I WAS occupied in my library writing a treatise2 on the conditions of life in other worlds revolving3 around other suns, and receiving from them light and life, when, raising my eyes to the chimney-piece, I was struck by the expression, I might almost say, of animation4, on the countenance5 of my dear Uranie. It was the same gracious and animated6 expression that formerly7 — Ah! how rapidly the Earth revolves8, and how quickly a quarter of a century passes! — that formerly — and it seems to me as if it were but yesterday — that formerly, in those youthful days so swiftly flown, had captivated my thoughts and inflamed9 my heart. I could not help letting my gaze dwell upon her even now. She was, in truth, as beautiful as then, and my feelings had not changed. She attracted me as the flame attracts the moth10. I rose from the table to approach her, and observe anew the singular effect of the light upon her changing countenance, and, held by the spell, remained standing11 before her, forgetful of my work.
Her gaze seemed to pierce into distance, yet it was animated, and seemed fixed12 upon some object. On what? On whom? I had a curious conviction that she could really see, and, following the direction of her glance, steadfast13 and solemn, although not severe, my eyes fell upon the portrait of Spero, hanging on the wall between two book-cases.
Uranie’s gaze was fixed steadfastly14 upon him. Suddenly the portrait fell with a crash to the ground, its frame breaking into pieces with the fall.
I rushed forward. The picture lay before me on the carpet, the mild face of Spero looking up at me. As I raised it I saw on the ground a large sheet of paper, discolored with age, and covered on both sides with written characters in Spero’s handwriting. How was it that I had never observed this paper before? True, it might easily have remained there unobserved, concealed15 from view by the paste-board at the back of the portrait. Indeed, when I had brought the picture with me from Christiania, it had not occurred to me to notice how it was framed. But who could have had the strange idea of placing the sheet of paper there? It was with extreme surprise that I recognized my friend’s handwriting, and read those two pages. According to all appearance, they had been written on the last day of the terrestrial existence of the young scientist — the day of his ascent16 toward the region of the Aurora17 Borealis — and, doubtless, the father of Iclea had, for greater security, placed these, the last supreme18 thoughts of Spero, in the frame with his likeness19. He had forgotten to tell me of this when he gave me the portrait of my friend, at the time of my pilgrimage to the tomb of the lovers.
Be this as it may, I experienced a vivid emotion as, placing the picture carefully upon the table, I examined each trait of that beloved countenance. How well I remembered those eyes, so mild and yet so piercing, with their mysterious depths, that broad and serene20 brow, that delicate yet slightly sensual mouth, the transparent21 coloring of face, neck and hands. No matter where I placed the portrait, its gaze seemed to follow me, but without quitting Uranie. It was a singular fancy of the painter! I could not help thinking of the eyes of the goddess, which seemed to rest with a tender melancholy22 on her young adorer. As the shades of twilight23 darken a serene day, so did a divine sorrow seem to cloud that noble countenance.
But I remembered at last the mysterious sheet of paper. The writing upon it was neat and precise, without any erasure24. I transcribe25 it here as it was, without altering a single word or even a comma, for it seems to form the natural conclusion to the events which it has been the purpose of this book to narrate26.
It was, word for word, as follows:
* * *
This is the legacy left to science by a soul that even here on earth sought without ceasing to disengage itself from the bonds of matter, and who aspires27 to be freed from them.
I desire to leave behind me in the form of aphorisms28, the result of my researches. I believe we can only arrive at a knowledge of the truth through the study of Nature, that is to say, through science. Here then are what seem to me to be the natural deductions29 founded on this method of observation.
I.
The visible, tangible30, and ponderable universe, incessantly31 in motion, is composed of invisible, intangible, imponderable and inert33 atoms.
II.
In order to form bodies and organise34 beings those atoms must be acted upon by forces.
III.
Force is the essential element of being.
IV.
Visibility, tangibility35, solidity, density36, weight, are relative properties, not absolute realities.
V.
The infinitely37 little:
Experiments made in gold-beating, show that ten thousand of those leaves occupy a space no thicker than a millimetre.
This quantity has been sub-divided into a thousand equal parts, and infusoria so small, are known to exist, that their bodies placed on a glass slide between two of these atoms do not touch them; the limbs and organs of these beings are composed of cells, those of molecules38, those of atoms. Twenty cubic centimetres of oil spread over the surface of a lake will cover a space of 4000 square yards, so that the coating of oil thus spread measures no more than the two hundredth of a millimetre in thickness. Spectrum39 analysis reveals the presence in a flame of a millionth of a millegram of sodium40. The waves of light are composed between 4 and 8 ten-thousandth of a millimetre of violet to red. 2300 waves of light occupy only the space of a millimetre. In the duration of a second the ether which transmits light, performs seven hundred thousand thousand millions of vibrations41, each one of which can be mathematically defined. The sense of smell perceives 604,000,000 of a milligram of mercaptan in the air we breathe. The dimension of an atom must be less than a millionth of a millimetre in diameter.
VI.
Atoms, intangible, invisible, scarcely conceivable by our minds accustomed to judge by appearances, constitute the only real matter, and that which we call matter is only the effect produced upon our senses by the movements of atoms, that is to say, an incessant32 possibility of sensations.
It results from this, that matter, like the manifestations42 of force, is only a mode of motion; if motion were arrested, if force could be annihilated43, if the temperature of bodies were reduced to an absolute zero, matter, as we perceive it by our senses, would cease to exist.
VII.
The visible universe is composed of invisible atoms. That which we see is made of things which we do not see.
There is only one species of primitive44 atoms; the constituent45 molecules of different bodies, — iron, gold, oxygen, hydrogen, differ only in naming and in the grouping and the action of the atoms which compose them.
VIII.
That which we call matter vanishes when scientific analysis believes it has grasped it. That which maintains the universe in existence, the principle of all the forms of matter, is force, the dynamic elements.
By the exercise of my will I can cause the moon to deviate46 from her course.
The movements of all the atoms on our earth are the mathematical result of all the undulations of ether; as they reach them from the abysses of infinite space.
IX.
The essential principle of the human being is the soul. The body is apparent and transitory.
X.
Atoms are indestructible.
Force, which moves atoms, and rules the universe, is indestructible.
The human soul is indestructible.
XI.
The existence of the soul as an individual entity47 on the earth, is of recent date. Our planet was first nebulous, then a globe of fire, then chaos48; at that time no terrestrial being existed. Life commenced with the most rudimentary organism; it has taken centuries to reach its present state, which is not to be its final one. Intelligence, reason, conscience, what we call the faculties49 of the soul, are of modern date. Spirit has gradually, liberated51 itself from matter as — if the comparison be not too material — gas liberates52 itself from coal, the perfume from the flower, the flame from the fire.
XII.
Psychic53 force began to assert itself thirty or forty centuries back: in the superior spheres of terrestrial being its action is as yet in its dawn.
Souls, whether or not they be conscious of their individuality, are, by their very nature, removed from the conditions of time and space. After the death of the body, as during life, they occupy no space. It may be that they go to inhabit other worlds.
Only those souls are conscious of their existence out of the body, and, of their immortality54, who are freed from the bonds of matter.
XIII.
Earth is only a province of the eternal country; it is a part of heaven. Heaven is infinite: All the worlds form a part of Heaven.
XIV.
The planetary and sidereal55 systems which constitute the universe are in different grades of organization and progress. The extent of their diversity is infinite; the inhabitants of a world are always in harmony with their environment.
XV.
All the worlds are not at present inhabited. The present epoch56 is of no more importance than the epochs which precede, or than those which are to follow it. Such and such worlds were inhabited in the past, myriads57 of years ago; such and such others will be inhabited in the future during myriads of ages yet to come. One day nothing will remain of the Earth, and its very ruins will be destroyed.
XVI.
Terrestrial life is not the type of life on other globes. Infinite diversity reigns58 throughout the universe. There are abodes59 where gravity is intense, where light is unknown, where the sense of touch, of smell, of hearing, are the only senses, and where the optic nerve not being formed, all the beings are blind. There are others where gravity is scarcely sensible, and where beings are so light and so tenuous60 that they would be invisible to terrestrial eyes, where senses of an exquisite61 delicacy62 reveal to privileged spirits, sensations unknown to terrestrial humanity.
XVII.
The space existing between the worlds scattered63 throughout the universe, does not isolate64 them from one another. They are all in perpetual communication with each other through the force of attraction which is constantly exerted through space.
XVIII.
The Universe is a unity65.
XIX.
The system of the physical world is the material basis, the habitat of the system of the moral or physical world. Astronomy, therefore, should be the basis of every religious or philosophical66 creed67.
Every thinking being bears within himself the feeling — but also the doubt — of immortality. This is because we are the infinitely little parts of an unknown mechanism68.
XX.
Man makes his own destiny. He elevates himself, or he lowers himself by his works. Those who are attached to material interests, those who are ambitious, misers69, hypocrites, liars70, the sons of Tartufe, dwell, with the perverse71, in the inferior zones.
But a primordial72 and absolute law rules the Creation; the law of Progress. In the infinite all things tend upward; faults are falls.
XXI.
In the upward progress of souls, moral qualities have no less value than intellectual qualities. Goodness, self-devotion, abnegation, sacrifice, purify the soul and exalt73 it, as knowledge and study do.
XXII.
Universal creation is a grand symphony of which the Earth is only an insignificant74 strain, dull, and unintelligible75.
XXIII.
Nature is a perpetual becoming. Progress is the law. Progression is eternal.
XXIV.
Eternity76 would not suffice a soul, to explore the infinite, and learn all that is to be known.
XXV.
The destiny of the soul is to liberate50 itself more and more from the material world and to belong definitely to the higher Uranian life, where it dominates matter and suffers no longer. The supreme end of being is a perpetual progress toward absolute perfection and divine happiness.
* * *
Such was the legacy left to science and philosophy by Spero. Does it not seem to have been dictated77 by Uranie herself?
The nine Muses78 of ancient mythology79 were sisters. Modern scientific conceptions tend also, in their turn, to unity. Astronomy, or the knowledge of the material world, psychology80, or the knowledge of being, unite today to form the only basis on which it is possible to construct the philosophy of the future.
* * * * * * *
P.S. — The preceding episodes, the researches recorded, and the reflections accompanying them are here brought together in a sort of Essay, to serve as beacons81 in the solution of the greatest of the problems which can interest the human mind. It is as such that the present work is presented to the attention of those who, as Dante says, occasionally pause “midway in the path of life,” to ask themselves what they are, what are their aims, their thoughts, their dreams.
The End
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1
legacy
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| n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西 | |
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treatise
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| n.专著；(专题)论文 | |
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3
revolving
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| adj.旋转的，轮转式的；循环的v.（使）旋转( revolve的现在分词 )；细想 | |
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animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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5
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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revolves
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| v.（使）旋转( revolve的第三人称单数 )；细想 | |
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9
inflamed
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| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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10
moth
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| n.蛾，蛀虫 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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12
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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13
steadfast
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| adj.固定的，不变的，不动摇的；忠实的；坚贞不移的 | |
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14
steadfastly
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| adv.踏实地，不变地；岿然；坚定不渝 | |
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15
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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16
ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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17
aurora
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| n.极光 | |
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18
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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19
likeness
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| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
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20
serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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21
transparent
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| adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的 | |
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22
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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23
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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24
erasure
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| n.擦掉，删去；删掉的词；消音；抹音 | |
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25
transcribe
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| v.抄写，誉写；改编(乐曲)；复制，转录 | |
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26
narrate
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| v.讲，叙述 | |
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aspires
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| v.渴望，追求( aspire的第三人称单数 ) | |
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28
aphorisms
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| 格言，警句( aphorism的名词复数 ) | |
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deductions
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| 扣除( deduction的名词复数 )； 结论； 扣除的量； 推演 | |
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30
tangible
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| adj.有形的，可触摸的，确凿的，实际的 | |
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31
incessantly
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| ad.不停地 | |
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32
incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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33
inert
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| adj.无活动能力的，惰性的；迟钝的 | |
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34
organise
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| vt.组织，安排，筹办 | |
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tangibility
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| n.确切性 | |
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density
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| n.密集，密度，浓度 | |
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37
infinitely
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| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
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38
molecules
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| 分子( molecule的名词复数 ) | |
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39
spectrum
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| n.谱，光谱，频谱；范围，幅度，系列 | |
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40
sodium
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| n.（化）钠 | |
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41
vibrations
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| n.摆动( vibration的名词复数 )；震动；感受；（偏离平衡位置的）一次性往复振动 | |
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42
manifestations
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| n.表示，显示（manifestation的复数形式） | |
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43
annihilated
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| v.（彻底）消灭( annihilate的过去式和过去分词 )；使无效；废止；彻底击溃 | |
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44
primitive
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| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
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45
constituent
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| n.选民；成分，组分；adj.组成的，构成的 | |
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46
deviate
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| v.(from)背离，偏离 | |
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47
entity
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| n.实体，独立存在体，实际存在物 | |
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48
chaos
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| n.混乱，无秩序 | |
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49
faculties
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| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
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50
liberate
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| v.解放，使获得自由，释出，放出；vt.解放，使获自由 | |
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51
liberated
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| a.无拘束的，放纵的 | |
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52
liberates
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| 解放，释放( liberate的第三人称单数 ) | |
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53
psychic
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| n.对超自然力敏感的人；adj.有超自然力的 | |
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immortality
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| n.不死，不朽 | |
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55
sidereal
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| adj.恒星的 | |
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56
epoch
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| n.(新)时代；历元 | |
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myriads
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| n.无数，极大数量( myriad的名词复数 ) | |
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58
reigns
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| n.君主的统治( reign的名词复数 )；君主统治时期；任期；当政期 | |
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59
abodes
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| 住所( abode的名词复数 )； 公寓； （在某地的）暂住； 逗留 | |
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60
tenuous
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| adj.细薄的，稀薄的，空洞的 | |
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61
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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62
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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63
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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64
isolate
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| vt.使孤立，隔离 | |
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65
unity
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| n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调 | |
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philosophical
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| adj.哲学家的，哲学上的，达观的 | |
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67
creed
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| n.信条；信念，纲领 | |
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68
mechanism
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| n.机械装置；机构，结构 | |
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69
misers
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| 守财奴，吝啬鬼( miser的名词复数 ) | |
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70
liars
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| 说谎者( liar的名词复数 ) | |
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71
perverse
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| adj.刚愎的；坚持错误的，行为反常的 | |
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primordial
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| adj.原始的；最初的 | |
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73
exalt
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| v.赞扬，歌颂，晋升，提升 | |
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74
insignificant
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| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
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75
unintelligible
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| adj.无法了解的，难解的，莫明其妙的 | |
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76
eternity
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| n.不朽，来世；永恒，无穷 | |
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77
dictated
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| v.大声讲或读( dictate的过去式和过去分词 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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78
muses
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| v.沉思，冥想( muse的第三人称单数 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
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mythology
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| n.神话，神话学，神话集 | |
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80
psychology
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| n.心理，心理学，心理状态 | |
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81
beacons
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| 灯塔( beacon的名词复数 )； 烽火； 指路明灯； 无线电台或发射台 | |
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