This coincidence is seen best in the French lunatics studied by Esquirol.[186] The French figures present with most clearness the effect of thermometrical influences, because in France the entry of lunatics into asylums, being little impeded by red-tapeism, follows closely on the outbreak. --------+----------------+---------++--------+----------------+---------- | INSANE. | || | INSANE. | Month. +-------+--------+ Tempera-|| Month. +-------+--------+ Tempera- | Italy.| France.| ture. || | Italy.| France.| ture. --------+-------+--------+---------++--------+-------+--------+--------- June | 2,704 | 55 | 21° 29C.|| October|1,637 | 44 | 12° 77C. May | 2,642 | 58 | 16° 75C.|| Sept. |1,604 | 48 | 19° 00C. July | 2,614 | 52 | 23° 75C.|| Dec. |1,529 | 35 | 1° 01C. August | 2,261 | 45 | 21° 92C.|| Feb. |1,420 | 40 | 5° 73C. April | 2,237 | 50 | 16° 12C.|| Jan. |1,476 | 42 | 1° 63C. March | 1,829 | 49 | 6° 60C.|| Nov. |1,452 | 47 | 7° 17C. --------+-------+--------+---------++--------+-------+--------+-------- Now, a similar influence may be noted in those to whom nature, benevolently or malevolently, has conceded the power of intellect more generously than to others. There are few among these who do not confess that their inspiration is strangely subject to the influence of weather. Those who associate with them, or who read their correspondence, know that they suffer so greatly from this cause that they often complain to every one, and struggle, with the help of various artifices, against the malignant influences which impede the free flight of their thought. _Sensitiveness to Barometrical Conditions._--Montaigne wrote: “_Si la santé me sied et la clarté d’un beau jour, me voilà honnête homme_.” Diderot wrote, “_Il me semble que j’ai l’esprit fou dans les grands vents_.” Giordani foretold storms two days beforehand.[187] Maine de Biran, a very spiritualistic philosopher, wrote, in his _Journal de ma Vie Intime_, “I do not know how it is that in bad weather I feel my intelligence and will so unlike what they are in fine weather;” and again, “There are days in which my thought seems to break through the veils which surround it. In some conditions of the weather I feel delight in good, and adore virtue; at other times I am indifferent to everything, even to my duties. Are our sentiments, our affections, our principles, related to the physical condition of our organs?”[188] The study of his _Journal_ shows us the justice of his doubts. Let us take 1818. In April we find two periods of good inspiration and four of bad, although the weather was fine; in May he was constantly sad, and in November only cheerful during ten days. “_1815, May._--I am suffering from the nervous disposition which I experience in spring; and though wishing to do too much, I do nothing....