8 Gibson Place

St Andrews

Scotland

Feb 19

Dear Mr James

If Mrs Piper will give me any verifiable news about Mlle Luci (Ferrand) (ob. 1752) not already known to me, I will be open to convictions and pay her fees. As a psychologue you probably know about Mlle Ferrand, but I am an ignoramus.

In June 1896, I was reading the m.s. letters of Prince Charles, in the Queen's collection – (1749–1752). I found that H.R.H. was ‘run’ by a mysterious ‘Mlle Luci.’ Unable to find out anything about her, I asked Miss X, who looked in a common inkpot, and saw a pleasing young woman, say of 28, dark, like Madame Patti, 18th century costume (I forget details of costume) and, on her shoulder, another lady's long white hand with a marquise diamond ring. Now please look at Condillac, Traité des Sensations, and read the initial chapter, a letter to Madame de Vassé. My Mlle Luci, I found by various hints, was the Mademoiselle Ferrand, mentioned in that chapter, who coached Condillac: she was the bosom friend of Madame de Vassé; they called each other sisters. The hand, we shall call Madame de Vassé's, who, in the Prince's secret corresponds [sic], is always called ‘La Grande main.’ It is picturesque, though not ‘evidential.’ But read Condillac's chapter. The pair kept the Prince hidden in their rooms in a convent: they call Condillac ‘le philosophe.’ I thought it was Montesquieu, but I was wrong.

Now if Mrs Piper can go one better, it won't be evidence, for you know the facts, but it will be useful. And I'm sure a girl who could coach Condillac and mother Prince Charlie was no ordinary young woman. Miss X. knew nothing, for I didn't when I asked her, and the name ‘Luci’ was a cypher name: all we knew: and I only said ‘look for Mlle Luci’, without saying why. And what does Mrs Piper know of Mlle Luci?

Your theory of singular taboos is the same as mine; Dr Johnson being a case. But taboos of wider prevelance have usually a discernible reason, if we know the run of the early mind: Jevons does not, I fancy.