True Stories of History and Biography

TRUE STORIES OF HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY BY NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE

published by Samizdat Express, Orange, CT, USA

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Non-Fiction by Nathaniel Hawthorne --

Passages From The American Note-Books Of Nathaniel Hawthorne

Passages From The English Note-Books Of  Nathaniel Hawthorne

Passages From The French And Italian Note-Books Of Nathaniel Hawthorne

Biographical Studies From:  Fanshawe And Other Pieces

True Stories Of History And Biography

Sketches And Studies

Our Old Home A Series Of English Sketches

Journal of an African Cruiser

The Whole History Of Grandfather's Chair Or True Stories From New England History, 1620-1808

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BIOGRAPHICAL STORIES

CHAPTER 1.

CHAPTER II.

BENJAMIN WEST.

CHAPTER III.

SIR ISAAC NEWTON.

CHAPTER IV.

CHAPTER V.

SAMUEL JOHNSON.

CHAPTER VI.

OLIVER CROMWELL.

CHAPTER VII.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.

CHAPTER VIII.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. [CONTINUED]

CHAPTER IX.

QUEEN CHRISTINA.

BIOGRAPHICAL STORIES

This small volume and others of a similar character, from the same hand, have not been composed without a deep sense of responsibility.  The author regards children as sacred, and would not, for the world, cast anything into the fountain of a young heart that might imbitter and pollute its waters.  And, even in point of the reputation to be aimed at, juvenile literature is as well worth cultivating as any other.  The writer, if he succeed in pleasing his little readers, may hope to be remembered by them till their own old age,--a far longer period of literary existence than is generally attained by those who seek immortality from the judgments of full-grown men.

CHAPTER 1.

When Edward Temple was about eight or nine years old he was afflicted with a disorder of the eyes.  It was so severe, and his sight was naturally so delicate, that the surgeon felt some apprehensions lest the boy should become totally blind.  He therefore gave strict directions to keep him in a darkened chamber, with a bandage over his eyes.  Not a ray of the blessed light of heaven could be suffered to visit the poor lad.

This was a sad thing for Edward.  It was just the same as if there were to be no more sunshine, nor moonlight, nor glow of the cheerful fire, nor light of lamps.  A night had begun which was to continue perhaps for months,--a longer and drearier night than that which voyagers are compelled to endure when their ship is icebound, throughout the winter, in the Arctic Ocean.  His dear father and mother, his brother George, and the sweet face of little Emily Robinson must all vanish and leave him in utter darkness and solitude.  Their voices and footsteps, it is true, would be heard around him; he would feel his mother's embrace and the kind pressure of all their hands; but still it would seem as if they were a thousand miles away.

And then his studies,--they were to be entirely given up.  This was another grievous trial; for Edward's memory hardly went back to the period when he had not known how to read.  Many and many a holiday had he spent at his hook, poring over its pages until the deepening twilight confused the print and made all the letters run into long words.  Then, would he press his hands across his eyes and wonder why they pained him so; and when the candles were lighted, what was the reason that they burned so dimly, like the moon in a foggy night?  Poor little fellow! So far as his eyes were concerned he was already an old man, and needed a pair of spectacles almost as much as his own grandfather did.

And now, alas! the time was come when even grandfather's spectacles could not have assisted Edward to read.  After a few bitter tears, which only pained his eyes the more, the poor boy submitted to the surgeon's orders.  His eyes were bandaged, and, with his mother on one side and his little friend Emily on the other, he was led into a darkened chamber.

Mother, I shall be very miserable! said Edward, sobbing.

O no, my dear child! replied his mother, elicerfully.  Your eyesight was a precious gift of Heaven, it is true; but you would do wrong to be miserable for its loss, even if there were no hope of regaining it. There are other enjoyments besides what come to us through our eyes.

None that are worth having, said Edward.

Ah, but you will not think so long, rejoined Mrs. Temple, with tenderness.  All of us--your father, and myself, and George, and our sweet Emily--will try to find occupation and amusement for you.  We will use all our eyes to make you happy.  Will they not be better than a single pair?

I will sit, by you all day long, said Emily, in her low, sweet voice, putting her hand into that of Edward.

And so will I, Ned, said George, his elder brother, school time and all, if my father will permit me.

Edward's brother George was three or four years older than himself,--a fine, hardy lad, of a bold and ardent temper.  He was the leader of his comrades in all their enterprises and amusements.  As to his proficiency at study there was not much to be said.  He had sense and ability enough to have made himself a scholar, but found so many pleasanter things to do that he seldom took hold of a book with his whole heart.  So fond was George of boisterous sports and exercises that it was really a great token of affection and sympathy when he offered to sit all day long in a dark chamber with his poor brother Edward.

As for little Emily Robinson, she was the daughter of one of Mr. Temple's dearest friends.  Ever since her mother went to heaven (which was soon after Emily's birth) the little girl had dwelt in the household where we now find her.  Mr. and Mrs. Temple seemed to love her as well as their own children; for they had no daughter except Emily; nor would the boys have known the blessing of a sister had not this gentle stranger come to teach them what it was.  If I could show you Emily's face, with her dark hair