376 HISTORY OF 



I now began to gaze without emotion, and to hearken with 

 tranquillity, when a light breeze, the freshness of which charm- 

 ed me, wafted its perfumes to my sense of smelling, and gave 

 me such satisfaction 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 unknown and secret power. 



I had scarcely proceeded forward, when the novelty of my 

 situation once more rendered me immoveable. My surprise 

 returned ; I supposed 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 dis- 

 tinct and perfect, and so superior to the senses I had yet expe- 

 rienced, that I employed myself for some time in repeating its 

 enjoyments ; every part of my person I touched, seemed 

 to touch my hand in turn ; and gave back sensation for 

 sensation. 



I soon found that this faculty was expanded over the whole 

 surface of my body; and I now lirst began to perceive the 

 limits of my existence, which I had in the beginning supposed 

 spread over all the objects 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 tiu-ned 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 per- 



