How glorious it is to open a new career, and to appear suddenly in the world of science with a book of discoveries in one’s hand like an unexpected comet sparkling in space!  Here is the book, gentleman.  I have undertaken and carried out a journey of forty-two days in my room.  The interesting observations I have made, and the continual pleasure I have felt during this long expedition, excited in me the wish to publish it; the certitude of the usefulness of my work decided me.  My heart is filled with an inexpressible satisfaction when I think of the infinite number of unhappy persons to whom I am now able to offer an assured resource against the tediousness and vexations of life.  The delight one finds in travelling in one’s own room is a pure joy, exempt from the unquiet jealousies of men and independent of ill-fortune.

In the immense family of men that swarm on the surface of the earth, there is not one—­no, not one (I am speaking, of course, of those who have a room to live in)—­who can, after having read this book, refuse his approbation to the new way of travelling which I have invented.  It costs nothing, that is the great thing!  Thus it is certain of being adopted by very rich people!  Thousands of persons who have never thought of travelling will now resolve to follow my example.

Come, then, let us go forth!  Follow me, all ye hermits who through some mortification in love, some negligence in friendship, have withdrawn into your rooms far from the pettiness and infidelity of mankind!  But quit your dismal thoughts, I pray you.  Every minute you lose some pleasure without gaining any wisdom in place of it.  Deign to accompany me on my travels.  We shall go by easy stages, laughing all along the road at every tourist who has gone to Rome or Paris.  No obstacle shall stop us, and, surrendering ourselves to our imagination, we will follow it wherever it may lead us.

But persons are so curious.  I am sure you would like to know why my journey round my room lasted forty-two days instead of forty-three, or some other space of time.  But how can I tell you when I do not know myself?  All I can say is that if you find my work too long, it was not my fault.  In spite of the vanity natural in a traveller, I should have been very glad if it had only run a single chapter.  The fact is, that though I was allowed in my room all the pleasures and comfort possible, I was not permitted to leave it when I wished.

Is there anything more natural and just than to fight to the death with a man who has inadvertently trodden on your foot, or let fall some sharp words in a moment of vexation of which your imprudence was the cause?  Nothing, you will admit, is more logical; and yet there are some people who disapprove of this admirable custom.