[BNP/E3, 22 – 74; 13A – 41 – 58]
[BNP/E3, 22 – 74]
Charles Robert Anon
Diary.
Begun on March 15th. 1906.
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March 15.
Curso Superior: Geography and English. Biblioteca Nacional: read Aristotle’s “Logic,” translated by J. B. Saint-Hilaire. Returned home 3.30. Thought of dissertation on Female Rights and satiric plea for masculine prostitution. Began “The Door”. Read Book on Physiognomy. Dined 4.30. Walked out all evening till 9.30.
March 16.
Holiday. King coming from Madrid. Read a little about Physiognomy. Bibliotheca closed of course, so could not go there to continue reading “Organon.” Hot day, very hot, just as yesterday. Read Tennyson. Walked out in the evening with Cochado Torres. Returned 9.30. Played quino up to tea-time. Difficulties in mental execution of Jacob Dermot. Thought of poem on Avenida, to be included in “Revolta.”[1]
[BNP/E3, 13A – 41]
Charles Robert Anon
Dos 18 anos
March. 17.
Neglected Curso. Pedrouços at 4. Had been in the Biblioteca Nacional reading Aristotle’s “Organon.” Stayed at Pedrouços.
March 18.
Sunday. At Pedrouços. Went for a long walk with Tia Maria. Nothing else done. Stayed the night also.
March 19.
At Pedrouços. Monday — a holiday. Tia Annica’s birthday. Family dinner at Pedrouços. Returned home at night. Nothing done.
March 20.
At home in Lisbon. No Curso — a holiday, because between two holidays. Biblioteca Nacional. Think out Categories for my projected “Metaphysics.” Great pleasure — very near to solution. Ministry falls, so
[42r][2]
that a great part of “Revolta” is useless. Never mind; shall write it in the cause of Republicanism. Established threefold classification of the Categories; great part of the problem thus mastered. Have yet to determine the subdivisions of the Categories. Introduced casually by Dr. Ferraz to Padre Senna Freitas, once a great polemist. Remarked his countenance. Short combative nose, broad at the tip; thin lips, square jaw. Dirty and obscenely minded, as I could see in the five minutes of conversation. Ferreira & Oliveira at night; no one there with whom to talk or walk.
March 21st.
Last holiday at the Curso. Stayed at home the whole day. Began “Circle of Life.” Wrote “Ballad of King Gondomar,” against war and against religion. Unable to continue “The Door.” Thought of work “on the
[43r][3]
state.” Continued a poem in the “Revolta.” Began “Notes on Noses.” Sketched a short poem on Shakespeare.
March 22.nd
First day in Curso after holidays — Geography and English — dull and stupid day. Stayed at home (no, — walked out and came back at 9 p.m.) at night. Afterwards wrote dissertation on Alceste, Philinte and Célimène for Curso, French Class. Stayed up till 2.30 with this confounded thing. Always do things at the last moment.
March 23rd.
Curso — French. Did not stay to Philology — which, as it turned out, did not take place. Walked all about town with Rebello. At night also walked about with Rebello; came across a lot of dirty-minded, conventional idiots. Youth and health, no doubt.
[44r][4]
March 24th.
Curso — History; dull though Ramos is amusing. Sat between 2 members of the aristocracy; diagnosis, degeneration (inferior). Walked to the Biblioteca with some other conventionals (of a low class — as they say — this time); these are also conventional, though they are not aristocratic. Biblioteca: Weber: “History of European Philosophy”: Ionian School, Thales, Anaximander and Anaximenes. Very well written book. Took notes. Thales’ theory purely primitive; Anaximander’s far deeper and more true; Anaximenes’ a materialization, natural enough for a primitive mind, of his master’s. At night Colyseum — Antonet and Walter’s night. Splendid, laughed a lot. Spoke with some whom I had thought unconventional, and found them as profoundly enslaved as any other slave. I have no hope now in any friendship here; I shall strive to get away as soon as possible.
[45r][5]
March 25th
Stayed at home. Sunday. Toned and fixed (or rather saw toned and fixed) photographs (little) of group and self; had one taken in exotic costumes with Mario, and saw it toned and fixed. Nothing at all done.
March 26th.
Curso: French and Philology. Nothing special happened. Went down town with Rebello. Wandered about. Nothing at all done.
March 27th.
Curso: Geography and English. A day dull, as usual. Biblioteca after. Read Weber’s “History of Philosophy”; studying now Ionian and Eleatic Schools. Must see other histories, compare, and take notes. Went down town at night; nothing unusual. Must read more poetry, so as to neutralize somehow the effect of perfect philosophy. Nothing done.
[46r][6]
March 28th
Absented myself from Curso; will be absent also tomorrow; there is a written exercise in Geography and I know nothing at all of the matter. I hate all work imposed — Biblioteca Nacional; continued reading Weber’s History; still studying Eleatic School. Voyage to England projected. No money; must get it. Have to be operated first: circumcision. It is of no advantage to go to foreign countries with such as evil not remedied. Continued the “Door.” How to get my things typewritten? Must think it over.
March 29th. to April 1.
Taken up with Curso and mere meditation without reading. Got some arguments for my Metaphysics.[7]
[47r][8]
April 2nd – Monday.
Maria’s Birthday. A warm, oppressive day; nothing at all done.
✓ April 3rd. Tuesday.
Curso: Geography, English. The weight of imposed work gets greater. Could not go to Biblioteca, as I had to go and help Sardoeiro. Only too glad to do it. Wrote “Thy Will be done,” Satiric piece.
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April 4th. Wednesday.
till April 11th Wednesday.
No diary kept. Nothing positive written. Read “Vanity Fair”. Jules Verne’s “Voyage to the Moon” and half of “Round the Moon.” Continued the “Door.” Some
[48r][9]
more arguments for my “Rational Metaphysics.” Thought out plan of “Stolen Document, correction of Poe’s Purloined Letter,” to be written as a presumed true account of the stolen letter affair.
Thursday, April 12th.
Holy Week. Visited Cochado Torres, who is writing his little novel. Continued “Door.” Determined to write before “Sub Umbrâ” a book of English poems attacking religion etc., inasmuch as the attack poems which I have written are, I believe, improper for publication together with lyrics in the “Sub Umbrâ” volume. Must go on with “Revolta.”
Planned and wrote a little of an English Work against the death penalty, and, perhaps, against unkind incarceration. Must read books on free-will to be able to attack the death penalty.[10]
[49r][11]
Read a little Rousseau (“Inegalité”) and began reading Guerra Junqueiro (“Velhice do Padre Eterno”).
Friday 13th to Tuesday 17th April
Work comparatively little. Some poems for my first English verse-book, i.e. not Delirium but Death of God. Planned revolutionary treatise “Pela República” to be couched in simple language and to follow “Revolta.” Got some arguments for my metaphysics. Have much to read. Bibliotheca closed; open on Friday 20th. Planned pamphlet against marriage — the entire institution whether civil or religious. Finished “Velhice do Padre Eterno.” Thought much but read little. Continued — almost finished — the “Door.” Begun “Stolen Document.”
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Friday, 20th April, 1906.
Holidays yet. Biblioteca Nacional; began reading “Critique of Pure Reason,” in the French translation by Barni. which Wrote several little poems. Thought deeply on my Metaphysics. Have three dissertations to do for the Curso; this will take my time which is precious. Have to finish many little poems yet fragmentary. Began to learn German. Read Thackeray’s “Vanity Fair” (part of it only, of course).
Friday April 27th
Have disposed of 2 of the 3 dissertations. Have been reading (though no time to-day), the “Critique of Pure Reason,” in the French translation of Barni. I had finished reading “Vanity Fair.” Had no time this week to go on with German. Must sell my very small stamp collection to be able to pay back Tio Antonio’s 3000 re. (which I carelessly borrowed to buy
[51r][13]
Dowden’s “Life of Shelley.” “Door” finished; needs only retouching. I need money to be able to give away the copies of “Pela Republica,” or rather, to get the book printed.
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May 11th 1906
Began reading seriously all the books I had read in childhood and boyhood, uselessly enough. Read Byron “Childe Harold” — Cantos I and II, “Hebrew Melodies,” Keats’ “St. Agnes’ Eve”, the first chapters of Lombroso’s “Homme Criminel” and 1 small poem of Schiller’s (translated with difficulty, for I am but beginning to learn German). Preparing my philosophical fallacy — “On the Phenomenology of the Lexicon,” for the Philology Class; the subject given us was “A Orientação do Léxicon.” Must obtain money from England by sending my compositions. It is unfortunate that I
[52r][14]
have no typewriter. With the money coming I shall attempt to buy one.
May 12th (Saturday)
Curso. Very little done. Read nothing worth mentioning.
May 13th (Sunday).
A dark and rainy day; remained at home. Read about Scholastic Philosophy in Vallet. Read 50 pages of Campoamor (“Doloras y Cantares”).
May 14th (Monday)
Curso — Philology. Wandered about. Vagabondage by obsession. Night stayed 6½–11 at Sardoeiro’s; doing work for Curso, i.e. pretending to.
[53r][15]
May 16th 1906. (Wednesday).
Called on Henrique Rosa. Heard him read — to me — a marvellous critique of Sampayo’s “Palavras Cínicas.” An enormous and wonderful mind; a philosophic pessimist of a very high order. His scientific knowledge is enormous. He lent me “Palavras Cínicas” and Silva Passos’ “Evangelho Novo”. Read half of the first at night.
May 18th (Friday).
Curso. Am continuing at home my dissertation on philology, or rather the parody meant for one. Read nothing; no time.
May 19th
Nothing important. Read Chatterton. Finished “Palavras Cínicas.” My philological dissertation
[54r][16]
is lagging on account of lack of fictitious arguments.
20th May 1906 (Sunday).
Went out for the whole day. Read nothing at all.
21st May. 1906 (Monday)
Curso. French and Philology. Nothing else done.
22nd May (Tuesday)
Curso. Geography and English. Read Molière: “L’Étourdi.”
23rd May, 1906 (Wednesday).
Curso: History. Very ill the rest of the day though not in bed.
[54v]
Wrote: First 2 propositions in the second book of my “Logic”.
[55r]
24th May (Thursday)
Went to Pedrouços for the day. Walked thither with Mario, taking two hours. Dined and returned.
25th May (Friday)
Curso: French and Philology. Read Keats and the “Métromanie” of Piron. I determined henceforth to read at least two books every day — one poetry, or belles lettres, another science or philosophy. Finished the first propositions of my first philosophical work.
See over the Page
[55v]
Wrote: “In the Train”
[56r][17]
Saturday, 26th. May, 1906.
Read Gresset: “Vert-Vert” and “Le Carême Improptu,” as well as the first act of “Le Méchant” before breakfast. Wrote a poem on people in a train: drunkenness and fear, founded on the fact that when we were returning from Pedrouços on Thursday, we came in a crowded train full of drunken people. Wondering within myself what they would do if there were suddenly a collision, and feel soon certain of the fear into which their joy would be changed, I wrote the poem, as expressing a painful truth. Curso. Returned straight home — a warm and terrible day. Finished reading “Méchant.” Read 1st. Chapter of Heackel’s Riddle. Began letter to Prior dos Martyres.
Sunday 27th May, 1906
A horribly warm day. Had to go to Belas. Awful in[18]
[57r]
the train, especially in the tunnel on returning. I thought I should die of suffocation. Read nothing; absolutely impossible.
Monday, May 28th 1906.
Curso: French, Philology and History (special lesson). Walked in Avenida with Corado discussing philosophy. He is far more read and a far better thinker than I. — A day still more horribly warm than yesterday. Life absolutely insupportable. Read Chapter II of Heackel’s “Riddle.”
Tuesday, May 29th
Curso: Geography and English. Horribly warm; the worst day yet. Read nothing; impossible.
Wednesday, May 30th
No Curso; stayed at home. Read aloud to tia An-[19]
[58r]
nica. Did nothing else.
Thursday, May 31st
Curso: Geography and English. A very amusing English Lesson. A better day; did little.
Friday, June 1st.
Holiday. Opening of Cortes. Crowds of protesting republicans passed, quietly enough. I determine with great eagerness to write my pamphlet. Read.
Saturday, June 2nd
Curso. History. Walked listlessly and companionlessly about town. Read nothing.
Sunday, June 3rd[20]
{…}
[1] [74v]
Sub Umbra.
Part I. {…}
Part II. Traces of Monomania. (e.g. Heart-Music). [Quoting Pascal about the Infinite]
Part III. Lyric of Pain. (e.g. Lyric of Time).
Representation
The World as Will and Idea.
By Schopenhauer.
Cher Monsieur
Avec respect
Avec respect,
A. Search
A. Search
[2] [42r]
Charles Robert Anon
[3] [43r]
Charles Robert Anon
[4] [44r]
Charles Robert Anon
[5] [45r]
Charles Robert Anon
[6] [46r]
Charles Robert Anon
[7] [46v]
The first idea and the most primitive in us is the idea of Being.
Being is Being.
Nonsense
G G E E E by by F E
Sêr – não-ser – Last
2 infinites
Of Connexions – Space
Of Successions – Time
Both are Successive infinites
[VER IMAGEM NO PDF]
The Infinite is the property of a thing when considered in itself, i.e. independently of a conceptor, of a conceiving mind and of most determined thereby.
[8] [47r]
Charles Robert Anon
[9] [48r]
Charles Robert Anon
[10] [48v]
Method of Ontology
Method of Metaphysics.
Facts contain in themselves their own interpretation, facts by a physics method, psychic facts by a psychological method. But we are bound to interpret facts naturally and to go on doing so until it be proved that they cannot be so interpreted. We are bound to take thought to be the product of mind till it be shown that thought cannot be so. It is hardly necessary to say that thought has not yet been proved spiritual.
Method (on). On Method.
[49v]
I.
To understand a thing is to have of it an idea susceptible of positive and complete definition.
By positive definition {…}
By complete definition I mean {…}
2.
To define a thing is to determine it in relation to other things.
Now since to define a thing we must refer to another, it follows that our knowledge must be of necessity relative.
The thing in itself.
The possible is the real.
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[11] [49r]
Charles Robert Anon
[12] [50r]
Charles Robert Anon
[13] [51r]
Charles Robert Anon
[14] [52r]
Charles Robert Anon
[15] [53r]
Charles Robert Anon
[16] [54r]
Charles Robert Anon
[17] [56r]
Charles Robert Anon
[18] [56v]
Series o_ _ _ _ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 _ _ _ _ ∞
Avec respect,
Alexander Search
Monsieur Alfred Binet
- Rue du Départ,
Mendon
(S and O)
France
Avec respect,
Alexander Search.
[19] [57v]
Wrote: “Mahomet’s Coffin”.
[20] [58v]
Of a phainomenon, that is to say, of one of the particulars of the data of experience, 3 things are to be postulated: firstly, existence; secondly its conditions; thirdly, its cause.
In the first postulate, existence, there are understood two things, time and space. A phainoumenon is a movement, and a movement is only understood as in space and in time. There is no movement but a movement of translation. The so-called movement of alteration is but a movement of translation. A movement of alteration supposes time without supposing space – an impossibility.
