| | 62 | Author: | Gorky, Maxim | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | "Confronting Life"  | | | | Published: | 1996 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | | | | Description: | CONFRONTING Life, two people stood—both discontent. And to the
question, "What do you expect of me?" one made answer with weary
voice: "I am distracted by the cruelty of thy contradictions. Feebly my
reason strives to understand the meaning of existence, and with
perplexing gloom my heart is filled before thee. My consciousness doth
tell me man is the highest of creations." | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 63 | Author: | Gorky, Maxim | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Personal Recollections of Anton Pavlovitch Chekhov | | | | Published: | 1996 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | | | | Description: | [As a narrative of the visit of the best known of Russian short
story
writers to another regarded as still greater, the following article has an
especial interest. Maxim Gorky has long been popular in this country, and
his imprisonment on the charge of conspiracy to overthrow the Government
has recently brought him into greater prominence. Chekhov's stories are
now beginning to be translated into English, and since they are much wider
in scope and more varied in style than Gorky's they are likely to find
more readers among us. According to Tolstoy Chekhov is the founder of a
new school of literature, and his influence will be lastingly felt
throughout the world. He was born in 1860, the son of a serf who had
freed himself by his own ability. He was educated as a physician in the
University of Moscow, and began to write for college journals at the age
of nineteen. His death last year is deeply regretted, since he was at the
hight of his powers of production and his stories were becoming
somewhat more optimistic in tone. The illustrations accompanying this
article are all taken from caricatures originally published in Russian
newspapers and magazines. The translation is by Lizzie B.
Gorin.—EDITOR.] | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 64 | Author: | Gorky, Maxim | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Philip Vasilyevich's Story | | | | Published: | 1996 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | | | | Description: | [Either on account of lack of evidence or because of the
protests of literary men and societies throughout the world, Maxim
Gorky has at last been released from prison, and he will not be
prosecuted on the charge of conspiring to overthrow the Russian
Government. It is not to be expected that his recent experiences in
the hands of the police will modify the appropriateness of the
pseudonym under which he writes, Gorky, "the Bitter One."—EDITOR.] | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 67 | Author: | Harrison, C. C. | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | A Virginia Girl in the First Year of the War. | | | | Published: | 1996 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | | | | Description: | THE only association I have with my old home in Virginia that is
not one of unmixed happiness relates to the time immediately
succeeding the execution of John Brown at Harper's Ferry. Our
homestead was in Fairfax, at a considerable distance from the
theater of that tragic episode; and, belonging as we did to a
family among the first in the State to manumit slaves—our
grandfather having set free those which came to him by inheritance,
and the people who served us being hired from their owners and
remaining in our employ through years of kindliest relations—there
seemed to be no especial reason for us to share in the apprehension
of an uprising by the blacks. But there was the fear—unspoken, or
pooh-poohed at by the men who served as mouth-pieces for our
community—dark, boding, oppressive, and altogether hateful. I can
remember taking it to bed with me at night, and awaking suddenly
oftentimes to confront it through a vigil of nervous terror of
which it never occurred to me to speak to any one. The notes of
whip-poor-wills in the sweet-gum swamp near the stable, the
mutterings of a distant thunder-storm, even the rustle of the night
wind in the oaks that shaded my window, filled me with nameless
dread. In the day-time it seemed impossible to associate suspicion
with those familiar tawny or sable faces that surrounded us. We
had seen them for so many years smiling or saddening with the
family joys or sorrows; they were so guileless, so patient, so
satisfied. What subtle influence was at work that should transform
them into tigers thirsting for our blood? The idea was
preposterous. But when evening came again, and with it the hour
when the colored people (who in summer and autumn weather kept
astir half the night) assembled themselves together for dance or
prayer-meeting, the ghost that refused to be laid was again at
one's elbow. Rusty bolts were drawn and rusty fire-arms loaded.
A watch was set where never before had eye or ear been lent to such
a service. Peace, in short, had flown from the borders of
Virginia. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 68 | Author: | Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | The Ambitious Guest | | | | Published: | 1996 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | | | | Description: | ONE September night a family had gathered round their hearth, and
piled it high with the driftwood of mountain streams, the dry cones of
the pine, and the splintered ruins of great trees that had come
crashing down the precipice. Up the chimney roared the fire, and
brightened the room with its broad blaze. The faces of the father and
mother had a sober gladness; the children laughed; the eldest daughter
was the image of Happiness at seventeen; and the aged grandmother, who
sat knitting in the warmest place, was the image of Happiness grown
old. They had found the ``herb, heart's-ease,'' in the bleakest spot
of all New England. This family were situated in the Notch of the
White Hills, where the wind was sharp throughout the year, and
pitilessly cold in the winter,—giving their cottage all its fresh
inclemency before it descended on the valley of the Saco. They dwelt
in a cold spot and a dangerous one; for a mountain towered above their
heads, so steep, that the stones would often rumble down its sides and
startle them at midnight. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 69 | Author: | Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | The Artist of the Beautiful | | | | Published: | 1996 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | | | | Description: | AN elderly man, with his pretty daughter on his arm, was passing
along
the street, and emerged from the gloom of the cloudy evening into
the
light that fell across the pavement from the window of a small
shop. It
was a projecting window; and on the inside were suspended a variety
of
watches, pinchbeck, silver, and one or two of gold, all with their
faces
turned from the streets, as if churlishly disinclined to inform the
wayfarers what o'clock it was. Seated within the shop, sidelong to
the
window
with his pale face bent earnestly over some delicate piece of
mechanism
on which was thrown the concentrated lustre of a shade lamp,
appeared a
young man. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 70 | Author: | Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | The Birthmark | | | | Published: | 1996 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | | | | Description: | IN the latter part of the last century there lived a man of
science, an eminent proficient in every branch of natural
philosophy, who not long
before our story opens had made experience of a spiritual affinity
more attractive than any chemical one. He had left his laboratory
to the
care of
an assistant, cleared his fine countenance from the furnace smoke,
washed
the stain of acids from his fingers, and persuaded a beautiful
woman to
become his wife. In those days when the comparatively recent
discovery
of electricity and other kindred mysteries of Nature seemed to open
paths
into the region of miracle, it was not unusual for the love of
science to
rival the love of woman in its depth and absorbing energy. The
higher intellect, the imagination, the spirit, and even the heart
might all
find their
congenial aliment in pursuits which, as some of their ardent
votaries believed, would ascend from one step of powerful
intelligence to
another,
until the philosopher should lay his hand on the secret of creative
force
and perhaps make new worlds for himself. We know not whether Aylmer
possessed this degree of faith in man's ultimate control over
Nature. He
had devoted himself, however, too unreservedly to scientific
studies ever
to be weaned from them by any second passion. His love for his
young
wife might prove the stronger of the two; but it could only be by
intertwining itself with his love of science, and uniting the
strength
of the latter to his own. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 71 | Author: | Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | The Canterbury Pilgrims | | | | Published: | 1996 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | | | | Description: | THE summer moon, which shines in so many a tale, was beaming over
a broad extent of uneven country. Some of its brightest rays were
flung
into a spring of water, where no traveller, toiling, as the writer
has, up
the hilly road beside which it gushes, ever failed to quench his
thirst.
The work of neat hands and considerate art was visible about this
blessed
fountain. An open cistern, hewn and hollowed out of solid stone,
was
placed above the waters, which filled it to the brim, but by some
invisible
outlet were conveyed away without dripping down its sides. Though
the
basin had not room for another drop, and the continual gush of
water
made a tremor on the surface, there was a secret charm that forbade
it
to overflow. I remember, that when I had slaked my summer thirst,
and
sat panting by the cistern, it was my fanciful theory that Nature
could
not afford to lavish so pure a liquid, as she does the waters of
all meaner
fountains. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 72 | Author: | Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | The Celestial Railroad | | | | Published: | 1996 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | | | | Description: | NOT a great while ago, passing through the gate of dreams, I
visited that
region of the earth in which lies the famous City of Destruction.
It interested me much to learn that by the public spirit of some of
the
inhabitants a railroad has recently been established between this
populous and
flourishing town and the Celestial City. Having a little time upon
my
hands, I resolved to gratify a liberal curiosity by making a trip
thither.
Accordingly, one fine morning after paying my bill at the hotel,
and directing the porter to stow my luggage behind a coach, I took
my
seat in
the vehicle and set out for the station-house. It was my good
fortune to
enjoy the company of a gentleman—one Mr. Smooth-it-away—who,
though he had never actually visited the Celestial City, yet seemed
as
well acquainted with its laws, customs, policy, and statistics, as
with
those of the City of Destruction, of which he was a native
townsman.
Being, moreover, a director of the railroad corporation and one of
its
largest stockholders, he had it in his power to give me all
desirable information respecting that praiseworthy enterprise. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 73 | Author: | Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | David Swan | | | | Published: | 1996 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | | | | Description: | WE can be but partially acquainted even with the events which
actually
influence our course through life, and our final destiny. There are
innumerable other events—if such they may be called—which come
close
upon us, yet pass away without actual results, or even betraying
their
near approach, by the reflection of any light or shadow across our
minds.
Could we know all the vicissitudes of our fortunes, life would be
too full
of hope and fear, exultation or disappointment, to afford us a
single hour
of true serenity. This idea may be illustrated by a page from the
secret
history of David Swan. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 74 | Author: | Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | The Devil in Manuscript | | | | Published: | 1996 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | | | | Description: | ON a bitter evening of December, I arrived by mail in a large town,
which was then the residence of an intimate friend, one of those
gifted
youths who cultivate poetry and the belles-lettres, and call
themselves
students at law. My first business, after supper, was to visit him
at the
office of his distinguished instructor. As I have said, it was a
bitter night,
clear starlight, but cold as Nova Zembla,—the shop-windows along
the
street being frosted, so as almost to hide the lights, while the
wheels of
coaches thundered equally loud over frozen earth and pavements of
stone. There was no snow, either on the ground or the roofs of the
houses. The wind blew so violently, that I had but to spread my
cloak
like a main-sail, and scud along the street at the rate of ten
knots,
greatly envied by other navigators, who were beating slowly up,
with
the gale right in their teeth. One of these I capsized, but was
gone on
the wings of the wind before he could even vociferate an oath. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 75 | Author: | Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Drowne's Wooden Image | | | | Published: | 1996 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | | | | Description: | ONE sunshiny morning, in the good old times of the town of Boston,
a
young carver in wood, well known by the name of Drowne, stood con-templating a large oaken log, which it was his purpose to convert
into the
figure-head of a vessel. And while he discussed within his own mind
what
sort of shape or similitude it were well to bestow upon this
excellent piece
of timber, there came into Drowne's workshop a certain Captain
Hunnewell, owner and commander of the good brig called the
Cynosure,
which
had just returned from her first voyage to Fayal. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 77 | Author: | Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Endicott and the Red Cross | | | | Published: | 1996 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | | | | Description: | AT noon of on autumnal day, more than two centuries ago, the
English
colors were displayed by the standard-bearer of the Salem
trainband,
which had mustered for martial exercise under the orders of John
Endicott. It was a period when the religious exiles were accustomed
often
to buckle on their armor, and practise the handling of their
weapons of
war. Since the first settlement of New England, its prospects had
never
been so dismal. The dissensions between Charles the First and his
subjects
were then, and for several years afterwards, confined to the floor
of
Parliament. The measures of the King and ministry were rendered
more
tyrannically violent by an opposition, which had not yet acquired
sufficient confidence in its own strength to resist royal injustice
with the
sword. The bigoted and haughty primate, Laud, Archbishop of
Canterbury, controlled the religious affairs of the realm, and was
consequently
invested with powers which might have wrought the utter ruin of the
two
Puritan colonies, Plymouth and Massachusetts. There is evidence on
record that our forefathers perceived their danger, but were
resolved that
their infant country should not fall without a struggle, even
beneath the
giant strength of the King's right arm. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 78 | Author: | Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Ethan Brand | | | | Published: | 1996 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | | | | Description: | BARTRAM the lime-burner, a rough, heavy-looking man, begrimed with
charcoal, sat watching his kiln at nightfall, while his little son
played at
building houses with the scattered fragments of marble, when, on
the
hill-side below them, they heard a roar of laughter, not mirthful,
but
slow, and even solemn, like a wind shaking the boughs of the
forest. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 80 | Author: | Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | The Gentle Boy | | | | Published: | 1996 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | | | | Description: | IN the course of the year 1656, several of the people called
Quakers, led,
as they professed, by the inward movement of the spirit, made their
appearance in New England. Their reputation, as holders of mystic
and
pernicious principles, having spread before them, the Puritans
early
endeavored to banish, and to prevent the further intrusion of the
rising
sect. But
the measures by which it was intended to purge the land of heresy,
though
more than sufficiently vigorous, were entirely unsuccessful. The
Quakers,
esteeming persecution as a divine call to the post of danger, laid
claim to
a holy courage, unknown to the Puritans themselves, who had shunned
the cross, by providing for the peaceable exercise of their
religion in a
distant wilderness. Though it was the singular fact, that every
nation of
the earth rejected the wandering enthusiasts who practised peace
towards
all men, the place of greatest uneasiness and peril, and therefore,
in their
eyes the most eligible, was the province of Massachusetts Bay. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
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