I began to quarrel with myself, now, for the suspicions I entertained to the prejudice of the Stranger, after having witnessed, with my own eyes and ears, his extraordinary gifts.

I quietly crept into the snares laid for me.......if I may so prematurely term them.......and you will the more readily reconcile this error, when you reflect how immense a vacancy my disenchantment had left in my bosom, and how necessary it was to fill it up ere I could regain an intellectual harmony, to support the grand aim of my still aspiring wishes....It is true, I had mistaken the road....but my resolution to persist in my journey was undiminished.....nor could it ever be subdued, but by a metamorphosis of my whole being....The Stranger's words had reanimated me.....I could perceive the energies of my soul returning.....I dwelt on himself, equally with his

words....They were ever before me..... they sank deeper and deeper into my brain.....and the warm grasp of his hand still pressed affectionately on mine.

Laugh if you will, at my simplicity. I continued to ponder with astonishment at the confidence with which he predicted "that we should meet again

on the seventh day after the new "moon.' It certainly required a greater gift of prescience than the mere calculation of an eclipse........He had told me my name.....my past actions....and now he laid down intended con

my

duct.....It was singular in the extreme, and engrossed all my thoughts...I even made a note in my tablets of this prediction, that I might smile at its failure ......not being able to conceive how we could meet at Pergamos, when I had not the most distant idea of going there!

I remained a fortnight longer at Smyrna, and regularly visited the excavated rock every evening.....Thence I proceeded to Cyme....to Mytelene... to Gregnion.....I had neither view or intent in this circuit.........It brought me nearer and nearer to Pergamos...... and, without giving that as a reason '....even to myself....for my conduct.... I was still satisfied that what I did was right.

While at Smyrna, I received orders from my father in the mercantile line, which detained me longer than I had proposed to stay ;..........and though these commissions served to employ my restless mind a little.......still my anxiety to behold the Stranger again increased.....his Prophecy pursued me; .....and I languished with impatience to see the result of it.

My business was completed, and there still remained five or six days of

the appointed time.....I left Smyrna, because I had no longer any business there.......and my presence was necessary at Miletum......Indeed I was expected back at Parium.....I had only to go immediately to Mytelene, whence I could pass by sea to Parium ;......and yet.....I preferred making the circuitous route by land, which took me to Pergamos.

Thus did I.....without being able to account for the act......fulfil a prophecy, which common reason......the attention I owed my father's interests .....in fact,.....which my duty opposed the probability of being verified...... The truth is,......My desire to go to Pergamos grew insensibly. so strong, that I do not believe. I attempted to resist it, though I would not confess I was guided by ital

The most singular part of the story, however, is......that although I volun

tarily......as you may say......accomplished the Stranger's prediction, it was not in the least weakened by that circumstance.......How..........I would argue ......could he possibly know I meant to go to Pergamos simply to substantiate his veracity..........when I had so many solid objections!......... Unless.......indeed.......he had the faculty of tracing the embryo of my mind; and foreseeing I would resist all obstacles, and do as he foretold?

On the sixth day following the new moon I arrived at Pergamos. I passed my time in visiting the market, and other public places, supposing I should meet the Stranger......but his time was not come........My impatience and faith increased together.....The next morning, as I pursued my rounds.........I noticed a slave who had followed me some time, and with marked attention .......sometimes walking on one side,... sometimes at another.....halting.......