This man, eminent in the highest degree, believed that another learned
man, his friend and greatest admirer, was his bitter enemy. All efforts
to convince him to the contrary were fruitless, for although remarkably
clear-sighted on most other subjects, he obstinately refused on this to
listen to the truth. Indeed, the remonstrances of his friends had the
effect of strengthening his conviction that the reptile, as he called
the supposed enemy, assumed the appearance of friendship, the better to
mask his infamous designs.
This delusion went on for some time, but did not show itself beyond
words, and even those were never addressed to the supposed enemy, whose
designs he said "he would meet with simulation and the reptile's own
insidious weapons." Greatly as all this was to be regretted, the man was
so venerated, and was usually so calm, that none suspected any tendency
to a deranged intellect. His strong feelings were ascribed to mistaken
impressions, until a very disagreeable occurrence opened our eyes to his
real state.
Both he and his supposed "enemy" were present at a dinner, given by a
high official, the chief Knowledge-tester or Examiner. Our dining-tables
are semicircular, and the guests are seated on the convex side only. The
Monomaniac, being a particular friend, honoured by the host, sat next to
him in the centre. The supposed "enemy" happened to be seated at the
extreme end of the semicircle, and consequently in a position to be seen
from the centre of the table. All went on well till about the middle of
the repast, when suddenly the Monomaniac rose, pointed to his supposed
enemy, and addressing himself to the guests, said, "Look there! Do you
not see the grimaces he is making at me?"
Every one marvelled! The host addressed the Monomaniac in a gentle tone,
entreating him to have more control over his temper, Those seated close
to the supposed "enemy" declared loudly that he had made no grimaces;
but their denial only increased the fury of the accuser. A bird--
considered a great delicacy--had just been placed before the host. It
was arranged, as were our dishes generally, to please the eye as well as
the palate, being ornamented with olives, sweetmeats, and other
ingredients of varied colours. Birds, I may incidentally remark, are
cooked without the bones; these are skilfully taken out and serve to
enrich the gravy.
The Monomaniac again rose suddenly and, before his arm could be
arrested, seized the fowl, larded as it was with accessories and
dripping with gravy, and with all his force hurled it whole, with
unerring aim, at the face of the supposed enemy. So great was his
excitement, and so rapid his movements, that he had seized one of the
"knife-spoons," and had he not been arrested, would probably have hurled
that, and, indeed, everything within reach against the object of his
fury.
At private dinners the number of guests never exceeds twelve, and at the
back of each, corresponding to every seat, is a small closet, ordinarily
used by each guest for his ablutions. Into one of these the Monomaniac
was placed with considerable difficulty, everything with which he could
injure himself having been previously removed. By the doctor's order he
was treated as a patient and, after some time, the result of the
application of the tests, then only recently discovered, showed that he
was much affected with brain animalcula, which had been generated by the
exhaustion of one part of the brain, in consequence of the incessant
occupations of another portion, by one all-engrossing subject, without
the relief of sufficient air, recreation, and bodily exercise.
The "supposed enemy" and the Monomaniac had been both occupied on the
same subject; the latter was much superior, and had consequently
attained greater distinction. Nothwithstanding this, he was fearful that
the "enemy" would ultimately excel him.
At the end of a few months the Monomaniac was completely cured. It was
not, however, until after a year's travel and change of scene that he
was allowed to resume his old studies. He now became more brilliant than
ever, and we were indebted to him for some valuable discoveries. He had
learned that his supposed enemy was a real friend and true admirer of
his great talents. He never suffered again from the affliction, which,
had it not been arrested in time, would have ended in confirmed madness.
He became more than ever a strong advocate for the observance of my laws
in favour of recreation.