Some few of my readers may remember that in a former paper I suggested the possibility of the existence of an idiotic area in the human mind, corresponding to the blind spot in the human retina.  I trust that I shall not be thought to have let my wits go wandering in that region of my own intellectual domain, when I relate a singular coincidence which very lately occurred in my experience, and add a few remarks made by one of our company on the delicate and difficult but fascinating subject which it forces upon our attention.  I will first copy the memorandum made at the time: 

“Remarkable coincidence.  On Monday, April 18th, being at table from 6.30
P. M. to 7.30, with ________and ________ the two ladies of my
household, I told them of the case of ‘trial by battel’ offered by
Abraham Thornton in 1817.  I mentioned his throwing down his glove, which
was not taken up by the brother of his victim, and so he had to be let
off, for the old law was still in force.  I mentioned that Abraham
Thornton was said to have come to this country, ’and [I added] he may be
living near us, for aught that I know.”  I rose from the table, and found
an English letter waiting for me, left while I sat at dinner.  A copy the
first portion of this letter: 

’20 Alfred place, West (near Museum) South Kensington, London, S. W. April 7, 1887.  Dr. O. W. Holmes: 

Dear sir,—­In travelling, the other day, I met with a reprint of the very interesting case of Thornton for murder, 1817.  The prisoner pleaded successfully the old Wager of Battel.  I thought you would like to read the account, and send it with this....

Yours faithfully,
Fred. Rathbone.’

Mr. Rathbone is a well-known dealer in old Wedgwood and eighteenth-century art.  As a friend of my hospitable entertainer, Mr. Willett, he had shown me many attentions in England, but I was not expecting any communication from him; and when, fresh from my conversation, I found this letter just arrived by mail, and left while I was at table, and on breaking the seal read what I had a few moments before been; telling, I was greatly surprised, and immediately made a note of the occurrence, as given above.

I had long been familiar with all the details of this celebrated case, but had not referred to it, so far as I can remember, for months or years.  I know of no train of thought which led me to speak of it on that particular day.  I had never alluded to it before in that company, nor had I ever spoken of it with Mr. Rathbone.

I told this story over our teacups.  Among the company at the table is a young English girl.  She seemed to be amused by the story.  “Fancy!” she said,—­“how very very odd!” “It was a striking and curious coincidence,” said the professor who was with us at the table.  “As remarkable as two teaspoons in one saucer,” was the comment of a college youth who happened to