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entered the apocryphal borderland of science, alchemy and hyperchemistry instead of scientific chemistry, astrology instead of astronomy, etc. He had also severed relations with literary art and his interest had gone over to mediaeval necromancy.

Strindberg hastened to Paris in order there to devote himself to these quasi-sciences. He believed himself to be in possession of certain ideas which, if he could prove them, would immediately make him famous within the province of scientific research, perhaps bring him enormous riches. As he had not written any literary works which brought him an income, he was practically destitute of everything.

I wish by the way to point out in this connection that Strindberg during his Inferno-period in Paris doubtless would have starved to death unless a stout-hearted Swede had intervened and sent him 300 crowns^[1] a month (the same amount that Bonnier paid him for The Inhabitants of Hemsö). This man was Vult von Steyern, editor and publisher of The Daily News, who ever since the legal proceedings against Strindberg caused by Married, had faithfully stood by him when want from time to time peeped in at his door.

Strindberg's little Austrian wife had accompanied him to Paris. As she was not only a hindrance to him in his scientific research and proposed experiments but also could not but notice that a pathological crisis was imminent, Strindberg took the first opportunity to send