an autobiography-第16章
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e kind； he had very little regard for money except as it ministered to his immediate necessities。 His evenings were generally spent at a club of brother artists 〃over the water；〃 and in their company he enjoyed many a pleasant hour。 His days were spent at his easel。 They were occasionally varied by long walks into the country near London； for the purpose of refilling his sketch…book。
It was on one of such occasionswhen he was sketching the details of some picturesque pollard old willows up the Thames； and standing all the time in wet groundthat he caught a severe cold which confined him to the house。 He rapidly became worse。 Two of his sisters； who happened to be in London at the time； nursed him with devoted attention。 But it was too late。 The disease had taken fatal hold of him。 On the evening of the l7th August 1831 there was a violent thunderstorm。 At length the peals of thunder ceased； the rain passed away； and the clouds dispersed。 The setting sun burst forth in a golden glow。 The patient turned round on his couch and asked that the curtains might be drawn。 It was done。 A blaze of sunset lit up his weary and worn…out face。 〃How glorious it is！〃 he said。 Then； as the glow vanished he fell into a deep and tranquil sleep； from which he never awoke。 Such was the peaceful end of my brother Patrick； at the comparatively early age of forty…four years。
CHAPTER 4。 My Early Years。
I WAS born on the morning of the 19th of August 1808； at my father's house No。 47 York Place； Edinburgh。 I was named James Hall after my father's dear friend； Sir James Hall of Dunglass。 My mother afterwards told me that I must have been 〃a very noticin' bairn；〃 as she observed me； when I was only a few days old； following with my little eyes any one who happened to be in the room； as if I had been thinking to my little self； 〃Who are you？〃
After a suitable time I was put under the care of a nursemaid。 I remember her wellMary Peterkina truly Scandinavian name。 She came from Haddingtonshire； where most of the people are of Scandinavian origin。 Her hair was of a bright yellow tint。 She was a cheerful young woman； and sang to me like a nightingale。 She could not only sing old Scotch songs； but had a wonderful memory for fairy tales。 When under the influence of a merry laugh； you could scarcely see her eyes； their twinkle was hidden by her eyelids and lashes。 She was a willing worker； and was always ready to lend a helping hand at everything about the house； she took great pride in me； calling me her 〃laddie。〃
When I was toddling about the house； another sister was born； the last of the family。 Little Mary was very delicate； and to improve her health she was sent to a small farm…house at Braid Hills； about four miles south of Edinburgh。 It was one of the most rural and beautiful surroundings of the city at that time。 One of my earliest recollections is that of being taken to see poor little Mary at the farmer's house。 While my nursemaid was occupied in inquiring after my sister； I was attracted by the bright red poppies in a neighbouring field。 When they made search for me I could not be found。 I was lost for more than an hour。 At last； seeing a slight local disturbance among the stalks of corn； they rushed to they spot； and brought me out with an armful of brilliant red poppies。 To this day poppies continue to be my greatest favourites。
When I was about four or five years old； I was observed to give a decided preference to the use of my left hand。 Everything was done to prevent my using it in preference to the right。 My mother thought that it arose from my being carried on the wrong arm by my nurse while an infant。 The right hand was thus confined； and the left hand was used。 I was constantly corrected； but 〃on the sly〃 I always used it； especially in drawing my first little sketches。 At last my father； after viewing with pleasure one of my artistic efforts； done with the forbidden hand； granted it liberty and independence for all time coming。 〃Well；〃 he said； 〃you may go on in your own way in the use of your left hand； but I fear you will be an awkward fellow in everything that requires handiness in life。 I used my right hand in all that was necessary； and my left in all sorts of practical manipulative affairs。 My left hand has accordingly been my most willing and obedient servant in transmitting my will through my fingers into material or visible forms。 In this way I became ambidexter。
When I was about four years old； I often followed my father into his workshop when he had occasion to show to his visitors some of his mechanical contrivances or artistic models。 The persons present usually expressed their admiration in warm terms of what was shown to them。 On one occasion I gently pulled the coat…tail of one of the listeners and confidentially said to him； as if I knew all about it； 〃My papa's a kevie Fellae！〃 My father was so greatly amused by this remark that he often referred to it as 〃the last good thing〃 from that old…fashioned creature little Jamie。
One of my earliest recollections is the annual celebration of my brother Patrick's birthday。 Being the eldest of the family； his birthday was held in special honour。 My father invited about twenty of his most intimate friends to dinner。 My mother brought her culinary powers into full operation。 The younger members of the family also took a lively interest in all that was going on； with certain reversionary views as to 〃the day after the feast。〃 We took a great interest in the Trifle； which was no trifle in reality； in so far as regarded the care and anxiety involved in its preparation。 In connection with this celebration； it was all established institution that a large hamper always arrived in good time from the farm attached to my mother's old home at Woodhall； near Edinburgh。 It contained many substantial elements for the entertainmenta fine turkey； fowls； duck； and suchlike； with two magnums of the richest cream。 There never was such cream！ It established a standard of cream in my memory； and since then I have always been hypercritical about the article。
On one of these occasions； when I was about four years old； and being the youngest of the family； I was taken into the company after the dinner was over； and held up by my sister Jane to sing a verse from a little song which my nurse Mary Peterkin had taught me； and Which ran thus：
〃I'll no bide till Saturday； But I'll awa' tile morn； An' follow Donald Hielandman； An' carry his poother…horn。〃
This was my first and last vocal performance。 It was received with great applause。 In fact； it was encored。 The word 〃poother；〃 which I pronounced 〃pootle〃； excited the enthusiasm of the audience。 I was then sent to bed with a bit of plum…cake； and was doubtless awakened early next morning by the irritation of the dried crumbs of the previous night's feast。
I am reminded； by reading over a letter of my brother Patrick's； of an awkward circumstance that happened to me when I was six years old。 In his letter to my father； dated London； 22d September 1814； he says： 〃I did get a surprise when Margaret's letter informed me of my little brother Jamie's fall。 It was a wonderful escape。 For God's sake keep an eye upon him！〃 Like other strong and healthy boys； I had a turn for amusing myself in my own way。 When sliding down the railing of the stairs I lost my grip and fell suddenly over。 The steps were of stone。 Fortunately； the servants were just coming up laden with carpets which they had been beating。 I fell into their midst and knocked them out of their hands。 I was thus saved from cracking my poor little skull。 But for that there might have been no steam hammerat least of my contrivance！
Everything connected with war and warlike exploits is interesting to a boy。 The war with France was then in full progress。 Troops and bands paraded the streets。 Recruits were sent away as fast as they could be drilled。 The whole air was filled with war。 Everybody was full of excitement about the progress of events in Spain。 When the great guns boomed forth from the Castle； the people were first startled。 Then they were surprised and anxious。 There had been a battle and a victory！ 〃
