memoirs of carwin the biloquist(卡尔维恩)-第5节
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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
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MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST ＇A fragment＇
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
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MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST ＇A fragment＇
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
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MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST ＇A fragment＇
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。
