Lieui.-Colotiel Beigcs' Memoir of the early Life of Nana Farne'vis. 97 



" this knowledge from the conviction of our reason, and from an innate 

 " consciousness arising out of sympathy. Thus liow often does it occur, 

 " when men assemble, though sitting at a distance from each other, that 

 " they communicate their thoughts by a look or a gesture, just as a mirror 

 " reflects an image. 



" Now it is evident, that if the spirit in those bodies were not the same 

 " and identified, this union of sentiment could not occur. 



" The soul of man partakes of the nature of the spirit of God, and to 

 " every human being is allotted a portion of its glory; but, regardless and 

 " unmindful of this truth, man relinquishes the contemplation of the 

 " greatness of God, and pursues what he considers the apparent advantage 

 " which presents itself to him in this world of misery. Such, however, is 

 " consistent with human nature. It is mdyd (illusion or desire) with which 

 •' he is filled, and which prompts him to action. Mdyd can neither be 

 " considered substantial, nor positively illusory, no more than the face of 

 " God can be seen or accurately described. Mdyd influences the 

 " conduct of man in three ways : it leads him sometimes to do good, 

 " sometimes to be selfish, and sometimes to be vicious, but its prevaiHng 

 " tendency is to engender pride. The spirit produced the firmament of 

 " heaven, after which air, light, water and earth, were made. These five 

 " elements we designate by the term Mahdbhut. 



" In the midst of these is seated the soul, endued with reason, and 

 " surrounded by the five mahdbhiUs, or elements. The soul is eternal ; it is 

 " unconnected with the perishable body wherein it is placed, but from 

 " which it is distinct. The human frame is material ; it is compounded of 

 " the five elements, and is thus rendered capable of partaking of worldly 

 " pleasure and of pain. It is calculated merely to receive sensual im- 

 " pressions. It is begotten in shame ; it is engendered, and becomes 

 " matured in labour ; and is liable to destruction, even before it is brought 

 " into existence. It is condemned to a mortification of nine months in the 

 " womb, is eventually born in pain, and enters a world full of misery and 

 " affliction. For a lengthened period it is incapable of assisting itself, or 

 " of asking relief: but gradually acquiring size by imbibing aliment, the 

 " bones and the muscles acquire strength, the blood is nourished, and in 

 «' the end tlie infant-form assumes the siiape of man. 



" Of such materials then am I formed. Born* in the depths of ignorance, 

 • On Friday, 24th of February 1742, at 10 o'clock p. m. 



Vol. II. O 



