diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 842-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 62903 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 842-h/842-h.htm | 3147 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 842.txt | 2781 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 842.zip | bin | 0 -> 60360 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/moctb10.txt | 2825 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/moctb10.zip | bin | 0 -> 58266 bytes |
9 files changed, 8769 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/842-h.zip b/842-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..19bd8a9 --- /dev/null +++ b/842-h.zip diff --git a/842-h/842-h.htm b/842-h/842-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0e906a1 --- /dev/null +++ b/842-h/842-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,3147 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?> + +<!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> + Memoirs of Carwin the Biloquist, by Charles Brockden Brown + </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 Memoirs of Carwin the Biloquist, by +Charles Brockden Brown + +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: Memoirs of Carwin the Biloquist + (A Fragment) + +Author: Charles Brockden Brown + +Release Date: July 31, 2008 [EBook #842] +Last Updated: January 25, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST *** + + + + +Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer, and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST + </h1> + <h3> + [A fragment] + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Charles Brockden Brown + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + [1803-1805] + </h3> + <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="#link2HCH0001"> Chapter I. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> Chapter II. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> Chapter III. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> Chapter IV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> Chapter V. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> Chapter VI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> Chapter VII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> Chapter VIII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> Chapter IX. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> Chapter X. </a> + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + Chapter I. + </h2> + <p> + I was the second son of a farmer, whose place of residence was a western + district of Pennsylvania. My eldest brother seemed fitted by nature for + the employment to which he was destined. His wishes never led him astray + from the hay-stack and the furrow. His ideas never ranged beyond the + sphere of his vision, or suggested the possibility that to-morrow could + differ from to-day. He could read and write, because he had no alternative + between learning the lesson prescribed to him, and punishment. He was + diligent, as long as fear urged him forward, but his exertions ceased with + the cessation of this motive. The limits of his acquirements consisted in + signing his name, and spelling out a chapter in the bible. + </p> + <p> + My character was the reverse of his. My thirst of knowledge was augmented + in proportion as it was supplied with gratification. The more I heard or + read, the more restless and unconquerable my curiosity became. My senses + were perpetually alive to novelty, my fancy teemed with visions of the + future, and my attention fastened upon every thing mysterious or unknown. + </p> + <p> + My father intended that my knowledge should keep pace with that of my + brother, but conceived that all beyond the mere capacity to write and read + was useless or pernicious. He took as much pains to keep me within these + limits, as to make the acquisitions of my brother come up to them, but his + efforts were not equally successful in both cases. The most vigilant and + jealous scrutiny was exerted in vain: Reproaches and blows, painful + privations and ignominious penances had no power to slacken my zeal and + abate my perseverance. He might enjoin upon me the most laborious tasks, + set the envy of my brother to watch me during the performance, make the + most diligent search after my books, and destroy them without mercy, when + they were found; but he could not outroot my darling propensity. I exerted + all my powers to elude his watchfulness. Censures and stripes were + sufficiently unpleasing to make me strive to avoid them. To effect this + desirable end, I was incessantly employed in the invention of stratagems + and the execution of expedients. + </p> + <p> + My passion was surely not deserving of blame, and I have frequently + lamented the hardships to which it subjected me; yet, perhaps, the claims + which were made upon my ingenuity and fortitude were not without + beneficial effects upon my character. + </p> + <p> + This contention lasted from the sixth to the fourteenth year of my age. My + father's opposition to my schemes was incited by a sincere though + unenlightened desire for my happiness. That all his efforts were secretly + eluded or obstinately repelled, was a source of the bitterest regret. He + has often lamented, with tears, what he called my incorrigible depravity, + and encouraged himself to perseverance by the notion of the ruin that + would inevitably overtake me if I were allowed to persist in my present + career. Perhaps the sufferings which arose to him from the disappointment, + were equal to those which he inflicted on me. + </p> + <p> + In my fourteenth year, events happened which ascertained my future + destiny. One evening I had been sent to bring cows from a meadow, some + miles distant from my father's mansion. My time was limited, and I was + menaced with severe chastisement if, according to my custom, I should stay + beyond the period assigned. + </p> + <p> + For some time these menaces rung in my ears, and I went on my way with + speed. I arrived at the meadow, but the cattle had broken the fence and + escaped. It was my duty to carry home the earliest tidings of this + accident, but the first suggestion was to examine the cause and manner of + this escape. The field was bounded by cedar railing. Five of these rails + were laid horizontally from post to post. The upper one had been broken in + the middle, but the rest had merely been drawn out of the holes on one + side, and rested with their ends on the ground. The means which had been + used for this end, the reason why one only was broken, and that one the + uppermost, how a pair of horns could be so managed as to effect that which + the hands of man would have found difficult, supplied a theme of + meditation. + </p> + <p> + Some accident recalled me from this reverie, and reminded me how much time + had thus been consumed. I was terrified at the consequences of my delay, + and sought with eagerness how they might be obviated. I asked myself if + there were not a way back shorter than that by which I had come. The + beaten road was rendered circuitous by a precipice that projected into a + neighbouring stream, and closed up a passage by which the length of the + way would have been diminished one half: at the foot of the cliff the + water was of considerable depth, and agitated by an eddy. I could not + estimate the danger which I should incur by plunging into it, but I was + resolved to make the attempt. I have reason to think, that this + experiment, if it had been tried, would have proved fatal, and my father, + while he lamented my untimely fate, would have been wholly unconscious + that his own unreasonable demands had occasioned it. + </p> + <p> + I turned my steps towards the spot. To reach the edge of the stream was by + no means an easy undertaking, so many abrupt points and gloomy hollows + were interposed. I had frequently skirted and penetrated this tract, but + had never been so completely entangled in the maze as now: hence I had + remained unacquainted with a narrow pass, which, at the distance of an + hundred yards from the river, would conduct me, though not without danger + and toil, to the opposite side of the ridge. + </p> + <p> + This glen was now discovered, and this discovery induced me to change my + plan. If a passage could be here effected, it would be shorter and safer + than that which led through the stream, and its practicability was to be + known only by experiment. The path was narrow, steep, and overshadowed by + rocks. The sun was nearly set, and the shadow of the cliff above, obscured + the passage almost as much as midnight would have done: I was accustomed + to despise danger when it presented itself in a sensible form, but, by a + defect common in every one's education, goblins and spectres were to me + the objects of the most violent apprehensions. These were unavoidably + connected with solitude and darkness, and were present to my fears when I + entered this gloomy recess. + </p> + <p> + These terrors are always lessened by calling the attention away to some + indifferent object. I now made use of this expedient, and began to amuse + myself by hallowing as loud as organs of unusual compass and vigour would + enable me. I uttered the words which chanced to occur to me, and repeated + in the shrill tones of a Mohock savage... "Cow! cow! come home! home!"... + These notes were of course reverberated from the rocks which on either + side towered aloft, but the echo was confused and indistinct. + </p> + <p> + I continued, for some time, thus to beguile the way, till I reached a + space more than commonly abrupt, and which required all my attention. My + rude ditty was suspended till I had surmounted this impediment. In a few + minutes I was at leisure to renew it. After finishing the strain, I + paused. In a few seconds a voice as I then imagined, uttered the same cry + from the point of a rock some hundred feet behind me; the same words, with + equal distinctness and deliberation, and in the same tone, appeared to be + spoken. I was startled by this incident, and cast a fearful glance behind, + to discover by whom it was uttered. The spot where I stood was buried in + dusk, but the eminences were still invested with a luminous and vivid + twilight. The speaker, however, was concealed from my view. + </p> + <p> + I had scarcely begun to wonder at this occurrence, when a new occasion for + wonder, was afforded me. A few seconds, in like manner, elapsed, when my + ditty was again rehearsed, with a no less perfect imitation, in a + different quarter..... To this quarter I eagerly turned my eyes, but no + one was visible.... The station, indeed, which this new speaker seemed to + occupy, was inaccessible to man or beast. + </p> + <p> + If I were surprized at this second repetition of my words, judge how much + my surprise must have been augmented, when the same calls were a third + time repeated, and coming still in a new direction. Five times was this + ditty successively resounded, at intervals nearly equal, always from a new + quarter, and with little abatement of its original distinctness and force. + </p> + <p> + A little reflection was sufficient to shew that this was no more than an + echo of an extraordinary kind. My terrors were quickly supplanted by + delight. The motives to dispatch were forgotten, and I amused myself for + an hour, with talking to these cliffs: I placed myself in new positions, + and exhausted my lungs and my invention in new clamours. + </p> + <p> + The pleasures of this new discovery were an ample compensation for the ill + treatment which I expected on my return. By some caprice in my father I + escaped merely with a few reproaches. I seized the first opportunity of + again visiting this recess, and repeating my amusement; time, and + incessant repetition, could scarcely lessen its charms or exhaust the + variety produced by new tones and new positions. + </p> + <p> + The hours in which I was most free from interruption and restraint were + those of moonlight. My brother and I occupied a small room above the + kitchen, disconnected, in some degree, with the rest of the house. It was + the rural custom to retire early to bed and to anticipate the rising of + the sun. When the moonlight was strong enough to permit me to read, it was + my custom to escape from bed, and hie with my book to some neighbouring + eminence, where I would remain stretched on the mossy rock, till the + sinking or beclouded moon, forbade me to continue my employment. I was + indebted for books to a friendly person in the neighbourhood, whose + compliance with my solicitations was prompted partly by benevolence and + partly by enmity to my father, whom he could not more egregiously offend + than by gratifying my perverse and pernicious curiosity. + </p> + <p> + In leaving my chamber I was obliged to use the utmost caution to avoid + rousing my brother, whose temper disposed him to thwart me in the least of + my gratifications. My purpose was surely laudable, and yet on leaving the + house and returning to it, I was obliged to use the vigilance and + circumspection of a thief. + </p> + <p> + One night I left my bed with this view. I posted first to my vocal glen, + and thence scrambling up a neighbouring steep, which overlooked a wide + extent of this romantic country, gave myself up to contemplation, and the + perusal of Milton's Comus. + </p> + <p> + My reflections were naturally suggested by the singularity of this echo. + To hear my own voice speak at a distance would have been formerly regarded + as prodigious. To hear too, that voice, not uttered by another, by whom it + might easily be mimicked, but by myself! I cannot now recollect the + transition which led me to the notion of sounds, similar to these, but + produced by other means than reverberation. Could I not so dispose my + organs as to make my voice appear at a distance? + </p> + <p> + From speculation I proceeded to experiment. The idea of a distant voice, + like my own, was intimately present to my fancy. I exerted myself with a + most ardent desire, and with something like a persuasion that I should + succeed. I started with surprise, for it seemed as if success had crowned + my attempts. I repeated the effort, but failed. A certain position of the + organs took place on the first attempt, altogether new, unexampled and as + it were, by accident, for I could not attain it on the second experiment. + </p> + <p> + You will not wonder that I exerted myself with indefatigable zeal to + regain what had once, though for so short a space, been in my power. Your + own ears have witnessed the success of these efforts. By perpetual + exertion I gained it a second time, and now was a diligent observer of the + circumstances attending it. Gradually I subjected these finer and more + subtle motions to the command of my will. What was at first difficult, by + exercise and habit, was rendered easy. I learned to accommodate my voice + to all the varieties of distance and direction. + </p> + <p> + It cannot be denied that this faculty is wonderful and rare, but when we + consider the possible modifications of muscular motion, how few of these + are usually exerted, how imperfectly they are subjected to the will, and + yet that the will is capable of being rendered unlimited and absolute, + will not our wonder cease? + </p> + <p> + We have seen men who could hide their tongues so perfectly that even an + Anatomist, after the most accurate inspection that a living subject could + admit, has affirmed the organ to be wanting, but this was effected by the + exertion of muscles unknown and incredible to the greater part of mankind. + </p> + <p> + The concurrence of teeth, palate and tongue, in the formation of speech + should seem to be indispensable, and yet men have spoken distinctly though + wanting a tongue, and to whom, therefore, teeth and palate were + superfluous. The tribe of motions requisite to this end, are wholly latent + and unknown, to those who possess that organ. + </p> + <p> + I mean not to be more explicit. I have no reason to suppose a peculiar + conformation or activity in my own organs, or that the power which I + possess may not, with suitable directions and by steady efforts, be + obtained by others, but I will do nothing to facilitate the acquisition. + It is by far, too liable to perversion for a good man to desire to possess + it, or to teach it to another. + </p> + <p> + There remained but one thing to render this instrument as powerful in my + hands as it was capable of being. From my childhood, I was remarkably + skilful at imitation. There were few voices whether of men or birds or + beasts which I could not imitate with success. To add my ancient, to my + newly acquired skill, to talk from a distance, and at the same time, in + the accents of another, was the object of my endeavours, and this object, + after a certain number of trials, I finally obtained. + </p> + <p> + In my present situation every thing that denoted intellectual exertion was + a crime, and exposed me to invectives if not to stripes. This circumstance + induced me to be silent to all others, on the subject of my discovery. + But, added to this, was a confused belief, that it might be made, in some + way instrumental to my relief from the hardships and restraints of my + present condition. For some time I was not aware of the mode in which it + might be rendered subservient to this end. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter II. + </h2> + <p> + My father's sister was an ancient lady, resident in Philadelphia, the + relict of a merchant, whose decease left her the enjoyment of a frugal + competence. She was without children, and had often expressed her desire + that her nephew Frank, whom she always considered as a sprightly and + promising lad, should be put under her care. She offered to be at the + expense of my education, and to bequeath to me at her death her slender + patrimony. + </p> + <p> + This arrangement was obstinately rejected by my father, because it was + merely fostering and giving scope to propensities, which he considered as + hurtful, and because his avarice desired that this inheritance should fall + to no one but himself. To me, it was a scheme of ravishing felicity, and + to be debarred from it was a source of anguish known to few. I had too + much experience of my father's pertinaciousness ever to hope for a change + in his views; yet the bliss of living with my aunt, in a new and busy + scene, and in the unbounded indulgence of my literary passion, continually + occupied my thoughts: for a long time these thoughts were productive only + of despondency and tears. + </p> + <p> + Time only enhanced the desirableness of this scheme; my new faculty would + naturally connect itself with these wishes, and the question could not + fail to occur whether it might not aid me in the execution of my favourite + plan. + </p> + <p> + A thousand superstitious tales were current in the family. Apparitions had + been seen, and voices had been heard on a multitude of occasions. My + father was a confident believer in supernatural tokens. The voice of his + wife, who had been many years dead, had been twice heard at midnight + whispering at his pillow. I frequently asked myself whether a scheme + favourable to my views might not be built upon these foundations. Suppose + (thought I) my mother should be made to enjoin upon him compliance with my + wishes? + </p> + <p> + This idea bred in me a temporary consternation. To imitate the voice of + the dead, to counterfeit a commission from heaven, bore the aspect of + presumption and impiety. It seemed an offence which could not fail to draw + after it the vengeance of the deity. My wishes for a time yielded to my + fears, but this scheme in proportion as I meditated on it, became more + plausible; no other occurred to me so easy and so efficacious. I + endeavoured to persuade myself that the end proposed, was, in the highest + degree praiseworthy, and that the excellence of my purpose would justify + the means employed to attain it. + </p> + <p> + My resolutions were, for a time, attended with fluctuations and + misgivings. These gradually disappeared, and my purpose became firm; I was + next to devise the means of effecting my views, this did not demand any + tedious deliberation. It was easy to gain access to my father's chamber + without notice or detection, cautious footsteps and the suppression of + breath would place me, unsuspected and unthought of, by his bed side. The + words I should use, and the mode of utterance were not easily settled, but + having at length selected these, I made myself by much previous + repetition, perfectly familiar with the use of them. + </p> + <p> + I selected a blustering and inclement night, in which the darkness was + augmented by a veil of the blackest clouds. The building we inhabited was + slight in its structure, and full of crevices through which the gale found + easy way, and whistled in a thousand cadences. On this night the elemental + music was remarkably sonorous, and was mingled not unfrequently with <i>thunder + heard remote</i>. + </p> + <p> + I could not divest myself of secret dread. My heart faultered with a + consciousness of wrong. Heaven seemed to be present and to disapprove my + work; I listened to the thunder and the wind, as to the stern voice of + this disapprobation. Big drops stood on my forehead, and my tremors almost + incapacitated me from proceeding. + </p> + <p> + These impediments however I surmounted; I crept up stairs at midnight, and + entered my father's chamber. The darkness was intense and I sought with + outstretched hands for his bed. The darkness, added to the trepidation of + my thoughts, disabled me from making a right estimate of distances: I was + conscious of this, and when I advanced within the room, paused. + </p> + <p> + I endeavoured to compare the progress I had made with my knowledge of the + room, and governed by the result of this comparison, proceeded cautiously + and with hands still outstretched in search of the foot of the bed. At + this moment lightning flashed into the room: the brightness of the gleam + was dazzling, yet it afforded me an exact knowledge of my situation. I had + mistaken my way, and discovered that my knees nearly touched the bedstead, + and that my hands at the next step, would have touched my father's cheek. + His closed eyes and every line in his countenance, were painted, as it + were, for an instant on my sight. + </p> + <p> + The flash was accompanied with a burst of thunder, whose vehemence was + stunning. I always entertained a dread of thunder, and now recoiled, + overborne with terror. Never had I witnessed so luminous a gleam and so + tremendous a shock, yet my father's slumber appeared not to be disturbed + by it. + </p> + <p> + I stood irresolute and trembling; to prosecute my purpose in this state of + mind was impossible. I resolved for the present to relinquish it, and + turned with a view of exploring my way out of the chamber. Just then a + light seen through the window, caught my eye. It was at first weak but + speedily increased; no second thought was necessary to inform me that the + barn, situated at a small distance from the house, and newly stored with + hay, was in flames, in consequence of being struck by the lightning. + </p> + <p> + My terror at this spectacle made me careless of all consequences relative + to myself. I rushed to the bed and throwing myself on my father, awakened + him by loud cries. The family were speedily roused, and were compelled to + remain impotent spectators of the devastation. Fortunately the wind blew + in a contrary direction, so that our habitation was not injured. + </p> + <p> + The impression that was made upon me by the incidents of that night is + indelible. The wind gradually rose into an hurricane; the largest branches + were torn from the trees, and whirled aloft into the air; others were + uprooted and laid prostrate on the ground. The barn was a spacious + edifice, consisting wholly of wood, and filled with a plenteous harvest. + Thus supplied with fuel, and fanned by the wind, the fire raged with + incredible fury; meanwhile clouds rolled above, whose blackness was + rendered more conspicuous by reflection from the flames; the vast volumes + of smoke were dissipated in a moment by the storm, while glowing fragments + and cinders were borne to an immense hight, and tossed everywhere in wild + confusion. Ever and anon the sable canopy that hung around us was streaked + with lightning, and the peals, by which it was accompanied, were deafning, + and with scarcely any intermission. + </p> + <p> + It was, doubtless, absurd to imagine any connexion between this portentous + scene and the purpose that I had meditated, yet a belief of this + connexion, though wavering and obscure, lurked in my mind; something more + than a coincidence merely casual, appeared to have subsisted between my + situation, at my father's bed side, and the flash that darted through the + window, and diverted me from my design. It palsied my courage, and + strengthened my conviction, that my scheme was criminal. + </p> + <p> + After some time had elapsed, and tranquility was, in some degree, restored + in the family, my father reverted to the circumstances in which I had been + discovered on the first alarm of this event. The truth was impossible to + be told. I felt the utmost reluctance to be guilty of a falsehood, but by + falsehood only could I elude detection. That my guilt was the offspring of + a fatal necessity, that the injustice of others gave it birth and made it + unavoidable, afforded me slight consolation. Nothing can be more injurious + than a lie, but its evil tendency chiefly respects our future conduct. Its + direct consequences may be transient and few, but it facilitates a + repetition, strengthens temptation, and grows into habit. I pretended some + necessity had drawn me from my bed, and that discovering the condition of + the barn, I hastened to inform my father. + </p> + <p> + Some time after this, my father summoned me to his presence. I had been + previously guilty of disobedience to his commands, in a matter about which + he was usually very scrupulous. My brother had been privy to my offence, + and had threatened to be my accuser. On this occasion I expected nothing + but arraignment and punishment. Weary of oppression, and hopeless of any + change in my father's temper and views, I had formed the resolution of + eloping from his house, and of trusting, young as I was, to the caprice of + fortune. I was hesitating whether to abscond without the knowledge of the + family, or to make my resolutions known to them, and while I avowed my + resolution, to adhere to it in spite of opposition and remonstrances, when + I received this summons. + </p> + <p> + I was employed at this time in the field; night was approaching, and I had + made no preparation for departure; all the preparation in my power to + make, was indeed small; a few clothes, made into a bundle, was the sum of + my possessions. Time would have little influence in improving my + prospects, and I resolved to execute my scheme immediately. + </p> + <p> + I left my work intending to seek my chamber, and taking what was my own, + to disappear forever. I turned a stile that led out of the field into a + bye path, when my father appeared before me, advancing in an opposite + direction; to avoid him was impossible, and I summoned my fortitude to a + conflict with his passion. + </p> + <p> + As soon as we met, instead of anger and upbraiding, he told me, that he + had been reflecting on my aunt's proposal, to take me under her + protection, and had concluded that the plan was proper; if I still + retained my wishes on that head, he would readily comply with them, and + that, if I chose, I might set off for the city next morning, as a + neighbours waggon was preparing to go. + </p> + <p> + I shall not dwell on the rapture with which this proposal was listened to: + it was with difficulty that I persuaded myself that he was in earnest in + making it, nor could divine the reasons, for so sudden and unexpected a + change in his maxims.... These I afterwards discovered. Some one had + instilled into him fears, that my aunt exasperated at his opposition to + her request, respecting the unfortunate Frank, would bequeath her property + to strangers; to obviate this evil, which his avarice prompted him to + regard as much greater than any mischief, that would accrue to me, from + the change of my abode, he embraced her proposal. + </p> + <p> + I entered with exultation and triumph on this new scene; my hopes were by + no means disappointed. Detested labour was exchanged for luxurious + idleness. I was master of my time, and the chuser of my occupations. My + kinswoman on discovering that I entertained no relish for the drudgery of + colleges, and was contented with the means of intellectual gratification, + which I could obtain under her roof, allowed me to pursue my own choice. + </p> + <p> + Three tranquil years passed away, during which, each day added to my + happiness, by adding to my knowledge. My biloquial faculty was not + neglected. I improved it by assiduous exercise; I deeply reflected on the + use to which it might be applied. I was not destitute of pure intentions; + I delighted not in evil; I was incapable of knowingly contributing to + another's misery, but the sole or principal end of my endeavours was not + the happiness of others. + </p> + <p> + I was actuated by ambition. I was delighted to possess superior power; I + was prone to manifest that superiority, and was satisfied if this were + done, without much solicitude concerning consequences. I sported + frequently with the apprehensions of my associates, and threw out a bait + for their wonder, and supplied them with occasions for the structure of + theories. It may not be amiss to enumerate one or two adventures in which + I was engaged. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter III. + </h2> + <p> + I had taken much pains to improve the sagacity of a favourite Spaniel. It + was my purpose, indeed, to ascertain to what degree of improvement the + principles of reasoning and imitation could be carried in a dog. There is + no doubt that the animal affixes distinct ideas to sounds. What are the + possible limits of his vocabulary no one can tell. In conversing with my + dog I did not use English words, but selected simple monosyllables. Habit + likewise enabled him to comprehend my gestures. If I crossed my hands on + my breast he understood the signal and laid down behind me. If I joined my + hands and lifted them to my breast, he returned home. If I grasped one arm + above the elbow he ran before me. If I lifted my hand to my forehead he + trotted composedly behind. By one motion I could make him bark; by another + I could reduce him to silence. He would howl in twenty different strains + of mournfulness, at my bidding. He would fetch and carry with undeviating + faithfulness. + </p> + <p> + His actions being thus chiefly regulated by gestures, that to a stranger + would appear indifferent or casual, it was easy to produce a belief that + the animal's knowledge was much greater than in truth, it was. + </p> + <p> + One day, in a mixed company, the discourse turned upon the unrivaled + abilities of <i>Damon</i>. Damon had, indeed, acquired in all the circles + which I frequented, an extraordinary reputation. Numerous instances of his + sagacity were quoted and some of them exhibited on the spot. Much surprise + was excited by the readiness with which he appeared to comprehend + sentences of considerable abstraction and complexity, though, he in + reality, attended to nothing but the movements of hand or fingers with + which I accompanied my words. I enhanced the astonishment of some and + excited the ridicule of others, by observing that my dog not only + understood English when spoken by others, but actually spoke the language + himself, with no small degree of precision. + </p> + <p> + This assertion could not be admitted without proof; proof, therefore, was + readily produced. At a known signal, Damon began a low interrupted noise, + in which the astonished hearers clearly distinguished English words. A + dialogue began between the animal and his master, which was maintained, on + the part of the former, with great vivacity and spirit. In this dialogue + the dog asserted the dignity of his species and capacity of intellectual + improvement. The company separated lost in wonder, but perfectly convinced + by the evidence that had been produced. + </p> + <p> + On a subsequent occasion a select company was assembled at a garden, at a + small distance from the city. Discourse glided through a variety of + topics, till it lighted at length on the subject of invisible beings. From + the speculations of philosophers we proceeded to the creations of the + poet. Some maintained the justness of Shakspear's delineations of aerial + beings, while others denied it. By no violent transition, Ariel and his + songs were introduced, and a lady, celebrated for her musical skill, was + solicited to accompany her pedal harp with the song of "Five fathom deep + thy father lies"... She was known to have set, for her favourite + instrument, all the songs of Shakspeare. + </p> + <p> + My youth made me little more than an auditor on this occasion. I sat apart + from the rest of the company, and carefully noted every thing. The track + which the conversation had taken, suggested a scheme which was not + thoroughly digested when the lady began her enchanting strain. + </p> + <p> + She ended and the audience were mute with rapture. The pause continued, + when a strain was wafted to our ears from another quarter. The spot where + we sat was embowered by a vine. The verdant arch was lofty and the area + beneath was spacious. + </p> + <p> + The sound proceeded from above. At first it was faint and scarcely + audible; presently it reached a louder key, and every eye was cast up in + expectation of beholding a face among the pendant clusters. The strain was + easily recognized, for it was no other than that which Ariel is made to + sing when finally absolved from the service of the wizard. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + In the Cowslips bell I lie, + On the Bat's back I do fly... + After summer merrily, &c. +</pre> + <p> + Their hearts palpitated as they listened: they gazed at each other for a + solution of the mystery. At length the strain died away at distance, and + an interval of silence was succeded by an earnest discussion of the cause + of this prodigy. One supposition only could be adopted, which was, that + the strain was uttered by human organs. That the songster was stationed on + the roof of the arbour, and having finished his melody had risen into the + viewless fields of air. + </p> + <p> + I had been invited to spend a week at this house: this period was nearly + expired when I received information that my aunt was suddenly taken sick, + and that her life was in imminent danger. I immediately set out on my + return to the city, but before my arrival she was dead. + </p> + <p> + This lady was entitled to my gratitude and esteem; I had received the most + essential benefits at her hand. I was not destitute of sensibility, and + was deeply affected by this event: I will own, however, that my grief was + lessened by reflecting on the consequences of her death, with regard to my + own condition. I had been ever taught to consider myself as her heir, and + her death, therefore, would free me from certain restraints. + </p> + <p> + My aunt had a female servant, who had lived with her for twenty years: she + was married, but her husband, who was an artizan, lived apart from her: I + had no reason to suspect the woman's sincerity and disinterestedness; but + my aunt was no sooner consigned to the grave than a will was produced, in + which Dorothy was named her sole and universal heir. + </p> + <p> + It was in vain to urge my expectations and my claims.... the instrument + was legibly and legally drawn up.... Dorothy was exasperated by my + opposition and surmises, and vigorously enforced her title. In a week + after the decease of my kinswoman, I was obliged to seek a new dwelling. + As all my property consisted in my cloths and my papers, this was easily + done. + </p> + <p> + My condition was now calamitous and forlorn. Confiding in the acquisition + of my aunt's patrimony, I had made no other provision for the future; I + hated manual labour, or any task of which the object was gain. To be + guided in my choice of occupations by any motive but the pleasure which + the occupation was qualified to produce, was intolerable to my proud, + indolent, and restive temper. + </p> + <p> + This resource was now cut off; the means of immediate subsistence were + denied me: If I had determined to acquire the knowledge of some lucrative + art, the acquisition would demand time, and, meanwhile, I was absolutely + destitute of support. My father's house was, indeed, open to me, but I + preferred to stifle myself with the filth of the kennel, rather than to + return to it. + </p> + <p> + Some plan it was immediately necessary to adopt. The exigence of my + affairs, and this reverse of fortune, continually occupied my thoughts; I + estranged myself from society and from books, and devoted myself to lonely + walks and mournful meditation. + </p> + <p> + One morning as I ranged along the bank of Schuylkill, I encountered a + person, by name Ludloe, of whom I had some previous knowledge. He was from + Ireland; was a man of some rank and apparently rich: I had met with him + before, but in mixed companies, where little direct intercourse had taken + place between us. Our last meeting was in the arbour where Ariel was so + unexpectedly introduced. + </p> + <p> + Our acquaintance merely justified a transient salutation; but he did not + content himself with noticing me as I passed, but joined me in my walk and + entered into conversation. It was easy to advert to the occasion on which + we had last met, and to the mysterious incident which then occurred. I was + solicitous to dive into his thoughts upon this head and put some questions + which tended to the point that I wished. + </p> + <p> + I was somewhat startled when he expressed his belief, that the performer + of this mystic strain was one of the company then present, who exerted, + for this end, a faculty not commonly possessed. Who this person was he did + not venture to guess, and could not discover, by the tokens which he + suffered to appear, that his suspicions glanced at me. He expatiated with + great profoundness and fertility of ideas, on the uses to which a faculty + like this might be employed. No more powerful engine, he said, could be + conceived, by which the ignorant and credulous might be moulded to our + purposes; managed by a man of ordinary talents, it would open for him the + straightest and surest avenues to wealth and power. + </p> + <p> + His remarks excited in my mind a new strain of thoughts. I had not + hitherto considered the subject in this light, though vague ideas of the + importance of this art could not fail to be occasionally suggested: I + ventured to inquire into his ideas of the mode, in which an art like this + could be employed, so as to effect the purposes he mentioned. + </p> + <p> + He dealt chiefly in general representations. Men, he said, believed in the + existence and energy of invisible powers, and in the duty of discovering + and conforming to their will. This will was supposed to be sometimes made + known to them through the medium of their senses. A voice coming from a + quarter where no attendant form could be seen would, in most cases, be + ascribed to supernal agency, and a command imposed on them, in this + manner, would be obeyed with religious scrupulousness. Thus men might be + imperiously directed in the disposal of their industry, their property, + and even of their lives. Men, actuated by a mistaken sense of duty, might, + under this influence, be led to the commission of the most flagitious, as + well as the most heroic acts: If it were his desire to accumulate wealth, + or institute a new sect, he should need no other instrument. + </p> + <p> + I listened to this kind of discourse with great avidity, and regretted + when he thought proper to introduce new topics. He ended by requesting me + to visit him, which I eagerly consented to do. When left alone, my + imagination was filled with the images suggested by this conversation. The + hopelessness of better fortune, which I had lately harboured, now gave + place to cheering confidence. Those motives of rectitude which should + deter me from this species of imposture, had never been vivid or stable, + and were still more weakened by the artifices of which I had already been + guilty. The utility or harmlessness of the end, justified, in my eyes, the + means. + </p> + <p> + No event had been more unexpected, by me, than the bequest of my aunt to + her servant. The will, under which the latter claimed, was dated prior to + my coming to the city. I was not surprised, therefore, that it had once + been made, but merely that it had never been cancelled or superseded by a + later instrument. My wishes inclined me to suspect the existence of a + later will, but I had conceived that, to ascertain its existence, was + beyond my power. + </p> + <p> + Now, however, a different opinion began to be entertained. This woman like + those of her sex and class was unlettered and superstitious. Her faith in + spells and apparitions, was of the most lively kind. Could not her + conscience be awakened by a voice from the grave! Lonely and at midnight, + my aunt might be introduced, upbraiding her for her injustice, and + commanding her to attone for it by acknowledging the claim of the rightful + proprietor. + </p> + <p> + True it was, that no subsequent will might exist, but this was the fruit + of mistake, or of negligence. She probably intended to cancel the old one, + but this act might, by her own weakness, or by the artifices of her + servant, be delayed till death had put it out of her power. In either case + a mandate from the dead could scarcely fail of being obeyed. + </p> + <p> + I considered this woman as the usurper of my property. Her husband as well + as herself, were laborious and covetous; their good fortune had made no + change in their mode of living, but they were as frugal and as eager to + accumulate as ever. In their hands, money was inert and sterile, or it + served to foster their vices. To take it from them would, therefore, be a + benefit both to them and to myself; not even an imaginary injury would be + inflicted. Restitution, if legally compelled to it, would be reluctant and + painful, but if enjoined by Heaven would be voluntary, and the performance + of a seeming duty would carry with it, its own reward. + </p> + <p> + These reasonings, aided by inclination, were sufficient to determine me. I + have no doubt but their fallacy would have been detected in the sequel, + and my scheme have been productive of nothing but confusion and remorse. + From these consequences, however, my fate interposed, as in the former + instance, to save me. + </p> + <p> + Having formed my resolution, many preliminaries to its execution were + necessary to be settled. These demanded deliberation and delay; meanwhile + I recollected my promise to Ludlow, and paid him a visit. I met a frank + and affectionate reception. It would not be easy to paint the delight + which I experienced in this man's society. I was at first oppressed with + the sense of my own inferiority in age, knowledge and rank. Hence arose + numberless reserves and incapacitating diffidences; but these were + speedily dissipated by the fascinations of this man's address. His + superiority was only rendered, by time, more conspicuous, but this + superiority, by appearing never to be present to his own mind, ceased to + be uneasy to me. My questions required to be frequently answered, and my + mistakes to be rectified; but my keenest scrutiny, could detect in his + manner, neither arrogance nor contempt. He seemed to talk merely from the + overflow of his ideas, or a benevolent desire of imparting information. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter IV. + </h2> + <p> + My visits gradually became more frequent. Meanwhile my wants increased, + and the necessity of some change in my condition became daily more urgent. + This incited my reflections on the scheme which I had formed. The time and + place suitable to my design, were not selected without much anxious + inquiry and frequent waverings of purpose. These being at length fixed, + the interval to elapse, before the carrying of my design into effect, was + not without perturbation and suspense. These could not be concealed from + my new friend and at length prompted him to inquire into the cause. + </p> + <p> + It was not possible to communicate the whole truth; but the warmth of his + manner inspired me with some degree of ingenuousness. I did not hide from + him my former hopes and my present destitute condition. He listened to my + tale with no expressions of sympathy, and when I had finished, abruptly + inquired whether I had any objection to a voyage to Europe? I answered in + the negative. He then said that he was preparing to depart in a fortnight + and advised me to make up my mind to accompany him. + </p> + <p> + This unexpected proposal gave me pleasure and surprize, but the want of + money occurred to me as an insuperable objection. On this being mentioned, + Oho! said he, carelessly, that objection is easily removed, I will bear + all expenses of your passage myself. + </p> + <p> + The extraordinary beneficence of this act as well as the air of + uncautiousness attending it, made me doubt the sincerity of his offer, and + when new declarations removed this doubt, I could not forbear expressing + at once my sense of his generosity and of my own unworthiness. + </p> + <p> + He replied that generosity had been expunged from his catalogue as having + no meaning or a vicious one. It was the scope of his exertions to be just. + This was the sum of human duty, and he that fell short, ran beside, or + outstripped justice was a criminal. What he gave me was my due or not my + due. If it were my due, I might reasonably demand it from him and it was + wicked to withhold it. Merit on one side or gratitude on the other, were + contradictory and unintelligible. + </p> + <p> + If I were fully convinced that this benefit was not my due and yet + received it, he should hold me in contempt. The rectitude of my principles + and conduct would be the measure of his approbation, and no benefit should + he ever bestow which the receiver was not entitled to claim, and which it + would not be criminal in him to refuse. + </p> + <p> + These principles were not new from the mouth of Ludloe, but they had, + hitherto, been regarded as the fruits of a venturous speculation in my + mind. I had never traced them into their practical consequences, and if + his conduct on this occasion had not squared with his maxims, I should not + have imputed to him inconsistency. I did not ponder on these reasonings at + this time: objects of immediate importance engrossed my thoughts. + </p> + <p> + One obstacle to this measure was removed. When my voyage was performed how + should I subsist in my new abode? I concealed not my perplexity and he + commented on it in his usual manner. How did I mean to subsist, he asked, + in my own country? The means of living would be, at least, as much within + my reach there as here. As to the pressure of immediate and absolute want, + he believed I should be exposed to little hazard. With talents such as + mine, I must be hunted by a destiny peculiarly malignant, if I could not + provide myself with necessaries wherever my lot were cast. + </p> + <p> + He would make allowances, however, for my diffidence and self-distrust, + and would obviate my fears by expressing his own intentions with regard to + me. I must be apprized, however, of his true meaning. He laboured to shun + all hurtful and vitious things, and therefore carefully abstained from + making or confiding <i>in promises</i>. It was just to assist me in this + voyage, and it would probably be equally just to continue to me similar + assistance when it was finished. That indeed was a subject, in a great + degree, within my own cognizance. His aid would be proportioned to my + wants and to my merits, and I had only to take care that my claims were + just, for them to be admitted. + </p> + <p> + This scheme could not but appear to me eligible. I thirsted after an + acquaintance with new scenes; my present situation could not be changed + for a worse; I trusted to the constancy of Ludloe's friendship; to this at + least it was better to trust than to the success of my imposture on + Dorothy, which was adopted merely as a desperate expedient: finally I + determined to embark with him. + </p> + <p> + In the course of this voyage my mind was busily employed. There were no + other passengers beside ourselves, so that my own condition and the + character of Ludloe, continually presented themselves to my reflections. + It will be supposed that I was not a vague or indifferent observer. + </p> + <p> + There were no vicissitudes in the deportment or lapses in the discourse of + my friend. His feelings appeared to preserve an unchangeable tenor, and + his thoughts and words always to flow with the same rapidity. His slumber + was profound and his wakeful hours serene. He was regular and temperate in + all his exercises and gratifications. Hence were derived his clear + perceptions and exuberant health. + </p> + <p> + This treatment of me, like all his other mental and corporal operations, + was modelled by one inflexible standard. Certain scruples and delicacies + were incident to my situation. Of the existence of these he seemed to be + unconscious, and yet nothing escaped him inconsistent with a state of + absolute equality. + </p> + <p> + I was naturally inquisitive as to his fortune and the collateral + circumstances of his condition. My notions of politeness hindered me from + making direct inquiries. By indirect means I could gather nothing but that + his state was opulent and independent, and that he had two sisters whose + situation resembled his own. + </p> + <p> + Though, in conversation, he appeared to be governed by the utmost candour; + no light was let in upon the former transactions of his life. The purpose + of his visit to America I could merely guess to be the gratification of + curiosity. + </p> + <p> + My future pursuits must be supposed chiefly to occupy my attention. On + this head I was destitute of all stedfast views. Without profession or + habits of industry or sources of permanent revenue, the world appeared to + me an ocean on which my bark was set afloat, without compass or sail. The + world into which I was about to enter, was untried and unknown, and though + I could consent to profit by the guidance I was unwilling to rely on the + support of others. + </p> + <p> + This topic being nearest my heart, I frequently introduced into + conversation with my friend; but on this subject he always allowed himself + to be led by me, while on all others, he was zealous to point the way. To + every scheme that I proposed he was sure to cause objections. All the + liberal professions were censured as perverting the understanding, by + giving scope to the sordid motive of gain, or embuing the mind with + erroneous principles. Skill was slowly obtained, and success, though + integrity and independence must be given for it, dubious and instable. The + mechanical trades were equally obnoxious; they were vitious by + contributing to the spurious gratifications of the rich and multiplying + the objects of luxury; they were destruction to the intellect and vigor of + the artizan; they enervated his frame and brutalized his mind. + </p> + <p> + When I pointed out to him the necessity of some species of labour, he + tacitly admitted that necessity, but refused to direct me in the choice of + a pursuit, which though not free from defect should yet have the fewest + inconveniences. He dwelt on the fewness of our actual wants, the + temptations which attend the possession of wealth, the benefits of + seclusion and privacy, and the duty of unfettering our minds from the + prejudices which govern the world. + </p> + <p> + His discourse tended merely to unsettle my views and increase my + perplexity. This effect was so uniform that I at length desisted from all + allusions to this theme and endeavoured to divert my own reflections from + it. When our voyage should be finished, and I should actually tread this + new stage, I believed that I should be better qualified to judge of the + measures to be taken by me. + </p> + <p> + At length we reached Belfast. From thence we immediately repaired to + Dublin. I was admitted as a member of his family. When I expressed my + uncertainty as to the place to which it would be proper for me to repair, + he gave me a blunt but cordial invitation to his house. My circumstances + allowed me no option and I readily complied. My attention was for a time + engrossed by a diversified succession of new objects. Their novelty + however disappearing, left me at liberty to turn my eyes upon myself and + my companion, and here my reflections were supplied with abundant food. + </p> + <p> + His house was spacious and commodious, and furnished with profusion and + elegance. A suit of apartments was assigned to me, in which I was + permitted to reign uncontroled and access was permitted to a well + furnished library. My food was furnished in my own room, prepared in the + manner which I had previously directed. Occasionally Ludloe would request + my company to breakfast, when an hour was usually consumed in earnest or + sprightly conversation. At all other times he was invisible, and his + apartments, being wholly separate from mine, I had no opportunity of + discovering in what way his hours were employed. + </p> + <p> + He defended this mode of living as being most compatible with liberty. He + delighted to expatiate on the evils of cohabitation. Men, subjected to the + same regimen, compelled to eat and sleep and associate at certain hours, + were strangers to all rational independence and liberty. Society would + never be exempt from servitude and misery, till those artificial ties + which held human beings together under the same roof were dissolved. He + endeavoured to regulate his own conduct in pursuance of these principles, + and to secure to himself as much freedom as the present regulations of + society would permit. The same independence which he claimed for himself + he likewise extended to me. The distribution of my own time, the selection + of my own occupations and companions should belong to myself. + </p> + <p> + But these privileges, though while listening to his arguments I could not + deny them to be valuable, I would have willingly dispensed with. The + solitude in which I lived became daily more painful. I ate and drank, + enjoyed clothing and shelter, without the exercise of forethought or + industry; I walked and sat, went out and returned for as long and at what + seasons I thought proper, yet my condition was a fertile source of + discontent. + </p> + <p> + I felt myself removed to a comfortless and chilling distance from Ludloe. + I wanted to share in his occupations and views. With all his ingenuousness + of aspect and overflow of thoughts, when he allowed me his company, I felt + myself painfully bewildered with regard to his genuine condition and + sentiments. + </p> + <p> + He had it in his power to introduce me to society, and without an + introduction, it was scarcely possible to gain access to any social circle + or domestic fireside. Add to this, my own obscure prospects and dubious + situation. Some regular intellectual pursuit would render my state less + irksome, but I had hitherto adopted no scheme of this kind. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter V. + </h2> + <p> + Time tended, in no degree, to alleviate my dissatisfaction. It increased + till the determination became at length formed of opening my thoughts to + Ludloe. At the next breakfast interview which took place, I introduced the + subject, and expatiated without reserve, on the state of my feelings. I + concluded with entreating him to point out some path in which my talents + might be rendered useful to himself or to mankind. + </p> + <p> + After a pause of some minutes, he said, What would you do? You forget the + immaturity of your age. If you are qualified to act a part in the theatre + of life, step forth; but you are not qualified. You want knowledge, and + with this you ought previously to endow yourself..... Means, for this end, + are within your reach. Why should you waste your time in idleness, and + torment yourself with unprofitable wishes? Books are at hand.... books + from which most sciences and languages can be learned. Read, analise, + digest; collect facts, and investigate theories: ascertain the dictates of + reason, and supply yourself with the inclination and the power to adhere + to them. You will not, legally speaking, be a man in less than three + years. Let this period be devoted to the acquisition of wisdom. Either + stay here, or retire to an house I have on the banks of Killarney, where + you will find all the conveniences of study. + </p> + <p> + I could not but reflect with wonder at this man's treatment of me. I could + plead none of the rights of relationship; yet I enjoyed the privileges of + a son. He had not imparted to me any scheme, by pursuit of which I might + finally compensate him for the expense to which my maintenance and + education would subject him. He gave me reason to hope for the continuance + of his bounty. He talked and acted as if my fortune were totally disjoined + from his; yet was I indebted to him for the morsel which sustained my + life. Now it was proposed to withdraw myself to studious leisure, and + romantic solitude. All my wants, personal and intellectual, were to be + supplied gratuitously and copiously. No means were prescribed by which I + might make compensation for all these benefits. In conferring them he + seemed to be actuated by no view to his own ultimate advantage. He took no + measures to secure my future services. + </p> + <p> + I suffered these thoughts to escape me, on this occasion, and observed + that to make my application successful, or useful, it was necessary to + pursue some end. I must look forward to some post which I might hereafter + occupy beneficially to myself or others; and for which all the efforts of + my mind should be bent to qualify myself. + </p> + <p> + These hints gave him visible pleasure; and now, for the first time, he + deigned to advise me on this head. His scheme, however, was not suddenly + produced. The way to it was circuitous and long. It was his business to + make every new step appear to be suggested by my own reflections. His own + ideas were the seeming result of the moment, and sprung out of the last + idea that was uttered. Being hastily taken up, they were, of course, + liable to objection. These objections, sometimes occurring to me and + sometimes to him, were admitted or contested with the utmost candour. One + scheme went through numerous modifications before it was proved to be + ineligible, or before it yielded place to a better. It was easy to + perceive, that books alone were insufficient to impart knowledge: that man + must be examined with our own eyes to make us acquainted with their + nature: that ideas collected from observation and reading, must correct + and illustrate each other: that the value of all principles, and their + truth, lie in their practical effects. Hence, gradually arose, the + usefulness of travelling, of inspecting the habits and manners of a + nation, and investigating, on the spot, the causes of their happiness and + misery. Finally, it was determined that Spain was more suitable than any + other, to the views of a judicious traveller. + </p> + <p> + My language, habits, and religion were mentioned as obstacles to close and + extensive views; but these difficulties successively and slowly vanished. + Converse with books, and natives of Spain, a steadfast purpose and + unwearied diligence would efface all differences between me and a + Castilian with respect to speech. Personal habits, were changeable, by the + same means. The bars to unbounded intercourse, rising from the religion of + Spain being irreconcilably opposite to mine, cost us no little trouble to + surmount, and here the skill of Ludloe was eminently displayed. + </p> + <p> + I had been accustomed to regard as unquestionable, the fallacy of the + Romish faith. This persuasion was habitual and the child of prejudice, and + was easily shaken by the artifices of this logician. I was first led to + bestow a kind of assent on the doctrines of the Roman church; but my + convictions were easily subdued by a new species of argumentation, and, in + a short time, I reverted to my ancient disbelief, so that, if an exterior + conformity to the rights of Spain were requisite to the attainment of my + purpose, that conformity must be dissembled. + </p> + <p> + My moral principles had hitherto been vague and unsettled. My + circumstances had led me to the frequent practice of insincerity; but my + transgressions as they were slight and transient, did not much excite my + previous reflections, or subsequent remorse. My deviations, however, + though rendered easy by habit, were by no means sanctioned by my + principles. Now an imposture, more profound and deliberate, was projected; + and I could not hope to perform well my part, unless steadfastly and + thoroughly persuaded of its rectitude. + </p> + <p> + My friend was the eulogist of sincerity. He delighted to trace its + influence on the happiness of mankind; and proved that nothing but the + universal practice of this virtue was necessary to the perfection of human + society. His doctrine was splendid and beautiful. To detect its + imperfections was no easy task; to lay the foundations of virtue in + utility, and to limit, by that scale, the operation of general principles; + to see that the value of sincerity, like that of every other mode of + action, consisted in its tendency to good, and that, therefore the + obligation to speak truth was not paramount or intrinsical: that my duty + is modelled on a knowledge and foresight of the conduct of others; and + that, since men in their actual state, are infirm and deceitful, a just + estimate of consequences may sometimes make dissimulation my duty were + truths that did not speedily occur. The discovery, when made, appeared to + be a joint work. I saw nothing in Ludlow but proofs of candour, and a + judgment incapable of bias. + </p> + <p> + The means which this man employed to fit me for his purpose, perhaps owed + their success to my youth and ignorance. I may have given you exaggerated + ideas of his dexterity and address. Of that I am unable to judge. Certain + it is, that no time or reflection has abated my astonishment at the + profoundness of his schemes, and the perseverance with which they were + pursued by him. To detail their progress would expose me to the risk of + being tedious, yet none but minute details would sufficiently display his + patience and subtlety. + </p> + <p> + It will suffice to relate, that after a sufficient period of preparation + and arrangements being made for maintaining a copious intercourse with + Ludlow, I embarked for Barcelona. A restless curiosity and vigorous + application have distinguished my character in every scene. Here was + spacious field for the exercise of all my energies. I sought out a + preceptor in my new religion. I entered into the hearts of priests and + confessors, the <i>hidalgo</i> and the peasant, the monk and the prelate, + the austere and voluptuous devotee were scrutinized in all their forms. + </p> + <p> + Man was the chief subject of my study, and the social sphere that in which + I principally moved; but I was not inattentive to inanimate nature, nor + unmindful of the past. If the scope of virtue were to maintain the body in + health, and to furnish its highest enjoyments to every sense, to increase + the number, and accuracy, and order of our intellectual stores, no virtue + was ever more unblemished than mine. If to act upon our conceptions of + right, and to acquit ourselves of all prejudice and selfishness in the + formation of our principles, entitle us to the testimony of a good + conscience, I might justly claim it. + </p> + <p> + I shall not pretend to ascertain my rank in the moral scale. Your notions + of duty differ widely from mine. If a system of deceit, pursued merely + from the love of truth; if voluptuousness, never gratified at the expense + of health, may incur censure, I am censurable. This, indeed, was not the + limit of my deviations. Deception was often unnecessarily practised, and + my biloquial faculty did not lie unemployed. What has happened to + yourselves may enable you, in some degree, to judge of the scenes in which + my mystical exploits engaged me. In none of them, indeed, were the effects + equally disastrous, and they were, for the most part, the result of well + digested projects. + </p> + <p> + To recount these would be an endless task. They were designed as mere + specimens of power, to illustrate the influence of superstition: to give + sceptics the consolation of certainty: to annihilate the scruples of a + tender female, or facilitate my access to the bosoms of courtiers and + monks. + </p> + <p> + The first achievement of this kind took place in the convent of the + Escurial. For some time the hospitality of this brotherhood allowed me a + cell in that magnificent and gloomy fabric. I was drawn hither chiefly by + the treasures of Arabian literature, which are preserved here in the + keeping of a learned Maronite, from Lebanon. Standing one evening on the + steps of the great altar, this devout friar expatiated on the miraculous + evidences of his religion; and, in a moment of enthusiasm, appealed to San + Lorenzo, whose martyrdom was displayed before us. No sooner was the appeal + made than the saint, obsequious to the summons, whispered his responses + from the shrine, and commanded the heretic to tremble and believe. This + event was reported to the convent. With whatever reluctance, I could not + refuse my testimony to its truth, and its influence on my faith was + clearly shewn in my subsequent conduct. + </p> + <p> + A lady of rank, in Seville, who had been guilty of many unauthorized + indulgences, was, at last, awakened to remorse, by a voice from Heaven, + which she imagined had commanded her to expiate her sins by an abstinence + from all food for thirty days. Her friends found it impossible to outroot + this persuasion, or to overcome her resolution even by force. I chanced to + be one in a numerous company where she was present. This fatal illusion + was mentioned, and an opportunity afforded to the lady of defending her + scheme. At a pause in the discourse, a voice was heard from the ceiling, + which confirmed the truth of her tale; but, at the same time revoked the + command, and, in consideration of her faith, pronounced her absolution. + Satisfied with this proof, the auditors dismissed their unbelief, and the + lady consented to eat. + </p> + <p> + In the course of a copious correspondence with Ludlow, the observations I + had collected were given. A sentiment, which I can hardly describe, + induced me to be silent on all adventures connected with my bivocal + projects. On other topics, I wrote fully, and without restraint. I + painted, in vivid hues, the scenes with which I was daily conversant, and + pursued, fearlessly, every speculation on religion and government that + occurred. This spirit was encouraged by Ludloe, who failed not to comment + on my narrative, and multiply deductions from my principles. + </p> + <p> + He taught me to ascribe the evils that infest society to the errors of + opinion. The absurd and unequal distribution of power and property gave + birth to poverty and riches, and these were the sources of luxury and + crimes. These positions were readily admitted; but the remedy for these + ills, the means of rectifying these errors were not easily discovered. We + have been inclined to impute them to inherent defects in the moral + constitution of men: that oppression and tyranny grow up by a sort of + natural necessity, and that they will perish only when the human species + is extinct. Ludloe laboured to prove that this was, by no means, the case: + that man is the creature of circumstances: that he is capable of endless + improvement: that his progress has been stopped by the artificial + impediment of government: that by the removal of this, the fondest dreams + of imagination will be realized. + </p> + <p> + From detailing and accounting for the evils which exist under our present + institutions, he usually proceeded to delineate some scheme of Utopian + felicity, where the empire of reason should supplant that of force: where + justice should be universally understood and practised; where the interest + of the whole and of the individual should be seen by all to be the same; + where the public good should be the scope of all activity; where the tasks + of all should be the same, and the means of subsistence equally + distributed. + </p> + <p> + No one could contemplate his pictures without rapture. By their + comprehensiveness and amplitude they filled the imagination. I was + unwilling to believe that in no region of the world, or at no period could + these ideas be realized. It was plain that the nations of Europe were + tending to greater depravity, and would be the prey of perpetual + vicissitude. All individual attempts at their reformation would be + fruitless. He therefore who desired the diffusion of right principles, to + make a just system be adopted by a whole community, must pursue some + extraordinary method. + </p> + <p> + In this state of mind I recollected my native country, where a few + colonists from Britain had sown the germe of populous and mighty empires. + Attended, as they were, into their new abode, by all their prejudices, yet + such had been the influence of new circumstances, of consulting for their + own happiness, of adopting simple forms of government, and excluding + nobles and kings from their system, that they enjoyed a degree of + happiness far superior to their parent state. + </p> + <p> + To conquer the prejudices and change the habits of millions, are + impossible. The human mind, exposed to social influences, inflexibly + adheres to the direction that is given to it; but for the same reason why + men, who begin in error will continue, those who commence in truth, may be + expected to persist. Habit and example will operate with equal force in + both instances. + </p> + <p> + Let a few, sufficiently enlightened and disinterested, take up their abode + in some unvisited region. Let their social scheme be founded in equity, + and how small soever their original number may be, their growth into a + nation is inevitable. Among other effects of national justice, was to be + ranked the swift increase of numbers. Exempt from servile obligations and + perverse habits, endowed with property, wisdom, and health. Hundreds will + expand, with inconceivable rapidity into thousands and thousands, into + millions; and a new race, tutored in truth, may, in a few centuries, + overflow the habitable world. + </p> + <p> + Such were the visions of youth! I could not banish them from my mind. I + knew them to be crude; but believed that deliberation would bestow upon + them solidity and shape. Meanwhile I imparted them to Ludloe. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter VI. + </h2> + <p> + In answer to the reveries and speculations which I sent to him respecting + this subject, Ludloe informed me, that they had led his mind into a new + sphere of meditation. He had long and deeply considered in what way he + might essentially promote my happiness. He had entertained a faint hope + that I would one day be qualified for a station like that to which he + himself had been advanced. This post required an elevation and stability + of views which human beings seldom reach, and which could be attained by + me only by a long series of heroic labours. Hitherto every new stage in my + intellectual progress had added vigour to his hopes, and he cherished a + stronger belief than formerly that my career would terminate auspiciously. + This, however, was necessarily distant. Many preliminaries must first be + settled; many arduous accomplishments be first obtained; and my virtue be + subjected to severe trials. At present it was not in his power to be more + explicit; but if my reflections suggested no better plan, he advised me to + settle my affairs in Spain, and return to him immediately. My knowledge of + this country would be of the highest use, on the supposition of my + ultimately arriving at the honours to which he had alluded; and some of + these preparatory measures could be taken only with his assistance, and in + his company. + </p> + <p> + This intimation was eagerly obeyed, and, in a short time, I arrived at + Dublin. Meanwhile my mind had copious occupation in commenting on my + friend's letter. This scheme, whatever it was, seemed to be suggested by + my mention of a plan of colonization, and my preference of that mode of + producing extensive and permanent effects on the condition of mankind. It + was easy therefore to conjecture that this mode had been pursued under + some mysterious modifications and conditions. + </p> + <p> + It had always excited my wonder that so obvious an expedient had been + overlooked. The globe which we inhabit was very imperfectly known. The + regions and nations unexplored, it was reasonable to believe, surpassed in + extent, and perhaps in populousness, those with which we were familiar. + The order of Jesuits had furnished an example of all the errors and + excellencies of such a scheme. Their plan was founded on erroneous notions + of religion and policy, and they had absurdly chosen a scene [*] within + reach of the injustice and ambition of an European tyrant. + </p> + <p> + It was wise and easy to profit by their example. Resting on the two props + of fidelity and zeal, an association might exist for ages in the heart of + Europe, whose influence might be felt, and might be boundless, in some + region of the southern hemisphere; and by whom a moral and political + structure might be raised, the growth of pure wisdom, and totally unlike + those fragments of Roman and Gothic barbarism, which cover the face of + what are called the civilized nations. The belief now rose in my mind that + some such scheme had actually been prosecuted, and that Ludloe was a + coadjutor. On this supposition, the caution with which he approached to + his point, the arduous probation which a candidate for a part on this + stage must undergo, and the rigours of that test by which his fortitude + and virtue must be tried, were easily explained. I was too deeply imbued + with veneration for the effects of such schemes, and too sanguine in my + confidence in the rectitude of Ludloe, to refuse my concurrence in any + scheme by which my qualifications might at length be raised to a due + point. + </p> + <p> + Our interview was frank and affectionate. I found him situated just as + formerly. His aspect, manners, and deportment were the same. I entered + once more on my former mode of life, but our intercourse became more + frequent. We constantly breakfasted together, and our conversation was + usually prolonged through half the morning. + </p> + <p> + For a time our topics were general. I thought proper to leave to him the + introduction of more interesting themes: this, however, he betrayed no + inclination to do. His reserve excited some surprise, and I began to + suspect that whatever design he had formed with regard to me, had been + laid aside. To ascertain this question, I ventured, at length, to recall + his attention to the subject of his last letter, and to enquire whether + subsequent reflection had made any change in his views. + </p> + <p> + He said that his views were too momentous to be hastily taken up, or + hastily dismissed; the station, my attainment of which depended wholly on + myself, was high above vulgar heads, and was to be gained by years of + solicitude and labour. This, at least, was true with regard to minds + ordinarily constituted; I, perhaps, deserved to be regarded as an + exception, and might be able to accomplish in a few months that for which + others were obliged to toil during half their lives. + </p> + <p> + Man, continued he, is the slave of habit. Convince him to-day that his + duty leads straight forward: he shall advance, but at every step his + belief shall fade; habit will resume its empire, and tomorrow he shall + turn back, or betake himself to oblique paths. + </p> + <p> + We know not our strength till it be tried. Virtue, till confirmed by + habit, is a dream. You are a man imbued by errors, and vincible by slight + temptations. Deep enquiries must bestow light on your opinions, and the + habit of encountering and vanquishing temptation must inspire you with + fortitude. Till this be done, you are unqualified for that post, in which + you will be invested with divine attributes, and prescribe the condition + of a large portion of mankind. + </p> + <p> + Confide not in the firmness of your principles, or the stedfastness of + your integrity. Be always vigilant and fearful. Never think you have + enough of knowledge, and let not your caution slumber for a moment, for + you know not when danger is near. + </p> + <p> + I acknowledged the justice of his admonitions, and professed myself + willing to undergo any ordeal which reason should prescribe. What, I + asked, were the conditions, on the fulfilment of which depended my + advancement to the station he alluded to? Was it necessary to conceal from + me the nature and obligations of this rank? + </p> + <p> + These enquiries sunk him more profoundly into meditation than I had ever + before witnessed. After a pause, in which some perplexity was visible, he + answered: + </p> + <p> + I scarcely know what to say. As to promises, I claim them not from you. We + are now arrived at a point, in which it is necessary to look around with + caution, and that consequences should be fully known. A number of persons + are leagued together for an end of some moment. To make yourself one of + these is submitted to your choice. Among the conditions of their alliance + are mutual fidelity and secrecy. + </p> + <p> + Their existence depends upon this: their existence is known only to + themselves. This secrecy must be obtained by all the means which are + possible. When I have said thus much, I have informed you, in some degree, + of their existence, but you are still ignorant of the purpose contemplated + by this association, and of all the members, except myself. So far no + dangerous disclosure is yet made: but this degree of concealment is not + sufficient. Thus much is made known to you, because it is unavoidable. The + individuals which compose this fraternity are not immortal, and the + vacancies occasioned by death must be supplied from among the living. The + candidate must be instructed and prepared, and they are always at liberty + to recede. Their reason must approve the obligations and duties of their + station, or they are unfit for it. If they recede, one duty is still + incumbent upon them: they must observe an inviolable silence. To this they + are not held by any promise. They must weigh consequences, and freely + decide; but they must not fail to number among these consequences their + own death. + </p> + <p> + Their death will not be prompted by vengeance. The executioner will say, + he that has once revealed the tale is likely to reveal it a second time; + and, to prevent this, the betrayer must die. Nor is this the only + consequence: to prevent the further revelation, he, to whom the secret was + imparted, must likewise perish. He must not console himself with the + belief that his trespass will be unknown. The knowledge cannot, by human + means, be withheld from this fraternity. Rare, indeed, will it be that his + purpose to disclose is not discovered before it can be effected, and the + disclosure prevented by his death. + </p> + <p> + Be well aware of your condition. What I now, or may hereafter mention, + mention not again. Admit not even a doubt as to the propriety of hiding it + from all the world. There are eyes who will discern this doubt amidst the + closest folds of your heart, and your life will instantly be sacrificed. + </p> + <p> + At present be the subject dismissed. Reflect deeply on the duty which you + have already incurred. Think upon your strength of mind, and be careful + not to lay yourself under impracticable obligations. It will always be in + your power to recede. Even after you are solemnly enrolled a member, you + may consult the dictates of your own understanding, and relinquish your + post; but while you live, the obligation to be silent will perpetually + attend you. + </p> + <p> + We seek not the misery or death of any one, but we are swayed by an + immutable calculation. Death is to be abhorred, but the life of the + betrayer is productive of more evil than his death: his death, therefore, + we chuse, and our means are instantaneous and unerring. + </p> + <p> + I love you. The first impulse of my love is to dissuade you from seeking + to know more. Your mind will be full of ideas; your hands will be + perpetually busy to a purpose into which no human creature, beyond the + verge of your brotherhood, must pry. Believe me, who have made the + experiment, that compared with this task, the task of inviolable secrecy, + all others are easy. To be dumb will not suffice; never to know any + remission in your zeal or your watchfulness will not suffice. If the + sagacity of others detect your occupations, however strenuously you may + labour for concealment, your doom is ratified, as well as that of the + wretch whose evil destiny led him to pursue you. + </p> + <p> + Yet if your fidelity fail not, great will be your recompence. For all your + toils and self-devotion, ample will be the retribution. Hitherto you have + been wrapt in darkness and storm; then will you be exalted to a pure and + unruffled element. It is only for a time that temptation will environ you, + and your path will be toilsome. In a few years you will be permitted to + withdraw to a land of sages, and the remainder of your life will glide + away in the enjoyments of beneficence and wisdom. + </p> + <p> + Think deeply on what I have said. Investigate your own motives and + opinions, and prepare to submit them to the test of numerous hazards and + experiments. + </p> + <p> + Here my friend passed to a new topic. I was desirous of reverting to this + subject, and obtaining further information concerning it, but he + assiduously repelled all my attempts, and insisted on my bestowing deep + and impartial attention on what had already been disclosed. I was not slow + to comply with his directions. My mind refused to admit any other theme of + contemplation than this. + </p> + <p> + As yet I had no glimpse of the nature of this fraternity. I was permitted + to form conjectures, and previous incidents bestowed but one form upon my + thoughts. In reviewing the sentiments and deportment of Ludloe, my belief + continually acquired new strength. I even recollected hints and ambiguous + allusions in his discourse, which were easily solved, on the supposition + of the existence of a new model of society, in some unsuspected corner of + the world. + </p> + <p> + I did not fully perceive the necessity of secrecy; but this necessity + perhaps would be rendered apparent, when I should come to know the + connection that subsisted between Europe and this imaginary colony. But + what was to be done? I was willing to abide by these conditions. My + understanding might not approve of all the ends proposed by this + fraternity, and I had liberty to withdraw from it, or to refuse to ally + myself with them. That the obligation of secrecy should still remain, was + unquestionably reasonable. + </p> + <p> + It appeared to be the plan of Ludloe rather to damp than to stimulate my + zeal. He discouraged all attempts to renew the subject in conversation. He + dwelt upon the arduousness of the office to which I aspired, the + temptations to violate my duty with which I should be continually beset, + the inevitable death with which the slightest breach of my engagements + would be followed, and the long apprenticeship which it would be necessary + for me to serve, before I should be fitted to enter into this conclave. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes my courage was depressed by these representations. ..... My + zeal, however, was sure to revive; and at length Ludloe declared himself + willing to assist me in the accomplishment of my wishes. For this end, it + was necessary, he said, that I should be informed of a second obligation, + which every candidate must assume. Before any one could be deemed + qualified, he must be thoroughly known to his associates. For this end, he + must determine to disclose every fact in his history, and every secret of + his heart. I must begin with making these confessions with regard to my + past life, to Ludloe, and must continue to communicate, at stated seasons, + every new thought, and every new occurrence, to him. This confidence was + to be absolutely limitless: no exceptions were to be admitted, and no + reserves to be practised; and the same penalty attended the infraction of + this rule as of the former. Means would be employed, by which the + slightest deviation, in either case, would be detected, and the deathful + consequence would follow with instant and inevitable expedition. If + secrecy were difficult to practise, sincerity, in that degree in which it + was here demanded, was a task infinitely more arduous, and a period of new + deliberation was necessary before I should decide. I was at liberty to + pause: nay, the longer was the period of deliberation which I took, the + better; but, when I had once entered this path, it was not in my power to + recede. After having solemnly avowed my resolution to be thus sincere in + my confession, any particle of reserve or duplicity would cost me my life. + </p> + <p> + This indeed was a subject to be deeply thought upon. Hitherto I had been + guilty of concealment with regard to my friend. I had entered into no + formal compact, but had been conscious to a kind of tacit obligation to + hide no important transaction of my life from him. This consciousness was + the source of continual anxiety. I had exerted, on numerous occasions, my + bivocal faculty, but, in my intercourse with Ludloe, had suffered not the + slightest intimation to escape me with regard to it. This reserve was not + easily explained. It was, in a great degree, the product of habit; but I + likewise considered that the efficacy of this instrument depended upon its + existence being unknown. To confide the secret to one, was to put an end + to my privilege: how widely the knowledge would thenceforth be diffused, I + had no power to foresee. + </p> + <p> + Each day multiplied the impediments to confidence. Shame hindered me from + acknowledging my past reserves. Ludloe, from the nature of our + intercourse, would certainly account my reserve, in this respect, + unjustifiable, and to excite his indignation or contempt was an unpleasing + undertaking. Now, if I should resolve to persist in my new path, this + reserve must be dismissed: I must make him master of a secret which was + precious to me beyond all others; by acquainting him with past + concealments, I must risk incurring his suspicion and his anger. These + reflections were productive of considerable embarrassment. + </p> + <p> + There was, indeed, an avenue by which to escape these difficulties, if it + did not, at the same time, plunge me into greater. My confessions might, + in other respects, be unbounded, but my reserves, in this particular, + might be continued. Yet should I not expose myself to formidable perils? + Would my secret be for ever unsuspected and undiscovered? + </p> + <p> + When I considered the nature of this faculty, the impossibility of going + farther than suspicion, since the agent could be known only by his own + confession, and even this confession would not be believed by the greater + part of mankind, I was tempted to conceal it. + </p> + <p> + In most cases, if I had asserted the possession of this power, I should be + treated as a liar; it would be considered as an absurd and audacious + expedient to free myself from the suspicion of having entered into compact + with a daemon, or of being myself an emissary of the grand foe. Here, + however, there was no reason to dread a similar imputation, since Ludloe + had denied the preternatural pretensions of these airy sounds. + </p> + <p> + My conduct on this occasion was nowise influenced by the belief of any + inherent sanctity in truth. Ludloe had taught me to model myself in this + respect entirely with a view to immediate consequences. If my genuine + interest, on the whole, was promoted by veracity, it was proper to adhere + to it; but, if the result of my investigation were opposite, truth was to + be sacrificed without scruple. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Paraguay. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter VII. + </h2> + <p> + Meanwhile, in a point of so much moment, I was not hasty to determine. My + delay seemed to be, by no means, unacceptable to Ludloe, who applauded my + discretion, and warned me to be circumspect. My attention was chiefly + absorbed by considerations connected with this subject, and little regard + was paid to any foreign occupation or amusement. + </p> + <p> + One evening, after a day spent in my closet, I sought recreation by + walking forth. My mind was chiefly occupied by the review of incidents + which happened in Spain. I turned my face towards the fields, and + recovered not from my reverie, till I had proceeded some miles on the road + to Meath. The night had considerably advanced, and the darkness was + rendered intense, by the setting of the moon. Being somewhat weary, as + well as undetermined in what manner next to proceed, I seated myself on a + grassy bank beside the road. The spot which I had chosen was aloof from + passengers, and shrowded in the deepest obscurity. + </p> + <p> + Some time elapsed, when my attention was excited by the slow approach of + an equipage. I presently discovered a coach and six horses, but + unattended, except by coachman and postillion, and with no light to guide + them on their way. Scarcely had they passed the spot where I rested, when + some one leaped from beneath the hedge, and seized the head of the + fore-horses. Another called upon the coachman to stop, and threatened him + with instant death if he disobeyed. A third drew open the coach-door, and + ordered those within to deliver their purses. A shriek of terror showed me + that a lady was within, who eagerly consented to preserve her life by the + loss of her money. + </p> + <p> + To walk unarmed in the neighbourhood of Dublin, especially at night, has + always been accounted dangerous. I had about me the usual instruments of + defence. I was desirous of rescuing this person from the danger which + surrounded her, but was somewhat at a loss how to effect my purpose. My + single strength was insufficient to contend with three ruffians. After a + moment's debate, an expedient was suggested, which I hastened to execute. + </p> + <p> + Time had not been allowed for the ruffian who stood beside the carriage to + receive the plunder, when several voices, loud, clamorous, and eager, were + heard in the quarter whence the traveller had come. By trampling with + quickness, it was easy to imitate the sound of many feet. The robbers were + alarmed, and one called upon another to attend. The sounds increased, and, + at the next moment, they betook themselves to flight, but not till a + pistol was discharged. Whether it was aimed at the lady in the carriage, + or at the coachman, I was not permitted to discover, for the report + affrighted the horses, and they set off at full speed. + </p> + <p> + I could not hope to overtake them: I knew not whither the robbers had + fled, and whether, by proceeding, I might not fall into their hands..... + These considerations induced me to resume my feet, and retire from the + scene as expeditiously as possible. I regained my own habitation without + injury. + </p> + <p> + I have said that I occupied separate apartments from those of Ludloe. To + these there were means of access without disturbing the family. I hasted + to my chamber, but was considerably surprized to find, on entering my + apartment, Ludloe seated at a table, with a lamp before him. + </p> + <p> + My momentary confusion was greater than his. On discovering who it was, he + assumed his accustomed looks, and explained appearances, by saying, that + he wished to converse with me on a subject of importance, and had + therefore sought me at this secret hour, in my own chamber. Contrary to + his expectation, I was absent. Conceiving it possible that I might shortly + return, he had waited till now. He took no further notice of my absence, + nor manifested any desire to know the cause of it, but proceeded to + mention the subject which had brought him hither. These were his words. + </p> + <p> + You have nothing which the laws permit you to call your own. Justice + entitles you to the supply of your physical wants, from those who are able + to supply them; but there are few who will acknowledge your claim, or + spare an atom of their superfluity to appease your cravings. That which + they will not spontaneously give, it is not right to wrest from them by + violence. What then is to be done? + </p> + <p> + Property is necessary to your own subsistence. It is useful, by enabling + you to supply the wants of others. To give food, and clothing, and + shelter, is to give life, to annihilate temptation, to unshackle virtue, + and propagate felicity. How shall property be gained? + </p> + <p> + You may set your understanding or your hands at work. You may weave + stockings, or write poems, and exchange them for money; but these are + tardy and meagre schemes. The means are disproportioned to the end, and I + will not suffer you to pursue them. My justice will supply your wants. + </p> + <p> + But dependance on the justice of others is a precarious condition. To be + the object is a less ennobling state than to be the bestower of benefit. + Doubtless you desire to be vested with competence and riches, and to hold + them by virtue of the law, and not at the will of a benefactor...... He + paused as if waiting for my assent to his positions. I readily expressed + my concurrence, and my desire to pursue any means compatible with honesty. + He resumed. + </p> + <p> + There are various means, besides labour, violence, or fraud. It is right + to select the easiest within your reach. It happens that the easiest is at + hand. A revenue of some thousands a year, a stately mansion in the city, + and another in Kildare, old and faithful domestics, and magnificent + furniture, are good things. Will you have them? + </p> + <p> + A gift like that, replied I, will be attended by momentous conditions. I + cannot decide upon its value, until I know these conditions. + </p> + <p> + The sole condition is your consent to receive them. Not even the airy + obligation of gratitude will be created by acceptance. On the contrary, by + accepting them, you will confer the highest benefit upon another. + </p> + <p> + I do not comprehend you. Something surely must be given in return. + </p> + <p> + Nothing. It may seem strange that, in accepting the absolute controul of + so much property, you subject yourself to no conditions; that no claims of + gratitude or service will accrue; but the wonder is greater still. The law + equitably enough fetters the gift with no restraints, with respect to you + that receive it; but not so with regard to the unhappy being who bestows + it. That being must part, not only with property but liberty. In accepting + the property, you must consent to enjoy the services of the present + possessor. They cannot be disjoined. + </p> + <p> + Of the true nature and extent of the gift, you should be fully apprized. + Be aware, therefore, that, together with this property, you will receive + absolute power over the liberty and person of the being who now possesses + it. That being must become your domestic slave; be governed, in every + particular, by your caprice. + </p> + <p> + Happily for you, though fully invested with this power, the degree and + mode in which it will be exercised will depend upon yourself..... You may + either totally forbear the exercise, or employ it only for the benefit of + your slave. However injurious, therefore, this authority may be to the + subject of it, it will, in some sense, only enhance the value of the gift + to you. + </p> + <p> + The attachment and obedience of this being will be chiefly evident in one + thing. Its duty will consist in conforming, in every instance, to your + will. All the powers of this being are to be devoted to your happiness; + but there is one relation between you, which enables you to confer, while + exacting, pleasure. .... This relation is <i>sexual</i>. Your slave is a + woman; and the bond, which transfers her property and person to you, is + .... <i>marriage</i>. + </p> + <p> + My knowledge of Ludloe, his principles, and reasonings, ought to have + precluded that surprise which I experienced at the conclusion of his + discourse. I knew that he regarded the present institution of marriage as + a contract of servitude, and the terms of it unequal and unjust. When my + surprise had subsided, my thoughts turned upon the nature of his scheme. + After a pause of reflection, I answered: + </p> + <p> + Both law and custom have connected obligations with marriage, which, + though heaviest on the female, are not light upon the male. Their weight + and extent are not immutable and uniform; they are modified by various + incidents, and especially by the mental and personal qualities of the + lady. + </p> + <p> + I am not sure that I should willingly accept the property and person of a + woman decrepid with age, and enslaved by perverse habits and evil + passions: whereas youth, beauty, and tenderness would be worth accepting, + even for their own sake, and disconnected with fortune. + </p> + <p> + As to altar vows, I believe they will not make me swerve from equity. I + shall exact neither service nor affection from my spouse. The value of + these, and, indeed, not only the value, but the very existence, of the + latter depends upon its spontaneity. A promise to love tends rather to + loosen than strengthen the tie. + </p> + <p> + As to myself, the age of illusion is past. I shall not wed, till I find + one whose moral and physical constitution will make personal fidelity + easy. I shall judge without mistiness or passion, and habit will come in + aid of an enlightened and deliberate choice. + </p> + <p> + I shall not be fastidious in my choice. I do not expect, and scarcely + desire, much intellectual similitude between me and my wife. Our opinions + and pursuits cannot be in common. While women are formed by their + education, and their education continues in its present state, tender + hearts and misguided understandings are all that we can hope to meet with. + </p> + <p> + What are the character, age, and person of the woman to whom you allude? + and what prospect of success would attend my exertions to obtain her + favour? + </p> + <p> + I have told you she is rich. She is a widow, and owes her riches to the + liberality of her husband, who was a trader of great opulence, and who + died while on a mercantile adventure to Spain. He was not unknown to you. + Your letters from Spain often spoke of him. In short, she is the widow of + Benington, whom you met at Barcelona. She is still in the prime of life; + is not without many feminine attractions; has an ardent and credulent + temper; and is particularly given to devotion. This temper it would be + easy to regulate according to your pleasure and your interest, and I now + submit to you the expediency of an alliance with her. + </p> + <p> + I am a kinsman, and regarded by her with uncommon deference; and my + commendations, therefore, will be of great service to you, and shall be + given. + </p> + <p> + I will deal ingenuously with you. It is proper you should be fully + acquainted with the grounds of this proposal. The benefits of rank, and + property, and independence, which I have already mentioned as likely to + accrue to you from this marriage, are solid and valuable benefits; but + these are not the sole advantages, and to benefit you, in these respects, + is not my whole view. + </p> + <p> + No. My treatment of you henceforth will be regulated by one principle. I + regard you only as one undergoing a probation or apprenticeship; as + subjected to trials of your sincerity and fortitude. The marriage I now + propose to you is desirable, because it will make you independent of me. + Your poverty might create an unsuitable bias in favour of proposals, one + of whose effects would be to set you beyond fortune's reach. That bias + will cease, when you cease to be poor and dependent. + </p> + <p> + Love is the strongest of all human delusions. That fortitude, which is not + subdued by the tenderness and blandishments of woman, may be trusted; but + no fortitude, which has not undergone that test, will be trusted by us. + </p> + <p> + This woman is a charming enthusiast. She will never marry but him whom she + passionately loves. Her power over the heart that loves her will scarcely + have limits. The means of prying into your transactions, of suspecting and + sifting your thoughts, which her constant society with you, while sleeping + and waking, her zeal and watchfulness for your welfare, and her curiosity, + adroitness, and penetration will afford her, are evident. Your danger, + therefore, will be imminent. Your fortitude will be obliged to have + recourse, not to flight, but to vigilance. Your eye must never close. + </p> + <p> + Alas! what human magnanimity can stand this test! How can I persuade + myself that you will not fail? I waver between hope and fear. Many, it is + true, have fallen, and dragged with them the author of their ruin, but + some have soared above even these perils and temptations, with their fiery + energies unimpaired, and great has been, as great ought to be, their + recompence. + </p> + <p> + But you are doubtless aware of your danger. I need not repeat the + consequences of betraying your trust, the rigour of those who will Judge + your fault, the unerring and unbounded scrutiny to which your actions, the + most secret and indifferent, will be subjected. + </p> + <p> + Your conduct, however, will be voluntary. At your own option be it, to see + or not to see this woman. Circumspection, deliberation forethought, are + your sacred duties and highest interest. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter VIII. + </h2> + <p> + Ludloe's remarks on the seductive and bewitching powers of women, on the + difficulty of keeping a secret which they wish to know, and to gain which + they employ the soft artillery of tears and prayers, and blandishments and + menaces, are familiar to all men, but they had little weight with me, + because they were unsupported by my own experience. I had never had any + intellectual or sentimental connection with the sex. My meditations and + pursuits had all led a different way, and a bias had gradually been given + to my feelings, very unfavourable to the refinements of love. I + acknowledge, with shame and regret, that I was accustomed to regard the + physical and sensual consequences of the sexual relation as realities, and + every thing intellectual, disinterested, and heroic, which enthusiasts + connect with it as idle dreams. Besides, said I, I am yet a stranger to + the secret, on the preservation of which so much stress is laid, and it + will be optional with me to receive it or not. If, in the progress of my + acquaintance with Mrs. Benington, I should perceive any extraordinary + danger in the gift, cannot I refuse, or at least delay to comply with any + new conditions from Ludloe? Will not his candour and his affection for me + rather commend than disapprove my diffidence? In fine, I resolved to see + this lady. + </p> + <p> + She was, it seems, the widow of Benington, whom I knew in Spain. This man + was an English merchant settled at Barcelona, to whom I had been commended + by Ludloe's letters, and through whom my pecuniary supplies were + furnished....... Much intercourse and some degree of intimacy had taken + place between us, and I had gained a pretty accurate knowledge of his + character. I had been informed, through different channels, that his wife + was much his superior in rank, that she possessed great wealth in her own + right, and that some disagreement of temper or views occasioned their + separation. She had married him for love, and still doated on him: the + occasions for separation having arisen, it seems, not on her side but on + his. As his habits of reflection were nowise friendly to religion, and as + hers, according to Ludloe, were of the opposite kind, it is possible that + some jarring had arisen between them from this source. Indeed, from some + casual and broken hints of Benington, especially in the latter part of his + life, I had long since gathered this conjecture....... Something, thought + I, may be derived from my acquaintance with her husband favourable to my + views. + </p> + <p> + I anxiously waited for an opportunity of acquainting Ludloe with my + resolution. On the day of our last conversation, he had made a short + excursion from town, intending to return the same evening, but had + continued absent for several days. As soon as he came back, I hastened to + acquaint him with my wishes. + </p> + <p> + Have you well considered this matter, said he. Be assured it is of no + trivial import. The moment at which you enter the presence of this woman + will decide your future destiny. Even putting out of view the subject of + our late conversations, the light in which you shall appear to her will + greatly influence your happiness, since, though you cannot fail to love + her, it is quite uncertain what return she may think proper to make. Much, + doubtless, will depend on your own perseverance and address, but you will + have many, perhaps insuperable obstacles to encounter on several accounts, + and especially in her attachment to the memory of her late husband. As to + her devout temper, this is nearly allied to a warm imagination in some + other respects, and will operate much more in favour of an ardent and + artful lover, than against him. + </p> + <p> + I still expressed my willingness to try my fortune with her. + </p> + <p> + Well, said he, I anticipated your consent to my proposal, and the visit I + have just made was to her. I thought it best to pave the way, by informing + her that I had met with one for whom she had desired me to look out. You + must know that her father was one of these singular men who set a value + upon things exactly in proportion to the difficulty of obtaining or + comprehending them. His passion was for antiques, and his favourite + pursuit during a long life was monuments in brass, marble, and parchment, + of the remotest antiquity. He was wholly indifferent to the character or + conduct of our present sovereign and his ministers, but was extremely + solicitous about the name and exploits of a king of Ireland that lived two + or three centuries before the flood. He felt no curiosity to know who was + the father of his wife's child, but would travel a thousand miles, and + consume months, in investigating which son of Noah it was that first + landed on the coast of Munster. He would give a hundred guineas from the + mint for a piece of old decayed copper no bigger than his nail, provided + it had aukward characters upon it, too much defaced to be read. The whole + stock of a great bookseller was, in his eyes, a cheap exchange for a shred + of parchment, containing half a homily written by St. Patrick. He would + have gratefully given all his patrimonial domains to one who should inform + him what pendragon or druid it was who set up the first stone on Salisbury + plain. + </p> + <p> + This spirit, as you may readily suppose, being seconded by great wealth + and long life, contributed to form a very large collection of venerable + lumber, which, though beyond all price to the collector himself, is of no + value to his heiress but so far as it is marketable. She designs to bring + the whole to auction, but for this purpose a catalogue and description are + necessary. Her father trusted to a faithful memory, and to vague and + scarcely legible memorandums, and has left a very arduous task to any one + who shall be named to the office. It occurred to me, that the best means + of promoting your views was to recommend you to this office. + </p> + <p> + You are not entirely without the antiquarian frenzy yourself. The + employment, therefore, will be somewhat agreeable to you for its own sake. + It will entitle you to become an inmate of the same house, and thus + establish an incessant intercourse between you, and the nature of the + business is such, that you may perform it in what time, and with what + degree of diligence and accuracy you please. + </p> + <p> + I ventured to insinuate that, to a woman of rank and family, the character + of a hireling was by no means a favourable recommendation. + </p> + <p> + He answered, that he proposed, by the account he should give of me, to + obviate every scruple of that nature. Though my father was no better than + a farmer, it is not absolutely certain but that my remoter ancestors had + princely blood in their veins: but as long as proofs of my low extraction + did not impertinently intrude themselves, my silence, or, at most, + equivocal surmises, seasonably made use of, might secure me from all + inconveniences on the score of birth. He should represent me, and I was + such, as his friend, favourite, and equal, and my passion for antiquities + should be my principal inducement to undertake this office, though my + poverty would make no objection to a reasonable pecuniary recompense. + </p> + <p> + Having expressed my acquiescence in his measures, he thus proceeded: My + visit was made to my kinswoman, for the purpose, as I just now told you, + of paving your way into her family; but, on my arrival at her house, I + found nothing but disorder and alarm. Mrs. Benington, it seems, on + returning from a longer ride than customary, last Thursday evening, was + attacked by robbers. Her attendants related an imperfect tale of somebody + advancing at the critical moment to her rescue. It seems, however, they + did more harm than good; for the horses took to flight and overturned the + carriage, in consequence of which Mrs. Benington was severely bruised. She + has kept her bed ever since, and a fever was likely to ensue, which has + only left her out of danger to-day. + </p> + <p> + As the adventure before related, in which I had so much concern, occurred + at the time mentioned by Ludloe, and as all other circumstances were + alike, I could not doubt that the person whom the exertion of my + mysterious powers had relieved was Mrs. Benington: but what an ill-omened + interference was mine! The robbers would probably have been satisfied with + the few guineas in her purse, and, on receiving these, would have left her + to prosecute her journey in peace and security, but, by absurdly offering + a succour, which could only operate upon the fears of her assailants, I + endangered her life, first by the desperate discharge of a pistol, and + next by the fright of the horses........ My anxiety, which would have been + less if I had not been, in some degree, myself the author of the evil, was + nearly removed by Ludloe's proceeding to assure me that all danger was at + an end, and that he left the lady in the road to perfect health. He had + seized the earliest opportunity of acquainting her with the purpose of his + visit, and had brought back with him her cheerful acceptance of my + services. The next week was appointed for my introduction. + </p> + <p> + With such an object in view, I had little leisure to attend to any + indifferent object. My thoughts were continually bent upon the expected + introduction, and my impatience and curiosity drew strength, not merely + from the character of Mrs. Benington, but from the nature of my new + employment. Ludloe had truly observed, that I was infected with somewhat + of this antiquarian mania myself, and I now remembered that Benington had + frequently alluded to this collection in possession of his wife. My + curiosity had then been more than once excited by his representations, and + I had formed a vague resolution of making myself acquainted with this lady + and her learned treasure, should I ever return to Ireland..... Other + incidents had driven this matter from my mind. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, affairs between Ludloe and myself remained stationary. Our + conferences, which were regular and daily, related to general topics, and + though his instructions were adapted to promote my improvement in the most + useful branches of knowledge, they never afforded a glimpse towards that + quarter where my curiosity was most active. + </p> + <p> + The next week now arrived, but Ludloe informed me that the state of Mrs. + Benington's health required a short excursion into the country, and that + he himself proposed to bear her company. The journey was to last about a + fortnight, after which I might prepare myself for an introduction to her. + </p> + <p> + This was a very unexpected and disagreeable trial to my patience. The + interval of solitude that now succeeded would have passed rapidly and + pleasantly enough, if an event of so much moment were not in suspense. + Books, of which I was passionately fond, would have afforded me delightful + and incessant occupation, and Ludloe, by way of reconciling me to + unavoidable delays, had given me access to a little closet, in which his + rarer and more valuable books were kept. + </p> + <p> + All my amusements, both by inclination and necessity, were centered in + myself and at home. Ludloe appeared to have no visitants, and though + frequently abroad, or at least secluded from me, had never proposed my + introduction to any of his friends, except Mrs. Benington. My obligations + to him were already too great to allow me to lay claim to new favours and + indulgences, nor, indeed, was my disposition such as to make society + needful to my happiness. My character had been, in some degree, modelled + by the faculty which I possessed. This deriving all its supposed value + from impenetrable secrecy, and Ludloe's admonitions tending powerfully to + impress me with the necessity of wariness and circumspection in my general + intercourse with mankind, I had gradually fallen into sedate, reserved, + mysterious, and unsociable habits. My heart wanted not a friend. + </p> + <p> + In this temper of mind, I set myself to examine the novelties which + Ludloe's private book-cases contained. 'Twill be strange, thought I, if + his favourite volume do not show some marks of my friend's character. To + know a man's favourite or most constant studies cannot fail of letting in + some little light upon his secret thoughts, and though he would not have + given me the reading of these books, if he had thought them capable of + unveiling more of his concerns than he wished, yet possibly my ingenuity + may go one step farther than he dreams of. You shall judge whether I was + right in my conjectures. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter IX. + </h2> + <p> + The books which composed this little library were chiefly the voyages and + travels of the missionaries of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. + Added to these were some works upon political economy and legislation. + Those writers who have amused themselves with reducing their ideas to + practice, and drawing imaginary pictures of nations or republics, whose + manners or government came up to their standard of excellence, were, all + of whom I had ever heard, and some I had never heard of before, to be + found in this collection. A translation of Aristotle's republic, the + political romances of sir Thomas Moore, Harrington, and Hume, appeared to + have been much read, and Ludlow had not been sparing of his marginal + comments. In these writers he appeared to find nothing but error and + absurdity; and his notes were introduced for no other end than to point + out groundless principles and false conclusions..... The style of these + remarks was already familiar to me. I saw nothing new in them, or + different from the strain of those speculations with which Ludlow was + accustomed to indulge himself in conversation with me. + </p> + <p> + After having turned over the leaves of the printed volumes, I at length + lighted on a small book of maps, from which, of course, I could reasonably + expect no information, on that point about which I was most curious. It + was an atlas, in which the maps had been drawn by the pen. None of them + contained any thing remarkable, so far as I, who was indeed a smatterer in + geography, was able to perceive, till I came to the end, when I noticed a + map, whose prototype I was wholly unacquainted with. It was drawn on a + pretty large scale, representing two islands, which bore some faint + resemblance, in their relative proportions, at least, to Great Britain and + Ireland. In shape they were widely different, but as to size there was no + scale by which to measure them. From the great number of subdivisions, and + from signs, which apparently represented towns and cities, I was allowed + to infer, that the country was at least as extensive as the British isles. + This map was apparently unfinished, for it had no names inscribed upon it. + </p> + <p> + I have just said, my geographical knowledge was imperfect. Though I had + not enough to draw the outlines of any country by memory, I had still + sufficient to recognize what I had before seen, and to discover that none + of the larger islands in our globe resembled the one before me. Having + such and so strong motives to curiosity, you may easily imagine my + sensations on surveying this map. Suspecting, as I did, that many of + Ludlow's intimations alluded to a country well known to him, though + unknown to others, I was, of course, inclined to suppose that this country + was now before me. + </p> + <p> + In search of some clue to this mystery, I carefully inspected the other + maps in this collection. In a map of the eastern hemisphere I soon + observed the outlines of islands, which, though on a scale greatly + diminished, were plainly similar to that of the land above described. + </p> + <p> + It is well known that the people of Europe are strangers to very nearly + one half of the surface of the globe. [*] From the south pole up to the + equator, it is only the small space occupied by southern Africa and by + South America with which we are acquainted. There is a vast extent, + sufficient to receive a continent as large as North America, which our + ignorance has filled only with water. In Ludlow's maps nothing was still + to be seen, in these regions, but water, except in that spot where the + transverse parallels of the southern tropic and the 150th degree east + longitude intersect each other. On this spot were Ludlow's islands placed, + though without any name or inscription whatever. + </p> + <p> + I needed not to be told that this spot had never been explored by any + European voyager, who had published his adventures. What authority had + Ludlow for fixing a habitable land in this spot? and why did he give us + nothing but the courses of shores and rivers, and the scite of towns and + villages, without a name? + </p> + <p> + As soon as Ludlow had set out upon his proposed journey of a fortnight, I + unlocked his closet, and continued rummaging among these books and maps + till night. By that time I had turned over every book and almost every + leaf in this small collection, and did not open the closet again till near + the end of that period. Meanwhile I had many reflections upon this + remarkable circumstance. Could Ludlow have intended that I should see this + atlas? It was the only book that could be styled a manuscript on these + shelves, and it was placed beneath several others, in a situation far from + being obvious and forward to the eye or the hand. Was it an oversight in + him to leave it in my way, or could he have intended to lead my curiosity + and knowledge a little farther onward by this accidental disclosure? In + either case how was I to regulate my future deportment toward him? Was I + to speak and act as if this atlas had escaped my attention or not? I had + already, after my first examination of it, placed the volume exactly where + I found it. On every supposition I thought this was the safest way, and + unlocked the closet a second time, to see that all was precisely in the + original order..... How was I dismayed and confounded on inspecting the + shelves to perceive that the atlas was gone. This was a theft, which, from + the closet being under lock and key, and the key always in my own pocket, + and which, from the very nature of the thing stolen, could not be imputed + to any of the domestics. After a few moments a suspicion occurred, which + was soon changed into certainty by applying to the housekeeper, who told + me that Ludlow had returned, apparently in much haste, the evening of the + day on which he had set out upon his journey, and just after I had left + the house, that he had gone into the room where this closet of books was, + and, after a few minutes' stay, came out again and went away. She told me + also, that he had made general enquiries after me, to which she had + answered, that she had not seen me during the day, and supposed that I had + spent the whole of it abroad. From this account it was plain, that Ludlow + had returned for no other purpose but to remove this book out of my reach. + But if he had a double key to this door, what should hinder his having + access, by the same means, to every other locked up place in the house? + </p> + <p> + This suggestion made me start with terror. Of so obvious a means for + possessing a knowledge of every thing under his roof, I had never been + till this moment aware. Such is the infatuation which lays our most secret + thoughts open to the world's scrutiny. We are frequently in most danger + when we deem ourselves most safe, and our fortress is taken sometimes + through a point, whose weakness nothing, it should seem, but the blindest + stupidity could overlook. + </p> + <p> + My terrors, indeed, quickly subsided when I came to recollect that there + was nothing in any closet or cabinet of mine which could possibly throw + light upon subjects which I desired to keep in the dark. The more + carefully I inspected my own drawers, and the more I reflected on the + character of Ludlow, as I had known it, the less reason did there appear + in my suspicions; but I drew a lesson of caution from this circumstance, + which contributed to my future safety. + </p> + <p> + From this incident I could not but infer Ludlow's unwillingness to let me + so far into his geographical secret, as well as the certainty of that + suspicion, which had very early been suggested to my thoughts, that + Ludlow's plans of civilization had been carried into practice in some + unvisited corner of the world. It was strange, however, that he should + betray himself by such an inadvertency. One who talked so confidently of + his own powers, to unveil any secret of mine, and, at the same time, to + conceal his own transactions, had surely committed an unpardonable error + in leaving this important document in my way. My reverence, indeed, for + Ludlow was such, that I sometimes entertained the notion that this seeming + oversight was, in truth, a regular contrivance to supply me with a + knowledge, of which, when I came maturely to reflect, it was impossible + for me to make any ill use. There is no use in relating what would not be + believed; and should I publish to the world the existence of islands in + the space allotted by Ludlow's maps to these <i>incognitae</i>, what would + the world answer? That whether the space described was sea or land was of + no importance. That the moral and political condition of its inhabitants + was the only topic worthy of rational curiosity. Since I had gained no + information upon this point; since I had nothing to disclose but vain and + fantastic surmises; I might as well be ignorant of every thing. Thus, from + secretly condemning Ludlow's imprudence, I gradually passed to admiration + of his policy. This discovery had no other effect than to stimulate my + curiosity; to keep up my zeal to prosecute the journey I had commenced + under his auspices. + </p> + <p> + I had hitherto formed a resolution to stop where I was in Ludlow's + confidence: to wait till the success should be ascertained of my projects + with respect to Mrs. Benington, before I made any new advance in the + perilous and mysterious road into which he had led my steps. But, before + this tedious fortnight had elapsed, I was grown extremely impatient for an + interview, and had nearly resolved to undertake whatever obligation he + should lay upon me. + </p> + <p> + This obligation was indeed a heavy one, since it included the confession + of my vocal powers. In itself the confession was little. To possess this + faculty was neither laudable nor culpable, nor had it been exercised in a + way which I should be very much ashamed to acknowledge. It had led me into + many insincerities and artifices, which, though not justifiable by any + creed, was entitled to some excuse, on the score of youthful ardour and + temerity. The true difficulty in the way of these confessions was the not + having made them already. Ludlow had long been entitled to this + confidence, and, though the existence of this power was venial or wholly + innocent, the obstinate concealment of it was a different matter, and + would certainly expose me to suspicion and rebuke. But what was the + alternative? To conceal it. To incur those dreadful punishments awarded + against treason in this particular. Ludlow's menaces still rung in my + ears, and appalled my heart. How should I be able to shun them? By + concealing from every one what I concealed from him? How was my + concealment of such a faculty to be suspected or proved? Unless I betrayed + myself, who could betray me? + </p> + <p> + In this state of mind, I resolved to confess myself to Ludlow in the way + that he required, reserving only the secret of this faculty. Awful, + indeed, said I, is the crisis of my fate. If Ludlow's declarations are + true, a horrid catastrophe awaits me: but as fast as my resolutions were + shaken, they were confirmed anew by the recollection—Who can betray + me but myself? If I deny, who is there can prove? Suspicion can never + light upon the truth. If it does, it can never be converted into + certainty. Even my own lips cannot confirm it, since who will believe my + testimony? + </p> + <p> + By such illusions was I fortified in my desperate resolution. Ludlow + returned at the time appointed. He informed me that Mrs. Benington + expected me next morning. She was ready to depart for her country + residence, where she proposed to spend the ensuing summer, and would carry + me along with her. In consequence of this arrangement, he said, many + months would elapse before he should see me again. You will indeed, + continued he, be pretty much shut up from all society. Your books and your + new friend will be your chief, if not only companions. Her life is not a + social one, because she has formed extravagant notions of the importance + of lonely worship and devout solitude. Much of her time will be spent in + meditation upon pious books in her closet. Some of it in long solitary + rides in her coach, for the sake of exercise. Little will remain for + eating and sleeping, so that unless you can prevail upon her to violate + her ordinary rules for your sake, you will be left pretty much to + yourself. You will have the more time to reflect upon what has hitherto + been the theme of our conversations. You can come to town when you want to + see me. I shall generally be found in these apartments. + </p> + <p> + In the present state of my mind, though impatient to see Mrs. Benington, I + was still more impatient to remove the veil between Ludlow and myself. + After some pause, I ventured to enquire if there was any impediment to my + advancement in the road he had already pointed out to my curiosity and + ambition. + </p> + <p> + He replied, with great solemnity, that I was already acquainted with the + next step to be taken in this road. If I was prepared to make him my + confessor, as to the past, the present, and the future, <i>without + exception or condition</i>, but what arose from defect of memory, he was + willing to receive my confession. + </p> + <p> + I declared myself ready to do so. + </p> + <p> + I need not, he returned, remind you of the consequences of concealment or + deceit. I have already dwelt upon these consequences. As to the past, you + have already told me, perhaps, all that is of any moment to know. It is in + relation to the future that caution will be chiefly necessary. Hitherto + your actions have been nearly indifferent to the ends of your future + existence. Confessions of the past are required, because they are an + earnest of the future character and conduct. Have you then—but this + is too abrupt. Take an hour to reflect and deliberate. Go by yourself; + take yourself to severe task, and make up your mind with a full, entire, + and unfailing resolution; for the moment in which you assume this new + obligation will make you a new being. Perdition or felicity will hang upon + that moment. + </p> + <p> + This conversation was late in the evening. After I had consented to + postpone this subject, we parted, he telling me that he would leave his + chamber door open, and as soon as my mind was made up I might come to him. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The reader must be reminded that the incidents of this + narrative are supposed to have taken place before the + voyages of Bougainville and Cook.—Editor. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter X. + </h2> + <p> + I retired accordingly to my apartment, and spent the prescribed hour in + anxious and irresolute reflections. They were no other than had hitherto + occurred, but they occurred with more force than ever. Some fatal + obstinacy, however, got possession of me, and I persisted in the + resolution of concealing <i>one thing</i>. We become fondly attached to + objects and pursuits, frequently for no conceivable reason but the pain + and trouble they cost us. In proportion to the danger in which they + involve us do we cherish them. Our darling potion is the poison that + scorches our vitals. + </p> + <p> + After some time, I went to Ludloe's apartment. I found him solemn, and yet + benign, at my entrance. After intimating my compliance with the terms + prescribed, which I did, in spite of all my labour for composure, with + accents half faultering, he proceeded to put various questions to me, + relative to my early history. + </p> + <p> + I knew there was no other mode of accomplishing the end in view, but by + putting all that was related in the form of answers to questions; and when + meditating on the character of Ludloe, I experienced excessive uneasiness + as to the consummate art and penetration which his questions would + manifest. Conscious of a purpose to conceal, my fancy invested my friend + with the robe of a judicial inquisitor, all whose questions should aim at + extracting the truth, and entrapping the liar. + </p> + <p> + In this respect, however, I was wholly disappointed. All his inquiries + were general and obvious.—They betokened curiosity, but not + suspicion; yet there were moments when I saw, or fancied I saw, some + dissatisfaction betrayed in his features; and when I arrived at that + period of my story which terminated with my departure, as his companion, + for Europe, his pauses were, I thought, a little longer and more museful + than I liked. At this period, our first conference ended. After a talk, + which had commenced at a late hour, and had continued many hours, it was + time to sleep, and it was agreed that next morning the conference should + be renewed. + </p> + <p> + On retiring to my pillow, and reviewing all the circumstances of this + interview, my mind was filled with apprehension and disquiet. I seemed to + recollect a thousand things, which showed that Ludloe was not fully + satisfied with my part in this interview. A strange and nameless mixture + of wrath and of pity appeared, on recollection, in the glances which, from + time to time, he cast upon me. Some emotion played upon his features, in + which, as my fears conceived, there was a tincture of resentment and + ferocity. In vain I called my usual sophistries to my aid. In vain I + pondered on the inscrutable nature of my peculiar faculty. In vain I + endeavoured to persuade myself, that, by telling the truth, instead of + entitling myself to Ludloe's approbation, I should only excite his anger, + by what he could not but deem an attempt to impose upon his belief an + incredible tale of impossible events. I had never heard or read of any + instance of this faculty. I supposed the case to be absolutely singular, + and I should be no more entitled to credit in proclaiming it, than if I + should maintain that a certain billet of wood possessed the faculty of + articulate speech. It was now, however, too late to retract. I had been + guilty of a solemn and deliberate concealment. I was now in the path in + which there was no turning back, and I must go forward. + </p> + <p> + The return of day's encouraging beams in some degree quieted my nocturnal + terrors, and I went, at the appointed hour, to Ludloe's presence. I found + him with a much more cheerful aspect than I expected, and began to chide + myself, in secret, for the folly of my late apprehensions. + </p> + <p> + After a little pause, he reminded me, that he was only one among many, + engaged in a great and arduous design. As each of us, continued he, is + mortal, each of us must, in time, yield his post to another.—Each of + us is ambitious to provide himself a successor, to have his place filled + by one selected and instructed by himself. All our personal feelings and + affections are by no means intended to be swallowed up by a passion for + the general interest; when they can be kept alive and be brought into + play, in subordination and subservience to the <i>great end</i>, they are + cherished as useful, and revered as laudable; and whatever austerity and + rigour you may impute to my character, there are few more susceptible of + personal regards than I am. + </p> + <p> + You cannot know, till <i>you</i> are what <i>I</i> am, what deep, what + all-absorbing interest I have in the success of my tutorship on this + occasion. Most joyfully would I embrace a thousand deaths, rather than + that you should prove a recreant. The consequences of any failure in your + integrity will, it is true, be fatal to yourself: but there are some + minds, of a generous texture, who are more impatient under ills they have + inflicted upon others, than of those they have brought upon themselves; + who had rather perish, themselves, in infamy, than bring infamy or death + upon a benefactor. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps of such noble materials is your mind composed. If I had not + thought so, you would never have been an object of my regard, and + therefore, in the motives that shall impel you to fidelity, sincerity, and + perseverance, some regard to my happiness and welfare will, no doubt, have + place. + </p> + <p> + And yet I exact nothing from you on this score. If your own safety be + insufficient to controul you, you are not fit for us. There is, indeed, + abundant need of all possible inducements to make you faithful. The task + of concealing nothing from me must be easy. That of concealing every thing + from others must be the only arduous one. The <i>first</i> you can hardly + fail of performing, when the exigence requires it, for what motive can you + possibly have to practice evasion or disguise with me? You have surely + committed no crime; you have neither robbed, nor murdered, nor betrayed. + If you have, there is no room for the fear of punishment or the terror of + disgrace to step in, and make you hide your guilt from me. You cannot + dread any further disclosure, because I can have no interest in your ruin + or your shame: and what evil could ensue the confession of the foulest + murder, even before a bench of magistrates, more dreadful than that which + will inevitably follow the practice of the least concealment to me, or the + least undue disclosure to others? + </p> + <p> + You cannot easily conceive the emphatical solemnity with which this was + spoken. Had he fixed piercing eyes on me while he spoke; had I perceived + him watching my looks, and labouring to penetrate my secret thoughts, I + should doubtless have been ruined: but he fixed his eyes upon the floor, + and no gesture or look indicated the smallest suspicion of my conduct. + After some pause, he continued, in a more pathetic tone, while his whole + frame seemed to partake of his mental agitation. + </p> + <p> + I am greatly at a loss by what means to impress you with a full conviction + of the truth of what I have just said. Endless are the sophistries by + which we seduce ourselves into perilous and doubtful paths. What we do not + see, we disbelieve, or we heed not. The sword may descend upon our + infatuated head from above, but we who are, meanwhile, busily inspecting + the ground at our feet, or gazing at the scene around us, are not aware or + apprehensive of its irresistible coming. In this case, it must not be seen + before it is felt, or before that time comes when the danger of incurring + it is over. I cannot withdraw the veil, and disclose to your view the + exterminating angel. All must be vacant and blank, and the danger that + stands armed with death at your elbow must continue to be totally + invisible, till that moment when its vengeance is provoked or + unprovokable. I will do my part to encourage you in good, or intimidate + you from evil. I am anxious to set before you all the motives which are + fitted to influence your conduct; but how shall I work on your + convictions? + </p> + <p> + Here another pause ensued, which I had not courage enough to interrupt. He + presently resumed. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps you recollect a visit which you paid, on Christmas day, in the + year ——, to the cathedral church at Toledo. Do you remember? + </p> + <p> + A moment's reflection recalled to my mind all the incidents of that day. I + had good reason to remember them. I felt no small trepidation when Ludloe + referred me to that day, for, at the moment, I was doubtful whether there + had not been some bivocal agency exerted On that occasion. Luckily, + however, it was almost the only similar occasion in which it had been + wholly silent. + </p> + <p> + I answered in the affirmative. I remember them perfectly. + </p> + <p> + And yet, said Ludloe, with a smile that seemed intended to disarm this + declaration of some of its terrors, I suspect your recollection is not as + exact as mine, nor, indeed, your knowledge as extensive. You met there, + for the first time, a female, whose nominal uncle, but real father, a dean + of that ancient church, resided in a blue stone house, the third from the + west angle of the square of St. Jago. + </p> + <p> + All this was exactly true. + </p> + <p> + This female, continued he, fell in love with you. Her passion made her + deaf to all the dictates of modesty and duty, and she gave you sufficient + intimations, in subsequent interviews at the same place, of this passion; + which, she being fair and enticing, you were not slow in comprehending and + returning. As not only the safety of your intercourse, but even of both + your lives, depended on being shielded even from suspicion, the utmost + wariness and caution was observed in all your proceedings. Tell me whether + you succeeded in your efforts to this end. + </p> + <p> + I replied, that, at the time, I had no doubt but I had. + </p> + <p> + And yet, said he, drawing something from his pocket, and putting it into + my hand, there is the slip of paper, with the preconcerted emblem + inscribed upon it, which the infatuated girl dropped in your sight, one + evening, in the left aisle of that church. That paper you imagined you + afterwards burnt in your chamber lamp. In pursuance of this token, you + deferred your intended visit, and next day the lady was accidentally + drowned, in passing a river. Here ended your connexion with her, and with + her was buried, as you thought, all memory of this transaction. + </p> + <p> + I leave you to draw your own inference from this disclosure. Meditate upon + it when alone. Recal all the incidents of that drama, and labour to + conceive the means by which my sagacity has been able to reach events that + took place so far off, and under so deep a covering. If you cannot + penetrate these means, learn to reverence my assertions, that I cannot be + deceived; and let sincerity be henceforth the rule of your conduct towards + me, not merely because it is right, but because concealment is impossible. + </p> + <p> + We will stop here. There is no haste required of us. Yesterday's discourse + will suffice for to-day, and for many days to come. Let what has already + taken place be the subject of profound and mature reflection. Review, once + more, the incidents of your early life, previous to your introduction to + me, and, at our next conference, prepare to supply all those deficiencies + occasioned by negligence, forgetfulness, or design on our first. There + must be some. There must be many. The whole truth can only be disclosed + after numerous and repeated conversations. These must take place at + considerable intervals, and when <i>all</i> is told, then shall you be + ready to encounter the final ordeal, and load yourself with heavy and + terrific sanctions. + </p> + <p> + I shall be the proper judge of the completeness of your confession.—Knowing + previously, and by unerring means, your whole history, I shall be able to + detect all that is deficient, as well as all that is redundant. Your + confessions have hitherto adhered to the truth, but deficient they are, + and they must be, for who, at a single trial, can detail the secrets of + his life? whose recollection can fully serve him at an instant's notice? + who can free himself, by a single effort, from the dominion of fear and + shame? We expect no miracles of fortitude and purity from our disciples. + It is our discipline, our wariness, our laborious preparation that creates + the excellence we have among us. We find it not ready made. + </p> + <p> + I counsel you to join Mrs. Benington without delay. You may see me when + and as often as you please. When it is proper to renew the present topic, + it shall be renewed. Till then we will be silent.—Here Ludloe left + me alone, but not to indifference or vacuity. Indeed I was overwhelmed + with the reflections that arose from this conversation. So, said I, I am + still saved, if I have wisdom enough to use the opportunity, from the + consequences of past concealments. By a distinction which I had wholly + overlooked, but which could not be missed by the sagacity and equity of + Ludloe, I have praise for telling the truth, and an excuse for withholding + some of the truth. It was, indeed, a praise to which I was entitled, for I + have made no <i>additions</i> to the tale of my early adventures. I had no + motive to exaggerate or dress out in false colours. What I sought to + conceal, I was careful to exclude entirely, that a lame or defective + narrative might awaken no suspicions. + </p> + <p> + The allusion to incidents at Toledo confounded and bewildered all my + thoughts. I still held the paper he had given me. So far as memory could + be trusted, it was the same which, an hour after I had received it, I + burnt, as I conceived, with my own hands. How Ludloe came into possession + of this paper; how he was apprised of incidents, to which only the female + mentioned and myself were privy; which she had too good reason to hide + from all the world, and which I had taken infinite pains to bury in + oblivion, I vainly endeavoured to conjecture. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Memoirs of Carwin the Biloquist, by +Charles Brockden Brown + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST *** + +***** This file should be named 842-h.htm or 842-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/8/4/842/ + +Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer, and 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. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + </body> +</html> @@ -0,0 +1,2781 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Memoirs of Carwin the Biloquist, by +Charles Brockden Brown + +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: Memoirs of Carwin the Biloquist + (A Fragment) + +Author: Charles Brockden Brown + +Posting Date: July 31, 2008 [EBook #842] +Release Date: March 1997 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST *** + + + + +Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer + + + + + +MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST + +[A fragment] + +By Charles Brockden Brown + +[1803-1805] + + + + +Chapter I. + + +I was the second son of a farmer, whose place of residence was a western +district of Pennsylvania. My eldest brother seemed fitted by nature for +the employment to which he was destined. His wishes never led him astray +from the hay-stack and the furrow. His ideas never ranged beyond the +sphere of his vision, or suggested the possibility that to-morrow +could differ from to-day. He could read and write, because he had +no alternative between learning the lesson prescribed to him, and +punishment. He was diligent, as long as fear urged him forward, but his +exertions ceased with the cessation of this motive. The limits of his +acquirements consisted in signing his name, and spelling out a chapter +in the bible. + +My character was the reverse of his. My thirst of knowledge was +augmented in proportion as it was supplied with gratification. The +more I heard or read, the more restless and unconquerable my curiosity +became. My senses were perpetually alive to novelty, my fancy teemed +with visions of the future, and my attention fastened upon every thing +mysterious or unknown. + +My father intended that my knowledge should keep pace with that of my +brother, but conceived that all beyond the mere capacity to write and +read was useless or pernicious. He took as much pains to keep me within +these limits, as to make the acquisitions of my brother come up to them, +but his efforts were not equally successful in both cases. The most +vigilant and jealous scrutiny was exerted in vain: Reproaches and blows, +painful privations and ignominious penances had no power to slacken +my zeal and abate my perseverance. He might enjoin upon me the most +laborious tasks, set the envy of my brother to watch me during the +performance, make the most diligent search after my books, and destroy +them without mercy, when they were found; but he could not outroot my +darling propensity. I exerted all my powers to elude his watchfulness. +Censures and stripes were sufficiently unpleasing to make me strive to +avoid them. To effect this desirable end, I was incessantly employed in +the invention of stratagems and the execution of expedients. + +My passion was surely not deserving of blame, and I have frequently +lamented the hardships to which it subjected me; yet, perhaps, the +claims which were made upon my ingenuity and fortitude were not without +beneficial effects upon my character. + +This contention lasted from the sixth to the fourteenth year of my age. +My father's opposition to my schemes was incited by a sincere though +unenlightened desire for my happiness. That all his efforts were +secretly eluded or obstinately repelled, was a source of the +bitterest regret. He has often lamented, with tears, what he called my +incorrigible depravity, and encouraged himself to perseverance by the +notion of the ruin that would inevitably overtake me if I were allowed +to persist in my present career. Perhaps the sufferings which arose to +him from the disappointment, were equal to those which he inflicted on +me. + +In my fourteenth year, events happened which ascertained my future +destiny. One evening I had been sent to bring cows from a meadow, some +miles distant from my father's mansion. My time was limited, and I was +menaced with severe chastisement if, according to my custom, I should +stay beyond the period assigned. + +For some time these menaces rung in my ears, and I went on my way with +speed. I arrived at the meadow, but the cattle had broken the fence +and escaped. It was my duty to carry home the earliest tidings of this +accident, but the first suggestion was to examine the cause and manner +of this escape. The field was bounded by cedar railing. Five of these +rails were laid horizontally from post to post. The upper one had been +broken in the middle, but the rest had merely been drawn out of the +holes on one side, and rested with their ends on the ground. The means +which had been used for this end, the reason why one only was broken, +and that one the uppermost, how a pair of horns could be so managed +as to effect that which the hands of man would have found difficult, +supplied a theme of meditation. + +Some accident recalled me from this reverie, and reminded me how much +time had thus been consumed. I was terrified at the consequences of my +delay, and sought with eagerness how they might be obviated. I asked +myself if there were not a way back shorter than that by which I had +come. The beaten road was rendered circuitous by a precipice that +projected into a neighbouring stream, and closed up a passage by which +the length of the way would have been diminished one half: at the foot +of the cliff the water was of considerable depth, and agitated by an +eddy. I could not estimate the danger which I should incur by plunging +into it, but I was resolved to make the attempt. I have reason to think, +that this experiment, if it had been tried, would have proved fatal, and +my father, while he lamented my untimely fate, would have been wholly +unconscious that his own unreasonable demands had occasioned it. + +I turned my steps towards the spot. To reach the edge of the stream +was by no means an easy undertaking, so many abrupt points and gloomy +hollows were interposed. I had frequently skirted and penetrated this +tract, but had never been so completely entangled in the maze as now: +hence I had remained unacquainted with a narrow pass, which, at the +distance of an hundred yards from the river, would conduct me, though +not without danger and toil, to the opposite side of the ridge. + +This glen was now discovered, and this discovery induced me to change my +plan. If a passage could be here effected, it would be shorter and safer +than that which led through the stream, and its practicability was to be +known only by experiment. The path was narrow, steep, and overshadowed +by rocks. The sun was nearly set, and the shadow of the cliff above, +obscured the passage almost as much as midnight would have done: I was +accustomed to despise danger when it presented itself in a sensible +form, but, by a defect common in every one's education, goblins and +spectres were to me the objects of the most violent apprehensions. These +were unavoidably connected with solitude and darkness, and were present +to my fears when I entered this gloomy recess. + +These terrors are always lessened by calling the attention away to some +indifferent object. I now made use of this expedient, and began to amuse +myself by hallowing as loud as organs of unusual compass and vigour +would enable me. I uttered the words which chanced to occur to me, and +repeated in the shrill tones of a Mohock savage... "Cow! cow! come home! +home!"... These notes were of course reverberated from the rocks which +on either side towered aloft, but the echo was confused and indistinct. + +I continued, for some time, thus to beguile the way, till I reached a +space more than commonly abrupt, and which required all my attention. My +rude ditty was suspended till I had surmounted this impediment. In a +few minutes I was at leisure to renew it. After finishing the strain, +I paused. In a few seconds a voice as I then imagined, uttered the +same cry from the point of a rock some hundred feet behind me; the same +words, with equal distinctness and deliberation, and in the same tone, +appeared to be spoken. I was startled by this incident, and cast a +fearful glance behind, to discover by whom it was uttered. The spot +where I stood was buried in dusk, but the eminences were still invested +with a luminous and vivid twilight. The speaker, however, was concealed +from my view. + +I had scarcely begun to wonder at this occurrence, when a new occasion +for wonder, was afforded me. A few seconds, in like manner, elapsed, +when my ditty was again rehearsed, with a no less perfect imitation, in +a different quarter..... To this quarter I eagerly turned my eyes, +but no one was visible.... The station, indeed, which this new speaker +seemed to occupy, was inaccessible to man or beast. + +If I were surprized at this second repetition of my words, judge how +much my surprise must have been augmented, when the same calls were a +third time repeated, and coming still in a new direction. Five times +was this ditty successively resounded, at intervals nearly equal, +always from a new quarter, and with little abatement of its original +distinctness and force. + +A little reflection was sufficient to shew that this was no more than +an echo of an extraordinary kind. My terrors were quickly supplanted by +delight. The motives to dispatch were forgotten, and I amused myself for +an hour, with talking to these cliffs: I placed myself in new positions, +and exhausted my lungs and my invention in new clamours. + +The pleasures of this new discovery were an ample compensation for +the ill treatment which I expected on my return. By some caprice in +my father I escaped merely with a few reproaches. I seized the first +opportunity of again visiting this recess, and repeating my amusement; +time, and incessant repetition, could scarcely lessen its charms or +exhaust the variety produced by new tones and new positions. + +The hours in which I was most free from interruption and restraint were +those of moonlight. My brother and I occupied a small room above the +kitchen, disconnected, in some degree, with the rest of the house. It +was the rural custom to retire early to bed and to anticipate the rising +of the sun. When the moonlight was strong enough to permit me to read, +it was my custom to escape from bed, and hie with my book to some +neighbouring eminence, where I would remain stretched on the mossy +rock, till the sinking or beclouded moon, forbade me to continue +my employment. I was indebted for books to a friendly person in the +neighbourhood, whose compliance with my solicitations was prompted +partly by benevolence and partly by enmity to my father, whom he +could not more egregiously offend than by gratifying my perverse and +pernicious curiosity. + +In leaving my chamber I was obliged to use the utmost caution to avoid +rousing my brother, whose temper disposed him to thwart me in the least +of my gratifications. My purpose was surely laudable, and yet on leaving +the house and returning to it, I was obliged to use the vigilance and +circumspection of a thief. + +One night I left my bed with this view. I posted first to my vocal glen, +and thence scrambling up a neighbouring steep, which overlooked a wide +extent of this romantic country, gave myself up to contemplation, and +the perusal of Milton's Comus. + +My reflections were naturally suggested by the singularity of this +echo. To hear my own voice speak at a distance would have been formerly +regarded as prodigious. To hear too, that voice, not uttered by another, +by whom it might easily be mimicked, but by myself! I cannot now +recollect the transition which led me to the notion of sounds, similar +to these, but produced by other means than reverberation. Could I not so +dispose my organs as to make my voice appear at a distance? + +From speculation I proceeded to experiment. The idea of a distant voice, +like my own, was intimately present to my fancy. I exerted myself with +a most ardent desire, and with something like a persuasion that I +should succeed. I started with surprise, for it seemed as if success +had crowned my attempts. I repeated the effort, but failed. A certain +position of the organs took place on the first attempt, altogether new, +unexampled and as it were, by accident, for I could not attain it on the +second experiment. + +You will not wonder that I exerted myself with indefatigable zeal to +regain what had once, though for so short a space, been in my power. +Your own ears have witnessed the success of these efforts. By perpetual +exertion I gained it a second time, and now was a diligent observer of +the circumstances attending it. Gradually I subjected these finer +and more subtle motions to the command of my will. What was at first +difficult, by exercise and habit, was rendered easy. I learned to +accommodate my voice to all the varieties of distance and direction. + +It cannot be denied that this faculty is wonderful and rare, but when we +consider the possible modifications of muscular motion, how few of these +are usually exerted, how imperfectly they are subjected to the will, and +yet that the will is capable of being rendered unlimited and absolute, +will not our wonder cease? + +We have seen men who could hide their tongues so perfectly that even +an Anatomist, after the most accurate inspection that a living subject +could admit, has affirmed the organ to be wanting, but this was effected +by the exertion of muscles unknown and incredible to the greater part of +mankind. + +The concurrence of teeth, palate and tongue, in the formation of speech +should seem to be indispensable, and yet men have spoken distinctly +though wanting a tongue, and to whom, therefore, teeth and palate were +superfluous. The tribe of motions requisite to this end, are wholly +latent and unknown, to those who possess that organ. + +I mean not to be more explicit. I have no reason to suppose a peculiar +conformation or activity in my own organs, or that the power which I +possess may not, with suitable directions and by steady efforts, be +obtained by others, but I will do nothing to facilitate the acquisition. +It is by far, too liable to perversion for a good man to desire to +possess it, or to teach it to another. + +There remained but one thing to render this instrument as powerful in +my hands as it was capable of being. From my childhood, I was remarkably +skilful at imitation. There were few voices whether of men or birds or +beasts which I could not imitate with success. To add my ancient, to my +newly acquired skill, to talk from a distance, and at the same time, +in the accents of another, was the object of my endeavours, and this +object, after a certain number of trials, I finally obtained. + +In my present situation every thing that denoted intellectual exertion +was a crime, and exposed me to invectives if not to stripes. This +circumstance induced me to be silent to all others, on the subject of my +discovery. But, added to this, was a confused belief, that it might +be made, in some way instrumental to my relief from the hardships and +restraints of my present condition. For some time I was not aware of the +mode in which it might be rendered subservient to this end. + + + +Chapter II. + + +My father's sister was an ancient lady, resident in Philadelphia, the +relict of a merchant, whose decease left her the enjoyment of a frugal +competence. She was without children, and had often expressed her desire +that her nephew Frank, whom she always considered as a sprightly and +promising lad, should be put under her care. She offered to be at the +expense of my education, and to bequeath to me at her death her slender +patrimony. + +This arrangement was obstinately rejected by my father, because it was +merely fostering and giving scope to propensities, which he considered +as hurtful, and because his avarice desired that this inheritance +should fall to no one but himself. To me, it was a scheme of ravishing +felicity, and to be debarred from it was a source of anguish known to +few. I had too much experience of my father's pertinaciousness ever to +hope for a change in his views; yet the bliss of living with my aunt, +in a new and busy scene, and in the unbounded indulgence of my literary +passion, continually occupied my thoughts: for a long time these +thoughts were productive only of despondency and tears. + +Time only enhanced the desirableness of this scheme; my new faculty +would naturally connect itself with these wishes, and the question could +not fail to occur whether it might not aid me in the execution of my +favourite plan. + +A thousand superstitious tales were current in the family. Apparitions +had been seen, and voices had been heard on a multitude of occasions. My +father was a confident believer in supernatural tokens. The voice of +his wife, who had been many years dead, had been twice heard at midnight +whispering at his pillow. I frequently asked myself whether a scheme +favourable to my views might not be built upon these foundations. +Suppose (thought I) my mother should be made to enjoin upon him +compliance with my wishes? + +This idea bred in me a temporary consternation. To imitate the voice of +the dead, to counterfeit a commission from heaven, bore the aspect of +presumption and impiety. It seemed an offence which could not fail to +draw after it the vengeance of the deity. My wishes for a time yielded +to my fears, but this scheme in proportion as I meditated on it, became +more plausible; no other occurred to me so easy and so efficacious. +I endeavoured to persuade myself that the end proposed, was, in the +highest degree praiseworthy, and that the excellence of my purpose would +justify the means employed to attain it. + +My resolutions were, for a time, attended with fluctuations and +misgivings. These gradually disappeared, and my purpose became firm; I +was next to devise the means of effecting my views, this did not demand +any tedious deliberation. It was easy to gain access to my father's +chamber without notice or detection, cautious footsteps and the +suppression of breath would place me, unsuspected and unthought of, by +his bed side. The words I should use, and the mode of utterance were not +easily settled, but having at length selected these, I made myself by +much previous repetition, perfectly familiar with the use of them. + +I selected a blustering and inclement night, in which the darkness was +augmented by a veil of the blackest clouds. The building we inhabited +was slight in its structure, and full of crevices through which the gale +found easy way, and whistled in a thousand cadences. On this night +the elemental music was remarkably sonorous, and was mingled not +unfrequently with _thunder heard remote_. + +I could not divest myself of secret dread. My heart faultered with a +consciousness of wrong. Heaven seemed to be present and to disapprove my +work; I listened to the thunder and the wind, as to the stern voice +of this disapprobation. Big drops stood on my forehead, and my tremors +almost incapacitated me from proceeding. + +These impediments however I surmounted; I crept up stairs at midnight, +and entered my father's chamber. The darkness was intense and I +sought with outstretched hands for his bed. The darkness, added to the +trepidation of my thoughts, disabled me from making a right estimate of +distances: I was conscious of this, and when I advanced within the room, +paused. + +I endeavoured to compare the progress I had made with my knowledge +of the room, and governed by the result of this comparison, proceeded +cautiously and with hands still outstretched in search of the foot of +the bed. At this moment lightning flashed into the room: the brightness +of the gleam was dazzling, yet it afforded me an exact knowledge of my +situation. I had mistaken my way, and discovered that my knees nearly +touched the bedstead, and that my hands at the next step, would have +touched my father's cheek. His closed eyes and every line in his +countenance, were painted, as it were, for an instant on my sight. + +The flash was accompanied with a burst of thunder, whose vehemence was +stunning. I always entertained a dread of thunder, and now recoiled, +overborne with terror. Never had I witnessed so luminous a gleam and so +tremendous a shock, yet my father's slumber appeared not to be disturbed +by it. + +I stood irresolute and trembling; to prosecute my purpose in this state +of mind was impossible. I resolved for the present to relinquish it, and +turned with a view of exploring my way out of the chamber. Just then a +light seen through the window, caught my eye. It was at first weak but +speedily increased; no second thought was necessary to inform me that +the barn, situated at a small distance from the house, and newly +stored with hay, was in flames, in consequence of being struck by the +lightning. + +My terror at this spectacle made me careless of all consequences +relative to myself. I rushed to the bed and throwing myself on my +father, awakened him by loud cries. The family were speedily roused, +and were compelled to remain impotent spectators of the devastation. +Fortunately the wind blew in a contrary direction, so that our +habitation was not injured. + +The impression that was made upon me by the incidents of that night +is indelible. The wind gradually rose into an hurricane; the largest +branches were torn from the trees, and whirled aloft into the air; +others were uprooted and laid prostrate on the ground. The barn was a +spacious edifice, consisting wholly of wood, and filled with a plenteous +harvest. Thus supplied with fuel, and fanned by the wind, the fire raged +with incredible fury; meanwhile clouds rolled above, whose blackness +was rendered more conspicuous by reflection from the flames; the vast +volumes of smoke were dissipated in a moment by the storm, while +glowing fragments and cinders were borne to an immense hight, and tossed +everywhere in wild confusion. Ever and anon the sable canopy that hung +around us was streaked with lightning, and the peals, by which it was +accompanied, were deafning, and with scarcely any intermission. + +It was, doubtless, absurd to imagine any connexion between this +portentous scene and the purpose that I had meditated, yet a belief +of this connexion, though wavering and obscure, lurked in my mind; +something more than a coincidence merely casual, appeared to have +subsisted between my situation, at my father's bed side, and the flash +that darted through the window, and diverted me from my design. It +palsied my courage, and strengthened my conviction, that my scheme was +criminal. + +After some time had elapsed, and tranquility was, in some degree, +restored in the family, my father reverted to the circumstances in which +I had been discovered on the first alarm of this event. The truth was +impossible to be told. I felt the utmost reluctance to be guilty of a +falsehood, but by falsehood only could I elude detection. That my guilt +was the offspring of a fatal necessity, that the injustice of others +gave it birth and made it unavoidable, afforded me slight consolation. +Nothing can be more injurious than a lie, but its evil tendency chiefly +respects our future conduct. Its direct consequences may be transient +and few, but it facilitates a repetition, strengthens temptation, and +grows into habit. I pretended some necessity had drawn me from my bed, +and that discovering the condition of the barn, I hastened to inform my +father. + +Some time after this, my father summoned me to his presence. I had been +previously guilty of disobedience to his commands, in a matter about +which he was usually very scrupulous. My brother had been privy to +my offence, and had threatened to be my accuser. On this occasion I +expected nothing but arraignment and punishment. Weary of oppression, +and hopeless of any change in my father's temper and views, I had formed +the resolution of eloping from his house, and of trusting, young as +I was, to the caprice of fortune. I was hesitating whether to abscond +without the knowledge of the family, or to make my resolutions known +to them, and while I avowed my resolution, to adhere to it in spite of +opposition and remonstrances, when I received this summons. + +I was employed at this time in the field; night was approaching, and I +had made no preparation for departure; all the preparation in my power +to make, was indeed small; a few clothes, made into a bundle, was the +sum of my possessions. Time would have little influence in improving my +prospects, and I resolved to execute my scheme immediately. + +I left my work intending to seek my chamber, and taking what was my own, +to disappear forever. I turned a stile that led out of the field into +a bye path, when my father appeared before me, advancing in an opposite +direction; to avoid him was impossible, and I summoned my fortitude to a +conflict with his passion. + +As soon as we met, instead of anger and upbraiding, he told me, that +he had been reflecting on my aunt's proposal, to take me under her +protection, and had concluded that the plan was proper; if I still +retained my wishes on that head, he would readily comply with them, +and that, if I chose, I might set off for the city next morning, as a +neighbours waggon was preparing to go. + +I shall not dwell on the rapture with which this proposal was listened +to: it was with difficulty that I persuaded myself that he was in +earnest in making it, nor could divine the reasons, for so sudden and +unexpected a change in his maxims.... These I afterwards discovered. +Some one had instilled into him fears, that my aunt exasperated at +his opposition to her request, respecting the unfortunate Frank, would +bequeath her property to strangers; to obviate this evil, which his +avarice prompted him to regard as much greater than any mischief, +that would accrue to me, from the change of my abode, he embraced her +proposal. + +I entered with exultation and triumph on this new scene; my hopes were +by no means disappointed. Detested labour was exchanged for luxurious +idleness. I was master of my time, and the chuser of my occupations. My +kinswoman on discovering that I entertained no relish for the +drudgery of colleges, and was contented with the means of intellectual +gratification, which I could obtain under her roof, allowed me to pursue +my own choice. + +Three tranquil years passed away, during which, each day added to my +happiness, by adding to my knowledge. My biloquial faculty was not +neglected. I improved it by assiduous exercise; I deeply reflected +on the use to which it might be applied. I was not destitute of pure +intentions; I delighted not in evil; I was incapable of knowingly +contributing to another's misery, but the sole or principal end of my +endeavours was not the happiness of others. + +I was actuated by ambition. I was delighted to possess superior power; +I was prone to manifest that superiority, and was satisfied if this +were done, without much solicitude concerning consequences. I sported +frequently with the apprehensions of my associates, and threw out a bait +for their wonder, and supplied them with occasions for the structure +of theories. It may not be amiss to enumerate one or two adventures in +which I was engaged. + + + +Chapter III. + + +I had taken much pains to improve the sagacity of a favourite Spaniel. +It was my purpose, indeed, to ascertain to what degree of improvement +the principles of reasoning and imitation could be carried in a dog. +There is no doubt that the animal affixes distinct ideas to sounds. What +are the possible limits of his vocabulary no one can tell. In +conversing with my dog I did not use English words, but selected simple +monosyllables. Habit likewise enabled him to comprehend my gestures. If +I crossed my hands on my breast he understood the signal and laid +down behind me. If I joined my hands and lifted them to my breast, he +returned home. If I grasped one arm above the elbow he ran before me. +If I lifted my hand to my forehead he trotted composedly behind. By one +motion I could make him bark; by another I could reduce him to silence. +He would howl in twenty different strains of mournfulness, at my +bidding. He would fetch and carry with undeviating faithfulness. + +His actions being thus chiefly regulated by gestures, that to a stranger +would appear indifferent or casual, it was easy to produce a belief that +the animal's knowledge was much greater than in truth, it was. + +One day, in a mixed company, the discourse turned upon the unrivaled +abilities of _Damon_. Damon had, indeed, acquired in all the circles +which I frequented, an extraordinary reputation. Numerous instances of +his sagacity were quoted and some of them exhibited on the spot. +Much surprise was excited by the readiness with which he appeared to +comprehend sentences of considerable abstraction and complexity, though, +he in reality, attended to nothing but the movements of hand or fingers +with which I accompanied my words. I enhanced the astonishment of some +and excited the ridicule of others, by observing that my dog not +only understood English when spoken by others, but actually spoke the +language himself, with no small degree of precision. + +This assertion could not be admitted without proof; proof, therefore, +was readily produced. At a known signal, Damon began a low interrupted +noise, in which the astonished hearers clearly distinguished English +words. A dialogue began between the animal and his master, which was +maintained, on the part of the former, with great vivacity and spirit. +In this dialogue the dog asserted the dignity of his species and +capacity of intellectual improvement. The company separated lost in +wonder, but perfectly convinced by the evidence that had been produced. + +On a subsequent occasion a select company was assembled at a garden, at +a small distance from the city. Discourse glided through a variety of +topics, till it lighted at length on the subject of invisible beings. +From the speculations of philosophers we proceeded to the creations of +the poet. Some maintained the justness of Shakspear's delineations of +aerial beings, while others denied it. By no violent transition, Ariel +and his songs were introduced, and a lady, celebrated for her musical +skill, was solicited to accompany her pedal harp with the song of "Five +fathom deep thy father lies"... She was known to have set, for her +favourite instrument, all the songs of Shakspeare. + +My youth made me little more than an auditor on this occasion. I sat +apart from the rest of the company, and carefully noted every thing. The +track which the conversation had taken, suggested a scheme which was not +thoroughly digested when the lady began her enchanting strain. + +She ended and the audience were mute with rapture. The pause continued, +when a strain was wafted to our ears from another quarter. The spot +where we sat was embowered by a vine. The verdant arch was lofty and the +area beneath was spacious. + +The sound proceeded from above. At first it was faint and scarcely +audible; presently it reached a louder key, and every eye was cast up in +expectation of beholding a face among the pendant clusters. The strain +was easily recognized, for it was no other than that which Ariel is made +to sing when finally absolved from the service of the wizard. + + In the Cowslips bell I lie, + On the Bat's back I do fly... + After summer merrily, &c. + +Their hearts palpitated as they listened: they gazed at each other for a +solution of the mystery. At length the strain died away at distance, +and an interval of silence was succeded by an earnest discussion of the +cause of this prodigy. One supposition only could be adopted, which +was, that the strain was uttered by human organs. That the songster was +stationed on the roof of the arbour, and having finished his melody had +risen into the viewless fields of air. + +I had been invited to spend a week at this house: this period was nearly +expired when I received information that my aunt was suddenly taken +sick, and that her life was in imminent danger. I immediately set out on +my return to the city, but before my arrival she was dead. + +This lady was entitled to my gratitude and esteem; I had received the +most essential benefits at her hand. I was not destitute of sensibility, +and was deeply affected by this event: I will own, however, that my +grief was lessened by reflecting on the consequences of her death, with +regard to my own condition. I had been ever taught to consider myself +as her heir, and her death, therefore, would free me from certain +restraints. + +My aunt had a female servant, who had lived with her for twenty years: +she was married, but her husband, who was an artizan, lived apart +from her: I had no reason to suspect the woman's sincerity and +disinterestedness; but my aunt was no sooner consigned to the grave than +a will was produced, in which Dorothy was named her sole and universal +heir. + +It was in vain to urge my expectations and my claims.... the instrument +was legibly and legally drawn up.... Dorothy was exasperated by my +opposition and surmises, and vigorously enforced her title. In a week +after the decease of my kinswoman, I was obliged to seek a new dwelling. +As all my property consisted in my cloths and my papers, this was easily +done. + +My condition was now calamitous and forlorn. Confiding in the +acquisition of my aunt's patrimony, I had made no other provision for +the future; I hated manual labour, or any task of which the object was +gain. To be guided in my choice of occupations by any motive but the +pleasure which the occupation was qualified to produce, was intolerable +to my proud, indolent, and restive temper. + +This resource was now cut off; the means of immediate subsistence +were denied me: If I had determined to acquire the knowledge of some +lucrative art, the acquisition would demand time, and, meanwhile, I was +absolutely destitute of support. My father's house was, indeed, open +to me, but I preferred to stifle myself with the filth of the kennel, +rather than to return to it. + +Some plan it was immediately necessary to adopt. The exigence of my +affairs, and this reverse of fortune, continually occupied my thoughts; +I estranged myself from society and from books, and devoted myself to +lonely walks and mournful meditation. + +One morning as I ranged along the bank of Schuylkill, I encountered a +person, by name Ludloe, of whom I had some previous knowledge. He was +from Ireland; was a man of some rank and apparently rich: I had met with +him before, but in mixed companies, where little direct intercourse had +taken place between us. Our last meeting was in the arbour where Ariel +was so unexpectedly introduced. + +Our acquaintance merely justified a transient salutation; but he did not +content himself with noticing me as I passed, but joined me in my walk +and entered into conversation. It was easy to advert to the occasion +on which we had last met, and to the mysterious incident which then +occurred. I was solicitous to dive into his thoughts upon this head and +put some questions which tended to the point that I wished. + +I was somewhat startled when he expressed his belief, that the performer +of this mystic strain was one of the company then present, who exerted, +for this end, a faculty not commonly possessed. Who this person was he +did not venture to guess, and could not discover, by the tokens which +he suffered to appear, that his suspicions glanced at me. He expatiated +with great profoundness and fertility of ideas, on the uses to which a +faculty like this might be employed. No more powerful engine, he said, +could be conceived, by which the ignorant and credulous might be moulded +to our purposes; managed by a man of ordinary talents, it would open for +him the straightest and surest avenues to wealth and power. + +His remarks excited in my mind a new strain of thoughts. I had not +hitherto considered the subject in this light, though vague ideas of the +importance of this art could not fail to be occasionally suggested: I +ventured to inquire into his ideas of the mode, in which an art like +this could be employed, so as to effect the purposes he mentioned. + +He dealt chiefly in general representations. Men, he said, believed +in the existence and energy of invisible powers, and in the duty of +discovering and conforming to their will. This will was supposed to be +sometimes made known to them through the medium of their senses. A voice +coming from a quarter where no attendant form could be seen would, in +most cases, be ascribed to supernal agency, and a command imposed on +them, in this manner, would be obeyed with religious scrupulousness. +Thus men might be imperiously directed in the disposal of their +industry, their property, and even of their lives. Men, actuated by +a mistaken sense of duty, might, under this influence, be led to the +commission of the most flagitious, as well as the most heroic acts: If +it were his desire to accumulate wealth, or institute a new sect, he +should need no other instrument. + +I listened to this kind of discourse with great avidity, and regretted +when he thought proper to introduce new topics. He ended by requesting +me to visit him, which I eagerly consented to do. When left alone, my +imagination was filled with the images suggested by this conversation. +The hopelessness of better fortune, which I had lately harboured, now +gave place to cheering confidence. Those motives of rectitude which +should deter me from this species of imposture, had never been vivid +or stable, and were still more weakened by the artifices of which I had +already been guilty. The utility or harmlessness of the end, justified, +in my eyes, the means. + +No event had been more unexpected, by me, than the bequest of my aunt to +her servant. The will, under which the latter claimed, was dated prior +to my coming to the city. I was not surprised, therefore, that it +had once been made, but merely that it had never been cancelled or +superseded by a later instrument. My wishes inclined me to suspect the +existence of a later will, but I had conceived that, to ascertain its +existence, was beyond my power. + +Now, however, a different opinion began to be entertained. This woman +like those of her sex and class was unlettered and superstitious. Her +faith in spells and apparitions, was of the most lively kind. Could +not her conscience be awakened by a voice from the grave! Lonely and at +midnight, my aunt might be introduced, upbraiding her for her injustice, +and commanding her to attone for it by acknowledging the claim of the +rightful proprietor. + +True it was, that no subsequent will might exist, but this was the fruit +of mistake, or of negligence. She probably intended to cancel the old +one, but this act might, by her own weakness, or by the artifices of her +servant, be delayed till death had put it out of her power. In either +case a mandate from the dead could scarcely fail of being obeyed. + +I considered this woman as the usurper of my property. Her husband as +well as herself, were laborious and covetous; their good fortune had +made no change in their mode of living, but they were as frugal and +as eager to accumulate as ever. In their hands, money was inert and +sterile, or it served to foster their vices. To take it from them +would, therefore, be a benefit both to them and to myself; not even an +imaginary injury would be inflicted. Restitution, if legally compelled +to it, would be reluctant and painful, but if enjoined by Heaven would +be voluntary, and the performance of a seeming duty would carry with it, +its own reward. + +These reasonings, aided by inclination, were sufficient to determine +me. I have no doubt but their fallacy would have been detected in the +sequel, and my scheme have been productive of nothing but confusion and +remorse. From these consequences, however, my fate interposed, as in the +former instance, to save me. + +Having formed my resolution, many preliminaries to its execution +were necessary to be settled. These demanded deliberation and delay; +meanwhile I recollected my promise to Ludlow, and paid him a visit. I +met a frank and affectionate reception. It would not be easy to paint +the delight which I experienced in this man's society. I was at first +oppressed with the sense of my own inferiority in age, knowledge and +rank. Hence arose numberless reserves and incapacitating diffidences; +but these were speedily dissipated by the fascinations of this man's +address. His superiority was only rendered, by time, more conspicuous, +but this superiority, by appearing never to be present to his own +mind, ceased to be uneasy to me. My questions required to be frequently +answered, and my mistakes to be rectified; but my keenest scrutiny, +could detect in his manner, neither arrogance nor contempt. He seemed +to talk merely from the overflow of his ideas, or a benevolent desire of +imparting information. + + + +Chapter IV. + + +My visits gradually became more frequent. Meanwhile my wants increased, +and the necessity of some change in my condition became daily more +urgent. This incited my reflections on the scheme which I had formed. +The time and place suitable to my design, were not selected without much +anxious inquiry and frequent waverings of purpose. These being at length +fixed, the interval to elapse, before the carrying of my design into +effect, was not without perturbation and suspense. These could not be +concealed from my new friend and at length prompted him to inquire into +the cause. + +It was not possible to communicate the whole truth; but the warmth of +his manner inspired me with some degree of ingenuousness. I did not hide +from him my former hopes and my present destitute condition. He listened +to my tale with no expressions of sympathy, and when I had finished, +abruptly inquired whether I had any objection to a voyage to Europe? I +answered in the negative. He then said that he was preparing to depart +in a fortnight and advised me to make up my mind to accompany him. + +This unexpected proposal gave me pleasure and surprize, but the want +of money occurred to me as an insuperable objection. On this being +mentioned, Oho! said he, carelessly, that objection is easily removed, I +will bear all expenses of your passage myself. + +The extraordinary beneficence of this act as well as the air of +uncautiousness attending it, made me doubt the sincerity of his offer, +and when new declarations removed this doubt, I could not forbear +expressing at once my sense of his generosity and of my own +unworthiness. + +He replied that generosity had been expunged from his catalogue as +having no meaning or a vicious one. It was the scope of his exertions +to be just. This was the sum of human duty, and he that fell short, ran +beside, or outstripped justice was a criminal. What he gave me was my +due or not my due. If it were my due, I might reasonably demand it from +him and it was wicked to withhold it. Merit on one side or gratitude on +the other, were contradictory and unintelligible. + +If I were fully convinced that this benefit was not my due and yet +received it, he should hold me in contempt. The rectitude of my +principles and conduct would be the measure of his approbation, and no +benefit should he ever bestow which the receiver was not entitled to +claim, and which it would not be criminal in him to refuse. + +These principles were not new from the mouth of Ludloe, but they had, +hitherto, been regarded as the fruits of a venturous speculation in my +mind. I had never traced them into their practical consequences, and if +his conduct on this occasion had not squared with his maxims, I should +not have imputed to him inconsistency. I did not ponder on these +reasonings at this time: objects of immediate importance engrossed my +thoughts. + +One obstacle to this measure was removed. When my voyage was performed +how should I subsist in my new abode? I concealed not my perplexity and +he commented on it in his usual manner. How did I mean to subsist, he +asked, in my own country? The means of living would be, at least, as +much within my reach there as here. As to the pressure of immediate and +absolute want, he believed I should be exposed to little hazard. +With talents such as mine, I must be hunted by a destiny peculiarly +malignant, if I could not provide myself with necessaries wherever my +lot were cast. + +He would make allowances, however, for my diffidence and self-distrust, +and would obviate my fears by expressing his own intentions with regard +to me. I must be apprized, however, of his true meaning. He laboured to +shun all hurtful and vitious things, and therefore carefully abstained +from making or confiding _in promises_. It was just to assist me in this +voyage, and it would probably be equally just to continue to me similar +assistance when it was finished. That indeed was a subject, in a great +degree, within my own cognizance. His aid would be proportioned to my +wants and to my merits, and I had only to take care that my claims were +just, for them to be admitted. + +This scheme could not but appear to me eligible. I thirsted after an +acquaintance with new scenes; my present situation could not be changed +for a worse; I trusted to the constancy of Ludloe's friendship; to this +at least it was better to trust than to the success of my imposture on +Dorothy, which was adopted merely as a desperate expedient: finally I +determined to embark with him. + +In the course of this voyage my mind was busily employed. There were +no other passengers beside ourselves, so that my own condition and the +character of Ludloe, continually presented themselves to my reflections. +It will be supposed that I was not a vague or indifferent observer. + +There were no vicissitudes in the deportment or lapses in the discourse +of my friend. His feelings appeared to preserve an unchangeable tenor, +and his thoughts and words always to flow with the same rapidity. His +slumber was profound and his wakeful hours serene. He was regular and +temperate in all his exercises and gratifications. Hence were derived +his clear perceptions and exuberant health. + +This treatment of me, like all his other mental and corporal operations, +was modelled by one inflexible standard. Certain scruples and delicacies +were incident to my situation. Of the existence of these he seemed to +be unconscious, and yet nothing escaped him inconsistent with a state of +absolute equality. + +I was naturally inquisitive as to his fortune and the collateral +circumstances of his condition. My notions of politeness hindered me +from making direct inquiries. By indirect means I could gather nothing +but that his state was opulent and independent, and that he had two +sisters whose situation resembled his own. + +Though, in conversation, he appeared to be governed by the utmost +candour; no light was let in upon the former transactions of his life. +The purpose of his visit to America I could merely guess to be the +gratification of curiosity. + +My future pursuits must be supposed chiefly to occupy my attention. On +this head I was destitute of all stedfast views. Without profession or +habits of industry or sources of permanent revenue, the world appeared +to me an ocean on which my bark was set afloat, without compass or sail. +The world into which I was about to enter, was untried and unknown, and +though I could consent to profit by the guidance I was unwilling to rely +on the support of others. + +This topic being nearest my heart, I frequently introduced into +conversation with my friend; but on this subject he always allowed +himself to be led by me, while on all others, he was zealous to +point the way. To every scheme that I proposed he was sure to cause +objections. All the liberal professions were censured as perverting the +understanding, by giving scope to the sordid motive of gain, or embuing +the mind with erroneous principles. Skill was slowly obtained, and +success, though integrity and independence must be given for it, dubious +and instable. The mechanical trades were equally obnoxious; they were +vitious by contributing to the spurious gratifications of the rich +and multiplying the objects of luxury; they were destruction to the +intellect and vigor of the artizan; they enervated his frame and +brutalized his mind. + +When I pointed out to him the necessity of some species of labour, he +tacitly admitted that necessity, but refused to direct me in the choice +of a pursuit, which though not free from defect should yet have the +fewest inconveniences. He dwelt on the fewness of our actual wants, +the temptations which attend the possession of wealth, the benefits of +seclusion and privacy, and the duty of unfettering our minds from the +prejudices which govern the world. + +His discourse tended merely to unsettle my views and increase my +perplexity. This effect was so uniform that I at length desisted from +all allusions to this theme and endeavoured to divert my own reflections +from it. When our voyage should be finished, and I should actually tread +this new stage, I believed that I should be better qualified to judge of +the measures to be taken by me. + +At length we reached Belfast. From thence we immediately repaired to +Dublin. I was admitted as a member of his family. When I expressed +my uncertainty as to the place to which it would be proper for me to +repair, he gave me a blunt but cordial invitation to his house. My +circumstances allowed me no option and I readily complied. My attention +was for a time engrossed by a diversified succession of new objects. +Their novelty however disappearing, left me at liberty to turn my eyes +upon myself and my companion, and here my reflections were supplied with +abundant food. + +His house was spacious and commodious, and furnished with profusion +and elegance. A suit of apartments was assigned to me, in which I +was permitted to reign uncontroled and access was permitted to a well +furnished library. My food was furnished in my own room, prepared in +the manner which I had previously directed. Occasionally Ludloe would +request my company to breakfast, when an hour was usually consumed in +earnest or sprightly conversation. At all other times he was invisible, +and his apartments, being wholly separate from mine, I had no +opportunity of discovering in what way his hours were employed. + +He defended this mode of living as being most compatible with liberty. +He delighted to expatiate on the evils of cohabitation. Men, subjected +to the same regimen, compelled to eat and sleep and associate at certain +hours, were strangers to all rational independence and liberty. Society +would never be exempt from servitude and misery, till those artificial +ties which held human beings together under the same roof were +dissolved. He endeavoured to regulate his own conduct in pursuance +of these principles, and to secure to himself as much freedom as the +present regulations of society would permit. The same independence which +he claimed for himself he likewise extended to me. The distribution of +my own time, the selection of my own occupations and companions should +belong to myself. + +But these privileges, though while listening to his arguments I could +not deny them to be valuable, I would have willingly dispensed with. The +solitude in which I lived became daily more painful. I ate and drank, +enjoyed clothing and shelter, without the exercise of forethought or +industry; I walked and sat, went out and returned for as long and at +what seasons I thought proper, yet my condition was a fertile source of +discontent. + +I felt myself removed to a comfortless and chilling distance from +Ludloe. I wanted to share in his occupations and views. With all his +ingenuousness of aspect and overflow of thoughts, when he allowed me his +company, I felt myself painfully bewildered with regard to his genuine +condition and sentiments. + +He had it in his power to introduce me to society, and without an +introduction, it was scarcely possible to gain access to any social +circle or domestic fireside. Add to this, my own obscure prospects and +dubious situation. Some regular intellectual pursuit would render my +state less irksome, but I had hitherto adopted no scheme of this kind. + + + +Chapter V. + + +Time tended, in no degree, to alleviate my dissatisfaction. It increased +till the determination became at length formed of opening my thoughts to +Ludloe. At the next breakfast interview which took place, I introduced +the subject, and expatiated without reserve, on the state of my +feelings. I concluded with entreating him to point out some path in +which my talents might be rendered useful to himself or to mankind. + +After a pause of some minutes, he said, What would you do? You forget +the immaturity of your age. If you are qualified to act a part in +the theatre of life, step forth; but you are not qualified. You want +knowledge, and with this you ought previously to endow yourself..... +Means, for this end, are within your reach. Why should you waste your +time in idleness, and torment yourself with unprofitable wishes? Books +are at hand.... books from which most sciences and languages can be +learned. Read, analise, digest; collect facts, and investigate +theories: ascertain the dictates of reason, and supply yourself with +the inclination and the power to adhere to them. You will not, legally +speaking, be a man in less than three years. Let this period be devoted +to the acquisition of wisdom. Either stay here, or retire to an house I +have on the banks of Killarney, where you will find all the conveniences +of study. + +I could not but reflect with wonder at this man's treatment of me. +I could plead none of the rights of relationship; yet I enjoyed the +privileges of a son. He had not imparted to me any scheme, by pursuit +of which I might finally compensate him for the expense to which my +maintenance and education would subject him. He gave me reason to hope +for the continuance of his bounty. He talked and acted as if my fortune +were totally disjoined from his; yet was I indebted to him for the +morsel which sustained my life. Now it was proposed to withdraw myself +to studious leisure, and romantic solitude. All my wants, personal and +intellectual, were to be supplied gratuitously and copiously. No +means were prescribed by which I might make compensation for all these +benefits. In conferring them he seemed to be actuated by no view to +his own ultimate advantage. He took no measures to secure my future +services. + +I suffered these thoughts to escape me, on this occasion, and observed +that to make my application successful, or useful, it was necessary +to pursue some end. I must look forward to some post which I might +hereafter occupy beneficially to myself or others; and for which all the +efforts of my mind should be bent to qualify myself. + +These hints gave him visible pleasure; and now, for the first time, he +deigned to advise me on this head. His scheme, however, was not suddenly +produced. The way to it was circuitous and long. It was his business to +make every new step appear to be suggested by my own reflections. His +own ideas were the seeming result of the moment, and sprung out of +the last idea that was uttered. Being hastily taken up, they were, of +course, liable to objection. These objections, sometimes occurring to +me and sometimes to him, were admitted or contested with the utmost +candour. One scheme went through numerous modifications before it was +proved to be ineligible, or before it yielded place to a better. It +was easy to perceive, that books alone were insufficient to impart +knowledge: that man must be examined with our own eyes to make us +acquainted with their nature: that ideas collected from observation and +reading, must correct and illustrate each other: that the value of all +principles, and their truth, lie in their practical effects. Hence, +gradually arose, the usefulness of travelling, of inspecting the habits +and manners of a nation, and investigating, on the spot, the causes of +their happiness and misery. Finally, it was determined that Spain was +more suitable than any other, to the views of a judicious traveller. + +My language, habits, and religion were mentioned as obstacles to close +and extensive views; but these difficulties successively and slowly +vanished. Converse with books, and natives of Spain, a steadfast purpose +and unwearied diligence would efface all differences between me and a +Castilian with respect to speech. Personal habits, were changeable, +by the same means. The bars to unbounded intercourse, rising from the +religion of Spain being irreconcilably opposite to mine, cost us no +little trouble to surmount, and here the skill of Ludloe was eminently +displayed. + +I had been accustomed to regard as unquestionable, the fallacy of the +Romish faith. This persuasion was habitual and the child of prejudice, +and was easily shaken by the artifices of this logician. I was first led +to bestow a kind of assent on the doctrines of the Roman church; but my +convictions were easily subdued by a new species of argumentation, and, +in a short time, I reverted to my ancient disbelief, so that, if +an exterior conformity to the rights of Spain were requisite to the +attainment of my purpose, that conformity must be dissembled. + +My moral principles had hitherto been vague and unsettled. My +circumstances had led me to the frequent practice of insincerity; but my +transgressions as they were slight and transient, did not much excite +my previous reflections, or subsequent remorse. My deviations, however, +though rendered easy by habit, were by no means sanctioned by my +principles. Now an imposture, more profound and deliberate, was +projected; and I could not hope to perform well my part, unless +steadfastly and thoroughly persuaded of its rectitude. + +My friend was the eulogist of sincerity. He delighted to trace its +influence on the happiness of mankind; and proved that nothing but the +universal practice of this virtue was necessary to the perfection of +human society. His doctrine was splendid and beautiful. To detect its +imperfections was no easy task; to lay the foundations of virtue +in utility, and to limit, by that scale, the operation of general +principles; to see that the value of sincerity, like that of every other +mode of action, consisted in its tendency to good, and that, therefore +the obligation to speak truth was not paramount or intrinsical: that my +duty is modelled on a knowledge and foresight of the conduct of others; +and that, since men in their actual state, are infirm and deceitful, a +just estimate of consequences may sometimes make dissimulation my duty +were truths that did not speedily occur. The discovery, when made, +appeared to be a joint work. I saw nothing in Ludlow but proofs of +candour, and a judgment incapable of bias. + +The means which this man employed to fit me for his purpose, perhaps +owed their success to my youth and ignorance. I may have given you +exaggerated ideas of his dexterity and address. Of that I am unable +to judge. Certain it is, that no time or reflection has abated my +astonishment at the profoundness of his schemes, and the perseverance +with which they were pursued by him. To detail their progress would +expose me to the risk of being tedious, yet none but minute details +would sufficiently display his patience and subtlety. + +It will suffice to relate, that after a sufficient period of preparation +and arrangements being made for maintaining a copious intercourse with +Ludlow, I embarked for Barcelona. A restless curiosity and vigorous +application have distinguished my character in every scene. Here was +spacious field for the exercise of all my energies. I sought out a +preceptor in my new religion. I entered into the hearts of priests and +confessors, the _hidalgo_ and the peasant, the monk and the prelate, the +austere and voluptuous devotee were scrutinized in all their forms. + +Man was the chief subject of my study, and the social sphere that +in which I principally moved; but I was not inattentive to inanimate +nature, nor unmindful of the past. If the scope of virtue were to +maintain the body in health, and to furnish its highest enjoyments to +every sense, to increase the number, and accuracy, and order of our +intellectual stores, no virtue was ever more unblemished than mine. If +to act upon our conceptions of right, and to acquit ourselves of all +prejudice and selfishness in the formation of our principles, entitle us +to the testimony of a good conscience, I might justly claim it. + +I shall not pretend to ascertain my rank in the moral scale. Your +notions of duty differ widely from mine. If a system of deceit, pursued +merely from the love of truth; if voluptuousness, never gratified at the +expense of health, may incur censure, I am censurable. This, indeed, +was not the limit of my deviations. Deception was often unnecessarily +practised, and my biloquial faculty did not lie unemployed. What has +happened to yourselves may enable you, in some degree, to judge of +the scenes in which my mystical exploits engaged me. In none of them, +indeed, were the effects equally disastrous, and they were, for the most +part, the result of well digested projects. + +To recount these would be an endless task. They were designed as mere +specimens of power, to illustrate the influence of superstition: to give +sceptics the consolation of certainty: to annihilate the scruples of a +tender female, or facilitate my access to the bosoms of courtiers and +monks. + +The first achievement of this kind took place in the convent of the +Escurial. For some time the hospitality of this brotherhood allowed me +a cell in that magnificent and gloomy fabric. I was drawn hither chiefly +by the treasures of Arabian literature, which are preserved here in the +keeping of a learned Maronite, from Lebanon. Standing one evening on the +steps of the great altar, this devout friar expatiated on the miraculous +evidences of his religion; and, in a moment of enthusiasm, appealed to +San Lorenzo, whose martyrdom was displayed before us. No sooner was the +appeal made than the saint, obsequious to the summons, whispered his +responses from the shrine, and commanded the heretic to tremble +and believe. This event was reported to the convent. With whatever +reluctance, I could not refuse my testimony to its truth, and its +influence on my faith was clearly shewn in my subsequent conduct. + +A lady of rank, in Seville, who had been guilty of many unauthorized +indulgences, was, at last, awakened to remorse, by a voice from +Heaven, which she imagined had commanded her to expiate her sins by +an abstinence from all food for thirty days. Her friends found it +impossible to outroot this persuasion, or to overcome her resolution +even by force. I chanced to be one in a numerous company where she was +present. This fatal illusion was mentioned, and an opportunity afforded +to the lady of defending her scheme. At a pause in the discourse, a +voice was heard from the ceiling, which confirmed the truth of her tale; +but, at the same time revoked the command, and, in consideration of +her faith, pronounced her absolution. Satisfied with this proof, the +auditors dismissed their unbelief, and the lady consented to eat. + +In the course of a copious correspondence with Ludlow, the observations +I had collected were given. A sentiment, which I can hardly describe, +induced me to be silent on all adventures connected with my bivocal +projects. On other topics, I wrote fully, and without restraint. I +painted, in vivid hues, the scenes with which I was daily conversant, +and pursued, fearlessly, every speculation on religion and government +that occurred. This spirit was encouraged by Ludloe, who failed not to +comment on my narrative, and multiply deductions from my principles. + +He taught me to ascribe the evils that infest society to the errors of +opinion. The absurd and unequal distribution of power and property gave +birth to poverty and riches, and these were the sources of luxury and +crimes. These positions were readily admitted; but the remedy for these +ills, the means of rectifying these errors were not easily discovered. +We have been inclined to impute them to inherent defects in the moral +constitution of men: that oppression and tyranny grow up by a sort of +natural necessity, and that they will perish only when the human species +is extinct. Ludloe laboured to prove that this was, by no means, the +case: that man is the creature of circumstances: that he is capable +of endless improvement: that his progress has been stopped by the +artificial impediment of government: that by the removal of this, the +fondest dreams of imagination will be realized. + +From detailing and accounting for the evils which exist under our +present institutions, he usually proceeded to delineate some scheme of +Utopian felicity, where the empire of reason should supplant that of +force: where justice should be universally understood and practised; +where the interest of the whole and of the individual should be seen +by all to be the same; where the public good should be the scope of all +activity; where the tasks of all should be the same, and the means of +subsistence equally distributed. + +No one could contemplate his pictures without rapture. By their +comprehensiveness and amplitude they filled the imagination. I was +unwilling to believe that in no region of the world, or at no period +could these ideas be realized. It was plain that the nations of Europe +were tending to greater depravity, and would be the prey of perpetual +vicissitude. All individual attempts at their reformation would be +fruitless. He therefore who desired the diffusion of right principles, +to make a just system be adopted by a whole community, must pursue some +extraordinary method. + +In this state of mind I recollected my native country, where a few +colonists from Britain had sown the germe of populous and mighty +empires. Attended, as they were, into their new abode, by all their +prejudices, yet such had been the influence of new circumstances, +of consulting for their own happiness, of adopting simple forms of +government, and excluding nobles and kings from their system, that they +enjoyed a degree of happiness far superior to their parent state. + +To conquer the prejudices and change the habits of millions, are +impossible. The human mind, exposed to social influences, inflexibly +adheres to the direction that is given to it; but for the same reason +why men, who begin in error will continue, those who commence in truth, +may be expected to persist. Habit and example will operate with equal +force in both instances. + +Let a few, sufficiently enlightened and disinterested, take up their +abode in some unvisited region. Let their social scheme be founded in +equity, and how small soever their original number may be, their growth +into a nation is inevitable. Among other effects of national justice, +was to be ranked the swift increase of numbers. Exempt from servile +obligations and perverse habits, endowed with property, wisdom, and +health. Hundreds will expand, with inconceivable rapidity into thousands +and thousands, into millions; and a new race, tutored in truth, may, in +a few centuries, overflow the habitable world. + +Such were the visions of youth! I could not banish them from my mind. I +knew them to be crude; but believed that deliberation would bestow upon +them solidity and shape. Meanwhile I imparted them to Ludloe. + + + +Chapter VI. + + +In answer to the reveries and speculations which I sent to him +respecting this subject, Ludloe informed me, that they had led his mind +into a new sphere of meditation. He had long and deeply considered in +what way he might essentially promote my happiness. He had entertained a +faint hope that I would one day be qualified for a station like that to +which he himself had been advanced. This post required an elevation and +stability of views which human beings seldom reach, and which could be +attained by me only by a long series of heroic labours. Hitherto every +new stage in my intellectual progress had added vigour to his hopes, +and he cherished a stronger belief than formerly that my career would +terminate auspiciously. This, however, was necessarily distant. Many +preliminaries must first be settled; many arduous accomplishments be +first obtained; and my virtue be subjected to severe trials. At present +it was not in his power to be more explicit; but if my reflections +suggested no better plan, he advised me to settle my affairs in Spain, +and return to him immediately. My knowledge of this country would be +of the highest use, on the supposition of my ultimately arriving at the +honours to which he had alluded; and some of these preparatory measures +could be taken only with his assistance, and in his company. + +This intimation was eagerly obeyed, and, in a short time, I arrived at +Dublin. Meanwhile my mind had copious occupation in commenting on my +friend's letter. This scheme, whatever it was, seemed to be suggested by +my mention of a plan of colonization, and my preference of that mode of +producing extensive and permanent effects on the condition of mankind. +It was easy therefore to conjecture that this mode had been pursued +under some mysterious modifications and conditions. + +It had always excited my wonder that so obvious an expedient had been +overlooked. The globe which we inhabit was very imperfectly known. The +regions and nations unexplored, it was reasonable to believe, surpassed +in extent, and perhaps in populousness, those with which we were +familiar. The order of Jesuits had furnished an example of all the +errors and excellencies of such a scheme. Their plan was founded on +erroneous notions of religion and policy, and they had absurdly chosen a +scene [*] within reach of the injustice and ambition of an European tyrant. + +It was wise and easy to profit by their example. Resting on the two +props of fidelity and zeal, an association might exist for ages in the +heart of Europe, whose influence might be felt, and might be boundless, +in some region of the southern hemisphere; and by whom a moral and +political structure might be raised, the growth of pure wisdom, and +totally unlike those fragments of Roman and Gothic barbarism, which +cover the face of what are called the civilized nations. The belief now +rose in my mind that some such scheme had actually been prosecuted, and +that Ludloe was a coadjutor. On this supposition, the caution with which +he approached to his point, the arduous probation which a candidate for +a part on this stage must undergo, and the rigours of that test by which +his fortitude and virtue must be tried, were easily explained. I was too +deeply imbued with veneration for the effects of such schemes, and +too sanguine in my confidence in the rectitude of Ludloe, to refuse my +concurrence in any scheme by which my qualifications might at length be +raised to a due point. + +Our interview was frank and affectionate. I found him situated just as +formerly. His aspect, manners, and deportment were the same. I entered +once more on my former mode of life, but our intercourse became more +frequent. We constantly breakfasted together, and our conversation was +usually prolonged through half the morning. + +For a time our topics were general. I thought proper to leave to him the +introduction of more interesting themes: this, however, he betrayed no +inclination to do. His reserve excited some surprise, and I began to +suspect that whatever design he had formed with regard to me, had been +laid aside. To ascertain this question, I ventured, at length, to recall +his attention to the subject of his last letter, and to enquire whether +subsequent reflection had made any change in his views. + +He said that his views were too momentous to be hastily taken up, or +hastily dismissed; the station, my attainment of which depended wholly +on myself, was high above vulgar heads, and was to be gained by years +of solicitude and labour. This, at least, was true with regard to +minds ordinarily constituted; I, perhaps, deserved to be regarded as +an exception, and might be able to accomplish in a few months that for +which others were obliged to toil during half their lives. + +Man, continued he, is the slave of habit. Convince him to-day that his +duty leads straight forward: he shall advance, but at every step his +belief shall fade; habit will resume its empire, and tomorrow he shall +turn back, or betake himself to oblique paths. + +We know not our strength till it be tried. Virtue, till confirmed by +habit, is a dream. You are a man imbued by errors, and vincible by +slight temptations. Deep enquiries must bestow light on your opinions, +and the habit of encountering and vanquishing temptation must inspire +you with fortitude. Till this be done, you are unqualified for that +post, in which you will be invested with divine attributes, and +prescribe the condition of a large portion of mankind. + +Confide not in the firmness of your principles, or the stedfastness of +your integrity. Be always vigilant and fearful. Never think you have +enough of knowledge, and let not your caution slumber for a moment, for +you know not when danger is near. + +I acknowledged the justice of his admonitions, and professed myself +willing to undergo any ordeal which reason should prescribe. What, +I asked, were the conditions, on the fulfilment of which depended my +advancement to the station he alluded to? Was it necessary to conceal +from me the nature and obligations of this rank? + +These enquiries sunk him more profoundly into meditation than I had ever +before witnessed. After a pause, in which some perplexity was visible, +he answered: + +I scarcely know what to say. As to promises, I claim them not from you. +We are now arrived at a point, in which it is necessary to look around +with caution, and that consequences should be fully known. A number of +persons are leagued together for an end of some moment. To make yourself +one of these is submitted to your choice. Among the conditions of their +alliance are mutual fidelity and secrecy. + +Their existence depends upon this: their existence is known only to +themselves. This secrecy must be obtained by all the means which are +possible. When I have said thus much, I have informed you, in some +degree, of their existence, but you are still ignorant of the purpose +contemplated by this association, and of all the members, except +myself. So far no dangerous disclosure is yet made: but this degree of +concealment is not sufficient. Thus much is made known to you, because +it is unavoidable. The individuals which compose this fraternity are not +immortal, and the vacancies occasioned by death must be supplied from +among the living. The candidate must be instructed and prepared, and +they are always at liberty to recede. Their reason must approve the +obligations and duties of their station, or they are unfit for it. If +they recede, one duty is still incumbent upon them: they must observe an +inviolable silence. To this they are not held by any promise. They must +weigh consequences, and freely decide; but they must not fail to number +among these consequences their own death. + +Their death will not be prompted by vengeance. The executioner will say, +he that has once revealed the tale is likely to reveal it a second +time; and, to prevent this, the betrayer must die. Nor is this the only +consequence: to prevent the further revelation, he, to whom the secret +was imparted, must likewise perish. He must not console himself with the +belief that his trespass will be unknown. The knowledge cannot, by human +means, be withheld from this fraternity. Rare, indeed, will it be that +his purpose to disclose is not discovered before it can be effected, and +the disclosure prevented by his death. + +Be well aware of your condition. What I now, or may hereafter mention, +mention not again. Admit not even a doubt as to the propriety of hiding +it from all the world. There are eyes who will discern this doubt +amidst the closest folds of your heart, and your life will instantly be +sacrificed. + +At present be the subject dismissed. Reflect deeply on the duty which +you have already incurred. Think upon your strength of mind, and be +careful not to lay yourself under impracticable obligations. It will +always be in your power to recede. Even after you are solemnly enrolled +a member, you may consult the dictates of your own understanding, and +relinquish your post; but while you live, the obligation to be silent +will perpetually attend you. + +We seek not the misery or death of any one, but we are swayed by an +immutable calculation. Death is to be abhorred, but the life of +the betrayer is productive of more evil than his death: his death, +therefore, we chuse, and our means are instantaneous and unerring. + +I love you. The first impulse of my love is to dissuade you from seeking +to know more. Your mind will be full of ideas; your hands will be +perpetually busy to a purpose into which no human creature, beyond +the verge of your brotherhood, must pry. Believe me, who have made +the experiment, that compared with this task, the task of inviolable +secrecy, all others are easy. To be dumb will not suffice; never to know +any remission in your zeal or your watchfulness will not suffice. If the +sagacity of others detect your occupations, however strenuously you may +labour for concealment, your doom is ratified, as well as that of the +wretch whose evil destiny led him to pursue you. + +Yet if your fidelity fail not, great will be your recompence. For all +your toils and self-devotion, ample will be the retribution. Hitherto +you have been wrapt in darkness and storm; then will you be exalted to +a pure and unruffled element. It is only for a time that temptation will +environ you, and your path will be toilsome. In a few years you will be +permitted to withdraw to a land of sages, and the remainder of your life +will glide away in the enjoyments of beneficence and wisdom. + +Think deeply on what I have said. Investigate your own motives and +opinions, and prepare to submit them to the test of numerous hazards and +experiments. + +Here my friend passed to a new topic. I was desirous of reverting to +this subject, and obtaining further information concerning it, but he +assiduously repelled all my attempts, and insisted on my bestowing deep +and impartial attention on what had already been disclosed. I was not +slow to comply with his directions. My mind refused to admit any other +theme of contemplation than this. + +As yet I had no glimpse of the nature of this fraternity. I was +permitted to form conjectures, and previous incidents bestowed but one +form upon my thoughts. In reviewing the sentiments and deportment of +Ludloe, my belief continually acquired new strength. I even recollected +hints and ambiguous allusions in his discourse, which were easily +solved, on the supposition of the existence of a new model of society, +in some unsuspected corner of the world. + +I did not fully perceive the necessity of secrecy; but this necessity +perhaps would be rendered apparent, when I should come to know the +connection that subsisted between Europe and this imaginary colony. +But what was to be done? I was willing to abide by these conditions. +My understanding might not approve of all the ends proposed by this +fraternity, and I had liberty to withdraw from it, or to refuse to ally +myself with them. That the obligation of secrecy should still remain, +was unquestionably reasonable. + +It appeared to be the plan of Ludloe rather to damp than to stimulate my +zeal. He discouraged all attempts to renew the subject in conversation. +He dwelt upon the arduousness of the office to which I aspired, the +temptations to violate my duty with which I should be continually beset, +the inevitable death with which the slightest breach of my engagements +would be followed, and the long apprenticeship which it would be +necessary for me to serve, before I should be fitted to enter into this +conclave. + +Sometimes my courage was depressed by these representations. ..... My +zeal, however, was sure to revive; and at length Ludloe declared himself +willing to assist me in the accomplishment of my wishes. For this +end, it was necessary, he said, that I should be informed of a second +obligation, which every candidate must assume. Before any one could be +deemed qualified, he must be thoroughly known to his associates. For +this end, he must determine to disclose every fact in his history, and +every secret of his heart. I must begin with making these confessions +with regard to my past life, to Ludloe, and must continue to +communicate, at stated seasons, every new thought, and every new +occurrence, to him. This confidence was to be absolutely limitless: no +exceptions were to be admitted, and no reserves to be practised; and +the same penalty attended the infraction of this rule as of the former. +Means would be employed, by which the slightest deviation, in either +case, would be detected, and the deathful consequence would follow +with instant and inevitable expedition. If secrecy were difficult to +practise, sincerity, in that degree in which it was here demanded, was +a task infinitely more arduous, and a period of new deliberation was +necessary before I should decide. I was at liberty to pause: nay, the +longer was the period of deliberation which I took, the better; but, +when I had once entered this path, it was not in my power to recede. +After having solemnly avowed my resolution to be thus sincere in my +confession, any particle of reserve or duplicity would cost me my life. + +This indeed was a subject to be deeply thought upon. Hitherto I had been +guilty of concealment with regard to my friend. I had entered into no +formal compact, but had been conscious to a kind of tacit obligation to +hide no important transaction of my life from him. This consciousness +was the source of continual anxiety. I had exerted, on numerous +occasions, my bivocal faculty, but, in my intercourse with Ludloe, had +suffered not the slightest intimation to escape me with regard to it. +This reserve was not easily explained. It was, in a great degree, the +product of habit; but I likewise considered that the efficacy of this +instrument depended upon its existence being unknown. To confide +the secret to one, was to put an end to my privilege: how widely the +knowledge would thenceforth be diffused, I had no power to foresee. + +Each day multiplied the impediments to confidence. Shame hindered me +from acknowledging my past reserves. Ludloe, from the nature of our +intercourse, would certainly account my reserve, in this respect, +unjustifiable, and to excite his indignation or contempt was an +unpleasing undertaking. Now, if I should resolve to persist in my new +path, this reserve must be dismissed: I must make him master of a secret +which was precious to me beyond all others; by acquainting him with past +concealments, I must risk incurring his suspicion and his anger. These +reflections were productive of considerable embarrassment. + +There was, indeed, an avenue by which to escape these difficulties, if +it did not, at the same time, plunge me into greater. My confessions +might, in other respects, be unbounded, but my reserves, in this +particular, might be continued. Yet should I not expose myself +to formidable perils? Would my secret be for ever unsuspected and +undiscovered? + +When I considered the nature of this faculty, the impossibility of going +farther than suspicion, since the agent could be known only by his +own confession, and even this confession would not be believed by the +greater part of mankind, I was tempted to conceal it. + +In most cases, if I had asserted the possession of this power, I should +be treated as a liar; it would be considered as an absurd and audacious +expedient to free myself from the suspicion of having entered into +compact with a daemon, or of being myself an emissary of the grand foe. +Here, however, there was no reason to dread a similar imputation, since +Ludloe had denied the preternatural pretensions of these airy sounds. + +My conduct on this occasion was nowise influenced by the belief of any +inherent sanctity in truth. Ludloe had taught me to model myself in this +respect entirely with a view to immediate consequences. If my genuine +interest, on the whole, was promoted by veracity, it was proper to +adhere to it; but, if the result of my investigation were opposite, +truth was to be sacrificed without scruple. + + * Paraguay. + + + +Chapter VII. + + +Meanwhile, in a point of so much moment, I was not hasty to determine. +My delay seemed to be, by no means, unacceptable to Ludloe, who +applauded my discretion, and warned me to be circumspect. My attention +was chiefly absorbed by considerations connected with this subject, and +little regard was paid to any foreign occupation or amusement. + +One evening, after a day spent in my closet, I sought recreation by +walking forth. My mind was chiefly occupied by the review of incidents +which happened in Spain. I turned my face towards the fields, and +recovered not from my reverie, till I had proceeded some miles on the +road to Meath. The night had considerably advanced, and the darkness was +rendered intense, by the setting of the moon. Being somewhat weary, as +well as undetermined in what manner next to proceed, I seated myself +on a grassy bank beside the road. The spot which I had chosen was aloof +from passengers, and shrowded in the deepest obscurity. + +Some time elapsed, when my attention was excited by the slow approach +of an equipage. I presently discovered a coach and six horses, but +unattended, except by coachman and postillion, and with no light to +guide them on their way. Scarcely had they passed the spot where I +rested, when some one leaped from beneath the hedge, and seized the +head of the fore-horses. Another called upon the coachman to stop, and +threatened him with instant death if he disobeyed. A third drew open the +coach-door, and ordered those within to deliver their purses. A shriek +of terror showed me that a lady was within, who eagerly consented to +preserve her life by the loss of her money. + +To walk unarmed in the neighbourhood of Dublin, especially at night, has +always been accounted dangerous. I had about me the usual instruments +of defence. I was desirous of rescuing this person from the danger which +surrounded her, but was somewhat at a loss how to effect my purpose. My +single strength was insufficient to contend with three ruffians. After +a moment's debate, an expedient was suggested, which I hastened to +execute. + +Time had not been allowed for the ruffian who stood beside the carriage +to receive the plunder, when several voices, loud, clamorous, and eager, +were heard in the quarter whence the traveller had come. By trampling +with quickness, it was easy to imitate the sound of many feet. The +robbers were alarmed, and one called upon another to attend. The sounds +increased, and, at the next moment, they betook themselves to flight, +but not till a pistol was discharged. Whether it was aimed at the lady +in the carriage, or at the coachman, I was not permitted to discover, +for the report affrighted the horses, and they set off at full speed. + +I could not hope to overtake them: I knew not whither the robbers had +fled, and whether, by proceeding, I might not fall into their hands..... +These considerations induced me to resume my feet, and retire from the +scene as expeditiously as possible. I regained my own habitation without +injury. + +I have said that I occupied separate apartments from those of Ludloe. To +these there were means of access without disturbing the family. I hasted +to my chamber, but was considerably surprized to find, on entering my +apartment, Ludloe seated at a table, with a lamp before him. + +My momentary confusion was greater than his. On discovering who it was, +he assumed his accustomed looks, and explained appearances, by saying, +that he wished to converse with me on a subject of importance, and had +therefore sought me at this secret hour, in my own chamber. Contrary +to his expectation, I was absent. Conceiving it possible that I might +shortly return, he had waited till now. He took no further notice of +my absence, nor manifested any desire to know the cause of it, but +proceeded to mention the subject which had brought him hither. These +were his words. + +You have nothing which the laws permit you to call your own. Justice +entitles you to the supply of your physical wants, from those who are +able to supply them; but there are few who will acknowledge your claim, +or spare an atom of their superfluity to appease your cravings. That +which they will not spontaneously give, it is not right to wrest from +them by violence. What then is to be done? + +Property is necessary to your own subsistence. It is useful, by enabling +you to supply the wants of others. To give food, and clothing, and +shelter, is to give life, to annihilate temptation, to unshackle virtue, +and propagate felicity. How shall property be gained? + +You may set your understanding or your hands at work. You may weave +stockings, or write poems, and exchange them for money; but these are +tardy and meagre schemes. The means are disproportioned to the end, and +I will not suffer you to pursue them. My justice will supply your wants. + +But dependance on the justice of others is a precarious condition. To be +the object is a less ennobling state than to be the bestower of benefit. +Doubtless you desire to be vested with competence and riches, and +to hold them by virtue of the law, and not at the will of a +benefactor...... He paused as if waiting for my assent to his positions. +I readily expressed my concurrence, and my desire to pursue any means +compatible with honesty. He resumed. + +There are various means, besides labour, violence, or fraud. It is right +to select the easiest within your reach. It happens that the easiest is +at hand. A revenue of some thousands a year, a stately mansion in +the city, and another in Kildare, old and faithful domestics, and +magnificent furniture, are good things. Will you have them? + +A gift like that, replied I, will be attended by momentous conditions. I +cannot decide upon its value, until I know these conditions. + +The sole condition is your consent to receive them. Not even the airy +obligation of gratitude will be created by acceptance. On the contrary, +by accepting them, you will confer the highest benefit upon another. + +I do not comprehend you. Something surely must be given in return. + +Nothing. It may seem strange that, in accepting the absolute controul of +so much property, you subject yourself to no conditions; that no claims +of gratitude or service will accrue; but the wonder is greater still. +The law equitably enough fetters the gift with no restraints, with +respect to you that receive it; but not so with regard to the unhappy +being who bestows it. That being must part, not only with property +but liberty. In accepting the property, you must consent to enjoy the +services of the present possessor. They cannot be disjoined. + +Of the true nature and extent of the gift, you should be fully apprized. +Be aware, therefore, that, together with this property, you will +receive absolute power over the liberty and person of the being who now +possesses it. That being must become your domestic slave; be governed, +in every particular, by your caprice. + +Happily for you, though fully invested with this power, the degree and +mode in which it will be exercised will depend upon yourself..... You +may either totally forbear the exercise, or employ it only for the +benefit of your slave. However injurious, therefore, this authority may +be to the subject of it, it will, in some sense, only enhance the value +of the gift to you. + +The attachment and obedience of this being will be chiefly evident in +one thing. Its duty will consist in conforming, in every instance, +to your will. All the powers of this being are to be devoted to your +happiness; but there is one relation between you, which enables you to +confer, while exacting, pleasure. .... This relation is _sexual_. Your +slave is a woman; and the bond, which transfers her property and person +to you, is .... _marriage_. + +My knowledge of Ludloe, his principles, and reasonings, ought to have +precluded that surprise which I experienced at the conclusion of his +discourse. I knew that he regarded the present institution of marriage +as a contract of servitude, and the terms of it unequal and unjust. +When my surprise had subsided, my thoughts turned upon the nature of his +scheme. After a pause of reflection, I answered: + +Both law and custom have connected obligations with marriage, which, +though heaviest on the female, are not light upon the male. Their weight +and extent are not immutable and uniform; they are modified by various +incidents, and especially by the mental and personal qualities of the +lady. + +I am not sure that I should willingly accept the property and person +of a woman decrepid with age, and enslaved by perverse habits and +evil passions: whereas youth, beauty, and tenderness would be worth +accepting, even for their own sake, and disconnected with fortune. + +As to altar vows, I believe they will not make me swerve from equity. I +shall exact neither service nor affection from my spouse. The value of +these, and, indeed, not only the value, but the very existence, of the +latter depends upon its spontaneity. A promise to love tends rather to +loosen than strengthen the tie. + +As to myself, the age of illusion is past. I shall not wed, till I find +one whose moral and physical constitution will make personal fidelity +easy. I shall judge without mistiness or passion, and habit will come in +aid of an enlightened and deliberate choice. + +I shall not be fastidious in my choice. I do not expect, and scarcely +desire, much intellectual similitude between me and my wife. Our +opinions and pursuits cannot be in common. While women are formed by +their education, and their education continues in its present state, +tender hearts and misguided understandings are all that we can hope to +meet with. + +What are the character, age, and person of the woman to whom you allude? +and what prospect of success would attend my exertions to obtain her +favour? + +I have told you she is rich. She is a widow, and owes her riches to the +liberality of her husband, who was a trader of great opulence, and who +died while on a mercantile adventure to Spain. He was not unknown to +you. Your letters from Spain often spoke of him. In short, she is the +widow of Benington, whom you met at Barcelona. She is still in the prime +of life; is not without many feminine attractions; has an ardent and +credulent temper; and is particularly given to devotion. This temper it +would be easy to regulate according to your pleasure and your interest, +and I now submit to you the expediency of an alliance with her. + +I am a kinsman, and regarded by her with uncommon deference; and my +commendations, therefore, will be of great service to you, and shall be +given. + +I will deal ingenuously with you. It is proper you should be fully +acquainted with the grounds of this proposal. The benefits of rank, and +property, and independence, which I have already mentioned as likely to +accrue to you from this marriage, are solid and valuable benefits; +but these are not the sole advantages, and to benefit you, in these +respects, is not my whole view. + +No. My treatment of you henceforth will be regulated by one principle. +I regard you only as one undergoing a probation or apprenticeship; as +subjected to trials of your sincerity and fortitude. The marriage I now +propose to you is desirable, because it will make you independent of me. +Your poverty might create an unsuitable bias in favour of proposals, one +of whose effects would be to set you beyond fortune's reach. That bias +will cease, when you cease to be poor and dependent. + +Love is the strongest of all human delusions. That fortitude, which +is not subdued by the tenderness and blandishments of woman, may be +trusted; but no fortitude, which has not undergone that test, will be +trusted by us. + +This woman is a charming enthusiast. She will never marry but him whom +she passionately loves. Her power over the heart that loves her will +scarcely have limits. The means of prying into your transactions, of +suspecting and sifting your thoughts, which her constant society with +you, while sleeping and waking, her zeal and watchfulness for your +welfare, and her curiosity, adroitness, and penetration will afford her, +are evident. Your danger, therefore, will be imminent. Your fortitude +will be obliged to have recourse, not to flight, but to vigilance. Your +eye must never close. + +Alas! what human magnanimity can stand this test! How can I persuade +myself that you will not fail? I waver between hope and fear. Many, it +is true, have fallen, and dragged with them the author of their ruin, +but some have soared above even these perils and temptations, with their +fiery energies unimpaired, and great has been, as great ought to be, +their recompence. + +But you are doubtless aware of your danger. I need not repeat the +consequences of betraying your trust, the rigour of those who will Judge +your fault, the unerring and unbounded scrutiny to which your actions, +the most secret and indifferent, will be subjected. + +Your conduct, however, will be voluntary. At your own option be it, to +see or not to see this woman. Circumspection, deliberation forethought, +are your sacred duties and highest interest. + + + +Chapter VIII. + + +Ludloe's remarks on the seductive and bewitching powers of women, on +the difficulty of keeping a secret which they wish to know, and to +gain which they employ the soft artillery of tears and prayers, and +blandishments and menaces, are familiar to all men, but they had little +weight with me, because they were unsupported by my own experience. I +had never had any intellectual or sentimental connection with the sex. +My meditations and pursuits had all led a different way, and a bias +had gradually been given to my feelings, very unfavourable to the +refinements of love. I acknowledge, with shame and regret, that I was +accustomed to regard the physical and sensual consequences of the sexual +relation as realities, and every thing intellectual, disinterested, and +heroic, which enthusiasts connect with it as idle dreams. Besides, said +I, I am yet a stranger to the secret, on the preservation of which so +much stress is laid, and it will be optional with me to receive it +or not. If, in the progress of my acquaintance with Mrs. Benington, I +should perceive any extraordinary danger in the gift, cannot I refuse, +or at least delay to comply with any new conditions from Ludloe? Will +not his candour and his affection for me rather commend than disapprove +my diffidence? In fine, I resolved to see this lady. + +She was, it seems, the widow of Benington, whom I knew in Spain. This +man was an English merchant settled at Barcelona, to whom I had been +commended by Ludloe's letters, and through whom my pecuniary supplies +were furnished....... Much intercourse and some degree of intimacy had +taken place between us, and I had gained a pretty accurate knowledge of +his character. I had been informed, through different channels, that his +wife was much his superior in rank, that she possessed great wealth in +her own right, and that some disagreement of temper or views occasioned +their separation. She had married him for love, and still doated on him: +the occasions for separation having arisen, it seems, not on her +side but on his. As his habits of reflection were nowise friendly to +religion, and as hers, according to Ludloe, were of the opposite kind, +it is possible that some jarring had arisen between them from this +source. Indeed, from some casual and broken hints of Benington, +especially in the latter part of his life, I had long since gathered +this conjecture....... Something, thought I, may be derived from my +acquaintance with her husband favourable to my views. + +I anxiously waited for an opportunity of acquainting Ludloe with my +resolution. On the day of our last conversation, he had made a short +excursion from town, intending to return the same evening, but had +continued absent for several days. As soon as he came back, I hastened +to acquaint him with my wishes. + +Have you well considered this matter, said he. Be assured it is of no +trivial import. The moment at which you enter the presence of this woman +will decide your future destiny. Even putting out of view the subject of +our late conversations, the light in which you shall appear to her will +greatly influence your happiness, since, though you cannot fail to love +her, it is quite uncertain what return she may think proper to make. +Much, doubtless, will depend on your own perseverance and address, +but you will have many, perhaps insuperable obstacles to encounter on +several accounts, and especially in her attachment to the memory of her +late husband. As to her devout temper, this is nearly allied to a warm +imagination in some other respects, and will operate much more in favour +of an ardent and artful lover, than against him. + +I still expressed my willingness to try my fortune with her. + +Well, said he, I anticipated your consent to my proposal, and the visit +I have just made was to her. I thought it best to pave the way, by +informing her that I had met with one for whom she had desired me to +look out. You must know that her father was one of these singular men +who set a value upon things exactly in proportion to the difficulty of +obtaining or comprehending them. His passion was for antiques, and his +favourite pursuit during a long life was monuments in brass, marble, and +parchment, of the remotest antiquity. He was wholly indifferent to the +character or conduct of our present sovereign and his ministers, but was +extremely solicitous about the name and exploits of a king of Ireland +that lived two or three centuries before the flood. He felt no curiosity +to know who was the father of his wife's child, but would travel a +thousand miles, and consume months, in investigating which son of +Noah it was that first landed on the coast of Munster. He would give +a hundred guineas from the mint for a piece of old decayed copper no +bigger than his nail, provided it had aukward characters upon it, too +much defaced to be read. The whole stock of a great bookseller was, in +his eyes, a cheap exchange for a shred of parchment, containing half a +homily written by St. Patrick. He would have gratefully given all his +patrimonial domains to one who should inform him what pendragon or druid +it was who set up the first stone on Salisbury plain. + +This spirit, as you may readily suppose, being seconded by great wealth +and long life, contributed to form a very large collection of venerable +lumber, which, though beyond all price to the collector himself, is of +no value to his heiress but so far as it is marketable. She designs +to bring the whole to auction, but for this purpose a catalogue and +description are necessary. Her father trusted to a faithful memory, and +to vague and scarcely legible memorandums, and has left a very arduous +task to any one who shall be named to the office. It occurred to me, +that the best means of promoting your views was to recommend you to this +office. + +You are not entirely without the antiquarian frenzy yourself. The +employment, therefore, will be somewhat agreeable to you for its own +sake. It will entitle you to become an inmate of the same house, and +thus establish an incessant intercourse between you, and the nature of +the business is such, that you may perform it in what time, and with +what degree of diligence and accuracy you please. + +I ventured to insinuate that, to a woman of rank and family, the +character of a hireling was by no means a favourable recommendation. + +He answered, that he proposed, by the account he should give of me, to +obviate every scruple of that nature. Though my father was no better +than a farmer, it is not absolutely certain but that my remoter +ancestors had princely blood in their veins: but as long as proofs of my +low extraction did not impertinently intrude themselves, my silence, +or, at most, equivocal surmises, seasonably made use of, might secure me +from all inconveniences on the score of birth. He should represent me, +and I was such, as his friend, favourite, and equal, and my passion for +antiquities should be my principal inducement to undertake this office, +though my poverty would make no objection to a reasonable pecuniary +recompense. + +Having expressed my acquiescence in his measures, he thus proceeded: My +visit was made to my kinswoman, for the purpose, as I just now told you, +of paving your way into her family; but, on my arrival at her house, +I found nothing but disorder and alarm. Mrs. Benington, it seems, on +returning from a longer ride than customary, last Thursday evening, +was attacked by robbers. Her attendants related an imperfect tale of +somebody advancing at the critical moment to her rescue. It seems, +however, they did more harm than good; for the horses took to flight +and overturned the carriage, in consequence of which Mrs. Benington +was severely bruised. She has kept her bed ever since, and a fever was +likely to ensue, which has only left her out of danger to-day. + +As the adventure before related, in which I had so much concern, +occurred at the time mentioned by Ludloe, and as all other circumstances +were alike, I could not doubt that the person whom the exertion of +my mysterious powers had relieved was Mrs. Benington: but what an +ill-omened interference was mine! The robbers would probably have been +satisfied with the few guineas in her purse, and, on receiving these, +would have left her to prosecute her journey in peace and security, but, +by absurdly offering a succour, which could only operate upon the +fears of her assailants, I endangered her life, first by the desperate +discharge of a pistol, and next by the fright of the horses........ My +anxiety, which would have been less if I had not been, in some degree, +myself the author of the evil, was nearly removed by Ludloe's proceeding +to assure me that all danger was at an end, and that he left the lady +in the road to perfect health. He had seized the earliest opportunity of +acquainting her with the purpose of his visit, and had brought back with +him her cheerful acceptance of my services. The next week was appointed +for my introduction. + +With such an object in view, I had little leisure to attend to any +indifferent object. My thoughts were continually bent upon the expected +introduction, and my impatience and curiosity drew strength, not merely +from the character of Mrs. Benington, but from the nature of my new +employment. Ludloe had truly observed, that I was infected with somewhat +of this antiquarian mania myself, and I now remembered that Benington +had frequently alluded to this collection in possession of his wife. My +curiosity had then been more than once excited by his representations, +and I had formed a vague resolution of making myself acquainted with +this lady and her learned treasure, should I ever return to Ireland..... +Other incidents had driven this matter from my mind. + +Meanwhile, affairs between Ludloe and myself remained stationary. Our +conferences, which were regular and daily, related to general topics, +and though his instructions were adapted to promote my improvement in +the most useful branches of knowledge, they never afforded a glimpse +towards that quarter where my curiosity was most active. + +The next week now arrived, but Ludloe informed me that the state of Mrs. +Benington's health required a short excursion into the country, and that +he himself proposed to bear her company. The journey was to last about +a fortnight, after which I might prepare myself for an introduction to +her. + +This was a very unexpected and disagreeable trial to my patience. The +interval of solitude that now succeeded would have passed rapidly and +pleasantly enough, if an event of so much moment were not in suspense. +Books, of which I was passionately fond, would have afforded me +delightful and incessant occupation, and Ludloe, by way of reconciling +me to unavoidable delays, had given me access to a little closet, in +which his rarer and more valuable books were kept. + +All my amusements, both by inclination and necessity, were centered in +myself and at home. Ludloe appeared to have no visitants, and though +frequently abroad, or at least secluded from me, had never proposed +my introduction to any of his friends, except Mrs. Benington. My +obligations to him were already too great to allow me to lay claim to +new favours and indulgences, nor, indeed, was my disposition such as +to make society needful to my happiness. My character had been, in some +degree, modelled by the faculty which I possessed. This deriving all +its supposed value from impenetrable secrecy, and Ludloe's admonitions +tending powerfully to impress me with the necessity of wariness and +circumspection in my general intercourse with mankind, I had gradually +fallen into sedate, reserved, mysterious, and unsociable habits. My +heart wanted not a friend. + +In this temper of mind, I set myself to examine the novelties which +Ludloe's private book-cases contained. 'Twill be strange, thought I, if +his favourite volume do not show some marks of my friend's character. To +know a man's favourite or most constant studies cannot fail of letting +in some little light upon his secret thoughts, and though he would not +have given me the reading of these books, if he had thought them capable +of unveiling more of his concerns than he wished, yet possibly my +ingenuity may go one step farther than he dreams of. You shall judge +whether I was right in my conjectures. + + + +Chapter IX. + + +The books which composed this little library were chiefly the voyages +and travels of the missionaries of the sixteenth and seventeenth +centuries. Added to these were some works upon political economy and +legislation. Those writers who have amused themselves with reducing +their ideas to practice, and drawing imaginary pictures of nations or +republics, whose manners or government came up to their standard of +excellence, were, all of whom I had ever heard, and some I had never +heard of before, to be found in this collection. A translation of +Aristotle's republic, the political romances of sir Thomas Moore, +Harrington, and Hume, appeared to have been much read, and Ludlow had +not been sparing of his marginal comments. In these writers he appeared +to find nothing but error and absurdity; and his notes were introduced +for no other end than to point out groundless principles and false +conclusions..... The style of these remarks was already familiar to +me. I saw nothing new in them, or different from the strain of those +speculations with which Ludlow was accustomed to indulge himself in +conversation with me. + +After having turned over the leaves of the printed volumes, I at +length lighted on a small book of maps, from which, of course, I could +reasonably expect no information, on that point about which I was most +curious. It was an atlas, in which the maps had been drawn by the pen. +None of them contained any thing remarkable, so far as I, who was indeed +a smatterer in geography, was able to perceive, till I came to the end, +when I noticed a map, whose prototype I was wholly unacquainted with. It +was drawn on a pretty large scale, representing two islands, which bore +some faint resemblance, in their relative proportions, at least, to +Great Britain and Ireland. In shape they were widely different, but +as to size there was no scale by which to measure them. From the great +number of subdivisions, and from signs, which apparently represented +towns and cities, I was allowed to infer, that the country was at least +as extensive as the British isles. This map was apparently unfinished, +for it had no names inscribed upon it. + +I have just said, my geographical knowledge was imperfect. Though I had +not enough to draw the outlines of any country by memory, I had still +sufficient to recognize what I had before seen, and to discover that +none of the larger islands in our globe resembled the one before me. +Having such and so strong motives to curiosity, you may easily imagine +my sensations on surveying this map. Suspecting, as I did, that many +of Ludlow's intimations alluded to a country well known to him, though +unknown to others, I was, of course, inclined to suppose that this +country was now before me. + +In search of some clue to this mystery, I carefully inspected the other +maps in this collection. In a map of the eastern hemisphere I soon +observed the outlines of islands, which, though on a scale greatly +diminished, were plainly similar to that of the land above described. + +It is well known that the people of Europe are strangers to very nearly +one half of the surface of the globe. [*] From the south pole up to the +equator, it is only the small space occupied by southern Africa and +by South America with which we are acquainted. There is a vast extent, +sufficient to receive a continent as large as North America, which our +ignorance has filled only with water. In Ludlow's maps nothing was still +to be seen, in these regions, but water, except in that spot where the +transverse parallels of the southern tropic and the 150th degree east +longitude intersect each other. On this spot were Ludlow's islands +placed, though without any name or inscription whatever. + +I needed not to be told that this spot had never been explored by any +European voyager, who had published his adventures. What authority had +Ludlow for fixing a habitable land in this spot? and why did he give us +nothing but the courses of shores and rivers, and the scite of towns and +villages, without a name? + +As soon as Ludlow had set out upon his proposed journey of a fortnight, +I unlocked his closet, and continued rummaging among these books and +maps till night. By that time I had turned over every book and almost +every leaf in this small collection, and did not open the closet again +till near the end of that period. Meanwhile I had many reflections upon +this remarkable circumstance. Could Ludlow have intended that I should +see this atlas? It was the only book that could be styled a manuscript +on these shelves, and it was placed beneath several others, in a +situation far from being obvious and forward to the eye or the hand. Was +it an oversight in him to leave it in my way, or could he have intended +to lead my curiosity and knowledge a little farther onward by this +accidental disclosure? In either case how was I to regulate my future +deportment toward him? Was I to speak and act as if this atlas had +escaped my attention or not? I had already, after my first examination +of it, placed the volume exactly where I found it. On every supposition +I thought this was the safest way, and unlocked the closet a second +time, to see that all was precisely in the original order..... How was +I dismayed and confounded on inspecting the shelves to perceive that +the atlas was gone. This was a theft, which, from the closet being under +lock and key, and the key always in my own pocket, and which, from the +very nature of the thing stolen, could not be imputed to any of the +domestics. After a few moments a suspicion occurred, which was soon +changed into certainty by applying to the housekeeper, who told me that +Ludlow had returned, apparently in much haste, the evening of the day +on which he had set out upon his journey, and just after I had left the +house, that he had gone into the room where this closet of books was, +and, after a few minutes' stay, came out again and went away. She told +me also, that he had made general enquiries after me, to which she had +answered, that she had not seen me during the day, and supposed that I +had spent the whole of it abroad. From this account it was plain, that +Ludlow had returned for no other purpose but to remove this book out of +my reach. But if he had a double key to this door, what should hinder +his having access, by the same means, to every other locked up place in +the house? + +This suggestion made me start with terror. Of so obvious a means for +possessing a knowledge of every thing under his roof, I had never been +till this moment aware. Such is the infatuation which lays our most +secret thoughts open to the world's scrutiny. We are frequently in +most danger when we deem ourselves most safe, and our fortress is taken +sometimes through a point, whose weakness nothing, it should seem, but +the blindest stupidity could overlook. + +My terrors, indeed, quickly subsided when I came to recollect that there +was nothing in any closet or cabinet of mine which could possibly +throw light upon subjects which I desired to keep in the dark. The more +carefully I inspected my own drawers, and the more I reflected on the +character of Ludlow, as I had known it, the less reason did there appear +in my suspicions; but I drew a lesson of caution from this circumstance, +which contributed to my future safety. + +From this incident I could not but infer Ludlow's unwillingness to let +me so far into his geographical secret, as well as the certainty of +that suspicion, which had very early been suggested to my thoughts, that +Ludlow's plans of civilization had been carried into practice in some +unvisited corner of the world. It was strange, however, that he should +betray himself by such an inadvertency. One who talked so confidently of +his own powers, to unveil any secret of mine, and, at the same time, to +conceal his own transactions, had surely committed an unpardonable error +in leaving this important document in my way. My reverence, indeed, +for Ludlow was such, that I sometimes entertained the notion that this +seeming oversight was, in truth, a regular contrivance to supply me +with a knowledge, of which, when I came maturely to reflect, it was +impossible for me to make any ill use. There is no use in relating what +would not be believed; and should I publish to the world the existence +of islands in the space allotted by Ludlow's maps to these _incognitae_, +what would the world answer? That whether the space described was sea or +land was of no importance. That the moral and political condition of its +inhabitants was the only topic worthy of rational curiosity. Since I had +gained no information upon this point; since I had nothing to disclose +but vain and fantastic surmises; I might as well be ignorant of every +thing. Thus, from secretly condemning Ludlow's imprudence, I gradually +passed to admiration of his policy. This discovery had no other effect +than to stimulate my curiosity; to keep up my zeal to prosecute the +journey I had commenced under his auspices. + +I had hitherto formed a resolution to stop where I was in Ludlow's +confidence: to wait till the success should be ascertained of my +projects with respect to Mrs. Benington, before I made any new advance +in the perilous and mysterious road into which he had led my steps. +But, before this tedious fortnight had elapsed, I was grown extremely +impatient for an interview, and had nearly resolved to undertake +whatever obligation he should lay upon me. + +This obligation was indeed a heavy one, since it included the confession +of my vocal powers. In itself the confession was little. To possess this +faculty was neither laudable nor culpable, nor had it been exercised in +a way which I should be very much ashamed to acknowledge. It had led me +into many insincerities and artifices, which, though not justifiable by +any creed, was entitled to some excuse, on the score of youthful ardour +and temerity. The true difficulty in the way of these confessions was +the not having made them already. Ludlow had long been entitled to this +confidence, and, though the existence of this power was venial or wholly +innocent, the obstinate concealment of it was a different matter, and +would certainly expose me to suspicion and rebuke. But what was the +alternative? To conceal it. To incur those dreadful punishments awarded +against treason in this particular. Ludlow's menaces still rung in +my ears, and appalled my heart. How should I be able to shun them? +By concealing from every one what I concealed from him? How was my +concealment of such a faculty to be suspected or proved? Unless I +betrayed myself, who could betray me? + +In this state of mind, I resolved to confess myself to Ludlow in the +way that he required, reserving only the secret of this faculty. Awful, +indeed, said I, is the crisis of my fate. If Ludlow's declarations are +true, a horrid catastrophe awaits me: but as fast as my resolutions were +shaken, they were confirmed anew by the recollection--Who can betray me +but myself? If I deny, who is there can prove? Suspicion can never light +upon the truth. If it does, it can never be converted into certainty. +Even my own lips cannot confirm it, since who will believe my testimony? + +By such illusions was I fortified in my desperate resolution. Ludlow +returned at the time appointed. He informed me that Mrs. Benington +expected me next morning. She was ready to depart for her country +residence, where she proposed to spend the ensuing summer, and would +carry me along with her. In consequence of this arrangement, he said, +many months would elapse before he should see me again. You will indeed, +continued he, be pretty much shut up from all society. Your books and +your new friend will be your chief, if not only companions. Her life +is not a social one, because she has formed extravagant notions of the +importance of lonely worship and devout solitude. Much of her time will +be spent in meditation upon pious books in her closet. Some of it in +long solitary rides in her coach, for the sake of exercise. Little will +remain for eating and sleeping, so that unless you can prevail upon her +to violate her ordinary rules for your sake, you will be left pretty +much to yourself. You will have the more time to reflect upon what has +hitherto been the theme of our conversations. You can come to town when +you want to see me. I shall generally be found in these apartments. + +In the present state of my mind, though impatient to see Mrs. Benington, +I was still more impatient to remove the veil between Ludlow and myself. +After some pause, I ventured to enquire if there was any impediment to +my advancement in the road he had already pointed out to my curiosity +and ambition. + +He replied, with great solemnity, that I was already acquainted with +the next step to be taken in this road. If I was prepared to make him +my confessor, as to the past, the present, and the future, _without +exception or condition_, but what arose from defect of memory, he was +willing to receive my confession. + +I declared myself ready to do so. + +I need not, he returned, remind you of the consequences of concealment +or deceit. I have already dwelt upon these consequences. As to the past, +you have already told me, perhaps, all that is of any moment to know. +It is in relation to the future that caution will be chiefly necessary. +Hitherto your actions have been nearly indifferent to the ends of your +future existence. Confessions of the past are required, because they are +an earnest of the future character and conduct. Have you then--but this +is too abrupt. Take an hour to reflect and deliberate. Go by yourself; +take yourself to severe task, and make up your mind with a full, entire, +and unfailing resolution; for the moment in which you assume this new +obligation will make you a new being. Perdition or felicity will hang +upon that moment. + +This conversation was late in the evening. After I had consented to +postpone this subject, we parted, he telling me that he would leave his +chamber door open, and as soon as my mind was made up I might come to +him. + + * The reader must be reminded that the incidents of this + narrative are supposed to have taken place before the + voyages of Bougainville and Cook.--Editor. + + + +Chapter X. + + +I retired accordingly to my apartment, and spent the prescribed hour in +anxious and irresolute reflections. They were no other than had hitherto +occurred, but they occurred with more force than ever. Some fatal +obstinacy, however, got possession of me, and I persisted in the +resolution of concealing _one thing_. We become fondly attached to +objects and pursuits, frequently for no conceivable reason but the pain +and trouble they cost us. In proportion to the danger in which they +involve us do we cherish them. Our darling potion is the poison that +scorches our vitals. + +After some time, I went to Ludloe's apartment. I found him solemn, and +yet benign, at my entrance. After intimating my compliance with the +terms prescribed, which I did, in spite of all my labour for composure, +with accents half faultering, he proceeded to put various questions to +me, relative to my early history. + +I knew there was no other mode of accomplishing the end in view, but by +putting all that was related in the form of answers to questions; and +when meditating on the character of Ludloe, I experienced excessive +uneasiness as to the consummate art and penetration which his questions +would manifest. Conscious of a purpose to conceal, my fancy invested +my friend with the robe of a judicial inquisitor, all whose questions +should aim at extracting the truth, and entrapping the liar. + +In this respect, however, I was wholly disappointed. All his inquiries +were general and obvious.--They betokened curiosity, but not +suspicion; yet there were moments when I saw, or fancied I saw, some +dissatisfaction betrayed in his features; and when I arrived at that +period of my story which terminated with my departure, as his companion, +for Europe, his pauses were, I thought, a little longer and more museful +than I liked. At this period, our first conference ended. After a talk, +which had commenced at a late hour, and had continued many hours, it was +time to sleep, and it was agreed that next morning the conference should +be renewed. + +On retiring to my pillow, and reviewing all the circumstances of this +interview, my mind was filled with apprehension and disquiet. I seemed +to recollect a thousand things, which showed that Ludloe was not fully +satisfied with my part in this interview. A strange and nameless mixture +of wrath and of pity appeared, on recollection, in the glances which, +from time to time, he cast upon me. Some emotion played upon his +features, in which, as my fears conceived, there was a tincture of +resentment and ferocity. In vain I called my usual sophistries to +my aid. In vain I pondered on the inscrutable nature of my peculiar +faculty. In vain I endeavoured to persuade myself, that, by telling the +truth, instead of entitling myself to Ludloe's approbation, I should +only excite his anger, by what he could not but deem an attempt to +impose upon his belief an incredible tale of impossible events. I had +never heard or read of any instance of this faculty. I supposed the case +to be absolutely singular, and I should be no more entitled to credit in +proclaiming it, than if I should maintain that a certain billet of wood +possessed the faculty of articulate speech. It was now, however, +too late to retract. I had been guilty of a solemn and deliberate +concealment. I was now in the path in which there was no turning back, +and I must go forward. + +The return of day's encouraging beams in some degree quieted my +nocturnal terrors, and I went, at the appointed hour, to Ludloe's +presence. I found him with a much more cheerful aspect than I expected, +and began to chide myself, in secret, for the folly of my late +apprehensions. + +After a little pause, he reminded me, that he was only one among many, +engaged in a great and arduous design. As each of us, continued he, is +mortal, each of us must, in time, yield his post to another.--Each of us +is ambitious to provide himself a successor, to have his place filled +by one selected and instructed by himself. All our personal feelings and +affections are by no means intended to be swallowed up by a passion for +the general interest; when they can be kept alive and be brought into +play, in subordination and subservience to the _great end_, they are +cherished as useful, and revered as laudable; and whatever austerity and +rigour you may impute to my character, there are few more susceptible of +personal regards than I am. + +You cannot know, till _you_ are what _I_ am, what deep, what +all-absorbing interest I have in the success of my tutorship on this +occasion. Most joyfully would I embrace a thousand deaths, rather than +that you should prove a recreant. The consequences of any failure in +your integrity will, it is true, be fatal to yourself: but there are +some minds, of a generous texture, who are more impatient under ills +they have inflicted upon others, than of those they have brought upon +themselves; who had rather perish, themselves, in infamy, than bring +infamy or death upon a benefactor. + +Perhaps of such noble materials is your mind composed. If I had not +thought so, you would never have been an object of my regard, and +therefore, in the motives that shall impel you to fidelity, sincerity, +and perseverance, some regard to my happiness and welfare will, no +doubt, have place. + +And yet I exact nothing from you on this score. If your own safety be +insufficient to controul you, you are not fit for us. There is, indeed, +abundant need of all possible inducements to make you faithful. The task +of concealing nothing from me must be easy. That of concealing every +thing from others must be the only arduous one. The _first_ you can +hardly fail of performing, when the exigence requires it, for what +motive can you possibly have to practice evasion or disguise with +me? You have surely committed no crime; you have neither robbed, nor +murdered, nor betrayed. If you have, there is no room for the fear of +punishment or the terror of disgrace to step in, and make you hide your +guilt from me. You cannot dread any further disclosure, because I can +have no interest in your ruin or your shame: and what evil could +ensue the confession of the foulest murder, even before a bench of +magistrates, more dreadful than that which will inevitably follow the +practice of the least concealment to me, or the least undue disclosure +to others? + +You cannot easily conceive the emphatical solemnity with which this was +spoken. Had he fixed piercing eyes on me while he spoke; had I perceived +him watching my looks, and labouring to penetrate my secret thoughts, I +should doubtless have been ruined: but he fixed his eyes upon the floor, +and no gesture or look indicated the smallest suspicion of my conduct. +After some pause, he continued, in a more pathetic tone, while his whole +frame seemed to partake of his mental agitation. + +I am greatly at a loss by what means to impress you with a full +conviction of the truth of what I have just said. Endless are the +sophistries by which we seduce ourselves into perilous and doubtful +paths. What we do not see, we disbelieve, or we heed not. The sword may +descend upon our infatuated head from above, but we who are, meanwhile, +busily inspecting the ground at our feet, or gazing at the scene around +us, are not aware or apprehensive of its irresistible coming. In this +case, it must not be seen before it is felt, or before that time comes +when the danger of incurring it is over. I cannot withdraw the veil, and +disclose to your view the exterminating angel. All must be vacant and +blank, and the danger that stands armed with death at your elbow must +continue to be totally invisible, till that moment when its vengeance is +provoked or unprovokable. I will do my part to encourage you in good, or +intimidate you from evil. I am anxious to set before you all the motives +which are fitted to influence your conduct; but how shall I work on your +convictions? + +Here another pause ensued, which I had not courage enough to interrupt. +He presently resumed. + +Perhaps you recollect a visit which you paid, on Christmas day, in the +year ----, to the cathedral church at Toledo. Do you remember? + +A moment's reflection recalled to my mind all the incidents of that day. +I had good reason to remember them. I felt no small trepidation when +Ludloe referred me to that day, for, at the moment, I was doubtful +whether there had not been some bivocal agency exerted On that occasion. +Luckily, however, it was almost the only similar occasion in which it +had been wholly silent. + +I answered in the affirmative. I remember them perfectly. + +And yet, said Ludloe, with a smile that seemed intended to disarm this +declaration of some of its terrors, I suspect your recollection is not +as exact as mine, nor, indeed, your knowledge as extensive. You met +there, for the first time, a female, whose nominal uncle, but real +father, a dean of that ancient church, resided in a blue stone house, +the third from the west angle of the square of St. Jago. + +All this was exactly true. + +This female, continued he, fell in love with you. Her passion made +her deaf to all the dictates of modesty and duty, and she gave you +sufficient intimations, in subsequent interviews at the same place, of +this passion; which, she being fair and enticing, you were not slow in +comprehending and returning. As not only the safety of your intercourse, +but even of both your lives, depended on being shielded even from +suspicion, the utmost wariness and caution was observed in all your +proceedings. Tell me whether you succeeded in your efforts to this end. + +I replied, that, at the time, I had no doubt but I had. + +And yet, said he, drawing something from his pocket, and putting it +into my hand, there is the slip of paper, with the preconcerted emblem +inscribed upon it, which the infatuated girl dropped in your sight, one +evening, in the left aisle of that church. That paper you imagined you +afterwards burnt in your chamber lamp. In pursuance of this token, you +deferred your intended visit, and next day the lady was accidentally +drowned, in passing a river. Here ended your connexion with her, and +with her was buried, as you thought, all memory of this transaction. + +I leave you to draw your own inference from this disclosure. Meditate +upon it when alone. Recal all the incidents of that drama, and labour +to conceive the means by which my sagacity has been able to reach events +that took place so far off, and under so deep a covering. If you cannot +penetrate these means, learn to reverence my assertions, that I cannot +be deceived; and let sincerity be henceforth the rule of your conduct +towards me, not merely because it is right, but because concealment is +impossible. + +We will stop here. There is no haste required of us. Yesterday's +discourse will suffice for to-day, and for many days to come. Let +what has already taken place be the subject of profound and mature +reflection. Review, once more, the incidents of your early life, +previous to your introduction to me, and, at our next conference, +prepare to supply all those deficiencies occasioned by negligence, +forgetfulness, or design on our first. There must be some. There must be +many. The whole truth can only be disclosed after numerous and repeated +conversations. These must take place at considerable intervals, and when +_all_ is told, then shall you be ready to encounter the final ordeal, +and load yourself with heavy and terrific sanctions. + +I shall be the proper judge of the completeness of your +confession.--Knowing previously, and by unerring means, your whole +history, I shall be able to detect all that is deficient, as well as all +that is redundant. Your confessions have hitherto adhered to the truth, +but deficient they are, and they must be, for who, at a single trial, +can detail the secrets of his life? whose recollection can fully serve +him at an instant's notice? who can free himself, by a single effort, +from the dominion of fear and shame? We expect no miracles of fortitude +and purity from our disciples. It is our discipline, our wariness, our +laborious preparation that creates the excellence we have among us. We +find it not ready made. + +I counsel you to join Mrs. Benington without delay. You may see me +when and as often as you please. When it is proper to renew the present +topic, it shall be renewed. Till then we will be silent.--Here Ludloe +left me alone, but not to indifference or vacuity. Indeed I was +overwhelmed with the reflections that arose from this conversation. +So, said I, I am still saved, if I have wisdom enough to use the +opportunity, from the consequences of past concealments. By a +distinction which I had wholly overlooked, but which could not be missed +by the sagacity and equity of Ludloe, I have praise for telling the +truth, and an excuse for withholding some of the truth. It was, indeed, +a praise to which I was entitled, for I have made no _additions_ to the +tale of my early adventures. I had no motive to exaggerate or dress out +in false colours. What I sought to conceal, I was careful to exclude +entirely, that a lame or defective narrative might awaken no suspicions. + +The allusion to incidents at Toledo confounded and bewildered all my +thoughts. I still held the paper he had given me. So far as memory could +be trusted, it was the same which, an hour after I had received it, +I burnt, as I conceived, with my own hands. How Ludloe came into +possession of this paper; how he was apprised of incidents, to which +only the female mentioned and myself were privy; which she had too good +reason to hide from all the world, and which I had taken infinite pains +to bury in oblivion, I vainly endeavoured to conjecture. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Memoirs of Carwin the Biloquist, by +Charles Brockden Brown + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST *** + +***** This file should be named 842.txt or 842.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/8/4/842/ + +Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer + +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. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. Binary files differdiff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..104f0ed --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #842 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/842) diff --git a/old/moctb10.txt b/old/moctb10.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..782b131 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/moctb10.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2825 @@ +The Project Gutenberg Etext of Memoirs of Carwin the Biloquist + + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world, be sure to check +the copyright laws for your country before posting these files!! + +Please take a look at the important information in this header. +We encourage you to keep this file on your own disk, keeping an +electronic path open for the next readers. Do not remove this. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**Etexts Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*These Etexts Prepared By Hundreds of Volunteers and Donations* + +Information on contacting Project Gutenberg to get Etexts, and +further information is included below. We need your donations. + + +Memoirs of Carwin the Biloquist + +Charles Brockden Brown + +March, 1997 [Etext #842] + + +The Project Gutenberg Etext of Memoirs of Carwin the Biloquist +*****This file should be named moctb10.txt or moctb10.zip****** + +Corrected EDITIONS of our etexts get a new NUMBER, moctb11.txt. +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, moctb10a.txt. + + +We are now trying to release all our books one month in advance +of the official release dates, for time for better editing. + +Please note: neither this list nor its contents are final till +midnight of the last day of the month of any such announcement. +The official release date of all Project Gutenberg Etexts is at +Midnight, Central Time, of the last day of the stated month. A +preliminary version may often be posted for suggestion, comment +and editing by those who wish to do so. To be sure you have an +up to date first edition [xxxxx10x.xxx] please check file sizes +in the first week of the next month. Since our ftp program has +a bug in it that scrambles the date [tried to fix and failed] a +look at the file size will have to do, but we will try to see a +new copy has at least one byte more or less. + + +Information about Project Gutenberg (one page) + +We produce about two million dollars for each hour we work. The +fifty hours is one conservative estimate for how long it we take +to get any etext selected, entered, proofread, edited, copyright +searched and analyzed, the copyright letters written, etc. This +projected audience is one hundred million readers. If our value +per text is nominally estimated at one dollar then we produce $2 +million dollars per hour this year as we release thirty-two text +files per month: or 400 more Etexts in 1996 for a total of 800. +If these reach just 10% of the computerized population, then the +total should reach 80 billion Etexts. + +The Goal of Project Gutenberg is to Give Away One Trillion Etext +Files by the December 31, 2001. [10,000 x 100,000,000=Trillion] +This is ten thousand titles each to one hundred million readers, +which is only 10% of the present number of computer users. 2001 +should have at least twice as many computer users as that, so it +will require us reaching less than 5% of the users in 2001. + + +We need your donations more than ever! + + +All donations should be made to "Project Gutenberg/CMU": and are +tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. (CMU = Carnegie- +Mellon University). + +For these and other matters, please mail to: + +Project Gutenberg +P. O. Box 2782 +Champaign, IL 61825 + +When all other email fails try our Executive Director: +Michael S. Hart <hart@pobox.com> + +We would prefer to send you this information by email +(Internet, Bitnet, Compuserve, ATTMAIL or MCImail). + +****** +If you have an FTP program (or emulator), please +FTP directly to the Project Gutenberg archives: +[Mac users, do NOT point and click. . .type] + +ftp uiarchive.cso.uiuc.edu +login: anonymous +password: your@login +cd etext/etext90 through /etext96 +or cd etext/articles [get suggest gut for more information] +dir [to see files] +get or mget [to get files. . .set bin for zip files] +GET INDEX?00.GUT +for a list of books +and +GET NEW GUT for general information +and +MGET GUT* for newsletters. + +**Information prepared by the Project Gutenberg legal advisor** +(Three Pages) + + +***START**THE SMALL PRINT!**FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS**START*** +Why is this "Small Print!" statement here? You know: lawyers. +They tell us you might sue us if there is something wrong with +your copy of this etext, even if you got it for free from +someone other than us, and even if what's wrong is not our +fault. So, among other things, this "Small Print!" statement +disclaims most of our liability to you. It also tells you how +you can distribute copies of this etext if you want to. + +*BEFORE!* YOU USE OR READ THIS ETEXT +By using or reading any part of this PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm +etext, you indicate that you understand, agree to and accept +this "Small Print!" statement. If you do not, you can receive +a refund of the money (if any) you paid for this etext by +sending a request within 30 days of receiving it to the person +you got it from. If you received this etext on a physical +medium (such as a disk), you must return it with your request. + +ABOUT PROJECT GUTENBERG-TM ETEXTS +This PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm etext, like most PROJECT GUTENBERG- +tm etexts, is a "public domain" work distributed by Professor +Michael S. Hart through the Project Gutenberg Association at +Carnegie-Mellon University (the "Project"). Among other +things, this means that no one owns a United States copyright +on or for this work, so the Project (and you!) can copy and +distribute it in the United States without permission and +without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth +below, apply if you wish to copy and distribute this etext +under the Project's "PROJECT GUTENBERG" trademark. + +To create these etexts, the Project expends considerable +efforts to identify, transcribe and proofread public domain +works. Despite these efforts, the Project's etexts and any +medium they may be on may contain "Defects". Among other +things, Defects may take the form of incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other +intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged +disk or other etext medium, a computer virus, or computer +codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment. + +LIMITED WARRANTY; DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES +But for the "Right of Replacement or Refund" described below, +[1] the Project (and any other party you may receive this +etext from as a PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm etext) disclaims all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including +legal fees, and [2] YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE OR +UNDER STRICT LIABILITY, OR FOR BREACH OF WARRANTY OR CONTRACT, +INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE +OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE +POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. + +If you discover a Defect in this etext within 90 days of +receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any) +you paid for it by sending an explanatory note within that +time to the person you received it from. If you received it +on a physical medium, you must return it with your note, and +such person may choose to alternatively give you a replacement +copy. If you received it electronically, such person may +choose to alternatively give you a second opportunity to +receive it electronically. + +THIS ETEXT IS OTHERWISE PROVIDED TO YOU "AS-IS". NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ARE MADE TO YOU AS +TO THE ETEXT OR ANY MEDIUM IT MAY BE ON, INCLUDING BUT NOT +LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A +PARTICULAR PURPOSE. + +Some states do not allow disclaimers of implied warranties or +the exclusion or limitation of consequential damages, so the +above disclaimers and exclusions may not apply to you, and you +may have other legal rights. + +INDEMNITY +You will indemnify and hold the Project, its directors, +officers, members and agents harmless from all liability, cost +and expense, including legal fees, that arise directly or +indirectly from any of the following that you do or cause: +[1] distribution of this etext, [2] alteration, modification, +or addition to the etext, or [3] any Defect. + +DISTRIBUTION UNDER "PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm" +You may distribute copies of this etext electronically, or by +disk, book or any other medium if you either delete this +"Small Print!" and all other references to Project Gutenberg, +or: + +[1] Only give exact copies of it. Among other things, this + requires that you do not remove, alter or modify the + etext or this "small print!" statement. You may however, + if you wish, distribute this etext in machine readable + binary, compressed, mark-up, or proprietary form, + including any form resulting from conversion by word pro- + cessing or hypertext software, but only so long as + *EITHER*: + + [*] The etext, when displayed, is clearly readable, and + does *not* contain characters other than those + intended by the author of the work, although tilde + (~), asterisk (*) and underline (_) characters may + be used to convey punctuation intended by the + author, and additional characters may be used to + indicate hypertext links; OR + + [*] The etext may be readily converted by the reader at + no expense into plain ASCII, EBCDIC or equivalent + form by the program that displays the etext (as is + the case, for instance, with most word processors); + OR + + [*] You provide, or agree to also provide on request at + no additional cost, fee or expense, a copy of the + etext in its original plain ASCII form (or in EBCDIC + or other equivalent proprietary form). + +[2] Honor the etext refund and replacement provisions of this + "Small Print!" statement. + +[3] Pay a trademark license fee to the Project of 20% of the + net profits you derive calculated using the method you + already use to calculate your applicable taxes. If you + don't derive profits, no royalty is due. Royalties are + payable to "Project Gutenberg Association/Carnegie-Mellon + University" within the 60 days following each + date you prepare (or were legally required to prepare) + your annual (or equivalent periodic) tax return. + +WHAT IF YOU *WANT* TO SEND MONEY EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO? +The Project gratefully accepts contributions in money, time, +scanning machines, OCR software, public domain etexts, royalty +free copyright licenses, and every other sort of contribution +you can think of. Money should be paid to "Project Gutenberg +Association / Carnegie-Mellon University". + +*END*THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END* + + + + + +MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST +[A fragment] + +Charles Brockden Brown + +[1803-1805] + + + + +Chapter I. + + +I was the second son of a farmer, whose place of residence was +a western district of Pennsylvania. My eldest brother seemed +fitted by nature for the employment to which he was destined. His +wishes never led him astray from the hay-stack and the furrow. His +ideas never ranged beyond the sphere of his vision, or suggested +the possibility that to-morrow could differ from to-day. He could +read and write, because he had no alternative between learning the +lesson prescribed to him, and punishment. He was diligent, as long +as fear urged him forward, but his exertions ceased with the +cessation of this motive. The limits of his acquirements consisted +in signing his name, and spelling out a chapter in the bible. + +My character was the reverse of his. My thirst of knowledge +was augmented in proportion as it was supplied with gratification. +The more I heard or read, the more restless and unconquerable my +curiosity became. My senses were perpetually alive to novelty, my +fancy teemed with visions of the future, and my attention fastened +upon every thing mysterious or unknown. + +My father intended that my knowledge should keep pace with +that of my brother, but conceived that all beyond the mere capacity +to write and read was useless or pernicious. He took as much pains +to keep me within these limits, as to make the acquisitions of my +brother come up to them, but his efforts were not equally +successful in both cases. The most vigilant and jealous scrutiny +was exerted in vain: Reproaches and blows, painful privations and +ignominious penances had no power to slacken my zeal and abate my +perseverance. He might enjoin upon me the most laborious tasks, +set the envy of my brother to watch me during the performance, make +the most diligent search after my books, and destroy them without +mercy, when they were found; but he could not outroot my darling +propensity. I exerted all my powers to elude his watchfulness. +Censures and stripes were sufficiently unpleasing to make me strive +to avoid them. To effect this desirable end, I was incessantly +employed in the invention of stratagems and the execution of +expedients. + +My passion was surely not deserving of blame, and I have +frequently lamented the hardships to which it subjected me; yet, +perhaps, the claims which were made upon my ingenuity and fortitude +were not without beneficial effects upon my character. + +This contention lasted from the sixth to the fourteenth year +of my age. My father's opposition to my schemes was incited by a +sincere though unenlightened desire for my happiness. That all his +efforts were secretly eluded or obstinately repelled, was a source +of the bitterest regret. He has often lamented, with tears, what +he called my incorrigible depravity, and encouraged himself to +perseverance by the notion of the ruin that would inevitably +overtake me if I were allowed to persist in my present career. +Perhaps the sufferings which arose to him from the disappointment, +were equal to those which he inflicted on me. + +In my fourteenth year, events happened which ascertained my +future destiny. One evening I had been sent to bring cows from a +meadow, some miles distant from my father's mansion. My time was +limited, and I was menaced with severe chastisement if, according +to my custom, I should stay beyond the period assigned. + +For some time these menaces rung in my ears, and I went on my +way with speed. I arrived at the meadow, but the cattle had broken +the fence and escaped. It was my duty to carry home the earliest +tidings of this accident, but the first suggestion was to examine +the cause and manner of this escape. The field was bounded by +cedar railing. Five of these rails were laid horizontally from +post to post. The upper one had been broken in the middle, but the +rest had merely been drawn out of the holes on one side, and rested +with their ends on the ground. The means which had been used for +this end, the reason why one only was broken, and that one the +uppermost, how a pair of horns could be so managed as to effect +that which the hands of man would have found difficult, supplied a +theme of meditation. + +Some accident recalled me from this reverie, and reminded me +how much time had thus been consumed. I was terrified at the +consequences of my delay, and sought with eagerness how they might +be obviated. I asked myself if there were not a way back shorter +than that by which I had come. The beaten road was rendered +circuitous by a precipice that projected into a neighbouring +stream, and closed up a passage by which the length of the way +would have been diminished one half: at the foot of the cliff the +water was of considerable depth, and agitated by an eddy. I could +not estimate the danger which I should incur by plunging into it, +but I was resolved to make the attempt. I have reason to think, +that this experiment, if it had been tried, would have proved +fatal, and my father, while he lamented my untimely fate, would +have been wholly unconscious that his own unreasonable demands had +occasioned it. + +I turned my steps towards the spot. To reach the edge of the +stream was by no means an easy undertaking, so many abrupt points +and gloomy hollows were interposed. I had frequently skirted and +penetrated this tract, but had never been so completely entangled +in the maze as now: hence I had remained unacquainted with a +narrow pass, which, at the distance of an hundred yards from the +river, would conduct me, though not without danger and toil, to the +opposite side of the ridge. + +This glen was now discovered, and this discovery induced me to +change my plan. If a passage could be here effected, it would be +shorter and safer than that which led through the stream, and its +practicability was to be known only by experiment. The path was +narrow, steep, and overshadowed by rocks. The sun was nearly set, +and the shadow of the cliff above, obscured the passage almost as +much as midnight would have done: I was accustomed to despise +danger when it presented itself in a sensible form, but, by a +defect common in every one's education, goblins and spectres were +to me the objects of the most violent apprehensions. These were +unavoidably connected with solitude and darkness, and were present +to my fears when I entered this gloomy recess. + +These terrors are always lessened by calling the attention +away to some indifferent object. I now made use of this expedient, +and began to amuse myself by hallowing as loud as organs of unusual +compass and vigour would enable me. I utterred the words which +chanced to occur to me, and repeated in the shrill tones of a +Mohock savage . . . "Cow! cow! come home! home!" . . . These +notes were of course reverberated from the rocks which on either +side towered aloft, but the echo was confused and indistinct. + +I continued, for some time, thus to beguile the way, till I +reached a space more than commonly abrupt, and which required all +my attention. My rude ditty was suspended till I had surmounted +this impediment. In a few minutes I was at leisure to renew it. +After finishing the strain, I paused. In a few seconds a voice as +I then imagined, uttered the same cry from the point of a rock some +hundred feet behind me; the same words, with equal distinctness and +deliberation, and in the same tone, appeared to be spoken. I was +startled by this incident, and cast a fearful glance behind, to +discover by whom it was uttered. The spot where I stood was buried +in dusk, but the eminences were still invested with a luminous and +vivid twilight. The speaker, however, was concealed from my view. + +I had scarcely begun to wonder at this occurrence, when a new +occasion for wonder, was afforded me. A few seconds, in like +manner, elapsed, when my ditty was again rehearsed, with a no less +perfect imitation, in a different quarter. . . . . To this quarter +I eagerly turned my eyes, but no one was visible. . . . The +station, indeed, which this new speaker seemed to occupy, was +inaccessible to man or beast. + +If I were surprized at this second repetition of my words, +judge how much my surprise must have been augmented, when the same +calls were a third time repeated, and coming still in a new +direction. Five times was this ditty successively resounded, at +intervals nearly equal, always from a new quarter, and with little +abatement of its original distinctness and force. + +A little reflection was sufficient to shew that this was no +more than an echo of an extraordinary kind. My terrors were +quickly supplanted by delight. The motives to dispatch were +forgotten, and I amused myself for an hour, with talking to these +cliffs: I placed myself in new positions, and exhausted my lungs +and my invention in new clamours. + +The pleasures of this new discovery were an ample compensation +for the ill treatment which I expected on my return. By some +caprice in my father I escaped merely with a few reproaches. I +seized the first opportunity of again visiting this recess, and +repeating my amusement; time, and incessant repetition, could +scarcely lessen its charms or exhaust the variety produced by new +tones and new positions. + +The hours in which I was most free from interruption and +restraint were those of moonlight. My brother and I occupied a +small room above the kitchen, disconnected, in some degree, with +the rest of the house. It was the rural custom to retire early to +bed and to anticipate the rising of the sun. When the moonlight +was strong enough to permit me to read, it was my custom to escape +from bed, and hie with my book to some neighbouring eminence, where +I would remain stretched on the mossy rock, till the sinking or +beclouded moon, forbade me to continue my employment. I was +indebted for books to a friendly person in the neighbourhood, whose +compliance with my solicitations was prompted partly by benevolence +and partly by enmity to my father, whom he could not more +egregiously offend than by gratifying my perverse and pernicious +curiosity. + +In leaving my chamber I was obliged to use the utmost caution +to avoid rousing my brother, whose temper disposed him to thwart me +in the least of my gratifications. My purpose was surely laudable, +and yet on leaving the house and returning to it, I was obliged to +use the vigilance and circumspection of a thief. + +One night I left my bed with this view. I posted first to my +vocal glen, and thence scrambling up a neighbouring steep, which +overlooked a wide extent of this romantic country, gave myself up +to contemplation, and the perusal of Milton's Comus. + +My reflections were naturally suggested by the singularity of +this echo. To hear my own voice speak at a distance would have +been formerly regarded as prodigious. To hear too, that voice, not +uttered by another, by whom it might easily be mimicked, but by +myself! I cannot now recollect the transition which led me to the +notion of sounds, similar to these, but produced by other means +than reverberation. Could I not so dispose my organs as to make my +voice appear at a distance? + +From speculation I proceeded to experiment. The idea of a +distant voice, like my own, was intimately present to my fancy. I +exerted myself with a most ardent desire, and with something like +a persuasion that I should succeed. I started with surprise, for +it seemed as if success had crowned my attempts. I repeated the +effort, but failed. A certain position of the organs took place on +the first attempt, altogether new, unexampled and as it were, by +accident, for I could not attain it on the second experiment. + +You will not wonder that I exerted myself with indefatigable +zeal to regain what had once, though for so short a space, been in +my power. Your own ears have witnessed the success of these +efforts. By perpetual exertion I gained it a second time, and now +was a diligent observer of the circumstances attending it. +Gradually I subjected these finer and more subtle motions to the +command of my will. What was at first difficult, by exercise and +habit, was rendered easy. I learned to accommodate my voice to all +the varieties of distance and direction. + +It cannot be denied that this faculty is wonderful and rare, +but when we consider the possible modifications of muscular motion, +how few of these are usually exerted, how imperfectly they are +subjected to the will, and yet that the will is capable of being +rendered unlimited and absolute, will not our wonder cease? + +We have seen men who could hide their tongues so perfectly +that even an Anatomist, after the most accurate inspection that a +living subject could admit, has affirmed the organ to be wanting, +but this was effected by the exertion of muscles unknown and +incredible to the greater part of mankind. + +The concurrence of teeth, palate and tongue, in the formation +of speech should seem to be indispensable, and yet men have spoken +distinctly though wanting a tongue, and to whom, therefore, teeth +and palate were superfluous. The tribe of motions requisite to +this end, are wholly latent and unknown, to those who possess that +organ. + +I mean not to be more explicit. I have no reason to suppose +a peculiar conformation or activity in my own organs, or that the +power which I possess may not, with suitable directions and by +steady efforts, be obtained by others, but I will do nothing to +facilitate the acquisition. It is by far, too liable to perversion +for a good man to desire to possess it, or to teach it to another. + +There remained but one thing to render this instrument as +powerful in my hands as it was capable of being. From my +childhood, I was remarkably skilful at imitation. There were few +voices whether of men or birds or beasts which I could not imitate +with success. To add my ancient, to my newly acquired skill, to +talk from a distance, and at the same time, in the accents of +another, was the object of my endeavours, and this object, after a +certain number of trials, I finally obtained. + +In my present situation every thing that denoted intellectual +exertion was a crime, and exposed me to invectives if not to +stripes. This circumstance induced me to be silent to all others, +on the subject of my discovery. But, added to this, was a confused +belief, that it might be made, in some way instrumental to my +relief from the hardships and restraints of my present condition. +For some time I was not aware of the mode in which it might be +rendered subservient to this end. + + + +Chapter II. + + +My father's sister was an ancient lady, resident in +Philadelphia, the relict of a merchant, whose decease left her the +enjoyment of a frugal competence. She was without children, and +had often expressed her desire that her nephew Frank, whom she +always considered as a sprightly and promising lad, should be put +under her care. She offered to be at the expense of my education, +and to bequeath to me at her death her slender patrimony. + +This arrangement was obstinately rejected by my father, +because it was merely fostering and giving scope to propensities, +which he considered as hurtful, and because his avarice desired +that this inheritance should fall to no one but himself. To me, it +was a scheme of ravishing felicity, and to be debarred from it was +a source of anguish known to few. I had too much experience of my +father's pertinaciousness ever to hope for a change in his views; +yet the bliss of living with my aunt, in a new and busy scene, and +in the unbounded indulgence of my literary passion, continually +occupied my thoughts: for a long time these thoughts were +productive only of despondency and tears. + +Time only enchanced the desirableness of this scheme; my new +faculty would naturally connect itself with these wishes, and the +question could not fail to occur whether it might not aid me in the +execution of my favourite plan. + +A thousand superstitious tales were current in the family. +Apparitions had been seen, and voices had been heard on a multitude +of occasions. My father was a confident believer in supernatural +tokens. The voice of his wife, who had been many years dead, had +been twice heard at midnight whispering at his pillow. I +frequently asked myself whether a scheme favourable to my views +might not be built upon these foundations. Suppose (thought I) my +mother should be made to enjoin upon him compliance with my wishes? + +This idea bred in me a temporary consternation. To imitate +the voice of the dead, to counterfeit a commission from heaven, +bore the aspect of presumption and impiety. It seemed an offence +which could not fail to draw after it the vengeance of the deity. +My wishes for a time yielded to my fears, but this scheme in +proportion as I meditated on it, became more plausible; no other +occurred to me so easy and so efficacious. I endeavoured to +persuade myself that the end proposed, was, in the highest degree +praiseworthy, and that the excellence of my purpose would justify +the means employed to attain it. + +My resolutions were, for a time, attended with fluctuations +and misgivings. These gradually disappeared, and my purpose became +firm; I was next to devise the means of effecting my views, this +did not demand any tedious deliberation. It was easy to gain +access to my father's chamber without notice or detection, cautious +footsteps and the suppression of breath would place me, unsuspected +and unthought of, by his bed side. The words I should use, and the +mode of utterance were not easily settled, but having at length +selected these, I made myself by much previous repetition, +perfectly familiar with the use of them. + +I selected a blustering and inclement night, in which the +darkness was augmented by a veil of the blackest clouds. The +building we inhabited was slight in its structure, and full of +crevices through which the gale found easy way, and whistled in a +thousand cadences. On this night the elemental music was +remarkably sonorous, and was mingled not unfrequently with +~~thunder heard remote~~. + +I could not divest myself of secret dread. My heart faultered +with a consciousness of wrong. Heaven seemed to be present and to +disapprove my work; I listened to the thunder and the wind, as to +the stern voice of this disapprobation. Big drops stood on my +forehead, and my tremors almost incapacitated me from proceeding. + +These impediments however I surmounted; I crept up stairs at +midnight, and entered my father's chamber. The darkness was +intense and I sought with outstretched hands for his bed. The +darkness, added to the trepidation of my thoughts, disabled me from +making a right estimate of distances: I was conscious of this, and +when I advanced within the room, paused. + +I endeavoured to compare the progress I had made with my +knowledge of the room, and governed by the result of this +comparison, proceeded cautiously and with hands still outstretched +in search of the foot of the bed. At this moment lightning flashed +into the room: the brightness of the gleam was dazzling, yet it +afforded me an exact knowledge of my situation. I had mistaken my +way, and discovered that my knees nearly touched the bedstead, and +that my hands at the next step, would have touched my father's +cheek. His closed eyes and every line in his countenance, were +painted, as it were, for an instant on my sight. + +The flash was accompanied with a burst of thunder, whose +vehemence was stunning. I always entertained a dread of thunder, +and now recoiled, overborne with terror. Never had I witnessed so +luminous a gleam and so tremendous a shock, yet my father's slumber +appeared not to be disturbed by it. + +I stood irresolute and trembling; to prosecute my purpose in +this state of mind was impossible. I resolved for the present to +relinquish it, and turned with a view of exploring my way out of +the chamber. Just then a light seen through the window, caught my +eye. It was at first weak but speedily increased; no second +thought was necessary to inform me that the barn, situated at a +small distance from the house, and newly stored with hay, was in +flames, in consequence of being struck by the lightning. + +My terror at this spectacle made me careless of all +consequences relative to myself. I rushed to the bed and throwing +myself on my father, awakened him by loud cries. The family were +speedily roused, and were compelled to remain impotent spectators +of the devastation. Fortunately the wind blew in a contrary +direction, so that our habitation was not injured. + +The impression that was made upon me by the incidents of that +night is indelible. The wind gradually rose into an hurricane; the +largest branches were torn from the trees, and whirled aloft into +the air; others were uprooted and laid prostrate on the ground. +The barn was a spacious edifice, consisting wholly of wood, and +filled with a plenteous harvest. Thus supplied with fuel, and +fanned by the wind, the fire raged with incredible fury; meanwhile +clouds rolled above, whose blackness was rendered more conspicuous +by reflection from the flames; the vast volumes of smoke were +dissipated in a moment by the storm, while glowing fragments and +cinders were borne to an immense hight, and tossed everywhere in +wild confusion. Ever and anon the sable canopy that hung around us +was streaked with lightning, and the peals, by which it was +accompanied, were deafning, and with scarcely any intermission. + +It was, doubtless, absurd to imagine any connexion between +this portentous scene and the purpose that I had meditated, yet a +belief of this connexion, though wavering and obscure, lurked in my +mind; something more than a coincidence merely casual, appeared to +have subsisted between my situation, at my father's bed side, and +the flash that darted through the window, and diverted me from my +design. It palsied my courage, and strengthened my conviction, +that my scheme was criminal. + +After some time had elapsed, and tranquility was, in some +degree, restored in the family, my father reverted to the +circumstances in which I had been discovered on the first alarm of +this event. The truth was impossible to be told. I felt the +utmost reluctance to be guilty of a falsehood, but by falsehood +only could I elude detection. That my guilt was the offspring of +a fatal necessity, that the injustice of others gave it birth and +made it unavoidable, afforded me slight consolation. Nothing can +be more injurious than a lie, but its evil tendency chiefly +respects our future conduct. Its direct consequences may be +transient and few, but it facilitates a repetition, strengthens +temptation, and grows into habit. I pretended some necessity had +drawn me from my bed, and that discovering the condition of the +barn, I hastened to inform my father. + +Some time after this, my father summoned me to his presence. +I had been previously guilty of disobedience to his commands, in a +matter about which he was usually very scrupulous. My brother had +been privy to my offence, and had threatened to be my accuser. On +this occasion I expected nothing but arraignment and punishment. +Weary of oppression, and hopeless of any change in my father's +temper and views, I had formed the resolution of eloping from his +house, and of trusting, young as I was, to the caprice of fortune. +I was hesitating whether to abscond without the knowledge of the +family, or to make my resolutions known to them, and while I avowed +my resolution, to adhere to it in spite of opposition and +remonstrances, when I received this summons. + +I was employed at this time in the field; night was +approaching, and I had made no preparation for departure; all the +preparation in my power to make, was indeed small; a few clothes, +made into a bundle, was the sum of my possessions. Time would have +little influence in improving my prospects, and I resolved to +execute my scheme immediately. + +I left my work intending to seek my chamber, and taking what +was my own, to disappear forever. I turned a stile that led out of +the field into a bye path, when my father appeared before me, +advancing in an opposite direction; to avoid him was impossible, +and I summoned my fortitude to a conflict with his passion. + +As soon as we met, instead of anger and upbraiding, he told +me, that he had been reflecting on my aunt's proposal, to take me +under her protection, and had concluded that the plan was proper; +if I still retained my wishes on that head, he would readily comply +with them, and that, if I chose, I might set off for the city next +morning, as a neighbours waggon was preparing to go. + +I shall not dwell on the rapture with which this proposal was +listened to: it was with difficulty that I persuaded myself that +he was in earnest in making it, nor could divine the reasons, for +so sudden and unexpected a change in his maxims. . . . These I +afterwards discovered. Some one had instilled into him fears, that +my aunt exasperated at his opposition to her request, respecting +the unfortunate Frank, would bequeath her property to strangers; to +obviate this evil, which his avarice prompted him to regard as much +greater than any mischief, that would accrue to me, from the change +of my abode, he embraced her proposal. + +I entered with exultation and triumph on this new scene; my +hopes were by no means disappointed. Detested labour was exchanged +for luxurious idleness. I was master of my time, and the chuser of +my occupations. My kinswoman on discovering that I entertained no +relish for the drudgery of colleges, and was contented with the +means of intellectual gratification, which I could obtain under her +roof, allowed me to pursue my own choice. + +Three tranquil years passed away, during which, each day added +to my happiness, by adding to my knowledge. My biloquial faculty +was not neglected. I improved it by assiduous exercise; I deeply +reflected on the use to which it might be applied. I was not +destitute of pure intentions; I delighted not in evil; I was +incapable of knowingly contributing to another's misery, but the +sole or principal end of my endeavours was not the happiness of +others. + +I was actuated by ambition. I was delighted to possess +superior power; I was prone to manifest that superiority, and was +satisfied if this were done, without much solicitude concerning +consequences. I sported frequently with the apprehensions of my +associates, and threw out a bait for their wonder, and supplied +them with occasions for the structure of theories. It may not be +amiss to enumerate one or two adventures in which I was engaged. + + + +Chapter III. + + +I had taken much pains to improve the sagacity of a favourite +Spaniel. It was my purpose, indeed, to ascertain to what degree of +improvement the principles of reasoning and imitation could be +carried in a dog. There is no doubt that the animal affixes +distinct ideas to sounds. What are the possible limits of his +vocabulary no one can tell. In conversing with my dog I did not +use English words, but selected simple monosyllables. Habit +likewise enabled him to comprehend my gestures. If I crossed my +hands on my breast he understood the signal and laid down behind +me. If I joined my hands and lifted them to my breast, he returned +home. If I grasped one arm above the elbow he ran before me. If +I lifted my hand to my forehead he trotted composedly behind. By +one motion I could make him bark; by another I could reduce him to +silence. He would howl in twenty different strains of +mournfulness, at my bidding. He would fetch and carry with +undeviating faithfulness. + +His actions being thus chiefly regulated by gestures, that to +a stranger would appear indifferent or casual, it was easy to +produce a belief that the animal's knowledge was much greater than +in truth, it was. + +One day, in a mixed company, the discourse turned upon the +unrivaled abilities of ~~Damon~~. Damon had, indeed, acquired in +all the circles which I frequented, an extraordinary reputation. +Numerous instances of his sagacity were quoted and some of them +exhibited on the spot. Much surprise was excited by the readiness +with which he appeared to comprehend sentences of considerable +abstraction and complexity, though, he in reality, attended to +nothing but the movements of hand or fingers with which I +accompanied my words. I enhanced the astonishment of some and +excited the ridicule of others, by observing that my dog not only +understood English when spoken by others, but actually spoke the +language himself, with no small degree of precision. + +This assertion could not be admitted without proof; proof, +therefore, was readily produced. At a known signal, Damon began a +low interrupted noise, in which the astonished hearers clearly +distinguished English words. A dialogue began between the animal +and his master, which was maintained, on the part of the former, +with great vivacity and spirit. In this dialogue the dog asserted +the dignity of his species and capacity of intellectual +improvement. The company separated lost in wonder, but perfectly +convinced by the evidence that had been produced. + +On a subsequent occasion a select company was assembled at a +garden, at a small distance from the city. Discourse glided +through a variety of topics, till it lighted at length on the +subject of invisible beings. From the speculations of philosophers +we proceeded to the creations of the poet. Some maintained the +justness of Shakspear's delineations of aerial beings, while others +denied it. By no violent transition, Ariel and his songs were +introduced, and a lady, celebrated for her musical skill, was +solicited to accompany her pedal harp with the song of "Five fathom +deep thy father lies" . . . She was known to have set, for her +favourite instrument, all the songs of Shakspeare. + +My youth made me little more than an auditor on this occasion. +I sat apart from the rest of the company, and carefully noted every +thing. The track which the conversation had taken, suggested a +scheme which was not thoroughly digested when the lady began her +enchanting strain. + +She ended and the audience were mute with rapture. The pause +continued, when a strain was wafted to our ears from another +quarter. The spot where we sat was embowered by a vine. The +verdant arch was lofty and the area beneath was spacious. + +The sound proceeded from above. At first it was faint and +scarcely audible; presently it reached a louder key, and every eye +was cast up in expectation of beholding a face among the pendant +clusters. The strain was easily recognized, for it was no other +than that which Ariel is made to sing when finally absolved from +the service of the wizard. + + +In the Cowslips bell I lie, +On the Bat's back I do fly . . . +After summer merrily, &c. + + +Their hearts palpitated as they listened: they gazed at each +other for a solution of the mystery. At length the strain died +away at distance, and an interval of silence was succeded by an +earnest discussion of the cause of this prodigy. One supposition +only could be adopted, which was, that the strain was uttered by +human organs. That the songster was stationed on the roof of the +arbour, and having finished his melody had risen into the viewless +fields of air. + +I had been invited to spend a week at this house: this period +was nearly expired when I received information that my aunt was +suddenly taken sick, and that her life was in imminent danger. I +immediately set out on my return to the city, but before my arrival +she was dead. + +This lady was entitled to my gratitude and esteem; I had +received the most essential benefits at her hand. I was not +destitute of sensibility, and was deeply affected by this event: +I will own, however, that my grief was lessened by reflecting on +the consequences of her death, with regard to my own condition. I +had been ever taught to consider myself as her heir, and her death, +therefore, would free me from certain restraints. + +My aunt had a female servant, who had lived with her for +twenty years: she was married, but her husband, who was an +artizan, lived apart from her: I had no reason to suspect the +woman's sincerity and disinterestedness; but my aunt was no sooner +consigned to the grave than a will was produced, in which Dorothy +was named her sole and universal heir. + +It was in vain to urge my expectations and my claims . . . . +the instrument was legibly and legally drawn up . . . . Dorothy +was exasperated by my opposition and surmises, and vigorously +enforced her title. In a week after the decease of my kinswoman, +I was obliged to seek a new dwelling. As all my property consisted +in my cloths and my papers, this was easily done. + +My condition was now calamitous and forlorn. Confiding in the +acquisition of my aunt's patrimony, I had made no other provision +for the future; I hated manual labour, or any task of which the +object was gain. To be guided in my choice of occupations by any +motive but the pleasure which the occupation was qualified to +produce, was intolerable to my proud, indolent, and restive temper. + +This resource was now cut off; the means of immediate +subsistence were denied me: If I had determined to acquire the +knowledge of some lucrative art, the acquisition would demand time, +and, meanwhile, I was absolutely destitute of support. My father's +house was, indeed, open to me, but I preferred to stifle myself +with the filth of the kennel, rather than to return to it. + +Some plan it was immediately necessary to adopt. The exigence +of my affairs, and this reverse of fortune, continually occupied my +thoughts; I estranged myself from society and from books, and +devoted myself to lonely walks and mournful meditation. + +One morning as I ranged along the bank of Schuylkill, I +encountered a person, by name Ludloe, of whom I had some previous +knowledge. He was from Ireland; was a man of some rank and +apparently rich: I had met with him before, but in mixed +companies, where little direct intercourse had taken place between +us. Our last meeting was in the arbour where Ariel was so +unexpectedly introduced. + +Our acquaintance merely justified a transient salutation; but +he did not content himself with noticing me as I passed, but joined +me in my walk and entered into conversation. It was easy to advert +to the occasion on which we had last met, and to the mysterious +incident which then occurred. I was solicitous to dive into his +thoughts upon this head and put some questions which tended to the +point that I wished. + +I was somewhat startled when he expressed his belief, that the +performer of this mystic strain was one of the company then +present, who exerted, for this end, a faculty not commonly +possessed. Who this person was he did not venture to guess, and +could not discover, by the tokens which he suffered to appear, that +his suspicions glanced at me. He expatiated with great +profoundness and fertility of ideas, on the uses to which a faculty +like this might be employed. No more powerful engine, he said, +could be conceived, by which the ignorant and credulous might be +moulded to our purposes; managed by a man of ordinary talents, it +would open for him the straightest and surest avenues to wealth and +power. + +His remarks excited in my mind a new strain of thoughts. I +had not hitherto considered the subject in this light, though vague +ideas of the importance of this art could not fail to be +occasionally suggested: I ventured to inquire into his ideas of +the mode, in which an art like this could be employed, so as to +effect the purposes he mentioned. + +He dealt chiefly in general representations. Men, he said, +believed in the existence and energy of invisible powers, and in +the duty of discovering and conforming to their will. This will +was supposed to be sometimes made known to them through the medium +of their senses. A voice coming from a quarter where no attendant +form could be seen would, in most cases, be ascribed to supernal +agency, and a command imposed on them, in this manner, would be +obeyed with religious scrupulousness. Thus men might be +imperiously directed in the disposal of their industry, their +property, and even of their lives. Men, actuated by a mistaken +sense of duty, might, under this influence, be led to the +commission of the most flagitious, as well as the most heroic acts: +If it were his desire to accumulate wealth, or institute a new +sect, he should need no other instrument. + +I listened to this kind of discourse with great avidity, and +regretted when he thought proper to introduce new topics. He ended +by requesting me to visit him, which I eagerly consented to do. +When left alone, my imagination was filled with the images +suggested by this conversation. The hopelessness of better +fortune, which I had lately harboured, now gave place to cheering +confidence. Those motives of rectitude which should deter me from +this species of imposture, had never been vivid or stable, and were +still more weakened by the artifices of which I had already been +guilty. The utility or harmlessness of the end, justified, in my +eyes, the means. + +No event had been more unexpected, by me, than the bequest of +my aunt to her servant. The will, under which the latter claimed, +was dated prior to my coming to the city. I was not surprised, +therefore, that it had once been made, but merely that it had never +been cancelled or superseded by a later instrument. My wishes +inclined me to suspect the existence of a later will, but I had +conceived that, to ascertain its existence, was beyond my power. + +Now, however, a different opinion began to be entertained. +This woman like those of her sex and class was unlettered and +superstitious. Her faith in spells and apparitions, was of the +most lively kind. Could not her conscience be awakened by a voice +from the grave! Lonely and at midnight, my aunt might be +introduced, upbraiding her for her injustice, and commanding her to +attone for it by acknowledging the claim of the rightful +proprietor. + +True it was, that no subsequent will might exist, but this was +the fruit of mistake, or of negligence. She probably intended to +cancel the old one, but this act might, by her own weakness, or by +the artifices of her servant, be delayed till death had put it out +of her power. In either case a mandate from the dead could +scarcely fail of being obeyed. + +I considered this woman as the usurper of my property. Her +husband as well as herself, were laborious and covetous; their good +fortune had made no change in their mode of living, but they were +as frugal and as eager to accumulate as ever. In their hands, +money was inert and sterile, or it served to foster their vices. +To take it from them would, therefore, be a benefit both to them +and to myself; not even an imaginary injury would be inflicted. +Restitution, if legally compelled to it, would be reluctant and +painful, but if enjoined by Heaven would be voluntary, and the +performance of a seeming duty would carry with it, its own reward. + +These reasonings, aided by inclination, were sufficient to +determine me. I have no doubt but their fallacy would have been +detected in the sequel, and my scheme have been productive of +nothing but confusion and remorse. From these consequences, +however, my fate interposed, as in the former instance, to save me. + +Having formed my resolution, many preliminaries to its +execution were necessary to be settled. These demanded +deliberation and delay; meanwhile I recollected my promise to +Ludlow, and paid him a visit. I met a frank and affectionate +reception. It would not be easy to paint the delight which I +experienced in this man's society. I was at first oppressed with +the sense of my own inferiority in age, knowledge and rank. Hence +arose numberless reserves and incapacitating diffidences; but these +were speedily dissipated by the fascinations of this man's address. +His superiority was only rendered, by time, more conspicuous, but +this superiority, by appearing never to be present to his own mind, +ceased to be uneasy to me. My questions required to be frequently +answered, and my mistakes to be rectified; but my keenest scrutiny, +could detect in his manner, neither arrogance nor contempt. He +seemed to talk merely from the overflow of his ideas, or a +benevolent desire of imparting information. + + + +Chapter IV. + + +My visits gradually became more frequent. Meanwhile my wants +increased, and the necessity of some change in my condition became +daily more urgent. This incited my reflections on the scheme which +I had formed. The time and place suitable to my design, were not +selected without much anxious inquiry and frequent waverings of +purpose. These being at length fixed, the interval to elapse, +before the carrying of my design into effect, was not without +perturbation and suspense. These could not be concealed from my +new friend and at length prompted him to inquire into the cause. + +It was not possible to communicate the whole truth; but the +warmth of his manner inspired me with some degree of ingenuousness. +I did not hide from him my former hopes and my present destitute +condition. He listened to my tale with no expressions of sympathy, +and when I had finished, abruptly inquired whether I had any +objection to a voyage to Europe? I answered in the negative. He +then said that he was preparing to depart in a fortnight and +advised me to make up my mind to accompany him. + +This unexpected proposal gave me pleasure and surprize, but +the want of money occurred to me as an insuperable objection. On +this being mentioned, Oho! said he, carelessly, that objection is +easily removed, I will bear all expenses of your passage myself. + +The extraordinary beneficence of this act as well as the air +of uncautiousness attending it, made me doubt the sincerity of his +offer, and when new declarations removed this doubt, I could not +forbear expressing at once my sense of his generosity and of my own +unworthiness. + +He replied that generosity had been expunged from his +catalogue as having no meaning or a vicious one. It was the scope +of his exertions to be just. This was the sum of human duty, and +he that fell short, ran beside, or outstripped justice was a +criminal. What he gave me was my due or not my due. If it were my +due, I might reasonably demand it from him and it was wicked to +withhold it. Merit on one side or gratitude on the other, were +contradictory and unintelligible. + +If I were fully convinced that this benefit was not my due and +yet received it, he should hold me in contempt. The rectitude of +my principles and conduct would be the measure of his approbation, +and no benefit should he ever bestow which the receiver was not +entitled to claim, and which it would not be criminal in him to +refuse. + +These principles were not new from the mouth of Ludloe, but +they had, hitherto, been regarded as the fruits of a venturous +speculation in my mind. I had never traced them into their +practical consequences, and if his conduct on this occasion had not +squared with his maxims, I should not have imputed to him +inconsistency. I did not ponder on these reasonings at this time: +objects of immediate importance engrossed my thoughts. + +One obstacle to this measure was removed. When my voyage was +performed how should I subsist in my new abode? I concealed not my +perplexity and he commented on it in his usual manner. How did I +mean to subsist, he asked, in my own country? The means of living +would be, at least, as much within my reach there as here. As to +the pressure of immediate and absolute want, he believed I should +be exposed to little hazard. With talents such as mine, I must be +hunted by a destiny peculiarly malignant, if I could not provide +myself with necessaries wherever my lot were cast. + +He would make allowances, however, for my diffidence and self- +distrust, and would obviate my fears by expressing his own +intentions with regard to me. I must be apprized, however, of his +true meaning. He laboured to shun all hurtful and vitious things, +and therefore carefully abstained from making or confiding ~~in +promises~~. It was just to assist me in this voyage, and it would +probably be equally just to continue to me similar assistance when +it was finished. That indeed was a subject, in a great degree, +within my own cognizance. His aid would be proportioned to my +wants and to my merits, and I had only to take care that my claims +were just, for them to be admitted. + +This scheme could not but appear to me eligible. I thirsted +after an acquaintance with new scenes; my present situation could +not be changed for a worse; I trusted to the constancy of Ludloe's +friendship; to this at least it was better to trust than to the +success of my imposture on Dorothy, which was adopted merely as a +desperate expedient: finally I determined to embark with him. + +In the course of this voyage my mind was busily employed. +There were no other passengers beside ourselves, so that my own +condition and the character of Ludloe, continually presented +themselves to my reflections. It will be supposed that I was not +a vague or indifferent observer. + +There were no vicissitudes in the deportment or lapses in the +discourse of my friend. His feelings appeared to preserve an +unchangeable tenor, and his thoughts and words always to flow with +the same rapidity. His slumber was profound and his wakeful hours +serene. He was regular and temperate in all his exercises and +gratifications. Hence were derived his clear perceptions and +exuberant health. + +This treatment of me, like all his other mental and corporal +operations, was modelled by one inflexible standard. Certain +scruples and delicacies were incident to my situation. Of the +existence of these he seemed to be unconscious, and yet nothing +escaped him inconsistent with a state of absolute equality. + +I was naturally inquisitive as to his fortune and the +collateral circumstances of his condition. My notions of +politeness hindered me from making direct inquiries. By indirect +means I could gather nothing but that his state was opulent and +independent, and that he had two sisters whose situation resembled +his own. + +Though, in conversation, he appeared to be governed by the +utmost candour; no light was let in upon the former transactions of +his life. The purpose of his visit to America I could merely guess +to be the gratification of curiosity. + +My future pursuits must be supposed chiefly to occupy my +attention. On this head I was destitute of all stedfast views. +Without profession or habits of industry or sources of permanent +revenue, the world appeared to me an ocean on which my bark was set +afloat, without compass or sail. The world into which I was about +to enter, was untried and unknown, and though I could consent to +profit by the guidance I was unwilling to rely on the support of +others. + +This topic being nearest my heart, I frequently introduced +into conversation with my friend; but on this subject he always +allowed himself to be led by me, while on all others, he was +zealous to point the way. To every scheme that I proposed he was +sure to cause objections. All the liberal professions were +censured as perverting the understanding, by giving scope to the +sordid motive of gain, or embuing the mind with erroneous +principles. Skill was slowly obtained, and success, though +integrity and independence must be given for it, dubious and +instable. The mechanical trades were equally obnoxious; they were +vitious by contributing to the spurious gratifications of the rich +and multiplying the objects of luxury; they were destruction to the +intellect and vigor of the artizan; they enervated his frame and +brutalized his mind. + +When I pointed out to him the necessity of some species of +labour, he tacitly admitted that necessity, but refused to direct +me in the choice of a pursuit, which though not free from defect +should yet have the fewest inconveniences. He dwelt on the fewness +of our actual wants, the temptations which attend the possession of +wealth, the benefits of seclusion and privacy, and the duty of +unfettering our minds from the prejudices which govern the world. + +His discourse tended merely to unsettle my views and increase +my perplexity. This effect was so uniform that I at length +desisted from all allusions to this theme and endeavoured to divert +my own reflections from it. When our voyage should be finished, +and I should actually tread this new stage, I believed that I +should be better qualified to judge of the measures to be taken by +me. + +At length we reached Belfast. From thence we immediately +repaired to Dublin. I was admitted as a member of his family. +When I expressed my uncertainty as to the place to which it would +be proper for me to repair, he gave me a blunt but cordial +invitation to his house. My circumstances allowed me no option and +I readily complied. My attention was for a time engrossed by a +diversified succession of new objects. Their novelty however +disappearing, left me at liberty to turn my eyes upon myself and my +companion, and here my reflections were supplied with abundant +food. + +His house was spacious and commodious, and furnished with +profusion and elegance. A suit of apartments was assigned to me, +in which I was permitted to reign uncontroled and access was +permitted to a well furnished library. My food was furnished in my +own room, prepared in the manner which I had previously directed. +Occasionally Ludloe would request my company to breakfast, when an +hour was usually consumed in earnest or sprightly conversation. At +all other times he was invisible, and his apartments, being wholly +separate from mine, I had no opportunity of discovering in what way +his hours were employed. + +He defended this mode of living as being most compatible with +liberty. He delighted to expatiate on the evils of cohabitation. +Men, subjected to the same regimen, compelled to eat and sleep and +associate at certain hours, were strangers to all rational +independence and liberty. Society would never be exempt from +servitude and misery, till those artificial ties which held human +beings together under the same roof were dissolved. He endeavoured +to regulate his own conduct in pursuance of these principles, and +to secure to himself as much freedom as the present regulations of +society would permit. The same independence which he claimed for +himself he likewise extended to me. The distribution of my own +time, the selection of my own occupations and companions should +belong to myself. + +But these privileges, though while listening to his arguments +I could not deny them to be valuable, I would have willingly +dispensed with. The solitude in which I lived became daily more +painful. I ate and drank, enjoyed clothing and shelter, without +the exercise of forethought or industry; I walked and sat, went out +and returned for as long and at what seasons I thought proper, yet +my condition was a fertile source of discontent. + +I felt myself removed to a comfortless and chilling distance +from Ludloe. I wanted to share in his occupations and views. With +all his ingenuousness of aspect and overflow of thoughts, when he +allowed me his company, I felt myself painfully bewildered with +regard to his genuine condition and sentiments. + +He had it in his power to introduce me to society, and without +an introduction, it was scarcely possible to gain access to any +social circle or domestic fireside. Add to this, my own obscure +prospects and dubious situation. Some regular intellectual pursuit +would render my state less irksome, but I had hitherto adopted no +scheme of this kind. + + + +Chapter V. + + +Time tended, in no degree, to alleviate my dissatisfaction. +It increased till the determination became at length formed of +opening my thoughts to Ludloe. At the next breakfast interview +which took place, I introduced the subject, and expatiated without +reserve, on the state of my feelings. I concluded with entreating +him to point out some path in which my talents might be rendered +useful to himself or to mankind. + +After a pause of some minutes, he said, What would you do? +You forget the immaturity of your age. If you are qualified to act +a part in the theatre of life, step forth; but you are not +qualified. You want knowledge, and with this you ought previously +to endow yourself. . . . . Means, for this end, are within your +reach. Why should you waste your time in idleness, and torment +yourself with unprofitable wishes? Books are at hand . . . . books +from which most sciences and languages can be learned. Read, +analise, digest; collect facts, and investigate theories: +ascertain the dictates of reason, and supply yourself with the +inclination and the power to adhere to them. You will not, legally +speaking, be a man in less than three years. Let this period be +devoted to the acquisition of wisdom. Either stay here, or retire +to an house I have on the banks of Killarney, where you will find +all the conveniences of study. + +I could not but reflect with wonder at this man's treatment of +me. I could plead none of the rights of relationship; yet I +enjoyed the privileges of a son. He had not imparted to me any +scheme, by pursuit of which I might finally compensate him for the +expense to which my maintenance and education would subject him. +He gave me reason to hope for the continuance of his bounty. He +talked and acted as if my fortune were totally disjoined from his; +yet was I indebted to him for the morsel which sustained my life. +Now it was proposed to withdraw myself to studious leisure, and +romantic solitude. All my wants, personal and intellectual, were +to be supplied gratuitously and copiously. No means were +prescribed by which I might make compensation for all these +benefits. In conferring them he seemed to be actuated by no view +to his own ultimate advantage. He took no measures to secure my +future services. + +I suffered these thoughts to escape me, on this occasion, and +observed that to make my application successful, or useful, it was +necessary to pursue some end. I must look forward to some post +which I might hereafter occupy beneficially to myself or others; +and for which all the efforts of my mind should be bent to qualify +myself. + +These hints gave him visible pleasure; and now, for the first +time, he deigned to advise me on this head. His scheme, however, +was not suddenly produced. The way to it was circuitous and long. +It was his business to make every new step appear to be suggested +by my own reflections. His own ideas were the seeming result of +the moment, and sprung out of the last idea that was uttered. +Being hastily taken up, they were, of course, liable to objection. +These objections, sometimes occurring to me and sometimes to him, +were admitted or contested with the utmost candour. One scheme +went through numerous modifications before it was proved to be +ineligible, or before it yielded place to a better. It was easy to +perceive, that books alone were insufficient to impart knowledge: +that man must be examined with our own eyes to make us acquainted +with their nature: that ideas collected from observation and +reading, must correct and illustrate each other: that the value of +all principles, and their truth, lie in their practical effects. +Hence, gradually arose, the usefulness of travelling, of inspecting +the habits and manners of a nation, and investigating, on the spot, +the causes of their happiness and misery. Finally, it was +determined that Spain was more suitable than any other, to the +views of a judicious traveller. + +My language, habits, and religion were mentioned as obstacles +to close and extensive views; but these difficulties successively +and slowly vanished. Converse with books, and natives of Spain, a +steadfast purpose and unwearied diligence would efface all +differences between me and a Castilian with respect to speech. +Personal habits, were changeable, by the same means. The bars to +unbounded intercourse, rising from the religion of Spain being +irreconcilably opposite to mine, cost us no little trouble to +surmount, and here the skill of Ludloe was eminently displayed. + +I had been accustomed to regard as unquestionable, the fallacy +of the Romish faith. This persuasion was habitual and the child of +prejudice, and was easily shaken by the artifices of this logician. +I was first led to bestow a kind of assent on the doctrines of the +Roman church; but my convictions were easily subdued by a new +species of argumentation, and, in a short time, I reverted to my +ancient disbelief, so that, if an exterior conformity to the rights +of Spain were requisite to the attainment of my purpose, that +conformity must be dissembled. + +My moral principles had hitherto been vague and unsettled. My +circumstances had led me to the frequent practice of insincerity; +but my transgressions as they were slight and transient, did not +much excite my previous reflections, or subsequent remorse. My +deviations, however, though rendered easy by habit, were by no +means sanctioned by my principles. Now an imposture, more profound +and deliberate, was projected; and I could not hope to perform well +my part, unless steadfastly and thoroughly persuaded of its +rectitude. + +My friend was the eulogist of sincerity. He delighted to +trace its influence on the happiness of mankind; and proved that +nothing but the universal practice of this virtue was necessary to +the perfection of human society. His doctrine was splendid and +beautiful. To detect its imperfections was no easy task; to lay +the foundations of virtue in utility, and to limit, by that scale, +the operation of general principles; to see that the value of +sincerity, like that of every other mode of action, consisted in +its tendency to good, and that, therefore the obligation to speak +truth was not paramount or intrinsical: that my duty is modelled +on a knowledge and foresight of the conduct of others; and that, +since men in their actual state, are infirm and deceitful, a just +estimate of consequences may sometimes make dissimulation my duty +were truths that did not speedily occur. The discovery, when made, +appeared to be a joint work. I saw nothing in Ludlow but proofs of +candour, and a judgment incapable of bias. + +The means which this man employed to fit me for his purpose, +perhaps owed their success to my youth and ignorance. I may have +given you exaggerated ideas of his dexterity and address. Of that +I am unable to judge. Certain it is, that no time or reflection +has abated my astonishment at the profoundness of his schemes, and +the perseverance with which they were pursued by him. To detail +their progress would expose me to the risk of being tedious, yet +none but minute details would sufficiently display his patience and +subtlety. + +It will suffice to relate, that after a sufficient period of +preparation and arrangements being made for maintaining a copious +intercourse with Ludlow, I embarked for Barcelona. A restless +curiosity and vigorous application have distinguished my character +in every scene. Here was spacious field for the exercise of all my +energies. I sought out a preceptor in my new religion. I entered +into the hearts of priests and confessors, the ~hidalgo~ and the +peasant, the monk and the prelate, the austere and voluptuous +devotee were scrutinized in all their forms. + +Man was the chief subject of my study, and the social sphere +that in which I principally moved; but I was not inattentive to +inanimate nature, nor unmindful of the past. If the scope of +virtue were to maintain the body in health, and to furnish its +highest enjoyments to every sense, to increase the number, and +accuracy, and order of our intellectual stores, no virtue was ever +more unblemished than mine. If to act upon our conceptions of +right, and to acquit ourselves of all prejudice and selfishness in +the formation of our principles, entitle us to the testimony of a +good conscience, I might justly claim it. + +I shall not pretend to ascertain my rank in the moral scale. +Your notions of duty differ widely from mine. If a system of +deceit, pursued merely from the love of truth; if voluptuousness, +never gratified at the expense of health, may incur censure, I am +censurable. This, indeed, was not the limit of my deviations. +Deception was often unnecessarily practised, and my biloquial +faculty did not lie unemployed. What has happened to yourselves +may enable you, in some degree, to judge of the scenes in which my +mystical exploits engaged me. In none of them, indeed, were the +effects equally disastrous, and they were, for the most part, the +result of well digested projects. + +To recount these would be an endless task. They were designed +as mere specimens of power, to illustrate the influence of +superstition: to give sceptics the consolation of certainty: to +annihilate the scruples of a tender female, or facilitate my access +to the bosoms of courtiers and monks. + +The first achievement of this kind took place in the convent +of the Escurial. For some time the hospitality of this brotherhood +allowed me a cell in that magnificent and gloomy fabric. I was +drawn hither chiefly by the treasures of Arabian literature, which +are preserved here in the keeping of a learned Maronite, from +Lebanon. Standing one evening on the steps of the great altar, +this devout friar expatiated on the miraculous evidences of his +religion; and, in a moment of enthusiasm, appealed to San Lorenzo, +whose martyrdom was displayed before us. No sooner was the appeal +made than the saint, obsequious to the summons, whispered his +responses from the shrine, and commanded the heretic to tremble and +believe. This event was reported to the convent. With whatever +reluctance, I could not refuse my testimony to its truth, and its +influence on my faith was clearly shewn in my subsequent conduct. + +A lady of rank, in Seville, who had been guilty of many +unauthorized indulgences, was, at last, awakened to remorse, by a +voice from Heaven, which she imagined had commanded her to expiate +her sins by an abstinence from all food for thirty days. Her +friends found it impossible to outroot this persuasion, or to +overcome her resolution even by force. I chanced to be one in a +numerous company where she was present. This fatal illusion was +mentioned, and an opportunity afforded to the lady of defending her +scheme. At a pause in the discourse, a voice was heard from the +ceiling, which confirmed the truth of her tale; but, at the same +time revoked the command, and, in consideration of her faith, +pronounced her absolution. Satisfied with this proof, the auditors +dismissed their unbelief, and the lady consented to eat. + +In the course of a copious correspondence with Ludlow, the +observations I had collected were given. A sentiment, which I can +hardly describe, induced me to be silent on all adventures +connected with my bivocal projects. On other topics, I wrote +fully, and without restraint. I painted, in vivid hues, the scenes +with which I was daily conversant, and pursued, fearlessly, every +speculation on religion and government that occurred. This spirit +was encouraged by Ludloe, who failed not to comment on my +narrative, and multiply deductions from my principles. + +He taught me to ascribe the evils that infest society to the +errors of opinion. The absurd and unequal distribution of power +and property gave birth to poverty and riches, and these were the +sources of luxury and crimes. These positions were readily +admitted; but the remedy for these ills, the means of rectifying +these errors were not easily discovered. We have been inclined to +impute them to inherent defects in the moral constitution of men: +that oppression and tyranny grow up by a sort of natural necessity, +and that they will perish only when the human species is extinct. +Ludloe laboured to prove that this was, by no means, the case: +that man is the creature of circumstances: that he is capable of +endless improvement: that his progress has been stopped by the +artificial impediment of government: that by the removal of this, +the fondest dreams of imagination will be realized. + +From detailing and accounting for the evils which exist under +our present institutions, he usually proceeded to delineate some +scheme of Utopian felicity, where the empire of reason should +supplant that of force: where justice should be universally +understood and practised; where the interest of the whole and of +the individual should be seen by all to be the same; where the +public good should be the scope of all activity; where the tasks of +all should be the same, and the means of subsistence equally +distributed. + +No one could contemplate his pictures without rapture. By +their comprehensiveness and amplitude they filled the imagination. +I was unwilling to believe that in no region of the world, or at no +period could these ideas be realized. It was plain that the +nations of Europe were tending to greater depravity, and would be +the prey of perpetual vicissitude. All individual attempts at +their reformation would be fruitless. He therefore who desired the +diffusion of right principles, to make a just system be adopted by +a whole community, must pursue some extraordinary method. + +In this state of mind I recollected my native country, where +a few colonists from Britain had sown the germe of populous and +mighty empires. Attended, as they were, into their new abode, by +all their prejudices, yet such had been the influence of new +circumstances, of consulting for their own happiness, of adopting +simple forms of government, and excluding nobles and kings from +their system, that they enjoyed a degree of happiness far superior +to their parent state. + +To conquer the prejudices and change the habits of millions, +are impossible. The human mind, exposed to social influences, +inflexibly adheres to the direction that is given to it; but for +the same reason why men, who begin in error will continue, those +who commence in truth, may be expected to persist. Habit and +example will operate with equal force in both instances. + +Let a few, sufficiently enlightened and disinterested, take up +their abode in some unvisited region. Let their social scheme be +founded in equity, and how small soever their original number may +be, their growth into a nation is inevitable. Among other effects +of national justice, was to be ranked the swift increase of +numbers. Exempt from servile obligations and perverse habits, +endowed with property, wisdom, and health. Hundreds will expand, +with inconceivable rapidity into thousands and thousands, into +millions; and a new race, tutored in truth, may, in a few +centuries, overflow the habitable world. + +Such were the visions of youth! I could not banish them from +my mind. I knew them to be crude; but believed that deliberation +would bestow upon them solidity and shape. Meanwhile I imparted +them to Ludloe. + + + +Chapter VI. + + +In answer to the reveries and speculations which I sent to him +respecting this subject, Ludloe informed me, that they had led his +mind into a new sphere of meditation. He had long and deeply +considered in what way he might essentially promote my happiness. +He had entertained a faint hope that I would one day be qualified +for a station like that to which he himself had been advanced. +This post required an elevation and stability of views which human +beings seldom reach, and which could be attained by me only by a +long series of heroic labours. Hitherto every new stage in my +intellectual progress had added vigour to his hopes, and he +cherished a stronger belief than formerly that my career would +terminate auspiciously. This, however, was necessarily distant. +Many preliminaries must first be settled; many arduous +accomplishments be first obtained; and my virtue be subjected to +severe trials. At present it was not in his power to be more +explicit; but if my reflections suggested no better plan, he +advised me to settle my affairs in Spain, and return to him +immediately. My knowledge of this country would be of the highest +use, on the supposition of my ultimately arriving at the honours to +which he had alluded; and some of these preparatory measures could +be taken only with his assistance, and in his company. + +This intimation was eagerly obeyed, and, in a short time, I +arrived at Dublin. Meanwhile my mind had copious occupation in +commenting on my friend's letter. This scheme, whatever it was, +seemed to be suggested by my mention of a plan of colonization, and +my preference of that mode of producing extensive and permanent +effects on the condition of mankind. It was easy therefore to +conjecture that this mode had been pursued under some mysterious +modifications and conditions. + +It had always excited my wonder that so obvious an expedient +had been overlooked. The globe which we inhabit was very +imperfectly known. The regions and nations unexplored, it was +reasonable to believe, surpassed in extent, and perhaps in +populousness, those with which we were familiar. The order of +Jesuits had furnished an example of all the errors and excellencies +of such a scheme. Their plan was founded on erroneous notions of +religion and policy, and they had absurdly chosen a scene* within +reach of the injustice and ambition of an European tyrant. + +It was wise and easy to profit by their example. Resting on +the two props of fidelity and zeal, an association might exist for +ages in the heart of Europe, whose influence might be felt, and +might be boundless, in some region of the southern hemisphere; and +by whom a moral and political structure might be raised, the growth +of pure wisdom, and totally unlike those fragments of Roman and +Gothic barbarism, which cover the face of what are called the +civilized nations. The belief now rose in my mind that some such +scheme had actually been prosecuted, and that Ludloe was a +coadjutor. On this supposition, the caution with which he +approached to his point, the arduous probation which a candidate +for a part on this stage must undergo, and the rigours of that test +by which his fortitude and virtue must be tried, were easily +explained. I was too deeply imbued with veneration for the effects +of such schemes, and too sanguine in my confidence in the rectitude +of Ludloe, to refuse my concurrence in any scheme by which my +qualifications might at length be raised to a due point. + +Our interview was frank and affectionate. I found him +situated just as formerly. His aspect, manners, and deportment +were the same. I entered once more on my former mode of life, but +our intercourse became more frequent. We constantly breakfasted +together, and our conversation was usually prolonged through half +the morning. + +For a time our topics were general. I thought proper to leave +to him the introduction of more interesting themes: this, however, +he betrayed no inclination to do. His reserve excited some +surprise, and I began to suspect that whatever design he had formed +with regard to me, had been laid aside. To ascertain this +question, I ventured, at length, to recall his attention to the +subject of his last letter, and to enquire whether subsequent +reflection had made any change in his views. + +He said that his views were too momentous to be hastily taken +up, or hastily dismissed; the station, my attainment of which +depended wholly on myself, was high above vulgar heads, and was to +be gained by years of solicitude and labour. This, at least, was +true with regard to minds ordinarily constituted; I, perhaps, +deserved to be regarded as an exception, and might be able to +accomplish in a few months that for which others were obliged to +toil during half their lives. + +Man, continued he, is the slave of habit. Convince him to-day +that his duty leads straight forward: he shall advance, but at +every step his belief shall fade; habit will resume its empire, and +tomorrow he shall turn back, or betake himself to oblique paths. + +We know not our strength till it be tried. Virtue, till +confirmed by habit, is a dream. You are a man imbued by errors, +and vincible by slight temptations. Deep enquiries must bestow +light on your opinions, and the habit of encountering and +vanquishing temptation must inspire you with fortitude. Till this +be done, you are unqualified for that post, in which you will be +invested with divine attributes, and prescribe the condition of a +large portion of mankind. + +Confide not in the firmness of your principles, or the +stedfastness of your integrity. Be always vigilant and fearful. +Never think you have enough of knowledge, and let not your caution +slumber for a moment, for you know not when danger is near. + +I acknowledged the justice of his admonitions, and professed +myself willing to undergo any ordeal which reason should prescribe. +What, I asked, were the conditions, on the fulfilment of which +depended my advancement to the station he alluded to? Was it +necessary to conceal from me the nature and obligations of this +rank? + +These enquiries sunk him more profoundly into meditation than +I had ever before witnessed. After a pause, in which some +perplexity was visible, he answered: + +I scarcely know what to say. As to promises, I claim them not +from you. We are now arrived at a point, in which it is necessary +to look around with caution, and that consequences should be fully +known. A number of persons are leagued together for an end of some +moment. To make yourself one of these is submitted to your choice. +Among the conditions of their alliance are mutual fidelity and +secrecy. + +Their existence depends upon this: their existence is known +only to themselves. This secrecy must be obtained by all the means +which are possible. When I have said thus much, I have informed +you, in some degree, of their existence, but you are still ignorant +of the purpose contemplated by this association, and of all the +members, except myself. So far no dangerous disclosure is yet +made: but this degree of concealment is not sufficient. Thus much +is made known to you, because it is unavoidable. The individuals +which compose this fraternity are not immortal, and the vacancies +occasioned by death must be supplied from among the living. The +candidate must be instructed and prepared, and they are always at +liberty to recede. Their reason must approve the obligations and +duties of their station, or they are unfit for it. If they recede, +one duty is still incumbent upon them: they must observe an +inviolable silence. To this they are not held by any promise. +They must weigh consequences, and freely decide; but they must not +fail to number among these consequences their own death. + +Their death will not be prompted by vengeance. The +executioner will say, he that has once revealed the tale is likely +to reveal it a second time; and, to prevent this, the betrayer must +die. Nor is this the only consequence: to prevent the further +revelation, he, to whom the secret was imparted, must likewise +perish. He must not console himself with the belief that his +trespass will be unknown. The knowledge cannot, by human means, be +withheld from this fraternity. Rare, indeed, will it be that his +purpose to disclose is not discovered before it can be effected, +and the disclosure prevented by his death. + +Be well aware of your condition. What I now, or may hereafter +mention, mention not again. Admit not even a doubt as to the +propriety of hiding it from all the world. There are eyes who will +discern this doubt amidst the closest folds of your heart, and your +life will instantly be sacrificed. + +At present be the subject dismissed. Reflect deeply on the +duty which you have already incurred. Think upon your strength of +mind, and be careful not to lay yourself under impracticable +obligations. It will always be in your power to recede. Even +after you are solemnly enrolled a member, you may consult the +dictates of your own understanding, and relinquish your post; but +while you live, the obligation to be silent will perpetually attend +you. + +We seek not the misery or death of any one, but we are swayed +by an immutable calculation. Death is to be abhorred, but the life +of the betrayer is productive of more evil than his death: his +death, therefore, we chuse, and our means are instantaneous and +unerring. + +I love you. The first impulse of my love is to dissuade you +from seeking to know more. Your mind will be full of ideas; your +hands will be perpetually busy to a purpose into which no human +creature, beyond the verge of your brotherhood, must pry. Believe +me, who have made the experiment, that compared with this task, the +task of inviolable secrecy, all others are easy. To be dumb will +not suffice; never to know any remission in your zeal or your +watchfulness will not suffice. If the sagacity of others detect +your occupations, however strenuously you may labour for +concealment, your doom is ratified, as well as that of the wretch +whose evil destiny led him to pursue you. + +Yet if your fidelity fail not, great will be your recompence. +For all your toils and self-devotion, ample will be the +retribution. Hitherto you have been wrapt in darkness and storm; +then will you be exalted to a pure and unruffled element. It is +only for a time that temptation will environ you, and your path +will be toilsome. In a few years you will be permitted to withdraw +to a land of sages, and the remainder of your life will glide away +in the enjoyments of beneficence and wisdom. + +Think deeply on what I have said. Investigate your own +motives and opinions, and prepare to submit them to the test of +numerous hazards and experiments. + +Here my friend passed to a new topic. I was desirous of +reverting to this subject, and obtaining further information +concerning it, but he assiduously repelled all my attempts, and +insisted on my bestowing deep and impartial attention on what had +already been disclosed. I was not slow to comply with his +directions. My mind refused to admit any other theme of +contemplation than this. + +As yet I had no glimpse of the nature of this fraternity. I +was permitted to form conjectures, and previous incidents bestowed +but one form upon my thoughts. In reviewing the sentiments and +deportment of Ludloe, my belief continually acquired new strength. +I even recollected hints and ambiguous allusions in his discourse, +which were easily solved, on the supposition of the existence of a +new model of society, in some unsuspected corner of the world. + +I did not fully perceive the necessity of secrecy; but this +necessity perhaps would be rendered apparent, when I should come to +know the connection that subsisted between Europe and this +imaginary colony. But what was to be done? I was willing to abide +by these conditions. My understanding might not approve of all the +ends proposed by this fraternity, and I had liberty to withdraw +from it, or to refuse to ally myself with them. That the +obligation of secrecy should still remain, was unquestionably +reasonable. + +It appeared to be the plan of Ludloe rather to damp than to +stimulate my zeal. He discouraged all attempts to renew the +subject in conversation. He dwelt upon the arduousness of the +office to which I aspired, the temptations to violate my duty with +which I should be continually beset, the inevitable death with +which the slightest breach of my engagements would be followed, and +the long apprenticeship which it would be necessary for me to +serve, before I should be fitted to enter into this conclave. + +Sometimes my courage was depressed by these representations. +. . . . . My zeal, however, was sure to revive; and at length +Ludloe declared himself willing to assist me in the accomplishment +of my wishes. For this end, it was necessary, he said, that I +should be informed of a second obligation, which every candidate +must assume. Before any one could be deemed qualified, he must be +thoroughly known to his associates. For this end, he must +determine to disclose every fact in his history, and every secret +of his heart. I must begin with making these confessions with +regard to my past life, to Ludloe, and must continue to +communicate, at stated seasons, every new thought, and every new +occurrence, to him. This confidence was to be absolutely +limitless: no exceptions were to be admitted, and no reserves to +be practised; and the same penalty attended the infraction of this +rule as of the former. Means would be employed, by which the +slightest deviation, in either case, would be detected, and the +deathful consequence would follow with instant and inevitable +expedition. If secrecy were difficult to practise, sincerity, in +that degree in which it was here demanded, was a task infinitely +more arduous, and a period of new deliberation was necessary before +I should decide. I was at liberty to pause: nay, the longer was +the period of deliberation which I took, the better; but, when I +had once entered this path, it was not in my power to recede. +After having solemnly avowed my resolution to be thus sincere in my +confession, any particle of reserve or duplicity would cost me my +life. + +This indeed was a subject to be deeply thought upon. Hitherto +I had been guilty of concealment with regard to my friend. I had +entered into no formal compact, but had been conscious to a kind of +tacit obligation to hide no important transaction of my life from +him. This consciousness was the source of continual anxiety. I +had exerted, on numerous occasions, my bivocal faculty, but, in my +intercourse with Ludloe, had suffered not the slightest intimation +to escape me with regard to it. This reserve was not easily +explained. It was, in a great degree, the product of habit; but I +likewise considered that the efficacy of this instrument depended +upon its existence being unknown. To confide the secret to one, +was to put an end to my privilege: how widely the knowledge would +thenceforth be diffused, I had no power to foresee. + +Each day multiplied the impediments to confidence. Shame +hindered me from acknowledging my past reserves. Ludloe, from the +nature of our intercourse, would certainly account my reserve, in +this respect, unjustifiable, and to excite his indignation or +contempt was an unpleasing undertaking. Now, if I should resolve +to persist in my new path, this reserve must be dismissed: I must +make him master of a secret which was precious to me beyond all +others; by acquainting him with past concealments, I must risk +incurring his suspicion and his anger. These reflections were +productive of considerable embarrassment. + +There was, indeed, an avenue by which to escape these +difficulties, if it did not, at the same time, plunge me into +greater. My confessions might, in other respects, be unbounded, +but my reserves, in this particular, might be continued. Yet +should I not expose myself to formidable perils? Would my secret +be for ever unsuspected and undiscovered? + +When I considered the nature of this faculty, the +impossibility of going farther than suspicion, since the agent +could be known only by his own confession, and even this confession +would not be believed by the greater part of mankind, I was tempted +to conceal it. + +In most cases, if I had asserted the possession of this power, +I should be treated as a liar; it would be considered as an absurd +and audacious expedient to free myself from the suspicion of having +entered into compact with a daemon, or of being myself an emissary +of the grand foe. Here, however, there was no reason to dread a +similar imputation, since Ludloe had denied the preternatural +pretensions of these airy sounds. + +My conduct on this occasion was nowise influenced by the +belief of any inherent sanctity in truth. Ludloe had taught me to +model myself in this respect entirely with a view to immediate +consequences. If my genuine interest, on the whole, was promoted +by veracity, it was proper to adhere to it; but, if the result of +my investigation were opposite, truth was to be sacrificed without +scruple. + + +*Paraguay. + + + +Chapter VII. + + +Meanwhile, in a point of so much moment, I was not hasty to +determine. My delay seemed to be, by no means, unacceptable to +Ludloe, who applauded my discretion, and warned me to be +circumspect. My attention was chiefly absorbed by considerations +connected with this subject, and little regard was paid to any +foreign occupation or amusement. + +One evening, after a day spent in my closet, I sought +recreation by walking forth. My mind was chiefly occupied by the +review of incidents which happened in Spain. I turned my face +towards the fields, and recovered not from my reverie, till I had +proceeded some miles on the road to Meath. The night had +considerably advanced, and the darkness was rendered intense, by +the setting of the moon. Being somewhat weary, as well as +undetermined in what manner next to proceed, I seated myself on a +grassy bank beside the road. The spot which I had chosen was aloof +from passengers, and shrowded in the deepest obscurity. + +Some time elapsed, when my attention was excited by the slow +approach of an equipage. I presently discovered a coach and six +horses, but unattended, except by coachman and postillion, and with +no light to guide them on their way. Scarcely had they passed the +spot where I rested, when some one leaped from beneath the hedge, +and seized the head of the fore-horses. Another called upon the +coachman to stop, and threatened him with instant death if he +disobeyed. A third drew open the coach-door, and ordered those +within to deliver their purses. A shriek of terror showed me that +a lady was within, who eagerly consented to preserve her life by +the loss of her money. + +To walk unarmed in the neighbourhood of Dublin, especially at +night, has always been accounted dangerous. I had about me the +usual instruments of defence. I was desirous of rescuing this +person from the danger which surrounded her, but was somewhat at a +loss how to effect my purpose. My single strength was insufficient +to contend with three ruffians. After a moment's debate, an +expedient was suggested, which I hastened to execute. + +Time had not been allowed for the ruffian who stood beside the +carriage to receive the plunder, when several voices, loud, +clamorous, and eager, were heard in the quarter whence the +traveller had come. By trampling with quickness, it was easy to +imitate the sound of many feet. The robbers were alarmed, and one +called upon another to attend. The sounds increased, and, at the +next moment, they betook themselves to flight, but not till a +pistol was discharged. Whether it was aimed at the lady in the +carriage, or at the coachman, I was not permitted to discover, for +the report affrighted the horses, and they set off at full speed. + +I could not hope to overtake them: I knew not whither the +robbers had fled, and whether, by proceeding, I might not fall into +their hands. . . . . These considerations induced me to resume my +feet, and retire from the scene as expeditiously as possible. I +regained my own habitation without injury. + +I have said that I occupied separate apartments from those of +Ludloe. To these there were means of access without disturbing the +family. I hasted to my chamber, but was considerably surprized to +find, on entering my apartment, Ludloe seated at a table, with a +lamp before him. + +My momentary confusion was greater than his. On discovering +who it was, he assumed his accustomed looks, and explained +appearances, by saying, that he wished to converse with me on a +subject of importance, and had therefore sought me at this secret +hour, in my own chamber. Contrary to his expectation, I was +absent. Conceiving it possible that I might shortly return, he had +waited till now. He took no further notice of my absence, nor +manifested any desire to know the cause of it, but proceeded to +mention the subject which had brought him hither. These were his +words. + +You have nothing which the laws permit you to call your own. +Justice entitles you to the supply of your physical wants, from +those who are able to supply them; but there are few who will +acknowledge your claim, or spare an atom of their superfluity to +appease your cravings. That which they will not spontaneously +give, it is not right to wrest from them by violence. What then is +to be done? + +Property is necessary to your own subsistence. It is useful, +by enabling you to supply the wants of others. To give food, and +clothing, and shelter, is to give life, to annihilate temptation, +to unshackle virtue, and propagate felicity. How shall property be +gained? + +You may set your understanding or your hands at work. You may +weave stockings, or write poems, and exchange them for money; but +these are tardy and meagre schemes. The means are disproportioned +to the end, and I will not suffer you to pursue them. My justice +will supply your wants. + +But dependance on the justice of others is a precarious +condition. To be the object is a less ennobling state than to be +the bestower of benefit. Doubtless you desire to be vested with +competence and riches, and to hold them by virtue of the law, and +not at the will of a benefactor. . . . . . He paused as if waiting +for my assent to his positions. I readily expressed my +concurrence, and my desire to pursue any means compatible with +honesty. He resumed. + +There are various means, besides labour, violence, or fraud. +It is right to select the easiest within your reach. It happens +that the easiest is at hand. A revenue of some thousands a year, +a stately mansion in the city, and another in Kildare, old and +faithful domestics, and magnificent furniture, are good things. +Will you have them? + +A gift like that, replied I, will be attended by momentous +conditions. I cannot decide upon its value, until I know these +conditions. + +The sole condition is your consent to receive them. Not even +the airy obligation of gratitude will be created by acceptance. On +the contrary, by accepting them, you will confer the highest +benefit upon another. + +I do not comprehend you. Something surely must be given in +return. + +Nothing. It may seem strange that, in accepting the absolute +controul of so much property, you subject yourself to no +conditions; that no claims of gratitude or service will accrue; but +the wonder is greater still. The law equitably enough fetters the +gift with no restraints, with respect to you that receive it; but +not so with regard to the unhappy being who bestows it. That being +must part, not only with property but liberty. In accepting the +property, you must consent to enjoy the services of the present +possessor. They cannot be disjoined. + +Of the true nature and extent of the gift, you should be fully +apprized. Be aware, therefore, that, together with this property, +you will receive absolute power over the liberty and person of the +being who now possesses it. That being must become your domestic +slave; be governed, in every particular, by your caprice. + +Happily for you, though fully invested with this power, the +degree and mode in which it will be exercised will depend upon +yourself. . . . . You may either totally forbear the exercise, or +employ it only for the benefit of your slave. However injurious, +therefore, this authority may be to the subject of it, it will, in +some sense, only enhance the value of the gift to you. + +The attachment and obedience of this being will be chiefly +evident in one thing. Its duty will consist in conforming, in +every instance, to your will. All the powers of this being are to +be devoted to your happiness; but there is one relation between +you, which enables you to confer, while exacting, pleasure. +. . . . This relation is ~~sexual~~. Your slave is a woman; and +the bond, which transfers her property and person to you, is +. . . . ~~marriage~~. + +My knowledge of Ludloe, his principles, and reasonings, ought +to have precluded that surprise which I experienced at the +conclusion of his discourse. I knew that he regarded the present +institution of marriage as a contract of servitude, and the terms +of it unequal and unjust. When my surprise had subsided, my +thoughts turned upon the nature of his scheme. After a pause of +reflection, I answered: + +Both law and custom have connected obligations with marriage, +which, though heaviest on the female, are not light upon the male. +Their weight and extent are not immutable and uniform; they are +modified by various incidents, and especially by the mental and +personal qualities of the lady. + +I am not sure that I should willingly accept the property and +person of a woman decrepid with age, and enslaved by perverse +habits and evil passions: whereas youth, beauty, and tenderness +would be worth accepting, even for their own sake, and disconnected +with fortune. + +As to altar vows, I believe they will not make me swerve from +equity. I shall exact neither service nor affection from my +spouse. The value of these, and, indeed, not only the value, but +the very existence, of the latter depends upon its spontaneity. A +promise to love tends rather to loosen than strengthen the tie. + +As to myself, the age of illusion is past. I shall not wed, +till I find one whose moral and physical constitution will make +personal fidelity easy. I shall judge without mistiness or +passion, and habit will come in aid of an enlightened and +deliberate choice. + +I shall not be fastidious in my choice. I do not expect, and +scarcely desire, much intellectual similitude between me and my +wife. Our opinions and pursuits cannot be in common. While women +are formed by their education, and their education continues in its +present state, tender hearts and misguided understandings are all +that we can hope to meet with. + +What are the character, age, and person of the woman to whom +you allude? and what prospect of success would attend my exertions +to obtain her favour? + +I have told you she is rich. She is a widow, and owes her +riches to the liberality of her husband, who was a trader of great +opulence, and who died while on a mercantile adventure to Spain. +He was not unknown to you. Your letters from Spain often spoke of +him. In short, she is the widow of Benington, whom you met at +Barcelona. She is still in the prime of life; is not without many +feminine attractions; has an ardent and credulent temper; and is +particularly given to devotion. This temper it would be easy to +regulate according to your pleasure and your interest, and I now +submit to you the expediency of an alliance with her. + +I am a kinsman, and regarded by her with uncommon deference; +and my commendations, therefore, will be of great service to you, +and shall be given. + +I will deal ingenuously with you. It is proper you should be +fully acquainted with the grounds of this proposal. The benefits +of rank, and property, and independence, which I have already +mentioned as likely to accrue to you from this marriage, are solid +and valuable benefits; but these are not the sole advantages, and +to benefit you, in these respects, is not my whole view. + +No. My treatment of you henceforth will be regulated by one +principle. I regard you only as one undergoing a probation or +apprenticeship; as subjected to trials of your sincerity and +fortitude. The marriage I now propose to you is desirable, because +it will make you independent of me. Your poverty might create an +unsuitable bias in favour of proposals, one of whose effects would +be to set you beyond fortune's reach. That bias will cease, when +you cease to be poor and dependent. + +Love is the strongest of all human delusions. That fortitude, +which is not subdued by the tenderness and blandishments of woman, +may be trusted; but no fortitude, which has not undergone that +test, will be trusted by us. + +This woman is a charming enthusiast. She will never marry but +him whom she passionately loves. Her power over the heart that +loves her will scarcely have limits. The means of prying into your +transactions, of suspecting and sifting your thoughts, which her +constant society with you, while sleeping and waking, her zeal and +watchfulness for your welfare, and her curiosity, adroitness, and +penetration will afford her, are evident. Your danger, therefore, +will be imminent. Your fortitude will be obliged to have recourse, +not to flight, but to vigilance. Your eye must never close. + +Alas! what human magnanimity can stand this test! How can I +persuade myself that you will not fail? I waver between hope and +fear. Many, it is true, have fallen, and dragged with them the +author of their ruin, but some have soared above even these perils +and temptations, with their fiery energies unimpaired, and great +has been, as great ought to be, their recompence. + +But you are doubtless aware of your danger. I need not repeat +the consequences of betraying your trust, the rigour of those who +will Judge your fault, the unerring and unbounded scrutiny to which +your actions, the most secret and indifferent, will be subjected. + +Your conduct, however, will be voluntary. At your own option +be it, to see or not to see this woman. Circumspection, +deliberation forethought, are your sacred duties and highest +interest. + + + +Chapter VIII. + + +Ludloe's remarks on the seductive and bewitching powers of +women, on the difficulty of keeping a secret which they wish to +know, and to gain which they employ the soft artillery of tears and +prayers, and blandishments and menaces, are familiar to all men, +but they had little weight with me, because they were unsupported +by my own experience. I had never had any intellectual or +sentimental connection with the sex. My meditations and pursuits +had all led a different way, and a bias had gradually been given to +my feelings, very unfavourable to the refinements of love. I +acknowledge, with shame and regret, that I was accustomed to regard +the physical and sensual consequences of the sexual relation as +realities, and every thing intellectual, disinterested, and heroic, +which enthusiasts connect with it as idle dreams. Besides, said I, +I am yet a stranger to the secret, on the preservation of which so +much stress is laid, and it will be optional with me to receive it +or not. If, in the progress of my acquaintance with Mrs. +Benington, I should perceive any extraordinary danger in the gift, +cannot I refuse, or at least delay to comply with any new +conditions from Ludloe? Will not his candour and his affection for +me rather commend than disapprove my diffidence? In fine, I +resolved to see this lady. + +She was, it seems, the widow of Benington, whom I knew in +Spain. This man was an English merchant settled at Barcelona, to +whom I had been commended by Ludloe's letters, and through whom my +pecuniary supplies were furnished. . . . . . . Much intercourse +and some degree of intimacy had taken place between us, and I had +gained a pretty accurate knowledge of his character. I had been +informed, through different channels, that his wife was much his +superior in rank, that she possessed great wealth in her own right, +and that some disagreement of temper or views occasioned their +separation. She had married him for love, and still doated on him: +the occasions for separation having arisen, it seems, not on her +side but on his. As his habits of reflection were nowise friendly +to religion, and as hers, according to Ludloe, were of the opposite +kind, it is possible that some jarring had arisen between them from +this source. Indeed, from some casual and broken hints of +Benington, especially in the latter part of his life, I had long +since gathered this conjecture. . . . . . . Something, thought I, +may be derived from my acquaintance with her husband favourable to +my views. + +I anxiously waited for an opportunity of acquainting Ludloe +with my resolution. On the day of our last conversation, he had +made a short excursion from town, intending to return the same +evening, but had continued absent for several days. As soon as he +came back, I hastened to acquaint him with my wishes. + +Have you well considered this matter, said he. Be assured it +is of no trivial import. The moment at which you enter the +presence of this woman will decide your future destiny. Even +putting out of view the subject of our late conversations, the +light in which you shall appear to her will greatly influence your +happiness, since, though you cannot fail to love her, it is quite +uncertain what return she may think proper to make. Much, +doubtless, will depend on your own perseverance and address, but +you will have many, perhaps insuperable obstacles to encounter on +several accounts, and especially in her attachment to the memory of +her late husband. As to her devout temper, this is nearly allied +to a warm imagination in some other respects, and will operate much +more in favour of an ardent and artful lover, than against him. + +I still expressed my willingness to try my fortune with her. + +Well, said he, I anticipated your consent to my proposal, and +the visit I have just made was to her. I thought it best to pave +the way, by informing her that I had met with one for whom she had +desired me to look out. You must know that her father was one of +these singular men who set a value upon things exactly in +proportion to the difficulty of obtaining or comprehending them. +His passion was for antiques, and his favourite pursuit during a +long life was monuments in brass, marble, and parchment, of the +remotest antiquity. He was wholly indifferent to the character or +conduct of our present sovereign and his ministers, but was +extremely solicitous about the name and exploits of a king of +Ireland that lived two or three centuries before the flood. He +felt no curiosity to know who was the father of his wife's child, +but would travel a thousand miles, and consume months, in +investigating which son of Noah it was that first landed on the +coast of Munster. He would give a hundred guineas from the mint +for a piece of old decayed copper no bigger than his nail, provided +it had aukward characters upon it, too much defaced to be read. +The whole stock of a great bookseller was, in his eyes, a cheap +exchange for a shred of parchment, containing half a homily written +by St. Patrick. He would have gratefully given all his +patrimonial domains to one who should inform him what pendragon or +druid it was who set up the first stone on Salisbury plain. + +This spirit, as you may readily suppose, being seconded by +great wealth and long life, contributed to form a very large +collection of venerable lumber, which, though beyond all price to +the collector himself, is of no value to his heiress but so far as +it is marketable. She designs to bring the whole to auction, but +for this purpose a catalogue and description are necessary. Her +father trusted to a faithful memory, and to vague and scarcely +legible memorandums, and has left a very arduous task to any one +who shall be named to the office. It occurred to me, that the best +means of promoting your views was to recommend you to this office. + +You are not entirely without the antiquarian frenzy yourself. +The employment, therefore, will be somewhat agreeable to you for +its own sake. It will entitle you to become an inmate of the same +house, and thus establish an incessant intercourse between you, and +the nature of the business is such, that you may perform it in what +time, and with what degree of diligence and accuracy you please. + +I ventured to insinuate that, to a woman of rank and family, +the character of a hireling was by no means a favourable +recommendation. + +He answered, that he proposed, by the account he should give +of me, to obviate every scruple of that nature. Though my father +was no better than a farmer, it is not absolutely certain but that +my remoter ancestors had princely blood in their veins: but as +long as proofs of my low extraction did not impertinently intrude +themselves, my silence, or, at most, equivocal surmises, seasonably +made use of, might secure me from all inconveniences on the score +of birth. He should represent me, and I was such, as his friend, +favourite, and equal, and my passion for antiquities should be my +principal inducement to undertake this office, though my poverty +would make no objection to a reasonable pecuniary recompense. + +Having expressed my acquiescence in his measures, he thus +proceeded: My visit was made to my kinswoman, for the purpose, as +I just now told you, of paving your way into her family; but, on my +arrival at her house, I found nothing but disorder and alarm. Mrs. +Benington, it seems, on returning from a longer ride than +customary, last Thursday evening, was attacked by robbers. Her +attendants related an imperfect tale of somebody advancing at the +critical moment to her rescue. It seems, however, they did more +harm than good; for the horses took to flight and overturned the +carriage, in consequence of which Mrs. Benington was severely +bruised. She has kept her bed ever since, and a fever was likely +to ensue, which has only left her out of danger to-day. + +As the adventure before related, in which I had so much +concern, occurred at the time mentioned by Ludloe, and as all other +circumstances were alike, I could not doubt that the person whom +the exertion of my mysterious powers had relieved was Mrs. +Benington: but what an ill-omened interference was mine! The +robbers would probably have been satisfied with the few guineas in +her purse, and, on receiving these, would have left her to +prosecute her journey in peace and security, but, by absurdly +offering a succour, which could only operate upon the fears of her +assailants, I endangered her life, first by the desperate discharge +of a pistol, and next by the fright of the horses. . . . . . . . +My anxiety, which would have been less if I had not been, in some +degree, myself the author of the evil, was nearly removed by +Ludloe's proceeding to assure me that all danger was at an end, and +that he left the lady in the road to perfect health. He had seized +the earliest opportunity of acquainting her with the purpose of his +visit, and had brought back with him her cheerful acceptance of my +services. The next week was appointed for my introduction. + +With such an object in view, I had little leisure to attend to +any indifferent object. My thoughts were continually bent upon the +expected introduction, and my impatience and curiosity drew +strength, not merely from the character of Mrs. Benington, but +from the nature of my new employment. Ludloe had truly observed, +that I was infected with somewhat of this antiquarian mania myself, +and I now remembered that Benington had frequently alluded to this +collection in possession of his wife. My curiosity had then been +more than once excited by his representations, and I had formed a +vague resolution of making myself acquainted with this lady and her +learned treasure, should I ever return to Ireland. . . . . Other +incidents had driven this matter from my mind. + +Meanwhile, affairs between Ludloe and myself remained +stationary. Our conferences, which were regular and daily, related +to general topics, and though his instructions were adapted to +promote my improvement in the most useful branches of knowledge, +they never afforded a glimpse towards that quarter where my +curiosity was most active. + +The next week now arrived, but Ludloe informed me that the +state of Mrs. Benington's health required a short excursion into +the country, and that he himself proposed to bear her company. The +journey was to last about a fortnight, after which I might prepare +myself for an introduction to her. + +This was a very unexpected and disagreeable trial to my +patience. The interval of solitude that now succeeded would have +passed rapidly and pleasantly enough, if an event of so much moment +were not in suspense. Books, of which I was passionately fond, +would have afforded me delightful and incessant occupation, and +Ludloe, by way of reconciling me to unavoidable delays, had given +me access to a little closet, in which his rarer and more valuable +books were kept. + +All my amusements, both by inclination and necessity, were +centered in myself and at home. Ludloe appeared to have no +visitants, and though frequently abroad, or at least secluded from +me, had never proposed my introduction to any of his friends, +except Mrs. Benington. My obligations to him were already too +great to allow me to lay claim to new favours and indulgences, nor, +indeed, was my disposition such as to make society needful to my +happiness. My character had been, in some degree, modelled by the +faculty which I possessed. This deriving all its supposed value +from impenetrable secrecy, and Ludloe's admonitions tending +powerfully to impress me with the necessity of wariness and +circumspection in my general intercourse with mankind, I had +gradually fallen into sedate, reserved, mysterious, and unsociable +habits. My heart wanted not a friend. + +In this temper of mind, I set myself to examine the novelties +which Ludloe's private book-cases contained. 'Twill be strange, +thought I, if his favourite volume do not show some marks of my +friend's character. To know a man's favourite or most constant +studies cannot fail of letting in some little light upon his secret +thoughts, and though he would not have given me the reading of +these books, if he had thought them capable of unveiling more of +his concerns than he wished, yet possibly my ingenuity may go one +step farther than he dreams of. You shall judge whether I was +right in my conjectures. + + + +Chapter IX. + + +The books which composed this little library were chiefly the +voyages and travels of the missionaries of the sixteenth and +seventeenth centuries. Added to these were some works upon +political economy and legislation. Those writers who have amused +themselves with reducing their ideas to practice, and drawing +imaginary pictures of nations or republics, whose manners or +government came up to their standard of excellence, were, all of +whom I had ever heard, and some I had never heard of before, to be +found in this collection. A translation of Aristotle's republic, +the political romances of sir Thomas Moore, Harrington, and Hume, +appeared to have been much read, and Ludlow had not been sparing of +his marginal comments. In these writers he appeared to find +nothing but error and absurdity; and his notes were introduced for +no other end than to point out groundless principles and false +conclusions. . . . . The style of these remarks was already +familiar to me. I saw nothing new in them, or different from the +strain of those speculations with which Ludlow was accustomed to +indulge himself in conversation with me. + +After having turned over the leaves of the printed volumes, I +at length lighted on a small book of maps, from which, of course, +I could reasonably expect no information, on that point about which +I was most curious. It was an atlas, in which the maps had been +drawn by the pen. None of them contained any thing remarkable, so +far as I, who was indeed a smatterer in geography, was able to +perceive, till I came to the end, when I noticed a map, whose +prototype I was wholly unacquainted with. It was drawn on a pretty +large scale, representing two islands, which bore some faint +resemblance, in their relative proportions, at least, to Great +Britain and Ireland. In shape they were widely different, but as +to size there was no scale by which to measure them. From the +great number of subdivisions, and from signs, which apparently +represented towns and cities, I was allowed to infer, that the +country was at least as extensive as the British isles. This map +was apparently unfinished, for it had no names inscribed upon it. + +I have just said, my geographical knowledge was imperfect. +Though I had not enough to draw the outlines of any country by +memory, I had still sufficient to recognize what I had before seen, +and to discover that none of the larger islands in our globe +resembled the one before me. Having such and so strong motives to +curiosity, you may easily imagine my sensations on surveying this +map. Suspecting, as I did, that many of Ludlow's intimations +alluded to a country well known to him, though unknown to others, +I was, of course, inclined to suppose that this country was now +before me. + +In search of some clue to this mystery, I carefully inspected +the other maps in this collection. In a map of the eastern +hemisphere I soon observed the outlines of islands, which, though +on a scale greatly diminished, were plainly similar to that of the +land above described. + +It is well known that the people of Europe are strangers to +very nearly one half of the surface of the globe.* From the south +pole up to the equator, it is only the small space occupied by +southern Africa and by South America with which we are acquainted. +There is a vast extent, sufficient to receive a continent as large +as North America, which our ignorance has filled only with water. +In Ludlow's maps nothing was still to be seen, in these regions, +but water, except in that spot where the transverse parallels of +the southern tropic and the 150th degree east longitude intersect +each other. On this spot were Ludlow's islands placed, though +without any name or inscription whatever. + +I needed not to be told that this spot had never been explored +by any European voyager, who had published his adventures. What +authority had Ludlow for fixing a habitable land in this spot? and +why did he give us nothing but the courses of shores and rivers, +and the scite of towns and villages, without a name? + +As soon as Ludlow had set out upon his proposed journey of a +fortnight, I unlocked his closet, and continued rummaging among +these books and maps till night. By that time I had turned over +every book and almost every leaf in this small collection, and did +not open the closet again till near the end of that period. +Meanwhile I had many reflections upon this remarkable circumstance. +Could Ludlow have intended that I should see this atlas? It was +the only book that could be styled a manuscript on these shelves, +and it was placed beneath several others, in a situation far from +being obvious and forward to the eye or the hand. Was it an +oversight in him to leave it in my way, or could he have intended +to lead my curiosity and knowledge a little farther onward by this +accidental disclosure? In either case how was I to regulate my +future deportment toward him? Was I to speak and act as if this +atlas had escaped my attention or not? I had already, after my +first examination of it, placed the volume exactly where I found +it. On every supposition I thought this was the safest way, and +unlocked the closet a second time, to see that all was precisely in +the original order. . . . . How was I dismayed and confounded on +inspecting the shelves to perceive that the atlas was gone. This +was a theft, which, from the closet being under lock and key, and +the key always in my own pocket, and which, from the very nature of +the thing stolen, could not be imputed to any of the domestics. +After a few moments a suspicion occurred, which was soon changed +intO certainty by applying to the housekeeper, who told me that +Ludlow had returned, apparently in much haste, the evening of the +day on which he had set out upon his journey, and just after I had +left the house, that he had gone into the room where this closet of +books was, and, after a few minutes' stay, came out again and went +away. She told me also, that he had made general enquiries after +me, to which she had answered, that she had not seen me during the +day, and supposed that I had spent the whole of it abroad. From +this account it was plain, that Ludlow had returned for no other +purpose but to remove this book out of my reach. But if he had a +double key to this door, what should hinder his having access, by +the same means, to every other locked up place in the house? + +This suggestion made me start with terror. Of so obvious a +means for possessing a knowledge of every thing under his roof, I +had never been till this moment aware. Such is the infatuation +which lays our most secret thoughts open to the world's scrutiny. +We are frequently in most danger when we deem ourselves most safe, +and our fortress is taken sometimes through a point, whose weakness +nothing, it should seem, but the blindest stupidity could overlook. + +My terrors, indeed, quickly subsided when I came to recollect +that there was nothing in any closet or cabinet of mine which could +possibly throw light upon subjects which I desired to keep in the +dark. The more carefully I inspected my own drawers, and the more +I reflected on the character of Ludlow, as I had known it, the less +reason did there appear in my suspicions; but I drew a lesson of +caution from this circumstance, which contributed to my future +safety. + +From this incident I could not but infer Ludlow's +unwillingness to let me so far into his geographical secret, as +well as the certainty of that suspicion, which had very early been +suggested to my thoughts, that Ludlow's plans of civilization had +been carried into practice in some unvisited corner of the world. +It was strange, however, that he should betray himself by such an +inadvertency. One who talked so confidently of his own powers, to +unveil any secret of mine, and, at the same time, to conceal his +own transactions, had surely committed an unpardonable error in +leaving this important document in my way. My reverence, indeed, +for Ludlow was such, that I sometimes entertained the notion that +this seeming oversight was, in truth, a regular contrivance to +supply me with a knowledge, of which, when I came maturely to +reflect, it was impossible for me to make any ill use. There is no +use in relating what would not be believed; and should I publish to +the world the existence of islands in the space allotted by +Ludlow's maps to these ~incognitae~, what would the world answer? +That whether the space described was sea or land was of no +importance. That the moral and political condition of its +inhabitants was the only topic worthy of rational curiosity. Since +I had gained no information upon this point; since I had nothing to +disclose but vain and fantastic surmises; I might as well be +ignorant of every thing. Thus, from secretly condemning Ludlow's +imprudence, I gradually passed to admiration of his policy. This +discovery had no other effect than to stimulate my curiosity; to +keep up my zeal to prosecute the journey I had commenced under his +auspices. + +I had hitherto formed a resolution to stop where I was in +Ludlow's confidence: to wait till the success should be +ascertained of my projects with respect to Mrs. Benington, before +I made any new advance in the perilous and mysterious road into +which he had led my steps. But, before this tedious fortnight had +elapsed, I was grown extremely impatient for an interview, and had +nearly resolved to undertake whatever obligation he should lay upon +me. + +This obligation was indeed a heavy one, since it included the +confession of my vocal powers. In itself the confession was +little. To possess this faculty was neither laudable nor culpable, +nor had it been exercised in a way which I should be very much +ashamed to acknowledge. It had led me into many insincerities and +artifices, which, though not justifiable by any creed, was entitled +to some excuse, on the score of youthful ardour and temerity. The +true difficulty in the way of these confessions was the not having +made them already. Ludlow had long been entitled to this +confidence, and, though the existence of this power was venial or +wholly innocent, the obstinate concealment of it was a different +matter, and would certainly expose me to suspicion and rebuke. But +what was the alternative? To conceal it. To incur those dreadful +punishments awarded against treason in this particular. Ludlow's +menaces still rung in my ears, and appalled my heart. How should +I be able to shun them? By concealing from every one what I +concealed from him? How was my concealment of such a faculty to be +suspected or proved? Unless I betrayed myself, who could betray +me? + +In this state of mind, I resolved to confess myself to Ludlow +in the way that he required, reserving only the secret of this +faculty. Awful, indeed, said I, is the crisis of my fate. If +Ludlow's declarations are true, a horrid catastrophe awaits me: +but as fast as my resolutions were shaken, they were confirmed anew +by the recollection--Who can betray me but myself? If I deny, who +is there can prove? Suspicion can never light upon the truth. If +it does, it can never be converted into certainty. Even my own +lips cannot confirm it, since who will believe my testimony? + +By such illusions was I fortified in my desperate resolution. +Ludlow returned at the time appointed. He informed me that Mrs. +Benington expected me next morning. She was ready to depart for +her country residence, where she proposed to spend the ensuing +summer, and would carry me along with her. In consequence of this +arrangement, he said, many months would elapse before he should see +me again. You will indeed, continued he, be pretty much shut up +from all society. Your books and your new friend will be your +chief, if not only companions. Her life is not a social one, +because she has formed extravagant notions of the importance of +lonely worship and devout solitude. Much of her time will be spent +in meditation upon pious books in her closet. Some of it in long +solitary rides in her coach, for the sake of exercise. Little will +remain for eating and sleeping, so that unless you can prevail upon +her to violate her ordinary rules for your sake, you will be left +pretty much to yourself. You will have the more time to reflect +upon what has hitherto been the theme of our conversations. You +can come to town when you want to see me. I shall generally be +found in these apartments. + +In the present state of my mind, though impatient to see Mrs. +Benington, I was still more impatient to remove the veil between +Ludlow and myself. After some pause, I ventured to enquire if +there was any impediment to my advancement in the road he had +already pointed out to my curiosity and ambition. + +He replied, with great solemnity, that I was already +acquainted with the next step to be taken in this road. If I was +prepared to make him my confessor, as to the past, the present, and +the future, ~~without exception or condition~~, but what arose from +defect of memory, he was willing to receive my confession. + +I declared myself ready to do so. + +I need not, he returned, remind you of the consequences of +concealment or deceit. I have already dwelt upon these +consequences. As to the past, you have already told me, perhaps, +all that is of any moment to know. It is in relation to the future +that caution will be chiefly necessary. Hitherto your actions have +been nearly indifferent to the ends of your future existence. +Confessions of the past are required, because they are an earnest +of the future character and conduct. Have you then--but this is +too abrupt. Take an hour to reflect and deliberate. Go by +yourself; take yourself to severe task, and make up your mind with +a full, entire, and unfailing resolution; for the moment in which +you assume this new obligation will make you a new being. +Perdition or felicity will hang upon that moment. + +This conversation was late in the evening. After I had +consented to postpone this subject, we parted, he telling me that +he would leave his chamber door open, and as soon as my mind was +made up I might come to him. + + +*The reader must be reminded that the incidents of this +narrative are supposed to have taken place before the voyages of +Bougainville and Cook.--Editor. + + + +Chapter X. + + +I retired accordingly to my apartment, and spent the +prescribed hour in anxious and irresolute reflections. They were +no other than had hitherto occurred, but they occurred with more +force than ever. Some fatal obstinacy, however, got possession of +me, and I persisted in the resolution of concealing ~~one thing~~. +We become fondly attached to objects and pursuits, frequently for +no conceivable reason but the pain and trouble they cost us. In +proportion to the danger in which they involve us do we cherish +them. Our darling potion is the poison that scorches our vitals. + +After some time, I went to Ludloe's apartment. I found him +solemn, and yet benign, at my entrance. After intimating my +compliance with the terms prescribed, which I did, in spite of all +my labour for composure, with accents half faultering, he proceeded +to put various questions to me, relative to my early history. + +I knew there was no other mode of accomplishing the end in +view, but by putting all that was related in the form of answers to +questions; and when meditating on the character of Ludloe, I +experienced excessive uneasiness as to the consummate art and +penetration which his questions would manifest. Conscious of a +purpose to conceal, my fancy invested my friend with the robe of a +judicial inquisitor, all whose questions should aim at extracting +the truth, and entrapping the liar. + +In this respect, however, I was wholly disappointed. All his +inquiries were general and obvious.--They betokened curiosity, but +not suspicion; yet there were moments when I saw, or fancied I saw, +some dissatisfaction betrayed in his features; and when I arrived +at that period of my story which terminated with my departure, as +his companion, for Europe, his pauses were, I thought, a little +longer and more museful than I liked. At this period, our first +conference ended. After a talk, which had commenced at a late +hour, and had continued many hours, it was time to sleep, and it +was agreed that next morning the conference should be renewed. + +On retiring to my pillow, and reviewing all the circumstances +of this interview, my mind was filled with apprehension and +disquiet. I seemed to recollect a thousand things, which showed +that Ludloe was not fully satisfied with my part in this interview. +A strange and nameless mixture of wrath and of pity appeared, on +recollection, in the glances which, from time to time, he cast upon +me. Some emotion played upon his features, in which, as my fears +conceived, there was a tincture of resentment and ferocity. In +vain I called my usual sophistries to my aid. In vain I pondered +on the inscrutable nature of my peculiar faculty. In vain I +endeavoured to persuade myself, that, by telling the truth, instead +of entitling myself to Ludloe's approbation, I should only excite +his anger, by what he could not but deem an attempt to impose upon +his belief an incredible tale of impossible events. I had never +heard or read of any instance of this faculty. I supposed the case +to be absolutely singular, and I should be no more entitled to +credit in proclaiming it, than if I should maintain that a certain +billet of wood possessed the faculty of articulate speech. It was +now, however, too late to retract. I had been guilty of a solemn +and deliberate concealment. I was now in the path in which there +was no turning back, and I must go forward. + +The return of day's encouraging beams in some degree quieted +my nocturnal terrors, and I went, at the appointed hour, to +Ludloe's presence. I found him with a much more cheerful aspect +than I expected, and began to chide myself, in secret, for the +folly of my late apprehensions. + +After a little pause, he reminded me, that he was only one +among many, engaged in a great and arduous design. As each of us, +continued he, is mortal, each of us must, in time, yield his post +to another.--Each of us is ambitious to provide himself a +successor, to have his place filled by one selected and instructed +by himself. All our personal feelings and affections are by no +means intended to be swallowed up by a passion for the general +interest; when they can be kept alive and be brought into play, in +subordination and subservience to the ~~great end~~, they are +cherished as useful, and revered as laudable; and whatever +austerity and rigour you may impute to my character, there are few +more susceptible of personal regards than I am. + +You cannot know, till ~~you~~ are what ~~I~~ am, what deep, +what all-absorbing interest I have in the success of my tutorship +on this occasion. Most joyfully would I embrace a thousand deaths, +rather than that you should prove a recreant. The consequences of +any failure in your integrity will, it is true, be fatal to +yourself: but there are some minds, of a generous texture, who are +more impatient under ills they have inflicted upon others, than of +those they have brought upon themselves; who had rather perish, +themselves, in infamy, than bring infamy or death upon a +benefactor. + +Perhaps of such noble materials is your mind composed. If I +had not thought so, you would never have been an object of my +regard, and therefore, in the motives that shall impel you to +fidelity, sincerity, and perseverance, some regard to my happiness +and welfare will, no doubt, have place. + +And yet I exact nothing from you on this score. If your own +safety be insufficient to controul you, you are not fit for us. +There is, indeed, abundant need of all possible inducements to make +you faithful. The task of concealing nothing from me must be easy. +That of concealing every thing from others must be the only arduous +one. The ~~first~~ you can hardly fail of performing, when the +exigence requires it, for what motive can you possibly have to +practice evasion or disguise with me? You have surely committed no +crime; you have neither robbed, nor murdered, nor betrayed. If you +have, there is no room for the fear of punishment or the terror of +disgrace to step in, and make you hide your guilt from me. You +cannot dread any further disclosure, because I can have no interest +in your ruin or your shame: and what evil could ensue the +confession of the foulest murder, even before a bench of +magistrates, more dreadful than that which will inevitably follow +the practice of the least concealment to me, or the least undue +disclosure to others? + +You cannot easily conceive the emphatical solemnity with which +this was spoken. Had he fixed piercing eyes on me while he spoke; +had I perceived him watching my looks, and labouring to penetrate +my secret thoughts, I should doubtless have been ruined: but he +fixed his eyes upon the floor, and no gesture or look indicated the +smallest suspicion of my conduct. After some pause, he continued, +in a more pathetic tone, while his whole frame seemed to partake of +his mental agitation. + +I am greatly at a loss by what means to impress you with a +full conviction of the truth of what I have just said. Endless are +the sophistries by which we seduce ourselves into perilous and +doubtful paths. What we do not see, we disbelieve, or we heed not. +The sword may descend upon our infatuated head from above, but we +who are, meanwhile, busily inspecting the ground at our feet, or +gazing at the scene around us, are not aware or apprehensive of its +irresistible coming. In this case, it must not be seen before it +is felt, or before that time comes when the danger of incurring it +is over. I cannot withdraw the veil, and disclose to your view the +exterminating angel. All must be vacant and blank, and the danger +that stands armed with death at your elbow must continue to be +totally invisible, till that moment when its vengeance is provoked +or unprovokable. I will do my part to encourage you in good, or +intimidate you from evil. I am anxious to set before you all the +motives which are fitted to influence your conduct; but how shall +I work on your convictions? + +Here another pause ensued, which I had not courage enough to +interrupt. He presently resumed. + +Perhaps you recollect a visit which you paid, on Christmas +day, in the year ----, to the cathedral church at Toledo. Do you +remember? + +A moment's reflection recalled to my mind all the incidents of +that day. I had good reason to remember them. I felt no small +trepidation when Ludloe referred me to that day, for, at the +moment, I was doubtful whether there had not been some bivocal +agency exerted On that occasion. Luckily, however, it was almost +the only similar occasion in which it had been wholly silent. + +I answered in the affirmative. I remember them perfectly. + +And yet, said Ludloe, with a smile that seemed intended to +disarm this declaration of some of its terrors, I suspect your +recollection is not as exact as mine, nor, indeed, your knowledge +as extensive. You met there, for the first time, a female, whose +nominal uncle, but real father, a dean of that ancient church, +resided in a blue stone house, the third from the west angle of the +square of St. Jago. + +All this was exactly true. + +This female, continued he, fell in love with you. Her passion +made her deaf to all the dictates of modesty and duty, and she gave +you sufficient intimations, in subsequent interviews at the same +place, of this passion; which, she being fair and enticing, you +were not slow in comprehending and returning. As not only the +safety of your intercourse, but even of both your lives, depended +on being shielded even from suspicion, the utmost wariness and +caution was observed in all your proceedings. Tell me whether you +succeeded in your efforts to this end. + +I replied, that, at the time, I had no doubt but I had. + +And yet, said he, drawing something from his pocket, and +putting it into my hand, there is the slip of paper, with the +preconcerted emblem inscribed upon it, which the infatuated girl +dropped in your sight, one evening, in the left aisle of that +church. That paper you imagined you afterwards burnt in your +chamber lamp. In pursuance of this token, you deferred your +intended visit, and next day the lady was accidentally drowned, in +passing a river. Here ended your connexion with her, and with her +was buried, as you thought, all memory of this transaction. + +I leave you to draw your own inference from this disclosure. +Meditate upon it when alone. Recal all the incidents of that +drama, and labour to conceive the means by which my sagacity has +been able to reach events that took place so far off, and under so +deep a covering. If you cannot penetrate these means, learn to +reverence my assertions, that I cannot be deceived; and let +sincerity be henceforth the rule of your conduct towards me, not +merely because it is right, but because concealment is impossible. + +We will stop here. There is no haste required of us. +Yesterday's discourse will suffice for to-day, and for many days to +come. Let what has already taken place be the subject of profound +and mature reflection. Review, once more, the incidents of your +early life, previous to your introduction to me, and, at our next +conference, prepare to supply all those deficiencies occasioned by +negligence, forgetfulness, or design on our first. There must be +some. There must be many. The whole truth can only be disclosed +after numerous and repeated conversations. These must take place +at considerable intervals, and when ~~all~~ is told, then shall you +be ready to encounter the final ordeal, and load yourself with +heavy and terrific sanctions. + +I shall be the proper judge of the completeness of your +confession.--Knowing previously, and by unerring means, your whole +history, I shall be able to detect all that is deficient, as well +as all that is redundant. Your confessions have hitherto adhered +to the truth, but deficient they are, and they must be, for who, at +a single trial, can detail the secrets of his life? whose +recollection can fully serve him at an instant's notice? who can +free himself, by a single effort, from the dominion of fear and +shame? We expect no miracles of fortitude and purity from our +disciples. It is our discipline, our wariness, our laborious +preparation that creates the excellence we have among us. We find +it not ready made. + +I counsel you to join Mrs. Benington without delay. You may +see me when and as often as you please. When it is proper to renew +the present topic, it shall be renewed. Till then we will be +silent.--Here Ludloe left me alone, but not to indifference or +vacuity. Indeed I was overwhelmed with the reflections that arose +from this conversation. So, said I, I am still saved, if I have +wisdom enough to use the opportunity, from the consequences of past +concealments. By a distinction which I had wholly overlooked, but +which could not be missed by the sagacity and equity of Ludloe, I +have praise for telling the truth, and an excuse for withholding +some of the truth. It was, indeed, a praise to which I was +entitled, for I have made no ~~additions~~ to the tale of my early +adventures. I had no motive to exaggerate or dress out in false +colours. What I sought to conceal, I was careful to exclude +entirely, that a lame or defective narrative might awaken no +suspicions. + +The allusion to incidents at Toledo confounded and bewildered +all my thoughts. I still held the paper he had given me. So far +as memory could be trusted, it was the same which, an hour after I +had received it, I burnt, as I conceived, with my own hands. How +Ludloe came into possession of this paper; how he was apprised of +incidents, to which only the female mentioned and myself were +privy; which she had too good reason to hide from all the world, +and which I had taken infinite pains to bury in oblivion, I vainly +endeavoured to conjecture. + + + + + +End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of Memoirs of Carwin the Biloquist + diff --git a/old/moctb10.zip b/old/moctb10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..85a3721 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/moctb10.zip |