Saturday, July 11, 1829

1829 July 11 – Anne Visits the Somnambule

 . . . 17th geology lecture from 12 to 1 55/60.  Fraction à l'heure from 2 to 2 10/60  over toward number 48 Rue Meslay (Faubourg  St. Martin) cher la Somnambule au 2nde.  20 minutes there; waited about 1/2 the time.  Shewn into the salon.  This and the little entree room . . .furnished with specimens of natural history – stuffed birds; reptiles in spirits – electrifying machine and apparatus; and a variety of little things and largish paintings in oils; the Somnambule with her eyes shut, and again with her eyes open; copies of madonnas; etc. etc.

 Had just got up to say I really could not wait any longer, when I was shewn into a small room where sat the Somnambule, Madame Fagard, and her maid.  I was supposed to be a patient, but soon explained that I was commissioned by a friend in England to make inquiries of Madame Fagard as to how she was to be consulted, and her terms.  Her eyes were closed and she asleep, but concluding as it proved, correctly, that she could answer just as well as if professedly awake, I addressed myself entirely to her.   

All that was necessary was for my friend to send her a lock of her hair, sealed up in a bit of paper which I was not to open.

She seemed curious to know who had given me her address. I said the wife of my epicier.  I had sent to my druggist who referred me to Dr. Fratoart rue Jean Jacques Rousseau 15 6t.  I had not found him at home.  The Somnambule did not seem to know anything about him. I asked if she had cured any Anglais.  Yes! Some from London.  She said her Londoner had been dying of a violent infected  putrid fever, and she had just cured him but he was still very weak. She sent for him for me to see him.  He looked wretchedly light.  I was glad to have him out of the room  again, not liking the ghosts of a putrid fever. 

Asked if it was not necessary for my friend to describe her case.  No!  Not at all.  The hair was sufficient. Why, said I, then you cure by miracle.  Oh! No!  She said not.  Mais vous avez les yeux fermés et donnez vous à ce moment,  Madame.  Oui.  Avez vous toujours les yeux fermés? Non, mais à present je dors et je ne peux pas les ouvres; ils sont tournes, and she put up her hand, lifted up the left lid about [half]way and shewed me the white of the ball of the eye.  

But said she, the maid could have told you all this first as well as I.away marvelling how in this day anyone can be silly enough to be duped by such a sleeper.  Yet Madame Bertrand said she knew several whom she had cured.  They must have been cured by the potent means of their own fancy, even the poitrinaire given up by all the faculty.

Spitting all the way home and washed my mouth and hands and swallowed down about 1/2 tea spoon of eau de cologne in about as much water for fear of the putrid fever.

Walked the length of my own street and got home  at 3 1/4.  Had my hair put in paper, then an hour’s nap in my chair.  At my desk at 4 3/4.  Dinner at 6.  Came to my room at 8.  Before and after dinner, till coffee at 9 3/4, wrote out last 10 lines of Wednesday and the whole of Thursday and the first 17 lines of yesterday.  Coffee at 9 3/4, talking to my aunt about my father – her being much better here than at Shibden, etc.   Came to my room at 10 3/4. . .till 11 25/60 read the first 17 pages lesson 35 Chemie Général for the next lectures.  Heavy shower at 10 20/60 and afterwards a.m. At 5 1/4 p.m. very heavy rain and thunder and lightning, and heavy rain afterwards in the evening.

Reference -- WYAS Finding Number –  SH:7/ML/E/12/0055