Count of St. Germain

The **Count of St. Germain** was a European adventurer, with an interest in science, alchemy and the arts. He achieved prominence in European high society of the mid-18th century. Prince Charles of Hesse-Kassel considered him to be "one of the greatest philosophers who ever lived". St. Germain used a variety of names and titles, an accepted practice amongst royalty and nobility at the time. These include the Marquis de Montferrat, Comte Bellamarre, Chevalier Schoening, Count Weldon, Comte Soltikoff, Graf Tzarogy, and Prinz Ragoczy. In order to deflect enquiries as to his origins, he would make far-fetched claims, such as being 500 years old, leading Voltaire to sarcastically dub him "The Wonderman" and that "He is a man who does not die, and who knows everything".
His real name is unknown while his birth and background are obscure, but towards the end of his life, he claimed that he was a son of Prince Francis II Rákóczi of Transylvania. His name has occasionally caused him to be confused with Claude Louis, Comte de Saint-Germain, a noted French general.

## History

The Count was the Son of a Transylvanian Prince. He may have been born around 1691. Considered to be one of the most *learned* of Men in all disciplines of Science, Math, Philosophy etc – The Count had the *ear* of many of Europe's Royalty and most influential Person of The Age. In this is the problem. The Count it seems – did not age and His *exploits* go well into the 19th Century. How is this possible. Some say the Count was in fact a Vampire (as we shall see). Others, One who finally cracked the elusive methods of prolonging One's Life thru Alchemy. Other, cite The Count and His *long life* – part of an elaborate hoax, kept *alive* for generations.

The Count was known in The Courts of many. Kings and Queens, delighted in His seemingly endless knowledge of all things. His ability to convey images from the past was so perfect, many could say that it was as if He had lived thru them. The Count also had several quirks – known by all. He never ate in Public, and rarely drank wine. He was also seldom seen during the daytime. After several years living in one location, The Count would relocate to another – reestablishing Himself. Many who knew The Count also could not quite place His accent. He could speak so many languages with ease, that His very accent was hard to place.

The Count also was employed by many of Europe's Royalty as their Personal Diplomat and Envoy. This was based on His ease in relating to all who He spoke with. The Count was also an avid Composer of Music, with many of His works surviving today. Historically, it is *recorded* that The Count *died* in 1779. This is where the tale turns. At around this time, another Count of St. Germain *appears* in Colonial New York (America) and would assume much of *His* former fame as a *Resident Genius*. He would migrate to New Orleans, Louisiana at the turn of the Century (19th Century).

Becoming well known in Social circles, The Count was well known for His Parties and Gatherings. Anyone who was *anyone* would do *anything* to be so invited. The Count's parties lasted days and were known for the finest food, drink and entertainment. His knowledge was impeccable especially when relating The Past. Then around 1805, in the street below The Counts Residence, the body of a Prostitute was found by Police. The Woman had thrown herself off the balcony of The Count's Home. Still alive (briefly), She related that The Count had tried to *bite her neck*. He had stated that He *needed Her Blood to live*. The woman died soon after Her *deathbed confession*  and The Police at first looked upon the woman as *insane* (owing to The Count's reputation). Still – by protocol, The Police called on The Count. They asked Him to present Himself at Police Headquarters for an informal accounting go the night's events. The Count said He would without hesitation.

As the morning became afternoon and later evening, The Count had still not reported to The Police. When they went around to His Home, they found The Count and all of His possessions – gone (almost as if He had never been there). Some cite that this Count was actually the real Son of the original Count St. Germain, who keep His Father's *memory alive* by assuming His personality and former fame. But what was odd, way that they both looked exactly alike – too alike in fact. When The Police interviewed those who attended The Count's Party that night, they all remarked on how The Count went on about immortality and that *He* had found *a solution for the problem*. Thinking Him drunk, most humored him. The Count stated that He was *very close to having a formula which would grant eternal life*. His problem was that he needed massive amounts of human blood to make *it work*. Again most laughed.

Since New Orleans, The Count was never seen again. Although some would later claim to have seen Him in New York and other major US Cities, no real proof of The Count ever appeared again.