times he would speak very rapidly, at other times sink his voice so low that I could not catch all he uttered. "I am here again, then," he muttered to himself, with a groan. "When will this end?" "You have had pleasant dreams, I hope," said I with a smile. He looked at me suspiciously, and said, "You have heard me? Then you know all!" "What?" I asked. "Why, all about that----" "I know nothing," I replied. "It is true you talked in your sleep; you have been dreaming." "Call it a dream, if you like," he said. "I exist but in such dreams, and my waking life is to me but a nightmare." "Pooh! pooh!" I said. "You must not take such a morbid view of things. Your brain at present is in a state of fever. We cannot expect always to be well. I'll give you a composing draught, and in time I hope----" "Throw physic to the dogs," he replied, quoting from his favourite author. "Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased?" "Perhaps," said I, "I might manage to do that as well, if you will bide by my instructions." "Look here, doctor," he said, at length, "I shall be very happy to see you whenever you come, to talk with you as a friend, as long as I remain upon earth, but I refuse point blank to take any of your medicine, so I don't deceive you." I tried to expostulate; but how can one reason with a man who wants to die, and try to persuade him to take physic, itself nauseous, but to bring him back to the life which he despises? My task was a difficult one, but I bethought me of a plan. I pretended to humour him, and took my leave, saying I would call again shortly. On leaving the sick-room I entered the parlour, where the parents of the invalid awaited me, to hear my opinion of the case. I told them that the patient's nerves were in a most sensitive state; I had heard him talk much in his sleep; that the brain wanted repose. I told them that he had refused to take any of my medicine because he was tired of his life and did not wish to prolong it. I then wrote out a prescription, which I told them
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