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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Untitled Article
life , so quiet , so nearly solitary , should have prepared me better than others , one would think , for such a life as 1 may have to lead for months or years in this place : yet my spirit rebels , my blood boils under this tyranny as if I had roved the earth like a Tartar , of fought for liberty like ¦ ¦ ¦ him whom I rejoice to have known , though my friendship with him has brought me here . "
He paced his apartment with a more rapid step as his thoughts grew more disturbed , and his indignation at the abuse of human power rose higher . Helmer was a philosopher , and when he found his passions swelling to a very ^ uh philosophical height , he broke off his train of thought , and repaired to the parapet to look abroad upon the free earth and the expanded sky . The sight of human dwellings reminded him of his home , of the only sister who would soon look for tidings of him and be disappointed ; of the friend
who would probably arrive in the neighbourhood to search for him , and leave him behind in the fruitless inquiry . Thoughts such as these were not of a kind to restore him to tranquillity ; but there is a power in the influences of nature to which such a mind as Helmer ' s is never insensible , and which acts as medicine to fevered thoughts . The shadows drew off from his soul as they spread over the scene beneath him , and wonted
associations arose with the star of evening . He felt ashamed of the selfish cares and fears which had so much occupied him during the day ; and when the jailer entered with a light , Helmer felt more inclined than before to ply him with questions which would probably not be answered , and less impatient of the few civilities which the man seemed disposed to offer . " Who has the command of the castle ? " he inquired . The jailer did not see how it concerned the gentleman to know . " I care not for his name ; but I want to learn how to address my request for an audience . ' *
" You will be sure to see him one of these days . He goes the round occasionally . This was a satisfactory piece of intelligence . Helmer ' s next inquiry was about his property , especially his books , and above all , one volume which he desired to have , whatever became of the rest . The jailer knew nothing about books . Helmer described the peculiarities of the volume he wanted- He reasoned on the harm less ness of the
occupation of reading , and of the hardship of being deprived of it . It was in vain . He offered a reward ; but even this failed . It was no part of the jailer ' s business , and the gentleman must apply to the governor . The jailer , as he pronounced this decision , was fastening the door which led to the parapet . Helmer requested him to leave it open . The man hesitated .
" What are you afraid of ? " said Helnaer . " There is no way of escape , unless the Evil One should fly away with me . " 44 He would be more likely to leave you here , unless he has an especial love for you , " said the man , with a grim smile . " But I don't know why you are unwilling to be shut in from the night air . If you could give me a « erood reason —" /
_ " My reason is simply that I am not a very good sleepeT , and it is a plea- * - sure to me to watch the stars . " The jailer left the door unfastened , but gave notice that he might return if the governor should object to sach an indulgence of the prisoner ' s wishes . Helmer retired to rest with the hope that before another night should close he might have seen the governor , have obtained possession of his Bible , and
Untitled Article
Solhude and Society .- a Tale . 443
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), July 2, 1830, page 443, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2586/page/11/
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