A portrait of a British novelist at home:  an illustration from an 1899 issue of The Idler magazine.

An illustration from a 1901 issue of The Idler magazine.

An illustration from a 1905 issue of Wide World magazine.  The caption reads: "I was soon enveloped in the fiery tongues of flame."

Staring into the depths: an illustration from a 1915 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine.  The caption reads: "What had she seen beyond the candle-flame?  It is the strange that invests visions with poignancy."

An illustration from an 1895 issue of The Windsor magazine.

"I had a brain tumor and I had visions. I believe the visions cause the tumor and not the reverse." —Brian O'Blivion in David Cronenberg's Videodrome.

The illustration is from an 1897 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine.

An illustration from a 1911 issue of Good Housekeeping magazine.  The caption reads: "The ceremony of 'Berrying' the Ghost.  Observe the berries in the children's hands."

An illustration from a 1904 issue of Scribner's magazine.

An illustration from an 1895 issue of The Strand magazine.  The caption reads: "He called some strange, weird-sounding name three times."

An illustration from a 1919 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine.  The caption reads: "'Very well—go!'  The cadaverous personage stood erect and pointed to the door.  'Go—but the demon will tap you on the shoulder and say, 'Come with me.'"

An illustration from a 1916 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine.  The caption reads: "'Perhaps you would like to come to some of the meetings of our Cult of the Occult,' she suggested."

An illustration from a 1921 issue of Collier's magazine.  The caption reads: "Inwardly in turmoil but outwardly composed, Brinn waited for the next development.  It came: a dim light glowed into flame before him, but no sound broke the night's silence.  At last a voice spoke from the surrounding shadows."

An illustration from a 1921 issue of Collier's magazine.  The caption reads: "'Take my wrist,' said Connor Lee.  'Misdirection will not avail.  Greater forces than you dream exist will guide my hand.'"

An illustration from a 1912 issue of Hampton's magazine.  The caption reads: "Are the dim shades of night full of prophecy?"

"A Strange Valentine": an illustration from an 1883 issue of Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly magazine.  The caption reads: "Sprinkling the pulverized herbs over the fire, and with her eyes fixed on the bright moon, she pronounced, in an extremely tremulous voice, the invocation."

An illustration from a 1912 issue of Hampton's magazine.  The caption reads: "Suddenly I was roused by hearing my name called."

An illustration from a 1912 issue of Hampton's magazine.  The caption reads: "A person is able to transmit messages directly and instantaneously to another person though they may be half the world apart."

"'Suppose you try,' interrupted a suave voice."  An illustration from a 1902 issue of English Illustrated magazine.