The True Story of Father Girard and Miss Cadiere. Also Poetical Version of Girard and Cadiere.
London: R. Turpin, 1840. First Edition Thus. Hardcover. Small octavo. 30pp. Original cloth spine with grey paper-covered boards, and gilt-lettered spine label. Although not stated within the volume, the edition was apparently limited to 50 copies (one source says 60). The trials of Catherine Cadière, or Marie-Catherine Cadière, (1709 - ), and Jean-Baptiste Girard are commonly regarded as the last of the French witch trials and the last public examination of a case of "possession." Shortly after the then-eighteen year old Cadière fell under the influence of the forty-eight year old Jesuit Girard, she began to suffered from bouts of hysteria, and was subject to stigmata and visions, which Girard, interpreted as signs of saintliness but these soon transformed into the convulsions and profanity associated not with Divine influence, but demonic possession. Cadière was subjected to a public exorcism, but later asserted that Girard used some sort of witchcraft (later likened to magic or mesmerism) to seduce her and take sexual advantage of her, and of heresy. An initial investigation found Girard innocent of the charges, but accused Cadière of giving false testimony, and recommended that in keeping with the Royal decree on witchcraft of 1682 she be tortured to reveal any accomplices and then hanged. The case caused a huge outcry. Both Cadière and Girard had their supporters, and suggestions that there had been a perverse side to sexual relations increased the prurient interest in the trial, whilst the whole affair tied in with deep political and religious divisions within France. Eventually the Crown intervened and insisted that the trial be held at a higher level, in the Parlement of Aix, but this did not settle the matter as the panel were split on the verdict, with half determining that Girard was guilty and should be burned; and the other half that Cadière should be hanged. Eventually a compromise was reached and both were acquitted. The case created a huge literature, much salacious, some pornographic, and a lot political. The current tract comprises "The True Story of Father Girard and Miss Cadiere" an eleven page summary of the events apparently written especially for this volume, along with a satirical poem about them "Poetical Version of Girard and Cadiere" by "Michael Smith ... Vicar of South Mimms, in Hertfordshire" which was apparently first published in "Christianity unmasqued: or unavoidable ignorance preferable to corrupt Christianity : A poem in twenty-one cantos," in 1771. Both essay and poem are clearly written from an anti Papist, and specifically anti-Jesuit position, although again with suitably saucy undertones - including a reference to "discipline" in the essay - to titillate and audience. In fact, despite having relatively minor references to flagellation, "The True Story of Father Girard and Miss Cadiere" is regarded as part of the literary canon of that subject, with the relevant section of the text being quoted in "Experiences Of Flagellation" by "An Amateur Flagellant" (London, 1885) and other well known works on the topic. Spine ends chafed, spine label rubbed, boards slightly rubbed & discolored, page-edges browned, old excised catalogue entry (for this edition) glued to front pastedown, offsetting to front endpapers, otherwise a solid VG copy of an extremely rare book. Item #45612
Price: $350.00