Section 211 My First Guinea
I well remember1, when I was very young, possessing for the first time a guinea. I remember too that this circumstance cost me no little perplexity and anxiety. As I passed along the streets, the fear of losing my guinea induced me oftentimes to take it out of my pocket to look at it. First I put2 it in one pocket, then I took it out and put it in another; after a while I took it out of the second pocket and placed2 it in another, really perplexed3 what to do with it (S. 27, N. 7).
At last my attention was arrested by a book-auction. I stepped in and looked about me. First one lot4 was put up, and then another, and sold to the highest bidder5. At last I ventured to the table, just as the auctioneer was putting up “The History of the World,” in two large folio volumes. I instantly thrust2 my hand into my (S. 43, N. 9) pocket, and began turning over6 my guinea, considering whether I should have money enough to buy this lot. The bidding proceeded7, and at last I ventured to bid too. “Halloo! my little man!” said the auctioneer, “what! (S. 27, N. 7) not content with less than the world?” This remark greatly confused me, and drew the attention of the whole company8 toward me, who9, seeing (S. 30, N. 4) me anxious10 to possess the books, refrained from bidding against me; and so, “The World” was knocked down11 to me at a very moderate price.
How to get12 these huge books home was the next consideration13. The auctioneer offered to send them, but I, not knowing what sort of creatures auctioneers were14, determined to take them myself; so, after15 the assistant had tied them up, I marched out of the room with these huge books upon my shoulder, like Samson with the gates of Gaza, amid the smiles of all present.
When I reached my home, after the servant had opened the door, the first person I met was my sainted mother.
“My dear boy,” she said, “what have you got there? I thought you would not keep your guinea long.”
“Do not be angry, mother,” said I, throwing the books down upon the table. “I have bought ‘The World’ for nine shillings.”
This was on a Saturday, and I well remember sitting up16 till it was well-nigh midnight, turning over17 this “History of the World.” The books became my delight, and were carefully read through and through.
When I grew older, I became at length a Christian, and my love of books18, among other things, led me to desire to be a Christian minister19. To the possession of these books I attribute, in a great measure, any honours that have been added to my name in connection with literature. I have not mentioned this anecdote to gratify any foolish feeling20, but to encourage in all whom I see before me that21 love of literature which has afforded me such unspeakable pleasure—pleasure22 which I would not have been without for all the riches of the Indies23.—The Rev. Dr. Vaughan.
Notes
1 Supply ‘the time’ here; to remember, sich erinnern, governs the Gen.; possessing = and possessed.
2 stecken.
3 sich in großer Verlegenheit befinden.
4 Partie, f.; to put up to auction, to public sale, zur Versteigerung bringen, unter den Hammer bringen, or zum öffentlichen Verkauf stellen.
5 der Meistbietende; to, an.
6 herum´drehen; considering = and considered (überle´gen, insep. comp. w. v.).
7 vonstatten gehen.
8 = of all the persons present (die Anwesenden); toward, auf.
9 Finish first the clause ‘who refrained from bidding against me’, and then commence the other, and use this construction in all cases where it can possibly be employed.
10 We are anxious to buy the property, wir möchten das Besitztum gerne kaufen.
11 to knock down an article to the last bidder, einen Artikel dem zuletzt Bietenden zu´schlagen.
12 to get home, nach Hause schaffen.
13 Erwägung, f.
14 = but since I had not yet any experience in such matters, I determined, etc.
15 so, after = and when.
16 = that I sat up.
17 = and turned over (durchblät´tern, insep. comp. w. v.).
18 Liebhaberei (f.) für Bücher.
19 = to become a Christian Minister (Geistlicher).
20 Supply ‘of vanity’ here.
21 = the; of, zu, contracted with the Dat. of the def. art.
[22] = a pleasure (Genuß, m.)
23 = of India.