The Andrew Lang Library

In which the curious tale of Kaspar Hauser, a mysterious youth who appeared suddenly in Nuremberg with a baffling past and elusive origins, is unfolded amid a swirl of romantic theories, sceptical inquiries, and scandalous accusations that captivated nineteenth-century Germany. The narrative gently investigates the boy’s peculiar behaviour, whispered royal connections, and the controversies surrou...

In which we explore the curious and tangled tale of Jeanne de Valois and the Cardinal Rohan, whose credulity and ambition become entwined with royal intrigues and a scandalous diamond necklace; the narrative unfolds amid the glittering yet precarious courts of France, where appearances and deceptions often mask deeper truths. The story illuminates the complexities of human folly and deceit, reveal...

In which the sombre tale of the Red Fox's murder unfolds amidst the rugged Scottish Highlands, where loyalties, ancient clan rivalries, and whispered secrets intertwine along winding roads and lochs, revealing a landscape steeped in tradition and suspicion. The narrative gently traces the tangled paths of Allan Breck and James Stewart of the Glens, their intertwined fates shadowed by evictions, po...

In which the curious case of Elizabeth Canning unfolds, recounting the mysterious disappearance and strange circumstances surrounding a young governess whose tale divided eighteenth-century England into factions of belief and scepticism. The narrative thoughtfully examines the testimonies, trials, and conflicting evidence, weaving a tapestry of human nature, justice, and the perplexities of truth...

In which the peculiar disappearance of an aged steward in a quiet Cotswold village unfolds through a tangle of riddling confessions, strange sightings, and implausible narratives that baffle common sense and invite speculation on motives hidden beneath the surface of Restoration England. The tale is marked by the uncanny interplay of madness, suspicion, and the whispered presence of secrets too co...

In which we are conducted through the shadowy intrigues of Philip II's Madrid, where the murder of Juan de Escovedo reveals a tangled web of political suspicion, secret amour, and questionable royal conscience. The narrative delicately unfolds the interplay of loyalty, betrayal, and the ruthless exercise of power that defined a sombre chapter in Spanish history.

In which the curious phenomenon of disembodied hands at séances and haunted houses is explored through a series of illustrative stories, including chilling encounters with cold, thumbless, and leprous ghostly hands; these tales, drawn from diverse locales and times, evoke a lingering sense of uncanny presence and unquiet spirits. Alongside these spectral narratives, accounts of mysterious black do...

In which a Hebridean woman named Thorgunna arrives at an Icelandic farm with rare treasures and soon after her death, a series of ghostly disturbances and deaths begin to plague the household, marked by eerie omens and escalating hauntings. The tale unfolds with a blend of Christian rites and legal proceedings, culminating in a solemn exorcism that restores peace to the troubled homestead.

In which we are led to the wild and haunted farmstead of Thorhall in Iceland, where the dreadful spirit Glam terrorises the people and livestock, culminating in a fateful encounter with the young warrior Grettir, whose hard-won victory comes at a heavy personal cost. Following this grim tale, we turn to the eerie moors of Scotland, where a family is bound by a spectral curse linked to the sinister...

In which we explore the age-old phenomenon of haunted houses, tracing curious noises and spectral sightings from ancient Egypt to Victorian England, all the while recognising the interplay of imagination, imposture, and the inexplicable. Among these tales, the experiences of the living—whether by uncanny visitor impressions or restless apparitions—are intricately examined alongside unsettling Russ...

In which we encounter a series of modern hauntings characterised by mysterious noises and spectral disturbances, vividly illustrated by the curious case of the Wesleys at Epworth and later the eerie happenings at Hinton Ampner. These narratives, rich with letters, journals, and contemporary testimonies, invite a critical glance at superstition, scepticism, and the curious interplay of human psycho...

In which various uncanny disturbances involving dancing furniture, flying objects, and spontaneous fires are recounted across diverse lands and times, provoking inquiries into medical and supernatural causes alike, with testimony ranging from confessions of trickery to steadfast witness accounts. The narrative then turns to quaint and eerie Gaelic and Icelandic traditions of goblins and devils, wh...

In which a spectral sergeant in the Scottish Highlands seeks the burial of his bones and justice for his untimely death amidst the lingering unrest post-Culloden, and other phantasmal witnesses are summoned in courts and folk traditions to reveal hidden crimes. The narrative weaves through curious trials and haunting apparitions, including spectral dogs and voices from beyond that mingle the eerie...

In which we contemplate the perplexing nature of ghostly apparitions, contrasting the purposeless, dreamlike phantasms of the modern day with the resolute, purposeful spectres of old, exemplified by the eerie disturbances at Spraiton and the mysterious visitations foretelling the fate of Sir George Villiers and Lord Lyttelton. These tales prompt reflection on the interplay between tradition, imagi...

In which we encounter a series of spectral visitations with distinct purposes—from Highland ghosts seeking justice and prophecy, to a famous Irish apparition confirming devout faith, and finally to a modern ghost whose mysterious summons leads a living woman on a nocturnal quest. These tales, narrated with a gentle scepticism yet a respectful eye for the curious and the uncanny, reveal ghosts who...

In which appearances of living persons distant or absent are examined with a discerning eye, encompassing phenomena from Highland “second sight” to curious instances of voluntary projections and spectral arrivals, accompanied by reflections on expectant attention and the strange influence of animals in witnessing apparitions. The narrative also thoughtfully explores famous accounts and sombre coin...

In which the curious phenomenon of veracious waking hallucinations, commonly known as ghosts or wraiths, is explored with a delicacy that balances scientific enquiry and respectful wonder, illustrating cases that range from shadowy coach apparitions to voices and touches that convey hidden truths. The narrative gently examines these spectral impressions and their properties, inviting reflection on...

In which we are gently guided from the realm of ordinary dreams to the curious phenomenon of waking hallucinations experienced by sane and sensible folk, with thoughtful reflections on the revelations of Mr. Galton and the intriguing practice of crystal gazing. We are also invited to ponder marvellous accounts of visions that verged on the prophetic, including an historical narrative offered by th...

In which the curious phenomena of dreams revealing unknown pasts, distant presents, and uncertain futures are examined through various anecdotes, including a hypnotic vision of Queen Mary’s jewels and the vivid dream of Mr. Williams foretelling Mr. Perceval’s murder. These narratives are delicately weighed against sceptical explanations, illustrating the enduring human fascination with veracious d...

In which the curious author invites us to consider the delicate gradations between the commonplace phenomena of dreams and the more startling experiences known as ghosts, illustrating with tales of shared dreams, fulfilled visions, and the uncanny déjà vu. Through engaging anecdotes and learned reflections, he gently leads the reader to appreciate how the sleeping mind may weave knowledge, memory,...

In which the author reflects upon the growing popularity of second sight and crystal gazing since the book’s first edition, noting the abundance of new and startling ghost stories from diverse lands. He also mentions the lasting impact of one particular tale, now commemorated by a memorial stone, suggesting its enduring place in tradition.