a husband, whom Rip recollected for one of the urchins that used to climb upon his back. As to Rip's son and heir, who was the ditto of himself, seen leaning against the tree, he was employed to work on the farm, but evinced 5 an hereditary disposition to attend to anything else but his business. Rip now resumed his old walks and habits. He soon found many of his former cronies, though all rather the worse for the wear and tear of time, and preferred making friends 10 among the rising generation, with whom he soon grew into great favor. Having nothing to do at home, and being arrived at that happy age when a man can do nothing with impunity, he took his place once more on the bench at the inn door, and 15 was reverenced as one of the patriarchs of the village, and a chronicle of the old times "before the war.' It was some time before he could get into the regular track of gossip, or could be made to comprehend the strange events that had taken place during his torpor, -how that there had 20 been a revolutionary war; that the country had thrown off the yoke of old England, and that, instead of being a subject of his Majesty George III, he was now a free citizen of the United States. Rip, in fact, was no politician, the changes of states and empire made but little impression 25 on him, but there was one species of despotism under which he had long groaned, and that was, petticoat government. Happily, that was at an end. He had got his neck out of the yoke of matrimony, and could go in and out whenever he pleased, without dreading the tyranny of Dame Van Winkle. Whenever her name was mentioned, however, he shook his head, shrugged his shoulders, and cast up his eyes; which might pass either for an expression of resignation to his fate, or joy at his deliverance. He used to tell his story to every stranger that arrived at 5 Mr. Doolittle's hotel. He was observed at first to vary on some points every time he told it, which was doubtless owing to his having so recently awaked. It at last settled down precisely to the tale I have related; and not a man, woman, or child in the neighborhood but knew it by heart. 10 Some always pretended to doubt the reality of it, and insisted that Rip had been out of his head, and that this was one point on which he always remained flighty. The old Dutch inhabitants, however, almost universally gave it full credit. Even to this day they never hear a thunder- 15 storm of a summer afternoon about the Catskill, but they say Hendrick Hudson and his crew are at their game of ninepins; and it is a common wish of all hen-pecked husbands in the neighborhood, when life hangs heavy on their hands, that they might have a quieting draught out of Rip 20 Van Winkle's flagon. HELPS TO STUDY This legend of the long sleep has been found in many parts of the world. The Dutch of New York, among whom Irving heard it, had probably brought it with them from the Old World. To make the sleeper a good-natured village loafer was of course Irving's own idea. About fifty years ago, a great actor, Joseph Jefferson, made a play of this story, changing it somewhat, and this play was so popular for so long a time that many people cannot think of Rip without recalling the voice, figure, and manner that Jefferson gave to the part. If your school or town library contains Jefferson's Autobiography, get it and read it. You will find it full of interesting things about Rip and other matters. I. 1. Where was Rip's home? 2. By whom had the village been built? What were the houses like? 3. What sort of man was Rip? 4. How did he spend his time? 5. What was the condition of his farm? 6. In what standing was he with his neighbors, with the chil dren of the village? 7. What did his wife think of him? What was she like? 8. Who was Rip's most constant companion? 10. Describe the scene 9. Why did he use to go to the mountains? where he stopped to rest. 11. Describe the stranger who asked for help in carrying the cask up the mountain. 12. What sounds does he hear on the way up? 13. What does he see when they arrive? 14. What seems to indicate that there is something strange and unnatural about them? 15. How did Rip like the contents of the cask? What effect did it have upon him? II. 1. What time of day and of the year was it when Rip awoke? 2. What is the first thought that comes to his mind? The second? 3. What has become of his gun? Of his dog? 4. Why does he rather dread going home? 5. What changes does he first notice in the village? 6. How is he received there? 7. When does he first notice any change in himself? 8. What does he think is the cause of his confusion of mind? 9. In what state does he find his house? 10. What has happened to the inn? 11. What change has been made in the sign over the inn? Why? 12. What important thing is going on in the village? 13. What strange words and strange questions does he hear? 14. What is his son like? 15. Whom does Rip first recognize? 16. Who first identifies him as Rip Van Winkle? Who else knows him? 17. What has become of his wife? 18. How is the rest of Rip's life spent? 19. What explanation is given as to the strange people Rip had met in the mountains? 20. What vain regret did Rip's experience cause in the minds of other hen-pecked husbands? Proper Names: Catskill, Appalachian, Stuyvesant (Sti've sant), Christina (Kris tēʼna), Van Schaick (Skoik), Hollands (a colorless liquor, also called gin), Flemish, Stony Point, Hendrick Hudson, Anthony's Nose (a steep high rock along the Hudson River). Phrases: I. Magical hues, wonderful colors; amiable sex, the women; patrimonial estate, property inherited from one's father. II. Drowsy tranquillity, sleepy and heavy quiet; Babylonish jargon, strange and unintelligible talk; petticoat government, control by the women. For Study with the Glossary: I. Barometer, descry, lattice, chivalrous, obsequious, termagant, impunity, insuperable, assiduity, pestilent, galligaskins, volley, precipitation, perpetual, rubicund, junto, vehemently, tranquillity, august, virago, wallet, reciprocate, herbage, impending, jerkin, ravine, transient, amphitheater, hanger, flagon, beverage, reiterate. II. Knoll, roysters, perplexities, invariably, connubial, metamorphosed, disputations, phlegm, harangue, uncouth, akimbo, austere, culprit, counterpart, identity, corroborate, vigil, ditto, evince, hereditary, torpor, flighty. REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. What sad and what pleasant things about the early New England life did you find in "The Courtship of Miles Standish"? 2. What was "The Gray Champion"? 3. Where and when was Patrick Henry's famous speech made? 4. What plea for justice did Burke make? 5. What did Thackeray think of Irving? 6. Where did Irving get the stories of Ichabod and Rip? 7. Which of the two do you prefer? Why? For Oral and Written Composition: 1. Rip's family. 2. Rip's 3. The scene in the mountains. 4. The later story of amusements. the dog Wolf. 5. Rip's return to the village. 5 10 15 THE ARSENAL AT SPRINGFIELD On their wedding journey in 1843 the Longfellows went to see the Arsenal at Springfield, Mass. While there Mrs. Longfellow noticed how the ranged and shining gun-barrels resembled the pipes of a church organ, and spoke of the mournful music that Death would bring from them. This fancy was the origin of the poem. This is the Arsenal. From floor to ceiling, Like a huge organ, rise the burnished arms; Ah! what a sound will rise, how wild and dreary, Will mingle with their awful symphonies! I hear even now the infinite fierce chorus, Which, through the ages that have gone before us, On helm and harness rings the Saxon hammer, Through Cimbric forest roars the Norseman's song, And loud, amid the universal clamor, O'er distant deserts sounds the Tartar gong. |