Chapter IX: Part 9

[23] = that after _a_ short time a dark skin appears to the eye of a European more pleasing and more natural than his own.

_Section 171._

TAHITI.

III.

A white man bathing (S. 16, N. 4) by the side of a Tahitian was[1] like a plant bleached (S. 7, N. 3, attrib.) by the gardener’s art compared[2] with a fine dark-green _one_ growing vigorously[3] in the field. Most of the men are tatooed, and the ornaments follow the curvature[4] of the body so[5] gracefully, that they[6] have a very elegant effect. The most common pattern, varying[7] in its details, is _somewhat_ like[16] the crown of a palm-tree. It springs[8] from the central line of the back, and gracefully curls[9] round both sides. The simile may[10] be a fanciful one, but I[11] thought the body of a man thus ornamented[12] was (App. §§ 29 and 30) like[13] the trunk of a noble tree embraced[14] by a delicate creeper.

Many of the elder people[15] had their feet covered with small figures, so[16] placed as to resemble a sock. This fashion, however, is partly gone[17] by, and has been succeeded[18] by others. Here[19], although fashion is far from immutable, every one must abide[20] by that prevailing at his youth. An old man has thus[21] his age for ever stamped on his body, and _he_ cannot assume[22] the airs of a young dandy. The women are tatooed in the same manner as the men, and[23] very commonly on their fingers.

In[24] returning to the boat, we witnessed[25] a very pretty scene. Numbers[26] of children were playing on the beach, and had lighted bonfires, which illuminated the placid sea and[27] surrounding trees; others, in[28] circles, were singing Tahitian verses. We seated ourselves on the sand, and[29] joined their party. The songs were impromptu[30], and[31] I believe related to our arrival. One little girl sang a line[32], which[33] the rest took up in parts, forming[34] a very pretty chorus. The whole scene made[35] us unequivocally aware that[36] we were seated on the shore of an island in the far-famed[37] South Sea.—CHARLES DARWIN.

[1] = appeared.

[2] = in (contracted with the Dat. of the def. art.) comparison.

[3] = in full vigour (+Kraft+, f.).

[4] +Kurvatur+, f.

[5] +auf eine so anmutige Weise.+

[6] they have a = they are of.

[7] varying — details = the single parts of which often differ (+ab´weichen+) from each other.

[8] springs from, +geht ... aus+; from — back, +vom Rückgrat+ (spine).

[9] to curl round, +sich um ... herum´winden+.

[10] may — one = is perhaps fanciful (+phantastisch+).

[11] +ich dachte bei mir selbst.+

[12] Use the attribut. const.

[13] +wie.+

[14] = which is embraced (+umschlin´gen+, insep. comp. str. v.) by (S. 106, N. 23) a delicate (+zart+) creeper (+Schlingpflanze+, f.).

[15] = men.

[16] = which were so arranged that they resembled (+gleichen+, to be like, str. v. governing the Dat.) a sock.

[17] = antiquated, +veraltet+.

[18] +verdrängt+, i.e. displaced.

[19] Say ‘Although fashion here is far from (+weit davon entfernt+) being (S. 1, N. 3) immutable.

[20] to abide by a thing, +bei etwas verbleiben+. Use the attributive constr. in this clause.

[21] +Auf diese Weise+, which place at the head of the period. ‘Old’, here +bejahrt+; ‘to stamp’, here +aus´prägen+.

[22] to assume the airs of a dandy, +den Stutzer spielen+. Render ‘not’ by ‘not possibly’, +unmöglich+.

[23] = but generally also.

[24] = When we returned to the vessel.

[25] Yesterday I witnessed a very pretty scene, +gestern bot sich mir ein sehr hübsches Schauspiel dar+.

[26] = Numerous children.

[27] +und die in der Nähe stehenden Bäume.+

[28] = who formed a circle (+Kreis+, m.), sang verses in their mother-tongue (i.e. native language).

[29] = and joined them (+sich an´schließen+, sep. comp. str. v. refl., governing the Dat.).

[30] +aus dem Stegreif.+

[31] = and related (+sich beziehen+, insep. comp. irreg. v. refl.), I believe (inverted), to (+auf+) our arrival.

[32] the ‘line’ of a verse is generally rendered by ‘+Strophe+’, f.

[33] which — parts, +welche von den übrigen mehrstimmig aufgenommen wurde+.

[34] = and formed.

[35] made — aware, +legte unzweifelhaftes Zeugnis davon ab+.

[36] = that we found ourselves.

[37] here +vielbesungen+, adj.

_Section 172._

AUDUBON[1], THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGIST, RELATES HOW NEARLY[2] A THOUSAND OF HIS ORIGINAL DRAWINGS WERE DESTROYED.

I left the village _of_ Henderson, in Kentucky, situated[3] on the banks of the Ohio, where I[4] resided for several years, to proceed[5] to Philadelphia on business. I (S. 115, N. 1) looked[6] to my drawings before my departure, placed them carefully in a wooden box, and gave[7] them in charge of a relative, with[8] injunctions to see that no injury should happen to them. My absence was of (= lasted) several months; and when I returned, after[9] having enjoyed the pleasures of home _for_ a few days, I inquired[10] after my box, and[11] what I was pleased to call my treasure. The box was produced[12] and opened; but[13], reader, feel for me—a pair _of_ Norway rats had taken possession of the whole, and reared a young family among the gnawed[14] bits of paper, which, but[15] a month previous, had represented nearly a thousand inhabitants of[16] the air! The burning heat which[17] instantly rushed through my brain was too great without[18] affecting my whole nervous system. I slept for (S. 166, N. 10) several nights, and the days passed like[19] days of oblivion—until[20] the animal powers being recalled into action, through the strength of my constitution, I[21] took up my gun, my note-book and my pencils, and went forth to the woods as gaily as if nothing had happened. I[22] felt pleased that I might now make better drawings than before; and, ere a period not exceeding three years had elapsed, my portfolio was again filled.—JOHN AUDUBON.

[1] +~John James Audubon~, der berühmte amerikanische Ornithologe (oder Vogelkundige), geboren den 4. Mai 1780 in Louisiana, gestorben den 27. Januar 1851 zu New-York, befuhr die Ströme und Flüsse des Westens, um die Vögel zu beobachten und zu zeichnen.+

[2] nearly a thousand, +nahe an tausend+.

[3] Use the attributive constr., and see S. 7, N. 3, and S. 48, N. 6.

[4] = I had resided for (+seit+).

[5] +reisen+; on business, +in Geschäften+.

[6] to look to a thing, +nach etwas sehen+.

[7] to give a thing in charge to a person, +einem etwas überge´ben+.

[8] = with the express command to protect (+bewahren+) them from (+vor+) any (+jeder+) injury.

[9] = and had enjoyed. The pleasures of home, +die Freuden der Häuslichkeit+.

[10] to inquire after a thing, +nach etwas fragen+.

[11] = and after (+nach+) my treasure, as I was pleased to call its contents (+wie ich dessen Inhalt gerne zu bezeichnen pflegte+).

[12] = brought.

[13] = but have pity on (+mit+) me, O reader!

[14] +zernagt+; bits of paper, +Papierfetzen+.

[15] +noch vor einem Monat.+

[16] +der Lüfte+, which is the poetic form.

[17] = which instantly took possession of my brain (+Gehirn+, n.). To take possession of a thing, +sich einer Sache bemächtigen+.

[18] +um nicht auch mein ganzes Nervensystem zu erschüttern.+

[19] like — oblivion, +im gänzlichen Vergessen alles Geschehenen+.

[20] = till my vital powers (+Lebenskräfte+) were reanimated (+wieder angeregt waren+, App. § 17) through the strength of my constitution (+Natur+, f.).

[21] Say ‘and I was able (+imstande sein+) to take up (+ergreifen+) my gun (+Büchse+, f.), my sketch-book and my pencils to (S. 19, N. 7) go therewith again as (+so+) cheerfully into the woods as if nothing had happened (+als ob nichts vorgefallen wäre+)’.

[22] Say ‘It gave me pleasure to think that I would now perhaps produce better drawings than ever (+je+) before; and even before (+noch ehe+) three years had passed away, my portfolio was again filled with drawings.

_Section 173._

THE BATTLE OF[1] KASSASSIN.

I.

Mahsamah, Monday, August 28, 1882.

At[2] seven this morning, guns were heard in the direction of Kassassin, which is[3] four miles to our front. The troops were called[4] under arms, the Cavalry, consisting of the Household Cavalry[5] and 7th Dragoon Guards, saddled _up_, and the Infantry fell[6] in in readiness to[7] march to the assistance of the force there under General Graham. That officer, however, sent a[8] message saying that the firing was in the enemy’s camp, and[9] was inexplicable, except upon the supposition that the Egyptians were fighting[10] among themselves.

At[11] eleven o’clock, however, the flags of the signallers at Kassassin were in motion, and (S. 104, N. 19) the news came that the enemy were approaching[12]. The Cavalry again turned out[13] and rode _off_ to Kassassin. As the enemy approached, General Graham opened fire with his two guns, and[14] the Egyptian artillery replied. The 19th Hussars[15] came on[16] to the place from Mahuta, where General Willis has his headquarters.

The enemy made no attack, but halted at[17] a considerable distance from the camp, and kept[18] up a continued shell-fire, but at a distance altogether[19] out of range. Their conduct[20] was, indeed, altogether inexplicable. The Cavalry remained out all day, and the Infantry _here_ were kept in readiness to march at[21] a moment’s notice, but as the enemy made[22] no movement in advance, they were not called _forward_ to the front.

The heat was terrific[23] all day, the[24] sun beating down with almost insupportable force upon the wide sand waste. It[25] had been hard work for horses and men. No shade was obtainable[26], and the hot wind raised[27] great dust storms, which penetrated[28] everywhere and made breathing difficult. The brigade of Guards (S. 36, N. 7, _A_) fell in under arms[29] ready[30] to march, but the Cavalry returned and reported that the enemy had fallen back[31], after[32] keeping the troops the whole day out in the full force of the sun.

[1] +bei+. The very graphic account of the Battle of Kassassin given in Sections 173-177 was written by the correspondent of the London ‘Standard’, who was with the cavalry at Mahsamah. Kassassin (also called Kassassin Lock) is four miles west from Mahsamah Station, which, only a few days previous to this action, was captured from the Egyptians by General Drury Lowe. The Egyptians had established a camp at that place, and, after the capture, the Household Cavalry and the Dragoon Guards were stationed there, under the command of General Drury Lowe, as a reserve to the small force that held Kassassin Lock, an important fortified position occupied by General Graham. The enemy, under the rebel-leader Arabi, held the strongly fortified camp of Tel-el-Kebir, about twelve miles west from Kassassin. Arabi’s stronghold (Tel-el-Kebir) was stormed and captured by the English under their skilful Commander-in-chief Sir Garnet Wolseley (now Lord Wolseley of Cairo), on Wednesday, September 13, when the rebel-army was totally beaten, and the Egyptian war brought to a successful issue.

[2] Say ‘This (+Heute+) morning _at_ 7 o’clock we (+man+) heard _the_ thunder of cannons (comp. n.)’, etc.

[3] = is situated; to our front = before us.

[4] to call under arms, +zu den Waffen rufen+.

[5] Nom. Pl. +Gardekürassiere+; the 1st Dragoon Guards, +das erste Dragoner Garderegiment+.

[6] fell — readiness, +stellte sich in Reih und Glied+.

[7] +um den dort unter General Graham stehenden Truppen zu Hülfe zu eilen.+

[8] a — saying = a messenger with the information (+Nachricht+, f.).

[9] and — supposition, +und daß man sich dasselbe nur durch die Vermutung erklären könne+.

[10] The rebels fight among themselves, +die Empörer bekämpfen sich unter einander+.

[11] = At 11 o’clock, however, we (+man+) saw the flag-signals (S. 76, N. 22, _A_) at Kassassin.

[12] +heran´rücken+. Comp. S. 107, N. 13.

[13] = got ready (+sich fertig machen+).

[14] which was answered (+erwiedern+) by the Egyptian artillery.

[15] +Husarenregiment+, n.

[16] on — place = here (+hieher+).

[17] at a = +in+.

[18] to keep up a continued shell-fire, +ein ununterbrochenes Bombardement+ (pronounced as in French) +unterhal´ten+.

[19] +welche außer dem Bereiche der Schußweite lag.+

[20] +Handlungsweise+, f.; indeed = really; altogether, +ganz+.

[21] at — notice = any moment.

[22] to make a movement in advance, +vor´rücken+.

[23] = extraordinary great.

[24] = and the sun shone down, etc.; ‘force’, here +Glut+, f.

[25] = Horses and men had had hard work (here +einen schweren Stand haben+).

[26] = to be found.

[27] +Staubwolken auf´treiben.+

[28] here +hin´dringen+.

[29] to fall in under arms, +unter Waffen treten+.

[30] = and held itself ready to march (+sich zum Abmarsch bereit halten+).

[31] to fall back, +sich zurück´ziehen+. See App. §§ 28 and 22. The auxiliary in this clause is best omitted to avoid its repetition, the next sentence containing the same.

[32] = after he (i.e. the enemy) had kept (+zurückhalten+, App. § 30) the troops the whole day at (+bei+) the great heat of the sun (comp. n. S. 76, N. 22; use +n+ as a connecting link, since fem. nouns ending in +e+ in olden times used to take +n+ as an inflection for the Gen., Dat., and Acc. Sing., as well as for the Pl.) in the field.

_Section 174._

THE BATTLE OF KASSASSIN.

II.

Ismailia[1], Tuesday, August 29,
3 o’clock in the morning.

Scarcely had the Cavalry unsaddled, and[2] horses and men begun to eat, when the[3] sound of artillery was heard (S. 4, N. 4, +man+) again at Kassassin, and by[4] the heavy _and_ continuous roar[5] it was evident[6] that this time the attack was[7] in earnest. Again the wearied men saddled their no less weary horses and[8] prepared to advance. The[9] sun was still beating down fiercely even at that late hour, and the hot withering[10] wind was raising[11] the sand clouds so high that it was impossible to see what was going[12] on, but through the dust and haze numerous[13] jets of smoke from the guns were visible.

The cannonade increased[14] in violence, and the Cavalry moved[15] away to the right, the[16] Artillery following them, and pressed[17] round towards the flank of the enemy’s Infantry. With[18] the movement of such masses of men and horses the dust rose over the whole scene thicker than ever, and it was impossible to obtain[19] more than a general idea of what was going on; while the sun set in[20] a red glare over the sandy plain.

The Cavalry pushed[21] still further to the right until[22] hidden from the enemy by some low sand hills, and[23] then goaded their weary horses into as fast a trot as the heavy sand and their weary condition would permit.

It was evident that it was the General’s intention to repeat the tactics of the previous fight, and that he meant[24] to get round the enemy’s rear. It was a striking proof of his confidence in[25] his troops that (S. 66, N. 15), with[26] tired horses and night approaching, he should attempt this manœuvre against an enemy of unknown strength and with[27] fresh horses. Against any other enemy it would have been rash[28], but the result proved that General Drury Lowe did not over-estimate the fighting powers[29] of his men.

[1] Ismailia, then the head quarters of Sir Garnet Wolseley, is 21 miles east of Kassassin, on the Suez Canal. In the morning, +morgens+.

[2] and = and scarcely had; ‘men’, here +Reiter+; to begin to eat, +mit dem Essen an´fangen+.

[3] the — artillery, +Artilleriesalven+.

[4] = through, +durch+; heavy = loud.

[5] +Kanonendonner+, m.

[6] = clear.

[7] = was meant in earnest (+ernstlich+, adv.). See App. § 17.

[8] +und rüsteten sich zum Vorrücken+.

[9] Say ‘Even at (+zu+) this late hour the sun sent down burning rays’, and insert the adv. +noch+ before ‘burning’.

[10] +versengend.+

[11] +treiben.+

[12] to go on, +vor´gehen+.

[13] numerous — guns, +zahlreiche aus den Kanonen aufsteigende Rauchsäulen+.

[14] = became more and more violent (+immer+ with the comparative form of the adj.).

[15] to move away, +ab´reiten+; to the right, +nach rechts+.

[16] = whilst the A. followed them (+ihr+, to agree with +Kavallerie+ in the fem. Sing.)

[17] ‘to press round’, here +seitwärts vor´dringen+; towards, +auf+; ‘of — infantry’ may be briefly expressed by ‘of the hostile Infantry’.

[18] With — horses, +Durch die massenhafte Truppenbewegung+.

[19] ‘to obtain’, here +sich ... machen+; of what was going on, +von dem Verlaufe des Gefechts+, which place after the pron. +sich+.

[20] in — glare, +mit blendend rotem Glanze+, which place before the verb, which stands?

[21] +vor´dringen.+

[22] until — enemy, +bis dieselbe den Blicken des Feindes ... entzogen war+.

[23] Render ‘and — permit’ freely, and say ‘+und spornten dann ihre ermüdeten Pferde zum möglichst schnellen Trabe an+’.

[24] +gedenken+; to — rear, +dem Feinde in den Rücken zu fallen+. The Impf. of the verb +gedenken+ stands, of course, after +fallen+, accord. to App. § 19.

[25] +welches er zu seinen Truppen hegte.+

[26] = in spite of the tired horses and the approaching (+heran´nahen+) night.

[27] = in the possession of fresh horses.

[28] +unbesonnen+, i.e. imprudent.

[29] fighting powers, +Stärke+, f.; ‘men’, here = troops.

_Section 175._

THE BATTLE OF KASSASSIN.

III.

Soon[1] darkness came down rapidly upon us. The rattle and roar of[2] combat on[3] our left never ceased, and it was evident that the two thousand Infantry[4] at Kassassin were hard pressed. Presently[5] the moonlight streamed palely over the grey sand, but the clouds of dust obscured[6] the advancing horsemen, who sometimes trotted, sometimes[7] walked.

By about seven o’clock we had got in the rear of the firing[8], and[9] wheeled in that direction, advancing[10] very slowly to[11] allow the Artillery to[12] come up. We could see the flashes of[13] the enemy’s artillery _gleam_ on the horizon like the flicker of incessant summer lightning[14].

We slowly drew[15] nearer to the scene of conflict. It was almost dark[16], but, unfortunately, we showed up[17] a black mass against the bright moonlit sky and ground[18], and[19] the sudden rush of shell through the air, followed[20] by an explosion far in our rear, showed that the enemy had at last discovered us. They[21] were about fifteen hundred yards[22] away, and[23] we saw nine flashes, one after another, at short intervals, spurt out, no[24] longer like sheet lightning, but in angry jets of flame. Almost simultaneously the sky above us seemed to[24] be torn in pieces as by (= through) a mighty hurricane. Shells screamed[25] and burst[26], and shrapnel bullets[27] tore up the sand on either side of us.

The brigade now moved[28] to the right to[29] disconcert their aim, and the next salvo of shell missed us. We moved quickly forward, and the gunners again saw us, and the shells burst over and around. Yet, strangely[30], but few were hit, though it seemed as if the storm[31] would mow men and horses down by squadrons[32].

[1] = Soon after (+darauf+) the darkness (+Dunkel+, n.) of the night descended (+hernie´dersteigen+) rapidly upon us.

[2] = of the.

[3] +zu.+

[4] +Infanteristen.+

[5] = Now streamed the pale moonlight, etc.

[6] = concealed; horsemen, +Reiterei+, f. Sing.

[7] +zuweilen auch im Schritt dahinritt.+

[8] = enemy; got = arrived.

[9] +und schwenkten der Richtung zu, aus der das Schießen kam.+

[10] = advanced (+vor´wärtsreiten+) however only very slowly.

[11] to allow = to (S. 19, N. 7) give time to.

[12] Inf. +heran´kommen+.

[13] = of the hostile artillery.

[14] = sheet lightning, +Wetterleuchten+, n.

[15] to draw near, +sich nähern+.

[16] The fact of its being dark soon after seven at the end of August is explained when we remember that there is no twilight in Egypt.

[17] = we formed.

[18] +Erdboden+, m.

[19] +und das Sausen einer plötzlich die Luft durchfliegenden Bombe.+

[20] = which exploded far behind us.

[21] = He (the enemy).

[22] = steps, +Schritte+; away, +von uns entfernt+.

[23] Arrange this sentence literally thus: and now saw we nine at (+in+) short intervals one another (+einander+) following cannon-shots (+Kanonenschüsse+) spurt out (+hervor´blitzen+).

[24] +welche nicht mehr dem Wetterleuchten, sondern verzehrenden Feuerströmen glichen+; to — pieces, +zu zerreißen+.

[25] +sausen.+

[26] +platzen ... in der Luft.+

[27] +Granaten.+

[28] +ab´schwenken.+

[29] +um dem Ziele des Feindes aus dem Wege zu gehen.+

[30] +sonderbarerweise.+

[31] +der Kugelregen.+

[32] men and horses by squadrons = whole squadrons of (+von+) men (+Menschen+) and horses.—To mow down, +hernie´dermähen+.

_Section 176._

THE BATTLE OF KASSASSIN.

IV.

Now[1] tiny flashes, with the sharp ping of bullets, told that the enemy’s Infantry were also at work, whilst[2] a horse here and a man there dropped[3] in the ranks.

The battery having (S. 30, N. 4) by this time come up, the Cavalry moved[4] to the right, in order to[5] allow them to come into action, and _in a_ few seconds, after taking up their ground, our guns spoke[6] out their answer to the enemy’s fire.

The Cavalry now advanced[7] from the left, the[8] 7th Dragoons leading. Under[9] cover of these the Life Guards formed for a charge, and[10] by word of command the Dragoons opened[11] right and left to allow them to pass. Already Herbert Stewart, General Drury Lowe’s brigade-major, had passed[12] down the line the word: “The Cavalry are to charge the guns!” Sir Baker Russell was in front (= at the head), and shouted: “Now we have them. Charge!”

Away[13] went the long line, disappearing[14] almost instantly in the darkness and dust, and _away_ behind them went[15] the 7th Dragoons, keeping[16] (S. 16, N. 4) on either flank of the Guards.

We[17], remaining in the rear, had the full benefit of the storm and shot which was to greet the advancing horsemen (+Reiterei+, f.) and of whom from (S. 102, N. 4) this moment we saw no more till the battle was over; _and_ only (S. 109, N. 5) then we learned[18] what they had done.

Led by Baker Russell, they charged[19] straight at the guns, sabring[20] the gunners as they passed, and[21] dashing into and cutting down the flying Infantry beyond them. Russell’s horse was shot under him, but he seized another and kept with[22] his men.

The battle was ended[23] at a stroke, and a scene of wild confusion ensued[24]; some guns were[25] still firing, bodies[26] of Infantry still kept up a fusillade, and numerous bodies[27] of horses and men dotted the moonlit plain.

Being now separated altogether from the Cavalry, with[28] the enemy intervening between us, myself and two companions endeavoured to find our[29] way round to Kassassin. It was an adventurous ride, for several shells burst near us, but before we reached the camp, the conflict was at an end.

[1] = At (+In+) this moment (App. § 14) flashes of lightning (+kleine Blitze+) and the sharp ping (+Knallen+, n.) of bullets betrayed that also the hostile Infantry were (= was) engaged in the attack (+beim Angriff beteiligt sein+).

[2] Place ‘here’ after ‘whilst’, and ‘there’ after ‘and’.

[3] +zu Boden fallen.+

[4] ‘to move’, here +ab´ziehen+, sep. comp. irreg. v.

[5] = in order to allow (+gestatten+) the same (to agree with ‘battery’) to begin the combat.

[6] spoke out their answer to = answered (+erwiedern+), v. tr.

[7] +vor´rücken.+

[8] = and (+und zwar+) the 7th Regiment of Dr. at (+an+) the head (+Spitze+, f.).

[9] = Under their (+dessen+) cover (+Schutz+, m.) formed the Life Guards (+die Gardekürassiere+) a line of attack (+eine Angriffslinie+).

[10] = and upon a given command.

[11] = opened ... the ranks (+Reihen+).

[12] to pass the word, +den Befehl ergehen lassen+; down = all along, +längs+.

[13] +Die lange Linie sprengte davon.+

[14] = and disappeared.

[15] away ... went = followed.

[16] to keep, +sich halten+; on, zu, either flank = both flanks.

[17] = Since we remained (+zurück´bleiben+) behind all, (+so+) we had the full effect of the shower of shot (+Kugelregen+, m.)

[18] = heard.

[19] to charge straight at the guns, +die feindliche Artillerie sogleich an´greifen+.

[20] = sabred down; as they passed, +auf ihrem Zuge+.

[21] = and dashed (+sprengen+) into the ranks of the flying Infantry behind the same, which they (+sie+, f. Sing. to agree with +die Reiterei+) cut down (+nie´dermetzeln+).

[22] +bei+; men = regiment.

[23] = with one stroke (+Schlag+, m.) at an end (+zu Ende+).

[24] = followed.

[25] = thundered still.

[26] +einzelne Teile.+

[27] bodies — plain = and numerous bodies (+Haufen+) _of_ Cavalry were still here and there upon the moonlit plain visible.

[28] = and the enemy stood between us. (The verb must stand last, since also this clause is a depending one, co-ordinated to the preceding clause by the conjunction ‘and’.)

[29] our way round, +einen Weg seitwärts+.

_Section 177._

THE BATTLE OF KASSASSIN.

V.

The Infantry there[1] had indeed had a hot time of it[2]. Hundreds of shells had (S. 29, N. 3) burst in the confined[3] space, and the shelter trenches[4] afforded but _an_ insufficient protection. On the left of the position[5], next to the Canal, were[6] the Marine Artillery, then came the 46th, and next[7] to them the 84th[8], the[9] slight earthworks sweeping round again in a semi-circle almost to the Canal. The Mounted[10] Infantry were in front under Captain Pigott, who[11] has received a wound, having been shot through the thigh.

The Egyptians came on with great bravery, _and_ in spite of the[12] heavy like of our men[13], were rapidly gaining ground, and would soon have rushed[14] into the entrenchments, when the roar of our guns on[15] their left rear, followed[16] by the rush of our Cavalry, proved[17] too much for them, and from (S. 102, N. 4) that moment they thought only of flight.

Our casualties are surprisingly[18] small considering[19] the fire to which our men were exposed. Lieutenant Edwards, of the Mounted Infantry, was[20] shot in the arm, Surgeon-Major[21] Shaw, of the 46th, was[22] killed, and _some_ ten or a dozen men, but, fortunately, the Remington bullet wounds rather than kills; the hospital was crowded[23] with wounded men.

About 10 o’clock the Cavalry came in[24] in high spirits over their brilliant achievement. Many, of course, are missing in the darkness, but will, no doubt, turn up[25] in the morning. Upon their[26] return from the pursuit they[27] were unable to find the guns over which they had charged, but these[28] will doubtless be discovered at sunrise. After learning from them[29] the events[30] of the charge, I[31] started to ride here to get off[32] my despatches,—a[33] distance of twenty-four miles. This solitary ride over the dismal desert by moonlight was not[34] the least exciting part of an exciting day.

Late[35] as it was, I found at (+auf+) the different posts the men[36] busy at work entrenching, and met troops also on[37] their march to reinforce those at the front.

The enemy’s force[38] _engaged_ was estimated at 13,000. The Egyptians fought well until our Cavalry and guns took[39] them in the rear, and, had[40] it not been for the gallantry of the defenders of Kassassin, would[41] have carried the position before our reinforcements came upon the scene.

At[42] the time I left, the losses were unknown, but were[43] supposed to be about twenty killed and a hundred wounded.

As[44] I am writing, Sir Garnet Wolseley and[45] the entire army are marching to the front.—THE CORRESPONDENT OF THE LONDON “STANDARD.”

[1] there, +dortig+, which is an attributive adj., to be placed before the noun ‘Infantry’.

[2] to have a hot time of it, +einen schweren Stand haben+.

[3] = narrow.

[4] +die Schanzgräben+.

[5] = camp.

[6] = stood.

[7] next to them = finally.

[8] Supply ‘regiment’.

[9] = whilst the insignificant entrenchments (+Verschanzungen+) swept round in a semi-circle almost to (+bis zu+) the canal. ‘To sweep round,’ here +sich hin´schlängeln+, of which the pron. +sich+ must be placed immediately after the subject, and the verb?

[10] +beritten+, adj.

[11] = who was wounded (S. 2, N. 1) and had received a shot through the thigh.

[12] Nom. +das lebhafte Schießen+.

[13] = troops; were rapidly gaining ground = advanced rapidly (+schnell vor´wärtsrücken+), sep. comp. w. v. intr. Where must you place the verb? and where the separable particle?

[14] to rush into the entrenchments, +in die Schanzwerke dringen+ (str. v.).

[15] on — rear, +an ihrer linken Flanke+.

[16] +und der darauf folgende un´erwartete Angriff unserer Kavallerie.+

[17] = had not terrified them (+einen in Schrecken jagen+).

[18] = extraordinarily.

[19] = if one considers (+bedenken+), that our troops were exposed to a really murderous fire.

[20] = is wounded; in, +an+, contracted with the Dat. of the def. art.

[21] +Stabsarzt.+

[22] was — kills = and ten or a dozen (+zehn bis zwölf+) men (= privates, +Gemeine+) are killed, but fortunately the Remington bullet (+Kugel+, f.) is but (+nur+) rarely fatal (+ist ... von tödlicher Wirkung+).

[23] = quite full of. The wounded man, +der Verwundete+.

[24] = returned; in high spirits, +höchst erfreut+.

[25] to turn up, +sich wieder ein´stellen+; ‘in the morning’, here +morgen früh+.

[26] = the; from their pursuit, +von ihrer Verfolgung+.

[27] Literally = could the Cavalry the cannons, which they had conquered, not find again (+wiederfinden+).

[28] = the same.

[29] = the horsemen (+Kavalleristen+).

[30] = details, +Einzelheiten+.

[31] +ritt ich nach hier ab.+

[32] = send off.

[33] Commence a new period here, and say: ‘The distance from Kassassin to here [Ismailia] is (+beträgt+) 24 miles’.

[34] = by no means, +keineswegs+, adv.

[35] = Notwithstanding the late hour.

[36] +Mannschaften.+

[37] on their march, +welche auf dem Marsch begriffen waren+.

[38] +Streitkräfte+, pl.; was = were; at 13,000, +an 13,000 Mann+.

[39] = attacked.

[40] +hätten die Verteidiger von Kassassin nicht eine solche Tapferkeit bewiesen, so+, etc.

[41] = the enemy would.

[42] = When I rode away.

[43] = were estimated at (+auf+) about, etc.

[44] = Whilst.

[45] = with.

_Section 178._

HOW THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON WAS DECEIVED.

“I (S. 115, N. 1) got famously taken in[1] on that occasion,” said the Duke of Wellington once. “The troops had[2] taken to plundering a good deal. It was necessary to[3] stop it, and I issued an order announcing[4] that the[5] first man taken in the act should be hanged upon the spot. One day, just as we were sitting[6] down to dinner, three men[7] were brought to the door of the tent by the provost. They had been taken in[8] the act of plundering, and I had nothing for it[9] but to command that they (S. 4, N. 4, +man+) should be taken away and hanged in some place where they might be seen by the whole column in its march next day. I had _a good_ many guests with[10] me on that day, and among the rest, I think, Lord Nugent. They[11] seemed dreadfully shocked, and could not eat _their dinner_. I did not eat myself, but, as I told them, I could not indulge my feelings[12]; I must do my duty. Well[13], the dinner went off rather gravely; and next morning, sure enough[14], three men in uniform were seen hanging (S. 78, N. 14, _B_) from the branches of a tree close to the high road. It was a terrible example, which produced[15] the desired effect, for there was no more plundering. Some months afterwards I learned that one of my staff[16] had taken counsel with Dr. Hume, and as three men had (S. 29, N. 3) just died in the hospital, they had hung them[17] up and let the three culprits return to their regiments.”

“Were you not very angry, Duke[18]?”

“Well[19], I suppose I was at first; but[20] as I had no wish to take the poor fellows’ lives and only wanted the example, and as the example had the desired effect (S. 27, N. 8), my anger soon died out[21], and I confess to you that[22] I am very glad now that the three lives were spared.”—HISTORICAL ANECDOTES.

[1] to be famously taken in, +gehörig angeführt werden+; once, +eines Tages+.

[2] = had begun to plunder; a good deal, +tüchtig+.

[3] to — it = to make an end of this nuisance, +diesem Unwesen ein Ende zu machen+.

[4] announcing that = according to which, +wonach+.

[5] the — act = the first man (+der erste+) whom one would take in the act. To take a person in the act, +einen auf frischer That ertappen+.

[6] to sit down to dinner, +sich zu Tische setzen+.

[7] +Leute.+

[8] in — plundering, +beim Plündern+.

[9] He has nothing for it, +es bleibt ihm nichts anderes übrig+; but, +als+; in, +an+; might = could, Impf. Subj.; column = army; in its march, +vorbeimarschierend+, adj. qualifying ‘army’.

[10] +bei+; place ‘I think’ after ‘and’; among the rest = among others.

[11] = These seemed to be very much shocked (+ergriffen+) at (+von+) the occurrence.

[12] to indulge one’s feelings, +seinen Gefühlen freien Lauf lassen+.

[13] +Gut+; went — gravely, +ging ein wenig ernsthaft vonstatten+.

[14] +auch wirklich+, which place after the subject, and construe the sentence in the Active Voice with the pron. man; men = soldiers.

[15] = had. There was no more talking, +es wurde nicht mehr gesprochen+.

[16] = one of my staff-officers (+Stabsoffiziere+); to take counsel in a matter with a friend, +eine Sache mit einem Freunde besprechen+.

[17] = these; culprits = condemned men (+der Verurteilte+, Nom. Sing.).

[18] +Waren Eure (Ew.) Hoheit nicht sehr erzürnt darüber?+

[19] +Nun ja, anfangs vielleicht war ich’s.+

[20] = however (+aber+), since I did not wish (+wollen+) the death of the poor fellows, but (+sondern+) only the example (Here follows the verb).

[21] ‘to die out’, here +ersterben+, insep. comp. str. v.

[22] To avoid a repetition of subordinate clauses, say: ‘that I am very glad (+froh+) now at (+über+) the preservation (+Rettung+) of the 3 men (+Leute+).

_Section 179._

A LETTER FROM DR. HENRY DANSON TO[1] MR. JOHN FORSTER, ON[2] CHARLES DICKENS’S[3] SCHOOL-LIFE.

I.

My impression is[4] that I was a schoolfellow of Dickens for nearly two years. He left[5] before me, I think about fifteen years of age. The school, called (S. 7, N. 3, _B_) _the_ Wellington Academy, was in _the_ Hampstead Road at the north-east corner of Granby Street. The school-house was afterwards taken down[6] on account of the London and North-Western Railway. It was considered at the time[7] a very superior sort of school, one of the best indeed[8] in that part of London; but it was most shamefully mismanaged[9], and the boys[10] made but very little progress. The proprietor, Mr. Jones, was a Welshman[11]; a most[12] ignorant fellow, and a mere tyrant, whose chief employment was[13] to scourge the boys. Dickens has[14] given a very lively account of this place in his paper _entitled_ “Our School,” but it is very mythical in many respects, and[15] more especially in the compliment he pays in it to himself. I do not remember that Dickens distinguished himself in any way[16], or carried off _any_ prizes. My belief is[17] that he did not learn Greek or Latin there, and you will remember[18] there is no allusion to the classics in _any of_ his writings. He was a handsome, curly-headed lad[19], full of animation and animal spirits, and[20] probably was connected with every mischievous prank in the school.

[1] +an.+

[2] +über.+

[3] +~Charles Dickens~, geboren den 7. Febr. 1812 zu Portsmouth, gestorben den 9. Juni 1870 auf seinem Landsitze bei London, begann seine schriftstellerische Thätigkeit unter dem angenommenen Namen Boz, welcher ihn schnell berühmt machte. Er begründete seinen Ruf als englischer Humorist durch die+ ‘Sketches of London’ (1836), +und namentlich durch die+ ‘Pickwick Papers’ (1837), +welches unstreitig das beliebteste, aber auch vielleicht das beste seiner zahlreichen Werke ist. Er gründete 1845 die Zeitung+ ‘Daily News’, +sowie 1850 die Zeitschrift+ ‘Household Words’, +welche seit 1860 den Titel+ ‘All the year round’ +führt. Er besuchte zweimal, im Jahre 1842 und 1868, die Vereinigten Staaten von Nord Amerika, von wo er das zweite Mal durch seine vielbesuchten Vorlesungen aus seinen eigenen Werken eine reiche Ernte heimführte. Von seinen späteren Werken sind+ ‘Oliver Twist’, ‘Nicholas Nickleby’, ‘David Copperfield’, ‘Dombey and Son’, ‘Martin Chuzzlewit’, +und+ ‘A Christmas Carol’ +die bekanntesten und besten. Es mag interessant sein, hier zu bemerken, daß seit dem Tode des berühmten und höchst beliebten Verfassers (d. h. in 16 Jahren) von seinen Werken 4,539,000 Bände verkauft worden sind.+

[4] = I remember still, that, etc. Place the advl. circumstance of time ‘for — years’ before ‘a — Dickens’.

[5] Supply ‘the school’ here; before me = earlier than I; I think = and as I think.

[6] to take down (of buildings), +nie´derreißen+.

[7] +damals+; I consider this a very superior sort of school, +ich halte dies für eine ganz vorzügliche Schule.+

[8] one — indeed = and was indeed (+auch wirklich+) one of the best.

[9] This institution is most shamefully mismanaged, +diese Anstalt wird ganz außerordentlich schlecht verwaltet+.

[10] boys = school-boys or pupils, +Schüler+; to make little progress, +geringe Fortschritte machen+.

[11] +Waliser.+

[12] most = highly, +höchst+; ‘fellow’, here = man; ‘mere’, here = real, +wahr+.

[13] +darin bestand+ (comp. S. 87, N. 6); to scourge = to chastise, +züchtigen+.

[14] Insert ‘to us’ after the auxiliary; of, +über+; place = institution; ‘paper’, here +Schrift+, f. Place ‘in — School’ after ‘to us’.

[15] +und zwar besonders in Bezug auf die Schmeicheleien, die er sich selbst darin zollt.+

[16] in any way = ever, +je+; to carry off prizes, +Schulpreise erhalten+. Use the verbs in the Pluperfect Subjunctive, accord. to App. § 33; the auxiliary, however, must be used but once, and this at the very end.

[17] = I believe; not ... or = neither ... nor.

[18] = and you know. Is there no allusion to the classics? +bezieht er sich nie auf die klassische Litteratur?+

[19] = He was a handsome boy with curly hair. Full — spirits = +voller Leben und Lebenskraft+.

[20] = who; to be connected with an action, +bei einer Handlung beteiligt sein+; a mischievous prank, +ein mutwilliger Possenstreich+.

_Section 180._

A LETTER FROM DR. HENRY DANSON TO MR. JOHN FORSTER, ON CHARLES DICKENS’S SCHOOL-LIFE.

II.

I do not think (S. 64, N. 11) he[1] came in for any of Mr. Jones’s scourging propensity; in fact, together with myself, he was only a day-pupil, and[2] with these there was a wholesome fear of tales being carried home to the parents. His personal appearance at that time[3] is vividly brought home to me in the portrait of him taken a few years later by Mr. Lawrence. He resided (S. 116, N. 17) with[4] his friends, in a very small house in a street leading out of Seymour Street, north of Mr. Judkin’s chapel.

Depend on it, he was _quite_ a self-made man, and his wonderful knowledge and command (+Beherrschung+, f.) of the English language must[5] have been acquired by long and patient study after leaving his last school.

I have no recollection of the boy you name[6]. Dickens’s chief[7] associates were, I think[8], Tobin, Mr. Thomas, Bray, and myself. The first named[9] was his chief ally, and his acquaintance with him appears to have continued many[10] years _afterwards_. About that time[11] the Penny and Saturday magazines (S. 71, N. 2) were published weekly, and _were_ greedily read by (S. 106, N. 23) us. We kept bees, white mice, and other living things, clandestinely[12], in our desks, and the mechanical arts were a good deal cultivated, in[13] the shape of coach-building, and making pumps and boats, the motive power of which was the white mice.

I think at that time Dickens took to writing[14] small tales, and we had a sort _of_ club for[15] lending and circulating them. Dickens was also very strong[16] in using a sort of lingo, which made us[17] quite unintelligible to bystanders.

[1] = that he had to suffer from the scourging propensity (+Prügelmanie+, f.) of his teacher, for, like myself, etc.

[2] +und diesen gegenüber war stets zu befürchten, daß sie bei den Eltern zu Hause aus der Schule plaudern würden.+

[3] +Sein damaliges Aussehen+; is vividly brought home to me = is again vividly brought (+führen+) before my (S. 43, N. 9, _A_ and _B_) eyes; in — Lawrence (Liter.) = ‘through the some years later by (+von+) Mr. L. painted picture of him’, which place immediately after the copula (+wird+) and the dative of the personal pronoun indicating the possessor.

[4] +bei+; in — Street = in a side-street (comp. n. S. 76, N. 22, _B_ [+n+]), not far from Seymour Street.

[5] must — acquired = he must have acquired. To acquire, +sich erwerben+, insep. comp. str. v. refl.; by, +durch+; ‘long’, here +langjährig+; after — school = after his school-time.

[6] = I cannot remember (+sich einer Sache erinnern+) the boy whose name you mention (+an´führen+).

[7] +hauptsächlich+, adj.

[8] Inverted constr.

[9] +Ersterer+; render ‘chief ally’ by a comp. n., and turn ‘chief’ by +Haupt+.

[10] Insert the adv. +noch+ before ‘many’; to continue, +fort´dauern+.

[11] +Um diese Zeit.+

[12] to keep clandestinely, +versteckt halten+; things = creatures; a — cultivated, +eifrig geübt+.

[13] in — mice = for we made coaches, pumps and boats, which then were set in motion by the white mice.

[14] took to writing = began to write.

[15] for — them, Liter. = among (+unter+) the members of which the same (to agree with ‘tales’) circulated (+zirkulieren+).

[16] = great; in — lingo, +im Gebrauch einer gewissen kauderwälschen Geheimsprache+.

[17] made us = was; to bystanders = to the uninitiated, +den Uneingeweihten+.

_Section 181._

A LETTER FROM DR. HENRY DANSON TO MR. JOHN FORSTER, ON CHARLES DICKENS’S SCHOOL-LIFE.

III.

We were very strong, too, in theatricals[1]. We mounted[2] small theatres, and got up very gorgeous scenery to[3] illustrate “The Miller and his Men,” and other pieces. I remember the[4] present _Mr._ Beverley, the scene painter, assisted us in this (S. 4, N. 5). Dickens was always the leader[5] at these plays, which were occasionally presented with much solemnity before an audience[6] of boys, and in _the_ presence of the ushers. My brother, assisted by Dickens, got up[7] “The Miller and his Men” in a very gorgeous form. Master[8] Beverley constructed the mill for us, in such a way[9] that it could tumble to pieces with the assistance of crackers. At one representation, the fireworks in the last scene, ending with the destruction of the mill, were so _very_ real[10] that the police interfered, and knocked violently at the door. Dickens’s after-taste for theatricals might have had[11] its origin in these small affairs.

I quite[12] remember Dickens[13] one day heading us in Drummond Street in pretending to be poor boys, and asking the passers-by for charity, especially old ladies, one of whom told[14] us she had no money for beggar-boys.

On these adventures, and especially when the old ladies were quite staggered[15] by the impudence of the demand, Dickens would explode with laughter and then take to his heels.

I met him one Sunday morning shortly after he had left the school, and[16] we very piously attended the morning service at Seymour Street chapel. I am sorry to say[17] Master[18] Dickens did not attend in the slightest degree to the service, but (S. 6, N. 10) incited me to laughter by declaring (S. 111, N. 6) his dinner was ready, and the potatoes would be spoiled[19]. In fact, he behaved in such a manner[20] that it was lucky for us we were not ejected from the chapel.—FROM J. FORSTER’S “LIFE OF CHARLES DICKENS.”

[1] +in theatralischen Aufführungen.+

[2] = made; to get up, +verfertigen+.

[3] Say ‘to illustrate (+in Scene setzen+) the piece’, etc. Men, +Leute+.

[4] = that the; scene painter, +Dekorationsmaler+, which is best placed before the name.

[5] +der Tonangeber+; at, +bei+.

[6] = assembly; boys = pupils; ushers = assistant masters, +Unterlehrer+.

[7] to get up, +in Scene setzen+, of which the part ‘+in Scene+’ is to be treated like the separable particle of a comp. sep. verb. Place the verb immediately after ‘brother’, and supply ‘the piece’ before ‘The — Men’; In — form = very (+ganz+) gorgeously.

[8] = The young.

[9] +auf solche Weise+; with the assistance, +mit Hülfe+.

[10] +realistisch+; to interfere, +sich hineinmischen+.

[11] might have had = perhaps had. Commence the sentence with ‘Perhaps’. ‘After-taste’, +Vorliebe+, f.; affairs = performances, +Vorstellungen+.

[12] +noch ganz deutlich.+

[13] = that Dickens led (+an´leiten+) us one day in Drummond Street to pretend to be (+sich gebärden ... als+) poor boys and to ask the passers-by for (+um+) alms (+milde Gaben+).

[14] = observed (+bemerken+).

[15] ‘to be quite staggered’, here +ganz verblüfft da´stehen+; by — demand = through the impudent demand; to explode with laughter, +vor Lachen fast bersten+; to take to one’s heels, +schnell davon laufen+; and — heels = and ran then quickly away.

[16] = and we went very (+ganz+) piously to church in Seymour St., to attend the morning service (+um dem Morgengottesdienste beizuwohnen+).

[17] +Ich muß leider bekennen.+

[18] = that the young D. not paid the least attention to the service. To pay attention to a thing, +einer Sache Aufmerksamkeit widmen+.

[19] = would get cold.

[20] = He behaved really so. That — us = that we must (Impf.) esteem (+schätzen+) ourselves lucky, not to be ejected from church.—He was ejected from church, +er wurde aus der Kirche geworfen+.

_Section 182._

SIR JOSEPH PAXTON[1].

Sir Joseph Paxton was acting as gardener to[2] the Duke of Devonshire when the Committee of the Exhibition of 1851 advertised for plans of a building. The architects and engineers seem to have been very much at fault[3] when Paxton submitted his design, and its novelty and remarkable suitability for the purposes intended, at once secured its adoption[4]. The first sketch was made upon a piece of blotting-paper in the rooms of the Midland Railway Company[5] at Derby; and the first rough[6] sketch indicated[7] the principal features of the building as accurately as the most finished drawings which were afterwards prepared. The great[8] idea of the Crystal Palace was as palpable[9] on the blotting-paper as if it had been set forth in all the glory of water-colour and gold-framing[10].

Was it a sudden idea,—an inspiration of genius[11],—flashing upon the mind of one[12] who, though no architect, must at least[13] have been something like a poet?—Not at all[14]. The architect of the Crystal Palace was simply a man who cultivated opportunities[15],—a laborious, painstaking[16] man, whose life had been a life of labour, of diligent self-improvement, of assiduous cultivation of knowledge[17]. As[18] Sir Joseph Paxton himself has shown, in a lecture before the Society of Arts, the idea was slowly and patiently elaborated by experiments extending over many years[19]. The Exhibition of 1851 merely afforded him _the_ opportunity of putting forward his idea[20]—the right thing at the right time—and the result was what we have seen.—S. SMILES, “SELF-HELP.”

[1] +~Joseph Paxton~, geb. den 3. Aug. 1803, gest. den 8. Juni 1865, wurde zunächst Kunstgärtner beim Herzog von Devonshire, zeichnete sich jedoch bald durch seine genialen Schöpfungen so sehr aus, daß der Herzog ihn zum Gartendirektor und Verwalter seiner großartigen Besitzung in Chatsworth ernannte. Die wundervollen Gartenanlagen und Gewächshäuser daselbst legen noch heute Zeugnis ab von seiner Genialität. Das große Gewächshaus, welches aus Eisen und Glas erbaut und 300 Fuß lang und 140 Fuß breit ist, diente ihm später als Grundlage des von ihm eingereichten Entwurfes für das Ausstellungsgebäude von 1851 im Hyde Park zu London und des später von ihm in Sydenham errichteten Krystalpalastes. Seine Verdienste um die große Weltindustrieausstellung von 1851 wurden von der Königin dadurch anerkannt, daß sie ihm die Ritterwürde verlieh. Sir Joseph Paxton wurde im Jahre 1854 zum Parlamentsmitgliede für Coventry gewählt und hat sich um die Baukunst und das Eisenbahnwesen manche Verdienste erworben. Er ist auch der Verfasser vieler Zeitschriften und Werke über die Gartenkunst.+

[2] to act as gardener to a person, +bei einem als Kunstgärtner angestellt sein+; advertised — building, +öffentlich zur Einsendung von Plänen für ein Ausstellungsgebäude aufforderte+. I propose to commence the period with the subordinate clause ‘when — building’.

[3] to be very much at fault, +in großer Verlegenheit sein+; to submit a design (of a building), +einen Entwurf ein´reichen+.

[4] and — adoption = and as the same (agreeing with +Entwurf+) was quite new and remarkably suitable to its purpose (+zweckentsprechend+), it was at once accepted.

[5] in — company = in the waiting-rooms of the railway station.

[6] = hasty, +flüchtig+.

[7] +an´deuten.+

[8] = grand, +großartig+.

[9] +klar dargestellt+, p. p.

[10] as — framing = as if one had embellished (+aus´schmücken+) it with beautiful water-colours and gold framing.

[11] an — genius = the inspiration of a genius (+Genie+, n., pronounced as in French).

[12] flashing — one = which suddenly (+auf einmal+) filled the mind of a man.

[13] Insert the adv. +doch+ before ‘at least’ (+mindestens+); something like = more or less.

[14] +Ganz und gar nicht!+

[15] to cultivate opportunities, +Gelegenheiten zu benutzen wissen+.

[16] +strebsam+; of = full of, +voller+.

[17] of — knowledge, +und unverdrossenen Strebens nach Kenntnissen+.

[18] = Like, +wie+; has shown = declared; in — Arts, +in einem vor dem Kunstvereine gehaltenen Vortrage+, which place immediately after the subject.

[19] ‘by — years’ may be briefly rendered by +durch langjährige Versuche+ or +Experimente+, which place after ‘idea’; slowly = gradually; patiently, +beharrlich+; to elaborate, +aus´arbeiten+.

[20] of — idea = to bring his idea before (+vor+) the public (+Öffentlichkeit+, f.); the right thing, +das Rechte+; at, +zu+, contracted with the def. art.

_Section 183._

REBECCA DESCRIBES THE SIEGE OF TORQUILSTONE (App. § 5) TO THE WOUNDED IVANHOE[1].

I.

“And I must lie here like a bed-ridden[2] monk,” exclaimed Ivanhoe, “while the game[3] that gives me[4] freedom or death is played out by _the hands of_ others! Look from the window[5] once again, kind maiden, but beware that you are not marked by the archers[6]. Look out once more, and tell me if[7] they yet advance[8] to the storm.”

With patient[9] courage, strengthened by the interval which she had employed in mental devotion[10], Rebecca again took post[11] at the lattice, sheltering herself[12], however, by means of a large _and_ ancient shield so as not to be visible from beneath[13].

“What dost thou see, Rebecca?” again demanded the wounded knight.

“Nothing but the[14] cloud of arrows flying so thick as to dazzle mine eyes[15], and to hide the bowmen who shoot them.”

“That cannot endure[16],” said Ivanhoe; “if they press not right on[17] to carry the castle by pure force of arms (S. 27, N. 8), the archery may[18] avail but little against stone walls and bulwarks. Look for[19] the Black Knight, fair Rebecca, and see how he bears himself[20]; for as the leader _is_, so will his followers be[21].”

“I see him not,” said Rebecca.

“Foul craven[22]!” exclaimed Ivanhoe; “does he blench[23] from the helm when the wind blows highest[24]?”

[1] =Ivanhoe=, a novel by Sir Walter Scott, is the most brilliant and splendid of romances in the English language. Rebecca, the Jewess, was Scott’s favourite character. The Scene is laid in England in the reign of Richard I., who assumes the name of the ‘Black Knight’ in this story, and we are introduced to Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest, banquets in Saxon halls, tournaments, and all the pomp of ancient chivalry. Sir Wilfred Ivanhoe is the favourite of Richard I. and disinherited son of the Saxon Cedric of Rotherwood. Having distinguished himself as a crusader, he returns to England and, disguised as a palmer, goes to Rotherwood, where he meets Rowéna, his father’s ward, with whom he is in love; but, through his separation from his true love, we see him more as the friend of Rebecca and her father, Isaac of York, to both of whom he shows repeated acts of kindness, and completely wins the affections of the beautiful Jewess, who, by her gentle, meek, yet noble and high-toned disposition, quite throws into the shade her more successful rival Rowéna. In the grand tournament at Ashby Ivanhoe appears as the ‘Disinherited Knight’, and overthrows all comers. He is, however, wounded, and carried from the crowded lists by Rebecca’s servants. After having attended to his wounds, Rebecca and her father are about to transport their friend in a litter to Doncaster, when they are surprised by a number of armed men, headed by the Templar Brian de Bois-Guilbert, who take them prisoners and bring them, along with Cedric and Rowéna, who likewise have been made captives, to Torquilstone, the Castle of Front-de-Bœuf, Ivanhoe’s enemy. During their imprisonment the castle is besieged by the Black Knight, who, in his adventurous spirit, having joined a band of yeomen and outlaws, demands the deliverance of the prisoners. The castle falls into the hands of the besiegers, Front-de-Bœuf perishing in the flames of the burning castle; Ring Richard pleads for Ivanhoe to Cedric, reconciles the father to his son, and the young knight marries Rowéna.

[2] +bettlägerig.+

[3] = combat.

[4] Insert ‘either’ here; gives = brings; played out = is fought out; by, +von+.

[5] to look from the window, +zum Fenster hinaus´sehen+. Use the 2nd pers. sing. when Ivanhoe addresses Rebecca.

[6] that — archers = =that= (= =in order that, +damit+=) the archers _may_ not notice thee.

[7] +ob.+

[8] +heran´rücken.+

[9] +unverdrossen.+

[10] +und durch die von ihr zur stillen Andacht benutzte Pause gestärkt.+

[11] took post = placed herself; at, +an+.

[12] +sich verbergen+, insep. comp. str. v. refl.; say ‘sheltered herself however;’ by means of = behind.

[13] as — beneath = that she could not be seen from beneath (+unten+).

[14] = a; flying so thick = which fly in such masses (use the Sing.) through the air; ‘to fly through’, here +durchflie´gen+, insep. comp. str. v.

[15] as — eyes = that they dazzle my eyes; and to hide = and conceal from my eyes (+Blick+, m.); ‘to shoot’, here +ab´schießen+.

[16] +lange so fortdauern.+