At Col. Brase’s advice, Mám is reading Coué’s ‘Selbstbemeisterung’ [‘Self Mastery through Conscious Autosuggestion’] ((Émile Coué (1857-1926) was a French pharmacist and psychologist who discovered the impact of suggestion and developed a method of psychotherapy and self-healing. He believed that many problems and indeed illnesses could be cured via the unconscious by use of the imagination rather than conscious will-power. He regarded himself not as a healer but one who taught others to heal themselves.)) and she thinks it wonderful. The only disadvantage is that exercises must be done daily. One splendid idea is emphasised, namely that in certain cases will-power does not count, but the conquering of the imagination, as I discovered to my cost when in Dickie’s class the more will-power I used to try and stop laughing, the more I laughed. Went in great style with my new suit to the theatre where I was kindly invited by Mrs. Stockley and Sophie to see Donizetti’s ‘Don Pasquale’. All the so-called noblesse of Cork were assembled. I enjoyed it immensely, it is so charming and fascinating, and develops so quaintly. Perhaps the last scene is a bit of a disappointment. But the Don was wonderful, so fussy, whimsical and erratic. Norina had a delightful voice, flute-like and silvery, and her mimicry and Spanish character was excellent. The doctor was likewise charming. I wish I knew more about opera in general. Then I could hold forth!
