Nightmare Abbey

ome transient and trifling source, and would pass off in a day or two; but, contrary to this expectation, it daily increased. She was well aware that Scythrop had a strong t

to soothe; and the first perception of her diminished influence produced in her an immediate depression of spirits, and a consequent sadness of demeanour, that rendered her very interesting to Mr Glowry; who, duly considering the improba

rum, she determined to seek him in the apartment which he had chosen for his study. She tapped at the door, and at the sound ‘Come in,’ entered the apartment. It was noon, and the sun was shining in full splendour, much to the annoyance of Mr Flosky, who had obviated the inconvenience by closing the shutters, and drawing the window-curtains. He was sitting at his table by the light of a solitary candle, with a pen in one hand, and a muffineer in the other, with which he occasionally sprin

g on you, Mr Flosky; but the interest wh

rson or thing on the face of the earth; which sentiment, if you analyse i

hat it is so, Mr Flosky; I am not conve

error of the reading public, to whom an unusual collocation of words, involving a juxtaposition

no such notion to me. I have sought you

ad) No one ever sought me

— that is, I believe — that is

mportant particulars, results from the total absence, the absolute negation of thought, and is thereby the sane and orthodox condition of mind; and thought and belief are both essentially different from fancy, and fancy, again, is distinct from imaginatio

metaphysics than I do about the bank; and, if you will co

e most humble of men, to one who has buckled on the armour of

f late had an air of mystery about

chology. I am writing a ballad which is all mystery; it is ‘such stuff as dreams are made of,’ and is, indeed, stuff made of a dream; for, last night I fell asleep as usual over my book, and had a vision of pure reason. I c

intruded if I had not been very much interested in the question I wish to ask you. —(Mr Flosky listened in sullen dignity.)— My cousin Scythrop seems to have some secret preying on his mind. —(Mr Flosky was silent.)— He seems very unha

ically and practically in philosophical novels, are eavesdropping at key-holes, picking the locks of chests and desks, peeping

t suspect me of wishing to adopt or enc

rs of gravity and note, as simple and easy methods of studying character,

hysics which you do: I should be glad to know by your means, what is the matter with m

thout any is the province of genius: the art of being miserable for misery’s sake, has been brought to great perfection in our days; and the ancient Odyssey, which held forth

Mr Flosky, by giving me a pla

Miss O’Carroll. I never gave a pla

you not, know what is t

ries the whole science of geometry in his head without ever having looked into Euclid, should fall into so empirical an error as to declare himself ignorant of any thing: to say that I do know, woul

ormation, or are determined not to impart it; and I beg

have given you pleasure; but if any person living could make report of having obtained any information on