The simulation of insanity is not an innovation peculiar to modern day schemers, though it is now frequently resorted to by designing criminals. In the sacred writings is recorded that the Shepherd King of Israel changed his behavior and feigned himself mad and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard, because he was sore afraid of the king of Gath. In order to escape the Trojan war, Ulysses feigned insanity by plowing the sea-shore and sowing salt instead of corn. And Lucius Junius Brutus, it is said, played the imbecile for a purpose. To detect simulation and to establish the requisite proof of it, have at all times been matters of more or less difficulty. Casper met with many cases of the sort and appreciated the difficulties which they presented. Says Hammond: No one, no matter how skillful an alienist he
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