Читать книгу Sketches of Imposture, Deception, and Credulity онлайн

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One of these gentlemen, Mr. Mathias, published his view of the case. He was informed that Joanna was sixty-four years old, a virgin and pregnant with the expected son. Appearing incredulous, as he well might, he was asked “If he would believe when he saw the infant at the breast?” He protested against opinions so blasphemous, and cautioned them to be wary how they proceeded, and to consider the consequences of attempting a delusion so mischievous upon the ignorant and credulous. His further attendance was declined, as she had been answered, “That he had drawn a wrong judgment of her disorder.” In Mr. Mathias’s opinion, notoriety, ease, and affluence, appeared to be the prevailing passions of Joanna’s mind, and the means she adopted to fulfil her desires would seem, and actually proved, well calculated to answer her end. She passed much of her time in bed in downy indolence, she ate much and often, and prayed never; when she would have it she was with child, she, like other ladies in that situation, had longings; on one occasion she longed for asparagus, when it was by no means a cheap article of food; and so strong was her longing, that she is said to have eaten one hundred and sixty heads before she allayed it. At this period, shoals of enthusiasts, with more money than wit, poured into the metropolis, to behold this chosen vessel.