From speculation I proceeded to experiment. The idea of a
distant voice, like my own, was intimately present to my fancy. I
exerted myself with a most ardent desire, and with something like
a persuasion that I should succeed. I started with surprise, for
it seemed as if success had crowned my attempts. I repeated the
effort, but failed. A certain position of the organs took place on
the first attempt, altogether new, unexampled and as it were, by
accident, for I could not attain it on the second experiment.

You will not wonder that I exerted myself with indefatigable
zeal to regain what had once, though for so short a space, been in
my power. Your own ears have witnessed the success of these
efforts. By perpetual exertion I gained it a second time, and now
was a diligent observer of the circumstances attending it.
Gradually I subjected these finer and more subtle motions to the
command of my will. What was at first difficult, by exercise and
habit, was rendered easy. I learned to accommodate my voice to all
the varieties of distance and direction.

It cannot be denied that this faculty is wonderful and rare,
but when we consider the possible modifications of muscular motion,
how few of these are usually exerted, how imperfectly they are
subjected to the will, and yet that the will is capable of being
rendered unlimited and absolute, will not our wonder cease?

We have seen men who could hide their tongues so perfectly
that even an Anatomist, after the most accurate inspection that a
living subject could admit, has affirmed the organ to be wanting,
but this was effected by the exertion of muscles unknown and