“I see,” said I, “that doctors differ and dispute about their own fancies every where.”

“That is,” said he, “because they contend as vehemently for what they imagine as for what they see; and perhaps more so, as their perceptions are like those of other men, while their reveries are more exclusively their own.  Thus, in the present instance, the controversy turns upon the mode in which the separation was effected, which affords the widest field for conjecture, while they both agree that such separation has taken place.  As to this fact I have not yet made up my mind, though it must be confessed that there is much to give plausibility to their opinion.  I recognise, for instance, a striking resemblance between the animal and vegetable productions of Asia and those of the moon.”

“Do you think, father,” said I, “that animal, or even vegetable life, could possibly exist in such a disruption as is supposed?”

“Why not?” said he:  “you are not to imagine that the shock would be felt in proportion to the mass that was moved.  On the contrary, while it would occasion, in some parts, a great destruction of life, it would, in others, not be felt more than an earthquake, or rather, than a succession of earthquakes, during the time that the different parts of the mass were adjusting themselves to a spherical form; whilst a few pairs, or even a single pair of animals, saved in some cavity of a mountain, would be sufficient, in a few centuries, to stock the whole surface of the earth with as many individuals as are now to be found on it.

“After all,” he added, “it is often difficult in science to distinguish Truth from the plausibility which personates her.  But let us not, however, be precipitate; let us but hear both sides.  In the east we have a saying, that ‘he who hears with but one ear, never hears well.’”

CHAPTER V.

The voyage continued—­Second view of Asia—­The Brahmin’s speculations concerning India—­Increase of the Moon’s attraction—­Appearance of the Moon—­They land on the Moon.

The dryness of the preceding discussion, which lay out of the course of my studies, together with the effect of my dinner, began to make me a little drowsy; whereupon the Brahmin urged me to take the repose which it was clear I needed; remarking, that when I awoke, he would follow my example.  Reclining my head, then, on my cloak, in a few minutes my senses were steeped in forgetfulness.

I slept about six hours most profoundly; and on waking, found the good Brahmin busy with his calculations of our progress.  I insisted on his now taking some rest.  After requesting me to wake him at the end of three hours, (or sooner, if any thing of moment should occur,) and putting up a short prayer, which was manifested by his looks, rather than by his words, he laid himself down, and soon fell into a quiet sleep.