise, they found not a shoe, nor even any vestige whatever of man, dog, or horse."[12] This story they sometime concealed; at length, however, they ventured to relate it, and were (as might be expected), heartily laughed at.

Nearly allied to this is another atmospheric phenomenon, occasionally seen among the mountains, though of rare occurrence. It consists of an aerial figure, depicted on a dense or misty atmosphere, not unfrequently a.s.suming a grotesque or highly magnified appearance. The same phenomenon has been observed amongst the Scotch mountains. Mr. Smith, M.P. for Norwich, witnessed it in ascending Ben Nevis. On the crown of that mountain there is a crater-like hollow, in which was a misty vapour. In the midst of this appeared a human figure in motion. Mr. Smith held up his hands, and the figure did the same.[13]

This appearance is most rationally explained on the principles of refraction and reflection, the shadowy form being no other than the image of a reality, favourably posited with relation to the refracting medium and the observer's eye. This man-in-the-mist was doubtless the shadow of the real man, created by his coming between the vapour and the sun; yet perhaps the aerial beings that have been said to people the Highland mountains, may be traced to some such origin.

The appearance of the Spectre of the Broken, an aerial figure which is sometimes seen amongst the Hartz mountains of Hanover, may be accounted for in the same manner. The following is an interesting account of this phenomenon by M. Hane:--"Having ascended the Broken Mountain," says he, "for the thirtieth time, I was at length so fortunate as to have the pleasure of seeing this phenomenon. The sun rose about four o'clock, and the atmosphere being quite serene towards the east, its rays could pa.s.s without any obstruction over the Heinrichshohe mountain. In the south-west, however, towards the mountain Achtermannshohe, a brisk west wind carried before it thin transparent vapours. About a quarter-past four I looked round, to see whether the atmosphere would permit me to have a free prospect to the south-west, when I observed, at a very great distance towards the Achtermannshohe, a human figure of a monstrous size! A violent gust of wind having almost carried away my hat, I clapped my hand to it: and in moving my arm towards my head, the colossal figure did the same.

"The pleasure which I felt at this discovery can hardly be described; for I had already walked many a weary step in the hope of seeing this shadowy image, without being able to gratify my curiosity. I immediately made another movement, by bending my body, and the colossal figure before me repeated it. I was desirous of doing the same thing once more, but my colossus had vanished. I remained in the same position, waiting to see whether it would return; and in a few minutes it again made its appearance on the Achtermannshohe. I then called the landlord of the neighbouring inn, and having both taken the position which I had taken alone, we looked towards the Achtermannshohe, but did not perceive anything. We had not, however, stood long, when two such colossal figures were formed over the above eminence, which repeated their compliments, by bending their bodies as we did, after which they vanished. We retained our position, kept our eyes fixed on the spot, and in a little time the two figures again stood before us, and were joined by a third," that of a traveller who then came up and joined the party.

"Every movement made by us these figures imitated; but with this difference, that the phenomenon was sometimes weak and faint, sometimes strong and well defined."[14]

[6] From Hutchinson's _History of c.u.mberland_, and Rev. C. C. Clarke's _One Hundred Wonders of the World_.