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Kaspar Hauser. 
157 
declares that, considering all the circumstances, it was a wonder 
that Kaspar had remained as good as he was. 
In discussing the suicide theory, Meyer states the arguments 
pro and con in a manner which proves that public opinion at that 
time would not have tolerated an assertion of the charge as a 
fact. The reasons for rejecting the theory are as follows : 
I. Kaspar Hauser always showed in word and manner a great 
horror of death. 
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II. He was frightened and anxious if anyone held a knife or 
scissors towards him, even In play. Only a week before the 
murder, Frau Meyer happening to say at table that a certain 
knife was so sharp and pointed that one could easily stab one 
self with it, Kaspar le(t the room, exclaiming that such things 
ought not to be spoken. Pastor Fuhrmann also told how Kaspar 
ran into a corner, pale and excited, because FFuhrmann came 
towards him in play with a pair of scissors in lis hand. 
III. Kaspar made a great ado over the slightest wound inflicted 
by a knife. Once, when he had cut his finger slightly, he was 
alternately chilly and feverish, turned pale and was ill for two 
days. Still, he could bear a toothache with considerable patience, 
and allow a tooth to be extracted without unusual complaint. 
IV. He showed in general a remarkable tenderness of feeling, 
wept easily, and was greatly agitated on hearing or seeing any: 
thing of an affecting nature. 
V. He never suffered from fits of passion or of gloominess such 
as might tempt him to put an end to his life. For several days 
before the catastrophe he seemed abstracted and thoughtful ; but 
he had often showed the same disposition before, and had soon 
returned to his ordinary cheerfulness. 
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