Part 72

Say ‘But (+Doch+) I must confess.

that — prone = that it is just as much (+eben so sehr+) prone; prone = disposed, +geneigt+.

them = the same, to agree with ‘secrets’.

Section 94.

A CURIOUS INSTRUMENT.

VII.

CHARLES. “What! can it speak then?”

FATHER. “It is sometimes said (S. 54, N. 13) to do so, especially when it happens to meet with one of its own species.”

GEORGE. “What colour are these instruments?”

FATHER. “They vary considerably in this respect.”

GEORGE. “Well, what colour is yours?”

FATHER. “I believe it is of a darkish colour; but if I shall confess the truth (S. 27, N. 8), I must say that I never saw (S. 48, N. 2) it in my life.”

BOTH. “Never saw it in your life?”

FATHER. “No, nor do I wish; but I have seen a representation of it, which (S. 48, N. 6) is so exact that my curiosity is quite satisfied.”

GEORGE. “But why don’t you look at the thing itself?”

FATHER. “I should be in great danger of losing it, if I did.”

CHARLES. “Then you could buy (S. 58, N. 8) another.”

FATHER. “Nay, I believe I could not prevail upon any one to part with such (S. 28, N. 9) a thing.”

GEORGE. “Then, how did you get yours?”

FATHER. “I am so fortunate as to be possessed of more than one; but how I got them I really cannot recollect.”

CHARLES. “Not recollect! Why, you said you brought them from London to-night!”

FATHER. “So I did; I should be sorry if I had left them behind me (see App. § 36).”

CHARLES. “Now, father, do tell us the name of this curious instrument!”

FATHER. “It is—the Eye.”—JANE TAYLOR.

‘to do so’, referring to the preceding verb ‘speak’, must be rendered by the infinitive of that verb.

when — with = when it accidentally comes together with.

with — species, +mit einem seinesgleichen+.

are = have.