Страница 201 из 483

"By degrees I made a discovery of still greater moment. I found

that these people possessed a method of communicating their

experience and feelings to one another by articulate sounds. I

perceived that the words they spoke sometimes produced pleasure

or pain, smiles or sadness, in the minds and countenances of the

hearers. This was indeed a godlike science, and I ardently

desired to become acquainted with it. But I was baffled in every

attempt I made for this purpose. Their pronunciation was quick,

and the words they uttered, not having any apparent connection

with visible objects, I was unable to discover any clue by which

I could unravel the mystery of their reference. By great

application, however, and after having remained during the space

of several revolutions of the moon in my hovel, I discovered the

names that were given to some of the most familiar objects of

discourse; I learned and applied the words, fire, milk, bread,

and wood.