Читать онлайн «Франкенштейн / Frankenstein»
Автор Мэри Шелли
Мэри Шелли / Mary Shelley
Франкенштейн / Frankenstein
© Подготовка. Харвест, 2006
Letter 1
To Mrs. Saville, England
St. Petersburgh, Dec. 11th, 17—
You will rejoice to hear that no disaster has accompanied the commencement of an enterprise which you have regarded with such evil forebodings. I arrived here yesterday, and my first task is to assure my dear sister of my welfare and increasing confidence in the success of my undertaking.
R. Walton was already in St. Petersburgh. Dreams about his undertaking, about hardships and trials he may encounter with on the way to his goal, discoveries he may make during his voyage have absorbed him. He was full of determination and enthusiasm and was sure in the success of his plans. This expedition has been the favourite dream of his early years. In childhood he read with ardour the accounts of the various voyages which have been made in the prospect of arriving at the North Pacific Ocean through the seas which surround the pole. These volumes were his study day and night, and his familiarity with them increased that regret which he had felt on learning that his father’s dying injunction had forbidden his uncle to allow Robert to embark in a seafaring life. But at the time he inherited the fortune of his cousin his thoughts were turned into the channel of their earlier bent.
This is the most favourable period for travelling in Russia. They fly quickly over the snow in their sledges; the motion is pleasant, and, in my opinion, far more agreeable than that of an English stagecoach. The cold is not excessive, if you are wrapped in furs—a dress which I have already adopted, for there is a great difference between walking the deck and remaining seated motionless for hours, when no exercise prevents the blood from actually freezing in your veins. I have no ambition to lose my life on the post-road between St. Petersburgh and Archangel. I shall depart for the latter town in a fortnight or three weeks; and my intention is to hire a ship there, which can easily be done by paying the insurance for the owner, and to engage as many sailors as I think necessary among those who are accustomed to the whale-fishing. I do not intend to sail until the month of June; and when shall I return? Ah, dear sister, how can I answer this question? If I succeed, many, many months, perhaps years, will pass before you and I may meet. If I fail, you will see me again soon, or never. Farewell, my dear, excellent Margaret. Heaven shower down blessings on you, and save me, that I may again and again testify my gratitude for all your love and kindness.
Letter 2
To Mrs. Saville, England
Archangel, 28th March, 17—
