,,our ,,et]nity ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,illu/ration3 ,hope4 ,aft] ! pa9t+ by ,g4 ,f4 ,,watts4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,our ,,et]nity ,,by ,,maurice ,,maet]l9ck ,,translat$ ,,by ,,alex&] ,,teixeira ,,de ,,mattos ,,me?u5 ,,co4 ,,ltd4 #cf ,,essex ,,/reet ,w4,c4 ,,london ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,*apt] ,i ,,our ,,inju/ice ,,to ,,dea? #a ,x has be5 well said3 8,dea? & dea? alone is :at we mu/ consult ab\t life2 & n "s vague future or survival1 :]e we %all n be4 ,x is our own end2 & ev]y?+ happ5s 9 ! int]val betwe5 dea? & n[4 ,d n talk to me ( ^? imag9>y prolongations :i* wield ov] u ! *ildi% spell ( numb]2 d n talk to me--to me :o am to die outright--( societies & peoples6 ,!re is no reality1 !re is no true duration1 save t betwe5 ! cradle & ! grave4 ,! re/ is m]e bomba/1 %[1 delusion6 ,!y call me a ma/] because ( "s magic 9 my spee* & ?\ghts2 b ,i am a fright5$ *ild 9 ! pres5ce ( dea?60#a ----- ,footnote #a3 ,m>ie ,l5ru1 ,les ,affran*is1 ,act ,,iii41 ,sc4 iv4 ----- #b ,t is :]e we /&4 ,= u1 dea? is ! "o ev5t t c\nts 9 our life & 9 our univ]se4 ,x is ! po9t :]eat all t escapes our vigilance unites & conspires aga9/ our happ9ess4 ,! m our ?\ghts /ruggle to turn away f x1 ! clos] d !y press ar\nd x4 ,! m we dread x1 ! m dreadful x becomes1 = x b ?rives on our fe>s4 ,he :o seeks to =get x has 8 memory fill$ ) x2 he :o tries to %un x meets naught else4 ,x cl\ds ev]y?+ ) its %ad[4 ,b ?\gh we ?9k ( dea? incessantly1 we d s unconsci\sly1 )\t le>n+ to "k dea?4 ,we compel our att5tion to turn its back ^u x1 in/ead ( go+ to x ) uplift$ head4 ,all ! =ces :i* might avail to face dea? we exhau/ 9 av]t+ our w f x4 ,we deliv] dea? into ! grop+ h&s ( in/9ct & we grant x n "o h\r ( our intellig5ce4 ,is x surpris+ t ! idea ( dea?1 :i* %\ld be ! mo/ p]fect & ! mo/ lum9\s ( ideas--be+ ! mo/ p]si/5t & ! mo/ inevitable--rema9s ! flimsie/ & ! only "o t is a lagg>d8 ,h[ %\ld we "k ! "o p[] :i* we nev] look 9 ! face8 ,h[ c\ld x h pr(it$ by gleams k9dl$ only to help u escape x8 ,to fa?om its abysses1 we wait until ! mo/ enfeebl$1 ! mo/ disord]$ mom5ts ( our life arrive4 ,we d n ?9k ( dea? until we h no long] ! /r5g?1 ,i w n say1 to ?9k1 b ev5 to brea!4 ,a man return+ among u f ano!r c5tury w\ld h difficulty 9 recogniz+1 9 ! dep?s ( a pres5t-day s\l1 ! image ( 8 gods1 ( 8 duty1 ( 8 love or ( 8 univ]se2 b ! figure ( dea?1 :5 ev]y?+ has *ang$ ar\nd x & :5 ev5 t :i* composes x & ^u :i* x dep5ds has vani%$1 he w\ld f9d almo/ unt\*$1 r\gh-drawn z x 0 by our fa!rs1 hundr$s1 nay1 ?\s&s ( ye>s ago4 ,our intellig5ce1 gr[n s bold & active1 has n work$ ^u ?is figure1 has n1 s to speak1 ret\*$ x 9 any way4 ,?\gh we may no long] believe 9 ! tortures ( ! damn$1 all ! vital cells ( ! mo/ sceptical among u are /ill /eep$ 9 ! appall+ my/]y ( ! ,hebrew ,%eol1 ! pagan ,hades1 or ! ,*ri/ian ,hell4 ,?\gh x may no long] be light$ by v def9ite flames1 ! gulf /ill op5s at ! end ( life &1 if less kn[n1 is all ! m =midable4 ,&1 !re=e1 :5 ! imp5d+ h\r /rikes to :i* we d>$ n raise our eyes1 ev]y?+ fails u at ! same "t4 ,^? two or ?ree unc]ta9 ideas :]eon1 )\t exam9+ !m1 we _h meant to lean give way l ru%es b5ea? ! weight ( ! la/ m9utes4 ,9 va9 we seek a refuge among reflexions t are illusive or are /range to u & d n "k ! roads to our he>t4 ,no "o awaits u on ! la/ %ore :]e all is unprep>$1 :]e naught rema9s afoot save t]ror4 #c ,bossuet1 ! great poet ( ! tomb1 says3 8,x is n wor?y ( a ,*ri/ian0--& ,i w\ld add1 ( a man--8to po/pone 8 /ruggle ) dea? until ! mom5t :5 x arrives to c>ry him (f40 ,x 7 a salut>y ?+ = ea* ( u to "w out 8 idea ( dea? 9 ! light ( 8 days & ! /r5g? ( 8 intellig5ce & /& by x4 ,he w\ld say to dea?3 8,i "k n :o y are1 or ,i w\ld be y\r ma/]2 b1 9 days :5 my eyes saw cle>] ?an to-day1 ,i le>nt :at y 7 n3 t is en\gh to prev5t y f becom+ m9e40 ,he w\ld ?us be>1 grav5 on 8 memory1 a tri$ image aga9/ :i* ! la/ agony w\ld n prevail & f :i* ! phantom-/rick5 eyes w\ld draw fre% com=t4 ,in/ead ( ! t]rible pray] ( ! dy+1 :i* is ! pray] ( ! dep?s1 he w\ld say 8 own pray]1 t ( ! peaks ( 8 exi/5ce1 :]e w\ld be ga!r$1 l angels ( peace1 ! mo/ lucid1 ! mo/ r>efi$ ?\ghts ( 8 life4 ,is n t ! pray] ( pray]s8 ,aft] all1 :at is a true & wor?y pray]1 if n ! mo/ ard5t & dis9t]e/$ ef=t to rea* & grasp ! unkn[n8 #d 8,! doctors & ! prie/s10 said ,napoleon1 8h long be5 mak+ dea? griev\s40 ,& ,bacon wrote3 8,pompa mortis magis t]ret quam mors ipsa40 ,let u1 !n1 le>n to look ^u dea? z x is 9 itself1 free f ! horrors ( matt] & /ripp$ ( ! t]rors ( ! imag9ation4 ,let u fir/ get rid ( all t goes be=e & does n belong to x4 ,?us1 we impute to x ! tortures ( ! la/ illness2 & t is n j4 ,illnesses h no?+ 9 common ) t :i* ends !m4 ,!y =m "p ( life & n ( dea?4 ,we readily =get ! mo/ cruel suff]+s t re/ore u to heal?2 & ! fir/ sun ( convalesc5ce de/roys ! mo/ unbe>able memories ( ! *amb] ( pa94 ,b let dea? come2 & at once we ov]:elm x ) all ! evil done be=e x4 ,n a te> b is rememb]$ & us$ z a reproa*1 n a cry ( pa9 b becomes a cry ( accusation4 ,dea? alone be>s ! weight ( ! errors ( nature or ! ignorance ( sci5ce t h uselessly prolong$ torm5ts 9 ^: "n we curse dea? because x puts a t]m to !m4 #e ,9 po9t ( fact1 :]eas sicknesses belong to nature or to life1 ! agony1 :i* seems peculi> to dea?1 is :olly 9 ! h&s ( m54 ,n[ :at we mo/ dread is ! awful /ruggle at ! end & especially ! la/1 t]rible second ( rupture :i* we %all p]haps see approa*+ dur+ long h\rs ( helplessness & :i* sudd5ly hurls u1 nak$1 dis>m$1 ab&on$ by all & /ripp$ ( ev]y?+1 into an unkn[n t is ! home ( ! only inv9cible t]rors :i* ! s\l ( man has ev] felt4 ,x is d\bly unju/ to impute ! torm5ts ( t second to dea?4 ,we %all see pres5tly 9 :at mann] a man ( to-day1 if he w\ld rema9 fai?ful to 8 ideas1 %\ld picture to himself ! unkn[n into :i* dea? fl+s u4 ,let u conf9e ourselves "h to ! la/ /ruggle4 ,z sci5ce progresses1 x prolongs ! agony :i* is ! mo/ dreadful mom5t & ! %>pe/ peak ( human pa9 & horror1 = ! wat*]s1 at lea/2 = v (t5 ! consci\sness ( him :om dea?1 9 ,bossuet's phrase1 has 8br\ght to bay0 is already greatly dull$ & p]ceives no m ?an ! di/ant murmur ( ! suff]+s :i* x seems to be endur+4 ,all doctors consid] x _! fir/ duty to prolong to ! utt]mo/ ev5 ! cruelle/ pangs ( ! mo/ hopeless agony4 ,:o has n1 at ! b$side ( a dy+ man1 tw5ty times wi%$ & n once d>$ to ?r[ himself at _! feet & implore !m to %[ m]cy8 ,!y are fill$ ) s great a c]ta9ty & ! duty :i* !y obey leaves s little room = ! lea/ d\bt t pity & reason1 bl9d$ by te>s1 curb _! revolt & recoil be=e a law :i* all recognize & rev]e z ! highe/ law ( man's consci5ce4 #f ,"o day1 ?is prejudice w /rike u z b>b>\s4 ,its roots g d[n to ! unackn[l$g$ fe>s left 9 ! he>t by religions t h long s9ce di$ out 9 ! intellig5ce ( m54 ,t is :y ! doctors act z ?\gh !y 7 conv9c$ t !re is no kn[n torture b is pref]able to ^? await+ u 9 ! unkn[n4 ,!y seem p]suad$ t e m9ute ga9$ amid ! mo/ intol]able suff]+s is snat*$ f ! incomp>ably m dreadful suff]+s :i* ! my/]ies ( ! h]eaft] res]ve = m52 &1 ( two evils1 to avoid t :i* !y "k to be imag9>y1 !y *oose ! only real "o4 ,besides1 9 ?us po/pon+ ! end ( a torture1 :i*1 z old ,s5eca says1 is ! be/ "p ( t torture1 !y are b yield+ to ! unanim\s error :i* makes its enclos+ circle m iron-b\nd e day3 ! prolongation ( ! agony increas+ ! horror ( dea?2 & ! horror ( dea? dem&+ ! prolongation ( ! agony4 #g ,! doctors1 on _! side1 say or might say t1 9 ! pres5t /age ( sci5ce1 two or ?ree cases except$1 !re is nev] a c]ta9ty ( dea?4 ,n to support life to its la/ limits1 ev5 at ! co/ ( insupportable torm5ts1 might be murd]4 ,d\btless !re is n "o *ance 9 a hundr$ ?\s& t ! pati5t escape4 ,no matt]4 ,if t *ance exi/ :i*1 9 ! majority ( cases1 w give b a few days1 or1 at ! utmo/1 a few mon?s ( a life t w n be ! real life1 b mu* r1 z ! ,romans call$ x1 8an ext5d$ dea?10 ^? hundr$ ?\s& useless torm5ts w n h be5 9 va94 ,a s+le h\r snat*$ f dea? outweighs a :ole exi/5ce ( tortures4 ,"h are1 face to face1 two values t _c be comp>$2 &1 if we mean to weigh !m 9 ! same balance1 we mu/ heap ! scale :i* we see ) all t rema9s to u1 t is to say1 ) e imag9able pa91 = at ! decisive h\r ?is is ! only weight :i* c\nts & :i* is heavy en\gh to raise by a hair's-bread? ! o!r scale t dips into :at we d n see & is load$ ) ! ?ick d>kness ( ano!r _w4 #h ,swoll5 by s _m adv5titi\s horrors1 ! horror ( dea? becomes su* t1 )\t reason+1 we accept ! doctors' reasons4 ,& yet !re is "o po9t on :i* !y are beg9n+ to yield & to agree4 ,!y are sl[ly cons5t+1 :5 !re is no hope left1 if n to dead51 at lea/ to dull ! la/ agonies4 ,=m]ly1 none ( !m w\ld h d>$ to d s2 &1 ev5 to-day1 _m ( !m hesitate &1 l mis]s1 measure out mis]ly drops ( ! clem5cy & peace :i* !y ought to lavi% & :i* !y grudge 9 _! dread ( weak5+ ! la/ resi/ance1 t is to say1 ! mo/ useless & pa9ful quiv]+s ( reluctant life refus+ to give place to oncom+ re/4 ,x is n = me to decide :e!r _! pity might %[ great] d>+4 ,x is en\gh to /ate once m t all ?is has no conc]n ) dea?4 ,x happ5s be=e x & b5ea? x4 ,x is n ! arrival ( dea?1 b ! dep>ture ( life t is appall+4 ,x is n dea?1 b life t we mu/ act ^u4 ,x is n dea? t attacks life2 x is life t wrongfully resi/s dea?4 ,evils ha/5 up f e side at ! approa* ( dea?1 b n at its call2 &1 ?\gh !y ga!r r\nd x1 !y did n come ) x4 ,d y accuse sleep ( ! fatigue t oppresses y if y d n yield to x8 ,all ^? /ruggl+s1 ^? wait+s1 ^? toss+s1 ^? tragic curs+s are on ! side ( ! slope to :i* we cl+ & n on ! o!r side4 ,!y are1 = t matt]1 accid5tal & tempor>y & emanate only f our ignorance4 ,all our k m]ely helps u to die a m pa9ful dea? ?an ! animals t "k no?+4 ,a day w come :5 sci5ce w turn ^u its error & no long] hesitate to %ort5 our woes4 ,a day w come :5 x w d>e & act ) c]ta9ty2 :5 life1 gr[n wis]1 w dep>t sil5tly at its h\r1 kn[+ t x has rea*$ its t]m1 ev5 z x )draws sil5tly e ev5+1 kn[+ t its task is done4 ,once ! doctor & ! sick man h le>nt :at !y h to le>n1 !re w be no physical nor metaphysical reason :y ! adv5t ( dea? %\ld n be z salut>y z t ( sleep4 ,p]haps ev51 z !re w be no?+ else to take into consid]ation1 x w be possible to surr\nd dea? ) pr(\nd] ec/asies & fair] dreams4 ,9 any case & f ?is day1 ) dea? once acquitt$ ( t :i* goes be=e1 x w be easi] to look ^u x )\t fe> & to light5 t :i* comes aft]4 #i ,dea?1 z we usually picture x1 has two t]rors loom+ beh9d x4 ,! fir/ has nei!r face nor =m & p]meates ! :ole region ( our m9d2 ! o!r is m def9ite1 m explicit1 b almo/ z p[]ful4 ,! latt] /rikes all our s5ses4 ,let u exam9e x fir/4 ,ev5 z we impute to dea? all ! evils t prec$e x1 s d we add to ! dread :i* x inspires all t happ5s beyond x1 ?us do+ x ! same inju/ice at its go+ z at its com+4 ,is x dea? t digs our graves & ord]s u to keep !re t :i* is made to disappe>8 ,if we _c ?9k )\t horror ( :at befalls ! belov$ 9 ! grave1 is x dea? or we t plac$ him !re8 ,because dea? c>ries ! _s to "s place unkn[n1 %all we reproa* x ) our be/[al ( ! body :i* x leaves ) u8 ,dea? desc5ds into our mid/ to *ange ! place ( a life or *ange its =m3 let u judge x by :at x does & n by :at we d be=e x comes & aft] x is gone4 ,= x is already f> away :5 we beg9 ! frightful "w :i* we try h>d to prolong to ! v utmo/1 z ?\gh we 7 p]suad$ t x is our only security aga9/ =getfulness4 ,i am well aw>e t1 f any o!r ?an ! human po9t ( view1 ?is proce$+ is v innoc5t2 & t1 look$ ^u f a suffici5t height1 decompos+ fle% is no m repulsive ?an a fad+ fl[] or a crumbl+ /one4 ,b1 :5 all is said1 x (f5ds our s5ses1 %ocks our memory1 daunts our c\rage1 :]eas x w\ld be s easy = u to avoid ! f\l ordeal4 ,purifi$ by fire1 ! remembrance lives en?ron$ z a beautiful idea2 & dea? is naught b an immortal bir? cradl$ 9 flames4 ,?is has be5 well und]/ood by ! wise/ & happie/ nations 9 hi/ory4 ,:at happ5s 9 our graves poisons our ?\ghts toge!r ) our bodies4 ,! figure ( dea?1 9 ! imag9ation ( m51 dep5ds be=e all ^u ! =m ( burial2 & ! fun]al rites gov]n n only ! fate ( ^? :o dep>t1 b also ! happ9ess ( ^? :o /ay1 = !y raise 9 ! ultimate backgr\nd ( life ! great image ^u :i* m5's eyes l+] 9 consolation or despair4 #aj ,!re is1 !re=e1 b "o t]ror p>ticul> to dea?3 t ( ! unkn[n into :i* x hurls u4 ,9 fac+ x1 let u lose no "t 9 putt+ f our m9ds all t ! positive religions h left !re4 ,let u rememb] only t x is n = u to prove t !y are n prov$1 b = !m to e/abli% t !y are true4 ,n[ n "o ( !m br+s u a pro( be=e :i* an hone/ intellig5ce c b[4 ,nor w\ld x suffice if t intellig5ce 7 able to b[2 = man lawfully to believe & ?us to limit 8 endless seek+1 ! pro( w\ld ne$ to be irresi/ible4 ,! ,god (f]$ to u by ! be/ & /ronge/ ( !m has giv5 u our reason to employ loyally & fully1 t is to say1 to try to atta91 be=e all & 9 all ?+s1 t :i* appe>s to be ! tru?4 ,c ,he exact t we %\ld accept1 9 spite ( x1 a belief ^: d\btfulness1 f ! human po9t ( view1 is n d5i$ by its wise/ & mo/ ard5t def5d]s8 ,he only (f]s u a v unc]ta9 /ory1 :i*1 ev5 if sci5tifically sub/antiat$1 w\ld be m]ely a beautiful lesson 9 morality & :i* is buttress$ by prophecies & miracles no less d\btful4 ,mu/ we "h call to m9d t ,pascal1 to def5d t cre$ :i* 0 already tott]+ at a "t :5 x seem$ at its z5i?1 va9ly attempt$ a demon/ration ! m]e aspect ( :i* w\ld be en\gh to de/roy ! la/ remnant ( fai? 9 a wav]+ m9d8 ,bett] ?an any o!r1 he knew ! /ock pro(s ( ! !ologians1 = !y _h be5 ! sole /udy ( ! la/ ye>s ( 8 life4 ,if b "o ( ^! pro(s c\ld h resi/$ exam9ation1 8 g5ius1 "o ( ! ?ree or f\r mo/ pr(\nd & lucid g5iuses ev] kn[n to humanity1 mu/ h giv5 x an irresi/ible =ce4 ,b he does n l+] ov] ^! argum5ts1 ^: weakness he feels too well2 he pu%es !m scornfully aside1 he glories &1 9 a mann]1 rejoices 9 _! futility3 8,:o !n w blame ,*ri/ians = n be+ able to give a reason = _! fai?1 ^? :o pr(ess a religion = :i* !y _c give a reason8 ,!y decl>e1 9 pres5t+ x to ! _w1 t x is a fooli%ness1 /ultitiam2 & !n y compla9 t !y d n prove x6 ,if !y prov$ x1 !y w\ld n be keep+ _! ^w2 x is 9 be+ de/itute ( pro(s t !y are n de/itute ( s5se40 ,8 solit>y argum5t1 ! "o to :i* he cl+s desp]ately & devotes all ! p[] ( 8 g5ius1 is ! v condition ( man 9 ! univ]se1 t incompreh5sible m$ley ( greatness & wret*$ness1 = :i* !re is no acc\nt+ save by ! my/]y ( ! fir/ fall3 8,= man is m incompreh5sible )\t t my/]y ?an ! my/]y itself is incompreh5sible to man40 ,he is !re=e r$uc$ to e/abli%+ ! tru? ( ! ,scriptures by an argum5t drawn f ! v ,scriptures 9 "q2 &--:at is m s]i\s--to expla9 a wide & great & indisputable my/]y by ano!r1 small1 n>r[ & crude my/]y t re/s only ^u ! leg5d :i* x is 8 bus9ess to prove4 ,&1 let u obs]ve 9 pass+1 x is a fatal ?+ to replace "o my/]y by ano!r & less] my/]y4 ,9 ! hi]>*y ( ! unkn[n1 mank9d always asc5ds f ! small] to ! great]4 ,on ! o!r h&1 to desc5d f ! great] to ! small] is to relapse into ! condition ( primitive man1 :o c>ries 8 b>b>ism to ! po9t ( replac+ ! inf9ite by a feti% or an amulet4 ,! measure ( man's greatness is ! greatness ( ! my/]ies :i* he cultivates or on :i* he dwells4 ,to return to ,pascal1 he feels t ev]y?+ is crumbl+ ar\nd him2 & s1 9 ! collapse ( human reason1 he at la/ (f]s u ! mon/r\s wag] t is ! supreme av[al ( ! bankruptcy & despair ( 8 fai?4 ,god1 he says1 mean+ 8 ,god & ! ,*ri/ian religion ) all its precepts & all its consequ5ces1 exi/s or does n exi/4 ,we are unable1 by human argum5ts1 to prove t ,he exi/s or t ,he does n exi/4 8,if !re is a ,god1 ,he is inf9itely incompreh5sible1 because1 hav+ nei!r divisions nor b\nds1 ,he has no relation to u4 ,we are !re=e incapable ( kn[+ ei!r :at ,he is or if ,he is40 ,god is or is n4 8,b to :i* side %all we lean8 ,reason c det]m9e no?+ ab\t x4 ,!re is an inf9ite gulf t sep>ates u4 ,a game is play$ at ! utt]mo/ "p ( ?is inf9ite di/ance1 9 :i* heads may turn up or tails4 ,:i* w y wag]8 ,!re is no reason = bett+ on ei!r "o or ! o!r2 y _c reasonably def5d ei!r40 ,! correct c\rse w\ld be n to wag] at all4 8,yes1 b y mu/ wag]3 ?is is n a matt] = y\r w2 y are laun*$ 9 x40 ,n to wag] t ,god exi/s means wag]+ t ,he does n exi/1 = :i* ,he w puni% y et]nally4 ,:at !n d y risk by wag]+1 at all haz>ds1 t ,he exi/s8 ,if ,he does n1 y lose a few small pleasures1 a few wret*$ com=ts ( ?is life1 because y\r little sacrifice w n h be5 rew>d$2 if ,he exi/s1 y ga9 an et]nity ( unspeakable happ9ess4 8#8,x is true1 b1 9 spite ( all1 ,i am s made t ,i _c believe4' 8,nev] m9d1 foll[ ! way 9 :i* !y began :o believe & :o at fir/ did n believe ei!r1 tak+ holy wat]1 hav+ masses said1 etc4 ,t 9 itself w make y believe & w r$uce y to ! level ( ! bea/s40 8',b t is j :at ,i am afraid (4' 8,:y8 ,:at h y to lose80 ,ne>ly ?ree c5turies ( apologetics h n add$ "o useful argum5t to t t]rible & despair+ page ( ,pascal4 ,& ?is is all t human intellig5ce has f\nd to compel our life4 ,if ! ,god :o dem&s our fai? w n h u decide by our reason1 by :at !n mu/ our *oice be made8 ,by usage8 ,by ! accid5ts ( race or bir?1 by "s /hetic or s5tim5tal pit*-&-toss8 ,or has ,he set )9 u ano!r high] & sur] faculty be=e :i* ! und]/&+ mu/ yield8 ,if s1 :]e is x8 ,:at is its "n8 ,if ?is ,god puni%es u = n hav+ bl9dly foll[$ a fai? t does n =ce itself irresi/ibly ^u ! intellig5ce :i* ,he gave u2 if ,he *a/ises u = n hav+ made1 9 ! pres5ce ( ! great enigma ) :i* ,he confronts u1 a *oice :i* is reject$ by t be/ & mo/ div9e "p :i* ,he has implant$ 9 u1 we h no?+ left to reply3 we are ! dupes ( a cruel & incompreh5sible sport1 we are ! victims ( a t]rible sn>e & an imm5se inju/ice2 &1 :atev] ! torm5ts :]e) t inju/ice may load u1 !y w be less intol]able ?an ! et]nal pres5ce ( its ,au?or4 ,,*apt] ,,ii ,,annihilation #a ,& n[ we /& be=e ! abyss4 ,x is void ( all ! dreams ) :i* our fa!rs peopl$ x4 ,!y ?\ght t !y knew :at 0 !re2 we "k only :at is n !re4 ,x is ! va/] by all t we h le>nt to "k no?+ (4 ,:ile wait+ = a sci5tific c]ta9ty to break ?r\gh its d>kness--= man has ! "r to hope = t :i* he does n yet conceive--! only po9t t int]e/s u1 because x is situat$ 9 ! little circle :i* our actual intellig5ce traces 9 ! ?icke/ blackness ( ! night1 is to "k :e!r ! unkn[n = :i* we are b\nd w be dreadful or n4 ,outside ! religions1 !re are f\r imag9able solutions & no m3 total annihilation2 survival ) our consci\sness ( to-day2 survival )\t any sort ( consci\sness2 la/ly1 survival 9 ! univ]sal consci\sness1 or ) a consci\sness diff]5t f t :i* we possess 9 ?is _w4 #b ,total annihilation is impossible4 ,we are ! prison]s ( an inf9ity )\t outlet1 :]e9 no?+ p]i%es1 :]e9 ev]y?+ is disp]s$1 b no?+ lo/4 ,nei!r a body nor a ?\ght c drop out ( ! univ]se1 out ( "t & space4 ,n an atom ( our fle%1 n a quiv] ( our n]ves w g :]e !y w cease to be1 = !re is no place :]e any?+ ceases to be4 ,! brightness ( a /> ext+ui%$ millions ( ye>s ago /ill w&]s 9 ! e!r :]e our eyes w p]haps behold x ?is v night1 pursu+ its endless road4 ,x is ! same ) all t we see1 z ) all t we d n see4 ,to be able to d away ) a ?+1 t is to say1 to fl+ x into no?+ness1 no?+ness w\ld h to exi/2 &1 if x exi/s1 "u :atev] =m1 x is no long] no?+ness4 ,z soon z we try to analyze x1 to def9e x1 or to und]/& x1 ?\ghts & expressions fail u1 or create t :i* !y are /ruggl+ to d5y4 ,x is z contr>y to ! nature ( our reason & probably ( all imag9able reason to conceive no?+ness z to conceive limits to inf9ity4 ,no?+ness1 besides1 is b a negative inf9ity1 a sort ( inf9ity ( d>kness oppos$ to t :i* our intellig5ce /rives to illum9e1 or r x is b a *ild-"n or nickname :i* our m9d has be/[$ ^u t :i* x has n attempt$ to embrace1 = we call no?+ness all t escapes our s5ses or our reason & exi/s )\t our k4 #c ,b1 x w p]haps be said1 ?\gh ! annihilation ( e _w & e ?+ be impossible1 x is n s c]ta9 t _! dea? is impossible2 &1 to u1 :at is ! diff]5ce betwe5 no?+ness & ev]la/+ dea?8 ,"h aga9 we are l$ a/ray by our imag9ation & by words4 ,we c no m conceive dea? ?an we c conceive no?+ness4 ,we use ! ^w dea? to cov] ^? fragm5ts ( no?+ness :i* we believe t we und]/&2 b1 on clos] exam9ation1 we are b\nd to recognize t our idea ( dea? is mu* too pu]ile = x to conta9 ! lea/ tru?4 ,x rea*es no high] ?an our own bodies & _c measure ! de/9ies ( ! univ]se4 ,we give ! "n ( dea? to any?+ t has a life a little diff]5t f ours4 ,ev5 s d we act t[>ds a _w t appe>s to u motionless & froz51 ! moon1 = in/ance1 because we are p]suad$ t any =m ( exi/5ce1 animal or vegetable1 is ext+ui%$ ^u x = ev]4 ,b x is n[ "s ye>s s9ce we le>nt t ! mo/ in]t matt]1 to outw>d seem+1 is animat$ by movem5ts s p[]ful & furi\s t all animal or vegetable life is no m ?an sleep & immobility by ! side ( ! swirl+ eddies & immeasurable en]gy lock$ up 9 a wayside /one4 8,!re is no room = dea?60 cri$ ,emily ,bront4 ,b1 ev5 if1 9 ! inf9ite s]ies ( ! c5turies1 all matt] %\ld really become in]t & motionless1 x w\ld none ! less p]si/ "u "o =m or ano!r2 & p]si/5ce1 ?\gh x 7 9 total immobility1 w\ld1 aft] all1 be b a =m ( life /able & sil5t at la/4 ,all t dies falls into life2 & all t is born is ( ! same age z t :i* dies4 ,if dea? c>ri$ u to no?+ness1 did bir? !n draw u out ( t same no?+ness8 ,:y %\ld ! second be m impossible ?an ! fir/8 ,! high] human ?\ght rises & ! wid] x exp&s1 ! less compreh5sible d no?+ness & dea? become4 ,9 any case--& ?is is :at matt]s "h--if no?+ness 7 possible1 s9ce x c\ld n be any?+ :atev]1 x c\ld n be dreadful4 ,,*apt] ,,iii ,,! ,,survival ,,( ,,our ,,consci\sness #a ,next comes survival ) our consci\sness ( to-day4 ,i h broa*$ ?is "q 9 an essay on ,immortality1#b ( :i* ,i w only reproduce a few ess5tial passages1 re/rict+ myself to support+ !m ) new consid]ations4 ,:at composes ?is s5se ( ! ego :i* turns ea* ( u into ! c5tre ( ! univ]se1 ! only po9t t matt]s 9 space & "t8 ,is x =m$ ( s5sations ( our body1 or ( ?\ghts indep5d5t ( our body8 ,w\ld our body be consci\s ( itself )\t our m9d8 ,&1 on ! o!r h&1 :at w\ld our m9d be )\t our body8 ,we "k bodies )\t m9d1 b no m9d )\t a body4 ,x is almo/ c]ta9 t an intellig5ce devoid ( s5ses1 devoid ( organs to create & n\ri% x1 exi/s2 b x is impossible to imag9e t ours c\ld ?us exi/ & yet rema9 simil> to t :i* has d]iv$ all t inspires x f our s5sibility4 ,?is ego1 z we conceive x :5 we reflect ^u ! consequ5ces ( its de/ruction1 ?is ego1 !re=e1 is nei!r our m9d nor our body1 s9ce we recognize t bo? are waves t roll by & are incessantly r5ew$4 ,is x an immovable po9t1 :i* c\ld n be =m or sub/ance1 = ^! are always 9 evolution1 nor yet life1 :i* is ! cause or effect ( =m & sub/ance8 ,9 tru?1 x is impossible = u ei!r to appreh5d or def9e x1 or ev5 to say :]e x dwells4 ,:5 we try to g back to its la/ s\rce1 we f9d little m ?an a succession ( memories1 a mass ( ideas1 confus$1 = t matt]1 & unsettl$1 all connect$ ) ! same in/9ct1 ! in/9ct ( liv+3 a mass ( habits ( our s5sibility & ( consci\s or unconsci\s reactions aga9/ ! surr\nd+ ph5om5a4 ,:5 all is said1 ! mo/ /eadfa/ po9t ( t nebula is our memory1 :i* seems1 on ! o!r h&1 to be a some:at ext]nal1 a some:at accessory faculty &1 9 any case1 "o ( ! fraile/ faculties ( our bra91 "o ( ^? :i* disappe> ! mo/ promptly at ! lea/ di/urbance ( our heal?4 ,z an ,engli% poet has v truly said1 8t :i* cries al\d = et]nity is ! v "p ( me t w p]i%40 ----- ,footnote #b3 ,?is essay =ms "p ( ! volume publi%$ "u ! title ( ,life & ,fl[]s4--,translator's ,note4 ----- #b ,x matt]s n3 t unc]ta91 indisc]nible1 fleet+ & prec>i\s ego is s mu* ! c5tre ( our be+1 int]e/s u s exclusively1 t e reality disappe>s be=e ?is phantom4 ,x is utt]ly indiff]5t to u t1 ?r\gh\t et]nity1 our body or its sub/ance %\ld "k e joy & e glory1 und]go ! mo/ spl5did & delightful trans=mations1 become fl[]1 p]fume1 beauty1 light1 air1 />--& x is c]ta9 t x does s become & t we mu/ look = our dead n 9 our gravey>ds1 b 9 space & light & life--x is likewise indiff]5t to u t our intellig5ce %\ld exp& until x takes "p 9 ! life ( ! worlds1 until x und]/&s & gov]ns x4 ,we are p]suad$ t all ?is w n affect u1 w give u no pleasure1 w n happ5 to ourselves1 unless t memory ( a few almo/ always insignificant facts accompany u & witness ^? unimag9able joys4 8,i c>e n10 says ?is n>r[ ego1 9 its firm resolve to und]/& no?+1 8,i c>e n if ! l(tie/1 ! free/1 ! faire/ portions ( my m9d be et]nally liv+ & radiant 9 ! supreme gladnesses3 !y are no long] m9e2 ,i d n "k !m4 ,dea? has cut ! network ( n]ves or memories t connect$ !m ) ,i "k n :at c5tres :]e9 lies ! po9t :i* ,i feel to be my v self4 ,!y are ?us set loose1 float+ 9 space & "t2 & _! fate is z ali5 to me z t ( ! mo/ di/ant />s4 ,all t befalls has no exi/5ce = me unless ,i c recall x )9 t my/]i\s be+ :i* is ,i "k n :]e & precisely n[h]e & :i* ,i turn l a mirror ab\t ?is _w ^: ph5om5a take %ape only 9 s f> z !y are reflect$ 9 x40 #c ,?us our long+ = immortality de/roys itself :ile express+ itself1 s9ce x is on "o ( ! accessory & mo/ transi5t p>ts ( our :ole life t we base all ! int]e/ ( our aft]-life4 ,x seems to u t1 if our exi/5ce be n cont9u$ ) ! great] "p ( its drawbacks1 ( ! pett9ess & blemi%es t *>act]ize x1 no?+ w di/+ui% x f t ( o!r be+s2 t x w become a drop ( ignorance 9 ! ocean ( ! unkn[n2 & t1 !nce=?1 all t may come to pass w no long] conc]n u4 ,:at immortality c "o promise to m5 :o almo/ necess>ily conceive x 9 ?is guise8 ,:at is ! use ( x8 asks a pu]ile b pr(\nd in/9ct4 ,any immortality t does n drag ) x ?r\gh et]nity1 l ! fett]s ( ! convict t we 71 ! /range consci\sness =m$ dur+ a few ye>s ( movem5t1 any immortality t does n be> t indelible m>k ( our id5tity is = u z ?\gh x 7 n4 ,mo/ ( ! religions h be5 well aw>e ( ?is & h reckon$ ) t in/9ct :i* desires & at ! same "t de/roys ! aft]-life4 ,x is ?us t ! ,ca?olic ,*ur*1 go+ back to ! mo/ primitive hopes1 promises u n only ! integral pres]vation ( our e>?ly ego1 b ev5 ! resurrection ( our own fle%4 ,!re lies ! crux ( ! riddle4 ,:5 we dem& t ?is small consci\sness1 t ?is s5se ( a special ego--almo/ *ildi% &1 9 any case1 extraord9>ily limit$2 probably an infirmity ( our actual intellig5ce--%\ld accompany u into ! inf9ity ( "t 9 ord] t we may und]/& & enjoy x1 are we n wi%+ to p]ceive an object ) ! aid ( an organ :i* is n int5d$ = t purpose8 ,are we n ask+ t our h& %\ld discov] ! light or t our eye %\ld appreciate p]fumes8 ,are we n1 r1 act+ l a sick man :o1 9 ord] to recognize himself1 to be q sure t he is himself1 %\ld ?9k x necess>y to cont9ue 8 sickness 9 heal? & 9 ! un5d+ sequ5ce ( 8 days8 ,! comp>ison1 inde$1 is m accurate ?an is ! habit ( comp>isons4 ,picture a bl9d man :o is also p>alyz$ & deaf4 ,he has be5 9 ?is condition f 8 bir? & has j atta9$ 8 ?irtie? ye>4 ,:at c ! h\rs h embroid]$ on ! imageless web ( ?is poor life8 ,! unhappy man mu/ h ga!r$ at ! back ( 8 memory1 = lack ( o!r recollections1 a few halt+ s5sations ( heat & cold1 ( we>9ess & re/1 ( m or less active physical suff]+s1 ( hung] & ?ir/4 ,x is probable t all human joys1 all our hopes & ideals1 all our dreams ( p>adise w be r$uc$ = him to ! vague s5se ( well-be+ t foll[s ! alleviation ( a pa94 ,!re y h ! only possible equipm5t ( t consci\sness & t ego4 ,! intellect1 hav+ nev] be5 invok$ f )\t1 w sleep s\ndly1 all-ignorant ( itself4 ,nev]!less1 ! poor wret* w h 8 little life1 to :i* he w cl+ z closely & eag]ly z ?\gh he 7 ! happie/ ( m54 ,he w dread dea?2 & ! idea ( ent]+ into et]nity )\t c>ry+ ) him ! emotions & ! memories ( 8 d>k & sil5t sick-b$ w plunge him into ! same despair into :i* we are plung$ by ! ?\ght ( ab&on+ a glori\s life ( light & love = ! icy d>kness ( ! tomb4 #d ,let u n[ suppose t a miracle sudd5ly quick5 8 eyes & e>s & reveal to him1 ?r\gh ! op5 w9d[ by 8 b$side1 ! dawn ris+ ov] ! pla91 ! song ( ! birds 9 ! trees1 ! murmur ( ! w9d among ! leaves & ( ! wat] lapp+ its banks1 ! e*o+ ( human voices among ! morn+ hills4 ,let u suppose also t ! same miracle1 complet+ its "w1 re/ore ! use ( 8 limbs4 ,he rises1 /ret*es 8 arms to t prodigy :i* z yet = him possesses nei!r reality nor "n3 ! light6 ,he op5s ! door1 /agg]s out amid/ ! effulg5ce2 & 8 :ole body is m]g$ 9 ! wond] ( x all4 ,he ent]s into an ineffable life1 into a sky :]e( no dream c\ld h giv5 him a =eta/e2 &1 by a freak :i* is readily admissible 9 ?is sort ( cure1 heal?1 introduc+ him to ?is inconceivable & un9telligible exi/5ce1 wipes out 9 him all memory ( days pa/4 ,:at w be ! /ate ( ?is ego1 ( ?is c5tral focus1 ! receptacle ( all our s5sations1 ! spot 9 :i* conv]ges all t belongs 9 its own "r to our life1 ! supreme po9t1 ! 8egotic0 po9t ( our be+1 if ,i may v5ture to co9 a ^w8 ,memory be+ aboli%$1 w t ego recov] )9 itself a few traces ( ! man t 08 ,a new =ce1 ! intellect1 awak+ & sudd5ly display+ unprec$5t$ activity1 :at relation w t intellect keep up ) ! in]t1 dull g]m :5ce x has sprung8 ,:]e1 9 8 pa/1 %all ! man fix 8 moor+s s t 8 id5tity may endure8 ,& yet w !re n survive )9 him "s s5se or in/9ct1 indep5d5t ( 8 memory1 8 intellect & ,i "k n :at o!r faculties1 t w make him recognize t x is inde$ 9 him t ! lib]at+ miracle has be5 wr\ght1 t x is inde$ 8 life & n 8 neighb\r's1 trans=m$1 irrecognizable1 b sub/antially ! same1 t has issu$ f ! sil5ce & ! d>kness to prolong itself 9 h>mony & light8 ,c we picture ! disord]1 ! w&]+ hi!r & ?i!r ( t bewild]$ consci\sness8 ,h we any idea 9 :at mann] ! ego ( ye/]day w unite ) ! ego ( to-day & h[ ! 8egotic0 po9t1 ! only po9t :i* we are anxi\s to pres]ve intact1 w behave 9 t delirium & t upheaval8 ,let u fir/ endeav\r to reply ) suffici5t precision to ?is "q :i* comes )9 ! prov9ce ( our actual & visible life2 =1 if we are unable to d ?is1 h[ c we hope to solve ! o!r problem t />es e man 9 ! face at ! h\r ( dea?8 #e ,?is s5sitive po9t1 9 :i* ! :ole problem is summ$ up--= x is ! only "o 9 "q2 &1 except 9 s f> z x is conc]n$1 immortality is c]ta9--?is my/]i\s po9t1 to :i*1 9 ! pres5ce ( dea?1 we atta* s high a value1 we lose1 /range to say1 at any mom5t 9 life )\t feel+ ! lea/ anxiety4 ,n only is x de/roy$ nightly 9 our sleep1 b ev5 9 wak+ x is at ! m]cy ( a ho/ ( accid5ts4 ,a w\nd1 a %ock1 an illness1 a little alcohol1 a little opium1 a little smoke are en\gh to affect x4 ,ev5 :5 no?+ impairs x1 x is n uni=mly p]ceptible4 ,an ef=t is (t5 necess>y1 a delib]ate look+ into ourselves1 be=e we c recov] x & become aw>e ( "s p>ticul> ev5t4 ,at ! lea/ di/raction1 a joy passes by u )\t t\*+ u1 )\t giv+ up ! pleasure :i* x conta9s4 ,"o w\ld say t ! functions ( t organ by :i* we ta/e & "k life are int]mitt5t & t ! pres5ce ( our ego1 except 9 pa91 is b a rapid & p]petual sequ5ce ( dep>tures & returns4 ,:at reassures u is t we ?9k ourselves c]ta9 to f9d x intact on awak+1 aft] ! w\nd1 ! %ock or ! di/raction1 :]eas we are p]suad$1 s fragile d we feel x to be1 t x is b\nd to disappe> = ev] 9 ! awful impact betwe5 life & dea?4 #f ,"o =emo/ tru?1 p5d+ o!rs :i* ! future w no d\bt reveal1 is t1 9 ^! que/ions ( life & dea?1 our imag9ation has rema9$ v *ildi%4 ,almo/ e else:]e1 x is ahead ( reason2 b "h x /ill loit]s ov] ! games ( infancy4 ,x surr\nds itself ) ! b>b>ic dreams & long+s :]e) x cradl$ ! hopes & fe>s ( cave-dwell+ man4 ,x asks = ?+s t are impossible because !y are too small4 ,x clam\rs = privileges :i*1 if obta9$1 7 m to be dread$ ?an ! mo/ enorm\s disa/]s ) :i* nihility ?reat5s u4 ,c we ?9k )\t %udd]+ ( an et]nity conta9$ :olly )9 our paltry pres5t-day consci\sness8 ,& behold h[1 9 all ?is1 we obey ! illogical :ims ( fancy1 :i* m5 9 ! old5 "t call$ la folle du logis4 ,:i* ( u1 if he 7 to g to sleep to-night 9 ! sci5tific c]ta9ty ( awak+ 9 a hundr$ ye>s exactly z he is to-day1 ) 8 body intact1 ev5 on condition t he lo/ all memory ( 8 previ\s life--w\ld su* memories n be useless8--:i* ( u w\ld n welcome t age-long sleep ) ! same confid5ce z ! brief1 g5tle slumb]s ( 8 e night8 ,& yet betwe5 real dea? & ?is sleep !re w\ld be only ! diff]5ce ( t awak5+ def]r$ = a c5tury1 an awak5+ z ali5 to ! sleep] z ! bir? ( a po/hum\s *ild w\ld be4 ,or else1 to say v mu* :at ,s*op5hau] said to "o :o 0 unwill+ to admit an immortality into :i* he w\ld n c>ry 8 consci\sness3 8,suppose t1 to snat* y f "s intol]able suff]+1 y 7 promis$ an awak5+ & a return to consci\sness aft] a :olly unconsci\s sleep ( ?ree mon?s80 8#8,i w\ld accept x gladly4' 8,b suppose t1 at ! end ( ! ?ree mon?s1 !y =got y & did n wake y until t5 ?\s& ye>s _h pass$1 h[ mu* ! wis] w\ld y be8 ,&1 sleep once begun1 :at diff]5ce does x make to y :e!r x la/ = ?ree mon?s or = ev]80 #g ,let u !n consid] t all t composes our consci\sness comes fir/ ( all f our body4 ,our m9d does b organize t :i* is suppli$ by our s5ses2 & ev5 ! images & ! words--:i* 9 reality are b images--by ! aid ( :i* x /rives to sev] itself f ^? s5ses & d5y _! sway are borr[$ f !m4 ,h[ c\ld t m9d rema9 :at x 01 :5 x has no?+ left ( t :i* =m$ x8 ,:5 our m9d no long] has a body1 :at %all x c>ry ) x into inf9ity :]eby to recognize itself1 see+ t x kn[s itself only by fav\r ( t body8 ,a few memories ( _! common life8 ,w ^? memories1 :i* 7 already fad+ 9 ?is _w1 suffice to sep>ate x = ev] f ! re/ ( ! univ]se1 9 b\ndless space & 9 unlimit$ "t8 8,b10 ,i %all be told1 8!re is m 9 u ?an our intellig5ce discov]s4 ,we h _m ?+s )9 u :i* our s5ses h n plac$ !re2 we conta9 a great] be+ ?an ! "o we "k40 ,t is probable1 nay1 c]ta93 ! %>e occupi$ by ! inconsci5t1 t is to say1 by t :i* repres5ts ! univ]se1 is enorm\s & prepond]ant4 ,b h[ %all ! ego :i* we "k & ^: de/9y alone conc]ns u recognize all ^? ?+s & t great] be+ nei!r ( :i* x has ev] kn[n8 ,:at w x d 9 ! pres5ce ( t /rang]8 ,if ,i be told t ! /rang] is myself1 ,i w readily agree2 b 0 t :i* ^u e>? felt & weigh$ my joys & sorr[s & gave bir? to ! few memories & ?\ghts t rema9 to me1 0 t ?is impassive1 unse5 /rang] :o exi/$ 9 me all unsuspect$1 ev5 z ,i am probably ab\t to live 9 him )\t 8 conc]n+ himself ) a pres5ce t w br+ him b ! sorry recollection ( a ?+ t has ceas$ to be8 ,n[ t he has tak5 my place1 :ile de/roy+1 9 ord] to acquire a l>g] consci\sness1 all t =m$ my small consci\sness "h bel[1 is x n ano!r life comm5c+1 a life ^: joys & sorr[s w pass above my head1 n ev5 bru%+ ) _! new-born w+s ! be+ :i* ,i am consci\s ( to-day8 #h ,la/ly1 h[ %all we expla9 t1 9 t consci\sness :i* ought to survive u1 ! inf9ity t prec$es our bir? has left no trace8 ,_h we no consci\sness 9 t inf9ity1 or did we p]*ance lose x on com+ into ! _w & did ! cata/rophe t produces ! :ole t]ror ( dea? take place at ! mom5t ( our bir?8 ,none c d5y t ?is inf9ity has ! same rights ov] u z t :i* foll[s our decease4 ,we are z mu* ! *ildr5 ( ! fir/ z ( ! second2 & we mu/ ( necessity h a "p 9 bo?4 ,if y ma9ta9 t y w always exi/1 y are b\nd to admit t y h always exi/$2 we _c imag9e ! "o )\t hav+ to imag9e ! o!r4 ,if no?+ ends1 no?+ beg9s1 = any su* beg9n+ w\ld be ! end ( some?+4 ,n[1 al?\gh ,i h exi/$ s9ce all "t1 ,i h no consci\sness :atev] ( my previ\s exi/5ce1 :]eas ,i %all h to c>ry to ! b\ndless horizon ( ! endless ages ! t9y consci\sness acquir$ dur+ ! in/ant t elapses betwe5 my bir? & my dea?4 ,c my true ego1 !n1 :i* is ab\t to become et]nal1 date only f my %ort soj\rn on ?is e>?8 ,& all ! prec$+ et]nity1 :i* is ( exactly ! same value z t :i* foll[s1 s9ce x is ! same1 %all x n c\nt8 ,w x be flung into nihility8 ,:y is a /range privilege accord$ to a few mean+less days sp5t on an unimportant planet8 ,is x because 9 t previ\s et]nity we _h no consci\sness8 ,:at d we "k ab\t x8 ,x seems v unlikely4 ,:y %\ld ! acquisition ( consci\sness be a ph5om5on unrepeat$ 9 an et]nity t _h at its disposal innum]able billions ( *ances1 among :i*--unless we set a limit to ! inf9ity ( ! ages--x is impossible to conceive t ! ?\s&s ( co9cid5ces :i* w5t to =m my pres5t consci\sness did n occur ov] & ov] aga98 ,! mom5t we turn our gaze ^u ! my/]ies ( t et]nity :]e9 all t happ5s mu/ already h happ5$1 x seems mu* m cr$ible1 on ! contr>y1 t we h _h consci\sness ^u consci\sness :i* our life ( to-day hides f our view4 ,if !y h exi/$ & if1 at our dea?1 "o consci\sness mu/ survive1 ! o!rs mu/ survive z well1 = !re is no reason to be/[ s disproportionate a fav\r ^u t consci\sness :i* we h acquir$ "h bel[4 ,&1 if all ( !m survive & awak5 at ! same "t1 :at w become ( ! petty consci\sness ( a few t]re/rial mom5ts1 :5 x is subm]g$ 9 ^? et]nal exi/5ces8 ,besides1 ev5 if x 7 to =get all its previ\s exi/5ces1 :at w\ld become ( x amid ! p]petual buffet+1 ! endless wa% ( its po/hum\s et]nity8 ,= x is b z a poor s&-drift ( an isl& 9 ! unrel5t+ jaws ( two b\ndless oceans4 ,x w\ld hold its own !re1 puny & s prec>i\s1 only on condition t x acquir$ no?+ m1 t x rema9$ = ev] clos$1 isolat$ & conf9$1 imp5etrable & ins5sible to all ?+s1 9 ! mid/ ( ! a/\nd+ my/]ies1 ! fabul\s treasures & visions :i* x w\ld h et]nally to pass ?r\gh )\t ev] see+ or he>+ any?+2 & t surely w\ld be ! wor/ dea? & ! wor/ de/9y t c\ld befall u4 ,we are1 !re=e1 driv5 on all sides t[>ds ! !ories ( an univ]sal consci\sness or ( a modifi$ consci\sness1 bo? ( :i* we %all exam9e pres5tly4 ,,*apt] ,,iv ,,! ,,!osophical ,,hypo!sis #a ,b1 be=e broa*+ ^? que/ions1 x 7 p]haps well to /udy two int]e/+ solutions ( ! problem ( p]sonal survival1 solutions :i*1 al?\gh n new1 h at lea/ be5 lately r5ew$4 ,i ref] to ! neo!osophical & neospirituali/ic !ories1 :i* are1 ,i ?9k1 ! only ones t c be s]i\sly discuss$4 ,! fir/ is almo/ z old z man himself2 b a popul> movem5t1 ( "s magnitude 9 c]ta9 c\ntries1 has rejuv5at$ ! doctr9e ( re9c>nation1 or ! transmigration ( s\ls1 & br\ght x once m into prom95ce4 ,x _c be d5i$ t ( all ! religi\s !ories1 re9c>nation is ! mo/ plausible & ! lea/ repell5t to our reason4 ,nor mu/ we ov]look t x has on its side ! au?ority ( ! mo/ anci5t & widespread religions1 ^? :i* h inconte/ably furni%$ humanity ) ! greate/ aggregate ( wisdom & :i* we h n yet exhau/$ ( _! tru?s & my/]ies4 ,9 reality1 ! :ole ( ,asia1 :5ce we d]ive almo/ ev]y?+ :i* we "k1 has always believ$ & /ill believes 9 ! transmigration ( s\ls4 ,z ,mrs4 ,annie ,besant1 ! rem>kable apo/le ( ! new !osophy1 v rightly says3 8,!re is no philosophical doctr9e :i* has beh9d x s magnific5t an intellectual ance/ry z ! doctr9e ( re9c>nation2 none = :i* !re is su* a weight ( ! op9ion ( ! wise/ ( m52 none1 z ,max ,mll] decl>$1 on :i* ! greate/ philosoph]s ( humanity h be5 s ?or\ghly 9 accord40 ,?is is all q true4 ,b x w\ld ne$ o!r pro(s to w9 our di/ru/ful fai? to-day4 ,i h s\ght 9 va9 = a s+le "o 9 ! lead+ works ( our mod]n !osophi/s4 ,!y conf9e !mselves to a m]e reit]ation ( dogmatic /atem5ts1 :i* are ( ! vague/4 ,_! great argum5t--! *ief &1 :5 all is said1 ! only argum5t :i* !y adduce--is b a s5tim5tal argum5t4 ,_! doctr9e t ! s\l1 9 its successive exi/5ces1 is purifi$ & exalt$ ) m or less rapidity accord+ to its ef=ts & des]ts is1 !y ma9ta91 ! only "o t satisfies ! irresi/ible in/9ct ( ju/ice :i* we be> )9 u4 ,!y are "r2 &1 f ?is po9t ( view1 _! po/hum\s ju/ice is immeasurably sup]ior to t ( ! b>b>ic ,heav5 & ! mon/r\s ,hell ( ! ,*ri/ians1 :]e rew>ds & puni%m5ts are = ev] met$ out to virtues & vices :i* are = ! mo/ "p pu]ile1 unavoidable or accid5tal4 ,b ?is1 ,i repeat1 is only a s5tim5tal argum5t1 :i* has b an inf9itesimal value 9 ! scale ( evid5ce4 #b ,we may admit t c]ta9 ( _! !ories are r +5i\s2 & :at !y say ( ! "p play$ by ! 8%ells10 = in/ance1 or ! 8elem5tals10 9 ! spirituali/ic ph5om5a1 is wor? ab\t z mu* z our clumsy explanations ( fluidic & sup]s5sible bodies4 ,p]haps1 or ev5 no d\bt1 !y are "r :5 !y insi/ t ev]y?+ ar\nd u is full ( liv+1 s5ti5t =ms1 ( div]se & innum]\s types1 8z diff]5t f "o ano!r z a blade ( grass & a tig]1 or a tig] & a man10 :i* are incessantly bru%+ aga9/ u & ?r\gh :i* we pass unaw>es4 ,if all ! religions h ov]populat$ ! _w ) invisible be+s1 we h p]haps depopulat$ x too completely2 & x is extremely possible t we %all f9d "o day t ! mi/ake 0 n on ! side :i* "o imag9es4 ,z ,sir ,william ,crookes s well puts x1 9 a rem>kable passage3 8,x is n improbable t o!r s5ti5t be+s h organs ( s5se :i* d n respond to "s or any ( ! rays to :i* our eyes are s5sitive1 b are able to appreciate o!r vibrations to :i* we are bl9d4 ,su* be+s w\ld practically be liv+ 9 a diff]5t _w to our own4 ,imag9e1 = in/ance1 :at idea we %\ld =m ( surr\nd+ objects 7 we end[$ ) eyes n s5sitive to ! ord9>y rays ( light b s5sitive to ! vibrations conc]n$ 9 electric & magnetic ph5om5a4 ,glass & cry/al w\ld be among ! mo/ opaque ( bodies4 ,metals w\ld be m or less transp>5t1 & a telegraph wire ?r\gh ! air w\ld look l a long n>r[ hole drill$ ?r\gh an imp]vi\s solid body4 ,a dynamo 9 active "w w\ld resemble a conflagration1 :il/ a p]man5t magnet w\ld realise ! dream ( m$iaeval my/ics & become an ev]la/+ lamp ) no exp5diture ( en]gy or consumption ( fuel40 ,all ?is1 ) s _m o!r ?+s :i* !y ass]t1 w\ld be1 if n admissible1 at lea/ wor?y ( att5tion1 if ^? suppositions 7 (f]$ = :at !y are1 t is to say1 v anci5t hypo!ses t g back to ! e>ly ages ( human !ology & metaphysics2 b1 :5 !y are trans=m$ into categorical & dogmatic ass]tions1 !y at once become unt5able4 ,_! expon5ts promise u1 on ! o!r h&1 t1 by ex]cis+ our m9ds1 by ref9+ our s5ses1 by e!realiz+ our bodies1 we %all be able to live ) ^? :om we call dead & ) ! high] be+s t surr\nd u4 ,x all seems to lead to no?+ v mu* & re/s on v frail bases1 on v vague pro(s d]iv$ f hypnotic sleep1 pres5tim5ts1 m$iumism1 phantasms & s =?4 ,x is r surpris+ t ^? :o call !mselves 8clairvoyants10 :o pret5d to be 9 communication ) ?is _w ( disc>nate spirits & ) o!r worlds /ill ne>] to ! div9e1 br+ u no evid5tial pro(s4 ,we want some?+ m ?an arbitr>y !ories ab\t ! 8immortal triad10 ! 8?ree worlds10 ! 8a/ral body10 ! 8p]man5t atom10 or ! 8,k>ma-,loka40 ,z _! s5sibility is ke5]1 _! p]ception subtl]1 _! spiritual intuition m p5etrat+ ?an ours1 :y d !y n *oose z a field = inve/igation ! ph5om5a ( pr5atal memory1 = in/ance1 to take "o subject at r&om f a multitude ( o!rs1 ph5om5a :i*1 al?\gh sporadic & op5 to "q1 are /ill admissible8 ,we are only too eag] to all[ ourselves to be conv9c$1 = all t adds any?+ to man's importance1 range or duration mu/ ne$s be gladly welcom$4#c ----- ,footnote #c3 ,to le>n ! precise tru? ab\t ! neo!osophical movem5t & its fir/ manife/ations1 ! read] %\ld /udy ! /rik+ report drawn up1 aft] an imp>tial1 b /rict enquiry1 by ,dr4 ,hodgson1 :o 0 s5t to ,india = ?is special purpose by ! ,society = ,psy*ical ,rese>*4 ,9 x he unveils1 9 a ma/]ly fa%ion1 ! obvi\s & (t5 clumsy impositions ( ! fam\s ,mme4 ,blavatsky & ! :ole neo!osophical organization 7,proce$+s1 ,vol4 ,,iii1 pp4 #bja-djj3 ,hodgson's ,report on ,ph5om5a connect$ ) ,!osophy74 ----- ,,*apt] ,v ,,! ,,neospirituali/ic ,,hypo!sis3 ,,app>itions #a ,outside !osophy1 inve/igations ( a purely sci5tific nature h be5 made 9 ! baffl+ regions ( survival & re9c>nation4 ,neospiritualism1 or psy*icism or exp]im5tal spiritualism1 _h its orig9 9 ,am]ica 9 #ahgj4 ,9 ! foll[+ ye>1 ! fir/ /rictly sci5tific exp]im5ts 7 organiz$ by ,sir ,william ,crookes1 ! man ( g5ius :o op5$ up mo/ ( ! roads at ! end ( :i* m5 7 a/\nd$ to discov] unkn[n prop]ties & conditions ( matt]2 &1 z e>ly z #ahgc or #ahgd1 he obta9$1 ) ! aid ( ! m$ium ,flor5ce ,cook1 ph5om5a ( mat]ialization t h h>dly be5 surpass$4 ,b ! real inauguration ( ! new sci5ce dates f ! f\ndation ( ! ,society ( ,psy*ical ,rese>*1 famili>ly kn[n z ! ,s4,p4,r4 ,?is society 0 =m$ 9 ,london1 tw5ty-eight ye>s ago1 "u ! auspices ( ! mo/ di/+ui%$ m5 ( sci5ce 9 ,engl& & has1 z we "k1 made a me?odical & /rict /udy ( e case ( sup]normal psy*ology & s5sibility4 ,?is /udy or inve/igation1 orig9ally conduct$ by ,edmund ,gurney1 ,f4 ,w4 ,h4 ,my]s & ,frank ,podmore & cont9u$ by _! successors1 is a ma/]piece ( sci5tific pati5ce & consci5ti\sness4 ,n an incid5t is admitt$ t is n support$ by unimpea*able te/imony1 by def9ite writt5 records & conv9c+ corroboration2 9 a ^w1 x is h>dly possible to conte/ ! ess5tial v]acity ( ! majority ( !m1 unless we beg9 by mak+ up our m9ds to d5y any positive value to human evid5ce & by mak+ any conviction1 any c]ta9ty impossible t d]ives its s\rce !refrom4#d ,among ^? sup]normal manife/ations1 telepa?y1 tel]gy1 previsions & s =?1 we w take cognizance only ( ^? :i* relate to life beyond ! grave4 ,!y c be divid$ into two categories3 7#a7 real1 objective & spontane\s app>itions1 or direct manife/ations2 7#b7 manife/ations obta9$ by ! ag5cy ( m$iums1 :e!r induc$ app>itions1 :i* we w put aside = ! mom5t because ( _! frequ5tly que/ionable "*1#e or communications ) ! dead by ^w ( m\? or automatic writ+4 ,we w /op = a mom5t to consid] ^? extraord9>y communications4 ,!y h be5 /udi$ at l5g? by su* m5 z ,f4 ,w4 ,h4 ,my]s1 ,ri*>d ,hodgson1 ,sir ,oliv] ,lodge & ! philosoph] ,william ,james1 ! fa!r ( ! new pragmatism2 !y pr(\ndly impress$ & almo/ conv9c$ ^! m5 & !y !re=e des]ve to arre/ our att5tion4 ----- ,footnote #d3 ,h[ /rict ^! inve/igations are is %[n by ! p]petual attacks on ! ,s4,p4,r4 9 ! spirituali/ic press1 :i* con/antly ref]s to x z ! ,society 8= ! suppression ( facts10 8= ! :olesale imputation ( impo/ure10 8= ! disc\ragem5t ( ! s5sitive & = ! repudiation ( e revelation ( ! k9d :i* 0 said to be press+ itself ^u humanity f ! regions ( light & k40 ,footnote #e3 ,x w\ld1 h[ev]1 be unju/ to ass]t t all ^! app>itions are op5 to "q4 ,= in/ance1 x is impossible to d5y ! reality ( ! celebrat$ ,katie ,k+1 ! d\ble ( ,flor5ce ,cook1 ^: actions & movem5ts 7 rigor\sly inve/igat$ & controll$ by a man l ,sir ,william ,crookes = a p]iod ( ?ree ye>s4 ,b1 look$ ^u z a pro( ( survival--not)/&+ t ,katie ,k+ pr(ess$ to be a dead p]son :o _h return$ to e>? to expiate c]ta9 s9s--h] manife/ations are n s valuable z ! communications obta9$ s9ce h] "t4 ,9 any case1 !y br+ u no revelation conc]n+ exi/5ce beyond ! grave2 & ,katie1 :o 0 s "y1 s mu* alive1 ^: pulsations c\ld be c\nt$1 ^: he>t 0 he>d beat+1 :o 0 photograph$1 :o di/ribut$ locks ( h] hair to ^? pres5t1 :o repli$ to e "q put to h]1 ,katie h]self nev] utt]$ a ^w on ! subject ( ! secrets ( ! next _w4 ----- #b ,z conc]ns ! manife/ations ( ! fir/ category1 x is1 ( c\rse1 impossible to give ev5 a summ>y acc\nt ( ! mo/ /rik+ ( !m 9 ^! pages2 & ,i ref] ! read] to ! volumes ( ! ,proce$+s4 ,x is en\gh to rememb] t num]\s app>itions ( deceas$ p]sons h be5 inve/igat$ & /udi$ by m5 ( sci5ce l ,sir ,william ,crookes1 ,alfr$ ,russel ,wallace1 ,rob]t ,dale ,ow51 ,pr(essor ,aksak(1 ,paul ,gibi] & o!rs4 ,gurney1 :o is "o ( ! classics ( ?is new sci5ce1 gives two hundr$ & ?irty in/ances ( ?is sort2 &1 s9ce !n1 ! ,j\rnal ( ! ,s4,p4,r4 & ! spirituali/ic reviews h nev] ceas$ to record new ones4 ,x appe>s !re=e to be z well e/abli%$ z a fact c be t a spiritual or n]v\s %ape1 an image1 a belat$ reflexion ( life is capable ( subsi/+ = "s "t1 ( releas+ itself f ! body1 ( surviv+ x1 ( trav]s+ enorm\s di/ances 9 ! tw9kl+ ( an eye1 ( manife/+ itself to ! liv+ &1 sometimes1 ( communicat+ ) !m4 ,= ! re/1 we h to recognize t ^! app>itions are v brief4 ,!y only take place at ! precise mom5t ( dea? or foll[ v %ortly aft]4 ,!y d n seem to h ! lea/ consci\sness ( a new or sup]t]re/rial life diff]+ f t ( ! body :5ce !y issue4 ,on ! contr>y1 _! spiritual en]gy1 at a "t :5 x ought to be absolutely pure1 because x is rid ( matt]1 seems greatly inf]ior to :at x 0 :5 matt] surr\nd$ x4 ,^! m or less uneasy phantasms1 (t5 torm5t$ ) trivial c>es1 h nev]1 al?\gh !y come f ano!r _w1 br\ght u "o s+le revelation ( topical int]e/ conc]n+ t _w ^: prodigi\s ?re%old !y h cross$4 ,soon1 !y fade away & disappe> = ev]4 ,are !y ! fir/ glimm]s ( a new exi/5ce or ! f9al glimm]s ( ! old8 ,d ! dead ?us use1 = want ( a bett]1 ! la/ l9k t b9ds !m & makes !m p]ceptible to our s5ses8 ,d !y aft]w>ds g on liv+ ar\nd u1 )\t aga9 succe$+1 9 spite ( _! endeav\rs1 9 mak+ !mselves kn[n or giv+ u an idea ( _! pres5ce1 because we h n ! organ t is necess>y to p]ceive !m1 ev5 z all our endeav\rs w\ld n succe$ 9 giv+ a man :o 0 bl9d f bir? ! lea/ notion ( light & col\r8 ,we d n "k at all2 nor c we tell :e!r x be p]missible to draw any conclusion f all ^! inconte/able ph5om5a4 ,!y w\ld really assume importance only if x 7 possible to v]ify or to induce app>itions ( be+s ^: dea? dat$ back a c]ta9 numb] ( ye>s4 ,we %\ld !n at la/ h ! positive pro(1 :i* has always escap$ u hi!rto1 t ! _s is indep5d5t ( ! body1 t x is cause1 n effect1 t x c ?rive1 f9d su/5ance & p]=m its functions )\t organs4 ,! greate/ "q t humanity has ev] set itself w\ld ?us be1 if n solv$1 at lea/ rid ( "s ( its obscurity2 &1 =?)1 p]sonal survival1 :ile cont9u+ to be wrapp$ 9 ! my/]ies ( ! beg9n+ & ! end1 w\ld become def5sible4 ,b we h n yet rea*$ t /age4 ,mean:ile1 x is int]e/+ to obs]ve t !re really are gho/s1 spectres & phantoms4 ,once aga91 sci5ce /eps 9 to confirm a g5]al belief ( mank9d & to tea* u t a belief ( ?is sort1 h[ev] absurd x may at fir/ seem1 /ill des]ves c>eful exam9ation4 ,,*apt] ,,vi ,,communications ,,) ,,! ,,dead #a ,! spirituali/s communicate or ?9k t !y communicate ) ! dead by means ( :at !y call automatic spee* & writ+4 ,^! are obta9$ by ! ag5cy ( a m$ium#f 9 a /ate ( ec/asy or r ( 8trance10 to employ ! vocabul>y ( ! new sci5ce4 ,?is condition is n "o ( hypnotic sleep1 nor does x seem to be an hy/]ical manife/ation2 x is (t5 associat$1 z 9 ! case ( ! m$ium ,mrs4 ,pip]1 ) p]fect heal? & complete intellectual & physical balance4 ,x is r ! m or less volunt>y em]g5ce ( a second or sublim9al p]sonality or consci\sness ( ! m$ium2 or1 if we admit ! spirituali/ic hypo!sis1 8 occupation1 8 8psy*ic invasion10 z ,my]s calls x1 by =ces f ano!r _w4 ,9 ! 8entranc$0 subject1 ! normal consci\sness & p]sonality are entirely done away )2 & he replies 8automatically10 sometimes by ^w ( m\?1 m (t5 9 writ+1 to ! que/ions put to him4 ,x has happ5$ t he speaks & writes simultane\sly1 8 voice be+ occupi$ by "o _s & 8 h& by ano!r1 :o ?us c>ry on two indep5d5t conv]sations4 ,m r>ely1 ! voice & ! two h&s are 8possess$0 at "o & ! same "t2 & we receive ?ree diff]5t communications4 ,obvi\sly1 manife/ations ( ?is sort l5d !mselves to frauds & impo/ures ( e k9d2 & ! di/ru/ ar\s$ is at fir/ inv9cible4 ,b !re are "s t make _! appe>ance encompass$ ) su* gu>antees ( good fai? & s9c]ity1 s (t51 s long & s rigor\sly *eck$ by sci5tific m5 ( unimpea*able "* & au?ority & ( orig9ally inflexible scepticism t x becomes difficult to ma9ta9 a suspicion at ! f9i%4#g ,un=tunately1 ,i am n able to ent] "h into ! details ( "s ( ^! purely sci5tific sitt+s1 ^? = in/ance ( ,mrs4 ,pip]1 ! fam\s m$ium ) :om ,f4 ,w4 ,h4 ,my]s1 ,ri*>d ,hodgson1 ,pr(essor ,newbold1 ( ! ,univ]sity ( ,p5nsylvania1 ,sir ,oliv] ,lodge & ,william ,james work$ dur+ a numb] ( ye>s4 ,on ! o!r h&1 x is precisely ! accumulation & co9cid5ces ( ^! abnormal details :i* gradually produce & confirm ! conviction t we are 9 ! pres5ce ( an entirely new1 improbable1 b g5u9e ph5om5on1 :i* is sometimes difficult ( classification among exclusively t]re/rial ph5om5a4 ,i %\ld h to devote to ^! 8communications0 a special /udy :i* w\ld exce$ ! limits ( ?is essay2 & ,i w !re=e cont5t myself ) ref]r+ ^? :o c>e to "k m ( ! subject to ,sir ,oliv] ,lodge's book1 ,! ,survival ( ,man1 rec5tly translat$ into ,fr5* "u ! title ( ,la ,survivance huma9e2 &1 above all1 to ! tw5ty-five bulky volumes ( ! ,proce$+s ( ! ,s4,p4,r41 notably to ! report & comm5ts ( ,william ,james on ! ,pip]-,hodgson sitt+s 9 ,vol4 ,,xxiii4 & to ,vol4 ,,xiii41 :]e ,hodgson exam9es ! facts & argum5ts t may be adduc$ = or aga9/ ! ag5cy ( ! dead2 &1 la/ly1 to ,my]s' great "w1 ,human ,p]sonality & its ,survival aft] ,bodily ,dea?4 ----- ,footnote #f3 ,^? :o take up ! /udy ( ^! sup]normal manife/ations usually ask !mselves3 8,:y m$iums8 ,:y make use ( ^! (t5 que/ionable & always inadequate int]m$i>ies80 ,! reason is t1 hi!rto1 no way has be5 discov]$ ( do+ )\t !m4 ,if we admit ! spirituali/ic !ory1 ! disc>nate spirits :i* surr\nd u on e side & :i* are sep>at$ f u by ! imp5etrable & my/]i\s wall ( dea? seek1 9 ord] to communicate ) u1 ! l9e ( lea/ resi/ance betwe5 ! two worlds & f9d x 9 ! m$ium1 )\t our kn[+ :y1 ev5 z we d n "k :y an electric curr5t passes along copp] wire & is /opp$ by glass or porcela94 ,if1 on ! o!r h&1 we admit ! telepa?ic hypo!sis1 :i* is ! m probable1 we obs]ve t ! ?\ghts1 int5tions or sugge/ions transmitt$ are1 9 ! majority ( cases1 n convey$ f "o subconsci\s intellig5ce to ano!r4 ,!re is ne$ ( an organism t is1 at ! same "t1 a receiv] & a transmitt]2 & ?is organism is f\nd 9 ! m$ium4 ,:y8 ,once m1 we "k absolutely no?+ ab\t x1 ev5 z we d n "k :y "o body or comb9ation ( bodies is s5sitive to conc5tric waves 9 wireless telegraphy1 :ile ano!r is n affect$ by x4 ,we "h grope1 z1 = t matt]1 we grope almo/ ev]y:]e1 9 ! obscure doma9 ( undisput$1 b inexplicable facts4 ,^? :o c>e to possess m precise notions on ! !ory ( m$iumism w d well to read ! admirable address deliv]$ by ,sir ,william ,crookes1 z presid5t ( ! ,s4,p4,r41 on ! #bi? ( ,janu>y #ahig4 ,footnote #g3 ,^! que/ions ( fraud & impo/ure are naturally ! fir/ t sugge/ !mselves :5 we beg9 to /udy ^! ph5om5a4 ,b ! slighte/ acqua9tance ) ! life1 habits & proce$+s ( ! ?ree or f\r great m$iums ( :om we are go+ to speak is en\gh to remove ev5 ! fa9te/ %ad[ ( suspicion4 ,( all ! explanations conceivable1 t "o :i* attributes ev]y?+ to impo/ure & trick]y is unque/ionably ! mo/ extraord9>y & ! lea/ probable4 ,moreov]1 by read+ ,ri*>d ,hodgson's report entitl$1 ,obs]vations ( c]ta9 ,ph5om5a ( ,trance 7,proce$+s1 ,vols4 ,,viii4 & ,,xiii42 & also ,j4 ,h4 ,hyslop's report1 ,vol4 ,,xvi471 we c obs]ve ! precautions tak51 ev5 to ! ext5t ( employ+ special detectives1 to make c]ta9 t ,mrs4 ,pip]1 = in/ance1 0 unable1 normally & humanly speak+1 to h any k ( ! facts :i* %e reveal$4 ,i repeat1 f ! mom5t t "o ent]s ^u ?is /udy1 all suspicions are dispell$ )\t leav+ a trace beh9d !m2 & we are soon conv9c$ t ! key to ! riddle mu/ n be s\ght 9 impo/ure4 ,all ! manife/ations ( ! dumb1 my/]i\s & oppress$ p]sonality t lies conceal$ 9 e "o ( u h to und]go ! same ordeal 9 _! turn2 & ^? :i* relate to ! div9+-rod1 to "n no o!rs1 are at ?is mom5t pass+ ?r\gh ! same crisis ( incr$ulity4 ,less ?an fifty ye>s ago1 ! majority ( ! hypnotic ph5om5a :i* are n[ sci5tifically classifi$ 7 likewise look$ ^u z fraudul5t4 ,x seems t man is lo? to admit t !re lie )9 him _m m ?+s ?an he imag9$4 ----- #b ,! 8entranc$0 m$iums are invad$ or possess$ by diff]5t famili> spirits to :om ! new sci5ce gives ! some:at inappropriate & ambigu\s "n ( 8controls40 ,?us1 ,mrs4 ,pip] is visit$ 9 succession by ,ph9uit1 ,george ,pelham1 or 8,g4,p410 ,imp]ator1 ,doctor & ,rector4 ,mrs4 ,?ompson1 ano!r v celebrat$ m$ium1 has ,nelly = h] usual t5ant1 :ile grav] & m illu/ri\s p]sonages w\ld take possession ( ,/a9ton ,moses ! cl]gyman4 ,ea* ( ^! spirits reta9s a %>ply def9$ "*1 :i* is consi/5t ?r\gh\t & :i*1 moreov]1 = ! mo/ "p be>s no relation to t ( ! m$ium4 ,among/ ^!1 ,ph9uit & ,nelly are und\bt$ly ! mo/ attractive1 ! mo/ orig9al1 ! mo/ liv+1 ! mo/ active &1 above all1 ! mo/ talkative4 ,!y c5tralize ! communications aft] a fa%ion2 !y come & g (fici\sly2 &1 %\ld any "o ( ^? pres5t wi% to be br\ght into t\* ) ! s\l ( a deceas$ relative or fri5d1 !y fly 9 se>* ( x1 f9d x amid ! invisible ?rong1 u%] x 91 ann\nce its pres5ce1 speak 9 its "n1 transmit &1 s to speak1 translate ! que/ions & replies2 = x seems t x is v difficult = ! dead to communicate ) ! liv+ & t !y ne$ special aptitudes & a concurr5ce ( extraord9>y circum/ances4 ,we w n yet exam9e :at !y h to reveal to u2 b to see !m ?us flutt]+ to & fro amid ! multitude ( _! disc>nate bro!rs & si/]s gives u a fir/ impression ( ! next _w :i* is none too reassur+2 & we say to ourselves t ! dead ( to-day are /rangely l ^? :om ,ulysses conjur$ up out ! ,cimm]ian d>kness ?ree ?\s& ye>s ago3 pale & empty %ades1 bewild]$1 incoh]5t1 pu]ile & t]ror-/rick51 l unto dreams1 m num]\s ?an ! leaves t fall 9 autumn &1 l !m1 trembl+ 9 ! unkn[n w9ds f ! va/ pla9s ( ! o!r _w4 ,!y no long] ev5 h en\gh life to be unhappy & seem to drag out1 we "k n :]e1 a prec>i\s & idle exi/5ce1 to w&] aimlessly1 to hov] r\nd u1 slumb]+ or *att]+ among "o ano!r ( ! m9or matt]s ( ! _w2 &1 :5 a gap is made 9 _! d>kness1 to come up 9 ha/e f all sides1 l flocks ( fami%$ birds1 hung]+ = light & ! s\nd ( a human voice4 ,&1 9 spite ( ourselves1 we ?9k ( ! ,odyssey & ! s9i/] words ( ! %ade ( ,a*illes z x issu$ f ,erebus3 8,d n1 ,o illu/ri\s ,ulysses1 speak to me ( dea?2 ,i w\ld wi%1 be+ on e>?1 to s]ve = hire ) ano!r man ( no e/ate1 :o _h n mu* livelihood1 r ?an rule ov] all ! dep>t$ dead40 #c ,:at h ^! latt]-day dead to tell u8 ,to beg9 )1 x is a rem>kable ?+ t !y appe> to be mu* m int]e/$ 9 ev5ts "h bel[ ?an 9 ^? ( ! _w :]e9 !y move4 ,!y seem1 above all1 jeal\s to e/abli% _! id5tity1 to prove t !y /ill exi/1 t !y recognize u1 t !y "k ev]y?+2 &1 to conv9ce u ( ?is1 !y ent] into ! mo/ m9ute & =gott5 details ) extraord9>y precision1 p]spicacity & prolixity4 ,!y are also extremely clev] at unravell+ ! intricate family connexions ( ! p]son actually que/ion+ !m1 ( any ( ! sitt]s1 or ev5 ( a /rang] ent]+ ! room4 ,!y recall ?is "o's little infirmities1 t "o's maladies1 ! ecc5tricities or t5d5cies ( a ?ird4 ,!y h cognizance ( ev5ts tak+ place at a di/ance3 !y see1 = in/ance1 & describe to _! he>]s 9 ,london an insignificant episode 9 ,canada4 ,9 a ^w1 !y say & d almo/ all ! disconc]t+ & inexplicable ?+s t are sometimes obta9$ f a fir/-rate m$ium2 p]haps !y ev5 g a little fur!r2 b !re comes f x all no brea?1 no glimm] ( ! h]eaft]1 n ev5 ! some?+ vaguely promis$ & vaguely wait$ =4 ,we %all be told t ! m$iums are visit$ only by inf]ior spirits1 incapable ( te>+ !mselves f e>?ly c>es & so>+ t[>ds great] & l(ti] ideas4 ,x is possible2 & no d\bt we are wrong to believe t a _s /ripp$ ( its body c sudd5ly be trans=m$ & rea*1 9 a mom5t1 ! level ( our imag9+s2 b c\ld !y n at lea/ in=m u :]e !y are1 :at !y feel & :at !y d8 #d ,& n[ x seems t dea? itself has elect$ to answ] ^! objections4 ,fr$]ic ,my]s1 ,ri*>d ,hodgson & ,william ,james1 :o s (t51 = long & ard5t h\rs1 que/ion$ ,mrs4 ,pip] & ,mrs4 ,?ompson & oblig$ ! dep>t$ to speak by _! m\?s1 are n[ !mselves among ! %ades1 on ! o!r side ( ! curta9 ( d>kness4 ,!y at lea/ knew exactly :at to d 9 ord] to rea* u1 :at to reveal 9 ord] to allay m5's uneasy curiosity4 ,my]s 9 p>ticul>1 ! mo/ ard5t1 ! mo/ conv9c$1 ! mo/ impati5t ( ! veil t p>t$ him f ! et]nal realities1 =mally promis$ ^? :o 7 cont9u+ 8 "w t he w\ld make e imag9able ef=t out yond]1 9 ! unkn[n1 to come to _! aid 9 a decisive fa%ion4 ,he kept 8 ^w4 ,a mon? aft] 8 dea?1 :5 ,sir ,oliv] ,lodge 0 que/ion+ ,mrs4 ,?ompson 9 h] trance1 ,nelly1 ! m$ium's famili> _s1 sudd5ly decl>$ t %e _h se5 ,my]s1 t he 0 n yet fully awake1 b t he hop$ to come1 at n9e o'clock 9 ! ev5+1 & 8communicate0 ) 8 old fri5d ( ! ,psy*ical ,society4 ,! sitt+ 0 susp5d$ & resum$ at half pa/ eight2 & ,my]s' 8communication0 0 at la/ obta9$4 ,he 0 recogniz$ by ! fir/ few words he spoke2 x 0 really he2 he _h n *ang$4 ,fai?ful to 8 idiosyncracy :5 on e>?1 he at once insi/$ on ! necessity = tak+ notes4 ,b he seem$ daz$4 ,!y spoke to him ( ! ,society = ,psy*ical ,rese>*1 ! sole int]e/ ( 8 life4 ,he _h lo/ all recollection ( x4 ,!n memory gradually reviv$2 & !re foll[$ a quantity ( po/-mortem gossip on ! subject ( ! society's next presid5t1 ! obitu>y article 9 ! ,times1 ! lett]s t %\ld be publi%$ & s on4 ,he compla9$ t p w\ld n let him re/1 t !re 0 n a place 9 ,engl& :]e !y did n ask = him3 8,call ,my]s6 ,br+ ,my]s60 ,he ought to be giv5 "t to collect himself1 to reflect4 ,he also compla9$ ( ! difficulty ( convey+ 8 ideas ?r\gh ! m$iums3 8!y 7 translat+ l a s*oolboy does 8 fir/ l9es ( ,virgil40#h ,z = 8 pres5t condition1 8he grop$ 8 way z if ?r\gh passages1 be=e he knew he 0 dead4 ,he ?\ght he _h lo/ 8 way 9 a /range t[n 444 &1 ev5 :5 he saw p t he knew 7 dead1 he ?\ght !y 7 only visions40 ,?is1 toge!r ) m *att] ( a no less trivial nature1 is ab\t all t we obta9$ f ,my]s' 8control0 or 8imp]sonation10 ( :i* bett] ?+s _h be5 expect$4 ,! 8communication0 & _m o!rs :i*1 x appe>s1 recall 9 a /rik+ fa%ion ,my]s' habits1 "* & ways ( ?9k+ & speak+1 w\ld possess "s value if none ( ^? by :om or to :om !y 7 made _h be5 acqua9t$ ) him at ! "t :5 he 0 /ill numb]$ among ! liv+4 ,z !y /&1 !y are mo/ probably b rem9isc5ces ( a second>y p]sonality ( ! m$ium or unconsci\s sugge/ions ( ! que/ion] or ! sitt]s4 ----- ,footnote #h3 ,9 ?is & o!r 8communications10 ,i h quot$ ! actual ,engli% words employ$1 :5ev] ,i h be5 able to discov] !m4--,translator4 ----- #e ,a m important communication & a m p]plex+1 because ( ! names connect$ ) x1 is t :i* is kn[n z 8,mrs4 ,pip]'s ,hodgson-,control40 ,pr(essor ,william ,james devotes an acc\nt ( ov] a hundr$ & tw5ty pages to x 9 ,vol4 ,,xxiii4 ( ! ,proce$+s4 ,dr4 ,hodgson1 9 8 lifetime1 0 secret>y ( ! ,am]ican bran* ( ! ,s4,p4,r41 ( :i* ,william ,james 0 vice-presid5t4 ,= _m ye>s1 he devot$ himself to ! m$ium ,mrs4 ,pip]1 work+ ) h] twice a week & ?us accumulat+ an enorm\s mass ( docum5ts on ! subject ( po/hum\s manife/ations1 a mass ^: weal? has n yet be5 exhau/$4 ,l ,my]s1 he _h promis$ to come back aft] 8 dea?2 &1 9 8 jovial way1 he _h m ?an once decl>$ to ,mrs4 ,pip] t1 :5 he came to visit h] 9 8 turn1 z he _h m exp]i5ce ?an ! o!r spirits1 ! sitt+s w\ld take a m decisive %ape & t 8he w\ld make x hot = !m40 ,he did come back1 a week aft] 8 dea?1 & manife/$ himself by automatic writ+ 7:i*1 ) ,mrs4 ,pip] z m$ium1 0 ! mo/ usual me?od ( communication7 dur+ sev]al sitt+s at :i* ,william ,james 0 pres5t4 ,i %\ld l to give an idea ( ^! manife/ations4 ,b1 z ! celebrat$ ,h>v>d pr(essor v truly obs]ves1 ! %or?& report ( a sitt+ ( ?is k9d at once alt]s its aspect f />t to f9i%4 ,we seek 9 va9 = ! emotion exp]i5c$ on ?us f9d+ "o's self 9 ! pres5ce ( an invisible b liv+ be+1 :o n only answ]s y\r que/ions1 b anticipates y\r ?\ghts1 und]/&s be=e y h f9i%$ speak+1 grasps an allusion & caps x ) ano!r allusion1 grave or smil+4 ,! life ( ! dead man1 :i*1 dur+ a /range h\r1 _h1 s to speak1 surr\nd$ & p5etrat$ y1 seems to be ext+ui%$ = ! second "t4 ,/5ography1 :i* is devoid ( all emotion1 no d\bt supplies ! be/ elem5ts = arriv+ at a logical conclusion2 b x is n c]ta9 t "h1 z 9 _m o!r cases :]e ! unkn[n pr$om9ates1 logic is ! only road t leads to ! tru?4 8,:5 ,i fir/ und]took10 says ,william ,james1 8to collate ?is s]ies ( sitt+s & make ! pres5t report1 ,i suppos$ t my v]dict w\ld be det]m9$ by pure logic4 ,c]ta9 m9ute incid5ts1 ,i ?\ght1 ought to make = _s-return or aga9/ x 9 a #8crucial' way4 ,b wat*+ my m9d "w z x goes ov] ! data1 conv9ces me t exact logic plays only a prep>atory "p 9 %ap+ our conclusions "h2 & t ! decisive vote1 if !re be "o1 has to be ca/ by :at ,i may call "o's g5]al s5se ( dramatic probability1 :i* s5se ebbs & fl[s f "o hypo!sis to ano!r--x does s 9 ! pres5t writ] at lea/--9 a r illogical mann]4 ,if "o /icks to ! detail1 "o may draw an anti-spiriti/ conclusion2 if "o ?9ks m ( :at ! :ole mass may signify1 "o may well incl9e to spiriti/ int]pretations40#i ,&1 at ! end ( 8 article1 he sums up 9 ! foll[+ words3 8,i myself feel z if an ext]nal w to communicate 7 probably !re1 t is1 ,i f9d myself d\bt+1 9 consequ5ce ( my :ole acqua9tance ) t sph]e ( ph5om5a1 t ,mrs4 ,pip]'s dream-life1 ev5 equipp$ ) #8telepa?ic' p[]s1 acc\nts = all ! results f\nd4 ,b if ask$ :e!r ! w to communicate be ,hodgson's1 or be "s m]e _s-c\nt]feit ( ,hodgson1 ,i rema9 unc]ta9 & await m facts1 facts :i* may n po9t cle>ly to a conclusion = fifty or a hundr$ ye>s40#aj ,z we see1 ,william ,james is incl9$ to wav]2 & at c]ta9 po9ts 9 8 acc\nt he appe>s to wav] /ill m & inde$ to say delib]ately t ! spirits 8h a f+] 9 ! pie40 ,^! hesitations on ! "p ( a man :o has revolutioniz$ our psy*ological ideas & :o possess$ a bra9 z wond]fully organiz$ & well-balanc$ z t ( our own ,ta9e1 = in/ance1 are v significant4 ,z a doctor ( m$ic9e & a pr(essor ( philosophy1 sceptical by nature & scrupul\sly fai?ful to exp]im5tal me?ods1 he 0 ?rice qualifi$ to conduct inve/igations ( ?is k9d to a successful conclusion4 ,x is n a "q ( all[+ ourselves1 9 our turn1 to be unduly influ5c$ by ^? hesitations2 b1 9 any case1 !y %[ t ! problem is a s]i\s "o1 ! grave/1 p]haps1 if ! facts 7 beyond dispute1 :i* we h _h to solve s9ce ! com+ ( ,*ri/2 & t we mu/ n expect to dismiss x ) a %rug or a laugh4 ----- ,footnote #i3 ,proce$+s1 ,vol4 ,,xxiii1 p4 #cc4 ,footnote #aj3 ,ibid4 p4 #abj4 ----- #f ,i am oblig$1 = lack ( space1 to ref] ^? :o wi% to =m an op9ion ( _! own on ! 8,pip]-,hodgson0 case to ! text ( ! ,proce$+s4 ,! case1 at ! same "t1 is f> f be+ "o ( ! mo/ /rik+2 x %\ld r be class$1 7 x n = ! importance ( ! sitt]s conc]n$1 among ! m9or successes ( ! ,pip] s]ies4 ,hodgson1 accord+ to ! inv>iable cu/om ( ! spirits1 is1 fir/ ( all1 b5t on mak+ himself recogniz$2 & ! inevitable & t$i\s /r+ ( trifl+ rem9isc5ces beg9s tw5ty times ov] aga9 & fills page aft] page4 ,z usual 9 su* in/ances1 ! recollections common to bo? ! que/ion] & ! _s :o is suppos$ to reply are br\ght out 9 _! mo/ circum/antial1 _! mo/ insignificant & also _! mo/ private details ) a/oni%+ eag]ness1 precision & vivacity4 ,& obs]ve t1 = all ^! details1 :i* he discloses ) su* extraord9>y facility1 ! dead man speak+ goes by pref]5ce1 "o w\ld say1 to ! mo/ hidd5 & =gott5 treasures ( ! liv+ li/5]'s memory4 ,he sp>es him no?+2 he h>ps on ev]y?+ ) *ildi% satisfaction & appreh5sive solicitude1 n s mu* to p]suade o!rs z to prove to himself t he /ill exi/s4 ,& ! ob/9acy ( ?is poor invisible be+1 9 /riv+ to manife/ himself ?r\gh ! hi!rto uncranni$ doors t sep>ate u f our et]nal de/9ies1 is at once ridicul\s & tragic3 8,d y rememb]1 ,william1 :5 we 7 9 ! c\ntry at ,s-&-s's1 t game we play$ ) ! *ildr52 d y rememb] my say+ su*-&-su* a ?+ :5 ,i 0 9 t room :]e !re 0 su*-&-su* a *air or table80 8,:y1 yes1 ,hodgson1 ,i d rememb] n[40 8,a good te/1 t80 8,fir/-rate1 ,hodgson60 ,& s on1 indef9itely4 ,sometimes1 !re is a m significant incid5t t seems to surpass ! m]e transmission ( sublim9al ?\ght4 ,!y are talk+1 = in/ance1 ( a fru/rat$ m>riage :i* 0 always surr\nd$ ) great my/]y1 ev5 to ,hodgson's mo/ intimate fri5ds3 8,d y rememb] a lady-doctor 9 ,new ,york1 a memb] ( our society80 8,no1 b :at ab\t h]80 8,h] husb&'s "n 0 ,blair 444 ,i ?9k40 8,d y mean ,dr4 ,blair ,?aw80 8,oh1 yes4 ,ask ,mrs4 ,?aw if ,i did n at a d9n]-p>ty m5tion some?+ ab\t ! lady4 ,i may h done s40 ,james writes to ,mrs4 ,?aw1 :o decl>es t1 z a matt] ( fact1 fifte5 ye>s be=e1 ,hodgson _h said to h] t he _h j propos$ to a girl & be5 refus$4 ,mrs4 ,?aw & ,dr4 ,newbold 7 ! only p 9 ! _w :o knew ! p>ticul>s4 ,b to come to ! fur!r sitt+s4 ,among o!r po9ts discuss$ is ! f9ancial position ( ! ,am]ican bran* ( ! ,s4,p4,r41 a position :i*1 at ! dea? ( ! secret>y1 or r factotum1 ,hodgson1 0 any?+ b brilliant4 ,& behold ! some:at /range spectacle ( diff]5t memb]s ( ! society debat+ its affairs ) _! defunct secret>y4 ,%all !y dissolve8 ,%all !y amalgamate8 ,%all !y s5d ! mat]ials collect$1 mo/ ( :i* are ,hodgson's1 to ,engl&8 ,!y consult ! dead man2 he replies1 gives good advice1 seems fully aw>e ( all ! complications1 all ! difficulties4 ,"o day1 9 ,hodgson's life-"t1 :5 ! society 0 f\nd to be %ort ( funds1 an anonym\s donor _h s5t ! sum necess>y to relieve x f emb>rassm5t4 ,hodgson alive did n "k :o ! donor 02 ,hodgson dead picks him out among ^? pres5t1 addresses him by "n & ?anks him publicly4 ,on ano!r occasion1 ,hodgson1 l all ! spirits1 compla9s ( ! extreme difficulty :i* he f9ds 9 convey+ 8 ?\ght ?r\gh ! ali5 organism ( ! m$ium3 8,i f9d n[ difficulties su* z a bl9d man w\ld exp]i5ce 9 try+ to f9d 8 hat10 he says4 ,b1 :51 aft] s mu* idle *att]1 ,william ,james at la/ puts ! ess5tial que/ions t burn our lips--8,hodgson1 :at h y to tell u ab\t ! o!r life80--! dead man becomes %ifty & does no?+ b seek evasions3 8,x is n a vague fantasy b a reality10 he replies4 8,b10 ,mrs4 ,william ,james insi/s1 8d y live z we d1 z m5 d80 8,:at does %e say80 asks ! _s1 pret5d+ n to und]/&4 8,d y live z m5 d80 repeats ,william ,james4 8,d y we> clo?+ & live 9 h\ses80 adds 8 wife4 8,oh yes1 h\ses1 b n clo?+4 ,no1 t is absurd4 ,j wait a mom5t1 ,i am go+ to get out40 8,y w come back aga980 8,yes40 8,he has got to g out & get 8 brea?10 rem>ks ano!r _s1 nam$ ,rector1 sudd5ly int]v5+4 ,x has n be5 wa/e ( "t1 p]haps1 to reproduce ! g5]al features ( "o ( ^! sitt+s :i* may be reg>d$ z typical4 ,i w add1 9 ord] to give an idea ( ! f>!/ po9t :i* x is possible to atta91 ! foll[+ in/ance ( an exp]im5t made by ,sir ,oliv] ,lodge & relat$ by him4 ,he h&$ ,mrs4 ,pip]1 9 h] 8trance10 a gold wat* :i* _h j be5 s5t him by "o ( 8 uncles & :i* belong$ to t uncle's tw9 bro!r1 :o _h di$ tw5ty ye>s be=e4 ,:5 ! wat* 0 9 h] possession1 ,mrs4 ,pip]1 or r ,ph9uit1 "o ( h] famili> spirits1 began to relate a ho/ ( details conc]n+ ! *ildhood ( ?is tw9 bro!r1 facts dat+ back = m ?an sixty-six ye>s & ( c\rse unkn[n to ,sir ,oliv] ,lodge4 ,soon aft]1 ! surviv+ uncle1 :o liv$ 9 ano!r t[n1 wrote & confirm$ ! accuracy ( mo/ ( ^! details1 :i* he _h q =gott5 & ( :i* he 0 only n[ rem9d$ by ! m$ium's revelations2 :ile ^? :i* he c\ld n recollect at all 7 subsequ5tly decl>$ to be 9 accordance ) fact by a ?ird uncle1 an old sea-capta91 :o liv$ 9 ,cornwall & :o _h n ! lea/ notion :y su* /range que/ions 7 put to him4 ,i quote ?is in/ance n because x has any exceptional or decisive value1 b simply1 ,i repeat1 by way ( an example2 =1 l ! case connect$ ) ,mrs4 ,?aw1 m5tion$ above1 x m>ks pretty exactly ! extreme po9ts to :i* p h up to n[1 ?anks to _s ag5cy1 p5etrat$ ! my/]ies ( ! unkn[n4 ,x is well to add t cases 9 :i* ! suppos$ limits ( ! mo/ f>-rea*+ telepa?y are s manife/ly exce$$ are fairly uncommon4 #g ,n[ :at are we to ?9k ( all ?is8 ,mu/ we1 ) ,my]s1 ,newbold1 ,hyslop1 ,hodgson & s _m o!rs1 :o /udi$ ?is problem at l5g?1 conclude 9 fav\r ( ! inconte/able ag5cy ( =ces & intellig5ces return+ f ! f>!r bank ( ! great riv] :i* x 0 deem$ t none might cross8 ,mu/ we ackn[l$ge ) !m t !re are cases ev] m num]\s :i* make x impossible = u to hesitate any long] betwe5 ! telepa?ic hypo!sis & ! spirituali/ic hypo!sis8 ,i d n ?9k s4 ,i h no prejudices--:at 7 ! use ( hav+ any1 9 ^! my/]ies8--no reluctance to admit ! survival & ! int]v5tion ( ! dead2 b x is wise & necess>y1 be=e leav+ ! t]re/rial plane1 to exhau/ all ! suppositions1 all ! explanations !re to be discov]$4 ,we h to make our *oice betwe5 two manife/ations ( ! unkn[n1 two miracles1 if y pref]1 :]e( "o is situat$ 9 ! _w :i* we inhabit & ! o!r 9 a region :i*1 rightly or wrongly1 we believe to be sep>at$ f u by nameless spaces :i* no human be+1 alive or dead1 has cross$ to ?is day4 ,x is natural1 !re=e1 t we %\ld /ay 9 our own _w1 z long z x gives u a foo?old1 z long z we are n pitilessly expell$ f x by a s]ies ( irresi/ible & irrefutable facts issu+ f ! adjo9+ abyss4 ,! survival ( a _s is no m improbable ?an ! prodigi\s faculties :i* we are oblig$ to attribute to ! m$iums if we d5y !m to ! dead2 b ! exi/5ce ( ! m$ium1 contr>y to t ( ! _s1 is unque/ionable2 & !re=e x is = ! _s1 or = ^? :o make use ( its "n1 fir/ to prove t x exi/s4 ,d ! extraord9>y ph5om5a ( :i* we h spok5--transmission ( ?\ght f "o subconsci\s m9d to ano!r1 p]ception ( ev5ts at a di/ance1 sublim9al clairvoyance--occur :5 ! dead are n 9 evid5ce1 :5 ! exp]im5ts are be+ made exclusively betwe5 liv+ p]sons8 ,?is _c be hone/ly conte/$4 ,c]ta9ly no "o has ev] obta9$ among liv+ p s]ies ( communications or revelations simil> to ^? ( ! great spirituali/ic m$iums1 ,mrs4 ,pip]1 ,mrs4 ,?ompson & ,/a9ton ,moses1 nor any?+ t c be comp>$ ) ^! s f> z cont9uity or lucidity is conc]n$4 ,b1 ?\gh ! quality ( ! ph5om5a w n be> comp>ison1 x _c be d5i$ t _! inn] nature is id5tical4 ,x is logical to inf] f ?is t ! real cause lies n 9 ! s\rce ( inspiration1 b 9 ! p]sonal value1 ! s5sitiv5ess1 ! p[] ( ! m$ium4 ,= ! re/1 ,mr4 ,j4 ,g4 ,pidd+ton1 :o devot$ an exce$+ly detail$ /udy to ,mrs4 ,?ompson1 pla9ly p]ceiv$ 9 h]1 :5 %e 0 n 8entranc$0 & :5 !re 7 no spirits :atev] 9 "q1 manife/ations inf]ior1 x is true1 b absolutely analog\s to ^? involv+ ! dead4#aa ,^! m$iums are pleas$1 9 all good fai? & probably unconsci\sly1 to give to _! sublim9al faculties1 to _! second>y p]sonalities1 or to accept1 on _! behalf1 names :i* 7 borne by be+s :o h cross$ to ! f>!r side ( ! my/]y3 ?is is a matt] ( vocabul>y or nom5clature :i* nei!r less5s nor increases ! intr9sic significance ( ! facts4 ,well1 9 exam9+ ^! facts1 h[ev] /range & really unp>allel$ "s ( !m may be1 ,i nev] f9d "o :i* proce$s frankly f ?is _w or :i* comes indisputably f ! o!r4 ,!y are1 if y wi%1 ph5om5al bord] incid5ts2 b x _c be said t ! bord] has be5 violat$4 ,9 ! /ory ( ,sir ,oliv] ,lodge's wat*1 = in/ance1 :i* is "o ( ! mo/ *>act]i/ic & "o :i* c>ries u f>!r ?an mo/1 we mu/ attribute to ! m$ium faculties t h ceas$ to be human4 ,%e mu/ h put h]self 9 t\*1 :e!r by p]ception ( ev5ts at a di/ance1 or by transmission ( ?\ght f "o subconsci\s m9d to ano!r1 or aga9 by sublim9al clairvoyance1 ) ! two surviv+ bro!rs ( ! deceas$ own] ( ! wat*2 &1 9 ! pa/ subconsci\sness ( ^? two bro!rs1 di/ant f ea* o!r1 %e _h to r$iscov] a ho/ ( circum/ances :i* !y !mselves _h =gott5 & :i* lay hidd5 b5ea? ! heap$-up du/ & d>kness ( six-&-sixty ye>s4 ,x is c]ta9 t a ph5om5on ( ?is k9d passes ! b\nds ( ! imag9ation & t we %\ld refuse to cr$it x if1 fir/ ( all1 ! exp]im5t _h n be5 controll$ & c]tifi$ by a man ( ! /&+ ( ,sir ,oliv] ,lodge & if1 moreov]1 x did n =m "o ( a gr\p ( equally significant facts :i* cle>ly %[ t we are n "h conc]n$ ) an absolutely unique miracle or ) an unhop$-= & unprec$5t$ conc\rse ( co9cid5ces4 ,x is simply a matt] ( di/ant p]ception1 sublim9al clairvoyance & telepa?y rais$ to ! highe/ p[]2 & ^! ?ree manife/ations ( ! unexplor$ dep?s ( man are to-day recogniz$ & classifi$ by sci5ce1 :i* is n say+ t !y are expla9$3 t is ano!r "q4 ,:51 9 connexion ) electricity1 we use su* t]ms z positive1 negative1 induction1 pot5tial & resi/ance1 we are also apply+ conv5tional words to facts & ph5om5a ( ^: inw>d ess5ce we are utt]ly ignorant2 & we mu/ ne$s be cont5t ) ^!1 p5d+ bett]4 ,!re is1 ,i insi/1 betwe5 ^! extraord9>y manife/ations & ^? giv5 to u by a m$ium :o is n speak+ 9 ! "n ( ! dead1 b a diff]5ce ( ! great] & ! less]1 a diff]5ce ( ext5t or degree & 9 no wise a diff]5ce 9 k9d4 ----- ,footnote #aa3 ,= a discussion ( ^! cases1 :i* w\ld take u too f> f our subject1 see ,mr4 ,j4 ,g4 ,pidd+ton's pap]1 ,ph5om5a 9 ,mrs4 ,?ompson's ,trance 7,proce$+s1 ,vol4 ,,xviii1 pp4 #ahj et seq472 also ,pr(essor ,a4 ,c4 ,pig\'s article 9 ,vol4 ,,xxiii 7pp4 #bhf et seq471 :i* treats ( 8,cross ,correspond5ce0 )\t ! ag5cy ( spirits4 ----- #h ,= ! pro( to be m decisive1 x w\ld be necess>y t no "o1 nei!r ! m$ium nor ! witnesses1 %\ld ev] h kn[n ( ! exi/5ce ( him ^: pa/ is reveal$ by ! dead man1 9 o!r words1 t e liv+ l9k %\ld be elim9at$4 ,i d n believe t ?is has actually occurr$ up to ! pres5t1 nor ev5 t x is possible2 9 any case1 x w\ld be v difficult to control su* an exp]im5t4 ,be ?is z x may1 ,dr4 ,hodgson1 :o devot$ "p ( 8 life to ! que/ ( specific ph5om5a :]e9 ! b\nd>ies ( m$iumi/ic p[] %\ld be pla9ly ov]/epp$1 believes t he f\nd !m 9 c]ta9 cases1 ( :i*--z ! o!rs 7 ( v mu* ! same nature--,i w m]ely m5tion "o ( ! mo/ /rik+4#ab ,9 a c\rse ( excell5t sitt+s ) ,mrs4 ,pip] ! m$ium1 he communicat$ ) v>i\s dead fri5ds :o rem9d$ him ( a l>ge numb] ( common memories4 ,! m$ium1 ! spirits & he himself seem$ 9 a wond]fully accommodat+ mood2 & ! revelations 7 pl5tiful1 exact & easy4 ,9 ?is extremely fav\rable atmosph]e1 he 0 plac$ 9 communication ) ! s\l ( "o ( 8 be/ fri5ds1 :o _h di$ a ye> be=e & :om he simply calls 8,a40 ,?is ,a1 :om he _h kn[n m intimately ?an mo/ ( ! spirits ) :om he _h communicat$ previ\sly1 behav$ q diff]5tly &1 :ile e/abli%+ 8 id5tity beyond dispute1 v\*saf$ only incoh]5t replies4 ,n[ ,a 8_h be5 tr\bl$ mu*1 = ye>s be=e 8 dea?1 by heada*es & occasionally m5tal exhau/ion1 ?\gh n am\nt+ to positive m5tal di/urbance40 ,! same ph5om5on appe>s to recur :5ev] simil> tr\bles h come be=e dea?1 z 9 cases ( suicide4 8,if ! telepa?ic explanation is held to be ! only "o10 says ,dr4 ,hodgson 7,i give ! gi/ ( 8 obs]vations71 8if x is claim$ t all ! communications ( ^! disc>nate m9ds are only sugge/ions f my subconsci\s self1 x is un9telligible t1 aft] hav+ obta9$ satisfactory results f o!rs :om ,i _h kn[n f> less intimately ?an ,a & ) :om ,i _h consequ5tly f> few] recollections 9 common1 ,i %\ld get f him1 9 ! same sitt+s1 no?+ b incoh]5cies4 ,i am ?us driv5 to believe t my sublim9al self is n ! only ?+ 9 evid5ce1 t x is 9 ! pres5ce ( a real1 liv+ p]sonality1 ^: m5tal /ate is ! same z x 0 at ! h\r ( dea?1 a p]sonality :i* rema9s indep5d5t ( my sublim9al consci\sness & absolutely unaffect$ by x1 :i* is deaf to its sugge/ions & draws f its own res\rces ! revelations :i* x makes40 ,! argum5t is n )\t value1 b its full =ce w\ld be obta9$ only if x 7 c]ta9 t none ( ^? pres5t knew ( ,a's madness2 o!rwise x c be cont5d$ t1 ! notion ( madness hav+ p5etrat$ ! subconsci\s intellig5ce ( "o ( !m1 x work$ ^u x & gave to ! replies induc$ a =m 9 keep+ ) ! /ate ( m9d presuppos$ 9 ! dead man4 ----- ,footnote #ab3 ,proce$+s1 ,vol4 ,,xiii1 pp4 #cdi-cej & #cge4 ----- #i ,( a tru?1 by ext5d+ ! possibilities ( ! m$ium to ^! extremes1 we furni% ourselves ) explanations :i* =e/all ne>ly ev]y?+1 b> e road & all b d5y to ! spirits any p[] ( manife/+ !mselves 9 ! mann] :i* !y appe> to h *os54 ,b :y d !y *oose t mann]8 ,:y d !y ?us re/rict !mselves8 ,:y d !y jeal\sly hug ! n>r[ /rip ( t]ritory :i* memory occupies on ! conf9es ( bo? worlds & f :i* none b indecisive or que/ionable evid5ce c rea* u8 ,are !re !n no o!r outlets1 no o!r horizons8 ,:y d !y t>ry ar\nd u1 /agnant 9 _! little pa/s1 :51 9 _! fre$om f ! fle%1 !y ought to be able to w&] at ease ov] ! virg9 /ret*es ( space & "t8 ,d !y n yet "k t ! sign :i* w prove to u t !y survive is to be f\nd n ) u1 b ) !m1 on ! o!r side ( ! grave8 ,:y d !y come back ) empty h&s & empty words8 ,is t :at "o f9ds :5 "o is /eep$ 9 inf9ity8 ,beyond our la/ h\r is x all b>e & %apeless & dim8 ,if x be s1 let !m tell u2 & ! evid5ce ( ! d>kness w at lea/ possess a gr&eur t is all too abs5t f ^! cross-exam9+ me?ods4 ,( :at use is x to die1 if all life's trivialities cont9ue8 ,is x really wor? :ile to h pass$ ?r\gh ! t]rify+ gorges :i* op5 on ! et]nal fields1 9 ord] to rememb] t we _h a great-uncle call$ ,pet] & t our ,c\s9 ,paul 0 afflict$ ) v>icose ve9s & a ga/ric compla9t8 ,at t rate1 ,i %\ld *oose = ^? :om ,i love ! augu/ & froz5 solitudes ( ! ev]la/+ no?+4 ,?\gh x be difficult = !m1 z !y compla91 to make !mselves und]/ood ?r\gh a /range & sleep-b\nd organism1 !y tell u en\gh categorical details ab\t ! pa/ to %[ t !y c\ld disclose simil> details1 if n ab\t ! future1 :i* !y p]haps d n yet "k1 at lea/ ab\t ! less] my/]ies :i* surr\nd u on e side & :i* our body alone prev5ts u f approa*+4 ,!re are a ?\s& ?+s1 l>ge or small1 alike unkn[n to u1 :i* we mu/ p]ceive :5 feeble eyes no long] arre/ our vision4 ,x is 9 ^? regions f :i* a %ad[ sep>ates u & n 9 fooli% tittle-tattle ( ! pa/ t !y w\ld at la/ f9d ! cle> & g5u9e pro( :i* !y seem to seek ) su* en?usiasm4 ,)\t dem&+ a great miracle1 "o w\ld nev]!less ?9k t we _h ! "r to expect f a m9d :i* no?+ n[ en?rals "s o!r disc\rse ?an t :i* x avoid$ :5 x 0 /ill subject to matt]4 ,,*apt] ,,vii ,,cross ,,correspond5ce #a ,?is is :]e ?+s /ood :51 ( late ye>s1 ! m$iums1 ! spirituali/s1 or1 r1 x appe>s1 ! spirits !mselves--= "o _c tell exactly ) :om we h to d--p]haps dissatisfi$ at n be+ m def9itely recogniz$ & und]/ood1 inv5t$1 = a m effectual pro( ( _! exi/5ce1 :at has be5 call$ 8cross correspond5ce40 ,"h1 ! position is rev]s$3 x is no long] a "q ( v>i\s & m or less num]\s spirits reveal+ !mselves ?r\gh ! ag5cy ( "o & ! same m$ium1 b ( a s+le _s manife/+ itself almo/ simultane\sly ?r\gh sev]al m$iums (t5 at great di/ances f "o ano!r & )\t any prelim9>y und]/&+ among !mselves4 ,ea* ( ^! messages1 tak5 alone1 is usually un9telligible & yields a mean+ only :5 labori\sly comb9$ ) all ! o!rs4 ,z ,sir ,oliv] ,lodge says3 8,! object ( ?is +5i\s & complicat$ ef=t cle>ly is to prove t !re is "s def9ite intellig5ce und]ly+ ! ph5om5a1 di/9ct f t ( any ( ! automati/s1 by s5d+ fragm5ts ( a message or lit]>y ref]5ce :i* %all be un9telligible to ea* sep>ately--s t no effective mutual telepa?y is possible betwe5 !m--?us elim9at+ or try+ to elim9ate :at _h long be5 recogniz$ by all memb]s ( ! ,society = ,psy*ical ,rese>* z ! mo/ tr\blesome & inde/ructible ( ! semi-normal hypo!ses4 ,& ! fur!r object is evid5tly to prove z f> z possible1 by ! sub/ance & quality ( ! message1 t x is *>act]i/ic ( ! "o p>ticul> p]sonality :o is o/5sibly communicat+1 & ( no o!r40#ac ,! exp]im5ts are /ill 9 _! e>ly /ages2 & ! mo/ rec5t volumes ( ! ,proce$+s are devot$ to !m4 ,al?\gh ! accumulat$ mass ( evid5ce is already consid]able1 !re is no conclusion to be drawn f x z yet2 &1 9 any case1 :atev] ! spirituali/s may say1 ! suspicion ( telepa?y seems to me to be 9 no way remov$4 ,! exp]im5ts =m a r fanta/ic lit]>y ex]cise1 "o mu* sup]ior1 intellectually1 to ! ord9>y manife/ations ( ! m$iums2 b1 up to ! pres5t1 !re is no reason = plac+ _! my/]y 9 ! o!r _w r ?an 9 ?is4 ,m5 h tri$ to see 9 !m a pro( t some:]e1 9 "t or space1 or else beyond bo?1 !re is a sort ( imm5se cosmic res]ve ( k ^u :i* ! spirits g & draw freely4 ,b1 if ! res]ve exi/1 :i* is v possible1 no?+ tells u t x is n ! liv+ r ?an ! dead :o repair to x4 ,x is v /range t ! dead1 if !y really h access to ! immeasurable treasure1 %\ld br+ back no?+ f x b a k9d ( +5i\s *ild's puzzle1 al?\gh x ought to conta9 myriads ( lo/ or =gott5 notions & acquirem5ts1 heap$ up dur+ ?\s&s & ?\s&s ( ye>s 9 abysses :i* our m9d1 weigh$ d[n by ! body1 c no long] p5etrate1 b :i* no?+ seems to close aga9/ ! inve/igations ( fre] & m subtle activities4 ,!y are evid5tly surr\nd$ by innum]able my/]ies1 by unsuspect$ & =midable tru?s t loom l>ge on e side4 ,! smalle/ a/ronomical or biological revelation1 ! lea/ secret ( old5 "t1 su* z t ( ! temp] ( copp]1 possess$ by ! anci5ts1 an ar*ological detail1 a poem1 a /atue1 a recov]$ rem$y1 a %r$ ( "o ( ^? unkn[n sci5ces :i* fl\ri%$ 9 ,egypt or ,atlantis3 any ( ^! w\ld =m a mu* m decisive argum5t ?an hundr$s ( m or less lit]>y rem9isc5ces4 ,:y d !y speak to u s seldom ( ! future8 ,& = :at reason1 :5 !y d v5ture ^u x1 are !y mi/ak5 ) su* di%e>t5+ regul>ity8 ,"o w\ld ?9k1 r1 t1 9 ! sight ( a be+ deliv]$ f ! trammels ( ! body & ( "t1 ! ye>s1 :e!r pa/ or future1 ought all to lie outspread on "o & ! same plane4#ad ,we may1 !re=e1 say t ! +5uity ( ! pro( turns aga9/ x4 ,all ?+s consid]$1 z 9 ! o!r attempts & notably ^? ( ! fam\s m$ium ,/a9ton ,moses1 !re is ! same *>act]i/ic inability to br+ u ! v]ie/ p>ticle ( tru? or k ( :i* no ve/ige c\ld be f\nd 9 a liv+ bra9 or 9 a book writt5 on ?is e>?4 ,& yet x is inconceivable t !re %\ld n some:]e exi/ a k t is n z ours & tru?s o!r ?an ^? :i* we possess "h bel[4 ,! case ( ,/a9ton ,moses1 ^: "n we h j m5tion$1 is a v /rik+ "o 9 ?is respect4 ,?is ,/a9ton ,moses 0 a dogmatic1 h>d-work+ cl]gyman1 ^: le>n+1 ,my]s tells u1 9 ! normal /ate1 did n exce$ t ( an ord9>y s*oolma/]4 ,b he 0 no soon] 8entranc$0 be=e c]ta9 spirits ( antiquity or ( ! middle ages1 :o are h>dly kn[n save to pr(\nd s*ol>s1 among o!rs ,/4 ,hippolytus1 ,bi%op ( ,o/ia1 ,plot9us1 ,a!nodorus1 ! tutor ( ,augu/us1 &1 m p>ticul>ly1 ,grocyn1 ! fri5d ( ,erasmus1 took possession ( 8 p]son & manife/$ !mselves ?r\gh 8 ag5cy4 ,n[ ,grocyn1 = in/ance1 furni%$ c]ta9 in=mation ab\t ,erasmus :i* 0 at fir/ ?\ght to h be5 ga!r$ 9 ! o!r _w1 b :i* 0 subsequ5tly discov]$ 9 =gott51 b nev]!less accessible books4 ,on ! o!r h&1 ,/a9ton ,moses' integrity 0 nev] que/ion$ = an in/ant by ^? :o knew him2 & we may !re=e take 8 ^w = x :5 he decl>es t he _h n read ! books 9 "q4 ,"h aga91 ! my/]y1 inexplicable ?\gh x be1 seems really to lie hidd5 9 ! mid/ ( ourselves4 ,x is unconsci\s rem9isc5ce1 if y w1 sugge/ion at a di/ance1 sublim9al read+1 b1 no m ?an 9 cross correspond5ce1 is x indisp5sable to h rec\rse to ! dead & to drag !m by ma9 =ce into ! riddle1 :i*1 se5 f our side ( ! grave1 is d>k & impassion$ en\gh z x is4 ,fur!rmore1 we mu/ n insi/ unduly on ?is cross correspond5ce4 ,we mu/ rememb] t ! :ole ?+ is 9 its e>lie/ /ages & t ! dead appe> to h no small difficulty 9 grasp+ ! requirem5ts ( ! liv+4 ----- ,footnote #ac3 ,! ,survival ( ,man1 ,*ap4 xxv1 p4 #cbe4 ,footnote #ad3 ,9 ?is connexion1 h[ev]1 we f9d two or ?ree r p]turb+ facts1 a rem>kable "o be+1 at a spirituali/ic meet+ held by ! late ,w4 ,t4 ,/ead1 ! pr$iction ( ! murd] ( ,k+ ,alex&] & ,que5 ,draga1 describ$ ) ! mo/ circum/antial details4 ,a v]batim report ( ?is pr$iction 0 drawn up & sign$ by "s ?irty witnesses2 & ,/ead w5t next day to beg ! ,s]vian m9i/] 9 ,london to w>n ! k+ ( ! dang] t ?reat5$ him4 ,! ev5t took place1 z ann\nc$1 a few mon?s lat]4 ,b 8precognition0 does n necess>ily require ! int]v5tion ( ! dead2 moreov]1 e case ( ?is k9d1 be=e be+ def9itely accept$1 w\ld call = prolong$ inve/igation 9 e p>ticul>4 ----- #b ,9 reg>d to ?is subject1 z to ! o!rs1 ! spirituali/s are fond ( say+3 8,if y refuse to admit ! ag5cy ( spirits1 ! majority ( ^! ph5om5a are absolutely inexplicable40 ,agre$2 nor d we pret5d to expla9 !m1 = h>dly any?+ is to be expla9$ ^u ?is e>?4 ,we are cont5t simply to ascribe !m to ! incompreh5sible p[] ( ! m$iums1 :i* is no m improbable ?an ! survival ( ! dead & has ! advantage ( n go+ outside ! sph]e :i* we occupy & ( be>+ relation to a l>ge numb] ( simil> facts t occur among liv+ p4 ,^? s+ul> faculties are baffl+ only because !y are /ill sporadic & because b a v %ort "t has elaps$ s9ce !y receiv$ sci5tific recognition4 ,prop]ly speak+1 !y are no m m>vell\s ?an ^? :i* we use daily )\t m>vell+ at !m3 our memory1 = in/ance1 our und]/&+1 our imag9ation & s =?4 ,!y =m "p ( ! great miracle t we are2 &1 hav+ once admitt$ ! miracle1 we %\ld be surpris$ n s mu* at its ext5t z at its limits4 ,nev]!less1 to close ?is *apt]1 ,i am n at all ( op9ion t we mu/ def9itely reject ! spirituali/ic !ory3 t w\ld be bo? unju/ & premature4 ,hi!rto1 ev]y?+ rema9s 9 susp5se4 ,we may say t ?+s are /ill v little remov$ f ! po9t m>k$ by ,sir ,william ,crookes1 9 #ahgd1 9 an article :i* he contribut$ to ! ,qu>t]ly ,j\rnal ( ,sci5ce3 8,! diff]5ce betwe5 ! advocates ( ,psy*ic ,=ce & ! ,spirituali/s consi/s 9 ?is--t we cont5d t !re is z yet insuffici5t pro( ( any o!r direct+ ag5t ?an ! ,intellig5ce ( ! ,m$ium1 & no pro( :atev] ( ! ag5cy ( ,spirits ( ! ,dead2 :ile ! ,spirituali/s hold x z a fai?1 n dem&+ fur!r pro(1 t ,spirits ( ! ,dead are ! sole ag5ts 9 ! production ( all ! ph5om5a4 ,?us ! controv]sy resolves itself into a pure "q ( fact1 only to be det]m9$ by a labori\s & long-cont9u$ s]ies ( exp]im5ts & an ext5sive collection ( psy*ological facts1 :i* %\ld be ! fir/ duty ( ! ,psy*ological ,society1 ! =mation ( :i* is n[ 9 progress40 ,mean:ile1 x is say+ a good deal t rigor\s sci5tific inve/igations h n utt]ly %att]$ a !ory :i* s radically conf\nds ! idea :i* we 7 wont to =m ( dea?4 ,we %all see pres5tly :y1 9 consid]+ our de/9ies beyond ! grave1 we ne$ h no reason to l+] too long ov] ^! app>itions or ^! revelations1 ev5 ?\gh !y %\ld really be inconte/able & to ! po9t4 ,!y w\ld seem1 all told1 to be b ! incoh]5t & prec>i\s manife/ations ( a transitory /ate4 ,!y w\ld at be/ prove1 if we 7 b\nd to admit !m1 t a reflexion ( ourselves1 an aft]-vibration ( ! n]ves1 a bundle ( emotions1 a spiritual silh\ette1 a grotesque & =lorn image1 or1 m correctly1 a sort ( truncat$ & uproot$ memory c1 aft] our dea?1 l+] & float 9 a space :]e no?+ rema9s to fe$ x1 :]e x gradually becomes wan & lifeless1 b :]e a special fluid1 emanat+ f an exceptional m$ium1 succe$s1 at mom5ts1 9 galvaniz+ x4 ,p]haps x exi/s objectively1 p]haps x subsi/s & revives only 9 ! recollection ( c]ta9 sympa?ies4 ,x w\ld1 aft] all1 be n unlikely t ! memory :i* repres5ts u dur+ our life %\ld cont9ue to d s = a few weeks or ev5 a few ye>s aft] our decease4 ,?is w\ld expla9 ! evasive & deceptive "* ( ^? spirits :i*1 possess+ b a mnemonic exi/5ce1 are naturally able to int]e/ !mselves only 9 matt]s )9 _! rea*4 ,h5ce _! irritat+ & maniacal en]gy 9 cl++ to ! slighte/ facts1 _! sleepy dulness1 _! incompreh5sible indiff]5ce & ignorance & all ! wret*$ absurdities :i* we h notic$ m ?an once4 ,b1 ,i repeat1 x is mu* simpl] to attribute ^! absurdities to ! special "* & ! z yet imp]fectly-recogniz$ difficulties ( telepa?ic communication4 ,! unconsci\s sugge/ions ( ! mo/ intellig5t among ^? :o take "p 9 ! exp]im5t are impair$1 disjo9t$ & /ripp$ ( _! ma9 virtues 9 pass+ ?r\gh ! obscure int]m$i>y ( ! m$ium4 ,x may be t !y /ray1 make _! way into c]ta9 =gott5 corn]s :i* ! intellig5ce no long] visits & !nce br+ back m or less surpris+ discov]ies2 b ! intellectual quality ( ! aggregate w always be inf]ior to t :i* a consci\s m9d w\ld yield4 ,besides1 once m1 x is n yet "t to draw conclusions4 ,we mu/ n lose sight ( ! fact t we h to d ) a sci5ce :i* 0 born b ye/]day & :i* is grop+ = its implem5ts1 its pa?s1 its me?ods & its aim 9 a d>kness d5s] ?an ! e>?'s4 ,! bolde/ bridge t m5 h yet und]tak5 to ?r[ across ! riv] ( dea? is n to be built 9 ?irty ye>s4 ,mo/ sci5ces h c5turies ( ?ankless ef=ts & b>r5 unc]ta9ties beh9d !m2 & !re are1 ,i imag9e1 few among ! y\ng] ( !m t c %[ f ! e>lie/ h\r1 z ?is "o does1 promises ( a h>ve/ :i* may n be ! h>ve/ ( _! consci\s s[+1 b :i* already bids fair to yield mu* unkn[n & wondr\s fruit4#ae ----- ,footnote #ae3 ,to exhau/ ?is "q ( survival & ( communications ) ! dead1 ,i ought to speak ( ,dr4 ,hyslop's rec5t inve/igations1 made ) ! assi/ance ( ! m$iums ,smead & ,*5[e? 7communications ) ,william ,james74 ,i ought also to m5tion ,julia's fam\s 8bureau0 &1 above all1 ! extraord9>y sitt+s ( ,mrs4 ,wri$t1 ! trumpet m$ium1 :o n only obta9s communications 9 :i* ! dead speak languages ( :i* %e h]self is completely ignorant1 b raises app>itions said to be extremely di/urb+4 ,i ought1 la/ly1 to exam9e ! facts set =? by ,pr(essor ,porro1 ,dr4 ,v5zano & ,m4 ,rozanne & _m o!r ?+s besides1 = spirituali/ic inve/igation & lit]ature are already pil+ volume ^u volume4 ,b x 0 n my int5tion nor my pret5sion to make a complete /udy ( sci5tific spiritualism4 ,i wi%$ m]ely to omit no ess5tial po9t & to give a g5]al1 b accurate idea ( ?is po/hum\s atmosph]e :i* no really new & decisive fact has come to unsettle s9ce ! manife/ations ( :i* we h spok54 ----- ,,*apt] ,,viii ,,re9c>nation #a ,s mu* = survival prop]4 ,b c]ta9 spirituali/s g f>!r & attempt ! sci5tific pro( ( pal+5esis & ! transmigration ( s\ls4 ,i pass ov] _! m]ely moral or sci5tific argum5ts1 z well z ^? :i* !y discov] 9 ! pr5atal rem9isc5ces ( illu/ri\s m5 & o!rs4 ,^! rem9isc5ces1 ?\gh (t5 di/urb+1 are /ill too r>e1 too sporadic1 s to speak2 & ! sup]vision has n always be5 suffici5tly close = u to be able to rely ^u !m ) safety4 ,nor d ,i propose to pay att5tion to ! pro(s bas$ ^u ! inborn aptitudes ( g5ius or ( c]ta9 infant prodigies1 aptitudes :i* are difficult to expla91 b :i* may nev]!less be attribut$ to unkn[n laws ( h]$ity4 ,i %all be cont5t to recall briefly ! results ( "s ( ,colonel de ,ro*as' exp]im5ts1 :i* leave "o at a loss = an explanation4 ,fir/ ( all1 x is only "r to say t ,colonel de ,ro*as is a savant :o seeks no?+ b objective tru? & does s ) a sci5tific /rictness & integrity t h nev] be5 que/ion$4 ,he puts c]ta9 exceptional subjects into an hypnotic sleep &1 by means ( d[nw>d passes1 makes !m trace back ! :ole c\rse ( _! exi/5ce4 ,he ?us takes !m successively to _! y\?1 _! adolesc5ce & d[n to ! extreme limits ( _! *ildhood4 ,at ea* ( ^! hypnotic /ages1 ! subject reassumes ! consci\sness1 ! "* & ! /ate ( m9d :i* he possess$ at ! correspond+ /age 9 8 life4 ,he goes ov] ! same ev5ts1 ) _! joys & sorr[s4 ,if he has be5 ill1 he once m passes ?r\gh 8 illness1 8 convalesc5ce & 8 recov]y4 ,if1 = in/ance1 ! subject is a woman :o has be5 a "m1 %e aga9 becomes pregnant & aga9 suff]s ! pa9s ( *ild-bir?4 ,c>ri$ back to an age :5 %e 0 le>n+ to write1 %e writes l a *ild & h] writ+ c be plac$ side by side ) ! copy-books :i* %e fill$ at s*ool4 ,?is 9 itself is v extraord9>y2 b1 z ,colonel de ,ro*as says3 8,up to ! pres5t1 we h walk$ on firm gr\nd2 we h be5 obs]v+ a physiological ph5om5on :i* is difficult ( explanation1 b :i* num]\s exp]im5ts & v]ifications all[ u to look ^u z c]ta940 ,we n[ ent] a region :]e /ill m surpris+ enigmas await u4 ,let u1 to come to details1 take "o ( ! simple/ cases4 ,! subject is a girl ( eighte51 call$ ,josph9e4 ,%e lives at ,voiron1 9 ! dep>tm5t ( ! ,isre4 ,by means ( d[nw>d passes1 %e is br\ght back to ! condition ( a baby at its "m's brea/4 ,! passes cont9ue & ! wond]-tale runs its c\rse4 ,josph9e c no long] speak2 & we h ! great sil5ce ( infancy1 :i* seems to be foll[$ by a sil5ce m my/]i\s /ill4 ,josph9e no long] answ]s except by signs2 %e is n yet born1 8%e is float+ 9 d>kness40 ,!y p]si/2 ! sleep becomes heavi]2 & sudd5ly1 f ! dep?s ( t sleep1 rises ! voice ( ano!r be+1 a voice unexpect$ & unkn[n1 ! voice ( a *urli%1 di/ru/ful & discont5t$ old man4 ,!y "q him4 ,at fir/1 he refuses to answ]1 say+ t 8( c\rse he's !re1 z he's speak+20 t 8he sees no?+20 & t 8he's 9 ! d>k40 ,!y increase ! numb] ( passes & gradually ga9 8 confid5ce4 ,8 "n is ,jean ,claude ,b\rdon2 he is an old man2 he has long be5 ail+ & b$-ridd54 ,he tells ! /ory ( 8 life4 ,he 0 born at ,*ampv5t1 9 ! p>i% ( ,polliat1 9 #ahab4 ,he w5t to s*ool until he 0 eighte5 & s]v$ 8 "t 9 ! army ) ! #g? ,artill]y at ,besanon2 & he describes 8 gay times !re1 :ile ! sleep+ girl makes ! ge/ure ( twirl+ an imag9>y m\/a*e4 ,:5 he goes back to 8 native place1 he does n m>ry1 b he has a mi/ress4 ,he leads a solit>y life 7,i omit all b ! ess5tial facts7 & dies at ! age ( sev5ty1 aft] a long illness4 ,we n[ he> ! dead man speak2 & 8 po/hum\s revelations are n s5sational1 :i*1 h[ev]1 is n an adequate reason = d\bt+ _! g5u95ess4 ,he 8feels himself gr[+ out ( 8 body20 b he rema9s atta*$ to x = a fairly long "t4 ,8 fluidic body1 :i* is at fir/ diffus$1 takes a m conc5trat$ =m4 ,he lives 9 d>kness1 :i* he f9ds disagreeable2 b he does n suff]4 ,at la/1 ! night 9 :i* he is plung$ is /reak$ ) a few fla%es ( light4 ,! idea comes to him to re9c>nate himself & he draws ne> to h] :o is to be 8 "m 7t is to say1 ! "m ( ,josph9e74 ,he encircles h] until ! *ild is born1 :]eupon he gradually ent]s ! *ild's body4 ,until ab\t ! sev5? ye>1 ?is body 0 surr\nd$ by a sort ( float+ mi/ 9 :i* he us$ to see _m ?+s :i* he has n se5 s9ce4 ,! next ?+ to be done is to g back beyond ,jean ,claude4 ,a mesm]ization la/+ ne>ly ?ree qu>t]s ( an h\r1 )\t l+]+ at any int]m$iate /age1 br+s ! old man back to babyhood4 ,a fre% sil5ce1 a new limbo2 & !n1 sudd5ly1 ano!r voice & an unexpect$ individual4 ,?is "t1 x is an old woman :o has be5 v wick$2 & s %e is 9 great torm5t 7%e is dead1 at ! actual in/ant2 =1 9 ?is inv]t$ _w1 lives g backw>ds & ( c\rse beg9 at ! end74 ,%e is 9 deep d>kness1 surr\nd$ by evil spirits4 ,%e speaks 9 a fa9t voice1 b always gives def9ite replies to ! que/ions put to h]1 in/ead ( cavill+ at e mom5t1 z ,jean ,claude did4 ,h] "n is ,philomne ,c>t]on4 8,by int5sify+ ! sleep10 adds ,colonel de ,ro*as1 :om ,i w n[ quote1 8,i induce ! manife/ations ( a liv+ ,philomne4 ,%e no long] suff]s1 seems v calm & always answ]s v coldly & di/9ctly4 ,%e kn[s t %e is unpopul> 9 ! neighb\rhood1 b no "o is a p5ny ! worse & %e w be ev5 ) !m yet4 ,%e 0 born 9 #agjb2 h] maid5 "n 0 ,philomne ,*>pigny2 h] gr&fa!r on ! "m's side 0 call$ ,pi]re ,ma*on & liv$ at ,ozan4 ,9 #agcb1 %e m>ri$1 at ,*evr\x1 a man nam$ ,c>t]on1 by :om %e _h two *ildr51 bo? ( :om %e lo/4 8,be=e h] inc>nation1 ,philomne _h be5 a little girl1 :o di$ 9 infancy4 ,previ\s to t1 %e 0 a man :o _h committ$ murd]2 & x 0 to expiate ?is crime t %e endur$ mu* suff]+ 9 ! d>kness1 ev5 aft] h] life z a little girl1 :5 %e _h _h no "t to d wrong4 ,i did n ?9k x necess>y to c>ry ! hypnosis fur!r1 because ! subject appe>$ exhau/$ & h] p>oxysms 7 pa9ful to wat*4 8,b1 on ! o!r h&1 ,i notic$ "o ?+ :i* w\ld t5d to %[ t ! revelations ( ^! m$iums re/ on an objective reality4 ,at ,voiron1 "o ( ! regul> att5dants at my demon/rations is a "y girl1 ,l\ise ----4 ,%e possesses a v s$ate & ?\ghtful ca/ ( m9d1 n at all op5 to hypnotic sugge/ion2 & %e has 9 a v high degree ! capacity 7:i* is comp>atively common 9 a less] degree7 ( p]ceiv+ ! magnetic effluvia ( human be+s &1 consequ5tly1 ! fluidic body4 ,:5 ,josph9e revives ! memory ( h] pa/1 a lum9\s aura is obs]v$ ar\nd h] & is p]ceiv$ by ,l\ise4 ,n[1 to ! eyes ( ,l\ise1 ?is aura becomes d>k :5 ,josph9e is 9 ! phase sep>at+ two exi/5ces4 ,9 e in/ance1 !re is a /rong reaction 9 ,josph9e :5 ,i t\* po9ts :]e ,l\ise tells me t %e p]ceives ! aura1 :e!r x be d>k or light40 #b ,i ?\ght x well to give ! report ( "o ( ^! exp]im5ts almo/ 9 ext5so1 because ^? :o ma9ta9 ! pal+5esic !ory f9d 9 ^! ! only appreciable argum5t :i* !y possess4 ,colonel de ,ro*as r5ew$ !m m ?an once ) diff]5t subjects4 ,among ^!1 ,i w m5tion only "o1 a girl call$ ,m>ie ,mayo1 ^: hi/ory is m complicat$ ?an ,josph9e's & ^: successive re9c>nations take u back to ! sev5te5? c5tury & c>ry u sudd5ly to ,v]sailles1 among ! hi/orical p]sonages mov+ ar\nd ,l\is ,,xiv4 ,let u add t ,colonel de ,ro*as is n ! only mesm]iz] :o has obta9$ revelations ( ?is k9d1 :i* may be h5ce=? class$ among ! inconte/able facts ( hypnotism4 ,i h m5tion$ 8 alone1 because !y (f] ! mo/ sub/antial gu>antees f e po9t ( view4 ,:at d !y prove8 ,we mu/ beg91 z 9 all que/ions ( ?is k9d1 by ent]ta9+ a c]ta9 di/ru/ ( ! m$ium4 ,x goes )\t say+ t all m$iums1 by ! v nature ( _! faculties1 are incl9$ to impo/ure1 to trick]y4 ,i "k t ,colonel de ,ro*as1 l ,dr4 ,ri*et & l ,pr(essor ,lombroso1 0 occasionally hoax$4 ,t is ! inh]5t defect ( ! ma*9]y :i* we mu/ p]=ce employ2 & exp]im5ts ( ?is sort w nev] possess ! sci5tific value ( ^? made 9 a physical or *emical laboratory4 ,b ?is is n an a priori reason = d5y+ !m any sort ( int]e/4 ,z a "q ( fact1 are impo/ure & trick]y possible "h8 ,obvi\sly1 ev5 ?\gh ! exp]im5ts be conduct$ "u ! /ricte/ sup]vision4 ,h[ev] complicat$ x may be1 ! subject c h le>nt 8 lesson & c clev]ly avoid ! traps laid = him4 ,! be/ gu>antee1 :5 all is said1 lies 9 8 good fai? & 8 moral s5se1 :i* ! exp]im5t]s alone are 9 a position to te/ & to "k2 & = t we mu/ tru/ to !m4 ,besides1 !y neglect no precaution necess>y to make impo/ure extremely difficult4 ,aft] tak+ ! subject1 by means ( transv]se passes1 up ! /ream ( 8 life1 !y make him come d[n ! same /ream2 & ! same ev5ts pass 9 ! rev]se ord]4 ,repeat$ te/s & c\nt]-te/s always yield id5tical results2 & ! m$ium nev] hesitates or goes a/ray 9 ! labyr9? ( names1 dates & incid5ts4#af ,moreov]1 x w\ld be requisite = ^! m$iums1 :o are g5]ally p ( m]ely av]age intellig5ce1 sudd5ly to become great poets 9 ord] ?us to create1 d[n to e detail1 a s]ies ( *>act]s1 diff]+ entirely "o f ! o!r1 9 :i* ev]y?+ is 9 keep+--ge/ures1 voice1 temp]1 m9d1 ?\ghts1 feel+--& ev] ready to reply1 9 h>mony ) _! inmo/ nature1 to ! mo/ unexpect$ que/ions4 ,x has be5 said t e man is a ,%akspe>e 9 8 dreams2 b h we n "h to d ) dreams :i*1 9 _! uni=mity1 be> a s+ul> resemblance to fact8 ,i ?9k1 !re=e1 t we may be all[$1 until we receive evid5ce to ! contr>y1 to leave fraud out ( ! "q4 ,ano!r objection t might be rais$1 z 0 done ) respect to ! ,my]s phantoms1 is ! insignificance ( _! revelations f beyond ! grave4 ,i w\ld r look on ?is z an argum5t 9 behalf ( _! good fai?4 ,^? ^: imag9ation is ri* en\gh to create ! wond]ful p]sons :om we see liv+ 9 _! sleep w\ld d\btless f9d no great difficulty 9 inv5t+ a few fanta/ic b plausible details on ! subject ( ! next _w4 ,n "o ( !m ?9ks ( x4 ,!y are ,*ri/ians & !re=e c>ry deep d[n 9 !mselves ! traditional t]ror ( hell1 ! fe> ( purgatory & ! vision ( a p>adise full ( angels & palms4 ,!y nev] allude to any ( x4 ,al?\gh !y are mo/ (t5 ignorant ( all ! !ories ( re9c>nation1 !y con=m /rictly to ! !osophical or neospirituali/ic hypo!sis & are unconsci\sly fai?ful to x 9 _! v indef9it5ess3 !y speak vaguely ( 8! d>k0 9 :i* !y f9d !mselves4 ,!y tell no?+1 because !y "k no?+4 ,x is impossible app>5tly = !m to give any acc\nt ( a /ate t is /ill illum9$4 ,9 fact1 x is v likely1 if we admit ! hypo!sis ( re9c>nation & ( evolution aft] dea?1 t nature1 "h z else:]e1 does n proce$ by b\nds4 ,!re is no special reason :y %e %\ld take a prodigi\s & inconceivable leap betwe5 life & dea?4 ,we did n f9d ! dramatic *ange :i*1 at fir/ ?\ght1 we are r incl9$ to expect4 ,! _s is fir/ ( all confus$ at los+ its body & e "o ( its famili> ways2 x only recov]s itself by degrees4 ,x resumes consci\sness sl[ly4 ,?is consci\sness is subsequ5tly purifi$1 exalt$ & ext5d$1 gradually & indef9itely1 until1 rea*+ o!r sph]es1 ! pr9ciple ( life t animates x ceases to re9c>nate itself & loses all contact ) u4 ,?is w\ld expla9 :y we nev] h any b m9or & elem5t>y revelations4 ,all t conc]ns ?is fir/ phase ( ! survival is fairly probable1 ev5 to ^? :o d n admit ! !ory ( re9c>nation4 ,= ! re/1 we %all see pres5tly t ! solutions :i* man's imag9ation f9ds !re m]ely *ange ! "q & are inadequate & provisional4 ----- ,footnote #af3 ,9 ord] to hide no?+ & to br+ all ! docum5ts into c\rt1 we may po9t out t ,colonel de ,ro*as asc]ta9$ ^u enquiry t ! subjects' revelations conc]n+ _! =m] exi/5ces 7 inaccurate 9 sev]al p>ticul>s3 8,_! n>ratives 7 also full ( ana*ronisms :i* disclos$ ! pres5ce ( normal recollections among ! sugge/ions t came f an unkn[n s\rce4 ,nev]!less1 "o p]fectly indubitable fact rema9s1 :i* is t ( ! exi/5ce ( c]ta9 visions recurr+ ) ! same *>act]i/ics 9 ! case ( a consid]able numb] ( p]sons unkn[n to "o ano!r40 ----- #c ,we n[ come to ! mo/ s]i\s objection1 t ( sugge/ion4 ,colonel de ,ro*as decl>es t he & all ! o!r exp]im5t]s :o h giv5 !mselves up to ?is /udy 8h n only avoid$ ev]y?+ t c\ld put ! subject on a def9ite tack1 b h (t5 tri$ 9 va9 to lead him a/ray by diff]5t sugge/ions40 ,i am conv9c$ ( x3 !re c be no "q ( volunt>y sugge/ion4 ,b d we n "k t1 9 ^! regions1 unconsci\s & involunt>y sugge/ion is (t5 m p[]ful & effective ?an ! o!r8 ,9 ! hackney$ & r *ildi% exp]im5t ( table-turn+1 = in/ance1 :i*1 aft] all1 is only a crude & elem5t>y =m ( telepa?y1 ! replies are ne>ly always dictat$ by ! unconsci\s sugge/ion ( a p>ticipant or a m]e on-look]4#ag ,we %\ld !re=e fir/ ( all h to make sure t nei!r ! hypnotiz] nor ! onlook]s1 nor yet ! subject himself1 h ev] he>d ( ! re9c>nat$ p]sons4 ,x w be en\gh1 ,i %all be told1 to employ = ! c\nt]-te/s ano!r op]ator & diff]5t onlook]s :o are ignorant ( ! previ\s revelations4 ,yes1 b ! subject is n ignorant ( !m2 & x is possible t ! fir/ sugge/ion has be5 s pr(\nd t x w rema9 = ev] /amp$ ^u ! unconsci\sness & t x w reproduce ! same inc>nations indef9itely1 9 ! same ord]4 ,all ?is does n mean t ! ph5om5a ( sugge/ion are n !mselves lad5 ) my/]ies2 b t is ano!r "q4 ,= ! mom5t1 z we see1 ! problem is almo/ insoluble & control impracticable4 ,mean:ile1 s9ce we h to *oose betwe5 re9c>nation & sugge/ion1 x is "r t we %\ld conf9e ourselves1 9 ! fir/ in/ance1 to ! latt]1 9 accordance ) ! pr9ciples :i* we h obs]v$ 9 ! case ( automatic spee* & writ+4 ,betwe5 two unkn[ns1 common s5se & prud5ce decree t we %\ld turn fir/ to ! "o on ^: fronti]s lie c]ta9 facts m frequ5tly record$1 ! "o :i* %[s a few famili> glimm]s4 ,let u exhau/ ! my/]y ( our life be=e =sak+ x = ! my/]y ( our dea?4 ,?r\gh\t ?is va/ expanse ( trea*]\s gr\nd1 x is important t1 until fre% evid5ce arrives1 we %\ld keep to "o inflexible rule1 namely1 t ?\ght-transf]5ce exi/s z long z x is n absolutely & physically impossible = ! subject or "s p]son 9 ! room to h cognizance ( ! incid5t 9 "q1 :e!r ! cognizance be consci\s or n1 =gott5 or actual4 ,ev5 ?is gu>antee is n suffici5t1 = x is /ill possible1 z we saw 9 ! case ( ,sir ,oliv] ,lodge's wat*1 = "s "o tak+ no "p 9 ! sitt+ & ev5 v f> away f x to be plac$ 9 communication ) ! m$ium by "s unkn[n means & to influ5ce ! m$ium at a di/ance & unwitt+ly4 ,la/ly1 to provide = e cont+5cy1 be=e lett+ dea? come ^u ! bo>ds1 x w\ld be necess>y to make c]ta9 t atavi/ic memory does n play an un=ese5 "p4 ,_c a man1 = in/ance1 c>ry hidd5 9 ! dep?s ( 8 be+ ! recollection ( ev5ts connect$ ) ! *ildhood ( an ance/or :om he has nev] se5 & communicate x to ! m$ium by unconsci\s sugge/ion8 ,x is n impossible4 ,we c>ry 9 ourselves all ! pa/1 all ! exp]i5ce ( our ance/ors4 ,if1 by "s magic1 we c\ld illum9e ! prodigi\s treasures ( ! subconsci\s memory1 :y %\ld we n !re discov] ! ev5ts & facts t =m ! s\rces ( t exp]i5ce8 ,be=e turn+ t[>ds yond] unkn[n1 we mu/ utt]ly exhau/ ! possibilities ( ?is t]re/rial unkn[n4 ,x is moreov] rem>kable b und5iable t1 despite ! /rictness ( a law :i* seems to %ut out e o!r explanation1 despite ! almo/ unlimit$ & probably excessive scope allott$ to ! doma9 ( sugge/ion1 !re nev]!less rema9 "s facts :i* p]haps call = ano!r int]pretation4 ,b let u return to re9c>nation & recognize1 9 pass+1 t x is v regrettable t ! argum5ts ( ! !osophi/s & neospirituali/s are n compell+1 = !re nev] 0 a m beautiful1 a ju/]1 a pur]1 a m moral1 fruitful & consol+1 nor1 to a c]ta9 po9t1 a m probable cre$ ?an !irs4 ,x alone1 ) its doctr9e ( successive expiations & purifications1 acc\nts = all ! physical & intellectual inequalities1 all ! social iniquities1 all ! hide\s inju/ices ( fate4 ,b ! quality ( a cre$ is no evid5ce ( its tru?4 ,ev5 ?\gh x is ! religion ( six hundr$ millions ( mank9d1 ! ne>e/ to ! my/]i\s orig9s1 ! only "o t is n odi\s & ! lea/ absurd ( all1 x w h to d :at ! o!rs h n done1 to br+ unimpea*able te/imony2 & :at x has giv5 u hi!rto is b ! fir/ %ad[ ( a pro( begun4 ----- ,footnote #ag3 ,9 ?is connexion may ,i be p]mitt$ to quote a p]sonal exp]i5ce8 ,"o ev5+1 at ! ,abbaye de ,sa9t-,w&rille1 :]e ,i am wont to sp5d my summ]s1 "s newly-arriv$ gue/s 7 amus+ !mselves by mak+ a small table sp9 on its foot4 ,i 0 quietly smok+ 9 a corn] ( ! draw+-room1 at "s di/ance f ! little table1 tak+ no int]e/ 9 :at 0 happ5+ ar\nd x & ?9k+ ( some?+ q diff]5t4 ,aft] due entreaty1 ! table repli$ t x held ! _s ( a sev5te5?-c5tury monk1 :o 0 buri$ 9 ! ea/ gall]y ( ! cloi/]s1 "u a flag/one dat$ #afic4 ,aft] ! dep>ture ( ! monk1 :o sudd5ly1 = no app>5t reason1 refus$ to cont9ue ! int]view1 we ?\ght t we w\ld g1 ) a lamp1 & look = ! grave4 ,we end$ by discov]+1 9 ! f> cloi/] on ! ea/]n side1 a tomb/one 9 v bad condition1 brok51 worn d[n1 trodd5 into ! gr\nd & crumbl+1 on :i*1 by exam9+ x v closely1 we 7 able1 ) great difficulty1 to deciph] ! inscription1 8,a4,d4 #afic40 ,n[1 at ! mom5t ( ! monk's reply1 !re 0 no "o 9 ! draw+-room except my gue/s & myself4 ,none ( !m knew ! abbey2 !y _h arriv$ t v ev5+1 a few m9utes be=e d9n]1 aft] :i*1 z x 0 q d>k1 !y _h put (f _! visit to ! cloi/]s & ! ru9s until ! foll[+ day4 ,!re=e1 %ort ( a belief 9 ! 8%ells0 or ! 8elem5tals0 ( ! !osophi/s1 ! revelation c\ld only h come f me4 ,nev]!less1 ,i believ$ myself to be absolutely ignorant ( ! exi/5ce ( t p>ticul> tomb/one1 "o ( ! lea/ legible among a score ( o!rs1 all belong+ to ! sev5te5? c5tury1 :i* pave ?is "p ( ! cloi/]s4 ----- #d ,& ev5 t w\ld n put an end to ! riddle4 ,9 pr9ciple1 re9c>nation1 soon] or lat]1 is inevitable1 s9ce no?+ c be lo/ nor rema9 /ation>y4 ,:at has n be5 demon/rat$ 9 any way & w p]haps rema9 indemon/rable is ! re9c>nation ( ! :ole id5tical individual1 not)/&+ ! abolition ( memory4 ,b :at matt]s to him t re9c>nation1 if he be unaw>e t he is /ill himself8 ,all ! problems ( ! consci\s survival ( man />t up anew2 & we h to beg9 all ov] aga94 ,ev5 if sci5tifically e/abli%$1 ! doctr9e ( re9c>nation1 j l t ( a survival1 w\ld n set a t]m to our que/ions4 ,x replies to nei!r ! fir/ nor ! la/1 ^? ( ! beg9n+ & ! end1 ! only ones t are ess5tial4 ,x simply %ifts !m1 pu%es !m a few hundr$s1 a few ?\s&s ( ye>s back1 9 ! hope p]haps ( los+ or =gett+ !m 9 sil5ce & space4 ,b !y h come f ! dep?s ( ! mo/ prodigi\s inf9ities & are n cont5t ) a t>dy solution4 ,i am mo/ c]ta9ly int]e/$ 9 le>n+ :at is 9 /ore = me1 :at w happ5 to me imm$iately aft] my dea?4 ,y tell me3 8,man1 9 8 successive inc>nations1 w make atonem5t by suff]+1 w be purifi$1 9 ord] t he may asc5d f sph]e to sph]e until he returns to ! div9e ess5ce :5ce he sprang40 ,i am will+ to believe x1 not)/&+ t all ?is /ill be>s ! some:at que/ionable /amp ( our little e>? & its old religions2 ,i am will+ to believe x1 b ev5 !n8 ,:at matt]s to me is n :at w be = "s "t1 b :at w be = always2 & y\r div9e pr9ciple appe>s to me n at all inf9ite nor def9ite4 ,x ev5 seems to me greatly inf]ior to t :i* ,i conceive )\t y\r help4 ,n[1 if x 7 bas$ on ?\s&s ( facts1 a religion t belittles ! ,god conceiv$ by my l(tie/ ?\ght c\ld nev] dom9ate my consci5ce4 ,y\r inf9ity or y\r ,god1 :ile ev5 m un9telligible ?an m9e1 is nev]!less small]4 ,if ,i be aga9 imm]g$ 9 ,him1 x means t ,i em]g$ f ,him2 if x be possible = me to h em]g$ f ,him1 !n ,he is n inf9ite2 &1 if ,he be n inf9ite1 :at is ,he8 ,we mu/ accept "o ?+ or ! o!r3 ei!r ,he purifies me because ,i am outside ,him & ,he is n inf9ite2 or1 be+ inf9ite1 if ,he purify me1 !n !re 0 some?+ impure 9 ,him1 because x is a "p ( ,himself :i* ,he is purify+ 9 me4 ,moreov]1 h[ c we admit t ?is ,god :o has exi/$ = all "t1 :o has ! same inf9ity ( mill5>ies beh9d ,him z 9 front ( ,him1 %\ld n yet h f\nd "t to purify ,himself & put a p]iod to ,8 trials8 ,:at ,he 0 n able to d 9 ! et]nity previ\s to ! mom5t ( my exi/5ce ,he w n be able to d 9 ! subsequ5t et]nity1 = ! two are equal4 ,& ! same "q pres5ts itself :]e ,i am conc]n$4 ,my pr9ciple ( life1 l ,81 exi/s f all et]nity1 = my em]g5ce out ( no?+ w\ld be m difficult ( explanation ?an my exi/5ce )\t a beg9n+4 ,i h necess>ily _h innum]able opportunities ( inc>nat+ myself2 & ,i h probably done s1 see+ t x is h>dly likely t ! idea only came to me ye/]day4 ,all ! *ances ( rea*+ my goal h !re=e be5 (f]$ to me 9 ! pa/2 & all ^? :i* ,i %all f9d 9 ! future w add no?+ to ! numb]1 :i* 0 already inf9ite4 ,!re is n mu* to say 9 answ] to ^! int]rogations :i* spr+ up ev]y:5ce ! mom5t our ?\ght glances ^u !m4 ,mean:ile1 ,i _h r "k t ,i "k no?+ ?an fe$ myself on illusory & irreconcilable ass]tions4 ,i _h r keep to an inf9ity ^: incompreh5sibility has no b\nds ?an re/rict myself to a ,god ^: incompreh5sibility is limit$ on e side4 ,no?+ compels y to speak ( y\r ,god2 b1 if y take ^u y\rself to d s1 x is necess>y t y\r explanations %\ld be sup]ior to ! sil5ce :i* !y break4 #e ,x is true t ! sci5tific spirituali/s d n v5ture z f> z ?is ,god2 b !n1 tight-press$ betwe5 ! two riddles ( ! beg9n+ & ! end1 !y h almo/ no?+ to tell u4 ,!y foll[ ! tracks ( our dead = a few seconds1 9 a _w :]e seconds no long] c\nt2 & !n !y ab&on !m 9 ! d>kness4 ,i d n reproa* !m1 because we h "h to d ) ?+s :i*1 9 all probability1 we %all n "k 9 ! day :5 we %all ?9k t we "k ev]y?+4 ,i d n ask t !y %all reveal to me ! secret ( ! univ]se1 = ,i d n believe1 l a *ild1 t ?is secret c be express$ 9 ?ree words or t x c ent] my bra9 )\t bur/+ x4 ,i am ev5 p]suad$ t be+s :o might be millions ( times m intellig5t ?an ! mo/ intellig5t among u w\ld n yet possess x1 = ?is secret mu/ be z inf9ite1 z unfa?omable1 z inexhau/ible z ! univ]se itself4 ,! fact none ! less rema9s t ?is inability to g ev5 a few ye>s beyond ! life aft] dea? detracts greatly f ! int]e/ ( _! exp]im5ts & revelations2 at be/1 x is b a %ort space ga9$2 & x is n by ?is juggl+ on ! ?re%old t our fate is decid$4 ,i am ready to pass ov] :at may befall me 9 ! %ort int]val fill$ by ^? revelations1 z ,i am ev5 n[ pass+ ov] :at befalls me 9 my life4 ,my de/9y does n lie !re1 nor my home4 ,i d n d\bt t ! facts report$ are g5u9e & prov$2 b :at is ev5 mu* m c]ta9 is t ! dead1 if !y survive1 h n a great deal to tea* u1 :e!r because1 at ! mom5t :5 !y c speak to u1 !y h no?+ yet to tell u1 or because1 at ! mom5t :5 !y might h some?+ to reveal to u1 !y are no long] able to d s1 b )draw = ev] & lose sight ( u 9 ! imm5sity :i* !y are explor+4 ,,*apt] ,,ix ,,! ,,fate ,,( ,,our ,,consci\sness #a ,let u disp5se ) _! unc]ta9 aid & endeav\r to make our way to ! o!r side alone4 ,to return !n to ! !ories :i* we 7 exam9+ be=e ^! necess>y digressions1 x w\ld seem t survival ) our pres5t consci\sness is ne>ly z impossible & z incompreh5sible z total annihilation4 ,moreov]1 ev5 if x 7 admissible1 x c\ld n be dreadful4 ,x is c]ta9 t1 :5 ! body disappe>s1 all physical suff]+s w disappe> at ! same "t2 = we _c imag9e a _s suff]+ 9 a body :i* x no long] possesses4 ,) !m w vani% simultane\sly all t we call m5tal or moral suff]+s1 see+ t all ( !m1 if we exam9e !m well1 spr+ f ! ties & habits ( our s5ses4 ,our _s feels ! reaction ( ! suff]+s ( our body1 or ( ! bodies t surr\nd x2 x _c suff] 9 itself or ?r\gh itself4 ,slight$ affection1 %att]$ love1 disappo9tm5ts1 failures1 despair1 betrayal1 p]sonal humiliations1 z well z ! sorr[s & ! loss ( ^? :om x loves1 acquire _! pot5t /+ only by pass+ ?r\gh ! body :i* x animates4 ,outside its own pa91 :i* is ! pa9 ( n kn[+1 ! _s1 once deliv]$ f its fle%1 c\ld suff] only 9 ! recollection ( ! fle%4 ,x is possible t x /ill grieves ov] ! tr\bles ( ^? :om x has left beh9d on e>?4 ,b to its eyes1 s9ce x no long] reckons ! days1 ^! tr\bles w seem s brief t x w n grasp _! duration2 &1 kn[+ :at !y are & kn[+ :i!r !y lead1 x w n behold _! sev]ity4 ,! _s is ins5sible to all t is n happ9ess4 ,x is made only = inf9ite joy1 :i* is ! joy ( kn[+ & und]/&+4 ,x c grieve only at p]ceiv+ its own limits2 b to p]ceive ^? limits1 :5 !re are no m bonds to space & "t1 is already to transc5d !m4 #b ,x is n[ a "q ( kn[+ :e!r t _s1 %elt]$ f all sorr[1 w rema9 itself1 w p]ceive & recognize itself 9 ! bosom ( inf9ity2 & up to :at po9t x is important t x %\ld recognize itself4 ,?is br+s u to ! problems ( survival )\t consci\sness1 or survival ) a consci\sness diff]5t f t ( to-day4 ,survival )\t consci\sness seems at fir/ sight ! m probable4 ,f ! po9t ( view ( ! good or ill await+ u on ! o!r side ( ! grave1 x am\nts to annihilation4 ,x is lawful1 !re=e1 = ^? :o pref] ! easie/ solution & t mo/ consi/5t ) ! pres5t /ate ( human ?\ght1 to limit _! anxiety to t4 ,!y h no?+ to dread2 =1 on close inspection1 e fe>1 if any rema9$1 %\ld deck itself ) hopes4 ,! body dis9tegrates & c no long] suff]2 ! m9d1 sep>at$ f ! s\rce ( pleasure & pa91 is ext+ui%$1 scatt]$ & lo/ 9 a b\ndless d>kness2 & :at comes is ! great peace s (t5 pray$ =1 ! sleep )\t measure1 )\t dreams & )\t awak5+4 ,b ?is is only a solution t fo/]s indol5ce4 ,if we press ^? :o speak ( survival )\t consci\sness1 we p]ceive t !y mean only _! pres5t consci\sness1 = man conceives no o!r2 & we h j se5 t x is almo/ impossible = t mann] ( consci\sness to p]si/ 9 inf9ity4 ,unless1 inde$1 !y w\ld d5y e sort ( consci\sness1 ev5 t cosmic consci\sness into :i* _! own w fall4 ,b ?is 7 to solve v quickly & v bl9dly1 ) a /roke ( ! sword 9 ! night1 ! greate/ & mo/ my/]i\s "q t c arise 9 a man's bra94 #c ,x is evid5t t1 9 ! dep?s ( our ?\ght limit$ on e side1 we %all nev] be able to =m ! lea/ idea ( an inf9ite consci\sness4 ,!re is ev5 an ess5tial ant9omy betwe5 ! words consci\sness & inf9ity4 ,to speak ( consci\sness is to mean ! mo/ def9ite ?+ conceivable 9 ! f9ite2 consci\sness1 prop]ly speak+1 is ! f9ite huddl$ into itself 9 ord] to discov] & feel its close/ limits1 to ! end t x may enjoy !m z closely z possible4 ,on ! o!r h&1 x is impossible = u to sep>ate ! idea ( intellig5ce f ! idea ( consci\sness4 ,any intellig5ce t does n seem capable ( trans=m+ itself into consci\sness becomes = u a my/]i\s ph5om5on to :i* we give names m my/]i\s /ill1 le/ we %\ld h to admit t we und]/& no?+ ( x at all4 ,n[1 on ?is little e>? ( ours1 :i* is b a dot 9 space1 we see exp5d$ 9 e scale ( life 7rememb]1 = in/ance1 ! wond]ful comb9ations & organisms ( ! insect _w7 a mass ( intellig5ce s va/ t our human intellig5ce _c ev5 dream ( assess+ x4 ,ev]y?+ t exi/s--& man fir/ ( all--is incessantly draw+ ^u t inexhau/ible res]ve4 ,we are !re=e irresi/ibly driv5 to ask ourselves if t cosmic intellig5ce is n ! emanation ( an inf9ite consci\sness1 or if x mu/ n1 soon] or lat]1 elaborate "o4 ,& ?is sets u toss+ betwe5 two irr$ucible impossibilities4 ,:at is mo/ probable is t "h aga9 we are judg+ ev]y?+ f ! l[l&s ( our an?ropomorphism4 ,at ! summit ( our inf9itesimal life1 we see only intellig5ce & consci\sness1 ! extreme po9t ( ?\ght2 & f ?is we inf] t1 at ! summits ( all lives1 !re c\ld be naught b intellig5ce & consci\sness1 :]eas ^! p]haps occupy only an inf]ior place 9 ! hi]>*y ( spiritual or o!r possibilities4 #d ,survival absolutely d5ud$ ( consci\sness w\ld1 !re=e1 be possible only if we d5i$ a cosmic consci\sness4 ,z soon z we admit ?is consci\sness1 "u :atsoev] =m1 we are b\nd to %>e 9 x2 &1 up to a c]ta9 po9t1 ! "q is indi/+ui%able f t ( ! cont9uance ( a m or less modifi$ consci\sness4 ,!re is1 = ! mom5t1 no hope ( solv+ x2 b we are free to grope 9 its d>kness1 :i* is n p]haps equally d5se at all po9ts4 ,"h beg9s ! op5 sea4 ,"h beg9s ! glori\s adv5ture1 ! only "o abrea/ ) human curiosity1 ! only "o t so>s z high z its highe/ long+4 ,let u accu/om ourselves to reg>d dea? z a =m ( life :i* we d n yet und]/&2 let u le>n to look ^u x ) ! same eye t looks ^u bir?2 & soon our m9d w be accompani$ to ! /eps ( ! tomb ) ! same glad expectation t greets a bir?4 ,suppose t a *ild 9 its "m's womb 7 end[$ ) a c]ta9 consci\sness2 t unborn tw9s1 = in/ance1 c\ld1 9 "s obscure fa%ion1 ex*ange _! impressions & communicate _! hopes & fe>s to ea* o!r4 ,hav+ kn[n naught b ! w>m mat]nal %ades1 !y w\ld n feel /rait5$ nor unhappy !re4 ,!y w\ld probably h no o!r idea ?an to prolong z long z possible t life ( abundance free f c>es & ( sleep free f al>ms4 ,b1 if1 ev5 z we are aw>e t we mu/ die1 !y too knew t !y mu/ be born1 t is to say1 sudd5ly leave ! %elt] ( t g5tle d>kness & ab&on = ev] t captive b peaceful exi/5ce1 to be precipitat$ into an absolutely diff]5t1 unimag9able & b\ndless _w1 h[ great w\ld be _! anxieties & _! fe>s6 ,& yet !re is no reason :y our own anxieties & fe>s %\ld be m ju/ifi$ & less ridicul\s4 ,! "*1 ! _s1 ! int5tions1 ! b5evol5ce or ! indiff]5ce ( ! unkn[n to :i* we are subject d n alt] betwe5 our bir? & our dea?4 ,we rema9 always 9 ! same inf9ity1 9 ! same univ]se4 ,x is p]fectly reasonable & legitimate to p]suade ourselves t ! tomb is no m dreadful ?an ! cradle4 ,x w\ld ev5 be legitimate & reasonable to accept ! cradle only on acc\nt ( ! tomb4 ,if1 be=e be+ born1 we 7 p]mitt$ to *oose betwe5 ! great peace ( non-exi/5ce & a life t %\ld n be complet$ by ! glori\s h\r ( dea?1 :i* ( u1 kn[+ :at he ought to "k1 w\ld accept ! disquiet+ problem ( an exi/5ce t w\ld n lead to ! reassur+ my/]y ( its end8 ,:i* ( u w\ld wi% to come into a _w :]e we c le>n s little1 if he did n "k t he mu/ ent] x if he w\ld leave x & le>n m8 ,! be/ ?+ ab\t life is t x prep>es ?is h\r = u1 t x is ! "o & only road lead+ to ! magic gateway & into t incomp>able my/]y :]e mis=tunes & suff]+s w no long] be possible1 because we %all h lo/ ! body t produc$ !m2 :]e ! wor/ t c befall u is ! dreamless sleep :i* we numb] among ! greate/ boons on e>?2 :]e1 la/ly1 x is almo/ unimag9able t a ?\ght %\ld n survive to m+le ) ! sub/ance ( ! univ]se1 t is to say1 ) inf9ity1 :i*1 if x be n a wa/e ( indiff]5ce1 c be no?+ b a sea ( joy4 #e ,be=e fa?om+ t sea1 let u rem>k to ^? :o aspire to ma9ta9 _! ego t !y are call+ = ! suff]+s :i* !y dread4 ,! ego implies limits4 ,! ego _c subsi/ except 9 s f> z x is sep>at$ f t :i* surr\nds x4 ,! /rong] ! ego1 ! n>r[] its limits & ! cle>] ! sep>ation4 ,! m pa9ful too2 = ! m9d1 if x rema9 z we "k x--& we are n able to imag9e x diff]5t--w no soon] h se5 its limits ?an x w wi% to ov]/ep !m2 &1 ! m sep>at$ x feels1 ! great] w be its long+ to unite ) t :i* lies outside4 ,!re w !re=e be an et]nal /ruggle betwe5 its be+ & its aspirations4 ,& really x w\ld h s]v$ no object to be born & die only to arrive at ^! int]m9able conte/s4 ,h we n "h yet "o m pro( t our ego1 z we conceive x1 c\ld nev] subsi/ 9 ! inf9ity :]e x mu/ ne$s g1 s9ce x _c g else:]e8 ,x behoves u !re=e to cle> away conceptions t emanate only f our body1 ev5 z ! mi/s t veil ! daylight f our sight emanate only f ! l[l&s4 ,pascal has said1 once & = all3 8,! n>r[ limits ( our be+ conceal inf9ity f our view40 #f ,on ! o!r h&--= we mu/ keep no?+ back1 nor turn f ! adv]se d>kness %\ld x seem ne>e/ to ! tru?1 nor %[ any bias--on ! o!r h&1 we c grant to ^? :o ye>n to rema9 z !y are t ! survival ( an atom ( !mselves w\ld suffice = a new entrance into an inf9ity f :i* _! body no long] sep>ates !m4 ,if x seems impossible t any?+--a movem5t1 a vibration1 a radiation--%\ld /op or disappe>1 :y !n %\ld ?\ght be lo/8 ,!re w1 no d\bt1 subsi/ m ?an "o idea p[]ful en\gh to allure ! new ego1 :i* w n\ri% itself & ?rive on all t x w f9d 9 t b\ndless environm5t1 j z ! o!r ego1 on ?is e>?1 n\ri%$ itself & ?rove on all t x met !re4 ,s9ce we h be5 able to acquire our pres5t consci\sness1 :y %\ld x be impossible = u to acquire ano!r8 ,= t ego :i* is s de> to u & :i* we believe ourselves to possess 0 n made 9 a day2 x is n at pres5t :at x 0 at ! h\r ( our bir?4 ,mu* m *ance ?an purpose has ent]$ into x2 & mu* m =eign sub/ance ?an any inborn sub/ance :i* x conta9$4 ,x is b a long s]ies ( acquisitions & trans=mations1 ( :i* we d n become aw>e until ! awak5+ ( our memory2 & its k]nel1 ( :i* we d n "k ! nature1 is p]haps m immat]ial & less concrete ?an a ?\ght4 ,if ! new environm5t :i* we ent] on leav+ our "m's womb trans=ms u to su* a po9t t !re is1 s to speak1 no connexion betwe5 ! embryo t we 7 & ! man t we h become1 is x n "r to ?9k t ! f> new]1 /rang]1 wid] & ri*] environm5t :i* we ent] on quitt+ life w trans=m u ev5 m8 ,we c see 9 :at happ5s to u "h a figure ( :at awaits u else:]e & c readily admit t our spiritual be+1 lib]at$ f its body1 if x does n m+le at ! fir/ onset ) ! inf9ite1 w develop itself !re gradually1 w *oose itself a sub/ance &1 no long] trammell$ by space & "t1 w g on = ev] gr[+4 ,x is v possible t our l(tie/ wi%es ( to-day w become ! law ( our future developm5t4 ,x is v possible t our be/ ?\ghts w welcome u on ! f>!r %ore & t ! quality ( our intellect w det]m9e t ( ! inf9ite :i* cry/allizes ar\nd x4 ,e hypo!sis is p]missible & e "q1 provid$ x be address$ to happ9ess2 = unhapp9ess is no long] able to answ] u4 ,x f9ds no place 9 ! human imag9ation t me?odically explores ! future4 ,&1 :atev] be ! =ce t survives u & presides ov] our exi/5ce 9 ! o!r _w1 ?is exi/5ce1 to presume ! wor/1 c\ld be no less great1 no less happy ?an t ( to-day4 ,x w h no o!r c>e] ?an inf9ity2 & inf9ity is no?+ if x be n felicity4 ,9 any case1 x seems fairly c]ta9 t we sp5d 9 ?is _w ! only n>r[1 grudg+1 obscure & sorr[ful mom5t ( our de/9y4 #g ,we h said t ! peculi> sorr[ ( ! m9d is ! sorr[ ( n kn[+ or n und]/&+1 :i* includes ! sorr[ ( be+ p[]less2 = he :o kn[s ! supreme causes1 be+ no long] p>alyz$ by matt]1 becomes "o ) !m & acts ) !m2 & he :o und]/&s ends by approv+1 or else ! univ]se w\ld be a mi/ake1 :i* is n possible1 an inf9ite mi/ake be+ inconceivable4 ,i d n believe t ano!r sorr[ ( ! %e] m9d c be imag9$4 ,! only "o sorr[ :i*1 at fir/ ?\ght1 might seem admissible--& :i*1 9 any case1 c\ld be b ephem]al--w\ld arise f ! sight ( ! pa9 & mis]y rema9+ on ! e>? :i* we h left4 ,b ?is sorr[1 aft] all1 w\ld be b "o aspect & an insignificant phase ( ! sorr[ ( be+ p[]less & ( n und]/&+4 ,z = ! latt]1 ?\gh x is n only beyond ! doma9 ( our intellig5ce1 b ev5 at an insup]able di/ance f our imag9ation1 we may say t x w\ld be intol]able only if x 7 )\t hope4 ,b1 = t1 ! univ]se w\ld h to ab&on any attempt to und]/& itself1 or else admit )9 itself an object t rema9$ = ev] =eign to x4 ,ei!r ! m9d w n p]ceive its limits &1 consequ5tly1 w n suff] f !m1 or else x w ov]/ep !m z x p]ceives !m2 = h[ c\ld ! univ]se h p>ts et]nally condemn$ to =m no "p ( itself & ( its k8 ,h5ce we _c und]/& t ! torture ( n und]/&+1 suppos+ x to exi/ = a mom5t1 %\ld n end by absorption 9 ! /ate ( inf9ity1 :i*1 if x be n happ9ess z we compreh5d x1 c\ld be naught b an indiff]5ce high] & pur] ?an joy4 ,,*apt] ,x ,,! ,,two ,,aspects ,,( ,,inf9ity #a ,let u turn our ?\ghts t[>ds x4 ,! problem goes beyond humanity & embraces all ?+s4 ,x is possible1 ,i ?9k1 to view inf9ity "u two di/9ct aspects4 ,let u contemplate ! fir/ ( !m4 ,we are plung$ 9 a univ]se t has no limits 9 space or "t4 ,x c nei!r g =w>d nor g back4 ,x has no orig94 ,x nev] began1 nor w x ev] end4 ,! myriads ( ye>s beh9d x are ev5 z ! myriads :i* x has yet to unroll4 ,f all "t x has be5 at ! b\ndless c5tre ( ! days4 ,x c\ld h no aim1 =1 if x _h "o1 x w\ld h atta9$ x 9 ! inf9ity ( ! ye>s t lie beh9d u2 besides1 t aim w\ld be outside itself &1 if !re 7 any?+ outside x1 x w\ld be b\nd$ by t ?+ & w\ld cease to be inf9ity4 ,x is n mak+ = any:]e1 = x w\ld h arriv$ !re2 consequ5tly1 all t ! worlds )9 its pale1 all t we ourselves d c h no influ5ce ^u x4 ,all t x w d x has done4 ,all t x has n done rema9s undone because x c nev] d x4 ,if x h no m9d1 x w nev] h "o4 ,if x h "o1 t m9d has be5 at its climax f all "t & w rema9 !re1 *angeless & immovable4 ,x is z "y z x has ev] be5 & z old z x w ev] be4 ,x has made 9 ! pa/ all ! ef=ts & all ! trials :i* x w make 9 ! future2 &1 z all ! possible comb9ations h be5 exhau/$ s9ce :at we _c ev5 call ! beg9n+1 x does n seem z if t :i* has n tak5 place 9 ! et]nity t /ret*es be=e our bir? c happ5 9 ! et]nity t w foll[ our dea?4 ,if x h n become consci\s1 x w nev] become consci\s2 if x "k n :at x wi%es1 x w cont9ue 9 ignorance1 hopelessly1 kn[+ all or kn[+ no?+ & rema9+ z ne> its end z its beg9n+4 ,?is is ! gloomie/ ?\ght to :i* man c atta94 ,s f>1 ,i d n ?9k t its dep?s h be5 suffici5tly s\nd$4 ,if x 7 really irrefutable--& "s may cont5d t x is--if x actually conta9$ ! la/ ^w ( ! great riddle1 x w\ld be almo/ impossible to live 9 its %ad[4 ,naught save ! c]ta9ty t our conceptions ( "t & space are illusive & absurd c light5 ! abyss :]e9 our la/ hope w\ld p]i%4 #b ,?is univ]se ?us conceiv$ w\ld be1 if n intelligible1 at lea/ admissible by our reason2 b 9 t univ]se float billions ( worlds limit$ by space & "t4 ,!y are born1 !y die & !y are born aga94 ,!y =m "p ( ! :ole2 & we see1 !re=e1 t p>ts ( t :i* has nei!r beg9n+ nor end !mselves beg9 & end4 ,we1 9 fact1 "k only ^? p>ts2 & !y are ( a numb] s inf9ite t 9 our eyes !y fill all inf9ity4 ,t :i* is go+ n[h]e teems ) t :i* appe>s to be go+ some:]e4 ,t :i* has always kn[n :at x wants1 or w nev] le>n1 seems to be et]nally exp]im5t+ ) m or less ill-success4 ,at :at goal is x aim+1 s9ce x is already !re8 ,ev]y?+ t we discov] 9 t :i* c\ld n possibly h an object looks z ?\gh x 7 pursu+ "o ) inconceivable ard\r2 & ! m9d t animates :at we see 9 t :i* %\ld "k ev]y?+ & possess itself seems to "k no?+ & to seek itself )\t int]mission4 ,?us all t is app>5t to our s5ses 9 inf9ity ga9says t :i* our reason is compell$ to ascribe to x4 ,accord+ z we fa?om x1 we come to und]/& h[ deep is our want ( und]/&+2 &1 ! m we /rive to p5etrate ! two incompreh5sible problems t /& face to face1 ! m !y contradict ea* o!r4 #c ,:at w become ( u amid all ?is confusion8 ,%all we leave ! f9ite :]e9 we dwell to be swall[$ up 9 ?is or ! o!r inf9ite8 ,9 o!r words1 %all we end by absorption 9 ! inf9ite :i* our reason conceives1 or %all we rema9 et]nally 9 t :i* our eyes behold1 t is to say1 9 numb]less *ang+ & ephem]al worlds8 ,%all we nev] leave ^? worlds :i* seem doom$ to die & to be reborn et]nally1 to ent] at la/ into t :i*1 f all et]nity1 c nei!r h be5 born nor h di$ & :i* exi/s )\t ei!r future or pa/8 ,%all we "o day escape1 ) all t surr\nds u1 f ?is unhappy speculation1 to f9d our way at la/ into peace1 wisdom1 *angeless & b\ndless consci\sness1 or into hopeless unconsci\sness8 ,%all we h ! fate :i* our s5ses =etell1 or t :i* our intellig5ce dem&s8 ,or are bo? s5ses & intellig5ce only illusions1 puny implem5ts1 va9 weapons ( an h\r1 :i* we nev] int5d$ to exam9e or defy ! univ]se8 ,if !re really be a contradiction1 is x wise to accept x & to deem impossible t :i* we d n und]/&1 see+ t we und]/& almo/ no?+8 ,is tru? n at an immeasurable di/ance f ^! inconsi/5cies :i* appe> to u enorm\s & irr$ucible & :i*1 d\btless1 are ( no m importance ?an ! ra9 t falls ^u ! sea8 #d ,b1 ev5 to our poor und]/&+ to-day1 ! discrepancy betwe5 ! inf9ity conceiv$ by our reason & t p]ceiv$ by our s5ses is p]haps m app>5t ?an real4 ,:5 we say t1 9 a univ]se t has exi/$ s9ce all et]nity1 e exp]im5t1 e possible comb9ation has be5 made2 :5 we decl>e t !re is no *ance t :at has n tak5 place 9 ! unc\ntable pa/ c take place 9 ! unc\ntable future1 our imag9ation p]haps attributes to ! inf9ity ( "t a prepond]ance :i* x _c possess4 ,9 tru?1 all t inf9ity conta9s mu/ be z inf9ite z ! "t at its disposal2 & ! *ances1 enc\nt]s & comb9ations t lie !re9 h n be5 exhau/$ 9 ! et]nity t has gone be=e u any m ?an !y c\ld be 9 ! et]nity t w come aft] u4 ,! inf9ity ( "t is no va/] ?an ! inf9ity ( ! sub/ance ( ! univ]se4 ,ev5ts1 =ces1 *ances1 causes1 effects1 ph5om5a1 fusions1 comb9ations1 co9cid5ces1 h>monies1 unions1 possibilities1 lives are repres5t$ 9 x by innum]\s numb]s t entirely fill a bottomless & v]geless abyss :]e !y h be5 %ak5 toge!r f :at we call ! beg9n+ ( ! _w t _h no beg9n+ & :]e !y w be /irr$ up until ! end ( a _w t w h no end4 ,!re is1 !re=e1 no climax1 no *angelessness1 no immovability4 ,x is probable t ! univ]se is seek+ & f9d+ itself e day1 t x has n become entirely consci\s & does n yet "k :at x wants4 ,x is possible t its ideal is /ill veil$ by ! %ad[ ( its imm5sity2 x is also possible t exp]im5ts & *ances are foll[+ "o ^u ! o!r 9 unimag9able worlds1 comp>$ :]e) all ^? :i* we see on />ry nights are no m ?an a p9* ( gold-du/ 9 ! ocean dep?s4 ,la/ly1 if ei!r be true1 x is also true t we ourselves1 or :at rema9s ( u--x matt]s n--w pr(it "o day by ^? exp]im5ts & ^? *ances4 ,t :i* has n yet happ5$ may sudd5ly sup]v5e2 & ! next /ate1 ) ! supreme wisdom :i* w recognize & be able to e/abli% t /ate1 is p]haps ready to arise f ! cla% ( circum/ances4 ,x w\ld n be at all a/oni%+ if ! consci\sness ( ! univ]se1 9 ! endeav\r to =m itself1 _h n yet enc\nt]$ ! comb9ation ( necess>y *ances & if human ?\ght 7 actually support+ "o ( ^? decisive *ances4 ,"h !re is a hope4 ,small z man & 8 bra9 may appe>1 !y h exactly ! value ( ! mo/ enorm\s =ces t !y are able to conceive1 s9ce !re is nei!r great nor small 9 ! immeasurable2 &1 if our body equall$ ! dim5sions ( all ! worlds :i* our eyes c see1 x w\ld h exactly ! same weight & ! same importance z comp>$ ) ! univ]se t x has to-day4 ,! m9d alone p]haps occupies 9 inf9ity a space :i* comp>isons d n r$uce to no?+4 #e ,= ! re/1 if ev]y?+ mu/ be said1 at ! co/ ( con/antly & %amelessly contradict+ "o's self 9 ! d>k1 & to return to ! fir/ supposition1 ! idea ( possible progress1 x is extremely probable t ?is aga9 is "o ( ^? *ildi% disord]s ( our bra9 :i* prev5t u f see+ ! ?+ t is4 ,x is q z probable1 z we h se5 above1 t !re nev] 01 t !re nev] w be any progress1 because !re c\ld n be a goal4 ,at mo/ !re may occur a few ephem]al comb9ations :i*1 to our poor eyes1 w seem happi] or m beautiful ?an o!rs4 ,ev5 s we ?9k gold m beautiful ?an ! mud 9 ! /reet1 or ! fl[] 9 a spl5did g>d5 happi] ?an ! /one at ! bottom ( a dra92 b all ?is1 obvi\sly1 is ( no importance1 has no correspond+ reality & proves no?+ 9 p>ticul>4 ,! m we reflect ^u x1 ! m pron\nc$ is ! infirmity ( our intellig5ce :i* _c succe$ 9 reconcil+ ! idea ( progress & ev5 ! idea ( exp]im5t ) ! supreme idea ( inf9ity4 ,al?\gh nature has be5 incessantly & indefatigably repeat+ h]self be=e our eyes = ?\s&s ( ye>s1 reproduc+ ! same trees & ! same animals1 we _c contrive to und]/& :y ! univ]se indef9itely recomm5ces exp]im5ts t h be5 made billions ( times4 ,x is inevitable t1 9 ! innum]able comb9ations t h be5 & are be+ made 9 t]mless "t & b\ndless space1 !re h be5 & /ill are millions ( planets & consequ5tly millions ( human races exactly simil> to our own1 side by side ) myriads ( o!rs m or less diff]5t f x4 ,let u n say to ourselves t x w\ld require an unimag9able conc\rse ( circum/ances to reproduce a globe l to our e>? 9 e respect4 ,we mu/ rememb] t we are 9 ! inf9ite & t ?is unimag9able conc\rse mu/ necess>ily take place 9 ! innum]\sness :i* we are unable to imag9e4 ,?\gh x ne$ billions & billions ( cases = two features to co9cide1 ^? billions & billions w encumb] inf9ity no m ?an w\ld a s+le case4 ,place an inf9ite numb] ( worlds 9 an inf9ite numb] ( inf9itely div]se circum/ances3 !re w always be an inf9ite numb] = :i* ^? circum/ances w be alike2 if n1 we %\ld be sett+ b\nds to our idea ( ! univ]se1 :i* w\ld =?) become m incompreh5sible /ill4 ,f ! mom5t t we insi/ suffici5tly ^u t ?\ght1 we necess>ily arrive at ^! conclusions4 ,if !y h n /ruck u hi!rto1 x is because we nev] g to ! f>!/ po9t ( our imag9ation4 ,n[ ! f>!/ po9t ( our imag9ation is b ! beg9n+ ( reality & gives u only a small1 purely human univ]se1 :i*1 va/ z x may seem1 dances 9 ! real univ]se l an apple on ! sea4 ,i repeat1 if we d n admit t ?\s&s ( worlds1 simil> 9 all po9ts to our own1 9 spite ( ! billions ( adv]se *ances1 h always exi/$ & /ill exi/ to-day1 we are sapp+ ! f\ndations ( ! only possible conception ( ! univ]se or ( inf9ity4 #f ,n[ h[ is x t ^? millions ( exactly simil> human races1 :i* f all "t suff] :at we h suff]$ & are /ill suff]+1 pr(it u no?+1 t all _! exp]i5ces & all _! s*ools h _h no influ5ce ^u our fir/ ef=ts & t ev]y?+ has to be done aga9 & begun aga9 incessantly8 ,z we see1 ! two !ories balance ea* o!r4 ,x is well to acquire by degrees ! habit ( und]/&+ no?+4 ,!re rema9s to u ! faculty ( *oos+ ! less gloomy ( ! two or p]suad+ ourselves t ! mi/s ( ! o!r exi/ only 9 our bra94 ,z t /range vision>y1 ,william ,blake1 said3 8,nor is x possible to ?\ght ,a great] ?an itself to "k40 ,let u add t x is n possible = x to "k any?+ o!r ?an itself4 ,:at we d n "k w\ld be en\gh to create ! _w afre%2 & :at we d "k _c add "o mom5t to ! life ( a fly4 ,:o c tell b t our *ief mi/ake lies 9 believ+ t an intellig5ce1 7 x an intellig5ce ?\s&s ( times z great z ours1 directs ! univ]se8 ,x may be a =ce ( q ano!r nature1 a =ce t diff]s z widely f t on :i* our bra9 prides itself z electricity1 = in/ance1 diff]s f ! w9d t bl[s4 ,t is :y x is fairly probable t our m9d1 h[ev] p[]ful x become1 w always grope 9 my/]y4 ,if x be c]ta9 t ev]y?+ 9 u mu/ also be 9 nature1 because ev]y?+ comes to u f h]1 if ! m9d & all ! logic :i* x has plac$ at ! culm9at+ po9t ( our be+ direct or seem to direct all ! actions ( our life1 x by no means foll[s t !re is n 9 ! univ]se a =ce greatly sup]ior to ?\ght1 a =ce hav+ no imag9able relation to ! m9d1 a =ce :i* animates & gov]ns all ?+s accord+ to o!r laws & ( :i* no?+ is f\nd 9 u b almo/ imp]ceptible traces1 ev5 z almo/ imp]ceptible traces ( ?\ght are all t c be f\nd 9 plants & m9]als4 ,9 any case1 !re is no?+ "h to make u lose c\rage4 ,x is necess>ily ! human illusion ( evil1 ugl9ess1 uselessness & impossibility t is to blame4 ,we mu/ wait n = ! univ]se to be trans=m$1 b = our intellig5ce to exp& or to take "p 9 ! o!r =ce2 & we mu/ ma9ta9 our confid5ce 9 a _w :i* kn[s no?+ ( our conceptions ( purpose & progress1 because x d\btless has ideas :]e( we h no idea1 a _w1 moreov]1 :i* c\ld sc>cely wi% itself h>m4 #g 8,^! are b va9 speculations10 x w be said4 8,:at matt]s1 aft] all1 ! idea :i* we =m ( ^? ?+s :i* belong to ! unkn[able1 see+ t ! unkn[able1 7 we a ?\s& times z intellig5t z we are1 is clos$ to u = ev] & t ! idea :i* we =m ( x w nev] h any value80 ,t is true2 b !re are degrees 9 our ignorance ( ! unkn[able2 & ea* ( ^? degrees m>ks a triumph ( ! intellig5ce4 ,to e/imate m & m completely ! ext5t ( :at x does n "k is all t man's k c hope =4 ,our idea ( ! unkn[able 0 & always w be valueless1 ,i admit2 b x nev]!less is & w rema9 ! mo/ important idea ( mank9d4 ,all our morality1 all t is 9 ! highe/ degree noble & pr(\nd 9 our exi/5ce has always be5 bas$ on ?is idea devoid ( real value4 ,to-day1 z ye/]day1 ev5 ?\gh x be possible to recognize m cle>ly t x is too incomplete & relative ev] to h any actual value1 x is necess>y to c>ry x z high & z f> z we c4 ,x alone creates ! only atmosph]e :]e9 ! be/ "p ( ourselves c live4 ,yes1 x is ! unkn[able into :i* we %all n ent]2 b t is no reason = say+ to ourselves3 8,i am clos+ all ! doors & all ! w9d[s2 h5ce=?1 ,i %all int]e/ myself only 9 ?+s :i* my ev]yday intellig5ce c compass4 ,^? ?+s alone h ! "r to influ5ce my actions & my ?\ghts40 ,:]e %\ld we arrive at t rate8 ,:at ?+s c my intellig5ce compass8 ,is !re a ?+ 9 ?is _w t c be sep>at$ f ! inconceivable8 ,s9ce !re is no means ( elim9at+ t inconceivable1 x is reasonable & salut>y to make ! be/ ( x & !re=e to imag9e x z /up5d\sly va/ z we are able4 ,! grave/ reproa* t c be br\ght aga9/ ! positive religions & notably aga9/ ,*ri/ianity is t !y h too (t51 if n 9 !ory1 at lea/ 9 practice1 enc\rag$ su* a n>r[+ ( ! my/]y ( ! univ]se4 ,by broad5+ x1 we broad5 ! space :]e9 our m9d w move4 ,x is = u :at we make x3 let u !n =m x ( all t we c rea* on ! horizon ( ourselves4 ,z = ! my/]y itself1 we %all1 ( c\rse1 nev] rea* x2 b we h a mu* great] *ance ( approa*+ x by fac+ x & go+ :i!r x draws u ?an by turn+ our backs ^u x & return+ to t place :]e we well "k t x no long] is4 ,n by dim9i%+ our ?\ghts %all we dim9i% ! di/ance t sep>ates u f ! ultimate tru?s2 b by enl>g+ !m z mu* z possible we are sure ( deceiv+ ourselves z little z possible4 ,& ! l(ti] our idea ( ! inf9ite1 ! m buoyant & ! pur] becomes ! spiritual atmosph]e :]e9 we live & ! wid] & deep] ! horizon aga9/ :i* our ?\ghts & feel+s /& out1 ! horizon :i* is all _! life & :i* !y inspire4 8,p]petually to con/ruct ideas requir+ ! utmo/ /ret* ( our faculties10 wrote ,h]b]t ,sp5c]1 8& p]petually to f9d t su* ideas mu/ be ab&on$ z futile imag9ations1 may realize to u m fully ?an any o!r c\rse1 ! greatness ( t :i* we va9ly /rive to grasp4444 ,by cont9ually seek+ to "k & be+ cont9ually ?r[n back ) a deep5$ conviction ( ! impossibility ( kn[+1 we may keep alive ! consci\sness t x is alike our highe/ wisdom & our highe/ duty to reg>d t ?r\gh :i* all ?+s exi/ z ! ,unkn[able40 #h ,:atev] ! ultimate tru? may be1 :e!r we admit ! ab/ract1 absolute & p]fect inf9ity--! *angeless1 immovable inf9ity :i* has atta9$ p]fection & :i* kn[s ev]y?+1 to :i* our reason t5ds--or :e!r we pref] t (f]$ to u by ! evid5ce1 und5iable "h bel[1 ( our s5ses--! inf9ity :i* seeks itself1 :i* is /ill evolv+ & n yet e/abli%$--x behoves u above all to =esee 9 x our fate1 :i*1 = t matt]1 mu/1 9 ei!r case1 end by absorption 9 t v inf9ity4 ,,*apt] ,,xi ,,our ,,fate ,,9 ,,^? ,,inf9ities #a ,! fir/ inf9ity1 ! ideal inf9ity1 corresponds mo/ ne>ly ) ! requirem5ts ( our reason1 :i* is n a reason = giv+ x ! pref]5ce4 ,x is impossible = u to =esee :at we %all become 9 x1 because x seems to exclude any becom+4 ,x !re=e b rema9s = u to address ourselves to ! second1 to t :i* we see & imag9e 9 "t & space4 ,fur!rmore1 x is possible t x may prec$e ! o!r4 ,h[ev] absolute our conception ( ! univ]se1 we h se5 t we c always admit t :at has n tak5 place 9 ! et]nity be=e u w happ5 9 ! et]nity aft] u & t !re is no?+ save an untold numb] ( *ances to prev5t ! univ]se f acquir+ 9 ! end t p]fect consci\sness :i* w e/abli% x at its z5i?4 #b ,behold u1 !n1 9 ! inf9ity ( ^? worlds1 ! /ell> inf9ity1 ! inf9ity ( ! heav5s1 :i* assur$ly veils o!r ?+s f our eyes1 b :i* _c be a total illusion4 ,x seems to u to be peopl$ only ) objects--planets1 suns1 />s1 nebul1 atoms1 impond]\s fluids--:i* move1 unite & sep>ate1 repel & attract "o ano!r1 :i* %r9k & exp&1 are = ev] %ift+ & nev] arrive1 :i* measure space 9 t :i* has no conf9es & numb] ! h\rs 9 t :i* has no t]m4 ,9 a ^w1 we are 9 an inf9ity t seems to h almo/ ! same "* & ! same habits z t p[] 9 ! mid/ ( :i* we brea! & :i*1 ^u our e>?1 we call nature or life4 ,:at w be our fate 9 t inf9ity8 ,we are ask+ ourselves no idle "q1 ev5 if we %\ld unite ) x aft] los+ all consci\sness1 all notion ( ! ego1 ev5 if we %\ld exi/ !re z no m ?an a little nameless sub/ance--s\l or matt]1 we _c tell--susp5d$ 9 ! equally nameless abyss t replaces "t & space4 ,x is n an idle "q1 = x conc]ns ! hi/ory ( ! worlds or ( ! univ]se2 & ?is hi/ory1 f> m ?an t ( our petty exi/5ce1 is our own great hi/ory1 9 :i* p]haps some?+ ( ourselves or some?+ incomp>ably bett] & va/] w end by meet+ u aga9 "s day4 #c ,%all we be unhappy !re8 ,x is h>dly reassur+ :5 we consid] ! ways ( nature & rememb] t we =m "p ( a univ]se t has n yet ga!r$ its wisdom4 ,we h se51 x is true1 t good & bad =tune exi/ only 9 s f> z reg>ds our body & t1 :5 we h lo/ ! organ ( suff]+1 we %all n meet any ( ! e>?ly sorr[s aga94 ,b our anxiety does n end "h2 & w n our m9d1 l+]+ ^u our er/:ile sorr[s1 drift+ d]elict f _w to _w1 unkn[n to itself 9 an unkn[able t seeks itself hopelessly1 w n our m9d "k "h ! frightful torture ( :i* we h already spok5 & :i* is d\btless ! la/ t imag9ation c t\* ) its w+8 ,f9ally1 if !re 7 no?+ left ( our body & our m9d1 !re w\ld /ill rema9 ! matt] & ! _s 7or1 at lea/1 ! obvi\sly s+le =ce to :i* we give t d\ble "n7 :i* compos$ !m & ^: fate mu/ be no m indiff]5t to u ?an our own fate2 =1 let u repeat1 f our dea? onw>ds1 ! adv5ture ( ! univ]se becomes our own adv5ture4 ,let u n1 !re=e1 say to ourselves3 8,:at c x matt]8 ,we %all n be !re40 ,we %all be !re always1 because ev]y?+ w be !re4 #d ,& w ?is ev]y?+ :]e9 we %all be includ$1 9 a _w ev] seek+ itself1 cont9ue a prey to new & p]petual & p]haps pa9ful exp]i5ces8 ,s9ce ! "p t we 7 0 unhappy1 :y %\ld ! "p t we %all be enjoy a bett] =tune8 ,:o c assure u t yond] un5d+ comb9ations & endeav\rs w n be m sorr[ful1 m /upid & m baneful ?an ^? :i* we are leav+2 & h[ %all we expla9 t ^! h come ab\t aft] s _m millions ( o!rs :i* ought to h op5$ ! eyes ( ! g5ius ( inf9ity8 ,x is idle to p]suade ourselves1 z ,h9du wisdom w\ld1 t our sorr[s are b illusions & appe>ances3 x is none ! less true t !y make u v really unhappy4 ,has ! univ]se else:]e a m complete consci\sness1 a m j & s]5e und]/&+ ?an on ?is e>? & 9 ! worlds :i* we disc]n8 ,&1 if x be true t x has some:]e atta9$ t bett] und]/&+1 :y does ! m9d t presides ov] ! de/9ies ( our e>? n pr(it by x8 ,is no communication possible betwe5 worlds :i* mu/ h be5 born ( ! same idea & :i* lie 9 its dep?s8 ,:at w\ld be ! my/]y ( t isolation8 ,are we to believe t ! e>? m>ks ! f>!/ /age & ! mo/ successful exp]im5t8 ,:at1 !n1 c ! m9d ( ! univ]se h done & aga9/ :at d>kness mu/ x h /ruggl$1 to h come only to ?is8 ,b1 on ! o!r h&1 t d>kness & ^? b>ri]s :i* c h come only f itself1 s9ce !y c\ld h aris5 no else:]e1 h !y ! p[] to /ay its progress8 ,:o !n c\ld h set ^? insoluble problems to inf9ity & f :at m remote & pr(\nd region ?an itself c\ld !y h issu$8 ,"s "o1 aft] all1 mu/ "k ! answ] to !m2 &1 z beh9d inf9ity !re c be none t is n inf9ity itself1 x is impossible to imag9e a malignant w 9 a w t leaves no po9t ar\nd x :i* is n :olly cov]$4 ,or are ! exp]im5ts begun 9 ! />s cont9u$ me*anically1 by virtue ( ! =ce acquir$1 )\t reg>d to _! uselessness & _! pitiful consequ5ces1 accord+ to ! cu/om ( nature1 :o kn[s no?+ ( our p>simony & squ&]s ! suns 9 space z %e does ! se$ on e>?1 kn[+ t no?+ c be lo/8 ,or1 aga91 is ! :ole "q ( our peace & happ9ess1 l t ( ! fate ( ! worlds1 r$uc$ to kn[+ :e!r or n ! inf9ity ( endeav\rs & comb9ations be equal to t ( et]nity8 ,or1 la/ly1 to come to :at is mo/ likely1 is x we :o deceive ourselves1 :o "k no?+1 :o see no?+ & :o consid] imp]fect t :i* is p]haps faultless1 we1 :o are b an inf9itesimal fragm5t ( ! intellig5ce :i* we judge by ! aid ( ! little %r$s ( und]/&+ :i* x has v\*saf$ to l5d u8 #e ,h[ c\ld we reply1 h[ c\ld our ?\ghts & glances p5etrate ! inf9ite & ! invisible1 we :o d n und]/& nor ev5 see ! ?+ by :i* we see & :i* is ! s\rce ( all our ?\ghts8 ,9 fact1 z has be5 v ju/ly obs]v$1 man does n see light itself4 ,he sees only matt]1 or r ! small "p ( ! great worlds :i* he kn[s by ! "n ( matt]1 t\*$ by light4 ,he does n p]ceive ! imm5se rays t cross ! heav5s save at ! mom5t :5 !y are /opp$ by an object ak9 to ^? ) :i* 8 eye is famili> ^u ?is e>?3 7 x o!rwise1 ! :ole space fill$ ) innum]able suns & b\ndless =ces1 in/ead ( be+ an abyss ( absolute d>kness1 absorb+ & ext+ui%+ p5cils ( light t %oot across x f e side1 w\ld be b a mon/r\s & unbe>able ocean ( fla%es4 ,&1 if we d n see ! light1 at lea/ we ?9k we "k a few ( its rays or its reflexions2 b we are absolutely ignorant ( t :i* is unque/ionably ! ess5tial law ( ! univ]se1 namely1 gravitation4 ,:at is t =ce1 ! mo/ p[]ful ( all & ! lea/ visible1 imp]ceptible to our s5ses1 )\t =m1 )\t col\r1 )\t temp]ature1 )\t sub/ance1 )\t sav\r & )\t voice1 b s awful t x susp5ds & moves 9 space all ! worlds :i* we see & all ^? :i* we %all nev] "k8 ,m rapid1 m subtle1 m incorporeal ?an ?\ght1 x wields su* sway ov] ev]y?+ t exi/s1 f ! inf9itely great to ! inf9itely small1 t !re is n a gra9 ( s& ^u our e>? nor a drop ( blood 9 our ve9s b are p5etrat$1 wr\ght ^u & quick5$ by x until !y act at e mom5t ^u ! f>!/ planet ( ! la/ sol> sy/em t we /ruggle to imag9e beyond ! b\nds ( our imag9ation4 ,%akspe>e's fam\s l9es1 8,!re are m ?+s 9 heav5 & e>?1 ,horatio1 ,?an are dreamt ( 9 y\r philosophy10 h long s9ce become utt]ly inadequate4 ,!re are no long] m ?+s ?an our philosophy c dream ( or imag9e3 !re is none b ?+s :i* x _c dream (1 !re is no?+ b ! unimag9able2 &1 if we d n ev5 see ! light1 :i* is ! "o ?+ t we believ$ we saw1 x may be said t !re is no?+ all ar\nd u b ! invisible4 ,we move 9 ! illusion ( see+ & kn[+ t :i* is /rictly indisp5sable to our little lives4 ,z = all ! re/1 :i* is well-nigh ev]y?+1 our organs n only deb> u f rea*+1 see+ or feel+ x1 b ev5 re/ra9 u f suspect+ :at x is1 j z !y w\ld prev5t u f und]/&+ x1 if an intellig5ce ( a diff]5t ord] 7 to be?9k itself ( reveal+ or expla9+ x to u4 ,! numb] & volume ( ^? my/]ies is z b\ndless z ! univ]se itself4 ,if mank9d 7 "o day to draw ne> to ^? :i* to-day x deems ! greate/ & ! mo/ inaccessible1 su* z ! orig9 & ! aim ( life1 x w\ld at once behold ris+ up beh9d !m1 l et]nal m\nta9s1 o!rs q z great & q z unfa?omable2 & s on1 )\t end4 ,9 relation to t :i* x w\ld h to "k 9 ord] to hold ! key to ?is _w1 x w\ld always f9d itself at ! same po9t ( c5tral ignorance4 ,x w\ld be j ! same if we possess$ an intellig5ce sev]al million times great] & m p5etrat+ ?an ours4 ,all t its miracul\sly increas$ p[] c\ld discov] w\ld enc\nt] limits no less impassable ?an at pres5t4 ,all is b\ndless 9 t :i* has no b\nds4 ,we %all be ! et]nal prison]s ( ! univ]se4 ,x is !re=e impossible = u to appreciate 9 any degree :atsoev]1 9 ! smalle/ conceivable respect1 ! pres5t /ate ( ! univ]se & to say1 z long z we are m51 :e!r x foll[s a /raight l9e or describes an imm5se circle1 :e!r x is gr[+ wis] or madd]1 :e!r x is advanc+ t[>ds ! et]nity :i* has no end or retrac+ its /eps t[>ds t :i* _h no beg9n+4 ,our sole privilege )9 our t9y conf9es is to /ruggle t[>ds t :i* appe>s to u ! be/ & to rema9 h]oically p]suad$ t no "p ( :at we d )9 ^? conf9es c ev] be :olly lo/4 #f ,b let n all ^! insoluble que/ions drive u t[>ds fe>4 ,f ! po9t ( view ( our future beyond ! grave1 x is 9 no way necess>y t we %\ld h an answ] to ev]y?+4 ,:e!r ! univ]se h already f\nd its consci\sness1 :e!r x f9d x "o day or seek x ev]la/+ly1 x c\ld n exi/ = ! purpose ( be+ unhappy & ( suff]+1 nei!r 9 its entirety1 nor 9 any "o ( its p>ts2 & x matt]s little if ! latt] be invisible or incomm5surable1 consid]+ t ! smalle/ is z great z ! greate/ 9 :at has nei!r limit nor measure4 ,to torture a po9t is ! same ?+ z to torture ! worlds2 &1 if x torture ! worlds1 x is its own sub/ance t x tortures4 ,its v fate1 :]e9 we h our "p1 protects u2 = we are simply morsels ( inf9ity4 ,x is insep>able f u z we are insep>able f x4 ,its brea? is our brea?1 its aim is our aim & we be> )9 u all its my/]ies4 ,we p>ticipate 9 x ev]y:]e4 ,!re is naught 9 u t escapes x2 !re is naught 9 x b belongs to u4 ,x ext5ds u1 fills u1 trav]ses u on e side4 ,9 space & "t & 9 t :i*1 beyond space & "t1 has z yet no "n1 we repres5t x & summ>ize x completely1 ) all its prop]ties & all its future2 &1 if its imm5sity t]rifies u1 we are z t]rify+ z itself4 ,if1 !re=e1 we _h to suff] 9 x1 our suff]+s c\ld be b ephem]al2 & no?+ matt]s t is n et]nal4 ,x is possible1 al?\gh some:at incompreh5sible1 t p>ts %\ld err & g a/ray2 b x is impossible t sorr[ %\ld be "o ( its la/+ & necess>y laws2 = x w\ld h br\ght t law to be> aga9/ itself4 ,9 l mann]1 ! univ]se is & mu/ be its own law & its sole ma/]3 if n1 ! law or ! ma/] :om x mu/ obey w\ld be ! univ]se alone2 & ! c5tre ( a ^w :i* we pron\nce )\t be+ able to grasp its scope w\ld be simply %ift$4 ,if x be unhappy1 t means t x wills its own unhapp9ess2 if x w its unhapp9ess1 x is mad2 &1 if x appe> to u mad1 t means t our reason works contr>y to ev]y?+ & to ! only laws possible1 see+ t !y are et]nal1 or1 to speak m humbly1 t x judges :at x :olly fails to und]/&4 #g ,ev]y?+1 !re=e1 mu/ end1 or p]haps already be1 if n 9 a /ate ( happ9ess1 at lea/ 9 a /ate exempt f all suff]+1 all anxiety1 all la/+ unhapp9ess2 & :at1 aft] all1 is our happ9ess ^u ?is e>?1 if x be n ! abs5ce ( sorr[1 anxiety & unhapp9ess8 ,b x is *ildi% to talk ( happ9ess & unhapp9ess :]e inf9ity is 9 "q4 ,! idea :i* we ent]ta9 ( happ9ess & unhapp9ess is some?+ s special1 s human1 s fragile t x does n exce$ our /ature & falls to du/ z soon z we take x out ( its little sph]e4 ,x proce$s entirely f a few cont+5cies ( our n]ves1 :i* are made to appreciate v slight happ5+s1 b :i* c\ld z easily h felt ev]y?+ ! opposite way & tak5 pleasure 9 t :i* is n[ pa94 ,i d n "k if my read]s rememb] ! /rik+ passage 9 :i* ,sir ,william ,crookes %[s h[ well-nigh all t we consid] z ess5tial laws ( nature w\ld be falsifi$ 9 ! eyes ( a microscopic man1 :ile =ces ( :i* we are almo/ :olly ignorant1 su* z surface-t5sion1 capill>ity1 ! ,br[nian movem5ts1 w\ld prepond]ate4 ,walk+ on a cabbage-leaf1 = in/ance1 aft] ! dew _h fall51 & see+ x /udd$ ) huge cry/al globes1 he w\ld inf] t wat] 0 a solid body :i* assumes sph]ical =m & rises 9 ! air4 ,at no great di/ance1 he might come to a pond1 :5 he w\ld obs]ve t ?is same matt]1 in/ead ( ris+ upw>ds1 n[ seems to slope d[nw>ds 9 a va/ curve f ! br9k4 ,if he manag$1 ) ! aid ( 8 fri5ds1 to ?r[ into ! wat] "o ( ^? enorm\s /eel b>s :i* we call ne$les1 he w\ld see t x made a sort ( concave tr\gh on ! surface & float$ tranquilly4 ,f ^! exp]im5ts & a ?\s& o!rs :i* he might make1 he w\ld naturally d$uce !ories diametrically oppos$ to ^? ^u :i* our entire exi/5ce is bas$4 ,x w\ld be ! same if ! *anges 7 made 9 ! direction ( "t1 to take an hypo!sis imag9$ by ! philosoph] ,william ,james3 8,suppose we 7 able1 )9 ! l5g? ( a second1 to note di/9ctly t5 ?\s& ev5ts in/ead ( b>ely t51 z n[2 if our life 7 !n de/9$ to hold ! same numb] ( impressions x might be a ?\s& times z %ort4 ,we %\ld live less ?an a mon?1 & p]sonally "k no?+ ( ! *ange ( seasons4 ,if born 9 w9t]1 we %\ld believe 9 summ] z we n[ believe 9 ! heats ( ! c>bonif]\s era4 ,! motions ( organic be+s w\ld be s sl[ to our s5ses z to be inf]r$1 n se54 ,! sun w\ld /& /ill 9 ! sky1 ! moon be almo/ free f *ange & s on4 ,b n[ rev]se ! hypo!sis1 & suppose a be+ to get only "o ?\s&? "p ( ! s5sations t we get 9 a giv5 "t1 & consequ5tly to live a ?\s& times z long4 ,w9t]s & summ]s w be to him l qu>t]s ( an h\r4 ,mu%rooms & ! swift] gr[+ plants w %oot into be+ s rapidly z to appe> in/antane\s creations2 annual %rubs w rise & fall f ! e>? l re/lessly boil+ wat]-spr+s2 ! motions ( animals w be z invisible z are to u ! movem5ts ( bullets & cannon-balls2 ! sun w sc\r ?r\gh ! sky l a meteor1 leav+ a fi]y trail beh9d him1 c4 ,t su* imag9>y cases 7b>r+ ! sup]-human longevity7 may be realiz$ some:]e 9 ! animal k+dom1 x w\ld be ra% to d5y40 #h ,we believe t we see no?+ hang+ ov] u b cata/rophes1 dea?s1 torm5ts & disa/]s2 we %iv] at ! m]e ?\ght ( ! great int]planet>y spaces1 ) _! int5se cold & _! awful & gloomy solitudes2 & we imag9e t ! worlds t revolve ?r\gh space are z unhappy z ourselves because !y freeze1 or disaggregate1 or cla% toge!r1 or are consum$ 9 unutt]able flames4 ,we inf] f ?is t ! g5ius ( ! univ]se is an abom9able tyrant1 seiz$ ) a mon/r\s madness1 delight+ only 9 ! torture ( itself & all t x conta9s4 ,to millions ( />s1 ea* _m ?\s& times l>g] ?an our sun1 to nebul ^: nature & dim5sions no figure1 no ^w 9 our language is able to express1 we attribute our mom5t>y s5sibility1 ! little ephem]al play ( our n]ves2 & we are conv9c$ t life !re mu/ be impossible or appall+1 because we %\ld feel too hot or too cold4 ,x 7 mu* wis] to say to ourselves t x w\ld ne$ b a trifle1 a few papill m or less to our sk91 ! slighte/ modification ( our eyes & e>s1 to turn ! temp]ature ( space1 its sil5ce & its d>kness into a delici\s spr+-"t1 an incomp>able music1 a div9e light4 8,no?+ is too wond]ful to be true10 said ,f>aday4 ,x 7 mu* m reasonable to p]suade ourselves t ! cata/rophes our imag9ation sees !re are life itself1 ! joy & "o or o!r ( ^? imm5se fe/ivals ( m9d & matt] 9 :i* dea?1 ?ru/+ aside at la/ our two enemies1 "t & space1 w soon p]mit u to take "p4 ,ea* _w dissolv+1 ext+ui%$1 crumbl+1 burnt or collid+ ) ano!r _w & pulv]iz$ means ! comm5cem5t ( a magnific5t exp]im5t1 ! dawn ( a m>vell\s hope & p]haps an unexpect$ happ9ess drawn direct f ! inexhau/ible unkn[n4 ,:at ?\gh !y freeze or flame1 collect or disp]se1 pursue or flee "o ano!r3 m9d & matt]1 no long] unit$ by ! same pitiful haz>d t jo9$ !m 9 u1 mu/ rejoice at all t happ5s2 = all is b bir? & rebir?1 a dep>ture into an unkn[n fill$ ) wond]ful promises & maybe an anticipation ( "s ineffable ev5t4 ,,*apt] ,,xii ,,conclusions #a ,9 ord] to reta9 a liveli] image ( all ?is & a m exact memory1 let u give a la/ glance at ! road :i* we h travell$4 ,we h put aside1 = reasons :i* we h /at$1 ! religi\s solutions & total annihilation4 ,annihilation is physically impossible2 ! religi\s solutions occupy a citadel )\t doors or w9d[s into :i* human reason does n p5etrate4 ,next comes ! hypo!sis ( ! survival ( our ego1 releas$ f its body1 b reta9+ a full & unimpair$ consci\sness ( its id5tity4 ,we h se5 t ?is hypo!sis1 /rictly def9$1 has v little likelihood & is n greatly to be desir$1 al?\gh1 ) ! surr5d] ( ! body1 ! s\rce ( all our ills1 x seems less to be fe>$ ?an our actual exi/5ce4 ,on ! o!r h&1 z soon z we try to ext5d or to exalt x1 s t x may appe> less b>b>\s or less crude1 we come back to ! hypo!sis ( a cosmic consci\sness or ( a modifi$ consci\sness1 :i*1 toge!r ) t ( survival )\t any sort ( consci\sness1 closes ! field to e supposition & exhau/s e =eca/ ( ! imag9ation4 ,survival )\t any sort ( consci\sness w\ld be tantam\nt = u to annihilation pure & simple & consequ5tly w\ld be no m dreadful ?an ! latt]1 t is to say1 ?an a sleep ) no dreams & ) no awak5+4 ,! hypo!sis is unque/ionably m acceptable ?an t ( annihilation2 b x prejudges v ra%ly ! que/ions ( a cosmic consci\sness & ( a modifi$ consci\sness4 #b ,be=e reply+ to ^!1 we mu/ *oose our univ]se1 = we h ! *oice4 ,x is a matt] ( kn[+ h[ we propose to look at inf9ity4 ,is x ! moveless1 immovable inf9ity1 f all et]nity p]fect & at its z5i?1 & ! purposeless univ]se t our reason w conceive at ! f>!/ po9t ( our ?\ghts8 ,d we believe t1 at our dea?1 ! illusion ( movem5t & progress :i* we see f ! dep?s ( ?is life w sudd5ly fade away8 ,if s1 x is inevitable t1 at our la/ brea?1 we %all be absorb$ 9 :at1 = lack ( a bett] t]m1 we call ! cosmic consci\sness4 ,are we1 on ! o!r h&1 p]suad$ t dea? w reveal to u t ! illusion lies n 9 our s5ses1 b 9 our reason & t1 9 a _w inconte/ably alive1 despite ! et]nity prec$+ our bir?1 all ! exp]im5ts h n be5 made1 t is to say t movem5t & evolution cont9ue & w nev] & n[h]e /op8 ,9 t case1 we mu/ at once accept ! hypo!sis ( a modifi$ or progressive consci\sness4 ,! two aspects1 aft] all1 are equally un9telligible1 b def5sible2 &1 al?\gh really irreconcilable1 !y agree on "o po9t1 namely1 t un5d+ pa9 & unr$eem$ mis]y are alike exclud$ f !m bo? = ev]4 #c ,! hypo!sis ( a modifi$ consci\sness does n necessitate ! loss ( ! t9y consci\sness acquir$ 9 our body2 b x makes x almo/ negligible1 fl+s1 dr[ns & dissolves x 9 inf9ity4 ,x is ( c\rse impossible to support ?is hypo!sis ) satisfactory pro(s2 b x is n easy to %att] x l ! o!rs4 ,7 x p]missible to speak ( lik5ess to tru? 9 ?is connexion1 :5 our only tru? is t we d n see ! tru?1 x is ! mo/ likely ( ! int]im hypo!ses & gives a magnific5t op5+ = ! mo/ plausible1 ! mo/ v>i$ & ! mo/ allur+ dreams4 ,w our ego1 our s\l1 our _s1 or :atev] we call t :i* w survive u 9 ord] to cont9ue u z we are1 w x f9d aga91 on leav+ ! body1 ! innum]able lives :i* x mu/ h liv$ s9ce ! ?\s&s ( ye>s t _h no beg9n+8 ,w x cont9ue to increase by assimilat+ all t x meets 9 inf9ity dur+ ! ?\s&s ( ye>s t w h no end8 ,w x l+] = a "t ar\nd our e>?1 lead+1 9 regions invisible to our eyes1 an ev] high] & happi] exi/5ce1 z ! !osophi/s & spirituali/s cont5d8 ,w x move t[>ds o!r planet>y sy/ems1 w x emigrate to o!r worlds ^: exi/5ce is n ev5 suspect$ by our s5ses8 ,ev]y?+ seems p]missible 9 ?is great dream1 save t :i* might arre/ its flight4 ,nev]!less1 s soon z x v5tures too f> 9 ! ultramondane spaces1 x cra%es into /range ob/acles & breaks its w+s aga9/ !m4 ,if we admit t our ego does n rema9 et]nally :at x 0 at ! mom5t ( our dea?1 we c no long] imag9e t1 at a giv5 second1 x /ops1 ceases to exp& & rise1 atta9s its p]fection & its fulness1 to become no m ?an a sort ( motionless wreck susp5d$ 9 et]nity & a f9i%$ ?+ 9 ! mid/ ( t :i* w nev] f9i%4 ,t w\ld inde$ be ! only real dea? & ! m fe>ful inasmu* z x w\ld set a limit to an unp>allel$ life & intellig5ce1 beside :i* ^? :i* we possess "h bel[ w\ld n ev5 weigh :at a drop ( wat] weighs :5 comp>$ ) ! ocean1 or a gra9 ( s& :5 plac$ 9 ! scales ) a m\nta9-*a94 ,9 a ^w1 ei!r we believe t our evolution w "o day /op1 imply+ !reby an incompreh5sible end & a sort ( inconceivable dea?2 or we admit t x has no limit1 :]eupon1 be+ inf9ite1 x assumes all ! prop]ties ( inf9ity & mu/ ne$s be lo/ 9 inf9ity & unit$ ) x4 ,?is1 )al1 is ! latt] end ( !osophy1 spiritualism & all ! religions 9 :i* man1 9 8 ultimate happ9ess1 is absorb$ by ,god4 ,& ?is aga9 is an incompreh5sible end1 b at lea/ x is life4 ,& !n1 tak+ "o incompreh5sibility ) ano!r1 aft] do+ all t is humanly possible to und]/& "o or ! o!r riddle1 let u by pref]5ce leap into ! greate/ & !re=e ! mo/ probable1 ! "o :i* conta9s all ! o!rs & aft] :i* no?+ m rema9s4 ,if n1 ! que/ions reappe> at e /age & ! answ]s are always conflict+4 ,& que/ions & answ]s lead u to ! same inevitable abyss4 ,z we %all h to face x soon] or lat]1 :y n make = x /raightway8 ,all t happ5s to u 9 ! int]val int]e/s u beyond a d\bt1 b does n deta9 u1 because x is n et]nal4 #d ,behold u !n be=e ! my/]y ( ! cosmic consci\sness4 ,al?\gh we are incapable ( und]/&+ ! act ( an inf9ity t w\ld h to fold itself up 9 ord] to feel itself & consequ5tly to def9e itself & sep>ate itself f o!r ?+s1 ?is is n an adequate reason = decl>+ x impossible2 =1 if we 7 to reject all ! realities & impossibilities t we d n und]/&1 !re w\ld be no?+ left = u to live ^u4 ,if ?is consci\sness exi/ "u ! =m :i* we h conceiv$1 x is evid5t t we %all be !re & take "p 9 x4 ,if !re be a consci\sness some:]e1 or "s ?+ t takes ! place ( consci\sness1 we %all be 9 t consci\sness or t ?+1 because we _c be else:]e4 ,&1 z ?is consci\sness or ?is ?+ _c be unhappy1 because x is impossible t inf9ity %\ld exi/ = its own unhapp9ess1 nei!r %all we be unhappy :5 we are 9 x4 ,la/ly1 if ! inf9ity into :i* we %all be project$ h no sort ( consci\sness nor any?+ t /&s = x1 ! reason w be t consci\sness or any?+ t might replace x is n indisp5sable to et]nal happ9ess4 #e ,t1 ,i ?9k1 is ab\t z mu* z we may be p]mitt$ to decl>e1 = ! mom5t1 to ! _s anxi\sly fac+ ! unfa?omable space :]e9 dea? w %ortly hurl x4 ,x c /ill hope to f9d !re ! fulfilm5t ( its dreams2 x w p]haps f9d less to dread ?an x _h fe>$4 ,if x pref] to rema9 expectant & to accept none ( ! hypo!ses :i* ,i h exp\nd$ to ! be/ ( my p[] & )\t prejudice1 x nev]!less seems difficult n to welcome1 at lea/1 ?is great assurance :i* we f9d at ! bottom ( e "o ( !m1 namely1 t inf9ity c\ld n be malevol5t1 see+ t1 if x et]nally tortur$ ! lea/ among u1 x w\ld be tortur+ some?+ :i* x _c te> out ( itself & t x w\ld !re=e be tortur+ its v self4 ,i h add$ no?+ to :at 0 already kn[n4 ,i h simply tri$ to sep>ate :at may be true f t :i* is assur$ly n true2 =1 if we d n "k :]e tru? is1 we nev]!less le>n to "k :]e x is n4 ,&1 p]haps1 9 seek+ = t undiscov]able tru?1 we %all h accu/om$ our eyes to pi]ce ! t]ror ( ! la/ h\r by look+ x full 9 ! face4 ,_m ?+s1 beyond a d\bt1 rema9 to be said :i* o!rs w say ) great] =ce & brilliancy4 ,b we ne$ h no hope t any "o w utt] on ?is e>? ! ^w t %all put an end to our unc]ta9ties4 ,x is v probable1 on ! contr>y1 t no "o 9 ?is _w1 nor p]haps 9 ! next1 w discov] ! great secret ( ! univ]se4 ,&1 if we reflect ^u ?is ev5 = a mom5t1 x is mo/ =tunate t x %\ld be s4 ,we h n only to resign ourselves to liv+ 9 ! incompreh5sible1 b to rejoice t we _c g out ( x4 ,if !re 7 no m insoluble que/ions nor imp5etrable riddles1 inf9ity w\ld n be inf9ite2 & !n we %\ld h = ev] to curse ! fate t plac$ u 9 a univ]se proportionate to our intellig5ce4 ,all t exi/s w\ld be b a gateless prison1 an irrep>able evil & mi/ake4 ,! unkn[n & ! unkn[able are necess>y & w p]haps always be necess>y to our happ9ess4 ,9 any case1 ,i w\ld n wi% my wor/ enemy1 7 8 und]/&+ a ?\s&fold l(ti] & a ?\s&fold mighti] ?an m9e1 to be condemn$ et]nally to inhabit a _w ( :i* he _h surpris$ an ess5tial secret & ( :i*1 z a man1 he _h begun to grasp ! lea/ tittle4 ,,! ,,end ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,pr9t$ by ,,morrison ,,gibb ,,limit$ ,ed9burgh ,transcrib]'s ,notes ,obvi\sly typographical errors h be5 sil5tly correct$4 ,no?+ else has be5 *ang$4