Travels Through North America 



clergyman, who was reading the funeral service, in 

 the presence of a large congregation. What his in- 

 tentions were in regard to myself, I cannot pretend 

 to say; he offered me no violence: but those at Rhode 

 Island of his acquaintance, to whom I related this 

 transaction, were fully persuaded that he was far 

 from being cured of his distemper.* 



I left Philadelphia the 6th of July, and travelled 



* Since my return to Europe, I have been informed of an in- 

 stance similar to this, which happened at Florence. A gentleman 

 had taken it into his head that a very large diamond lay buried 

 under a mountain which stood upon his estate, and was near ruin- 

 ing himself and his family by digging for it. His friends, by some 

 contrivance or other, got him away to Florence, and placed him 

 under the care of the late celebrated Dr. Cocchi. He there ap- 

 peared perfectly composed, talked very rationally, and, having 

 been well educated, afforded great entertainment to the doctor 

 and his friends, who conversed with him. One day as they were 

 sitting together, he mentioned to the doctor, that it was very hard 

 he should be deprived of his liberty, when he was perfectly well; 

 and that it was only a scheme of his relations to keep him in con- 

 finement, in order that they might enjoy his estate. The doctor, 

 who had perceived no marks of insanity, began to be staggered; 

 and promised, in case he should see no reason to alter his senti- 

 ments, to sign a certificate of his being well on such a day, in order 

 to its being sent to England, that he might have his release. The 

 day arrived, and the doctor was preparing to perform his promise; 

 but, whether by design on perceiving something particular in the 

 looks of his patient, or by accident, I could not learn, he said to the 

 gentleman: "Now, Sir, I beg from this time that you will think no 

 " more of this foolish affair of the mountain and diamond." " Not 

 "think of the diamond," said the madman; "it is for this reason 

 "that I want my liberty; I know exactly the spot where it lies; and 

 " I will have it in my possession, before I am a year older." 



This story was related to me in Tuscany, and I had no reason to 

 question the truth of it. 



[102] 



