To the editor of the Weekly Irish Times.
Sir, - Notwithstanding the remarks of "M. Cahal Mor" I still persist in the ideas expressed in my former letter. That animals are sometimes disturbed at the death of a human being, the commotion amongst our domestic pets and others on the several occasions I have already mentioned leaves me little room to doubt. Besides, in the colonies and in this country, I have often heard or read of such being the case. And regarding the tradition of the banshee in my family, I think, therefore, that these animal cries must have originated it.
Every superstition has apparently been founded on some germ of truth; for instance, the [common] belief in the Flying Dutchman on the looming in the air of some ship out of sight - that phenomenon sometimes witnessed at sea, and caused by unequal refraction in the lower strata of the atmosphere; and regarding superstition in this light, the cries of animals, of all things in nature, are the most likely to have given rise to the belief in the banshee. Why animals should be disturbed at a death I do not pretend to explain, but I know it is so. Thanking you in anticipation for the [mention] of this my last communication on the subject - I am, dear Mr Editor, your obedient servant,
Latton Hill.
Weekly Irish Times, 8th July 1893.
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