The secrets of the invisible world disclos'd: or, an universal history of apparitions sacred and prophane, under all denominations; whether, angelical, diabolical, or human-souls departed. Shewing I. Their various returns to this world; with sure rules to know, by their manner of appearing, if they are good or evil ones. II. The differences of the apparitions of antient and modern times; and an enquiry into the scriptural doctrine of spirits. III. The many species of apparitions, their real existence, and operations by divine appointement. IV. The nature of seeing ghosts before, and after, death; and how we should behave towards them. V. The effects of fancy, vapours, dreams, hyppo, and of real, or imaginary appearances. VI. A collection of the most authentic relations of apparitions, particularly that surprizing one attested by the learned Dr. Scott
Daniel Defoe's treatise on apparitions, angels, demons and the souls of the dead, printed in London in 1729 for a general reading public curious about spirits and the occult. Copperplate scenes show ghostly visitations in tented camps and book-lined studies, alongside woodcut headpieces and tailpieces of acanthus scrollwork, cherubs, birds and a winged mask.
