Case LXXXVIII

One day, in presence of the old minister, the conversation was directed to those instantaneous warnings which might be considered as communications from the invisible world with man; some one observed that it would be difficult to find any celebrated man, who, either in his own person or that of an intimate friend, could not attest some supernatural event of his life. The prince remarked: "I can never forget that I was once gifted, for a moment, with an extraordinary and inexplicable prescience, which was the means of saving my life. Without that sudden and mysterious inspiration, I should not be here to recount these curious details. I was intimately connected with one of my countrymen, M. B. We had always lived on the best terms, and in those stormy times, something more than friendship was needed to unite persons, when the expression of friendship required almost a divine courage. I had no cause to doubt his affection. On the contrary, ho had, on several occasions, given me the most devoted proofs of his attachment to my person and interests. We had together quitted France to take refuge in New York, and had hitherto lived in perfect harmony. Wishing to increase our little capital, I had freighted a ship, half shares with him, to try our fortune in the Indies. We were ready for our departure, but waited for a favorable wind with the greatest impatience. This state of uncertainty appeared to sour poor B. to a most extraordinary degree. Incapable of remaining quiet, he roamed the city with a feverish activity, which, for the moment, excited my surprise, for he was always remarkable for his calmness and placidity. 'One day he entered the room, evidently under great excitement, although he used great efforts to restrain himself. I was writing letters to Europe. Leaning over my shoulder, he said, with a forced gayety, 'Why do you lose time in writing these letters? They will never reach their destination. Come with me, and let us make the round of the battery. The wind may become favorable; perhaps we are nearer to our departure than we think!' The day was magnificent, although the wind was high; I allowed myself to be persuaded. B., as I afterwards recollected, showed extraordinary alacrity in closing my desk, arranging my papers, and offering my hat and cane, which I attributed to the need of incessant activity with which he had appeared overwhelmed ever since our forced departure. We threaded the well-peopled streets, and reached the battery. He had offered me his arm, and hurried on as if he were in haste to reach it. When we were on the grand esplanade, B. hastened still more, until we reached the edge. He spoke loudly and rapidly, and admired, in energetic terms, the beauties of the scene. Suddenly, he stopped in the midst of his incoherent talk. I had disengaged my arm from his, and stood firmly before him. I fixed my eye upon him. He moved aside, as if intimidated and ashamed. 'B.,' cried I, 'your intention is to kill me; you mean to throw me from this height into the sea! Deny it, monster, if you dare!' The insane man looked at me intently with his haggard eyes for a moment; but I was careful not to remove my looks from him, and his eyes fell. He muttered some incoherent words, and endeavored to pass me, but I spread my arms and prevented him. Casting a wild look around, he threw himself on my neck, and burst into tears. 'It is true, it is true, my friend! the thought has haunted me day and night like an infernal flame. It was for that I brought you here; see, you are not a foot from the precipice! another instant, the deed would have been done!' The demon had abandoned him; his eyes were void of expression; a white foam covered his parched lips; the crisis had passed. I conducted him home. Some days of rest, bleeding, and dieting entirely cured him, and, what is the most singular circumstance of all, we never referred to the occurrence."

The prince was persuaded that, on that day, his destiny would have been decided, and he never spoke on the subject without the greatest emotion.

This kind of momentary excitement, which never recurs, but leaves an ineffaceable impression on the imagination, is, says M. Sigmond, what is called fantasia, and in France, pressenti-ment. Some curious examples are recorded in the Annates Medico-psychologiques, 2d serie, t. ii. p. 315-317, translated from the Psychological Journal of M. Forbes Winslow. In the Souvenirs de Mme. de Crequi, we read the following case: -