ANIMALS. 231 



Quite occupied with this new kind of existence, I had already for 

 gotten the light which was my first inlet into life ; when I once more 

 opened my eyes, and found myself again in possession of my former 

 happiness. The gratification of the two senses at once, was a plea 

 sure too great for utterance. 



I turned my eyes upon a thousand various ohjects; I soon found 

 thJit I could lose them, and restore them at will; and amused myseli 

 more at leisure with a repetition of this new-made power. 



1 now began to gaze without emotion, and to hearken with tran- 

 quillity, when a light breeze, the freshness of which charmed rne, 

 wafted its perfumes to my sense of smelling, and gave me such satis- 

 faction as even increased my self-love. 



Agitated, roused by the various pleasures of my new existence, I 

 instantly arose, and perceived myself moved along, as if by some un- 

 known and secret power. 



I had scarce proceeded forward, when the novelty of my situation 

 once more rendered me immoveable. My surprise returned; I sup- 

 posed that every object around me had been in motion : I gave to 

 them that agitation which I produced by changing place; and the 

 whole creation seemed once more in disorder. 



I lifted my hand to my head; I touched my forehead; I felt my 

 whole frame; I then supposed that my hand was the principal organ 

 of my existence; all its informations were distinct and perfect; and 

 so superior to the senses I had yet experienced, that I employed my- 

 self for some time in repeating its enjoyments : every part of mv per- 

 son 1 touched, seemed to touch my hand in turn, and gave back sen- 

 sation for sensation. 



I soon found that this faculty was expanded over the whole surface 

 of.my body; and I now first began to perceive the limits of my exis- 

 tence, which I had in the beginning supposed spread over all the ob- 

 jects I saw. 



Upon casting my eyes upon my body, and surveying my own form, 

 I thought it greater than all the objects that surrounded me. I gazed 

 upon my person with pleasure; I examined the formation of my hand, 

 and all its motions ; it seemed to me large or little in proportion as I 

 approached it to my eyes; I brought it very near, and it then hid 

 almost every other object from my sight. I began soon, however, to find 

 that my sight gave me uncertain information, and resolved to depend 

 upon my feeling for redress. 



This precaution was of the utmost service; I renewed my motions, 

 and walked forward with my face turned towards the heavens. I 

 happened to strike lightly against a palm-tree, and this renewed my 

 surprise: I laid my hand on this strange body; it seemed replete with 

 new wonders, for it did not return me sensation for sensation, as my 

 former feelings had done. I perceived that there was something ex- 

 ternal, and which did not make a part of my own existence. 



I now, therefore, resolved to touch whatever I saw, and vainly at- 

 tempted to touch the sun; I stretched forth my arm, and felt only 

 yielding air: at every effort, I fell from one surprise into another, for 

 every object appeared equally near me; and it was not till after ai> 

 n.ulrmy of trials that 1 found some objects farther removed f han the rest 



