rrounded only by moss and stones, between which lay piles
of snow and ice. The wind was extremely cold, and when I looked round,
the forest had wholly disappeared. Yet a few paces forward, the
stillness of death possessed me--the ice on which I stood stretched
boundlessly before me--a dark mist hung over it--the red sun looked from
the edge of the horizon. The cold was intolerable; I knew not how it had
happened, but the benumbing frost forced me to accelerate my steps. I
heard the roar of distant waters--another bewildered step, and I was on
the ice-borders of the ocean. Countless herds of seals dashed splashing
into the stream. I followed the sea-shore, and saw again naked rocks,
land, forests of birch and pine-trees. I moved forwards for a few
minutes--it was burning hot: around me were richly cultivated rice-fields
under mulberry-trees, in whose shadow I sat down, and looking at my
watch, I found it not less than a quarter of an hour since I left the
village. I fancied I was dreaming--I bit my tongue to awake myself, and
I was aroused most thoroughly. I closed my eyes in order to assemble my
thoughts. I heard strange nasal sounds--I looked around; two Chinese,
whose Asiatic countenances I could not mistake, were saluting me
according to the custom of their country, and in their own language; I
arose and walked back two steps. I saw them no longer--the landscape was
wholly changed; trees and woods had succeeded to the rice-fields. I
looked pensively on the trees and plants which were blooming around me,
and saw that they were the productions of South-eastern Asia. I went
towards a tree--and all was again changed. I walked forwards like a
drilled recruit, with slow paces. Wonderful varieties of countries,
fields, meadows, mountains, wastes, and sandy deserts rolled along before
my astounded sight; doubtless I had the seven-leagued boots on my legs.

CHAPTER X.

I fell down on my knees in speechless devotion, and shed tears of
gratitude--my future destiny seemed bright in my soul. Shut out from
human society by my early guilt, nature, which I had ever loved, was
given me for my enjoyment, spread out like a rich garden before me, an
object of study for the guide and strength of my life, of which science
was to be the end. It was no decision of my own. What then appeared
bright and perfect in my inner thoughts I have since endeavoured to
describe with calm, earnest, unremitting diligence, and my