ADVERTISEMENT.
The following Work is delivered to the world as the first
of a series of performances, which the favorable reception of
this will induce the Writer to publish. His purpose is neither
selfish nor temporary, but aims at the illustration of some important
branches of the moral constitution of man. Whether
this tale will be classed with the ordinary or srivolous sources
of amusement, or be ranked with the few productions whose
usefulness secures to them a lasting reputation, the reader must
be permitted to decide.
The incidents related are extraordinary and rare. Some of
them, perhaps, approach as nearly to the nature of miracles
as can be done by that which is not truly miraculous. It is
hoped that intelligent readers will not disapprove of the manner
in which appearances are solved, but that the solution will
be found to correspond with the known principles of human
nature. The power which the principal person is said to possess
can scarcely be denied to be real. It must be acknowledged
to be extremely rare; but no fact, equally uncommon, is supported
by the same strength of historical evidence.
Some readers may think the conduct of the younger Wieland
impossible. In support of its possibility the Writer must
appeal to Physicians and to men conversant with the latent
springs and occasional perversions of the human mind. It will
not be objected that the instances of similar delusion are rare,
because it is the business of moral painters to exhibit their subject
in its most instructive and memorable forms. If history
furnishes one parallel fact, it is a sufficient vindication of the
Writer; but most readers will probably recollect an authentic
case, remarkably similar to that of Wieland.
It will be necessary to add, that this narrative is addressed,
in an epistolary form, by the Lady whose story it contains, to
a small number of friends, whose curiosity, with regard to it,
had been greatly awakened. It may likewise be mentioned,
that these events took place between the conclusion of the
French and the beginning of the revolutionary war. The
memoirs of Carwin, alluded to at the conclusion of the work,
will be published or suppressed according to the reception
which is given to the present attempt.
C. B. B.
September 3, 1798.
