Jane Taylor （b. 1783,d. 1824） was born in London. Her mother was a writer of some note. In connection with her sister Ann,Jane Taylor wrote several juvenile works of more than ordinary excellence. Among them were "Hymns for Infant Minds" and "Original Poems." Besides these,she wrote "Display,a Tale," "Essays in Rhyme," and "Contributions of QQ." Her writings are graceful,and often contain a useful moral.
1.An old dock that had stood for fifty years in a farmer’s kitchen,without giving its owner any cause of complaint,early one summer‘s morning,before the family was stirring,suddenly stopped. Upon this,the dial plate （if we may credit the fable） changed countenance with alarm;the hands made a vain effort tcontinue their course;the wheels remained motionless with surprise;the weights hung speechless;and each member felt disposed tlay the blame on the others. At length the dial instituted1 a formal inquiry as tthe cause of the stagnation,when hands,wheels,weights,with one voice,protested2 their innocence.
2.But now a faint tick was heard below from the pendulum,whspoke thus: "I confess myself tbe the sole cause of the present stoppage;and I am willing,for the general satisfaction,tassign my reasons. The truth is,that I am tired of ticking." Upon hearing this,the old clock became senraged that it was upon the very point of striking. "Lazy wire!" exclaimed the dial plate,holding up its bands.
3."Very good!" replied the pendulum;"it is vastly easy for you,1Instituted,commenced,began. 2Protested,solemnly declared.
Mistress Dial,whhave always,as everybody knows,set yourself up above me,-it is vastly easy for you,I say,taccuse other people of laziness! you whhave had nothing tdall your life but tstare people in the face,and tamuse yourself with watching all that goes on in the kitchen. Think,I beseech you,how you would like tbe shut up for life in this dark closet,and twag backward and forward year after year,as I do."
4."As tthat," said the dial,"is there not a window in your house on purpose for you tlook through?" "For all that," resumed the pendulum,"it is very dark here;and,although there is a window,I dare not stop even for an instant tlook out at it. Besides,I am really tired of my way of life;and,if you wish,I’ll tell you how I took this disgust at my employment. I happened,this morning,tbe calculating1 how many times I should have ttick in the course of only the next twenty-four hours;perhaps some one of you above there can give me the exact sum."
5.The minute hand,being quick at figures,presently replied,"Eighty-six thousand four hundred times." "Exactly so," replied the pendulum. "Well,I appeal tyou all,if the very thought of this was not enough tfatigue anyone;and when I began tmultiply the strokes of one day by those of months and years,really it was nwonder if I felt discouraged at the prospect2. So,after a great deal of reasoning and hesitation,thinks I tmyself,I‘ll stop."
6.The dial could scarcely keep its countenance during this harangue3;but,resuming its gravity,thus replied: "Dear Mr. Pendulum,I am really astonished that such a useful,industrious person as yourself should have been seized by this sudden weariness. It is true,you have done a great deal of work in your time;shave we all,and are likely tdo;which,although it may fatigue us tthink of,the question is,whether it will fatigue us tdo. Would you now1Calculating,reckoning,computing.
2Prospect,anticipation,that twhich one looks forward. 3Harangue,speech.
dme the favor tgive about half a dozen strokes tillustrate1 my argument?"
7.The pendulum complied,and ticked six times at its usual pace. "Now," resumed the dial,"may I be allowed tinquire if that exertion2 is at all fatiguing or disagreeable tyou?" "Not in the least," replied the pendulum;"it is not of six strokes that I complain,nor of sixty,but of millions."
8."Very good," replied the dial;"but recollect that,although you may think of a million of strokes in an instant,you are required texecute3 but one;and that,however often you may hereafter have tswing,a moment will always be given you tswing in." "That consideration4 staggers me,I confess," said the pendulum. "Then I hope," resumed the dial plate,"that we shall all return tour duty immediately;for the maids will be in bed if we stand idling thus."
9.Upon this,the weights,whhad never been accused of light conduct,used all their influence in urging him tproceed;when,as if with one consent,the wheels began tturn,the hands began tmove,the pendulum began tswing,and,tits credit,ticked as loud as ever;while a red beam of the rising sun,that streamed through a hole in the kitchen,shining full upon the dial plate,it brightened up as if nothing had been the matter.
10.When the farmer came down tbreakfast that morning,upon looking at the clock,he declared that his watch had gained half an hour in the night.
1Illustrate,tmake clear,texemplify. 2 Exertion,effort.
3 Exeeute,tcomplete,tfinish. 4Consideration,reason.