按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
hands of Sir William Thomson。' The other remained in Fleeming's
hands； and was a source of infinite occupation。 Once it was sent
to London； 'to bring back on the tinfoil the tones of a lady
distinguished for clear vocalisations； at another time Sir Robert
Christison was brought in to contribute his powerful bass'； and
there scarcely came a visitor about the house； but he was made the
subject of experiment。 The visitors； I am afraid； took their parts
lightly： Mr。 Hole and I； with unscientific laughter； commemorating
various shades of Scotch accent； or proposing to 'teach the poor
dumb animal to swear。' But Fleeming and Mr。 Ewing； when we
butterflies were gone； were laboriously ardent。 Many thoughts that
occupied the later years of my friend were caught from the small
utterance of that toy。 Thence came his inquiries into the roots of
articulate language and the foundations of literary art； his papers
on vowel sounds； his papers in the SATURDAY REVIEW upon the laws of
verse； and many a strange approximation； many a just note； thrown
out in talk and now forgotten。 I pass over dozens of his
interests； and dwell on this trifling matter of the phonograph；
because it seems to me that it depicts the man。 So； for Fleeming；
one thing joined into another； the greater with the less。 He cared
not where it was he scratched the surface of the ultimate mystery …
in the child's toy； in the great tragedy； in the laws of the
tempest； or in the properties of energy or mass … certain that
whatever he touched； it was a part of life … and however he touched
it； there would flow for his happy constitution interest and
delight。 'All fables have their morals；' says Thoreau； 'but the
innocent enjoy the story。' There is a truth represented for the
imagination in these lines of a noble poem； where we are told； that
in our highest hours of visionary clearness； we can but
'see the children sport upon the shore
And hear the mighty waters rolling evermore。'
To this clearness Fleeming had attained； and although he heard the
voice of the eternal seas and weighed its message； he was yet able；
until the end of his life； to sport upon these shores of death and
mystery with the gaiety and innocence of children。
IV。
It was as a student that I first knew Fleeming； as one of that
modest number of young men who sat under his ministrations in a
soul…chilling class…room at the top of the University buildings。
His presence was against him as a professor： no one； least of all
students； would have been moved to respect him at first sight：
rather short in stature； markedly plain； boyishly young in manner；
cocking his head like a terrier with every mark of the most
engaging vivacity and readiness to be pleased； full of words； full
of paradox； a stranger could scarcely fail to look at him twice； a
man thrown with him in a train could scarcely fail to be engaged by
him in talk； but a student would never regard him as academical。
Yet he had that fibre in him that order always existed in his
class…room。 I do not remember that he ever addressed me in
language； at the least sign of unrest； his eye would fall on me and
I was quelled。 Such a feat is comparatively easy in a small class；
but I have misbehaved in smaller classes and under eyes more
Olympian than Fleeming Jenkin's。 He was simply a man from whose
reproof one shrank； in manner the least buckrammed of mankind； he
had； in serious moments； an extreme dignity of goodness。 So it was
that he obtained a power over the most insubordinate of students；
but a power of which I was myself unconscious。 I was inclined to
regard any professor as a joke； and Fleeming as a particularly good
joke； perhaps the broadest in the vast pleasantry of my curriculum。
I was not able to follow his lectures； I somehow dared not
misconduct myself； as was my customary solace； and I refrained from
attending。 This brought me at the end of the session into a
relation with my contemned professor that completely opened my
eyes。 During the year； bad student as I was； he had shown a
certain leaning to my society； I had been to his house； he had
asked me to take a humble part in his theatricals； I was a master
in the art of extracting a certificate even at the cannon's mouth；
and I was under no apprehension。 But when I approached Fleeming； I
found myself in another world； he would have naught of me。 'It is
quite useless for YOU to come to me； Mr。 Stevenson。 There may be
doubtful cases； there is no doubt about yours。 You have simply NOT
attended my class。' The document was necessary to me for family
considerations； and presently I stooped to such pleadings and rose
to such adjurations； as made my ears burn to remember。 He was
quite unmoved； he had no pity for me。 … 'You are no fool；' said he；
'and you chose your course。' I showed him that he had misconceived
his duty； that certificates were things of form； attendance a
matter of taste。 Two things； he replied； had been required for
graduation； a certain competency proved in the final trials and a
certain period of genuine training proved by certificate； if he did
as I desired； not less than if he gave me hints for an examination；
he was aiding me to steal a degree。 'You see； Mr。 Stevenson； these
are the laws and I am here to apply them；' said he。 I could not
say but that this view was tenable； though it was new to me； I
changed my attack： it was only for my father's eye that I required
his signature； it need never go to the Senatus； I had already
certificates enough to justify my year's attendance。 'Bring them
to me； I cannot take your word for that；' said he。 'Then I will
consider。' The next day I came charged with my certificates； a
humble assortment。 And when he had satisfied himself； 'Remember；'
said he； 'that I can promise nothing； but I will try to find a form
of words。' He did find one； and I am still ashamed when I think of
his shame in giving me that paper。 He made no reproach in speech；
but his manner was the more eloquent； it told me plainly what a
dirty business we were on； and I went from his presence； with my
certificate indeed in my possession； but with no answerable sense
of triumph。 That was the bitter beginning of my love for Fleeming；
I never thought lightly of him afterwards。
Once； and once only； after our friendship was truly founded； did we
come to a considerable difference。 It was； by the rules of poor
humanity； my fault and his。 I had been led to dabble in society
journalism； and this coming to his ears； he felt it like a disgrace
upon himself。 So far he was exactly in the right； but he was
scarce happily inspired when he broached the subject at his own
table and before guests who were strangers to me。 It was the sort
of error he was always ready to repent； but always certain to
repeat； and on this occas