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illustrations of madness.
55

would suddenly throw into his mind the subject of exchange of prisoners. The Secretary would, perhaps, wonder how he became possessed of such a subject, as it was by no means connected with his thoughts ; he would however turn the topic in his mind and conclude that such particular principle ought to form the basis of the negociation. The expert magnetist, having, by watching and sucking, obtained his opinion, would immediately inform the French Minister of the sentiments of the English Secretary, and by such means become enabled to baffle him in the exchange.

The same process would take place with the other ministers of state, and their opinions would be communicated to the enemy on the subjects of peace, commercial intercourse, or the fitting out of armaments. Let the plan be ever so well devised, the magnetists would be certain to paralize and bewilder