human
You were talking of his absurdities, my dear friend.
gpt
Ah, well, did he not forbid the use of animal food to his followers? and, to crown all, did he not teach the monstrous doctrine of transmigration of souls--sending the spirits of men, after death, to inhabit the bodies of dogs, and cats, and frogs, and geese, and even insects?
human
And call you this a monstrous doctrine?
gpt
Monstrous! I exclaimed with surprise--
human
So you do not believe in Metempsychosis?
gpt
I would as soon believe in demonology, or magic. There is nothing I would not rather credit. Kenelm Digby's sympathetic powder, the philosopher's stone, the elixir vitæ, animal magnetism, metallic tractors, judicial astrology--anything, in fact, would more readily find a place in my belief than this nonsensical jargon, which is credited by nobody but the superstitious Brahmins of India. But perhaps you are a believer? He shrugged up his shoulders at this last remark, stroked his chin, and, giving me a sarcastic look, said, with a familiar nod and smile,
human
Yes, _I am_ a believer.
gpt
What! said I,
human
If I put faith in them, said he,
gpt
And do you really go all the lengths of Pythagoras?
human
I not only go all his lengths, but I go much farther. For instance, he believed that the soul never left the body until the latter was dead. Now, my belief is, that two living bodies may exchange souls with each other. For instance, your soul may take possession of my body, and my soul of yours, and both our bodies may be alive.
gpt
In that case, said I, laughing heartily,
human
Precisely so, my dear friend,
gpt
Faith, my good sir, my reverence for his abilities somewhat lessened by this declaration,
human
I am afraid you have lost your senses.
gpt
I am afraid you have lost something of more importance, returned he, with a smile, in which I thought I recognised a tinge of derision. I did not like it, so, eyeing him with some sternness, I said hastily,
human
And pray, what have I lost?