An excerpt from the Diary of Professor Matthias Jeremiah Braithwaite; a Victorian investigator of the paranormal, on his travels around York, a city most haunted.
Dear Diary
“As I continue with my investigations into paranormal activities in and around the city of York I have been interviewing several people who have borne witness to unusual events.
"I met with a young couple scared out of the their wits by a manifestation whilst preambling along the quiet late evening streets of the city. They described to me a figure covered with a white robe or sheet that seemed to jump out of the shadows at them, issuing a loud shout of Boo!, causing the young lady to almost faint and the gentleman accompanied to run in fear.
"It's white cloak, which was suspended in the air, had a distinctive brown patch on its right side as though it had been repaired. In case of further sightings of the same individual I have named this figure “Horace.”
"I have created an artist's impression of Horace, causing trouble. I fear it may not express the sinister intent which the couple conveyed to me, however I do feel that the Horace may have just been performing a practical joke of some kind, as they remarked hearing laughter as it disappeared into the night.
"It is my duty as a professor of the paranormal to launch an investigation into such matters. Who else may be lurking, Beneath the Sheets? “
M.J. Braithwaite
"Dear Diary,
"What Devilry is this? My sketches and impressions of these unworldly beings have been enchanted by some form of witchcraft. It seems a ghoulish hand has been at work mimicking my own and changing the very nature of my picture. Viewed using a strange light purchased on my adventures in the Far East, an unnatural glow emanates from the very soul of the spirit I have drawn. It is my belief that this light will let me see into this world of spirits beyond our own - it will require much further study and experimentation."
The enchanted edition of the print is larger than other formats - presented in a black mount with outer dimensions 18x12." When viewed under black light, the ghostly image glows. This special effect has been hand painted and signed by the artist.
Black lights are readily available from many suppliers.
The diary entry, printed on parchment effect paper, is in the reverse.
Also available in smaller sizes in monochrome and colour edition.
© The Artist
