Washington Irving

Name: The Adventure of the German Student
Author: Washington Irving

Summary

“The Adventure of the German Student”, is a work by Washington Irving. It explores elements such as Wolfgang, student and lightning.

Quotes from The Adventure of the German Student (Washington Irving)

Washington Irving, The Adventure of the German Student

“ The loud claps of thunder rattled among the high houses of the narrow streets. He came to the Place de Grève, the square where public executions are performed. The lightning quivered about the pinnacles of the ancient Hôtel de Ville, and shed flickering gleams over the open space in front. As Wolfgang was crossing the square, he shrank back with horror at finding himself close by the guillotine. It was the height of the reign of terror, when this dreadful instrument of death stood ever ready, and its scaffold was continually running with the blood of the virtuous and the brave. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Washington Irving, The Adventure of the German Student

“ Wolfgang, though solitary and recluse, was of an ardent temperament, but for a time it operated merely upon his imagination. He was too shy and ignorant of the world to make any advances to the fair, but he was a passionate admirer of female beauty, and in his lonely chamber would often lose himself in reveries on forms and faces which he had seen, and his fancy would deck out images of loveliness far surpassing the reality. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Washington Irving, The Adventure of the German Student

“ She pointed to the guillotine with a gesture of dreadful signification.
“I have no friend on earth!” said she.
“But you have a home,” said Wolfgang.
“Yes—in the grave!”
The heart of the student melted at the words.
“If a stranger dare make an offer,” said he, “without danger of being misunderstood, I would offer my humble dwelling as a shelter; myself as a devoted friend. I am friendless myself in Paris, and a stranger in the land; but if my life could be of service, it is at your disposal, and should be sacrificed before harm or indignity should come to you.” ”

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Source: Wikisource

Washington Irving, The Adventure of the German Student

“ IN A STORMY NIGHT, in the tempestuous times of the French Revolution, a young German was returning to his lodgings, at a late hour, across the old part of Paris. The lightning gleamed, and the loud claps of thunder rattled through the lofty narrow streets—but I should first tell you something about this young German.
Gottfried Wolfgang was a young man of good family. He had studied for some time at Göttingen, but being of a visionary and enthusiastic character, he had wandered into those wild and speculative doctrines which have so often bewildered German students. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Washington Irving, The Adventure of the German Student

“ The storm had abated, and the thunder rumbled at a distance. All Paris was quiet; that great volcano of human passion slumbered for a while, to gather fresh strength for the next day’s eruption. The student conducted his charge through the ancient streets of the Pays Latin, and by the dusky walls of the Sorbonne, to the great dingy hotel which he inhabited. The old portress who admitted them stared with surprise at the unusual sight of the melancholy Wolfgang, with a female companion. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Washington Irving, The Adventure of the German Student

“ Wolfgang was too much of a theorist not to be tainted by the liberal doctrines of the day.
“Why should we separate?” said he; “our hearts are united; in the eye of reason and honor we are as one. What need is there of sordid forms to bind high souls together?” ”

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Source: Wikisource

Washington Irving, The Adventure of the German Student

“ The stranger listened with emotion: she had evidently received illumination at the same school.
“You have no home nor family,” continued he; “let me be everything to you, or rather let us be everything to one another. If form is necessary, form shall be observed—there is my hand. ”

Washington Irving

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