Frankenstein - full audiobook with rolling text - by Mary Shelley

Frankenstein or the modern Prometheus by Mary Shelly letter 1 St Petersburg December 11th to Mrs Seville England you will rejoice to hear that no disaster has accompanied the commencement of an Enterprise which you have regarded with such evil for boings I arrived here yesterday and my first task is to assure my dear sister of my welfare and increasing confidence in the Success of my undertaking I am already far north of London and as I walk in the streets of Petersburg I feel a cold Northern Breeze play upon my cheeks which braces my nerves and fills

me with delight do you understand this feeling this Breeze which has traveled from the regions toward W which I am advancing gives me a foretaste of those icy climbs inspirited by this wind of Promise my Daydreams become more fervent And Vivid I try in vain to be persuaded that the pole is the seat of frost and desolation it ever presents itself to my imagination as the region of beauty and Delight there Margaret the sun is forever visible its broad dis just skirting The Horizon and diffusing a Perpetual Splendor there for with your leave my sister

I will put some trust in proceeding Navigators there snow and frost are Banished and sailing over a calm sea we may be wafted to a land surpassing in wonders and in Beauty every region hitherto discovered on the habitable Globe its Productions and features may be without example as the phenomena of the heavenly bodies undoubtedly are in those undiscovered solitudes what may not be expected in a country of Eternal Light I may there discover the wondrous Powers which attracts the needle and may regulate a Thousand Celestial observations that require only this Voyage to render their seeming

eccentricities consistent forever I shall satiate my tic curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never before visited and may tread a land never before imprinted by the foot of man these are my enticements and they are sufficient to conquer all fear of danger or death and to induce me to commence this Laborious Voyage with the joy a child feels when he embarks in a little boat with his holiday mates on an expedition of Discovery up his native River but supposing all these conjectures to be false you cannot contest the inestimable benefit which

I shall confer on all mankind to the last generation by discovering a passage near the pole to those countries to reach which at present so many months are requisite or by ascertaining the secret of the magnet Which if at all possible can only be affected by an undertaking such as mine these Reflections have dispelled the agitation with which I began my letter and I feel my heart low with an enthusiasm which elevates me to heaven for nothing contributes so much to tranquilize the Mind as a steady purpose a point on which the soul may fix

its intellectual eye this Expedition has been the favorite dream of my early years I have read with ardor the Accounts of the various voyages which have been made in the prospect of arriving at the North Pacific Ocean through the Seas which surround the pole you may remember that a history of all the Voyages made for purposes of Discovery composed the whole of our good uncle Thomas's Library my education was neglected yet I was passionately fond of reading these volumes were my study day and night and my familiarity with them increased that Regret which I had

felt as a child on learning that my father's dying injunction had forbidden my uncle to to allow me to Embark in a seafaring life these Visions faded when I perused for the first time those poets who effusions entranced my soul and lifted it to Heaven I also became a poet and for one year lived in a paradise of my own creation I imagined that I also might obtain a niche in the temple where the names of Homer and Shakespeare are Consecrated you are well acquainted with my failure and how heavily I bore the disappointment but

just at that time I inherited the fortune of my cousin and my thoughts were turned into the channel of their earlier bent six years have passed since I resolved on my present undertak I can even now remember the hour from which I dedicated myself to this great Enterprise I commenced by enduring my body to hardship I accompanied the Whalefishers on several expeditions to the North Sea I voluntarily endured cold famine thirst and want of sleep I often worked harder than the common sailors during the day and devoted by nights to the study of mathematics the

theory of medicine and those branches of physical science from which a naval Adventurer might derive the greatest practical Advantage twice I actually hired myself as an undermate and a Greenland Whaler and acquitted myself to Admiration I must own I felt a little proud when my captain offered me the second dignity in the vessel and intreated me to remain with the greatest earnestness so valuable did he consider my services and now dear Margaret do I not deserve to accomplish such great purpose my life might have been passed in ease and luxury but I preferred glory to

every enticement that wealth placed in my path oh that some encouraging voice Would answer in the affirmative my courage and my resolution is firm but my hopes fluctuate and my spirits are often depressed I am about to proceed on a long and difficult Voyage the emergencies of which will demand all my fortitude I am required not only to raise the spirits of others but sometimes to sustain my own when theirs are failing this is the most favorable period for traveling in Russia they fly Quickly over the snow in their sledges the motion is pleasant and

in my opinion far more agreeable than that of an English Stage Coach the cold is not excessive if you are wrapped in Furs a dress which I have already adopted for there is a great difference between walking the deck and remaining seated motionless for hours when no exercise prevents the blood from actually freezing in your veins I have no ambition to lose my life On the Post Road between St Petersburg and Archangel I shall depart for the latter town in a fortnight or 3 weeks and my intention is to hire a ship there which can

easily be done by paying the insurance for the owner and to engage as many sailors as I think necessary among those who are accustomed to the whale fishing I do not intend to sail until the month of June and when shall I return ah dear sister how can I answer this question if I succeed Many many months perhaps years will pass before you and I may meet if I fail you will see me again soon or never Farewell My Dear excellent Margaret Heaven shower down blessings on you and save me that I may again and

again testify my gratitude for all your love and kindness your affectionate brother R Walton letter two arch angel 28th march to Mrs Seville England how slowly the time passes here encompassed as I am by frost and snow Yet a second step is taken towards my Enterprise I have hired a vessel and am occupied in collecting my Sailors Those whom I have already engaged appear to be men on whom I Can Depend and are certainly possessed of dauntless courage but I have one want which I have never yet been able to satisfy and the absence of

the object of which I now feel as a most severe evil I have no friend Margaret when I am glowing with the enthusiasm of success there will be None to participate my joy if I am assailed by disappointment no one will endeavor to sustain me in dejection I shall commit my thoughts to paper it is true but that is a poor po medium for the communication of feeling I desire the company of a man who could sympathize with me whose eyes would reply to mine you may deem me romantic my dear sister but I bitterly

feel the want of a friend I have no one near me gentle yet courageous possessed of a Cultivated as well as a capricious mind whose tastes are like my own to approve or amend my plans How would such a friend repair The Faults of your poor brother I am too Ardent in execution and too impatient of difficulties but it is still a greater evil to me that I am self-educated for the first 14 years of my life I ran Wild on a common and read nothing but our uncle Thomas's books of voyages at that age

I became acquainted with the celebrated Poets of our country But it was only when it had ceased to be in my power to derive its most important important benefits from such a conviction that I perceived the necessity of becoming acquainted with more languages than that of my native country now I am 28 and am in reality more illiterate than many school boys of 15 it is true that I have thought more and that my Daydreams are more extended and magnificent but they want as the painters call it Keeping and I greatly need a friend who

would have S enough not to despise me as a romantic and affectionate enough for me to Endeavor to regulate my mind well these are useless complaints I shall certainly find no friend on the wide ocean nor even here in Archangel among merchants and seamen yet some feelings unallied to the dross of human nature beat even in these rugged bosoms my lieutenant for instance is a man of wonderful courage and Enterprise he is madly desirous of Glory or rather to word my phrase more characteristically of advancement in his profession he is an Englishman and in the

midst of national and professional prejudices unsoftened by cultivation retain some of the noblest endowments of humanity I first became acquainted with him on board a whale vessel finding that he was unemployed in the city I easily engaged him to assist in my Enterprise The master is a person of excellent disposition and is remarkable in the ship for his gentleness and the mildness of his discipline this circumstance added to his well-known integrity and dauntless courage made me very desirous to engage him a youth passed in solitude my best years spent under your gentle and feminine fosterage

has so refined the groundwork of my character that I cannot overcome an intense distaste to to the Usual brutality exercised on board ship I have never believed it to be necessary and when I heard of a mariner equally noted for his kindliness of heart and the respect and obedience paid to him by his crew I felt myself peculiarly fortunate in being able to secure his Services I heard of him first in rather a romantic manner from a lady who owes to him the happiness of her life this briefly is his story some years ago he

loved a young Russian Lady of moderate fortune and having amassed a considerable sum in prize money the father of the girl consented to the match he saw his mistress once before the destined ceremony but she was bathed in tears and throwing herself At His Feet intreated him to spare her confessing at the same time that she loved another but that he was poor and that her father would never never consent to the union my generous friend reassured the Suppliant and on being informed of the name of her lover instantly abandoned his Pursuit he had already

bought a farm with his money on which he had designed to pass the remainder of his life but he bestowed the whole on his rival together with the remains of his prize money to purchase stock and then himself solicited the young woman's father to consent to her marriage with with her lover but the old man decidedly refused thinking himself Bound in honor to my Friend who when he found the father inexorable quitted his country nor returned until he heard that his former mistress was married according to her inclinations what a noble fellow you will exclaim

he is so but then he is wholly uneducated he is as silent as a Turk and a kind of ignorant carelessness attends him which while it renders his conduct the more astonishing detracts from the interest in sympathy which otherwise he would command yet do not Suppose because I complain a little or because I can conceive a consolation for my toils which I may never know that I am wavering in my resolutions those are as fixed as fate and my Voyage is only now delayed until the weather shall permit my embarcation the winter has been dreadfully

severe but the spring promises well and it is considered as a remarkably early season so that perhaps I may sail sooner than I expected I shall do nothing rashly you Know me sufficiently to confide in my prudence and considerateness whenever the safety of others is committed to my care I cannot describe to you my Sensations on the near Prospect of my undertaking it is impossible to communicate to you a conception of the trembling sensation half pleasurable and half fearful with which I am preparing to depart I am going to unexplored Regions to the land of

mist and snow but I shall kill no Albatross therefore do Not be alarmed for my safety or if I should come back to you as worn and woeful as the Ancient Mariner you will smile at my illusion but I will disclose a secret I have often attributed my attachment to my passionate enthusiasm for the dangerous mysteries of ocean to that production of the most imaginative of modern poets there is something at work in my soul which I do not understand I am practically industrious painstaking a Workman to execute with perseverance and labor but besides this

there is a love for The Marvelous a belief in The Marvelous intertwined in in all my projects which hurries me out of the common Pathways of men even to the wild sea and unvisited regions I am about to explore but to return to dearer considerations shall I meet you again after having traversed immense seas and returned by the most southern Cape of Africa or America I dare not expect such Success yet I cannot bear to look on the reverse of the picture continue for the present to write to me by every opportunity I may receive

your letters on some occasions when I need them most to support my spirits I love you very tenderly remember me with affection should you never hear from me again your affectionate brother Robert Walton letter three July 7th to Mrs Seville England my dear sister I write a few Lines in haste to say that I am safe and well Advanced on my Voyage this letter will reach England by a merchantman now on its Homeward Voyage from Arch Angel more fortunate than I who may not see my native land perhaps for many years I am however in

good spirits my men are bold and apparently firm of purpose nor do the floating sheets of ice that continually pass us indicating the dangers of the region towards which we are advancing appear to dismay Them we have already reached a very high latitude but it is the height of Summer and although not so warm as in England the southern Gales which blow us speedily towards those Shores which I am ardently desire to attain breathe a degree of renovating warmth which I had not expected no incidents have hither to befallen us that would make us a

figure in a letter one or two stiff Gales and the Springing of a leak or accidents which experienced Navigators scarcely remember to record and I shall be well content if nothing worse happened to us during our Voyage ad do my dear Margaret be assured that for my own sake as well as yours I will not rashly encounter danger I will be cool persevering and prudent but success shall Crown my endeavors wherefore not thus far I have gone tracing a secure way over the pathless Seas the very Stars themselves being Witnesses and testimonies of my Triumph

why not still proceed over the Untamed yet obedient element what can stop the determined heart and resolved will of man my swelling heart involuntarily pours itself out thus but I must finish Heaven bless my beloved sister RW letter four August 5th to Mrs Seville England so strange an accident has happened to all of us I cannot forbear Recording it although it is very probable that you will see me before these papers can come into your possession last Monday July 31st we were nearly surrounded by Ice which closed in the ship on all sides scarcely leaving

her the seao in which she floated our situation was somewhat dangerous especially as we were compassed round by a very thick fog we accordingly lay to hoping that some change would take place in the atmosphere and Weather about 2:00 the Mist cleared away and we beheld stretched out in every direction vast and irregular PLS of ice which seemed to have no end some of my comrades groaned and my own mind began to grow watchful with anxious thoughts when a strange sight suddenly attracted our attention and diverted our solicitude from our own situation we perceived a

low Carriage fixed on a sledge and drawn by dogs pass on towards the north at the distance of Half a mile a being which had the shape of a man but apparently of gigantic step ster sat in the Sledge and guided the dogs we watched the rapid progress of the traveler with our telescopes until he was lost among the distant inequalities of the ice this appearance excited our unqualified Wonder we were as we believed many hundred miles from any land but this Apparition seemed to denote that it was not in reality so distant as we

had Supposed shut in however by ice it was impossible to follow his track which we had observed with the greatest attention about 2 hours after this occurrence we heard the ground sea and before night the Ice broke and freed our ship we however lay to until the morning fearing to encounter in the dark those large loose masses which flowed about after the breaking up of the ice I profited of this time to rest for a few hours in the morning however as soon as It was light I went upon the deck and found all the

sailors busy on one side of the vessel apparently talking to someone in the sea it was in fact a sledge like that we had seen before which had drifted towards us in the night on a large fragment of ice only one dog remained alive but there was a human being within it whom the soldiers were persuading to enter the vessel he was not as the other Travelers seemed to be a Savage inhabitant of some Undiscovered Island but a European when I appeared on Deck the master said here is our captain and he will not allow

you to perish on the Open Sea on perceiving me the stranger addressed me in English although with a foreign accent before I come aboard Your Vessel said he will you have the kindness to inform me whether you are bound you may conceive my astonishment on hearing such a question addressed to Me from a man on the brink of Destruction and to whom I should have supposed that my vessel would have been a resource which he would not have exchanged for the most precious wealth the Earth can afford I replied however that we were on a

voyage of Discovery towards the northern pole upon hearing this he appeared satisfied and consented to come on board good God Margaret if you had seen the man who thus capitulated for his safety your surprise Would have been boundless his limbs were nearly Frozen and his body dreadfully emaciated by fatigue and suffering I never saw a man in so wretched a condition we attempted to carry him into the cabin but as soon as he had quitted the fresh air he fainted we accordingly brought brought him back to the deck and restored him to animation by rubbing

him with Brandy and forcing him to swallow a small quantity as soon as he showed signs of life we wrapped him up in Blankets and placed him near the chimney of the kitchen stove by slow degrees he recovered and ate a little soup which restored him wonderfully two days passed in this manner before he was able to speak and I often feared that his sufferings had deprived him of understanding when he had in some measure recovered I removed him to my own cabin and attended on him as much as my duty would permit I never

saw a more interesting creature his eyes Have generally an expression of wildness and even Madness but there are moments when if anyone performs an act of kindness towards him or does him any the most trifling service his whole countenance is lighted up as it were with a beam of benevolence and sweetness that I never saw equaled but he is generally Melancholy and despairing and sometimes he nashes his teeth as if impatient of the weight of woes that oppresses him when my guest Was a little recovered I had great trouble trying to keep off the men

who wished to ask him a thousand questions but I would not allow him to be tormented by their Idol curiosity in a state of body and mind whose restoration evidently depended entirely upon Repose once however the the lieutenant asked why he had come so far up the ice in so strange a vehicle his countenance instantly assumed an aspect of the deepest Gloom and he replied to seek one Who fled from me and did the man whom you pursued travel in the same fashion yes then I fancy we have seen him for the day before we

picked you up we saw some dogs drawing a sledge with a man in it across the ice this aroused the stranger's attention and he asked a multitude of questions concerning the root which the demon as he called him had pursued soon after when he was alone with me he said I have doubtless excited Your curiosity as well as that of these good people but you are too considerate to make inquiries certainly it would indeed be very impertinent and inhuman in me to trouble you with any inquisit iess of mind and yet you rescued me from

a strange and perilous situation you have benevolently restored me to life soon after this he inquired if I thought that the breaking up of the ice had destroyed the other Sledge I replied that I could Not answer with any degree of certainty for the ice had not broken until near midnight and the traveler might have arrived at a place of safety before that time but of this I could not judge from this time a new spirit of Life animated the decaying frame of the stranger he manifested the greatest eagerness to be upon deck to watch

for the Sledge which had before appeared but I have persuaded him to remain in the cabin for he is far too weak to sustain The rawness of the atmosphere I have promised that someone should watch for him and give him instant notice if any new object should appear in sight such is my journal of what relates to this strange occurrence up to the present day The Stranger has gradually improved in health but is very silent and appears uneasy when anyone except myself enters his cabin yet his manners are so conciliating and gentle that the sailors

are all interested in him although they Have had very little communication with him for my own part I begin to love him as a brother and his constant and deep grief fills me with sympathy and compassion he must have been a noble creature in his better days being even now in wreck so attractive and amiable I said in one of my letters my dear Margaret that I should find no friend on the wide ocean yet I have found a man who before his Spirit had been broken by misery I should have been happy to have

Possessed as the brother of my heart I shall continue my journal concerning the stranger at intervals should I have any fresh in incidents to record August 13th my affection for my guest increases every day he excites at once my admiration and my pity to an astonishing degree how can I see so Noble a creature destroyed by misery without feeling the most poignant grief he is so gentle yet so wise his mind is so cultivated and When he speaks although his words are called with the choicest art yet they flow with rapidity and unparalleled eloquence he

is now much recovered from his illness and is continually on the deck apparently watching for the sledge that preceded his own yet although unhappy he is not so utterly occupied by his own misery but that he interests himself deeply in the projects of others he has frequently conversed with me on mine which I have Communicated to him without disguise he entered ATT tentatively into my arguments in favor of my eventual success and into every minute detail of the measures I had taken to secure it I was easily led by the sympathy which he evinced to

use the language of my heart to give utterance to the burning order of my soul and to say with all the fervor that warmed me how gladly I would sacrifice my Fortune my existence my every hope to the furtherance of my Enterprise one man's life or death were but a small price to pay for the acquirement of the knowledge which I sought for the Dominion I should acquire and transmit over the elemental foes of our race as I spoke a dark Gloom spread over my listener's countenance at first I perceived that he tried to suppress

his emotion he placed his hands before his eyes and my voice quivered and failed me as I beheld tears trickle fast from between his Fingers a groan burst from his heaving breast I paused at length he spoke in broken accents unhappy man do you share my madness have you drunk also of the in intoxicating draft hear me let me reveal my tale and you will crashed the cup from your lips such words you may imagine strongly excited my curiosity but the paroxismo and tranquil conversation were necessary to restore his Composure having conquered the violence of

his feelings he appeared to despise himself for being the slave of passion and quelling the dark tyranny of Despair he led me again to converse concerning myself personally he asked me the history of my earlier years the tale was quickly told but it awakened various trains of reflection I spoke of my desire of finding a friend of my thirst for a more intimate sympathy with a fellow mind that had ever fallen to my Lot and expressed my conviction that a man could boast of little happiness who did not enjoy this blessing I agree with you

replied the stranger we are unfashionable of human creatures and am entitled therefore to judge respecting friendship you have hope and the world before you and have no cause for despair but I I have lost everything and cannot begin life a new as he said this his countenance Became expressive of a calm settled grief that touched me to the heart but he was silent and presently retired to his cabin even broken in spirit as he is no one can feel more deeply than he does the beauties of nature The Starry Sky the sea and every sight

afforded by these wonderful regions seem to still have the power of elevating his soul from Earth such a man has a double existence he may suffer misery and be overwhelmed by disappointments yet when He has retired into himself he will be like a celestial spirit that has a halo around him within whose Circle no grief or Folly Ventures will you smile at the enthusiasm I expressed concerning this Divine Wanderer you would not if you saw him you have been tutored and refined by books and retirement from the world and you are therefore somewhat fastidious but

this only renders you the more fit to appreciate the extraordinary merits of this wonderful Man sometimes I have endeavored to discover what quality it is which he possesses that elevates him so immeasurably above any other person I ever knew I believe it to be an intuitive discernment a quick but never-failing power of judgment a penetration into the causes of things unequaled for clearness and precision add to this a facility of expression and a voice whose varied intonations are soul subduing Music August 19th yesterday the stranger said to me you may easily perceive Captain Walton that

I have suffered great and unparalleled misfortunes I had determined at one time that the memory of these evils should die with me but you have won me to alter my determination you seek for knowledge and wisdom as I once did and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes May not be a serpent to sting you as mine has been I do not know that the relation of my disasters will be useful to you yet when I reflect that you are pursuing the same course exposing yourself to the same dangers which have rendered me

what I am I imagine that you may deduce an apt moral from my tail one that may direct you if you succeed in your undertaking and console you in case of failure prepare to hear of occurrences which are usually deemed Marvelous where we among the Tamer scenes of nature I might fear to encounter your unbelief perhaps your ridicule but many things will appear possible in these wild and mysterious regions which would provoke the laughter of those unacquainted with the ever varied powers of nature nor can I doubt but that my tale conveys in its series

internal evidence of the truth of the events of which it is composed you may easily imagine that I Was much gratified by the offered communication yet I could not endure that he should renew his grief by a recital of his misfortunes I felt the greatest eagerness to hear the promised narrative partly from Curiosity and partly from a strong desire to amarate his fate if it were in my power I expressed these feelings in my answer I thank you he replied for your sympathy but it is is useless my fate is Nearly fulfilled I can wait

but for one event and then I shall Repose in peace I understand your feeling continued he perceiving that I wish to interrupt him but you are mistaken my friend if thus you will allow me to name you nothing can alter my destiny listen to my history and you will perceive how irrevocably it is determined he then told me that he would commence his narrative the next day when I should be at leisure This Promise Drew From me the warmest thanks I have resolved every night when I am not imperatively occupied by my duties to record

as nearly as possible in his own words what he has related during the day if I should be engaged I will at least make notes this manuscript will doubtless afford you the greatest pleasure but to me who know him and who hear it from his own lips with what interest and sympathy shall I read it in some future day even now as I commence My task his full-toned voice swells in my ears his lustrous eyes dwell on me with all their Melancholy sweetness I see his thin hand raised in animation while the lineaments of his

face are irradiated by the soul within strange and must be his story frightful the storm which embraced the Gallant vessel on its course and wrecked it thus chapter 1 I am by birth a geneves and my family Is one of the most distinguished of that Republic my ancestors have been for many years counselors and syndics and my father had filled several public situations with honor and reputation he was respected by all who knew him for his integrity and indefatigable attention to public business he passed his younger days perpetually occupied by the Affairs of his country

a variety of Circumstances had prevented his marrying early nor was it until the decline of Life that he became a husband and the father of a family as the circumstances of his marriage illustrate his character I cannot refrain from relating them one of his most intimate friends was a merchant who from a flourishing State fell through numerous mischances into poverty this man whose name was bfor was of a proud and unbending disposition and could not bear to live in poverty and Oblivion in the same country where he had formerly been distinguished for his Rank and

magnificence having paid his debts therefore in the most honorable manner he retreated Ed with his daughter to the town of lucern where he lived unknown and in wretchedness my father loved bfor with the truest friendship and was deeply grieved by his retreat in these unfortunate circumstances he bitterly deplored the false Pride which led his friend to a Conduct so little worthy of the affection that United them he lost no time endeavoring to seek him out with the hope of persuading him to begin the world again through his credit and assistance bow for had taken effectual

measures to conceal himself and it was 10 months before my father discovered his Abode Overjoyed at this discovery he hastened to the house which was situated in a Mean Street near the Roose but when he entered misery and despair alone Welcomed him bort had saved but a very small sum of money from the wreck of his fortunes but it was sufficient to provide him with sustenance for some months and in the in the meantime he hoped to produce some respectable employment in a Merchant's house the interval was consequently spent in in action his grief only

became more deep and rankling when he had Leisure for reflection and at length it took so fast hold of his mind that at the end of Three months he lay on a bed of sickness incapable of any exertion his daughter attended him with the greatest tenderness but she saw with despair that their little fund was rapidly decreasing and that there was no other Prospect of support but Caroline bow for possessed a mind of an uncommon mold and her courage Rose to support her in her adversity she procured plain work she plated straw and by various

means contrived to earn a pittance scarcely Sufficient to support life several months passed in this manner her father grew worse her time time was more entirely occupied in attending him her means of subsistence decreased and in the 10th month her father died in her arms leaving her an orphan and a beggar this last blow overcame her and she knelt by Bow for's coffin weeping bitterly when my father entered the chamber he came like a protecting Spirit to the poor girl who committed herself To his care and after the internment of his friend he conducted her

to Geneva and placed her under the protection of a relation 2 years after this event Caroline became his wife there was a considerable distance between the ages of my parents but this circumstance seemed to unite them only closer in bonds of devoted affection there was a sense of justice in my father's upright mind which rendered it necessary that he should approve highly to love strongly Perhaps during former years he had suffered from the late discovered unworthiness of one beloved and so was disposed to set a greater value on tried worth there was a show of

gratitude and worship in his attachment to my mother differing wholly from the doting fondness of age for it was inspired by reverence for her virtues and a desire to be the means of in some degree recompensing her for the Sorrows she had endured but which gave inexpressible to His behavior to her everything was made to yield to her wishes and her convenience he strove to shelter her as a fair exotic is sheltered by The Gardener from every rougher wind and to surround her with all that could tend to excite pleasurable emotion in her soft and

benevolent mind her health and even the Tranquility of her hitherto constant Spirit had been shaken by what she had gone through during during the two years that had elapsed previous to their Marriage my father had gradually relinquished all his public functions and immediately after their Union they sought the pleasant climate of Italy and the change of scene and interest attended on a tour through that land of Wonders as a restorative for her weakened frame from Italy they visited Germany and France I their eldest child was born at Naples and as a an infant accompanied them

in their Rambles I remained for Several years their only child much as they were attached to each other they seemed to draw inexhaustible stores of affection from a very mind of love to bestow them upon me my mother's tender caresses and my father's smile of benevolent pleasure while regarding me are my first Recollections I was their play thing and their Idol and something better their child the innocent and helpless creature Bestowed on them by Heaven whom to bring up to good and whose future lot it was in their hands to direct to happiness or misery

according as they fulfilled their duties towards me with this deep consciousness of what they owed toward the being to which they had given life added the active Spirit of tenderness That animated both it may be imagined that while during every hour of my infant life I received a lesson of patience of Charity and of self-control I was so Guided by a silken cord that all seemed but one train of enjoyment to me for a long time I was their only care my mother had much desired to have a daughter but I continued their single Offspring

when I was about 5 years old while making an Excursion beyond the frontiers of Italy they passed a week on the shores of the lake of ko their benevolent disposition often made them enter the cottages of the poor this to my mother was more than a Duty it was a necessity a passion remembering what she had suffered and how she had been relieved for her to act in her turn the guardian angel to The Afflicted during one of their walks a poor cot in the foldings of a veil attracted their notice as being singularly disconsolate

while the number of half clothed children gathered about it spoke of panri in its worst shape one day when my father had gone by Himself to Milan my mother accompanied by me visited this Abode she found a peasant and his wife hardworking bent down by care and labor Distributing a scanty meal to five hungry babies among these there was one which attracted my mother far above all the rest she appeared of a different stock the four others were Dark Eyed hearty little vagrants this child was thin and very fair her hair was the brightest living

gold and despite the poverty of her Clothing seemed to set a crown of Distinction on her head her brow was clear and ample her blue eyes cloudless and her lips and the molding of her face so expressive of sens ility and sweetness that none could behold her without looking on her as of a distinct species a being Heaven Scent and burying a Celestial stamp in all her features The Peasant woman perceiving that my mother fixed eyes of Wonder and admiration on this lovely girl eagerly Communicated her history she was not her child but the daughter

of a millanes nobleman her mother was a German and had died on giving her birth the infant had been placed with these good people to nurse they were better off then they had not been long married and their eldest child was but just born the father of their charge was one of those Italians nursed in the memory of the antique Glory of Italy one among the shiavi agnor Frenti who exerted himself to obtain the liberty of his country he became the victim of its weakness whether he had died died or still lingered in the dungeons

of Austria was not known his property was confiscated his child became an orphan and a beggar she continued with her foster parents and bloomed in their rude Abode fairer than a garden rose among dark Lea brambles when my father returned from Milan he found playing with me in the Hall of our Villa a child fairer than pictured cherub a creature who seemed to shed radiant from her looks and whose form and motions were lighter than the shoa of the hills The Apparition was soon explained with his permission my mother prevailed on her rustic Guardians to

yield their charge to her they were fond of the sweet orphan her presence had seemed a blessing to them but it would be unfair To her to keep her in poverty and want when Providence afforded her such powerful protection they consulted their Village and the result was that Elizabeth lenza became the inmate of my parents house my Moran sister the beautiful and adored companion of all my occupations and and my Pleasures everyone loved Elizabeth the passionate and almost reverential attachment with which all regarded her Became while I shared it my pride and my delight on

the evening pre previous to her being brought to my house my mother had said playfully I have a pretty present for my Victor tomorrow he shall have it and when on the tomorrow she presented Elizabeth to me as her promised gift I with childish seriousness interpreted her words literally and looked upon Elizabeth as mine mine to protect love and cherish all Praises bestowed on her I Received as I made to a possession of my own we called each other familiarly by the name of cousin no word no expression could body forth the kind of relation

in which she stood to me my more than sister since till death she was to be mine only chapter 2 we were brought up together there was not quite a year difference in our ages I need not say that we were strangers to any species of disunion or dispute Harmony was the soul of our companionship and the diversity and contrast that subsisted in our characters Drew us nearer together Elizabeth was of a calmer and more concentrated disposition but with all my artor I was capable of a more intense application and was more deeply smitten with

the thirst for knowledge she busied herself with following the aerial creations of The Poets and in the Majestic and Wondrous scenes which surrounded our Swiss home the sublime shapes of the mountains the changes of the seasons Tempest and calm The Silence of winter and the life and turbulence of our Alpine Summers she found ample scope for admiration and Delight while my companion contemplated with a serious and satis Spirit The Magnificent appearance of things I delighted in investigating their causes the world was to me a secret which I Desired to Divine curiosity Earnest research to learn

the hidden laws of nature gladness akin to Rapture as they were unfolded to me are among the earliest Sensations I can remember on the birth of a second son my junior by seven years my parents gave up entirely their wandering life and fixed themselves in their native country we possessed a house in Geneva and a campaign on B Reef the eastern shore of The lake at the distance of rather more than a league from the city we resided principally in the latter and the lives of my parents were passed in considerable seclusion it was my

temper to avoid a crowd and to attach myself fervently to a few I was indifferent therefore to my school fellows in general but I United myself in the bonds of the closest friendship to one among them Henry Clerval was the son of a merchant of Geneva he was a boy of singular talent and fancy he loved Enterprise hardship and even danger for its own sake he was deeply read in books of chivalry and romance he composed heroic songs and began to write many a tale of enchantment and nightly Adventure he tried to make us act

plays and to enter into masquerades in which the characters were drawn from the heroes of ronal of the Round Table of King Arthur and the chivalrous train who shed their blood to redeem the Holy Sepulchre from the hands of the infidels no human being could have passed a happier childhood than myself my parents were possessed by the very Spirit of kindness and Indulgence we felt that they were not the tyrants to rule our lot according to their Caprice but the agents and creators of all the many Delights which we enjoyed when I mingled with other

Families I distinctly discerned how peculiarly fortunate my lot was and gratitude assisted the development of filial love my temper was sometimes violent and my passions vehement but by some law in my temperature they were turned not toward towards childish Pursuits but to an eager desire to learn and not to learn all things indiscriminately I confess that neither the structure of languages nor the code of governments nor the politics of Various States possessed attractions for me it was the secrets of Heaven and Earth that I desired to learn and whether it was the outward substance of

things or the inner Spirit of Nature and the Mysterious soul of man that occupies me still my inquiries were directed to the metaphysical or in its highest sense the physical secrets of the world meanwhile Clerval occupied himself so to speak with the moral relations of things the busy stage of Life the Virtues of Heroes and the actions of men were his theme and his hope and his dream was to become one among those whose names are recorded in story as the gallant and adventurous benefactors of our species the saintly soul of Elizabeth Shone like a

shrine dedicated lamp in our peaceful home her sympathy was ours her smile her soft voice the sweet glance of her Celestial eyes were ever there to bless and animate us she was The Living spirit of love to soften and attract I might have become suen in my study rough through the the order of my nature but that she was there to subdue me to a semblance of her own gentleness and Clerval could ought ill entrench on the noble Spirit of clairval yet he might not have been so perfectly Humane so thoughtful in his generosity so

full of kindness and tenderness amidst his passion for adventurous exploit had she not unfolded To him the real loveliness of beneficence and made the do doing good the end and the aim of his soaring ambition I feel Exquisite pleasure in dwelling on the Recollections of childhood before Misfortune had tainted my mind and changed its bright visions of extensive usefulness into gloomy and narrow Reflections upon self besides in drawing the picture of my early days I also record those events which led by insensible steps to my aftertale of Misery for when I would account to myself

for the birth of that passion which afterwards ruled my destiny I find it arise like a mountain river from ignoble and almost forgotten sources but swelling as it preceded it became the torrent which in its course has swept away all my hopes and joys natural philosophy is the genius that has regulated my fate I desire therefore in this narration to State those facts which led to my predeliction for that Science when I was 13 years of age we all went on a party of pleasure to the baths near thaen the inclemency of the weather obliged

us to remain a day confined to the in in this house I chaned to find a volume of the works of Cornelius agria I opened it with apathy the theory which he attempts to demonstrate and the wonderful facts which he relates soon changed this feeling into enthusiasm a new light seemed to Dawn Upon my mind and bounding with joy I communicated My Discovery to my father my father looked carelessly at the title page of my book and said ah Cornelius agria my dear Victor do not waste your time upon this it is sad trash If

instead of this remark my father had taken the pains to explain to me that the principles of Agrippa had been entirely exploded and that a modern system of science had been introduced which possessed much greater Powers than The ancient because the powers of the latter were chimerical while those of the former were real and practical under such circumstances I should certainly have thrown a grippa aside and have contented my imagination warmed as it was by returning with greater artor to my former studies it is even possible that the train of my ideas would never have

received the Fatal impulse that led to my ruin but the cursory glance my father had taken Of my volume by no means assured me that he was acquitted with its contents and I continued to read with the greatest avidity when I returned home my first care was to procure the whole works of this author and afterwards of paracelsus and albertus M Magnus I read and studied the wild fancies of these writers with delight they appeared to me Treasures known to few besides myself I have described myself as always having been imbued with a fervent Longing

to penetrate the secrets of nature in spite of the intense labor and wonderful discoveries of modern philosophers I always came from my studies discontented and unsatisfied Sir Isaac Newton is said to have AOW that he felt like a child picking up shells beside the Great and unexplored ocean of Truth those of his successors in each branch of natural philosophy with whom I was acquainted appeared even to my boy Apprehensions as tyros engaged in the same Pursuit The untaught Peasant beheld the elements around him and was acquainted with their practical uses the most learned philosopher knew

little more he had partially unveiled the face of nature but her Immortal lineaments were still a wonder and a mystery he might dissect anatomize and give names but not to speak of a final cause causes in their secondary and tertiary grades were Utterly unknown to him I had gazed upon the fortifications and impediments that seem to keep human beings from entering the Citadel of Nature and rationally and ignorantly I had repined but here were books and here were men who had penetrated deeper and knew more I took their word for all that they averred and

I became their disciple it may appear strange that such should arise in the 18th century but while I followed the routine of Education in the schools of Geneva I was to a great degree self-taught with regard to my favorite studies my father was not scientific and I was left to struggle with a child's blindness added to a student thirst for knowledge under the guidance of my new preceptors I entered with the greatest diligence into the search of the philosopher stone and the elixir of life but the latter soon obtained my undivided attention wealth was an

Inferior object but what Glory would attend the Discovery if I could banish disease from the human frame and render man invulnerable to any but a violent death nor were these my only Visions the raising of ghosts or Devils was a promise liberally accorded by my favorite authors the Fulfillment of which I most eagerly sought and if my incantations were always unsuccessful I attributed the failure rather to my own experience and mistake than to a want of Skill or Fidelity in my instructors and thus for a time I was occupied by exploded systems mingling like an

unep a thousand contradictory theories and floundering desperately in a very sloth of multifarious knowledge Guided by an Ardent imagination and childish reasoning till an accident again change the current of my ideas when I was about 15 years old we had retired to our house near B Reef when we witnessed a most violent and terrible Thunderstorm it Advanced from behind the mountains of Jura and the Thunder burst at once with frightful loudness from various quarters of the heavens I remained while the storm lasted watching its progress with curiosity and Delight as I stood at the door

on a sudden I beheld a stream of Fire issue from an old and beautiful Oak which stood about 20 yards from our house and so soon as the dazzling light vanished the oak had disappeared and nothing Remained but a blasted stump as we visited it the next morning we found the tree shattered in a singular manner it was not splintered by the shock but entirely reduced to thin ribbons of wood I never beheld anything so utterly d destroyed before this I was not unacquainted with the more obvious laws of electricity on this occasion a man

of great research in natural philosophy was With us and excited by this catastrophe he entered on the explanation of a theory which he had formed on the subject of electricity and galvanism which was at once new and astonishing to me all that he said threw greatly into the shade Cornelius Agrippa albertus Magnus and paracelsus the Lords of imagination but by some fatality the overthrow of these men disinclined me to pursue my accustomed studies it seemed to me as if nothing would or could ever Be known all that had so long engaged my attention suddenly grew

Despicable by one of those Caprices of the mind which we were all perhaps most subject to in early youth I at once gave up my former occupations set down natural history and all its progeny as a deformed and abortive creation and entertain the greatest disdain for a wouldbe science which could never even step within the threshold of real Knowledge in this mood of mind I betook myself to the mathematics and the branches of study appertaining to that science as being built upon secure foundations and so worthy of my consideration thus strangely are our souls constructed

and by such slight ligaments are we bound to Prosperity or ruin when I look back it seems to me as if this most miraculous change of inclination and Will was the immediate suggestion of the guardian angel of my Life the last effort made by the spirit of preservation to avert the storm that was even then hanging in the stars and ready to envelop me her victory was announced by an unusual tranquility and gladness of Soul which followed the relinquishing of my ancient and latterly tormenting studies it was thus that I was to be taught to

associate evil with their prosecution happiness with their disregard it was a strong effort of the spirit of good but it was ineffectual Destiny was too potent and her immutable laws had decreed my utter and terrible destruction chapter 3 when I had attained the age of 17 my parents resolved that I should become a student at the University of englot I had hitherto attended the schools of Geneva but my father thought it necessary for the completion of my education that I should be made a acquainted with other Customs than those of my native country my departure

was Therefore fixed at an early date but before the day resolved upon could arrive the first Misfortune Of My Life occurred as an omen as it were of my future misery Elizabeth had caught the scarlet fever her illness was severe and she was in the greatest danger during her illness many arguments had been urged to persuade my mother to refrain from attending upon her she had at first yielded to our entreaties but when she Heard that the life of her favorite was mined she could no longer control her anxiety she attended her sick bed her

watchful attentions triumphed over the malignity of the distemper Elizabeth was saved but the consequences of this imprudence were fatal to her preserver on the third day my mother sickened her fever was accompanied by the most alarming symptoms and the looks of her medical attendance prognosticated the worst event on her deathbed the Fortitude and benignity of this best of women did not desert her she joined the hands of Elizabeth and myself my children she said my firmest hopes of future happiness were placed on the prospect of your union this expectation will now be the consolation of

your father Elizabeth my love you must Supply my place to my younger children alas I regret that I am taken from you and happy and beloved as I have been is it not hard to quit you all but these are Not thoughts befitting me I would Endeavor to resign myself cheerfully to death and will indulge a hope of meeting you in another world she died calmly and her countenance expressed affection even in death I need not describe the feelings of those whose Dearest are rent by that most irreparable evil the void that presents itself to

the soul and the despair that is exhibited on the countenance it is so long before the Mind can persuade itself that she whom we saw every day and whose very existence appeared a part of our own can have departed forever that the brightness of a beloved eye can have been extinguished and the sound of a voice so familiar and dear to the ear can can be hushed never more to be heard these are the reflections of the first days but when the lapse of time proves the reality of the evil then the actual Bitterness of

grief commences yet from whom has not that rude hand rent away some dear connection and why should I describe a sorrow which all have felt and must feel the time at length arrives when grief is rather an Indulgence than a necessity and the smile that plays upon the lips although it may be deemed a sacrilege is not vanished my mother was dead but we had still duties which we ought to perform we must continue our course with the rest and learn to think Ourselves fortunate whilst one remains whom the spoiler has not seized my departure

for englot which had been deferred by these events was now again determined upon I obtained from my father a spite of some weeks it appeared to me a sacrilege so soon to leave the Repose akin to death of the House of morning and to rush into the thick of life I was new to sorrow but it did not the less alarm me I was unwilling to quit the sight of those that remain to Me and above all I desired to see my sweet Elizabeth in some degree consol she indeed veiled her grief and strove to

act the comforter to us all she looked steadily on life and assumed its duties with courage and Zeal she devoted herself to those she had been taught to call her uncle and cousins never was she so enchanting at this time when she recalled the sunshine of her smiles and spent them upon us she forgot even her own regret in her Endeavors to Make us forget the day of my departure at length arrived Clerval spent the last evening with us he had endeavored to Pur uade his father to permit him to accompany me and to become

my fellow student but in vain his father was a narrow-minded traitor and saw idleness and ruin in the aspirations and ambition of his son Henry deeply felt The Misfortune of Being debarred from a liberal education he said little but when he Spoke I read in his kindling eye and in his animated glance a restrained but firm resolve not to be chained to the miserable details of Commerce we sat late we could not tear ourselves away from each other nor persuade ourselves to say the word farewell it was said and we retired under the pretense of

seeking Repose each fancying that the other was deceived but when at morning's Dawn I descended to the carriage which was to Convey me away they were all there my father again to bless me Clerval to press me my hand once more my Elizabeth to renew her entreaties that I would write often and to bestow the last feminine attentions on her Playmate and friend I threw myself into the Shay that was to convey me away and indulged in the most Melancholy Reflections I who had ever been surrounded by amiable companions continually engaged in endeavoring to Bestow

Mutual pleasure I was now alone in the University with I was going I must form my own friends and be my own protector my life had hitherto been remarkably secluded and domestic and this had given me Invincible repugnance to new countenances I loved my brothers Elizabeth and Clerval these were old familiar faces but I believed myself totally unfitted for the company of strangers such were my Reflections as I Commenced my journey but as I eded my spirits and hopes Rose I ardently desired the acquisition of knowledge I had often when at home thought it hard

to remain during my youth cooped up in one place and had longed to enter the world and take my station among other human beings now my desires were complied with and it would indeed have been Folly to repent I had sufficient Leisure for these and many other Reflections during My journey to inl which was long and fatiguing at length the high white steeple of the Town met my eyes I El lighted and was conducted to my solitary apartment to spend the evening as I pleased the next morning I delivered my letters of introduction and paid

a visit to some of the principal professors chance or rather the evil influence the angel of Destruction which asserted omnipotent sway over me from the moment I turned my reluctant steps From my father's door led me first to Mr crimp professor of natural philosophy he was an UNC man but deeply imbued in the secrets of his science he asked me several questions concerning my progress in the different branches of science appertaining to Natural philosophy I replied carelessly and partly in contempt mentioned the names of my Alchemists as the principal authors I had studied the professor

stared have you He said really spent your time in studying such nonsense I replied in the affirmative every minute continued Mr crimp with warmth every instant that you have wasted on those books is utterly and entirely lost you have burdened your memory with exploded systems and useless names good God in what desert land have you lived where no one was kind enough to inform you that these fancies which you have so Greedily Em bibed are a thousand years old and as musty as they are ancient I little expected in this enlightened and scientific age to

find a disciple of albertus Magnus and paracelsus my dear sir you must begin your studies entirely a new so saying he stepped aside and wrote down a list of several books treating of natural philosophy which he desired me to procure and dismissed me after mentioning that in the beginning of the Following week he intended to commence a course of lectures upon natural philosophy in its General relations and that Mr Waldman a fellow Professor would lecture upon chemistry the alternate days that he admitted I returned home not disappointed for I have said that I had long

considered those authors useless whom the professor reprobated but I returned not at all the more inclined to recur to these studies In any shape Mr crimp was a little squat man with a Gruff voice and a repulsive countenance the teacher therefore did not prepossess me in favor of his Pursuits in rather a too philosophical and connected a strein perhaps I have given an account of the conclusions I had come to concerning them in my early years as a child I had not been content with the results promised by the modern professors of Natural Science with

a Confusion of ideas only to be accounted for by my extreme Youth and my want of a guide on such matters I had retr the steps of knowledge along the paths of time and exchanged the discoveries of recent inquiries for the dreams of Forgotten Alchemists besides I had a contempt for the uses of modern natural philosophy it was very different when the masters of the science sought immortality and power such views Although futile were Grand but now the scene was changed the ambition of The Inquirer seemed to limit itself to the annihilation of those Visions

on which my interest in science was chiefly founded I was required to exchange chimeras of boundless Grandeur for reality of little worth such were my Reflections during the first two or 3 days of my Residence at englot which were chiefly spent in becoming acquainted with the localities and the Principal residents in my new Abode but as the ensuing week commenced I thought of the information which Mr crimp had given me concerning the lectures and although I could not consent to go and hear that little conceited fellow deliver sentences out of a Pulpit I recollected what

he had said of Mr Waldman whom I had never seen and he had hither to been out of town partly from Curiosity and partly from idleness I went into the lecturing room which Mr Waldman entered shortly after this professor was very unlike his colleague he appeared about 50 years of age but with an aspect expressive of the greatest benevolence a very few gray hairs covered his temples but those at the back of his head were nearly black his person was short but remarkably erect and his voice the sweetest I had ever heard he began his

lecture by a recapitulation of the history of Chemistry and the various improvements made by different men of learning pronouncing with fervor the names of the most distinguished discoverers he then took a cursory view of the present state of the science and explained many of its Elementary terms after after having made a few Preparatory experiments he concluded with a paner upon Modern Chemistry the terms of which I shall never forget the ancient teachers of this Course said he promised impossibilities and performed nothing the Modern Masters promise very little they know that Metals cannot be transmuted and

that the elixir of life is a chimera but these philosophers whose hands seem only made to dabble in dirt and their eyes to pour over the microscope or Crucible have indeed performed Miracles they penetrate into the recesses of Nature and show how she works in her hiding places they ascend into the Heavens they have discovered how the blood circulates and the nature of the air we breathe they have acquired new and almost unlimited powers and they can command the Thunder of Heaven mimic the earthquake and even mock the invisible world with its own Shadows such

were the professor's words rather let me say such the words of the Fate announced to destroy me as he went on I felt as if my soul were grappling with a palpable enemy one by one the Various keys were touched which formed the mechanism of my being chord after chord was sounded and soon my mind was filled with one thought one conception one purpose so much has been done exclaimed the soul of Frankenstein more far more will I achieve treading in the steps already marked I will Pioneer a new way explore unknown powers and unfold

to the world the deepest mysteries of creation I closed not my eyes that night My internal being was in a state of insurrection and turmoil I felt that order would then arise but I had no power to produce it by degrees after the morning's Dawn sleep came I awoke and my yester night's thoughts were as a dream they only remained a resolution to return to my ancient studies and to devote myself to a science for which I believed myself to possess a natural Talent on the same day I paid Mr w a visit his matters

in private were even More mild and attractive than in public for there was a certain dignity in his mean during his lecture which in his own house was replaced by the greatest affability and kindness I gave him pretty nearly the same account of my former Pursuits as I had given to his fellow Professor he heard with attention the little narration concerning my studies and smiled at the names of Cornelius Agrippa and paracelsus but without the Contempt that Mr crimp had exhibited he said these were men to whose indefatigable Zeal modern philosophers were indebted for most

of the foundations of their knowledge they had left to us as an earlier task to give new names and arrange in Connected classifications the facts which they in a great degree had been the instruments of bringing to light the labors of men of Genius however erroneously directed scarcely ever fail in ultimately turning To the solid advantage of mankind I listened to his statement which was delivered without any presumption or affectation and then added that his lecture had removed my prejudices against modern chemists I expressed myself in measured terms with the modesty and BRD do from

a youth to his instructor without letting Escape inexperience in life would have made me ashamed any of the enthusiasm which stimulated my intended labors I Requested his advice concerning the books I ought to procure I am happy said Mr Waldman to have gained a disciple and if your application equals your ability I have no doubt of your Success chemistry is that branch of natural philosophy in which the greatest improvements have been and may be made it is on that account that I have made it my peculiar study but at the same time I have not

neglected the other Branches of science a man who would make but a very sorry chemist if he attended to that department of human knowledge alone if your wish is to become really a man of science and not merely a petty experimentalist I should advise you to apply to every branch of natural philosophy including mathematics he then took me into his laboratory and explained to me the uses of his various machines instructing me as to what I ought to procure and promising me the Use of his own when I should have advanced far enough in the

science not to derange their mechanism he also gave me the list of books which I had requested and I took my leave thus ended a day memorable to me it decided my future destiny chapter 4 from this day natural philosophy and particularly chemistry in the most comprehensive sense of the term became Nearly my sole occupation I read with ardor those works so full of genius and discrimination which modern inquirers have written on these subjects I attended the lectures and cultivated the acquaintance of the men of Science of the University and I found even in Mr

crimp a great deal of sound sense and real information combined it is true with a repulsive physiognomy in manners but not on that account the less valuable in Mr Waldman I found a true friend his gentleness was never tinged by dogmatism and his instructions were given with an air of frankness and good nature that banished every idea of pedantry in a thousand ways he smooth smoothed for me The Path of Knowledge and made the most abstruse inquiries clear and facil to my apprehension my application was at first fluctuating and uncertain it gained strength as I

proceeded and soon became so Ardent and eager that the Stars often Disappeared in the light of the morning whilst I was yet engaged in my laboratory as I applied so closely it may be easily conceived that my progress was rapid my artor was in indeed the astonishment of the students and my proficiency that of the Masters Professor crimp often asked me with a SCE smile how Cornelius Agrippa went on while Mr Waldman expressed the most heartfelt exultation in my progress two years passed in this manner during which I paid no visit to Geneva but was

engaged heart and soul in the pursuit of some discoveries which I hope to make none but those who have experienced them can conceive of the enticements of Science in other studies you go as far as others have gone before you but there is nothing more to know but in a scientific Pursuit there is continual food for Discovery and wonder a mind of moderate capacity which closely pursues one study must Infallibly arrive at Great Proficiency in that study and I who continually sought the attainment of one object object of pursuit and was solely wrapped up in

this improved so rapidly that at the end of two years I made some discoveries in the Improvement of some chemical instruments which procured me great esteem and admiration at the University when I had arrived at this point and had become as well acquainted with the theory and practice of natural Philosophy as depended on the lessons of any of the professors at Engel my residence there being no longer conducive to my Improvement I thought of returning to my friends and my native town when an incident happened that protracted my stay one of the phenomena which had

peculiarly attracted my attention was the structure of the human frame and indeed any animal ued with life whence I often asked myself did the principle of Life proceed it was A bold question and one which has ever been considered as a mystery yet with how many things are we upon the brink of becoming acquainted if cowardice or carelessness did not restrain our inquiries I revolved these circumstances in my mind and determined thenceforth to apply myself more particularly to those branches of natural philosophy which relate to physiology unless I had been animated by an almost Supernatural

enthusiasm my Application to this study would have been irksome and almost intolerable to examine the causes of life we must first have recourse to death I became acquainted with the science of anatomy but this was not sufficient I must also observe the natural Decay and Corruption of the human body in my education my father had taken the greatest precautions that my mind should be impressed with no Supernatural Horrors I do not ever remember to have trembled at A tale of superstition or to have feared The Apparition of a spirit dark Darkness had no effect upon

my fancy and a churchyard was to me merely the receptacle of bodies deprived of Life which from being the seed of beauty and strength had become food for the worm now I was led to examine the cause and progress of this Decay and forced to spend days and nights in vaults and charnal houses my attention was fixed upon every object the most insupportable To the delicacy of the human feelings I saw how the fine form of man was degraded and wasted I beheld the corruption of death succeed to the blooming cheek of life I saw

how the worm inherited the wonders of the eye and brain I paused examining and analyzing all the minutia of causation as exemplified in the change from life to death and death to life until from the midst of this Darkness a sudden light broke in upon me a light so Brilliant and wondrous yet so simple that while I became dizzy with the immensity of the prospect which it Illustrated I was surprised that among So Many Men of Genius who had directed their inquiries toward the same science that I alone should be reserved to discover so astonishing

a secret remember I am not recording the vision of a Madman the sun does not more certainly shine in the heavens than that which I now affirm is true some miracle Might have produced it yet the stages of the discovery were distinct and probable after days and nights of incredible labor and fatigue I succeeded in discovering the cause of generation and life nay more I became myself capable of bestowing Animation upon lifeless matter the astonishment which I had at first experienced on this discovery soon gave place to delight and Rapture after so much time spent

in Painful labor to arrive at once at the summit of my desires was the most gratifying consummation of my toils but this discovery was so great and overwhelming that all the steps by which I had been progressively led to it were obliterated and I beheld only the result what had been the study and desire of the wisest men since the creation of the world was now within my grasp not that like a magic Scene It All opened up upon me at once the Information I had obtained was of a nature rather to direct my Endeavors

so soon as I should Point them towards the object of my search than to exhibit that object already accomplished I was like the Arabian who had been buried with the dead and found a passage to life aided only by one glimmering and seemingly ineffectual life I see by your eagerness and the Wonder and hope which Your Eyes Express my Friend that you expect to be informed of the secret with which I am acquainted that cannot be listen patiently until the end of my story and you will easily perceive why I am reserved upon that subject

I will not lead you on unguarded and Ardent as I then was to your destruction and infallible misery learn from me if not by my precepts at least by my example how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his Native town to be the world than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow when I found so astonishing a power placed within my hands I hesitated a long time concerning the manner in which I should employ it although I possess the capacity of bestowing Animation

yet to prepare a frame for the reception of it with all its intricacies of fibers muscles and veins still remained a work of inconceivable difficulty in labor I Doubted at first whether I should attempt the creation of a being like myself or one of simpler organization but my imagination was too much exalted by my first success to permit me to doubt of my ability to give life to an animal as complex and wonderful as man the materials at present within my command hardly appeared adequate to so arduous an undertaking but I doubted not that I

should ultimately Succeed I prepared myself for a multitude of reverses my operations might be incessantly baffled and at last my work be imperfect yet when I considered the Improvement which every day takes place in science and mechanics I was encouraged to Hope my present attempts would at least lay the foundations of future success nor could I consider the magnitude and complexity of my plan as any argument of its Impracticability it was with these feelings that I began the creation of a human being as the minuteness of the parts formed a great hindrance to my speed

I resolved contrary to my first intention to make the being of a gigantic stature that is to to say about 8 ft in height and proportionally large after having formed this determination and having spent some months in successful collecting and arranging my materials I Began no one can conceive the variety of feelings which bore me onwards like a hurricane in the first enthusiasm of success life and death appeared to me ideal bounds which I should first break through and pour a torrent of light into our Dark World a new species would bless me as its

creator and Source many happy and excellent Natures would owe their being to me no father could claim the Gratitude of his child so completely as I should deserve theirs pursuing these Reflections I thought that if I could bestow animation upon lifeless matter I might in process of time although I now found it impossible ReNew Life where death had apparently devoted the body to corruption these thoughts supported my spirits while I pursued my undertaking with unremitting ardor my cheek had grown pale with study and my person had become emaciated with confinement sometimes on the very brink

of certainty I failed yet still I clung To the Hope which the next day or the next hour might realize one secret which I alone possessed was the hope to which I had dedicated myself and the moon gazed on my midnight labors while with unrelaxed and breathless eagerness I pursued nature to her hiding places who shall conceive the horrors of my secret toil as I dabbled among the unhallowed damps of the Grave or tortured the living animal to animate the lifeless clay my limbs now tremble and my eyes Swim with a remembrance but then a

resistless and almost frantic impulse urged me forward I seem to have lost all Soul or sensation but for this one Pursuit it was indeed but a passing trance that only made me feel with renewed acuteness so soon as the unnatural stimulus ceasing to operate I had returned to my old habits I collected Bones from chnal houses and Disturbed with profane Fingers the tremendous secrets of the human frame in a solitary chamber or rather cell at the top of the house and separated from all the other apartments by a gallery and staircase I kept my workshop

of filthy creation my eyeballs were starting from their sockets in attending to the detail of my employment the dissecting room and the slaughterhouse furnished many of my materials and often did my human nature turn with loathing from my occupation Whilst still urged on by eagerness which perpetually increased I brought my work near to a conclusion the summer months passed while I was thus engaged heart and soul in one Pursuit it was a most beautiful season never did the fields bestow a more plentiful Harvest or the vines yield a more luxuriant vintage but my eyes were

insensible to the charms of Nature and the same feelings which made me neglect the scenes around me caused Me also to forget those friends who were so many miles absent and whom I had not seen for so long a time I knew my silence disquieted them and I well remembered the words of my father I know that while you are pleased with yourself you will think of us with affection and we shall hear regularly from you you must pardon me if I regard any interruption in your correspondence as a proof that your other Duties are

equally Neglected I knew well therefore what would be my father's Fe ings but I could not tear my thoughts from my employment loathsome in itself but which had taken an irresistible hold of my imagination I wished as it were to procrastinate all that related to my feelings of affection until the great object which swallowed up every habit of my nature should be completed I then thought that my father would be unjust if he ascribed my Neglect to Vice or faultiness on my part but I am now convinced that he was justified in conceiving that I

should not be altogether free from blame a human being in Perfection ought always to preserve a calm and peaceful mind and never to allow passion or a transitory desire to disturb his Tranquility I do not think that the pursuit of knowledge is an exception to this rule if the study to which you apply yourself has a tendency to weaken Your affections and to destroy your taste for those Simple Pleasures in which no alloy can possibly mix then that study is certainly unlawful that is to say not befitting the human mind if this rule were always

observed If no man allowed any Pursuit whatsoever to interfere with the Tranquility of his domestic affections Greece had not been enslaved Caesar would have spared his country America would have been discovered more Gradually and the empires of Mexico and Peru had not been destroyed but I forget that I am moralizing in this most interesting part of my tale and your looks remind me to proceed my father made no reproach in his letters and only took notice of my Silence by inquiring into my occupations more particularly than before winter spring and summer passed away during my

labors but I did not watch the Bloss Aome or the expanding leaves sights which before always yielded me Supreme Delight so deeply was I engrossed in my occupation the leaves of that year had withered before my work Drew near to a close and now every day showed me more plainly how well I had succeeded but my enthusiasm was checked by my anxiety and I appeared rather like one doomed by slavery to toil in the minds or any other un wholesome trade than an artist occupied by his favorite Employment every night I was oppressed by a

slow fever and I became nervous to a most painful degree the fall of a leaf startled me and I shunned my fellow creatures as if I had been guilty of a crime sometimes I grew alarmed at the wreck I perceived that I had become the energy of my purpose alone sustained me my labors would soon end and I believed that exercise and amusement would then drive away incipient disease and I promised myself both of these when my Creation should be complete chapter 5 it was on a dreary night of November that I beheld the accomplishment

of my toils with an anxiety that almost amounted to Agony I collected the instruments of life around me that I might Infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my feet it was already 1 in the morning the rain pattered dismally against the pains and my candle was nearly burnt out when by The glimmer of the half extinguished light I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open it breathed hard and a convulsive motion agitated its limbs how can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe or how delineate the wretch

whom from such infinite plans and care I had endeavored to form his limbs were in proportion and I had selected his features as beautiful beautiful great God his yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath his Hair was of a lustrous black and flowing his teeth of a pearly whiteness but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes that seemed almost of the same color as the dun white sockets in which they were set his shriveled complexion and straight black lips the different accidents of Life are not so

changeable as the feelings of human nature I had worked hard for nearly 2 years for the sole purpose of Infusing life into an inanimate body for this I had deprived myself of rest and health I had desired it with an ardor that far exceeded moderation but now that I had finished the beauty of the dream vanished and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart unable to endure the aspect of the being I had created I rushed out of the room and continued a long time traversing my bed chamber unable to compose my mind to sleep

at length lassitude succeeded to the tumult I had before endured and I threw myself on the bed in my clothes endeavoring to seek a few moments of forgetfulness but it was in vain I slept indeed but I was disturbed by the wildest dreams I thought I saw Elizabeth in the bloom of Health walking in the streets of englot delighted and surprised I embraced her but as I imprinted the first kiss on her lips they became livid with the Hue of death her features Appeared to change and I thought that I held the corpse of my

dead mother in my arms a shroud enveloped her form and I saw the grave worms crawling in the folds of the flannel I started from my sleep with horror a cold Dew covered my forehead my teeth chattered and every limb became convulsed when by the dim and yellow light of the Moon as it forced its way through the window shutters I beheld the wret the miserable monster whom I had created he held up The curtain of the bed and his eyes if eyes they may be called were fixed on me his Jaws opened and he

muttered some inarticulate sounds while a grin wrinkled his cheeks he might have spoken but I did not hear one hand was stretched out seemingly to detain me but I escaped and rushed downstairs I took refuge in the courtyard belonging to the house which I inhabited where I remained during the rest of the night walking up and down in the greatest agitation Listening attentively catching and fearing each sound as if it were to announce the approach of the demonical corpse to which I had so miserably given life oh no mortal could support the horror of that

countenance a mummy again indued with animation could not be so hideous as that wretch I had gazed on him while unfinished he was ugly then but when those muscles and joints were rendered capable of motion it became a thing such as even Dante could not have Conceived I passed the night wretchedly sometimes my pulse beat so quickly and hardly that I felt the palpation of every artery at others I nearly sank to the ground through ler and extreme weakness mingled with this horror I felt the bitterness of disappointment dreams that had been my food and

pleasant rest for so long a space were now become a hell to me and the change was so rapid the overthrow so complete morning dismal and wet at length dawned and discovered To my Sleepless and aching eyes the Church of englot its white steeple and clock which indicated the sixth hour the porter opened the gates of the Court which had that night been my Asylum and I issued into the streets pacing them with quick steps as if I sought to avoid the wretch whom I feared every turning of the street would present to my view

I did not dare return to the apartment which I inhabited but felt impelled to hurry on although Drenched by the rain which poured from a black and comfortless Sky I continued walking in this manner for some time endeavoring by bodily exercise to ease the load that weighed upon my mind I traversed the streets without any clear conception of where I was or what I was doing my heart palpated in the sickness of fear and I hurried on with irregular steps not daring to look about me like one who on a lonely road doth walk in

fear and Dread and having once turned round walks on and turns no more his head because he knows a frightful fiend doth close behind him tread cool ridges ancient ient mirer continuing thus I came at length opposite to the in at which the various diligences and carriages usually stopped here I paused I knew not why but I remained some minutes with my eyes fixed on a coach that was coming towards me from the other end of the street as it Drew nearer I observed that it was the Swiss diligence it stopped just where I was

standing and on the door being opened I perceived Henry Clerval who on seeing me instantly sprung out my dear Frankenstein exclaimed he how glad I am to see you how fortunate that you should be here at the very moment of my alighting nothing could equal my delight on seeing clairval his presence brought back to my thoughts my father Elizabeth And all those scenes of home so dear to my recollection I grasped his hand and in a moment forgot my horror and Misfortune I felt suddenly and for the first time during many months calm and Serene

Joy I welcomed my friend therefore in the most cordial Manner and we walked towards my college Clerval continued talking for some time about our mutual friends and his own good fortune in being permitted to come to englot you may easily believe said he How great was the difficulty to persuade my father that all necessary knowledge was not comprised in the noble art of bookkeeping and indeed I believe I left him incredulous to the last for his constant answer to my unwearied entreaties was the same as that of the Dutch School master in the vicer of

Wakefield I have 10,000 Florin A Year Without Greek I eat heartily without Greek but his affection for me at length overcame his dislike of learning and he Has permitted to undertake a voyage of Discovery to the land of knowledge it gives me the greatest Delight to see you but tell me how you left my father brothers and Elizabeth very well and very happy only a little uneasy that they hear from you so seldom by the by I mean to lecture you a little upon their account myself but my dear Frankenstein continued he stopping short and

gazing full in my face I did not before remark how very ill you appear so thin and pale you look as if you had been watching for several nights you have guessed right I have lately been so deeply engaged in one occupation that I have not allowed myself self-sufficient rest as you see but I hope I sincerely hope that all these Employments are now at an end and that I am at length free I trembled excessively I could not endure to think of and far less to Allude to the occurrences of the preceding night I

walked with a quick pace and we soon arrived at my college I then reflected and the thought made me shiver that the creature whom I had left in my apartment might still be there alive and walking about I dreaded to behold this monster but I feared still more that Henry should see him entreating him therefore to remain a few minutes at the bottom of the stairs I darted up towards my own room my hand Was already on the lock of the door before I recollected myself I then paused and a cold shivering came over me

I threw the door forcibly open as children are accustomed to do when they expect a spectre to stand in waiting for them on the other side but nothing appeared I stepped fearfully in the apartment was empty and my bedroom was also freed from its hideous guest I could hardly believe that so great a fortune could have befallen me but when I became assured that my enemy had indeed fled I clapped my hands for joy and ran down to clal we ascended into my room and the servant presently brought breakfast but I was unable to contain

myself it was not Joy only that possessed me I felt my flesh tingle with excess of sensitiveness and my pulse beat rapidly I was UN un able to remain for a single instant in the same place I jumped over the chairs clapped my hands and laughed Aloud Clerval at first attributed my unusual spirits to Joy on his arrival but when he observed me more attentively he saw a wildness in my eyes for which he could not account and my loud unrestrained heartless laughter frightened and astonished him my dear Victor cried he what for God's sake

is the matter do not laugh in that manner how ill you are what is the cause of all this do not ask me cried I putting my hands before my eyes for I thought I saw The dreaded Spectre glide into the room he can tell oh save me save me I imagine that the monster sees me I struggled furiously and fell down in a fit poor Clerval what must have been his feelings a meeting which he anticipated with such Joy so strangely turned to bitterness but I was not the witness of his grief for I

was lifeless and did not recover my senses for a long long time this was the commencement of a nervous fever which confined me for Several months during all that time Henry was my only nurse I afterwards learned that knowing my father's Advanced age and unfitness for so long a journey and how wretched my sickness would make Elizabeth he spared them this grief by concealing the extent of my disorder he knew that I could not have a more kind and attentive nurse than himself and firm in the hope he felt of my recovery he did not

doubt that instead of doing harm he performed the Kindest action that he could towards them but I was in reality very ill and surely nothing but the unb founded and unremitting attentions of my friend could have restored me to life the form of the monster on whom I had bestowed existence was forever before my eyes and I raved incessantly concerning him doubtless my words surprised Henry he at first believed them to be the wanderings of my Disturbed imagination but the pertinency with which I continually Recurred to the same subject persuaded him that my disorder indeed

owed origin to some uncommon and terrible event by slow degrees and with frequent relapses that alarmed and grieved my friend I recovered I remembered the first time I became capable observing outward objects with any kind of pleasure I perceived that the fallen leaves had disappeared and that the young buds were shooting forth from the trees that shaded my window it was a Divine spring and the Season contributed great L to my convalescence I felt also Sentiments of joy and affection revive in my bosom my Gloom disappeared and in a short time I became as cheerful

as before I was attacked by the Fatal passion dearest clal exclaimed I how kind how very good you are to me this whole winter instead of being spent in study as you promised yourself has been consumed in my sick room how shall I ever repay you I feel the greatest Remorse for the disappointment of which I have been the occasion but you will forgive me you will repay me entirely if you do not discompose yourself but get well as fast as you can and since you appear in such good spirits I may speak to you

on one subject may I not I trembled one subject what could it be could he allude to an object on whom I dared not even think compose yourself said Clerval who observed my change of color I will not mention it if it Agitates you but your father and cousin would be very happy if they received a letter from you in your own handwriting they hardly know how ill you have been and are uneasy at your long silence is that all my dear Henry how could you suppose that my first thought would not fly towards those

dear dear friends whom I love and who are so deserving of my love if this is your present temper my friend you will perhaps be glad to see a letter that has Been lying here some days for you it is from your cousin I believe chapter 6 Clerval then put the following letter into my hands it was from my own Elizabeth my dearest cousin you have been ill very ill and even the constant letters of dear kind Henry are not sufficient to reassure me on your account you are forbidden to write to hold a pen

yet one word from you dear Victor is necessary to calm our Apprehensions for a long time I have thought that each post would bring this line and my Persuasions have restrained my uncle from undertaking a journey to englon I have prevented his encountering the inconveniences and perhaps dangers of so long a journey yet how often I have regretted not being able to perform it myself I figure to myself that the task of attending on your sick bed has devolved on some mercenary old nurse who could never guess your wishes nor Minister to them with the

care and affection of your poor cousin yet that is over now Clerval writes that indeed you are getting better I eagerly hope that you will confirm this intelligence soon in your own handwriting get well and return to us you will find a happy cheerful home and friends who love you dearly your father's health is vigorous and he asks but to see you but to be assured that you are well and not a care will ever Cloud his benevolent countenance how pleased you will be to remark the Improvement of our Earnest he is now 16 and

full of activity in Spirit he is desirous to be a true Swiss and to enter into Foreign Service we cannot part with him at least until his elder brother returns to us my uncle is not pleased with the idea of a military career in a distant country but Earnest never had your powers of application he looks upon study as an odious Fetter his time is Spent in the open air climbing the hills or rowing on the lake I fear that he will become an idler unless you yield the point and permit him to enter on

the profession which he has selected little alteration except the growth of our dear children has taken place since you left the Blue Lake and snow clad mountains they never change and I think our pla at home and our contented hearts are regulated by the same immutable laws my trifling Occupations take up my time and amuse me and I am rewarded for any exertions by seeing none but happy kind faces around me since you left us but one change has taken place in our little household do you remember on What occasion Justine Moritz entered our family

probably you do not I will relate her history therefore in a few words Madame morit her mother was a widow with four children of whom Justine was thei this girl had always been the favorite of her Father but through a strange perversity her mother could not endure her and after the death of Mr Moritz treated her very ill my aunt observed this and when Justine was 12 years of age prevailed on her mother to allow her to live at our house the Republican institutions of our country have produced simpler and happier manners than those which

Prevail in the great monarchies that surround it hence there is less distinction between Between the several classes of its inhabitants and the lower orders being neither so poor nor so despised Their Manners are more refined and moral a servant in Geneva does not mean the same thing as a servant in France and England Justine thus received in our family learned the duties of a servant a condition which in our fortunate country does not include the idea of ignorance and a sacrifice of the Dignity of a human being Justine you may remember was A great favorite

of yours and I recollect you once remarked that if you were in an ill humor one glance from Justine could dissipate it for the same reason that arosto gives concerning the beauty of Angelica she looked so frankheartsyou to that which she had at first intended this benefit was fully repaid Justine was the most grateful little creature in the world I do not mean that she made any professions I never heard one pass her lips but you Could see by her eyes that she almost adored her protectress although her disposition was gay and in many respects

inconsiderate yet she paid the greatest attention to every gesture of my aunt she thought her the model of all excellence and endeavored to imitate her phraseology and manners so that even now she often reminds me of her when my dearest aunt died everyone was too much occupied in their own grief to notice poor Justine who had attended her during Her illness with the most anxious affection poor Justine was very ill but other trials were reserved for her one by one her brothers and sister died and her mother with the exception of her neglected daughter was

left childless the conscience of the woman was troubled she began to think that the deaths of her favorites was a judgment from Heaven to chastise her partiality she was a Roman Catholic and I believe her Confessor confirmed the Idea which she had conceived accordingly a few months after your departure for Engel Justine was called home by her repentant mother poor girl she wept when she quitted our house she was much altered since the death of my aunt grief had given softness and a winning mildness to her manners which had before been remarkable for vivacity nor

was her residence at her mother's house of a nature to restore Her gity the poor woman was very vacillating in her repentance she sometimes begged Justine to forgive her unkindness but much oftener accused her of having caused the deaths of her brothers and sisters Perpetual fretting at length threw Madame Moritz into a decline which at first increased her irritability but she is now at peace forever she died on the first approach of cold weather at the beginning of this last winter Justine has just returned to Us and I assure you I love her tenderly she

is very clever and gentle and extremely pretty as I mentioned before her mean and her expression continually remind me of my dear Aunt I must say also a few words to you my dear cousin of little darling William I wish you could see him he is very tall of his age with sweet laughing blue eyes dark eyelashes and curling hair when he smiles two little dimples appear on each cheek which are Rosy with health he has Already one or two little wives but Louisa Byron is his favorite a pretty little girl of 5 years of

age now dear Victor I dare say you wish to be indulged in a little gossip concerning the good people of Geneva the pretty Miss Mansfield has already received the congratulatory visits on her approaching marriage with a young Englishman John Melbourne Esquire her ugly sister Manon married Mr dilliard the rich Banker last Autumn Your favorite school fellow Lewis Manor has suffered several misfortunes since the departure of clairval from Geneva but he has already recovered his spirits and is reported to be on the point of marrying a lively pretty French woman Madame tavanir she is a widow

and much older than menir but she is very much admired and a favorite with everybody I have written myself into better spirits dear cousin but my Anxiety returns upon me as I conclude write dearest Victor one line one word will be a blessing to us 10,000 thanks to Henry for his kindness his affection and his many letters we are sincerely grateful Adu my cousin take care of yourself and I intreat you right Elizabeth lensa Geneva March 18th dear dear Elizabeth I exclaimed when I had read her letter I will write instantly and relieve them from

the Anxiety they must feel I Rose and this exertion greatly fatigued me but my convalescence had commenced and proceeded regularly in another Fortnight I was able to leave my chamber one of my first duties on my recovery was to introduce Clerval to the several professors of the university in doing this I underwent a kind of rough usage ill befitting the wounds that my mind had sustained ever since the Fatal night the end of my labors and the Beginning of my misfortunes I had conceived a violent antipathy even to the name of natural philosophy when I

was otherwise quite restored to health the sight of a chemical instrument would renew all the agony of my nervous symptoms Henry saw this and had removed all my apparatus from my view he had also changed my apartment for he perceived that I had acquired a dislike for the room which had previously been my Laboratory but these cares of Clerval were made of no avail when I visited the professors Mr Waldman inflicted torture when he praised with kindness and warmth the astonishing progress I had made in the Sciences he soon perceived that I dislike the subject

but not guessing the real cause he attributed my feelings to modesty and changed the subject from my Improvement to the science itself with a desire as I evidently saw of drawing me out what could I do he meant to please And he tormented me I felt as if he had placed carefully one by one in my view those instruments which were to be afterwards used in putting me to a slow and cruel death I wried under his words yet dared not exhibit the pain I felt Clerval whose eyes and feelings were always quick in Discerning

the sensations of others declined the subject alleging in excuse his total ignorance and the conversation took a more General turn I thanked my friend From the heart but I did not speak I saw plainly that he was surprised but he never never attempted to draw my secret from me and although I loved him with a mixture of affection and reverence that knew no bounds yet I could never persuade myself to confide in him that event which was so often present to my recollection but which I feared the detail to another would only impress more deeply

Mr crimp was not equally docile and in my condition at the time Of almost insupportable sensitiveness his harsh blunt eccomum gave me even more pain than the benevolent approbation of Mr Waldman darn the fellow cried he why Mr Clerval I assure you he has outstripped us all I stare if you please but it is nevertheless true a youngster who but a few years ago believed in Cornelius Agrippa as firmly as in the gospel has now set himself at the head of the university and if he is not soon pulled Down we shall all be out

of countenance I I continued he observing my face expressive of suffering Mr Frankenstein is modest an excellent quality in a young man young men should be defent of themselves you know Mr Clerval I was myself when young but that wears out in a very short time Mr crimp had now commenced a eulogy on himself which happily turned the conversation from a subject that was so annoying to me clairval had never Sympathized in my taste for Natural Science and his literary Pursuits differed wholly from those which had occupied me he came to the university with the

design of making himself complete Master of the Oriental languages and thus he should open a field for the plan of life he had marked out for himself resolved to pursue no in glorious career he turned his eyes toward the east as affording scope for his Spirit of Enterprise the Persian Arabic and Sanskrit languages engaged his attention and I was easily induced to enter on the same studies idleness had ever been irksome to me and now that I wished to fly from reflection and hated my former studies I felt great relief in being the fellow pupil

with my my friend and found not only instruction but consolation in the works of the orientalists I did not like him attempt a critical knowledge of their dialects For I did not contemplate making any other use of them than temporary Amusement I read merely to understand their meaning and they well repaid my labors their Melancholy is soothing and their Joy elevating to a degree I never experienced in studying the authors of any other country when you read their writings life appears to consist in a warm sun and a garden of roses in the smiles and

frowns of a fair enemy and the fire that consumes your own heart How different from the manly and heroical poetry of Greece and Rome summer passed away in these occupations and my return to Geneva was fixed for the latter end of autumn but being delayed by several accidents winter and snow arrived the roads were deemed impassible and my journey was until the ensuing spring I felt this delay very bitterly for I longed to see my native town and my beloved friends my return had only been delayed So long from an unwillingness to leave Clerval in

a strange place before he had become acquainted with any of its inhabitants the winter however was spent cheerfully and although the spring was uncommonly late when it came its beauty compensated for its dilator the month of May had already commenced and I expected the letter daily which was to fix the date of my departure when Henry proposed a pedestrian tour in the environs of Englot that I might bid a personal farewell to the country I had so long inhabited I acceded with pleasure to this proposition I was fond of exercise and Clerval had always been

my favorite companion in the ramble of this nature that I had taken among the scenes of my native country we passed a fortnight in these perambulations my health and spirits had long been restored and they gained additional strength from the salubrious Air I breathed the natural incidents of our progress and the conversation of my friend study had before secluded me from the Intercourse of my fellow creatures and rendered me unsocial but Clerval called forth the better feelings of my heart he again taught me to love the aspect of Nature and the cheerful faces of children

excellent friend how sincerely you did love me and endeavored to elevate my mind until it was on a level with your own a selfish Pursuit Had cramped and narrowed me until your gentleness and affection warmed and opened my senses I became the same happy creature who a few years ago loved and beloved by all had no sorrow or care when happy inanimate nature had the power of bestowing on me the most delightful Sensations a Serene sky and verdant Fields filled me with ecstasy the present season was indeed Divine the flowers of spring bloomed in the

hedges while those of Summer were already in Bud I was undisturbed by thoughts which during the the preceding year had pressed upon me not withstanding my Endeavors to throw them off with an invincible burden Henry rejoiced in my gayety and sincerely sympathized in my feelings he exerted himself to amuse me while he expressed the sensations that filled his soul the resources of his mind on this occasion were truly astonishing his conversation was full of imagination and Very often in Imitation of the Persian and Arabic writers he invented Tales of wonderful fancy and passion at other

times he repeated my favorite poems or drew me out into arguments which he supported with great Ingenuity we returned to our college on a Sunday afternoon The Peasants were dancing and everyone we met appeared gay and happy my own Spirits were high and I bounded along with feelings of unbridled joy and hilarity Chapter 7 on my return I found the following letter from my father my dear Victor you have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date of your return to us and I was at first tempted to write only a few lines

merely mentioning the day on which I should expect you but that would be a cruel kindness and I dare not do it what would be your surprise my son when you expected a happy and glad welcome to Behold on the contrary tears and wretchedness and how Victor can I relate our Misfortune absence cannot have rendered you callous to our Joys and griefs and how shall I inflict pain on my long absent son I wish to prepare you for the woeful news but I know it is impossible even now your eye skims over the page to

seek The Words which are to convey to you the horrible Tidings William is dead that Sweet Child whose Smiles delighted And warmed my heart who was so gentle yet so gay Victor he is murdered I will not attempt to console you but will simply relate the circumstances of the transaction last Thursday May 7th I my niece and your two brothers went to walk in plain p the evening was warm and Serene and we prolonged our walk farther than usual it was already dusk before we thought of returning and then we discovered that William and Ernest

who had gone on before were not to be found We accordingly rested on a seat until they should return presently Ernest came and inquired if we had seen his brother he said that he had been playing with him that William had run to hide himself and that he vainly sought for him and afterwards waited for a long time but that he did not return this account rather alarmed us and we continued to search for him until night fell when Elizabeth conjectured that he might have returned to the house He was not there we returned again

with torches for I could not rest when I thought that my sweet boy had lost himself and was exposed to all the damps and dues of night Elizabeth also suffered extreme anguish about five in the morning I discovered my lovely boy whom the night before I had seen blooming and active in health stretched on the grass livid and motionless the print of the murder's finger was on his neck he was conveyed home and the Anguish that was visible in my countenance betrayed the secret to Elizabeth she was very very Earnest to see the corpse at

first I attempted to prevent her but she persisted and entering the room where it lay hastily examined the neck of the victim and clasping her hands exclaimed oh God I have murdered my darling child She fainted and was restored with extreme difficulty when she again lived it was only to weep and sigh she told me That that same evening William had teased her to let let him wear a very valuable miniature that she possessed of your mother this picture is gone and was doubtless the Temptation which urged the murderer to the deed we have no

trace of him at present Although our exertions to discover him are unremitted but they will not restore my beloved William come dearest Victor you alone can console Elizabeth she weeps continually and accuses herself unjustly As the ca of his death her words pierce my heart we are all unhappy but will not that be an additional motive for you my son to return and be our comforter your dear Mother Al last Victor I now say thank God she did not live to witness the cruel miserable death of her youngest darling come Victor not brooding thoughts of

Vengeance against the Assassin but with feelings of peace and gentleness that will heal instead of festering the wounds of our minds enter The house of mour my friend with kindness and affection for those who love you and not with hatred for your enemies your affectionate and Afflicted father alons Frankenstein Geneva May 12th Clerval who had watched my countenance as I read this letter was surprised to observe the despair that succeeded the joy I at first expressed on receiving news from my friends I threw the letter on the table and Covered my face with my hands

my dear Frankenstein exclaimed Henry when he perceived me weep with bitterness are you always to be unhappy my dear friend what has happened I motioned him to take up the letter while I walked up and down the room in the extremest agitation tears also gushed from the eyes of clairval as he read the account of my Misfortune I can offer you no Consolation my friend said he your disaster is irreparable what do you intend to do to go instantly to Geneva come with me Henry to order the horses during our walk Clerval endeavored to say

a few words of consolation he could only express his heartfelt sympathy poor William said he dear lovely child he now sleeps with his Angel mother who that had seen him bright and joyous in his Young Beauty But must weep over his untimely loss to die so miserably to feel the murderer's grasp how much more a murdered untimely loss to die so miserably to feel the murderer's grasp how much more a murder that could destroy radiant innocence poor little fellow one only consolation have we his friends mourn and weep but he is at rest the pay

is over his sufferings are at end forever a sod covers his gentle form and he knows no pain he can no longer be a Subject for pity we must Reserve that for his miserable survivors Clerval spoke thus as we hurried through the streets the words impressed themselves on my mind and I remembered them afterwards in solitude but now as soon as the horses arrived I hurried into a Cabrio and B farewell to my friend my journey was very melancholy at first I wish to hurry on for I longed to console and sympathize with my loved

and Sorrowing friends but when I drew near my native town I slackened my progress I could hardly sustain the multitude of feelings that crowded into my mind mind I passed through scenes familiar to my youth but which I had not seen for nearly 6 years how altered everything might be during that time one sudden and desolating change had taken place but a thousand little circumstances might have by degrees worked other alterations Which although they were done more tranquil might not be the less decisive fear overcame me I dared no Advance dreading a thousand nameless evils

that made me tremble although I was unable to Define them I remained two days at Loan in this painful state of mind I contemplated the lake the waters were Placid all around was calm and the snowy mountains the Palaces of nature were not changed by degrees the calm and Heavenly scene Restored me and I continued my journey towards Geneva the road ran by the side of the lake which became narrower as I approached my native town I discovered more distinctly the black sides of Jura and the bright Summit of Mont Blanc I wept like a

child dear mountains my own beautiful Lake how do you welcome your Wanderer your Summits are clear the sky and Lake are blue and Placid is this to prognosticate peace or to mock at my Unhappiness I fear my friend that I shall render myself tedious by dwelling on these preliminary circumstances but they were days of comparative happiness and I think of them with pleasure my country my beloved country who but a native can tell the Delight I took in again beholding thy streams thy mountains and more than all thy lovely Lake yet as I drew nearer

home grief and fear again overcame me night also closed Around and when I could hardly see the dark mountains I felt still more gloomily the picture appeared a vast and dim scene of evil and I foresaw obscurely that I was destined to become the most wretched of human beings alas I prophesies truly and failed only in one single circumstance that in all the misery I imagined and dreaded I did not conceive the hundredth part of the anguish I was destined to endure it was completely dark when I arrived in the Environs of Geneva the gates

of the Town were already shut and I was obliged to pass the night at ceron a village at the distance of half a league from the city the sky was Serene and as I was unable to rust I resolved to visit the spot where my poor William had been murdered as I could not pass through the town I was obliged to cross the lake in a boat to arrive at plain p during this short Voyage I saw the lightning playing on the summit of Mont Blanc and the most beautiful figures the storm appeared to approach

rapidly and on Landing I ascended a low Hill that I might observe its progress it Advanced the heavens were clouded and I soon felt the rain coming slowly in large drops but its violence quickly increased I quitted my seat and walked on although the darkness and storm increased every minute and the Thunder burst with a terrific crash over my head it was echoed from Civ the jurus and the Alps of seavoy vivid flashes of lightning dazzled my eyes Illuminating the lake making it appear like a vast sheet of fire then for an instant everything seemed

of pitchy Darkness until the eye recovered itself from the preceding Flash the storm as is often the case in Switzerland appeared at once in various parts of the heavens the most violent storm hung exactly north of the town over the part of the lake which lies between the Promontory of B Ree and The village of copet another storm enlightened J with faint flashes and another darkened and sometimes disclosed the mole a peaked Mountain to the east of the lake while I watched The Tempest so beautiful yet terrific I wandered on with a hasty step this

Noble war in the sky elevated my spirits I clasped my hands and exclaimed aloud William dear Angel this is thy funeral this thy dirt as I said these words I perceived in the Gloom a figure which stole from behind a Clump of trees near me I stood fixed gazing intently I could not be mistaken a flash of lightning illuminated the object and discovered its shape plainly to me its gigantic stature and the deformity of its aspect more hideous than belongs to humanity instantly informed me that it was the wret the filthy demon to whom I

had given life what did he there could he be I shuddered at the conception the murderer of my Brother no sooner did that idea cross my imagination than I became convinced of its truth my teeth chattered and I was forced to lean against a tree for support the figure passed me quickly and I lost it in the Gloom nothing in human shape could have destroyed the fair child he was the murderer I could not doubt it the mere presence of the idea was an irresistible proof of the fact I thought of pursuing the devil but

it would have been in vain For another flash discovered him to me hanging among the rocks of a nearly perpendicular Ascent of Mont Civ a hill that bounds plain p on the south he soon reached the summit and disappeared I remember remained motionless the Thunder ceased but the rain still continued and the scene was enveloped in an impenetrable Darkness I revolved in my mind the events which I had until now sought to forget the whole train of my progress toward the creation The appearance of the works of my own hands at my bedside its departure

2 years had nearly elapsed since the night on which he first received life and was this his first crime alas I had turned loose into the world a depraved wretch whose Delight was in Carnage and misery had he not murdered my brother no one can conceive the anguish I suffered during the remainder of the night which I spent cold and wet in the open air but I did not feel the inconvenience of the weather my imagination was busy in scenes of evil and despair I considered the being whom I had cast among Mankind and endowed

with the will and power to affect purposes of horror such as the deed which he had now done nearly in the light of my own vampire my own spirit let loose from the grave and forced to destroy all that was dear to me day dawned and I directed my steps towards the town the gates were open and I hastened to my father's house my first thought was to discover what I knew of the murderer and cause instant pursuit to be made but I paused when I reflected on the story that I had to tell a

being whom I myself had formed and endued with life had met me at midnight among the precipices of an inaccessible Mountain I remembered all Al the nervous fever with which I had been seized just at the time that I dated my Creation and which would give an air of delirium to a taale otherwise so utterly improbable I well knew that if any other had communicated such a relation to me I should have looked upon it as the ravings of insanity besides the strange nature of the animal would elude all Pursuit even if I were so

far credited as to persuade my relatives to commence it and then of what use would be pursued who could arrest a creature capable of scaling the Overhanging sides of moniv these Reflections determined me and I resolved to remain silent it was about 5: in the morning when I entered my father's house I told the servants not to disturb the family and went into the library to attend their usual hour of rising six years had elapsed passed in a dream but for one indelible trace and I stood in the same place where I had last embraced

my father before my departure For Engel beloved and venerable parent he still remained to me I gazed on the picture of my mother which stood over The Mantel piece it was an historical subject painted at my father's desire and represented Caroline bort in an Agony of Despair kneeling by the coffin of her dead father her Garb was rustic and her cheek pale but there was an air of dignity and beauty that hardly permitted the sentiment of pity below This picture was a miniature of William and my tears flowed when I looked upon it while I

was thus engaged Ernest entered he had heard me arrive and Hast to welcome me welcome my dearest Victor said he ah I wish you had come 3 months ago and then you would have found us all joyous and delighted you come to us now to share a misery which nothing can alleviate yet your presence will I hope Revive Our Father who seems sinking under his Misfortune and your Persuasions will induce poor Elizabeth to cease her Vain and tormenting self self- accusations poor William he was our darling and our pride tears unrestrained fell from my brother's

eyes a sense of mortal Agony crept over my frame before I had only imagine the wretchedness of my desolated home the reality came on me as a new and a not less terrible disaster I tried to calm Earnest I inquired more minutely concerning my Father father and here I named my cousin she most of all said Ernest requires consolation she accused herself of having caused the death of my brother and that made her very wretched but since the murderer has been discovered the murderer discovered good God how can that be who could attempt to pursue

him is it possible one might as well try to overtake the winds or confine a mountain stream with a straw I saw him too he was free last night I do not know what you Mean replied my brother in accents of Wonder but to us the discovery we have made completes our misery no one would believe it at first and even now Elizabeth will not be convinced not withstanding all the evidence indeed who would credit that Justine morit who was so amiable and fond of all the family family could suddenly become so capable of so

frightful so appalling a crime Justine Moritz poor poor girl is she the accused but it is wrongfully Everyone knows that No One Believes it surely Earnest no one did it first but several circumstances came out that have almost forced conviction upon us and her own behavior has been so confused as to add to the evidence of facts await that I fear leaves no hope for doubt but she will be tried today and you will then hear all he then related that the morning on which the murder of poor William had been discovered Justine had Been

taken ill and confined to her bed for several days during this interval one of the servants happening to examine the apparel she had worn on the night of the murder had discovered in her pocket the picture of my mother which had been judged to be the temptation of the murderer the servant instantly showed it to one of the others who without saying a word to any of the family went to a magistrate and upon their deposition Justine was Apprehended on being charged with the fact the poor girl confirmed the suspicion in a great measure by

her extreme confusion of manner this was a strange tale but it did not shake my faith and I replied earnestly you are all mistaken I know the murderer Justine poor good Justine is innocent at that instant my father entered I saw unhappiness deeply impressed on his countenance but he endeavored to welcome me cheerfully and After we had exchanged our mournful greeting would have introduced some other topic than that of our disaster had not Earnest exclaimed good God Papa Victor says that he knows who was the murderer of poor William we do also unfortunately replied my

father for indeed I had rather have been forever ignorant than have discovered so much depravity and ungr itude in one I valued so highly my dear father you are mistaken Justine is innocent if she is God forbid that she should suffer as guilty she is to be tried today and I hope I sincerely hope that she will be acquitted this speech calmed me I was firmly convinced in my own mind that Justine and indeed every human being was Guiltless of this murder I had no fear therefore that any circumstantial evidence could be brought forward strong

enough to convict her my tale was not One to announce publicly its astounding horror would be looked looked upon as Madness by the vulgar did anyone indeed exist except I The Creator who would believe unless his senses convinced him in the existence of the living Monument of presumption and rash ignorance which I had let loose upon the world we were soon joined by Elizabeth time had altered her since I last beheld her it had endowed her with loveliness surpassing the beauty of her childish Years there was the same cander the same vivacity but it was

Allied to an expression more full of sensibility and intellect she welcomed me with the greatest affection your arrival my dear cousin said she fills me with hope you perhaps will find some means to justify my poor Guiltless Justine alas who is safe if she be convicted of crime I rely on her innocence as certainly as I do upon my own our Misfortune is doubly hard to us we have not only lost that Lovely darling boy but this poor girl whom I sincerely love is to be torn Away by even a worse fate if she is

condemned I never shall know Joy more but she will not I am sure she will not and then I shall be happy again even after the sad death of my my little William she is innocent my Elizabeth said I and that shall be proved fear nothing but let your spirits be cheered by the Assurance of her acquittal how kind and generous you are everyone else Believes in her guilt and that made me wretched for I knew that it was impossible and to see everyone else prejudiced in so deadly a manner rendered me hopeless and despairing

she wept dearest niece said my father dry your tears if she is as you believe innocent rely on the justice of our laws and the activity with which I shall prevent the slightest shadow of partiality chapter 8 we passed a few sad hours until 11:00 when the trial was to commence my father and the rest of the family being obliged to attend as Witnesses I accompanied them to the court during the whole of this wretched mockery of Justice I suffered living torture it was to be decided whether the result of my curiosity and Lawless devices

would cause the death of two of my fellow beings one a smiling babe full of innocence and joy the other far more Dreadfully murdered and every aggravation of infamy that could make the murder memorable in horror Justine also was a girl of Merit and possessed qualities which promised to render her life happy now all was to be obliterated in an ignominious grave and I the cause a thousand times rather would I have confessed myself guilty of the crime ascribed to Justine but I was absent when it was committed and such declaration would Have been considered

as the ravings of a Madman and would not have exculpated her who suffered through me the appearance of Justine was calm she was dressed in morning and her countenance always engaging was rendered by the solemnity of her feelings exquisitly beautiful yet she appeared confident and innocence and did not tremble although gazed on and execrated by thousands for all the kindness which her beauty might otherwise have excited was obliterated In the minds of the spectators by the imagination of the enormity she was supposed to have committed she was tranquil yet her Tranquility was evidently constrained and

as her confusion had before been uced as a proof of her guilt she worked up in her mind to an appearance of Courage when she entered the court she threw her eyes around it and quickly discovered where we were seated a tear seemed to dim her eye when she saw us But she quickly recovered herself and a look of sorrowful affection seemed to attest her utter guiltlessness the trial began and after the advocate against her stated the charge several witnesses were called several strange facts combined against her which might have staggered anyone who had not

such proof of her innocence as I had she had been out the whole of the night on which the murder had been committed and towards morning had been Perceived by a market woman not far from the spot where the body of the murdered child had been afterwards found the woman asked her what she did there but she looked very strangely and only returned a confused and unintelligible answer she returned to the house about 8:00 and when one inquired where she had passed the night she replied that she had been looking for the child and demanded

earnest if anything had been heard concerning Him when shown the body she fell into violent hysterics and kept her bed for several days the picture was then produced which the servant had found in her pocket and when Elizabeth in a faltering voice proved that it was the same which an hour before the child had been missed she had placed round his neck a murmur of horror and indignation filled the court Justin scene was called on for her defense as the trial had proceeded her countenance had altered Surprise horror and misery were strongly expressed sometimes she

struggled with her tears but when she was desired to plead she collected her powers and spoke in an audible although variable voice God knows she said how entirely I am innocent but I do not PR end that my protestations should acquit me I rest my innocence on a plain and simple explanation of the facts which have been adduced against me and I hope the character I have always borne will Incline my judges to a favorable interpretation where any circumstance appears doubtful or suspicious she then related that by the permission of Elizabeth she had passed the

evening of the night on which the murder had been committed at the house of an aunt at Shane a village situated at about a league from Geneva on her return at about 9:00 she met a man who asked her if she had seen anything of the child who was lost she was alarmed By this account and passed several hours in looking for him when the gates of Geneva were shut and she was forced to remain several hours of the night in a barn belonging to a cottage being unwilling to call up the inhabitants to whom

she was well known most of the night she spent here watching towards morning she believed that she slept for a few minutes some steps Disturbed her and she awoke it was Dawn and she quitted her Asylum that she Might again Endeavor to find my brother if she had gone near the spot where his body lay it was without her knowledge that she had been bewildered when questioned by the market woman was not surprising since she had passed a sleepless night and the fate of poor William was yet uncertain concerning the picture she could give no

account I know continued the unhappy victim how heavily and fatally this one Circumstance weighs against me but I have no power of explaining it and when I have expressed my utter ignorance I am only left to conjecture concerning the probabilities by which it might have been placed in my pocket but here also I am checked I believe that I have no enemy on Earth and none surely would have been so wicked as to destroy me wanly did the murderer place it there I know of no opportunity afforded him for so doing or if I had

why should he have Stolen the jewel to part with it again so soon I commit my cause to the justice of my judges yet I see no room for hope I beg permission to have a few wit wit is examined concerning my character and if their testimony shall not overweigh my supposed guilt I must be condemned although I would pledge my salvation on my innocence several witnesses were called who had known her for many years and they spoke well of her but fear and Hatred of the crime of which they supposed her guilty rendered them

timorous and unwilling to come forward Elizabeth saw even this last resource her excellent dispositions and IR reproachable conduct about to fail the accused when although violently agitated she desired permission to address the court I am said she the cousin of the unhappy child who was murdered or rather his sister for I was educated by and have lived with his parents ever since And ever long before his birth it may therefore be judged indecent in me to come forward on this occasion but when I see a fellow creature about to perish through the cowardice of her

pretended friends I wish to be allowed to speak that I may say what I know of her character I am well acquainted with the accused I have lived in the same house with her at one time for five and at another for nearly 2 years during all that period she appeared to me the most Amiable and benevolent of human creatures she nursed Madam Frankenstein my aunt in her last illness with the greatest affection and care and afterwards attended her own mother during a tedious illness in a manner that excited the admiration of all who knew

her after which she again lived in my uncle's house where she was beloved by all the family she was warmly attached to the child who was now dead and acted towards Him like a most affectionate mother for my own part I do not hesitate to say that not withstanding all the evidence produced against her I believe and rely on her perfect innocence she had no temptation for such an action as to the Bobble on which the chief proof rests if she had earnestly desired it I should have willingly given it to her so much do

I esteem and value her a murmur of approbation followed Elizabeth's simple and Powerful appeal But it was excited by her genu interference and not in favor of poor Justine on whom the public indignation was turned with renewed violence charging her with the blackest ingratitude she herself wept as Elizabeth spoke but she did not answer my own agitation and anguish was extreme during the the whole trial I believed in her innocence I knew it could the demon who had I did not for a minute doubt murdered my brother also in his hellish Sport have betrayed the

innocent to death and ignominy I could not sustain the horror of my situation and when I perceived that the popular voice and the countenances of the judges had already condemned my unhappy victim I rushed out of the Court in agony the tortures of the accused did not equal mine she was sustained by innocence but the fangs of remorse tore my bosom and would not forgo their Hold I passed a night of unmingled wretchedness in the morning I went to the court my lips and throat were parched I dared not ask the Fatal question but I

was known and the officer guessed the cause of my visit the ballot had been thrown they were all black and Justine was condemned I cannot pretend to describe what I then felt I had before experienced sensations of horror and I have endeavored to bestow upon them Adequate Expressions but words cannot convey an idea of the heart sickening despair that I then endured the person to whom I addressed myself added that Justine had already confessed her guilt that that evidence he observed was hardly required in so glaring a case but I am glad of it and

indeed none of our judges like to condemn a criminal upon circumstantial evidence be it ever so decisive this was strange and unexpected Intelligence what could it mean had my eyes deceived me and was I really as mad as the whole world would believe me to be if I disclosed the object of my suspicions I hastened to return home and Elizabeth eagerly demanded the result my cousin replied I it is decided as you may have expected all judges had rather that 10 innocent should suffer that one guilty should Escape but she has confessed this was a

dire blow to poor Elizabeth who had relied with firmness upon Justine's innocence alas said she how shall I ever again believe in human goodness Justine whom I loved and esteemed as my sister how could she put on those Smiles of Innocence only to betray her mild eyes seemed incapable of any severity or gu and yet she has committed a murder soon after we heard that the poor victim had expressed a desire to see my cousin my father wished her not to go But said said that he left it to her own judgment and feelings to

decide yes said Elizabeth I will go although she is guilty and you Victor shall accompany me I cannot go alone the idea of this visit was torture to me yet I could not refuse we entered the gloomy prison chamber and beheld Justine sitting on some straw at the farther end her hands were manacled and her head rested on her knees she rose on seeing us enter and when we Were left alone with her she threw herself at the feet of Elizabeth weeping bitterly my cousin wept also oh Justine said she why did you rob me

of my last consolation I relied on your innocence and although I was then very wretched I was not so miserable as I am now and do you also believe that I am so very very Wicked do you also join with my enemies to crush me to condemn me as a Murderer her voice was suffocated with sobs rise my poor girl said Elizabeth why do you kneel if you are innocent I am not one of your enemies I believed you Guiltless notwithstanding every evidence until I heard that you had yourself declared your guilt that report you

say is false and be assured dear Justine that nothing can shake my confidence in you for a moment but your own confession I did confess but I confessed A lie I confessed that I might obtain Absolution but now that falsehood lies heavier at my heart than all my other sins the god of Heaven forgive me ever since I was condemned my Confessor has besieged me he threatened and menaced until I almost began to think think I was the monster that he said I was he threatened excommunication and hellfire in my last moments if I continued

obate dear lady I had none to support me all looked on me as a wretch doomed to igny And predition what could I do in an evil hour I subscribed to a lie and now only am I truly miserable she paused weeping then continued I thought with horror my sweet lady that you should believe your Justine whom your blessed aunt had so highly honored and whom you loved was a creature capable of a crime which none but the Devil Himself could have perpetrated dear William dearest blessed child I Soon shall see you again in heaven

where we shall all be happy and that consoles me going as I am to suffer igny and death oh Justine forgive me for having for one moment distrusted you why did you confess but do not mourn dear girl do not fear I will Proclaim I will prove your innocence I will melt the Stony hearts of your enemies by my tears and prayers you shall not die you my playfellow my companion my sister perish on the scaffold no no I Never could survive so horrible a misfortune Justine shook her head mournfully I do not fear to

die she said that pay is passed God raises my weakness and gives me courage to endure the worst I leave a sad and bitter world and if you remember me and think of me as one unjustly condemned I am resigned to the Fate awaiting me learn from me dear lady to submit in patience to the will of Heaven during this conversation I had retired to a corner of the Prison Room where I could conceal the horrid anguish that possessed me despair who dared talk of that the poor victim who on the marrow was to pass

the awful boundary between life and death felt not as I did such deep and bitter Agony I nashed my teeth and grounded them them together uttering a groan that came from my most inmost Soul Justine started when she saw who it was she approached me and said dear sir you are so very kind to visit me you I hope do not believe that I am guilty I could not answer no Justine said Elizabeth he is more convinced of your innocence than I was for even when he heard that you had confessed he did not credit

it I truly thank him and these last moments I feel the sincerest gratitude towards those who think of me with kindness how sweet is the affection of others to such a wretch as I am it removes more than half my Misfortune and I feel as if I could die in peace now That my innocence is acknowledged by you dear lady and your cousin thus the poor sufferer tried to comfort others and herself she indeed gained the resignation she desired but I the true murderer felt the Never Dying worm alive in my bosom which allowed of

no hope or consolation Elizabeth also wept and was unhappy but hers also was the misery of Innocence which like a cloud that passes over the fair moon for a while hides but Cannot tarnish its brightness anguish and despair had penetrated into the core of my heart I bore a hell within me which nothing could extinguish we stayed several hours with Justine and it was with great difficulty that Elizabeth could tear herself away I wish cried she that I were to die with you I cannot live in this world of misery Justine assumed an air of

cheerfulness while she with difficulty repressed her bitter tears she embraced Elizabeth and said in a voice of half-suppressed emotion farewell sweet lady dearest Elizabeth my beloved and only friend may heaven in its Bounty bless and preserve you may this be the last Misfortune that you will ever suffer live and be happy and make others so and on the tomorrow Justine died Elizabeth's heart- rendering eloquence failed to move the judges from their settled conviction In the criminality of the saintly sufferer my passionate and indignant appeals were lost upon them and when I received their cold answers

and heard the harsh unfeeling reasoning of these men my purposed avow died away on my lips thus I might Proclaim myself a Madman but not revoke the sentence passed upon my wretched victim she perished on the scaffold as a murderous from the tortures of my own heart I turned to contemplate the deep and Voiceless grief of my Elizabeth this also was my doing and my father's woe and the desolation of that late so smiling home all was the work of my Thrice accused hands ye weep unhappy ones but these are not your last tears again

shall you raise the funeral whale and the sound of your Lament ation shall again and again be heard Frankenstein your son your Kinsman your early much loved friend he who would spend each vital Drop of blood for your sakes who has no thought nor sense of Joy except as it is mirrored also in your dear countenances who would fill the air with blessings and spend his life in serving you he bids you to weep to shed countless tears happy beyond his hopes if thus inexorable fate be satisfied and if the destruction pause before the Peace

of the Grave have succeeded to your sad torments Thus Spoke my prophetic Soul as Torn by remorse horror and despair I beheld those I loved spend vain sorrow upon the graves of William and Justine the first hapless victims to my unhallowed Arts chapter n nothing is more painful to the human mind than after the feelings have been worked up by a quick succession of events the dead calmness of inaction and certainty which follows and deprives the Soul both of Hope and Fear Justine died she rested and was alive the blood flowed freely in my veins

but a weight of Despair and remorse pressed on my heart which nothing could remove sleep fled from my eyes I wandered like an evil spirit for I had committed Deeds of Mischief Beyond description horrible and more much more I persuaded myself was yet behind yet my heart overflowed with kindness and the love love of virtue I had begun life with benevolent Intentions and thirsted for the moment when I should put them in practice and make myself useful to my fellow beings now all was blasted instead of that Serenity of conscience which allowed me to look

back upon the past with self-satisfaction and from then to gather promise of new hopes I was seized by remorse and the sense of guilt which which hurried me away to a hell of intense tortures such as no language can describe this state of mind prayed upon My health which had perhaps never entirely recovered from the first shock it had sustained I shunned the face of man all sound of Joy or complacency was torture to me Solitude was my only consolation deep dark deathlike solitude my father observed with pain the alteration perceptible in my disposition and

habits and endeavored by arguments deduced from the feelings of his Serene conscious and Guiltless life to inspire me with fortitude and awaken in me the Courage to dispel the Dark Cloud which brooded over me do you think Victor said he that I do not suffer also no one could love a child more than than I loved your brother tears came into his eyes as he spoke but is it not a duty to the survivers that we should refrain from augmenting their unhappiness by an appearance of immoderate grief it is also a duty owed to yourself

for excessive sorrow prevents Improvement or Enjoyment or even the discharge of daily usefulness without which no man is fit for society this advice although good was totally inapplicable to my case I should have been the first to hide my grief and console my friends if remorse had not mingled its bitterness and Terror in its alarm with my other Sensations now I could only answer my father with a look of Despair and Endeavor to hide myself from his View about this time we retired to our house at B Reef this change was particular agreeable to me

the shutting of the gates regularly at 10:00 and the impossibility of remaining on the lake after that hour had rendered our residence within the walls of Geneva very irksome to me I was now free often after the rest of the family had retired for the night I took the boat and passed many hours upon the Water sometimes with my sails set I was Carried by the wind and sometimes after rowing into the middle of the lake I left the boat to pursue its own course and gave way to my own miserable Reflections I was often

tempted when all was at peace around me and I the only unquiet thing that wandered Restless in a scene so beautiful and Heavenly if I accept some bat or the frogs whose harsh and interrupted croaking Was Heard only when I approached the shore often I say I was tempted to plunge into The Silent Lake that the waters might close over me in my calamities forever but I was restrained when I thought of the heroic and suffering Elizabeth whom I tenderly loved and whose existence was bound up in mine I thought also of my father and

surviving brother should I by my base desertion leave them exposed and un protected to the malice of the fiend whom I had let loose among them at these moments I wept bitterly and wished that Peace would revisit my mind only that I might afford them consolation and happiness but that could not be remorse extinguished every hope I had been the author of unalterable evils and I lived in Daily fear lest the monster whom I created should perpetrate some new wickedness I had an obscure feeling that not all was over and that he would still commit

some signal crime which by its enormity should almost AFF face the recollection of the past there was Always scope for fear so long as anything I loved remained behind my abhorrence of this fiend cannot be conceived when I thought of him I nashed my teeth my eyes became inflamed and I ardently wished to extinguish that life which I had so thoughtlessly bestowed when I reflected on his crimes and Malice my hatred and revenge burst all bounds of moderation I would have made a pilgrimage to the highest peak of the Andes could I when there have

precipitated him to their base I wish to see him again that I might wreak the utmost extent of abhorrence on his head and Avenge the deaths of William and Justine our house was the house of mourning my father's Health was deeply shaken by the horror of the recent events Elizabeth was sad and desponding she no longer took Delight in her ordinary occupations all pleasure seemed To her sacrilege toward the dead Eternal woe and tears she then thought was the just tribute she should pay to innocence so blasted and destroyed she was no longer that happy

creature who in earlier youth wandered with me on the banks of the lake and talked with Ecstasy of our future prospects the first of those sorrows which are sent to wean us from the earth had visited her and its dimming influence quenched her dearest Smiles when I reflect my dear cousin said she on the miserable death of Justine Moritz I no longer see the the world and its works as they before appeared to me before I looked upon the accounts of vice and Injustice that I read in books or heard from others as Tales of

ancient days or imaginary evils at least they were remote and more familiar to reason than to the imagination but now misery has come home and Men appear to me as monsters Thirsting for each other's blood yet I am certain unjust everybody believed that poor girl to be guilty and if she could have committed the crime for which she suffered assuredly she would have been the most depraved of human creatures for the sake of a few jewels to have murdered the son of her benefactor and friend a child whom she had nursed from its birth and

appeared to love as if it had been her own I could not consent to The death of any any human being but certainly I should have thought such a creature unfit to remain in the Society of men but she was innocent I know I feel she was innocent you are of the same opinion and that confirms me alas Victor when falsehood can look so like the truth who can assure themselves of certain happiness I feel as if I were walking on the edge of a precipice towards which thousands are crowding and endeavoring to plunge me

into the abyss William and Justine were assassinated and the murderer escapes he walks about the world free and perhaps respected but even if I were condemned to suffer on the scaffold for the same crimes I would not change places with such a wretch I listened to this discourse with the extremest agony I not indeed but in effect was the true murderer Elizabeth read my anguish in my countenance and kindly taking my hand said my dearest friend you must calm Yourself these events have affected me God knows how deeply but I am not so wretched as

you are there is an expression of Despair and sometimes of Revenge in your countenance that makes me tremble dear Victor banish these dark Passions remember the friends around you who Center all their hopes in you have we lost the power of rendering you happy ah while we love while we are true to each other here in this land of peace And Beauty your native country we may reap every tranquil blessing what can disturb our peace and could not such words from her whom I fondly prized before every other gift of Fortune sufficed to chase away

the fiend that lurked in my heart even as she spoke I drew near to her as if in Terror lest at that very moment the Destroyer had been near to rob me of her thus not the tenderness of friendship nor the beauty Of Earth nor of Heaven could redeem my soul from woe the very accents of Love were ineffectual I was encompassed by a cloud which no beneficial influence could penetrate the wounded deer dragging its fainting limbs to some untrodden break there to gaze upon the arrow which had pierced it and to die was but

a type of me sometimes I could cope with the Solen despair that overwhelmed me but sometimes the Whirlwind passions of my Soul drove me to seek by bodily exercise and by change of place some relief from my intolerable Sensations it was during an access of this kind that I suddenly left my home and bending my steps towards the near Alpine valleys sought in the magnificence The Eternity of such scenes to forget myself and my ephemeral because human Sorrows my wanderings were directed towards the valley of Shamanics I had visited it frequently during my Boyhood six

years had passed since then I was a wreck but not had changed in those Savage and enduring scenes I performed the first part of my journey on Horseback I afterwards hired a mule as the more surefooted and least liable to receive injury on these rugged roads the weather was fine it was about the middle of the month of August nearly two months after the death of Justine that Miserable Epoch from which I dated all my woe the weight upon my spirit was sensibly lightened as I plunged yet deeper in the Ravine of arv the immense

mountains and precipices that overhung me on every side the sound of the river raging among the rocks and The Dashing of the waterfalls around spoke of a power Mighty as omnipotence and I cease to fear or to bend before any being less Almighty than that which had created and ruled the Elements here displayed in their most terrific guys still as I ascended higher the valley assumed a more magnificent and astonishing character ruined castles hanging on the precipices of piny mountains the impetuous arv and Cottages every here and there peeping forth from among the trees formed

a scene of singular Beauty but it was augmented and rendered Sublime by the mighty Alps whose white and Shining pyramids and Domes towered above all as belonging to another Earth the habitations of another race of beings I passed the bridge of pisser where the Ravine which the river forms opened before me and I began to ascend the mountain that overhangs it soon after I entered the valley of shamanix this Valley is more wonderful and Sublime but not so beautiful and picturesque as that of cvox through which I had just passed the High and snowy mountains

were its immediate boundaries but I saw no more ruined castles and fertile Fields immense glaciers approached the road I heard the rumbling Thunder of the falling Avalanche and marked the smoke of its Passage Mont Blanc the Supreme and magnificent Mont Blanc raised itself from the surrounding agul and its tremendous Dome overlooked the valley a tingling long lost sense of pleasure often came across Me during this journey some turn in the road some new object suddenly perceived and recognized reminded me of days gone by and were associated with the light-hearted gayety of Boyhood the very winds

whispered in soothing accents and maternal nature bade me weep no more then again the kindly influence ceased to act I found myself fettered again to grief and indulging in all the misery of reflection then I spurred on my animal striving so to forget the world my fears And more than all myself or in a more desperate fashion I El lighted and threw myself on the grass weighed down by horror and despair at length I arrived at the Village of shamanix exhaustion succeeded to the extreme fatigue both of body and of mind which I had endured

for a short space of time I remained at the window watching the PED lightnings that played above Mont Blanc and listening to the rushing of the Arv which pursued its noisy way beneath the same lulling sounds acted as a lullaby to my two Keen Sensations when I placed my head upon my pillow sleep crept over me I felt it as it came and blessed The Giver of Oblivion chapter 10 I spent the following day roaming through the valley I Stood Beside the sources of the Aran which take the their rise in a glacier that with

slow pace is advancing down from the summit of the Hills to barricade the valley the abrupt sides of vast mountains were before me the icy wall of the glacier overhung me a few shattered Pines were scattered around and the solemn Silence of this glorious presence chamber of Imperial nature was broken only by the brawling waves or the fall of some vast fragment the thunder sound of the Avalanche or the cracking reverberated among the mountains of the accumulated ice which through the silent working of Immutable laws was ever and a non rent and torn as if

it had been but a play thing in their hands these Sublime and magnificent scenes afforded me the greatest consolation that I was capable of receiving they elevated me from all littleness of feeling and although they did not remove my grief they subdued and tranquilized it in some degree also they diverted my mind from the thoughts over which it had Brooded for the last month I retired to rest at Night My Slumbers as it were waited on and ministered to by the assemblage of great shapes which I had contemplated during the day they congregated around me

the unsustained snowy Mountaintop the glittering Pinnacle the Pine Woods and ragged bear Ravine the eagle soaring amidst the clouds they all gathered around me and B me be at peace where had they fled when the next Morning I awoke all of soul and spiriting fled with sleep and dark Melancholy clouded every thought the rain was pouring in torrents and thick Mists hid the Summits of the mountains so that I even saw not the faces of those Mighty fiends still I would penetrate their Misty Veil and seek them in their cloudy Retreats what were rain and

storm to me my mule was brought to the door and I resolved to ascend to the summit of Montvert I remembered the effect that the view of the tremendous and everm moving Glacier had produced upon my mind when I first saw it it had then filled me with a Sublime ecstasy that gave Wings to the soul and allowed it to seore from the Obscure world to light and joy the sight of the awful and Majestic in nature had indeed always the effect of solemnizing my mind and causing me to forget the passing cares of life

I Determined to go without a guide for I was well acquainted with the path and the presence of another would destroy the solitary Grandeur of the scene the ascent is precipitous but the path is cut into continual and short windings which enable you to surmount the perpendicularity of the mountain it is a scene terrifically desolate in a thousand spots the traces of the winter Avalanche may be perceived where trees lie broken and strown on the ground some Entirely destroyed others bent leaning upon the jetting rocks of the mountain or traversy upon other trees the path

as you ascend higher is intersected by Ravines of snow down which Stones continually roll from above one of them is particularly dangerous as the slightest sound such as even speaking in a loud voice produces a concussion of air sufficient to draw destruction upon the head of the speaker the Pines are not tall or Luxuriant but they are somber and add an air of severity to the scene I looked on the valley beneath vast Mists were rising from the rivers which ran through it and curling in thick wreaths around found the opposite mountains whose Summits were

hid in the uniform clouds while rain poured from the dark sky and added to The Melancholy impression I received from the objects around me alas why does man boast of sensibilities Superior to those apparent In The Brute it only renders them more necessary beings if our impulses were confined to hunger thirst and and desire we might be nearly free but now we are moved by every wind that blows and a chance word or scen that word may convey to us we rest a dream has power to poison sleep we rise one wandering thought pollutes the

day we feel conceive or Reason laugh or weep Embrace fond woe or cast our cares away It is the same for be it Joy or sorrow the path of its departure still is free man's yesterday May n be like his marrow not may endure but mutability it was near noon when I arrived at the top of the ascent for some time I sat upon the rock that overlooks the Sea of Ice a Mist covered both that and the surrounding mountains presently a breeze dissipated the cloud and I descended upon the glacier the surface is very

uneven Rising like waves Of a troubled sea descending low and interspersed by Rifts that sink deep the field ofice is almost a league in width but I spent nearly 2 hours in Crossing it the opposite mountain is a bare perpendicular Rock from the side where I now stood montvert was exactly opposite oos it at the distance of a league and above it Rose Mont Blanc in awful Majesty I remained in a recess of the rock gazing on this wonderful and stupendous scene the sea or rather the Vast River of ice wound among its dependent mountains

whose aerial Summits hung over its recesses their icy and glittering Peaks Shone in the sunlight over the clouds my heart which was before sorrowful now swelled with something like Joy I exclaimed wandering Spirits if indeed ye wander and do not rest in your narrow beds allow me this faint happiness or take me as your companion away from the joys of Life As I said this I suddenly beheld the figure of a man at some distance ADV advancing towards me with superhuman speed he bounded over the crevices in the ice among which I had walked with

caution his stature also as he approached seemed to exceed that of man I was troubled a Mist came over my eyes and I felt a faintness seize me but I was quickly restored by the cold Gale of the mountains I perceived as the shape came nearer sight tremendous and abhor That it was the wretch whom I had created I trembled with rage and horror resolving to wait his approach and then close with him in Mortal Combat he approached his countenance bespoke bitter anguish combined with disdain and malignity while its unearthly ugliness rendered it almost too

horrible for human eyes but I scarcely observed this rage and hatred had at first deprived me of utterance and I recovered only to Overwhelm him with words expressive of furious detestation and contempt devil I exclaimed do you dare approach me and do you not fear the fierce Vengeance of my arm W upon your miserable head be gone vile insect or rather stay that I may trample you to dust and oh that I could with the extinction of your miserable existence restore those victims whom you have so diabolically murdered I expected this reception said The demon

all men hate The Wretched how then must I be hated who am miserable among all living things yet you my Creator detest and spurn me thy creature to whom Thou Art Bound by ties only dissoluble by the annihilation of one of us you purpose to kill me how dare you sport thus with life do your duty towards me and I will do mine towards you and the rest of mankind if you will comply with my conditions I will leave them and you at peace but if you refuse I will glut the mall of death until

it be satiated with the blood of your remaining friends uphor monster fiend that thou art the tortures of hell are too mild of Vengeance for thy crimes wretched devil you reproach me with your creation come on then that I may extinguish the spark which I so negligently bestowed my rage was without bounds I sprang on him impelled by all the feelings which can Arm one being against the existence of another he easily eluded me and said be calm I entreat you to hear me before you give vent to your hatred on my devoted head have

I not suffered enough that you seek to increase my misery life although it may only be an accumulation of Anguish is dear to me and I will defend it remember thou Hast made me more powerful than thyself my height is superior to thine my joints more Supple but I will Not be tempted to set myself in opposition to thee I am thy creature and I will be even mild and dcel to my natural Lord and King if thou Wilt also perform thy part the which thou owest me oh Frankenstein be not Equitable to every other

and trample upon me alone to whom thy Justice and even thy clemency and affection is most newe remember that I am thy creature I ought to be thy Adam but I am rather the Fallen Angel whom Thou drivest from Joy for no misdeed everywhere I see Bliss from which I alone am irrevocably excluded I was benevolent and and good misery made me a fiend make me happy and I shall again be virtuous be gone I will not hear you there can be no Community between you and me we are enemies be gone or let us

try our strength in a fight in which one Must Fall how can I move thee will no Entreaties cause thee to turn a favorable eye upon thy creature who implores thy goodness and compassion believe me Frankenstein I was benevolent my soul glowed with love and Humanity but am I not alone miserably alone you my Creator uphor me what hope can I gather from your fellow creatures who owe me nothing they spurn and hate me the desert mountains and dreary Glaciers are my refuge I have wandered here many days the caves of ice which I Only

do not fear are a dwelling to me and the only one which man does not Grudge these Bleak skies I hail for they are kinder to me than your fellow beings if the multitude of mankind knew of my existence they would do as you do and arm themselves for my destruction shall I not then hate them who uphor me I will keep no term with my enemies I am miserable and they shall share my wretchedness yet it is within your power to recompense me and deliver Them from an evil which it only remains for you

to make so great that not only you and your family but thousands of others shall be swallowed up in the whirlwinds of its rage let your compassion be moved and do not disdain me listen to my tale when you have heard that abandon or commiserate me as you shall judge that I deserve but hear me the guilty are allowed by human laws bloody as they are to speak in their own defense before they are condemned listen To me Frankenstein you accuse me of murder and yet you would with a satisfied conscience destroy your own creature

oh praise the Eternal justice of man yet I ask you not to spare me listen to me and then if you can and if you will destroy the work of your hands why do you call to my remembrance I rejoined circumstances of which I shudder to reflect that I have been the miserable origin and author cursed be the day uphor devil in which you first Saw light cursed although I curse myself be the hands that formed you you you have made me wretched Beyond expression you have left me no power to consider whether I am

just to you or not be gone relieve me from the sight of your detested form thus I relieve thee my Creator he said and placed his hated hands before my eyes which I flung from me with violence thus I take from thee a sight which you uphor still thou cast listen to me and Grant me thy compassion By the virtues that I once possessed I demand this from you hear my tale it is long and strange and the temperature of this place is not fitting to your fine Sensations come to the Hut upon the mountain

the sun is yet high in the heavens before it descends to hide itself behind your snowy precipices and illuminate another world you will have heard my story story and can decide on you it rests whether I quit forever the neighborhood of man and lead a harmless Life or become the scourge of your fellow creatures and the author of your own Speedy ruin as he said this he led the way across the ice I followed his heart was full and I did not answer him but as I proceeded I weighed the various arguments that he had

used and determined at least to listen to his tale I was partly urged by curiosity and compassion confirmed my resolution I had hitherto supposed him To be the murderer of my brother and I eagerly sought a confirmation or denial of this opinion for the first time also I felt what the duties of a Creator toward his creature were and that I ought to render him happy before I complained of his wickedness these motives urged me to comply with his demand we crossed the ice therefore and ascended the opposite Rock the air was cold and the

rain again began to Descend we entered the Hut the fiend with an air of exaltation I with a heavy heart and depressed spirits but I consented to listen and seating Myself by the fire which my odious companion had lighted he thus began his tale chapter 11 it is with considerable difficulty that I remember the original error of my being all the events of that period appear confused and Indistinct a strange multiplicity of Sensations seized me and I saw felt heard and smelt at the same time time and it was indeed a long time before I

learned to distinguish between the operations of my various senses by degrees I remember a stronger light pressed upon my nerves so that I was obliged to shut my eyes darkness then came over me and troubled me but hardly had I felt this when by opening my eyes as I now suppose the light Poured in upon me again I walked and I believe descended but I presently found a great alteration in my Sensations before dark and opaque bodies had surrounded me impervious to my touch or sight but I now found that I could wander on at

Liberty with no obstacles which I could not either surmount or avoid the light became more and more oppressive to me and the heat wearing me as I walked I sought a place where I could receive Shade this was the forest near englot and here I lay by the side of a brook resting from my fatigue until I felt tormented by hunger and thirst this roused me from my nearly dormant State and I ate some berries which I found hanging on the trees or lying on the ground I slaked my thirst thirst at the brook and

then lying down was overcome by Sleep it was dark when I awoke I felt cold also and half frightened as it were instinctively Finding myself so desolate before I had quitted your apartment on a sensation of cold I had covered myself with some clothes but these were insufficient to secure me from the dues of night I was a poor helpless miserable rich I knew and could distinguish nothing but feeling pain invade me on all sides I sat down and wept soon a gentle light stole over the heavens and gave me a sensation of pleasure I

started up and beheld a Radiant form rise from among the trees the moon I gazed with a kind of Wonder it moved slowly but it enlightened my path and I again went out in search of berries I was still cold when under one of the trees I found a huge cloak with which I covered myself and sat down upon the ground no distinct ideas occupied my mind all was confused I felt light and hunger and thirst and darkness innumerable sounds rang in my ears and on all sides VAR sense saluted Me the only object that

I could distinguish was the bright moon and I fixed my eyes on that with pleasure several changes of day and night passed and the orb of night had greatly lessened when I began to distinguish my Sensations from each other I gradually saw plainly the clear stream that supplied me with drink and the trees that shaded me with their foilage I was delighted when I first discovered that a pleasant sound which Often saluted my ears proceeded from the throats of the little winged animals who had often intercepted the light from my eyes I began also to

observe with greater accuracy the forms that surrounded me and to perceive the boundaries of the radiant roof of Light which canopied me sometimes I tried to imitate the pleasant songs of the birds but was unable sometimes I wish to express my Sensations in my own mode but the UNC And inarticulate sounds which broke from me frightened me into silence again the moon had disappeared from the night and again with a lessened form showed itself while I still remained in the forest my Sensations had by this time become distinct and my mind received every day additional

ideas my eyes became accustomed to the light and to perceive objects in their right forms I distinguished the insect from the herb And by degrees one herb from another I found that the sparrow uttered none but harsh notes whilst those of the Blackbird and the thrush were sweet and enticing one day when I was oppressed by cold I found a fire which had been left by some wering Beggars and was overcome with delight at the warmth I experienced from it in my joy I thrust my hand into the live Embers but quickly drew it out

again with a cry of pain how strange I thought that the same cause should Produce such opposite effects I examined the materials of the fire and to my joy found it to be composed of wood I quickly collected some branches but they were wet and would not burn I was pained at this and sat still watching the operation of the fire the wet wood which I had placed near the heat dried and itself became inflamed I reflected on this and by touching the various branches I discovered the cause and busied myself In collecting a great

quantity of wood that I might dry it and have a plentiful supply of fire when night came on and brought sleep with it I was in the greatest fear lest my fire should be extinguished I covered it carefully with dry by wood and leaves and placed wet branches upon it and then spreading my cloak I lay on the ground and sank into sleep it was morning when I awoke and my first care was to visit the fire I uncovered it and a gentle breeze quickly Fanned it into a flame I observed this also and contrived

a fan of branches which roused the Embers when they were nearly extinguished when night came again I found with pleasure that the fire gave light as well as heat and that the discovery of this element was useful to me in my food for I found some of the oals that The Travelers had left had been roasted and tasted much more Savory than the berries I gathered from the Trees I tried therefore to dress my food in the same manner placing it on the live Embers I found that the berries were spoiled by this operation and

the nuts and root s much improved food however became scarce and I often spent the whole day searching in vain for a few acorns to assuage the pangs of hunger when I found this I resolved to quit the place that I had hitherto inhabited to seek for one where the few wants I experienced would be More easily satisfied in this immigration I exceedingly lamented the loss of the fire which I had obtained through accident and and knew not how to reproduce it I gave several hours to the serious consideration of this difficulty but I was

obliged to relinquish all attempt to supply it and wrapping myself up in my cloak I struck across the wood towards the Setting Sun I passed 3 days in these Rambles and at length Discovered the Open Country a great fall of snow had taken place the night before and the fields were of one uniform white the appearance was disconsolate and I found my feet chilled by the cold damp substance that covered the ground it was about 7 in the morning and I longed to obtain food and shelter at length I perceived a small Hut on a

rising ground which had doubtless been built for the convenience of some Shepherd this was a new sight to me and I examined the structure with great curiosity finding the door open I entered an old man sat in it near a fire over which he was preparing his breakfast he turned on hearing a noise and perceiving me shrieked loudly and quitting the Hut ran across the fields with a speed of which his debilitated form hardly appeared capable his appearance different from any I had ever seen before and his flight somewhat surprised Me but I was enchanted

by the appearance of the hut here the snow and rain could not penetrate the ground was dry and it presented to me then as Exquisite and divine a retreat as pandemonium appeared to the Demons of Hell after their sufferings in the Lake of Fire I greedily devoured the remnants of the shepherd's breakfast which consisted of bread cheese milk and wine the latter however I did not like then overcoming by fatigue I lay down among some straw And fell asleep it was noon when I awoke and allured by the warmth of the sun which Shone brightly

on the white ground I determined to recommence my travels and depositing the remains of the peasants breakfast in a wallet I found I proceeded across the fields for several hours until at Sunset I arrived at a village how miraculous did this appear the Huts the neater cottages and stately houses engaged my admiration by turns the vegetables in the gardens the milk And cheese that I saw placed at the windows of some of the Cottages allured my appetite one of the best of these I entered but I had hardly placed my foot within the door before

the children shrieked and one of the women fainted the whole village was roused some fled some attacked me until grievously bruised by stones and many other kinds of missile weapons I escaped to the Open Country and fearfully took Refuge in a low H quite bare and making a wretched appearance after the Palaces I had beheld in the village this hu however joined a cottage of a neat and pleasant appearance but after my late dearly bought experience I dared not enter it my place of Refuge was constructed of wood but so low that I could with

difficulty sit upright in it no wood however was placed on the earth which formed the floor but it was dry and although the wind entered it by Innumerable chinks I found it an agreeable Asylum from the snow and rain here then I retreated and lay down happy to have found a shelter however miserable from the inclemency of the season and still more from the barbarity of man as soon as morning dawned I crept from my kennel that I might view the adjacent Cottage and discover if I could remain in the habitation I had found it

was situated against the back of the cottage and surrounded on the sides Which were exposed by a pigy and a clear pool of water one part was open and by that I had crept in but now I cover covered every crevice by which I might be perceived with stones and wood yet in such a manner that I might move them on occasion to pass out all the light I enjoyed came through the sky and that was sufficient for me having thus arranged my dwelling and carpeted it with clean straw I retired for I saw the

figure of a man at a Distance and I remembered too well my treatment the night before to trust myself in his power I had first however provided for my sustenance for that day by a loaf of coarse bread which I perined and a cup which I could drink more conveniently than from my hand of the pure water which flowed by my retreat the floor was a little raised so that it was kept perfectly dry and by its vicinity to the chimney of the cottage it was tolerably Warm being thus provided I resolved to reside in

this hubel until something should occur which might alter my determination it was indeed a paradise compared to the Bleak Forest my former residence the rain dropping branches and dank Earth I ate my breakfast with pleasure and was about to remove a plank to procure myself a little water when I heard a step and looking through a small i beheld a a young creature with a pale on her head passing before my Hubel the girl was young and of a gentle demeanor unlike what I have since found cottagers and Farmhouse servants to be yet she was

meanly dressed a coarse blue pedaco and a linen jacket being her only Garb her Fair hair was plated but not adorned she looked patient yet sad I lost sight of her and in about a quarter of an hour she returned bearing the pale which was now partly filled with milk as she walked along seemingly incommoded by the burden A young man met her whose countenance expressed a deeper despondence uttering a few sounds with an air of melancholy he took the pale from her head and bore it to the cottage himself she followed and they disappeared

Pres l i saw the young man again with some tools in his hand crossed the field behind the cottage and the girl was also busied sometimes in the house and sometimes in the yard on examining my dwelling I found that one Of the windows of the cottage had formerly occupied a part of it but the panes had been filled up with wood in one of these was a small and almost imperceptible through which the eye could just penetrate through this crevice a small room was visible whitewashed and clean but very bare of furniture in one

corner near a small fire sat an old man leaning his head on his hands in a disconsolate Attitude the young girl was occupied in arranging the cottage but presently she took something out of a drawer which employed her hands and she sat down beside the old man who taking up an instrument began to play and to produce sounds sweeter than the voice of the thrush or the nighting Gale it was a lovely sight even to me poor wretch who had never beheld ought beautiful before the silver hair and benevolent countenance of the Aged cottager won

my Reverence while the gentle manners of the girl enticed my love he played a sweet mournful air which perceived Drew tears from the eyes of his amiable companion of which the old man took no notice until she sobbed audibly he then pronounced a few sounds and the fair creature leaving her work knelt at his feet he raised her and smiled with such kindness and affection that I felt sensations of a peculiar and overpowering nature they were a mixture Of pain and pleasure such as I had never before experienced either from Hunger or cold warmth or

food and I withdrew from the window unable to Bear these emotions soon after this the young man returned bearing on his shoulders a load of wood the girl met him at the door helped to relieve him of his burden and taking some of the fuel into the cottage placed it on the Fire then she and the youth went apart into a Nook of the cottage and he showed her a Large Loaf and a piece of cheese she seemed pleased and went into the garden for some roots and plants which she placed in water and then

upon the fire she afterwards continued her work whilst the young man went into the garden and appeared busily employed in digging and pulling up Roots after he had been employed thus about an hour the young woman joined him and they entered the cottage together the old man had in the meantime Been pensive but on the appearance of his companions he assumed a more cheerful air and they sat down to eat the meal was quickly dispatched the young woman was again occupied in arranging the cottage the old man walked before the cottage in the Sun for

a few minutes leaning on the arm of the youth nothing could could exceed in Beauty the contrast between these two excellent creatures one was old with silver hairs and a countenance beaming with Benevolence and love the younger was slight and graceful in his figure and his features were molded with the finest symmetry yet his eyes and attitude expressed the utmost sadness and despondency the old man returned to the cottage and the youth with tools different from those he had used in the morning directed his steps across the fields night quickly shut in but to my

extreme wonder I found that the cottagers had a means of prolonging Light by the use of tapers which was delighted to find that the setting of The Sun did not put an end to the pleasure I experienced in watching my human Neighbors in the evening the young girl and her companion were employed in various occupations which I did not understand and the old man again took up the instrument which produced The Divine sounds that had Enchanted me in the morning so soon as he had finished the youth began not to play but to utter Sounds

that were monotonous and neither resembling the harmony of the old man's instrument nor the songs of the birds I since found that he read aloud but at that time I knew nothing of the science of words or letters the family after having been thus occupied for a short time extinguished their lights and retired as I conjectured to rest chapter 12 I lay on my straw but I could not Sleep I thought of the occurrences of the day what chiefly struck me was the gentle manners of these people and I longed to join them but dared

not I remember too well the treatment I had suffered the night before from the barbarous villagers and resolved whatever course of conduct I might Hereafter think it right to pursue that for the present I would remain quietly in my hubel watching and endeavoring to discover the motives which influenced Their actions the cottagers arose the next morning before the sun the young woman arranged the C Ag and prepared the food and the youth departed after the first meal this day was passed in the same routine as that which preceded it the young man was constantly employed

out of Dooors and the girl in various laborious occupations within the old man whom I soon perceived to be blind employed his Leisure Hours on his instrument or in Contemplation nothing could exceed the love love and respect which the younger cottagers exhibited toward their venerable companion they performed towards him every little office of affection and Duty with gentleness and he rewarded them by his benevolent Smiles they were not entirely happy the young man and His companion often went apart and appeared to weep I saw no cause for their unhappiness but I was Deeply affected by

it if such lovely creatures were miserable it was less strange that I an imperfect and solitary being should be wretched yet why were these gentle beings unhappy they possessed a delightful house for such it was in my eyes and every luxury they had a fire to warm them when chill and delicious vians when hungry they were dressed in excellent clothes and and still more they enjoyed one another's company and Speech interchanging each day looks of affection and kindness what did their tears imply did they really express pain I was at first unable to solve these

questions but Perpetual attention and time explained to me many appearances which were at first enigmatic a considerable period elapsed before I discovered one of the causes of the une easiness of this amiable family it was poverty and they suffered that evil in a very distressing degree Their nourishment consisted entirely of the vegetables of their garden and the milk of one cow which gave very little during the winter when its Masters could scarcely procure food to support it they often I believe suffered the pangs of hunger very poignantly especially the two younger cottagers for several times

they placed food before the old man when they reserved none for themselves this trait of kindness moved Me sensibly I had been accustomed during the night to steal a part of their store for my own consumption but when I found that in doing this I inflicted pain on the cottagers I abstained and satisfied myself with berries nuts and Roots which I gathered from a neighboring wood I discovered also another means through which I was enabled to assist their labors I found that the youth spent a great part of each day in collecting wood for the

family fire and during the Night I often took his tools the use of which I quickly discovered and brought home firing sufficient for the consumption of several days I remember the first time that I did this the young woman when she opened the door in the morning of appeared greatly astonished on seeing a great pile of wood on the outside she uttered some words in a loud voice and the youth joined her who also expressed surprise I observed with pleasure that he did not Go to the forest that day but spent it in repairing the

cottage and cultivating the garden by degrees I made a discovery of still greater moment I found that these people possessed a method of communicating their experience and feelings to one another by articulate sounds I perceive that the words they spoke sometimes produced pleasure or pain Smiles or sadness in the minds and countenances of the hearers this was Indeed a Godlike science and I ardently desired to become acquainted with it but I was baffled in every attempt I made for this purpose their pronunciation was quick and the words they uttered not having any apparent connection with

visible objects I was unable to discover any clue by which I could unravel the mystery of their reference by great application however and after having remained during the space of several Revolutions of the Moon In my hubel I discovered the names that were given to some of the most familiar objects of discourse I learned and applied the words five fire milk bread and wood I learned also the names of the cottagers themselves the youth and His companion had each of them several names but the old man had only one which was father the girl was

called sister or Agatha and the youth Felix brother or son I cannot describe the Delight I felt when I Learned the ideas appropriated to each of these sounds and was able to pronounce them I distinguished several other words without being able as yet to understand or apply them such as good dearest and unhappy I spent the winter in this manner the gentle manners and beauty of the cottagers greatly endeared them to me when they were unhappy I felt depressed when they rejoiced I sympathized in their Joys I saw few Human beings besides them and if

any other happen to enter the cottage their harsh manners and rude gate only enhanced to me the superior accomplishment of my friends the old man I could perceive often endeavored to encourage his children as sometimes I found that he called them to cast off their Melancholy he would talk in a cheerful accent with an expression of goodness that bestowed pleasure even upon me Agatha listened with respect her Eyes sometimes filled with tears which she endeavored to wipe away unperceived but I generally found that her countenance and tone were more cheerful after having listened to the

exhortations of her father it was not thus with Felix he was always the saddest of the group and even to my unpracticed senses he appeared to have suffered more deeply than his friends but if his countenance was more sorrowful his voice was more Cheerful than that of his sister especially when he addressed the old man I could mention innumerable instances which although slight Mark the dispositions of these amiable cottagers in the midst of poverty and want Felix carried with pleasure to his sister the first little white flower that peeped out from beneath the snowy ground

early in the morning before she had risen he cleared away the snow that obstructed her path to the milk house Drew water From the well and brought the wood from the ouse where to his Perpetual astonishment he found his store always replenished by an invisible hand in the day I believe he worked sometimes for a neighboring farmer because he often went forth and did not return until dinner yet brought no wood with him at other times he worked in the garden but as there was little to do in the frosty season he read to the

old man and Agatha this Reading had puzzled me extremely at first but by degrees I discovered that he uttered many of the same sounds when he read as when he talked I conjectured therefore that he found on the paper signs for speech which he understood and I ardently longed to comprehend these also but how was that possible when I did not even understand the sounds for which they stood as signs I improved however sensibly in This science but not sufficiently to follow up any kind of conversation although I applied my whole mind to the Endeavor

for I easily perceived that although I eagerly longed to discover myself to the cottagers I ought not to make the attempt until I had first become master of their language which knowledge might enable me to make them Overlook the deformity of my figure for with this also the contrast perpetually Presented to my eyes had made me acquainted I had admired the perfect forms of my cottagers their Grace Beauty Beauty and delicate complexions but how was I terrified when I viewed myself in a transparent pool at first I started back unable to believe that it was

indeed I who was reflected in the mirror and when I became fully convinced that I was in reality the monster that I am I was filled with the bitterest sensations of despondence and Mortification alas I did not yet entirely know know the Fatal effects of this miserable deformity as the sun became warmer and the light of day longer the snow vanished and I beheld the bare trees and the Black Earth from this time Felix was more employed and the Heart moving indications of impending famine disappeared their food as I afterwards found was coarse but it

was wholesome and they procured a sufficiency of it so Several new kinds of plants sprang up in the garden which they dressed and these signs of comfort increased daily as the season Advanced the old man leaning on his son walked each day at noon when it did not rain as I found it was called when the heavens poured forth its Waters this frequently took place but a high wind quickly dried the earth and the season became far more pleasant than it had been my mode of life and my HOV was uniform during the morning I

attended The Motions of the cottagers and when they were dispersed in various occupations I slept the remainder of the day was spent in observing my friends when they had retired to rest if there was any moon or the night was Starlight I went into the woods and collected my own food and fuel for the cottage when I returned as often as it was necessary I cleared their path from the the snow and performed these offices that I had seen done by Felix I afterwards found that these labors performed by an invisible hand greatly astonished them

and once or twice I heard them on these occasions utter the words good spirit wonderful but I did not then understand the signification of these terms my thoughts now became more active and I longed to discover the motives and feelings of these lovely creatures I was inquisit to know why Felix appeared so miserable and Agatha so sad I thought Foolish wretch that it might be in my power to restore happiness to these deserving people when I slept or was absent the forms of the venerable blind father the gentle Agatha and the excellent Felix flitted before

me I looked looked upon them as Superior beings who would be the Arbiters of my future Destiny I formed in my imagination a thousand pictures of presenting myself to them and their reception of me I imagined that they Would be disgusted until by my gentle demeanor and conciliating words I should first win their favor and afterwards their love these thoughts exhilarated me and led me to apply with fresh aror to the acquiring the art of language my organs were indeed harsh but Supple and although my voice was very unlike the soft music of their tones

yet I pronounced such Words As I understood with tolerable ease it was as the ass And the lap dog yet surely the gentle ass whose intentions were affectionate although his manners were rude deserved better treatment than blows and execration the pleasant showers and genial warmth of spring greatly altered the aspect of the earth men who before this change seemed to have been hid in caves dispersed themselves and were imployed in various Arts of cultivation the Birds Sang in more cheerful notes and the leaves began to Bud forth on the trees happy happy Earth fit habitation

for gods which so short a time before was Bleak damp and UNH wholesome my spirits were elevated by the enchanting appearance of nature the past was blotted from my memory the present was tranquil and the future gilded by bright Rays of Hope and anticipations of Joy chapter 13 I now hasten to the more moving part of my story I shall relate events that Impressed me with feelings which from what I had been had made me what I am spring Advanced rapidly the weather became fine and the skies cloudless it surprised me that what before was

desert and gloomy should now Bloom with the most beautiful flowers and verder my senses were gratified and refreshed by a thousand cents of delight and a thousand sights of beauty it was on one of these days when my cottagers periodically rested from labor the old Man played on his guitar and the children listened to him that I observed the countenance of Felix was Melancholy Beyond expression he sighed frequently and once his father paused in his music and I conjectured by his manner that he inquired the cause of his son's sorrow Felix replied in a cheerful

accent and the old man was recommencing his music when someone tapped at the door it was a lady on Horseback accompanied by a Countryman as a guide the lady was dressed in a dark suit and covered with a thick black veil Agatha asked a question to which the stranger only replied by pronouncing in a sweet accent the name of Felix her voice was musical but unlike that of either of my friends on hearing this word Felix came up hastily to the lady who when she saw him threw up her veil and I beheld a countenance

of angelic Beauty and expression her hair Of a shining raven black and curiously braided her eyes were dark but gentle although animated her features of a regular proportion and her complexion wondrously Fair each cheek tinged with a lovely pink Felix seemed ravished with delight when he saw her every trait of Sorrow vanished from his face and it instantly expressed a degree of ecstatic Joy of which I could hardly have believed it capable his eyes sparkled as his cheek flushed with pleasure and at That moment I thought him as beautiful as The Stranger she appeared affected

by different feelings wiping a few tears from her lovely eyes she held out her hand to Felix who kissed it rapturously and called her as well as I could distinguish his sweet Arabian she did not appear to understand him but smiled he assisted her to Dismount and dismissing her guide conducted her into the cottage some Conversation took place between him and his father and the young stranger knelt at the old man's feet and would have kissed his hand but he raised her and embraced her affectionately I soon perceived that although the stranger uttered articulate sounds

and appeared to have a language of her own she was neither understood by nor herself understood the cottagers they made many signs which I did not comprehend but I saw that her Presence diffused gladness through the cottage dispelling their sorrow as the sun dissipates the morning Mists Felix seemed peculiarly happy and with the smiles of delight welcomed his Arabian Agatha the ever gentle Agatha kissed the hands of the lovely stranger and pointing to her brother made signs which appeared to me to mean that he had been sorrowful until she came some hours passed asked thus

while they by their countenances expressed Joy the cause of Which I did not comprehend presently I found by the frequent recurrence of some sound which The Stranger repeated after them that she was endeavoring to learn their language and the idea instantly occurred to me that I should make use of the same instructions to the same end the stranger learned about 20 words at the first lesson most of them inde indeed were those which I had before understood but I profited by the Others as night came on Agatha and the Arabian retired early when they separated

Felix kissed the hand of the stranger and said good night sweet sopie he sat up much longer conversing with his father and by the frequent repetition of her name I conjectured that their lovely guest was the subject of their conversation I ently desired to understand them and bent every faculty towards that purpose but found it Utterly impossible the next morning Felix went out to his work and after the usual occupations of Agatha were finished the Arabian sat at the feet of the old man and taking his guitar played some airs so entrancingly beautiful that they

at once Drew tears of sorrow and Delight from my eyes she sang and her voice flowed in a rich Cadence swelling or dying away like a nighting gale of the woods when she had finished she gave the Guitar to Agatha who at first declined it she played a simple air and her voice accompanied it in sweet accents but unlike the wondrous strain of the stranger the old man appeared en raptured and said some words which Agatha endeavored to explain to sopie and by which she appeared to wish to express that she bestowed on him the

greatest Delight by her music the days now passed as peaceably as before with the sole alteration that Joy had taken place of sadness in the countenances of my friends Safi was always gay and happy she and I improved rapidly in the knowledge of language so that in two months I began to comprehend most of the words uttered by my protectors in the meanwhile also the black ground was covered with herbage and the green banks interspersed with innumerable flowers sweet to the scent and the eyes stars of pale Radiance among the Moonlight Woods the sun became

warmer the nights clear and balmy and my nocturnal Rambles were in extreme pleasure to me although they were considerably shortened by the late setting and and early rising of the Sun for I never ventured abroad during daylight fearful of meeting with the same treatment I had forly endured in the first Village which I entered my days were spent in close attention that I might more speedily Master the language and I may boast that I improved more rapidly than the Arabian who understood very little and conversed in broken accents whilst I comprehended and could imitate almost

every word that was spoken while I improved in speech I also learned the science of letters as it was taught to the stranger and this opened before me a wide field for Wonder and Delight the book from which Felix instructed sopi was V's ruins of Empires I should not have understood the purport of this book had not Felix in reading it given very minute explanations he had chosen this work he said because the declamatory style was framed in Imitation of the Eastern authors through this work I obtained a cursory knowledge of history and a view

of the several Empires at present existing in the world it gave me an insight into the manners governments and religions of the different nations of the earth I heard Of the slothful asiatics of the stupendous genius and mental activity of the Gans of the wars and wonderful virtue of the early Romans of their subsequent degenerating of the decline of that Mighty Empire of chivalry Christianity and Kings I heard of the discovery of the American Hemisphere and wept with Safi over the hapless fate of its original inhabitants these wonderful narrations Inspired me with strange feelings was

man indeed at once so powerful so virtuous and magnificent yet so vicious and base he appeared at one time a mere Sion of the evil principle and at another as all that can be conceived of noble and Godlike to be a great and virtuous man appeared the highest honor that can befall a sensitive being to be base and vicious as many on record have been appeared the lowest Degradation a condition more abject than that of the blind mole or harmless Worm for a long time I could not conceive how one man could go forth to

murder his fellow or even why there were laws and governments but when I heard the tales of vice and bloodshed my w ceased and I turned away with disgust and Loathing every conversation of the cottagers now opened new wonders to me while I listened to the instructions which Felix bestowed upon the Arabian The strange system of human society was explained to me I heard of the division of property of immense wealth and squalled poverty of rank descent and Noble blood the words induced me to turn towards myself I learned that the possessions most esteemed by

Yuri fellow creatures were high and unsullied descent United with riches a man might be respected with only one of these advantages but without either he was considered except in very Rare instances as a vagabond and a slave doomed to waste his powers for the profits of the Chosen Few and what was I of my creation and Creator I was absolutely ignorant but I knew that I possessed no money no friends no kind of property I was besides endued with a figure hideously deformed and loathsome I was not even of the same nature as man I

was more agile than they and could subsist upon coarser diet I bore the extremes of heat and cold with Less injury to my frame my stature far exceeded theirs when I looked around I saw and heard of none like me was I then a monster a blot upon the Earth from which all men fled and whom all men disowned I cannot describe to you the agony that these Reflections inflicted upon me I tried to dispel them but sorrow only increased with knowledge oh that I had forever remained in my native wood nor known nor felt

beyond the sensations of hunger thirst thirst and Heat of what a strange nature is knowledge it clings to the mind when it has once seized on it like a lyen on the Rock I wished sometimes to shake off all thought and feeling but I learned that there was but one means to overcome the sensation of pain and that was death a state which I feared yet did not understand I admired virtue and good feelings and loved the gentle manners and am qualities of my cottagers but I was shut out from Intercourse with them except through

means which I obtained by stealth when I was unseen and unknown and which rather increased than satisfi the desire I had of becoming one among my fellows the gentle words of Agatha and the animated Smiles of the Charming Arabian were not for me the mild exor sortations of The Old Man and the Lively conversation of the loved Felix were not for me miserable unhappy Wretch other lessons were impressed upon me even more deeply I heard of the differences of sexes and the birth and growth of children how the father doted on the smiles of the

infant and the Lively sallyes of the older child how all the life and cares of the mother were wrapped up in the precious charge how the mind of Youth expanded and gained knowledge of brother sister and all the various relationships which bind one human being to another in mutual Bonds but where were my friends and relations no father had watched my infant days no mother had blessed me with smiles and caresses or if they had all my past life was now a lot a blind vacancy in which I distinguished nothing from my earliest remembrance I

had been as I then was in height and proportion I had never yet seen a being resembling me or who claimed any intercourse with me what was I the question again recurred to be answered only with Groans I will soon explain to what these feelings tended but allow me now to return to the cottagers whose story excited in me such various feelings of indignation delight and wonder but which all terminated in additional love and reverence for my protectors for so I loved in an innocent half painful self-deceit to call them chapter 14 sometime elapsed before

I learned the history of my friends it was one which Could not fail to impress itself deeply on my mind unfolding as it did a number of circumstances each interesting and wonderful to one so utterly inexperienced as I was the name of the old man was deacy he was descended from a good family in France where he had lived for many years in affluence respected by his superiors and beloved by his equals his son was bred in the service of his country and Agatha had ranked with ladies of the Highest distinction a few months before

my arrival they had lived in a large and luxurious city called Paris surrounded by friends and possessed of every enjoyment which virtue refinement of intellect or taste accompanied by a moderate Fortune could could afford the father of safy had been the cause of their ruin he was a Turkish Merchant and had inhabited Paris for many years when for some reason which I Could not learn he became obnoxious to the government he was seized and cast into prison the very day that sopi arrived from Constantinople to join him he was tried and condemned to death the

Injustice of his sentence was very flagrant all Paris was indignant and it was judged that his religion and wealth rather than the crime alleged against him had been the cause of his condemnation Felix had accidentally been present at the trial his horror and Indignation were uncontrollable when he heard the decision of the Court he made at that moment a solemn vow to deliver him and then looked around for the means after many fruitless attempts to gain admittance to the prison he found a strongly graded window in an unguarded part of the building which lighted the

dungeon of the unfortunate muhamad Maden who loaded with chains waited in despair the execution of the barbarous sentence Felix visited the great at night and Made known to the prisoner his intentions in his favor The Turk amazed and delighted endeavored to Kindle the Zeal of his deliverer by Promises of reward and wealth Felix rejected his offers with contempt yet when he saw the lovely Safi who was allowed to visit her father and who by her gestures expressed her Lively gratitude the youth could not help owning to his own mind that the captive possessed a treasure

which would fully reward his Toil and Hazard The Turk quickly perceived the impression that his daughter had made on the heart of Felix and endeavored to secure him more entirely in his interest by the promise of her hand in marriage as soon as he should be conveyed to a place of safety Felix was too delicate to accept this offer yet he looked forward to the probability of the event as to the consummation of his happiness during the ensuing days while the preparations were going forward for The Escape of the merchant the Zeal of Felix was

warmed by several letters that he received from this lovely girl who found means to express her thoughts in the language of Her Lover by the aid of an old man a servant of her father who understood French she thanked him in the most Ardent terms for his intended Services toward her parent and at the same time she gently deplored her own fate I have copies of these letters for I found means during my residence in the H to procure the Implements of writing and the letters were often in the hands of Felix or Agatha before

I depart I will give them to you they will prove the truth of my Tale But at present as the sun is already far declined I shall only have time to repeat the substance of them to you sopie related that her mother was a Christian Arab seized and made a slave by the Turks recommend Ed by her beauty she had won the heart of the father of sopie who married her the Young girl spoke in high and enthusiastic terms of her mother who born in Freedom spurned the bondage to which she was now reduced she

instructed her daughter in the tenants of her religion and taught her to Aspire to higher powers of intellect and an independence of spirit forbidden to the female followers of Muhammad this lady died but her lessons were indelibly impressed on the mind of sopie Who sickened at the prospect of again returning to Asia and being ured within the walls of a heram allowed only to occupy herself with infantile amusements ill suited to The Temper of her soul now accustomed to Grand ideas and a noble emulation for virtue the prospect of marrying a Christian and remaining aing

in a country where women were allowed to take a rank in society was enchanting to her the day for the execution of the Turk was fixed but on the night previous To it he quitted his prison and before morning was distant many leagues from Paris Felix had procured passports in the name of his father sister and himself he had previously communicated his plan to the former who aided the Deceit by quitting his house under the pretense of a journey and concealed himself with his daughter in an obscure part of Paris Felix conducted the fugitives through

France to lions and across Mount cus to Leghorn where The merchant had decided to wait a favorable opportunity of passing into some part of the Turkish dominions sa Safi resolved to remain with her father until the moment of his departure before which time the Turk renewed his promise that she should be United to his deliverer and Felix remained with them in expectation of that event and in the meantime he enjoyed the Society of the Arabian who exhibited toward him the simplest and Tenderest affection they conversed with one another through the means of an interpreter and

sometimes with the interpretation of looks and Safi saying to him the Divine a of her native country The Turk allowed this intimacy to take place and encouraged the hopes of the youthful lovers while in his heart he had formed far other plans he loathed the idea that his daughter should be United to a Christian but he Feared the resentment of Felix if he should appear lukewarm for he knew that he was still in the power of His deliverer if he should choose to betray him to the Italian state which they inhabited he revolved a thousand

Plans by which he should be enabled to prolong the deceit until it might be no longer necessary and secretly to take his daughter with him when he departed his plans were facilitated by the news which arrived from Paris the government of France were greatly enraged at The Escape of their victim and spared no pains to detect and punish his deliverer the plot of Felix was quickly discovered and deacy and Agatha were thrown into prison the news reached Felix and roused him from his dream of pleasure his blind and aged father and his gentle sister lay

in a noisome dungeon while he enjoyed the free air and the Society of her whom he loved this idea was torture To him he quickly arranged with a Turk that if the latter should find a favorable opportunity for escape before Felix could return to Italy safy should remain as a border at a Convent at Leghorn and then quitting the lovely Arabian he hastened to Paris and delivered himself up to the Vengeance of the law hoping to free Dei and Agatha by this proceeding he did not succeed they remained confined for 5 months before The trial

took place the result of which deprived them of their fortune and condemned them to a Perpetual Exile from their native country they found a miserable asylum in the cottage in Germany where I discovered them Felix soon learned that the treacherous Turk for whom he and his family endured such unheard of Oppression on discovering that his deliverer was thus reduced to poverty and ruin became a traitor to Good Feeling and honor and had quitted Italy with his daughter insultingly sending Felix a pittance of money to Aid him as he said in some plan of future maintenance

such were the events that prayed on the heart of Felix and rendered him when I first saw him the most miserable of his family he could have endured poverty and while this distress had been the me of his virtue he gloried in it but the ingratitude of the Turk and the loss of his beloved Safi were misfortunes more bitter and Irreparable the arrival of the Arabian now infused new life into his soul when the news reached Leghorn that Felix was deprived of his wealth and rank the merchant commanded his daughter to think no more of

her lover but to prepare to return to her native country the generous nature of Safi was outraged by this command she attempted to expostulate with her father but he left her angrily reiterating his tyrannical Mandate a few days after the Turk entered his daughter's apartment and told her hastily that he had reason to believe that his residence at Leghorn had been divulged and that he should speedily be delivered up to the French government he had consequently hired a vessel to convey him to Constantinople for which city he should sail in a few hours he intended

to leave his daughter under the care of a Confidential servant to follow at her Leisure with the greater part of his property which had not yet arrived at Leghorn when alone sfie resolved in her own mind the plan of conduct that it would become her to pursue in this emergency a residence in Turkey was abhorent to her her religion and her feelings were alike averse to it by some papers of her father which fell into her hands she heard of the Exile of her lover and learned the Name of the spot where he then resided

she hesitated some time but at length she formed her determination taking with her some jewels that belonged to her and a sum of money she quitted Italy with an attendant a native of leghorn but who understood the common language of turkey and departed for Germany she arrived in safety at a town about 20 leagues from the cottage of Dey when her attendant fell dangerously ill Safi nursed her With the most devoted affection but the poor girl died and the Arabian was left alone unacquainted with the language of the country and utterly ignorant of the customs

of the world she fell however into good hands the Italian had mentioned the name of the spot for which they were bound and after her death the woman of the house in which they had lived took care that safy should arrive in safety at the cottage of her Lover chapter 15 such was the history of my beloved cottagers it impressed me deeply I learned from the views of social life which it developed to admire their virtues and to deprecate the vices of mankind as yet I looked upon crime as a distant evil benevolence and generosity

were ever present before me inciting within me a desire to become an actor in The Busy scene where so many admirable qualities were called forth and Displayed but in giving an account of the progress of my intellect I must not omit a circumstance which occurred in the beginning of the month of August of the same year one night during my accustomed visit to the neighboring wood where I collected my own food and brought home firing for my protectors I found on the ground a leather PM containing several articles of dress and some Books I eagerly

seized the prize and returned with it to my H fortunately the books were written in the language the elements of which I had acquired at the Cottage they consisted of Paradise Lost a volume of plutarch's lives and the Sorrows of wter the possession of these Treasures gave me extreme Delight I now continually studied and exercised my mind upon these histories whilst my friends were employed in their ordinary Occupations I can hardly describe to you the effect of these books they produced in me an infin Infinity of new images and feelings that sometimes raised me to

Ecstasy but more frequently sunk me into the lowest dejection in the Sorrows of wter besides the interest of its simple and affecting story so many opinions are canvased and so many lights thrown upon what had hitherto been to me obscure subjects that I found in it a NeverEnding source Of speculation and astonishment the gentle and domestic manners it described combined with lofty sentiments and feelings which had for their object something out of self accorded well with my experience among my protectors and with the wants which were forever alive in my own bosom but I thought

wter himself a more Divine being than I had ever beheld or imagined his character continued no pretention but it sank deep the disquisitions upon death and suicide Were calculated to fill me with wonder I did not pretend to enter into the merits of the case yet I inclined towards the opinions of the hero whose Extinction I wept without precisely understanding it as I read however I applied much personally to my own feelings and condition I found myself similar yet at the same time strangely unlike to the beings concerning whom I read and to whose conversation

I was a listener I sympathized with and partly Understood them but I was unformed in mind I was dependent on none and related to none the path of my departure was free and there was none to lament my anihilation my person was hideous and my stature gigantic what did this mean who was I what was I whence did I come what was my destination these questions continually recurred but I was unable to solve them the volume of plutarch's lives which I possessed contained the histories of the First founders of the ancient republics this book had

a far different effect upon me from the Sorrows of wter I learned from wter imaginations despondency and Gloom but Plutarch taught me high thoughts he elevated Me Above The Wretched sphere of my own Reflections to admire and love the heroes of past ages many things I read surpassed my understanding and experience I had a very confused knowledge of Kingdoms wide extents of Country Mighty rivers and boundless Seas but I was was perfectly unacquainted with towns and large assemblages of men the cottage of my protectors had been the only School in which I had studied human

nature but this book developed new and mightier scenes of action I read of men concerned in public affairs governing or massacring their species I felt the greatest order for virtue rise within me and abhorrence for vice as far as I OD the signification of those terms Relative as they were as I applied them to Pleasure and Pain alone induced by these feelings I was of course led to admire Peaceable lawgivers Numa Solon and luris in preference to Romulus and Theus the patriarchal lives of my protectors caused these Impressions to take a firm Hold On My

Mind perhaps if my first introduction to humanity had been made by a young Soldier burning for Glory and Slaughter I should have been Imbued with different Sensations but Paradise Lost excited different and far deeper emotions I read it as I had read the other volumes which had fallen into my hands as a true history it moved every feeling of Wonder and awe that the picture of an omnipotent God Waring with his creatures was capable of exciting I often referred the several situations as their similarity struck me to my Own like Adam I was apparently United

by no link to any other being in existence but his state was Far different from mine in every other respect he had come forth from the hands of God a perfect creature happy and prosperous guarded by the special care of his creator he was allowed to converse with and acquire Knowledge from beings of a superior nature but I was wretched helpless and alone many times I considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition for Often like him when I viewed the Bliss of my protectors the bitter gall of Envy Rose within me another circumstance

strengthened and confirmed these feelings soon after my arrival in the hubel I discovered some papers in the pocket of the dress which I had taken from your laboratory at first I had neglected them but now that I was able to decipher the characters in which they were written I began to study them with diligence it Was your Journal of the four months that preceded my creation you minutely described in these papers every step you took in the progress of your work this history was mingled with accounts of domestic occurrences you doubtless recollect these papers here

they are everything is related in them which Bears reference to my accursed origin the whole detail of that series of disgusting circumstances which produced it is set in view the Minutest description of my odious and loathsome person is given in language which painted your own Horrors and rendered mine indelible I sickened as I read hateful day when I received life I exclaimed in agony a cursed Creator why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust God in pity made man beautiful and alluring after his own image but my

form is a filthy type of yours more horrid even from the Very resemblance Satan had his companions fellow Devils to admire and encourage him but I am solitary and abhor these were the reflections of my hours of despondency and solitude but when I contemplated the virtues of the cottagers their amiable and benevolent dispositions I persuaded myself that when they should become acquainted with my admiration of their virtues they would compassionate me and Overlook my Personal deformity could they turn from their door one however monstrous who solicited their compassion and friendship I resolved at least not

to despair but in every way to fit myself for an interview with them which would decide my fate I postponed this attempt for some months longer for the importance attached to it success inspired me with a dread lest I should fail besides I found that my understanding improved so much with Everyday's experience that I was unwilling to commence this undertaking until a few more months should have added to my sagacity several changes in the meantime took place in the cottage the presence of safy diffused happiness among its inhabitants and I also found that a greater

degree of Plenty reigned there Felix and Agatha spent more time in amusement and conversation and were assisted in their labors by servants They did not appear rich but they were contented and happy their feelings were Serene and peaceful while mine became every day more tumultuous increase of knowledge only discovered to me more clearly what a wretched Outcast I was I cherished hope it is true but it vanished when I beheld my person reflected in water or my shadow in the Moonshine even as that frail image and that inconstant Shade I endeavored to crush these fears

and to fortify myself for the trial which in a few months I resolved to undergo and sometimes I allowed my thoughts unchecked by reason to ramble in the fields of paradise and dared to fancy amiable and lovely cre creatures sympathizing with my feelings and cheering my Gloom their Angelic countenances breathed Smiles of consolation but it was all a dream no Eve soothed my sorrows nor shared my Thoughts I was alone I remembered Adam's supplication to his creator but where was mine he had abandoned me and in the bitterness of my heart I cursed him Autumn

passed thus I saw with surprise and grief the leaves Decay and fall and nature again assumed the barren and Bleak appearance it had worn when I first beheld the woods and the lovely Moon yet I did not heed the bleakness of the weather I was better fitted by my Confirmation for the endurance of cold than heat but my chief Delights were the sight of the flower the birds and all the gay apparel of summer when those deserted me I turned with more attention towards the cottagers their happiness was not decreased by the absence of Summer

they loved and sympathized with one another and their Joys depending on each other were not interrupted by the casualties that took place around them the more I Saw of them the greater became my desire to claim their protection and kindness my heart yearned to be known and loved by these amiable creatures to see their sweet looks directed towards me with affection was the utmost limit of my ambition I dared not think that they would turned them from me with disdain and horror the poor that stopped at their door were never driven away I asked it

is true for greater Treasures than a Little food or rest I required kindness and sympathy but I did not believe myself utterly Unworthy of it the winter Advanced and an entire revolution of the seasons had taken place since I awoke into life my attention at this time was solely directed towards my plan of introducing myself into the cottage of my protectors I revolved many projects but that on which I finally fixed was to enter the dwelling when the the blind Old man should be alone I had sagacity enough to discover that the unnatural hideousness of

my person was the chief object of horror with those who had formerly beheld me my voice although harsh had nothing terrible in it I thought therefore that if in the absence of his children I could gain the Good Will and mediation of the old Dei I might by his means be tolerated by my younger protectors one day when the sun Shone on The red leaves that strewed the ground and diffused cheerfulness although it denied warmth sopie Agatha and Felix departed on a long Country Walk and the old man at his own desire was left alone

in the cottage when his children had departed he took up his guitar and played several mournful but sweet heirs more sweet and mournful than I had ever heard him play before at first his countenance was illuminated with pleasure but as he Continued thoughtfulness and sadness succeeded at length laying aside the instrument he sat absorbed in reflection my heart beat quick this was the hour and moment of trial which would decide my hopes or realize my fears the servants were gone to a neighboring Fair all was silent in and around the cottage it was an excellent

opportunity yet when I proceeded to execute my plan my limbs failed me and I sank to the ground again I Rose and exerting all the firmness of Which I was Master removed the planks which I had placed before my Hub to conceal my retreat the fresh air revived me and with renewed determination I approached the door of their Cottage I knocked who is there said the old man come in I entered pardon this intrusion said I I am a traveler in want of a little rest you would greatly oblige me if you would allow me

to remain a few minutes before the Fire enter said to Lacy and I will try in what Manner I can to relieve your wants but unfortunately my children are from home and as I am blind I am afraid I shall find it difficult to procure food for you do not trouble yourself my kind host I have food it is warmth and rest only that I need I sat down and a silence ensued I knew that every minute was precious to me yet I remained irresolute in what Manner to commence the interview when The old man

addressed me by your language stranger I suppose you are my Countryman are you French no but I was educated by a French family and understand that language only I am now going to claim the protection of some friends whom I sincerely love and of whose favor I have some hopes are they Germans no they are French but let us change the subject I I am an unfortunate and deserted creature I look around and I have no relation or friend Upon Earth these amiable people to whom I go have never seen me and know little of

me I am full of tears for if I fail there I am an outcast in the world forever do not despair to be friendless is indeed to be unfortunate but the hearts of men when unprejudiced by any obvious self-interest are full of brotherly love and charity rely therefore on your hopes and if these friends are good and amiable do not despair they are kind they are the most Excellent creatures in the world but unfortunately they are prejudiced against me I have good dispositions my life has been hitherto harmless and in some degree beneficial but a

fatal Prejudice clouds their eyes and where they ought to see a feeling and kind friend they they behold only a detestable monster that is indeed unfortunate but if you are really blameless cannot you undeceive them I am about to undertake That task and it is on that account that I feel so many overwhelming Terrors I tenderly love these friends I have unknown to them been for many months in the habits of daily kindness towards them but they believe that I wish to injure them and it is that Prejudice which I wish to overcome where do

these friends reside near this spot the old man paused and then continued if you will unreservedly Confide to me the particulars of your tale I perhaps may be of use in undeceiving them I am blind and cannot judge of your countenance but there is something in your words which persuades me that you are sincere I am poor and an Exile but it will afford me true pleasure to be in any way serviceable to a human creature excellent man I thank you and accept your generous offer you rais me from the Dust by this kindness and

I Trust that by your Aid I shall not be driven from the society and sympathy of your fellow creatures heaven forbid even if you were really criminal for that can only drive you to desperation and and not instigate you to Virtue I also am unfortunate I and my family have been condemned although innocent judge therefore if I do not feel for your misfortunes how can I thank you my best And only benefactor from your lips first have I heard the voice of kindness directed towards me I shall be forever grateful and your present Humanity assures

me of success with those friends whom I am on the point of meeting May I know the names and residence of those friends I paused this I thought was the moment of decision which was to rob me of or bestow happiness on me forever I Struggled vainly for firmness sufficient to answer him but the effort destroyed all my remaining strength I sank on the chair and sobbed aloud at that moment I heard the steps of my younger protectors I had not a moment to lose but seizing the hand of the old man I cried now

is the time save and protect me you and your family are the friends whom I seek do not you desert me in the hour of trial great God exclaimed the old man who are you at that instant the cottage Door was opened and Felix safy and Agatha entered who can describe their horror and consternation on beholding me Agatha fainted and safy unable to attend to her friend rushed out of the cottage Felix darted forward and with Supernatural Force tore me from his father to whose knees I clung in a transport of Fury he dashed me

to the ground and struck me violently with a stick I could have torn him limb from limb As the lion rins the antelope but my heart sank within me as with bitter sickness and I refrained I saw him on the point of repeating his blow when overcome by pain and anguish I quitted the cottage and in the general tumult escaped unperceived to my hubel chapter 16 cursed cursed creator why did I live why in that instant did I not extinguish the spark of existence which you had so wly bestowed I know not Despair had not

yet taken possession of me my feelings were those of rage and revenge I could with pleasure have destroyed the cottage and its inhabitants and have glutted myself with their shrieks and misery when night came I quitted my retreat and wandered in the wood and now no longer restrained by the fear of Discovery I gave vent to my anguish and fearful howlings I was like a wild beast that had broken the toils Destroying the objects that obstructed me and raging through the woods with a stag likee swiftness oh what a miserable night I passed the cold

Stars Shone in mockery and the bare trees waved their branches above me now and then the sweet voice of a bird Bur forth admits the universal Stillness all save I were at rest or in enjoyment I like the arch fiend bore a hell within me and finding myself Ed with excess of bodily exertion and Sank on The Damp grass in the sick impotence of Despair there was none among the myriads of men that existed who would pity or assist me and should I feel kindness towards my enemies no from that moment I declared Everlasting war

against the species and more than all against him who had formed me and sent me forth to this insupportable Misery the sun rose I heard the voices of men and knew that it was impossible to return to my retreat during that day Accordingly I hid myself in some thick Underwood determining to devote the ensuing hours to reflection on my situation the pleasant sunshine and the pure air of day restored me to some degree of tranquility and when I considered what had passed at the cottage I could not help believing that I had been too hasty

in my conclusions I had certainly acted in prudently it was apparent that my conversation had interested the father In my behalf and I Was a Fool in having exposed my person to the horror of his children I ought to have familiarized the old deacy to me and by degrees to have discovered myself to the rest of his family when they should have been prepared for my Approach but I did not believe my errors to be irretrievable and after much consideration I resolved to return to the cottage seek The Old Man and by my representations win

him to my Party these thoughts calmed me and in the afternoon I sank into a profound sleep but the fever of my blood did not allow me to be visited by peaceful dreams the horrible scene of the preceding day was forever acting before my eyes the females were flying and the enraged Felix tearing me from his father's feet I awoke exhausted and finding that it was already night I crept forth from my Hiding Place and went in search of Food when my Hunger was appeased I directed my steps towards the well-known path that conducted to

the cottage all there was at peace I crept into my Hub and remained in silent expectation of the accustomed hour when the family arose that hour passed the sun mounted high in the heavens but the cottagers did not appear I trembled violently apprehending ing some Dreadful Misfortune the inside of the cottage was dark and I heard no motion I cannot Describe the agony of this suspense presently two countrymen passed by but passing near the cottage they entered into conversation using violent gesticulations but I did not understand what they said as they spoke the language of

the country which differed from that of my protectors soon after however Felix approached with another man I was surprised as I knew that he had not quitted the cottage that morning and Waited anxiously to discover from his discourse the meaning of these unusual appearances do you consider said his companion to him that you will be obliged to pay three months rent and to lose the produce of your garden I do not wish to take any unfair advantage and I beg therefore that you will take some days to consider of your determination it is utterly useless

replied Felix we can never again inhabit your cottage the life of my father is in The greatest danger owing to the Dreadful circumstances that I have related my wife and my sister will never recover from their horror I entreat you not to reason with me anymore take possession of your tenement and let me fly from this place Felix trembled violently as he said this he and His companion entered the cottage in which they remained for a few minutes and then departed I never saw any of the family of Dey Moore I continued for the remainder

of the day in my Hub in a state of utter and stupid despair my protectors had departed and had broken the only link that held me to the world for the first time the feelings of Revenge and hatred filled my bosom and I did not strive to control them but allowing myself to be borne Away by the Stream I bent my mind towards injury and death when I thought of my friends of the mild voice of Dei the gentle eyes of Agatha and the Exquisite beauty of the Arabian these thoughts vanished and a gush of

Tears somewhat soothed me but again when I reflected that they had been spurned and deserted me anger returned a rage of anger and unable to injure anything human I turned my Fury towards inanimate objects as night Advanced I placed a variety of combustibles around the cottage and after having destroyed every vestage of cultivation in the garden I waited with Forced and patience until the moon had sunk to commence my operations as the night Advanced a fierce wind arose from the woods and quickly dispersed the clouds that had loitered in the heavens the blast tore along

like a mighty Avalanche and produced a kind of insanity in my spirits that burst all bounds of reason and reflection I lighted the dry branch of a tree and danced with Fury around the devoted Cottage my eyes still fixed On the western Horizon the edge of which the moon nearly touched a part of its orb was at length hid and I waved my brand it sank and with a loud scream I fired the straw and Heath and bushes which I had collected the wind fanned the fire and the cottage was quickly enveloped by the Flames

which clung to it and licked it with their forked and destroying tongues as soon as I was convinced that no assistance could save any part of the habitation I quitted the Scene and sought for refuge in the woods and now with the world before me withi should I bend my steps I resolve to fly far from the scene of my misfortunes but to me hated and despised every country must be equally horrible at length the thought of you crossed my mind I learned from your papers that you were my father my Creator and to whom

could I apply with more Fitness than to him who had given me life among the lessons that Felix had bestowed upon Safy geography had not been omitted I had learned from these the relative situations of the different countries of the earth you had mentioned Geneva as the name of your native town and towards this place I resolved D to proceed but how was I to direct myself I knew that I must travel in a southwesterly direction to reach my destination but the son was my only God I did not know the names of the towns

that I was to pass through nor could I Ask information from a single human being but I did not despair from you only could I hope for sakur although towards you I felt no sentiment but that of hatred unfearing ing heartless Creator you had endowed me with perceptions and passions and then cast me abroad an object for the scorn and horror of mankind but on you only had I any claim for pity and redress and from you I determined to seek that Justice which I Vainly attempted to gain from any other being that wore the

human form my travels were long and the sufferings I endured intense it was late in Autumn when I quitted the district where I had so long resided I traveled only at night fearing of encountering the Visage of a human being nature decayed around me and the sun became heatless rain and snow poured around me Mighty Rivers were frozen the surface of the Earth was hard and chill And bare and I found no shelter oh Earth how often did I imprecate curses on the the cause of my being the mildness of my nature had fled and

all within me was turned to Gull and bitterness the nearer I approached to your habitation the more deeply did I feel the spirit of Revenge enkindled in my heart snow fell and the waters were hardened but I rested not a few incidents now and then directed me and I possessed a map of the country but I often wandered wide from my path the Agony of my feelings allowed me no respite no incident occurred from which my rage and misery could not extract its food but a circumstance that happened when I arrived on the confines of

Switzerland when the sun had recovered its warmth and the Earth again began to look green confirmed in an ESP special manner the bitterness and horror of my feelings I generally rested during the day and traveled only when I was secured by night from the view of man one Morning however finding that my path lay through a deep wood I ventured to continue my journey after the sun had risen the day which was one of the first of spring cheered even me by the loveliness of its sunshine and the baliness of the air I felt emotions

of gentleness and pleasure that had long appeared dead revive within me half surprised by the novelty of these Sensations I allowed myself to be born worn Away by them and forgetting my Solitude and deformity dared to be happy soft tears again beded my cheeks and I even raised my human eyes with thankfulness towards the Blessed son which bestowed such Joy upon me I continued to wind among the paths of the wood until I came to its boundary which was skirted by a deep and Rapid River into which many of the trees bent their branches now

budding with with the fresh spring here I paused not exactly knowing what path to pursue when I heard the Sound of voices that induced me to conceal myself under the shade of a Cyprus I was scarcely hid when a young girl came running towards the spot where I was concealed laughing as if she ran from someone in sport she continued her course along the precipitous sides of the river when suddenly her foot slipped and she fell into the rapid stream I I rushed from my Hiding Place and with extreme labor from the force of the

current saved her and dragged her to Shore she was senseless and I endeavored by every means in my power to restore animation when I was suddenly interrupted by the approach of a rustic who was probably the person from whom she had playfully fled on seeing me he darted towards me and tearing the girl from my arms hastened towards the deeper parts of the wood I followed speedily I hardly knew why but when the man saw me draw near he aimed a gun which he carried at my body and fired I sank to The ground and

my injurer with increased swiftness escaped into the wood this was then the reward of my benevolence I had saved a human being from destruction and as a recompense I now wed under the miserable pain of a wound which shattered the Flesh and Bone the feelings of kindness and gentleness which I had entertained but a few moments before gave place to hellish rage and nashing of teeth inflamed by pain I vowed Eternal hatred and Vengeance to all mankind but the agony of my wound overcame me my pulses paused and I fainted for some weeks I led

a miserable life in the woods endeavoring to cure the wound which I had received the ball had entered my shoulder and I knew not whether it had remained there or passed through at any rate I had no means of extracting it my sufferings were augmented also by the oppressive sense of the Injustice and ingratitude of their infliction my daily Vows Rose for Revenge a deep and deadly Revenge such as would alone compensate for the outrages and anguish I had endured after some weeks my wound healed and I continued my journey the labors I endured were

no longer to be alleviated by the bright Sun or gentle breezes of spring all joy was but a mockery which insulted my desolate State and made me feel more painfully that I was not made for the enjoyment of pleasure but my toils now Drew near a Close and in two months from this time I reached the environs of Geneva it was evening when I arrived and I retired to a hiding Place among the fields that surrounded it to meditate in what Manner I should apply to you I was oppressed by fatigue and hunger and far

too unhappy to enjoy the gentle breezes of evening or the prospect of the sun setting behind the stupendous mountains of Jura at this time a slight sleep relieved me from the pain of reflection Which was disturbed by the approach of a beautiful child who came running into the recess I had chosen with all the sportiveness of infancy suddenly as I gazed on him an idea seized me that this little creature was unprejudiced and had lived Too Short a time to have imbibed a horror of deformity if therefore I could seize him and educate him as

my companion and friend I should not be so desolate in this peopled Earth urged by this impulse I seized on the boy as he Passed and Drew him towards me as soon as he beheld my form he placed his hands before his eyes and uttered a shrill scream I drew his hand forcibly from his face and said child what is the meaning of this I do not intend to hurt you listen to me he struggled violently let me go he cried monster ugly wretch you wish to eat me and tear me to pieces you are

an ogre let me go or I will tell my papa boy you will never see your father again you must come with me hideous Monster let me go my papa is a syndic he is Mr Frankenstein he will punish you you dare not keep me Frankenstein you belong then to my enemy to him towards who I have sworn Eternal Revenge you shall be my first victim the child still struggled and loaded me with epitet which carried despair to my heart I grasped his throat to silence him and in a moment he lay dead at my

feet I gazed on my Victim and my heart swelled with exaltation and Hellish Triumph clapping my hands I exclaimed I too can create desolation my enemy is not invulnerable this death will carry despair to him and a thousand other miseries shall torment and destroy him as I fixed my eyes on the child I saw something glittering on his breast I took it it was a portrait of a most lovely woman in spite of my malignity it softened and attracted me for a few moments I gazed with delight on her dark eyes fringed by Deep lashes

and her Lovely lips but presently my rage returned I remembered that I was forever deprived of the Delights that such beautiful creatures could bestow and that she whose resemblance I contemplated would in regarding me have changed that air of divine benignity to one expressive of disgust and aight can you imagine that such thoughts transported me with rage I only wonder that at that moment instead of venting my Sensations in exclamations and Agony I did not rush among Mankind and perish in the attempt to destroy them while I was overcome by these feelings I left the

spot where I had committed the murder and seeking a more secluded hiding place I entered a barn which had appeared to me to be empty a woman was sleeping on some straw she was young not indeed so beautiful as her whose portrait I held but of an agreeable aspect and blooming in the loveliness of Youth and health here I thought is one Of those whose Joy imparting Smiles are bestowed on all but me and then I bent over her and whispered awake Fest thy lover is near he who would give his life but to obtain

one look of affection from Thine Eyes my beloved awake the sleeper stirred a thrill of Terror ran through me should she indeed awake and see me and curse me and denounce the murderer thus would she assuredly act if her darkened eyes opened and she beheld me the thought was Mad mess it stirred the fiend within me not I but she shall suffer the murder I have committed because I am forever robbed of all that she could give me she shall atone the crime had its source in her be hers the punishment thanks to the lessons

of Felix and the sanguinary laws of man I had learned now to work Mischief I bent over her and placed the portrait securely in one of the folds of her dress she moved again and I fled for Some days I haunted the spot where these scenes had taken place sometimes wishing to see you sometimes resolved to quit the world and its miseries Forever at length I wander towards these mountains and have ranged through their immense recesses consumed by a burning passion which you alone can gratify we may not part until you have promised to comply

with my acquisition I am alone and miserable man will not associate with me but one as deformed And horrible as myself would not deny herself to me my companion must be of the same species and have the same defects this being you must create chapter 17 the being finished speaking and fixed his looks upon me in the expect ation of a reply but I was bewildered perplexed and unable to arrange my ideas sufficiently to understand the full extent of his proposition he continued you must create a female for Me with whom I can live in

The Interchange of those sympathies necessary for my being this you alone can do and I demand it of you as a right which you must not refuse to concede the the latter part of his tale had kindled a new in me the anger that had died away while he narrated his peaceful life among the cottagers and as he said this I could no longer suppress the rage that burned within me I do refuse it I replied and no torture shall ever extort A consent from me you may render me the most miserable of men but

you shall never make me base in my own eyes shall I create a another like yourself whose joint wickedness might desolate the world be gone I have answered you you may torture me but I will never consent you are in the wrong replied the fiend and instead of threatening I am content to reason with you I am malicious because I am miserable am I Not shunned and hated by all mankind you my Creator would tear me to pieces and Triumph remember that and tell me why I should pity man more than he pies me you

would not call it murder if you could precipitate me into one of those ice riffs and destroy my frame the work of your own hands shall I respect man when he condemns me let him live with me in The Interchange of kindness and instead of injury I would bestow every benefit upon him with tears of Gratitude at his acceptance but but that cannot be the human senses are insurmountable barriers to our Union yet mine shall not be the submission of abject slavery I will Revenge my injuries if I cannot Inspire love I will cause fear

and chiefly towards you my Archen enemy because my Creator do I swear inextinguishable hatred have a care I will work at your destruction nor finish until I desolate your heart so that you shall curse the hour of your Birth a fish rage animated him as he said this his face was wrinkled into contortions too horrible for human eyes to behold but presently he calmed himself and proceeded I intended to reason this passion is detrimental to me for you do not reflect that you are the cause of its excess if any being felt emotions of benevolence

toward W me I should return them aund and a h hundredfold for that one creature's sake I would make peace With the whole kind but I now indulge in dreams of bliss that cannot be realized what I ask of you is reasonable and moderate I demand a creature of another sex but as hideous as myself the gratification is small but it is all that I can receive and it shall content me it is true we shall be monsters cut off from all the world but on that account we shall be more attached to one another

Our Lives will not be happy but they Will be harmless and free from the misery I now feel oh my Creator make me happy let me feel gratitude towards you for one benefit let me see that I excite the sympathy of some existing thing do not deny me my request I was moved I shuddered when I thought of the possible consequences of my consent but I felt that there was some justice in his argument his tale and the feelings he now expressed proved him to be a creature of fine Sensations and did I not as

his maker owe him all the portion of happiness that it was in my power to bestow he saw my change of feeling and continued if you consent neither neither you nor any other human being shall ever see us again I will go to the vast Wilds of South America my food is not that of man I do not destroy the lamb and the kid to glut my appetite acorns and berries afford me sufficient nourishment my companion will be of the same nature As myself and will be content with the same Fair we shall make our

bed of dried leaves the sun will shine on us as on man and will ripen our food the picture I present to you is peaceful and human and you must feel that you could deny it only in the wantedness of power and cruelty pitiless as you have been towards me I now see compassion in your eyes let me seize the favorable moment and persuade you to promise what I so ardently Desire you propose replied I to fly from the habitation of man to dwell in those Wilds where the beasts of the field will be your

only companions how can you who long for the love and sympathy of man persevere in this Exile you will return and again seek their kindness and you will meet with their detestation your evil passions will be renewed and you will then have a companion to Aid you in the task of Destruction this may not be cease to Argue the point for I cannot consent how inconstant are your feelings but a moment ago you were moved by my representations and why do you again harden yourself to my complaints I swear to you by the Earth which

I inhabit and by you that made me that with the companion you bestow I will quit the neighborhood of man and dwell as it may chance in the most Savage of places my evil passions will have fled for I shall shall meet with sympathy my life will Flow quietly away and in my dying moments I shall not curse my maker his words had a strange effect upon me I compassionated him and sometimes felt a wish to console him but when I looked upon him when I saw the filthy mass that moved and talked my heart

sickened and my feelings were altered to those of horror and hatred I tried to stifle these Sensations I thought thought that as I could not sympathize with him I had no right to Withhold from him the small portion of Happiness which was yet in my power to bestow you swear I said to be harmless but have you not already shown a degree of malice that should reasonably make me distrust you may not even this be a faint that will increase your Triumph by affording a wider scope for your revenge how is this I must not

be trifled with and I demand an answer I have no ties and no affections hatred and vice must be my portion the love of Another will destroy the cause of my crimes and I shall become a thing of whose existence everyone will be ignorant my vices are the children of a forced Solitude that I upore and my virtues will necessarily arise when I live in communion with an equal I shall feel the affections of a sensitive being and become linked to the chain of existence and events from which I am now excluded I paused some

time to reflect on all he had related and the various Arguments which he had employed I thought of the promise of Virtues which he had displayed on the opening of his existence and the subsequent blight of all kindly Feeling by the loathing and Scorn which his protectors had manifested towards him his power and threats were not omitted in my calculations a creature who could exist in the ice caves of the glaciers and hide himself from Pursuit Among The Ridges of inaccessible precipices was a Being possessing faculties it would be vain to cope with after a

long pause of reflection I concluded that the Justice due both to him and my fellow creatures demanded of me that I should comply with his request turning to him therefore I said I consent to your Demand on your solemn oath to quit Europe forever and every other place in the neighborhood of man as soon as I shall deliver into your hands a female who will accompany you in Your Exile I swear he cried by the son and by the Blue Sky of heaven and by the fire of love that burns my heart that if you

gr Grant my prayer while they exist you shall never behold me again depart to your home and commence your labors I shall watch their progress with unutterable anxiety and fear not that when you are ready I shall appear saying this he suddenly quitted me fearful perhaps of any change in my Sentiments I saw him descend the mountain with greater speed than the flight of an eagle and quickly lost among the unol of the Sea of Ice his tail had occupied the whole day and the sun was upon the verge of the Horizon when he departed

I knew that I ought to hasten my descent towards the valley as I should soon be encompassed in darkness but my heart was heavy and my steps slow the labor of winding among the little Paths of the mountain and fixing my feet Firmly as I Advanced perplexed me occupied as I was by the emotions which the occurrences of the day had produced night was Far Advanced when I came to the halfway resting place and seated myself beside the fountain the Stars Shone at intervals as the clouds passed from over them the dark Pines Rose before

me and every here and there a broken tree lay on the ground it was a scene of wonderful solemnity and stirred strange thoughts within me I wept Bitterly and clasping my hands in agony I I exclaimed oh stars and clouds and winds ye are all about to mock me if ye really pity me Crush sensation and memory let me become as not but if not depart depart and leave me in darkness these were wild and miserable thoughts but I cannot describe to you how the Eternal twinkling of the Stars weighed upon me and how I

listen to every blast of wind as if it were a dull ugly sck on its way to consume me Morning dawned before I arrived at the Village of shamanix I took no rest but returned immediately to Geneva even in my own heart I could give no expression to my Sensations they weighed on me with a Mountain's weight and their excess destroyed my Agony beneath them thus I returned home and entering the house presented myself to the family my Haggard and wild appearance awoke intense alarm but I answered no question scarcely did I speak I felt

as if I were Placed under a ban as if I had no right to claim their sympathies as if never more might I enjoy companionship with them yet even thus I love them to adoration and to save them I resolve to dedicate myself to my most abhor task the pros ECT of such an occupation made every other circumstance of existence pass before me like a dream and that thought only had to me the reality of Life chapter 18 day after day week after week passed Away on my return to Geneva and I could not collect

the courage to recommence my work I feared the Vengeance of the disappoint Ed fiend yet I was unable to overcome my repugnance to the task which was enjoyed me I found that I could not compose a female without again devoting several months to profound study and laborious disquisition I had heard of some discoveries having been made by an English philosopher the knowledge of Which was material to my success and I sometimes thought of obtaining my father's consent to visit England for this purpose but I clung to every pretense of delay and shrank from taking the

first step in an undertaking whose immediate necessity began to appear less absolute to me a change indeed had taken place in me my health which had hitherto declined was now much restored and my spirits when unchecked by the memory of my unhappy promise Rose proportionably My father saw this change with pleasure and he turned turned his thoughts towards the best method of eradicating the remains of my Melancholy which every now and then would return by fits and with a devouring Blackness overcast the approaching Sunshine at these moments I took refuge in the most perfect Solitude

I passed whole days on the lake alone in a little boat watching the clouds and listening to the Rippling of the Waves silent and Listless but the fresh air and bright Sun seldom failed to restore me to some degree of composure and on my return I met the salutations of my friends with a reier smile and a more cheerful heart it was after my return from one of these rambles that my father calling me aside thus addressed me I am happy to remark my dear son that you have resumed your former pleasures and seemed to

be returning to yourself and yet you are still unhappy and still Avoid our society for some time I was lost in conjecture as to the cause of this but yesterday an idea struck me and if it is well founded I conjure you to avow it reserve on such a point would not be only useless but draw down treble misery on us all I trembled violently at his exordium and my father continued I confess my son that I have always looked forward to to your marriage with our dear Elizabeth as the tie of our domestic comfort

and the stay of my Declining years you were attached to each other from your earliest infancy you studied together and appeared in dispositions and tastes entirely suited to one another but so blind is the experience of man that what I conceive to be the best assistance to my plan may have entirely destroyed it you perhaps regard her as your sister without any wish that she might become your wife nay you may have met with another whom you may love and considering yourself as Bound in honor to Elizabeth this struggle May occasion the pagant misery which

you appear to feel my dear father reassure yourself I love my cousin tenderly and sincerely I never saw any woman who excited as Elizabeth does my warmest admiration and affection my future hopes and Prospects are entirely bound up in the expectation of our Union the expression of your sentiments On this subject my dear Victor gives me more pleasure than I have for some time experienced if you feel thus we shall assuredly be happy however present events May cast a Gloom over us but it is this Gloom which appears to have taken so strong a hold

of your mind that I wish to dissipate tell me therefore whether you object to an immediate solemnization of the marriage we have been unfortunate and recent events have drawn us from that Everyday Tranquility befitting my years and infirmities you are younger yet I do not suppose possessed as you are of a competent fortune that an early marriage would at all interfere with any future plans of honor and utility that you may have formed do not suppose however that I wish to dictate happiness to you or that a delay on your part would cause me any

serious uneasiness interpret my words with cander and answer me I conjure you with confidence and Sincerity I listen to my father in silence and remain for some time incapable of offering any reply I revolve rapidly in my mind a multitude of thoughts and Endeavor to arrive at some conclusion alas to me the idea of an immediate Union with my Elizabeth was one of horror and dismay I was bound by a solemn promise which I had not yet fulfilled and dared not break or if I did what manifold miseries might not impend over me and my

Devoted family could I enter into a festival with this deadly weight yet hanging around my neck and bowing me to the ground I must perform my engagement and let the mom monster depart with his mate before I allowed myself to enjoy the Delight of a union from which I expected peace I remembered also the necessity imposed upon me of either journeying to England or entering into a long correspondence with those philosophers Of that country whose knowledge and discoveries were of indispensable use to me in my present undertaking the latter method of obtaining the desired intelligence

was dilatory and unsatisfactory besides I had an insurmountable aversion to the idea of engaging myself in my loathsome task in my father's house while in habits of familiar intercourse with those I loved I knew that a thousand fearful accidents might occur the slightest of which would Disclose A Tale To Thrill all connected with me with horror I was aware also that I should often lose all self-command all capacity of hiding the harrowing Sensations that would possess me during the progress of my unearthly occupation I must absent myself from all I loved while thus employed once

commenced it would quickly be achieved and I might be restored to my family in peace and happiness my Promise fulfilled the monster would depart forever or so my fond fancy imaged some some accident might meanwhile occur to destroy him and put an end to my slavery forever these feelings dictated my answer to my father I expressed a wish to visit England but concealing the true reasons of this request I clothed my desires under a guise which excited no suspicion while I urged My Desire with an earnestness that easily induced my Father to comply after so

long a period of absorbing melan colly that resembled Madness in its intensity and its effects he was glad to find that I was capable of taking pleasure in the idea of such a journey and he hoped that change of scene and varied Amusement would before my return have restored me entirely to myself the duration of my absence was left to my own choice a few months or at most a year was the period contemplated one paternal kind perau caution he had Taken to ensure my having a companion without previously communicating with me he had in

concert with Elizabeth arranged that clal should join me at Strasburg this interfered with a Solitude I coveted for the prosecution of my task yet at the commencement of my journey the presence of my friend could in no way be an impediment and I truly rejoiced that thus I should be saved many hours of Lon only maddening reflection nay Henry might stand between Me and the intrusion of my foe if I were alone would he not at times Force his abhor presence on me to remind me of my task or to contemplate its progress to England

therefore I was bound and it was understood that my union with Elizabeth should take place immediately on my return my father's age rendered him extremely averse to delay for myself there was one reward I promised myself from my detested toils one consolation for my unparalleled Sufferings it was the prospect of that day when inran from my miserable slavery I might claim Elizabeth and forget the past in my union with her I now made arrangements for my journey but one feeling haunted me which filled me with fear and agitation during my absence I should leave my

friends unconscious of the existence of their enemy and unprotected from his attacks exasperated as he might be by my departure but he had promised to follow me wherever I Might go and would he not accompany me to England this imagination was Dreadful in itself but soothing in as much as it supposed the safety of my friends I was agonized with the idea of the possibility that the reverse of this might happen but through the whole period during which I was the slave of my creature I allowed myself to be governed by the impulses of the

moment and my present Sensations strongly intimated that the fiend would follow me And exempt my family from the danger of his minations it was in the latter end of September that I again quitted my native country my journey had been my own suggestion and Elizabeth therefore acessed but she was filled with disqui at the idea of my suffering away from her the in of misery and grief it had been her care which provided me a companion in Clerval and yet a man is blind to a thousand minute circumstances Which call forth a woman's sedulous attention

she longed to bid me hasten my return a thousand conflicting emotions rendered her mute as she bade me a tearful silent farewell I threw myself into the carriage that was to convey me away hardly knowing with I was going and careless of what was passing around I remembered only and it was with a bitter anguish that I reflected on it to order that my chemical instruments should be Packed to go with me filled with dreary imaginations I passed through many beautiful and Majestic scenes but my eyes were fixed and unobservant I could only think of

the born of my travels and the work which was to occupy me whilst they endured after some days spent in listless indolence during which I traversed many leagues I arrived at Strasburg where I waited two days for clal he came alas how great was the contrast between us he Was alive to every new scene joyful when he saw the beauties of the Setting Sun and more happy when he beheld it rise and recommence a new day he pointed out to me the shifting colors of the landscape and the appearances of the sky this is what

it is to live he cried how I enjoy existence but you my dear Frankenstein wherefore are you desponding and sorrowful in truth I was occupied by gloomy thoughts and neither saw The Descent of the evening star nor the golden Sunrise reflected in the Rind and you my friend would be far more amused with the Journal of Clerval who observed the scene with an eye of feeling and Delight than in listening to my Reflections I a miserable wretch haunted by a curse that shut up every Avenue to enjoyment we had agreed to descend the Rind in

a boat from Strasburg to Rotterdam whence we might take shipping for London during this Voyage we passed Many willowy islands and saw several beautiful towns we stayed a day at Manheim and and on the 5ifth from our departure from strawberg arrived at Manz the course of the Rind below Manz became much more picturesque the river descends rapidly and winds between Hills not high but Steep and of beautiful forms we saw many ruined castles standing on the edges of precipices surrounded by black woods high and inaccessible this part of the Rind Indeed presents a singularly variegated

lands gape in one spot you view rugged Hills ruined castles overlooking tremendous precipices with the dark rind rushing beneath and on the sudden turn of a premonitory flourishing Vineyards with green sloping Banks and a Meandering River and populous towns occupy the scene we traveled at the time of the Vintage and heard the song of the laborers as we glided down the stream Even I depressed in mind and my spirits continually agitated by gloomy feelings even I was pleased I lay at the bottom of the boat and as I gazed on the cloudless blue sky I

seemed to drink in a Tranquility to which I had long been a stranger and if these were my sensation who can describe those of Henry he felt as if he had been transported to Fairyland and enjoyed a happiness seldom tasted by man I have seen he said the most beautiful scenes of my own Country I have visited the lakes of lucern and Yuri where the snowy mountains descend almost perpendicularly to the water casting black and impenetrable Shades which would cause a gloomy and mournful appearance were it not for the most verdant islands that believe the

eye by their gay appearance I have seen this Lake agitated by a tempest when the wind tore up whirlwinds of water and gave you idea of what the water spout must be on the great ocean And the waves Dash with Fury the base of the mountain where the priest and his mistress were overwhelmed by an avalanche and where their dying voices are still said to be heard among the pauses of the nightly wind I have seen the mountains of laal and the pay devad but this country Victor pleases me more than all those wonders the

mountains of Switzer land are more Majestic and strange but there is a charm in the banks of this Divine river that I never Before saw equal look at that castle which overhangs y precipice and that also on the island almost concealed amongst the foilage of those lovely trees and now that group of laborers coming from among their Vines and that Village half hid in The Recess of the mountain oh surely the spirit that inhabits and guards guards this place has a soul more in harmony with man than those who pile the glacier or retire to

the inaccessible peaks of The mountains of our own country Clerval beloved friend even now it Delights me to record your words and to dwell on the praise of which you are so imminently deserving he was being formed in the very poetry of nature his wild and enthusiastic imagination was chastened by the sensibility of his heart his soul overflowed with Ardent affections and his friendship was of that devoted and Wondrous nature that the worldmeds to look for only in the imagination but even human sympathies were not sufficient to satisfy his eager mind the scenery of external

nature which others regard only with admiration he loved with ardor the sounding catara haunted him like passion the tall Rock the mountain and the deep and gloomy wood their colors and their forms were then to him an appetite a feeling and a love that Had no need of a remoter charm by thought supplied or any interest unborrowed from the eye wordsworth's tin turn Abbey and where does he now exist is this this gentle and lovely being lost forever has this mind so replete with ideas imaginations fanciful and magnificent which formed a world whose existence depended

on the life of its creator has this mind perished does it now only exist in my memory no it is not thus your form so divinely wrought and Beaming with Beauty has decayed but your spirit still visits and consoles your unhappy friend pardon this gush of Sorrow these ineffectual words are but a slight tribute to the unexampled worth of Henry but they Soothe My Heart overflowing with the anguish which his remembrance creates I will proceed with my tale Beyond cologne we descended to The Plains of Holland and we resolved to post the remainder of our

way for the Wind was contrary and the stream of the river was was too gentle to Aid us our journey here lost the interest arising from beautiful scenery but we arrived in a few days at reram whence we proceeded by sea to England it was on a clear morning in the latter days of December that I first saw the White Cliffs of Britain the banks of the tames presented a new scene they were flat but fertile and almost every town was marked by the remembrance of some story we saw Tilbury Fort and remembered the Spanish

Armada Gravesend Woolwich and grenwich places which I had heard of even in my country at length we saw the numerous Steeples of London St Paul's towering above all and the tower famed in English History chapter 19 London was our present point of rest we determined to remain several months in this wonderful and celebrated City Clerval desired the Intercourse of the Men of Genius and talent who flourished At this time but this was with me a secondary object I was principally occupied with the means of obtaining the information necessary for the completion of my promise and

quickly availed myself of the letters of introduction that I had brought with me addressed to the most most distinguished natural philosophers if this journey had taken place during my days of study and happiness it would have afforded me inexpressible pleasure but a blight had Come over my existence and I only visited these people for the sake of the information they might give me on the subject in which my interest was so terribly profound company was irksome to me when alone I could fill my mind with the sights of Heaven and Earth the the voice of

Henry soothed me and I could thus cheat myself into a transitory peace but busy uninteresting joyous faces brought back despair to my heart I saw an Insurmountable barrier placed between me and my fellow men this barrier was sealed with the blood of William and Justine and to reflect on the events connected with those names filled my soul with anguish but in clairval I saw the image of my former self he was inquisitive and anxious to gain experience and instruction the difference of manners which he observed was to him an inexhaustible source of instruction and Amusement

he was also pursuing an object he had long had in view his design was to visit India in the belief that he had in his knowledge of its various languages and in the views he had taken of its Society the means of materially assisting the progress of European colonization and trade in Britain only could he further the execution of his plan he was forever busy and the only check to his enjoyments was my sorrowful and dejected Mind I tried to conceal this as much as possible that I might not debar him from the pleasures natural

to one who was entering on a new scene of life undisturbed by any care or bitter recollection I often refus to accompany him alleging another engagement that I might remain alone I now also began to collect the materials necessary for my new creation and this was to me like the torture of single drops of water continually falling on the head every Thought that was devoted to it was in extreme anguish and every word that I spoke in to it caused my lips to quiver and my heart to palpitate after passing some months in London we

received a letter from a person in Scotland who had formerly been our visitor at Geneva he mentioned the beauties of his native country and asked us if those were not sufficient allurements to induce us to prolong our journey as far north as Perth where he Resided Clerval eagerly desired to accept accept this invitation and I although I abhor Society wish to view again mountains and streams and all the wondrous works with which nature adorns her chosen Dwelling Places we had arrived in England at the 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 Edenberg 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 labors 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 then we proceeded to Oxford as we entered this city our minds were filled with a 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 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 fauland 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 verder is spread forth into a Placid expanse

of waters which reflects its Majestic assem 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 Ani 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 endeavoring 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 Hampton 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 sites 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 neighborhood 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 Servo and shamanix 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 West Morland 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 Rind but he found that a traveler'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 then 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 Demon'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 of upon my head as

mortal as that of crime I visited Edinburg 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 Edinburg 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 Edinburg in a week passing through kpar St Andrews and along the banks of the Tay to Perth where our friend expected us but I was in no good mood to laugh and talk with strangers or enter into their feelings or plans with the Good Humor expected from a guest and accordingly I told clairval that I wish to make the tour of Scotland alone do you said I enjoy yourself and let this be our rondu I may be absent for a month or two but do not interfere with my emotions 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 part Ed 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 ores as the scene of my labors 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 Fair vegetables and bread when they indulged in such luxuries and even fresh water was to be procured from the Mainland which was about five 5 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 panri 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 B numbed by want and squalled poverty as it was I lived UNG gazed 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 labor but in the evening when the weather permits 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 everchanging 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 of a lively infant when compared to the roarings of the Great ocean in this manner I distributed my occupations when I first arrived but as

I proceeded in my labor 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 labor 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 meantime I I worked on and my labor 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 fore boings 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 leave my labor for the night or hasten its conclusion by an Unremitting attention to it as I sat a train of reflection occurred to me which led me to consider the effects of what I was now doing 3 years before I was engaged in the same manner and had created a fiend whose unparalleled barbac had desolated my heart and filled it forever with the bitterest remorse I was now about to form another being of whose dispositions I was alike ignorant she might become 10,000 times more malignant than her mate and Delight

for Its own sake in murder and wretchedness he had sworn to quit the neighborhood of man and hide himself in deserts but she had not and she who in all all probability was to become a thinking and reasoning animal might refuse to comply with a compact made before her creation they might even hate each other the creature who already lived loathed his own deformity and might he not conceive a greater abhorrence for it when it came before his eyes in the Female form she also might turn with disgust from him to the superior beauty of

man she might quit him and he be again alone exasperated by the fresh provocation of being deserted by one of his own species even if they were to leave Europe and inhabit the deserts of the new world yet one of the first results of those sympathies for which the demon thirsted would be children and a race of devils would be propagated upon the Earth who might make the very existence of the species of man a condition precarious and full of Terror had I right for my own benefit to inflict this curse upon Everlasting Generations I

had before been moved by the sophisms of the being I had created I had been struck senseless by his fish threats but now for the first time the wickedness of my promise burst upon me I shudder to think that future ages might curse me as their pest whose selfishness Had not hesitated to buy its own piece at the price perhaps of the existence of the whole human race I trembled and my heart failed within me when on looking up I saw By the Light of the Moon the demon at the casement a ghastly grin wrinkled

his lips as he gazed on me where I sat fulfilling the task which he had allotted to me yes he had followed me in my travels he had loitered in forests hid himself themselves in caves or taken Refuge in wide and desert Heats and he now came to mark my progress and claim the Fulfillment of my promise as I looked on him his countenance expressed the utmost extent of malice and treachery I thought with a sensation of Madness on my promise of creating another like to him and trembling with passion to to Pieces the thing

on which I was engaged the wretch saw me destroy the creature on Whose future existence he depended for Happiness and with a howl of devilish Despair and revenge withdrew I left the room and locking the door made a solemn vow in my own heart never to resume my labors and then with trembling steps I sought my own apartment I was alone none were near me to dissipate the Gloom and relieve me from the sickening oppression of the most terrible Ries several hours passed and I remained near my window gazing on the sea it was Almost

motionless for the winds were hushed and all nature reposed under the eye of the quiet Moon a few fishing vessels alone specked the water and now and then the gentle breeze wafed the sound of voices as the fishermen called to one another I felt the silence although I was hardly conscious of his extreme profundity until my ear was suddenly arrested by the paddling of ores near the shore and a person landed close to My house in a few minutes after I heard the creaking of my door as if someone endeavored to open it softly I

trembled from head to foot I felt a presentiment of who it was and wish to Rouse one of the peasants who dwelt in a c not far from mine but I was overcome by the sensation of helplessness so often felt in frightful dreams when you in vain endeavored to fly from an impending danger and was rooted to the spot presently I heard the sound of Footsteps along the passage the door opened and the wretch whom I dreaded appeared shutting the door he approached me and said in a smothered voice you have destroyed the work which

you began what is it that you intend do you dare to break your promise I have endured toil and misery I left Switzerland with you I crept along the shores of the Rind among its Willow islands and over the Summits of its Hills I have dwelt many months in the Heaths of England and among the deserts of Scotland I have endured incalculable fatigue and cold and hunger do you dare destroy my hopes be gone I do break my promise never will I create another like yourself equal in deformity and wickedness slave I before reasoned with

you but you have proved yourself Unworthy of my condescension remember that I have power you believe yourself miserable but I can Make you so wretched that the light of day will be hateful to you you are my Creator but I am your master obey the hour of my irresolution is passed and the period of your power is arrived your threats cannot move me to do an act of wickedness but they confirm me in a determination of not creating you a companion in Vice shall I In Cold Blood set loose upon the earth a demon whose

Delight is in death and wretchedness be Gone I am firm and your words will only exacerbate my rage the monster saw my determination in my face and nashed his teeth in the impotence of anger shall each man cried he find a wife for his bosom and each Beast have his mate and I be alone I had feelings of affection and they were requited by detestation and Scorn man you you may hate but beware your hours will pass in dread and misery and soon the bolt will fall which must Ravish from you your happiness forever are

you to be happy while I gravel in the intensity of my wretchedness you can blast my other passions but Revenge remains Revenge henceforth dearer than light or food I may die but first you my Tyrant and tormentor shall curse the Sun that gazes on your misery beware for I am fearless and therefore powerful I will watch with the wiess of a snake that I may sting with its venom man you shall repent of the Injuries you inflict devil cease and do not poison the air with these sounds of malice I have declared my resolution to

you and I am no no coward to bend beneath words leave me I am inexorable It is Well I go but remember I shall be with you on your wedding night I started forward and exclaimed villain before you sign my death warrant be sure that you are yourself safe I would have seized him but he Eluded me and quitted the house with precipitation in a few moments I saw him in his boat which shot across the waters with an arrowy swiftness and was soon lost amidst the waves all was again silent but his words rang

in my ears I burned with rage to pursue the murderer of my peace and precipitate him into the ocean I walked up and down my room hastily and perturbed while my imagination conjured up a thousand images to torment and Sting me why had I not followed him and closed with him in Mortal Strife but I had suffered him to depart and he had directed his course towards the mainland I shuddered to think who might be the next victim sacrificed to his insatiate revenge and then I thought again of his words I will be with you

on your wedding night that then was the period fixed for the Fulfillment of my destiny in that hour I should die and at once Satisfy and extinguish his malice the prospect did not move me to fear yet when I thought of my beloved Elizabeth of her tears and endless sorrow when she should find her lover so barbarously snatched from her tears the first I had shed for many months streamed from my eyes and I resolved not to fall before my enemy without a bitter struggle the night passed away and the sun rose from the ocean

my feelings became calmer if it may be called calmness when the Violence of Rage sinks into the depths of Despair I left the house the horid scene of the last night's contention and walked on the beach of the sea which I almost regarded as an insuperable barrier between me and my fellow creatures nay I wish that such should prove the fact stole across me I desired that I might pass my life on that Barren rock weily it is true but uninterrupted by any sudden shock of misery if I returned it was to be sacrificed or

to See those whom I most loved die under the grasp of a demon whom I had myself created I walked about the aisle like a Restless Spectre separated from all it loved and miserable in the separation when it became noon and the sun rose higher I lay down on the grass and was overpowered by a deep sleep I had been awake the whole of the preceding night my nerves were agitated and my eyes inflamed by watching and misery the Sleep into which I now sank Refreshed me and when I awoke I again felt as if

I belonged to a race of human beings like my myself and I began to reflect upon what had passed with greater composure yet still the words of the fiend rang in my ears like a death nail they appeared like a dream yet distinct and oppressive as a reality the sun had far descended and I still sat on the shore satisfying my appetite which had become ravenous with An oat and Cake when I saw a fishing boat Land close to me and one of the men brought me a packet it contained letters from Geneva and one

from Clerval entreating me to join him he said that he was wearing away his time fruitlessly where he was that letters from the friends he had formed in London desired his return to complete the negotiation they had entered into for his Indian Enterprise he could not any longer delay his departure but as his journey to London might be followed even even sooner than he now conjectured by his longer Voyage he entreated me to bestow as much of my Society on him as I could spare he besought me therefore to leave my solitary aisle and to

meet him at Perth that we might proceed southwards together this letter in a degree recalled me to life and I determined to quit my Island at the expiration of two days yet before I Departed there was a task to perform on which I shuddered to Reflect I must pack up my chemical instruments and for that purpose I must enter the room which had been the scene of my odious work and I must handle those utensils the sight of which was sickening to me the next morning at Daybreak I summoned sufficient courage and unlock the door

of my laboratory the remains of the half-finished creature whom I had destroyed lay scattered on the floor and I almost felt as if I had mangled the living Flesh of a human being I paused to collect myself and then entered the chamber with trembling hand I conveyed the instruments out of the room but I reflected that I ought not to leave the relics of my work to excite the horror and suspicion of the peasants and I accordingly put them into a basket with a great quantity of stones and laying them up determined to throw them

into the sea that very night and in the meantime I sat upon the beach employed In cleansing and arranging my chemical apparatus nothing could be more complete than the alteration that had taken place in my feelings since the night of the appearance of the demon I had before regarded my promise with a gloomy despair as a thing that with whatever consequences must be fulfilled but I now felt felt as if a film had been taken from before my eyes and that I for the first time saw clearly the idea of renewing my labors did not

for one Instant occur to me the threat I had heard weighed on my thoughts but I did not reflect that a voluntary Act of mind could avert it I had resolved in my own mind that to create another like the Fiend I had first made would be an act of the basest and most atrocious selfishness and I banished from my mind every thought that could lead to a different conclusion between 2: and 3: in the morning the moon Rose and I then putting My basket aboard a little skiff sailed out about four miles from the

shore the scene was perfectly solitary a few Boats were returning towards land but I sailed away from them I felt as if I was about the commission of a dreadful crime and avoided with shuttering anxx xiety any encounter with my fellow creatures at one time the moon which had before been clear was Suddenly overspread by a thick cloud and I took advantage of the moment of darkness and Cast my basket into the sea I listened to the gurgling sound as it sank and then sailed away from the spot the sky became clouded but the air

was pure although chilled by the Northeast Breeze That Was Then Rising but it refreshed red me and filled me with such agreeable Sensations that I resolved to prolong my stay on the water and fixing the rudder in a direct position stretched myself at the bottom of the boat clouds hid the moon everything was obscure and I heard Only the sound of the boat as its Keel cut through the waves the murmur lulled me and in a short time I slept soundly I do not know how long I remained in this situation but when I awoke

I found that the sun had already mounted considerably the wind was high and the waves continually threatened the safety of my little skiff I found that the wind was Northeast and must have driven me far from the coast from which I had embarked I endeavored to change my Course but quickly found that if I again made the attempt the boat would be instantly filled with water thus situated my only resource was to drive before the wind I confess that I felt a few sensations of Terror I had no compass with me and was so slenderly

acquainted with the geography of this part of the world that the sun was of little benefit to me I might be driven into the wide Atlantic and feel all the tortures of starvation Or be swallowed up in the immeasurable Waters that roared and buffeted around me I had already been out many hours and felt the torment of a burning thirst a prel to my other sufferings I looked on the heavens which were covered by clouds that flew before the wind only to be replaced by others I looked upon the sea it was to be my

grave Fiend I exclaimed your task is already fulfilled I thought of Elizabeth of my father and of Clerval all left behind on Whom the monster might satisfy his sanguinary and merciless p passions this idea plunged me into a Ry so despairing and frightful that even now when the scene is on the point of closing before me forever I shudder to reflect on it some hours passed thus but by degrees as the sun declined towards the horizon the wind died away into a gentle breeze and the Sea became free from Breakers but these gave place to

a heavy swell I felt sick and hardly able to to hold the Rudder when suddenly I saw a line of high land towards the South almost spent as I was by fatigue and the Dreadful suspense I had endured for several hours this sudden certainty of Life rushed like a flood of warm joy to my heart and tears gushed from my eyes how mutable are our feelings and how strange is that clinging love we have of life even in the excess of misery I constructed another sail with a part of my dress and eagerly steered my

Course towards the land it had a wild and Rocky appearance but as I approached nearer I easily perceived the traces of cultivation I saw vessels near the shore and found myself suddenly transported back to the neighborhood of civilized man I carefully traced the windings of this land and hailed a steeple which I at length saw issuing from behind a small premonitory as I was in a state of extreme debility I resolved to sail Directly towards the town as a place where I could most easily procure nourishment fortunately I had money with me as I turned

the premonitory I perceived a small neat town and a good Harbor which I entered my heart bounding with joy at my unexpected Escape as as I was occupied in fixing the boat and arranging the sails several people crowded towards the spot they seemed much surprised at my appearance but instead of offering me any Assistance whispered together with gestures that at any other time might have produced in me a slight sensation of alarm as it was I merely remarked that they spoke English and I therefore addressed them in that language my good friends said I will

will you be so kind as to tell me the name of this town and inform me where I am you will know that soon enough replied a man with aoar voice maybe you are come to a place that will not prove Much to your taste but you will not be consulted as to your quarters I promise you I was exceedingly surprised on receiving so rude an answer from a stranger and I was also disconcerted on perceiving the frowning and angry countenance of his companions why do you answer me so roughly I replied surely it is

not the custom of English men to receive strangers so Inhospitably I do not know said the man what the custom of the English may be but it is in the custom of the Irish to hate villains while this strange dialogue continued I perceived the crowd rapidly increase their faces expressed a mixture of of curiosity and anger which annoyed and in some degree alarmed me I inquired the way to the in but no one replied I then moved forward and a murmuring sound arose from the crowd as they followed And surrounded me when an ill-looking man

approaching tapped me on the shoulder and said come sir you must follow me to Mr kerwin's to give an account of yourself who is Mr Kerwin why am I to give an account of myself is not this a free country I sir free enough for honest folks Mr Kerwin is a magistrate and you are to give an account of the death of a gentleman who was found murdered here Last night this answer startled me but I presently recovered myself I was innocent that could easily be proved accordingly I followed my conductor in silence and was

led to one of the best houses in the town I was ready to sink from fatigue and hunger but being surrounded by a crowd I thought it politic to Rouse all my strength that no physical debility might have been construed into apprehension or conscious Guilt little did I then expect the Calamity that was in a few moments to overwhelm me and extinguish in horror and despair all fear of igny or death I must pause here for it requires all my fortitude to recall the memory of the frightful events which I am about to relate in

proper detail to my recollection chapter 21 I was soon introduced into the presence of the magistrate an old benevolent man with Calm and Mild manners he looked upon me however with some degree of severity and then turning towards my conductors he asked who appeared as Witnesses on this occasion about half a dozen men came forward and one being selected by the magistrate he deposed that he had been out fishing the night before with his son and brother-in-law Daniel nent when about 10:00 they observed a strong Northerly blast rising and they Accordingly put in report it

was a very dark night as the moon had not yet risen they did not land at the harbor but as they had been accustomed at a creek about 2 miles below He Walked on first carrying a part of the fishing tackle and his companions followed him at some distance as he was proceeding along the Sands he struck his foot against something and fell at his length on the ground his companions came up to assist him And by the light of their Lantern they found that he had fallen on the body of a man who was

to all appearance dead their first supposition was that it was the corpse of some person who had been drowned and was thrown on Shore by the waves but on examination they found that the clothes were not wet and even that the body was not then cold they instantly carried it to the cottage of an old woman near the spot and endeavored but in vain to rest restore It to life it appeared to be a handsome young man about 5 and 20 years of age he had apparently been strangled for there was no sign of any

violence except the black mark of fingers on his neck the first part of this deposition did not in the least interest me but when the mark of the fingers was mentioned I remembered the murder of my brother and felt myself extremely agitated my limbs trembled and a Mist came over my eyes which obliged me to lean on a chair for Support the magistrate observed me with a Keen Eye and of course Drew an unfavorable augury from my manner the son confirmed his father's account but when Daniel nent was called he swore positively that just before

the fall of His companion he saw a boat with a single man in it at a short distance from the shore and as far as he could judge by the light of a few Stars it was the same boat in which I had just landed a woman deposed that she lived near the Beach and was standing at the door of her Cottage waiting for the return of the fisherman about an hour before she heard of the discovery of the body when she saw a boat with only one man in it push off from that part

of the shore where the corpse was afterwards found another woman confirmed the account of the fisherman having brought the body into to her house it was not cold they put it into a bed and rubbed it and Daniel went to the town for an Apothecary but life was quite gone several other men were examined concerning my landing and they agreed that with the strong North Wind that had Arisen during the night it was very probable that I had beaten about for many hours and had been obliged to return nearly to the same spot from which

I had departed but besides they observed that it appeared that I had brought the body from another place and it was likely that as I did not appear To know the shore I might have put it into the harbor ignorant of the distance of the town from the place where I had deposited the corpse Mr Kerwin on hearing this evidence desired that I should be taken into the room where the body lay for interment that it might be observed what effect the sight of it would produce upon me this this idea was probably suggested by

the extreme agitation I had exhibited when the mode of the murder Had been described I was accordingly conducted by the magistrate and several other persons to the in I could not help being struck by the strange coincidences that had taken place during this eventful night but knowing that I had been conversing with several persons in the island I had inhabited about the time that the body had been found I was perfectly tranquil as to the consequences of the affair I entered the room where the corpse lay and was led up To the coffin how can

I describe my Sensations on beholding it I feel yet parched with horror nor can I reflect on that terrible moment without shuttering and Agony the examination the presence of the magistrate and the witnesses passed like a dream from memory when I saw the lifeless form of Henry Clerval stretched before me I gasped for breath and throwing myself on the body I exclaimed have my murderous minations deprived you also my Dearest Henry of life to I have already destroyed other victims await their Destiny but you Clerval my friend my benefactor the human frame could no longer

support the agonies that that I endured and I was carried out of the room in strong convulsions a fever succeeded to this I lay for two months on the point of death my ravings as I afterwards heard were frightful I called myself the murderer of William of Justine and of Clerval sometimes I intreated my attendants to assist me in the destruction of the fiend by whom I was tormented and at others I felt the fingers of the monster already grasping my neck and screamed aloud with Agony and Terror fortunately as I spoke my native language

Mr Kerwin alone understood me but my gestures and bitter cries were sufficient to aright the other Witnesses why did I not die more Miserable than man ever was before why did I not sink into forgetfulness and rest death snatches away many blooming children the only hopes of their doting parents how many brides and Youthful lovers have been one day in the bloom of health and hope and the next a pray for worms and the decay of the tomb of what materials was I made that I could thus resist so many shocks which like the Turning

of the wheel continually renewed The Torture but I was doomed to live and in 2 months found myself as Awakening from a dream in a prison stretched on a wretched bed surrounded by jailers turnkeys bolts and all the miserable apparatus of a dungeon it was morning I remember when I thus awoke to understanding I had forgotten the particulars of what had happened and only felt as if some great Misfortune had suddenly overwhelmed me but when I looked around and saw the barred windows And the squalidness of the room in which I was all flashed across

my memory and I groaned bitterly this sound Disturbed an old woman who was sleeping in a chair beside me she was a hired nurse the wife of one of the turnkeys and her countenance expressed all those bad qualities which often characterize that class the lines of her face were hard and rude like that of persons accustomed to see without sympathizing in sights of misery her Tone expressed her entire indifference she addressed me in English and the voice struck me as one that I had heard during my sufferings are you better now sir said she I

replied in the same language with a feeble voice I believe I am but if it be all true if indeed I did not dream I am sorry that I am still alive to feel this misery and in horror for that matter replied the old woman if you mean about the gentleman you murdered I believe that it were better For you if you were dead for I fancy it will go hard with you however that's none of my business I am sent to nurse you and get you well I do my duty with a safe conscience

it were well if everybody did the same I turned with loathing from the woman who could utter so unfeeling a speech to a person just saved on the very edge of death but I felt languid and unable to reflect on all that had passed the whole series of my life Appeared to me as a dream I sometimes doubted if indeed it were all true for it never presented itself to my mind with the force of reality as the images that floated before me became more distinct I grew feverish a Darkness pressed around me no one

was near me who soothed me with the gentle voice of love no dear hand supported me the physician came and prescribed medicines and the old woman prepared them for me but utter Carelessness was visible in the first and the expression of brutality was strongly marked in the Visage of the second who could be interested in the fate of a murderer but the hangman who would gain his fee these were my first Reflections but I soon learned that Mr Kerwin had shown me extreme kindness he had caused the best room in the prison to be prepared

for me wretched indeed was the best and it was he who had provided a physician and a nurse it is True he seldom came to see me for although he ardently desired to relieve the sufferings of every human creature he did not wish to be present at the agonies and miserable ravings of a murderer he came therefore sometimes to see that I was not neglected but his visits were short and with long intervals one day while I was gradually recovering I was seated in a chair my eyes half open and my cheeks livid like those

in death I was overcome by Gloom And misery and often reflected I had better seek death than desire to remain in a world which to me was replete with wretchedness at one time I considered whether I should not declare myself guilty and suffer the penalty of the law less innocent than poor Justine had been such were my thoughts when the door of my apartment was opened and Mr Kerwin entered his countenance expressed sympathy and compassion he drew a chair close to mine And addressed me in French I fear that this place is very shocking to

you can I do anything to make you more comfortable I thank you but all that you mention is nothing to me on the whole earth there is no Comfort which I am capable of receiving I know that the sympathy of a stranger can be but of little relief to one borne down as you are by so strange a misfortune but you will I hope soon quit this Melancholy Abode for doubt L Evidence can easily be brought to free you from the criminal charge that is my least concern I am by a course of strange events

become the most miserable of Mortals persecuted and tortured as I am and have been can death be any evil to me nothing indeed could be more unfortunate and agonizing than the strange chances that have lately occurred you were thrown by some surprising accident on on this Shore Renowned for its Hospitality seized immediately and charged with murder the first sight that was presented to your eyes was the body of your friend murdered in so unaccountable a manner and placed as it were by some fiend across your path as Mr Kerwin said this not withstanding the agitation

I endured on this retrospect of my sufferings I also felt considerable surprise at at the knowledge he seemed to possess concerning me I suppose some Astonishment was exhibited in my countenance for Mr Kerwin hastened to say immediately upon your being taken ill all the papers that were on your person were brought me and I examined them that I might discover some Trace by which I could send to your relations on account of your Misfortune and illness I found several letters and among others one which I discovered from its commencement to be from your father I

instantly wrote to Geneva nearly two Months have elapsed since the departure of my letter but you are ill even now you tremble you are unfit for agitation of any kind this suspense is a thousand times worse than the most horrible event tell me what new scene of death has been active and whose murder I am now to lament your family is perfectly well said Mr Kerwin with gentleness and someone a friend is come to visit you I know not by what Chain of Thought the idea presented itself but it instantly Darted into my mind that

the murderer had come to mock at my misery and taught me with the death of Clerval as a new incitement for me to comply with his hellish desires I put my hand before my eyes and cried out in agony oh take him away I can cannot see him for God's sake do not let him enter Mr Kerwin regarded me with a troubled countenance he could not help regarding my exclamation as a presumption of my guilt and said in rather a severe tone I should have Thought young man that the presence of your father would have

been welcome instead of inspiring such violent repugnance my father cried I while every feature and every muscle was relaxed from anguish to pleasure is my father indeed come how kind how very kind but where is he why does he not hasten to me my change of manner surprised and pleased the magistrate perhaps he thought that my former exclamation was a momentary return of delirium and now he Instantly resumed his former benevolence he rose and quitted the room with my nurse and in a moment my father entered it nothing at this moment could have given me

greater pleasure than the arrival of my father I stretched out my hand to him and cried are you then safe and Elizabeth and Earnest my father calmed me with assurances of their welfare and endeavored by dwelling on these subjects So interesting to my heart to raise my desponding spirits but he soon felt that a prison cannot be the Abode of cheerfulness what a place is this that you inhabit my son said he looking mournfully at the barred windows and wretched appearance of the room you traveled to seek happiness but a fatality seems to pursue you

and poor Clerval the name of my unfortunate and murdered friend was an agitation too Great to be endured in my weak State I shed tears alas yes my father replied I some Destiny of the most horrible kind hangs over me and I must live to fulfill it or surely I should have died on the coffin of Henry we were not allowed to Converse for any length of time for the precarious state of my health rendered every precaution necessary that could ensure Tranquility Mr Kerwin came in and insisted that my strength should not be Exhausted by

too much exertion but the appearance of my father was to me like that of my good Angel and I gradually recovered my health as my sickness quitted me I was absorbed by a gloomy and black Melancholy that nothing could dissipate the image of Clerval was forever before me ghastly and murdered more than once the agitation into which these Reflections threw me made my friends dread a dangerous relapse alas why did they preserve so Miserable and detested a life it was surely that I might fulfill my destiny which is now drawing to a close soon oh

very soon will death extinguish these throbbings and relieve me from the mighty weight of Anguish that bears me to the dust and in executing the award of Justice I shall also sink to rest then the appearance of death was distant although the wish was ever present to my thoughts and they often sat for hours motionless and speechless wishing for Some mighty Revolution that might bury me and my destroyer in its ruins the season of the assises approached I had already been 3 months in prison and although I was still weak and in continual danger of

a relapse I was obliged to travel nearly a 100 miles to the country town where the court was held Mr Kerwin charged him himself with every care of collecting Witnesses and arranging my defense I was Spar the disgrace of appearing publicly as a Criminal as the case was not brought before the court that decides on life and death the grand jury rejected the bill on its being proved that I was on the orne islands at the hour the body of my friend was found and a fortnight after my removal I was liberated from prison my

father was enraptured on finding me freed from the vexations of a criminal charge that I was again allowed to breathe the fresh atmosphere and Permitted to return to my native country I did not participate in these feelings for to me the walls of a dungeon or a palace were alike hateful the cup of life was poisoned forever and although the sun Shone upon me as upon the happy and gay of heart heart I saw around me nothing but a dense and frightful Darkness penetrated by no light but the glimmer of two eyes that glared upon

me sometimes they were the expressive eyes of Henry languishing in death the dark Orbs nearly covered by the lids and the long black lashes that fringed them sometimes it was the watery clouded eyes of the monster as I first saw them in my chamber at inlock my father tried to awaken in me the feelings of affection he talked of Geneva which I should soon visit of Elizabeth and Ernest but these words only Drew deep groans from me sometimes indeed I felt a wish for happiness and thought with Melancholy Delight of my Beloved cousin or longed

with a devouring Mady to pay to see once more the Blue Lake and Rapid ran that had been so dear to me in childhood but my general state of feeling was a toror in which a prison was as welcome a residence as the divinest scene in nature and these fits were seldom interrupted by paroxysms of Anguish and despair at these moments I often endeavored to put an end to the existence I loathed and it required Unceasing attendance and vigilance to restrain me from committing some Dreadful act of violence yet one duty remained to me the

recollection of which finally triumphed over my selfish despair it was necessary that I should return without delay to Geneva there to watch over the lives of those I so Finly loved and to lie in wait for the murderer that if any chance led me to the place of his concealment or if he dared again to Blast Me by his presence I might with unfail ing aim put an end to the existence of the Monstrous image which I had endued with the mockery of a soul still more monstrous my father still desired to delay our departure

fearful that I could not sustain the fatigues of a journey for I was a shattered wreck the shadow of a human being my strength was gone I was a mere skeleton and Fever Night and Day prayed upon my wasted frame Still as I urged our leaving Ireland with such inquietude and impatience my father thought it best to yield we took our passage on board a vessel Bound for havr and sailed with a fair wind from the Irish Shores it was midnight I lay on the deck looking at the stars and listening to The Dashing of

the Waves I hail the darkness that shut Ireland from my sight and my pulse beat with a fever Joy when I reflected that I should soon see Geneva the past appeared to me in the light of a frightful dream yet the vessel in which I was the wind that blew me from the detested shore of Ireland and the Sea which surrounded me told me too forcibly that I was deceived by no vision and that Clerval my friend and dearest companion had fallen a victim to me and the monster of my creation I repasted in my

memory my whole life my quiet happiness while residing with my Family in Geneva the death of my mother and my departure for Engel I remembered shuttering the Mad enthusiasm that hurried me on to the creation of my hideous enemy and I called to mind the night in which he first lived I was unable to pursue the train of thought a thousand feelings pressed upon me and I wept bitterly ly ever since my recovery from the fever I had been in the custom of taking every night a small quantity of lenum for it was by means

of this Drug only that I was enable to gain the rest necessary for the preservation of Life oppressed by the recollection of my various misfortunes I now swallowed double my usual quantity and soon slept profoundly but sleep did not afford me respite from thought and misery my dreams presented a thousand objects that scared me towards morning I was possessed by a kind of nightmare I felt the fiend's grasp in my neck and could not free myself from it groans and cries Rang in my ears my father who was watching over me perceiving my restlessness awoke

me The Dashing waves were around the Cloudy sky above the fiend was not here a sense of security a feeling that a truce was established between the present hour and the irresistible disastrous future imparted to me a kind of calm forgetfulness of which the human mind is by its structure peculiarly susceptible chapter 22 The Voyage came to an end we landed and proceeded to Paris I soon found that I had overtaxed my strength and that I must Repose before I could continue my journey my father's care and attentions were indefatigable but he did not know

the origin of my sufferings and sought erroneous methods to remedy the incurable ill he wished me to seek Amusement in society I uphor the face of man oh not uphor they were my brethren My fellow beings and I felt attracted even to the most repulsive among them as to the creatures of an Angelic nature and Celestial mechanism but I felt that I had no right to share their intercourse I had Unchained an enemy among them whose Joy it was to shed their blood and to Revel in their groans how they would each and all uphor

me and Hunt me from the world did they know my unhallowed Axe and the crimes which had their Source in me my father yielded at Length to my desire to avoid society and strove by various arguments to banish my despair sometimes he thought that I felt deeply the degradation of being obliged to answer for a charge of murder and he endeavored to prove to me the futility of Pride Al my father said I how little do you know me human beings their feeling and passions would indeed be degraded if such a wretch as I felt

Pride Justine poor unhappy Justine was as innocent as I and she suffered the Same charge she died for it and I am the cause of this I murdered her William Justine and Henry they all died by my hands my father had often during my imprisonment heard me make the same assertion when I thus accused myself he sometimes seemed to desire an explanation and at others he appeared to consider it as The Offspring of delirium and that during my illness some idea of this kind had presented itself to my imagination the remembrance of which I Preserved

in my convalescence I avoided explanation and maintained a continual silence concerning the wretch I had created I had a persuasion that I should be supposed mad and this in itself would forever have chained my tongue but besides I could not bring myself to disclose a secret which would fill my hearer with consternation and make fear and unnatural horror the inmates of his breast I checked therefore my impatient Thirst for sympathy and was silent when I would have given the world to have confided the Fatal Secret yet still words like those I have recorded would burst

uncontrollably from me I could offer no explanation of them but their truth in part relieved the burden of my mysterious woe upon this occasion my father said with an expression of unbounded Wonder my dearest Victor what infatuation is this my dear son I entreat you never to make Such an assertion again I I am not mad I cried energetically the Son and the heavens who have viewed my operations can bear witness of my truth I am the Assassin of those most innocent victims they died by my minations a thousand times would I have shed my

own blood drop by drop to have saved their lives but I could not my father indeed I could not sacrifice the whole human race the conclusion of this speech Convinced my father that my ideas were deranged and he instantly changed the subject of our conversation and endeavored to alter the course of my thoughts he wished as much as possible to obliterate the memory of the scenes that had taken place in Ireland and never alluded to them or suffered me to speak of my misfortunes As Time passed away I became more calm misery had her dwelling

in my heart but I no longer talked in the the Same incoherent manner of my own crimes sufficient for me was the consciousness of them by the utmost self-violence I curbed the imperious voice of wretchedness which sometimes desired to declare itself to the whole world and my manners were calmer and more composed than they had ever been since my journey to the Sea of Ice a few days before we left Paris on our way to Switzerland I received the following letter from Elizabeth my dear friend it gave me the greatest pleasure to receive a letter

from my uncle dated at Paris you are no longer at a formidable distance and I may hope to see you in less than a fortnite my poor cousin how much you must have suffered I expect to see you looking even more ill than when you quitted Geneva this winter has been passed most miserably tortured as I have been by anxious suspense yet I hope to see peace in your Countenance and to find that your heart is not totally void of comfort and Tranquility yet I fear that the same feelings now exist that made you so

miserable a year ago even perhaps augmented by time I would not disturb you at this period when so many misfortunes weigh upon you but a conversation that I had with my uncle previous to his departure renders some explanation necessary before we meet explanation you may possibly say what Can Elizabeth have to explain if you really say this my questions are answered and all my doubts satisfied but you are distant from me and it is possible that you may dread and yet be pleased with this explanation and in a probability of this being the case I

dare not any longer postpone writing what during your absence I have often wished to express to you but have never had the courage to begin you well know Victor that our Union had been the favorite plan of your parents ever since our infancy we were told this when young and taught to look forward to it as an event that would certainly take place we were affectionate playfellow during childhood and I believe dear and valued friends to one another as We Grew Older but as brother and sister often entertain a lively affection towards each other without

Desiring a more intimate Union may not such also be our case tell me Dearest Victor answer me I conjure You by our mutual happiness with simple truth do you not love another you have traveled you have spent several years of your life at Engel and I confess to you my friend that when I saw you last Autumn so unhappy flying to Solitude from the Society of every creature I could not help supposing that you might regret our connection and believe yourself Bound in honor to fulfill the wishes of your parents Although they oppose themselves to

your inclinations but this is false reasoning I confess to you my friend that I love you and that in my Airy dreams of Futurity you have been my constant friend and companion but it is your happiness I desire as well as my own when I declare to you that our marriage would render me eternally miserable unless it were the dictate of your own free choice even now I weep to think that born down as you are by the Cruelest misfortunes you may stifle by the word honor all hope of that love and happiness which would

alone restore you to yourself I who have so disinterested in affection for you may increase your miseries tfold by being an obstacle to your wishes ah Victor be assured that your cousin and Playmate has too sincere a love for you not to be made miserable by this supposition be happy my friend and if You obey me in this one request remain satisfied that nothing on Earth will have the power to interrupt my Tranquility do do not let this letter disturb you do not answer tomorrow or the next day or even until you come if it

will give you pain my uncle will send me news of your health and if I see but one smile on your lips when we meet occasioned by this or any other exertion of mine I shall need no other happiness Elizabeth Lavenza Geneva May 18th this letter revived in my memory what I had before forgot go en the threat of the Fiend I will be with you on your wedding night such was my sentence and on that night would the demon employ every art to destroy me and tear me from the glimpse of Happiness which promised

partly to console my sufferings on that night he had determined to consummate his Crimes by my death well be it so a Deadly struggle would then assuredly take place in which if he were victorious I should be at peace and his power over me be at an end if he were vanquished I should be a free man alas what Freedom such as the peasant enjoys when his family has been massacred before his eyes his Cottage burnt his lands laid waste and he is turned to drift homeless penniless and alone but free such would be my

libert Liberty except that in my Elizabeth I possessed A treasure alas balanced by those horrors of remorse and guilt which would pursue me until death sweet and beloved Elizabeth I read and reread her letter and some softened feelings stole into my heart and dared to whisper paradisical dreams of love and joy but the Apple was already eaten and the Angel's arm Bared to drive me from all hope yet I would die to make her happy if the monster executed his threat death was inevitable yet again I considered Whether my marriage would hasten my fate my

destruction might indeed arrive a few months sooner but if my torturer should suspect that I postponed it influenced by his menaces he would surely find other and perhaps more Dreadful means of Revenge he had vowed to be with me on my way wedding night yet he did not consider that threat as binding him to peace in the meantime for as if to show me that he was not yet satiated with blood he had murdered Clerval Immediately after the anunciation of his threats I resolved therefore that if my immediate Union with my cousin would conduce either

to hers or my father's happiness my adversary's designs against my life should not it a single hour in this state of mind I wrote to Elizabeth my letter was calm and affectionate I fear my beloved girl I said little happiness remains for us on Earth yet all that I may one day enjoy is centered in you chase away your idle Fears to you alone do I consecrate my life and my Endeavors for contentment I have one secret Elizabeth a dreadful one when revealed to you it will chill your frame with horror and then far from

being surprised at my misery you will only wonder that I survive what I have endured I will confide this tale of misery and Terror to you the day after our marriage shall take place for my sweet cousin there must be perfect confidence between us but until then I Conjure you do not mention or allude to it this I most earnestly entreat and I know you will comply in about a week after the arrival of Elizabeth's letter we returned to Geneva the sweet girl welcomed me with warm affection yet tears were in her eyes as she

beheld my emaciated frame and feverish cheeks I saw a change in her also she was thinner and had lost much of that Heavenly vivacity that had before Charmed me but her gentleness and Soft looks of compassion made her a more fit companion for one blasted and miserable as I was the Tranquility which I now enjoyed did not endure memory brought Madness with it and when I thought of what had passed a real Insanity possessed me sometimes I was Furious and burnt with rage sometimes low and despondent I neither spoke nor looked at anyone but sat

motionless bewildered by the multitude of miseries that over came me Elizabeth alone had The power to draw me from these fits her gentle voice would soothe me when transported by Passion and inspire me with human feelings when sunk in toror she wept with me and for me when reason returned she would remonstrate and Endeavor to inspire me with resignation ah it is well for the unfortunate to be resigned but for the guilty there is no peace the agonies of remorse poison the luxury there is otherwise sometimes found in indulging The excess of grief soon after

my arrival my father spoke of my immediate marriage with Elizabeth I remained silent have you then some other attachment none on Earth I love Elizabeth and look forward to our Union with delight let the day there be fixed and on it I will consecrate myself in life or death to the happiness of my cousin my dear Victor do not speak thus heavy misfortunes have befallen us but let us only cling closer to what remains And transfer Our Love For Those whom we have lost to those who yet live our Circle will be small but bound

close by the ties of affection and mutual Misfortune and when time shall have softened your despair new and dear objects of care will be born to replace those of whom we have been so cruy deprived such were the lessons of my father but to me the remembrance of the threat returned nor can you wonder that omnipotent as the fiend had yet been in His deeds of blood I should almost regard him as invincible and that when he had pronounced the words I shall be with you on your wedding night I should regard the threatened fate

as unavoidable but death was no evil to me if the loss of Elizabeth were balanced with it and I therefore with a contented and even cheerful countenance agreed with my father that if my cousin would consent the ceremony should take place in 10 days and thus put as I imagined The seal to my fate great God if for one instant I had thought what might be the hellish intention of my fish adversary I would rather have banished myself forever from my native country and wandered a friendless outcast over the Earth than have consented to this

miserable marriage but as if possessed of magic powers the monster had blinded me to his real intentions and when I thought that I had prepared only my own death I Hastened that of a far dearer victim as the period fix for our marriage Drew nearer whether from cowardice or a prophetic feeling I felt my heart sink within me but I concealed my feelings by an appearance of hilarity that brought smiles and joy to the countenance of my father but hardly deceived the ever watchful and nicer eye of Elizabeth she looked forward to our Union with

Placid contentment not unmingled with a little fear which past misfortunes had Impressed that what now appeared certain and tangible happiness might soon dissipate into an Airy dream and leave no Trace but deep and everlasting regret preparations were made for the event congratulatory visits were received and all wore a smiling appearance I shut up as well as I could in my own heart the anxiety that prayed there and entered with seeming earnestness into the plans of my father although they might only serve as the Decorations of My Tragedy through my father's EX itions a part of

the inheritance of Elizabeth had been restored to her by the Austrian government a small possession on the shores of ko belong to her it was agreed that immediately after our Union we should proceed to Villa lensa and spend our first days of Happiness beside the beautiful lake near which it stood in the meantime I took every precaution to defend my person in case The fiend should openly attack me I carried pistols and a dagger constantly about me and was ever on the watch to prevent artifice and by these means gained a greater degree of Tranquility

indeed as the period approached the threat appeared more as a delusion not to be regarded as worthy to disturb my peace while the happiness I hoped for in my marriage weree a greater appearance of certainty as the day fixed for its Solomon isation Drew nearer and I heard It Contin continually spoken of as An Occurrence which no accident could possibly prevent Elizabeth seemed happy my tranquil demeanor contributed greatly to calm her mind but on the day that was to fulfill my wishes and my destiny she was Melancholy and a presentiment of evil pervaded her and

perhaps also she thought of the Dreadful secret which I had promised to reveal to her on the following day my father was in the meantime overjoyed and in the bustle of Preparation only recognized in The Melancholy of his niece the diffidence of a bride after the ceremony was performed a large party assembled at my father's but it was agreed that Elizabeth and I should commence our journey by water sleeping that night at Evan and continuing our Voyage on the following day the day was fair the wind favorable all smiled on our nupal embark those were

the last moments of my life During which I enjoyed the feeling of Happiness we passed rapidly along the sun was hot but we were sheltered from its Rays by a kind of canopy while we enjoyed the beauty of the scene sometimes on one side of the lake where we saw Mont salive the pleasant Banks of Mont alra and at a distance surmounting all the beautiful Mont Blanc and the assemblage of snowy mountains that in vain endeavored to emulate her sometimes coasting the opposite Banks we saw the Mighty Jura opposing its dark side to the ambition

that would quit its native country and an almost insurmountable barrier to The Invader who should wish to enslave it I took the hand of Elizabeth you are sorrowful my love ah if you knew what I have suffered and what I may yet endure you would Endeavor to let me taste the quiet and freedom from despair that this one day at least permits me to enjoy be happy my dear Victor replied Elizabeth there is I hope nothing to distress you and be assured that if a lively Joy is not painted in my face my heart is

contented something Whispers to me not to depend too much on the prospect that is opened before us but I will not listen to such a sinister voice observe how fast we move along and how the clouds which sometimes obscure and sometimes rise above the Dome of Mont Blanc rendered this scene of beauty still more interesting look also at the Innumerable fish that are swimming in the clear waters where we can distinguish every Pebble that lies at the bottom what a Divine day how happy and Serene all nature appears thus Elizabeth and endeavored to divert her

thoughts and mind from all reflection upon Melancholy subjects but her temper was fluctuating joy for a few instants Shone in her eyes but it continually gave place to distraction and revery the sun sank lower in the Heavens we passed the river Dr and observed its path through the chasms of the higher and the Glens of the lower Hills the Alps here came closer to the lake and we approach approached the amphitheater of mountains which forms its eastern boundary the Spire of Evan shown under the woods that surrounded it and the range of mountain above Mountain

by which it was overhung the wind which had hither to carried us along with amazing rapidity Sank at Sunset to a light Breeze the soft air just ruffled the water and caused a pleasant motion among the trees as we approached the shore from which it waed the most delightful scent of flowers and hay the sun sank Beneath The Horizon as we landed and as I touched the shore I felt those cares and fears revive which soon were to clasp me and cling to me forever chapter 23 it was 8:00 when we landed we walked For

a short time on the shore enjoying the transitory light and then retired to the in and contemplated the lovely scene of waters woods and mountains obscured in darkness yet still displaying their black outlines the wind which had fallen in the South now rose with great violence in the west the moon had reached her Summit in the heavens and was beginning to descend the cloud swept across it swifter than the Flight of the vulture And dimmed her Rays while the lake reflected the scene of the busy heavens rendered still busier by the Restless waves that were

beginning to rise suddenly a heavy storm of rain descended I had been calm during the day but as soon as night obscured the shapes of objects a thousand fears arose in my mind I was anxious and watchful while my right hand grasped a pistol which was hidden in my bosom every sound terrified me but I resolved that I would sell my Life dearly and not shrink from the conflict until my own life or that of my adversary was extinguished Elizabeth observed my agitation for some time in timid and fearful silence but there was something in

my glance which communicated Terror to her and trembling she asked what is it that agitates you my dear Victor what is it you fear oh peace peace my love replied I this night and all will be safe but this Night is dread ful very Dreadful I passed an hour in this state of mind when suddenly I reflected how fearful the combat which I momentarily expected would be to my wife and I earnestly intreated her to retire resolving not to join her until I had obtained some knowledge as to the situation of my enemy she left

me and I continued some time walking up and down the passages of the house and inspecting every corner that might afford a retreat To my adversary but I soon discovered no trace of him and was beginning to conjecture that some fortunate chance had intervened to prevent the execution of his menaces when suddenly I heard a shrill and Dreadful scream it came from the room into which Elizabeth had retired as I heard it the whole truth rushed into my mind my arms dropped the motion of every muscle and fiber was suspended I could feel the blood

Trickling in my veins and tingling in the extremities of my limbs this state lasted but for an instant the scream was repeated and I rushed into the room great God why did I not then expire why am I here to relate the destruction of the best hope and the purest creature on earth she was there lifeless and inanimate thrown across the bed her head hanging down and her pale and distorted features half covered by her hair Everywhere I turn I see the same figure her bloodless arms and relaxed form flung by the murderer on its

Bridal beer could I behold this and live alas life is obstinate and clings closest where it is most hated for a moment only did I lose recollection I fell senseless on the ground when I recovered I found myself surrounded by the people of the Inn their countenances expressed a breathless Terror but the horror of Others appeared only as a mockery a shadow of the feelings that oppressed me I escaped from them to the room where laid the body of Elizabeth my love my wife so lately living so dear so worthy she had been moved from

the posture in which I had first beheld her and now as she lay her head upon her arm and a handkerchief thrown across her face and neck I might have supposed her her asleep I rushed towards her and embraced her with ardor but the deadly languor And coldness of the limbs told me that what I now held in my arms had ceased to be Elizabeth whom I had loved and cherished the murderous Mark of the fiend's grasp was on her neck and the breath had ceased to issue from her lips while I still hung over

her in the agony of Despair I happened to look up the windows of the room had before been darkened and I felt a kind of panic on seeing the pale yellow light of the Moon illuminate the chamber the shutters had Been thrown back and with a sensation of horror not to be described I saw at the open window a figure the most hideous and abhor a grin was on the face of the monster he seemed to jeer as with his fish finger he pointed towards the corpse of my wife I rushed towards the window and

drawing a pistol from my bosom fired but he eluded me leaped from his station and running with a swiftness of lightning plunged into the lake the report of the pistol brought a crowd Into the room I pointed to the spot where he had disappeared and we followed the track with boats Nets were cast but in vain after passing several hours we returned hopeless most of my companions believing it to have been a form conjured up by my fancy after having landed they proceeded to search the country parties going in different directions among the woods and

Vines I attempted to accompany them and proceeded a short distance from the House but my head Whirled round my steps were like those of a drunken man I fell at last in a state of utter exhaustion a film covered my eyes and my skin was parched with the heat of fever in this state I was carried back and placed on a bed hardly conscious of what had happened my eyes wandered around the room as if to seek something that I had lost after an interval I arose and as if by Instinct crawled into the room

where the corpse of my beloved lay there were Women weeping around I hung over it and joined my sad tears to theirs all this time no distinct idea presented itself to my mind but my thoughts rambled to various subjects reflecting confusedly on my misfortunes and their cause I was bewildered in a cloud of Wonder and horror the death of William the execution of Justine the murder of Clerval and lastly of my wife even at that moment I knew not that my only remaining friends were safe from the Malignity of the fiend my father even now

might be writhing under his grasp and Earnest might be dead at his feet this idea made me shudder and recalled me to action I started up and resolved to return to Geneva with all possible speed there were no horses to be procured and I must return by the lake but the wind was unfavorable and the rain fell in Torrance however it was hardly morning and I might reasonably hope to arrive by Night I hired men to row and took an or myself for I had always experienced relief from mental torment in bodily exercise but the

overflowing misery I now felt and the excess of agitation that I endured rendered me incapable of any exertion I threw down the ore and leaning my head upon my hands gave way to every gloomy idea that arose if I looked up I saw scenes which were familiar to me in my happier time and Which I had contemplated but the day before in the company of her who was now but a shadow and a recollection tears streamed from my eyes the rain had ceased for a moment and I saw the fish play in the waters as

they had done a few hours before they had then been observed by Elizabeth nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and Sudden Change the sun might shine or the clouds might lower but nothing could appear to me as it had done the day Before a fiend had snatched from me every hope of future happiness no creature had ever been so miserable as I was so frightful an event is single in the history of man but why should I dwell upon the incidents that followed this last overwhelming event mine has been a

tale of Horrors I have reached their Acme and what I must now relate can be but tedious to you know that one by one my friends were snatched away I was left desolate My Own Strength is Exhausted and I must tell in a few words what remains of my hideous narration I arrived at Geneva my father and Earnest yet lived but the former sunk under the tidings that I bore I see him now excellent and venerable old man his eyes wandered in vacancy for they had lost their charm and their Delight his Elizabeth his more

than daughter whom he doted on with all that affection which a man feels who is in the decline Of Life having few affections clings more earnestly to those that remain cursed cursed be the fiend that brought misery on his gray hairs and doomed him to waste in wretchedness he could not live under the horrors that were accumulated around him the Springs of existence suddenly gave way he was unable to rise from his bed and in a few days he died in my arms what then became of me I know not I lost sensation and chains

and darkness Were the only objects that pressed upon me sometimes indeed I dreamt that I wandered in Flowery Meadows and pleasant veils with the friends of my youth but I awoke and found myself in a Dungeon Melancholy followed but by degrees I gained a clear conception of my miseries and situation and was then released from my prison for they had called me mad and during many months as As I understood a solitary cell had been my habitation Liberty however had been a Useless gift to me had I not as I awakened to reason at the

same time awakened to Revenge as the memory of past misfortunes pressed upon me I began to reflect on their cause the monster whom I had created the miserable demon whom I had sent abroad into the world for my destruction I was possessed by a maddening rage age when I thought of him and desired and ardently prayed that I might have him within my grasp to wreak A great and Signal revenge on his cursed head nor did my hate long confine itself to useless wishes I began to reflect on the best means of securing him and

for this purpose about a month after my release I repaired to a criminal judge in the town and told him that I had an accusation to make that I knew the destroyer of my family and that I required him to exert his whole Authority for the apprehension of the murderer the magistrate listened to me With attention and kindness be assured sir said he no pains or exertions on my part shall be spared to discover the villain I thank you replied I listen therefore to the deposition that I have to make it is indeed a tale

so strange that I should fear you would not credit it were there not something in truth which however wonderful forces conviction the story is too connected to be mistaken for a dream and I have no motive for Falsehood my manner as I thus addressed him was impressive but calm I had formed in my own heart a resolution to pursue my Destroyer to death and this purpose quieted my Agony and for an interval reconciled me to life I now related my history briefly but with firmness and precision marking the dates with accuracy and never deviating into

invective or exclamation the magistrate appeared at first perfectly incredulous but as I Continued he became more attentive and interested I saw him sometimes shudder with horror at others a lively surprise unmingled with disbelief was painted on his countenance when I had concluded my narration I said this is the being whom I accuse and for whose seizure and Punishment I call upon you to exert your whole power it is your duty as a magistrate and I believe and hope that your feelings as a man will not Revolt from the execution of those Functions on this occasion

this address caused a considerable change in the physiognomy of my own auditor he had heard my story with that half kind of belief that is given to a tale of spirits and Supernatural events but when he was called upon to act officially in Consequence the whole tide of his incredulity returned he however answered mildly I would willingly afford you every Aid in your Pursuit but the Creature of whom you speak appears to have powers which would put all my exertions to Defiance who can follow an animal which can Traverse the Sea of Ice and inhabit

caves and dens where no man would venture to intrude besides some months have elapsed since the commission of his crimes and no one can conjecture to what place he has wandered or what region he may now inhabit I do not doubt that he hovers near the spot which I inhabit and if he Has indeed taken refuge in the Alps he may be hunted like the shamwa and destroyed as a beast of prey but I perceive your thought you do not credit my narrative and do not intend to pursue my enemy with a punishment which is

his desert as I spoke rage sparkled in my eyes the magistrate was intimidated you are mistaken said he I will exert myself and if it is in my power to seize the monster be assured That he shall suffer punishment proportionate to his crimes but I fear from what you have yourself described to be his properties that this will prove Pro impracticable and thus while every proper measure is pursued you should make up your mind to disappointment that cannot be but all that I can say will be of little Avail my revenge is of no moment

to you yet while I allow it to be a vice I confess That it is the devouring and only passion of my soul my rage is unspeakable when I reflect that the murderer whom I have turned loose lose upon Society still exists you refuse my just demand I have but one resource and I devote myself either in my life or death to his destruction I trembled with excess of agitation as I said this there was a frenzy in my Manner and something I doubt not of that huy fierceness which The martyrs of old are said

to have possessed but to a genevan magistrate whose mind was occupied by far other ideas than those of devotion and heroism this elevation of Mind had much the appearance of madness he endeavored to soothe me as a nursed as a child and reverted to my tale as the effects of delirium man I cried how ignorant art thou in thy pride of wisdom cease you know not what it is you say I broke from the house angry and Disturbed and Retired to mediate on some other mode of action chapter 24 my present situation was one in

which all voluntary thought was swallowed up and lost I was hurried Away by Fury Revenge alone endowed me with strength and composure it molded my feelings and allowed me to be calculating and calm at periods when otherwise delirium or death would have been my portion my first resolution was to quit Geneva forever my country which when I was Happy and beloved was dear to me now in my adversity became hateful I provided myself with a sum of money together with a few Jewels which had belonged to my mother and departed and now my wanderings began

which are to cease but with life I have traversed a vast portion of the earth and have endured all the hardships which TR Travelers in deserts and barbarous countries are want to meet how I have lived I hardly know many times have I stretched my failing Limbs upon the Sandy Plain and prayed for death but Revenge kept me alive I dared not die and leave my adversary in being when I quitted Geneva my first labor was to gain some clue by which I might trace the steps of my fish enemy but my plan was unsettled

and I wandered many hours around the confines of the Town uncertain what path I should pursue as night approached I found myself at the entrance of the cemetery where William Elizabeth and my father reposed I entered it and approached the tomb which marked their graves everything was silent except the leaves of the trees which were gently agitated by the wind the night was nearly dark and the scene would have been solemn and affecting even to an uninterested Observer the spirits of The Departed seemed to flit around and to cast a shadow which was felt but

not seen around the head of the mourner the Deep grief which the scene had at first excited quickly gave way to Rage and despair they were dead and I lived their murderer also lived and to destroy him I must drag out my weary existence I knelt on the grass and kissed the Earth Earth and with quivering lips exclaimed by the sacred earth on which I kneel by the shades that wander near me by the deep and eternal grief that I feel I swear and by thee Oh Knight and the spirits that preside over thee to

pursue the demon who caused this misery until he or I Shall Perish in Mortal Conflict for this purpose I will preserve my life to execute this dear Revenge will I again behold the Sun and tread the green herbage of Earth which otherwise should vanish from My Eyes Forever and I Call On You spirits of the dead and on you wandering Ministers of Vengeance to Aid and conduct me in my work let the cursed and hellish Monster drink deep of Agony let him feel the despair that now torments me I had begun my adjuration With solemnity

and an awe which almost assured me that the shades of my murdered friends heard and approved my devotion but the furies possessed me as I concluded and rage choked my utterance I was answered through the Stillness of night by a loud and fish laugh it rang on my ears long and heavily the mountains re-echoed it and I felt as if all hell surrounded me with mockery and laughter surely in that moment I should have been possessed by Frenzy and have destroyed my miserable existence but that My Vow Was Heard and that I was reserved for

vengeance the laughter died away when a well-known and uphor voice apparently close to my ear addressed me in an audible whisper I am satisfied miserable wretch you have determined to live and I am satisfied I darted towards the spot from which the sound proceeded but the devil eluded my grasp suddenly the broad disc Of the Moon arose and Shone full upon his ghastly and distorted shape as he fled with more than mortal speed I pursued him and for many months this has been my task Guided by a slight clue I followed the windings of the

rone but vainly the blue Mediterranean appeared and by a strange chance I saw the fiend enter by night and hide himself in a vessel Bound for the Black Sea I took my passage in the same ship but he escaped I know not how amidst the Wilds of Tarter in Russia although he still evaded me I have ever followed in his track sometimes the peasants scared by this horrid Apparition informed me of his path sometimes he himself who feared that if I lost all trace of him I should Despair and die left some Mark to guide

me the Snows descended on my head and I saw the print of his huge step on the white plane to you first entering on life to whom care is new and Agony unknown how can you understand what I Have felt and still feel cold want and fatigue were the least pains which I was destined to endure I was cursed by Some Devil and carried about with me my eternal hell yet still a spirit of good followed and directed my steps and when I most murmured would suddenly extricate me from seemingly insurmountable difficulties sometimes when Nature

overcome by hunger sank under the exhaustion a repast was prepared for me in the desert that restored and Inspirited me the fair was indeed coarse such as the peasants of the country ate but I will not doubt that it was set there by the spirits that I had invoked to Aid me often when all was dry the heavens cloudless and I was parched by thirst a slight Cloud would be dim the sky shed the few drops that revived me and vanish I followed when I could the courses of the rivers but the demon generally avoided

these as it was here That the population of the country Che ly collected in other places human beings were seldom seen and I generally subsisted on the wild animals that crossed my path I had money with me and gained the Friendship of the villagers by Distributing it or I brought with me some food that I had killed which after taking a small part I always presented to those who had provided me with fire and utensils for cooking my life as it passed thus was indeed hateful to me and It was during sleep alone that I

could taste Joy oh blessed sleep often when most miserable I sank to Repose and my dreams lulled me even to Rapture the spirits that guarded me had provided these moments or rather Hours of Happiness that I might retain strength to fulfill my pilgrimage deprived of this forite I should have sunk under my hardships during the day I was sustained and inspir spirited by the hope of night For in sleep I saw my friends my wife and my beloved country again I saw the benevolent countenance of my father heard the silver tones of my Elizabeth's voice

and beheld Clerval enjoying health and youth often when wearied by a toysome March I persuaded myself that I was dreaming until night should come and that I should then enjoy reality in the arms of my dearest friends what agonizing fondness did I feel for them how did I cling to their dear forms As sometimes they haunted even my waking hours and persuade myself that they still lived at such moments Vengeance that burned Within Me died in my heart and I pursued my path towards the destruction of the demon more as a task enjoyed by Heaven

as the mechanical impulse of some power of which I was unconscious than as the Ardent desire of my soul what his feelings were whom I pursued I cannot know sometimes indeed he left marks in writing on the barks of Trees or cut in stone that guided me and instigated my Fury my reign is not yet over these words were legible in one of these inscriptions you live and my power is complete follow me I seek the Everlasting ises of the north where you you will feel the misery of cold and frost to which I am

impassive you will find near this place if you follow not too tartly a dead hair eat and be refreshed come on my enemy we have yet To wrestle for our lives but many hard and miserable hours must you endure until that period shall arrive scoffing devil again do I vow Vengeance again do I devote thee miserable friend to torture and death never will I give up my search until he or I perish and then with what ecstasy shall I join my Elizabeth and my departed friends who even now prepare for me the reward of my

tedious toil and horrible Pilgrimage as I still pursued my journey to the northward the Snows thickened and the cold increased in a degree almost too severe to support the peasants were shut up in their hover and only a few of the most Hardy ventured forth to seize the animals whom starvation had forced from their hiding places to seek for prey the rivers were covered with ice and no fish could be procured and thus I was cut off from my chief article of Maintenance the Triumph Of my enemy increased with the difficulty of my labors one

inscription that he left was in these words prepare your toils only begin wrap yourself in Furs and provide food for we shall soon enter upon a journey where your sufferings will satisfy my Everlasting hatred my courage and perseverance were invigorated by these scoffing words I resolved not to fail in my purpose and calling on heaven to support me I continued with unabated fervor to Traverse immense deserts until the ocean appeared at a distance and formed the utmost bound of the Horizon oh how unlike it was to the blue seasons of the South covered with ice

it was only to be distinguished from Land by its Superior wildness and ruggedness the Greeks wept for Joy when they beheld the Mediterranean from the hills of Asia and hailed with Rapture the boundary of their toils I did not weep but I knelt down and with a full heart thanked my Guiding spirit for conducting me in safety to the place where I hoped not withstanding my adversary's guide to meet and grapple with him some weeks before this period I had procured a sledge and dogs and thus traversed the Snows with inconceivable speed I know not

whether the fiend possessed the same advantages but I found that as before I had daily lost ground in the pursuit I now gained on him so much so that when I first saw the ocean he was but one Day's Journey in advance and I hoped to intercept him before he should reach the beach with new courage therefore I pressed on and in two days arrived at a wretched Hamlet on the seashore I inquired of the inhabitants concerning the fiend and gained accurate information a gigantic monster they said had arrived the night before armed with a

gun and many pistols putting to flight the inhabitants of a solitary Cottage through fear of his terrific appearance He had carried off their store of winter food and placing it in a sledge to draw which he had seized on a numerous drove of trained dogs he had harnessed them and the same night to the joy of the horror struck villagers had pursued his journey across the sea in a direction that led to no land and they conjectured that he must speedily be destroyed by the breaking of the ice or Frozen by the eternal frosts on

hearing this information I suffered a Temporary access of Despair he had escaped me and I must commence a destructive and almost endless journey across the mountainous IES of the ocean amidst cold that few of the inhabitants could long endure and which I the native of a genial and sunny climate could not hope to survive yet at the idea that the fiend should live and be triumphant my my rage and Vengeance returned and like a mighty tide overwhelmed every other feeling After a slight Repose during which the spirits of the Dead hovered round and instigated me

to toil and revenge I prepared for my journey I exchanged my land Sledge for one fashioned for the inequalities of the frozen ocean and purchasing a plentiful stock of Provisions I departed from Land I cannot guess how many days have passed since then but I have endured misery which nothing but the Eternal sentiment of a just retribution burning within my heart Could have enabled me to support immense and rugged mountains of ice often barred up my passage and I often heard the Thunder of the ground sea which threatened my destruction but again the frost came

and made the paths of the sea secure by the quantity of provision which I had consumed I should guess that I had passed three weeks in this journey and the continual protraction of Hope returning back upon the heart often rung bitter drops of despondency and grief From my eyes despair had indeed almost secured her prey and I should soon have sunk beneath this misery once after the poor animals that conveyed me had with Incredible toil gained the summit of a sloping Ice Mountain and one sinking under his fatigue died I viewed the expanse before me

with anguish when suddenly my eye caught a dark Speck upon the Dusky plane I strained my sight to discover what it could be and uttered a wild Cry of ecstasy when I distinguished A sledge in the distorted proportions of a well-known form within oh with what a burning gush did hope revisit my heart warm tears filled my eyes which I hat hastily wiped away that they might not intercept the view I had of the demon but still my sight was dimmed by the burning drops until giving way to the emotions that oppressed me I wept

aloud but this was not the time for delay I disencumbered the dogs of their dead companion gave them a plentiful Portion of food and after an hour's rest which was absolutely necessary and yet which was bitterly irksome to me I continued my route the Sledge was still visible nor did I again lose sight of it except at the moments when for a short time some ice rock concealed it with its intervening Crags I indeed perceptibly gained on it and when after nearly 2 days journey I beheld my enemy at no more than a mile distant

my heart bounded within me but now when I Appeared almost within grasp of my foe my hopes were suddenly extinguished and I lost all trace of him more utterly than I had ever done before a ground sea was heard the Thunder of its progress and the waters rolled and swelled beneath me became every moment more ominous and terrific I pressed on but in vain the wind arose the sea roared and as with the mighty shock of an earthquake it split and cracked with a tremendous and overwhelming sound The work was soon finished in a few

minutes a tumultuous sea rolled beneath me and my enemy and I was left drifting on a scattered piece of ice that was continually lessening and thus preparing for me a hideous death in this manner many appalling hours passed several of my dogs died and I myself was about to sink under the accumulation of distress when I saw your vessel riding at anchor and hold holding forth to me hopes of Sor And life I had no conception that vessels ever came so far north and was astounded at the sight I quickly destroyed part of my Sledge

to construct ores and by these means was enabled with infinite fatigue to move my ice raft in the direction of your ship I had determined if you were going southwards still to trust myself to the mercy of the Seas rather than abandon my purpose I hoped to induce you to grant me a boat with which I could pursue my enemy but Your direction was northwards you took me on board when my Vigor was exhausted and I should soon have sunk under my multiplied hardships into a death which I still dread for my task is unfulfilled

oh when will my guiding spirit in conducting me to the demon allow me the rest I so much desire or must I die and he yet live if I do swear to me Walton that he shall not Escape that you will seek Him and satisfy my Vengeance in his death and do I dare to ask of you to undertake my pilgrimage to endure the hardships that I have undergone no I am not so selfish yet when I am dead if he should appear if the Ministers of Vengeance should conduct him to you swear he shall

not live swear that he shall not triumph over my accumulated woes and survive to add to the list of his dark crimes he is eloquent and persuasive and once his words had even power over my heart but Trust him not his soul is as hellish as his form full of treachery and fiend-like Malice hear him not call on the names of William Justine Clerval El Elizabeth my father and of The Wretched Victor and thrust your sword into his heart I will hover near and direct the steel a right Walton in continuation August 26th you have

read this strange and terrific story Margaret and do you not feel your blood congeal with horror like That which even now curdles mine sometimes seized with sudden Agony he could not continue his tale at others his voice broken yet piercing uttered with difficulty the words so replete with anguish his fine and lovely eyes were now lighted up with indignation now subdued to downcast sorrow and quenched in infinite wretchedness sometimes he commanded his countenance and tones and related the Most horrible incidence with a tranquil voice suppressing every Mark of agitation then like a volcano bursting forth

his face would suddenly change to an expression of the wildest rage as he shrieked out imprecations on his persecutor his tale is connected and told with an appearance of the simplest truth yet I own to you that the letters of Felix and safy which he showed me and The Apparition of the monster seen from our ship brought to me a greater Conviction of the truth of his narrative than his obervations however Earnest and connected such a monster has then really existence I cannot doubt it yet I am lost and surprise and admiration sometimes I Endeavor

to gain from Frankenstein the particulars of his creatures formation but on this point he was impenetrable are you mad my friend said he or whether does your senseless Curiosity lead you would you also create for yourself and the world a demonical enemy peace peace learn my miseries and do not seek to increase your own Frankenstein discovered that I made notes concerning his history he asked to see them and then himself corrected and augmented them in many places but principally in giving the life and spirit to the conversations he held with his enemy since you have

preserved my narration said he I would not that a Mutilated one should go down to posterity thus has a week passed away while I have listened to the strangest tale that ever imagination formed my thoughts and every feeling of my soul have been drunk up by the interest for my guest which this tale and his own elevated and gentle manners have created I wish to soothe him yet can I console one so infinitely miserable so destitute of every hope of consolation to live oh no the only joy that he can Now know will be when

he composes his shattered Spirit to peace and death yet he enjoys one Comfort The Offspring of solitude and delirium he believes that when in dreams he holds converse with his friends and derives from that communion consolation for his miseries or excitements to his Vengeance that they are not the creations of his fancy but the beings themselves who visit him from the regions of a remote world this Faith gives a solemnity to his reveries That render them to me almost as imposing and interesting as truth our conversations are not always confined to his own history and

misfortunes on every point of General literature he displays unbounded knowledge and a quick and piercing apprehension his eloquence is forcible and touching nor can I hear him when he relates a pathetic incident or Endeavors to move the passions of pity or Love Without Tears what a glorious creature Must he have been in the days of his Prosperity when he is thus Noble and Godlike in ruin he seems to feel his own worth and the greatness of his fall when younger said he I believed myself destined for some great Enterprise my feelings are profound but I

possessed a coolness of judgment that fitted me for illustrious achievements this sentiment of the worth of my nature supported me when others would have been oppressed for I deemed it criminal to Throw away in useless grief those talents that might be useful to my fellow creatures when I reflected on the work I had completed no less of one than the creation of a sensitive and rational animal I could not rank myself with the herd of common projectors but this thought which supported me in the commencement of my career now serves only to plunge me lower

in the dust all my speculations and hopes are as nothing and like the Archangel who aspired to Omnipotence I am chained in an eternal hell my imagination was Vivid yet my powers of analysis and application were intense by the union of these qualities I conceived the idea and executed the creation of a man even now I cannot recollect without passion my revery while the work was incomplete I trod heaven in my thoughts now exalting in my Powers now burning with the idea of their efforts from my infancy I was imbued with high hopes and a

lofty Ambition but how am I sunk oh my friend if you had known me as I once was you would not recognize me in this state of degradation despondency rarely visited my heart a high Destiny seemed to Bear me on until I fell never never again to rise must I then lose this admirable being I have longed for a friend I have sought one who would sympathize with and love me behold on these desert Seas I have found such a one but I fear I have gained him only to know his value and Lose him

I would reconcile him to life but he repulses the idea I thank you Walton he said for your kind intentions towards so miserable a wretch but when you speak of new ties and fresh affections think you that any can replace those who are gone can any man be to me as Clerval was or any woman another Elizabeth even where the affections are not strongly moved by any Superior Excellence the compassions of our childhood always possess a certain Power over our minds which hardly any later friend can obtain they know our infantine dispositions which however they

may be afterwards modified are never eradicated and they can judge of our actions with more certain conclusions as to the Integrity of our motives a sister or a brother can never unless indeed such symptoms have been shown early suspect the other of fraud or false dealing when a another friend however strongly he may be attached May In spite of himself be contemplated with suspicion but I enjoyed friends dear not only through habit and Association but from their own merits and wherever I am the soothing voice of my Elizabeth and the conversation of clairval will be

ever whispered in my ear they are dead and but one feeling in such a Solitude can persuade me to preserve my life if I were engaged in any High undertaking or design fraught with extensive utility to my fellow creatures then could I live to Fulfill it but such is not my destiny I must pursue and destroy the being to whom I gave existence then my lot on Earth will be fulfilled and I may die September 2nd my beloved sister I write to you encompassed by Peril and ignorant whether I am never doomed to see again

dear England and the dearer friends that inhabit it I am surrounded by mountains of ice which admit of No Escape and threaten every moment to crush my vessel The brave fellows whom I have persuaded to be my companions look towards me for aid but I have none to bestow there is something terribly appalling in our situation yet my courage and hopes do not desert me yet it is terrible to reflect that the lives of of all these men are endangered through me if we are lost my mad schemes are the cause and what margarate will

be the state of your mind you will not hear of my destruction and you will anxiously await my return Years will pass and you will have visitings of Despair and yet be tortured by Hope Oh my beloved sister the sickening failing of your heartfelt expectations is in Prospect more terrible to me me than my own death but you have a husband and lovely children you may be happy Heaven bless you and make you so my unfortunate guest regards me with the tenderest compassion he Endeavors to fill me with hope and talks as if life were

a possession which he Valued he reminds me how often the same accidents have happened to other Navigators who have attempted this sea and in spite of myself he fills me with cheer ful augues even the sailors feel the power of His eloquence when he speaks they no longer despair he Rouses their energies and while they hear his voice they believe these vast mountains of ice are mole Hills which will vanish before the resolutions of man these feelings are Transitory each day of expectation delayed fills them with fear and I almost dread a mutiny caused by

this despair September 5th a scene has just passed of such uncommon interest that although it is highly probable that these papers may never reach you yet I cannot forbear recording it we are still surrounded by mountains of ice still in imminent danger of being crushed in their conflict the cold is excessive and many Of my unfortunate comrades have already found a grave amidst the scene of desolation Frank Stein has daily declined in health a feverish fire still glimmers in his eyes but he is exhausted and when suddenly roused to any exertion he speedily sinks again

into apparent lifelessness I mentioned in my last letter the fears I entertained of a mutiny this morning as I sat watching the won countenance of my friend his eyes half closed and his limbs hanging Listlessly I was roused by half a dozen of the sailors who demanded admission into the cabin they entered and their leader addressed me he told me that he and his companions had been chosen by the other Sailors to come in deputation to me to make me a requisition which Injustice I could not refuse we were ured in ice and should probably

never Escape but they feared that if as was possible the ice should dissipate and a free passage be open opened I should be Rash enough to continue my voyage and lead them into fresh dangers after they might happily have surmounted this they insisted therefore that I should engage with a solemn promise that if the vessel should be freed I would instantly direct my course southwards this speech troubled me I had not despaired nor had I yet conceed the idea of returning if set free yet could I in Justice or even in possibility refuse this demand

I hesitated before I Answered when Frankenstein who had at first been silent and indeed appeared hardly to have Force enough to attend now roused himself his eyes sparkled and his cheeks flushed with momentary Vigor turning towards the men he said what do you mean what do you demand of your captain are you then so easily turned from your design did you not call this a glorious Expedition and wherefore was it glorious not because the way was smooth and plid As a Southern Sea but because it was full of dangers and Terror because at every new

incident your fortitude was to be called forth and your courage exhibited because danger and death surrounded it and these you were to Brave and overcome for this was it a glorious for this was it an honorable undertaking you were Hereafter to be hailed as the benefactors of your species your names adorned as belonging To brave men who encountered death for honor and the benefit of mankind and now behold with the first imagination of danger or if you will the first Mighty and terrific trial of your courage you shrink away and are content to be handed

down as men who had not strength enough to endure cold and Peril and so poor souls that they were chilly and returned to their warm firesides why that requires not this preparation ye not have come thus far And dragged your captain to the shame of a defeat merely to prove yourselves cowards oh be men or be more than men Be steady to your purposes and firm as a rock this ice is not made of such stuff as your hearts may be it is mutable and cannot withstand you if you say that it shall not do

not return to your families with the stigma of disgrace marked on your brows return as Heroes who have fought and conquered and who know not what it is to turn their backs on the Foe he spoke this with a voice so modulated to the different feelings expressed in his speech with an eye so full of lofty design and heroism that you can wonder that these men were moved they looked at one another and were unable to reply I spoke I told them to retire and consider of what had been said that I would not leave

them farther north if they strenuously desired the contrary but that I hoped that with reflection their courage would Return they retired and I turned towards my friend but he was sunk in ler and almost deprived of Life how all this will terminate I know not but I had rather die than return shamefully my purpose unfulfilled yet I fear such will be my fate the men unsupported by ideas of Glory and Honor can never willingly continue to endure their present hardships September 7th the die is cast I have consented to Return if we are not to

destroyed thus are my hopes blasted by cowardice and indecision I come back ignorant and disappointed it requires more philosophy than I possess to bear this Injustice with patience September 12th it is passed I am returning to England I have lost my hopes of utility and Glory I have lost my friend but I will endeavor to detail these bitter circumstances to you my dear sister and while I am waed towards England and towards you I will not despond September 9th the ice began to move and roarings like thunder were heard at a distance as the island

split and cracked in every direction we were in the most imminent Peril but as we could only remain passive my chief attention was occupied by my unfortunate guest whose illness increased in such a degree that he was entirely confined to his bed the ice cracked beneath us and was driven with Force towards the north A breeze sprang from the west and on the 11th the passage towards the South became perfectly free when the sailors saw this and that their return to their native country was apparently assured a shout of tumultuous Joy broke from them loud

and long continued Frankenstein who was dozing awoke and asked the cause of the tumult they shout I said because they will soon return to England do you then really Return alas yes I cannot withstand their demands I cannot lead them unwillingly to danger and I must return do so if you will but I will not you may give up your purpose but mine is assigned to me by heaven and I dare not I am weak but surely the spirits who assist my Vengeance will endow me with sufficient strength saying this he endeavored to Spring from

the bed but the exertion was too great for him he fell back and fainted it was long before He was restored and I often thought that life was entirely extinct at length he opened his eyes he breathed with difficulty and was unable to speak the surgeon gave him a composing draft and ordered to leave him undisturbed in the meantime he told me that my friend had certainly not many hours to live his sentence was pronounced and I could only grieve and be patient I sat by his bed watching him his eyes were Closed and I

thought he slept but presently he called to me in a feeble voice and bidding me come near said alas the strength I relied on is gone I feel that I shall soon die and he my enemy and persecutor may still be in being think not Walton that in the last moments of my existence I feel that burning hatred and Ardent desire of Revenge I once expressed but I feel myself justified in Desiring the death of my adversary during these last days I Have been occupied in examining my past conduct nor do I find it blamable

in a fit of enthus enthusiastic Madness I created a rational creature and was bound towards him to assure as far as was in my power his happiness and well-being this was my duty but there was another still Paramount to that my duties towards the beings of my own species had greater claims to my attention because they included a greater proportion of happiness or Misery urged by this view I refused and I did write in refusing to create a companion for the first creature he showed unparalleled malignity and selfishness in evil he destroyed my friends he

devoted to destruction beings who possessed Exquisite Sensations happiness and wisdom nor do I know where this thirst for vengeance may end miserable himself that he may render no other wretched he ought to Die the task of his destruction was mine but I have Failed when actuated by selfish and vicious motives I asked you to undertake my unfinished work and I renew this request now when I am only induced by reason and virtue yet I cannot ask you to renounce your country and friends to fulfill this task and now that you are returning to England you

will have little chance of meeting with him but the consideration of these points and the well balancing of of what you may esteem your duties I Leave to you my judgment and ideas are already disturbed by the near approach of death I dare not ask you to do what I think right for I may still be misled by Passion that he should live to be an instrument of Mischief disturbs me in other respects this hour when I momentarily expect my release is the only happy one which I have enjoyed for several years the forms of

of the Beloved dead flit before me and I hasten to their arms farewell Walton seek Happiness and tranquility and avoid ambition even if it be only the Apparently innocent one of distinguishing yourself in science and discoveries yet why do I say this I have myself been blasted in these hopes yet another May succeed his voice became fainter as he spoke and at length exhausted by his effort he sank into Silence about half an hour afterwards he attempted again to speak but was unable he pressed my hand Feebly and his eyes closed forever while the irradiation

of a gentle smile passed away from his lips Margaret what comment can I make on the untimely Extinction of this glorious Spirit what can I say that will enable you to understand the depth of my sorrow all all that I should Express would be inadequate and feeble my tears flow my mind is overshadowed by a cloud of disappointment but I Journey towards England and I may there find Consolation I am interrupted what do these sounds pretend it is midnight the breeze blows fairly and the watch on Deck scarcely stir again there is a sound as

of a human voice but hser it comes from the cabin where the remains of Frankenstein still lie I must arise and examine good night my sister great God what a scene has just taken place I am yet dizzy with the remembrance of it I hardly know whether I shall have the power to detail it yet The tale which I have recorded would be incomplete without this final and wonderful catastrophe I entered the cabin where lay the remains of my ill-fated and admirable friend over him hung a form which I cannot find words to describe gigantic

in stature yet UNC and distorted in its proportions as he hung over the coffin his face was concealed by long locks of ragged hair but one vast hand was extended in color and Apparent texture like that of a mummy when he heard the sound of my Approach he ceased to utter exclamations of grief and horror and sprung towards the window never did I Behold a vision so horrible as his face of such loathsome yet appalling hideousness I shut my eyes involuntarily and endeavored to recollect what were my duties with regard to this Destroyer I called

on him to stay he paused looking on me with Wonder and again turning towards the Lifeless form of his creator he seemed to forget my presence and every feature and gesture seemed instigated by the wildest Rage of some uncontrollable passion that is also my Victim he exclaimed in his murder my crimes are consummated the miserable series of my being is wound to its cloth oh Frankenstein generous and self-devoted being what does it Avail that I now ask thee to pardon me I who irretrievably destroy thee by destroying all thou Lovest alas he is cold he

cannot answer me his voice seems suffocated and my first impulses which had suggested to me the duty of obeying the dying request of my friend in destroying his enemy were now suspended by a mixture of curiosity and compassion I approached this tremendous being I dared not again raise my eyes to his face there was something so scarring and unearthly in his ug ugliness I attempted to speak but the words died Away on my lips the monster continued to utter wild and incoherent self-reproaches at length I gathered resolution to address him in a pause of the

Tempest of his passion your repentance I said is now Superfluous if you had listened to the voice of conscious and heeded the stings of remorse before you had urged your diabolical Vengeance to this extremity Frankenstein would yet have lived and do you dream said the demon do You think that I was then dead to Agony and remorse he he continued pointing to the corpse he suffered not in the consummation of the deed oh not the 10,000th portion of the anguish that was mined during the lingering detail of its execution a frightful selfishness hurried me on

while my heart was poisoned with remorse think you that the groans of Clerval were music to my ears my heart was fashioned to be susceptible of love and Sympathy and when wrenched by misery to Vice and hatred it did not endure the violence of the change without torture such as you cannot even imagine after the murder of clal I returned to Switzerland heartbroken and overcome I pied Frankenstein my my pity amounted to horror I abored myself but when I discovered that he the author at once of my existence and of its unspeakable torments dared to

hope for happiness that while he accumulated Wretchedness and despair upon me he sought his own enjoyment and feelings and passions from the Indulgence of which I was forever B then impotent envy and bitter indignation filled me with an in satiable thirst for vengeance I recollected my threat and resolved that it should be accomplished I knew that I Was preparing for myself a deadly torture but I was the slave not the master of an Impulse which I detested yet could not disobey yet when She died nay then I was not miserable I had cast off all

feeling subdued all anguish to Riot in the excess of my my despair evil thenceforth became my good urged thus far I had no choice but to adapt my nature to an element which I had willingly chosen the completion of my demonical design became an insatiable passion and now it is ended there is my last victim I was at first touched by the expressions of his misery yet when I Called to mind what Frankenstein had said of his his powers of eloquence and persuasion and when I again cast my eyes on the lifeless form of my

friend indignation was rekindled Within Me wretch I said it is well that you come here to whine over the Desolation that you have made you throw a torch into a pile of buildings and when they are consumed you sit among the ruins and Lament The Fall hypocritical fiend if he whom you mourn still lived still would He be the object again would he become the prey of your our csed Vengeance it is not pity that you feel you lament only because the victim of your malignity is withdrawn from your power oh it is not thus

not thus interrupted the being yet such must be the impression conveyed to you by what appears to be the purport of my actions yet I seek not a fellow feeling in my misery no sympathy may I ever find when I first Sought it it was the love of virtue the feelings of happiness and affection with which my whole being overflowed that I wish to be participated but now that virtue has become to me a shadow and that happiness and affection are turned into bitter and Loathing Despair and what should I seek for sympathy I am

content to suffer alone while my sufferings shall endure when I die I am well satisfied that abhorrence and appr probium should load my memory once my Fancy was soothed with dreams of virtue of Fame and of enjoyment once I falsely hoped to meet with beings who pardoning my outward form would love me for the excellent qualities which I was capable of unfolding I was nourished with high thoughts of honor and devotion but now crime has degraded me beneath the meanest animal no guilt no Mischief no malignity no misery can be found comparable to mine when

I run over the frightful catalog of my sins I cannot Believe that I am the same creature whose thoughts were once filled with Sublime and Transcendent visions of Beauty and the Majesty of goodness but it is even so the Fallen Angel becomes a malignant devil yet even that in enemy of God and man had friends and Associates in his desolation I am alone you who call Frankenstein your friend seem to have a knowledge of my crimes and his misfortunes but in the detail which he gave you of them he Could not sum up the hours

and months of misery which I endured wasting in impotent passions for while I destroyed his hopes I did not satisfy my own desires they were forever Ardent and C craving still I desired love and fellowship and I was still spurned was there no Injustice in this am I to be thought the only criminal when all humankind sinned against me why do you not hate Felix who drove his friend from his door with Kum Lee why do you not Execrate The Rustic who sought to destroy the savior of his child nay these are virtuous and Immaculate

beings I the the miserable and the abandoned am an abortion to be spurned at and kicked and trampled on even now my blood boils at the recollection of this Injustice but it is true that I am a wretch I have murdered the lovely and the helpless I have strangled the innocent as they slept and grasped to death his throat who never injured me or any other living Being I have devoted my Creator the select specimen of all all that is worthy of love and admiration among men to misery I have pursued him even to that

IR remediable ruin there he lies white and cold in death you hate me but your abhorrence cannot equal that which I regard myself I look on the hands which executed the deed I think on the heart in which the imagination of it was conceived and long for the moment when these hands will Meet my eyes when that imagination will haunt my thoughts no more fear not that I shall be the instrument of future Mischief my work is nearly complete neither yours nor any man's death is needed to consummate the series of my being and accomplish

that which must be done but it requires my own do not think that I shall be slow to perform this sacrifice I shall quit your vessel on the ice raft which brought me thither and shall seek the most northern Extremity of the globe I shall collect my funeral pile and consume to ashes this miserable frame that it remains May afford no light to any curious and unhallowed wretch who would create such another as I have been I shall die I shall no longer feel the agonies which Now consume me or be the prey of feelings

unsatisfied yet unquenched he is dead who called me into being and when I shall be no more the very remance of us both will speedily vanish I shall No longer see the Sun or stars or feel the winds play on my cheeks light feeling and sense will pass away and in this condition must I find my happiness some years ago when the images which this world affords first opened upon me when I felt the cheering warmth of Summer and heard the rustling of the leaves and the warbling of the birds and these were all to

me I should have wept to die now it is my only consolation Polluted by crimes and torn by the bitterest remorse where can I find rest but in death farewell I leave you and in you the last of humankind whom these eyes will ever behold farewell Frankenstein if thou were yet alive and yet cherished a desire of revenge against me it would be better satiated in my life than in my destruction but it was not so thou did seek my Extinction that I might not cause greater wretchedness and if yet in some mode Unknown to

me thou Hast not ceased to think and feel thou wouldst not desire against me a Vengeance greater than that which I feel blasted as thou wer my Agony was still Superior to thine for the bitter sting of remorse will not cease to Wrinkle In My Wounds until Death Shall close them forever but soon he cried with sad and solemn enthusiasm I shall die and what I now feel be no longer felt soon these burning miseries will be extinct I shall Ascend my funeral pile triumphantly and exalt in the agony of the torturing Flames the light

of that conflagration will fade away my ash ases will be swept into the sea by the winds my spirit will sleep in peace or if it thinks it will not surely think thus farewell he sprang from the cabin window as he said this upon the ice raft which lay close to the vessel he was soon borne Away by the waves and lost in darkness and distance