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！
had meditated； yet a belief of this connexion； though wavering and obscure； lurked in my mind； something more than a coincidence merely casual； appeared to have subsisted between my situation； at my father's bed side； and the flash that darted through the window； and diverted me from my design。 It palsied my courage； and strengthened my conviction； that my scheme was criminal。
After some time had elapsed； and tranquility was； in some degree； restored in the family； my father reverted to the circumstances in which I had been discovered on the first alarm of this event。 The truth was impossible to be told。 I felt the utmost reluctance to be guilty of a falsehood； but by falsehood only could I elude detection。 That my guilt was the offspring of a fatal necessity； that the injustice of others gave it birth and made it unavoidable； afforded me slight consolation。 Nothing can be more injurious than a lie； but its evil tendency chiefly respects our future conduct。 Its direct consequences may be transient and few； but it facilitates a repetition； strengthens temptation； and grows into habit。 I pretended some necessity had drawn me from my bed； and that discovering the condition of the barn； I hastened to inform my father。
Some time after this； my father summoned me to his presence。 I had been previously guilty of disobedience to his commands； in a matter about which he was usually very scrupulous。 My brother had been privy to my offence； and had threatened to be my accuser。 On this occasion I expected nothing but arraignment and punishment。 Weary of oppression； and hopeless of any change in my father's temper and views； I had formed the resolution of eloping from his house； and of trusting； young as I was； to the caprice of fortune。 I was hesitating whether to abscond without the knowledge of the family； or to make my resolutions known to them； and while I avowed my resolution； to adhere to it in spite of opposition and remonstrances； when I received this summons。
I was employed at this time in the field； night was approaching； and I had made no preparation for departure； all the preparation in my power to make； was indeed small； a few clothes； made into a bundle； was the sum of my possessions。 Time would have little influence in improving my prospects； and I resolved to execute my scheme immediately。
I left my work intending to seek my chamber； and taking what was my own； to disappear forever。 I turned a stile that led out of the field into a bye path； when my father appeared before me； advancing in an opposite direction； to avoid him was impossible； and I summoned my fortitude to a conflict with his passion。
As soon as we met； instead of anger and upbraiding； he told me； that he had been reflecting on my aunt's proposal； to take me under her protection； and had concluded that the plan was proper； if I still retained my wishes on that head； he would readily comply with them； and that； if I chose； I might set off for the city next morning； as a neighbours waggon was preparing to go。
I shall not dwell on the rapture with which this proposal was listened to： it was with difficulty that I persuaded myself that he was in earnest in making it； nor could divine the reasons； for so sudden and unexpected a change in his maxims。 。 。 。 These I afterwards discovered。 Some one had instilled into him fears； that my aunt exasperated at his opposition to her request； respecting the unfortunate Frank； would bequeath her property to strangers； to obviate this evil； which his avarice prompted him to regard as much greater than any mischief； that would accrue to me； from the change of my abode； he embraced her proposal。
I entered with exultation and triumph on this new scene； my hopes were by no means disappointed。 Detested labour was exchanged for 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 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 ani