Letter from Etienne Prieur

July 7, 1818

Amiens

Sir,

I received your last letter with satisfaction. You appear much better, your mind is calmer and your health better; with time and patience we will succeed in uprooting from your imagination all these disastrous fantasies that have been plaguing you for more than twenty-three years.

Mr. Lomini has never had any real power over you, and at present he has none; he is clearly abusing you, trying to persuade you that he can do something to heal you, but he would do better to heal himself first, and get rid of his secret obsessions which gnaw at him night and day like a worm. Rest assured, you should expect nothing from him. 

You are tormented by a desire to be cured. You have given no breathing space to people like P, Van, and M, who have taken you into their care, happy to work toward your recovery.

I’ll see you before a month. I’ll give you the address of our house, and you can come to see me there, and I can affect your recovery more quickly. Do not forget me before the Blessed Virgin when you go to Saint-Roch in the evening. 

With respect and consideration,

Etienne.