Page:Memoirs of Margaret Fuller Ossoli (IA memoirsofmargare01fullrich).pdf/88

86 sidering that we are both human, and have the gift of concealing our thoughts with words. Nay, further — I do not believe you will be able to become anything which I cannot understand. I know I can sympathize with all who feel and think, from a Dryfesdale up to a Max Piccolomini. You say, you have become a machine. If so, I shall expect to find you a grand, high-pressure, wave-compelling one — requiring plenty of fuel. You must be a steam-engine, and move some majestic fabric at the rate of thirty miles an hour along the broad waters of the nineteenth century. None of your pendulum machines for me! I should, to be sure, turn away my head if I should hear you tick, and mark the quarters of hours; but the buzz and whiz of a good large life-endangerer would be music to mine ears. Oh, no! sure there is no danger of your requiring to be set down quite on a level, kept in a still place, and wound up every eight days. Oh no, no! you are not one of that numerous company, who

‘But we must all be machines: you shall be a steam-engine; — shall be a mill, with extensive water-privileges, — and I will be a spinning jenny. No! upon second thoughts, I will not be a machine. I will be an instrument, not to be confided to vulgar hands, — for instance, a chisel to polish marble, or a whetstone to sharpen steel!’