'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from September 1850 to June 1852. Edited by the Secretary. Volume X.' [‎78] (211/458)

78
COMMANDER F 9 JONES,
somefclung I cannot describe that was almost akin to it. It may have been
partial giddiness, but I was aware it required all my presence of mind
to keep the horror of the fail, the restraining thought, foremost in my
memory. I verily believe that had I allowed the sense of impending
destruction to escape, the former impulse would have precipitated me
into space, the next instant to fall a corpse on the flags below. Per
haps the circumstances of knowing there was but one door, and that I
had already proceeded half the circuit of the pile from it, and out of
sight of my companions, tended to claim me at the height I was. I even
dreaded to lean too hard against the shaft for fear of recoiling forward,
and went along sideways in this embarassing position, until 1 made
the circuit of the building, and caught behind me the lintel of the low
door-way. Certain of being safe, these almost overpowering thoughts
at once left me ; but I never reflect on the outward position I was then
in, but the same thoughts, in a less degree, will intrude upon me, though
I never experienced the like sensations before, in many similar positions,
and may never do so again. I leave it to others to account for the
singular feeling, for I am unable, though inclined to attribute it to some
unknown but morbid state of the stomach at the time. My impression,
however, is that many reputed suicides have resulted from similar af
fections on the brain of individuals whom, perhaps, of all others, may
have been most unlikely to commit self-destruction ; nevertheless, the
press in many cases would teem on the following day with previous
facts corroborative of the hallucination that led to the attempt, while, in
reality, the intellect of the suicide may have been perfectly sound to
within a few moments of the catastrophe.
Soon after our return from the spot which led to the digression, the
Z&bit of the district favored us with a visit, and at the same time pro
vided a sheep, firewood, and other necessaries for our entertainment, free
of expense, in accordance with the established laws of hospitality.
These we were not strictly entitled to, for we had declined his proffer
ed civilities on the previous evening, principally from a distaste of the
custom which, among Turks, is generally made at the entire expense of
the poor, or at much less a cost than the value the articles are priced
at. We found our visitor agreeable enough, though at first he wished to
convey an idea of his importance by a taciturn gravity that sat but ill