Франкенштейн
Chapter 19
Ourlittlevoyagesofdiscoverywereoftenprolongedbythesuccessiveobjectsthatpresentedthemselves.WevisitedthetomboftheillustriousHampdenandthefieldonwhichthatpatriotfell.Foramomentmysoulwaselevatedfromitsdebasingandmiserablefearstocontemplatethedivineideasoflibertyandselfsacrificeofwhichthesesightswerethemonumentsandtheremembrancers.ForaninstantIdaredtoshakeoffmychainsandlookaroundmewithafreeandloftyspirit,buttheironhadeatenintomyflesh,andIsankagain,tremblingandhopeless,intomymiserableself.
WeleftOxfordwithregretandproceededtoMatlock,whichwasournextplaceofrest.Thecountryintheneighbourhoodofthisvillageresembled,toagreaterdegree,thesceneryofSwitzerland;buteverythingisonalowerscale,andthegreenhillswantthecrownofdistantwhiteAlpswhichalwaysattendonthepinymountainsofmynativecountry.Wevisitedthewondrouscaveandthelittlecabinetsofnaturalhistory,wherethecuriositiesaredisposedinthesamemannerasinthecollectionsatServoxandChamounix.ThelatternamemademetremblewhenpronouncedbyHenry,andIhastenedtoquitMatlock,withwhichthatterriblescenewasthusassociated.
FromDerby,stilljourneyingnorthwards,wepassedtwomonthsinCumberlandandWestmorland.IcouldnowalmostfancymyselfamongtheSwissmountains.Thelittlepatchesofsnowwhichyetlingeredonthenorthernsidesofthemountains,thelakes,andthedashingoftherockystreamswereallfamiliaranddearsightstome.Herealsowemadesomeacquaintances,whoalmostcontrivedtocheatmeintohappiness.ThedelightofClervalwasproportionablygreaterthanmine;hismindexpandedinthecompanyofmenoftalent,andhefoundinhisownnaturegreatercapacitiesandresourcesthanhecouldhaveimaginedhimselftohavepossessedwhileheassociatedwithhisinferiors.
