Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

"I thank you, gentle sir," she said, " for what you're pleased to say,
And bidding you good morning now, I'll call another day."

The spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly fly would soon come back again :
So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner, sly,

And set his table ready to dine upon the fly.

Then he went out to his door again, and merrily did sing,
"Come hither, hither, pretty fly, with the pearl and silver wing;
Your robes are green and purple-there's a crest upon your head—
Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead."

Alas, alas how very soon this silly little fly,

Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;
With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue:
Thinking only of her crested head-poor foolish thing!-At last
Up jumped the cunning spider, and fiercely held her fast.

He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den,
Within his little parlor-but she ne'er came out again!
-And now, dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly, flattering words, I pray you ne'er give heed:
Unto an evil counsellor close heart, and ear, and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale of the Spider and the Fly.

ASCENT OF MONT BLANC.

[John Auldjo, Esq. of Trinity College, Cambridge, started from Charmounix on the 8th of August, 1827, for the purpose of attaining the highest point of Mont Blanc. He was accompanied by eight guides, four of whom had previously accomplished the hazardous ascent. The following is his account of the conclusion of this undertaking, and of his sensations while on the summit of the mountain.]

WE crossed a plain of snow which rose gently from the Rocher Rouge; at the end of it was the only crevice we had met for some time: it was deep and wide. One bridge was tried, but it gave way. A little further another was found, over which we managed to pass by being drawn across on our backs, on batons placed over it. Two or three managed to walk across another, using great care; but, when we had proceeded some little distance up the acclivity before us, we were surprised by a shrill scream, and, on turning, beheld Jean Marie Coutet up to his neck in the snow covering the crevice. He had wandered from the party, and coming to the crack, sought and found the place where the guides had walked across, and attempted to follow their course; but not taking the proper care to choose their footsteps, had got about eighteen inches on one side of them, and the consequence was, that when in the centre of the crevice, he sunk up to his shoulders, saving him

self from inevitable destruction by stretching out his arms, and by his baton by mere chance coming obliquely on the bridge; otherwise he would have slipped through, and all attempts to have saved or raised him out of the chasm, would have been impossible. The perilous situation he was in was appalling; all ran down to him, and he was drawn out, but had nearly lost his presence of mind, so greatly had he been terrified. However, he soon recovered, and acknowledged his want of precaution, which had very nearly destroyed the pleasure of the undertaking, when so near its happy conclusion. The ascent from this point was very steep, and the difficulty of surmounting it was greatly increased; for those effects of the rarity of the atmosphere which we had felt previously, now became exceedingly oppressive. I was attacked with a pain in my head; the thirst became intense; the difficulty of breathing much greater. The new symptoms I now experienced were, violent palpi

The

tation of the heart, a general lassitude leave these rocks, for all my enthusiasm was at an end; the lassitude and exhaustion had completely subdued my spirit. I was anxious to get to the summit, but I felt as if I should never accomplish it, the weariness and weakness increasing the moment I attempted to ascend a few steps; and I was convinced, that in a few minutes I should be quite overcome. I was induced to proceed by the exhortations of the guides. We had to climb about one hour to get to the summit; but this part of the undertaking required a most extraordinary exertion, and severe labor it was. From the place where the rarity of the air was first felt, we had been able to proceed fifteen or twenty steps without halting to take breath; but now, after every third or fourth, the stoutest, strongest guide, became exhausted; and it was only by resting some seconds, and turning the face to the north wind, which blew strong and cold, that sufficient strength could be regained to take the next two or three paces. This weakness painfully increased the difficulty of advancing up the ascent, which became every instant more steep. Although the sun was shining on us, I felt extremely cold on the side exposed to the cutting blast; and the other side of the body being warm, it increased the shivering, which had not quite left me, to such a degree, as to deprive me almost of the use of my limbs. Some of the guides also were similarly affected, and even suffered more than myself; but all were anxious to get on, evincing a resolute determination that was quite wonderful in the state they were in. Their attention to me was marked by a desire to render me every possible service, while they endeavored to inspire me with the same firmness of which they themselves gave so strong an example. This earnest solicitude which they showed, much to their own discomfort and annoyance, to keep my spirits up, was in vain I was exhausted-the sensation of weakness in the legs had become excessive-I was nearly choked from the dryness of my throat and

of the frame, and a very distressing
sensation of pain in the knees and
muscles of the thighs, causing weak-
ness of the legs, and rendering it
scarcely possible to move them.
"Derniers Rochers," or the highest
visible rocks, are merely a small clus-
ter of granite pinnacles, projecting
about twenty feet out of the snowy
mantle which envelopes the summit,
and clothes the sides of the mountain.
On reaching these rocks, I was so
much exhausted that I wished to
sleep; but the experienced guides
would not permit it, though all appear-
ed to be suffering more or less under
similar sensations. From those ro-
chers we saw that there were many
people on the Breven, watching our
progress; among whom we recognised
some female forms, a discovery which
renewed our courage, and excited us
to still greater efforts than before.
Turning to the side of Italy, a spec-
tacle was presented of great magnifi-
cence, from the assemblage of the vast
and numberless white pyramids which
appeared on the left of the view:
Mount Rosa, in its surpassing beauty,
being the most distant, the Col du
Géant, and its aiguille, the nearest ;
while all the snow-clad rocks which
lie on each side of the glacier, running
from Mont Blanc down the "Mer de
Glace," and again up to the " Jardin,"
added splendid features to the scene.
"Snow piled on snow; each mass appears
The gathered winter of a thousand years.'
On the south, a blue space showed
where the plain of Piedmont lay; and
far in the back ground of this, rose
the long chain of the Apennines, and
lofty Alps, forming a coast of the
Mediterranean, and running thence
towards the right, meeting the moun-
tains of Savoy. Gilded as they were
by the sun, and canopied by a sky al-
most black, they made up a picture
so grand and awful, that the mind
could not behold it without fear and
astonishment. The impression of so
mighty a prospect cannot be conceiv-
ed or retained. It was with some
difficulty I could be persuaded to

:

the difficulty of breathing. My eyes Chamounix) and, taking my glass, obwere smarting with inflammation, the served that the party on the Breven reflection from the snow nearly blind- had noticed the accomplishment of ed me, at the same time burning and our undertaking, and were rewarding blistering my face. I had, during the us by waving their hats and handkermorning, as a protection, occasionally chiefs, which salutation we returned. worn a leathern mask, with green eye I noticed, also, that the people in glasses; but latterly I found it op- Chamounix had also collected in conpressive, and wore a veil instead: that siderable numbers on the bridge, also I was now obliged to discard. I watching our progress and success. desired to have a few moments rest, and It was exactly eleven o'clock. The sat down. I besought the guides to wind blew with considerable force. leave me. I prayed Julien Devouas- I was too much worn out to remain sard to go to the summit with them, there long, or to examine the scene and allow me to remain where I was, around me. The sun shone brilliantly that by the time they returned, I on every peak of snow I could see; might be refreshed to commence the hardly any mist hung over the valleys; descent. I told them I had seen none was on the mountains; the enough; I used every argument in object of my ambition and my toil my power to induce them to grant my was gained; yet the reward of my danrequest. Their only answer was that gers and fatigues could hardly produce they would carry me, exhausted as enjoyment enough to gratify me for a they were, to the summit, rather than few moments. The mind was as exthat I should not get to it: that if they hausted as the body, and I turned with could not carry, they would drag me. indifference from the view which I Being unable to resist I became pas- had endured so much to behold, and sive, and two of the least exhausted throwing myself on the snow, behind forced me up some distance, each a small mound which formed the hightaking an arm. I found that this est point, and sheltered me from the eased me, and I then went on more wind, in a few seconds I was soundwillingly, when one of them devised a ly buried in sleep, surrounded by plan which proved of most essential the guides, who were all seeking reservice. Two of them went up in pose, which neither the burning rays advance about fourteen paces, and of the sun, nor the piercing cold of fixed themselves on the snow; a long the snow, could prevent or disturb. rope was fastened round my chest, and In this state I remained a quarter of the other end to them. As soon as an hour, when I was roused to survey they were seated, I commenced as- the mighty picture beneath. I found cending, taking very long strides, and myself much relieved, but still had doing so with quickness, pulling the a slight shivering. The pain in the rope in; they also, while I thus ex- legs had ceased, as well as the headerted myself, pulled me towards them, ach, but the thirst remained. The so that I was partly drawn up, and pulse was very quick, and the difficulpartly ran up, using a zig-zag direc- ty of breathing great, but not so option : and the amusement derived pressive as it had been. Having from this process kept us in better placed my thermometer on my baton, humor than we were before. I was in a position in which it might be as less fatigued, and felt the effects of much in shade as possible, I went to the air less by this process, than by the highest point to observe my friends the slow pace in which I had hitherto on the Breven and in Chamounix once attempted to ascend. I had taken more, but was summoned immediately very little notice of the progress we to a repast; and willingly I obeyed were thus making, when I suddenly the call, for I felt as if I had a good found myself on the summit. I has appetite. Some bread and roasted tened to the highest point (towards chicken were produced, but I could

not swallow the slightest morsel; even the tase of the food created a nausea and disgust. One or two guides ate a very little; the rest could not attempt to do so. I had provided a bottle of champaigne, being desirous to see how this wine would be affected by the rarity of the air. I also wished to drink to the prosperity of the inhabitants of the world below me, for I could believe that there were no human beings so elevated as we were at that moment. The wire being removed, and the string cut, the cork flew out to a great distance, but the noise could hardly be heard. The wine rolled out in the most luxuriant foam, frothing to the very last drop, and we all drank of it with zest. But not three minutes had elapsed, when repentance and pain followed; for the rapid escape of the fixed air which it still contained, produced a choking and stifling sensation, which

was very unpleasant and painful while it lasted, and frightened some of the guides. A very small quantity was sufficient to satisfy our thirst, for nine of us were perfectly satisfied with the contents of one bottle, and happily its unpleasant effects were of short duration. The most peculiar sensation which all have felt who have gained this great height, arises from the awful stillness which reigns almost unbroken even by the voice of those speaking to one another, for its feeble sound can hardly be heard. It weighs deeply upon the mind, with a power, the effect of which it is impossible to describe. I also experienced the sensation of lightness of body, of which Captain Sherwill has given a description in the following words: "It appeared as if I could have passed the blade of a knife under the sole of my shoes, or between them and the ice on which I stood !"

THE LATE HENRY NEELE.

THE melancholy details of Mr. Neele's death were given at large in the newspapers of the day, and we have no wish to dwell on so painful a subject. The evidence of insanity produced on the inquest was abundantly sufficient, though little light was thrown upon the causes that led to the state of mind which preceded his suicide. Indeed, there seems no reason to suppose that there was any thing peculiar in the case of Mr. Neele. Private distresses, (except imaginary ones,) so far as we can learn, had no concern in his aberrations. He was esteemed, loved, and outwardly prosperous. His history is that of a class; and it is in the perusal of his writings, not in the report of an inquest, that we may expect to find the key to anything mysterious in bis life.

We think we can trace the unfortunate turn which his mind took to peculiarities in the constitution of that mind, arising from circumstances in a great measure independent of himself;

and, as the faults, therefore, which we may discover in him, cannot affect his memory or wound the feelings of his surviving friends, we shall make no apology for pointing them out as friendly hints to that numerous and interesting class of which he was an unfortunate member.

It is commonly said by those who wish to express a general sentiment of admiration for a writer, subject to a large qualification, that he had much genius but no taste. In nine cases out of ten, we think this phrase contains a very imperfect explanation of what the actual defect in the mind spoken of is, or even of the meaning which the speaker intends to convey; and, what is worse, the use of it leads to very dangerous practical consequences.

The world conceiving that the genius of such men is answerable for all their excesses, and that they want another faculty to rein it in, naturally becomes impatient and disregardful of a faculty which has so little power of

self-management. And the men themselves, on the other hand, conscious that the faculty within them is a good faculty, and most good when most energetic, as naturally learn to trample on all the commonplace criticisms upon their style and thoughts, to the reasonableness of which, nevertheless, their conscience more than half assents, because they are built upon an hypothesis of which they cannot for a moment acknowledge the justice.

But, if either of these parties could be made to feel that these men, so far from needing a new faculty to check what are called the flights of genius, do, on the contrary, most especially want a power which shall give them greater strength of wing, and which shall enable them to fly further, that, when they have obtained this power, instead of becoming less daring, they will become infinitely more daring, in a word, that they require it chiefly because their genius, instead of being too strong, is deficient in impetus and momentum-if we could make this doctrine prevalent, the public might abandon that morbid distrust and abhorrence of all high endowments which is so mischievous to those who possess them, and so much more mischievous to itself; and the persons we have been speaking of, instead of holding cheap all hints for the cultivation of their minds, would be urged to value them by that very disposition which has hitherto resisted them as plots for its own destruction.

Now, that this is literally and truly the case, we want no other evidence than the writings of Henry Neele, one of those authors who would be most hastily dismissed with the sentence, that he was a man of considerable genius, but scarcely any taste. In the teeth of this dictum we will take upon us to affirm, that every error to be found in his writings, (and, as we shall show presently, there was the tie of a common parentage between these and the misfortunes of his life,) arose, not from his genius being too little restrained, but from its never ac

quiring that force and expression of which it was capable. His talent, genius, or whatever it may be called, existed in loose, detached fragments; it is nowhere fixed and concentrated. He was capable of striking out very fine sparks, of sending off a successful cracker, or, even now and then, a tolerable rocket; but to keep alive a steady, unflickering, Vestal flame in his mind, which should guide others by its light, and refresh himself by its warmth-for this he was insufficient. He never can express an entire feeling. He is obliged to cut it into portions, and give us a morsel at a time. His views, in his lectures especially, sometimes appear too strongly expounded, and often set in phrases which the critics would condemn for being too rash and unusual; but a moment's reflection convinces us, that the strength only exceeds because it is not kept up, and that the phrases are only foolhardy because they rushed to the battle without friends, "like-armed," to support them in flank or rear. This indicates a want, not of taste, but of that logical power which outwardly forms a writer's thoughts into a composition, wherein all the parts bear a perfect relation to each other, and to the whole; that composition itself being only the type and expression of that inward coherency and subordination which exists between all the parts of the mind from which those thoughts have issued. This quality (of which those formal persons in our day who think that logic consists in the eternal use of syllogistic forms and dilemmas, and in the careful exclusion of everything that gives life or energy to a style, know just as much as grammarians do of language, that is to say, less than any other portion of mankind)—this quality, which never has been prevalent, and never could be prevalent but in an age when the imagination and feelings were highly cultivated,-as, otherwise, it would have nothing to work upon,— is to be seen manifested in the highest perfection in the writings of the old English poets and divines. In their

« AnteriorContinuar »