Reading Help Frankenstein Ch.1-9
his grief only became more deep and rankling when he had leisure for `
` reflection, and at length it took so fast hold of his mind that at the `
` end of three months he lay on a bed of sickness, incapable of any `
` exertion. `
` `
` His daughter attended him with the greatest tenderness, but she saw `
` with despair that their little fund was rapidly decreasing and that `
` there was no other prospect of support. But Caroline Beaufort `
` possessed a mind of an uncommon mould, and her courage rose to support `
` her in her adversity. She procured plain work; she plaited straw and `
` by various means contrived to earn a pittance scarcely sufficient to `
` support life. `
` `
` Several months passed in this manner. Her father grew worse; her time `
` was more entirely occupied in attending him; her means of subsistence `
` decreased; and in the tenth month her father died in her arms, leaving `
` her an orphan and a beggar. This last blow overcame her, and she knelt `
` by Beaufort's coffin weeping bitterly, when my father entered the `
` chamber. He came like a protecting spirit to the poor girl, who `
` committed herself to his care; and after the interment of his friend he `
` conducted her to Geneva and placed her under the protection of a `
` relation. Two years after this event Caroline became his wife. `
` `
` There was a considerable difference between the ages of my parents, but `
` this circumstance seemed to unite them only closer in bonds of devoted `
` affection. There was a sense of justice in my father's upright mind `
` which rendered it necessary that he should approve highly to love `
` strongly. Perhaps during former years he had suffered from the `
` late-discovered unworthiness of one beloved and so was disposed to set `
` a greater value on tried worth. There was a show of gratitude and `
` worship in his attachment to my mother, differing wholly from the `
` doting fondness of age, for it was inspired by reverence for her `
` virtues and a desire to be the means of, in some degree, recompensing `
` her for the sorrows she had endured, but which gave inexpressible grace `
` to his behaviour to her. Everything was made to yield to her wishes `
` and her convenience. He strove to shelter her, as a fair exotic is `
` sheltered by the gardener, from every rougher wind and to surround her `
` with all that could tend to excite pleasurable emotion in her soft and `
` benevolent mind. Her health, and even the tranquillity of her hitherto `
` constant spirit, had been shaken by what she had gone through. During `
` the two years that had elapsed previous to their marriage my father had `
` gradually relinquished all his public functions; and immediately after `
` their union they sought the pleasant climate of Italy, and the change `
` of scene and interest attendant on a tour through that land of wonders, `
` as a restorative for her weakened frame. `
` `
` From Italy they visited Germany and France. I, their eldest child, was `
` born at Naples, and as an infant accompanied them in their rambles. I `
` remained for several years their only child. Much as they were `
` attached to each other, they seemed to draw inexhaustible stores of `
` affection from a very mine of love to bestow them upon me. My mother's `
` tender caresses and my father's smile of benevolent pleasure while `
` regarding me are my first recollections. I was their plaything and `
` their idol, and something better--their child, the innocent and `
` helpless creature bestowed on them by heaven, whom to bring up to good, `
` and whose future lot it was in their hands to direct to happiness or `
` misery, according as they fulfilled their duties towards me. With this `
` deep consciousness of what they owed towards the being to which they `
` had given life, added to the active spirit of tenderness that animated `
` both, it may be imagined that while during every hour of my infant life `
` I received a lesson of patience, of charity, and of self-control, I was `
` so guided by a silken cord that all seemed but one train of enjoyment `
` to me. For a long time I was their only care. My mother had much `
` desired to have a daughter, but I continued their single offspring. `
` When I was about five years old, while making an excursion beyond the `
` frontiers of Italy, they passed a week on the shores of the Lake of `
` Como. Their benevolent disposition often made them enter the cottages `
` of the poor. This, to my mother, was more than a duty; it was a `
` necessity, a passion--remembering what she had suffered, and how she `
` had been relieved--for her to act in her turn the guardian angel to the `
` afflicted. During one of their walks a poor cot in the foldings of a `
` vale attracted their notice as being singularly disconsolate, while the `
` number of half-clothed children gathered about it spoke of penury in `
` its worst shape. One day, when my father had gone by himself to Milan, `
` my mother, accompanied by me, visited this abode. She found a peasant `
` and his wife, hard working, bent down by care and labour, distributing `
` a scanty meal to five hungry babes. Among these there was one which `
` attracted my mother far above all the rest. She appeared of a `
` different stock. The four others were dark-eyed, hardy little `
` vagrants; this child was thin and very fair. Her hair was the `
` brightest living gold, and despite the poverty of her clothing, seemed `
` to set a crown of distinction on her head. Her brow was clear and `
` ample, her blue eyes cloudless, and her lips and the moulding of her `
` face so expressive of sensibility and sweetness that none could behold `
` her without looking on her as of a distinct species, a being `
` heaven-sent, and bearing a celestial stamp in all her features. The `
` peasant woman, perceiving that my mother fixed eyes of wonder and `
` admiration on this lovely girl, eagerly communicated her history. She `
` was not her child, but the daughter of a Milanese nobleman. Her mother `
` was a German and had died on giving her birth. The infant had been `
` placed with these good people to nurse: they were better off then. `
` They had not been long married, and their eldest child was but just `
` born. The father of their charge was one of those Italians nursed in `
` the memory of the antique glory of Italy--one among the schiavi ognor `
` frementi, who exerted himself to obtain the liberty of his country. He `
` became the victim of its weakness. Whether he had died or still `
` lingered in the dungeons of Austria was not known. His property was `
` confiscated; his child became an orphan and a beggar. She continued `
` with her foster parents and bloomed in their rude abode, fairer than a `
` garden rose among dark-leaved brambles. When my father returned from `
` Milan, he found playing with me in the hall of our villa a child fairer `
` than pictured cherub--a creature who seemed to shed radiance from her `
` looks and whose form and motions were lighter than the chamois of the `
` hills. The apparition was soon explained. With his permission my `
` mother prevailed on her rustic guardians to yield their charge to her. `
` They were fond of the sweet orphan. Her presence had seemed a blessing `
` to them, but it would be unfair to her to keep her in poverty and want `
` when Providence afforded her such powerful protection. They consulted `
` their village priest, and the result was that Elizabeth Lavenza became `
` the inmate of my parents' house--my more than sister--the beautiful and `
` adored companion of all my occupations and my pleasures. `
` `
` Everyone loved Elizabeth. The passionate and almost reverential `
` attachment with which all regarded her became, while I shared it, my `
` pride and my delight. On the evening previous to her being brought to `
` my home, my mother had said playfully, "I have a pretty present for my `
` Victor--tomorrow he shall have it." And when, on the morrow, she `
` presented Elizabeth to me as her promised gift, I, with childish `
` seriousness, interpreted her words literally and looked upon Elizabeth `
` as mine--mine to protect, love, and cherish. All praises bestowed on `
` her I received as made to a possession of my own. We called each other `
` familiarly by the name of cousin. No word, no expression could body `
` forth the kind of relation in which she stood to me--my more than `
` sister, since till death she was to be mine only. `
` `
` `
` Chapter 2 `
` `
` We were brought up together; there was not quite a year difference in `
` our ages. I need not say that we were strangers to any species of `
` disunion or dispute. Harmony was the soul of our companionship, and `
` the diversity and contrast that subsisted in our characters drew us `
` nearer together. Elizabeth was of a calmer and more concentrated `
` disposition; but, with all my ardour, I was capable of a more intense `
` application and was more deeply smitten with the thirst for knowledge. `
` She busied herself with following the aerial creations of the poets; `
` and in the majestic and wondrous scenes which surrounded our Swiss home `
` --the sublime shapes of the mountains, the changes of the seasons, `
` tempest and calm, the silence of winter, and the life and turbulence of `
` our Alpine summers--she found ample scope for admiration and delight. `
` While my companion contemplated with a serious and satisfied spirit the `
` magnificent appearances of things, I delighted in investigating their `
` causes. The world was to me a secret which I desired to divine. `
` Curiosity, earnest research to learn the hidden laws of nature, `
` gladness akin to rapture, as they were unfolded to me, are among the `
` earliest sensations I can remember. `
` `
` On the birth of a second son, my junior by seven years, my parents gave `
` up entirely their wandering life and fixed themselves in their native `
` country. We possessed a house in Geneva, and a campagne on Belrive, `
` the eastern shore of the lake, at the distance of rather more than a `
` league from the city. We resided principally in the latter, and the `
` lives of my parents were passed in considerable seclusion. It was my `
` temper to avoid a crowd and to attach myself fervently to a few. I was `
` indifferent, therefore, to my school-fellows in general; but I united `
` myself in the bonds of the closest friendship to one among them. Henry `
` Clerval was the son of a merchant of Geneva. He was a boy of singular `
` talent and fancy. He loved enterprise, hardship, and even danger for `
` its own sake. He was deeply read in books of chivalry and romance. He `
` composed heroic songs and began to write many a tale of enchantment and `
` knightly adventure. He tried to make us act plays and to enter into `
` masquerades, in which the characters were drawn from the heroes of `
` Roncesvalles, of the Round Table of King Arthur, and the chivalrous `
` train who shed their blood to redeem the holy sepulchre from the hands `
` of the infidels. `
` `
` No human being could have passed a happier childhood than myself. My `
` parents were possessed by the very spirit of kindness and indulgence. `
` We felt that they were not the tyrants to rule our lot according to `
` their caprice, but the agents and creators of all the many delights `
` which we enjoyed. When I mingled with other families I distinctly `
` discerned how peculiarly fortunate my lot was, and gratitude assisted `
` the development of filial love. `
` `
` My temper was sometimes violent, and my passions vehement; but by some `
` law in my temperature they were turned not towards childish pursuits `
` but to an eager desire to learn, and not to learn all things `
` indiscriminately. I confess that neither the structure of languages, `
` nor the code of governments, nor the politics of various states `
` possessed attractions for me. It was the secrets of heaven and earth `
` that I desired to learn; and whether it was the outward substance of `
` things or the inner spirit of nature and the mysterious soul of man `
` that occupied me, still my inquiries were directed to the metaphysical, `
` or in its highest sense, the physical secrets of the world. `
` `
` Meanwhile Clerval occupied himself, so to speak, with the moral `
` relations of things. The busy stage of life, the virtues of heroes, and `
` the actions of men were his theme; and his hope and his dream was to `
` become one among those whose names are recorded in story as the gallant `
` and adventurous benefactors of our species. The saintly soul of `
` Elizabeth shone like a shrine-dedicated lamp in our peaceful home. Her `
` sympathy was ours; her smile, her soft voice, the sweet glance of her `
` celestial eyes, were ever there to bless and animate us. She was the `
` living spirit of love to soften and attract; I might have become sullen `
` in my study, rought through the ardour of my nature, but that she was `
` there to subdue me to a semblance of her own gentleness. And `
` Clerval--could aught ill entrench on the noble spirit of Clerval? Yet `
` he might not have been so perfectly humane, so thoughtful in his `
` generosity, so full of kindness and tenderness amidst his passion for `
` adventurous exploit, had she not unfolded to him the real loveliness of `
` beneficence and made the doing good the end and aim of his soaring `
`
` reflection, and at length it took so fast hold of his mind that at the `
` end of three months he lay on a bed of sickness, incapable of any `
` exertion. `
` `
` His daughter attended him with the greatest tenderness, but she saw `
` with despair that their little fund was rapidly decreasing and that `
` there was no other prospect of support. But Caroline Beaufort `
` possessed a mind of an uncommon mould, and her courage rose to support `
` her in her adversity. She procured plain work; she plaited straw and `
` by various means contrived to earn a pittance scarcely sufficient to `
` support life. `
` `
` Several months passed in this manner. Her father grew worse; her time `
` was more entirely occupied in attending him; her means of subsistence `
` decreased; and in the tenth month her father died in her arms, leaving `
` her an orphan and a beggar. This last blow overcame her, and she knelt `
` by Beaufort's coffin weeping bitterly, when my father entered the `
` chamber. He came like a protecting spirit to the poor girl, who `
` committed herself to his care; and after the interment of his friend he `
` conducted her to Geneva and placed her under the protection of a `
` relation. Two years after this event Caroline became his wife. `
` `
` There was a considerable difference between the ages of my parents, but `
` this circumstance seemed to unite them only closer in bonds of devoted `
` affection. There was a sense of justice in my father's upright mind `
` which rendered it necessary that he should approve highly to love `
` strongly. Perhaps during former years he had suffered from the `
` late-discovered unworthiness of one beloved and so was disposed to set `
` a greater value on tried worth. There was a show of gratitude and `
` worship in his attachment to my mother, differing wholly from the `
` doting fondness of age, for it was inspired by reverence for her `
` virtues and a desire to be the means of, in some degree, recompensing `
` her for the sorrows she had endured, but which gave inexpressible grace `
` to his behaviour to her. Everything was made to yield to her wishes `
` and her convenience. He strove to shelter her, as a fair exotic is `
` sheltered by the gardener, from every rougher wind and to surround her `
` with all that could tend to excite pleasurable emotion in her soft and `
` benevolent mind. Her health, and even the tranquillity of her hitherto `
` constant spirit, had been shaken by what she had gone through. During `
` the two years that had elapsed previous to their marriage my father had `
` gradually relinquished all his public functions; and immediately after `
` their union they sought the pleasant climate of Italy, and the change `
` of scene and interest attendant on a tour through that land of wonders, `
` as a restorative for her weakened frame. `
` `
` From Italy they visited Germany and France. I, their eldest child, was `
` born at Naples, and as an infant accompanied them in their rambles. I `
` remained for several years their only child. Much as they were `
` attached to each other, they seemed to draw inexhaustible stores of `
` affection from a very mine of love to bestow them upon me. My mother's `
` tender caresses and my father's smile of benevolent pleasure while `
` regarding me are my first recollections. I was their plaything and `
` their idol, and something better--their child, the innocent and `
` helpless creature bestowed on them by heaven, whom to bring up to good, `
` and whose future lot it was in their hands to direct to happiness or `
` misery, according as they fulfilled their duties towards me. With this `
` deep consciousness of what they owed towards the being to which they `
` had given life, added to the active spirit of tenderness that animated `
` both, it may be imagined that while during every hour of my infant life `
` I received a lesson of patience, of charity, and of self-control, I was `
` so guided by a silken cord that all seemed but one train of enjoyment `
` to me. For a long time I was their only care. My mother had much `
` desired to have a daughter, but I continued their single offspring. `
` When I was about five years old, while making an excursion beyond the `
` frontiers of Italy, they passed a week on the shores of the Lake of `
` Como. Their benevolent disposition often made them enter the cottages `
` of the poor. This, to my mother, was more than a duty; it was a `
` necessity, a passion--remembering what she had suffered, and how she `
` had been relieved--for her to act in her turn the guardian angel to the `
` afflicted. During one of their walks a poor cot in the foldings of a `
` vale attracted their notice as being singularly disconsolate, while the `
` number of half-clothed children gathered about it spoke of penury in `
` its worst shape. One day, when my father had gone by himself to Milan, `
` my mother, accompanied by me, visited this abode. She found a peasant `
` and his wife, hard working, bent down by care and labour, distributing `
` a scanty meal to five hungry babes. Among these there was one which `
` attracted my mother far above all the rest. She appeared of a `
` different stock. The four others were dark-eyed, hardy little `
` vagrants; this child was thin and very fair. Her hair was the `
` brightest living gold, and despite the poverty of her clothing, seemed `
` to set a crown of distinction on her head. Her brow was clear and `
` ample, her blue eyes cloudless, and her lips and the moulding of her `
` face so expressive of sensibility and sweetness that none could behold `
` her without looking on her as of a distinct species, a being `
` heaven-sent, and bearing a celestial stamp in all her features. The `
` peasant woman, perceiving that my mother fixed eyes of wonder and `
` admiration on this lovely girl, eagerly communicated her history. She `
` was not her child, but the daughter of a Milanese nobleman. Her mother `
` was a German and had died on giving her birth. The infant had been `
` placed with these good people to nurse: they were better off then. `
` They had not been long married, and their eldest child was but just `
` born. The father of their charge was one of those Italians nursed in `
` the memory of the antique glory of Italy--one among the schiavi ognor `
` frementi, who exerted himself to obtain the liberty of his country. He `
` became the victim of its weakness. Whether he had died or still `
` lingered in the dungeons of Austria was not known. His property was `
` confiscated; his child became an orphan and a beggar. She continued `
` with her foster parents and bloomed in their rude abode, fairer than a `
` garden rose among dark-leaved brambles. When my father returned from `
` Milan, he found playing with me in the hall of our villa a child fairer `
` than pictured cherub--a creature who seemed to shed radiance from her `
` looks and whose form and motions were lighter than the chamois of the `
` hills. The apparition was soon explained. With his permission my `
` mother prevailed on her rustic guardians to yield their charge to her. `
` They were fond of the sweet orphan. Her presence had seemed a blessing `
` to them, but it would be unfair to her to keep her in poverty and want `
` when Providence afforded her such powerful protection. They consulted `
` their village priest, and the result was that Elizabeth Lavenza became `
` the inmate of my parents' house--my more than sister--the beautiful and `
` adored companion of all my occupations and my pleasures. `
` `
` Everyone loved Elizabeth. The passionate and almost reverential `
` attachment with which all regarded her became, while I shared it, my `
` pride and my delight. On the evening previous to her being brought to `
` my home, my mother had said playfully, "I have a pretty present for my `
` Victor--tomorrow he shall have it." And when, on the morrow, she `
` presented Elizabeth to me as her promised gift, I, with childish `
` seriousness, interpreted her words literally and looked upon Elizabeth `
` as mine--mine to protect, love, and cherish. All praises bestowed on `
` her I received as made to a possession of my own. We called each other `
` familiarly by the name of cousin. No word, no expression could body `
` forth the kind of relation in which she stood to me--my more than `
` sister, since till death she was to be mine only. `
` `
` `
` Chapter 2 `
` `
` We were brought up together; there was not quite a year difference in `
` our ages. I need not say that we were strangers to any species of `
` disunion or dispute. Harmony was the soul of our companionship, and `
` the diversity and contrast that subsisted in our characters drew us `
` nearer together. Elizabeth was of a calmer and more concentrated `
` disposition; but, with all my ardour, I was capable of a more intense `
` application and was more deeply smitten with the thirst for knowledge. `
` She busied herself with following the aerial creations of the poets; `
` and in the majestic and wondrous scenes which surrounded our Swiss home `
` --the sublime shapes of the mountains, the changes of the seasons, `
` tempest and calm, the silence of winter, and the life and turbulence of `
` our Alpine summers--she found ample scope for admiration and delight. `
` While my companion contemplated with a serious and satisfied spirit the `
` magnificent appearances of things, I delighted in investigating their `
` causes. The world was to me a secret which I desired to divine. `
` Curiosity, earnest research to learn the hidden laws of nature, `
` gladness akin to rapture, as they were unfolded to me, are among the `
` earliest sensations I can remember. `
` `
` On the birth of a second son, my junior by seven years, my parents gave `
` up entirely their wandering life and fixed themselves in their native `
` country. We possessed a house in Geneva, and a campagne on Belrive, `
` the eastern shore of the lake, at the distance of rather more than a `
` league from the city. We resided principally in the latter, and the `
` lives of my parents were passed in considerable seclusion. It was my `
` temper to avoid a crowd and to attach myself fervently to a few. I was `
` indifferent, therefore, to my school-fellows in general; but I united `
` myself in the bonds of the closest friendship to one among them. Henry `
` Clerval was the son of a merchant of Geneva. He was a boy of singular `
` talent and fancy. He loved enterprise, hardship, and even danger for `
` its own sake. He was deeply read in books of chivalry and romance. He `
` composed heroic songs and began to write many a tale of enchantment and `
` knightly adventure. He tried to make us act plays and to enter into `
` masquerades, in which the characters were drawn from the heroes of `
` Roncesvalles, of the Round Table of King Arthur, and the chivalrous `
` train who shed their blood to redeem the holy sepulchre from the hands `
` of the infidels. `
` `
` No human being could have passed a happier childhood than myself. My `
` parents were possessed by the very spirit of kindness and indulgence. `
` We felt that they were not the tyrants to rule our lot according to `
` their caprice, but the agents and creators of all the many delights `
` which we enjoyed. When I mingled with other families I distinctly `
` discerned how peculiarly fortunate my lot was, and gratitude assisted `
` the development of filial love. `
` `
` My temper was sometimes violent, and my passions vehement; but by some `
` law in my temperature they were turned not towards childish pursuits `
` but to an eager desire to learn, and not to learn all things `
` indiscriminately. I confess that neither the structure of languages, `
` nor the code of governments, nor the politics of various states `
` possessed attractions for me. It was the secrets of heaven and earth `
` that I desired to learn; and whether it was the outward substance of `
` things or the inner spirit of nature and the mysterious soul of man `
` that occupied me, still my inquiries were directed to the metaphysical, `
` or in its highest sense, the physical secrets of the world. `
` `
` Meanwhile Clerval occupied himself, so to speak, with the moral `
` relations of things. The busy stage of life, the virtues of heroes, and `
` the actions of men were his theme; and his hope and his dream was to `
` become one among those whose names are recorded in story as the gallant `
` and adventurous benefactors of our species. The saintly soul of `
` Elizabeth shone like a shrine-dedicated lamp in our peaceful home. Her `
` sympathy was ours; her smile, her soft voice, the sweet glance of her `
` celestial eyes, were ever there to bless and animate us. She was the `
` living spirit of love to soften and attract; I might have become sullen `
` in my study, rought through the ardour of my nature, but that she was `
` there to subdue me to a semblance of her own gentleness. And `
` Clerval--could aught ill entrench on the noble spirit of Clerval? Yet `
` he might not have been so perfectly humane, so thoughtful in his `
` generosity, so full of kindness and tenderness amidst his passion for `
` adventurous exploit, had she not unfolded to him the real loveliness of `
` beneficence and made the doing good the end and aim of his soaring `
`