The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1845-02-20
AWFUL CASE OF soMNAMBULIsM

"In the Carthusian Convent, of which |
was prior,'' said Father A. 10 me one
evening, "there lived q monk of a melancholy
humor and gloomy disposition, who was
known to be a somnanbulist. Sometimes
he would come out of his cell, when the fit
was upon him, and 90 in again alone; and
sometimes he would wonder away, and re-
quire to be conducted home. Medical ad-
vice being obtained, SOM remedies were
administered, and his relapses becoming of
less frequent occurrence, people no longer
thought Of him. One evening that | sat up
rather later than usual, | was busy at my
desk examining some papers, when heard
the door of my chamber open, from which,
the key was seldom withdrawn, and in a me-
ment this monk entered in a state of abso-
Lutte somnambulism. His eyes were open,
but fixed he had nothing on but the tunlc
he slept in, aud in his hand a long-bladed
knife. Knowing where my bed stood, he
went straight TO it, and seemed to ascertain,
by feeling with his hand, whether | was &C.
tually there. Then, three several times, ne
struck with such force that, after piercing
the blankets, he blade penetrated very deep
ly into the mattress, or rathar mat, which !
used instead. When he passed before me,
his features were contracted. and his brow
knit: but when he had done the deed, he
turned on his heel, and | noticed that his
features were relaxed, and he had an air OF
satisfaction diiused over them. The light oil
the two lamps which were Standing on my
desk. made no impression on his eyes, and
he vent back again as he came, opening
carefully and shutting the two doors which
led to my cell; and in a little time | assured
myself that he had gone directly and quiet
Nv 10 his own apartment. The state into
which this terrible aspiration threw me-
continued Father 4, ''may be conceiv'
ed. shuddered with horror at the idea o.
the danger | had escaped, and offered up my
thanks to Heaven; but such was my state o
excitement that Lcould not close my eyes
during the night.
"On the following morning, ] sent for th'
somnambulist, and in the tone of seeming in
difference. inquired what had been the sub
ject ofhis last nights dream. This ques
lion rather disconnected him. Father salt
be, Il dreamed SO strange a dream, that
feel some reluctance TO tell it TO you; 1t is
perhaps, the work of the devil and :
comuaand you to tell H. said |. sDream
are involuntary, and merely delusiVe. Speal
out the TRUTH sFather,' then said he, scarce
" had | laid myself down, when | dreame'
that you had killed my mother, and that be
bloody ghost appeared TO me crying out fo
vengeance. This so transported me wit
fury, that | ran like a madman into your ce
and finding you in bed, stabbed you there
Shortly afterwards, | awoke, perspirlng
every pore. with a perfect horror of my wicl
edness, and blessing God that SO great
crime had not been committed More ha
been committed than you think said !, in
quiet tone. l then related to HIM whathal
pened, and showed him the blows he ha
intended for me; at the sight of which
threw himself at my feet, sufused with tear
bitterly lamenting the involuntary mistortur
whichshad SO nearly taken place, and lmplo
ing me to iEfict such a penance as | mig
think suitable for such an occasion. IN
no. | exclaimed, Il will not punish you f
an involuntary deed; but hereafter your Z
tendance at the night service will be dlspe
sed with; and warn you thatyour cell silt
be locked on the outside after evening me;
and the door shall only be opened 10
you out to the family mass at the dawn
day.'n