After a few minutes had passed, some movements of the patient were observed, the object of which was evidently to throw off the coverings to the foot of the bed. "She is going to rise," said her mother, and, in fact, with a strength full of suppleness, even of grace, she arose, without the aid of her hands. She first sat down; then, without deranging a single fold of her white skirt, she stood up in the kind of niche or frame formed by her curtains. Her head was slightly inclined to the left, and leaned forward; her arms hung down at a short distance from her body; the hands were reversed, the palms turned outwards; the left limb was somewhat inflexed, and the lower part of the body slightly inclined.

In fact, she presented very faithfully the attitude of an image or statue of the Immaculate Conception, which was very common throughout our country, and being classic, was, I believe, known everywhere. I cannot give a more precise idea of her appearance than by calling to mind this figure. Alexandrine then repeated some prayers; but, contrary to her style of singing, her words were rapid and confused, and I could not understand what she said.

Several times, and successively, I raised her arms to a right angle; they descended slowly, and, by an equal continuous movement, more precise than if her will had guided them, her hands recovered their position. I also endeavored to draw the forearm close to the body, and to incline the hand inward; the form of the statue was always resumed. Finally, she stretched herself on her bed, and became again immovable.

The patient appeared fatigued with the diverse trials to which I subjected her; her forehead was covered with perspiration, and her mother was surprised, as though it were a novel circumstance, at the expression of suffering her countenance exhibited. I thus passed an hour with Alexandrine. Her mother, who appeared to care little for the miracle, as she wanted the assistance of her daughter, who was the eldest of seven children, begged me to try and cure her. But the patient had announced, several days previously, that her paroxysms would cease on Saturday. (I saw her on Thursday.) I therefore refused to interfere; promising, however, my advice, in case the attacks should continue after the time fixed for their termination.

On Sunday I returned to Voray, led on by a feeling of curiosity which every one can understand. The ecstasies were over. Alexandrine was awake. She told me that they would not return for some time, but did not indicate the period of their return. I questioned her in relation to her journeys to heaven; asked her what she had seen, etc. She answered that she had seen the good God, who was all white; that she had seen angels, etc.; and that heaven was all gold and silver. This description did little honor to her imagination. In fact, when awake, this girl was simple, gentle, timid, narrow-minded, and consequently free from artifice.

I promised to use all my efforts to restore her, if she were again attacked; she received my promise as though she would rejoice in my success, and said that I should have notice.

On Thursday, the 26th of December, the physician of Voray wrote: "Our young ecstatic desires me to inform you that her paroxysms will recommence on Monday; a voice has just announced it to her."And on the very day, at eight in the morning, the ecstasies recommenced.

A more astounding fact than all, and which, as a faithful historian, I feel bound to relate, had renewed and increased a general belief in the miracle. Its only interest to us consists in the precision with which the return of the paroxysms was announced.

One day, then, during the week, Alexandrine, sorrowful, abstracted, and oppressed with a vague feeling of distress, and a desire to weep, went for relief to one of her companions, who lived at the parsonage. She was walking with her head bent down, when she saw before her a lady habited in white, whom she at first supposed to be an inhabitant of this world; but, on raising her eyes, she recognized her as the Virgin, by the crown on her brow. The Virgin held a prolonged conversation with her, announced the return of her ecstasies, which, she said, would continue longer than on previous occasions, and then, dropping a chaplet at her feet, slowly vanished.

Alexandrine entered the minister's house in tears, and an account of her extraordinary adventure was extorted from her; in verification of which, the chaplet was found before the door - a chaplet worth two sous.

Thus the phenomena have increased from the commencement, each circumstance becoming more difficult of comprehension until the last, of which the reader will readily see the significance and bearing, by calling to mind the fact that our young girl is the object of a curiosity which has, beyond measure, daily increased.

On the 5th of January, my worthy brother and friend, Dr. Druhen, accompanied me to Voray. He found the facts precisely as I had related them. In order to satisfy himself in relation to several phenomena by personal observation, he repeated my experiments, and completed them, by adding, for example, a vial of ammonia, which, placed carelessly to her nose, produced no effect. He even magnetized the patient, and questioned her, but in vain. The pulse was 112, the breathing 22. The paroxysms, always perfectly periodical, lasted thirty-six hours, as the white lady had predicted, and the waking state twenty-four. While the ecstasy continued (and it was thus throughout), all the natural functions of the body were suspended. During the intervals she enjoyed her usual excellent health, with appetite and alimentation unimpaired.

The regularity of the paroxysms required the medication to be anti-periodical, which plan we advised, to the exclusion of all others.

I have simply given the case. The therapeutic point here offers only a secondary interest, and it is not as an example for practice that one can contemplate so exceptionable a case; but it is merely stated as a case. New phases may arise, and I may be enabled to complete my observations.

P. S. This morning I received the following letter from my colleague at Voray: -

"I myself administered the sulphate of quinine to the girl Lanois. On the 6th of January, in the morning, 0.75 centi-grammes divided into two doses, were injected; in the evening of the same day, at eight, the paroxysms came on, and lasted thirty-six hours, as before. At eight in the evening, before the anticipated return of another attack, I gave the sulphate, as before, in two doses. On the following morning, another paroxysm and menstruation. Finally, on the 11th, at half-past seven, in the morning, I again administered 7.5 centigrammes, and, at eight, oar ecstatic subject depaned for unknown worlds. Resultat

0"*

The ecstatic of the Vosges, we saw in company with Messrs. Duchenne of Boulogne, Bouchut, and Brown-Sequard. The two last-mentioned physicians, who, by a powerful electric shock, proved insensibility, and. consequently, a diseased condition, have both presented parnculars of their conjectures relative to the paroxysms, and the phenomenon of hallucinations. During her attacks, we have heard her converse with angels, and the Virgin, as if in their presence. The harmonious tones of her voice, the expression of her features, and the air of beatitude which her countenance displayed, were indescribable. Whether she ex-pressed herself in verse or in prose, her discourse was entirely upon religious subjects. The account describes her as oftentimes transported to heaven, and, as having seen, in her ecstasies her father and her brother, who have been dead for many years. This young girl is aged twenty, and very pretty, and there is something in her whole appearance calculated to excite the liveliest interest in her. We much regret that our proposal to receive herself and her mother into our establishment, was rejected. Both Truth and Science would have profited by the acceptance of our offer.

* Annates Medico-psychologiques, Avril, 1851.

Mystic ecstasy occurs chiefly in subjects of great fervor, and who are addicted to fasting and prayer. It also occurs in those accustomed to deprive themselves of sleep, and who live an ascetic and contemplative life. It is, in a certain degree, possible, by carrying these practices to an extravagant pitch, to bring on ecstasy.