German composition

Section 139 A Great Loss

Mr. Thomas Carlyle had lent the Manuscript of the first volume of his “French Revolution” to a neighbour to peruse. By⁠1 some mischance or other, it⁠2 had been left lying on the parlour-floor, and⁠3 become forgotten. Weeks ran on⁠4, when at last the historian sent for⁠5 his manuscript, the⁠6 printers being loud for copy. Inquiries⁠7 were made, and⁠8 then it was found that the maid-of-all-work, finding⁠9 what she conceived to be a bundle of waste paper on the floor, had⁠10 used it to light the kitchen and parlour fires with⁠11. Such⁠12 was the answer returned⁠13 to Mr. Carlyle, and his consternation and despair may be imagined (S. 4, N. 4). There⁠14 was, however, no help for him but to set himself resolutely to work to re-write his book; and⁠15 he turned to and did it. He had no draft⁠16, and⁠17 was compelled to rake up from his memory facts, ideas, and expressions, which had long since been dismissed. The composition⁠18 of the book in the first instance had been a work of real pleasure; the⁠19 re-writing of it, a second time, was one of pain and anguish almost beyond belief. That⁠20 he persevered and finished the volume under such circumstances affords⁠21 an instance of determination of purpose which has seldom been exceeded.—S. Smiles, “Self-Help.”

Notes

1 By — other = Through a mischance (Mißgeschick, n.).

2 it — lying, hatte man es... liegen lassen.

3 and — forgotten = where it was forgotten.

4 ran on = passed away.

5 nach.

6 the — copy = since the printers desired (verlangen) the same.

7 to make inquiries, Nachforschungen anstellen.

8 und nun stellte es sich heraus.

9 finding — floor = in the opinion of finding a bundle of worthless papers on the floor.

10 had used (benutzen... zu) the same. Read carefully S. 87, N. 6, and construe accordingly.

11 with = with it, S. 4, N. 5, B.

12 Such = that.

13 = which Mr. C. received.

14 Es blieb ihm indessen nichts anderes übrig, als.

15 und er machte sich daran und führte es aus.

16 Entwurf, m.

17 and — dismissed = and had to (= must) torture (abmartern) his memory in order to find again the from (von) him long forgotten facts, ideas, and expressions.

18 composition = work; in the first instance = at first. Supply ‘for him’ after ‘pleasure’.

19 Say ‘to write it for the (zum) second time was a painful and almost incredibly anxious (angstvoll) work.

20 Daß er sie durchführte.

21 = is; determination of purpose = strength of will, Willenskraft, f.; exceeded, übertroffen.