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diff --git a/23169-h/23169-h.htm b/23169-h/23169-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..854a750 --- /dev/null +++ b/23169-h/23169-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1577 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Diamond Lens, by Fitz-james O'brien + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Diamond Lens, by Fitz-James O'brien + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Diamond Lens + +Author: Fitz-James O'brien + +Release Date: October 24, 2007 [EBook #23169] +Last Updated: February 4, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DIAMOND LENS *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <div style="height: 8em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + THE DIAMOND LENS + </h1> + <h2> + By Fitz-James O'brien + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> I </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> II </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> III </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> IV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> V </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> VI </a> + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + I + </h2> + <p> + FROM a very early period of my life the entire bent of my inclinations had + been toward microscopic investigations. When I was not more than ten years + old, a distant relative of our family, hoping to astonish my inexperience, + constructed a simple microscope for me by drilling in a disk of copper a + small hole in which a drop of pure water was sustained by capillary + attraction. This very primitive apparatus, magnifying some fifty + diameters, presented, it is true, only indistinct and imperfect forms, but + still sufficiently wonderful to work up my imagination to a preternatural + state of excitement. + </p> + <p> + Seeing me so interested in this rude instrument, my cousin explained to me + all that he knew about the principles of the microscope, related to me a + few of the wonders which had been accomplished through its agency, and + ended by promising to send me one regularly constructed, immediately on + his return to the city. I counted the days, the hours, the minutes that + intervened between that promise and his departure. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, I was not idle. Every transparent substance that bore the + remotest resemblance to a lens I eagerly seized upon, and employed in vain + attempts to realize that instrument the theory of whose construction I as + yet only vaguely comprehended. All panes of glass containing those oblate + spheroidal knots familiarly known as "bull's-eyes" were ruthlessly + destroyed in the hope of obtaining lenses of marvelous power. I even went + so far as to extract the crystalline humor from the eyes of fishes and + animals, and endeavored to press it into the microscopic service. I plead + guilty to having stolen the glasses from my Aunt Agatha's spectacles, with + a dim idea of grinding them into lenses of wondrous magnifying properties—in + which attempt it is scarcely necessary to say that I totally failed. + </p> + <p> + At last the promised instrument came. It was of that order known as + Field's simple microscope, and had cost perhaps about fifteen dollars. As + far as educational purposes went, a better apparatus could not have been + selected. Accompanying it was a small treatise on the microscope—its + history, uses, and discoveries. I comprehended then for the first time the + "Arabian Nights' Entertainments." The dull veil of ordinary existence that + hung across the world seemed suddenly to roll away, and to lay bare a land + of enchantments. I felt toward my companions as the seer might feel toward + the ordinary masses of men. I held conversations with nature in a tongue + which they could not understand. I was in daily communication with living + wonders such as they never imagined in their wildest visions, I penetrated + beyond the external portal of things, and roamed through the sanctuaries. + Where they beheld only a drop of rain slowly rolling down the + window-glass, I saw a universe of beings animated with all the passions + common to physical life, and convulsing their minute sphere with struggles + as fierce and protracted as those of men. In the common spots of mould, + which my mother, good housekeeper that she was, fiercely scooped away from + her jam-pots, there abode for me, under the name of mildew, enchanted + gardens, filled with dells and avenues of the densest foliage and most + astonishing verdure, while from the fantastic boughs of these microscopic + forests hung strange fruits glittering with green and silver and gold. + </p> + <p> + It was no scientific thirst that at this time filled my mind. It was the + pure enjoyment of a poet to whom a world of wonders has been disclosed. I + talked of my solitary pleasures to none. Alone with my microscope, I + dimmed my sight, day after day and night after night, poring over the + marvels which it unfolded to me. I was like one who, having discovered the + ancient Eden still existing in all its primitive glory, should resolve to + enjoy it in solitude, and never betray to mortal the secret of its + locality. The rod of my life was bent at this moment. I destined myself to + be a microscopist. + </p> + <p> + Of course, like every novice, I fancied myself a discoverer. I was + ignorant at the time of the thousands of acute intellects engaged in the + same pursuit as myself, and with the advantage of instruments a thousand + times more powerful than mine. The names of Leeuwenhoek, Williamson, + Spencer, Ehrenberg, Schultz, Dujardin, Schact, and Schleiden were then + entirely unknown to me, or, if known, I was ignorant of their patient and + wonderful researches. In every fresh specimen of cryptogamia which I + placed beneath my instrument I believed that I discovered wonders of which + the world was as yet ignorant. I remember well the thrill of delight and + admiration that shot through me the first time that I discovered the + common wheel animalcule (Rotifera vulgaris) expanding and contracting its + flexible spokes and seemingly rotating through the water. Alas! as I grew + older, and obtained some works treating of my favorite study, I found that + I was only on the threshold of a science to the investigation of which + some of the greatest men of the age were devoting their lives and + intellects. + </p> + <p> + As I grew up, my parents, who saw but little likelihood of anything + practical resulting from the examination of bits of moss and drops of + water through a brass tube and a piece of glass, were anxious that I + should choose a profession. + </p> + <p> + It was their desire that I should enter the counting-house of my uncle, + Ethan Blake, a prosperous merchant, who carried on business in New York. + This suggestion I decisively combated. I had no taste for trade; I should + only make a failure; in short, I refused to become a merchant. + </p> + <p> + But it was necessary for me to select some pursuit. My parents were staid + New England people, who insisted on the necessity of labor, and therefore, + although, thanks to the bequest of my poor Aunt Agatha, I should, on + coming of age, inherit a small fortune sufficient to place me above want, + it was decided that, instead of waiting for this, I should act the nobler + part, and employ the intervening years in rendering myself independent. + </p> + <p> + After much cogitation, I complied with the wishes of my family, and + selected a profession. I determined to study medicine at the New York + Academy. This disposition of my future suited me. A removal from my + relatives would enable me to dispose of my time as I pleased without fear + of detection. As long as I paid my Academy fees, I might shirk attending + the lectures if I chose; and, as I never had the remotest intention of + standing an examination, there was no danger of my being "plucked." + Besides, a metropolis was the place for me. There I could obtain excellent + instruments, the newest publications, intimacy with men of pursuits + kindred with my own—in short, all things necessary to ensure a + profitable devotion of my life to my beloved science. I had an abundance + of money, few desires that were not bounded by my illuminating mirror on + one side and my object-glass on the other; what, therefore, was to prevent + my becoming an illustrious investigator of the veiled worlds? It was with + the most buoyant hope that I left my New England home and established + myself in New York. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + II + </h2> + <p> + My first step, of course, was to find suitable apartments. These I + obtained, after a couple of days' search, in Fourth Avenue; a very pretty + second floor, unfurnished, containing sitting-room, bedroom, and a smaller + apartment which I intended to fit up as a laboratory. I furnished my + lodgings simply, but rather elegantly, and then devoted all my energies to + the adornment of the temple of my worship. I visited Pike, the celebrated + optician, and passed in review his splendid collection of microscopes—Field's + Compound, Hingham's, Spencer's, Nachet's Binocular (that founded on the + principles of the stereoscope), and at length fixed upon that form known + as Spencer's Trunnion Microscope, as combining the greatest number of + improvements with an almost perfect freedom from tremor. Along with this I + purchased every possible accessory—draw-tubes, micrometers, a <i>camera + lucida</i>, lever-stage, achromatic condensers, white cloud illuminators, + prisms, parabolic condensers, polarizing apparatus, forceps, aquatic + boxes, fishing-tubes, with a host of other articles, all of which would + have been useful in the hands of an experienced microscopist, but, as I + afterward discovered, were not of the slightest present value to me. It + takes years of practice to know how to use a complicated microscope. The + optician looked suspiciously at me as I made these valuable purchases. He + evidently was uncertain whether to set me down as some scientific + celebrity or a madman. I think he was inclined to the latter belief. I + suppose I was mad. Every great genius is mad upon the subject in which he + is greatest. The unsuccessful madman is disgraced and called a lunatic. + </p> + <p> + Mad or not, I set myself to work with a zeal which few scientific students + have ever equaled. I had everything to learn relative to the delicate + study upon which I had embarked—a study involving the most earnest + patience, the most rigid analytic powers, the steadiest hand, the most + untiring eye, the most refined and subtle manipulation. + </p> + <p> + For a long time half my apparatus lay inactively on the shelves of my + laboratory, which was now most amply furnished with every possible + contrivance for facilitating my investigations. The fact was that I did + not know how to use some of my scientific implements—never having + been taught microscopies—and those whose use I understood + theoretically were of little avail until by practice I could attain the + necessary delicacy of handling. Still, such was the fury of my ambition, + such the untiring perseverance of my experiments, that, difficult of + credit as it may be, in the course of one year I became theoretically and + practically an accomplished microscopist. + </p> + <p> + During this period of my labors, in which I submitted specimens of every + substance that came under my observation to the action of my lenses, I + became a discoverer—in a small way, it is true, for I was very + young, but still a discoverer. It was I who destroyed Ehrenberg's theory + that the <i>Volvox globator</i> was an animal, and proved that his + "monads" with stomachs and eyes were merely phases of the formation of a + vegetable cell, and were, when they reached their mature state, incapable + of the act of conjugation, or any true generative act, without which no + organism rising to any stage of life higher than vegetable can be said to + be complete. It was I who resolved the singular problem of rotation in the + cells and hairs of plants into ciliary attraction, in spite of the + assertions of Wenham and others that my explanation was the result of an + optical illusion. + </p> + <p> + But notwithstanding these discoveries, laboriously and painfully made as + they were, I felt horribly dissatisfied. At every step I found myself + stopped by the imperfections of my instruments. Like all active + microscopists, I gave my imagination full play. Indeed, it is a common + complaint against many such that they supply the defects of their + instruments with the creations of their brains. I imagined depths beyond + depths in nature which the limited power of my lenses prohibited me from + exploring. I lay awake at night constructing imaginary micro-scopes of + immeasurable power, with which I seemed to pierce through all the + envelopes of matter down to its original atom. How I cursed those + imperfect mediums which necessity through ignorance compelled me to use! + How I longed to discover the secret of some perfect lens, whose magnifying + power should be limited only by the resolvability of the object, and which + at the same time should be free from spherical and chromatic aberrations—in + short, from all the obstacles over which the poor microscopist finds + himself continually stumbling! I felt convinced that the simple + microscope, composed of a single lens of such vast yet perfect power, was + possible of construction. To attempt to bring the compound microscope up + to such a pitch would have been commencing at the wrong end; this latter + being simply a partially successful endeavor to remedy those very defects + of the simplest instrument which, if conquered, would leave nothing to be + desired. + </p> + <p> + It was in this mood of mind that I became a constructive microscopist. + After another year passed in this new pursuit, experimenting on every + imaginable substance—glass, gems, flints, crystals, artificial + crystals formed of the alloy of various vitreous materials—in short, + having constructed as many varieties of lenses as Argus had eyes—I + found myself precisely where I started, with nothing gained save an + extensive knowledge of glass-making. I was almost dead with despair. My + parents were surprised at my apparent want of progress in my medical + studies (I had not attended one lecture since my arrival in the city), and + the expenses of my mad pursuit had been so great as to embarrass me very + seriously. + </p> + <p> + I was in this frame of mind one day, experimenting in my laboratory on a + small diamond—that stone, from its great refracting power, having + always occupied my attention more than any other—when a young + Frenchman who lived on the floor above me, and who was in the habit of + occasionally visiting me, entered the room. + </p> + <p> + I think that Jules Simon was a Jew. He had many traits of the Hebrew + character: a love of jewelry, of dress, and of good living. There was + something mysterious about him. He always had something to sell, and yet + went into excellent society. When I say sell, I should perhaps have said + peddle; for his operations were generally confined to the disposal of + single articles—a picture, for instance, or a rare carving in ivory, + or a pair of duelling-pistols, or the dress of a Mexican <i>caballero</i>. + When I was first furnishing my rooms, he paid me a visit, which ended in + my purchasing an antique silver lamp, which he assured me was a Cellini—it + was handsome enough even for that—and some other knick-knacks for my + sitting-room. Why Simon should pursue this petty trade I never could + imagine. He apparently had plenty of money, and had the <i>entrée</i> of + the best houses in the city—taking care, however, I suppose, to + drive no bargains within the enchanted circle of the Upper Ten. I came at + length to the conclusion that this peddling was but a mask to cover some + greater object, and even went so far as to believe my young acquaintance + to be implicated in the slave-trade. That, however, was none of my affair. + </p> + <p> + On the present occasion, Simon entered my room in a state of considerable + excitement. + </p> + <p> + "<i>Ah! mon ami!</i>" he cried, before I could even offer him the ordinary + salutation, "it has occurred to me to be the witness of the most + astonishing things in the world. I promenade myself to the house of Madame + ———. How does the little animal—<i>le renard</i>—name + himself in the Latin?" + </p> + <p> + "Vulpes," I answered. + </p> + <p> + "Ah! yes—Vulpes. I promenade myself to the house of Madame Vulpes." + </p> + <p> + "The spirit medium?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, the great medium. Great heavens! what a woman! I write on a slip of + paper many of questions concerning affairs of the most secret—affairs + that conceal themselves in the abysses of my heart the most profound; and + behold, by example, what occurs? This devil of a woman makes me replies + the most truthful to all of them. She talks to me of things that I do not + love to talk of to myself. What am I to think? I am fixed to the earth!" + </p> + <p> + "Am I to understand you, M. Simon, that this Mrs. Vulpes replied to + questions secretly written by you, which questions related to events known + only to yourself?" + </p> + <p> + "Ah! more than that, more than that," he answered, with an air of some + alarm. "She related to me things—But," he added after a pause, and + suddenly changing his manner, "why occupy ourselves with these follies? It + was all the biology, without doubt. It goes without saying that it has not + my credence. But why are we here, <i>mon ami?</i> It has occurred to me to + discover the most beautiful thing as you can imagine—a vase with + green lizards on it, composed by the great Bernard Palissy. It is in my + apartment; let us mount. I go to show it to you." + </p> + <p> + I followed Simon mechanically; but my thoughts were far from Palissy and + his enameled ware, although I, like him, was seeking in the dark a great + discovery. This casual mention of the spiritualist, Madame Vulpes, set me + on a new track. What if, through communication with more subtle organisms + than my own, I could reach at a single bound the goal which perhaps a + life, of agonizing mental toil would never enable me to attain? + </p> + <p> + While purchasing the Palissy vase from my friend Simon, I was mentally + arranging a visit to Madame Vulpes. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + III + </h2> + <p> + Two evenings after this, thanks to an arrangement by letter and the + promise of an ample fee, I found Madame Vulpes awaiting me at her + residence alone. She was a coarse-featured woman, with keen and rather + cruel dark eyes, and an exceedingly sensual expression about her mouth and + under jaw. She received me in perfect silence, in an apartment on the + ground floor, very sparsely furnished. In the centre of the room, close to + where Mrs. Vulpes sat, there was a common round mahogany table. If I had + come for the purpose of sweeping her chimney, the woman could not have + looked more indifferent to my appearance. There was no attempt to inspire + the visitor with awe. Everything bore a simple and practical aspect. This + intercourse with the spiritual world was evidently as familiar an + occupation with Mrs. Vulpes as eating her dinner or riding in an omnibus. + </p> + <p> + "You come for a communication, Mr. Linley?" said the medium, in a dry, + businesslike tone of voice. + </p> + <p> + "By appointment—yes." + </p> + <p> + "What sort of communication do you want—a written one?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, I wish for a written one." + </p> + <p> + "From any particular spirit?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes." + </p> + <p> + "Have you ever known this spirit on this earth?" + </p> + <p> + "Never. He died long before I was born. I wish merely to obtain from him + some information which he ought to be able to give better than any other." + </p> + <p> + "Will you seat yourself at the table, Mr. Lin-ley," said the medium, "and + place your hands upon it?" + </p> + <p> + I obeyed, Mrs. Vulpes being seated opposite to me, with her hands also on + the table. We remained thus for about a minute and a half, when a violent + succession of raps came on the table, on the back of my chair, on the + floor immediately under my feet, and even on the window-panes. Mrs. Vulpes + smiled composedly. + </p> + <p> + "They are very strong to-night," she remarked. "You are fortunate." She + then continued, "Will the spirits communicate with this gentleman?" + </p> + <p> + Vigorous affirmative. + </p> + <p> + "Will the particular spirit he desires to speak with communicate?" + </p> + <p> + A very confused rapping followed this question. + </p> + <p> + "I know what they mean," said Mrs. Vulpes, addressing herself to me; "they + wish you to write down the name of the particular spirit that you desire + to converse with. Is that so?" she added, speaking to her invisible + guests. + </p> + <p> + That it was so was evident from the numerous affirmatory responses. While + this was going on, I tore a slip from my pocket-book and scribbled a name + under the table. + </p> + <p> + "Will this spirit communicate in writing with this gentleman?" asked the + medium once more. + </p> + <p> + After a moment's pause, her hand seemed to be seized with a violent + tremor, shaking so forcibly that the table vibrated. She said that a + spirit had seized her hand and would write. I handed her some sheets of + paper that were on the table and a pencil. The latter she held loosely in + her hand, which presently began to move over the paper with a singular and + seemingly involuntary motion. After a few moments had elapsed, she handed + me the paper, on which I found written, in a large, uncultivated hand, the + words, "He is not here, but has been sent for." A pause of a minute or so + ensued, during which Mrs. Vulpes remained perfectly silent, but the raps + continued at regular intervals. When the short period I mention had + elapsed, the hand of the medium was again seized with its convulsive + tremor, and she wrote, under this strange influence, a few words on the + paper, which she handed to me. They were as follows: + </p> + <p> + "I am here. Question me. + </p> + <p> + "<i>Leeuwenhoek</i>." + </p> + <p> + I was astounded. The name was identical with that I had written beneath + the table, and carefully kept concealed. Neither was it at all probable + that an uncultivated woman like Mrs. Vulpes should know even the name of + the great father of microscopies. It may have been biology; but this + theory was soon doomed to be destroyed. I wrote on my slip—still + concealing it from Mrs. Vulpes—a series of questions which, to avoid + tediousness, I shall place with the responses, in the order in which they + occurred: + </p> + <p> + I.—Can the microscope be brought to perfection? + </p> + <p> + Spirit—Yes. + </p> + <p> + I.—Am I destined to accomplish this great task? + </p> + <p> + Spirit.—You are. + </p> + <p> + I.—I wish to know how to proceed to attain this end. For the love + which you bear to science, help me! + </p> + <p> + Spirit—A diamond of one hundred and forty carats, submitted to + electro-magnetic currents for a long period, will experience a + rearrangement of its atoms <i>inter se</i> and from that stone you will + form the universal lens. + </p> + <p> + I.—Will great discoveries result from the use of such a lens? + </p> + <p> + Spirit—So great that all that has gone before is as nothing. + </p> + <p> + I.—But the refractive power of the diamond is so immense that the + image will be formed within the lens. How is that difficulty to be + surmounted? + </p> + <p> + Spirit—Pierce the lens through its axis, and the difficulty is + obviated. The image will be formed in the pierced space, which will itself + serve as a tube to look through. Now I am called. Good-night. + </p> + <p> + I can not at all describe the effect that these extraordinary + communications had upon me. I felt completely bewildered. No biological + theory could account for the <i>discovery</i> of the lens. The medium + might, by means of biological <i>rapport</i> with my mind, have gone so + far as to read my questions and reply to them coherently. But biology + could not enable her to discover that magnetic currents would so alter the + crystals of the diamond as to remedy its previous defects and admit of its + being polished into a perfect lens. Some such theory may have passed + through my head, it is true; but if so, I had forgotten it. In my excited + condition of mind there was no course left but to become a convert, and it + was in a state of the most painful nervous exaltation that I left the + medium's house that evening. She accompanied me to the door, hoping that I + was satisfied. The raps followed us as we went through the hall, sounding + on the balusters, the flooring, and even the lintels of the door. I + hastily expressed my satisfaction, and escaped hurriedly into the cool + night air. I walked home with but one thought possessing me—how to + obtain a diamond of the immense size required. My entire means multiplied + a hundred times over would have been inadequate to its purchase. Besides, + such stones are rare, and become historical. I could find such only in the + regalia of Eastern or European monarchs. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + IV + </h2> + <p> + There was a light in Simon's room as I entered my house. A vague impulse + urged me to visit him. As I opened the door of his sitting-room + unannounced, he was bending, with his back toward me, over a Carcel lamp, + apparently engaged in minutely examining some object which he held in his + hands. As I entered, he started suddenly, thrust his hand into his breast + pocket, and turned to me with a face crimson with confusion. + </p> + <p> + "What!" I cried, "poring over the miniature of some fair lady? Well, don't + blush so much; I won't ask to see it." + </p> + <p> + Simon laughed awkwardly enough, but made none of the negative + protestations usual on such occasions. He asked me to take a seat. + </p> + <p> + "Simon," said I, "I have just come from Madame Vulpes." + </p> + <p> + This time Simon turned as white as a sheet, and seemed stupefied, as if a + sudden electric shock had smitten him. He babbled some incoherent words, + and went hastily to a small closet where he usually kept his liquors. + Although astonished at his emotion, I was too preoccupied with my own idea + to pay much attention to anything else. + </p> + <p> + "You say truly when you call Madame Vulpes a devil of a woman," I + continued. "Simon, she told me wonderful things to-night, or rather was + the means of telling me wonderful things. Ah! if I could only get a + diamond that weighed one hundred and forty carats!" + </p> + <p> + Scarcely had the sigh with which I uttered this desire died upon my lips + when Simon, with the aspect of a wild beast, glared at me savagely, and, + rushing to the mantelpiece, where some foreign weapons hung on the wall, + caught up a Malay creese, and brandished it furiously before him. + </p> + <p> + "No!" he cried in French, into which he always broke when excited. "No! + you shall not have it! You are perfidious! You have consulted with that + demon, and desire my treasure! But I will die first! Me, I am brave! You + can not make me fear!" + </p> + <p> + All this, uttered in a loud voice, trembling with excitement, astounded + me. I saw at a glance that I had accidentally trodden upon the edges of + Simon's secret, whatever it was. It was necessary to reassure him. + </p> + <p> + "My dear Simon," I said, "I am entirely at a loss to know what you mean. I + went to Madame Vulpes to consult with her on a scientific problem, to the + solution of which I discovered that a diamond of the size I just mentioned + was necessary. You were never alluded to during the evening, nor, so far + as I was concerned, even thought of. What can be the meaning of this + outburst? If you happen to have a set of valuable diamonds in your + possession, you need fear nothing from me. The diamond which I require you + could not possess; or, if you did possess it, you would not be living + here." + </p> + <p> + Something in my tone must have completely reassured him, for his + expression immediately changed to a sort of constrained merriment, + combined however, with a certain suspicious attention to my movements. He + laughed, and said that I must bear with him; that he was at certain + moments subject to a species of vertigo, which betrayed itself in + incoherent speeches, and that the attacks passed off as rapidly as they + came. + </p> + <p> + He put his weapon aside while making this explanation, and endeavored, + with some success, to assume a more cheerful air. + </p> + <p> + All this did not impose on me in the least. I was too much accustomed to + analytical labors to be baffled by so flimsy a veil. I determined to probe + the mystery to the bottom. + </p> + <p> + "Simon," I said gayly, "let us forget all this over a bottle of Burgundy. + I have a case of Lausseure's <i>Clos Vougeot</i> downstairs, fragrant with + the odors and ruddy with the sunlight of the Côte d'Or. Let us have up a + couple of bottles. What say you?" + </p> + <p> + "With all my heart," answered Simon smilingly. + </p> + <p> + I produced the wine and we seated ourselves to drink. It was of a famous + vintage, that of 1848, a year when war and wine throve together, and its + pure but powerful juice seemed to impart renewed vitality to the system. + By the time we had half finished the second bottle, Simon's head, which I + knew was a weak one, had begun to yield, while I remained calm as ever, + only that every draught seemed to send a flush of vigor through my limbs. + Simon's utterance became more and more indistinct. He took to singing + French <i>chansons</i> of a not very moral tendency. I rose suddenly from + the table just at the conclusion of one of those incoherent verses, and, + fixing my eyes on him with a quiet smile, said, "Simon, I have deceived + you. I learned your secret this evening. You may as well be frank with me. + Mrs. Vulpes—or rather, one of her spirits—told me all." + </p> + <p> + He started with horror. His intoxication seemed for the moment to fade + away, and he made a movement toward the weapon that he had a short time + before laid down, I stopped him with my hand. + </p> + <p> + "Monster!" he cried passionately, "I am ruined! What shall I do? You shall + never have it! I swear by my mother!" + </p> + <p> + "I don't want it," I said; "rest secure, but be frank with me. Tell me all + about it." + </p> + <p> + The drunkenness began to return. He protested with maudlin earnestness + that I was entirely mistaken—that I was intoxicated; then asked me + to swear eternal secrecy, and promised to disclose the mystery to me. I + pledged myself, of course, to all. With an uneasy look in his eyes, and + hands unsteady with drink and nervousness, he drew a small case from his + breast and opened it. Heavens! How the mild lamplight was shivered into a + thousand prismatic arrows as it fell upon a vast rose-diamond that + glittered in the case! I was no judge of diamonds, but I saw at a glance + that this was a gem of rare size and purity. I looked at Simon with wonder + and—must I confess it?—with envy. How could he have obtained + this treasure? In reply to my questions, I could just gather from his + drunken statements (of which, I fancy, half the incoherence was affected) + that he had been superintending a gang of slaves engaged in + diamond-washing in Brazil; that he had seen one of them secrete a diamond, + but, instead of informing his employers, had quietly watched the negro + until he saw him bury his treasure; that he had dug it up and fled with + it, but that as yet he was afraid to attempt to dispose of it publicly—so + valuable a gem being almost certain to attract too much attention to its + owner's antecedents—and he had not been able to discover any of + those obscure channels by which such matters are conveyed away safely. He + added that, in accordance with oriental practice, he had named his diamond + with the fanciful title of "The Eye of Morning." + </p> + <p> + While Simon was relating this to me, I regarded the great diamond + attentively. Never had I beheld anything so beautiful. All the glories of + light ever imagined or described seemed to pulsate in its crystalline + chambers. Its weight, as I learned from Simon, was exactly one hundred and + forty carats. Here was an amazing coincidence. The hand of destiny seemed + in it. On the very evening when the spirit of Leeuwenhoek communicates to + me the great secret of the microscope, the priceless means which he + directs me to employ start up within my easy reach! I determined, with the + most perfect deliberation, to possess myself of Simon's diamond. + </p> + <p> + I sat opposite to him while he nodded over his glass, and calmly revolved + the whole affair. I did not for an instant contemplate so foolish an act + as a common theft, which would of course be discovered, or at least + necessitate flight and concealment, all of which must interfere with my + scientific plans. There was but one step to be taken—to kill Simon. + After all, what was the life of a little peddling Jew in comparison with + the interests of science? Human beings are taken every day from the + condemned prisons to be experimented on by surgeons. This man, Simon, was + by his own confession a criminal, a robber, and I believed on my soul a + murderer. He deserved death quite as much as any felon condemned by the + laws: why should I not, like government, contrive that his punishment + should contribute to the progress of human knowledge? + </p> + <p> + The means for accomplishing everything I desired lay within my reach. + There stood upon the mantelpiece a bottle half full of French laudanum. + Simon was so occupied with his diamond, which I had just restored to him, + that it was an affair of no difficulty to drug his glass. In a quarter of + an hour he was in a profound sleep. + </p> + <p> + I now opened his waistcoat, took the diamond from the inner pocket in + which he had placed it, and removed him to the bed, on which I laid him so + that his feet hung down over the edge. I had possessed myself of the Malay + creese, which I held in my right hand, while with the other I discovered + as accurately as I could by pulsation the exact locality of the heart. It + was essential that all the aspects of his death should lead to the surmise + of self-murder. I calculated the exact angle at which it was probable that + the weapon, if leveled by Simon's own hand, would enter his breast; then + with one powerful blow I thrust it up to the hilt in the very spot which I + desired to penetrate. A convulsive thrill ran through Simon's limbs. I + heard a smothered sound issue from his throat, precisely like the bursting + of a large air-bubble sent up by a diver when it reaches the surface of + the water; he turned half round on his side, and, as if to assist my plans + more effectually, his right hand, moved by some mere spasmodic impulse, + clasped the handle of the creese, which it remained holding with + extraordinary muscular tenacity. Beyond this there was no apparent + struggle. The laudanum, I presume, paralyzed the usual nervous action. He + must have died instantly. + </p> + <p> + There was yet something to be done. To make it certain that all suspicion + of the act should be diverted from any inhabitant of the house to Simon + himself, it was necessary that the door should be found in the morning <i>locked + on the in-side</i>. How to do this, and afterward escape myself? Not by + the window; that was a physical impossibility. Besides, I was determined + that the windows <i>also</i> should be found bolted. The solution was + simple enough. I descended softly to my own room for a peculiar instrument + which I had used for holding small slippery substances, such as minute + spheres of glass, etc. This instrument was nothing more than a long, + slender hand-vise, with a very powerful grip and a considerable leverage, + which last was accidentally owing to the shape of the handle. Nothing was + simpler than, when the key was in the lock, to seize the end of its stem + in this vise, through the keyhole, from the outside, and so lock the door. + Previously, however, to doing this, I burned a number of papers on Simon's + hearth. Suicides almost always burn papers before they destroy themselves. + I also emptied some more laudanum into Simon's glass—having first + removed from it all traces of wine—cleaned the other wine-glass, and + brought the bottles away with me. If traces of two persons drinking had + been found in the room, the question naturally would have arisen, Who was + the second? Besides, the wine-bottles might have been identified as + belonging to me. The laudanum I poured out to account for its presence in + his stomach, in case of a <i>post-mortem</i> examination. The theory + naturally would be that he first intended to poison himself, but, after + swallowing a little of the drug, was either disgusted with its taste, or + changed his mind from other motives, and chose the dagger. These + arrangements made, I walked out, leaving the gas burning, locked the door + with my vise, and went to bed. + </p> + <p> + Simon's death was not discovered until nearly three in the afternoon. The + servant, astonished at seeing the gas burning—the light streaming on + the dark landing from under the door—peeped through the keyhole and + saw Simon on the bed. + </p> + <p> + She gave the alarm. The door was burst open, and the neighborhood was in a + fever of excitement. + </p> + <p> + Every one in the house was arrested, myself included. There was an + inquest; but no clew to his death beyond that of suicide could be + obtained. Curiously enough, he had made several speeches to his friends + the preceding week that seemed to point to self-destruction. One gentleman + swore that Simon had said in his presence that "he was tired of life." His + landlord affirmed that Simon, when paying him his last month's rent, + remarked that "he should not pay him rent much longer." All the other + evidence corresponded—the door locked inside, the position of the + corpse, the burned papers. As I anticipated, no one knew of the possession + of the diamond by Simon, so that no motive was suggested for his murder. + The jury, after a prolonged examination, brought in the usual verdict, and + the neighborhood once more settled down to its accustomed quiet. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + V + </h2> + <p> + The three months succeeding Simon's catastrophe I devoted night and day to + my diamond lens. I had constructed a vast galvanic battery, composed of + nearly two thousand pairs of plates: a higher power I dared not use, lest + the diamond should be calcined. By means of this enormous engine I was + enabled to send a powerful current of electricity continually through my + great diamond, which it seemed to me gained in lustre every day. At the + expiration of a month I commenced the grinding and polishing of the lens, + a work of intense toil and exquisite delicacy. The great density of the + stone, and the care required to be taken with the curvatures of the + surfaces of the lens, rendered the labor the severest and most harassing + that I had yet undergone. + </p> + <p> + At last the eventful moment came; the lens was completed. I stood + trembling on the threshold of new worlds. I had the realization of + Alexander's famous wish before me. The lens lay on the table, ready to be + placed upon its platform. My hand fairly shook as I enveloped a drop of + water with a thin coating of oil of turpentine, preparatory to its + examination, a process necessary in order to prevent the rapid evaporation + of the water. I now placed the drop on a thin slip of glass under the + lens, and throwing upon it, by the combined aid of a prism and a mirror, a + powerful stream of light, I approached my eye to the minute hole drilled + through the axis of the lens. For an instant I saw nothing save what + seemed to be an illuminated chaos, a vast, luminous abyss. A pure white + light, cloudless and serene, and seemingly limitless as space itself, was + my first impression. Gently, and with the greatest care, I depressed the + lens a few hairbreadths. The wondrous illumination still continued, but as + the lens approached the object a scene of indescribable beauty was + unfolded to my view. + </p> + <p> + I seemed to gaze upon a vast space, the limits of which extended far + beyond my vision. An atmosphere of magical luminousness permeated the + entire field of view. I was amazed to see no trace of animalculous life. + Not a living thing, apparently, inhabited that dazzling expanse. I + comprehended instantly that, by the wondrous power of my lens, I had + penetrated beyond the grosser particles of aqueous matter, beyond the + realms of infusoria and protozoa, down to the original gaseous globule, + into whose luminous interior I was gazing as into an almost boundless dome + filled with a supernatural radiance. + </p> + <p> + It was, however, no brilliant void into which I looked. On every side I + beheld beautiful inorganic forms, of unknown texture, and colored with the + most enchanting hues. These forms presented the appearance of what might + be called, for want of a more specific definition, foliated clouds of the + highest rarity—that is, they undulated and broke into vegetable + formations, and were tinged with splendors compared with which the gilding + of our autumn woodlands is as dross compared with gold. Far away into the + illimitable distance stretched long avenues of these gaseous forests, + dimly transparent, and painted with prismatic hues of unimaginable + brilliancy. The pendent branches waved along the fluid glades until every + vista seemed to break through half-lucent ranks of many-colored drooping + silken pennons. What seemed to be either fruits or flowers, pied with a + thousand hues, lustrous and ever-varying, bubbled from the crowns of this + fairy foliage. No hills, no lakes, no rivers, no forms animate or + inanimate, were to be seen, save those vast auroral copses that floated + serenely in the luminous stillness, with leaves and fruits and flowers + gleaming with unknown fires, unrealizable by mere imagination. + </p> + <p> + How strange, I thought, that this sphere should be thus condemned to + solitude! I had hoped, at least, to discover some new form of animal life, + perhaps of a lower class than any with which we are at present acquainted, + but still some living organism. I found my newly discovered world, if I + may so speak, a beautiful chromatic desert. + </p> + <p> + While I was speculating on the singular arrangements of the internal + economy of Nature, with which she so frequently splinters into atoms our + most compact theories, I thought I beheld a form moving slowly through the + glades of one of the prismatic forests. I looked more attentively, and + found that I was not mistaken. Words can not depict the anxiety with which + I awaited the nearer approach of this mysterious object. Was it merely + some inanimate substance, held in suspense in the attenuated atmosphere of + the globule, or was it an animal endowed with vitality and motion? It + approached, flitting behind the gauzy, colored veils of cloud-foliage, for + seconds dimly revealed, then vanishing. At last the violet pennons that + trailed nearest to me vibrated; they were gently pushed aside, and the + form floated out into the broad light. + </p> + <p> + It was a female human shape. When I say human, I mean it possessed the + outlines of humanity; but there the analogy ends. Its adorable beauty + lifted it illimitable heights beyond the loveliest daughter of Adam. + </p> + <p> + I can not, I dare not, attempt to inventory the charms of this divine + revelation of perfect beauty. Those eyes of mystic violet, dewy and + serene, evade my words. Her long, lustrous hair following her glorious + head in a golden wake, like the track sown in heaven by a falling star, + seems to quench my most burning phrases with its splendors. If all the + bees of Hybla nestled upon my lips, they would still sing but hoarsely the + wondrous harmonies of outline that inclosed her form. + </p> + <p> + She swept out from between the rainbow-curtains of the cloud-trees into + the broad sea of light that lay beyond. Her motions were those of some + graceful naiad, cleaving, by a mere effort of her will, the clear, + unruffled waters that fill the chambers of the sea. She floated forth with + the serene grace of a frail bubble ascending through the still atmosphere + of a June day. The perfect roundness of her limbs formed suave and + enchanting curves. It was like listening to the most spiritual symphony of + Beethoven the divine, to watch the harmonious flow of lines. This, indeed + was a pleasure cheaply purchased at any price. What cared I if I had waded + to the portal of this wonder through another's blood. I would have given + my own to enjoy one such moment of intoxication and delight. + </p> + <p> + Breathless with gazing on this lovely wonder, and forgetful for an instant + of everything save her presence, I withdrew my eye from the microscope + eagerly. Alas! as my gaze fell on the thin slide that lay beneath my + instrument, the bright light from mirror and from prism sparkled on a + colorless drop of water! There, in that tiny bead of dew, this beautiful + being was forever imprisoned. The planet Neptune was not more distant from + me than she. I hastened once more to apply my eye to the microscope. + </p> + <p> + Animula (let me now call her by that dear name which I subsequently + bestowed on her) had changed her position. She had again approached the + wondrous forest, and was gazing earnestly upward. Presently one of the + trees—as I must call them—unfolded a long ciliary process, + with which it seized one of the gleaming fruits that glittered on its + summit, and, sweeping slowly down, held it within reach of Animula. The + sylph took it in her delicate hand and began to eat. My attention was so + entirely absorbed by her that I could not apply myself to the task of + determining whether this singular plant was or was not instinct with + volition. + </p> + <p> + I watched her, as she made her repast, with the most profound attention. + The suppleness of her motions sent a thrill of delight through my frame; + my heart beat madly as she turned her beautiful eyes in the direction of + the spot in which I stood. What would I not have given to have had the + power to precipitate myself into that luminous ocean and float with her + through those grooves of purple and gold! While I was thus breathlessly + following her every movement, she suddenly started, seemed to listen for a + moment, and then cleaving the brilliant ether in which she was floating, + like a flash of light, pierced through the opaline forest and disappeared. + </p> + <p> + Instantly a series of the most singular sensations attacked me. It seemed + as if I had suddenly gone blind. The luminous sphere was still before me, + but my daylight had vanished. What caused this sudden disappearance? Had + she a lover or a husband? Yes, that was the solution! Some signal from a + happy fellow-being had vibrated through the avenues of the forest, and she + had obeyed the summons. + </p> + <p> + The agony of my sensations, as I arrived at this conclusion, startled me. + I tried to reject the conviction that my reason forced upon me. I battled + against the fatal conclusion—but in vain. It was so. I had no escape + from it. I loved an animalcule. + </p> + <p> + It is true that, thanks to the marvelous power of my microscope, she + appeared of human proportions. Instead of presenting the revolting aspect + of the coarser creatures, that live and struggle and die, in the more + easily resolvable portions of the water-drop, she was fair and delicate + and of surpassing beauty. But of what account was all that? Every time + that my eye was withdrawn from the instrument it fell on a miserable drop + of water, within which, I must be content to know, dwelt all that could + make my life lovely. + </p> + <p> + Could she but see me once! Could I for one moment pierce the mystical + walls that so inexorably rose to separate us, and whisper all that filled + my soul, I might consent to be satisfied for the rest of my life with the + knowledge of her remote sympathy. + </p> + <p> + It would be something to have established even the faintest personal link + to bind us together—to know that at times, when roaming through + these enchanted glades, she might think of the wonderful stranger who had + broken the monotony of her life with his presence and left a gentle memory + in her heart! + </p> + <p> + But it could not be. No invention of which human intellect was capable + could break down the barriers that nature had erected. I might feast my + soul upon her wondrous beauty, yet she must always remain ignorant of the + adoring eyes that day and night gazed upon her, and, even when closed, + beheld her in dreams. With a bitter cry of anguish I fled from the room, + and flinging myself on my bed, sobbed myself to sleep like a child. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VI + </h2> + <p> + I arose the next morning almost at daybreak, and rushed to my microscope, + I trembled as I sought the luminous world in miniature that contained my + all. Animula was there. I had left the gas-lamp, surrounded by its + moderators, burning when I went to bed the night before. I found the sylph + bathing, as it were, with an expression of pleasure animating her + features, in the brilliant light which surrounded her. She tossed her + lustrous golden hair over her shoulders with innocent coquetry. She lay at + full length in the transparent medium, in which she supported herself with + ease, and gamboled with the enchanting grace that the nymph Salmacis might + have exhibited when she sought to conquer the modest Hermaphroditus. I + tried an experiment to satisfy myself if her powers of reflection were + developed. I lessened the lamplight considerably. By the dim light that + remained, I could see an expression of pain flit across her face. She + looked upward suddenly, and her brows contracted. I flooded the stage of + the microscope again with a full stream of light, and her whole expression + changed. She sprang forward like some some substance deprived of all + weight. Her eyes sparkled and her lips moved. Ah! if science had only the + means of conducting and reduplicating sounds, as it does rays of light, + what carols of happiness would then have entranced my ears! what jubilant + hymns to Adonais would have thrilled the illumined air! + </p> + <p> + I now comprehended how it was that the Count de Cabalis peopled his mystic + world with sylphs-beautiful beings whose breath of life was lambent fire, + and who sported forever in regions of purest ether and purest light. The + Rosicrucian had anticipated the wonder that I had practically realized. + </p> + <p> + How long this worship of my strange divinity went on thus I scarcely know. + I lost all note of time. All day from early dawn, and far into the night, + I was to be found peering through that wonderful lens. I saw no one, went + nowhere, and scarce allowed myself sufficient time for my meals. My whole + life was absorbed in contemplation as rapt as that of any of the Romish + saints. Every hour that I gazed upon the divine form strengthened my + passion—a passion that was always overshadowed by the maddening + conviction that, although I could gaze on her at will, she never, never + could behold me! + </p> + <p> + At length I grew so pale and emaciated, from want of rest and continual + brooding over my insane love and its cruel conditions, that I determined + to make some effort to wean myself from it. "Come," I said, "this is at + best but a fantasy. Your imagination has bestowed on Animula charms which + in reality she does not possess. Seclusion from female society has + produced this morbid condition of mind. Compare her with the beautiful + women of your own world, and this false enchantment will vanish." + </p> + <p> + I looked over the newspapers by chance. There I beheld the advertisement + of a celebrated <i>danseuse</i> who appeared nightly at Niblo's. The + Signorina Caradolce had the reputation of being the most beautiful as well + as the most graceful woman in the world. I instantly dressed and went to + the theatre. + </p> + <p> + The curtain drew up. The usual semicircle of fairies in white muslin were + standing on the right toe around the enameled flower-bank of green canvas, + on which the belated prince was sleeping. Suddenly a flute is heard. The + fairies start. The trees open, the fairies all stand on the left toe, and + the queen enters. It was the Signorina. She bounded forward amid thunders + of applause, and, lighting on one foot, remained poised in the air. + Heavens! was this the great enchantress that had drawn monarchs at her + chariot-wheels? Those heavy, muscular limbs, those thick ankles, those + cavernous eyes, that stereotyped smile, those crudely painted cheeks! + Where were the vermeil blooms, the liquid, expressive eyes, the harmonious + limbs of Animula? + </p> + <p> + The Signorina danced. What gross, discordant movements! The play of her + limbs was all false and artificial. Her bounds were painful athletic + efforts; her poses were angular and distressed the eye. I could bear it no + longer; with an exclamation of disgust that drew every eye upon me, I rose + from my seat in the very middle of the Signorina's <i>pas-de-fascination</i> + and abruptly quitted the house. + </p> + <p> + I hastened home to feast my eyes once more on the lovely form of my sylph. + I felt that henceforth to combat this passion would be impossible. I + applied my eyes to the lens. Animula was there—but what could have + happened? Some terrible change seemed to have taken place during my + absence. Some secret grief seemed to cloud the lovely features of her I + gazed upon. Her face had grown thin and haggard; her limbs trailed + heavily; the wondrous lustre of her golden hair had faded. She was ill—ill, + and I could not assist her! I believe at that moment I would have + forfeited all claims to my human birthright if I could only have been + dwarfed to the size of an animalcule, and permitted to console her from + whom fate had forever divided me. + </p> + <p> + I racked my brain for the solution of this mystery. What was it that + afflicted the sylph? She seemed to suffer intense pain. Her features + contracted, and she even writhed, as if with some internal agony. The + wondrous forests appeared also to have lost half their beauty. Their hues + were dim and in some places faded away altogether. I watched Animula for + hours with a breaking heart, and she seemed absolutely to wither away + under my very eye. Suddenly I remembered that I had not looked at the + water-drop for several days. In fact, I hated to see it; for it reminded + me of the natural barrier between Animula and myself. I hurriedly looked + down on the stage of the microscope. The slide was still there—but, + great heavens, the water drop had vanished! The awful truth burst upon me; + it had evaporated, until it had become so minute as to be invisible to the + naked eye; I had been gazing on its last atom, the one that contained + Animula—and she was dying! + </p> + <p> + I rushed again to the front of the lens and looked through. Alas! the last + agony had seized her. The rainbow-hued forests had all melted away, and + Animula lay struggling feebly in what seemed to be a spot of dim light. + Ah! the sight was horrible: the limbs once so round and lovely shriveling + up into nothings; the eyes—those eyes that shone like heaven—being + quenched into black dust; the lustrous golden hair now lank and + discolored. The last throe came. I beheld that final struggle of the + blackening form—and I fainted. + </p> + <p> + When I awoke out of a trance of many hours, I found myself lying amid the + wreck of my instrument, myself as shattered in mind and body as it. I + crawled feebly to my bed, from which I did not rise for many months. + </p> + <p> + They say now that I am mad; but they are mistaken. I am poor, for I have + neither the heart nor the will to work; all my money is spent, and I live + on charity. Young men's associations that love a joke invite me to lecture + on optics before them, for which they pay me, and laugh at me while I + lecture. "Linley, the mad microscopist," is the name I go by. I suppose + that I talk incoherently while I lecture. Who could talk sense when his + brain is haunted by such ghastly memories, while ever and anon among the + shapes of death I behold the radiant form of my lost Animula! + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Diamond Lens, by Fitz-James O'brien + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DIAMOND LENS *** + +***** This file should be named 23169-h.htm or 23169-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/3/1/6/23169/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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