346 LETTEES ON NATURAL MAGIC. 



and I was perfectly aware of my situation. By 

 degrees, as the pleasurable sensation increased, I 

 lost all connexion with external things ; trains of 

 vivid visible images rapidly passed through my 

 mind, and were connected with words in such a 

 manner as to produce perceptions perfectly novel. 

 I existed in a world of newly connected and 

 newly modified ideas. When I was awakened 

 from this same delirious trance by Dr. Kinglake, 

 who took the bag from my mouth, indignation 

 and pride were the first feelings produced by the 

 sight of the persons about me. My emotions 

 were enthusiastic and sublime, and for a moment 

 I walked round the room, perfectly regardless of 

 what was said to me. As I recovered my former 

 state of mind, I felt an inclination to communi- 

 cate the discoveries I had made during the experi- 

 ment. I endeavoured to recall the ideas ; they 

 were feeble and indistinct. One recollection 

 of terms, however, presented itself, and with the 

 most intense belief and prophetic manner I ex- 

 claimed to Dr. Kinglake, 'Nothing exists but 

 thoughts ; the universe is composed of impres- 

 sions, ideas, pleasures, and pains !' ' 



These remarkable properties induced several 

 persons to repeat the experiment of breathing 

 this exhilarating medicine. Its effects were, as 

 might have been expected, various 'in different 

 individuals ; but its general effect was to produce 

 in the gravest and most phlegmatic the highest 

 degree of exhilaration and happiness unaccom- 

 panied with languor or depression. In some it 

 created an irresistible disposition to laugh, and 

 in others a propensity to muscular exertion. In 

 some it impaired the intellectual functions, and 



