Part 19
[20] Supply ‘as also’ before ‘money’; in common, +gemeinschaftlich+.
[21] My parents consider it their duty to help their neighbours in every emergency, +meine Eltern halten es für ihre Pflicht, ihren Nachbarn in jeder Not und Gefahr beizustehen+.
[22] Insert ‘+und zwar+’ before ‘without’, which will improve the rendering very much.
[23] +von+.
[24] 1 sh. = 1 +Mark+; a month, +monatlich, jeden Monat+, or +alle Monate+.
[25] +doch die Bürgerlichen+; repeat ‘+Mark+’ after ‘+ten+’.
[26] and sent = and are being sent (see S. 2, N. 1).
[27] = children.
_Section 168._
RUSSIAN POLITICAL PRISONERS IN BANISHMENT.
IV.
Daily a gendarme visits[1] their lodgings, inspects[2] the premises when and how he pleases[3], and now[4] and then makes some mysterious entry in his note book. Should[5] any of their number carry a warm dinner, a pair of newly-mended boots, or a change of linen to some passing exile lodged for the moment in the police-ward, it is just as likely as not marked against him as a crime. It is a crime to[6] come and see a friend off, or accompany[7] him a little on the way. In[8] fact, should the Ispravnik feel[9] out of sorts—the effect of cards[10] and drink—he[11] vents his bad temper on the exiles; and as[12] cards and drink are the only amusements in these dreary regions, crimes[13] are often marked down against the exiles in astonishing numbers, and[14] a report of them sent to the Governor of the province.
Winter lasts eight months, a[15] period during which the surrounding[16] country presents the appearance of a noiseless[17], lifeless, frozen marsh. No roads, no communication with the outer world, no means of[18] escape. In course of time almost every exile is attacked[19] by nervous convulsions, soon[20] followed by prolonged apathy and complete prostration. Some of them contrive[21] to forge passports, and by a miracle, as[22] it were, make their escape; but the great majority of these victims of the Third Section[23] either go mad, commit suicide, or die of[24] delirium tremens.—JAMES ALLEN.
[1] visits = comes into.
[2] = who inspects (+untersu´chen+) the house.
[3] Do as you please, +thun Sie, wie es Ihnen beliebt+.
[4] now and then, +dann und wann+, or +von Zeit zu Zeit+, after which insert the adverbs +auch wohl+; some = a; to make an entry in a book, +eine Bemerkung in ein Buch eintragen+.
[5] Arrange this period in the following manner: ‘Should one of them to a for the moment in the police-ward lodged (+untergebracht+) _and_ passing (+durchreisend+) exile ever (+je+) a warm dinner, a pair _of_ newly-soled boots, or some clean linen (+Wäsche+, f.) bring, then (+so+) is (Passive) to him this very (S. 161, N. 2) likely as a crime ascribed (+zur Last geschrieben+)’.
[6] He came and saw his friend off, +er sagte seinem abreisenden Freunde Lebewohl+.
[7] Will you accompany me a little on my way? +Wollen Sie mich auf meinem Wege eine kleine Strecke begleiten?+
[8] = In short, +Kurz+.
[9] to feel out of sorts, +übler Laune sein+. Insert the adv. +einmal+ after the subject.
[10] = card-playing; see S. 3, N. 2, and S. 10, N. 9.
[11] he — exiles, +so müssen ihm die Verbannten dafür büßen+.
[12] The adverbial circumstance of place ‘in — regions’ is best placed immediately after the conj.
[13] crimes — numbers = an astonishing number of crimes is often ascribed to the exiles. Read App. § 5.
[14] and — sent to = and reported (+melden+) to.
[15] a — which = during which time.
[16] = whole.
[17] See S. 71, N. 2, which rule applies likewise to adjectives; ‘frozen’, here +zu Eis erstarrt+.
[18] +zu+, contracted with the art.
[19] ‘to be attacked’, here +heimgesucht werden+.
[20] = upon which soon follows a state (+Zustand+, m.) of prolonged (+dauernd+) apathy (+Stumpfsinn+, m.) and complete (+gänzlich+) prostration (+Hinfälligkeit der Lebenskräfte+).
[21] He contrived to forge a passport, +es gelang ihm, einen falschen Paß herzustellen+.
[22] as it were, +gleichsam+, which place after ‘and’; by = through, +durch+; to make one’s escape, +entkommen+, insep. comp. str. v. intr.
[23] +‘Die dritte Abteilung’ nennt man in Rußland das gefürchtete Departement des Polizeiministeriums, welches mit der geheimen Polizei betraut ist.+
[24] +an+, contracted with the Dat. of the def. art.
_Section 169._
Tahiti[1].
I.
At[2] daylight Tahiti, an island which must for ever remain[3] classical to the voyager in the South Sea, was in view. At a distance the appearance[4] was not attractive. The[5] luxuriant vegetation of the lower[6] part could not yet be seen; and as the clouds rolled[7] past, only the wildest[8] and most precipitous peaks showed themselves[9] towards[10] the centre of the island. As soon as we anchored in[11] Matavai Bay we[12] were surrounded by canoes. After dinner we landed and enjoyed the delights[13] always[14] produced by the first impressions of a fine country. A crowd _of_ men, women, and children was collected on the shore, _ready_ to (S. 19, N. 7) receive us with laughing, merry faces. They[15] marshalled us towards the house of (S. 10, N. 2) Mr. Wilson, the[16] missionary of the district, who met[17] us on the road, and gave[18] us a very fine reception. After sitting[19] a short time in his house, we separated from our host to[20] walk about, and[21] returned in the evening.
The[22] land capable of cultivation is[23] scarcely in any part more than a fringe of low alluvial soil, accumulated round[24] the base of the mountains, and[25] protected from the waves of the sea by a coral reef, which encircles the entire line of coast. Within the reef there[26] is an expanse of smooth water, like that of a lake, where[27] the canoes of the natives can ply with safety, and where[28] ships anchor. The low land, which[29] comes down to the beach of coral sand, is covered[30] by the most beautiful productions of[31] the intertropical regions. In the midst of bananas[32], orange, cocoa-nut, and bread-fruit trees, spots[33] are cleared where yams[34], potatoes, the sugar-cane, and pine-apples are cultivated[35].
[1] +~Tahiti~ ist die größte der Gesellschaftsinseln+ (Society Islands) +im stillen Meere oder der Südsee+ (Pacific Ocean) +und besitzt ungefähr 9200 Einwohner, welche seit 1813 durch englische Missionäre zum Christentum bekehrt sind. Die Bibel ist in die Sprache der Eingebornen übersetzt, und auch in den Kirchen und Schulen wird in der Landessprache gepredigt und gelehrt.+
[2] = At the break of day (+Beim Tagesanbruch+) we saw Tahiti.
[3] = appear, +erscheinen+. The words ‘to — Sea’ must be placed after the rel. pron., and are followed by ‘for ever’ (+stets+).
[4] = view.
[5] Use the active Voice of the verb with ‘+man+’, which should commence the clause.
[6] ‘lower’, here +niedriger belegen+.
[7] rolled past, +an uns vorüberzogen+.
[8] +wüst.+
[9] Supply ‘to us’ after ‘themselves’.
[10] = in the middle.
[11] +in der Bucht von Matavai.+
[12] = we found ourselves surrounded by (+von+) canoes (+Baumkahn+, m.).
[13] +Freuden.+
[14] Say ‘which the first sight of a fine country always produces (+hervor´rufen+) within us’.
[15] = These conducted us.
[16] +des Bezirksmissionärs.+
[17] He will meet me on the road, +er wird mir halbwegs entge´genkommen+.
[18] to give a person a very fine reception, +einen höchst freundlich bewillkommnen+.
[19] +verweilen+; construe this clause accord. to S. 55, N. 1.
[20] Inf. +einen Spaziergang machen+.
[21] = from which we returned in the evening (+abends+).
[22] +Der kulturfähige Teil der Insel.+
[23] is — soil = consists nearly everywhere only of (+aus+) a narrow strip of low (+niedrig belegen+) alluvial land (use the Gen. without the art.).
[24] round the base, +rings herum am Fuße+.
[25] Say ‘and is protected’; from, +vor+.
[26] there is = finds itself (+sich befinden+); an expanse of water, +eine ausgedehnte Wasserfläche+; ‘smooth’, here +fast spiegelglatt+.
[27] The literal rendering of this passage would not read well, say ‘which (to agree with +Wasserfläche+) affords (App. § 5) perfect (+völlig+) safety to the canoes of the natives’.
[28] = in which.
[29] = which reaches down (+hinun´terreichen+) to (+bis zu+) the beach consisting of coral-sand.—Use the attributive const., S. 48, N. 6.
[30] ‘covered’, here +bewachsen+; by, +mit+.
[31] +der zwischen den Tropen belegenen Gegenden.+
[32] See S. 71, N. 2.
[33] to clear a spot (of trees, etc.), +eine Stelle urbar machen+.
[34] +Yamswurzeln.+
[35] +bauen.+
_Section 170._
TAHITI.
II.
Even the brush-wood is[1] an imported fruit-tree, _namely_ the guava[2], which grows in abundance here. In Brazil I have often admired the varied[3] beauty of the bananas (S. 71, N. 2), palms, and orange-trees contrasted[4] together; and here we also have the bread-fruit[5], conspicuous[6] from its large, glossy, _and_ deeply digitated leaves. It is admirable[7] to behold groves of a tree, sending[8] forth its branches with the vigour of an English oak, loaded[9] with large _and_ most nutritious fruit[10].
However[11] seldom the usefulness of an object can account for the pleasure of beholding it, in the case of these beautiful woods, the knowledge of their high productiveness, no doubt, enters largely into the feeling of admiration. The[12] little winding paths, cool from the surrounding shade, led to the scattered[13] houses, the owners of which everywhere gave[14] us a cheerful[15] _and_ most hospitable reception.
I[16] was pleased with nothing so much as with the inhabitants. There[17] is a mildness in the expression of their countenances which at once banishes the idea of[18] a savage, and an intelligence[19] which shows that they are[20] advancing in civilisation. The common people, when working, keep[21] the upper part of their bodies quite naked; and[22] it is then that the Tahitians are seen to advantage. They are very tall, broad-shouldered, athletic, and well proportioned. It (S. 4, N. 4, +man+) has been remarked that[23] it requires little habit to make a dark skin more pleasing and natural to the eye of a European than his own colour.
[1] = consists of.
[2] +der Gujavabaum, dessen pomeranzenartige+ (orange-like) +Früchte in Zucker eingemacht oder auch in Gelee verwandelt versandt werden.+
[3] +mannigfaltig+.
[4] Say ‘which form such a great contrast’.
[5] +Brotbaum+, m.
[6] conspicuous, +welcher ... sogleich auffällt+, i.e. strikes the eye; from, +durch+; its deeply digitated leaves, +seine tief eingeschnittenen, fingerförmigen Blätter+.
[7] = splendid; groves of a tree = a forest of trees.
[8] = spreading out their, etc.
[9] = and are at the same time (+dabei+) loaded.
[10] Use this noun in the pl.
[11] Arrange this period thus: ‘Although the usefulness of an object perhaps only seldom explains to us the pleasure, which we experience at the sight of the same, yet (+so ... doch+) our admiration at the sight of these splendid groves (+Wälder+) is no doubt considerably influenced by (= through) our knowledge of (+von+) their great fertility.
[12] The — shade = The narrow, winding (+sich schlängelnd+), shady _and_ cool foot-paths.
[13] +zerstreut liegend.+
[14] +gewähren.+
[15] +freundlich+, but here +wohlwollend+, in order to avoid a repetition of the same term, since ‘hospitable’ must be turned by +gastfreundlich+; reception, +Aufnahme+, f.
[16] Say ‘Nothing gave (+machen+) me greater joy than just (+gerade+) the inhabitants’.
[17] Say ‘The expression of their faces (+Ihr Gesichtsausdruck+) bears a mildness (+Sanftmut+, f.), which’, etc.
[18] = of savages.
[19] +Intelligenz+, f.
[20] are advancing = make progress.
[21] = they have. It is a matter of course that the conj. ‘when’ must commence the period.
[22] = and just then one sees the Tahitians (+die Tahitianer+) to advantage (= in the best light).
[23] = that after _a_ short time a dark skin appears to the eye of a European more pleasing and more natural than his own.
_Section 171._
TAHITI.
III.
A white man bathing (S. 16, N. 4) by the side of a Tahitian was[1] like a plant bleached (S. 7, N. 3, attrib.) by the gardener’s art compared[2] with a fine dark-green _one_ growing vigorously[3] in the field. Most of the men are tatooed, and the ornaments follow the curvature[4] of the body so[5] gracefully, that they[6] have a very elegant effect. The most common pattern, varying[7] in its details, is _somewhat_ like[16] the crown of a palm-tree. It springs[8] from the central line of the back, and gracefully curls[9] round both sides. The simile may[10] be a fanciful one, but I[11] thought the body of a man thus ornamented[12] was (App. §§ 29 and 30) like[13] the trunk of a noble tree embraced[14] by a delicate creeper.
Many of the elder people[15] had their feet covered with small figures, so[16] placed as to resemble a sock. This fashion, however, is partly gone[17] by, and has been succeeded[18] by others. Here[19], although fashion is far from immutable, every one must abide[20] by that prevailing at his youth. An old man has thus[21] his age for ever stamped on his body, and _he_ cannot assume[22] the airs of a young dandy. The women are tatooed in the same manner as the men, and[23] very commonly on their fingers.
In[24] returning to the boat, we witnessed[25] a very pretty scene. Numbers[26] of children were playing on the beach, and had lighted bonfires, which illuminated the placid sea and[27] surrounding trees; others, in[28] circles, were singing Tahitian verses. We seated ourselves on the sand, and[29] joined their party. The songs were impromptu[30], and[31] I believe related to our arrival. One little girl sang a line[32], which[33] the rest took up in parts, forming[34] a very pretty chorus. The whole scene made[35] us unequivocally aware that[36] we were seated on the shore of an island in the far-famed[37] South Sea.—CHARLES DARWIN.
[1] = appeared.
[2] = in (contracted with the Dat. of the def. art.) comparison.
[3] = in full vigour (+Kraft+, f.).
[4] +Kurvatur+, f.
[5] +auf eine so anmutige Weise.+
[6] they have a = they are of.
[7] varying — details = the single parts of which often differ (+ab´weichen+) from each other.
[8] springs from, +geht ... aus+; from — back, +vom Rückgrat+ (spine).
[9] to curl round, +sich um ... herum´winden+.
[10] may — one = is perhaps fanciful (+phantastisch+).
[11] +ich dachte bei mir selbst.+
[12] Use the attribut. const.
[13] +wie.+
[14] = which is embraced (+umschlin´gen+, insep. comp. str. v.) by (S. 106, N. 23) a delicate (+zart+) creeper (+Schlingpflanze+, f.).
[15] = men.
[16] = which were so arranged that they resembled (+gleichen+, to be like, str. v. governing the Dat.) a sock.
[17] = antiquated, +veraltet+.
[18] +verdrängt+, i.e. displaced.
[19] Say ‘Although fashion here is far from (+weit davon entfernt+) being (S. 1, N. 3) immutable.
[20] to abide by a thing, +bei etwas verbleiben+. Use the attributive constr. in this clause.
[21] +Auf diese Weise+, which place at the head of the period. ‘Old’, here +bejahrt+; ‘to stamp’, here +aus´prägen+.
[22] to assume the airs of a dandy, +den Stutzer spielen+. Render ‘not’ by ‘not possibly’, +unmöglich+.
[23] = but generally also.
[24] = When we returned to the vessel.
[25] Yesterday I witnessed a very pretty scene, +gestern bot sich mir ein sehr hübsches Schauspiel dar+.
[26] = Numerous children.
[27] +und die in der Nähe stehenden Bäume.+
[28] = who formed a circle (+Kreis+, m.), sang verses in their mother-tongue (i.e. native language).
[29] = and joined them (+sich an´schließen+, sep. comp. str. v. refl., governing the Dat.).
[30] +aus dem Stegreif.+
[31] = and related (+sich beziehen+, insep. comp. irreg. v. refl.), I believe (inverted), to (+auf+) our arrival.
[32] the ‘line’ of a verse is generally rendered by ‘+Strophe+’, f.
[33] which — parts, +welche von den übrigen mehrstimmig aufgenommen wurde+.
[34] = and formed.
[35] made — aware, +legte unzweifelhaftes Zeugnis davon ab+.
[36] = that we found ourselves.
[37] here +vielbesungen+, adj.
_Section 172._
AUDUBON[1], THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGIST, RELATES HOW NEARLY[2] A THOUSAND OF HIS ORIGINAL DRAWINGS WERE DESTROYED.
I left the village _of_ Henderson, in Kentucky, situated[3] on the banks of the Ohio, where I[4] resided for several years, to proceed[5] to Philadelphia on business. I (S. 115, N. 1) looked[6] to my drawings before my departure, placed them carefully in a wooden box, and gave[7] them in charge of a relative, with[8] injunctions to see that no injury should happen to them. My absence was of (= lasted) several months; and when I returned, after[9] having enjoyed the pleasures of home _for_ a few days, I inquired[10] after my box, and[11] what I was pleased to call my treasure. The box was produced[12] and opened; but[13], reader, feel for me—a pair _of_ Norway rats had taken possession of the whole, and reared a young family among the gnawed[14] bits of paper, which, but[15] a month previous, had represented nearly a thousand inhabitants of[16] the air! The burning heat which[17] instantly rushed through my brain was too great without[18] affecting my whole nervous system. I slept for (S. 166, N. 10) several nights, and the days passed like[19] days of oblivion—until[20] the animal powers being recalled into action, through the strength of my constitution, I[21] took up my gun, my note-book and my pencils, and went forth to the woods as gaily as if nothing had happened. I[22] felt pleased that I might now make better drawings than before; and, ere a period not exceeding three years had elapsed, my portfolio was again filled.—JOHN AUDUBON.
[1] +~John James Audubon~, der berühmte amerikanische Ornithologe (oder Vogelkundige), geboren den 4. Mai 1780 in Louisiana, gestorben den 27. Januar 1851 zu New-York, befuhr die Ströme und Flüsse des Westens, um die Vögel zu beobachten und zu zeichnen.+
[2] nearly a thousand, +nahe an tausend+.
[3] Use the attributive constr., and see S. 7, N. 3, and S. 48, N. 6.
[4] = I had resided for (+seit+).
[5] +reisen+; on business, +in Geschäften+.
[6] to look to a thing, +nach etwas sehen+.
[7] to give a thing in charge to a person, +einem etwas überge´ben+.
[8] = with the express command to protect (+bewahren+) them from (+vor+) any (+jeder+) injury.
[9] = and had enjoyed. The pleasures of home, +die Freuden der Häuslichkeit+.
[10] to inquire after a thing, +nach etwas fragen+.
[11] = and after (+nach+) my treasure, as I was pleased to call its contents (+wie ich dessen Inhalt gerne zu bezeichnen pflegte+).
[12] = brought.
[13] = but have pity on (+mit+) me, O reader!
[14] +zernagt+; bits of paper, +Papierfetzen+.
[15] +noch vor einem Monat.+
[16] +der Lüfte+, which is the poetic form.
[17] = which instantly took possession of my brain (+Gehirn+, n.). To take possession of a thing, +sich einer Sache bemächtigen+.
[18] +um nicht auch mein ganzes Nervensystem zu erschüttern.+
[19] like — oblivion, +im gänzlichen Vergessen alles Geschehenen+.
[20] = till my vital powers (+Lebenskräfte+) were reanimated (+wieder angeregt waren+, App. § 17) through the strength of my constitution (+Natur+, f.).
[21] Say ‘and I was able (+imstande sein+) to take up (+ergreifen+) my gun (+Büchse+, f.), my sketch-book and my pencils to (S. 19, N. 7) go therewith again as (+so+) cheerfully into the woods as if nothing had happened (+als ob nichts vorgefallen wäre+)’.
[22] Say ‘It gave me pleasure to think that I would now perhaps produce better drawings than ever (+je+) before; and even before (+noch ehe+) three years had passed away, my portfolio was again filled with drawings.
_Section 173._
THE BATTLE OF[1] KASSASSIN.
I.
Mahsamah, Monday, August 28, 1882.
At[2] seven this morning, guns were heard in the direction of Kassassin, which is[3] four miles to our front. The troops were called[4] under arms, the Cavalry, consisting of the Household Cavalry[5] and 7th Dragoon Guards, saddled _up_, and the Infantry fell[6] in in readiness to[7] march to the assistance of the force there under General Graham. That officer, however, sent a[8] message saying that the firing was in the enemy’s camp, and[9] was inexplicable, except upon the supposition that the Egyptians were fighting[10] among themselves.
At[11] eleven o’clock, however, the flags of the signallers at Kassassin were in motion, and (S. 104, N. 19) the news came that the enemy were approaching[12]. The Cavalry again turned out[13] and rode _off_ to Kassassin. As the enemy approached, General Graham opened fire with his two guns, and[14] the Egyptian artillery replied. The 19th Hussars[15] came on[16] to the place from Mahuta, where General Willis has his headquarters.
The enemy made no attack, but halted at[17] a considerable distance from the camp, and kept[18] up a continued shell-fire, but at a distance altogether[19] out of range. Their conduct[20] was, indeed, altogether inexplicable. The Cavalry remained out all day, and the Infantry _here_ were kept in readiness to march at[21] a moment’s notice, but as the enemy made[22] no movement in advance, they were not called _forward_ to the front.
The heat was terrific[23] all day, the[24] sun beating down with almost insupportable force upon the wide sand waste. It[25] had been hard work for horses and men. No shade was obtainable[26], and the hot wind raised[27] great dust storms, which penetrated[28] everywhere and made breathing difficult. The brigade of Guards (S. 36, N. 7, _A_) fell in under arms[29] ready[30] to march, but the Cavalry returned and reported that the enemy had fallen back[31], after[32] keeping the troops the whole day out in the full force of the sun.
[1] +bei+. The very graphic account of the Battle of Kassassin given in Sections 173-177 was written by the correspondent of the London ‘Standard’, who was with the cavalry at Mahsamah. Kassassin (also called Kassassin Lock) is four miles west from Mahsamah Station, which, only a few days previous to this action, was captured from the Egyptians by General Drury Lowe. The Egyptians had established a camp at that place, and, after the capture, the Household Cavalry and the Dragoon Guards were stationed there, under the command of General Drury Lowe, as a reserve to the small force that held Kassassin Lock, an important fortified position occupied by General Graham. The enemy, under the rebel-leader Arabi, held the strongly fortified camp of Tel-el-Kebir, about twelve miles west from Kassassin. Arabi’s stronghold (Tel-el-Kebir) was stormed and captured by the English under their skilful Commander-in-chief Sir Garnet Wolseley (now Lord Wolseley of Cairo), on Wednesday, September 13, when the rebel-army was totally beaten, and the Egyptian war brought to a successful issue.
[2] Say ‘This (+Heute+) morning _at_ 7 o’clock we (+man+) heard _the_ thunder of cannons (comp. n.)’, etc.
[3] = is situated; to our front = before us.
[4] to call under arms, +zu den Waffen rufen+.
[5] Nom. Pl. +Gardekürassiere+; the 1st Dragoon Guards, +das erste Dragoner Garderegiment+.
[6] fell — readiness, +stellte sich in Reih und Glied+.
[7] +um den dort unter General Graham stehenden Truppen zu Hülfe zu eilen.+
[8] a — saying = a messenger with the information (+Nachricht+, f.).
[9] and — supposition, +und daß man sich dasselbe nur durch die Vermutung erklären könne+.
[10] The rebels fight among themselves, +die Empörer bekämpfen sich unter einander+.
[11] = At 11 o’clock, however, we (+man+) saw the flag-signals (S. 76, N. 22, _A_) at Kassassin.
[12] +heran´rücken+. Comp. S. 107, N. 13.
[13] = got ready (+sich fertig machen+).
[14] which was answered (+erwiedern+) by the Egyptian artillery.
[15] +Husarenregiment+, n.
[16] on — place = here (+hieher+).
[17] at a = +in+.
[18] to keep up a continued shell-fire, +ein ununterbrochenes Bombardement+ (pronounced as in French) +unterhal´ten+.
[19] +welche außer dem Bereiche der Schußweite lag.+
[20] +Handlungsweise+, f.; indeed = really; altogether, +ganz+.