Year: 1871

wild,


-Ne0 York E0ening Post.





CLOUDED INTELLECTS.





FORTUNATE it is in regard to the insane
that, as rule, their attention is easily
diverted. The maniac resembles the child
In this respect. His fancy is readily
tlckled with any straw. A personal COM
pliment, however Irrelevant, meaningless,
or absurd, will generally have the effect of
checking his fiercest fit of passion, and of
thwarting his most threatening intention.
But we might give several remarkable in
stances where the deadly purposes of the
demented have been averted only through
the extraordinary presence of mind of
those who were the objects of their hallu-
cination. Once keener in an ASYLUM had
occasion to 90 upon the roof of the build
ing-a yery high one. A patient unob-
served. Quickly mounted the ladder after
him, and confronting the keeper at the
top, told him if he (the keeper did not
jump down, he (the lunatic) would throw
him down. There was no mistaking the
menacing look and tone. Escape was i'm
possible. Suddenly a happy thought
struck the keeper. SHap' said he. with
an air of easy confidence; to jump down
would be no great feat. I tell YOU what -
10,
was off the scent at once. The notion
pleased him immensely. Both descended
the ladder, and the keeper saved his life
by this lucky stratagem.


A young lady was put into a railway
compartment alone. to 90 to London. AS
the train was on the noint of starting a
gentlemanly looking man rushed m and
took his seat in the same carriage Short
ly after the train had got up speed the
gentleman jumped up and exclaimed.
aThis carriage is to heavy, and must be
ightened;" and straightway his carpet
bag disappeared out of the window. He
then started up again, when his coat and
waistcoat followed his bag. After another
brief pause he said. "Let us pray for the
Duke of Gloucester" Down they went
on their knees the poor girl, only seven
teen, too frightened to do ANYTHING but
obey. When that was finished they pray
ed for the Duke of York, and then for
another-in fact, for a whole string of
dukes after which they sat down. the
young lady alarmed out Of her senses. A
few more minutes of silence. and the gen
tleman once more exclaimed, at won't
do; can't stand it /; the train is to heavy
to, so you must co. The girl, in despair.
says, /" But we have not prayed for the
Duke of Northumberland" "AhI no
more we have" Down they went again
on their knees when fortunately the train
stopped at a Station The Young Iady
called the guard, and it was discovered that
the gentleman was lunatic escaped from
Hanwell.


Very affecting is the incident recorded
OF Julien, the musician. Latterly that
popular favorite became deeply involved
in difficulties, under which his mind ulti-
mately gave way On several occasions
his friends fancied they observed him in
fts-though passing ones-of insanity
of high spirits, followed by prostration
and detection, without any apparent
cause- One day he returned home armed
with large knife. He found there his
niece, young lady of sixteen, whom he
had adopted. Come here" he said to
her; "I am going to let you hear the most
marvellous of all music-the grand con-
cert of the angels; I am going to kill you" J"
With these words he was about to carry
out his threat, when the young lady, with
great presence of mind, said. with all my
heart! only, before sending me to heaven,
just play me an air once on your piccolo,
so that may compare your music with
that of the angels" The idea struck him
as admirable. He kissed his niece, and
went TO get his instrument; Meanwhile
sne maze her escape, and the poor mad
man, having been secured, was taken to
msaason 0e so71e at Neully, where he died
lew Gays alterWard


The story of the madman who made his
way into the presence of the Duke of Wei
Hngton is probably well known. He had
come with the express purpose of killing
the great captain. The Duke, who was
busily engaged in writing, on hearing this
alarming intimation, looked up, pen in
hand, and calmly remarked that he was
very sorry to disappoint his friend, but he
was really very much engaged with some
work that must be finished without delay
Ii, however, his visitor would call to NOR
row at the same hour, the Duke would be
happy to see him. The would-be assassin
actually promised to call on the following
day, and then quietly retired.


Hypochondriacs indulge in singular fan
cies enough, but the delusions of mono
maniacs are still more extraordinary
There is nothing too preposterous for then
to imagine. Very ludcrous, for examyle
is the answer of lunatic to visitor wht
said to him: You now tell me that vol
are the archanrp1 Gabriel but loot tima