The opening sentence is very risky. " I found myself standing on my feet " is apt to destroy all proper solemnity of feeling by suggesting that it would, on the whole, have been more remarkable if the gentleman had found himself standing on his head. To " stand upon one's feet " is indeed excellent English; but in excellent English it always has (so far as we remember) an incessive sense — " to rise upon the feet and stand " — which is wanting here.