Attempting to walk on water

Attempting to walk on water

Catholicism--Miracles--Skepticism--William Carleton

"I very well remember that the first sly attempt I ever made at a miracle was in reference to Lough Derg ; I tried it by way of preparation for my pilgrimage..."

William Carleton, 1794-1869

Carleton, William, 'The Lough Derg Pilgrim', in Traits and Stories of the Irish Peasantry, pp. 242-43

W. Curry, jr. and Co., Dublin; W. S. Orr and Co., London

1843

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English

Description of Ireland

Text

DD_0059

54.616218, -7.876212

http://archive.org/details/traitsstoriesofi01carlrich

"I very well remember that the first sly attempt I ever made at a miracle was in reference to Lough Derg ; I tried it by way of preparation for my pilgrimage. I heard that there had been a boat lost there, about the year 1790, and that a certain priest who was in her as a passenger, had walked very calmly across the lake to the island, after the boat and the rest of the passengers in her had all gone to the bottom. Now, I had, from my childhood, a particular prejudice against sailing in a boat, although Dick Darcy, a satirical and heathenish old bachelor, who never went to Mass, used often to tell me, with a grin which I was never able rightly to understand, that I might have no prejudice against sailing, ' because," Dick would say, ‘take my word for it you'll never die by drowning.’ At all events, I thought to myself, that should any such untoward accident occur to me, it would be no unpleasant circumstance to imitate the priest; but that it would be infinitely more agreeable to make the first experiment in a marl-pit, on my father's farm, than on the lake. Accordingly, after three days' fasting and praying for the power of not sinking in the water, I slipped very quietly down to the pit, and after reconnoitring the premises, to be sure there was no looker on, I approached the brink. At this moment my heart beat high with emotion, my soul was wrapt up to a most enthusiastic pitch of faith, and my whole spirit absorbed in feelings, where hope — doubt — gleams of uncertainty — visions of future eminence — twitches of fear — reflections on my expertness in swimming — on the success of the water-walking priest afore-mentioned — and on the depth of the pond — had all insisted on an equal share of attention. At the edge of the pit grew large water-lilies, with their leaves spread over the surface ; it is singular to reflect upon what slight and ridiculous circumstances the mind will seize, when wound up in this manner to a pitch of superstitious absurdity. I am really ashamed, even whilst writing this, of the confidence I put for a moment in a treacherous water-lily, as its leaf lay spread so smoothly and broadly over the surface of the pond, as if to lure my foot to the experiment. However, after having stimulated myself by a fresh pater and ave, I advanced, my eyes turned up enthusiastically to heaven — my hands resolutely clenched — my teeth locked together — my nerves set — and my whole soul strong in confidence — I advanced, I say, and lest I might give myself time to cool from this divine glow I made a tremendous stride, planting my right foot exactly in the middle of the treacherous water-lily leaf, and the next moment was up to the neck in water. Here was devotion cooled. Happily I was able to bottom the pool, or could swim very well if necessary ; so I had not much difficulty in getting out. As soon as I found myself on the bank, I waited not to make reflections, but with a rueful face set off at full speed for my father's house, which was not far distant ; the water all the while whizzing out of my clothes, by the rapidity of the motion, as it does from a water-spaniel after having been in that element. It is singular to think what a strong authority vanity has over the principles and passions in the weakest and strongest moments of both ; I never was remarkable, at that open, ingenuous period of my life, for secrecy ; yet did I now take especial care not to invest either this attempt at the miraculous, or its concomitant failure, with any thing like narration. It was, however, an act of devotion that had a vile effect on my lungs, for it gave me a cough that was intolerable ; and I never felt the infirmities of humanity more than in this ludicrous attempt to get beyond them; in which, by the way, I was nearer being successful than I had intended, though in a different sense. This happened a month before I started for Lough Derg."

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