Reading Help DRACULA by Bram Stoker Ch.13-27
Then holding the pages between his finger and thumb he said, "Friend `
` John, to you with so much experience already, and you too, dear Madam `
` Mina, that are young, here is a lesson. Do not fear ever to think. A `
` half thought has been buzzing often in my brain, but I fear to let him `
` loose his wings. Here now, with more knowledge, I go back to where `
` that half thought come from and I find that he be no half thought at `
` all. That be a whole thought, though so young that he is not yet `
` strong to use his little wings. Nay, like the 'Ugly Duck' of my `
` friend Hans Andersen, he be no duck thought at all, but a big swan `
` thought that sail nobly on big wings, when the time come for him to `
` try them. See I read here what Jonathan have written. `
` `
` "That other of his race who, in a later age, again and again, brought `
` his forces over The Great River into Turkey Land, who when he was `
` beaten back, came again, and again, and again, though he had to come `
` alone from the bloody field where his troops were being slaughtered, `
` since he knew that he alone could ultimately triumph. `
` `
` "What does this tell us? Not much? No! The Count's child thought `
` see nothing, therefore he speak so free. Your man thought see `
` nothing. My man thought see nothing, till just now. No! But there `
` comes another word from some one who speak without thought because `
` she, too, know not what it mean, what it might mean. Just as there `
` are elements which rest, yet when in nature's course they move on `
` their way and they touch, the pouf! And there comes a flash of light, `
` heaven wide, that blind and kill and destroy some. But that show up `
` all earth below for leagues and leagues. Is it not so? Well, I shall `
` explain. To begin, have you ever study the philosophy of crime? `
` 'Yes' and 'No.' You, John, yes, for it is a study of insanity. You, `
` no, Madam Mina, for crime touch you not, not but once. Still, your `
` mind works true, and argues not a particulari ad universale. There is `
` this peculiarity in criminals. It is so constant, in all countries `
` and at all times, that even police, who know not much from philosophy, `
` come to know it empirically, that it is. That is to be empiric. The `
` criminal always work at one crime, that is the true criminal who seems `
` predestinate to crime, and who will of none other. This criminal has `
` not full man brain. He is clever and cunning and resourceful, but he `
` be not of man stature as to brain. He be of child brain in much. Now `
` this criminal of ours is predestinate to crime also. He, too, have `
` child brain, and it is of the child to do what he have done. The `
` little bird, the little fish, the little animal learn not by `
` principle, but empirically. And when he learn to do, then there is to `
` him the ground to start from to do more. 'Dos pou sto,' said `
` Archimedes. 'Give me a fulcrum, and I shall move the world!' To do `
` once, is the fulcrum whereby child brain become man brain. And until `
` he have the purpose to do more, he continue to do the same again every `
` time, just as he have done before! Oh, my dear, I see that your eyes `
` are opened, and that to you the lightning flash show all the leagues," `
` for Mrs. Harker began to clap her hands and her eyes sparkled. `
` `
` He went on, "Now you shall speak. Tell us two dry men of science what `
` you see with those so bright eyes." He took her hand and held it `
` whilst he spoke. His finger and thumb closed on her pulse, as I `
` thought instinctively and unconsciously, as she spoke. `
` `
` "The Count is a criminal and of criminal type. Nordau and Lombroso `
` would so classify him, and qua criminal he is of an imperfectly formed `
` mind. Thus, in a difficulty he has to seek resource in habit. His `
` past is a clue, and the one page of it that we know, and that from his `
` own lips, tells that once before, when in what Mr. Morris would call `
` a 'tight place,' he went back to his own country from the land he had `
` tried to invade, and thence, without losing purpose, prepared himself `
` for a new effort. He came again better equipped for his work, and `
` won. So he came to London to invade a new land. He was beaten, and `
` when all hope of success was lost, and his existence in danger, he `
` fled back over the sea to his home. Just as formerly he had fled back `
` over the Danube from Turkey Land." `
` `
` "Good, good! Oh, you so clever lady!" said Van Helsing, `
` enthusiastically, as he stooped and kissed her hand. A moment later `
` he said to me, as calmly as though we had been having a sick room `
` consultation, "Seventy-two only, and in all this excitement. I have `
` hope." `
` `
` Turning to her again, he said with keen expectation, "But go on. Go `
` on! There is more to tell if you will. Be not afraid. John and I `
` know. I do in any case, and shall tell you if you are right. Speak, `
` without fear!" `
` `
` "I will try to. But you will forgive me if I seem too egotistical." `
` `
` "Nay! Fear not, you must be egotist, for it is of you that we think." `
` `
` "Then, as he is criminal he is selfish. And as his intellect is small `
` and his action is based on selfishness, he confines himself to one `
` purpose. That purpose is remorseless. As he fled back over the `
` Danube, leaving his forces to be cut to pieces, so now he is intent on `
` being safe, careless of all. So his own selfishness frees my soul `
` somewhat from the terrible power which he acquired over me on that `
` dreadful night. I felt it! Oh, I felt it! Thank God, for His great `
` mercy! My soul is freer than it has been since that awful hour. And `
` all that haunts me is a fear lest in some trance or dream he may have `
` used my knowledge for his ends." `
` `
` The Professor stood up, "He has so used your mind, and by it he has `
` left us here in Varna, whilst the ship that carried him rushed through `
` enveloping fog up to Galatz, where, doubtless, he had made preparation `
` for escaping from us. But his child mind only saw so far. And it may `
` be that as ever is in God's Providence, the very thing that the evil `
` doer most reckoned on for his selfish good, turns out to be his `
` chiefest harm. The hunter is taken in his own snare, as the great `
` Psalmist says. For now that he think he is free from every trace of `
` us all, and that he has escaped us with so many hours to him, then his `
` selfish child brain will whisper him to sleep. He think, too, that as `
` he cut himself off from knowing your mind, there can be no knowledge `
` of him to you. There is where he fail! That terrible baptism of `
` blood which he give you makes you free to go to him in spirit, as you `
` have as yet done in your times of freedom, when the sun rise and set. `
` At such times you go by my volition and not by his. And this power to `
` good of you and others, you have won from your suffering at his hands. `
` This is now all more precious that he know it not, and to guard `
` himself have even cut himself off from his knowledge of our where. `
` We, however, are not selfish, and we believe that God is with us `
` through all this blackness, and these many dark hours. We shall `
` follow him, and we shall not flinch, even if we peril ourselves that `
` we become like him. Friend John, this has been a great hour, and it `
` have done much to advance us on our way. You must be scribe and write `
` him all down, so that when the others return from their work you can `
` give it to them, then they shall know as we do." `
` `
` And so I have written it whilst we wait their return, and Mrs. Harker `
` has written with the typewriter all since she brought the MS to us. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER 26 `
` `
` `
` DR. SEWARD'S DIARY `
` `
` 29 October.--This is written in the train from Varna to Galatz. Last `
` night we all assembled a little before the time of sunset. Each of us `
` had done his work as well as he could, so far as thought, and `
` endeavour, and opportunity go, we are prepared for the whole of our `
` journey, and for our work when we get to Galatz. When the usual time `
` came round Mrs. Harker prepared herself for her hypnotic effort, and `
` after a longer and more serious effort on the part of Van Helsing than `
` has been usually necessary, she sank into the trance. Usually she `
` speaks on a hint, but this time the Professor had to ask her `
` questions, and to ask them pretty resolutely, before we could learn `
` anything. At last her answer came. `
` `
` "I can see nothing. We are still. There are no waves lapping, but `
` only a steady swirl of water softly running against the hawser. I can `
` hear men's voices calling, near and far, and the roll and creak of `
` oars in the rowlocks. A gun is fired somewhere, the echo of it seems `
` far away. There is tramping of feet overhead, and ropes and chains `
` are dragged along. What is this? There is a gleam of light. I can `
` feel the air blowing upon me." `
` `
` Here she stopped. She had risen, as if impulsively, from where she `
` lay on the sofa, and raised both her hands, palms upwards, as if `
` lifting a weight. Van Helsing and I looked at each other with `
` understanding. Quincey raised his eyebrows slightly and looked at her `
` intently, whilst Harker's hand instinctively closed round the hilt of `
` his Kukri. There was a long pause. We all knew that the time when `
` she could speak was passing, but we felt that it was useless to say `
` anything. `
` `
` Suddenly she sat up, and as she opened her eyes said sweetly, "Would `
` none of you like a cup of tea? You must all be so tired!" `
` `
` We could only make her happy, and so acqueisced. She bustled off to `
` get tea. When she had gone Van Helsing said, "You see, my friends. He `
` is close to land. He has left his earth chest. But he has yet to get `
` on shore. In the night he may lie hidden somewhere, but if he be not `
` carried on shore, or if the ship do not touch it, he cannot achieve `
` the land. In such case he can, if it be in the night, change his form `
` and jump or fly on shore, then, unless he be carried he cannot escape. `
` And if he be carried, then the customs men may discover what the box `
` contain. Thus, in fine, if he escape not on shore tonight, or before `
` dawn, there will be the whole day lost to him. We may then arrive in `
` time. For if he escape not at night we shall come on him in daytime, `
` boxed up and at our mercy. For he dare not be his true self, awake `
` and visible, lest he be discovered." `
` `
` There was no more to be said, so we waited in patience until the dawn, `
` at which time we might learn more from Mrs. Harker. `
` `
` Early this morning we listened, with breathless anxiety, for her `
` response in her trance. The hypnotic stage was even longer in coming `
` than before, and when it came the time remaining until full sunrise `
` was so short that we began to despair. Van Helsing seemed to throw `
` his whole soul into the effort. At last, in obedience to his will she `
` made reply. `
` `
` "All is dark. I hear lapping water, level with me, and some creaking `
` as of wood on wood." She paused, and the red sun shot up. We must `
` wait till tonight. `
` `
` And so it is that we are travelling towards Galatz in an agony of `
` expectation. We are due to arrive between two and three in the `
` morning. But already, at Bucharest, we are three hours late, so we `
` cannot possibly get in till well after sunup. Thus we shall have two `
` more hypnotic messages from Mrs. Harker! Either or both may possibly `
` throw more light on what is happening. `
` `
` `
` Later.--Sunset has come and gone. Fortunately it came at a time when `
` there was no distraction. For had it occurred whilst we were at a `
`
` John, to you with so much experience already, and you too, dear Madam `
` Mina, that are young, here is a lesson. Do not fear ever to think. A `
` half thought has been buzzing often in my brain, but I fear to let him `
` loose his wings. Here now, with more knowledge, I go back to where `
` that half thought come from and I find that he be no half thought at `
` all. That be a whole thought, though so young that he is not yet `
` strong to use his little wings. Nay, like the 'Ugly Duck' of my `
` friend Hans Andersen, he be no duck thought at all, but a big swan `
` thought that sail nobly on big wings, when the time come for him to `
` try them. See I read here what Jonathan have written. `
` `
` "That other of his race who, in a later age, again and again, brought `
` his forces over The Great River into Turkey Land, who when he was `
` beaten back, came again, and again, and again, though he had to come `
` alone from the bloody field where his troops were being slaughtered, `
` since he knew that he alone could ultimately triumph. `
` `
` "What does this tell us? Not much? No! The Count's child thought `
` see nothing, therefore he speak so free. Your man thought see `
` nothing. My man thought see nothing, till just now. No! But there `
` comes another word from some one who speak without thought because `
` she, too, know not what it mean, what it might mean. Just as there `
` are elements which rest, yet when in nature's course they move on `
` their way and they touch, the pouf! And there comes a flash of light, `
` heaven wide, that blind and kill and destroy some. But that show up `
` all earth below for leagues and leagues. Is it not so? Well, I shall `
` explain. To begin, have you ever study the philosophy of crime? `
` 'Yes' and 'No.' You, John, yes, for it is a study of insanity. You, `
` no, Madam Mina, for crime touch you not, not but once. Still, your `
` mind works true, and argues not a particulari ad universale. There is `
` this peculiarity in criminals. It is so constant, in all countries `
` and at all times, that even police, who know not much from philosophy, `
` come to know it empirically, that it is. That is to be empiric. The `
` criminal always work at one crime, that is the true criminal who seems `
` predestinate to crime, and who will of none other. This criminal has `
` not full man brain. He is clever and cunning and resourceful, but he `
` be not of man stature as to brain. He be of child brain in much. Now `
` this criminal of ours is predestinate to crime also. He, too, have `
` child brain, and it is of the child to do what he have done. The `
` little bird, the little fish, the little animal learn not by `
` principle, but empirically. And when he learn to do, then there is to `
` him the ground to start from to do more. 'Dos pou sto,' said `
` Archimedes. 'Give me a fulcrum, and I shall move the world!' To do `
` once, is the fulcrum whereby child brain become man brain. And until `
` he have the purpose to do more, he continue to do the same again every `
` time, just as he have done before! Oh, my dear, I see that your eyes `
` are opened, and that to you the lightning flash show all the leagues," `
` for Mrs. Harker began to clap her hands and her eyes sparkled. `
` `
` He went on, "Now you shall speak. Tell us two dry men of science what `
` you see with those so bright eyes." He took her hand and held it `
` whilst he spoke. His finger and thumb closed on her pulse, as I `
` thought instinctively and unconsciously, as she spoke. `
` `
` "The Count is a criminal and of criminal type. Nordau and Lombroso `
` would so classify him, and qua criminal he is of an imperfectly formed `
` mind. Thus, in a difficulty he has to seek resource in habit. His `
` past is a clue, and the one page of it that we know, and that from his `
` own lips, tells that once before, when in what Mr. Morris would call `
` a 'tight place,' he went back to his own country from the land he had `
` tried to invade, and thence, without losing purpose, prepared himself `
` for a new effort. He came again better equipped for his work, and `
` won. So he came to London to invade a new land. He was beaten, and `
` when all hope of success was lost, and his existence in danger, he `
` fled back over the sea to his home. Just as formerly he had fled back `
` over the Danube from Turkey Land." `
` `
` "Good, good! Oh, you so clever lady!" said Van Helsing, `
` enthusiastically, as he stooped and kissed her hand. A moment later `
` he said to me, as calmly as though we had been having a sick room `
` consultation, "Seventy-two only, and in all this excitement. I have `
` hope." `
` `
` Turning to her again, he said with keen expectation, "But go on. Go `
` on! There is more to tell if you will. Be not afraid. John and I `
` know. I do in any case, and shall tell you if you are right. Speak, `
` without fear!" `
` `
` "I will try to. But you will forgive me if I seem too egotistical." `
` `
` "Nay! Fear not, you must be egotist, for it is of you that we think." `
` `
` "Then, as he is criminal he is selfish. And as his intellect is small `
` and his action is based on selfishness, he confines himself to one `
` purpose. That purpose is remorseless. As he fled back over the `
` Danube, leaving his forces to be cut to pieces, so now he is intent on `
` being safe, careless of all. So his own selfishness frees my soul `
` somewhat from the terrible power which he acquired over me on that `
` dreadful night. I felt it! Oh, I felt it! Thank God, for His great `
` mercy! My soul is freer than it has been since that awful hour. And `
` all that haunts me is a fear lest in some trance or dream he may have `
` used my knowledge for his ends." `
` `
` The Professor stood up, "He has so used your mind, and by it he has `
` left us here in Varna, whilst the ship that carried him rushed through `
` enveloping fog up to Galatz, where, doubtless, he had made preparation `
` for escaping from us. But his child mind only saw so far. And it may `
` be that as ever is in God's Providence, the very thing that the evil `
` doer most reckoned on for his selfish good, turns out to be his `
` chiefest harm. The hunter is taken in his own snare, as the great `
` Psalmist says. For now that he think he is free from every trace of `
` us all, and that he has escaped us with so many hours to him, then his `
` selfish child brain will whisper him to sleep. He think, too, that as `
` he cut himself off from knowing your mind, there can be no knowledge `
` of him to you. There is where he fail! That terrible baptism of `
` blood which he give you makes you free to go to him in spirit, as you `
` have as yet done in your times of freedom, when the sun rise and set. `
` At such times you go by my volition and not by his. And this power to `
` good of you and others, you have won from your suffering at his hands. `
` This is now all more precious that he know it not, and to guard `
` himself have even cut himself off from his knowledge of our where. `
` We, however, are not selfish, and we believe that God is with us `
` through all this blackness, and these many dark hours. We shall `
` follow him, and we shall not flinch, even if we peril ourselves that `
` we become like him. Friend John, this has been a great hour, and it `
` have done much to advance us on our way. You must be scribe and write `
` him all down, so that when the others return from their work you can `
` give it to them, then they shall know as we do." `
` `
` And so I have written it whilst we wait their return, and Mrs. Harker `
` has written with the typewriter all since she brought the MS to us. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER 26 `
` `
` `
` DR. SEWARD'S DIARY `
` `
` 29 October.--This is written in the train from Varna to Galatz. Last `
` night we all assembled a little before the time of sunset. Each of us `
` had done his work as well as he could, so far as thought, and `
` endeavour, and opportunity go, we are prepared for the whole of our `
` journey, and for our work when we get to Galatz. When the usual time `
` came round Mrs. Harker prepared herself for her hypnotic effort, and `
` after a longer and more serious effort on the part of Van Helsing than `
` has been usually necessary, she sank into the trance. Usually she `
` speaks on a hint, but this time the Professor had to ask her `
` questions, and to ask them pretty resolutely, before we could learn `
` anything. At last her answer came. `
` `
` "I can see nothing. We are still. There are no waves lapping, but `
` only a steady swirl of water softly running against the hawser. I can `
` hear men's voices calling, near and far, and the roll and creak of `
` oars in the rowlocks. A gun is fired somewhere, the echo of it seems `
` far away. There is tramping of feet overhead, and ropes and chains `
` are dragged along. What is this? There is a gleam of light. I can `
` feel the air blowing upon me." `
` `
` Here she stopped. She had risen, as if impulsively, from where she `
` lay on the sofa, and raised both her hands, palms upwards, as if `
` lifting a weight. Van Helsing and I looked at each other with `
` understanding. Quincey raised his eyebrows slightly and looked at her `
` intently, whilst Harker's hand instinctively closed round the hilt of `
` his Kukri. There was a long pause. We all knew that the time when `
` she could speak was passing, but we felt that it was useless to say `
` anything. `
` `
` Suddenly she sat up, and as she opened her eyes said sweetly, "Would `
` none of you like a cup of tea? You must all be so tired!" `
` `
` We could only make her happy, and so acqueisced. She bustled off to `
` get tea. When she had gone Van Helsing said, "You see, my friends. He `
` is close to land. He has left his earth chest. But he has yet to get `
` on shore. In the night he may lie hidden somewhere, but if he be not `
` carried on shore, or if the ship do not touch it, he cannot achieve `
` the land. In such case he can, if it be in the night, change his form `
` and jump or fly on shore, then, unless he be carried he cannot escape. `
` And if he be carried, then the customs men may discover what the box `
` contain. Thus, in fine, if he escape not on shore tonight, or before `
` dawn, there will be the whole day lost to him. We may then arrive in `
` time. For if he escape not at night we shall come on him in daytime, `
` boxed up and at our mercy. For he dare not be his true self, awake `
` and visible, lest he be discovered." `
` `
` There was no more to be said, so we waited in patience until the dawn, `
` at which time we might learn more from Mrs. Harker. `
` `
` Early this morning we listened, with breathless anxiety, for her `
` response in her trance. The hypnotic stage was even longer in coming `
` than before, and when it came the time remaining until full sunrise `
` was so short that we began to despair. Van Helsing seemed to throw `
` his whole soul into the effort. At last, in obedience to his will she `
` made reply. `
` `
` "All is dark. I hear lapping water, level with me, and some creaking `
` as of wood on wood." She paused, and the red sun shot up. We must `
` wait till tonight. `
` `
` And so it is that we are travelling towards Galatz in an agony of `
` expectation. We are due to arrive between two and three in the `
` morning. But already, at Bucharest, we are three hours late, so we `
` cannot possibly get in till well after sunup. Thus we shall have two `
` more hypnotic messages from Mrs. Harker! Either or both may possibly `
` throw more light on what is happening. `
` `
` `
` Later.--Sunset has come and gone. Fortunately it came at a time when `
` there was no distraction. For had it occurred whilst we were at a `
`