drop Cap I
I PASS now from the east to the west by direct flight from the Vivarais over the plateau of Le Puy to where the Allier descends10 into the plains from the lofty ridge12 of the southern Cévennes.
Almost from its source the Allier has met with difficulties. It has had to contend with granite13, schist, and finally with basalt, and it has had to form for itself a ravine that widens into a valley below Langeac where are coal-beds.
That ravine is peculiarly tantalising, because it is difficult to explore satisfactorily. From Langeac a road runs up the riverside only till it encounters that from Sauges to S. Privat. Beyond that there is none. The line, indeed, does follow the stream, and it is of all French lines the most remarkable for the engineering [Pg 162] feats16 achieved. The road for the rails has been hewn as a cornice in the face of the cliff, every salient buttress17 has been bored through, and every inconvenient18 lateral19 gorge20 overleaped. In 132 kilometres (81 miles) from the confluence21 of the Dège with the Allier up to La Levade, there are ninety tunnels, which happens to be precisely22 the number of kilometres between those points as the crow flies.
Precisely this fact makes the ascent of the ravine by train prove so unsatisfactory. It consists in a rapid succession of flashes followed by darkness—a constant flutter, as it were, of the eyelid23. Moreover, the tunnels are carried through the shoulders of the mountain, avoiding the finest parts of the ca?on.
The only possible way of doing justice to the scenery is to halt at the little stations where poor villages have been planted at the opening of lateral ravines, and thence follow the river by a footpath24 as far as it will lead.
The ascent of the river by train is indeed one of the great curiosities of the country, and it will be done generally in this way till the authorities of the department undertake to drive a carriage-road up the gorge. It is true that the villages are few, the population small, and trade a negligible quantity at present. But the scenery and the coolness of the mountain air, and the abundance of crystal water, are drawing annually25 more and ever more from the sweltering plains of Languedoc and the burning zone of Provence to this region for the summer, and it is accordingly to be regretted that they are debarred by lack of roadway from exploring what is the most magnificent feature of the country.
I have described the ca?on of the Ardèche; this of [Pg 163] the Allier is also a ca?on, but they are as unlike as is a blonde beauty to one who is dark. They are both superb, but in manner totally different. The Allier runs through rough basalt and crystalline rocks; the Ardèche flows between bluffs26 of limestone27. The latter can be descended28 in a boat, the Allier cannot. The Allier looks north—the colouring, the vegetation, the climate are northern; the Ardèche in every one of these particulars is southern. The Ardèche has cut its way through a level plateau; the Allier flows between ranges of mountains. The ca?on of the Ardèche is a street; the defile29 of the Allier is a lane. We cannot seek the Ardèche in the height of summer; it is just then when we would refresh in the cool draughts30 and the blue shadows of the Allier.
The chasm31 of this latter river has been formed at the point of contact of the lava32 with the granite. The volcanoes of Le Velay poured forth33 their molten floods which beat against the granitic34 mass of the Margeride, and the lava in cooling may have shrunk and cracked and so allowed the river an opportunity of escaping into the plain. In places it has cut through granite and schist. It had cut this channel before the volcanic35 vents36 opened. What these latter did was to deposit what they threw out in the trough of the Allier, and force that stream to renew its work of excavation37; in the latter part of its course the ravine is cut through lava.
Langeac will serve as a starting-point for visits if the tourist be not very particular as to accommodation. It does possess one passable inn, and that is at some distance from the station in the town. The place itself is of no great interest. It has manufactures, favoured by [Pg 164] the presence of coal-beds near at hand. The church, however, is curious. It consists of a nave38 without aisles39, but with chapels41 between the buttresses42, and with an apse, lined within with well-carved oak stalls of the sixteenth century; once occupied at Mass by canons, now by schoolboys. The tower is at the east end, and supports an octagonal campanile.
From Langeac Chanteuges is easily reached. It clusters about a basaltic hunch43 at the junction44 of the Dège with the Allier. The village creeps up the side of the hill, the summit of which is occupied by a church and the ruins of a priory. The original church was a fine example of Romanesque, but is now a sad jumble45 of styles; every age as it passed has left a trace on the building. The platform on which it stands is ascended46 by a zigzag47 path; basaltic prisms, range above range, form the mass of the rock.
The main entrance to the old priory is on the north, and was defended by a tower. On one of the blocks at the top of the wall may be read the date 1115. The monks had evidently converted their habitation into a fortress48, and it was precisely this that led to their suppression and the dispersion of the fraternity.
One Iter de Maudulf, a knight49 who had led a lawless life, felt a twinge of compunction, and resolved on quitting the world and embracing a life of religion. Accordingly he assumed the cowl in Chanteuges. But the old Adam was not dead in him. Cucullus non facit monachum. The choir50 offices proved tedious, the meagre fare unacceptable, and the wine was vinegar. His temper gave way, and with it his good resolutions. He became restive51. In the refectory he talked to the other monks of the good old days when he roistered and [Pg 165] roved over the country; ate and drank and did wild deeds of devilry. They listened; their mouths watered, and their fingers itched52. Eventually Maudulf succeeded in corrupting53 the whole fraternity. The monks abandoned their reading and psalmody to fortify54 the height. Every night a diabolical55 horde56 issued from the gate of the monastery, clothed in mail armour57 under their serge habits. They swept the country, levied58 blackmail59 on the farmers, stopped and robbed merchants, and plundered60 the pilgrims bound for the shrine61 of Our Lady of Le Puy. In the dead of night they forced their way into convents, and romped62 and revelled63 with the nuns64, or else carried off comely65 peasants' daughters en croupe to their stronghold at Chanteuges.
Of all the confraternity, the abbot alone kept his head; but his objurgations were disregarded, his authority was flouted66. In despair he appealed to the Bishop67 of Clermont, who at once visited the monastery, but took the precaution of doing so at the head of a body of armed men. "I saw," said he, "the abbey in the most deplorable condition. The buildings were in ruins, the sanctuary68 was despoiled69, the church converted into a fortress, no one serving God, the holy habitation transformed into a den14 of thieves and murderers."
Accordingly the monastery was suppressed, the monks dispersed70 among other houses, and the abbey converted into a priory under the rule and supervision71 of Chaisedieu. To the present day the belief prevails among the peasantry that in winter, at night, when a storm rages and the snow is driving, a black cavalcade72 issues from the gate, with cowls drawn73 over grinning skulls74, and with serge habits flapping in the wind, [Pg 166] that it sweeps over the plateau till cock-crow, when it returns through the portal and vanishes.
East of the church is a little chapel40 of flamboyant76 character with richly sculptured doorway77, surmounted78 by a representation of the Assumption. It is the sole specimen79 of this style in the department. At the Revolution it was converted into a haystore.
The fête at Chanteuges is on Whitsun Day, and has a peculiar15 observance. It begins in the Pré du Fou. This field may not be mown till after Pentecost. A beggar is induced to hide in the long grass. The youths of the parish, wearing hats decked with cock's feathers, march to the field in two files led by fifes and drums and preceded by a banner. The procession circles thrice about the field, and some of the young men detach themselves from it and beat it in search of the beggar. If they do not find him at once, others come to their aid. When the fou has been discovered, he is grasped by the legs, thrown on his back, and spun80 round once by each of the youths forming the procession. Then a pistol is discharged, the procession reforms, and the train mounts to the church, taking the poor fool along with it. There he is again thrown down and undergoes the same process of spinning. After this he is indemnified by a few coppers81 from each of the spinners, and every seller of cakes and buns who has a stall there is bound to supply him with sufficient food to satisfy his maw. The spinning over, the young men enter the church for Mass. At Chanteuges the festival of Pentecost is devoted82 partly to God, partly to dancing, partly to drinking. God is often forgotten, dancing sometimes, the bottle never.
Opposite Chanteuges is S. Arcons, where the Fioule [Pg 167] flows into the Allier. It rises among the pine-clad heights of Fix S. Genys, and receives the stream that issues from the Lake of Limagne, a volcanic basin like that of Bourget, but not of like regularity83 of outline.
Above Langeac is the land of the Lafayettes. They were great seigneurs in the Middle Ages. They derive84 from Gilbert Motier, lord of Lafayette, who was one of the great captains that drove the English out of France. He died in 1463, and was grandson of a Gilbert who fell on the field of Poitiers, 1356, also with his face set against the English. So Marie Jean Paul, the famous marquess, fought the English on the side of the Americans, 1777-1785. The Marquess was born at Chavagnac, 1757, on the tableland about the junction of lines at S. Georges d'Aurac. The castle was built in 1701.
From Langeac one can explore the granitic Margeride, peopled by a race distinct from the Cevenols. They are pale, often fair-headed and blue-eyed, grave, dignified85, and intensely conservative. They are and ever have been sturdy Catholics, have never been shaken, even ruffled86, by the shock to faith given by Calvin and his followers87. Whereas a Cevenol is ready at all times for a prophecy, a revelation, a new doctrine88, the upset of one that is old, taking up what is fresh with fanaticism89, and then letting it drop and lapsing90 into indifference91, the man of the Margeride remains92 as constant, as unmoved as his own rocky mountains. The Margeride, "as seen from the Pec Finiels, is a long black line drawn against the sky of central France, a wall without battlements, without towers, without a keep." It is in reality a long series of successive undulating plains high uplifted, covered with forests of oaks, beech93 and pines, or else with pastures [Pg 168] on which feed during the summer the sheep of Basse Languedoc and the oxen of the Camargue. It is composed of granite, and its loftiest points reach only 4,650 feet. A visitor will probably content himself with an expedition to Sauges, that lies in scenery called the Switzerland of the Margeride. The rich green swath, the dark pine-woods, the abundance of crystal rills contrast with the bare lava plain and mountain cones94 of Le Velay.
The Sauge stream falls in cascade95 over a dyke96 of trap that has been forced through a rent in the granite, near the farm of Luchadou, built on and out of the ruins of a castle. There a phantom97 horse, magnificently caparisoned, is said to be seen grazing. It neighs when it sees children approach, and invites them to mount its back, which will lengthen98 conveniently to accommodate as many as desire to have a ride. When the horse has received a full complement99, it dashes into the river, and buck-jumps till it has flung all the riders against the rocks or into the pools.
One day when a couple of dozen children were on its back, as the steed was galloping101 towards the stream one little boy sang out "Gloria Patri," etc., whereby he was able to master the "Drac" and make it gallop100 round and round the field till exhausted102, when it let the children descend11 unmolested. This is none other than the Irish Pooka. The celebrated103 fall of the Liffey, near Ballymore Eustace, is named Pool-a-Phooka, and precisely the same story is told there of a phantom horse as here at Sauges. The same also in North Wales of the Ceffyl-y-Dwyr, the water-horse of Marchlyn. Can this myth have originated and been told by the Celtic race before its separation into several [Pg 169] branches? I can see no other explanation of the puzzle.
The church at Sauges has an early and remarkable belfry. An immense arch, richly moulded, admits to a porch. Above this is a still larger relieving arch to sustain the octagonal tower that is on two stages. Granite and black basalt are employed in bands and in the arches of the windows, two-light in the tower story, single in that above, and the whole is capped by a dwarf104 spire105.
Near Sauges is the Tour de la Clauze, erected106 on a protuberant107 mass of granite fissured108 into blocks. The rest of the castle is completely ruined. But that which is most curious at Sauges is a monumental structure composed of a cubical base, on which stand four pillars supporting arches and a vault110 with groined ribs111. This goes by the name of the Tombeau du Général Anglais, and is supposed to have been set up in honour of a Captain MacHarren, who commanded one of the mixed companies of English and Gascons that held the land or harried112 it for the English Crown nominally113, actually for themselves. This MacHarren was probably one of the English garrison114 that held Sauges till 1360, when they were driven out by the Viscount Polignac.
La Voute-Chilhac down the river stands on a peninsula between the Allier and the Avesne that here debouches into it. It possesses a church of the fifteenth century that has taken the place of one erected by S. Odilo of Cluny in 1075. The original door-valves remain, but injured by cutting to make them fit the ogee portal. In the midst it bears the inscription:—
"Hic tibi rex regum hoc condidit Odilo templum
Agminibus superis quem miscuit arbiter115 orbis."
[Pg 170]
There were other inscriptions116, but they have been mutilated. Chilhac stands on a rock composed in the lower portion of beautiful prismatic columnar basalt, capped with an amorphous117 flow. It is curious how sharp the line of demarcation is between the two beds. The situation is pretty, the church Romanesque.
The course of the Allier above Langeac presents many faces like organ fronts of basalt; in places the pillars form a pavé de géants. The prisms are employed along the roads to mark distances, and might easily be supposed to have been specially118 cut for the purpose. But all lava does not crystallise into prisms; under pressure it does. When not squeezed by superincumbent beds it is cinderous. But there is another form it assumes, that of phonolith or clinkstone, flakes119 that can be cut like slates121 and divided into lamin?. As slates they are employed extensively in Velay. But why the ejected lava should form films here and prismatic pillars there, I do not comprehend.
At Monistrol d'Allier the Ance du Sud comes in from the Margeride after traversing a picturesque122 gorge. Here may be studied a fine basaltic face, called Escluzels. There are grottoes in the neighbourhood excavated123 in the tufa by the hand of man, but when is not known. A chapel dedicated124 to the Magdalen has been scooped125 out of the rock, but given a frontage of wall, and is an object of pilgrimage on the Sunday following July 22nd, when and where may be seen some of the costumes of the neighbourhood not yet wholly discarded.
On the opposite bank of the Allier is S. Privat, where the stream of Bouchoure comes down writhing126 between high precipices127. The tower of Rochegude occupies the [Pg 171] summit of a peak 1,500 feet high, commanding the river and the roads. In 1865 a discovery was made at S. Privat of a cache of a Roman oculist of the third century. Along with his little store of coins lay his delicate instruments, and a cube as well, bearing on each face the name of one of the medicaments employed by him, and the cube used probably by him for sealing up his packets. The man seems to have known his business, or at all events of having both instruments and remedies not by any means barbarous. On reaching Alleyras the valley opens into a basin. Above the little town shoots up a mass of rock looking like a gigantic thumb as we approach from the north, but changing form as Alleyras is passed. It is actually a huge slab128 of rock that is detached from the mountain by a wide fissure109.
The basin of Alleyras was once a lake, where the river paused to rest before it renewed its efforts to break a way through the lava. From this point upwards129 the scenery is less savage130 and gloomy. At Chapeauroux the railway describes a great curve, and pursues its way through tunnel and over viaduct till it draws up at Langogne, a busy little town of the Gévaudan, of some commercial importance. A monastery was founded here in 998 by Stephen Count of the Gévaudan, and Silvester II. presented to it the relics131 of SS. Gervasius and Protasius, and further conferred on the town the more than doubtful privilege of being out of episcopal jurisdiction132, to be looked after or let alone by the Holy See only. The place suffered severely133 in the Hundred Years War, and again and worse even in those of religion. From 1562 for nearly a century and a half the Gévaudan was devastated134 turn and turn [Pg 172] about by Protestants and Catholics, and Langogne passed from the hands of one party to those of the other. In 1568 the Huguenots sacked the town and set fire to the church and monastery.
The church comprises a nave and side aisles, and is substantially in the Romanesque style, but with many alterations135. There are three arcades136 resting on piers137 with engaged columns in granite, with capitals carved to represent fruit, acanthus leaves, and the seven deadly sins. A pretty flamboyant doorway replaces the western porch, which had been destroyed. Over it is a window in the same style. On the right of the entrance a doorway, that seems to give access only to a passage, communicates with a chapel below the soil, dimly lighted, and containing an image of N. D. de tout Pouvoir, supposed to have been given by Agelmodis, the widow of the founder138 of church and monastery. It was accorded a crown in 1900 by the Pope, and the anniversary of this ceremony, July 29th, is kept as a fête at Langogne. But the great festival in the town is on the Sunday following June 19th, when is the vogue139, in honour of the two patrons, Gervasius and Protasius. On that occasion cars are drawn through the streets bearing groups of allegorical figures; but the special sport of the day is the "chute d'eau." A species of gallows141 is erected in the main street, with a vessel142 full of water balanced in the middle. The young men vie with one another as to who by throwing a stick can upset the vessel, and then dash under it so speedily as not to be splashed by the falling water. He who succeeds receives a prize.
Langogne is becoming annually more and more a summer resort. The Languiron here flows into the [Pg 173] Allier; it does not fill its bed, which is the receptacle for the refuse from the abattoir143 and the town, and the odours arising from these dejections infect the otherwise pure mountain air.
It is doubtless excellent in principle that every man should be able to dwell under his own fig140 tree and inhabit his own house; but this has its drawbacks. The theory may be sound, yet the results other than those anticipated. In England, where most householders are tenants144, if a slate120 be blown off the landlord is applied145 to. If the putty be cracked that retains a window-pane146, the landlord must see to it less the glass fall out. If the plaster scales off in one patch the size of a leaf, the landlord must replaster the whole face of the house. If the rats have gnawed147 through the floor, "Please, squire148, have the boards relaid lest my child puts its leg through." If the well be contaminated, he is called upon to clear it, under the threat of complaint to the Local Government Board. But in France, where every man owns his own habitation, the habitations are allowed to fall into a ragged149 and measly condition. If a slate be carried away, the patron tells his wife to put a basin where it can catch the drip whenever it rains. If the putty falls from the glass, the pane is retained by the gummed border of postage stamps, renewed when necessary. If the rats have eaten through the floor, the child must learn to avoid the hole; it affords a useful lesson in circumspection150. If the plaster peals151 away in masses from the front of the house, "Shall I squander152 money in titivating it?" asks the owner. "My relatives would consign153 me to an asylum154 as incapable155 of managing my affairs." And as for the well, M. le propriétaire says to himself, "I never [Pg 174] drink water, only wine. If some of my children get diphtheria, it will leave more money for those who survive."
This it is that gives to so many of the towns and nearly every village in France a palsied, neglected look, as if the houses had lost their self-respect, like a man who has gone down in the world and sunk to be a tramp.
Pradelles is four miles from Langogne, built in an amphitheatre on the flanks of the mountains of Le Velay, surrounded by rich meadows, from which it derives156 its name (pratell?). The many Prades that occur in the south are all so called from the prat? that spread about them. In 1588 Chambaud, at the head of a large body of Huguenots, besieged157 the town. As it had but a scanty158 garrison, he shouted to those on the walls, "Ville prise, ville gagnée!" To which a young woman called back, "Pa'ncaro!" (not yet) and flung a great stone at him which broke in his skull75. This act of heroism159 saved Pradelles from being sacked and its citizens from massacre160. The memory of that woman, Jeanne de Verdette, is still green there, and in 1888 the third centenary of the deliverance was commemorated161 at Pradelles.
At Naussac, in the opposite direction, on a granite tableland that goes by the name of the Kidney of Lozère, is an ancient house with a tower that formed a portion of the chateau of Mgr. de Belsunce, the brave Bishop of Marseilles, who was so devoted in his attentions to the plague-stricken in the terrible pestilence162 of 1720, which carried off forty thousand of its population. S. Alban-en-Montagne is four miles from Langonne in the department of Ardèche. It lies high—3,565 feet. [Pg 175] On the face of an enormous basaltic rock is a remarkable cave divided into several chambers163, and large enough to contain all the villagers. It was employed as a place of refuge during the wars of feudal164 times, and again in those of religion. Access to it is not easy. As the railway reaches the watershed165, barricades166 on both sides protect it from snow-drifts. Luc is passed, having an old castle on a rock, the donjon braced167 to sustain a colossal168 statue of the Virgin169. Then the train halts at La Bastide, where is a branch line to Mende.
The Trappist monks have an establishment near this on these bleak170 heights. Their buildings are tasteless. Hitherto the monks have been left unmolested by Government, due possibly to the fact that they receive and examine the silkworm moths171 that have laid their eggs, sent to them from great distances round, to examine if they are free from the disease that so fatally threatened the silk industry in the Cévennes.
The breaking out of this complaint caused consternation173 some years ago, and M. Pasteur was sent down to investigate it. He found that no remedial efforts availed, and that the sole way of getting rid of the disorder3 was to stamp it out. Accordingly every moth172 after it has laid its eggs is enclosed along with the seed that has been deposited in a muslin bag and sent to be inspected. Each bag is numbered and ticketed with the name of the sender. The body of the moth is pounded up and submitted to examination under a powerful microscope, and this reveals the presence of the germs of fibrine if they exist. Should these be detected, the eggs of that particular moth are destroyed by fire.
In addition to this service rendered by the Trappists, [Pg 176] they have shown the peasantry of the High Cévennes how to improve the quality of the land by the use of lime and artificial manures, and they have also improved the breed of the sheep and cattle.
But these are side products of monachism, and they are benefits that might just as well be rendered by laymen174; and, in fact, the examination of the silkworm moths is carried out in laboratories established for the purpose in some of the large towns of Languedoc.
The Trappist Order is the severest of all. The members are condemned175 never to speak, never to eat meat or fish, are denied even butter and oil. They have but two meals a day, and these of vegetables only. They never take off their garments to wash or to sleep, and do not wear linen176. They go to bed at 8 p.m. in the summer, at 7 p.m. in winter, and rise at 2 a.m., but have no meal of any sort till midday. Every day part of their duty is to dig a portion of their future grave.
In Quarles' Hieroglyphics177 of the Life of Man, published in 1635, is an emblem178 of a dark lantern placed on a coffin179 and the sun in total eclipse, and this is above a poem, of which I give two stanzas:—
"Was it for this, the breath of Heav'n was blown
Into the nostrils180 of this heavenly creature?
Was it for this, that the sacred Three in One
Conspired181 to make this quintessence of Nature?
Did heav'nly Providence182 intend
So rare a fabric183 for so poor an end?
"Tell me, recluse184 monastre, can it be
A disadvantage to thy beams to shine?
A thousand tapers185 may gain light from thee:
Is thy light less or worse for light'ning mine?
If wanting light I stumble, shall
Thy darkness not be guilty of my fall?"
PEASANTS OF THE CAUS
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ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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monks
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| n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
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oculist
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| n.眼科医生 | |
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tout
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| v.推销，招徕；兜售；吹捧，劝诱 | |
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versus
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| prep.以…为对手，对；与…相比之下 | |
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chateau
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| n.城堡，别墅 | |
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monastery
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| n.修道院，僧院，寺院 | |
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descends
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| v.下来( descend的第三人称单数 )；下去；下降；下斜 | |
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descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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granite
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| adj.花岗岩，花岗石 | |
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den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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feats
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| 功绩，伟业，技艺( feat的名词复数 ) | |
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buttress
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| n.支撑物；v.支持 | |
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inconvenient
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| adj.不方便的，令人感到麻烦的 | |
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lateral
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| adj.侧面的，旁边的 | |
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gorge
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| n.咽喉，胃，暴食，山峡；v.塞饱，狼吞虎咽地吃 | |
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confluence
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| n.汇合，聚集 | |
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precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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eyelid
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| n.眼睑，眼皮 | |
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footpath
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| n.小路，人行道 | |
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annually
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| adv.一年一次，每年 | |
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bluffs
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| 恐吓( bluff的名词复数 )； 悬崖； 峭壁 | |
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limestone
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| n.石灰石 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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29
defile
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| v.弄污，弄脏；n.(山间)小道 | |
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30
draughts
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| n. <英>国际跳棋 | |
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31
chasm
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| n.深坑，断层，裂口，大分岐，利害冲突 | |
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32
lava
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| n.熔岩，火山岩 | |
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33
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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34
granitic
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| 花岗石的，由花岗岩形成的 | |
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35
volcanic
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| adj.火山的；象火山的；由火山引起的 | |
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36
vents
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| （气体、液体等进出的）孔、口( vent的名词复数 )； （鸟、鱼、爬行动物或小哺乳动物的）肛门； 大衣等的)衩口； 开衩 | |
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37
excavation
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| n.挖掘，发掘；被挖掘之地 | |
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38
nave
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| n.教堂的中部；本堂 | |
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39
aisles
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| n. (席位间的)通道, 侧廊 | |
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40
chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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41
chapels
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| n.小教堂， （医院、监狱等的）附属礼拜堂( chapel的名词复数 )；（在小教堂和附属礼拜堂举行的）礼拜仪式 | |
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42
buttresses
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| n.扶壁，扶垛( buttress的名词复数 )v.用扶壁支撑，加固( buttress的第三人称单数 ) | |
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43
hunch
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| n.预感，直觉 | |
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44
junction
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| n.连接，接合；交叉点，接合处，枢纽站 | |
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45
jumble
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| vt.使混乱，混杂；n.混乱；杂乱的一堆 | |
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46
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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47
zigzag
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| n.曲折，之字形；adj.曲折的，锯齿形的；adv.曲折地，成锯齿形地；vt.使曲折；vi.曲折前行 | |
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48
fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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49
knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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50
choir
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| n.唱诗班，唱诗班的席位，合唱团，舞蹈团；v.合唱 | |
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51
restive
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| adj.不安宁的，不安静的 | |
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52
itched
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| v.发痒( itch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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53
corrupting
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| （使）败坏( corrupt的现在分词 )； （使）腐化； 引起（计算机文件等的）错误； 破坏 | |
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54
fortify
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| v.强化防御，为…设防；加强，强化 | |
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55
diabolical
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| adj.恶魔似的，凶暴的 | |
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56
horde
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| n.群众，一大群 | |
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57
armour
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| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
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58
levied
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| 征（兵）( levy的过去式和过去分词 )； 索取； 发动（战争）； 征税 | |
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59
blackmail
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| n.讹诈，敲诈，勒索，胁迫，恫吓 | |
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60
plundered
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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61
shrine
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| n.圣地，神龛，庙；v.将...置于神龛内，把...奉为神圣 | |
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62
romped
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| v.嬉笑玩闹( romp的过去式和过去分词 )；（尤指在赛跑或竞选等中）轻易获胜 | |
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63
revelled
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| v.作乐( revel的过去式和过去分词 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉 | |
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64
nuns
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| n.（通常指基督教的）修女， （佛教的）尼姑( nun的名词复数 ) | |
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65
comely
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| adj.漂亮的，合宜的 | |
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66
flouted
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| v.藐视，轻视( flout的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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67
bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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68
sanctuary
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| n.圣所，圣堂，寺庙；禁猎区，保护区 | |
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69
despoiled
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| v.掠夺，抢劫( despoil的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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70
dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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71
supervision
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| n.监督，管理 | |
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72
cavalcade
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| n.车队等的行列 | |
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73
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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74
skulls
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| 颅骨( skull的名词复数 )； 脑袋； 脑子； 脑瓜 | |
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75
skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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76
flamboyant
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| adj.火焰般的，华丽的，炫耀的 | |
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77
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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78
surmounted
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| 战胜( surmount的过去式和过去分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
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79
specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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80
spun
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| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
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81
coppers
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| 铜( copper的名词复数 )； 铜币 | |
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82
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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83
regularity
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| n.规律性，规则性；匀称，整齐 | |
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84
derive
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| v.取得；导出；引申；来自；源自；出自 | |
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85
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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86
ruffled
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| adj. 有褶饰边的, 起皱的 动词ruffle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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87
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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88
doctrine
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| n.教义；主义；学说 | |
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89
fanaticism
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| n.狂热，盲信 | |
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90
lapsing
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| v.退步( lapse的现在分词 )；陷入；倒退；丧失 | |
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91
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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92
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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93
beech
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| n.山毛榉；adj.山毛榉的 | |
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94
cones
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| n.（人眼）圆锥细胞；圆锥体( cone的名词复数 )；球果；圆锥形东西；（盛冰淇淋的）锥形蛋卷筒 | |
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95
cascade
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| n.小瀑布，喷流；层叠；vi.成瀑布落下 | |
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96
dyke
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| n.堤，水坝，排水沟 | |
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97
phantom
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| n.幻影，虚位，幽灵；adj.错觉的，幻影的，幽灵的 | |
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98
lengthen
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| vt.使伸长，延长 | |
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99
complement
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| n.补足物，船上的定员；补语；vt.补充，补足 | |
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100
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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101
galloping
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| adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
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102
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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103
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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104
dwarf
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| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
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105
spire
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| n.(教堂)尖顶，尖塔，高点 | |
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106
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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107
protuberant
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| adj.突出的，隆起的 | |
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108
fissured
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|
| adj.裂缝的v.裂开( fissure的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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109
fissure
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| n.裂缝；裂伤 | |
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110
vault
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| n.拱形圆顶，地窖，地下室 | |
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111
ribs
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| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
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112
harried
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| v.使苦恼( harry的过去式和过去分词 )；不断烦扰；一再袭击；侵扰 | |
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113
nominally
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| 在名义上，表面地； 应名儿 | |
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114
garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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115
arbiter
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| n.仲裁人，公断人 | |
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116
inscriptions
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| （作者）题词( inscription的名词复数 )； 献词； 碑文； 证劵持有人的登记 | |
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117
amorphous
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| adj.无定形的 | |
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118
specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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119
flakes
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| 小薄片( flake的名词复数 )； （尤指）碎片； 雪花； 古怪的人 | |
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120
slate
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| n.板岩，石板，石片，石板色，候选人名单；adj.暗蓝灰色的，含板岩的；vt.用石板覆盖，痛打，提名，预订 | |
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121
slates
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| （旧时学生用以写字的）石板( slate的名词复数 )； 板岩； 石板瓦； 石板色 | |
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122
picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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123
excavated
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| v.挖掘( excavate的过去式和过去分词 )；开凿；挖出；发掘 | |
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124
dedicated
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| adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的 | |
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125
scooped
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| v.抢先报道( scoop的过去式和过去分词 )；（敏捷地）抱起；抢先获得；用铲[勺]等挖（洞等） | |
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126
writhing
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的现在分词 ) | |
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127
precipices
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| n.悬崖，峭壁( precipice的名词复数 ) | |
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128
slab
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| n.平板，厚的切片；v.切成厚板，以平板盖上 | |
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129
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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130
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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131
relics
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| [pl.］n.遗物，遗迹，遗产；遗体，尸骸 | |
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132
jurisdiction
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| n.司法权，审判权，管辖权，控制权 | |
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133
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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134
devastated
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| v.彻底破坏( devastate的过去式和过去分词)；摧毁；毁灭；在感情上（精神上、财务上等）压垮adj.毁坏的；极为震惊的 | |
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135
alterations
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| n.改动( alteration的名词复数 )；更改；变化；改变 | |
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136
arcades
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| n.商场( arcade的名词复数 )；拱形走道（两旁有商店或娱乐设施）；连拱廊；拱形建筑物 | |
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137
piers
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| n.水上平台( pier的名词复数 )；（常设有娱乐场所的）突堤；柱子；墙墩 | |
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138
Founder
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| n.创始者，缔造者 | |
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139
Vogue
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| n.时髦，时尚；adj.流行的 | |
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140
fig
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| n.无花果(树) | |
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141
gallows
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| n.绞刑架，绞台 | |
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142
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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143
abattoir
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| n.屠宰场，角斗场 | |
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144
tenants
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| n.房客( tenant的名词复数 )；佃户；占用者；占有者 | |
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145
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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146
pane
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| n.窗格玻璃，长方块 | |
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147
gnawed
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| 咬( gnaw的过去式和过去分词 )； （长时间） 折磨某人； （使）苦恼； （长时间）危害某事物 | |
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148
squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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149
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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150
circumspection
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| n.细心，慎重 | |
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151
peals
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| n.（声音大而持续或重复的）洪亮的响声( peal的名词复数 )；隆隆声；洪亮的钟声；钟乐v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的第三人称单数 ) | |
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152
squander
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| v.浪费，挥霍 | |
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153
consign
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| vt.寄售（货品），托运，交托，委托 | |
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154
asylum
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| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
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155
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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156
derives
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| v.得到( derive的第三人称单数 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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157
besieged
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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158
scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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159
heroism
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| n.大无畏精神，英勇 | |
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160
massacre
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| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
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161
commemorated
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| v.纪念，庆祝( commemorate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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162
pestilence
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| n.瘟疫 | |
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163
chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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164
feudal
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| adj.封建的，封地的，领地的 | |
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165
watershed
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| n.转折点，分水岭，分界线 | |
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166
barricades
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| 路障，障碍物( barricade的名词复数 ) | |
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167
braced
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| adj.拉牢的v.支住( brace的过去式和过去分词 )；撑牢；使自己站稳；振作起来 | |
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168
colossal
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| adj.异常的，庞大的 | |
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169
virgin
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| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
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170
bleak
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| adj.(天气)阴冷的；凄凉的；暗淡的 | |
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171
moths
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| n.蛾( moth的名词复数 ) | |
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172
moth
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| n.蛾，蛀虫 | |
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173
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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174
laymen
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| 门外汉，外行人( layman的名词复数 )； 普通教徒（有别于神职人员） | |
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175
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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176
linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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177
hieroglyphics
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| n.pl.象形文字 | |
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178
emblem
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| n.象征，标志；徽章 | |
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179
coffin
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| n.棺材，灵柩 | |
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180
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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181
conspired
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| 密谋( conspire的过去式和过去分词 )； 搞阴谋； （事件等）巧合； 共同导致 | |
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182
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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183
fabric
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| n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织 | |
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184
recluse
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| n.隐居者 | |
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185
tapers
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| （长形物体的）逐渐变窄( taper的名词复数 )； 微弱的光； 极细的蜡烛 | |
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