But why should we marvel at the credulity and superstition of our forefathers, when we daily observe equal absurdities? Fanaticism and bigotry will ever strive to speculate on human weakness, and endeavour to surround with impenetrable mists every rebel to their power who gropes for the shrine of reason and of truth. Johanna Southcote had her votaries, and Prince Hohenlohe is still considered by many a pious person, as a vicarious instrument of divine mercy. No miraculous recovery recorded in the dark ages can surpass the tenebral absurdity of the following relation of one of his cures: Miss O'Connor was a nun in a convent near Chelmsford, and in December 1820, being about thirty years old, was suddenly attacked by a violent pain in the right hand, which extended with much swelling and inflammation up the arm. The whole limb became red, swollen, extremely painful, and entirely useless. Every remedy, both topical and directed to the system, was tried in vain for a year and a half. There was no suppuration, nor any formation of pus; but the malady continued obdurate, and yielded to no application. The resources of the flesh having manifestly failed, Mrs. Gerard, the worthy superior, very properly betook herself to those of the spirit. She made a request through a friend to Prince Hohenlohe to assist the patient in this her extreme case; when the following precious document, which it would be impious to translate into heretical English, was received: "_Pour la Religeuse Novice d'Angleterre._ "Le trois du mois de Mai, a huit heures, je dirai, conformement a votre demande, pour votre guerison, mes prieres. Joignez-y a la meme heure, apres avoir confesse et communie, les votres, avec cette ferveur angelique et cette confiance pleniere que nous devons a notre Redempteur J. C.: excitez au fond de votre coeur les vertus divines d'un vrai repentir, d'un amour Chretien, d'une croyance sans bornes d'etre exauce, et d'une resolution inebranlable de mener une vie exemplaire, afin de vous maintenir en etat de grace. Agreez l'assurance de ma consideration. "PRINCE ALEXANDRE HOHENLOHE. "Bamberg, Mars 16, 1822."