VI.

FATHER. “Its[1] uses are so various that I know not which[2] to specify. It[3] has been found very useful in deciphering (S. 1, N. 3) old manuscripts, and[4], indeed, has its use in modern prints. It[5] will assist us greatly in acquiring[6] all kinds of knowledge, and without it[7] some of the most sublime parts[8] of[9] creation would be matters[10] of mere conjecture. It[11] must be confessed, however, that very much depends on a[12] proper application of it, being (S. 30, N. 4) possessed by many _persons_ who appear to have no[13] adequate sense of its value, but[14] who employ it only for the most low and common purposes, without _even_ thinking, apparently, of the noble uses[15] for which it is designed, or of the exquisite[16] gratification[17] (S. 16, N. 10) it is capable of affording. It[18] is indeed in order to excite in your minds some higher sense of its value than you might otherwise have entertained, that I am giving you this previous description.”

GEORGE. “Well _then_, tell us something more about it (S. 4, N. 5, _B_).”

FATHER. “It is also of[19] a very penetrating quality, and _it_ can often discover secrets which can be detected by no other means. It[20] must be owned, however, that[21] it is equally prone to reveal them[22].”

[1] Its — various = It serves for (+zu+) such (+so+) various purposes (+Zweck+, m.).

[2] which — specify = which I shall specify (+anführen+).

[3] It — useful = One has found it of great use.

[4] and — prints = and also in (+bei+) our modern printing it is indeed of great use.

[5] It — greatly = It helps us much.

[6] +sich erwerben+; all kinds of, +allerlei+.

[7] it = the same.

[8] ‘parts’ here +Gebiete+.

[9] Use the gen. of the def. art.

[10] matters = objects.

[11] It — however = I must however confess.

[12] Use the def. art.; proper = right; of it = of the same.

[13] no — sense = a wrong idea (+Begriff+, m.).

[14] +und.+

[15] uses = purposes (+Zweck+, m.).

[16] +unvergleichlich+, i.e. incomparable.

[17] +Genuß+, m., i.e. enjoyment.

[18] Say ‘Only to awaken in you a higher idea of its value than you probably (+vermutlich+) otherwise (+sonst+) would have had (Pluperfect Subj.), I give you this previous (+vorläufig+) description’.

[19] of — quality = very penetrative (+scharfsichtig+).

[20] Say ‘But (+Doch+) I must confess.

[21] that — prone = that it is just as much (+eben so sehr+) prone; prone = disposed, +geneigt+.

[22] them = the same, to agree with ‘secrets’.

_Section 94._

A CURIOUS INSTRUMENT.