Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1883-08-18
FRANK ENSTEIN F.:
Or
THE MODERN PRoMETHEus.
BY MRS. M. w. SHELLEY
CHAPTER III.

From this day natural philosophy
and particularly chemistry, in the
most comprehensive sense OF the
term, became nearly my sole occu-
patton. l read with ardor those
works, so full of genius and discrim-
inatiOn, which modern inquirers
have written on these subjects. /
attended the lectures, and cultiva-
ted the acquaintance, of the men of
science of the university; and /
found even in NJ. Krempe a great
deal of sound sense and real infOr-
nation, combined, it is true, with
repulsive physiOgnOny and man.
ners, but not on that account the
less valuable. In M. Waldman [
found 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. 1t was, perhaps, the
amiable character of this man that
inclined me more to that branch of
natural philosophy which he pro-
fessed, than an intrinsic love for
the science itself. But this state of
mind had place only in the first
steps toward knowledge; the more
fully | entered into the science, the
more exclusively / pursued it for
its own sake. That application
which at first had been a matter of
duty and resolution, now became so
ardent and eager that the stars Of
ten disappeared in the light of
morning while was yet engaged
in my laboratory.
As [ applied so closely, it may
be easily conceived that | improv-
ed rapidly. My ardor was indeed
the establishment of the students
and my proficiency, that of the
masters. Professor Krempe often
asked me, with Il sly smile, how
Cornelius Agrippa went on !; while
NJ. Waldman expressed the most
heartful eXultatiOn in my progress.
Two years passed in this manner,
during which paid no visit TO Ge-
neva, but was engaged, heart and
soul, in the pursuit of some discov-
cries which hoped to make. None
but those who have experienced
them can conceive of the entice-
ments of Science. In other studies
you go as far as others have gone
before you, and 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 infalllbly
arrive at great proficiency in that
study; and / who continually
sought the attainment of one object
of pursuit, and was solely wrapped
up this, improved 80 rapidly,
that, at the end of two years,
made some discoveries in the inn
prOVement Of some chemical in
strumentS, which procured me great
esteem and admiration at the uni
VGrsity. When 1 arrived at this
point, and had become as we'll ac-
quainted with thu: theory and prac.
tice of natural philosophy us depen-
ded on the lessons OF any of the
professors at Ingolistadt, my resi-
dence there being no longer cOnduc-
i've TO my improvement, l thought
of returning to my friends and my
native town, when an incident hap
pened that pr0tracted my stay.
One Of the phenomena which had
peculiarly attracted my attention
was the structure of the human
frame, and, indeed, amy animal en-
dued with life. Whence, l often
asked myself, did the principle of
life proceed ? 1t was a bold queS-
tion, and one which has ever been
considered as Il mystery yet with
how many things are we upon the
brink of becoming acquainted, if
cOWardice or carelessness did not
restrain our inquiries. | revOlved
these circumstances in my mind,
and determined thencefOrth to APP
ply myself more particularly TO
those branches of natural philOsO-
ply which relate to physiology.
Unless / had been animated by an
almost supernatural enthusiasm,
my application to this study would
have been irkSome, and almost in
tOIerable. To examine the causes
of life, we must first have recourse
to death. | became acquainted
with the science of anatomy; but
this was not sufficient must also
observe the natural decay and cor
ruption of the human body. In
my education my father had taken
the greatest precautions that my
mind should be impressed with no
supernatural horrors. l do not
eyer remember to have trembled at
a tale of superstition, or to have
feared the apparition of spirit.
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 seat of beauty and strength, had
become food for the worm.
Now / was led to examine the
cause and progress of this decay, and
forced to spend days and nights in
vaults and charnel-houses. NY at
tention was fixed upon every object
the most insuppOrtable to the deli
cacy of the human feelings. / saw
how the fine form OF man was de-
graded and wasted 1 beheld the
corruption of death succeed to the
blooming cheek OF life; saw how
the worm inherited the wonders of
the eye and brain. l paused, exam.
lining and analyzing all the min