56 HISTORY OF 



Upon casting my eyes upon my body, and sur- 

 veying 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 happen- 

 ed 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 won- 

 ders, for it did not return me sensation for sensa- 

 tion, as my former feelings had done. I perceiv- 

 ed that there was something external, and which 

 did not make a part of my own existence. 



I now, therefore, resolved to touch whatever I 

 saw, and vainly attempted 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 an infinity of trials, 

 that I found some objects farther removed than 

 the rest. 



Amazed with the illusions and the uncertainty 

 of my state, I sat down beneath a tree : the most 

 beautiful fruits hung upon it, within my reach ; 

 I stretched forth my hand, and they instantly 



