What with these Discourses, and what with my own natural Inclination, I form’d a Design of entring into this Cavern, and communicated my Intention to some of my Friends. But they by no Means approv’d of it, plainly declaring, that it was a wild and frantick Undertaking. But all they cou’d say, so far was it from extinguishing, that it did not even damp the Ardour of my Mind; and their Advices, instead of weakning, administred Fuel to my Curiosity. For that Eagerness with which I pursued the Study of Nature inspir’d me to face every Danger, and the Straightness of my private Circumstances gave a Spur to my natural Inclination. For my own Substance was quite wasted, and it seem’d to me the greatest Hardship to live in a State of Dependance, in a Country where all Hopes of Preferment were cut off, where I beheld myself condemned to Poverty, and every Avenue to Honour and Advantage entirely stopp’d, unless I would make my Way by some flagrant Act of Dishonour or Immorality. Thus resolv’d, and having got together what was requisite for such an Exploit, upon a _Thursday_ Morning, when the Heavens were all serene and cloudless, I left the City soon after Twilight, to the End that having finish’d my Observations, I might return again that same Day; because, being ignorant of Futurity, it was not possible I shou’d foresee that I, like another _Phaeton_, _Volverer in præceps, longoque per aëra tractu_, should be flung upon another World, not to revisit my native Soil, till after a ten Years Peregrination.