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glowing fragments and cinders were borne to an immense hight； and
tossed everywhere in wild confusion。 Ever and anon the sable canopy
that hung around us was streaked with lightning； and the peals； by which it
was accompanied； were deafning； and with scarcely any intermission。
It was； doubtless； absurd to imagine any connexion between this
portentous scene and the purpose that I had meditated； yet a belief of this
connexion； though wavering and obscure； lurked in my mind； something
more than a coincidence merely casual； appeared to have subsisted
between my situation； at my father's bed side； and the flash that darted
through the window； and diverted me from my design。 It palsied my
courage； and strengthened my conviction； that my scheme was criminal。
After some time had elapsed； and tranquility was； in some degree；
restored in the family； my father reverted to the circumstances in which I
had been discovered on the first alarm of this event。 The truth was
impossible to be told。 I felt the utmost reluctance to be guilty of a
falsehood； but by falsehood only could I elude detection。 That my guilt
was the offspring of a fatal necessity； that the injustice of others gave it
birth and made it unavoidable； afforded me slight consolation。 Nothing
can be more injurious than a lie； but its evil tendency chiefly respects our
future conduct。 Its direct consequences may be transient and few； but it
facilitates a repetition； strengthens temptation； and grows into habit。 I
pretended some necessity had drawn me from my bed； and that
discovering the condition of the barn； I hastened to inform my father。
Some time after this； my father summoned me to his presence。 I had
been previously guilty of disobedience to his commands； in a matter about
which he was usually very scrupulous。 My brother had been privy to my
offence； and had threatened to be my accuser。 On this occasion I
expected nothing but arraignment and punishment。 Weary of oppression；
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MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST ＇A fragment＇
and hopeless of any change in my father's temper and views； I had formed
the resolution of eloping from his house； and of trusting； young as I was；
to the caprice of fortune。 I was hesitating whether to abscond without the
knowledge of the family； or to make my resolutions known to them； and
while I avowed my resolution； to adhere to it in spite of opposition and
remonstrances； when I received this summons。
I was employed at this time in the field； night was approaching； and I
had made no preparation for departure； all the preparation in my power to
make； was indeed small； a few clothes； made into a bundle； was the sum
of my possessions。 Time would have little influence in improving my
prospects； and I resolved to execute my scheme immediately。
I left my work intending to seek my chamber； and taking what was my
own； to disappear forever。 I turned a stile that led out of the field into a
bye path； when my father appeared before me； advancing in an opposite
direction； to avoid him was impossible； and I summoned my fortitude to a
conflict with his passion。
As soon as we met； instead of anger and upbraiding； he told me； that
he had been reflecting on my aunt's proposal； to take me under her
protection； and had concluded that the plan was proper； if I still retained
my wishes on that head； he would readily comply with them； and that； if I
chose； I might set off for the city next morning； as a neighbours waggon
was preparing to go。
I shall not dwell on the rapture with which this proposal was listened
to： it was with difficulty that I persuaded myself that he was in earnest in
making it； nor could divine the reasons； for so sudden and unexpected a
change in his maxims。 。 。 。 These I afterwards discovered。 Some one
had instilled into him fears； that my aunt exasperated at his opposition to
her request； respecting the unfortunate Frank； would bequeath her property
to strangers； to obviate this evil； which his avarice prompted him to regard
as much greater than any mischief； that would accrue to me； from the
change of my abode； he embraced her proposal。
I entered with exultation and triumph on this new scene； my hopes
were by no means disappointed。 Detested labour was exchanged for
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MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST ＇A fragment＇
luxurious idleness。 I was master of my time； and the chuser of my
occupations。 My kinswoman on discovering that I entertained no relish
for the drudgery of colleges； and was contented with the means of
intellectual gratification； which I could obtain under her roof； allowed me
to pursue my own choice。
Three tranquil years passed away； during which； each day added to my
happiness； by adding to my knowledge。 My biloquial faculty was not
neglected。 I improved it by assiduous exercise； I deeply reflected on the
use to which it might be applied。 I was not destitute of pure intentions； I
delighted not in evil； I was incapable of knowingly contributing to
another's misery； but the sole or principal end of my endeavours was not
the happiness of others。
I was actuated by ambition。 I was delighted to possess superior
power； I was prone to manifest that superiority； and was satisfied if this
were done； without much solicitude concerning consequences。 I sported
frequently with the apprehensions of my associates； and threw out a bait
for their wonder； and supplied them with occasions for the structure of
theories。 It may not be amiss to enumerate one or two adventures in
which I was engaged。
Chapter III。
I had taken much pains to improve the sagacity of a favourite Spaniel。
It was my purpose； indeed； to ascertain to what degree of improvement the
principles of reasoning and imitation could be carried in a dog。 There is
no doubt that the animal affixes distinct ideas to sounds。 What are the
possible limits of his vocabulary no one can tell。 In conversing with my
dog I did not use English words； but selected simple monosyllables。
Habit likewise enabled him to comprehend my gestures。 If I crossed my
hands on my breast he understood the signal and laid down behind me。
If I joined my hands and lifted them to my breast； he returned home。 If I
grasped one arm above the elbow he ran before me。 If I lifted my hand
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MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST ＇A fragment＇
to my forehead he trotted composedly behind。 By one motion I could
make him bark； by another I could reduce him to silence。 He would
howl in twenty different strains of mournfulness； at my bidding。 He
would fetch and carry with undeviating faithfulness。
His actions being thus chiefly regulated by gestures； that to a stranger
would appear indifferent or casual； it was easy to produce a belief that the
animal's knowledge was much greater than in truth； it was。
One day； in a mixed company； the discourse turned upon the unrivaled
abilities of ~~Damon~~。 Damon had； indeed； acquired in all the circles
which I frequented； an extraordinary reputation。 Numerous instances of
his sagacity were quoted and some of them exhibited on the spot。 Much
surprise was excited by the readiness with which he appeared to
comprehend sentences of considerable abstraction and complexity； though；
he in reality； attended to nothing but the movements of hand or fingers
with which I accompanied my words。 I enhanced the astonishment of
some and excited the ridicule of others； by observing that my dog not only
understood English when spoken