Page:Illustrations of Madness.djvu/36

Rh This corroboration of Mr. Matthews’ insanity, by the highest and most respectable testimony, gave a different complexion to the case, and also suggested some reflections.

Madness being the opposite to reason and good sense, as light is to darkness, straight to crooked, &c. it appears wonderful that two opposite opinions could be entertained on the subject : allowing each party to possess the ordinary faculties common to human beings in a sound and healthy state, yet such is really the fact : and if one party be right, the other must be wrong : because a person cannot correctly be said to be in his senses and out of his senses at the same time.

But there is considerable difficulty and some danger in applying logic to facts. Every person who takes the degree of Doctor becomes, in consequence of taking such degree, a learned man ; and it is libellous to