evailing
notions of the times, in the difference of temperaments. Others, again,
were enraptured with green; and eye-witnesses describe this rage for
colours as so extraordinary, that they can scarcely find words with which
to express their astonishment. No sooner did the patients obtain a sight
of the favourite colour than, new as the impression was, they rushed like
infuriated animals towards the object, devoured it with their eager
looks, kissed and caressed it in every possible way, and gradually
resigning themselves to softer sensations, adopted the languishing
expression of enamoured lovers, and embraced the handkerchief, or
whatever other article it might be, which was presented to them, with the
most intense ardour, while the tears streamed from their eyes as if they
were completely overwhelmed by the inebriating impression on their
senses.

The dancing fits of a certain Capuchin friar in Tarentum excited so much
curiosity, that Cardinal Cajetano proceeded to the monastery, that he
might see with his own eyes what was going on. As soon as the monk, who
was in the midst of his dance, perceived the spiritual prince clothed in
his red garments, he no longer listened to the tarantella of the
musicians, but with strange gestures endeavoured to approach the
Cardinal, as if he wished to count the very threads of his scarlet robe,
and to allay his intense longing by its odour. The interference of the
spectators, and his own respect, prevented his touching it, and thus the
irritation of his senses not being appeased, he fell into a state of such
anguish and disquietude, that he presently sank down in a swoon, from
which he did not recover until the Cardinal compassionately gave him his
cape. This he immediately seized in the greatest ecstasy, and pressed
now to his breast, now to his forehead and cheeks, and then again
commenced his dance as if in the frenzy of a love fit.

At the sight of colours which they disliked, patients flew into the most
violent rage, and, like the St. Vitus's dancers when they saw red
objects, could scarcely be restrained from tearing the clothes of those
spectators who raised in them such disagreeable sensations.

Another no less extraordinary symptom was the ardent longing for the sea
which the patients evinced. As the St. John's dancers of the fourteenth
century saw, in the spirit, the heavens open and display all the
splendour of the saints, so did those who were suffering under the