An illustration from an 1875 issue of Wide World magazine.  The caption reads: "Light-heart, dissolving."

An illustration from a 1904 issue of The Reader magazine.  The caption reads: "The figure calmly and slowly went towards the wall and passed into it."

An illustration from a 1904 issue of The Reader magazine.  The caption reads: "Doomed to haunt the scene of her crime."

"Shadow or Substance?": an illustration from an 1888 issue of Frank Leslie's Pleasant Hours magazine.

"The Haunted Nursery": an illustration from an 1887 issue of Frank Leslie's Pleasant Hours magazine.

An illustration from a 1901 issue of The Lady's Realm magazine.  The caption reads: "I stepped back as she passed."

An illustration from an 1887 issue of Frank Leslie's Pleasant Hours magazine.  The caption reads: "'Will you not speak to me?' said the presence, softly.  I sprang to clasp her; only the air remained.  Still she was there!"

An illustration from a 1907 issue of The Reader magazine.

An illustration from an 1887 issue of Frank Leslie's Pleasant Hours magazine.  The caption reads: "I endeavored to command speech, but something in the cold statuesque form froze every faculty."

An illustration from a 1907 issue of The Reader magazine.  The caption reads: "'Your dope is some wrong,' said the shade. 'Did you ever hear that every person had two minds?'"

An illustration from an 1887 issue of Frank Leslie's Pleasant Hours magazine.  The caption reads: "The sexton's ghost.—'He saw something move.  It was a tall figure, and it tottered weakly toward the gate on which he leaned."

An illustration from a 1900 issue of The Lady's Realm magazine.

An illustration from The Gate Beautiful by John Ward Stimson (1903).  The caption reads: "Atomic Ladder-of-Life: From solid—to liquid—to gaseous—to etheric—to spirit life."

An illustration from City Festivals by Will Carleton (1892).

An illustration from The Haunted Man by Charles Dickens (1848).

An illustration from Etidorhpa, or The Strange History of a Mysterious Being and the Account of the Initiate's Remarkable Journey by John Uri Lloyd (1895).  The caption reads: "I stood alone in my room holding the mysterious manuscript."

An illustration from an 1884 issue of Penny Post magazine.

An illustration from an 1884 issue of Penny Post magazine.  The caption reads: "Look through these glasses in order."

The spirit of the teapot: an illustration from an 1862 issue of Punch magazine.  The caption reads: "Now then, I'm ready if you are..."