Reading Help Frankenstein Ch.10-24
beginning of October, and it was now February. We accordingly `
` determined to commence our journey towards the north at the expiration `
` of another month. In this expedition we did not intend to follow the `
` great road to Edinburgh, but to visit Windsor, Oxford, Matlock, and the `
` Cumberland lakes, resolving to arrive at the completion of this tour `
` about the end of July. I packed up my chemical instruments and the `
` materials I had collected, resolving to finish my labours in some `
` obscure nook in the northern highlands of Scotland. `
` `
` We quitted London on the 27th of March and remained a few days at `
` Windsor, rambling in its beautiful forest. This was a new scene to us `
` mountaineers; the majestic oaks, the quantity of game, and the herds of `
` stately deer were all novelties to us. `
` `
` From thence we proceeded to Oxford. As we entered this city our minds `
` were filled with the remembrance of the events that had been transacted `
` there more than a century and a half before. It was here that Charles `
` I. had collected his forces. This city had remained faithful to him, `
` after the whole nation had forsaken his cause to join the standard of `
` Parliament and liberty. The memory of that unfortunate king and his `
` companions, the amiable Falkland, the insolent Goring, his queen, and `
` son, gave a peculiar interest to every part of the city which they `
` might be supposed to have inhabited. The spirit of elder days found a `
` dwelling here, and we delighted to trace its footsteps. If these `
` feelings had not found an imaginary gratification, the appearance of `
` the city had yet in itself sufficient beauty to obtain our admiration. `
` The colleges are ancient and picturesque; the streets are almost `
` magnificent; and the lovely Isis, which flows beside it through meadows `
` of exquisite verdure, is spread forth into a placid expanse of waters, `
` which reflects its majestic assemblage of towers, and spires, and `
` domes, embosomed among aged trees. `
` `
` I enjoyed this scene, and yet my enjoyment was embittered both by the `
` memory of the past and the anticipation of the future. I was formed `
` for peaceful happiness. During my youthful days discontent never `
` visited my mind, and if I was ever overcome by ennui, the sight of what `
` is beautiful in nature or the study of what is excellent and sublime in `
` the productions of man could always interest my heart and communicate `
` elasticity to my spirits. But I am a blasted tree; the bolt has `
` entered my soul; and I felt then that I should survive to exhibit what `
` I shall soon cease to be--a miserable spectacle of wrecked humanity, `
` pitiable to others and intolerable to myself. `
` `
` We passed a considerable period at Oxford, rambling among its environs `
` and endeavouring to identify every spot which might relate to the most `
` animating epoch of English history. Our little voyages of discovery `
` were often prolonged by the successive objects that presented `
` themselves. We visited the tomb of the illustrious Hampden and the `
` field on which that patriot fell. For a moment my soul was elevated `
` from its debasing and miserable fears to contemplate the divine ideas `
` of liberty and self sacrifice of which these sights were the monuments `
` and the remembrancers. For an instant I dared to shake off my chains `
` and look around me with a free and lofty spirit, but the iron had eaten `
` into my flesh, and I sank again, trembling and hopeless, into my `
` miserable self. `
` `
` We left Oxford with regret and proceeded to Matlock, which was our next `
` place of rest. The country in the neighbourhood of this village `
` resembled, to a greater degree, the scenery of Switzerland; but `
` everything is on a lower scale, and the green hills want the crown of `
` distant white Alps which always attend on the piny mountains of my `
` native country. We visited the wondrous cave and the little cabinets `
` of natural history, where the curiosities are disposed in the same `
` manner as in the collections at Servox and Chamounix. The latter name `
` made me tremble when pronounced by Henry, and I hastened to quit `
` Matlock, with which that terrible scene was thus associated. `
` `
` From Derby, still journeying northwards, we passed two months in `
` Cumberland and Westmorland. I could now almost fancy myself among the `
` Swiss mountains. The little patches of snow which yet lingered on the `
` northern sides of the mountains, the lakes, and the dashing of the `
` rocky streams were all familiar and dear sights to me. Here also we `
` made some acquaintances, who almost contrived to cheat me into `
` happiness. The delight of Clerval was proportionably greater than `
` mine; his mind expanded in the company of men of talent, and he found `
` in his own nature greater capacities and resources than he could have `
` imagined himself to have possessed while he associated with his `
` inferiors. "I could pass my life here," said he to me; "and among `
` these mountains I should scarcely regret Switzerland and the Rhine." `
` `
` But he found that a traveller's life is one that includes much pain `
` amidst its enjoyments. His feelings are forever on the stretch; and `
` when he begins to sink into repose, he finds himself obliged to quit `
` that on which he rests in pleasure for something new, which again `
` engages his attention, and which also he forsakes for other novelties. `
` `
` We had scarcely visited the various lakes of Cumberland and Westmorland `
` and conceived an affection for some of the inhabitants when the period `
` of our appointment with our Scotch friend approached, and we left them `
` to travel on. For my own part I was not sorry. I had now neglected my `
` promise for some time, and I feared the effects of the daemon's `
` disappointment. He might remain in Switzerland and wreak his vengeance `
` on my relatives. This idea pursued me and tormented me at every moment `
` from which I might otherwise have snatched repose and peace. I waited `
` for my letters with feverish impatience; if they were delayed I was `
` miserable and overcome by a thousand fears; and when they arrived and I `
` saw the superscription of Elizabeth or my father, I hardly dared to `
` read and ascertain my fate. Sometimes I thought that the fiend `
` followed me and might expedite my remissness by murdering my `
` companion. When these thoughts possessed me, I would not quit Henry `
` for a moment, but followed him as his shadow, to protect him from the `
` fancied rage of his destroyer. I felt as if I had committed some great `
` crime, the consciousness of which haunted me. I was guiltless, but I `
` had indeed drawn down a horrible curse upon my head, as mortal as that `
` of crime. `
` `
` I visited Edinburgh with languid eyes and mind; and yet that city might `
` have interested the most unfortunate being. Clerval did not like it so `
` well as Oxford, for the antiquity of the latter city was more pleasing `
` to him. But the beauty and regularity of the new town of Edinburgh, `
` its romantic castle and its environs, the most delightful in the world, `
` Arthur's Seat, St. Bernard's Well, and the Pentland Hills compensated `
` him for the change and filled him with cheerfulness and admiration. But `
` I was impatient to arrive at the termination of my journey. `
` `
` We left Edinburgh in a week, passing through Coupar, St. Andrew's, and `
` along the banks of the Tay, to Perth, where our friend expected us. `
` But I was in no mood to laugh and talk with strangers or enter into `
` their feelings or plans with the good humour expected from a guest; and `
` accordingly I told Clerval that I wished to make the tour of Scotland `
` alone. "Do you," said I, "enjoy yourself, and let this be our `
` rendezvous. I may be absent a month or two; but do not interfere with `
` my motions, I entreat you; leave me to peace and solitude for a short `
` time; and when I return, I hope it will be with a lighter heart, more `
` congenial to your own temper." `
` `
` Henry wished to dissuade me, but seeing me bent on this plan, ceased to `
` remonstrate. He entreated me to write often. "I had rather be with `
` you," he said, "in your solitary rambles, than with these Scotch `
` people, whom I do not know; hasten, then, my dear friend, to return, `
` that I may again feel myself somewhat at home, which I cannot do in `
` your absence." `
` `
` Having parted from my friend, I determined to visit some remote spot of `
` Scotland and finish my work in solitude. I did not doubt but that the `
` monster followed me and would discover himself to me when I should have `
` finished, that he might receive his companion. With this resolution I `
` traversed the northern highlands and fixed on one of the remotest of `
` the Orkneys as the scene of my labours. It was a place fitted for such `
` a work, being hardly more than a rock whose high sides were continually `
` beaten upon by the waves. The soil was barren, scarcely affording `
` pasture for a few miserable cows, and oatmeal for its inhabitants, `
` which consisted of five persons, whose gaunt and scraggy limbs gave `
` tokens of their miserable fare. Vegetables and bread, when they `
` indulged in such luxuries, and even fresh water, was to be procured `
` from the mainland, which was about five miles distant. `
` `
` On the whole island there were but three miserable huts, and one of `
` these was vacant when I arrived. This I hired. It contained but two `
` rooms, and these exhibited all the squalidness of the most miserable `
` penury. The thatch had fallen in, the walls were unplastered, and the `
` door was off its hinges. I ordered it to be repaired, bought some `
` furniture, and took possession, an incident which would doubtless have `
` occasioned some surprise had not all the senses of the cottagers been `
` benumbed by want and squalid poverty. As it was, I lived ungazed at `
` and unmolested, hardly thanked for the pittance of food and clothes `
` which I gave, so much does suffering blunt even the coarsest sensations `
` of men. `
` `
` In this retreat I devoted the morning to labour; but in the evening, `
` when the weather permitted, I walked on the stony beach of the sea to `
` listen to the waves as they roared and dashed at my feet. It was a `
` monotonous yet ever-changing scene. I thought of Switzerland; it was `
` far different from this desolate and appalling landscape. Its hills `
` are covered with vines, and its cottages are scattered thickly in the `
` plains. Its fair lakes reflect a blue and gentle sky, and when `
` troubled by the winds, their tumult is but as the play of a lively `
` infant when compared to the roarings of the giant ocean. `
` `
` In this manner I distributed my occupations when I first arrived, but `
` as I proceeded in my labour, it became every day more horrible and `
` irksome to me. Sometimes I could not prevail on myself to enter my `
` laboratory for several days, and at other times I toiled day and night `
` in order to complete my work. It was, indeed, a filthy process in `
` which I was engaged. During my first experiment, a kind of `
` enthusiastic frenzy had blinded me to the horror of my employment; my `
` mind was intently fixed on the consummation of my labour, and my eyes `
` were shut to the horror of my proceedings. But now I went to it in `
` cold blood, and my heart often sickened at the work of my hands. `
` `
` Thus situated, employed in the most detestable occupation, immersed in `
` a solitude where nothing could for an instant call my attention from `
` the actual scene in which I was engaged, my spirits became unequal; I `
` grew restless and nervous. Every moment I feared to meet my `
` persecutor. Sometimes I sat with my eyes fixed on the ground, fearing `
` to raise them lest they should encounter the object which I so much `
` dreaded to behold. I feared to wander from the sight of my fellow `
` creatures lest when alone he should come to claim his companion. `
` `
` In the mean time I worked on, and my labour was already considerably `
` advanced. I looked towards its completion with a tremulous and eager `
` hope, which I dared not trust myself to question but which was `
` intermixed with obscure forebodings of evil that made my heart sicken `
` in my bosom. `
` `
` `
` Chapter 20 `
` `
` I sat one evening in my laboratory; the sun had set, and the moon was `
` just rising from the sea; I had not sufficient light for my employment, `
` and I remained idle, in a pause of consideration of whether I should `
`
` determined to commence our journey towards the north at the expiration `
` of another month. In this expedition we did not intend to follow the `
` great road to Edinburgh, but to visit Windsor, Oxford, Matlock, and the `
` Cumberland lakes, resolving to arrive at the completion of this tour `
` about the end of July. I packed up my chemical instruments and the `
` materials I had collected, resolving to finish my labours in some `
` obscure nook in the northern highlands of Scotland. `
` `
` We quitted London on the 27th of March and remained a few days at `
` Windsor, rambling in its beautiful forest. This was a new scene to us `
` mountaineers; the majestic oaks, the quantity of game, and the herds of `
` stately deer were all novelties to us. `
` `
` From thence we proceeded to Oxford. As we entered this city our minds `
` were filled with the remembrance of the events that had been transacted `
` there more than a century and a half before. It was here that Charles `
` I. had collected his forces. This city had remained faithful to him, `
` after the whole nation had forsaken his cause to join the standard of `
` Parliament and liberty. The memory of that unfortunate king and his `
` companions, the amiable Falkland, the insolent Goring, his queen, and `
` son, gave a peculiar interest to every part of the city which they `
` might be supposed to have inhabited. The spirit of elder days found a `
` dwelling here, and we delighted to trace its footsteps. If these `
` feelings had not found an imaginary gratification, the appearance of `
` the city had yet in itself sufficient beauty to obtain our admiration. `
` The colleges are ancient and picturesque; the streets are almost `
` magnificent; and the lovely Isis, which flows beside it through meadows `
` of exquisite verdure, is spread forth into a placid expanse of waters, `
` which reflects its majestic assemblage of towers, and spires, and `
` domes, embosomed among aged trees. `
` `
` I enjoyed this scene, and yet my enjoyment was embittered both by the `
` memory of the past and the anticipation of the future. I was formed `
` for peaceful happiness. During my youthful days discontent never `
` visited my mind, and if I was ever overcome by ennui, the sight of what `
` is beautiful in nature or the study of what is excellent and sublime in `
` the productions of man could always interest my heart and communicate `
` elasticity to my spirits. But I am a blasted tree; the bolt has `
` entered my soul; and I felt then that I should survive to exhibit what `
` I shall soon cease to be--a miserable spectacle of wrecked humanity, `
` pitiable to others and intolerable to myself. `
` `
` We passed a considerable period at Oxford, rambling among its environs `
` and endeavouring to identify every spot which might relate to the most `
` animating epoch of English history. Our little voyages of discovery `
` were often prolonged by the successive objects that presented `
` themselves. We visited the tomb of the illustrious Hampden and the `
` field on which that patriot fell. For a moment my soul was elevated `
` from its debasing and miserable fears to contemplate the divine ideas `
` of liberty and self sacrifice of which these sights were the monuments `
` and the remembrancers. For an instant I dared to shake off my chains `
` and look around me with a free and lofty spirit, but the iron had eaten `
` into my flesh, and I sank again, trembling and hopeless, into my `
` miserable self. `
` `
` We left Oxford with regret and proceeded to Matlock, which was our next `
` place of rest. The country in the neighbourhood of this village `
` resembled, to a greater degree, the scenery of Switzerland; but `
` everything is on a lower scale, and the green hills want the crown of `
` distant white Alps which always attend on the piny mountains of my `
` native country. We visited the wondrous cave and the little cabinets `
` of natural history, where the curiosities are disposed in the same `
` manner as in the collections at Servox and Chamounix. The latter name `
` made me tremble when pronounced by Henry, and I hastened to quit `
` Matlock, with which that terrible scene was thus associated. `
` `
` From Derby, still journeying northwards, we passed two months in `
` Cumberland and Westmorland. I could now almost fancy myself among the `
` Swiss mountains. The little patches of snow which yet lingered on the `
` northern sides of the mountains, the lakes, and the dashing of the `
` rocky streams were all familiar and dear sights to me. Here also we `
` made some acquaintances, who almost contrived to cheat me into `
` happiness. The delight of Clerval was proportionably greater than `
` mine; his mind expanded in the company of men of talent, and he found `
` in his own nature greater capacities and resources than he could have `
` imagined himself to have possessed while he associated with his `
` inferiors. "I could pass my life here," said he to me; "and among `
` these mountains I should scarcely regret Switzerland and the Rhine." `
` `
` But he found that a traveller's life is one that includes much pain `
` amidst its enjoyments. His feelings are forever on the stretch; and `
` when he begins to sink into repose, he finds himself obliged to quit `
` that on which he rests in pleasure for something new, which again `
` engages his attention, and which also he forsakes for other novelties. `
` `
` We had scarcely visited the various lakes of Cumberland and Westmorland `
` and conceived an affection for some of the inhabitants when the period `
` of our appointment with our Scotch friend approached, and we left them `
` to travel on. For my own part I was not sorry. I had now neglected my `
` promise for some time, and I feared the effects of the daemon's `
` disappointment. He might remain in Switzerland and wreak his vengeance `
` on my relatives. This idea pursued me and tormented me at every moment `
` from which I might otherwise have snatched repose and peace. I waited `
` for my letters with feverish impatience; if they were delayed I was `
` miserable and overcome by a thousand fears; and when they arrived and I `
` saw the superscription of Elizabeth or my father, I hardly dared to `
` read and ascertain my fate. Sometimes I thought that the fiend `
` followed me and might expedite my remissness by murdering my `
` companion. When these thoughts possessed me, I would not quit Henry `
` for a moment, but followed him as his shadow, to protect him from the `
` fancied rage of his destroyer. I felt as if I had committed some great `
` crime, the consciousness of which haunted me. I was guiltless, but I `
` had indeed drawn down a horrible curse upon my head, as mortal as that `
` of crime. `
` `
` I visited Edinburgh with languid eyes and mind; and yet that city might `
` have interested the most unfortunate being. Clerval did not like it so `
` well as Oxford, for the antiquity of the latter city was more pleasing `
` to him. But the beauty and regularity of the new town of Edinburgh, `
` its romantic castle and its environs, the most delightful in the world, `
` Arthur's Seat, St. Bernard's Well, and the Pentland Hills compensated `
` him for the change and filled him with cheerfulness and admiration. But `
` I was impatient to arrive at the termination of my journey. `
` `
` We left Edinburgh in a week, passing through Coupar, St. Andrew's, and `
` along the banks of the Tay, to Perth, where our friend expected us. `
` But I was in no mood to laugh and talk with strangers or enter into `
` their feelings or plans with the good humour expected from a guest; and `
` accordingly I told Clerval that I wished to make the tour of Scotland `
` alone. "Do you," said I, "enjoy yourself, and let this be our `
` rendezvous. I may be absent a month or two; but do not interfere with `
` my motions, I entreat you; leave me to peace and solitude for a short `
` time; and when I return, I hope it will be with a lighter heart, more `
` congenial to your own temper." `
` `
` Henry wished to dissuade me, but seeing me bent on this plan, ceased to `
` remonstrate. He entreated me to write often. "I had rather be with `
` you," he said, "in your solitary rambles, than with these Scotch `
` people, whom I do not know; hasten, then, my dear friend, to return, `
` that I may again feel myself somewhat at home, which I cannot do in `
` your absence." `
` `
` Having parted from my friend, I determined to visit some remote spot of `
` Scotland and finish my work in solitude. I did not doubt but that the `
` monster followed me and would discover himself to me when I should have `
` finished, that he might receive his companion. With this resolution I `
` traversed the northern highlands and fixed on one of the remotest of `
` the Orkneys as the scene of my labours. It was a place fitted for such `
` a work, being hardly more than a rock whose high sides were continually `
` beaten upon by the waves. The soil was barren, scarcely affording `
` pasture for a few miserable cows, and oatmeal for its inhabitants, `
` which consisted of five persons, whose gaunt and scraggy limbs gave `
` tokens of their miserable fare. Vegetables and bread, when they `
` indulged in such luxuries, and even fresh water, was to be procured `
` from the mainland, which was about five miles distant. `
` `
` On the whole island there were but three miserable huts, and one of `
` these was vacant when I arrived. This I hired. It contained but two `
` rooms, and these exhibited all the squalidness of the most miserable `
` penury. The thatch had fallen in, the walls were unplastered, and the `
` door was off its hinges. I ordered it to be repaired, bought some `
` furniture, and took possession, an incident which would doubtless have `
` occasioned some surprise had not all the senses of the cottagers been `
` benumbed by want and squalid poverty. As it was, I lived ungazed at `
` and unmolested, hardly thanked for the pittance of food and clothes `
` which I gave, so much does suffering blunt even the coarsest sensations `
` of men. `
` `
` In this retreat I devoted the morning to labour; but in the evening, `
` when the weather permitted, I walked on the stony beach of the sea to `
` listen to the waves as they roared and dashed at my feet. It was a `
` monotonous yet ever-changing scene. I thought of Switzerland; it was `
` far different from this desolate and appalling landscape. Its hills `
` are covered with vines, and its cottages are scattered thickly in the `
` plains. Its fair lakes reflect a blue and gentle sky, and when `
` troubled by the winds, their tumult is but as the play of a lively `
` infant when compared to the roarings of the giant ocean. `
` `
` In this manner I distributed my occupations when I first arrived, but `
` as I proceeded in my labour, it became every day more horrible and `
` irksome to me. Sometimes I could not prevail on myself to enter my `
` laboratory for several days, and at other times I toiled day and night `
` in order to complete my work. It was, indeed, a filthy process in `
` which I was engaged. During my first experiment, a kind of `
` enthusiastic frenzy had blinded me to the horror of my employment; my `
` mind was intently fixed on the consummation of my labour, and my eyes `
` were shut to the horror of my proceedings. But now I went to it in `
` cold blood, and my heart often sickened at the work of my hands. `
` `
` Thus situated, employed in the most detestable occupation, immersed in `
` a solitude where nothing could for an instant call my attention from `
` the actual scene in which I was engaged, my spirits became unequal; I `
` grew restless and nervous. Every moment I feared to meet my `
` persecutor. Sometimes I sat with my eyes fixed on the ground, fearing `
` to raise them lest they should encounter the object which I so much `
` dreaded to behold. I feared to wander from the sight of my fellow `
` creatures lest when alone he should come to claim his companion. `
` `
` In the mean time I worked on, and my labour was already considerably `
` advanced. I looked towards its completion with a tremulous and eager `
` hope, which I dared not trust myself to question but which was `
` intermixed with obscure forebodings of evil that made my heart sicken `
` in my bosom. `
` `
` `
` Chapter 20 `
` `
` I sat one evening in my laboratory; the sun had set, and the moon was `
` just rising from the sea; I had not sufficient light for my employment, `
` and I remained idle, in a pause of consideration of whether I should `
`