Georgian Thrills and Spills :

Gothicism and the Magic Lantern:

http://englishhistoryauthors.blogspot.it/2012/04/phantasmagoria-getting-your-fright-on.html

by J.A.Beard (from http://englishhistoryauthors.blogspot.it)

The lady and her guests have gathered in a sitting room. Only the light of a few candles fights off the choking darkness.

Suddenly a rattling chain and the scratching of unearthly talons echoes through the room. A skeleton appears, then a ghost! The terrified audience holds their hands in front of them in a feeble attempt to shut out the creatures. . . . .Read on

Magic lantern, 1818, Musée des Arts et Métiers, photo by Edal Anton Lefterov