memoirs of carwin the biloquist(卡尔维恩)-第13节
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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
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MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST ＇A fragment＇
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
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MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST ＇A fragment＇
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
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MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST ＇A fragment＇
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
