The Feebleness of Existence

I entered into a series of elaborate precautions. Among other things I had the family vault so remodeled as to admit of being readily opened from within. The slightest pressure upon a long lever that extended far into the tomb would cause the iron portal to fly back. There were arrangements also for the free admission of air and light, and convenient receptacles for food and water. But alas, what avails the vigilance against the destiny of man, not even these welcome trifed securities, sufficed to save from the uttermost agonies of living inhumation. A wretch to these agonies foredoomed.