# XLIV Diamond cut diamond; or, yankee superstitions—Matthias the impostor—New York follies thirty years ago. explained — The Humbugs of the World

> Chapter companion for The Humbugs of the World by P. T. Barnum.

## What happens

This chapter details the story of Robert Matthews, who called himself Matthias, a religious humbug who convinced wealthy New York merchants like Elijah Pierson, Benjamin H. Folger, and Mr. Mills that he was God the Father. It describes his appearance, his absurd doctrines, his abusive behavior, and his eventual downfall, including the suspicious death of Pierson and Matthias's trial for poisoning and assault.

## Themes in this chapter

### Religion and Superstition

Matthias's claims to be God the Father and his manipulation of religious beliefs illustrate the intersection of religion and humbug.

### Gullibility and Human Nature

The wealthy merchants' unquestioning acceptance of Matthias's absurd doctrines highlights human gullibility.

### Hypocrisy and Moral Judgment

Matthias's cowardice and abusive behavior contrast with his claims of divine authority, exposing hypocrisy.

## Character check-ins

### Matthias

Robert Matthews, the central impostor who claimed to be God the Father and manipulated wealthy disciples.

### Pierson

Elijah Pierson, a wealthy merchant and disciple who believed himself Elijah the Tishbite and later John the Baptist, and who died under suspicious circumstances.

### Folger

Benjamin H. Folger, a wealthy merchant and disciple who housed Matthias and briefly regained his senses.

### Mr. Mills

A wealthy merchant and early disciple who housed Matthias before being sent to an asylum.

## Key lines

> All the world chooses to be fooled."⁠—"Let it be fooled then.

The world prefers to be deceived, so let it be deceived.

_This Latin phrase sets the tone for the chapter's exploration of superstition and humbug among even intelligent people._

> He claimed to be God the Father; and his doctrine was, in substance, this:⁠—"The true kingdom of God on Earth began in Albany in June 1830, and will be completed in twenty-one years, or by 1851."

Matthias asserted he was God the Father and preached that God's kingdom on Earth started in Albany in 1830 and would be finished by 1851.

_This summarizes Matthias's core blasphemous claim and his apocalyptic timeline._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/xliv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters