Thenceforth, they gave up all attempts at cure or
palliation. The doomed sufferer submitted to his fate, resumed his
former loathsome affection for the bosom-fiend, and spent whole
miserable days before a looking-glass, with his mouth wide open,
watching, in hope and horror, to catch a glimpse of the snake's
head, far down within his throat. It is supposed that he succeeded;
for the attendants once heard a frenzied shout, and rushing into the
room, found Roderick lifeless upon the floor.
He was kept but little longer under restraint. After minute
investigation, the medical directors of the asylum decided that his
mental disease did not amount to insanity, nor would warrant his
confinement; especially as its influence upon his spirits was
unfavorable, and might produce the evil which it was meant to
remedy. His eccentricities were doubtless great- he had habitually
violated many of the customs and prejudices of society; but the
world was not, without surer ground, entitled to treat him as a
madman. On this decision of such competent authority, Roderick was
released, and had returned to his native city, the very day before his
encounter with George Herkimer.
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