Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

globe. It had been the servile whisper of a shackled slave; it was now swelling into the melodies of a spirit, ever singing while roving through the universe.

SOLITUDE AND SOCIETY.

THE gates of a gloomy state-prison in Austria were one day unbarred at the approach of a carriage escorted by a small party of soldiers. As soon as the draw-bridge could be let down, a stranger alighted from the carriage; the portal closed behind him, the troop of horse returned the way they came, and the only information which the villagers could obtain from the warder was, that the stranger was a foreigner, and a prisoner for a state offence. The unfortunate man was soon forgotten, and no particulars of his fate ever transpired in that neighbourhood.

In his native country, however, his story is no secret. He was an Englishman, named Helmer, a gentleman and a scholar, and though committed under circumstances of strong suspicion, wholly innocent of any connexion with the political intrigues of the country through which he was travelling. He had too much reason to believe that he should be left for years, perhaps for life, to suffer the horrors of an Austrian state-imprisonment, without the means of communication with his country, and under the total deprivation of personal comforts; like too many who have lost reason and life in such an abode as he had now entered. Though, by a strong effort, he preserved an appearance of calmness in the presence of the officers of the prison, a feeling more like despair than he had imagined he could ever experience lay heavy at his heart.

His anticipations exceeded the truth, as he acknowledged to himself when he surveyed the apartment to which he was conducted. It was neither dark nor cold, and it opened upon a part of the battlements, to which he was told that he had liberty of access at all times. It is true, his walk was limited to fifty paces; but from these limits he could enjoy an extended prospect through various loop-holes in the parapet; and while the winding valley lay before him, while the dwellings of men were visible, and the greater and lesser lights of heaven were open to his view, the fear was removed that his mind would prey upon itself from the exclusion of a variety of sensible objects.

When his jailer had left him, the first employment of the prisoner was to examine the bounds of his dwelling. No possibility of escape existed, even by the last resource of a despairing mind self-destruction. There was no access to his apartment but by the well-secured door by which he had entered there was no egress but upon the battlement, the parapet of which was on every side too lofty to be scaled by human foot.

[ocr errors]

"Here I am, and here I must remain," thought he, "till a power greater than my own shall set me free. My business is now to think as much and feel as little as I can. I must lay my plans, and ponder my duties; for even here there is a rule of duty and a choice of plans. If I had but occupation! But I will, if possible, obtain books and paper. If I cannot, I must try what my years of study have done for me, and how far an active mind can subsist upon stores already digested. There surely are resources by which the intellect as well as the soul may be preserved from corroding itself. While I can retain the conviction (and surely I shall ever retain it) that a vivifying, refreshing influence is ever present to the soul, which can sustain its vigor for any length of time and under any circumstances,

I need not fear the effect of an imprisonment, even of years, if I can but prevent my intellect from stagnating, or from being over excited, of which there seems nearly equal danger, if I am to be denied employment. My mode of life, so quiet, so nearly solitary, should have prepared me better than others, one would think, for such a life as I 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, or 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 unphilosophical height, be 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 geutleman 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 harmlessness of the occupation of reading, and on 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 Helmer.

way

"There is no

of escape, unless the Evil One should fly away with me." "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 good

reason

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

'My reason is simply that I am not a very good sleeper, and it is a pleasure 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 such 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 perhaps of other books, and possibly been enabled to form some idea of the length of his imprisonment, some anticipation of his future fate. His mind had, however, been too much excited to be laid to rest. He could not sleep; and after many vain attempts to turn his attention from recent events, he rose from his couch. His cell was dark, and it was with some difficulty that he found the door, and made his way out to the parapet. The moon had set, but the stars shed a glimmering light below, so that he could just distinguish the woods from the hills, and trace the course of the river as it watered the valley. The breeze blew cold; but its coldness refreshed him; and the perfect stillness, being natural to the hour, oppressed him less than on the preceding day, when it seemed strangely combined with glowing sunshine and fertile fields.

"I have often," thought Helmer, "looked on a scene like this at the same hour, and in solitude as complete. Why, then, with feelings so different? Because I was free? What is there in freedom which changes the face of nature, and brightens the aspect of every object? What was freedom to me?"

He paused in the consciousness that liberty of action had in his case been abused. Helmer was much addicted to study. His days and nights had been passed among his books; and while his heart was tender, his spirit devotional, and the Gospel was acknowledged as his rule of life, his enjoyments had been selfish, and his intellectual improvement pursued as an end rather than a means. This conviction now pressed upon him.

[ocr errors]

'What," he asked himself, "is the purpose of my existence, of every man's existence? To promote happiness by the means, and according to the law, communicated by God. These means I have possessed, and this law I have

« ZurückWeiter »