GREAT－GRANDFATHER

REAT-GRANDFATHER was so very nice and wise and good that we all looked up to him．He was reallycalled，as far back as I can remember，"Grandfather，"but when my brother's little son，Frederick，came intothe family，he was advanced to"Great-grandfather"；higher up he could not get！He thought so much of all ofus，but he seemed not to think so much of our times．

"Old times were the best times，"he said，"theywere steady and solid：now there is such a rush and sucha turning up and down of everything．Youth leads thetalk，and speaks of royalty itself as if they were its equal．Every person from the street can dip his rag in dirty waterand wring it out on the head of a gentleman．"

With such talk Great-grandfather got very red in theface but a little time after，his friendly smile reappeared，and then the words，"Well，well，perhaps I am a littlemistaken！I stand in old times and cannot get a properfoothold in the new．May our Father lead and guidethem！"

When Great－grandfather talked about old times itwas just as if I had them before me．In thought I drove ina golden chariot with attendants in livery，saw the guildscarrying their signs in procession with music and flags，and took part in the delightful Christmas parties，with for-feits and mumming．

There was certainly，also，in those times much thatwas horrible and nasty；the stake，the wheel，and theshedding of blood，but all the horrible had something al－luring and exciting about it．I learned about the Danishnoblemen who gave the peasants their freedom，and Den- mark's Crown Prince who abolished the slave－trade．

It was delightful to hear Great-grandfather tell aboutall this，and to hear about the days of his youth．Still thetime before that was the very best，so strong and so great．

"Rough it was，"said brother Frederick，"God bepraised that we are out of it，"and he said this straight outto Great－grandfather．It was not nice to say that，but yet Ihad great respect for Frederick；he was my eldest brother，and he could have been my father，he said．He said somany funny things．He was a very successful student，andso diligent in my father's office that he would soon be ableto go into the business．He was the one that Great-grandfa-ther was most familiar with，but they always ended in dis- puting about something．These two did not understand eachother，and never would，the family said；but little as Iwas，I soon noticed that these two could not do withouteach other．

Great－grandfather listened with shining eyes whenFrederick spoke or read about progress in science，aboutthe discoveries of the powers of nature，and about all theremarkable things of our time．

"People become wiser，but not better，"he said；"they invent the most terrible weapons of destructionagainst each other．"

"The quicker will war be past，"said Frederick；"onewill not have to wait seven years for the blessings of peace！The world is full－blooded and must occasionally be bled；itis necessary．"

One day Frederick told him something which had re－ally happened in our time in a little town．

The Mayor's clock，the big one on the town－hall，setthe time for the town and the people．The clock did not goquite correctly，but all the same the town ordered itself byit．By and by the railways came，and they are connectedwith all other countries，and so one must know the time ex－actly，or there will be collisions．The railway got a clockwhich was set by the sun and so kept，good time；and nowthe whole of the townspeople settled everything by the rail-way clock．

I laughed and thought it was a funny story，but Great- grandfather didn't laugh；he became quite serious．

"There is a great deal in that story of yours，"hesaid，"and I also understand your idea in telling it to me．There is instruction in your clockwork．It makes me thinkof another instance，my parents'simple old grandfather'sclock，with its leaden weights；it was their and my child－hood's chronometer：it did not go quite correctly，but itwent，and we looked at the hands；we believed in themand did not think of the wheels inside．So also was it withthe machinery of the state at that time；one looked at itwith confidence and believed in the hands．Now the statemachine has become like a glass clock，where one can lookright into the machinery and see the wheels turn and whirl．One gets quite afraid for this pivot and that wheel！I won－der how it will go with the striking，and I have no longermy childhood's faith．That is the weakness of the presenttime！"

And so Great－grandfather talked himself quite angry．He and Frederick could not agree，but they could not sepa－rate either，just like the old and the new time！Theylearned that，both of them and all the family，when Fred－erick had to start on a long journey，far away to America．It was on the business of the house that the journey had tobe made．It was a terrible separation for Great－grandfather，and the journey was so long，right across the ocean toanother part of the globe．

"Every fortnight you will have a letter from me，"saidFrederick，"and quicker than all the letters，you will beable to hear from me by telegraph；the days become hours，and the hours minutes！"

Over the telegraph wires came a message from Eng-land，when Frederick went on board．Quicker than a let－ter，even if the flying clouds had been the postman，camea message from America when Frederick landed．It wasonly a few hours since he had done so．

"It is a divine thought which is granted to our time，"said Great-grandfather；"a blessing for mankind．"

"Yes，and Frederick has told me that it was in ourcountry that these powers of Nature were first understoodand made known．"

"Yes，"said Great－grandfather，and kissed me．"Yes，and I have looked into the two mild eyes which firstsaw and understood this power of Nature；they were child－ish eyes，like yours！and I have shaken hands with him！"

And he kissed me again．

More than a month had gone，when we had a letterfrom Frederick with the news that he was engaged to acharming young girl，whom the whole family would as-suredly be delighted with．Her photograph was sent，andwas examined with the naked eye and with a magnifyingglass，for that is the charm of these pictures，that they canstand examination with the sharpest glass，and that thelikeness becomes even clearer in that way．No painter hasever been capable of that，not even the greatest of the oldtimes．

"If one had only known the discovery in those times，"said Great-grandfather，"we should have been able to seethe world's great men and benefactors face to face．Howgood and sweet this young girl looks，"he said，and gazedthrough the glass；"I shall know her now when she comesin at the door．"

But it was very near not happening：fortunately we athome scarcely knew of the danger until it was past．

The young newly-married couple arrived in England injoy and good health；from there they proceeded with thesteamer to Copenhagen．They saw the Danish coast，thewhite sand－hills of Jutland：then a great storm arose，andthe ship grounded on one of the sand－banks and stuck fast．The sea rose high and seemed as if it would wreck theship；no lifeboat could work．The night came，but in themiddle of the darkness a rocket was thrown from the shoreover the stranded ship．The rocket carried a rope over it，aconnexion was made between those out there and those onthe shore，and soon a beautiful young lady was drawnthrough the heavy rolling waves in a cradle，and glad andhappy was she when her young husband stood by her sideon dry land．All on board were saved，and it was not day－light yet．

We lay sleeping soundly in Copenhagen，thinkingneither of sorrow nor danger．As we assembled for break- fast，there came a rumour，brought by a telegram，that anEnglish steamer had gone down on the west coast．We werein great anxiety，but just then came a telegram from Fred－erick and his young wife，who had been saved and wouldsoon be with us．

They all wept together；I wept too，and Great-grand-father wept，folded his hands，and—I am certain of it—blessed the new times．

That day Great-grandfather gave twenty pounds forthe monument to Hans Christian Oersted，the electrician．

When Frederick came home with his young wife andheard it，he said，"That was right，Great-grandfather！now I shall read to you what Oersted many years agp saidabout the old and new times！"

"He was of your opinion，no doubt？"said Great－grandfather．

"Yes，you may be sure of that，"said Frederick；"and you are too，since you have subscribed for the mon-ument to him！"

曾祖父

 

曾祖父是一个非常可爱、聪明和善良的人，所以我们都尊敬曾祖父。就我所能记忆得起的来说，他事实上是叫做“祖父”，也叫做“外公”。不过当我哥哥的小儿子佛列得里克来到家里以后，他就提升到“曾祖父”了。再升可就不能！他非常喜欢我们，但是他似乎不太欣赏我们所处的这个时代。

“古时是最好的时代！”他说。“那是一个安安稳稳的时代！现代是忙忙碌碌的，一切都没上没下。年轻人在讲话中唱主角；在他们的谈话中，皇族就好像是他们的平辈似的。街上随便哪个人可以把烂布浸到污水里去，在一个绅士的头上拧一把水。”

曾祖父讲这话的时候，脸上就涨红起来。但是不需多大工夫，他那种和蔼的微笑就又现出来了。接着他就说：

“哎，是的，可能我弄错了！我是旧时代的人，在这个新的时代里站不稳脚。我希望上帝能指引我！”

当曾祖父谈起古代的时候，我仿佛觉得古代就在我的眼前，我幻想我坐在金马车里，旁边有穿制服的仆人伺候：我看到各种同业公会高举着它们的招牌，在音乐和旗帜飘扬中游行；我参加圣诞节的联欢会——人们玩着“受罚”的游戏和化装游戏。

当然，那个时候也有许多可怕和残酷的事情：火刑柱、轮上的酷刑和流血的惨事，而这类残酷事情有时是非常刺激人和吓人的。我也想起了许多愉快的事情：我想象着丹麦的贵族让农民得到自由；我想象着丹麦的皇太子废除奴隶的买卖。

听听曾祖父讲自己青年时代和诸如此类的事情，是非常愉快的。然而在这类事情发生以前的那个时代是最好的时代，那是一个非常强大、非常伟大的时代。

“那是一个粗暴的时代，”佛列得里克哥哥说。“感谢上帝，我们已经离开了那个时代！”

这话是他当着曾祖父的面讲的。

讲这样的话是不太适当的，但是我却非常尊敬佛列得里克。他是我最大的一个哥哥：他说他可以做我的父亲——他喜欢讲非常滑稽的话。他是一个成绩很好的学生；他在我父亲的办公室里工作得也顶好，不久他就可以参加父亲的生意了。曾祖父最喜欢和他谈天，但是他们一谈就总要争论起来。家里的人说，他们两人彼此都不了解，而且永远也不会了解。不过，虽然我的年纪很小，我很快就注意到，他们两人谁也舍不得谁。

当佛列得里克谈到或读到关于科学进步的事情，关于发现大自然的威力的事情，或关于我们时代的一切奇异的事情时，曾祖父总是睁着一对放亮的眼睛听。

“人变得比从前更聪明了，但是并没有变得比从前更好！”他说。“他们发明了许多毁灭性的武器互相残杀！”

“这样就可以把战争结束得更快呀！”佛列得里克说。“我们不需等待七年才得到幸福的和平！世界的精神太饱满了，偶尔也须放一点血。这是必要的呀！”

有一天佛列得里克讲了一个真实的故事；那是在我们这个时代的一个小城市里发生的。

市长的钟——市政厅上面的那个大钟——为整个城市和市民报告时间。这个钟走得并不太准，但是整个城市仍然依照它办事。不多久这地方修了铁路，而且这条铁路还跟别的国家联到一起。因此人们必须知道准确的时间，否则就会发生撞车的事件。车站里现在有一个依照日光定时的钟，因此它走得非常准确。所以市民现在全部依照车站的钟来办事。

我不禁笑起来：因为我觉得这是一个很有趣的故事。但是曾祖父却不笑。他变得非常严肃起来。

“你讲的这个故事很有道理！”他说。“我也懂得你把它讲给我听的用意。你的这个钟里面有一个教训。这使我想起了另外一件同样的事情——我父母的那座波尔霍尔姆造的朴素的、有铅锤的老钟。那是他们和我儿时的唯一的计时工具。它走得并不太可靠，但是它却在走。我们望着它的时针，我们相信它们，因此也就不理会钟里面的轮子了。那时国家的机构也是这样：人们信任它，因此也就相信它的指针。现在的国家机构却像一座玻璃钟，人们一眼就可以看见里面的机件，看见它的齿轮的转动，听见它转动的声音。有时这些发条和齿轮把人弄得害怕起来！我不知道，它敲起来会像一个什么样儿；我已经失去了儿童时代的那种信心。这就是近代的弱点！”

曾祖父讲到这里就生起气来了。他和佛列得里克两人的意见老是碰不到一起，而他们两人“正如新旧两个时代一样”又不能截然分开！当佛列得里克要远行到美国去的时候，他们两人开始认识到这种情况——全家的人也同样认识到了。他是因为家里的生意不得不作这次旅行的。对于曾祖父说来，这是一次痛苦的别离。旅行是那么长。要横渡大海到地球的另一边去。

“我每隔两星期就写一封信给你！”佛列得里克说，“你还可以从电报上听到我的消息，那比信还要快。日子变成了钟点，钟点变成了分和秒！”

佛列得里克的船一到达英国，他就打来了一个电报。到了美国，他又打回来了一个电报——即使飞云作为邮差也不会有这样快。这是他上岸后几小时以内的事情。

“这种神圣的办法真是我们时代的一种恩赐，”曾祖父说，“是我们人类的一种幸福。”

“而且这种自然的威力是在我国第一次被发现和被传播出去的——佛列得里克这样告诉我。”

“不错，”曾祖父吻了我一下，说，“不错，我曾经注视过那双温和的眼睛——那双第一次看见和理解这种自然威力的眼睛。那是一双像你一样的孩子气的眼睛！我还握过他的手呢！”

祖父又吻了我一下。

一个多月过去了。我们又接到佛列得里克的一封信；信上说：他和一个美丽的年轻姑娘订了婚——他相信全家的人一定会喜欢她的。她的照片也寄来了。大家先用眼睛，后来又用放大镜把照片仔细瞧了又瞧。这种照片的妙处是人们可以用最锐敏的镜子仔细加以研究。的确，它在镜子底下显得更逼真。任何画家都做不到这一点——甚至古代最伟大的画家都做不到。

“如果我们在古时就有这种发明的话，”曾祖父说。“那么我们就可面对面地看看世界的伟人和世界的造福者了。这个年轻姑娘的样子是多么温柔和善啊！”他说，同时朝放大镜里看。“只要她一踏进门，我就会认识她了！”

不过这样的事情差一点儿就变得不可能了。很幸运，有些危险我们是在事后才知道的。

这对新婚夫妇愉快地、健康地到达了英国。他们又从那儿乘轮船回到哥本哈根来。他们看到了丹麦海岸和尤兰西部的白色沙丘。这时刮起了一阵暴风，船在沙洲上搁了浅，一动都不能动。海浪很大，好像是要把它打碎似的。什么救生艇也不能发生作用。黑夜到来了，但是有一支明亮的火箭穿过黑暗射到这艘搁了浅的船上来。火箭带着一根绳子；这样，海上的人和岸上的人便建立起联系了。不一会儿，那位美丽的少妇便在一个救生浮篮里，越过汹涌的波涛，被拉到岸上来了；没有多久，她的年轻的丈夫也在她身边了，她感到无限的快乐和幸福。船上所有的人都被救出来了，这时天还没有亮。

那时我们正在哥本哈根熟睡，既没有想到悲哀，也没有想到危险。当我们一起坐在餐桌旁喝早餐咖啡的时候，电报带来了一个消息，说有一艘英国船在西部海岸沉下去了。我们感到非常不安，不过正在这时候，我们收到我们得救的归客佛列得里克和他年轻妻子的一个电报，说他们很快就要到家了。

大家一起哭起来，我也哭，曾祖父也哭。他合起他的双手——我知道他会这样做的——祝福这个新的时代。

在这一天，曾祖父捐了两百块大洋为电气专家汉斯·克利斯仙·奥列斯得立一个纪念碑。

佛列得里克和他的年轻妻子回到家来。当他听到这事情的时候，他说：“曾祖父，这事做得很对！奥列斯得在多少年以前就写过关于旧时代和新时代的事情，让我现在念给你听吧！”

“他一定跟你的意见是一样吧？”曾祖父说。

“是的，这一点你不用怀疑！”佛列得里克说，“而且跟你的意见也没有两样，因为你已经捐钱为他修纪念碑啦！”

这个小故事最初发表在纽约1870年8月出版的《青少年河边杂志》第4卷，随后在该年9月又发表在丹麦的《思想与现实》杂志上。这篇故事是安徒生在与丹麦电磁学家奥列斯得谈了一次话后写成的。电的发现“真是我们时代的一种恩赐，是我们人类的一种幸福。”复古派的曾祖父也终于被新时代的进展说服了，他合起双手真诚地祝福“这个新时代”。