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。