[Illustration.]
1.--_Statement of Mr. Henderson._
In the concluding portion of the evidence we have now a double object
in view. First, to lay before you the various links by which the
circumstances, already detailed, are connected into a single chain;
and, secondly, to elucidate the general bearing of the whole upon the
particular case of the death of Madame R**, into which it is my more
immediate duty to inquire. It was this apparent connection with the
entire story which first led me to investigate matters otherwise quite
beyond my province, and you will, I have no doubt, after reading the
evidence, concur in the propriety of my so doing.
It is unfortunate that, in this important part of the case, as
previously with regard to the no less important point of the suspicious
circumstances attendant on Madame R**'s first illness at Bognor, the
evidence of the principal witnesses is open to very grave question.
It is not indeed, as then, that the moral character of the individuals
themselves rests under any suspicion, for, so far as I have been able
to learn, both the servant-of-all-work, and her lover, John Styles, are
perfectly respectable people; whilst the young man Aldridge, though
certainly a foolish and perhaps rather a dissipated young fellow, has
a very fair character from the house of business in which he is now
employed. But the evidence of the two former is, as will be seen,
greatly diminished in value by the circumstances under which it was
obtained, whilst, in the latter, there is so clear a suspicion of
_animus_ as cannot but throw still greater doubts upon evidence in
itself sufficiently questionable--and rendered yet more so by other
circumstances which will hereafter more fully appear.
It was this man Aldridge, whose letter, as you will remember, led to
the investigation, of which the result is now before you; and his
statement hereto annexed, that first gave substance to the suspicions
of foul play on the part of the Baron, and, in conjunction with the
discovery of the enclosed papers, subsequently induced me to extend
my inquiries to the cases of Mr. and Mrs. Anderton. I confess that,
notwithstanding the doubt with which his statement is surrounded, I
am still inclined to accept it as substantially true, though possibly
somewhat coloured by personal feeling against the Baron. The point,
however, has seemed to me of sufficient importance to justify the
occupying a considerable portion of this present division of the
case with such evidence as I have been able to gather respecting
the circumstances of his final ejectment, and it will be for you to
determine between the story as told himself and that of Baron R**.
With regard to the other two witnesses who, by one of those singular
coincidences that, in criminal cases, seem so often to occur, are able
to confirm in some degree the evidence of Aldridge, there is, I think,
less difficulty. They had certainly no business where they were, but
the circumstances are such as to fully acquit them of any felonious
intent, while even had such existed, it would be difficult to see how
the fact of such intent could have exercised any influence over their
present statements. It is moreover quite clear that there has been no
collusion upon the subject.
I have now only to refer, in conclusion, to the fragment of paper
found in the Baron's rooms in Russell Place, and the marked copy
of the "Zoist," belonging to the late Mr. Anderton, to which Mr.
Morton referred in his statement[1] as having formed the subject
of discussion at Mr. Anderton's house on the evening of the 13th of
October, 1854. The first of these is a portion of a letter, which I
have endeavoured, so far as possible, to complete. Admitting that I
have done so correctly, and coupling it with the fact of the visit
which, as I have been able to ascertain, was paid by foreign lady to
the Baron "very early in the morning" following the death of Madame
R**, it appears to throw no inconsiderable light upon the extraordinary
circumstances of the death of Madame R**. The bearing of the latter
upon the case will be perhaps less clear. I have no hesitation in
admitting that when the connection first suggested itself to my own
mind, I at once dismissed it as too absurd to be entertained for a
moment. But I feel bound to add that the further my inquiries have
progressed, the more strongly this apparent connection has forced
itself upon me as the only clue to a maze of coincidences such as it
has never before been my lot to encounter, and that while even now
unable to accept it as a fact, I find it still more impossible to
thrust it altogether on one side. I have therefore left the matter
for your decision, merely pointing out, as I have before, in the
opening portion of my report, that, even admitting the influence of
these passages upon the mind of the Baron, and the ultimate success
of the plan founded upon their suggestion, that success, however
extraordinary, may not necessarily involve, as at first appears, the
admission of those monstrous assertions of the "mesmeric" journal on
which it was based.
With these observations, I now submit to your consideration the
concluding portion of the evidence, after which it will only be
necessary for me to take a brief review of the whole case before
leaving it finally in your hands.
2.--_Statement of Mrs. Jackson._
My name is Mary Jackson. I live in Goswell Street, City Road. I am a
monthly and sick-nurse. In June, 1856, I was engaged to nurse Madame
R**. I was recommended to the Baron by Dr. Marsden, who lodged in the
same house. I have often nursed for him. Madame R** was not very ill.
I don't think she was ill enough to require a nurse. Of course she
was the better for one--everybody always is--but she could have done
without one. I came by the Baron's wish. He was anxious like. The poor
gentleman was very fond of his wife. I never saw such a good husband.
I am sure no other husband would have done what he did, and she so
cold to him. I don't think she cared about him at all. She hardly ever
spoke to him unless it was when he spoke first. She never spoke much.
She always seemed frightened; especially when the Baron was there. She
certainly seemed to be afraid of him, but I can't tell why. He was
always kind to her. He was the nicest and most civil-spoken gentleman
I ever knew. It was not that he was not particular. Quite the reverse.
I wish all husbands were half so particular, and then nurses wouldn't
so often get into trouble. Everything used to be done like clockwork.
Every morning he used to give me a paper what was to be given in the
day. I mean medicine and food. A list of everything, with the time it
was to be taken. Everything used to be ready, and I used to give it
regular. No one else ever used to give anything. _The Baron never gave
anything himself_. Never at all. I am quite sure of that. He used to
say that it was nurse's business, and so it is. He often said he had
seen so much sickness he had learned never to interfere with the nurse,
and I only wish all other gentlemen would do the same. He used to be
very particular about the physic. We always have the bottles for our
perquisite. We get a shilling a dozen for them all round if they are
clean. The Baron objected to this. He allowed me a shilling a dozen
instead. The bottles were all put away in a cupboard. They never used
to be quite emptied. The Baron always made a point of having fresh in
before the old was quite finished. He said he always liked to have
them to refer to in case of accident or mistake. He was a very careful
gentleman. I nursed Madame R** every day until her recovery. I am quite
certain that, during the hours I was there, nothing was ever given to
her but what passed through my hands.
3.--_Statement of Mrs. Ellis._
My name is Jane Ellis. I am a sick-nurse, and live in Goodge Street,
Tottenham Court Road. In about the end of July, 1856, I was engaged as
night nurse to Madame R**. Perhaps she did not exactly require one. She
was ill, but she could help herself. At times she was very ill. It was
much more comfortable for her, and she could afford it. Baron R** never
seemed to spare anything for her. She was generally worst at night. The
worst attacks used to come on about every fortnight. It was generally
on a Saturday. I took turn and turn about with Mrs. Jackson. She took
the day work, and I took the night. I used to come at ten o'clock, and
leave at breakfast time. During that time I was never out of the room.
It was the Baron's particular desire. When I first came he made it a
condition that I should never leave the room, and never go to sleep.
He was the most particular gentleman I ever nursed for. I have nothing
whatever to say against him. Quite the contrary. He was always civil
and pleasant spoken, and behaved most handsome, as a gentleman should
do. He was uncommon fond of the lady. She didn't seem to care much
about him. She was ill, poor soul, and could not care about any body.
She seemed quite frightened like. When the Baron came into the room she
used to follow him about with her eyes, as if she was afraid of him.
I never heard him say an unkind word. Other times she would lie quite
quiet, and not speak a word for hours. She seemed afraid of everybody.
If I moved about the room, I could see her eyes following me about and
watching me everywhere. I think it was part of her complaint. The Baron
was most attentive. I never saw such an attentive husband. He used to
lie in the next room. It opened into the bedroom, and he always had
the door wide open. He was a wonderfully light sleeper. If either of
us spoke a word, he would be in the room directly, to ask what was the
matter. I couldn't even move across the room but what he would hear it.
He was a wonderful man. He seemed to live almost without sleep. I think
it must have been the meat did it. He used to eat enormous quantities
of meat. I never saw a man eat so much. When I first came he used to
joke with me about it. Madame R** was not so bad then, and we used to
talk sometimes. He told me it was because he was a mesmeriser. I don't
believe in mesmerism. I told him so. He didn't say anything; he only
laughed. One night he offered to send me to sleep. That was when I had
been there about a week. I said he might try if he could. He looked
hard at me, ever so long, and made some odd motions with his hands. I
did go to sleep. I don't believe it was mesmerism. Of course not. I
think it was looking at his eyes. I told him so. He asked if he should
do it again. He did it once more. That was the night after. I went to
sleep then almost directly. Of course I knew it was not mesmerism, but
I couldn't help it. He did not talk about it any more. He only said
that I must take care not to go to sleep of my own accord. I did drop
asleep three or four times after that. That was not from anything the
Baron did. He was not in the room at the time. He must have been in
the next room. I suppose the door was open. It always was. The first
time I went to sleep was about a week after we had talked about the
mesmerism. It was on a Saturday night, or Friday. I am not quite sure
which. It was one of the nights when Madame R** was so ill. She had
gone to sleep at about eleven o'clock. She seemed very well then. She
was sleeping quite quiet. I suppose I must have dropped off. I was
awoke by her moaning in her sleep. That was about one o'clock. She soon
woke up in great pain, and had a very bad attack. The Baron came into
the room just as I awoke. Something woke him, and he came in directly.
He told me what it was that woke him. It was me snoring. He said so.
I fell asleep again a fortnight after in the same way. The Baron was
not there. Madame R** was asleep. She had not slept for many nights. I
must have dropped off in a doze hearing her so nicely asleep. The Baron
woke me. That was at about one o'clock. He was very much displeased. He
told me Madame R** had been walking in her sleep and might have killed
herself. He said she went into the kitchen. I am certain that was
where he said. I can swear it. He asked what I had taken for supper,
and tasted what was left of the beer. He seemed very much vexed and
disturbed. I was very sorry, and promised to be very careful another
time. I never had such a thing happen in any other case, and I told
him so. He said he would look over it that time, but it must never
happen again. He went up-stairs afterwards. I think it was to speak to
somebody. He said somebody had seen her, I think. Madame R** was ill
that night. She began to moan while we were talking, and had a very bad
attack. The Baron said she must have caught cold, and I am afraid she
did. I determined to be particularly careful for the time to come. I
was very careful for some time, particularly when she was asleep. She
hardly slept at all for two weeks, but when she did I was very careful.
At the end of that time I must have fallen asleep again. I was hardly
aware of it. I know I must have been asleep, because when I looked at
the clock it was two hours later than I thought. Madame R** was ill
again that night. I was very much vexed. I began to think somebody was
playing tricks upon me. It was so strange, coming every fortnight. I
did not tell the Baron. I know it was wrong, but I was afraid. Next
fortnight I was on the look out. Madame R** went to sleep again. I was
determined not to go to sleep. I thought somebody must have played
tricks with the beer, so I wouldn't drink it. I ate no supper and
drank nothing but some strong green tea I made for myself. I was quite
sure the tea must keep me awake. It did not. I awoke with a great start
about one o'clock, and found Madame R** bad again as usual. I was very
much bothered about it. I made up my mind to tell the Baron if it
happened again. It did happen again, but I did not tell him. Madame R**
was so bad then I was really afraid, and, after that, it never happened
again, and she got well. I know I ought to have told the Baron. I am
very sorry I did not. Such a thing never happened to me before. Of
course I have slept in a sick-room before, but not when it was against
orders. I was there about three months. I dropped asleep in that way, I
think, six times, but I am not quite sure. It was always while Madame
R** was asleep. She was always bad afterwards. I did not say anything
to her about it, or about her walking. The Baron particularly desired
I would not. He said it would frighten her. He never asked me again
whether I had been asleep, or I would have told him. I was really going
to tell him once or twice, but something always happened to stop me. I
can swear that nothing of the kind ever happened to me before. There
must have been something wrong. I have sick-nursed twenty years, and
have the best characters from many doctors and patients.[2]
4.--_Statement of Mr. Westmacott._
"London, 20th September, 1857.
"SIR,
"I have the honour to inform you that in compliance with your request
I have submitted to the most careful and searching examination and
analysis the contents of three dozen and seven (43) medicine phials
forwarded by you for that purpose.
"The number and contents of these phials correspond exactly with
the prescriptions, &c., furnished by Messrs. Andrews and Empson,[3]
and after the most exact analysis I have been unable to detect the
slightest trace of either arsenic, antimony, or any similar substance.
"I have the honour to be,
"Your most obedient servant,
"THOMAS WESTMACOTT,
"Analytical Chemist."
5.--_Statement of Henry Aldridge._
My name is Henry Aldridge. I am a clerk in the employ of Messrs.
Simpson and Co., City. In the summer of 1856 I came to lodge at Mrs.
Brown's, in Russell Place. I did not come there first as a lodger, but
as a friend of her son. I had known him in Australia. We were together
in the same store in Melbourne, and got to be great friends. We did not
come home in the same ship. That is a mistake. I came home some weeks
before he did, and was in Liverpool when he arrived. I think he came in
the Lightning, but cannot be sure. I used to board so many ships that
I can't call to mind. I was in a Liverpool house then for a time, and
it was my duty to board every ship as she came up. I agreed to go with
him to London. I could not go directly, as I had to give notice to my
employers, but I was to follow him. He asked me to stay with him for
his wedding at his mother's house, and I did so. That was how I first
came to Russell Place. After that he arranged with his mother for me
to take a room regularly, and I was to pay so much a week, and so much
more when I got a situation. I was not aware of the Baron making any
objection. I saw very little of him. I slept on the floor above, and
was always very careful not to make any noise on account of Madame R**.
She was ill, and I took particular care not to disturb her. I used
sometimes to be out late. I have been intoxicated in my life. Not very
often. Not at all while I was in Russell Place. I have been out to my
friends while I was there, and have drunk wine and spirits, but never
to be the worse for it. I may have been merry. I don't say I have not
been once or twice a little excited with wine. What I mean is, that I
have never been in such a state as not to be quite conscious of what I
was doing, and quite able to control myself. I am quite certain that
I never made the slightest disturbance, or could have done so without
knowing it. That I will swear to. I believe the Baron accused me of
it to Mrs. Brown. He spoke to her several times about it, and wished
her to turn me out. She said she had never seen anything wrong, and
couldn't say anything till she did, because I was her son's friend.
At last he got her to do it. The reason was that I was found by a
policeman on the doorstep at about twelve o'clock one night insensible.
The policeman knocked and rang, and woke up the house, and the Baron
said I was drunk. I was perfectly sober. I had had nothing whatever
but one small bottle of ale. The facts of the case were these, and I
will swear to them. I had been kept late at our office with some heavy
correspondence, and had then walked home with another clerk from the
same office--William Wells--having taken nothing but one small bottle
of ale, which I had at a public-house in High Holborn, as I felt quite
tired. Wells had some brandy-and-water. He left me at the corner of
Tottenham Court Road. When I got to Russell Place I tried to open the
door with my latch-key, but the latch was fastened. I then rang at the
bell, but could not make it sound, and the handle came out loose as if
the wire was broken. I tried the key once more, and was just thinking
whether I should not go to some place, as I did not like to disturb
Madame R** by knocking, when the door was opened from the inside. I
turned round to go in when something was thrust into my face, and I
can remember nothing more. I must have fallen down insensible, and the
policeman found me. This is the truth. I could not see who opened the
door. There was a street lamp close to the area gate, but the person
was in the shadow. I cannot account for it. I made sure at the time it
was a trick of the Baron to get me turned out. I think so still, but
am not so sure of it as I was. What I mean is, that, on reflection,
I don't think it is certain enough to accuse him of such a thing. I
will swear to the truth of what I have said. I will swear that I was
perfectly sober--as sober as I am now. My employers and Will Wells can
prove it. I do not know why the Baron should have wished so much to
turn me out. We never had words about anything. I don't think I ever
spoke to him but once. I mean not more than "Good morning," or such
like. That was on the occasion about which I wrote to the Assurance
Office after Madame R**'s death. It was one Saturday night. I had had
a half-holiday, and had been up to Putney in a boat with some friends.
We had drunk a good deal of beer and shandy-gaff, but I was not drunk.
I was quite sober, though perhaps a little excited. Nothing to speak
of. I got home at about eleven o'clock. I had a latch-key then, but the
lock was hampered; and when I got back home I found the servant girl
sitting up to let me in. I went up very quietly not to disturb Madame
R**. I saw her bedroom-door ajar as I passed. The door of the room next
to it was wide open, and there was some sort of lamp burning. No one
moved or said anything as I went by. I took off my shoes to go more
softly, but the house was old, and it was impossible to move without
the stairs creaking a little. The stairs below the Baron's room were
stone and did not creak. I had a candle which I shaded carefully with
my hand. I went to bed, but I suppose I was over-tired, for I could
not get to sleep. The night was very hot. When I had been in bed about
a couple of hours I thought I would have a good wash and see if that
would cool me. I got up and went to the washhand-stand. I found the
jug empty. The maid often forgot to fill it. I took the jug and went
out on to the landing to fill it at the tap. I went very softly, not
to disturb Madame R**. As I got on to the landing, I saw some one
coming out of her room, and went to look over the bannister. From the
landing of my room you can see that of the floor below. I looked over,
and saw that it was Madame R**. She was in her dressing-gown, but had
no candle. She went to the stairs, and there I lost sight of her. As
I watched her past the door of the other room, I saw the shadow of a
man's head and shoulders upon the wall, as if somebody was watching
her. I leaned against the bannister to watch her, and it creaked, and
the shadow vanished directly. When I looked up again it was gone, and
at first I thought it must have been fancy, but I am quite certain
about it now. I was only doubtful for the moment. It was so sudden. I
could swear to it now. I saw it perfectly plain. I saw it all the time
Madame R** was going down the first flight of stairs. About twelve of
them. She was at the corner when I turned and leaned over to watch
her. I felt convinced that Madame R** was walking in her sleep. The
staircase was quite dark beyond the corner, and she had walked straight
down. I was afraid she would hurt herself, and went down to the Baron's
door. He was asleep; at least I had to knock twice. He then came to the
door, and I told him what I had seen. He seemed a good deal annoyed,
and at once took up the lamp, and went down stairs. I looked over the
bannister, and saw him go down. From that place you can see right
down to the door which leads to the kitchen-stairs. There is a glass
partition between them and the hall. I saw him go in at the door, and I
saw the light through the glass as he went part of the way down stairs.
Presently he came up again, and stood back from the door while Madame
R** came up past him, and walked up stairs, and he then followed her.
When I saw her coming up, I went back to my own landing and looked
over. She went back to her own room, fast asleep still, as it seemed to
me, and he followed. I heard whispering in the room, and then the Baron
came up to me. He thanked me very much for telling him, and said that
Madame R** had gone down into the kitchen, and was just coming out as
he got to the foot of the stairs. He particularly begged me never to
mention it, as it might come to her ears and do her harm, and I have
never spoken of it to any one till I wrote to the Assurance Office.
I had almost forgotten all about it when it was recalled to my mind
by seeing that poor Madame R** had killed herself in a sleep-walking
fit. I then wrote. I had no malice against the Baron, nor have I now.
I don't know why he tried to turn me out. I suppose he really thought
I disturbed his wife. He was very fond of her, and I dare say he was
anxious and fretful about her. I was very angry at the time, but when
I come to think of it, I dare say I was hard upon him. He never seemed
to bear me any grudge about what I had seen. On the contrary, he always
said he was very much obliged to me. This is all I know on the subject,
and I can swear to the truth of every word. I am quite positive he said
Madame R** had been into the kitchen.
6.--_Statement of Miles Thompson._
I am a police constable. In August, 1856, I used to be on night duty
in Russell Place. I remember Baron R** speaking to me one night, and
asking me to keep a look out as often as I could of a night to keep the
street quiet. He gave me five shillings for my extra trouble. I was on
the beat one night about twelve o'clock when I saw some one lying on
the Baron's door-step. It was a young gentleman, and at first I thought
he was dead, but found he was only insensible. I set him up against the
railings, and was going to ring the bell, when I saw a latch-key in his
hand. I tried it in the door and it opened it directly, and I took him
into the hall. I then knocked and rang till somebody came. The bell
rang quite well. The Baron came down in his dressing-gown, and two or
three other people. I offered to go for a doctor, but the Baron said
he was only drunk. I helped to carry him up-stairs, and get him into
bed. The Baron gave me half-a-crown for my trouble. He seemed very much
annoyed, as was natural, and said he wished I had taken the young man
to the station. I think he was drunk myself. He smelt a little of beer,
but not much. I helped put him to bed, and went away. That is all I
know.
N.B.--By letters from Messrs. Simpson and Mr. Wells, Mr. Aldridge's
assertion that he was sober is borne out up to the time of the
latter's leaving him at the corner of Tottenham Court Road, certainly
not more than half-an-hour before he was found as above stated by
Police-constable Thompson. R. H.
7.--_Statement of John Johnson._
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8.--_Statement of Susan Turner._
My name is Susan Turner. In August, 1856, I was general servant to
Mrs. Brown in Russell Place. I remember the night that Madame R**
came down-stairs. I had sat up to let Mr. Aldridge in because the
latch was broken. Mistress broke it that afternoon. I don't suppose
the Baron knew anything about it. Mr. Aldridge came in rather late. I
cannot justly say the time. He was quite right. I mean quite sober.
He went straight up to bed. I did not go up to bed. My young man was
in the kitchen. He is a very respectable young man upon a railway. I
don't know what railway. I know he goes to Scotland sometimes with
his engine, that is all. He is what they call a fireman. He was going
down with a luggage-train somewhere that night very late, and came to
see me. Mistress didn't know he was there. He came in after she was
gone to bed. He was to start at two, and we sat till about one. He
was just going away, and we were standing at the kitchen door when we
heard somebody in the hall. I said, "Oh, Lor! that's missis." He said,
"She'll be coming to look for you," and wanted me to go and meet her
while he cut out by the area. I said no, that wouldn't do, by reason of
it being all glass and a gas lamp at top of the area steps.[4] I pulled
him along to the lumber-room. The lumber-room is behind the kitchen and
the cellar. There are some old boxes and things there, but nobody ever
goes into it. I thought my mistress would not think of looking there.
Just as we got to the door we saw somebody come from the hall and
down the stairs. I whispered to John, "Why that's not missis--that's
Madame." My mistress was very tall and stout, and Madame R** was small
and thin. I could see her as she came through the door, because there
was some sort of light in the hall. She came right down-stairs and
past where we were. She went right on into the little place at the end
where the Baron kept all his bottles and stuff. She did not go into the
kitchen. Not at all. I will swear to that. She went into the Baron's
place. The laboratory, I dare say it is; I don't know. It was where
the bottles are. John and me crept to the window and looked out. The
window of the lumber-room looks right into the window of the back room
where the bottles are. You could see in quite plain. It was a bright
moonlight night, and there is a sort of tin looking-glass over the back
room window to make more light like. We saw Madame go into the room
and take a bottle from a shelf. She poured out a glassful and drank
it. Then she put the bottle back in its place. It was the last in the
second shelf. Then she went out again, and when we turned round we saw
a light shining into the room from the kitchen stairs. It stayed there
till Madame had gone past our door again, and then it went up again.
Just as it got to the top of the stairs I peeped out and saw it was
the Baron. Madame was close behind him. I said to John, "Why, John,
there's the Baron." He said he supposed he had come to look after his
wife. After they had gone John and me went into the bottle place. We
found the glass on the table. There were a few drops of stuff in it.
John and me smelt it, and it was just like wine. It tasted just like
wine, too. Then we looked for the bottle. It was at the end of the
second shelf. It was about half-full of stuff that looked like wine.
There was something in gold letters on the bottle. I can't tell what it
was. It was "vin" something. I know that because John and me settled
it must mean wine. I think I should know the rest if I saw it--[being
here shown several labels, witness picked out the following "Vin. Ant.
Pot. Tart." designating antimonial wine, a mixture of sherry and tartar
emetic]--I am pretty sure that was the one. I remember it because they
were such funny words. I remember John and me joking about "pots" and
"pies." The stuff in the bottle smelt just like wine. It was just like
sherry wine. I did not taste that. John wouldn't let me. He said I
might go and poison myself for aught I knew. We put the bottle back and
then John went away. I said nothing about it to anybody. Not even when
Madame was taken ill that night. I was afraid by reason of John. I have
never said a word about it to any living soul till I was asked to-day.
Certainly not to Mr. Aldridge, nor he to me. I will swear to the truth
of all I have said. I am quite positive that Madame never went near the
kitchen. I am quite positive that the Baron must have seen her come
out of the bottle place. He was standing with the candle in his hand
waiting for her. That I can swear.
N.B.--The statement of the "young man" referred to fully corroborates
the above statement. The accompanying plan will make this witness'
evidence more clear.
[Illustration: _Plan of basement floor of Baron R**'s lodgings, Russell
Place._ A A Windows of lumber-room and laboratory referred to in the
evidence of John Sanders and Mary Allen. B B Glass Partitions.]
9.--_Copy of a letter from a leading Mesmerist to the compiler, with
reference to the power claimed by mesmeric operators over those
subjected to their influence._
"_Dorset Square._
"My DEAR SIR,--
"... Many times after throwing Sarah Parsons into the mesmeric state,
I have _willed_ her to go into a dark room and pick up a pin or other
article equally minute, and however powerless she might be at the time
out of the state was quite immaterial. My will and power being employed
was sufficient. Then, Mr. L----, a paralytic, under my influence,
without losing consciousness or undergoing any recognisable change,
has many times, with the lame leg, stepped up on to and down again
from an ordinary dining-room chair. This of course was a masterpiece
of mesmeric manipulation. I wish I could write more and better, but my
eyes forbid * * *
"With kindest regards,
"Yours most truly,
"D. HANDS."
10.--_Fragment of a Letter found in the Baron's room after the death of
Madame R**._
[Illustration]
COMPLETED.
...On (?)
te... pendrait n'e... st ce pas mon
p...auvre philippe? E...h bien par
ce...t enfant, ce pauvre ... petit ange (?)
q... ui nous regarde du... haut du ciel,
n'...est ce pas philipp...e et que
no...us ne reverrons ja...mais, par
ce...t enfant je te le j...ure. Tu m'en
sa...is bien capable j...e crois.
En...core une fois, aujo...urd'hui c'est
le... 13, le 15, de grand...matin je
se...rai chez toi; il fa...ut que je
t...e trouve seul, tu ... me comprends;
se...ul au monde! n'... en sais
tu ... pas bien le moy...en?
O...h! philippe je t'ai...me (je t'aime?)
sa...is tu ce qu...e c'est qu'une
f...emme ja...louse?
_Translation of above._
(They) would hang thee, would they not, my poor Philip? Well, by
that child--that poor (little angel) who is now--is it not so,
Philip?--looking down on us from heaven, and whom we shall never see
again, by that child I swear it to you. Once more. To-day is the 13th.
On the 15th very early in the morning I shall be at your house. I must
find you alone--you understand me, alone in the world! Do you not well
know the means? Oh, Philip, I love thee (I love thee). Knowest thou
what a jealous woman is?
11.--_Extracts from the "Zoist Magazine," No. XLVII., for October,
1854._
"MESMERIC CURE OF A LADY WHO HAD BEEN TWELVE YEARS IN THE HORIZONTAL
POSITION, WITH EXTREME SUFFERING. By the Rev. R. A. F. Barrett, B.D.,
Senior Fellow of King's College, Cambridge.
* * * * *
"In January, 1852, I was calling upon ----, when she happened to tell
me that she had been in considerable pain for a fortnight past; that
the only thing that relieved her was mesmerism; but the friend who used
to mesmerise her was gone.
"... I continued to mesmerise her occasionally for some months....
"_April_ 21 _st._--I kept her asleep an hour and a quarter in the
morning and the same in the evening. She said[5] her throat looked
parched and feverish; at her request _I ate some black currant paste,
which she said moistened it_.... She said, 'Before you ate, my stomach
was contracted and had a queer-looking sort of moisture in it; now the
stomach is its full size and does not look shrunk, and part of the
moisture is gone.'
"I. 'But you could not _get nourishment_ so?' "A. 'Yes: _I could get
all my system wants._'
* * * * *
"_April_ 26_th._--In the evening I kept her asleep one hour, _and took
tea for her._
"_April_ 27_th._--... I ate dinner and she felt much stronger.
* * * * *
"I kept her asleep two hours and a quarter in the morning and one hour
in the evening, _eating for her as usual._"
[Footnote 1: Section II. 2.]
[Footnote 2: This I find to be the case.--R. H.]
[Footnote 3: The chemists from whom the Baron obtained his medicines.]
[Footnote 4: The arrangement alluded to will be seen from the
accompanying plan. The inner partition is entirely of glass, while the
outer has a row of large panes along the top.]
[Footnote 5: In a former portion of the case we are told that this
patient was _clairvoyant_ and could see her own internal condition.--R.
H. pard.]