第1章

AnAmericanTalebyCharlesBrockdenBrownFromVirtue"sblissfulpathsawayThedouble-tonguedaresuretostray；

Goodisaforth-rightjourneystill，Andmazypathsbutleadtoill。

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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。