study for the object and strength of my life, and
science for its goal. It was no resolution which I adopted. I only
have since, with severe, unremitted diligence, striven faithfully
to represent what then stood clear and perfect before my eye, and my
satisfaction has depended on the agreement of the representation with
the original.

I roused myself in order, without delay, and with a hasty survey, to
take possession of the field where I should hereafter reap. I stood on
the heights of Tibet, and the sun, which had risen upon me only a few
hours before, now already stooped to the evening sky. I wandered over
Asia from east to west, overtaking him in his course, and entered
Africa. I gazed about me with eager curiosity, as I repeatedly
traversed it in all directions. As I surveyed the ancient pyramids
and temples in passing through Egypt, I descried in the desert not far
from hundred-gated Thebes, the caves where the Christian anchorites
once dwelt. It was suddenly firm and clear in me--here is thy home!
I selected one of the most concealed which was at the same time
spacious, convenient, and inaccessible to the jackals, for my future
abode, and again went forward.

I passed, at the pillars of Hercules, over to Europe, and when I
reviewed the southern and northern provinces, I crossed from northern
Asia over the polar glaciers to Greenland and America, traversed both
parts of that continent, and the winter which already reigned in the
south drove me speedily back northward from Cape Horn.

I tarried awhile till it was day in eastern Asia, and, after some
repose, continued my wandering. I traced through both Americas the
mountain chain which constitutes the highest known acclivities on our
globe. I stalked slowly and cautiously from summit to summit, now
over flaming volcanoes, now snow-crowned peaks, often breathing
with difficulty, when, reaching Mount Saint Elias, I sprang across
Behring's Straits to Asia. I followed the western shores in their
manifold windings, and examined with especial care to ascertain which
of the islands were accessible to me. From the peninsula of Malacca my
boots carried me to Sumatra, Java, Bali and Lamboc. I attempted often
with danger, and always in vain, a northwest passage over the lesser
islet and rocks with which this sea is studded, to Borneo and the
other islands of this Archipelago. I was compelled to abandon the
hope. At length I seated myself on the extreme portion of Lamboc, a