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 happiness has
depended on the intensity of my recollections.
I rose up hastily, in order that by a rapid survey I might take
possession of the field in which I wished to make my harvest. I stood
upon the mountains of Thibet, and the sun, which had risen a few hours
before, was now sinking in the evening sky. I journeyed from the east
towards the west of Asia, overtaking the sun in his progress, and passed
the boundaries of Africa. I looked round with great curiosity, and
crossed it in all directions. As I glanced over the old pyramids and
temples of Egypt, I observed in the deserts near the hundred-gated
Thebes, the caverns once occupied by Christian anchorites: instantly it
occurred impressively and distinctly to me--there is thy abode. I chose
for my future dwelling, one of the most secret chambers, which was at the
same time roomy, convenient, and inaccessible to the jackals, and moved
forward with my staff.
I passed into Europe by the Pillars of Hercules, and, after I had taken a
rapid survey of its southern and northern provinces, I hastened to North
Asia, and thence over the polar glaciers to Greenland and America. I
rambled through both parts of that continent, and the winter which had
begun to reign in the south now drove me quickly back northwards from
Cape Horn.
I lingered till the day dawned in eastern Asia, and after a short repose
again entered on my wanderings. I followed the chains of mountains,
through the two Americas, some of the highest elevations known in our
globe. I trod slowly and prudently from height to height, now over
flaming volcanos, and now over snowy cupolas. I was often almost
breathless with weariness, but I reached the Elias mountain and sprung to
Asia across Behring's Straits. I pursued the western coast along its
numerous windings, and endeavoured to ascertain by special observation
which of the islands in the neighbourhood were accessible to me. From
the Malacca peninsula my boots took me to Sumatra, Java, Balli, and
Lamboc. I endeavoured, often with peril, and always in vain, to find a
north-west passage over the inlets and the rocks with which the ocean is
studded, to Borneo and the other islands of the Eastern Archipelago--but
I was obliged to abandon the hope. I sat down at last on the farthest
verge of Lamboc, and turning my eyes to the south and east, I wept as if
within the grates of a prison, that I could proceed no farther. New
Holland, {112} that extraordinary country, so essentially necessary to
understanding the philosophy of the earth, and its sun-embroidered dress,
the vegetable and the animal world; and the South Sea with its Zoophyte
islands, were interdicted to me; and thus everything on which I would
have gathered together and erected my hopes was condemned to be left a
mere fragment, even in its very origin. O, my Adalbert! such is the
reward for all the labours of man!
In the coldest winter of the southern hemisphere I have stood on Cape
Horn, meditating on the two hundred paces, or thereabouts, which divided
me from New Holland and Van Diemen's Land--careless about the means of
returning, and indifferent even though that strange land should lie over
me like the cover of my bier. I attempted to cross the polar glaciers
towards the west, and, with foolishly daring yet desponding steps, to
pass upon the floating ice, braving the frost and the waves. In vain--I
have never yet been in New Holland. I returned again to Lamboc--again I
sat myself on the outer verge--my face turned to the south and east, and
wept again, as if at the fast-closed iron-window of my prison.
{Schlemihl using the boots: p113.jpg}
I rose up at last from this spot, and with a dejected heart journeyed to
the interior of Asia. I hastened onwards, perceiving the day break
towards the west, and at night reached my before-described abode in
Thebes, which I had just looked into the previous afternoon.
As soon as I had taken some repose, and the day had dawned upon Europe,
my first care was to provide for my necessities. First, stop-shoes; for
I had discovered that, however inconvenient it might be, there was no way
of shortening my pace in order to move conveniently in my immediate
neighbourhood, except by drawing off my boots. A pair of slippers,
however, produced the wished-for effect, and henceforward I always took
care to be provided with a couple of pair, as I often threw one pair away
if I had not time to lay hold of them, when the approach of lions, men,
or hyaenas interrupted my botanizing. My excellent watch was an
admirable chronometer to me for the short period of my peregrinations;
but I required a sextant, some philosophical instruments, and books.
In order to obtain all these things, I made some tedious journeys to
London, and Paris, which were both overshadowed by friendly fogs. As I
had exhausted the remainder of my magic gold, I brought with me for the
purposes of payment, some African elephants' teeth which I easily
obtained, though I was obliged to choose the smallest among them, that
they might not be too much for my strength. I was soon supplied and
stocked with everything I required, and began my new mode of life as a
retired philosopher.
I journeyed over the east, now measuring its mountains--now the
temperature of its streams and of its air; now observing its animals--now
examining its plants. I hastened from the equator to the pole--from one
world to another--comparing experience with experience. The eggs of the
African ostrich, or the northern sea-fowl, and fruits, especially
tropical palms and bananas, were my usual refreshments. Instead of my
departed fortune I enjoyed my _Nicotiana_--it served instead of the good
opinion of mankind. And then as to my affections: I had a love of a
little dog, that watched my Theban cave, and when I returned to it laden
with new treasures, it sprang forwards to meet me, making me feel the
spirit of humanity within me, and that I was not quite alone on the
earth. But, notwithstanding this, calamity was yet to drive me back to
the haunts of men!