Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1883-08-11

of some weeks. This period wa
spent sadly; my mothers death
and my speedy departure, depressed
our spirits; but Elizabeth endeav
ored to renew the spirit of cheerful
ness in our little society. Since til,
death of her aunt her mind had ac
quired new firmness and vigor. Sh'
determined to fulfill her duties will
| the greatest eXactness; and she fel
that the most imperiOus duty, o
rendering her uncle and cousin
happy. had devolved upon her. Sh,
consoled me, amused hes uncle, in
structed my brothers; and 1 neve
beheld her so enchanting as at thi.
time, when she was continually en-
deavoring TO contribute to the hap
piness of others, entirely forgetfu
of herself.
The day of my departure al
length arrived. l had taken leave
of all my friends excepting Clerval
who had spent the last evening
with us. He bitterly lamented that
he was unable to accompany me ;
but his father could not be persua-
ded to part with him, intending
that he should become a partner
with him in business, in compli-
ance with his favorite theory, that
learning was superhuous in the
commerce of ordinary life. Henry
had a refined mind he had no de-
sire to be idle, and was well pleased
to become his fathers partner but
he believed that man might be a
very good trader, and yet possess Il
cultivated understanding.
We sat late, listening to his COM
plants, and making many little
arrangements for the future. The
next morning early / departed.
Tears gushed from the eyes of Eliz-
abeth they proceeded partly from
sorrow at my departure, and. partly
because she reflected that the same
journey was to have taken place
three months before, when moth
er's blessing would have accompa-
MED me. H tf..Ii-.
1 threw myself into the chaise
that was to convey me away, and
indulged in the most melancholy
reflections. |, who had never been
surrounded by amIable companions,
continually engaged in endeavor-
ing to beStOW mutual pleasure, L
was now alone. In the university
whittier l was going, Imust form
my own friends, and be my own
protector. Ny life had hitherto
been remarkably secluded and do
mestic and this had given me in
vIncible' repugnance to new cOun-
tenances. 1 loved my brothers,
Elizabeth, and CIerval these were
"old familiar faces :" but | believed
myself totally untitled for the COM
pany of strangers. Such were my
reflections as | commenced my
journey but as l proceeded, my
spirits and hopes rose. L ardently
desired the acquisition of knowl-
edge. | had often, when ut 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.
| had sufficient leisure for these
and many other reflections during
my journey to Ingolstadt, which
was long and fatiguing. At length
the high white steeple of the town
met my eyes. Ialighted and was
10 my solitary apart
ment to spend the evening as l
pleased.
The next morning | delivered
my letters of introduction, and paid
a visit to some of the principal pro
fessors, and among others to NJ.
Krempe, professor of natural phil
He received me with po-
liteneSs, and asked me several ques-
tions concerning my progress in
the different branches ofscience APP
pertaining to natural philosophy. /
it is true, with fear and
trembling, the only authors | had
ever read upon those subjects. The
Professor stared: "Have you," he
said, "really spent your time in
studying such nonsense 2"
/ replied in the affirmative. "Ev-
cry minute" continued NJ. Krempe
with warmth, "every instant that
you have wasted on those books is
utterly and entirely lost. You have
burdened your memory with eX-
ploded systems, and useless names.
Good God! in what desert land
have you lived, where no one WAS
kind enough to inform you that
these fancie5, which you have SO
greedily imbibed, are a thousand
years old, and as musty as they are
ancient? / little expected in this
enlighted and scientific age to find
1 deciple of Albert Magnus and
My dear sir, you must
begin your studies entirely anew"
So saying, he stepped aside, and
wrote down list of several books
.reating of natural philosophy,
which he desired me to procure,
md dismissed me, after mentioning
hat in the beginning of the follow
ng week he intended to commence
| course of lectures upon natural
its general relations, and
hat NJ. Waldman, a fellow prOfeS-
'or, would lecture upon chemistry
he alternate days tnat he missed.
| returned home, not diSappOint-
sd, for had long considered those
authors useless whom the Professor
lad so strongly reprobated but |
lid not feel much inclined to study
he books which | procured at his
recommendation. M. Krempe was
/ little fat man, with grutf
voice and repulsive countenance ;
he teacher, therefore. did not pre-
possess me in favor of his doctrine.
Besides, had a contempt for the
Ises of modern natural philosophy.
It was very different, when the
of the science sought inn
and power; such views,
futile, were grand; but
lOW the science had changed. The
of the inquirer seemed to
INIT itself to the annihilation of
hose visions on which my interest |
n science was chiefly founded. l
vas required to exchange chimeras
If boundless grandeur for realities
)f little worth.
Such were my reflections during
he first two or three days spent al
most in solitude. But as the ensu-
ng week commenced. | thought of
he information which NJ. Krempe
lad given me concerning the lect-
ires. And although l could not
consent to go and hear that little
fellow deliver sentences
,ut OF Al pulpit, l recollected what
ne had said of M. Waldman, whom
had never seen, as he had hitherto
)een out of town.
Partly from curiosity, and partly
rom idleness, / went into the lect-
Iring room, which NJ. Waldman !
,b N FtOr fItb;g ,,pn foe