Part 25
[8] ‘to get one’s living’, here +sich seine Nahrung verschaffen+. Read S. 87, N. 6; among the shallows, +an den seichten Stellen+; to wade, +umher´waten+; and picking up = in order to pick up.
[9] ‘to sport’, here +sein Spiel treiben+; that = and.
[10] +bald.+
[11] = water.
[12] I — full = I observed that many of them crept into the holes that were in great number (+Menge+, f.) bored (+hinein´bohren+) into the bank, but then (+dann aber+) came out again.
[13] +Uferschwalben+.
[14] Commence this period with ‘In these holes — plunderers’; to make a nest, +ein Nest bauen+; to bring up the young, +die Jungen groß ziehen+.
[15] +auf wunderliche Weise.+
[16] +Zinke+, f.
[17] +Dreizack+, m.
[18] +das Aalstechen.+
[19] +sich auf die Erde niederlassen.+
[20] Insert the grammatical object +es+ before ‘him’.
[21] = and looked intently (+mit gespannter Aufmerksamkeit+) down upon the water (+auf ... hernieder+).
[22] to take alarm at something, +durch etwas in Furcht gesetzt werden+.
_Section 205._
THE TWO SCHOOLBOYS, OR EYES AND NO EYES.
V.
TUTOR.—Probably his nest was there, for herons build upon the loftiest tree they can find, and sometimes in society together, like rooks. Formerly, when these birds were valued for the amusement of hawking[1], many gentlemen had their heronries[2], and a few are still remaining.
WILLIAM.—I think (S. 64, N. 11) they are the largest wild birds we have.
TUTOR.—They are of great length and spread of wing[3], but their bodies are comparatively small.
WILLIAM.—I then turned homeward, across the meadows, where I stopped awhile, to look at[4] a large flock of starlings, which kept flying about at no great distance. I could not tell at first what to make of them[5], for they rose altogether from the ground as thick as a swarm of bees, and formed _themselves into_ a kind[6] of black cloud, hovering over the field. After taking a short round[7], they settled again, but presently rose in the same manner. I dare say[8] there were hundreds of them.
TUTOR.—Perhaps so[9]; for in the fenny counties their flocks are so numerous[10] as to break down whole acres of reeds, by settling on them[11]. This disposition[12] of starlings to fly in close swarms was remarked even by Homer, who compares the foe (S. 48, N. 6) flying from one of his heroes to a cloud of starlings retiring dismayed at the approach of the hawk.
WILLIAM.—After I had left the meadows, I crossed[13] the corn-fields in the way to our house, and passed close by a deep marl-pit. Looking into it, I saw, on one of the sides, a cluster of what[14] I took to be shells; and upon going down, I picked up a clod of marl[15], which was quite full of them; but how sea-shells can get there, I cannot imagine.
TUTOR.—I do not wonder at your surprise, since many philosophers have been much perplexed to account for the same appearance[16]. It is not uncommon to find[17] great quantities of shells and relics of marine animals, even in the bowels of high mountains, very remote from the sea.
WILLIAM.—I got[18] to the high field next to our house just as the sun was setting, and I stood looking at it till it was quite lost[19]. What a glorious sight! The clouds were tinged with purple, crimson, and yellow of all shades and hues, and the clear sky varied from blue to a fine green at the horizon. But how large the sun appears just as it sets! I think it seems twice as big as when it is over-head.
[1] for — hawking = on account of the amusement which they afforded through hawking (+die Falkenjagd+).
[2] +Reiherstand+, m.
[3] They — wing = They have very large, long wings.
[4] = to observe; to keep flying about, +umherfliegen+; at — distance, +in nur geringer Entfernung von mir+.
[5] = I could not recognise them at first. ‘To rise’, here +sich in die Luft emporschwingen+; thick, +dicht+.
[6] a kind, +gleichsam+; hovering — field, +als sie über dem Felde hin und her schwebten+.
[7] = After they had been flying about _for_ a short time.
[8] ‘I dare say’ may be briefly rendered by the adv. +gewiß+. Read S. 104, N. 19.
[9] +Das ist leicht möglich.+
[10] = they exist (+vorhanden sein+) in such masses; as to = that they.
[11] = when they settle upon the same (to agree with ‘reeds’).
[12] = peculiarity.
[13] = I went through the corn-fields home again.
[14] a — what, +eine zusammengeballte Masse, welche+.
[15] Nom. +ein Klumpen+ (m.) +Mergel+; of them = of shells.
[16] since — appearance, +da schon viele Naturforscher sich über die Erklärung dieser Erscheinung den Kopf zerbrochen haben+.
[17] = that one finds.
[18] +gelangen+; to, +auf+; high field, +Anhöhe+, f.
[19] = till it had entirely disappeared at the (+am+) horizon.
_Section 206._
THE TWO SCHOOLBOYS, OR EYES AND NO EYES.
VI.
TUTOR.—It does so[1]; and you _may_ probably have observed the same apparent enlargement of the moon at its rising[2].
WILLIAM.—I have[3]; but pray what is the reason of this?
TUTOR.—It is an optical deception, depending upon principles which I cannot well explain to you, till you know more of that _branch of_ science. But what a number of new ideas this afternoon’s walk has afforded you. I do not wonder that you found it amusing[4], and it has been very instructive too. Did you see (S. 48, N. 2) nothing of all these sights, Robert?
ROBERT.—I saw some of them, but I did not take particular notice of them.
TUTOR.—Why not?
ROBERT.—I do not know. I did not care about them; and I made the best of my way home[5].
TUTOR.—That would have been (App. § 33) right, if you had been sent on a message[6]; but as you only walked for amusement[7], it would have been wiser to have sought out as many sources of it as possible[8]. But as it is[9]: one man walks through the world with the eyes open, and another with them shut, and[10] upon this difference depends all the[11] superiority the one acquires above the other. I have known sailors[12] who have been in all the quarters of the world, and could tell you nothing but[13] the signs of the tippling houses they frequented[14] in different ports, and the price and quality of the liquor. On the other hand[15], a Franklin could not even cross the Channel without making some observation useful to mankind[16]. While many a vacant, thoughtless youth is whirled throughout Europe[17], without gaining[18] a single idea worth crossing a street for[19], the observing eye and inquiring mind find matter of improvement and delight[20] in every ramble _in town or country_. Do you then, William, continue to make use of your eyes; and you, Robert, learn that eyes were given you to use.—DR. AIKIN.
[1] = Quite right.
[2] of — rising, +beim Aufgange des Mondes+.
[3] = Yes.
[4] = interesting.
[5] and — home = and went home as quickly as possible.
[6] if — message, +hätte man dich ausgeschickt, um eine Besorgung zu verrichten+.
[7] to walk for amusement, +einen Spaziergang machen+.
[8] to — possible, +hättest du denselben so viel wie möglich auszubeuten gesucht+.
[9] +Es ist aber nun einmal so+; one man, +der eine+; another, +der andere+.
[10] and just (+gerade+).
[11] = the great.
[12] +Schiffer.+
[13] and — but, +dennoch aber von nichts anderem zu erzählen wußten, als von+.
[14] = visited.
[15] +Andererseits hingegen.+
[16] Use the attributive construction.
[17] +ganz Europa durchfliegt.+
[18] +sich an´eignen.+
[19] worth — for = for (+wegen+) which it would have been worth while to go over the street.
[20] +zur Belehrung und zum Genusse+. The words ‘in every ramble’ must be placed after ‘mind’.
_Section 207._
THE KING AND THE MILLER.
I.
In the reign[1] of Frederick the Great (see S. 192, N. 1), king of Prussia, there was[2] a mill near Potsdam which obstructed the view from the windows of the palace of Sans Souci. Annoyed by this drawback to his favourite residence[3], the king sent[4] to the owner of the mill inquiring the price for which he would sell it. “For no price,” was the reply of the sturdy Prussian; and in a moment of anger the monarch gave orders[5] that the mill should be pulled down. “The king may do this,” said the miller, quietly folding his arms; “but there are (S. 82, N. 7) laws in Prussia, and he will find them out[6]”. Forthwith he commenced a law-suit against the monarch, the issue of which was[7], that the court gave a decision against His Majesty, compelling him[8] to rebuild the mill, and in addition[9] to pay a large sum of money as a compensation for the injury he had done[10]. The king felt mortified (S. 87, N. 6) at having been worsted by one of his subjects, but had the magnanimity to say, addressing[11] his courtiers: “I am glad to find that there are just laws and upright judges in my kingdom who are bold enough to decide against me when they think I am in the wrong.” Many years afterwards (App. § 14), a descendant of the honest miller, who had in _due_ course of time succeeded to the hereditary possession of the property[12], found himself involved in pecuniary difficulties that had become insurmountable.
[1] = At (+zu+) the time of the reign. See S. 53, N. 9.
[2] there — Potsdam = stood near (+bei+) Potsdam a mill.
[3] +Der seinem Lieblingsschlosse hierdurch erwachsende Nachteil verdroß den König sehr.+
[4] = and he sent.
[5] = the order.
[6] = and he will soon convince himself of it.
[7] the — was, +welcher damit endete+.
[8] = and compelled him.
[9] and in addition, +und noch obendrein+; sum — compensation, +Entschädigungssumme+, f.
[10] Supply ‘to the miller’.
[11] = to.
[12] Liter. = who in course of time _and_ through inheritance had come into the possession of the mill.
_Section 208._
THE KING AND THE MILLER.
II.
In his distress he wrote to Frederick William IV, who was at that time king of Prussia, reminding him of the refusal experienced by Frederick the Great at the hands[1] of his ancestor the miller, and stating[2] that[3] if His Majesty now wished to obtain possession of the property, he would, in his present embarrassed circumstances, most willingly dispose of the mill. The king immediately wrote, with his own hand[4], _the_ following reply:
“My Dear Neighbour,
I cannot allow you to sell the mill. It must remain in the possession of your family as long as one of your descendants survives[5], for the building belongs[6] to the history of Prussia, and is a standing[7] memorial of the integrity of our judges and the impartiality of our laws. I am sorry, however, to hear that you are in straitened circumstances, and therefore send you six thousand dollars[8] to pay off your debts, and hope the sum will be sufficient for the purpose. Consider me[9] always
Your affectionate[10] neighbour,
FREDERICK WILLIAM.”
The mill still stands, and is occupied by the[11] descendants of the resolute miller who had the fortitude to thwart the despotic monarch in his desire[12] to improve the prospect from the windows of his palace.—CHAMBERS’S “SHORT STORIES.”
[1] reminding — hands = reminded him of the refusal (+abschlägige Antwort+) which Fred. the Gr. had received at the hands (+seitens+).
[2] = stated.
[3] = that he would in his present embarrassed circumstances most willingly sell the mill, if, etc. ‘To obtain possession of the property’, here +das Besitzthum käuflich erwerben+.
[4] with — hand, +eigenhändig+, adj., which use after ‘following’.
[5] +noch am Leben sein.+
[6] +an´gehören.+
[7] +bleibend+, adj.; to, +an+.
[8] +Thaler+ (m.), formerly the standard coin in Germany, and equal to 3 sh. English.
[9] = I remain always.
[10] here +wohlwollend+, adj.
[11] = and is still in the possession of the.
[12] to thwart — desire = to oppose (+sich einer Sache widersetzen+) the desire of the despotic king.
_Section 209._
A FRIEND IN NEED (S. 3, N. 2).
I.
One wet wintry night, when a gentleman was hurrying along[1] one of the crowded thoroughfares of London, his attention was arrested by a lean, hungry-looking dog which rushed past him. He observed that it had a collar[2] round its neck, to which a basket was attached. If it was (App. § 36) a dog that ran on errands[3], he thought that surely its owner would feed it better, and its ribs would not look so spare. Thinking that there was some mystery connected with the animal[4], he resolved to follow it[5]. After a[6] time it turned up a narrow lane into a stable-yard, where some coachmen and hostlers were loitering about. It then got up on its hind-legs, and began walking about in circles[7]. The bystanders, surprised at this strange proceeding, formed round in a ring and looked on. It walked five times round, standing[8] erect, and looking fixedly before it like a soldier on duty[9], evidently doing its utmost[10] to make the company laugh. After taking a short rest, it began its performance[11] again, but this time on its fore-feet, pretending to stand[12] on its (S. 43, N. 9) head. Tiring of this[13], it lay down in the middle of the ring, feigning to be dead[14], and going through all the convulsions of a dying dog, breathing heavily, panting, suffering the lower jaw to fall[15], and then turning over motionless. It did this so well, that a woman in the crowd exclaimed: “Poor beast!” and drew her hand across her eyes[16]. Having lain still a minute, with its eyes closed, it got up and shook itself, to show that the performance[17] was over. It then went round begging on its hind-legs, standing[18] a little while before each of the spectators, and earnestly watching[19] to see whether they put their hands into their pockets or not. The basket round its neck had a slit in the lid, into which the coppers might be dropped.
[1] to hurry along, +durchei´len+, insep. comp. w. v. Place ‘one — night’ after ‘gentleman’; wet = rainy; thoroughfares = streets.
[2] here +Halsband+, n.; round its neck, +um+.
[3] to run on errands, +Besorgungen aus´richten+; and — spare = and it would not look so dreadfully lean.
[4] = Since the matter appeared very mysterious (+rätselhaft+) to him.
[5] = the animal.
[6] +kurz+; turned up = ran into; into = which led to.
[7] +im Kreise.+
[8] = held himself.
[9] +auf dem Posten.+
[10] = and did evidently his best.
[11] here = tricks, +Kunststücke+.
[12] = and did (+sich anstellen+) as if he stood (App. § 33).
[13] = Hereupon.
[14] to feign to be dead, +sich tot stellen+. The Present Participles in this passage must be rendered by the Imperfect in German.
[15] = dropped (+fallen lassen+) the lower jaw.
[16] +mit der Hand über die Augen fahren+.
[17] +Vorstellung+, f.
[18] +stille stehen+.
[19] = and watched (+beobachten+) them quite earnestly (+ernsthaft+).
_Section 210._
A FRIEND IN NEED.
II.
The gentleman put in a shilling, and stooped down to read a crumpled piece of paper which hung loosely from the collar. It bore these words, written in a[1] shaky hand: “This is the dog of a poor man who is bed-ridden. It earns bread for its master. Good people, do not prevent it from returning to its home.” On receiving (S. 55, N. 1) _any_ money, the poor creature returned thanks by a wag of its tail. Almost every one of the spectators gave the dog something, and when it had finished collecting the money, it barked once or twice, as if to say good-bye, and then scampered off. On entering the principal street, it quickened its pace[2], and the gentleman finding it impossible to keep up with it[3], hailed[4] a cab, and, much to the driver’s amazement[5], cried: “Follow that dog.” After a time the dog bolted up a narrow alley[6], through which the cab could not pass[7]. The gentleman alighted, and followed the dog through a dark close up[8] to the garret of a rickety dwelling. Pulling the string attached to the latch, the dog opened the door, and the stranger followed. Its master lay dying[9] on a wretched bed, supported[10] by the earnings of the faithful creature, who practised[11] the same tricks alone as it used to do under its master’s superintendence. Death soon ended[12] the poor man’s sufferings, and the dog followed the coffin to the grave. The gentleman took home the dog, but next morning the poor beast howled impatiently for[13] the basket to go its rounds as usual. It went with the pennies to the cemetery and laid them on a grave, whining[14] mournfully, and trying to scratch up the earth. Twice more it went out all day, and brought back the money for its master; but, on finding the money untouched, it lay down at full length upon the grave. The next morning it did not go its rounds, for it was dead.—CHAMBERS’S “SHORT STORIES.”
[1] in a = with.
[2] here +Lauf+, m.
[3] to keep up with a person, +gleichen Schritt mit einem halten+.
[4] +an´rufen+, sep. comp. str. w. tr.
[5] = to the great amazement of the driver.
[6] +plötzlich in einen Durchgang hinein´laufen.+
[7] +passieren.+
[8] +Passage+, f.; to = into; rickety, +baufällig+.
[9] +im Sterben.+
[10] = and was supported (+unterhalten+ or +versorgen+).
[11] here +aus´üben+.
[12] +einer Sache+ (Dat.) +ein Ende machen+.
[13] +nach+; ‘to go one’s rounds’, here +seine Runde wieder an´treten+.
[14] = whereby he whined.
_Section 211._
MY FIRST GUINEA.
I well remember[1], when I was very young, possessing for the first time a guinea. I remember too that this circumstance cost me no little perplexity and anxiety. As I passed along the streets, the fear of losing my guinea induced me oftentimes to take it out of my pocket to look at it. First I put[2] it in one pocket, then I took it out and put it in another; after a while I took it out of the second pocket and placed[2] it in another, really perplexed[3] what to do with it (S. 27, N. 7).
At last my attention was arrested by a book-auction. I stepped in and looked about me. First one lot[4] was put up, and then another, and sold to the highest bidder[5]. At last I ventured to the table, just as the auctioneer was putting up “The History of the World,” in two large folio volumes. I instantly thrust[2] my hand into my (S. 43, N. 9) pocket, and began turning over[6] my guinea, considering whether I should have money enough to buy this lot. The bidding proceeded[7], and at last I ventured to bid too. “Halloo! my little man!” said the auctioneer, “what! (S. 27, N. 7) not content with less than the world?” This remark greatly confused me, and drew the attention of the whole company[8] toward me, who[9], seeing (S. 30, N. 4) me anxious[10] to possess the books, refrained from bidding against me; and so, “The World” was knocked down[11] to me at a very moderate price.
How to get[12] these huge books home was the next consideration[13]. The auctioneer offered to send them, but I, not knowing what sort of creatures auctioneers were[14], determined to take them myself; so, after[15] the assistant had tied them up, I marched out of the room with these huge books upon my shoulder, like Samson with the gates of Gaza, amid the smiles of all present.
When I reached my home, after the servant had opened the door, the first person I met was my sainted mother.
“My dear boy,” she said, “what have you _got_ there? I thought you would not keep your guinea long.”
“Do not be angry, mother,” said I, throwing the books down upon the table. “I have bought ‘The World’ for nine shillings.”
This was on a Saturday, and I well remember sitting up[16] till it was well-nigh midnight, turning over[17] this “History of the World.” The books became my delight, and were carefully read through and through.
When I grew older, I became at length a Christian, and my love of books[18], among other things, led me to desire to be a Christian minister[19]. To the possession of these books I attribute, in a great measure, any honours that have been added to my name in connection with literature. I have not mentioned this anecdote to gratify any foolish feeling[20], but to encourage in all whom I see before me that[21] love of literature which has afforded me such unspeakable pleasure—pleasure[22] which I would not have been without for all the riches of the Indies[23].—THE REV. DR. VAUGHAN.
[1] Supply ‘the time’ here; to remember, +sich erinnern+, governs the Gen.; possessing = and possessed.
[2] +stecken.+
[3] +sich in großer Verlegenheit befinden.+
[4] +Partie+, f.; to put up to auction, to public sale, +zur Versteigerung bringen+, +unter den Hammer bringen+, or +zum öffentlichen Verkauf stellen+.
[5] +der Meistbietende+; to, +an+.
[6] +herum´drehen+; considering = and considered (+überle´gen+, insep. comp. w. v.).
[7] +vonstatten gehen.+
[8] = of all the persons present (+die Anwesenden+); toward, +auf+.
[9] Finish first the clause ‘who refrained from bidding against me’, and then commence the other, =and use this construction in all cases where it can possibly be employed=.
[10] We are anxious to buy the property, +wir möchten das Besitztum gerne kaufen+.
[11] to knock down an article to the last bidder, +einen Artikel dem zuletzt Bietenden zu´schlagen+.
[12] to get home, +nach Hause schaffen+.
[13] +Erwägung+, f.
[14] = but since I had not yet any experience in such matters, I determined, etc.
[15] so, after = and when.
[16] = that I sat up.
[17] = and turned over (+durchblät´tern+, insep. comp. w. v.).
[18] +Liebhaberei+ (f.) +für Bücher+.
[19] = to become _a_ Christian Minister (+Geistlicher+).
[20] Supply ‘of vanity’ here.
[21] = the; of, +zu+, contracted with the Dat. of the def. art.
[22] = a pleasure (+Genuß+, m.)
[23] = of India.
_Section 212._
THE GREEN VAULTS IN DRESDEN.
Dresden, May 11, 1845.
We were fortunate in seeing the Green Vaults or “Das grüne Gewölbe,” a collection of jewels and costly articles[1], unsurpassed in Europe (S. 7, N. 3, _A_). Admittance is only granted to six persons at a time, who pay a fee[2] of two thalers. The customary way is to employ a “valet de place[3],” who goes round from one hotel to another, until he has collected the required number, when[4] he brings them together and conducts them to the keeper who has charge of the treasures. The first hall into which we were ushered contained works in bronze[5]. They were all small, and chosen with regard to their artistical value. The next room contained statues, and vases ornamented with reliefs, in ivory. The most remarkable work was the fall of Lucifer and his angels, containing ninety-two figures in all[6], carved out of a single piece _of_ ivory sixteen inches high! It was the work of an Italian monk, and cost him many years of hard labour[7].