I was by this time grown so feeble by fasting, or by the manner of my feeding, which was either Cheese or hard Eggs, (there being great plenty) that I could hardly go; and so light I was by continual smoking, that I questioned often whether I was not a meer fume my self; fearing still when I walkt abroad, to be extracted by the Sun for an exhalation. Fortune so favour’d me one day, that I found a Groat, which put me into a extasie of joy. I know not what Magical power there was in that vast sum of _four pence_, for in an instant, not knowing by what means, I found my self in a Victualling-house, so speedy was my conveyance, as if I had been riding some _Dæmon_ through the air. I call’d for some meat, but my voice sounded so hollow, as if I had spoken in a vault. Some said, it was the _Eccho_ of some person speaking in the next house: others of the wiser sort believed me to be some _Spectrum_, or Apparition; and that the Devil had assum’d a body speaking in that _mortuum cadaver_. The truth of it is, ’twas something hard to determine, whether I spake or no, but that they might perceive my lips to open. There was a Physician in the house at that time, who looking on me narrowly, openly proclaim’d that I was the workmanship of some Mortal, who having first gotten the Skeleton, or bones of a Man, had artificially skin’d them over, and that German Clock-work caus’d my motion. I would have laught heartily at their ridiculous apprehensions, but that I had forgot how. I had some Gall left in me still, which made me start up in as great a rage as my feeble body was able to declare, intending to demonstrate to them how grosly they were mistaken, but perceiving me to approach, they all fled but Mr. Doctor, whom shame retain’d, otherwise by a fit of an Ague (which just then possest him) I knew he would willingly have been gone too. _Speak_ (said he tremblingly) _what art?_ I was somewhat puzled at his question, for I knew not well what I was: I am a living man, said I. _Why then thou wouldst have flesh_, said he. After several discourses to this purpose, I at length made him partly believe that I was no such thing he imagined, and yet he would be asking me still a many impertinent questions, as whether I could see; and his reason was, because he could discern no eyes. Whether I was born without eyes, or lost them since accidentally, _&c._ I was forced to tell him at last that it was the Country disease that had reduced me to this condition. Hearing me say so, he pitied me much, and told me he would fetch instantly something that should do me much good. I thankt him, and away went Mr. Doctor. The good Woman over-hearing our discourse drew neer then confidently, and demanded what I would have? I told her, any thing which was eatable, as far as a groat would go. She brought me some hot Meat, and setting it before me, went for some drink, but before she could return I had swallowed it all: she fetcht me more, which went the same way with as much celerity. But like Quick-silver it wrought quite through me, not staying a quarter of an hour.