When Moggs was utterly15 discarded by the respectable leaders of the liberal party in the borough16,—turned out of the liberal inn at which were the head-quarters of the party, and refused the right of participating in the liberal breakfasts and dinners which were there provided, Moggs felt himself to be a triumphant14 martyr17. His portmanteau and hat-box were carried by an admiring throng18 down to the Cordwainers' Arms,—a house not, indeed, of the highest repute in the town,—and here a separate committee was formed. Mr. Westmacott did his best to avert19 the secession; but his supporters were inexorable. The liberal tradesmen of Percycross would have nothing to do with a candidate who declared that inasmuch as a man's mind was more worthy20 than a man's money, labour was more worthy than capital, and that therefore the men should dominate and rule their masters. That was a doctrine21 necessarily abominable22 to every master tradesman. The men were to decide how many hours they would work, what recreation they would have, in what fashion and at what rate they would be paid, and what proportion of profit should be allowed to the members, and masters, and creators of the firm! That was the doctrine that Moggs was preaching. The tradesmen of Percycross, whether liberal or conservative, did not understand much in the world of politics, but they did understand that such a doctrine as that, if carried out, would take them to a very Gehenna of revolutionary desolation. And so Moggs was banished23 from the Northern Star, the inn at which Mr. Westmacott was living, and was forced to set up his radical24 staff at the Cordwainers' Arms.
In one respect he certainly gained much by this persecution25. The record of his election doings would have been confined to the columns of the "Percycross Herald26" had he carried on his candidature after the usual fashion; but, as it was now, his doings were blazoned27 in the London newspapers. The "Daily News" reported him, and gave him an article all to himself; and even the "Times" condescended28 to make an example of him, and to bring him up as evidence that revolutionary doctrines30 were distasteful to the electors of the country generally. The fame of Ontario Moggs certainly became more familiar to the ears of the world at large than it would have done had he continued to run in a pair with Mr. Westmacott. And that was everything to him. Polly Neefit must hear of him now that his name had become a household word in the London newspapers.
And in another respect he gained much. All personal canvassing31 was now at an end for him. There could be no use in his going about from house to house asking for votes. Indeed, he had discovered that to do so was a thing iniquitous32 in itself, a demoralising practice tending to falsehood, intimidation33, and corruption34,—a thing to be denounced. And he denounced it. Let the men of Percycross hear him, question him in public, learn from his spoken words what were his political principles,—and then vote for him if they pleased. He would condescend29 to ask a vote as a favour from no man. It was for them rather to ask him to bestow35 upon them the gift of his time and such ability as he possessed36. He took a very high tone indeed in his speeches, and was saved the labour of parading the streets. During these days he looked down from an immeasurable height on the truckling, mean, sordid37 doings of Griffenbottom, Underwood, and Westmacott. A huge board had been hoisted38 up over the somewhat low frontage of the Cordwainers' Arms, and on this was painted in letters two feet high a legend which it delighted him to read, Moggs, Purity, and the Rights of Labour. Ah, if that could only be understood, there was enough in it to bring back an age of gold to suffering humanity! No other Reform would be needed. In that short legend everything necessary for man was contained.
Mr. Pile and Mr. Trigger stood together one evening looking at the legend from a distance. "Moggs and purity!" said Mr. Pile, in that tone of disgust, and with that peculiar39 action which had become common to him in speaking of this election.
"He hasn't a ghost of a chance," said Mr. Trigger, who was always looking straight at the main point;—"nor yet hasn't Westmacott."
"There's worse than Westmacott," said Mr. Pile.
"But what can we do?" said Trigger.
"Purity! Purity!" said the old man. "It makes me that sick that I wish there weren't such a thing as a member of Parliament. Purity and pickpockets40 is about the same. When I'm among 'em I buttons up my breeches-pockets."
"But what can we do?" asked Mr. Trigger again, in a voice of woe41. Mr. Trigger quite sympathised with his elder friend; but, being a younger man, he knew that these innovations must be endured.
Then Mr. Pile made a speech, of such length that he had never been known to make the like before;—so that Mr. Trigger felt that things had become very serious, and that, not impossibly, Mr. Pile might be so affected42 by this election as never again to hold up his head in Percycross. "Purity! Purity!" he repeated. "They're a going on that way, Trigger, that the country soon won't be fit for a man to live in. And what's the meaning of it all? It's just this,—that folks wants what they wants without paying for it. I hate Purity, I do. I hate the very smell of it. It stinks43. When I see the chaps as come here and talk of Purity, I know they mean that nothing ain't to be as it used to be. Nobody is to trust no one. There ain't to be nothing warm, nor friendly, nor comfortable any more. This Sir Thomas you've brought down is just as bad as that shoemaking chap;—worse if anything. I know what's a going on inside him. I can see it. If a man takes a glass of wine out of his bottle, he's a asking hisself if that ain't bribery and corruption! He's got a handle to his name, and money, I suppose, and comes down here without knowing a chick or a child. Why isn't a poor man, as can't hardly live, to have his three half-crowns or fifteen shillings, as things may go, for voting for a stranger such as him? I'll tell you what it is, Trigger, I've done with it. Things have come to that in the borough, that I'll meddle44 and make no more." Mr. Trigger, as he listened to this eloquence45, could only sigh and shake his head. "I did think it would last my time," added Mr. Pile, almost weeping.
Moggs would steal out of the house in the early morning, look up at the big bright red letters, and rejoice in his very heart of hearts. He had not lived in vain, when his name had been joined, in the public view of men, with words so glorious. Purity and the Rights of Labour! "It contains just everything," said Moggs to himself as he sat down to his modest, lonely breakfast. After that, sitting with his hands clasped upon his brow, disdaining46 the use of pen and paper for such work, he composed his speech for the evening,—a speech framed with the purpose of proving to his hearers that Purity and the Rights of Labour combined would make them as angels upon the earth. As for himself, Moggs, he explained in his speech,—analysing the big board which adorned47 the house,—it mattered little whether they did or did not return him. But let them be always persistent48 in returning on every possible occasion Purity and the Rights of Labour, and then all other good things would follow to them. He enjoyed at any rate that supreme49 delight which a man feels when he thoroughly50 believes his own doctrine.
But the days were very long with him. When the evening came, when his friends were relieved from their toil51, and could assemble here and there through the borough to hear him preach to them, he was happy enough. He had certainly achieved so much that they preferred him now to their own presidents and chairmen. There was an enthusiasm for Moggs among the labouring men of Percycross, and he was always happy while he was addressing them. But the hours in the morning were long, and sometimes melancholy52. Though all the town was busy with these electioneering doings, there was nothing for him to do. His rivals canvassed53, consulted, roamed through the town,—as he could see,—filching votes from him. But he, too noble for such work as that, sat there alone in the little upstairs parlour of the Cordwainers' Arms, thinking of his speech for the evening,—thinking, too, of Polly Neefit. And then, of a sudden, it occurred to him that it would be good to write a letter to Polly from Percycross. Surely the fact that he was waging this grand battle would have some effect upon her heart. So he wrote the following letter, which reached Polly about a week after her return home from Margate.
Cordwainers' Arms Inn, Percycross,
14 October, 186—.
My dear Polly,—
I hope you won't be angry with me for writing to you. I am here in the midst of the turmoil54 of a contested election, and I cannot refrain from writing to tell you about it. Out of a full heart they say the mouth speaks, and out of a very full heart I am speaking to you with my pen. The honourable55 prospect56 of having a seat in the British House of Parliament, which I regard as the highest dignity that a Briton can enjoy, is very much to me, and fills my mind, and my heart, and my soul; but it all is not so much to me as your love, if only I could win that seat. If I could sit there, in your heart, and be chosen by you, not for a short seven years, but for life, I should be prouder and happier of that honour than of any other. It ought not, perhaps, to be so, but it is. I have to speak here to the people very often; but I never open my mouth without thinking that if I had you to hear me I could speak with more energy and spirit. If I could gain your love and the seat for this borough together, I should have done more then than emperor, or conqueror57, or high priest ever accomplished58.
I don't know whether you understand much about elections. When I first came here I was joined with a gentleman who was one of the old members;—but now I stand alone, because he does not comprehend or sympathise with the advanced doctrines which it is my mission to preach to the people. Purity and the Rights of Labour;—those are my watchwords. But there are many here who hate the very name of Purity, and who know nothing of the Rights of Labour. Labour, dear Polly, is the salt of the earth; and I hope that some day I may have the privilege of teaching you that it is so. For myself I do not see why ladies should not understand politics as well as men; and I think that they ought to vote. I hope you think that women ought to have the franchise59.
We are to be nominated on Monday, and the election will take place on Tuesday. I shall be nominated and seconded by two electors who are working men. I would sooner have their support than that of the greatest magnate in the land. But your support would be better for me than anything else in the world. People here, as a rule, are very lukewarm about the ballot, and they seemed to know very little about strikes till I came among them. Without combination and mutual60 support the working people must be ground to powder. If I am sent to Parliament I shall feel it to be my duty to insist upon this doctrine in season and out of season,—whenever I can make my voice heard. But, oh Polly, if I could do it with you for my wife, my voice would be so much louder.
Pray give my best respects to your father and mother. I am afraid I have not your father's good wishes, but perhaps if he saw me filling the honourable position of member of Parliament for Percycross he might relent. If you would condescend to write me one word in reply I should be prouder of that than of anything. I suppose I shall be here till Wednesday morning. If you would say but one kind word to me, I think that it would help me on the great day.
I am, and ever shall be,
Your most affectionate admirer,
Ontario Moggs.
"Out of a full heart they say the mouth speaks, and out of a very full heart I am speaking to you with my pen."
Out of a full heart they say the mouth
speaks,and out of a very full heart I
am speaking to you with my pen.
Click to ENLARGE
Polly received this on the Monday, the day of the nomination61, and though she did answer it at once, Ontario did not get her reply till the contest was over, and that great day had done its best and its worst for him. But Polly's letter shall be given here. To a well-bred young lady, living in good society, the mixture of politics and love which had filled Ontario's epistle might perhaps have been unacceptable. But Polly thought that the letter was a good letter; and was proud of being so noticed by a young man who was standing62 for Parliament. She sympathised with his enthusiasm; and thought that she should like to be taught by him that Labour was the Salt of the Earth,—if only he were not so awkward and long, and if his hands were habitually63 a little cleaner. She could not, however, take upon herself to give him any hope in that direction, and therefore confined her answer to the Parliamentary prospects64 of the hour.
Dear Mr. Moggs,—[she wrote]—I was very much pleased when I heard that you were going to stand for a member of Parliament, and I wish with all my heart that you may be successful. I shall think it a very great honour indeed to know a member of Parliament, as I have known you for nearly all my life. I am sure you will do a great deal of good, and prevent the people from being wicked. As for ladies voting, I don't think I should like that myself, though if I had twenty votes I would give them to you,—because I have known you so long.
Father and mother send their respects, and hope you will be successful.
Yours truly,
Maryanne Neefit.
Alexandra Cottage, Monday.
When Moggs received this letter he was, not unnaturally65, in a state of great agitation66 in reference to the contest through which he had just passed; but still he thought very much of it, and put it in his breast, where it would lie near his heart. Ah, if only one word of warmth had been allowed to escape from the writer, how happy could he have been. "Yes," he said scornfully,—"because she has known me all her life!" Nevertheless, the paper which her hand had pressed, and the letters which her fingers had formed, were placed close to his heart.
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1
allusion
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| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
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ballot
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| n.（不记名）投票，投票总数，投票权；vi.投票 | |
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bribery
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| n.贿络行为，行贿，受贿 | |
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iniquity
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| n.邪恶；不公正 | |
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manliness
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| 刚毅 | |
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6
spouting
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| n.水落管系统v.（指液体）喷出( spout的现在分词 )；滔滔不绝地讲；喋喋不休地说；喷水 | |
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interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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insanity
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| n.疯狂，精神错乱；极端的愚蠢，荒唐 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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deposed
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| v.罢免( depose的过去式和过去分词 )；（在法庭上）宣誓作证 | |
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futile
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| adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的 | |
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faction
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| n.宗派，小集团；派别；派系斗争 | |
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13
triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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15
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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borough
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| n.享有自治权的市镇；(英)自治市镇 | |
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martyr
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| n.烈士，殉难者；vt.杀害，折磨，牺牲 | |
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throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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19
avert
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| v.防止，避免；转移(目光、注意力等) | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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doctrine
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| n.教义；主义；学说 | |
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abominable
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| adj.可厌的，令人憎恶的 | |
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23
banished
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| v.放逐，驱逐( banish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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radical
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| n.激进份子，原子团，根号；adj.根本的，激进的，彻底的 | |
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persecution
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| n. 迫害,烦扰 | |
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herald
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| vt.预示...的来临，预告，宣布，欢迎 | |
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blazoned
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| v.广布( blazon的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布；夸示；装饰 | |
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28
condescended
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| 屈尊，俯就( condescend的过去式和过去分词 )； 故意表示和蔼可亲 | |
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condescend
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| v.俯就，屈尊；堕落，丢丑 | |
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doctrines
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| n.教条( doctrine的名词复数 )；教义；学说；（政府政策的）正式声明 | |
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31
canvassing
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| v.（在政治方面）游说( canvass的现在分词 )；调查（如选举前选民的）意见；为讨论而提出（意见等）；详细检查 | |
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32
iniquitous
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| adj.不公正的；邪恶的；高得出奇的 | |
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intimidation
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| n.恐吓，威胁 | |
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corruption
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| n.腐败，堕落，贪污 | |
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bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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36
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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sordid
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| adj.肮脏的，不干净的，卑鄙的，暗淡的 | |
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38
hoisted
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| 把…吊起，升起( hoist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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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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40
pickpockets
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| n.扒手( pickpocket的名词复数 ) | |
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41
woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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43
stinks
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| v.散发出恶臭( stink的第三人称单数 )；发臭味；名声臭；糟透 | |
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44
meddle
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| v.干预，干涉，插手 | |
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45
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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46
disdaining
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| 鄙视( disdain的现在分词 )； 不屑于做，不愿意做 | |
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47
adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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48
persistent
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| adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的 | |
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49
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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50
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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51
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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52
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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53
canvassed
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| v.（在政治方面）游说( canvass的过去式和过去分词 )；调查（如选举前选民的）意见；为讨论而提出（意见等）；详细检查 | |
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54
turmoil
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| n.骚乱，混乱，动乱 | |
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55
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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56
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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57
conqueror
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| n.征服者，胜利者 | |
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58
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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59
franchise
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| n.特许，特权，专营权，特许权 | |
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60
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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61
nomination
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| n.提名，任命，提名权 | |
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62
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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habitually
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| ad.习惯地，通常地 | |
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64
prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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65
unnaturally
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| adv.违反习俗地；不自然地；勉强地；不近人情地 | |
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agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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