Ghost Stories of an Antiquary

"Ghost Stories of an Antiquary" by M. R. James is a compilation of chilling ghost stories set in the late 1800s. These tales artfully combine academic investigation with the otherworldly, presenting characters like inquisitive antiquarians and naive travelers who stumble upon wicked spirits and supernatural entities. The stories draw readers into unsettling circumstances where historical settings intersect eerie events. The collection begins with "Canon Alberic's Scrap-book," in which an Englishman, Dennistoun, visits St Bertrand de Comminges and becomes fascinated by the ancient church and its nervous sacristan. Dennistoun, growing skeptical of the sacristan's fearful behavior, uncovers a strange book filled with ancient texts, a grim treasure, at the sacristan's home. That night, Dennistoun confronts a terrifying experience linked to Canon Alberic de Mauléon's sinister past, exploring themes of obsession and the dangers of unchecked curiosity.