Genre:

Regular Feature, Extract, Short Fiction

Publications extracted:

William MaginnLiterary Souvenir

Subjects:

Death, Dissection, Crime, Superstition

    On the death of Sir Theodore De Lacy, the narrator observes: 'with the march of mind comes trouble and vexation. A man has now-a-days no certainty of quietness in his coffin—unless it be a patent one. He is laid down in the grave, and the next morning finds himself called upon to demonstrate an interesting fact!' (347). De Lacy had asked Larry Sweeney to watch over his grave for three days and nights to ensure it was not robbed, particularly by the local surgeon, Dr Dickenson. The story concerns Larry Sweeney's superstitiously troubled dream as he attempts to fulfil his promise.