Page:The fairy tales of science.djvu/85

Rh rocks, and thus escaped from their subterranean prison. I was too firmly attached to my solid brethren to accompany these adventurous atoms, so I waited patiently for succour, assured that it would come sooner or later.

“My deliverance was effected by the agency of Man, that wondrous being, partly composed of atoms like myself, and partly of an immaterial spirit, who now reigned supreme over the other organisms of the world. Having found that the compressed remains of the ancient forests could be made to yield light and heat, agents which greatly contributed to his happiness, he sank deep pits through the rocks, and transferred me, with myriads of my brethren, from the earth’s gloomy depths to its sun-gilt surface.

“Now commenced the eventful period of my life. Hitherto my transitions had been few. Twice had I been a constituent of stone; twice, a part of a living organism; I had tasted the pleasures of a marine existence; I had floated joyously in the air; I had lain for ages in the bosom of the earth. But in the few short years that have elapsed since my release from bondage, I have passed through a far more wonderful series of changes.

“Let me now recount the chief incidents of my modern career. I will make use of as few words as possible, lest my narrative should be cut short by a new alteration in my condition.