Kingsize Wombat
Justified & Ancient
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2016
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I didn't know that used to happen, but apparently ghost sightings used to draw huge crowds on the off-chance that they might re-appear - and cause all sorts of public disturbances?
Source: http://www.strangehistory.net/2015/01/20/mystery-ghost-riots/
The Mystery of Ghost Riots
Let’s pretend that your neighbour John Smith on Treacle Row in London, has reported that he has seen a ghost in a flowing gown running up and down the stairs. Now think carefully about this one. What would you do? Would you
a) go and stand in the cold and rain and fog outside his house and watch for three or hours hoping that the ghost would turn up
b) have an early night and do some light reading or play chequers with the wife/husband.
Who but a moron would go and stand outside on the offchance that the sweep of a dress might glimmer through a distant window? Well, the answer is the populations of most British towns for much of the last two hundred years. Hard as it may be for us to believe, ghosts were to the general populace, like cat nip to furry things. Here are some examples from London from 1867-1921. It would be difficult to go much later but the reports go way back into the nineteenth century and presumably beyond and, of course, they can be found in many other British cities and, indeed, towns and villages. In the capital though they sometimes took on quite frightening dimensions.
Source: http://www.strangehistory.net/2015/01/20/mystery-ghost-riots/