Our sphere respect being somewhat limited, intellectual endowments man being indisputably great, his deportment was more diligently marked and copiously commented on than you, perhaps, will think the circumstances warranted Not gesture, or glance, or accent, that was not, private assemblies, discussed, and inferences deduced It may well be thought that he modeled his behavior by an uncommon standard, when, with all our opportunities and accuracy of observation, we were able to gather no satisfactory information He afforded us no ground to build even plausible conjecture

degree of familiarity which takes place between constant associates, that justifies the negligence of many rules , in an earlier period intercourse, politeness requires the exact observance Inquiries into our condition are allowable are prompted by disinterested concern welfare; and this solicitude is pardonable, but may justly be demanded from those who choose us for their companions This state of things was more slow to arrive at occasion than on most others, on account gravity and loftiness man's behavior

Pleyel, however, began to employ regular means end He occasionally alluded circumstances they had formerly met, and remarked the incongruousness religion and habits of Spaniard with those of native of Britain He expressed his astonishment at meeting our guest corner globe, especially as, parted in Spain, taught that Carwin should never leave that country He insinuated that change so great must prompted by motives of singular and momentous kind

No answer, or an answer wide purpose, was generally made insinuations Britons and Spaniards, , are votaries same Deity, and square their faith same precepts; their ideas are drawn same fountains of literature, speak dialects same tongue; their government and laws have more resemblances than differences; they were formerly provinces same civil, and, till lately, same religious, empire

motives which induce men the place abode, these must unavoidably be fleeting and mutable bound to one spot by conjugal or parental ties, or nature employment to indebted for subsistence, the inducements are far more numerous and powerful than opposite inducements

He spoke desirous of showing that not aware tendency of Pleyel's remarks; yet certain tokens were apparent that proved him by no means wanting in penetration These tokens were read countenance, and not words When anything was said indicating curiosity in us, the gloom countenance was deepened, his eyes sunk ground, wonted air was not resumed without visible struggle Hence, obvious to infer that some incidents life were reflected on by him with regret; , since these incidents were carefully concealed, and even that regret which flowed laboriously stifled, they merely disastrous The secrecy that was observed appeared not designed to provoke or baffle the inquisitive, but was prompted shame or prudence of guilt

These ideas, which were adopted by Pleyel and my brother as myself, hindered us from employing more direct means for accomplishing our wishes Questions put terms that no room left pretense of misapprehension; and, if modesty merely the obstacle, such questions wanting; but we considered that, disclosure were productive of pain or disgrace, inhuman to extort it

Amidst the various topics that were discussed presence, allusions were, , made inexplicable events that had lately happened At those times the words and looks man were objects particular attention The subject was extraordinary; and anyone whose experience or reflections could throw any light upon entitled to my gratitude man was enlightened by reading and travel, I listened with eagerness remarks which make

At first I entertained kind of apprehension tale heard by him with incredulity and secret ridicule I had formerly heard stories that resembled this in some mysterious circumstances; but they were commonly heard by me with contempt doubtful whether the same impression now be made mind guest; but mistaken in my fears

He heard them with seriousness, and without any marks either of surprise or incredulity He pursued with visible pleasure that kind of disquisition naturally suggested His fancy was eminently vigorous and prolific; and, if persuade us that human beings are sometimes admitted to sensible intercourse Author of nature, he won over our inclination cause He merely deduced, own reasonings, that such intercourse was probable, but confessed that, though acquainted with many instances somewhat similar which related , were perfectly exempted suspicion of human agency

On being requested to relate these instances, he amused us with many curious details His narratives were constructed with skill, and rehearsed with energy, that all the effects of dramatic exhibition were frequently produced Those that were most coherent and most minute, and, of consequence, least entitled to credit, were yet rendered probable exquisite art rhetorician For every difficulty that was suggested ready and plausible solution was furnished Mysterious voices had always share in producing the catastrophe; but they were always explained on some known principles, either as reflected into focus or communicated through tube but remark that his narratives, however complex or marvelous, contained no instance sufficiently parallel that had befallen ourselves, and solution was applicable to our own case

My brother was much more sanguine reasoner than our guest Even in facts which were related by Carwin, he maintained the probability of celestial interference, latter was disposed to deny it, and had found, as he imagined, footsteps of human agent Pleyel was by no means equally credulous He scrupled not to deny faith to any testimony but that senses, and allowed the facts which had lately been supported testimony not to mold his belief, but merely birth to doubts

soon observed that Carwin adopted, in some degree, similar distinction tale kind, related by others, believe, provided explicable upon known principles; but that such notices were actually communicated by beings of higher order believe only when his own ears were assailed in manner which otherwise accounted for Civility forbade him to contradict my brother or myself, but his understanding refused to acquiesce testimony Besides, disposed to question whether the voices really uttered by human organs supposition desired to explain how the effect was produced

He answered cry for help, heard hall night adventure, was ascribed to human creature, who actually stood hall when he uttered it of no moment, , that explain by what motives he that made the signal was led hither How imperfectly acquainted were we condition and designs beings that surrounded us ! The city was near at hand, and thousands might there exist whose powers and purposes might easily explain whatever was mysterious transaction closet dialogue, obliged to adopt one of two suppositions, and affirm either fashioned in my own fancy, or actually took place between two persons closet

Such was Carwin's mode of explaining these appearances such, perhaps, as would commend itself as most plausible most sagacious minds; but insufficient to impart conviction treason that was meditated against me, doubtless just to conclude either real or imaginary; but real was attested mysterious warning summer-house, the secret I had hitherto locked up in my own breast

month passed away kind of intercourse Carwin, our ignorance was in no degree enlightened respecting his genuine character and views Appearances were uniform No man possessed larger store of knowledge, or greater degree of skill communication of it to others; hence regarded as an inestimable addition to our society Considering the distance brother's house city, frequently prevailed upon the night where he spent the evening Two days seldom elapsed without visit ; hence regarded as kind of inmate house He entered and departed without ceremony When he arrived he received an unaffected welcome, and when he chose to retire no importunities were used to induce him to remain

Carwin never parted gravity The inscrutableness character, uncertainty whether his fellowship tended to good or to evil, were seldom absent minds This circumstance powerfully contributed to sadden us

My heart seat of growing disquietudes This change in one who had formerly been characterized by all the exuberances of soul fail remarked by my friends My brother was always pattern of solemnity My sister was clay, molded circumstances she happened placed but one whose deportment remains described as being of importance to our happiness Had Pleyel likewise dismissed his vivacity ?