AnAmericanTalebyCharlesBrockdenBrownFromVirtue'sblissfulpathsawayThedouble-tonguedaresuretostray；
　　Goodisaforth-rightjourneystill，Andmazypathsbutleadtoill。
　　Advertisement。
　　ThefollowingWorkisdeliveredtotheworldasthefirstofaseriesofperformances，whichthefavorablereceptionofthiswillinducetheWritertopublish。Hispurposeisneitherselfishnortemporary，butaimsattheillustrationofsomeimportantbranchesofthemoralconstitutionofman。Whetherthistalewillbeclassedwiththeordinaryorfrivoloussourcesofamusement，orberankedwiththefewproductionswhoseusefulnesssecurestothemalastingreputation，thereadermustbepermittedtodecide。
　　Theincidentsrelatedareextraordinaryandrare。Someofthem，perhaps，approachasnearlytothenatureofmiraclesascanbedonebythatwhichisnottrulymiraculous。Itishopedthatintelligentreaderswillnotdisapproveofthemannerinwhichappearancesaresolved，butthatthesolutionwillbefoundtocorrespondwiththeknownprinciplesofhumannature。
　　Thepowerwhichtheprincipalpersonissaidtopossesscanscarcelybedeniedtobereal。Itmustbeacknowledgedtobeextremelyrare；butnofact，equallyuncommon，issupportedbythesamestrengthofhistoricalevidence。
　　SomereadersmaythinktheconductoftheyoungerWielandimpossible。InsupportofitspossibilitytheWritermustappealtoPhysiciansandtomenconversantwiththelatentspringsandoccasionalperversionsofthehumanmind。Itwillnotbeobjectedthattheinstancesofsimilardelusionarerare，becauseitisthebusinessofmoralpainterstoexhibittheirsubjectinitsmostinstructiveandmemorableforms。Ifhistoryfurnishesoneparallelfact，itisasufficientvindicationoftheWriter；butmostreaderswillprobablyrecollectanauthenticcase，remarkablysimilartothatofWieland。
　　Itwillbenecessarytoadd，thatthisnarrativeisaddressed，inanepistolaryform，bytheLadywhosestoryitcontains，toasmallnumberoffriends，whosecuriosity，withregardtoit，hadbeengreatlyawakened。Itmaylikewisebementioned，thattheseeventstookplacebetweentheconclusionoftheFrenchandthebeginningoftherevolutionarywar。ThememoirsofCarwin，alludedtoattheconclusionofthework，willbepublishedorsuppressedaccordingtothereceptionwhichisgiventothepresentattempt。
　　C。B。B。
　　September3，1798。
　　ChapterI
　　Ifeellittlereluctanceincomplyingwithyourrequest。Youknownotfullythecauseofmysorrows。Youareastrangertothedepthofmydistresses。Henceyoureffortsatconsolationmustnecessarilyfail。YetthetalethatIamgoingtotellisnotintendedasaclaimuponyoursympathy。Inthemidstofmydespair，IdonotdisdaintocontributewhatlittleIcantothebenefitofmankind。Iacknowledgeyourrighttobeinformedoftheeventsthathavelatelyhappenedinmyfamily。Makewhatuseofthetaleyoushallthinkproper。Ifitbecommunicatedtotheworld，itwillinculcatethedutyofavoidingdeceit。Itwillexemplifytheforceofearlyimpressions，andshowtheimmeasurableevilsthatflowfromanerroneousorimperfectdiscipline。
　　Mystateisnotdestituteoftranquillity。Thesentimentthatdictatesmyfeelingsisnothope。Futurityhasnopowerovermythoughts。ToallthatistocomeIamperfectlyindifferent。Withregardtomyself，Ihavenothingmoretofear。Fatehasdoneitsworst。Henceforth，Iamcalloustomisfortune。
　　IaddressnosupplicationtotheDeity。Thepowerthatgovernsthecourseofhumanaffairshaschosenhispath。Thedecreethatascertainedtheconditionofmylife，admitsofnorecal。Nodoubtitsquareswiththemaximsofeternalequity。
　　Thatisneithertobequestionednordeniedbyme。Itsufficesthatthepastisexemptfrommutation。Thestormthattoreupourhappiness，andchangedintodrearinessanddesertthebloomingsceneofourexistence，islulledintogrimrepose；butnotuntilthevictimwastransfixedandmangled；tilleveryobstaclewasdissipatedbyitsrage；tilleveryremnantofgoodwaswrestedfromourgraspandexterminated。
　　Howwillyourwonder，andthatofyourcompanions，beexcitedbymystory!Everysentimentwillyieldtoyouramazement。Ifmytestimonywerewithoutcorroborations，youwouldrejectitasincredible。Theexperienceofnohumanbeingcanfurnishaparallel:ThatI，beyondtherestofmankind，shouldbereservedforadestinywithoutalleviation，andwithoutexample!
　　Listentomynarrative，andthensaywhatitisthathasmademedeservetobeplacedonthisdreadfuleminence，if，indeed，everyfacultybenotsuspendedinwonderthatIamstillalive，andamabletorelateit。
　　Myfather'sancestrywasnobleonthepaternalside；buthismotherwasthedaughterofamerchant。Mygrand-fatherwasayoungerbrother，andanativeofSaxony。Hewasplaced，whenhehadreachedthesuitableage，ataGermancollege。Duringthevacations，heemployedhimselfintraversingtheneighbouringterritory。OnoneoccasionitwashisfortunetovisitHamburg。
　　HeformedanacquaintancewithLeonardWeise，amerchantofthatcity，andwasafrequentguestathishouse。Themerchanthadanonlydaughter，forwhomhisguestspeedilycontractedanaffection；and，inspiteofparentalmenacesandprohibitions，he，indueseason，becameherhusband。
　　Bythisacthemortallyoffendedhisrelations。
　　Thenceforwardhewasentirelydisownedandrejectedbythem。
　　Theyrefusedtocontributeanythingtohissupport。Allintercourseceased，andhereceivedfromthemmerelythattreatmenttowhichanabsolutestranger，ordetestedenemy，wouldbeentitled。
　　Hefoundanasyluminthehouseofhisnewfather，whosetemperwaskind，andwhosepridewasflatteredbythisalliance。
　　Thenobilityofhisbirthwasputinthebalanceagainsthispoverty。Weiseconceivedhimself，onthewhole，tohaveactedwiththehighestdiscretion，inthusdisposingofhischild。Mygrand-fatherfounditincumbentonhimtosearchoutsomemodeofindependentsubsistence。Hisyouthhadbeeneagerlydevotedtoliteratureandmusic。Thesehadhithertobeencultivatedmerelyassourcesofamusement。Theywerenowconvertedintothemeansofgain。AtthisperiodtherewerefewworksoftasteintheSaxondialect。MyancestormaybeconsideredasthefounderoftheGermanTheatre。Themodernpoetofthesamenameissprungfromthesamefamily，and，perhaps，surpassesbutlittle，inthefruitfulnessofhisinvention，orthesoundnessofhistaste，theelderWieland。Hislifewasspentinthecompositionofsonatasanddramaticpieces。Theywerenotunpopular，butmerelyaffordedhimascantysubsistence。Hediedinthebloomofhislife，andwasquicklyfollowedtothegravebyhiswife。Theironlychildwastakenundertheprotectionofthemerchant。AtanearlyagehewasapprenticedtoaLondontrader，andpassedsevenyearsofmercantileservitude。
　　Myfatherwasnotfortunateinthecharacterofhimunderwhosecarehewasnowplaced。Hewastreatedwithrigor，andfullemploymentwasprovidedforeveryhourofhistime。Hisdutieswerelaboriousandmechanical。Hehadbeeneducatedwithaviewtothisprofession，and，therefore，wasnottormentedwithunsatisfieddesires。Hedidnotholdhispresentoccupationsinabhorrence，becausetheywithheldhimfrompathsmorefloweryandmoresmooth，buthefoundinunintermittedlabour，andinthesternnessofhismaster，sufficientoccasionsfordiscontent。Noopportunitiesofrecreationwereallowedhim。Hespentallhistimepentupinagloomyapartment，ortraversingnarrowandcrowdedstreets。Hisfoodwascoarse，andhislodginghumble。
　　Hisheartgraduallycontractedahabitofmoroseandgloomyreflection。Hecouldnotaccuratelydefinewhatwaswantingtohishappiness。Hewasnottorturedbycomparisonsdrawnbetweenhisownsituationandthatofothers。Hisstatewassuchassuitedhisageandhisviewsastofortune。Hedidnotimaginehimselftreatedwithextraordinaryorunjustifiablerigor。Inthisrespecthesupposedtheconditionofothers，boundlikehimselftomercantileservice，toresemblehisown；yeteveryengagementwasirksome，andeveryhourtediousinitslapse。
　　InthisstateofmindhechancedtolightuponabookwrittenbyoneoftheteachersoftheAlbigenses，orFrenchProtestants。
　　Heentertainednorelishforbooks，andwaswhollyunconsciousofanypowertheypossessedtodelightorinstruct。Thisvolumehadlainforyearsinacornerofhisgarret，halfburiedindustandrubbish。Hehadmarkeditasitlay；hadthrownit，ashisoccasionsrequired，fromonespottoanother；buthadfeltnoinclinationtoexamineitscontents，oreventoinquirewhatwasthesubjectofwhichittreated。
　　OneSundayafternoon，beinginducedtoretireforafewminutestohisgarret，hiseyewasattractedbyapageofthisbook，which，bysomeaccident，hadbeenopenedandplacedfullinhisview。Hewasseatedontheedgeofhisbed，andwasemployedinrepairingarentinsomepartofhisclothes。Hiseyeswerenotconfinedtohiswork，butoccasionallywandering，lightedatlengthuponthepage。Thewords"Seekandyeshallfind，"werethosethatfirstofferedthemselvestohisnotice。
　　Hiscuriositywasrousedbythesesofarastoprompthimtoproceed。Assoonashefinishedhiswork，hetookupthebookandturnedtothefirstpage。Thefurtherheread，themoreinducementhefoundtocontinue，andheregrettedthedeclineofthelightwhichobligedhimforthepresenttocloseit。
　　ThebookcontainedanexpositionofthedoctrineofthesectofCamissards，andanhistoricalaccountofitsorigin。Hismindwasinastatepeculiarlyfittedforthereceptionofdevotionalsentiments。Thecravingwhichhadhauntedhimwasnowsuppliedwithanobject。Hismindwasatnolossforathemeofmeditation。Ondaysofbusiness，heroseatthedawn，andretiredtohischambernottilllateatnight。Henowsuppliedhimselfwithcandles，andemployedhisnocturnalandSundayhoursinstudyingthisbook。It，ofcourse，aboundedwithallusionstotheBible。Allitsconclusionswerededucedfromthesacredtext。Thiswasthefountain，beyondwhichitwasunnecessarytotracethestreamofreligioustruth；butitwashisdutytotraceitthusfar。
　　ABiblewaseasilyprocured，andheardentlyenteredonthestudyofit。Hisunderstandinghadreceivedaparticulardirection。Allhisreverieswerefashionedinthesamemould。
　　Hisprogresstowardstheformationofhiscreedwasrapid。
　　EveryfactandsentimentinthisbookwereviewedthroughamediumwhichthewritingsoftheCamissardapostlehadsuggested。Hisconstructionsofthetextwerehasty，andformedonanarrowscale。Everythingwasviewedinadisconnectedposition。Oneactionandonepreceptwerenotemployedtoillustrateandrestrictthemeaningofanother。Hencearoseathousandscruplestowhichhehadhithertobeenastranger。Hewasalternatelyagitatedbyfearandbyecstacy。Heimaginedhimselfbesetbythesnaresofaspiritualfoe，andthathissecuritylayinceaselesswatchfulnessandprayer。
　　Hismorals，whichhadneverbeenloose，werenowmodelledbyastricterstandard。Theempireofreligiousdutyextendeditselftohislooks，gestures，andphrases。Alllevitiesofspeech，andnegligencesofbehaviour，wereproscribed。Hisairwasmournfulandcontemplative。Helabouredtokeepaliveasentimentoffear，andabeliefoftheawe-creatingpresenceoftheDeity。Ideasforeigntothisweresedulouslyexcluded。TosuffertheirintrusionwasacrimeagainsttheDivineMajestyinexpiablebutbydaysandweeksofthekeenestagonies。
　　Nomaterialvariationhadoccurredinthelapseoftwoyears。
　　Everydayconfirmedhiminhispresentmodesofthinkingandacting。Itwastobeexpectedthatthetideofhisemotionswouldsometimesrecede，thatintervalsofdespondencyanddoubtwouldoccur；butthesegraduallyweremorerare，andofshorterduration；andhe，atlast，arrivedatastateconsiderablyuniforminthisrespect。
　　Hisapprenticeshipwasnowalmostexpired。Onhisarrivalofagehebecameentitled，bythewillofmygrand-father，toasmallsum。Thissumwouldhardlysufficetosethimafloatasatraderinhispresentsituation，andhehadnothingtoexpectfromthegenerosityofhismaster。ResidenceinEnglandhad，besides，becomealmostimpossible，onaccountofhisreligioustenets。Inadditiontothesemotivesforseekinganewhabitation，therewasanotherofthemostimperiousandirresistablenecessity。Hehadimbibedanopinionthatitwashisdutytodisseminatethetruthsofthegospelamongtheunbelievingnations。Hewasterrifiedatfirstbytheperilsandhardshipstowhichthelifeofamissionaryisexposed。
　　Thiscowardicemadehimdiligentintheinventionofobjectionsandexcuses；buthefounditimpossiblewhollytoshakeoffthebeliefthatsuchwastheinjunctionofhisduty。Thebelief，aftereverynewconflictwithhispassions，acquirednewstrength；and，atlength，heformedaresolutionofcomplyingwithwhathedeemedthewillofheaven。
　　TheNorth-AmericanIndiansnaturallypresentedthemselvesasthefirstobjectsforthisspeciesofbenevolence。Assoonashisservitudeexpired，heconvertedhislittlefortuneintomoney，andembarkedforPhiladelphia。Herehisfearswererevived，andanearersurveyofsavagemannersoncemoreshookhisresolution。Forawhileherelinquishedhispurpose，andpurchasingafarmonSchuylkill，withinafewmilesofthecity，sethimselfdowntothecultivationofit。Thecheapnessofland，andtheserviceofAfricanslaves，whichweretheningeneraluse，gavehimwhowaspoorinEuropealltheadvantagesofwealth。Hepassedfourteenyearsinathriftyandlaboriousmanner。Inthistimenewobjects，newemployments，andnewassociatesappearedtohavenearlyobliteratedthedevoutimpressionsofhisyouth。Henowbecameacquaintedwithawomanofameekandquietdisposition，andofslenderacquirementslikehimself。Heprofferedhishandandwasaccepted。
　　Hispreviousindustryhadnowenabledhimtodispensewithpersonallabour，anddirectattentiontohisownconcerns。Heenjoyedleisure，andwasvisitedafreshbydevotionalcontemplation。Thereadingofthescriptures，andotherreligiousbooks，becameoncemorehisfavoriteemployment。Hisancientbeliefrelativetotheconversionofthesavagetribes，wasrevivedwithuncommonenergy。Totheformerobstacleswerenowaddedthepleadingsofparentalandconjugallove。Thestrugglewaslongandvehement；buthissenseofdutywouldnotbestifledorenfeebled，andfinallytriumphedovereveryimpediment。
　　Hiseffortswereattendedwithnopermanentsuccess。Hisexhortationshadsometimesatemporarypower，butmorefrequentlywererepelledwithinsultandderision。Inpursuitofthisobjectheencounteredthemostimminentperils，andunderwentincrediblefatigues，hunger，sickness，andsolitude。
　　Thelicenceofsavagepassion，andtheartificesofhisdepravedcountrymen，allopposedthemselvestohisprogress。Hiscouragedidnotforsakehimtillthereappearednoreasonablegroundtohopeforsuccess。Hedesistednottillhisheartwasrelievedfromthesupposedobligationtopersevere。Withhisconstitutionsomewhatdecayed，heatlengthreturnedtohisfamily。Anintervaloftranquillitysucceeded。Hewasfrugal，regular，andstrictintheperformanceofdomesticduties。Healliedhimselfwithnosect，becauseheperfectlyagreedwithnone。Socialworshipisthatbywhichtheyarealldistinguished；butthisarticlefoundnoplaceinhiscreed。Herigidlyinterpretedthatpreceptwhichenjoinsus，whenweworship，toretireintosolitude，andshutouteveryspeciesofsociety。Accordingtohimdevotionwasnotonlyasilentoffice，butmustbeperformedalone。Anhouratnoon，andanhouratmidnightwerethusappropriated。
　　Atthedistanceofthreehundredyardsfromhishouse，onthetopofarockwhosesidesweresteep，rugged，andencumberedwithdwarfcedarsandstonyasperities，hebuiltwhattoacommoneyewouldhaveseemedasummer-house。Theeasternvergeofthisprecipicewassixtyfeetabovetheriverwhichflowedatitsfoot。Theviewbeforeitconsistedofatransparentcurrent，fluctuatingandripplinginarockychannel，andboundedbyarisingsceneofcornfieldsandorchards。Theedificewasslightandairy。Itwasnomorethanacirculararea，twelvefeetindiameter，whoseflooringwastherock，clearedofmossandshrubs，andexactlylevelled，edgedbytwelveTuscancolumns，andcoveredbyanundulatingdome。Myfatherfurnishedthedimensionsandoutlines，butallowedtheartistwhomheemployedtocompletethestructureonhisownplan。Itwaswithoutseat，table，orornamentofanykind。
　　ThiswasthetempleofhisDeity。Twiceintwenty-fourhoursherepairedhither，unaccompaniedbyanyhumanbeing。Nothingbutphysicalinabilitytomovewasallowedtoobstructorpostponethisvisit。Hedidnotexactfromhisfamilycompliancewithhisexample。Fewmen，equallysincereintheirfaith，wereassparingintheircensuresandrestrictions，withrespecttotheconductofothers，asmyfather。Thecharacterofmymotherwasnolessdevout；buthereducationhadhabituatedhertoadifferentmodeofworship。Thelonelinessoftheirdwellingpreventedherfromjoininganyestablishedcongregation；butshewaspunctualintheofficesofprayer，andintheperformanceofhymnstoherSaviour，afterthemannerofthedisciplesofZinzendorf。Myfatherrefusedtointerfereinherarrangements。Hisownsystemwasembracednot，accuratelyspeaking，becauseitwasthebest，butbecauseithadbeenexpresslyprescribedtohim。Othermodes，ifpractisedbyotherpersons，mightbeequallyacceptable。
　　Hisdeportmenttootherswasfullofcharityandmildness。
　　Asadnessperpetuallyoverspreadhisfeatures，butwasunmingledwithsternnessordiscontent。Thetonesofhisvoice，hisgestures，hisstepswereallintranquilunison。Hisconductwascharacterisedbyacertainforbearanceandhumility，whichsecuredtheesteemofthosetowhomhistenetsweremostobnoxious。Theymightcallhimafanaticandadreamer，buttheycouldnotdenytheirvenerationtohisinvinciblecandourandinvariableintegrity。Hisownbeliefofrectitudewasthefoundationofhishappiness。This，however，wasdestinedtofindanend。
　　Suddenlythesadnessthatconstantlyattendedhimwasdeepened。Sighs，andeventears，sometimesescapedhim。Totheexpostulationsofhiswifeheseldomansweredanything。Whenhedesignedtobecommunicative，hehintedthathispeaceofmindwasflown，inconsequenceofdeviationfromhisduty。A
　　commandhadbeenlaiduponhim，whichhehaddelayedtoperform。
　　Hefeltasifacertainperiodofhesitationandreluctancehadbeenallowedhim，butthatthisperiodwaspassed。Hewasnolongerpermittedtoobey。Thedutyassignedtohimwastransferred，inconsequenceofhisdisobedience，toanother，andallthatremainedwastoendurethepenalty。
　　Hedidnotdescribethispenalty。Itappearedtobenothingmoreforsometimethanasenseofwrong。Thiswassufficientlyacute，andwasaggravatedbythebeliefthathisoffencewasincapableofexpiation。Noonecouldcontemplatetheagonieswhichheseemedtosufferwithoutthedeepestcompassion。Time，insteadoflighteningtheburthen，appearedtoaddtoit。Atlengthhehintedtohiswife，thathisendwasnear。Hisimaginationdidnotprefigurethemodeorthetimeofhisdecease，butwasfraughtwithanincurablepersuasionthathisdeathwasathand。Hewaslikewisehauntedbythebeliefthatthekindofdeaththatawaitedhimwasstrangeandterrible。
　　Hisanticipationswerethusfarvagueandindefinite；buttheysufficedtopoisoneverymomentofhisbeing，anddevotehimtoceaselessanguish。
　　ChapterII
　　EarlyinthemorningofasultrydayinAugust，heleftMettingen，togotothecity。HehadseldompassedadayfromhomesincehisreturnfromtheshoresoftheOhio。Someurgentengagementsatthistimeexisted，whichwouldnotadmitoffurtherdelay。Hereturnedintheevening，butappearedtobegreatlyoppressedwithfatigue。Hissilenceanddejectionwerelikewiseinamorethanordinarydegreeconspicuous。Mymother'sbrother，whoseprofessionwasthatofasurgeon，chancedtospendthisnightatourhouse。ItwasfromhimthatIhavefrequentlyreceivedanexactaccountofthemournfulcatastrophethatfollowed。
　　Astheeveningadvanced，myfather'sinquietudesincreased。
　　Hesatwithhisfamilyasusual，buttooknopartintheirconversation。Heappearedfullyengrossedbyhisownreflections。Occasionallyhiscountenanceexhibitedtokensofalarm；hegazedstedfastlyandwildlyattheceiling；andtheexertionsofhiscompanionswerescarcelysufficienttointerrupthisreverie。Onrecoveringfromthesefits，heexpressednosurprize；butpressinghishandtohishead，complained，inatremulousandterrifiedtone，thathisbrainwasscorchedtocinders。Hewouldthenbetraymarksofinsupportableanxiety。
　　Myuncleperceived，byhispulse，thathewasindisposed，butinnoalarmingdegree，andascribedappearanceschieflytotheworkingsofhismind。Heexhortedhimtorecollectionandcomposure，butinvain。Atthehourofreposehereadilyretiredtohischamber。Atthepersuasionofmymotherheevenundressedandwenttobed。Nothingcouldabatehisrestlessness。Hecheckedhertenderexpostulationswithsomesternness。"Besilent，"saidhe，"forthatwhichIfeelthereisbutonecure，andthatwillshortlycome。Youcanhelpmenothing。Looktoyourowncondition，andpraytoGodtostrengthenyouunderthecalamitiesthatawaityou。""WhatamItofear？"sheanswered。"Whatterribledisasterisitthatyouthinkof？""Peace——asyetIknowitnotmyself，butcomeitwill，andshortly。"Sherepeatedherinquiriesanddoubts；buthesuddenlyputanendtothediscourse，byasterncommandtobesilent。
　　Shehadneverbeforeknownhiminthismood。Hithertoallwasbenigninhisdeportment。Herheartwaspiercedwithsorrowatthecontemplationofthischange。Shewasutterlyunabletoaccountforit，ortofiguretoherselfthespeciesofdisasterthatwasmenaced。
　　Contrarytocustom，thelamp，insteadofbeingplacedonthehearth，wasleftuponthetable。Overitagainstthewalltherehungasmallclock，socontrivedastostrikeaveryhardstrokeattheendofeverysixthhour。Thatwhichwasnowapproachingwasthesignalforretiringtothefaneatwhichheaddressedhisdevotions。Longhabithadoccasionedhimtobealwaysawakeatthishour，andthetollwasinstantlyobeyed。
　　Nowfrequentandanxiousglanceswerecastattheclock。Notasinglemovementoftheindexappearedtoescapehisnotice。
　　Asthehourvergedtowardstwelvehisanxietyvisiblyaugmented。
　　Thetrepidationsofmymotherkeptpacewiththoseofherhusband；butshewasintimidatedintosilence。Allthatwaslefttoherwastowatcheverychangeofhisfeatures，andgiveventtohersympathyintears。
　　Atlengththehourwasspent，andtheclocktolled。Thesoundappearedtocommunicateashocktoeverypartofmyfather'sframe。Heroseimmediately，andthrewoverhimselfaloosegown。Eventhisofficewasperformedwithdifficulty，forhisjointstrembled，andhisteethchatteredwithdismay。Atthishourhisdutycalledhimtotherock，andmymothernaturallyconcludedthatitwasthitherheintendedtorepair。
　　Yettheseincidentsweresouncommon，astofillherwithastonishmentandforeboding。Shesawhimleavetheroom，andheardhisstepsastheyhastilydescendedthestairs。Shehalfresolvedtoriseandpursuehim，butthewildnessoftheschemequicklysuggesteditself。Hewasgoingtoaplacewhithernopoweronearthcouldinducehimtosufferanattendant。
　　Thewindowofherchamberlookedtowardtherock。Theatmospherewasclearandcalm，buttheedificecouldnotbediscoveredatthatdistancethroughthedusk。Mymother'sanxietywouldnotallowhertoremainwhereshewas。Sherose，andseatedherselfatthewindow。Shestrainedhersighttogetaviewofthedome，andofthepaththatledtoit。Thefirstpainteditselfwithsufficientdistinctnessonherfancy，butwasundistinguishablebytheeyefromtherockymassonwhichitwaserected。Thesecondcouldbeimperfectlyseen；butherhusbandhadalreadypassed，orhadtakenadifferentdirection。
　　Whatwasitthatshefeared？Somedisasterimpendedoverherhusbandorherself。Hehadpredictedevils，butprofessedhimselfignorantofwhatnaturetheywere。Whenweretheytocome？Wasthisnight，orthishourtowitnesstheaccomplishment？Shewastorturedwithimpatience，anduncertainty。Allherfearswereatpresentlinkedtohisperson，andshegazedattheclock，withnearlyasmucheagernessasmyfatherhaddone，inexpectationofthenexthour。
　　Anhalfhourpassedawayinthisstateofsuspence。Hereyeswerefixedupontherock；suddenlyitwasilluminated。Alightproceedingfromtheedifice，madeeverypartofthescenevisible。Agleamdiffuseditselfovertheintermediatespace，andinstantlyaloudreport，liketheexplosionofamine，followed。Sheutteredaninvoluntaryshriek，butthenewsoundsthatgreetedherear，quicklyconqueredhersurprise。Theywerepiercingshrieks，andutteredwithoutintermission。Thegleamswhichhaddiffusedthemselvesfarandwidewereinamomentwithdrawn，buttheinterioroftheedificewasfilledwithrays。
　　Thefirstsuggestionwasthatapistolwasdischarged，andthatthestructurewasonfire。Shedidnotallowherselftimetomeditateasecondthought，butrushedintotheentryandknockedloudlyatthedoorofherbrother'schamber。Myunclehadbeenpreviouslyrousedbythenoise，andinstantlyflewtothewindow。Healsoimaginedwhathesawtobefire。Theloudandvehementshriekswhichsucceededthefirstexplosion，seemedtobeaninvocationofsuccour。Theincidentwasinexplicable；
　　buthecouldnotfailtoperceivetheproprietyofhasteningtothespot。Hewasunboltingthedoor，whenhissister'svoicewasheardontheoutsideconjuringhimtocomeforth。
　　Heobeyedthesummonswithallthespeedinhispower。Hestoppednottoquestionher，buthurrieddownstairsandacrossthemeadowwhichlaybetweenthehouseandtherock。Theshriekswerenolongertobeheard；butablazinglightwasclearlydiscerniblebetweenthecolumnsofthetemple。
　　Irregularsteps，hewninthestone，ledhimtothesummit。Onthreesides，thisedificetouchedtheveryvergeofthecliff。
　　Onthefourthside，whichmightberegardedasthefront，therewasanareaofsmallextent，towhichtherudestaircaseconductedyou。Myunclespeedilygainedthisspot。Hisstrengthwasforamomentexhaustedbyhishaste。Hepausedtoresthimself。Meanwhilehebentthemostvigilantattentiontowardstheobjectbeforehim。
　　Withinthecolumnshebeheldwhathecouldnobetterdescribe，thanbysayingthatitresembledacloudimpregnatedwithlight。Ithadthebrightnessofflame，butwaswithoutitsupwardmotion。Itdidnotoccupythewholearea，androsebutafewfeetabovethefloor。Nopartofthebuildingwasonfire。Thisappearancewasastonishing。Heapproachedthetemple。Ashewentforwardthelightretired，and，whenheputhisfeetwithintheapartment，utterlyvanished。Thesuddennessofthistransitionincreasedthedarknessthatsucceededinatenfolddegree。Fearandwonderrenderedhimpowerless。Anoccurrencelikethis，inaplaceassignedtodevotion，wasadaptedtointimidatethestoutestheart。
　　Hiswanderingthoughtswererecalledbythegroansofonenearhim。Hissightgraduallyrecovereditspower，andhewasabletodiscernmyfatherstretchedonthefloor。Atthatmoment，mymotherandservantsarrivedwithalanthorn，andenabledmyuncletoexaminemorecloselythisscene。Myfather，whenheleftthehouse，besidesalooseuppervestandslippers，woreashirtanddrawers。Nowhewasnaked，hisskinthroughoutthegreaterpartofhisbodywasscorchedandbruised。Hisrightarmexhibitedmarksasofhavingbeenstruckbysomeheavybody。Hisclotheshadbeenremoved，anditwasnotimmediatelyperceivedthattheywerereducedtoashes。Hisslippersandhishairwereuntouched。
　　Hewasremovedtohischamber，andtherequisiteattentionpaidtohiswounds，whichgraduallybecamemorepainful。A
　　mortificationspeedilysheweditselfinthearm，whichhadbeenmosthurt。Soonafter，theotherwoundedpartsexhibitedthelikeappearance。
　　Immediatelysubsequenttothisdisaster，myfatherseemednearlyinastateofinsensibility。Hewaspassiveundereveryoperation。Hescarcelyopenedhiseyes，andwaswithdifficultyprevailedupontoanswerthequestionsthatwereputtohim。Byhisimperfectaccount，itappeared，thatwhileengagedinsilentorisons，withthoughtsfullofconfusionandanxiety，afaintgleamsuddenlyshotathwarttheapartment。Hisfancyimmediatelypicturedtoitself，apersonbearingalamp。Itseemedtocomefrombehind。Hewasintheactofturningtoexaminethevisitant，whenhisrightarmreceivedablowfromaheavyclub。Atthesameinstant，averybrightsparkwasseentolightuponhisclothes。Inamoment，thewholewasreducedtoashes。Thiswasthesumoftheinformationwhichhechosetogive。Therewassomewhatinhismannerthatindicatedanimperfecttale。Myunclewasinclinedtobelievethathalfthetruthhadbeensuppressed。
　　Meanwhile，thediseasethuswonderfullygenerated，betrayedmoreterriblesymptoms。Feveranddeliriumterminatedinlethargicslumber，which，inthecourseoftwohours，gaveplacetodeath。Yetnottillinsupportableexhalationsandcrawlingputrefactionhaddrivenfromhischamberandthehouseeveryonewhomtheirdutydidnotdetain。
　　Suchwastheendofmyfather。Nonesurelywasevermoremysterious。Whenwerecollecthisgloomyanticipationsandunconquerableanxiety；thesecurityfromhumanmalicewhichhischaracter，theplace，andtheconditionofthetimes，mightbesupposedtoconfer；thepurityandcloudlessnessoftheatmosphere，whichrendereditimpossiblethatlightningwasthecause；whataretheconclusionsthatwemustform？
　　Theprelusivegleam，theblowuponhisarm，thefatalspark，theexplosionheardsofar，thefierycloudthatenvironedhim，withoutdetrimenttothestructure，thoughcomposedofcombustiblematerials，thesuddenvanishingofthiscloudatmyuncle'sapproach——whatistheinferencetobedrawnfromthesefacts？Theirtruthcannotbedoubted。Myuncle'stestimonyispeculiarlyworthyofcredit，becausenoman'stemperismoresceptical，andhisbeliefisunalterablyattachedtonaturalcauses。
　　Iwasatthistimeachildofsixyearsofage。Theimpressionsthatwerethenmadeuponme，canneverbeeffaced。
　　Iwasillqualifiedtojudgerespectingwhatwasthenpassing；
　　butasIadvancedinage，andbecamemorefullyacquaintedwiththesefacts，theyoftenerbecamethesubjectofmythoughts。
　　Theirresemblancetorecenteventsrevivedthemwithnewforceinmymemory，andmadememoreanxioustoexplainthem。Wasthisthepenaltyofdisobedience？thisthestrokeofavindictiveandinvisiblehand？IsitafreshproofthattheDivineRulerinterferesinhumanaffairs，meditatesanend，selects，andcommissionshisagents，andenforces，byunequivocalsanctions，submissiontohiswill？Or，wasitmerelytheirregularexpansionofthefluidthatimpartswarmthtoourheartandourblood，causedbythefatigueoftheprecedingday，orflowing，byestablishedlaws，fromtheconditionofhisthoughts？*
　　*Acase，initssymptomsexactlyparalleltothis，ispublishedinoneoftheJournalsofFlorence。See，likewise，similarcasesreportedbyMessrs。MerilleandMuraire，inthe"JournaldeMedicine，"forFebruaryandMay，1783。TheresearchesofMaffeiandFontanahavethrownsomelightuponthissubject。
　　ChapterIII
　　Theshockwhichthisdisastrousoccurrenceoccasionedtomymother，wasthefoundationofadiseasewhichcarriedher，inafewmonths，tothegrave。Mybrotherandmyselfwerechildrenatthistime，andwerenowreducedtotheconditionoforphans。
　　Thepropertywhichourparentsleftwasbynomeansinconsiderable。Itwasentrustedtofaithfulhands，tillweshouldarriveatasuitableage。Meanwhile，oureducationwasassignedtoamaidenauntwhoresidedinthecity，andwhosetendernessmadeusinashorttimeceasetoregretthatwehadlostamother。
　　Theyearsthatsucceededweretranquilandhappy。Ourlivesweremolestedbyfewofthosecaresthatareincidenttochildhood。Byaccidentmorethandesign，theindulgenceandyieldingtemperofourauntwasmingledwithresolutionandstedfastness。Sheseldomdeviatedintoeitherextremeofrigourorlenity。Oursocialpleasuresweresubjecttonounreasonablerestraints。Wewereinstructedinmostbranchesofusefulknowledge，andweresavedfromthecorruptionandtyrannyofcollegesandboarding-schools。
　　Ourcompanionswerechieflyselectedfromthechildrenofourneighbours。Betweenoneoftheseandmybrother，therequicklygrewthemostaffectionateintimacy。HernamewasCatharinePleyel。Shewasrich，beautiful，andcontrivedtoblendthemostbewitchingsoftnesswiththemostexuberantvivacity。Thetiebywhichmybrotherandshewereunited，seemedtoaddforcetothelovewhichIboreher，andwhichwasamplyreturned。
　　Betweenherandmyselftherewaseverycircumstancetendingtoproduceandfosterfriendship。Oursexandagewerethesame。
　　Welivedwithinsightofeachother'sabode。Ourtemperswereremarkablycongenial，andthesuperintendantsofoureducationnotonlyprescribedtousthesamepursuits，butallowedustocultivatethemtogether。
　　Everydayaddedstrengthtothetriplebondsthatunitedus。
　　Wegraduallywithdrewourselvesfromthesocietyofothers，andfoundeverymomentirksomethatwasnotdevotedtoeachother。
　　Mybrother'sadvanceinagemadenochangeinoursituation。Itwasdeterminedthathisprofessionshouldbeagriculture。Hisfortuneexemptedhimfromthenecessityofpersonallabour。Thetasktobeperformedbyhimwasnothingmorethansuperintendance。Theskillthatwasdemandedbythiswasmerelytheoretical，andwasfurnishedbycasualinspection，orbyclosetstudy。Theattentionthatwaspaidtothissubjectdidnotsecludehimforanylongtimefromus，onwhomtimehadnoothereffectthantoaugmentourimpatienceintheabsenceofeachotherandofhim。Ourtasks，ourwalks，ourmusic，wereseldomperformedbutineachother'scompany。
　　ItwaseasytoseethatCatharineandmybrotherwerebornforeachother。Thepassionwhichtheymutuallyentertainedquicklybrokethoseboundswhichextremeyouthhadsettoit；
　　confessionsweremadeorextorted，andtheirunionwaspostponedonlytillmybrotherhadpassedhisminority。Thepreviouslapseoftwoyearswasconstantlyandusefullyemployed。
　　Omybrother!ButthetaskIhavesetmyselfletmeperformwithsteadiness。Thefelicityofthatperiodwasmarredbynogloomyanticipations。Thefuture，likethepresent，wasserene。
　　Timewassupposedtohaveonlynewdelightsinstore。Imeannottodwellonpreviousincidentslongerthanisnecessarytoillustrateorexplainthegreateventsthathavesincehappened。
　　Thenuptialdayatlengtharrived。Mybrothertookpossessionofthehouseinwhichhewasborn，andherethelongprotractedmarriagewassolemnized。
　　Myfather'spropertywasequallydividedbetweenus。Aneatdwelling，situatedonthebankoftheriver，threequartersofamilefrommybrother's，wasnowoccupiedbyme。Thesedomainswerecalled，fromthenameofthefirstpossessor，Mettingen。
　　Icanscarcelyaccountformyrefusingtotakeupmyabodewithhim，unlessitwerefromadispositiontobeaneconomistofpleasure。Self-denial，seasonablyexercised，isonemeansofenhancingourgratifications。Iwas，beside，desirousofadministeringafund，andregulatinganhousehold，ofmyown。
　　Theshortdistanceallowedustoexchangevisitsasoftenaswepleased。Thewalkfromonemansiontotheotherwasnoundelightfulpreludetoourinterviews。Iwassometimestheirvisitant，andthey，asfrequently，weremyguests。
　　Oureducationhadbeenmodelledbynoreligiousstandard。Wewerelefttotheguidanceofourownunderstanding，andthecasualimpressionswhichsocietymightmakeuponus。Myfriend'stemper，aswellasmyown，exemptedusfrommuchanxietyonthisaccount。Itmustnotbesupposedthatwewerewithoutreligion，butwithusitwastheproductoflivelyfeelings，excitedbyreflectiononourownhappiness，andbythegrandeurofexternalnature。Wesoughtnotabasisforourfaith，intheweighingofproofs，andthedissectionofcreeds。