-
Articles/Ads
Article THE VOLITATIONIST. ← Page 3 of 6 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Volitationist.
that they may be filled , inflated , or emptied at will . Add to this arrangement wings made of gauze , feathers , or silk , and a neat pocket battery , or electrical machine to Avork them with , then away Ave might fly on such Avings to the sky . This digressive dissertation being ended , it is my purpose to describe a journey , oft repeated , Avithout the aid of any unnatural or artificial means . To enable me to do so I must adopt the simple style of story-tellers .
The home of my childhood , or native place , is situated in one of the Isles of Kent , being bounded on the North and East by the German Ocean . A long line of beach stretches eastward for three or four miles , running under picturesque cliffs formed of London Clay , Avith here and there a glimpse of the Bagshot Sands peeping out near the surface . This part of the island is a much neglected health resort . Seaward , there is a grand marine panoramic vieAVancl landward beautiful scenery , charming in summerAvith
, , the hills of Kent as a background against a sunny sky . Those persons who are born ancl live near the sea generally have a great liking for it , some indeed—boys to wit—are nearly amphibious . Their minds , their habits , and their associations are of the seasailor-like . As a pastime in summer they enjoy the privilege of swimming in the briny water , ancl there are but few lads who cannot SAvim . Those that do , SAvim well and take to the water naturally , like young ducks .
To the fact of being a tolerably good SAvimmer , and also of being able to float about in the Avater in any and every conceivable way , manner , position , ancl direction , I think I can attribute the cause of my act of mental volitation . ' ¦ * The starting place of one of my journeys has an expansive and limitless view of water on the left , on the right it is fringed by a range of reddish broAvn undulating clay cliffs , forming miniature bays , promontories , and caves . On this particular ancl eventful day the sun is shining brightly over head .
Walking along the brow of the cliffs at altitude of about one hundred feet above the sea level , I watch the Avild birds as they gracefully cleave the air and swiftly sAvoop clown to the bosom of the gently rippling sea , hovering a second , to dip in their slender beaks , and catch the tiny fish upon which they chiefly live . I gaze and feel an influence creeping over me , ancl with it comes a powerful desire to project myself from the cliff seaward . I have an intense idea that I can imitate tho movements of the birds . ' I feel an
etherial lightness within . I stand still and muse . A thrilling numbing and stiffening sensation passes through me . I feel that I can float through the air ; I have no other thought or desire . I exert the full power of my will : my body becomes rigid , my head falls slightly backward , my feet sloAvly rise upward , my body is soon horizontal , I am floating , I will to go seaAvard . I go , and Avhatever I will to do , I do .
Moving onward Avith increasing speed , I float upon the ah : sometimes I am close to the surface of the sea , then I rise higher and higher , until I am far above the level of the cliffs . I soar towards the land , descend again , and skim joyfully along feet foremost , going in and out of the bays and broken cliff line , even as a bird might fly . On arriving at the extreme point of the island a slight desire to do so causes me to take a sharp turn to the left , and away I skim fast over the sea , until the land is far behind .
The swift motion is most exhilarating : at one time I seem close to the clouds , at another I appear to be in them ; but , at will , I can always descend or ascend . Journeying rapidly along with nothing but the clouds ancl sk y to look at , I fancy I am stationary , and , in fact , it appears as if the heavens are rushing past and around me . However , I find that I am still proceeding on my Avay—whither ? Ah whither ?
The clouds grow dull and duller , the sky grows dark ancl darker , the light of day is Avaning fast , presently it is gone , and darkness supervenes . I feel no dread , the waters beneath sing a soft lullaby , and the Avild fowl make responsive cries . The moon soon rises , and the stars come out , the breath of night freshens , and still I go on , forward , forward . The stars at length begin to fade , and streaks of earl y dawn are thrown upward as the morning of the clay is ushered in . The rising sun appears upon the scene all glorious with its dazzling rays ; I seem to be skimming along close to the surface of the playful sea right in a roseate track leading directly eastward and to the sun . At a distance I can discern
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Volitationist.
that they may be filled , inflated , or emptied at will . Add to this arrangement wings made of gauze , feathers , or silk , and a neat pocket battery , or electrical machine to Avork them with , then away Ave might fly on such Avings to the sky . This digressive dissertation being ended , it is my purpose to describe a journey , oft repeated , Avithout the aid of any unnatural or artificial means . To enable me to do so I must adopt the simple style of story-tellers .
The home of my childhood , or native place , is situated in one of the Isles of Kent , being bounded on the North and East by the German Ocean . A long line of beach stretches eastward for three or four miles , running under picturesque cliffs formed of London Clay , Avith here and there a glimpse of the Bagshot Sands peeping out near the surface . This part of the island is a much neglected health resort . Seaward , there is a grand marine panoramic vieAVancl landward beautiful scenery , charming in summerAvith
, , the hills of Kent as a background against a sunny sky . Those persons who are born ancl live near the sea generally have a great liking for it , some indeed—boys to wit—are nearly amphibious . Their minds , their habits , and their associations are of the seasailor-like . As a pastime in summer they enjoy the privilege of swimming in the briny water , ancl there are but few lads who cannot SAvim . Those that do , SAvim well and take to the water naturally , like young ducks .
To the fact of being a tolerably good SAvimmer , and also of being able to float about in the Avater in any and every conceivable way , manner , position , ancl direction , I think I can attribute the cause of my act of mental volitation . ' ¦ * The starting place of one of my journeys has an expansive and limitless view of water on the left , on the right it is fringed by a range of reddish broAvn undulating clay cliffs , forming miniature bays , promontories , and caves . On this particular ancl eventful day the sun is shining brightly over head .
Walking along the brow of the cliffs at altitude of about one hundred feet above the sea level , I watch the Avild birds as they gracefully cleave the air and swiftly sAvoop clown to the bosom of the gently rippling sea , hovering a second , to dip in their slender beaks , and catch the tiny fish upon which they chiefly live . I gaze and feel an influence creeping over me , ancl with it comes a powerful desire to project myself from the cliff seaward . I have an intense idea that I can imitate tho movements of the birds . ' I feel an
etherial lightness within . I stand still and muse . A thrilling numbing and stiffening sensation passes through me . I feel that I can float through the air ; I have no other thought or desire . I exert the full power of my will : my body becomes rigid , my head falls slightly backward , my feet sloAvly rise upward , my body is soon horizontal , I am floating , I will to go seaAvard . I go , and Avhatever I will to do , I do .
Moving onward Avith increasing speed , I float upon the ah : sometimes I am close to the surface of the sea , then I rise higher and higher , until I am far above the level of the cliffs . I soar towards the land , descend again , and skim joyfully along feet foremost , going in and out of the bays and broken cliff line , even as a bird might fly . On arriving at the extreme point of the island a slight desire to do so causes me to take a sharp turn to the left , and away I skim fast over the sea , until the land is far behind .
The swift motion is most exhilarating : at one time I seem close to the clouds , at another I appear to be in them ; but , at will , I can always descend or ascend . Journeying rapidly along with nothing but the clouds ancl sk y to look at , I fancy I am stationary , and , in fact , it appears as if the heavens are rushing past and around me . However , I find that I am still proceeding on my Avay—whither ? Ah whither ?
The clouds grow dull and duller , the sky grows dark ancl darker , the light of day is Avaning fast , presently it is gone , and darkness supervenes . I feel no dread , the waters beneath sing a soft lullaby , and the Avild fowl make responsive cries . The moon soon rises , and the stars come out , the breath of night freshens , and still I go on , forward , forward . The stars at length begin to fade , and streaks of earl y dawn are thrown upward as the morning of the clay is ushered in . The rising sun appears upon the scene all glorious with its dazzling rays ; I seem to be skimming along close to the surface of the playful sea right in a roseate track leading directly eastward and to the sun . At a distance I can discern