Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/414

380], it often supplies the place of a benevolent guide, through the intricate meanders of life, where we frequently meet with more appearance than reality; and in which it is of the utmost importance to be impressed with a due and lively sense of the good and the beautiful, as well as of virtue and truth. On the contrary, no sooner are the boundaries of the imagining faculty transgressed, than we are involuntarily led to submit to this dreadful tyrant, who is capable not only of disturbing our repose and happiness, but even to deprive his victims of life. Hence, it should be one of the most necessary maxims of intellectual nature, always to guard against this formidable power; and to regulate its reciprocal influence; so that we may maintain a certain superiority. But, in order to evince the essential necessity of adopting this rule of practical life, and at the same time to demonstrate the danger attending the neglect of it, especially to youth, we shall quote an instance related by Prof., in one of his admired Popular Essays, in German; of which no translation has yet appeared.

A student at Jena, about 16 years of age, living a weak and irritable nervous frame, but in other respects healthy, left his apartments during twilight, and suddenly returned with a pale, dismal countenance; assuring his companion that he was doomed to die in 36 hours, or at 9 o'clock in the morning of the second day. This sudden change of a cheerful young mind naturally alarmed his friend; but no explanation was given of its cause. Every attempt at ridiculing this whimsical notion was fruitless; and he persisted in affirming that his death was certain and inevitable. A numerous circle of his fellow-students soon assembled, with a view to dispel those gloomy ideas, atid to convince him of his folly, by arguments, satire, and mirth. He remained, however, unshaken in his strange conviction; being apparently inanimate in their company, and expressing his indignation at the frolics and witticisms applied to his peculiar situation. Nevertheless, it was conjectured that a calm repose during the night would produce a more favourable change in his fancy; but sleep was banished, and the approaching dissolution engrossed his attention during the nocturnal hours. Early next morning, he sent for Prof., who found him employed in making arrangements for his burial; taking an affectionate leave of his friends; and on the point of concluding a letter to his father; in which he announced the fatal catastrophe that was speedily to happen. After examining his condition of mind and body, the Professor could discover no remarkable deviation from his usual state of health, excepting a small contracted pulse, a pale countenance, dull or drowsy eyes, and cold extremities: these symptoms, however, sufficiently indicated a general spasmodic action of the nervous system, which also exerted its influence over the mental faculties. The most serious reasoning on the subject, and all the philosophical and medical eloquence of Dr., had not the desired effect; and, though the student admitted that there might be no ostensible cause of death discoverable, yet this very circumstance was peculiar to his case; and