Lynchburg Star

MODERN CHIVALRY—CHAP. V

It was a legal proceeding in this village, that when any one was suspected of insanity, a commission of lunacy issued and an enquiry was held to ascertain the fact. An inquisition was held at this time on the body of a man, and it was the right of the defendant, when the evidence on the part of the commonwealth was closed, to be heard in his defence. On this occasion the accused person made use of his privilege.

THE MADMAN'S DEFENCE

Fellow Citizens,

It is an awkward situation in which you see me placed, to be obliged to maintain that I am in my right mind, and not out of my senses. For even if I speak sense you may attribute it to a lucid interval. It is no difficult matter to fix any imputation upon a man. It is only to follow it up, line upon line; precept upon precept here a little and there a little. There is nothing but a man's own life, and a course of conduct that can rebut the calumny.—It is therefore in vain to answer in gazettes, or to go into streets and cry out falsehood. The more you take to defend yourself, the more it is fixed upon you. For the bulk of mankind are on the side of the calumniator; and would rather have things true, than false. I believe there would be no better way than for a man to join in, and slander himself. until the weight of obloquy become so great, that the public would revolt, and from believing all believe nothing. I have known this tried with success. But how can one rebut the imputation of madness? How disprove sanity? The highest excellence of understanding, and madness, like the two ends of a right line, turned to a circle are said to come together.

Nullum magnum ingenium sine mixtura dementiae.

Great wits to madness closely are allied; And thin partitions do their bounds divide.

Hence you will infer that I may appear rational, and quick of perception, and even just in judgement, for a time, and yet be of deranged intellect. What can I tell you but that it is the malice of my enemies, that have devised this reproach, in order to hinder my advancement in political affairs? It is true there are some things in my habit and manner that may give color to the charge—singularities. But a man of study and abstract thought will have singularities. A man of books will be absent, in conversation and sometimes in business.

A man of books said the foreman of the jury! A scholar! You are scholar are you, eh; that's enough. we want no more. If you are not a madman you must be a knave, and that comes to the same thing. Say Gentlemen shall we hold him guilty? What say you, is he mad?

1. Juryman; he seems to be a little cracked.

2. He does not appear to be right in his head.

3. I cannot think him in his right mind.

4. He is beside himself doubtless.

5. Crazy.

6. Out of his head.

7. Deranged.

8. Insane.

9. Mad.

10. Stark mad.

11. Mad as a march hare.

12. Fit For Bedlam.

Verdict—Lunacy:

The court to whom the inquisition was returned, thought it a hard case as there was no other evidence than his own confession. of being addicted to
books, and gave leave to move an arrest of judgement, and ordered him before themselves for an examination.

Are you a man of books?

A little so.

What books have you read?

History, Divinity, Belles Lettres.

What is the characteristic of History?

Fiction.

Of Novels?

Truth.

Of Metaphysics?

Imagination.

Of Natural Philosophy?

Doubt.

What is the best lesson in Moral Philosophy?

To expect no gratitude.

What is the best qualification of a politician?

Honesty.

The next best?

Knowledge.

The next best?

Fortitude.

Who serves the people best?

Not always him that pleases them.

It seems to the Court and the Chief Justice that the man is not altogether mad. He appears rational in some of his answers. We shall advise upon it.