But perhaps the most curious evidence of his every-day faith in divination is that contained in the two following extracts from his correspondence:—
TO M. CHAPELAIN, PHYSICIAN.
Paris, May, 1832.
Sir,—I am attracted by the power of somnambulism, and wonder why you have not sought to obtain from some lucid subject the causes of this disaster.[[12]]
Science is interested therein, and its discovery would be an eternal honor to us.
Had I not been ill for a week past I would have ascended to the honors of practice, and endeavored to convince myself whether the power of a somnambulist was limited or infinite.
The second extract is from a letter addressed to his mother a year later:—
“I send you herewith two pieces of flannel which I have worn on the body. Take them to M. Chapelain, and when he has examined the first, ask of him the cause and position of the malady[[13]] and how it should be treated. See that everything is clearly explained. Then with the second piece ask the why and wherefore of the blister ordered in the precedent consultation.
“Be careful to keep the flannels well wrapped up, that the emanations may not be disturbed.”
Balzac’s hatred of journalists was intense, and from Sainte-Beuve down to the most insignificant penny-a-liner all were enveloped in the same superb contempt.