as the hill is called Camp-Mount, there might probably be some remains of
ditches and mounds[13] with which I have read that camps were surrounded.
And I really believe I discovered something of that sort[14] running one
side of the mount.
TUTOR.—Very likely you might[15]. I know antiquaries have described
such remains as existing there, which some suppose to be Roman, others
Danish[16]. We will examine them when we go.
WILLIAM.—From the hill I went straight down to the meadows below, and
walked on the side of a brook that runs[17] into the river. It[18]
was all bordered with reeds and tall flowering-plants (S. 16, N. 10),
quite different from those I had seen on the heath. As I was getting
down[19] the bank to reach one of them, I heard something plunge into
the water near me. It was a large water-rat, and I saw it swim over to
the other side, and go[20] into its hole. There were[21] a great many
large dragon-flies all about the stream. I caught one of the finest, and
have him here in a leaf. But how I longed to catch a bird that I saw
hovering[22] over the water, and every now and then darting into it! It
was all over a mixture of the most beautiful green and blue, with some
orange colour[23]. It was somewhat less than a thrush, and had a large
head and bill, and a short tail.
[1] = live in.
[2] +Gegenden.+
[3] = venomous enough.
[4] = thereupon I went.
[5] I had a fine view of the country round, +ich konnte die Umgegend gut
überblicken+.
[6] +herrschaftliche Häuser.+
[7] +Parkanlagen.+
[8] +der sich schlängelnde Lauf+, as Nom.; low grounds = meadows.
[9] +Hügelrücken+, m.
[10] = will do. Supply ‘+dazu+’ after ‘leave’.
[11] +Was denn?+
[12] +Bezirkskarte+; by which = by (+mit+) the help of which; ‘to make
out’, here +bestimmen+, w. v. tr.; places, +Ortschaften+.
[13] Well — mounds. This passage may be construed thus: ‘Now, since (+Da
nun+) the hill is called Camp-Mount, a thought struck me that there are
(+sich befinden+) probably some remains of ditches and mounds (+Erdwall+,
m.)’. I have read = as I have read.
[14] +etwas derartiges+; running one side = on the one side.
[15] = That is quite (+gerne+) possible.
[16] to be — Danish, +daß sie römischen, andere aber, daß sie dänischen
Ursprungs sind+.
[17] +sich ergießen.+
[18] = The brook; bordered = overgrown, +bewachsen+.
[19] +hinuntersteigen+; to reach = to pluck.
[20] = creep. Read S. 78, N. 14, _B_.
[21] +Es waren dort+, after which place the words ‘all — stream’, +am
Bache+.
[22] +umherfliegen+; every — then, +dann und wann+; ‘to dart’, here
+hinunterschießen+; into it = into the same.
[23] It — colour = His plumage (+Gefieder+) consisted of (+aus+) a
mixture of the finest green and blue with a small addition (+Zusatz+, m.)
of orange colour (+Orangengelb+).
_Section 204._
THE TWO SCHOOLBOYS, OR EYES AND NO EYES.
IV.
TUTOR.—I can tell you what that bird was—a kingfisher, the celebrated
halcyon of the ancients, about which so many tales are told. It lives
on[1] fish, which it catches in the manner you saw. It builds in holes on
the banks, and is a shy, retired[2] bird, never to be seen far from the
stream it inhabits.
WILLIAM.—I must try to get another sight of him, for I never saw (S. 48,
N. 2) a bird that pleased me so much. Well, I followed this little brook
till it entered[3] the river, and then took[4] the path that runs along
the bank. On the opposite side, I observed several little birds running
along the bank, and making a piping noise[5]. They were[6] brown and
white, and about as big as a snipe.
TUTOR.—I suppose they [+es+] were sand-pipers[7]; one of the numerous
family of birds (S. 36, N. 7, _A_) that get their living[8] by wading
among the shallows and picking up worms and insects.
WILLIAM.—There were a great many swallows, too, sporting[9] above
the surface of the water, that entertained me with their motions.
Sometimes[10] they dashed down into the stream[11]; sometimes they
pursued one another so quickly, that the eye could scarcely follow
them. In one place, where a steep sand-bank rose high above the river,
I observed many of them go in and out of holes with which the bank was
bored full[12].
TUTOR.—Those [+Das+] were sand-martins[13], the smallest of our species
of swallows. They are of a mouse-colour above, and white beneath.
They[14] make their nests, and bring up their young, in these holes,
which run a great depth, and by their situation are secure from all
plunderers.
WILLIAM.—A little further I saw a man in a boat, who was catching eels in
an odd way[15]. He had a long pole with broad iron prongs[16] at the end;
just like Neptune’s trident[17], only there were five prongs instead of
three. This he pushed straight down into the mud, in the deepest parts of
the river, and fetched up the eels sticking between the prongs.
TUTOR.—I know the method. It is called the spearing of eels[18].
WILLIAM.—While I was looking at him, a heron came flying over my head,
with his large flagging wings. He alighted[19] at the next turn of the
river, and I crept softly behind the bank to watch his motions. He had
waded into the water as far as his long legs would allow him[20] and was
standing there motionless with his neck drawn in, looking[21] intently
on the stream. Presently he darted his long bill as quick as lightning
into the water, and drew out a fish, which he swallowed. I saw him catch
another in the same manner. He then took alarm[22] at some noise I made,
and flew away slowly to a wood at some distance, where he settled.
[1] +von+; in — saw, +auf die von dir beobachtete Weise+.
[2] +die Einsamkeit liebend+; never — inhabits = which goes never far
away (+sich entfernen+) from the stream (+Gewässer+, n.) where it has its
nest.
[3] +sich ergießen+, str. v. refl.
[4] +betreten+, str. v. tr.
[5] running — noise, +am Ufer entlang hüpfen und pfeifen+.
[6] = looked; and = and were.
[7] +Strandläufer+.
[8] ‘to get one’s living’, here +sich seine Nahrung verschaffen+. Read
S. 87, N. 6; among the shallows, +an den seichten Stellen+; to wade,
+umher´waten+; and picking up = in order to pick up.
[9] ‘to sport’, here +sein Spiel treiben+; that = and.
[10] +bald.+
[11] = water.
[12] I — full = I observed that many of them crept into the holes that
were in great number (+Menge+, f.) bored (+hinein´bohren+) into the bank,
but then (+dann aber+) came out again.
[13] +Uferschwalben+.
[14] Commence this period with ‘In these holes — plunderers’; to make a
nest, +ein Nest bauen+; to bring up the young, +die Jungen groß ziehen+.
[15] +auf wunderliche Weise.+
[16] +Zinke+, f.
[17] +Dreizack+, m.
[18] +das Aalstechen.+
[19] +sich auf die Erde niederlassen.+
[20] Insert the grammatical object +es+ before ‘him’.
[21] = and looked intently (+mit gespannter Aufmerksamkeit+) down upon
the water (+auf ... hernieder+).
[22] to take alarm at something, +durch etwas in Furcht gesetzt werden+.
_Section 205._
THE TWO SCHOOLBOYS, OR EYES AND NO EYES.
V.
TUTOR.—Probably his nest was there, for herons build upon the loftiest
tree they can find, and sometimes in society together, like rooks.
Formerly, when these birds were valued for the amusement of hawking[1],
many gentlemen had their heronries[2], and a few are still remaining.
WILLIAM.—I think (S. 64, N. 11) they are the largest wild birds we have.
TUTOR.—They are of great length and spread of wing[3], but their bodies
are comparatively small.
WILLIAM.—I then turned homeward, across the meadows, where I stopped
awhile, to look at[4] a large flock of starlings, which kept flying about
at no great distance. I could not tell at first what to make of them[5],
for they rose altogether from the ground as thick as a swarm of bees,
and formed _themselves into_ a kind[6] of black cloud, hovering over the
field. After taking a short round[7], they settled again, but presently
rose in the same manner. I dare say[8] there were hundreds of them.
TUTOR.—Perhaps so[9]; for in the fenny counties their flocks are so
numerous[10] as to break down whole acres of reeds, by settling on
them[11]. This disposition[12] of starlings to fly in close swarms
was remarked even by Homer, who compares the foe (S. 48, N. 6) flying
from one of his heroes to a cloud of starlings retiring dismayed at the
approach of the hawk.
WILLIAM.—After I had left the meadows, I crossed[13] the corn-fields
in the way to our house, and passed close by a deep marl-pit. Looking
into it, I saw, on one of the sides, a cluster of what[14] I took to be
shells; and upon going down, I picked up a clod of marl[15], which was
quite full of them; but how sea-shells can get there, I cannot imagine.
TUTOR.—I do not wonder at your surprise, since many philosophers have
been much perplexed to account for the same appearance[16]. It is not
uncommon to find[17] great quantities of shells and relics of marine
animals, even in the bowels of high mountains, very remote from the sea.
WILLIAM.—I got[18] to the high field next to our house just as the sun
was setting, and I stood looking at it till it was quite lost[19]. What a
glorious sight! The clouds were tinged with purple, crimson, and yellow
of all shades and hues, and the clear sky varied from blue to a fine
green at the horizon. But how large the sun appears just as it sets! I
think it seems twice as big as when it is over-head.
[1] for — hawking = on account of the amusement which they afforded
through hawking (+die Falkenjagd+).
[2] +Reiherstand+, m.
[3] They — wing = They have very large, long wings.
[4] = to observe; to keep flying about, +umherfliegen+; at — distance,
+in nur geringer Entfernung von mir+.
[5] = I could not recognise them at first. ‘To rise’, here +sich in die
Luft emporschwingen+; thick, +dicht+.
[6] a kind, +gleichsam+; hovering — field, +als sie über dem Felde hin
und her schwebten+.
[7] = After they had been flying about _for_ a short time.
[8] ‘I dare say’ may be briefly rendered by the adv. +gewiß+. Read S.
104, N. 19.
[9] +Das ist leicht möglich.+
[10] = they exist (+vorhanden sein+) in such masses; as to = that they.
[11] = when they settle upon the same (to agree with ‘reeds’).
[12] = peculiarity.
[13] = I went through the corn-fields home again.
[14] a — what, +eine zusammengeballte Masse, welche+.
[15] Nom. +ein Klumpen+ (m.) +Mergel+; of them = of shells.
[16] since — appearance, +da schon viele Naturforscher sich über die
Erklärung dieser Erscheinung den Kopf zerbrochen haben+.
[17] = that one finds.
[18] +gelangen+; to, +auf+; high field, +Anhöhe+, f.
[19] = till it had entirely disappeared at the (+am+) horizon.
_Section 206._
THE TWO SCHOOLBOYS, OR EYES AND NO EYES.
VI.
TUTOR.—It does so[1]; and you _may_ probably have observed the same
apparent enlargement of the moon at its rising[2].
WILLIAM.—I have[3]; but pray what is the reason of this?
TUTOR.—It is an optical deception, depending upon principles which I
cannot well explain to you, till you know more of that _branch of_
science. But what a number of new ideas this afternoon’s walk has
afforded you. I do not wonder that you found it amusing[4], and it has
been very instructive too. Did you see (S. 48, N. 2) nothing of all these
sights, Robert?
ROBERT.—I saw some of them, but I did not take particular notice of them.
TUTOR.—Why not?
ROBERT.—I do not know. I did not care about them; and I made the best of
my way home[5].
TUTOR.—That would have been (App. § 33) right, if you had been sent on
a message[6]; but as you only walked for amusement[7], it would have
been wiser to have sought out as many sources of it as possible[8]. But
as it is[9]: one man walks through the world with the eyes open, and
another with them shut, and[10] upon this difference depends all the[11]
superiority the one acquires above the other. I have known sailors[12]
who have been in all the quarters of the world, and could tell you
nothing but[13] the signs of the tippling houses they frequented[14] in
different ports, and the price and quality of the liquor. On the other
hand[15], a Franklin could not even cross the Channel without making
some observation useful to mankind[16]. While many a vacant, thoughtless
youth is whirled throughout Europe[17], without gaining[18] a single idea
worth crossing a street for[19], the observing eye and inquiring mind
find matter of improvement and delight[20] in every ramble _in town or
country_. Do you then, William, continue to make use of your eyes; and
you, Robert, learn that eyes were given you to use.—DR. AIKIN.
[1] = Quite right.
[2] of — rising, +beim Aufgange des Mondes+.
[3] = Yes.
[4] = interesting.
[5] and — home = and went home as quickly as possible.
[6] if — message, +hätte man dich ausgeschickt, um eine Besorgung zu
verrichten+.
[7] to walk for amusement, +einen Spaziergang machen+.
[8] to — possible, +hättest du denselben so viel wie möglich auszubeuten
gesucht+.
[9] +Es ist aber nun einmal so+; one man, +der eine+; another, +der
andere+.
[10] and just (+gerade+).
[11] = the great.
[12] +Schiffer.+
[13] and — but, +dennoch aber von nichts anderem zu erzählen wußten, als
von+.
[14] = visited.
[15] +Andererseits hingegen.+
[16] Use the attributive construction.
[17] +ganz Europa durchfliegt.+
[18] +sich an´eignen.+
[19] worth — for = for (+wegen+) which it would have been worth while to
go over the street.
[20] +zur Belehrung und zum Genusse+. The words ‘in every ramble’ must be
placed after ‘mind’.
_Section 207._
THE KING AND THE MILLER.
I.
In the reign[1] of Frederick the Great (see S. 192, N. 1), king of
Prussia, there was[2] a mill near Potsdam which obstructed the view from
the windows of the palace of Sans Souci. Annoyed by this drawback to
his favourite residence[3], the king sent[4] to the owner of the mill
inquiring the price for which he would sell it. “For no price,” was the
reply of the sturdy Prussian; and in a moment of anger the monarch gave
orders[5] that the mill should be pulled down. “The king may do this,”
said the miller, quietly folding his arms; “but there are (S. 82, N. 7)
laws in Prussia, and he will find them out[6]”. Forthwith he commenced a
law-suit against the monarch, the issue of which was[7], that the court
gave a decision against His Majesty, compelling him[8] to rebuild the
mill, and in addition[9] to pay a large sum of money as a compensation
for the injury he had done[10]. The king felt mortified (S. 87, N. 6)
at having been worsted by one of his subjects, but had the magnanimity
to say, addressing[11] his courtiers: “I am glad to find that there are
just laws and upright judges in my kingdom who are bold enough to decide
against me when they think I am in the wrong.” Many years afterwards
(App. § 14), a descendant of the honest miller, who had in _due_ course
of time succeeded to the hereditary possession of the property[12], found
himself involved in pecuniary difficulties that had become insurmountable.
[1] = At (+zu+) the time of the reign. See S. 53, N. 9.
[2] there — Potsdam = stood near (+bei+) Potsdam a mill.
[3] +Der seinem Lieblingsschlosse hierdurch erwachsende Nachteil verdroß
den König sehr.+
[4] = and he sent.
[5] = the order.
[6] = and he will soon convince himself of it.
[7] the — was, +welcher damit endete+.
[8] = and compelled him.
[9] and in addition, +und noch obendrein+; sum — compensation,
+Entschädigungssumme+, f.
[10] Supply ‘to the miller’.
[11] = to.
[12] Liter. = who in course of time _and_ through inheritance had come
into the possession of the mill.
_Section 208._
THE KING AND THE MILLER.
II.
In his distress he wrote to Frederick William IV, who was at that time
king of Prussia, reminding him of the refusal experienced by Frederick
the Great at the hands[1] of his ancestor the miller, and stating[2]
that[3] if His Majesty now wished to obtain possession of the property,
he would, in his present embarrassed circumstances, most willingly
dispose of the mill. The king immediately wrote, with his own hand[4],
_the_ following reply:
“My Dear Neighbour,
I cannot allow you to sell the mill. It must remain in the
possession of your family as long as one of your descendants
survives[5], for the building belongs[6] to the history of
Prussia, and is a standing[7] memorial of the integrity of our
judges and the impartiality of our laws. I am sorry, however,
to hear that you are in straitened circumstances, and therefore
send you six thousand dollars[8] to pay off your debts, and
hope the sum will be sufficient for the purpose. Consider me[9]
always
Your affectionate[10] neighbour,
FREDERICK WILLIAM.”
The mill still stands, and is occupied by the[11] descendants of the
resolute miller who had the fortitude to thwart the despotic monarch
in his desire[12] to improve the prospect from the windows of his
palace.—CHAMBERS’S “SHORT STORIES.”
[1] reminding — hands = reminded him of the refusal (+abschlägige
Antwort+) which Fred. the Gr. had received at the hands (+seitens+).
[2] = stated.
[3] = that he would in his present embarrassed circumstances most
willingly sell the mill, if, etc. ‘To obtain possession of the property’,
here +das Besitzthum käuflich erwerben+.
[4] with — hand, +eigenhändig+, adj., which use after ‘following’.
[5] +noch am Leben sein.+
[6] +an´gehören.+
[7] +bleibend+, adj.; to, +an+.
[8] +Thaler+ (m.), formerly the standard coin in Germany, and equal to 3
sh. English.
[9] = I remain always.
[10] here +wohlwollend+, adj.
[11] = and is still in the possession of the.
[12] to thwart — desire = to oppose (+sich einer Sache widersetzen+) the
desire of the despotic king.
_Section 209._
A FRIEND IN NEED (S. 3, N. 2).
I.
One wet wintry night, when a gentleman was hurrying along[1] one of
the crowded thoroughfares of London, his attention was arrested by a
lean, hungry-looking dog which rushed past him. He observed that it
had a collar[2] round its neck, to which a basket was attached. If it
was (App. § 36) a dog that ran on errands[3], he thought that surely
its owner would feed it better, and its ribs would not look so spare.
Thinking that there was some mystery connected with the animal[4], he
resolved to follow it[5]. After a[6] time it turned up a narrow lane into
a stable-yard, where some coachmen and hostlers were loitering about.
It then got up on its hind-legs, and began walking about in circles[7].
The bystanders, surprised at this strange proceeding, formed round in a
ring and looked on. It walked five times round, standing[8] erect, and
looking fixedly before it like a soldier on duty[9], evidently doing its
utmost[10] to make the company laugh. After taking a short rest, it began
its performance[11] again, but this time on its fore-feet, pretending to
stand[12] on its (S. 43, N. 9) head. Tiring of this[13], it lay down in
the middle of the ring, feigning to be dead[14], and going through all
the convulsions of a dying dog, breathing heavily, panting, suffering
the lower jaw to fall[15], and then turning over motionless. It did this
so well, that a woman in the crowd exclaimed: “Poor beast!” and drew
her hand across her eyes[16]. Having lain still a minute, with its eyes
closed, it got up and shook itself, to show that the performance[17] was
over. It then went round begging on its hind-legs, standing[18] a little
while before each of the spectators, and earnestly watching[19] to see
whether they put their hands into their pockets or not. The basket round
its neck had a slit in the lid, into which the coppers might be dropped.
[1] to hurry along, +durchei´len+, insep. comp. w. v. Place ‘one — night’
after ‘gentleman’; wet = rainy; thoroughfares = streets.
[2] here +Halsband+, n.; round its neck, +um+.
[3] to run on errands, +Besorgungen aus´richten+; and — spare = and it
would not look so dreadfully lean.
[4] = Since the matter appeared very mysterious (+rätselhaft+) to him.
[5] = the animal.
[6] +kurz+; turned up = ran into; into = which led to.
[7] +im Kreise.+
[8] = held himself.
[9] +auf dem Posten.+
[10] = and did evidently his best.
[11] here = tricks, +Kunststücke+.
[12] = and did (+sich anstellen+) as if he stood (App. § 33).
[13] = Hereupon.
[14] to feign to be dead, +sich tot stellen+. The Present Participles in
this passage must be rendered by the Imperfect in German.
[15] = dropped (+fallen lassen+) the lower jaw.
[16] +mit der Hand über die Augen fahren+.
[17] +Vorstellung+, f.
[18] +stille stehen+.
[19] = and watched (+beobachten+) them quite earnestly (+ernsthaft+).
_Section 210._
A FRIEND IN NEED.
II.
The gentleman put in a shilling, and stooped down to read a crumpled
piece of paper which hung loosely from the collar. It bore these words,
written in a[1] shaky hand: “This is the dog of a poor man who is
bed-ridden. It earns bread for its master. Good people, do not prevent
it from returning to its home.” On receiving (S. 55, N. 1) _any_ money,
the poor creature returned thanks by a wag of its tail. Almost every
one of the spectators gave the dog something, and when it had finished
collecting the money, it barked once or twice, as if to say good-bye,
and then scampered off. On entering the principal street, it quickened
its pace[2], and the gentleman finding it impossible to keep up with
it[3], hailed[4] a cab, and, much to the driver’s amazement[5], cried:
“Follow that dog.” After a time the dog bolted up a narrow alley[6],
through which the cab could not pass[7]. The gentleman alighted, and
followed the dog through a dark close up[8] to the garret of a rickety
dwelling. Pulling the string attached to the latch, the dog opened the
door, and the stranger followed. Its master lay dying[9] on a wretched
bed, supported[10] by the earnings of the faithful creature, who
practised[11] the same tricks alone as it used to do under its master’s
superintendence. Death soon ended[12] the poor man’s sufferings, and the
dog followed the coffin to the grave. The gentleman took home the dog,
but next morning the poor beast howled impatiently for[13] the basket to
go its rounds as usual. It went with the pennies to the cemetery and laid
them on a grave, whining[14] mournfully, and trying to scratch up the
earth. Twice more it went out all day, and brought back the money for its
master; but, on finding the money untouched, it lay down at full length
upon the grave. The next morning it did not go its rounds, for it was
dead.—CHAMBERS’S “SHORT STORIES.”
[1] in a = with.
[2] here +Lauf+, m.
[3] to keep up with a person, +gleichen Schritt mit einem halten+.
[4] +an´rufen+, sep. comp. str. w. tr.
[5] = to the great amazement of the driver.
[6] +plötzlich in einen Durchgang hinein´laufen.+
[7] +passieren.+
[8] +Passage+, f.; to = into; rickety, +baufällig+.
[9] +im Sterben.+
[10] = and was supported (+unterhalten+ or +versorgen+).
[11] here +aus´üben+.
[12] +einer Sache+ (Dat.) +ein Ende machen+.
[13] +nach+; ‘to go one’s rounds’, here +seine Runde wieder an´treten+.
[14] = whereby he whined.
_Section 211._
MY FIRST GUINEA.
I well remember[1], when I was very young, possessing for the first
time a guinea. I remember too that this circumstance cost me no little
perplexity and anxiety. As I passed along the streets, the fear of
losing my guinea induced me oftentimes to take it out of my pocket to
look at it. First I put[2] it in one pocket, then I took it out and put
it in another; after a while I took it out of the second pocket and
placed[2] it in another, really perplexed[3] what to do with it (S. 27,
N. 7).
At last my attention was arrested by a book-auction. I stepped in and
looked about me. First one lot[4] was put up, and then another, and sold
to the highest bidder[5]. At last I ventured to the table, just as the
auctioneer was putting up “The History of the World,” in two large folio
volumes. I instantly thrust[2] my hand into my (S. 43, N. 9) pocket,
and began turning over[6] my guinea, considering whether I should have
money enough to buy this lot. The bidding proceeded[7], and at last
I ventured to bid too. “Halloo! my little man!” said the auctioneer,
“what! (S. 27, N. 7) not content with less than the world?” This remark
greatly confused me, and drew the attention of the whole company[8]
toward me, who[9], seeing (S. 30, N. 4) me anxious[10] to possess the
books, refrained from bidding against me; and so, “The World” was knocked
down[11] to me at a very moderate price.