232 A HISTORY OF 



Amazed with the illusions, and the uncertainty of my state, I sal 

 down beneath a tree ; the most beautiful fruits hung upon it, within 

 my reach; I stretched forth my hand, and they instantly separated 

 from the branch. I was proud of being able to grasp a substance 

 without me; I held them up, and their weight appeared to me like an 

 animated power that endeavoured to draw them to the earth. I found 

 a pleasure -in conquering their resistance. 



I held them near my eye ; I considered their form and beauty ; their 

 fragrance still more allured me to bring them nearer; I approached 

 them to my lips, and drank in their odours; the perfume invited my 

 sense of tasting, and I soon tried a new sense How new! how ex- 

 quisite ! Hitherto I had tasted only of pleasure ; but now it was luxury. 

 The power of tasting gave me the idea of possession. 



Flattered with this new acquisition, I continued its exercise, till an 

 agreeable languor stealing upon my mind, I felt all my limbs become 

 heavy, and all my desires suspended. My sensations were now no 

 longer vivid and distinct; but seemed to lose every object, and pre- 

 sented only feeble images, confusedly marked. At that instant I sunk 

 upon the flowery bank, and slumber seized me. All now seemed once 

 more lost to me. It was then as if I was returning into my former 

 nothing. How long my sleep continued, I cannot tell ; as I yet had 

 no perception of time. My awaking appeared like a second birth; 

 and I then perceived that I had ceased for a time to exist. This pro- 

 duced a new sensation of fear; and from this interruption in life, I 

 began to conclude that I was not formed to exist for ever. 



In this state of doubt and perplexity, I began to harbour new sus- 

 picions; and to fear that sleep had robbed me of some of my late 

 powers ; when, turning on one side, to resolve my doubts, what was 

 my amazement, to behold another being, like myself, stretched by my 

 side! New ideas now began to arise: new passions, as yet unper- 

 ceived, with fears, and pleasures, all took possession of my mind, and 

 prompted my curiosity; love served to complete that happiness which 

 was begun in the individual; and every sense was gratified in all its 

 varieties. 



CHAPTER X. 



OP OLD AGE AND DEATH.* 



EVERY thing in nature has its improvement and decay. The hu- 

 man form is no sooner arrived at its state of perfection, than it begins 

 to decline. The alteration is, at first, insensible; and, often, several 

 years are elapsed before we find ourselves grown old. The news of 

 this disagreeable change too generally comes from without; and we 

 learn from others that we grow old, before we are willing to believe 

 the report. 



When the body has come to its full height, and is extended into it* 



This chapte. is taken from Mr. Buffon, except where it is marked by ipver*e'l commas. 



