memoirs of carwin the biloquist(卡尔维恩)-第5章
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were by no means disappointed。 Detested labour was exchanged for
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MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST ＇A fragment＇
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
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MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST ＇A fragment＇
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
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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
