stalls - puestos; compartimento
cathedral - catedral
James - Santiago, Jacobo, Yago, Jaime
This matter began, as far as I am concerned, with the reading of a notice in the obituary section of the Gentleman's Magazine for an early year in the nineteenth century:
concerned - preocupado; preocupación, referirse a, ataner, concernir, tocar
obituary - esquela, necrología, obituario, obituario
gentleman - caballero, senores
nineteenth - decimonoveno, diecinueveavo
"On February 26th, at his residence in the Cathedral Close of Barchester, the Venerable John Benwell Haynes, D.D., aged 57, Archdeacon of Sowerbridge and Rector of Pickhill and Candley. He was of -- College, Cambridge, and where, by talent and assiduity, he commanded the esteem of his seniors; when, at the usual time, he took his first degree, his name stood high in the list of wranglers. These academical honours procured for him within a short time a Fellowship of his College. In the year 1873 he received Holy Orders, and was shortly afterwards presented to the perpetual Curacy of Ranxton-sub-Ashe by his friend and patron the late truly venerable Bishop of Lichfield.... His speedy preferments, first to a Prebend, and subsequently to the dignity of Precentor in the Cathedral of Barchester, form an eloquent testimony to the respect in which he was held and to his eminent qualifications. He succeeded to the Archdeaconry upon the sudden decease of Archdeacon Pulteney in 1810. His sermons, ever conformable to the principles of the religion and Church which he adorned, displayed in no ordinary degree, without the least trace of enthusiasm, the refinement of the scholar united with the graces of the Christian. Free from sectarian violence, and informed by the spirit of the truest charity, they will long dwell in the memories of his hearers.
residence - residencia
venerable - venerable
Cambridge - Cambridge
talent - talento, talentosos, talentoso
assiduity - asiduidad
commanded - mandado; orden, mandato, mando, comando, dominio
esteem - estima
seniors - personas mayores; anciano, alto cargo, experimentado, senor
honours - onores; honradez
within - dentro de, adentro
fellowship - companerismo; confraternidad, beca
holy - santo, sagrado
shortly - pronto, en breve
afterwards - después
perpetual - perpetua; perpetuo
patron - patrón, mecenas, patrocinador, auspiciador, cliente, parroquiano
truly - de verdad; verdaderamente, realmente
bishop - obispo
speedy - rápido, pronto
preferments - Preferencia
Prebend - Prebenda
dignity - dignidad
eloquent - elocuente
testimony - testimonio
respect - respeto, respetar
qualifications - cualificaciones; titulación, salvedad
Archdeaconry - Arcedianato
upon - sobre, en, tras
sudden - de repente; repentino, súbito, brusco
decease - fallecimiento, deceso, óbito, defunción, fallecer
Sermons - sermones; sermón
conformable - conforme
principles - principios; principio
religion - religión
adorned - dornado; adornar, engalanar
displayed - aparece; espectáculo, exposición, monitor, expositor
trace - rastrear; rastro, huella, vestigio, indicio
enthusiasm - entusiasmo
scholar - erudito, especialista, estudioso, docto
graces - gracias; (grace); gracias, benedícite, gracia, donaire, merced
Christian - cristiano, cristiana, Cristián
sectarian - sectario
violence - violencia
informed - informado; informar
spirit - espíritu, alma, onda, alcohol, bebida espirituosa
dwell - habitar, morar
hearers - Oyente
(Here a further omission.) The productions of his pen include an able defence of Episcopacy, which, though often perused by the author of this tribute to his memory, afford but one additional instance of the want of liberality and enterprise which is a too common characteristic of the publishers of our generation. His published works are, indeed, confined to a spirited and elegant version of the Argonautica of Valerius Flaccus, a volume of Discourses upon the Several Events in the Life of Joshua, delivered in his Cathedral, and a number of the charges which he pronounced at various visitations to the clergy of his Archdeaconry. These are distinguished by etc., etc. The urbanity and hospitality of the subject of these lines will not readily be forgotten by those who enjoyed his acquaintance. His interest in the venerable and awful pile under whose hoary vault he was so punctual an attendant, and particularly in the musical portion of its rites, might be termed filial, and formed a strong and delightful contrast to the polite indifference displayed by too many of our Cathedral dignitaries at the present time."
omission - omisión
productions - producciones; producción, elaboración
defence - defensa
Episcopacy - Episcopado
though - ero..; no obstante, de todas formas, de todas maneras
perused - percibido; examinar, ojear, hojear, leer por encima
tribute - tributo, homenaje
afford - pagar; costear, permitirse
additional - adicional, extra, de más
instance - caso, ejemplo, ocasión, instancia
liberality - liberalidad
enterprise - empresa, emprendimiento, empuje, iniciativa
characteristic - característico, característica
publishers - editores; editor, editorial
generation - generación, generación, linaje
indeed - de verdad; de hecho, realmente, efectivamente, verdaderamente
confined - confinado; confinar, encorsetar, confín, raya
spirited - enérgico; espíritu, alma, onda, alcohol, bebida espirituosa
elegant - elegante, chic
version - versión
volume - volumen
Discourses - discursos; discurso, conversación, disertar
Joshua - Josué
delivered - entregado; liberar, parir, dar a luz, entregar
charges - cargos; cargo, acusación, encargo, figura, acusar, cobrar
various - varios, diversos, diferentes, distintos
clergy - clero
distinguished - istinguido; distinguir
etc - tc
urbanity - urbanidad, educación, modales, corrección
hospitality - hospitalidad, hostelería
readily - listo; fácilmente, en seguida, pronto
acquaintance - conocido; amistad, conocimiento, junta, relación
pile - montón, pila
hoary - cansado; cano
vault - bóveda; sótano; bodega
punctual - puntual
attendant - asistente, guarda, concomitante, inherente
particularly - en particular; particularmente
portion - porción
rites - itos; rito
filial - filial
delightful - delicioso
contrast - contraste, contrastar
indifference - indiferencia
dignitaries - dignatarios; dignatario
The final paragraph, after informing us that Dr. Haynes died a bachelor, says:
informing - informar
bachelor - soltero; solterón, bachiller, título de grado, licenciatura
"It might have been augured that an existence so placid and benevolent would have been terminated in a ripe old age by a dissolution equally gradual and calm. But how unsearchable are the workings of Providence! The peaceful and retired seclusion amid which the honoured evening of Dr. Haynes'life was mellowing to its close was destined to be disturbed, nay, shattered, by a tragedy as appalling as it was unexpected.
augured - aumentado; augur, augurar, presagiar
existence - existencia
placid - pacido; plácido
benevolent - benevolente, benévolo
terminated - terminado; terminar, acabar
ripe - maduro
dissolution - disolución, desintegración, disolución
equally - igualmente
gradual - gradual, paulatino
Calm - calmado, sosiego, calma
workings - Trabajando
Providence - providencia; Providence
peaceful - Pacífico
retired - jubilado; retirarse, jubilarse
amid - en medio de, entre
honoured - onrado; honradez
mellowing - ablandándose; mantecoso, relajado, blando
disturbed - molesto; perturbar, molestar
shattered - destrozado; astillar, estrellar, quebrantar, hacer anicos
tragedy - tragedia
appalling - spantoso; terrible; horrible; horroroso; onstandard; (appal) spantoso; terrible; horrible; horroroso; onstandard
unexpected - inesperado, inopinado
The morning of the 26th of February--"
But perhaps I shall do better to keep back the remainder of the narrative until I have told the circumstances which led up to it. These, as far as they are now accessible, I have derived from another source.
remainder - restos; resto, remanente, sobras, restante
narrative - narrativo, narrativa, narración
circumstances - circunstancias; circunstancia
led - llevado; led; (lead) llevado; led
accessible - accesible, asequible, abordable
derived - derivado; derivar
I had read the obituary notice which I have been quoting, quite by chance, along with a great many others of the same period. It had excited some little speculation in my mind, but, beyond thinking that, if I ever had an opportunity of examining the local records of the period indicated, I would try to remember Dr. Haynes, I made no effort to pursue his case.
obituary notice - obituario
quoting - citando; cita, comillas, presupuesto, cotización, citar, cotizar
speculation - especulación
beyond - más allá de
examining - examinando; examinar, analizar, auscultar
indicated - indicado; indicar, senalizar, panish: t-needed
effort - esfuerzo
pursue - perseguir, apuntar a
Quite lately I was cataloguing the manuscripts in the library of the college to which he belonged. I had reached the end of the numbered volumes on the shelves, and I proceeded to ask the librarian Whether there were any more books which he thought I ought to include in my description. "I don't think there are," he said, "but we had better come and look at the manuscript class and make sure. Have you time to do that now?" I had time. We went to the library, checked off the manuscripts, and, at the end of our survey arrived at a shelf of which I had seen nothing.
lately - últimamente
cataloguing - catalogación; catálogo, calendario universitario, catalogar
manuscripts - manuscritos; manuscrito, manuscrito
volumes - volúmenes; volumen
shelves - estanterías; estante, balda, anaquel, entrepano, estantería
proceeded - procedió; continuar, proceder
librarian - bibliotecario
whether - si, si , o, ya sea
checked off - se ha marcado
shelf - estante, balda, anaquel, entrepano, estantería, arrecife
Its contents consisted for the most part of sermons, bundles of fragmentary papers, college exercises, Cyrus, an epic poem in several cantos, the product of a country clergyman's leisure, mathematical tracts by a deceased professor, and other similar material of a kind with which I am only too familiar. I took brief notes of these. Lastly, there was a tin box, which was pulled out and dusted. Its label, much faded, was thus inscribed: "Papers of the Ven. Archdeacon Haynes. Bequeathed in 1834 by his sister, Miss Letitia Haynes."
Contents - ontenido; satisfecho
consisted - consistió; componerse (de), constar (de)
bundles - paquetes; haz, atado, fajo, atar, liar
epic poem - poema épico
clergyman - clérigo
leisure - ocio, tiempo libre
mathematical - matemáticas; matemático
tracts - tractos; extensión
deceased - fallecido; fallecimiento, deceso, óbito, defunción, fallecer
familiar - te suena; familiar, espíritu familiar
brief - breve, corto, conciso, sucinto, escueto, resumen, poner al tanto
tin - estano, lata, enlatar, estanar
dusted - desempolvado; polvo, desempolvar, limpiar el polvo, espolvorear
label - etiqueta, rótulo, panish: t-needed
faded - desvanecido; apagarse, debilitarse; destenir
thus - así
inscribed - inscrito; inscribir
Archdeacon - arcediano, archidiácono
bequeathed - egado; heredar, legar, dejar, ceder, transmitir
I knew at once that the name was one which I had somewhere encountered, and could very soon locate it. "That must be the Archdeacon Haynes who came to a very odd end at Barchester. I've read his obituary in the Gentleman's Magazine. May I take the box home? Do you know if there is anything interesting in it?"
encountered - encontrado; encontrar
locate - ubicar, localizar, asentar
ve - e
odd - raro; guacho, desparejado, desemparejado, suelto, extrano
The librarian was very willing that I should take the box and examine it at leisure. "I never looked inside it myself," he said, "but I've always been meaning to. I am pretty sure that is the box which our old Master once said ought never to have been accepted by the college. He said that to Martin years ago; and he said also that as long as he had control over the library it should never be opened. Martin told me about it, and said that he wanted terribly to know what was in it; but the Master was librarian, and always kept the box in the lodge, so there was no getting at it in his time, and when he died it was taken away by mistake by his heirs, and only returned a few years ago.
examine - examinar, analizar, auscultar
Master - maestro; senor, dueno; senora, duena
Martin - Martín
Terribly - terriblemente; rematadamente
Lodge - cabana, barraca, caseta, logia, madriguera, panish: t-needed
by mistake - por error
heirs - herederos; heredero, sucesor, checkheredera
I can't think why I haven't opened it; but, as I have to go away from Cambridge this afternoon, you had better have first go at it. I think I can trust you not to publish anything undesirable in our catalogue."
trust - confiar; confianza, crédito, fiar, consorcio, trust
undesirable - indeseable
catalogue - catálogo, calendario universitario, catalogar
I took the box home and examined its contents, and thereafter consulted the librarian as to what should be done about publication, and, since I have his leave to make a story out of it, provided I disguise the identity of the people concerned, I will try what can be done.
examined - examinado; examinar, analizar, auscultar
thereafter - después; tras lo cual, tras lo que
consulted - consultado; consultar
publication - publicación
disguise - disfraz, pantalla, tapadera, disfrazar
identity - identidad
The materials are, of course, mainly journals and letters. How much I shall quote and how much epitomize must be determined by considerations of space. The proper understanding of the situation has necessitated a little-not very arduous-research, which has been greatly facilitated by the excellent illustrations and text of the Barchester volume in Bell's Cathedral Series.
mainly - principalmente
journals - diarios; revista
quote - cita, comillas, presupuesto, cotización, citar, cotizar
determined - determinado; determinar
considerations - consideraciones; consideración
proper - bien; adecuado, conveniente, preciso, propio
necessitated - es necesario; necesitar
arduous - arduo, riguroso
greatly - en gran medida; grandemente, enormemente, sobremanera
facilitated - facilitado; facilitar
illustrations - ilustraciones; ejemplo, ilustración, instrucción, estampa
bell - campana
When you enter the choir of Barchester Cathedral now, you pass through a screen of metal and coloured marbles, designed by Sir Gilbert Scott, and find yourself in what I must call a very bare and odiously furnished place. The stalls are modern, without canopies. The places of the dignitaries and the names of the prebends have fortunately been allowed to survive, and are inscribed on small brass plates affixed to the stalls. The organ is in the triforium, and what is seen of the case is Gothic.
choir - coro
marbles - mármoles; mármol, canica, balita
Gilbert - Gilberto
bare - desnudo, descubierto
odiously - Odiosamente
furnished - amueblado; amoblar, amueblar, suministrar, proporcionar, dotar
canopies - lonas; dosel, palio, toldo, alero, copa, parabrisas, capota
prebends - Prebenda
survive - sobrevivir
brass - latón
affixed - fijado; afijo, fijar, pegar
organ - órgano, publicación oficial
triforium - triforio
Gothic - gótico
The reredos and its surroundings are like every other.
reredos - retablo
surroundings - alrededores; periferia, rededor, derredor, circundante
Careful engravings of a hundred years ago show a very different state of things. The organ is on a massive classical screen. The stalls are also classical and very massive. There is a baldacchino of wood over the altar, with urns upon its corners. Further east is a solid altar screen, classical in design, of wood, with a pediment, in which is a triangle surrounded by rays, enclosing certain Hebrew letters in gold. Cherubs contemplate these. There is a pulpit with a great sounding-board at the eastern end of the stalls on the north side, and there is a black and white marble pavement.
engravings - grabados; grabado
massive - masiva; masivo
altar - altar
urns - urnas; urna
solid - sólido, masivo, macizo, continuo, junto, sólido, cuerpo
pediment - pedimento; frontón
triangle - triángulo
surrounded - rodeado; circundar, envolver, cercar, rodear
rays - rayos; rayo
Hebrew - hebreo, hebreo, hebrea
Cherubs - querubines; querubín
contemplate - contemplar
pulpit - púlpito
eastern - oriental, esteno
marble - mármol, canica, balita
pavement - pavimento, asfalto
Two ladies and a gentleman are admiring the general effect. From other sources I gather that the archdeacon's stall then, as now, was next to the bishop's throne at the south-eastern end of the stalls. His house almost faces the western part of the church, and is a fine red-brick building of William the Third's time.
admiring - admirando; admirar
gather - reunirnos; juntar, recoger, recolectar, acumular, reunir
stall - parar; compartimento
throne - trono
Western - occidental, oesteno, western
brick - ladrillo
William - Guillermo
Here Dr. Haynes, already a mature man, took up his abode with his sister in the year 1810. The dignity had long been the object of his wishes, but his predecessor refused to depart until he had attained the age of ninety-two. About a week after he had held a modest festival in celebration of that ninety-second birthday, there came a morning, late in the year, when Dr. Haynes, hurrying cheerfully into his breakfast-room, rubbing his hands and humming a tune, was greeted, and checked in his genial flow of spirits, by the sight of his sister, seated, indeed, in her usual place behind the tea-urn, but bowed forward and sobbing unrestrainedly into her handkerchief. "What-what is the matter? What bad news?" he began. "Oh, Johnny, you've not heard? The poor dear archdeacon!" "The archdeacon, yes? What is it-ill, is he?" "No, no; they found him on the staircase this morning; it is so shocking." "Is it possible!
mature - maduro
abode - Morada; (abide); quedar, permanecer, resistir, aguantar
predecessor - predecesor, antecesor
refused - rechazado; negarse (a)
depart - irse, salir, partir, panish:
attained - lcanzado; lograr, conseguir
modest - modesto, humilde, pequeno, moderado; (mod); modesto, humilde
celebration - celebración
hurrying - Prisa; (hurry); prisa, apuro, apresurarse, apurarse, darse prisa
cheerfully - con alegría
rubbing - Frotar; (rub); frotación, frotamiento, frote, frotar
humming - Tarareando; (hum); tararear, canturrear
tune - melodía, tonada, afinar, sintonizar
checked in - se ha registrado
genial - genial, amable, formidable, bueno, simpático
flow - flujo; fluir
spirits - espíritus; espíritu, alma, onda, alcohol, bebida espirituosa
sight - vista, lugar de interés, espectáculo, panorama, visor, mira, ver
urn - una urna; urna
bowed - inclinado; inclinar(se), hacer una reverencia
sobbing - sollozando; sollozo, sollozante; (sob); hdp
unrestrainedly - sin restricciones
handkerchief - panuelo; panuelo
Johnny - Juanito
staircase - escalera
shocking - impresionante; conmoción, golpe
Dear, dear, poor Pulteney! Had there been any seizure?" "They don't think so, and that is almost the worst thing about it. It seems to have been all the fault of that stupid maid of theirs, Jane." Dr. Haynes paused. "I don't quite understand, Letitia. How was the maid at fault?" "Why, as far as I can make out, there was a stair-rod missing, and she never mentioned it, and the poor archdeacon set his foot quite on the edge of the step-you know how slippery that oak is-and it seems he must have fallen almost the whole flight and broken his neck. It is so sad for poor Miss Pulteney. Of course, they will get rid of the girl at once. I never liked her." Miss Haynes's grief resumed its sway, but eventually relaxed so far as to permit of her taking some breakfast. Not so her brother, who, after standing in silence before the window for some minutes, left the room, and did not appear again that morning.
seizure - apropiación, convulsión
fault - defecto, falla, culpa, falta
maid - mucama; doncella, senorita, doméstica, empleada doméstica
Jane - Juana
paused - receso, checkdescanso, pausar, interrumpir, suspender
rod - barra, rodillo, cana, vara, bastón, verga, barra
edge - orilla, borde, lado, arista, ventaja, filo
slippery - resbaladizo, escurridizo, resbaloso
oak - roble, encina, carrasca
rid - cabalgar; librar
grief - duelo; pesar, pesadumbre, dolor, sufrimiento
resumed - se reanuda; reanudar
sway - maniobrar; balanceo, influencia, influjo, preponderancia
permit - permiso; permitir
silence - silencio, silenciar, hacer callar
I need only add that the careless maid-servant was dismissed forthwith, but that the missing stair-rod was very shortly afterwards found under the stair-carpet-an additional proof, if any were needed, of extreme stupidity and carelessness on her part.
servant - sirviente, criado, mozo, doméstico
dismissed - despedido; despedir, echar, disipar, rechazar, expulsar
forthwith - inmediatamente
Proof - pruebas; prueba
stupidity - estupidez, burricie, tontería, idiotez
carelessness - descuido, imprudencia, negligencia, dejadez
For a good many years Dr. Haynes had been marked out by his ability, which seems to have been really considerable, as the likely successor of Archdeacon Pulteney, and no disappointment was in store for him. He was duly installed, and entered with zeal upon the discharge of those functions which are appropriate to one in his position. A considerable space in his journals is occupied with exclamations upon the confusion in which Archdeacon Pulteney had left the business of his office and the documents appertaining to it. Dues upon Wringham and Barnswood have been uncollected for something like twelve years, and are largely irrecoverable; no visitation has been held for seven years; four chancels are almost past mending. The persons deputized by the archdeacon have been nearly as incapable as himself. It was almost a matter for thankfulness that this state of things had not been permitted to continue, and a letter from a friend confirms this view.
considerable - considerable
successor - sucesor, sucesora
disappointment - decepción, desilusión, chasco
duly - bien; debidamente
installed - instalado; instalar
zeal - ahínco, fervor, celo, entusiasmo
discharge - cumplir, completar, despedir, descargar, descargo, dar de alta
functions - funciones; función, cargo, fungir, servir, funcionar, marchar
appropriate - es apropiado; apropiado, adecuado, aduenarse, designar
occupied with - ocupado con
exclamations - exclamaciones; exclamación
confusion - confusión
dues - donaciones; salir de cuentas, mérito
uncollected - in recoger
largely - en gran medida; mayormente
chancels - canceles; presbiterio
mending - Reparando; (mend); remiendo, remendar, reparar
incapable - incapaz
thankfulness - gratitud, agradecimiento
permitted - permitido; permitir
confirms - confirmar
"[Greek: ho katechôn]," it says (in rather cruel allusion to the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians), "is removed as last. My poor friend! Upon what a scene of confusion will you be entering! I give you my word that, on the last occasion of my crossing his threshold, there was no single paper that he could lay hands upon, no syllable of mine that he could hear, and no fact in connection with my business that he could remember. But now, thanks to a negligent maid and a loose stair-carpet, there is some prospect that necessary business will be transacted without a complete loss alike of voice and temper." This letter was tucked into a pocket in the cover of one of the diaries.
Greek - griego, griego, griega
allusion - alusión
epistle - epístola
Occasion - ocasión, ocasionar
threshold - umbral, entrada, límite
lay - poner, colocar
syllable - sílaba
connection - vinculación, conexión, trabazón, ligazón
negligent - negligente
loose - suelto; flojo
prospect - prospecto; perspectiva, vista, panorama, expectativa, prospectar
transacted - transacciones; negociar; tramitar
Loss - pérdida
alike - igual, semejante, parecido, igualmente
temper - temperamento, temple, templar, temperar
tucked - metido; pliegue
There can be no doubt of the new archdeacon's zeal and enthusiasm. "Give me but time to reduce to some semblance of order the innumerable errors and complications with which I am confronted, and I shall gladly and sincerely join with the aged Israelite in the canticle which too many, I fear, pronounce but with their lips." This reflection I find, not in a diary, but a letter; the doctor's friends seem to have returned his correspondence to his surviving sister. He does not confine himself, however, to reflections. His investigation of the rights and duties of his office are very searching and businesslike, and there is a calculation in one place that a period of three years will just suffice to set the business of the Archdeaconry upon a proper footing. The estimate appears to have been an exact one.
doubt - dudas; dudar, duda, incertidumbre
reduce to - reducir; adelgazar
innumerable - innumerables; innumerable, incontable
complications - complicaciones; complicación
confronted - confrontado; enfrentar
gladly - con gusto; de buena gana
sincerely - sinceramente
Israelite - israelita
canticle - cántico
lips - labios; labio, labro
correspondence - correspondencia, carteo, noticias
surviving - sobreviviendo; sobrevivir
confine - confinar, encorsetar, confín, raya
reflections - reflexiones; reflexión, reflejo
investigation - investigación
duties - deberes; deber, obligación, cometido, menester, arancel
calculation - cálculo, cálculo, cómputo, conjetura
suffice - bastar, alcanzar
estimate - presupuesto, estimación, estimar
For just three years he is occupied in reforms; but I look in vain at the end of that time for the promised Nunc dimittis. He has now found a new sphere of activity. Hitherto his duties have precluded him from more than an occasional attendance at the Cathedral services. Now he begins to take an interest in the fabric and the music. Upon his struggles with the organist, an old gentleman who had been in office since 1786, I have no time to dwell; they were not attended with any marked success. More to the purpose is his sudden growth of enthusiasm for the Cathedral itself and its furniture. There is a draft of a letter to Sylvanus Urban (which I do not think was ever sent) describing the stalls in the choir. As I have said, these were of fairly late date-of about the year 1700, in fact.
occupied - ocupado; ocupar
reforms - reformas; reforma, reformar
vain - vanidoso, vano, vacuo
sphere - esfera, bola
hitherto - hasta ahora, hasta aquí, hasta este momento, en ese entonces
precluded - impedido; descartar, excluir, precluir
occasional - ocasional, esporádico
attendance - asistencia, presencia
fabric - tela, tejido, género
struggles - luchas; lucha, forcejeo, brega, luchar, esforzarse con denuedo
organist - organista
growth - crecimiento
draft - corriente, corriente de aire, trago, cerveza de barril, calado
Urban - urbano
fairly - justamente; francamente, abiertamente, bastante
"The archdeacon's stall, situated at the south-east end, west of the episcopal throne (now so worthily occupied by the truly excellent prelate who adorns the See of Barchester), is distinguished by some curious ornamentation. In addition to the arms of Dean West, by whose efforts the whole of the internal furniture of the choir was completed, the prayer-desk is terminated at the eastern extremity by three small but remarkable statuettes in the grotesque manner. One is an exquisitely modelled figure of a cat, whose crouching posture suggests with admirable spirit the suppleness, vigilance, and craft of the redoubted adversary of the genus Mus. opposite to this is a figure seated upon a throne and invested with the attributes of royalty; but it is no earthly monarch whom the carver has sought to portray. His feet are studiously concealed by the long robe in which he is draped: but neither the crown nor the cap which he wears suffice to hide the prick-ears and curving horns which betray his Tartarean origin; and the hand which rests upon his knee is armed with talons of horrifying length and sharpness.
situated - situado; situar
episcopal - episcopal
worthily - dignamente
prelate - prelado
adorns - adornar, engalanar
Curious - tienes curiosidad; curioso; extrano, raro
Addition - agregación; adición, anadidura, suma
dean - decano; deán
efforts - esfuerzos; esfuerzo
internal - interno, interior
prayer - Oración
extremity - extremidad
remarkable - notable, remarcable, destacable
statuettes - estatuillas; estatuilla
grotesque - grotesco
crouching - agacharse, ponerse/estar en cuclillas
posture - postura
admirable - admirable, loable
vigilance - vigilancia
craft - artesanía; pericia, oficio, nave, labrar, hacer a mano
adversary - adversario, adversaria
genus - género; (genu); género
opposite to - lo contrario de, opuesto a
invested - invertido; invertir
attributes - atributos; atributo, atribuir
royalty - realeza
earthly - terrenal
monarch - monarca
whom - a quién; quién, quiénes, cuyo, quien
carver - tallador
sought - buscado; buscar
portray - retratar, describir
concealed - ocultos; esconder, ocultar
robe - túnica; bata, hábito, toga
draped - cubrir
crown - corona
cap - gorra
prick - idiota; pinchar, perforar
curving - curvatura; curva, curvas, curvar, encorvar
horns - cuernos; cuerno
betray - traicionar, entregar, vender, delatar, demostrar
origin - origen
rests upon - apoyarse en; depender de; basarse en
talons - talones; garra
horrifying - horripilante; horripilar
Length - largo, eslora (nautical: length of a ship from bow to stern)
sharpness - nitidez; agudeza
Between these two figures stands a shape muffled in a long mantle. This might at first sight be mistaken for a monk or 'friar of orders grey,'for the head is cowled and a knotted cord depends from somewhere about the waist. A slight inspection, however, will lead to a very different conclusion. The knotted cord is quickly seen to be a halter, held by a hand all but concealed within the draperies; while the sunken features and, horrid to relate, the rent flesh upon the cheek-bones, proclaim the King of Terrors. These figures are evidently the production of no unskilled chisel; and should it chance that any of your correspondents are able to throw light upon their origin and significance, my obligations to your valuable miscellany will be largely increased."
muffled - silenciado; mufla
mantle - manto, camisa
be mistaken - equivocarse
monk - monje
friar - fray; fraile
cowled - encapuchado; capucha
knotted - nudo
cord - cuerda, cable, hilo, cordón
waist - cintura
Slight - insignificante, leve, ligero, falta de respeto
inspection - inspección
lead - llevar; liderar; guiar, dirigir; provocar; encabezar; principal; plomo
rent - alquiler; (rend); rasgar, destrozar, desgajar, romper
conclusion - conclusión
halter - cabestro, ronzal; (halt) cabestro, ronzal
draperies - cortinas; cortina
horrid - horrible; hórrido, horrendo
relate - relacionar; identificarse (con)
flesh - carne, pellejo, descarnar
cheek - mejilla, cacha, cachete, nalga, glúteo, descoco
proclaim - proclamar
terrors - terrores; terror
evidently - evidentemente
production - producción, elaboración
unskilled - no cualificado
chisel - cincel
correspondents - corresponsales; corresponsal
significance - significado, significación, calado
obligations - obligaciones; obligación, compromiso, deber
valuable - valioso
miscellany - miscelánea, miscelánea, antología
There is more description in the paper, and, seeing that the woodwork in question has now disappeared, it has a considerable interest. A paragraph at the end is worth quoting:
woodwork - maderamen, maderaje, carpintería, carpintería
worth - vale la pena; valor
"Some late researches among the Chapter accounts have shown me that the carving of the stalls was not, as was very usually reported, the work of Dutch artists, but was executed by a native of this city or district named Austin. The timber was procured from an oak copse in the vicinity, the property of the Dean and Chapter, known as Holywood. Upon a recent visit to the parish within whose boundaries it is situated, I learned from the aged and truly respectable incumbent that traditions still lingered amongst the inhabitants of the great size and age of the oaks employed to furnish the materials of the stately structure which has been, however imperfectly, described in the above lines.
Chapter - capítulo, sede, sección
accounts - uentas; cuenta
carving - tallar; tallado, escultura; (carve); cortar, trinchar, tallar
Dutch - neerlandés, holandés, neerlandés, holandés
executed - ejecutado; ejecutar, ajusticiar, arrancar
native - natal, indígena, originario, nativo, oriundo, indígena
district - distrito, distrito
timber - madera de construcción
copse - bosquecillo, soto, matorral
vicinity - vecindad, cercanías, inmediaciones, aproximado, aproximadamente
property - propiedad, posesión, inmueble, bien
parish - parroquia
boundaries - límites; frontera, límite, linde, lindero
respectable - respetable
incumbent - el titular; obligatorio, competente, titular
lingered - permaneció; permanecer, demorar, persistir, perdurar, pervivir
amongst - entre
inhabitants - habitantes; habitante, residente, lugareno, lugarena
oaks - robles; roble, encina, carrasca
furnish - amoblar, amueblar, suministrar, proporcionar, dotar
stately - enorial; majestuoso
imperfectly - imperfectamente
Of one in particular, which stood near the centre of the grove, it is remembered that it was known as the Hanging Oak. The propriety of that title is confirmed by the fact that a quantity of human bones was found in the soil about its roots, and that at certain times of the year it was the custom for those who wished to secure a successful issue to their affairs, whether of love or the ordinary business of life, to suspend from its boughs small images or puppets rudely fashioned of straw, twigs, or the like rustic materials."
grove - arboleda
hanging - Colgando; (hang) Colgando
propriety - aptitud, propiedad
confirmed - confirmado; confirmar
soil - tierra, suelo
roots - raíces; raíz
custom - habituación, costumbre, usanza, a medida, especializado
secure - seguro, resguardado, confiable, aplomado
issue - problema; flujo, emisión, envío, incisión, herederos
affairs - asuntos; negocio, asunto, rollo, amorío, aventura
suspend - suspender
boughs - ramas; rama
puppets - marionetas; títere, marioneta, fantoche
rudely - groseramente
straw - paja, pajizo, pajiza
twigs - amitas; ramita
rustic - rústico
So much for the archdeacon's archaeological investigations. To return to his career as it is to be gathered from his diaries. Those of his first three years of hard and careful work show him throughout in high spirits, and, doubtless, during this time, that reputation for hospitality and urbanity which is mentioned in his obituary notice was well deserved. After that, as time goes on, I see a shadow coming over him-destined to develop into utter blackness-which I cannot but think must have been reflected in his outward demeanour.
archaeological - arqueológico
investigations - investigaciones; investigación
gathered - reunidos; juntar, recoger, recolectar, acumular, reunir
throughout - en todo; a lo largo de, durante, de arriba abajo
high spirits - buen ánimo, entusiasmo
doubtless - indudable, sin duda, indudablemente
reputation - reputación
deserved - merecido; merecer, meritar
shadow - sombra
utter - totalmente; absoluto, total
blackness - negritud; negror, negrura
reflected - reflejado; reflejar, recapacitar, reflexionar, cavilar
outward - hacia fuera
demeanour - conducta, comportamiento
He commits a good deal of his fears and troubles to his diary; there was no other outlet for them. He was unmarried, and his sister was not always with him. But I am much mistaken if he has told all that he might have told. A series of extracts shall be given:
commits - se compromete; encomendar, cometer
outlet - salida, desahogo, río que nace en un lago, minorista de marca
unmarried - soltero; (unmarry); soltero
extracts - extractos; extracto, fragmento, pasaje, extraer, sacar
"Aug. 30, 1816.-The days begin to draw in more perceptibly than ever. Now that the Archdeaconry papers are reduced to order, I must find some further employment for the evening hours of autumn and winter. It is a great blow that Letitia's health will not allow her to stay through these months. Why not go on with my Defence of Episcopacy? It may be useful.
draw in - hacerse de noche más temprano, acercarse, atraer
perceptibly - perceptiblemente
employment - empleo
"Sept. 15.-Letitia has left me for Brighton.
"Oct. 11.-Candles lit in the choir for the first time at evening prayers. It came as a shock: I find that I absolutely shrink from the dark season.
candles - velas; vela, candela, cirio
prayers - Oración
shock - conmoción, golpe
absolutely - totalmente, absolutamente
shrink - contraerse, encogerse, achicarse, mermar
"Nov. 17.-Much struck by the character of the carving on my desk: I do not know that I had ever carefully noticed it before. My attention was called to it by an accident. During the Magnificat I was, I regret to say, almost overcome with sleep. My hand was resting on the back of the carved figure of a cat which is the nearest to me of the three figures on the end of my stall. I was not aware of this, for I was not looking in that direction, until I was startled by what seemed a softness, a feeling as of rather rough and coarse fur, and a sudden movement, as if the creature were twisting round its head to bite me.
struck - golpeado; tachar, borrar, golpear, pegar, acunar
regret - lamentar, pena, pesar, arrepentimiento
overcome - vencer, superar
carved - tallado; cortar, trinchar, tallar, esculpir
aware - alerta, consciente, conocedor, sabedor, entendido
startled - sorprendido; sobresaltarse, alarmarse, espantarse, evitar
softness - suavidad, molicie
rough - aspero; áspero, aproximado, aproximativo, casi, turbulento
coarse - grosero; tosco, rústico, rudo, bruto
fur - pelo, pelaje
creature - criatura
twisting - Torciendo; (twist); torcer, sacar punta a, torcerse
bite - morder, picar, mordida, mordedura, mordisco, picadura
I regained complete consciousness in an instant, and I have some idea that I must have uttered a suppressed exclamation, for I noticed that Mr. Treasurer turned his head quickly in my direction. The impression of the unpleasant feeling was so strong that I found myself rubbing my hand upon my surplice. This accident led me to examine the figures after prayers more carefully than I had done before, and I realized for the first time with what skill they are executed.
regained - recuperado; recobrar
consciousness - conciencia
instant - instantáneo, inmediato
uttered - ronunciado; absoluto, total
suppressed - suprimido; reprimar, contener, ocultar, suprimir
exclamation - exclamación
treasurer - tesorero, tesorera
impression - impresión
unpleasant - desagradable, desapacible
surplice - sobrepelliz
"Dec. 6.-I do indeed miss Letitia's company. The evenings, after I have worked as long as I can at my Defence, are very trying. The house is too large for a lonely man, and visitors of any kind are too rare. I get an uncomfortable impression when going to my room that there is company of some kind. The fact is (I may as well formulate it to myself) that I hear voices. This, I am well aware, is a common symptom of incipient decay of the brain-and I believe that I should be less disquieted than I am if I had any suspicion that this was the cause.
lonely - solo; solitario, desolado, desierto
rare - raro, poco común
uncomfortable - incómodo, a disgusto, cohibido
formulate - formular
symptom - síntoma
incipient - incipiente
decay - decadencia; descomposición, deterioración, putrefacción
disquieted - inquietos; inquietud, inquietar
suspicion - sospecha, suspicacia
I have none-none whatever, nor is there anything in my family history to give colour to such an idea. Work, diligent work, and a punctual attention to the duties which fall to me is my best remedy, and I have little doubt that it will prove efficacious.
whatever - qué; cualquier, lo que sea que, cualquier cosa que, no importa
diligent - diligente
remedy - remedio, recurso, remediar
Prove - probar
efficacious - efectivo, eficaz
"Jan. 1. My trouble is, I must confess it, increasing upon me. Last night, upon my return after midnight from the Deanery, I lit my candle to go upstairs. I was nearly at the top when something whispered to me, 'Let me wish you a happy New Year.'I could not be mistaken: it spoke distinctly and with a peculiar emphasis.
confess - confesar, panish: t-needed
Deanery - Decanato
candle - una vela; vela, candela, cirio
go upstairs - Subir las escaleras
whispered - susurrado; susurro, rumor, rastro, susurrar
distinctly - laramente; distintamente
peculiar - particular; peculiar, raro, específico
emphasis - énfasis, hincapié
Had I dropped my candle, as I all but did, I tremble to think what the consequences must have been. As it was, I managed to get up the last flight, and was quickly in my room with the door locked, and experienced no other disturbance.
tremble - tiritar, temblar, temblor, vibración, temblequera
consequences - consecuencias; consecuencia
disturbance - disturbio, estorbo, perturbación
"Jan. 15.-I had occasion to come downstairs last night to my workroom for my watch, which I had inadvertently left on my table when I went up to bed. I think I was at the top of the last flight when I had a sudden impression of a sharp whisper in my ear 'Take care.'I clutched the balusters and naturally looked round at once.
inadvertently - sin querer
sharp - agudo, afilado, filoso, listo, sostenido, agrio, certero
whisper - susurro, rumor, rastro, susurrar
clutched - aferrado; agarrar
balusters - balaustres; balaustre
naturally - naturalmente
Of course, there was nothing. After a moment I went on-it was no good turning back-but I had as nearly as possible fallen: a cat-a large one by the feel of it-slipped between my feet, but again, of course, I saw nothing. It may have been the kitchen cat, but I do not think it was.
slipped - se resbaló; resbalar
"Feb. 27.-A curious thing last night, which I should like to forget. Perhaps if I put it down here I may see it in its true proportion. I worked in the library from about 9 to 10. The hall and staircase seemed to be unusually full of what I can only call movement without sound: by this I mean that there seemed to be continuous going and coming, and that whenever I ceased writing to listen, or looked out into the hall, the stillness was absolutely unbroken. Nor, in going to my room at an earlier hour than usual-about half-past ten-was I conscious of anything that I could call a noise. It so happened that I had told John to come to my room for the letter to the bishop which I wished to have delivered early in the morning at the Palace. He was to sit up, therefore, and come for it when he heard me retire. This I had for the moment forgotten, though I had remembered to carry the letter with me to my room.
proportion - proporción
continuous - continuo
whenever - cuándo; cuando quiera, siempre que, siempre y cuando
ceased - esado; cesar, parar, terminar
unbroken - intacto
conscious - consciente
therefore - por qué; por eso, por consiguiente, por lo tanto, por ende
retire - retirarse, jubilarse
But when, as I was winding up my watch, I heard a light tap at the door, and a low voice saying, 'May I come in?'(which I most undoubtedly did hear), I recollected the fact, and took up the letter from my dressing-table, saying, 'Certainly: come in.'No one, however, answered my summons, and it was now that, as I strongly suspect, I committed an error: for I opened the door and held the letter out. There was certainly no one at that moment in the passage, but, in the instant of my standing there, the door at the end opened and John appeared carrying a candle. I asked him whether he had come to the door earlier; but am satisfied that he had not. I do not like the situation; but although my senses were very much on the alert, and though it was some time before I could sleep, I must allow that I perceived nothing further of an untoward character."
winding - Devanado; (wind) Devanado
tap - golpear; golpecito, palmadita
Undoubtedly - sin duda
recollected - recuerdas; recordar, acordarse de
summons - Citaciones; (summon) Citaciones
strongly - con fuerza; fuertemente
suspect - barruntar, sospechar, sospechoso
committed - comprometido; encomendar, cometer
passage - pasaje; pasillo, pasadizo
satisfied - satisfecho; satisfacer
alert - alerta; despierto, vivo
perceived - percibido; percibir, entender
untoward - indecoroso; desfavorable, adverso, desventajoso, problemático
With the return of spring, when his sister came to live with him for some months, Dr. Haynes's entries became more cheerful, and, indeed, no symptom of depression is discernible unto the early part of September, when he was again left alone. And now, indeed, there is evidence that he was incommoded again, and that more pressingly.
entries - entradas; entrada, acceso, recibidor
more cheerful - más alegre
depression - depresión, área de baja presión
incommoded - Incomodar
pressingly - Presivamente
To this matter I will return in a moment, but I digress to put in a document which, rightly or wrongly, I believe to have a bearing on the thread of the story.
digress - interrumpo; desviarse
rightly - verdad
thread - hilo, hebra, hilaza, tema, argumento, hilazón, subproceso
The account-books of Dr. Haynes, preserved along with his other papers, show, from a date but little later than that of his institution as archdeacon, a quarterly payment of Ł25 to J.L. Nothing could have been made of this, had it stood by itself.
account-books - (account-books) libros de cuentas, libros de contabilidad
preserved - conservado; mermelada, reserva, reserva natural, coto, terreno
Institution - institución
quarterly - trimestral, acuartelado, trimestralmente
payment - pago, pago
But I connect with it a very dirty and ill-written letter, which, like another that I have quoted, was in a pocket in the cover of a diary. Of date or postmark there is no vestige, and the decipherment was not easy. It appears to run:
quoted - citado; cita, comillas, presupuesto, cotización, citar, cotizar
postmark - matasellos, timbre, matasellar, matar
vestige - huella, pisada, vestigio
decipherment - descifrar; desciframiento
"Dr Sr.
"I have bin expctin to her off you theis last wicks, and not Haveing done so must supose you have not got mine witch was saying how me and my man had met in with bad times this season all seems to go cross with us on the farm and which way to look for the rent we have no knowledge of it this been the sad case with us if you would have the great [liberality probably, but the exact spelling defies reproduction] to send fourty pounds otherwise steps will have to be took which I should not wish.
theis - teis
wicks - mechas; mecha
supose - Supongo
witch - bruja
defies - desafía; desafiar, desobedecer, renunciar
reproduction - reproducción
fourty - Cuarenta
otherwise - o no; de otro
Has you was the Means of my losing my place with Dr. Pulteney I think it is only just what I am asking and you know best what I could say if I was Put to it but I do not wish anything of that unPleasant Nature being one that always wish to have everything Pleasant about me.
pleasant - agradable, placentero
"Your obedt Servt,
obedt - Obedecer
"Jane Lee."
Lee - abrigo, sotavento, socaire
About the time at which I suppose this letter to have been written there is, in fact, a payment of Ł40 to J.L.
We return to the diary:
"The whispering in my house was more persistent tonight. I seemed not to be rid of it in my room. I have not noticed this before. A nervous man, which I am not, and hope I am not becoming, would have been much annoyed, if not alarmed, by it. The cat was on the stairs tonight. I think it sits there always. There is no kitchen cat.
persistent - persistente
annoyed - molesto; molestar, agobiar, jorobar
alarmed - alarmado; alarma, rebato, despertador, alarma, tocar a rebato
"Nov. 15.-Here again I must note a matter I do not understand. I am much troubled in sleep. No definite image presented itself, but I was pursued by the very vivid impression that wet lips were whispering into my ear with great rapidity and emphasis for some time together. After this, I suppose, I feel asleep, but was awakened with a start by a feeling as if a hand were laid on my shoulder. To my intense alarm I found myself standing at the top of the lowest flight on the first staircase. The moon was shining brightly enough through the large window to let me see that there was a large cat on the second or third step. I can make no comment.
definite - definitiva; definido, indudable
pursued - perseguido; perseguir, apuntar a
vivid - vívida; vívido, vivo
rapidity - rapidez, celeridad
awakened - despertado; despertar, despertarse
laid on - poner encima de algo; aprovisionar
intense - intenso
alarm - alarma, rebato, despertador, alarma, tocar a rebato
shining - brillante; brillar
I crept up to bed again, I do not know how. Yes, mine is a heavy burden. [Then follows a line or two which has been scratched out. I fancy I read something like 'acted for the best.']"
crept - se arrastró; reptar, hormigueo, fatiga
heavy burden - una carga pesada
scratched out - tachar
fancy - te apetece; capricho, antojo
Not long after this it is evident to me that the archdeacon's firmness began to give way under the pressure of these phenomena. I omit as unnecessarily painful and distressing the ejaculations and prayers which, in the months of December and January, appear for the first time and become increasingly frequent. Throughout this time, however, he is obstinate in clinging to his post. Why he did not plead ill-health and take refuge at Bath or Brighton I cannot tell; my impression is that it would have done him no good; that he was a man who, if he had confessed himself beaten by the annoyances, would have succumbed at once, and that he was conscious of this.
evident - es evidente; evidente, constatable
firmness - firmeza
give way - Ceder el paso
pressure - presión, presionar
phenomena - fenómenos
omit - omitir, dejar de lado, dejarse en el tintero
unnecessarily - innecesariamente
painful - doloroso, dolorido, adolorido, panish: t-needed
distressing - angustiante; aflicción, angustia, desasosiego, ansiedad
ejaculations - eyaculaciones; eyaculación
increasingly - cada vez más
frequent - frecuente
obstinate - obstinado, obcecado, porfiado
clinging - aferrándose; engancharse, adherirse
plead - suplicar; rogar
refuge - refugio, refugiarse
confessed - confesó; confesar, panish: t-needed
annoyances - molestias; disgusto, irritación, lata, molestia, fastidio
succumbed - sucumbió; sucumbir, rendirse, ceder, morir
He did seek to palliate them by inviting visitors to his house. The result he has noted in this fashion:
seek - buscar
palliate - paliar, mitigar, remediar, atenuar
"Jan. 7.-I have prevailed on my cousin Allen to give me a few days, and he is to occupy the chamber next to mine.
prevailed - revaleció; prevalecer, vencer
occupy - ocupar
chamber - cámara, recámara, compartimento
"Jan. 8.-A still night. Allen slept well, but complained of the wind. My own experiences were as before: still whispering and whispering: what is it that he wants to say?
wind - viento, aire
"Jan. 9.-Allen thinks this is a very noisy house. He thinks, too, that my cat is an unusually large and fine specimen, but very wild.
specimen - espécimen, ejemplar
"Jan. 10.-Allen and I in the library until 11. He left me twice to see what the maids were doing in the hall: returning the second time he told me he had seen one of them passing through the door at the end of the passage, and said if his wife were here she would soon get them into better order. I asked him what coloured dress the maid wore; he said grey or white. I supposed it would be so.
maids - sirvientas; doncella, senorita, doméstica, empleada doméstica
"Jan. 11.-Allen left me today. I must be firm."
firm - firma; firme, sólido
These words, I must be firm, occur again and again on subsequent days; sometimes they are the only entry. In these cases they are in an unusually large hand, and dug into the paper in a way which must have broken the pen that wrote them.
occur - ocurren; ocurrir, acaecer, presentar
subsequent - subsiguiente, posterior
entry - entrada, acceso, recibidor
Apparently the archdeacon's friends did not remark any change in his behaviour, and this gives me a high idea of his courage and determination. The diary tells us nothing more than I have indicated of the last days of his life. The end of it all must be told in the polished language of the obituary notice:
apparently - evidentemente, obviamente, por lo visto, aparentemente
remark - observación, comentario
courage - coraje, valor, valentía
determination - determinación, decisión, resolución, ahínco
polished - pulido; polaco, polonés, polaco
"The morning of the 26th of February was cold and tempestuous. At an early hour the servants had occasion to go into the front hall of the residence occupied by the lamented subject of these lines. What was their horror upon observing the form of their beloved and respected master lying upon the landing of the principal staircase in an attitude which inspired the gravest fears. Assistance was procured, and an universal consternation was experienced upon the discovery that he had been the object of a brutal and a murderous attack. The vertebral column was fractured in more than one place. This might have been the result of a fall: it appeared that the stair-carpet was loosened at one point.
tempestuous - tempestuoso, proceloso
servants - sirvientes; sirviente, criado, mozo, doméstico
lamented - lamentó; lamento, lamentación, lamentar
horror - horror
observing - observando; observar, seguir, tomar en cuenta
beloved - querida; amado, querido, bienamado
respected - respetado; respeto, respetar
principal - principal, capital, director, directora, principal de escuela
attitude - postura, actitud
inspired - inspirado; inspirar, infundir
gravest - más grave; tumba
assistance - asistencia
universal - universal
consternation - consternación, abatimiento, postración
brutal - brutal
murderous - asesino, homicida
vertebral - vertebral
fractured - fractura, fracturar
loosened - aflojado; aflojar, soltar
But, in addition to this, there were injuries inflicted upon the eyes, nose and mouth, as if by the agency of some savage animal, which, dreadful to relate, rendered those features unrecognizable. The vital spark was, it is needless to add, completely extinct, and had been so, upon the testimony of respectable medical authorities, for several hours. The author or authors of this mysterious outrage are alike buried in mystery, and the most active conjecture has hitherto failed to suggest a solution of the melancholy problem afforded by this appalling occurrence."
inflicted - nfligido; infligir
agency - albedrío, agencia, oficina
savage - salvaje
dreadful - terrible; espantoso, espantosa
rendered - rendido; dejar, volver
unrecognizable - irreconocible
vital - vital
spark - chispa
needless - innecesario; inútil
extinct - extinguido; extinto
authorities - autoridad, policía, autoridades, fuerzas del orden, autorización
mysterious - misterioso
outrage - atrocidad, ultraje, desafuero, atropello, indignación, rabia
buried - enterrado; enterrar
mystery - misterio, arcano
most active - más activo
conjecture - conjeturas; conjetura, suposición, especulación, teoría
melancholy - melancolía
afforded - se puede permitir; costear, permitirse
Occurrence - acontecimiento, ocurrencia, suceso
The writer goes on to reflect upon the probability that the writings of Mr. Shelley, Lord Byron, and M. Voltaire may have been instrumental in bringing about the disaster, and concludes by hoping, somewhat vaguely, that this event may "operate as an example to the rising generation"; but this portion of his remarks need not be quoted in full.
reflect - reflejar, recapacitar, reflexionar, cavilar, discurrir
probability - probabilidad
writings - escritos; (writing) escritos
Lord - senor; castellano, senor
instrumental - instrumental
concludes - concluye; concluir
somewhat - algo, un poco, de algún modo, de alguna manera
vaguely - vagamente
operate - operar, obrar, trabajar, influir; controlar
remarks - observaciones; observación, comentario
I had already formed the conclusion that Dr. Haynes was responsible for the death of Dr. Pulteney. But the incident connected with the carved figure of death upon the archdeacon's stall was a very perplexing feature. The conjecture that it had been cut out of the wood of the Hanging Oak was not difficult, but seemed impossible to substantiate. However, I paid a visit to Barchester, partly with the view of finding out whether there were any relics of the woodwork to be heard of. I was introduced by one of the canons to the curator of the local museum, who was, my friend said, more likely to be able to give me information on the point than any one else. I told this gentleman of the description of certain carved figures and arms formerly on the stalls, and asked whether any had survived. He was able to show me the arms of Dean West and some other fragments. These, he said, had been got from an old resident, who had also once owned a figure-perhaps one of those which I was inquiring for.
responsible - responsable, de responsabilidad, responsable
incident - incidente
perplexing - perplejo; confundir, desconcertar
partly - en parte, en cierto modo
relics - reliquias; reliquia, vestigio
canons - cánones; canon
curator - curador, curadora, comisario, conservador
local museum - Museo local
Formerly - anteriormente, otrora, antes, antano
survived - sobrevivió; sobrevivir
fragments - fragmentos; fragmento, fragmentar
resident - residente, habitante, munícipe
inquiring - preguntando; investigar, informarse
There was a very odd thing about that figure, he said. "The old man who had it told me that he picked it up in a wood-yard, whence he had obtained the still extant pieces, and had taken it home for his children. On the way home he was fiddling about with it and it came in two in his hands, and a bit of paper dropped out. This he picked up and, just noticing that there was writing on it, put it into his pocket, and subsequently into a vase on his mantelpiece. I was at his house not very long ago, and happened to pick up the vase and turn it over to see whether there were any marks on it, and the paper fell into my hand. The old man, on my handing it to him, told me the story I have told you, and said I might keep the paper. It was crumpled and rather torn, so I have mounted it on a card, which I have here. If you can tell me what it means I shall be very glad, and also, I may say, a good deal surprised."
odd thing - cosa extrana
whence - de dónde; de donde, desde donde, de ahí
obtained - obtenido; obtener, coger
extant - existente, extante, actual
vase - un jarrón; jarrón, florero, vasija
mantelpiece - mantel; repisa
crumpled - arrugado; arrugar, colapsar
torn - desgarrado; lágrima
mounted - montado; montar
Glad - feliz, alegre, contento
He gave me the card. The paper was quite legibly inscribed in an old hand, and this is what was on it:
"When I grew in the Wood
I was water'd wth Blood
wth - Qué
Now in the Church I stand
Who that touches me with his Hand
If a Bloody hand he bear
bloody - Sangriento
I councell him to be ware
councell - consejo
Lest he be fetcht away
Whether by night or day,
by night - de noche
But chiefly when the wind blows high
chiefly - principalmente, sobre todo, particularmente, especialmente
In a night of February."
"This I dreampt, 26 Febr. Ao 1699. John Austin."
"I suppose it is a charm or a spell: wouldn't you call it something of that kind?" said the curator.
charm - encanto
"Yes," I said, "I suppose one might. What became of the figure in which it was concealed?"
"Oh, I forgot," said he. "The old man told me it was so ugly and frightened his children so much that he burnt it."
ugly - feo, callo
frightened - asustado; atemorizar