memoirs of carwin the biloquist-第3章
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d 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
