Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-04-09
CHAPTER Xxi.



OF the peasants. to the hermit's
cell; 1t was cavern in the side of a
mountain. overshadowed with palm trees:
at such distance from the cataract
mat nothing more was heard than a gem
tie uniform murmur. such as comnosed
the mind to pensive meditation. especially
when it was assisted by the wind whist
ing among the branches. The first rude
essay of nature had been so much i'm
proved by human labor that the cave
contained several apartments appropri
ated to different uses, and often afforded
lodging to travellers. whom darkness or
tempests happened to overtake.
The hermit sat on a bench at the door
TO ENJOY the GOODNESS of the evening.
On one side lay book with pens and
papers, on the other. mechanical instru-
mentS Of various kinds. As they an
preached him unregarded. the princess
observed that he had not the countenance
OF man that had found. or could teach
the way to happiness.
They saluted him with great respect
which he repaid like man not unaccus-
toned to the forms of courts. "Mv
children. said he. IF YOU have lost your
way, you shall be willingly supplied
with such conveniencies for the night AS
this cavern will afford | have all that
nature requires, and YOU will not expect
delicacies in hermit's CELL
They thanked him: and. entering. were
pleased with the neatnesS and regularity
OF the place. The hermit set flesh and
wine before them. though he fed only
upon fruits and water. His discourse
was cheerful without levity. and piou,
without enthusiasm. He soon gained
the esteem of his guests, and the princess
repentcd of her ha>tv cen,ure.
At last Imlac began thus: Il do not
now wonder that your reputation is so
far extended: we have heard at Cairo of
your wisdom, and came hther to implore
your direction for this young man and
maiden in the choice of life"
10 him that lives we'll" answered the
hermit. every form of life is good: nor
can give any other rule for choice than
to remove from all apparent evil"
''lIe will remove most certainly from
evil. said the prince. "who shall devote
himself to that solitude which YOU have
recommended by your example"
Il have indeed lived fifteen wears in
solitude, said the hermit. but have no
desire that my example should gain any
initatorS. In my youth profeS,ed
arms. and was raised by degrees to the
highest military rank. have traver>ed
wide countries at the head of my troops.
and seen many battles and Sieges. At
last, being Disguised by the preferments
of a younger officer. and feeling that my
vigor was beginning to decay, | resolved
to close my life in peace. having found
the world full of shares, dScord and
misery. had once escaped from the
pursuit of the enemy by the shelter of
this cavern, and therefore chose it for
my final residence. Iemployed artitcers
TO form it into chambers. and stored it
with all that was likely to want.
For some time after my retreat. re-
ioiced like a tempest-beaten sailor at his
entrance into the harbor, being delighted
with the sudden change of the noise and
hurry of war to stiffness and repo>e.
When the pleasures of novelty went
away. employed my hours in EXAMINE
ing the plants which grew in the valley
and the minerals which collected from
the rocks. But that inquiry is now
grown taStele>S and irksome. ! have
been for some time unsettled and distract
ed my mind is disturbed with a thous-
and pcrpleXticS of doubt. and vanities
of imagination. which hourly prevail
upon me. because | have no opporuni-
ties of relaxation or diversion. | am
sometimes ashamed to think that | could
not secnre myself from vice, but by re-
firing from the exercise of virtue and be-
gin To suspect that | was rather impelled
by resentment than led by devotion into
solitude. My fancy riots in scenes of
folly, and lament that have lost 50
p much. and have gained so little. In soli-
tude, if escape the example of bad men
want likewise the counsel and convert
= sation of the good. have been long
comparing the evils with the advantages
of society. and resolve to return into thd
| world tomorrow. The life of solitary
man will be certainly miserable, but not
certainly devout."
= They heard his resolution with surf
prise, but after a short pause offered I'd
: conduct him to Cairo. He dug up a com
: siderable treasure which he had hid
= among the rocks, and accompanied then
e TO the city, on which, as he approached
: it, he gazed with rapture.
= al 800, ,,,,..,, a., ,,,,,,l,