Note 18 — CHAPTER THE LAST.

The first extraordinary case actually exists at the Hanwell Lunatic Asylum (England), now under the direction of the great philanthropist, Dr. John Conolly (the governor of the noble institution), whose name will descend to posterity as one of the brightest ornaments to human nature; and in the enjoyment of whose personal friendship, the present writer has felt for years one of the highest compliments to his existence.

—The Maniac having somewhat recovered, was asked on a Sunday if he would attend Chapel:—assuming a look of earthly pride, he answered,—"To whom shall I pray?—I cannot offer prayers to myself!"

The other case, of a Maniac supposing himself to be The Saviour, occurred at Venice, in 1805: and to such an extent did his madness inthrall him, that he made himself a "crown of thorns," which he usually wore, and at last he actually attempted suicide by the means of Crucifixion! He succeeded in driving nails through his feet and right hand, and thus transfixed himself to a wooden Cross, and having wounded himself in the side, in imitation of the spear-wound of The Saviour, he succeeded in throwing the Cross out of a window; and it being secured with ropes, he thus exposed himself to the terrified Venetians! Atheists and Deists are but Maniacs, whose minds are directly inverted to those believing themselves to be The Almighty or The Saviour.—G. J.