memoirs of carwin the biloquist(卡尔维恩)-第3章
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admit； has affirmed the organ to be wanting； but this was effected by the
exertion of muscles unknown and incredible to the greater part of
mankind。
The concurrence of teeth； palate and tongue； in the formation of
speech should seem to be indispensable； and yet men have spoken
distinctly though wanting a tongue； and to whom； therefore； teeth and
palate were superfluous。 The tribe of motions requisite to this end； are
wholly latent and unknown； to those who possess that organ。
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MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST ＇A fragment＇
I mean not to be more explicit。 I have no reason to suppose a
peculiar conformation or activity in my own organs； or that the power
which I possess may not； with suitable directions and by steady efforts； be
obtained by others； but I will do nothing to facilitate the acquisition。 It is
by far； too liable to perversion for a good man to desire to possess it； or to
teach it to another。
There remained but one thing to render this instrument as powerful in
my hands as it was capable of being。 From my childhood； I was
remarkably skilful at imitation。 There were few voices whether of men
or birds or beasts which I could not imitate with success。 To add my
ancient； to my newly acquired skill； to talk from a distance； and at the
same time； in the accents of another； was the object of my endeavours； and
this object； after a certain number of trials； I finally obtained。
In my present situation every thing that denoted intellectual exertion
was a crime； and exposed me to invectives if not to stripes。 This
circumstance induced me to be silent to all others； on the subject of my
discovery。 But； added to this； was a confused belief； that it might be
made； in some way instrumental to my relief from the hardships and
restraints of my present condition。 For some time I was not aware of the
mode in which it might be rendered subservient to this end。
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MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST ＇A fragment＇
Chapter II。
My father's sister was an ancient lady； resident in Philadelphia； the
relict of a merchant； whose decease left her the enjoyment of a frugal
competence。 She was without children； and had often expressed her
desire that her nephew Frank； whom she always considered as a sprightly
and promising lad； should be put under her care。 She offered to be at the
expense of my education； and to bequeath to me at her death her slender
patrimony。
This arrangement was obstinately rejected by my father； because it was
merely fostering and giving scope to propensities； which he considered as
hurtful； and because his avarice desired that this inheritance should fall to
no one but himself。 To me； it was a scheme of ravishing felicity； and to
be debarred from it was a source of anguish known to few。 I had too
much experience of my father's pertinaciousness ever to hope for a change
in his views； yet the bliss of living with my aunt； in a new and busy scene；
and in the unbounded indulgence of my literary passion； continually
occupied my thoughts： for a long time these thoughts were productive
only of despondency and tears。
Time only enchanced the desirableness of this scheme； my new faculty
would naturally connect itself with these wishes； and the question could
not fail to occur whether it might not aid me in the execution of my
favourite plan。
A thousand superstitious tales were current in the family。 Apparitions
had been seen； and voices had been heard on a multitude of occasions。
My father was a confident believer in supernatural tokens。 The voice of
his wife； who had been many years dead； had been twice heard at
midnight whispering at his pillow。 I frequently asked myself whether a
scheme favourable to my views might not be built upon these foundations。
Suppose （thought I） my mother should be made to enjoin upon him
compliance with my wishes？
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MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST ＇A fragment＇
This idea bred in me a temporary consternation。 To imitate the voice
of the dead； to counterfeit a commission from heaven； bore the aspect of
presumption and impiety。 It seemed an offence which could not fail to
draw after it the vengeance of the deity。 My wishes for a time yielded to
my fears； but this scheme in proportion as I meditated on it； became more
plausible； no other occurred to me so easy and so efficacious。 I
endeavoured to persuade myself that the end proposed； was； in the highest
degree praiseworthy； and that the excellence of my purpose would justify
the means employed to attain it。
My resolutions were； for a time； attended with fluctuations and
misgivings。 These gradually disappeared； and my purpose became firm；
I was next to devise the means of effecting my views； this did not demand
any tedious deliberation。 It was easy to gain access to my father's
chamber without notice or detection； cautious footsteps and the
suppression of breath would place me； unsuspected and unthought of； by
his bed side。 The words I should use； and the mode of utterance were not
easily settled； but having at length selected these； I made myself by much
previous repetition； perfectly familiar with the use of them。
I selected a blustering and inclement night； in which the darkness was
augmented by a veil of the blackest clouds。 The building we inhabited
was slight in its structure； and full of crevices through which the gale
found easy way； and whistled in a thousand cadences。 On this night the
elemental music was remarkably sonorous； and was mingled not
unfrequently with ~~thunder heard remote~~。
I could not divest myself of secret dread。 My heart faultered with a
consciousness of wrong。 Heaven seemed to be present and to disapprove
my work； I listened to the thunder and the wind； as to the stern voice of
this disapprobation。 Big drops stood on my forehead； and my tremors
almost incapacitated me from proceeding。
These impediments however I surmounted； I crept up stairs at
midnight； and entered my father's chamber。 The darkness was intense
and I sought with outstretched hands for his bed。 The darkness； added to
the trepidation of my thoughts； disabled me from making a right estimate
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MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST ＇A fragment＇
of distances： I was conscious of this； and when I advanced within the
room； paused。
I endeavoured to compare the progress I had made with my knowledge
of the room； and governed by the result of this comparison； proceeded
caut
