The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1867-04-26
AIR, MD. FRIDAY MORNING. APRIL 26, 1867

He is mar of sobriety and intelligence,
and has always been respected. Accept
ing as a fact the thirty-two days. alb
stinence from food, we may account for
his imagined freedom from pain by the
occurrence of an hallucination, induced
by his belief in tho agency of guardian
angels, who minister to him, and by some
spiritual essence protract bis life. This
he asserts, and thus affords evidence of a
'Fmipd diseased" Conversipg on other
topics be appears entirely rational and
practical, and seems unwilling to have any
one believe that he IL not of sound mind
He even changes the subject of conversa-
ton from his guardian angels and Esprit
food" to common everyday topics, for
the purpose of impressing bis visitors with
conviction Of bis sanity. We may add,
in conclusion, that Mr. Brown refused
from the first to have physician called
He said it was useless, for he could not
take medicine. His time had come. A
long life had already been passed. He
logged for rest.
LATER ACCOUNT.
The case of Mr.. B. NJ. Brown to which
we referred few days since, attracts a
good deal of attention here. A number
of persons have called to see Mr.. b, and
converssd with him. He is glad to see
company, and, although reduced to skin
and bones, shows no abatement in the
strength of his voice, nor Of confidence in
the faithfulness of his guardian angels.
1t is now thirty.fve days since Mr.. Brown
has tasted food, as he AYERS and his wife
declares. All who have visited him ex-
press the conviction of the truth of his
statement. He does not appear to grow
weaker as his fast continues, but is able
to sit up for short time every day, after
being supported from his bed to his chair.
Ii o is not able to stand without assistance.
His emaciated and cadaverous appearance
contrasts strangely with his full, strong
voice and animated manner while con-
versing with visitors. He continues to
express full faith in the guardianship of
four spirits, who are constant! y with him,
and who supply him with ethereal nutri-
ment distilled from the pure air of heav-
ell. When questioned as to the effect of
his protracted fasting, he usually replies,
that so far from feeling the distresses and
pain which ordinarily result in the pro-
gress of starvation, he not only suffers no
pain, but has had positive physical and
mental enjoyment since ho ceased eating.
His couch, instead Of being wearisome, is
like bed of down, from which he rises
with regret. His condition, in fact, he
describes as one of unalloyed happiness
When asked if he is conscious of any
reason why he should be required
to 90 through such process of starvation,
which TO ,nost persons would be SO fearful,
his answer is, that his guardian angels re.
fuse to give him any other satisfaction,
when be puts the question to them, than
that it is necessary for his good, and the
reason will be given him when bis pill
grimage closes. He processes no knowl-
edge as TO the duration of the time yet al
lotted him whether his life shall close in
an hour, or be protracted for days, he
waits the issue patiently. 1t is very de-
sirable that some medical gentlemen should
investigate this extraordinary case.