SANE OR INSANE?
"In there any sure test by which to tell the hano fiom tlu> insane?" enquired a hludent of the famous French alienist, Esquirol. "Please dine with mo to-mor-row at 6 o'clock," was tho answer of the savant. The (student complied. Two other guests were present, one of whom wa« elegantly dressed and apparently I highly educated, whilo tho other was i rather uncouth, noisy, and extremely con- • ceiled. After dinner the pupil rose to I take leave, and as ho shook hands with j his teacher ho remarked : "The problem !is very simple, after all ; the quiet, well- ! dressed gentleman is certainly distin- ' gutehed in somo line, but tho other is as certainly a lunatic and ought at onco Jlo bo locked up." "You are wrong, my friend, 1 ' replied Esquirol, with a smile. ' "Tho quiet, well-dressed man who talks so rationally has for years laboured un- j dor tho delusion that he is God the Fa- , ther, whereas the other man, whoso ex- j überance and self-conceit havo surprised I you, is M. Honore de Balzac, tho great- ' est French writer of the day." — Dr. Stephen Smith, in Leslie's Magazine.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19050520.2.121
Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume LXIX, Issue 118, 20 May 1905, Page 14
Word Count
194
SANE OR INSANE?
Evening Post, Volume LXIX, Issue 118, 20 May 1905, Page 14
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