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！
… Page 31…
MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST ＇A fragment＇
indeed； were the effects equally disastrous； and they were； for the most
part； the result of well digested projects。
To recount these would be an endless task。 They were designed as
mere specimens of power； to illustrate the influence of superstition： to
give sceptics the consolation of certainty： to annihilate the scruples of a
tender female； or facilitate my access to the bosoms of courtiers and
monks。
The first achievement of this kind took place in the convent of the
Escurial。 For some time the hospitality of this brotherhood allowed me a
cell in that magnificent and gloomy fabric。 I was drawn hither chiefly by
the treasures of Arabian literature； which are preserved here in the keeping
of a learned Maronite； from Lebanon。 Standing one evening on the steps
of the great altar； this devout friar expatiated on the miraculous evidences
of his religion； and； in a moment of enthusiasm； appealed to San Lorenzo；
whose martyrdom was displayed before us。 No sooner was the appeal
made than the saint； obsequious to the summons； whispered his responses
from the shrine； and commanded the heretic to tremble and believe。 This
event was reported to the convent。 With whatever reluctance； I could not
refuse my testimony to its truth； and its influence on my faith was clearly
shewn in my subsequent conduct。
A lady of rank； in Seville； who had been guilty of many unauthorized
indulgences； was； at last； awakened to remorse； by a voice from Heaven；
which she imagined had commanded her to expiate her sins by an
abstinence from all food for thirty days。 Her friends found it impossible
to outroot this persuasion； or to overcome her resolution even by force。 I
chanced to be one in a numerous company where she was present。 This
fatal illusion was mentioned； and an opportunity afforded to the lady of
defending her scheme。 At a pause in the discourse； a voice was heard
from the ceiling； which confirmed the truth of her tale； but； at the same
time revoked the command； and； in consideration of her faith； pronounced
her absolution。 Satisfied with this proof； the auditors dismissed their
unbelief； and the lady consented to eat。
In the course of a copious correspondence with Ludlow； the
31
… Page 32…
MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST ＇A fragment＇
observations I had collected were given。 A sentiment； which I can hardly
describe； induced me to be silent on all adventures connected with my
bivocal projects。 On other topics； I wrote fully； and without restraint。 I
painted； in vivid hues； the scenes with which I was daily conversant； and
pursued； fearlessly； every speculation on religion and government that
occurred。 This spirit was encouraged by Ludloe； who failed not to
comment on my narrative； and multiply deductions from my principles。
He taught me to ascribe the evils that infest society to the errors of
opinion。 The absurd and unequal distribution of power and property
gave birth to poverty and riches； and these were the sources of luxury and
crimes。 These positions were readily admitted； but the remedy for these
ills； the means of rectifying these errors were not easily discovered。 We
have been inclined to impute them to inherent defects in the moral
constitution of men： that oppression and tyranny grow up by a sort of
natural necessity； and that they will perish only when the human species is
extinct。 Ludloe laboured to prove that this was； by no means； the case： that
man is the creature of circumstances： that he is capable of endless
improvement： that his progress has been stopped by the artificial
impediment of government： that by the removal of this； the fondest
dreams of imagination will be realized。
From detailing and accounting for the evils which exist under our
present institutions； he usually proceeded to delineate some scheme of
Utopian felicity； where the empire of reason should supplant that of force：
where justice should be universally understood and practised； where the
interest of the whole and of the individual should be seen by all to be the
same； where the public good should be the scope of all activity； where the
tasks of all should be the same； and the means of subsistence equally
distributed。
No one could contemplate his pictures without rapture。 By their
comprehensiveness and amplitude they filled the imagination。 I was
unwilling to believe that in no region of the world； or at no period could
these ideas be realized。 It was plain that the nations of Europe were
tending to greater depravity； and would be the prey of perpetual vicissitude。
32
… Page 33…
MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST ＇A fragment＇
All individual attempts at their reformation would be fruitless。 He
therefore who desired the diffusion of right principles； to make a just
system be adopted by a whole community； must pursue some
extraordinary method。
In this state of mind I recollected my native country； where a few
colonists from Britain had sown the germe of populous and mighty
empires。 Attended； as they were； into their new abode； by all their
prejudices； yet such had been the influence of new circumstances； of
consulting for their own happiness； of adopting simple forms of
government； and excluding nobles and kings from their system； that they
enjoyed a degree of happiness far superior to their parent state。
To conquer the prejudices and change the habits of millions； are
impossible。 The human mind； exposed to social influences； inflexibly
adheres to the direction that is given to it； but for the same reason wh