Chapter 11

           ItiswithconsiderabledifficultythatIremembertheoriginaleraofmybeing;alltheeventsofthatperiodappearconfusedandindistinct.Astrangemultiplicityofsensationsseizedme,andIsaw,felt,heard,andsmeltatthesametime;anditwas,indeed,alongtimebeforeIlearnedtodistinguishbetweentheoperationsofmyvarioussenses.Bydegrees,Iremember,astrongerlightpresseduponmynerves,sothatIwasobligedtoshutmyeyes.Darknessthencameovermeandtroubledme,buthardlyhadIfeltthiswhen,byopeningmyeyes,asInowsuppose,thelightpouredinuponmeagain.Iwalkedand,Ibelieve,descended,butIpresentlyfoundagreatalterationinmysensations.Before,darkandopaquebodieshadsurroundedme,impervioustomytouchorsight;butInowfoundthatIcouldwanderonatliberty,withnoobstacleswhichIcouldnoteithersurmountoravoid.Thelightbecamemoreandmoreoppressivetome,andtheheatwearyingmeasIwalked,IsoughtaplacewhereIcouldreceiveshade.ThiswastheforestnearIngolstadt;andhereIlaybythesideofabrookrestingfrommyfatigue,untilIfelttormentedbyhungerandthirst.Thisrousedmefrommynearlydormantstate,andIatesomeberrieswhichIfoundhangingonthetreesorlyingontheground.Islakedmythirstatthebrook,andthenlyingdown,wasovercomebysleep.

           "ItwasdarkwhenIawoke;Ifeltcoldalso,andhalffrightened,asitwere,instinctively,findingmyselfsodesolate.BeforeIhadquittedyourapartment,onasensationofcold,Ihadcoveredmyselfwithsomeclothes,butthesewereinsufficienttosecuremefromthedewsofnight.Iwasapoor,helpless,miserablewretch;Iknew,andcoulddistinguish,nothing;butfeelingpaininvademeonallsides,Isatdownandwept.

           "Soonagentlelightstoleovertheheavensandgavemeasensationofpleasure.