SUPPLEMENT 168
HAHNEMANN’S SPEECH OF GREETING IN PARIS.
(“Allg. hom. Ztg.,” 1836, Vol. 8, Page 178.)
I have come to France for the furthering of homoeopathy and am most happy to be amongst you.
I thank the French Government, in the name of all homoeopaths, for the freedom which it grands to our Society and for our activities. I hope soon that more numerous works will convince them of the means to practise it in a larger measure for the good of humanity.
In a writing which will soon appear I shall speak to the public about homoeopathy, which they know only imperfectly owing to malevolence. I shall explain in it what a homoeopath is, and what qualities he must possess to practise his beneficent science.
I only recognize as my pupils those who practise pure homoeopathy and whose treatment is free from all mixing of remedies hitherto used by the old school physician. In the name of my long years;’ experience, I request people to trust only the keen followers of my teachings, who have entirely renounced that homicidal mode of treatment. My long and successful practise, certified by my patients’ records which I offer to communicate, proves that pure homoeopathy, practised by those who thoroughly studied and completely grasped it, is in itself sufficient for all the needs of suffering mankind.
I thank the french Society for their works. I am pleased to see among them industrious and keen men who will continue that which they have so happily initiated. I am deeply touched by the expression of affection which I have received from all its members. I combine my zeal with theirs, and will support their endeavours for the furtherance of our divine science, because old age, which has never diminished its march, has not chilled my heart, or weakened my thoughts, and homoeopathy will always remain the object of my heart.
If we have to reluctantly acknowledge that the Paris Society, with a few exceptions that I recognise with pleasure, has not gained a very deep insight into our sciences, it is undoubtedly because homoeopathy has only recently appeared in Paris.
Whilst exhorting the members of the Society to unremitting and increased study, I would like them to consider, as well as you all, Gentlemen, that when we are dealing with a science which is concerned with the saving of life, it is a crime to neglect its study. I too, am convinced that this reproach does not apply to you, because imbued as you are with love for you fellow-men, you will not neglect to reach the appointed goal, and I am confident that you will succeed as I hope that you will always remain united in heart and principle.
And you, young men of France, who have not yet attained to the old errors, and are seeking for truth in wakeful nights of work, come to me, because I bring you the truth you have so long sought after, this sublime revelation of an eternal law of nature. I appeal to facts in trying to convince you; do not try to repudiate them until a conscientious and complete study will assure you of success; then you, like me, will bless Providence for that immeasurable Good, which has been allowed to descend upon the earth by my insignificant efforts, because I was only a feeble instrument of that Power before whom everything should remain humble.
SUPPLEMENT 169
THE FIRST MONTHS OF HAHNEMANN’S LIFE IN PARIS.
Dr. Peschier wrote, soon after the celebration in Paris, to the”Bibliotheque Homoeopathique,” Vol. VI, 1835 (See Griesselich’s “Hygea,” Vol. III, page 392).
Hahnemann’s family life is no longer the same as we knew it; he is no longer a widower, neither does he live in a small German city, but in Paris.
He has not come to this large city like many others, in order to be seen or to increase the fame of his celebrated name. Accompanied by his wife, a distinguished native of Paris, Hahnemann has come to the capital to rest from his great labours, to live there unknown and to complete his last scientific works, written in French. Homoeopathy as a medical principle has recently been subject to many attacks; even homoeopaths have disputes Hahnemann’s theories, rejected some points in them substituted other ideas. Hahnemann has not yet troubled to reply; he has allowed the objections to accumulate; but in his book, which will appear in French; he will refute will these cavillings, and by co-ordinating his thoughts, will put before us such a complete structure that criticism will find nothing to which to object.
Hahnemann stated that he wished to remain unknown in Paris; he had taken all precautionary measures for remaining unknown; even his keenest pupils knew nothing of his arrival for a fortnight; he dwell in an out-lying district and pays no visits. Yet a reputation like his will pierce through walls and ramparts; soon his house because known and from that moment onwards he was besieged by those seeking assistance.
But a faithful guardian angel watches over him day and night. His wife does not with that the few precious moments that are still left to the valiant old man should be wasted by individual interests of patients. The patients consulting him are no longer admitted indiscriminately, and the consultations have to be begged. Hahnemann is conscious of what he owes to the scientific world, and the time which he needs for mental activity must not be given to patients.
We are glad to be able to tell our readers that an illustrious old man enjoys a happiness which very rarely falls to the lot of of the scientist, that is, he is able to enjoy keenly the sweet comforts of life at an age when as a rule infirmities, illness and privations of all kinds besiege the aged. Hahnemann enjoys the full use of his faculties, and his intellectual capacities were never keener of more astounding; his health is extraordinarily good; he still he still possesses good deal of physical strength at 80 years of age; his eye is still possesses a good deal of physical strength at 80 years of age; his eye is still animated by the fire of youth. To this young wife he is the object of the most loving care. Hahnemann is genius personified, to whom the Graces pay homage; to his young wife he is more than man.
She worships him; we cannot express her feelings in other words; she has devoted herself, given herself entirely to him. She never leaves him; she is like his shadow, his old ego. She is endowed with great talents, speaks several European languages very fluently, had previously occupied herself with poetry, paints very well in oils (she has just completed Hahnemann’s portrait, which is a very good likeness) An engraving taken from this picture was published in the year 1847, in Dr. Dudgeon’s translation of Hahnemann’s “Organon.”, See also Chapter XVIII of Vol. I.; also she has eagerly studied homoeopathy, possesses an excellent memory, takes notes of the patients’ symptoms, in one word, she is Hahnemann’s invited us all to a celebration in his own house. On this occasion his wife saw all the homoeopathic physicians as enthusiastic pupils, as worshippers (“adoratours” – her own word) of her husband. We cannot praise sufficiently the kindness and grace with which she did the honours of this celebration. Hahnemann received us as if he had always been a great lord. He will not soon return to Cothen.
SUPPLEMENT 170
LETTERS OF HAHNEMANN, FROM PARIS, TO HIS GERMAN FRIENDS.
Hahnemann to Boenninghausen: Paris, January 7th, 1836.
Rue de Madame, No.7.
A fourteen days’ journey brought me here, together with my dear Malanie, in the great heat of the summer at the end of June. We arrived at what was previously her town residence in the middle of the city. We immediately decided to remove to am more spacious and airy residence. We were fortunate to find an excellent one where we were free from street noises, because only your servants live in the front part of the house: our large windows overlook a pretty garden, destined for our own use, which possesses a back door opening into the Luxembourg. The latter is a large public garden planted with trees, which is an hour’s walk in extent. We are living here in the purest air (since July 15th) as if we were in the country; we are like a couple of doves and love for one another daily increases (which seems almost impossible) for no husband could be brother daily increases (which seems almost impossible) for no husband could be happier on earth than I am, notwithstanding the large amount of work. Although we are not living in the centre of this enormous city, but on the outskirts where no foreign physician could have prospects of establishing a practice and least of all one like myself, who only visits patients in cases of very great necessity and compels all chronic case to come to him, yet my house is never free from people seeking help, apart from the friends who come at other times.
We enjoy here twenty-fold the esteem and distinction accorded to me in my previous surroundings. The French people are much more receptive to improvement and much more just, without the jealousy for merits as are the Germans. In the provinces our science numbers more true pupils than in Pairs (most of them were here on September 15th, for an important meeting, from all the surrounding, parts). Paris is far behind, because so many charlatans have usurped homoeopathic practice, who have wrought much harm and been very detrimental to our science through mixing the old leaven into it and consequently have had many failures. Now that I am here they are becoming less presumptuous, because my presence impresses them and the public begins to differentiate between their false wares and the true and helpful homoeopathy. I have, however, a small number of true pupils and followers (five in number) who gather round me and whom I hope to make into something good, if God grants me life-which appears to be the case, as the many friends who saw me before assure me unasked that I never more sprightly and fresh than I am now; and I do feel well, thank God!
Richard Haehl was also an editor and publisher of the homeopathic journal Allgemcine, and other homeopathic publications.
Haehl was responsible for saving many of the valuable artifacts of Samuel Hahnemann and retrieving the 6th edition of the Organon and publishing it in 1921.
Richard Haehl was the author of - Life and Work of Samuel Hahnemann