_Death-bed Mystery._--It may, perhaps, interest MR. SANSOM to be informed
that the appearance described to him is mentioned as a known fact in one of
the works of the celebrated mystic, Jacob Behmen, _The Three Principles_,
chap. 19. "Of the going forth of the Soul." I extract from J. Sparrow's
translations., London, 1648.
"Seeing then that Man is so very earthly, therefore he hath none but
earthly knowledge, except he be regenerated in the Gate of Deep. He
always supposeth that the Soul (at the deceasing of the Body) goeth
only out at the Mouth, and he understandeth nothing concerning its deep
Essences above the Elements. _When he seeth a blue Vapor go forth out
of the Mouth of a dying Man_ (which maketh a strong smell all over the
chamber), then he supposeth that is the Soul."