Brewer's: Redlaw

(Mr). The haunted man, professor of chemistry in an ancient college. Being haunted, he bargained with his spectre to leave him, and the condition imposed was that Redlaw (go where he would) should give again “the gift of forgetfulness” bestowed by the spectre. From this moment the chemist carried in his touch the infection of sullenness, selfishness, discontent, and ingratitude. On Christmas Day the infection ceased, and all those who had suffered by it were restored to love and gratitude. (Dickens: The Haunted Man.)

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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