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Chapter 11 “ It is with considerable difficulty that I remember the original era of my being ; all the events of that period appear confused and indistinct . A strange multiplicity of sensations seized me , and I saw , felt , heard , and smelt at the same time ; and it was , indeed , a long time before I learned to distinguish between the operations of my various senses . By degrees , I remember , a stronger light pressed upon my nerves , so that I was obliged to shut my eyes . Darkness then came over me and troubled me , but hardly had I felt this when , by opening my eyes , as I now suppose , the light poured in upon me again . I walked and , I believe , descended , but I presently found a great alteration in my sensations . Before , dark and opaque bodies had surrounded me , impervious to my touch or sight ; but I now found that I could wander on at liberty , with no obstacles which I could not either surmount or avoid . The light became more and more oppressive to me , and the heat wearying me as I walked , I sought a place where I could receive shade . This was the forest near Ingolstadt ; and here I lay by the side of a brook resting from my fatigue , until I felt tormented by hunger and thirst . This roused me from my nearly dormant state , and I ate some berries which I found hanging on the trees or lying on the ground . I slaked my thirst at the brook , and then lying down , was overcome by sleep . “ It was dark when I awoke ; I felt cold also , and half frightened , as it were , instinctively , finding myself so desolate . Before I had quitted your apartment , on a sensation of cold , I had covered myself with some clothes , but these were insufficient to secure me from the dews of night . I was a poor , helpless , miserable wretch ; I knew , and could distinguish , nothing ; but feeling pain invade me on all sides , I sat down and wept . “ Soon a gentle light stole over the heavens and gave me a sensation of pleasure . I started up and beheld a radiant form rise from among the trees . [ The moon ] I gazed with a kind of wonder . It moved slowly , but it enlightened my path , and I again went out in search of berries . I was still cold when under one of the trees I found a huge cloak , with which I covered myself , and sat down upon the ground . No distinct ideas occupied my mind ; all was confused . I felt light , and hunger , and thirst , and darkness ; innumerable sounds rang in my ears , and on all sides various scents saluted me ; the only object that I could distinguish was the bright moon , and I fixed my eyes on that with pleasure . “ Several changes of day and night passed , and the orb of night had greatly lessened , when I began to distinguish my sensations from each other . I gradually saw plainly the clear stream that supplied me with drink and the trees that shaded me with their foliage . I was delighted when I first discovered that a pleasant sound , which often saluted my ears , proceeded from the throats of the little winged animals who had often intercepted the light from my eyes . I began also to observe , with greater accuracy , the forms that surrounded me and to perceive the boundaries of the radiant roof of light which canopied me . Sometimes I tried to imitate the pleasant songs of the birds but was unable . Sometimes I wished to express my sensations in my own mode , but the uncouth and inarticulate sounds which broke from me frightened me into silence again .
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