Part 5 (2/2)

Repose after agitation is like the pool under a waterfall, which the waterfall has made.

Something inherently mean in action! Even the creation of the universe disturbs my idea of the Almighty's greatness--would do so but that I perceive that thought with Him creates.

The great federal republic of the universe.

T. Wedgwood's objection to my ”Things and Thoughts,” because ”thought always implies an act or _nisus_ of mind” is not well founded. A thought and thoughts are quite different words from Thought, as a fancy from Fancy, a work from Work, a life from Life, a force and forces from Force, a feeling, a writing [from Feelings, Writings.]

[Sidenote: May 10, 1803]

To _fall_ asleep. Is not a real _event_ in the body well represented by this phrase? Is it in _excess_ when on first _dropping_ asleep we _fall_ down precipices, or sink down, all things sinking beneath us, or drop down? Is there not a disease from deficiency of this critical sensation when people imagine that they have been awake all night, and actually lie dreaming, expecting and wis.h.i.+ng for the critical sensation?

[Compare the phrase, ”precipices of distempered sleep,” in the sonnet, ”No more my visionary soul shall dwell,” attributed by Southey to Favell.--_Life and Corresp._ of R. SOUTHEY, i. 224.]

[Sidenote: A TREACHEROUS KNAVE]

[He] drew out the secrets from men's hearts as the Egyptian enchanters by particular strains of music draw out serpents from their lurking-places.

[Sidenote: COUNTRY AND TOWN]

The rocks and stones put on a vital resemblance and life itself seemed, thereby, to forego its restlessness, to antic.i.p.ate in its own nature an infinite repose, and to become, as it were, compatible with immoveability.

Bright reflections, in the ca.n.a.l, of the blue and green vitriol bottles in the druggists' shops in London.

A curious, and more than curious, fact, that when the country does not benefit, it depraves. Hence the violent, vindictive pa.s.sions and the outrageous and dark and wild cruelties of very many country folk. [On the other hand] the continual sight of human faces and human houses, as in China, emasculates [and degrades.]

[Sidenote: Monday night, June 8, 1803]

”He who cannot wait for his reward has, in reality, not earned it.”

These words I uttered in a dream, in which a lecture I was giving--a very profound one, as I thought--was not listened to, but I was quizzed.

[Sidenote: Tuesday night, July 19, 1803]

Intensely hot day; left off a waistcoat and for yarn wore silk stockings. Before nine o'clock, had unpleasant chillness; heard a noise which I thought Derwent's in sleep, listened, and found it was a calf bellowing. Instantly came on my mind that night I slept out at Ottery, and the calf in the field across the river whose lowing so deeply impressed me. Chill + child and calf-lowing--probably the Rivers Greta and Otter. [_Letters of S.T.C._, 1895, i. 14, _note_.]

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