"We related in our paper of the 9th of July, 1848, an at* tempted assassination, wrapped in mystery, which occurred on the Place du Palais-Royal. A young journeyman goldsmith, named Gamier, was passing the spot about nine o'clock, a few paces only from the quarters of the municipal guard, when he heard the report of a gun. Gamier thought that aim had been taken at an officer who was then passing by, but he had scarcely addressed him, than he himself fell senseless. Although at the moment he was only conscious of a severe shock, a ball had, nevertheless, entered deeply into his abdomen.

"The author of this crime, however, escaped all the researches of the police. Gamier, whose wound happily was not mortal, declared that he had not had any quarrel, nor was he conscious of having an enemy. Three weeks elapsed without any discovery being made, when a fortuitous circumstance put the police at length on the track of the supposed culprits. Writs were issued against them, and the day before yesterday a police officer, accompanied by several constables, arrested Raphael C. de G., aged twenty-seven, born at Palma, and residing in Paris, Rue Saint Thomas-du-Louve, No. 15, and Otto Fischer, a Prussian, in his service, Rue du Jour, No. 8.

"G. made a desperate resistance. Such was his fury, that, although he had no time to seize his arms, four strong men were required to secure him, which they could only do by binding his limbs strongly with ropes. A number of loaded pistols, sword sticks, three daggers, balls, powder, etc., were found in his apartments.

"When the frenzy of this man was somewhat calmed, he said that he was the sole author of the crime, and that they had done wrong to arrest Otto Fischer. He professed to have been grossly insulted by Gamier, and desired revenge; but there is reason to believe that G. has some interest in concealing the truth, and that the blow which reached the unfortunate Gamier was intended for some one else. The examination is going on."

On perusing this article, would not the conclusion be natural that M. de G. was a great criminal, who could only expect to he placed on the bench at the court of assize? Let us examine how matters really were. He had scarcely passed his examination before doubts arose in the minds of the magistrates as to the soundness of his mind. Dr. Brun, in conjunction with another physician, was commissioned to report on his mental condition. The conclusions were such that he was placed at the disposal of the administrative authorities, who sent him to Bicetre.

* Bulletin des Tribunaux, 1st August, 1843.

The feeling produced by a detention in this hospital on a man of high rank and fortune was such that on several occasions he attempted to starve himself.

After a short stay there, he was transferred to my establishment. The first impression was highly in his favor. Well-made, handsome, with a pleasant smile, eyes black, and, like most Spaniards, very expressive, with courteous manners, he could not be otherwise than interesting. Having left him some days in tranquillity, I at length questioned him as to the events which had occurred.

"Such as you see me, sir," he said, "I am the most miserable of men. For many years past, a vast conspiracy has been organized against me in my own country; the whole city of Palma has plotted my ruin; relations, friends, citizens, are in league to destroy me; they insult me, lay snares, pursue me, point at me, etc.

"In order to escape from this persecution, I took refuge in France, where I claimed the protection of the police; but I soon found that they were suborned and bought by my enemies. For several days they had given me no rest. Furious and out of patience at such conduct, I fired on one of them, who had not ceased insulting and making grimaces at me."

"Then you know the man?" I inquired.

"I had never seen him." "Permit me to observe that your reply seems very extraordinary." " There it is; they want to make me pass for a madman; but I insist on it, I am judge of my own honor. Whenever I am insulted, either myself or my adversary must die."

Some time afterwards, he desired to speak to me privately. "Sir," said he, " I see plainly that my enemies are powerful; I am prepared to make any pecuniary sacrifice in order to leave this place. Tell me what sum I must give to government." I remarked that it was not the custom in France to make a man pay for his freedom; and that, in all probability, he would shortly be sent home. Three months passed thus; finally, he was confided to a friend who had been sent from Spain to fetch him, and whom I cautioned not to lose sight of him for an instant; since, if he continued under the same impressions, some unfortunate catastrophe might take place.

What a subject for reflection is such a case? With the exception of this fixed idea that he had enemies who insulted, made grimaces, and sought to annoy him, although he had never seen them, M. de G. resembled other persons. He conversed delightfully on his country and on literature, sang well, and was a good artist. He carefully avoided all allusion to the circumstances which occasioned his confinement. And yet this man, who amused himself all day, would have, killed the first man he met with, under the false impression of his being an enemy.

Amongst the numerous cases of this nature given in the Gazette des Tribunaux, we must not omit that of a man named Boutron, living in the Carrefour Bassy, who was always complaining to the authorities and the commissioner of his "quar-tier," that he was incessantly pursued by enemies, and constantly heard voices, which threatened and insulted him. For six months he continued to write letters on the subject.

As it too frequently happens, Boutron imbibed a hatred to a certain person; his porter was the unhappy victim whom he selected, and in one of his hallucinations he killed him by several stabs of a knife. The council chamber decided that he was insane.

Illusions of sleep may occasion strange, reprehensible, and dangerous actions, if, like hallucinations, they continue at the moment of awaking and even afterwards. We have frequently witnessed very extraordinary scenes which have only been the continuation of a dream. Individuals who have spoken and acted under this influence, might have been taken for madmen; but when the images of the night became weaker and finally disappeared, they were the first to express astonishment at the language they had held, although they assured us that at the time their sensations appeared perfectly natural. Men of great intrepidity have, under this impression, exhibited fear in situations of ordinary danger, which this fact can alone explain.

We read in the Journal de Belfort, of the 26th of August, 1843, as follows: -

"A nocturnal adventure no less singular than amusing, recently took place in one of the faubourgs of our city.