[438] Of 45 insane writers referred to by Philomneste (op. cit.) there were—15 who devoted themselves to poetry, 12 to theology, 5 to prophecy, 3 to autobiography, 2 to mathematics, 2 to mental pathology, 2 to politics. Poetry predominates for the reason above given, while, on the other hand, theology, philosophy, and the like are more prominent in the mattoids.
[439] Page 200.
[440] He declares that musk reminds him of scarlet and gold, and describes “perfumes which have the smell of infants’ flesh, or of the dawn,” &c., &c.
[441] Manso, Vita, p. 249.
[442] Du Vin, i. 1880.
[443] Schurz, i. 328.
[444] Kreisler is, like himself, full of strange ideals, always at war with reality, and ends by becoming insane.
“Francesco, inferma, entro le membra inferme
Ho l’anima.”
[446] Epistolario, iii. 1.