ike sacks, closed at
the feet. If they received any bruises by falling down they were healed
with earth from the grave of the uncanonised saint. They usually,
however, showed great agility in this respect, and it is scarcely
necessary to remark that the female sex especially was distinguished by
all kinds of leaping and almost inconceivable contortions of body. Some
spun round on their feet with incredible rapidity, as is related of the
dervishes; others ran their heads against walls, or curved their bodies
like rope-dancers, so that their heels touched their shoulders.

All this degenerated at length into decided insanity. A certain
Convulsionnaire, at Vernon, who had formerly led rather a loose course of
life, employed herself in confessing the other sex; in other places women
of this sect were seen imposing exercises of penance on priests, during
which these were compelled to kneel before them. Others played with
children's rattles, or drew about small carts, and gave to these childish
acts symbolical significations. One Convulsionnaire even made believe to
shave her chin, and gave religious instruction at the same time, in order
to imitate Paris, the worker of miracles, who, during this operation, and
whilst at table, was in the habit of preaching. Some had a board placed
across their bodies, upon which a whole row of men stood; and as, in this
unnatural state of mind, a kind of pleasure is derived from excruciating
pain, some too were seen who caused their bosoms to be pinched with
tongs, while others, with gowns closed at the feet, stood upon their
heads, and remained in that position longer than would have been possible
had they been in health. Pinault, the advocate, who belonged to this
sect, barked like a dog some hours every day, and even this found
imitation among the believers.

The insanity of the Convulsionnaires lasted without interruption until
the year 1790, and during these fifty-nine years called forth more
lamentable phenomena that the enlightened spirits of the eighteenth
century would be willing to allow. The grossest immorality found in the
secret meetings of the believers a sure sanctuary, and in their
bewildering devotional exercises a convenient cloak. It was of no avail
that, in the year 1762, the Grand Secours was forbidden by act of
parliament; for thenceforth this work was carried on in secrecy, and with
greater zeal than ever; it was in vain, too, that some physicians, and
among