CHAP. IV.
During this time he had inquired of his host "how long he had lived in that rock?"
"Many years (replied he;) I had once a place at Court, was esteemed by the late Emperor, and not a small favourite with a Lady he loved. I often attended him when he visited her privately, and I happened to be young and pleased her fancy: I do not pretend to defend my conduct, I ought to have remembered the Emperor was my master and benefactor; but the seductive arts of women it is difficult to withstand, and perhaps I made no efforts for the purpose; be that as it may, the intrigue was discovered, the Lady was disgraced and confined; a criminal accusation, certainly without the least foundation, was set on foot against me; I fled to save my life, for a price was set on my head.
"In a boat I got landed on this side of the river, and strolled to these mountains, resolved to hide myself in a cave till the search was over, and then leave Germany for ever. Climbing the different rocks I at length discovered this cavity, and took courage to enter it: I found it such as you see, whether made by the hand of nature, or the work of some unhappy proscribed man, I know not. This I made my resting place; water and a few herbs, that grew wild here, was all I had for three days, and I found life could not long be supported in that way.
"The fourth day I followed the course of the river a good way, and saw one of the packet-boats, that goes between Ulm and Lintz, with passengers, going by: I called to them, and they drew near; I entreated some provisions; they offered to take me on board; that I declined, telling them peculiar misfortunes had made society hateful to me, and that I had resolved to live in an uninhabited place. The people I believe supposed me to be deranged, but very humanely supplied me. I had not fled without money, which, in the situation I had chosen, was likely to last me a great while; I bargained therefore with the master of the packet-boat regularly to call near that spot, and relieve my necessities, for which I would pay him liberally. This he never failed doing, and though doubtless I ran some risque from the variety of passengers who saw me, yet, whether want of curiosity, indolence, or compassion, saved me I know not; but I suppose the Emperor's wrath abated, and I was totally forgotten.
"I had resided here near two months without venturing to climb the hills, or explore the country beyond the spot I inhabited; but the failure of the regular packet, from what cause I know not, had exhausted my provisions, and gave me a prospect of approaching death if I was not relieved. I saw several boats pass, but at too great a distance to make myself heard. The weather set in cold and dreary, and I was almost in a state of despair, which at length conquered my fears of being discovered, and I resolved to ascend the hills, and penetrate through the woods.
"One morning I set off, but from want of food was too feeble to proceed with any expedition; however I persevered, and with much labour got round the side of these rocky hills to a most beautiful wood of chestnuts, about three miles from hence, and in the midst of the grove saw a Castle. Overcome with fatigue, without hesitation, I advanced and rung at the gate; a man appeared, to whom I mentioned my necessities. I was courteously invited in, had some food given me, and questioned how far I was travelling? Without any disguise I freely told my place of abode, and that hunger had driven me to make application there.
"This story was related to the Lord of the Castle, and I was ordered to attend him. He was a venerable old man, two youths, his sons, were with him. Without telling my name, or assigning my motives, I briefly said, misfortunes had deprived me of my fortune, and driven me from my country.
"The old Lord blamed me for seeking an abode among the mountains, told me that a young and active mind ought not to indulge in solitude and idleness, that there were other countries, and many situations, in which a young man might be useful to society, and creditable to himself.—He was certainly right, but I felt no inclination to seek my fortune, without a name I dared avow, or recommendations to give me consequence.
"I liked the solitary rambling life I had led for some time, an habitual indolence, perhaps an unsocial temper, and I acknowledge, not the smallest inclination for a military life, had altogether received strength from the silence and obscurity of my present dwelling; I therefore declined all his kind advice, and indeed offers, evaded his inquiries, and persisted in my resolution of living among the mountains, woods and glens, so that I could find sufficient sustenance.
"When he found my determination was fixed, I thought he eyed me with contempt: 'A young man to live secluded from society, and from choice lead such an inactive desultory kind of life (said he) can have but a very weak mind, an ignoble soul, or must have deserved to be proscribed by mankind: However, as a fellow creature, you claim relief, therefore I will order for you a few necessaries that may make your cave comfortable, and twice a week my steward shall have orders to relieve your wants. I am going to leave this country in a few days; but will take care you shall not want the means to support your existence.'
"He turned from me and I felt severely humbled. Two servants were sent with me loaded with blankets, a mattress, and several little conveniences. I was something amused by the mixture of curiosity and fear those fellows expressed when they saw my habitation, they assisted me in disposing of the things, and seemed extremely glad when I dismissed them.
"From that hour to this my life has been uniformly the same. My dislike of society gained ground daily, and accustoming myself to live upon little, and finding many palatable herbs round the mountains, I have been no great tax upon the bounty of the Castle.—The old Lord I never saw more; one of his sons married and resided in the Castle, but I have understood, from little hints thrown out by the present steward, that he was unhappy, and now lives at some distant part of the country.
"As my clothes wore out I refused others, determined to appear as I lived, like a hermit detached from the world. I take fish here sometimes, and still have what I please from the Castle, which has been long deserted by the family, and only inhabited by the steward, his wife, and two men, who look after the ground and cattle."
Here the hermit stopped; Ferdinand had been very attentive to him, and had decided in his own mind, that he had glossed over his conduct by only a slight account of his falseness and ingratitude to his Prince: He concluded his errors had been of no common magnitude, and such as deserved the severest punishment, or he would never have given up the world. This conclusion was strengthened as he proceeded in the story, and though he felt himself indebted for his assistance, yet the contempt that naturally arose in his mind for a character so unamiable, lessened his sense of gratitude.
He had continual occasions to observe an unequal and unpleasant temper in the hermit. He had a few books, with which he was supplied from the Castle, pens, ink and paper, neither of which seemed to afford him amusement. He was always rambling about, as if weary of his existence, and though he affected the language, as well as the manners, of a hermit, yet he paid but little attention to the duties of religion; his devotions were by fits and starts, and seemed not to proceed from a regular and habitual course.
From all these observations Ferdinand could not respect his host, and therefore was very impatient to get well enough to leave him; but more than a week passed without having strength to walk, his bruises being infinitely more painful than the wound.
During this time the hermit had not been at the Castle, for he had received his usual supply of bread, meat and wine, the very day that Ferdinand was so wonderfully saved from a dreadful death, and having caught a good deal of fish, they had not felt any want of provisions; but now the stock being exhausted, he signified his intention of going to the Castle.—"I should think (said Ferdinand) that blanket covering must be very troublesome to walk any distance with."
"No (replied the other) it is as commodious as a coat, and, were it otherwise, custom would render it easy."
The hermit set off for his walk; Ferdinand, just able to creep about, came out of the cave to enjoy the sun and fresh air; looking round him, he observed on one side a smaller opening nearer to the ground; curiosity led him to this, and stooping almost to the earth, he saw that it widened, and appeared to have light within. This discovery engaged him to crawl into it; at first he found some difficulty, the passage was dark, and the faint light seemed farther off; still he persisted to crawl on, when on a sudden it opened into a large cave, with a rill of water running through it, and dropping from the sides.
A ray of light, which proceeded from a small chasm at the top, served to discover the most beautiful sight that imagination can form: the waters petrified round looked like so many diamonds, hanging in long spars, and twisted into a variety of shapes, glittering so as to dazzle the eye; several large pieces of rock-work hung over the top; many of those shining spars suspended from them, which, with the rill of water, and the solemn stillness of the place, had a most wonderful effect upon the mind of Ferdinand; he was never tired of admiring the beauties of this enchanting cavern.
"How comes it (said he) that the hermit never mentioned this sweet place? What an insensible blockhead he must be; he is fit indeed to live alone, since neither society, nor the beauties of nature have any charms for him, he merely vegetates: What a horrid life! The wild and foolish scheme of rambling that once possessed me, though I am now convinced of its absurdity, yet was ordered by Providence to prove beneficial to others; but this man can have no opportunity of doing good, unless another is thrown over the mountain, or cast up from the river, and even his assistance is given with an apathy that is disgusting."
These ideas passed in his mind whilst he admired the dazzling petrifactions; but feeling himself very chilly, he wisely crept back to the entrance, and remained on the Beach till the old man appeared tolerably loaded.—"Here (said he) is some provisions, and I have related your accident to the steward; he will come here tomorrow, and you may be taken to the Castle if you like."
"Most certainly I shall like it (said Ferdinand) for many reasons." He then told him where he had been, and expressed his surprise, that he had not mentioned a place so replete with natural curiosities."
"To you indeed (answered he) I might have thought it would be interesting; but after once seeing it, I never went a second time, so it slipped my memory: I dare say there are a hundred such places about, but I never sought for any of them."
"What a lifeless, inanimate lump!—(thought Ferdinand:) Yes, indeed, I shall be mighty glad to quit such a being, who has no more soul than the rock he inhabits."
The next day a well-looking, middle aged man appeared at the opening of the rock, and being invited, entered within it. He congratulated Ferdinand with kindness and respect on his miraculous escape from death, or at least broken limbs, and invited him to come and spend a few days at the Castle until he was able to travel.
Ferdinand accepted the offer, but was fearful he could not get there. "With my assistance, a good firm stick, and a little resting, I do not despair (said the steward) and the sooner you make the trial the better."—Ferdinand wanted but very few persuasions to a thing so agreeable to his inclinations as leaving his insensible companion; therefore, after returning his thanks, they parted with equal indifference, and taking the steward's arm he turned his back on the rock.
The distance to the Castle was about three miles, but it was through the woods on the side of the hills, and not very easy walking, which, with the weakness of Ferdinand, made it full three hours before they arrived at it. A bed was ordered to be got ready, and, as it was a luxury he had not enjoyed for some time, he soon fell asleep, and forgot all his cares. Whilst he enjoys a comfortable repose we will look back on his friends at Vienna.