The Necromancer

Front matter

AuxTOC|title=Volumes|

Volume 1

THE

NECROMANCER.

THE

NECROMANCER:

OR THE

TALE

OF THE

BLACK FOREST:

FOUNDED ON FACTS:

LAWRENCE FLAMMENBERG,

BY PETER TEUTHOLD.

VOL. I.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR WILLIAM LANE,

AuxTOC|title=Contents|

Just published, Price 17s. 6d.

ROSINA,

A NOVEL,

IN FIVE VOLUMES.

BY THE AUTHOR OF

DELIA.

FREDERICA RISBERG,

A GERMAN STORY:

IN TWO VOLUMES.

ELLEN AND JULIA,

A NOVEL

IN TWO VOLUMES.

BY MRS. PARSONS.

Preface of the Translator

OF THE

T wonderful Incidents related in the following Sheets, not being made up of tiresome Love Intrigues, repeated again and again in almost every new Book of Amusement, will, as I flatter myself, not be quite displeasing to the reader, on account of the Novelty of the Subject. The strange mysterious Events which occur in this little Performance are founded on Facts, the authenticity of which can be warranted by the Translator, who has lived many Years not far from the principal Place of Action.

If the Subject of the following Tale should be thought interesting and amusing, the Public may expect a speedy Publication of a still more intricated and wonderful one, exhibiting a long Series of similar Frauds, perpetrated under the mysterious Veil of pretended supernatural Aid.

The Publisher being sensible of the manifold Defects of his Translation, will acknowledge with Gratitude the gentle Corrections of the dread Arbiters of Literary Death and Life, and Promises carefully to avoid, in a future Publication, the repetition of any flips the Critick's Eagle Eye shall discover in the following Sheets.

First Part

THE

THE hurricane was howling, the hailstones beating against the windows, the hoarse croaking of the raven bidding adieu to autumn, and the weather-cock's dismal creaking joined with the mournful dirge of the solitary owl, when Herrman and Hellfried, who had been united by the strongest bonds of friendship from their youthful days, were seated by the chearing fire side, hailing the approach of winter. Thirty long years were elapsed since they had been separated by different employments; Herrman having been called, by the decrees of heaven, to distant countries, whilst Hellfried, leaving the University where their mutual friendship had began, hastened to his hoary parents, to ease the burthen of their old age, and to cheer the tempestuous evening of his dear progenitor's life.

On his journey towards his wished-for home, he rambled over some of the most charming parts of Germany; yet he was hunting in vain after pleasure, being separated from the dear companion of his juvenile days, and could no where trace the blissful abode of tranquillity and peace of mind. At length he found, in the circle of his family, what he had been seeking in vain abroad. The pleasure which his venerable parents felt, in beholding the offspring of their mutual love, soothed the inquietude of his mind; the joy sparkling in their eyes at the sight of the supporter of their declining years, tinged his cheeks with the rosy hue of con- tentment, and filled his soul with inward bliss. Ten years of congenial happiness were now sunk down into the endless gulph of time, when his aged father died, closing a well-spent life in his seventy-second year: The guardian angel of virtue carried his unspotted soul to the cheerful mansion of everlasting peace; the gentle simile of a good conscience sat still on his wan lips, when his sainted spirit arrived in heaven, hailed by millions of holy angels.

Hellfried now enjoyed twelve years longer the bliss of soothing the sorrows of his mother, and of supporting her under the heavy load of ever increasing infirmities, before she went over to the sacred abode of peace, to be re-united to the dear companion of all her earthly joys and cares. He dropped a tear of filial affection on her tomb, where he rested by her departed husband's side, and directed now all his care and tenderness towards the promoting of his only sister's happiness. The apprehension of draw- ing a blank in the great lottery of matrimony, strengthened by some terrifying examples within the circle of his friends, made him hesitate so long to choose a partner in his joys and cares, 'till he felt himself too infirm for the toils inflicted on the beasts of burthen, yoked to the cart of matrimony.—But he became, alas! too late, sensible of the bad consequences of his cowardice, when he began to want a tender nurse, a soother in his gloomy hours, and a sweet comforter amidst the self-created cares of hoary age. In order to disperse the clouds of gloomy dismal fancies, the usual companions of solitary bachelors, he took the resolution of undertaking a journey as far as the duty incumbent on his office would allow him, and left the care of his house to his maiden sister.

He was so fortunate as to meet, on his journey, with many friends of his earlier days, the companions in his former studies, and the partners of his academical life: At length he also traced out his dear Herrman, the most beloved among his youthful friends. Though Hellfried was, at first, angry with him, for having neglected writing to him in the course of so many years; for having omitted to ascertain him of his still being alive; and for his not having answered the letter he had wrote to him many years ago, in order to enquire after his health and happiness; yet he forgot at once all his anger, anticipating the pleasure of pressing him once more to his bosom, and got into his carriage with cheerfulness to hasten to his embraces. After a short and pleasant ride, he hung on Herrman's neck, a gentle tear of joy sparkled in his eye, as he pressed him tenderly to his bosom.

He found his worthy friend a favorite of fortune, blest in the lap of sweet contentment and unadulterated happiness.—A loving wife, who was a tender guardian of his tranquillity, and a careful mother to the pledges of their mutual love, was crowning the favors which fortune so abundantly had blessed him with: Kind Providence had surrounded him with an hopeful circle of promising children, two of whom had happily been married, and blessed him with two grand-daughters and three grandsons—Heaven's greatest blessings smiled upon him wherever he went, contentment and joy, sat upon his reverend brow, and peace of mind had taken her abode within his heart.

"Good God!" exclaimed he, as soon as he could find words to give vent to the rapture of his soul, "do I then behold, once more before I die, the dear companion of my youthful days? Heaven be praised for that unexpected happiness! Now all my wishes are fulfiled—Oh, Hellfried! Hellfried! The separation from thee, the apprehension of seeing thee no more, was the only bitterness mixed in the cup of bliss, which providence has kindly administered to thy friend. Thou art alive—thou art alive, now I have nothing else to wish, than that my end may be as happy as this hour of bliss."

Hellfried related now, after the first ecstacy of rapture was over, how anxiously he had ever been enquiring after his dear friend; told him how many letters he had written to get informed of his abode, and of his being well, and was going to chide his faithful Herrman for his negligence, when he fetched a letter from an old acquaintance of his, who had wrote to him, that

"Hellfried had left the service of the Muses, enlisted under the banners of Pallas during the war of seven years, and, very likely, had fallen a victim of his martial spirit."

"Thy turn of mind——" thus Herrman proceeded, after his friend had read that letter, "seemed always to make such a manner of life far more eligible to thee, than the peace and homely pleasure of a private life, how could I then doubt the authenticity of the intelligence given me by honest Erich? I have bemoaned thy untimely fate, what more could I have done?"

Hellfried was satisfied with what his friend said in his defence, and found now an additional reason of being pleased with his having seen him once more.

"Brother!" exclaimed he, "let us forget our age and let us live together, as long as I can remain with thee, as if the thirty years since we have seen each other never had existed, and be as merry as we have been in our youthful days."

Herrman's cheek glowed with pleasure, he squeezed his Hellfried's hand, and both of them were as happy as it is possible to be in this vain world.

Six days were now passed in mutual joy: Herrman resided at a country seat, situated on the banks of the Elbe, and enclosed with an antient forest, which made it the most pleasant abode to Kellfried, who was passionately fond of hunting. Every morning they were rambling through the woods, and the two robust aged friends pursued the fleet game with juvenile ardour, 'till the dinner bell summoned them to a substantial meal, and a bottle of old Rhenish wine; when the cloth was removed the goblet went cheerfully round, and the two happy friends were drinking and talking 'till night came on, and the chimney fire illuminated the dusky room; the pipes were filled with aromatic canaster, the chairs put nearer to the fire, blazing briskly aloft, and they began to relate the atchievements of their juvenile days, and whatever had happened during their separation. Thus the days rolled on like hours, and Hellfried did not yet think of parting.

The hurricane was howling (as I said before) and the hail stones beating against the windows in so uncivil a manner, that the two friends could not think of going a hunting, but stuck close to the social fire side, spending thus the day amid amusing conversations; their stock of entertaining narratives seemed to be inexhaustible.

The gloominess of the weather gave their conversation a serious turn: They began to discourse on the calamities of war, of the dangers they had formerly undergone, and of many distresses and sufferings they had experienced in the earlier part of their lives; as night advanced the tempest grew more furious, the flame in the chimney was wasted to and fro, and began to die away by degrees. Father Herrman fed it with dry wood, poked the cinders out, and it began again to blaze aloft.

"Brother," now said Hellfried, who, meanwhile had been filling his pipe, "brother, dost thou believe in apparitions? Dost thou believe in spirits?"

Herrman smiling shook his head.

"I also," thus Hellfried went on, "do not believe in apparitions; yet, when travelling through Germany, I have met with adventures which I still am unable to unriddle."

Herrman pricked up his ears, awaiting in dumb expectation the narrative of his friend's wondrous adventures: Hellfried kept him not long in suspence, and began as follows:

"The great fair was just beginning, when I arrived at F——, the bustle of the buyers and venders, the meeting with a number of dear friends, and the many different amusements, promised to afford me a great deal of pleasure, and I resolved to stay a few weeks at that town."

"The inn where I had taken lodgings was crowded with travellers; an aged hoary man amongst them was particularly noticed by every one, on account of his remarkable appearance: His looks were reverend, his dress, though very plain, was costly; he appeared to be a rich nobleman, and occupied the best apartments: A coach and six, with four servants richly dressed, carried him frequently out; he was seen at all the public places, was present at all amusements, yet, what raised my curiosity, he was constantly alone, and in profound meditation. I often remarked, that wherever he was, he did not take the least notice of what was doing around him, and, as if a prey to grief and inward sufferings, seemed to be insensible of all the objects that surrounded him. He was also continually alone when in his apartment, the door of which appeared to me to be always bolted: He rode out as soon as dinner was over, and commonly returned very late at night."

"I questioned the landlord about that strange man, but he shrugged up his should- ers and could tell me nothing. The waiters did the same."

"But," exclaimed I peevishly, "you certainly must know where he comes from, could not you ask his servants?"

"The servants," answered the waiter, "are as mute as their master. He is supposed to be an English Lord, that is all what I know."

"I was of the same opinion, when I first saw him; having met, on my travels, with many Englishmen, who had behaved in the same sullen and reserved manner. His melancholy mood I fancied to be the effect of the spleen, and did not trouble myself any more about him."

"I had not been above three days at F—— when I lost my purse: At first I fancied I had dropped it somewhere in a shop, or my pocket had been picked in the street, and determined to be more careful in future; but, in spite of all my precaution and carefulness, I suffered a second loss the next day, missing a diamond ring, with a miniature picture of my deceased mother: I was sure that I, the preceding night had pulled that ring from my finger, and put it on the table, when I went to bed; I questioned the waiters, but they appeared to be offended at my inquiries—in short, the ring was gone."

"A few days after I went to the play, I had a snuff box, of very little value, in the right pocket of my coat; a gentleman who was sitting by me, at the left, begged me to give him a pinch of snuff, but I could not find my box. That insignificant theft made me smile. I staid 'till the play was over with very little concern, and was glad that I had left my purse at home."

"The play was over, and a boy with a lighted torch went before me to an adjacent tavern, I wanted to see what hour it was, but my watch was also gone. "Cursed misfortune!" exclaimed I. The boy reminded me of his money, I gave it him, and entered the supper room. An acquaintance of mine took notice of the paleness of my countenance, inquiring whether I was ill, I denied it, and took my seat at the table: I hurried down my supper without noticing my neighbour, and was determined to depart the next morning, being persuaded that some cunning rogues had singled me out, to try their skill with me, at the expence of my property.—As I was pushing back my chair, somebody close by me, asked me what o'clock it was. I did not answer, because that question, by reminding me of my loss, had vexed me, and was going to leave the room."

"Sir, what o'clock is it?" exclaimed somebody once more, tapping me on the shoulder. "I do not know," replied I without looking back, and paid my bill. "Have you no watch with you?" exclaimed the same person again. Now I turned round in great vexation, and, guess my surprise, the troublesome inquirer was my neighbour at the inn, the very same gentleman who had excited so much my curiosity some days ago."

He stared me in the face, as if expecting an answer.

"Sir," said I now, "my watch —"

"Has been stolen," interrupted he quickly.

"I have catched the thief, there it is:" So saying, he put my watch into my hand. I was stunned with amazement, and could not help wishing to know the thief, that I might recover the other things I had lost, for I was sure that the same person who had robbed me of my watch, had also pilfered what I had lost before: But, ere I could signify my wish, the mysterious gentleman was vanished."

"I went home, struck with astonishment, but the stranger was not yet arrived. At length he came, as usual, at midnight; I rushed out of the door when I heard him coming up stairs, made a respectful bow, and begged him to give me leave to ask a question; but he passed me hastily, without taking notice of me, absorbed in melancholy thoughts, took the candle from the servant, and bolted his room.

All my attempts of speaking with him were fruitless, like the first. When at home, his door was bolted, in the hall he took no notice of me, and in public places he shunned me. Vexed by his rude behaviour, I would not make another attempt at getting acquainted with that queer fellow.

Meanwhile three days more were elapsed, and that strange accident had made me forget my departure; but now I renewed my resolution of setting off as soon as possible, and was determined to leave F— the next day, though no farther disagreeable accident had happened to me. I put every thing in order, had my trunks packed, and was obliged to find out a banker, who would take a Bill for Leipzig, which I had brought with me to F——"

"I found it very difficult to meet with one who would not take too great an advantage of my present inconvenience; towards evening I was so fortunate to find out a reasonable man; joyfully did I now put my hand into my pocket to take the pocket book out of it, but I could not find it. "For God's sake," exclaimed the merchant, when he saw me pale and trembling, "what is the matter with you?" "Nothing, nothing at all," stammered I, rushing out of the house.

A faint ray of hope was still glimmering within my soul; I fancied I had left all the remainder of my little fortune at the inn, though I was certain that I had taken the pocket book with me. I arrived, trembling, at my lodging, and was hardly able to unlock my door; I entered slowly, as if I wanted to avoid the terrible blow that threat- ened me: I searched the room with an anxious look, but, alas! all my little wealth. was gone!"

"I could not believe the reality of my misfortune: I emptied my trunk more than ten times, and more than an hundred times did I search every corner of the room, thinking it impossible that the bill and the pocket book should not be there, however I could find neither of them."

"It grew late, and I was still sitting on my trunk, half distracted, leaning on my trembling hand, at length I resolved to go next morning to some of my acquaintance, and endeavour to get some money advanced. That terrible evening was followed by a more terrible night; morning dawned and I still could not sleep—my pride revolted against the thought of borrowing money, but the idea of the unavoidable want staring me in the face, got the better of it, and I went. Every one whom I applied to was sorry for what had happened to me, railed against and cursed the villain who had robbed me, but nobody would lend me money—-scarcity of cash, the backwardness of the debtors; alas! these and a thousand other obstacles prevented my friends from assisting me. I went home in a gloomy melancholy mood, and did not know what to do. It struck one, the dinner was on table, but I could not eat. I was standing in my room with a downcast look, and musing on my distress, a son of misery and a slave of cruel necessity. I cannot tell how long I had been in that desponding situation, when a gentle knocking at my door roused me suddenly from my reverie: I exclaimed in an agony, come in! The door opened, and I was thunderstruck when I beheld the unknown gentleman before me. My soul was filled with rapture, I ran almost frantic with joy towards the stranger, clasped him in my arms, and exclaimed, "Have you, have you found it?"

"I have not!" answered he.

"Methinks I see him still standing before me, a tall lean figure, his face pale, his looks staring and serious: I trembled as he spoke."

"Not! not!" groaned I, "gracious heaven! how unhappy am I."

"Patience, young man," replied he, "although the thief may have made his escape, yet I am here."

I gazed at him with astonishment. He took his pocket book, opened it, and gave me two papers. "There, take it," said he, "it is as much as you may want at present, the mail will set off to-morrow for your native country, I wish you an happy journey."

Then he laid the papers on my table, and hastened out of the room: A strange sensation had fixed me to the floor, had fettered my tongue, and I neither could thank my benefactor, nor inquire how I was to repay him. I felt veneration for this singular man, admired his humanity, and yet I could not help feeling some inward sensations of horror; I was for a considerable time as motionless as a statue. Having recovered from my amazement, I went to the table, took up the papers, which he had left behind, and saw, with astonishment, that each of them was a draft for a hundred dollars payable at F——: It grieved me to be obliged to accept a present from a strange unknown man. But what could I do? How could I get access to him? Perhaps (thought I) he will send his direction, but I waited in vain for it. He got into his carriage and drove away.

I also left the house and returned late, the stranger was not yet come home: However, I was determined to await his return, and as soon as he should enter the house, to hasten to his apartment, and to insist upon his taking a bond for his money, and if he should happen to refuse it, to force him to take back his present. This resolution was good enough, however I could not execute it because he did not return.

Night being far advanced, I laid myself down upon a couch, and the harbinger of sleep suprised me; I began to doze. At once I heard a noise before my door, I got up, and all was hushed in silence. I fancied the noise I had heard had been the effects of those early dreams which sometimes amuse our fancy when sleep is coming on; but soon after I heard the same noise again. I got once more up from my couch, and all was silent again. Listening attentively, I heard the same noise repeated; it grew now louder and louder, and resembled the tapping of somebody who could not find the latch. I was going to open the door, but before I came into the middle of the room, saw it move on its hinges. I stopped, the door opened slowly, and now I could distinguish my visitor, It was a strange figure, tall and emaciated, clad in a white garment. As it entered the -room, it advanced towards me with slow and solemn steps; I staggered back, and a chilly terror trembled through my frame. The apparition moved towards the table in awful silence. It took up my watch, looked at it, gave a hollow groan, and then laid it down again. I was thunderstruck. The phantom now moved slowly back, and I looked at its face as it was passing the table where the candle stood—Merciful heaven! how was I chilled with horror, when I beheld the features of my deceased mother! My knees shook, a cold sweat bedewed my face, and my strength forsook me."

"Meanwhile the apparition was come to the door, without having turned its face; it opened the latch gently, and, when on the threshhold, turned round, staring me in the face, with a ghastly look, and lifting up its emaciated hand, threatning three times in a horrible manner, and disappeared."

"I fell senseless back upon my couch, and when I could recollect myself again, I fan- cied I had been haunted by a bad dream.—The clock struck one as I was going to look at my watch."

"Vexed that the stranger did not come home, I went to bed, and slept 'till it was broad day. When the waiter brought my breakfast, I asked whether my neighbour was come home. He denied it. Then I asked if he perhaps had left F——? The waiter answered, it may be, he always pays his bill after dinner, he carries no trunks with him, and none of his servants lodge in our house."

"I went with the waiter to the apartment which the stranger had occupied: The key was in the lock, we walked in, all was empty."

"I went back to my room, took up the drafts he had given me, and would have destroyed them, if I thus could have disencumbered myself of the obligation which I owed him. It suddenly came in my mind that they perhaps might be fictitious, or the name of the merchant who was to pay the money, not known. This thought afforded me pleasure, though I could expect nothing but misery if if it should prove true."

"I hastened to the host, shewing him my draughts, under the pretext as if I wanted to know the direction of a merchant. He described the house and the street where he lived. I was frightened and went that same morning to the merchant. He looked slightly at the paper, but very seriously at me, and his eyes seemed to denote astonishment and pity. I expected, joyfully, that the bills would be protested; however, I was mistaken. He opened, sighing, his drawers, and counted down two hundred dollars, still looking at me with astonishment. I put the money in my pocket, and, being convinced that he pitied me for being obliged to that stranger, I took the liberty of asking him, by whom he was to be repaid; upon which he appeared to be disconcerted, shrugged his shoulders, muttered some unintelligible words, and left me suddenly. I went away under the greatest apprehensions, and the weather being fine, was tempted to take a walk to a public garden."

"The beautiful morning had assembled there a great number of foreigners and of the inhabitants of F——, I went into a remote bower, and ordered some chocolate."

"Retired from the noisy bustle of company, I could now muse on the strange accidents which I had experienced during my short stay at F——: I also recollected my dream, and reflected on it more seriously than before. Though I was very much tempted to deem it something more than a delusion of fancy, yet I was still disinclined to ascribe that strange incident to a supernatural cause, being strongly prepossessed against the belief in apparitions, and found myself bewildered in a maze of irksome fancies. I struggled hard with my imagination, striving to forget what had made me so uneasy; however, all my struggles proved abortive; the dream, or rather the apparition, continued returning to my remembrance, in defiance of my reasoning, and the nocturnal horrid spectre hovered still before my eyes, haunting me with gloomy thoughts."

"Being tired and wearied by the uninterrupted struggle between reason and fancy, I endeavoured to ease my soul of her heavy load, by a loud exclamation, and, without recollecting where I was, I suddenly broke out in the words, "No, it was a deluding dream."

"It was no dream!" exclaimed a well known voice on a sudden.

"I cast down my eyes filled with shame and terror, imagine how I was surprised to behold the mysterious stranger standing before me."

"Young man," said he, without giving me time to utter a single word, "young man, do you with for an explanation of the apparition of last night?"

"I gazed at him in dumb silence."

"If you wish to have unfolded that incident," he resumed, after a short pause, "then await me this evening, by ten o'clock, at the town gate, next to the inn."

"The stranger pronounced these words with a friendly courteous mien, made me a bow, and left the bower, disappearing amid the crowd."

"The waiter brought the chocolate, but I could not swallow a single drop. In vain did I now roam all over the garden, in hopes of meeting the stranger; in vain ask all my acquaintances and the waiters, describing minutely the stranger to every one; nobody had seen him."

"I hastened home, awe and terror struck me as I entered my apartment; the door of my chamber seemed to be in constant motion, and the figure of my mother haunted me without intermission. I could not ged rid of the gloomy reflection on her threatning looks, and left the house. I now rambled about, in great uneasiness, the fore and afternoon, went from the coffee-house to the promenade, from thence to the museum, from the museum to the tavern, from the tavern to the exhibition of wild beasts, and at last to the playhouse, but I could no where find tranquillity and ease of mind."

"It was growing dark when I left the playhouse, my soul was disturbed by strange sensations, and I was consulting with myself whether I should go or not. Doubt and apprehension suspended my resolution for a considerable time, and overwhelmed me with pungent agony."

"Shall I go or not? Prudence asked, What hast thou to apprehend? I could give no answer, and fears and doubts still continued keeping up a most distressing conflict. Curiosity on a sudden raised her bewitching voice, driving away every doubt, and bidding defiance to the wise counsels of prudence. "Thy departure is fixed, to-morrow thou art going to leave this town," thus the charming seducer whispered in my ear, "and to-day thou canst get rid of every teazing doubt: Thou wilt repent it one time if thou refusest to go to-day. Take courage, man, take courage, don't be such a coward to fear an old man; and" thus my pride added, "thou canst inform thyself how to pay the notes."