memoirs of carwin the biloquist(卡尔维恩)-第2章
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and exhausted my lungs and my invention in new clamours。
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MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST ＇A fragment＇
The pleasures of this new discovery were an ample compensation for
the ill treatment which I expected on my return。 By some caprice in my
father I escaped merely with a few reproaches。 I seized the first
opportunity of again visiting this recess； and repeating my amusement；
time； and incessant repetition； could scarcely lessen its charms or exhaust
the variety produced by new tones and new positions。
The hours in which I was most free from interruption and restraint
were those of moonlight。 My brother and I occupied a small room above
the kitchen； disconnected； in some degree； with the rest of the house。 It
was the rural custom to retire early to bed and to anticipate the rising of
the sun。 When the moonlight was strong enough to permit me to read； it
was my custom to escape from bed； and hie with my book to some
neighbouring eminence； where I would remain stretched on the mossy
rock； till the sinking or beclouded moon； forbade me to continue my
employment。 I was indebted for books to a friendly person in the
neighbourhood； whose compliance with my solicitations was prompted
partly by benevolence and partly by enmity to my father； whom he could
not more egregiously offend than by gratifying my perverse and
pernicious curiosity。
In leaving my chamber I was obliged to use the utmost caution to
avoid rousing my brother； whose temper disposed him to thwart me in the
least of my gratifications。 My purpose was surely laudable； and yet on
leaving the house and returning to it； I was obliged to use the vigilance
and circumspection of a thief。
One night I left my bed with this view。 I posted first to my vocal glen；
and thence scrambling up a neighbouring steep； which overlooked a wide
extent of this romantic country； gave myself up to contemplation； and the
perusal of Milton's Comus。
My reflections were naturally suggested by the singularity of this echo。
To hear my own voice speak at a distance would have been formerly
regarded as prodigious。 To hear too； that voice； not uttered by another；
by whom it might easily be mimicked； but by myself！ I cannot now
recollect the transition which led me to the notion of sounds； similar to
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MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST ＇A fragment＇
these； but produced by other means than reverberation。 Could I not so
dispose my organs as to make my voice appear at a distance？
From speculation I proceeded to experiment。 The idea of a distant
voice； like my own； was intimately present to my fancy。 I exerted myself
with a most ardent desire； and with something like a persuasion that I
should succeed。 I started with surprise； for it seemed as if success had
crowned my attempts。 I repeated the effort； but failed。 A certain
position of the organs took place on the first attempt； altogether new；
unexampled and as it were； by accident； for I could not attain it on the
second experiment。
You will not wonder that I exerted myself with indefatigable zeal to
regain what had once； though for so short a space； been in my power。
Your own ears have witnessed the success of these efforts。 By perpetual
exertion I gained it a second time； and now was a diligent observer of the
circumstances attending it。 Gradually I subjected these finer and more
subtle motions to the command of my will。 What was at first difficult； by
exercise and habit； was rendered easy。 I learned to accommodate my
voice to all the varieties of distance and direction。
It cannot be denied that this faculty is wonderful and rare； but when
we consider the possible modifications of muscular motion； how few of
these are usually exerted； how imperfectly they are subjected to the will；
and yet that the will is capable of being rendered unlimited and absolute；
will not our wonder cease？
We have seen men who could hide their tongues so perfectly that even
an Anatomist； after the most accurate inspection that a living subject could
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
c
