The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-08-04

CHoRUs-I love you, Love; love You, Love;
But oh! you must have money.
joaquin Miller.
A DIVING.BELLE,
Or the Most Romantic Incident in MY Life
BY W. Payn, Esq.
Seventeen was just the age at which I
first met Charlotte Elizabeth under water.
What think you of that? Are not such cir
cumstances Of first love new? Permit me
also to add, with my hand upon my heart,
that they are moreover true.
It was on Saturday afternoon, which
was holiday at our Office in the city, and
was spending it in the improvement Of my
mind at the Polytechnic Institute, London. I
had sat in the stately hall which is some
thing between theaber and dssechng
room-to behold the wonders Of science;
had gazed upon that wondrous apparatus
for learning to swim upon dry land, until
my limbs were on the point of striking
out for an imaginary shore, and had
gazed upon the electrical eel to repletion-
when great bell was rung, and sonorious
voice exclaimed Experiments connected
with the diving bell!' Upon this
a great rush was made from all parts of the
building to that circular pond of clear,
green water, the excessive depth Of which
has always been marvel to me. Into
whose cellar does it descend? What sewer
does it forever threaten with untimely
flushing? From what fountains do it's
pellucid waves arise? Then the intrepid
diver made his toilet in the presence of the
company, being loaded with heavy weights,
oc ho "a ~
and having oh his head . helmet fixed, to
be presently screwed round by the assist
ants-a proceeding which appeared to the
unscientifc eye like wringing his neck.
Covered with polypi in the shape of india
rubber tubing, this monster tadpole clum-
silly descended by an iron ladder into the
pond, the bottom of which was already
strewed with half-pence. After these we
could plainly see him waddle and stoop,
made more hideous than before by the
watery Observation-Disclosures, at right
angles to himself, exaggerated. dispropor-
toned, slow-the most horrible picture of
cupidity that the mind is capable
of concerning. Above him arose
large and noisy bubbles, and now and
then he would emerge as to his head and
shoulders, and tap his metal helmet with
the half pence, to let us know-as though
we had not watched his horrid movements
all along-that he had picked them up. In
credible as it may appear, was attracted
toward this amphibious pursuit of his;
felt as though too should like to explore
those airless depths, and make my business
in those mighty waters. When he came out
at last, like a two-trunked elephant,
and bowed IN his repulsive manner to the
spectators, was almost afraid that he was
nffor 101v Ia
of his apparatus. was infinitely relieved
when saw it put away in cupboard, for
now no unnatural temptation
"Any lady or gent for the diving bel?"
exclaimed the senorous voice. "The ma
chine is now about to descend"
My heart came into my mouth, and then
retired about half way down my throat as
should judge. My extremites became cold as
ice as Igasped out: ''Stop minute; take me
in, please do" The crowd that had already
surrounded the machine parted to left and
right to let me pass. There was not the
least hurry, of course; but if had not
spoken at once, should not have done so
at all. I was the first volunteer for this
tremendous enterprise, and an object of
great public interest.
II wouldn't do it myself for a 'underd
pound" observed one gentleman, for the
purpose OF reassuring me, conclude; and
friend of his replied: 'No, nor yet for
two; it's what call foolardy."
. Ipassed the little barrier; gave the man
ager the requisite shilling for the submar-
inc passage; and crept under the great
goggle-eyed bell amid quite popular ovo-
ton A narrow seat ran around the interior of
even as it was, and the light was dim, al
IN hn
land of the living. ! perceived, how
ever, o shining substance immedi-
ataly opposite to me, which turned out to
be boy covered with buttons-the page of
the establishment, whose dreadful trade it
was to descend, don't know how many
times day, in company with subaqueous
amateurs. He had rope in his band, that
hung down from the top of the bell, and
which I fondly imagined communicated
with the scientific authorities. SO that we
could be hoisted up again at moments
notice by signal; but this confidence
was entirely misplaced. A certain round
spot with a number of little round holes
like the top of sink-was the sole orna-
ment of the apartment in which we were;
and through this was to come the air we
breathed. To say that would gladly have
got out again and sacrificed my shilling, is
" SAS u SCAJ AScOA0 Auch VI uy 6lato OI
repentance. would have given forty
shillings to be once more gazing under
the light of heaven-at the least remark
able object Of interest in the
institution. All the crimes I had
ever committed during checkered life
seemed to crowd in upon my recollection
made the most ardent resolutions for con-
Quoting myself for the future after a diff
ferent fashion-if should only be per-
mitted to emerge alive out of that bell. 1t
is true that there was yet time for me to do
SO, for the director was still teuting for
passengers, but hadn't the neral courage
for such a step as this. I could not have
descended amid the same crowd which had
applauded my intrepidity, to experience its
scornful jeers. Iperceived the same feel
ings we're actuating two other individuals
who now joined us; they, too, cast wistfu]
glances at the mouth of the bell, and were
evidently contemplating in their minds the
most salient points in their past wicked
lives.
''You had better put your legs up, gen.
tlemen," said the page, athere will be less
chance of falling out at the Bottom when
we get under water"
LESS chance!" gasped I, as I fastened
to obey his suggestion. "Do you mean to