New-York tribune., 1902-11-05

nally saved or lost. by throwing a stone at a
tree. may have something in common II. Zola,
according 10 the authority already mentioned.
presented a remarkable instance Of belief in the
efncacy OF such lodges He was often affected
with uncomfortable impulses. which led him to
perambulate his fiat in Paris and count the
doors the gas jets and other objects therein.
The relationship OF this necessity TO the child
ish habit of which / have spoken is not difficult
70 make out At other times the same power
MANIFESTED Its mold on the famous novelist IN
a different form. When he wanted to 20 TO sleep.
and overwork or other causes had afflicted him
with temporary insomnia. ne used 10 find re-
lef IN touching certain articles in the bedroom
IN specified order; II he made a mistake or
lost count be had 70 begin the mystical perform
ance all over again. If he happened to wake up
in the middle Of the night he was at once firmly
imbued with the belief that he must open and
shut his eyes seven times in succession, in order
10 prove to himself that he not going 20 die.
In short, the catalogue Of his idiosyncrasies Of
this amiable kind would have formed not the
least curious page in the history of the ROugon-
Macquart family.
The student OF psychological oddities has no
difficulty in recalling further parallels to these
quaint devices Thus W. know that Schopen-
hauer was never able to write with ease unless
there were a few pieces Of gold immersed in
ms inkpot-an anecdote which lends certain
color Of probability and explanation TO the
recent report that a well known popular author
had ordered himself a golden typewriter. and
may account for Thackeray's affection for his
old gold pen. Charles Baudelaire found il neces-
sary TO dress himself in his winter garments
When he wished 10 write in summer time. and
vice versa famous living author has eX
tensive collection, they say, Of bronze models
OF animals and cannot compose with any flu
ency unless these literary fetiChes are arranged
in the proper order her writing desk. The
peculiar habits of NJ. Zola found closer prece-
dent in the great Napoleon. who could not
traverse q strange street with any comfort
unless he given time to count al the rows
Of windows he passed and TO add up their
total number before he turned out of the street
More than once according to an anecdotist
OF some repute this habit nearly involved him
in serious difficulties when he was traversng z
a conquered city at the head Of his victorious
troops.
But the nearest analogy 10 these tricks Of Nj
Zola is TO be found in the life of own
johnson. 1T appears me-" says the little
Scottish gentleman who played bear leader with
so great a reward, some supeFsitious habit
which he had contracted early and from which
ne had never called upon his reason 20 olsen
tangle him. This was his anxious care to go out
or in a passage door by a certain number Of
steps from certain point, or, at least, so that
either his right or left foot Il am not certain
which, should constantly make the first actual
movement when he came close 10 the door or
passage. Thus l conjecture for J have upon
innumerable occasions observed him suddenly
stop, and then seem to count his steps with a
deep earnestness. and when he had neglected
or gone wrong in this sort Of magical move
self in a proper posture to begin the ceremony
and having gone through it. break from his alb
stracuon, walk briskly and join his COM
panion' In the narrative of the journey TO
the Hebrides Boswell alluded to this habit hop
ing that johnson would explain il when he read
the MS But, he tells Us in one of his de-
hghrully simple notes. the dictator was not 10
be drawn. Perhaps, the best explanation IS to
be found in Brownings lines:
The rabbit has his shade 10 frighten him.
The fawn a rustling brow. mortals their cares
And higher natures yet would slight and laugh
AT these entangltng fantasies.