I was delighted when I received an invitation from my good friends of the Smithsonian Institution to join them in a pleasant room opening on a balcony and overlooking Pennsylvania Avenue, where we were to have a collation3 and witness the parade. My husband's sixteen-year-old sister, Fanny, was with me, and she was literally4 wild with delight. The rest of the party were Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Baird, little Lucy Baird, Mr. Gerard, and Mr. Turner. Little eight-year-old Lucy was the belle5 16 of the occasion; so wise in scientific matters, knowing so much about "specimens6" and "extinct species" that we felt ourselves heavy and ignorant beside her. "Come now, Lucy," said Mr. Turner, "I expect you to take care of me on this occasion. These are painful scenes for an Englishman. When you see the Continental7 troops coming, give me the wink8, and I'll slip away and stir the punch. Those are the fellows who whipped the British!"
The elements frowned upon the change of administration. The sun was blanketed with dark clouds, from which the snow fell thickly—not a soft, enfolding snow, but snow driven by an angry wind. The crowd in the avenue was immense; swelled9 by the presence of the largest number of strangers ever before gathered at an Inauguration10, the majority of whom were members of the mighty11 army of office-seekers from the party recently come into power. From the White House to the Capitol, windows, balconies, and roofs were thronged12; and the sidewalks of the avenue were filled with a motley crowd of men, women, and children, foreigners, government clerks, and negroes.
About twelve o'clock the boom of a great gun announced the moving of the procession. The throng13 in the streets surged toward the gates of the Capitol, and "lined up" on either side awaiting the arrival of the cortège. Carriages filled with women and children, some of them with the emblazoned panels of foreign ministers, passed rapidly in advance of the cavalcade—the police actively14 engaged the while in keeping the waiting crowd 17 within bounds. Presently distant music was heard, and a mighty cheer announced the near approach of the escort. Six marshals in gay scarfs led the procession. Then came the "flying artillery15," drawn16 by fifty or more horses. An interval17, and then platoons of soldiers of diverse battalions18 filled square after square, and band after band of martial19 music mingled20 with the cheers of the crowd.
We were all out now on the balcony, little Lucy keenly alert. Presently she touched Mr. Turner on his arm and he fled! The Continentals21 were passing.
Following these, in an open carriage drawn by four fine horses, came our President: the youngest, handsomest President we had ever elected. As he neared our balcony we stood up, waved and cheered, and threw him flowers, and so winning in their enthusiasm were little Lucy (her mind being now quite at rest about Mr. Turner) and my own young sister, that the President rose and bared his head to us.
A platform had been erected22 over the steps of the east wing, and on it was a table holding a Bible. The distinguished23 officials of the time were seated around this table, and beneath it the crowd pushed and scrambled24 and struggled for place within hearing. Instantly there was silence. The slender, almost boyish figure of our President approached the table, and with bared head under the falling snow stood for a moment surveying the crowd.
His face was pale, and his countenance25 wore an expression of weary sadness. When he took the 18 oath he did not, as is the custom, use the word "swear." Placing his left hand on the Bible without raising the book, he raised his right and, looking upward, "affirmed" that, God helping26 him, he would be faithful to his trust.
There were tears in his voice, but it was musical, and his enunciation27 was clear and distinct.
Only two months before, his only child, a beautiful boy of thirteen, had been killed in a railroad collision—killed before his parents' eyes! His address began, "My countrymen! It is a relief to feel that no heart but my own can know the personal regret and bitter sorrow over which I have been borne to a position so suitable for others rather than desirable for myself."
The public does not tolerate the intrusion of a man's personal joys and griefs into his official life. However willing the world may be to sympathize, it considers this indicative of a mind lacking fineness and delicacy28. To keep one's inner self in the background should be the instinct, and is surely the policy, of every man and woman who aspires29 to popularity.
There were many who quickly criticised this unfortunate sentence of the President. The Whig journals sneered30 at it as "a trick of the orator31 to awaken32 personal interest before proceeding33 to unfold his public policy." But he had the sympathetic tears of many of his audience.
His address went on to discuss the annexation34 of Cuba—a dream which lasted through many subsequent years. The Pearl of the Antilles was ardently35 19 coveted36 as a pendant to our chain of states, but she will never belong to us, unless as the result of more misfortune. The President then pledged himself to the never dying Monroe Doctrine37, prayed appealingly for the preservation38 of our union, and touched upon the troubled questions which, despite all our wars and sufferings, are not yet fully39 settled. And then, amid cheers and shouts and salvos of artillery, he was driven to his new home, and it was all over.
Three days after the inauguration the Cabinet nominations40 were sent to the Senate. Mr. Marcy was to be Secretary of State; Mr. Guthrie, Secretary of the Treasury41; Jefferson Davis, of War; James Dobbin, of the Navy; Robert McClelland, of the Interior; James Campbell, Postmaster-General; Caleb Cushing, Attorney-General—four men from the North, three from the South. These, then, with their families, were to lead the social life of Washington for four years. The Executive Mansion42, shrouded43 in gloom, could never become a social centre.
We had the honor of knowing well the three most distinguished of these men, Mr. Marcy, Mr. Davis, and Mr. Cushing.
Mr. Marcy, the best-known member of the Cabinet, strong, honest, and an adroit44 politician, was a man of rugged45 and abrupt46 manners, yet a great favorite with the ladies. We at once became keenly interested in his initial proceedings47. He was sternly democratic in his ideas. Absorbing as were the cares of his department, exciting and menacing as 20 were the questions of the hour, he inaugurated his official life by settling matters of dress and etiquette48—so far as they related to the presence of American envoys49 at foreign courts. President Jackson had been supposed to be democratic, but he was a bloated aristocrat50 beside Mr. Marcy. Jackson had rejected the prescribed court dress,—embroidered51 cuffs52 and cape53, white breeches, gold knee-buckles54, white silk stockings, gold shoe-buckles, chapeau-bras, cockade, eagle, white feather, and sword. Alackaday, that we should have lost all this bravery! Jackson decreed no cape at all (such a friendly fashion to laden55 shoulders), no embroidery56 except a gold star on the coat-collar,—but breeches and modest buckles, a sword, a chapeau-bras with eagle and cockade.
Now why should Mr. Marcy make trouble by meddling57 with the cut of the garments of our representatives abroad—at a time, too, when such a number of serious questions were about to come before him; when filibusters58 were at work, a war with Spain imminent59, treaties to be made with Mexico, and fishery questions to be settled with England? Simply, I suppose, because great men all over the world have condescended60 to prescribe in trifling61 matters—matters belonging to the chef, the milliner, the arbiter62 of fleeting63 fashions. It would seem that the greater the man the greater his appreciation64 of trifles. Everything to him is important—from the signing of a treaty to the tying of a shoestring65.
The consequences of Mr. Marcy's meddling were 21 far-reaching. On June 1, 1853, he issued a circular recommending that our representatives abroad should, in order to show their devotion to republican institutions, appear whenever practicable in the simple dress of an American citizen.
Our Minister at Berne found the court of Switzerland quite willing to receive him in his citizen's dress. The Ministers at Turin and Brussels reported they would have no difficulty in carrying out the instructions of the State Department. The representative at Berlin was at once informed that such action would be considered disrespectful. The king of Sweden insisted on court dress at social functions. Mr. August Belmont, at The Hague, received a cold permission from the king to dress as he pleased—and it is recorded (as matter for gratitude66 on the part of the American Minister) that after all, and notwithstanding, the queen actually danced with him in his citizen's dress, and the king condescended to shake him by the hand and to talk with him!
Mr. Mason, at the French court, could not face the music! He consulted his wife, and together they agreed upon a compromise. He appeared in an embroidered coat, sword, and cocked hat, and had the misfortune to receive from Mr. Marcy a severe rebuke67.
Mr. Buchanan, at the court of St. James, having no wife to consult, thought long and anxiously on the subject. The question was still unsettled at the opening of Parliament in February, 1854. Our Minister did not attend,—he had "nothing to 22 wear,"—whereupon "there was quite a sensation in the House of Lords." "Indeed," he wrote to Mr. Marcy, "I have found difficulty in preventing this incident from becoming a subject of inquiry68 and remark in the House of Commons." Think of that! At a time when England was on the eve of a war with Russia, all the newspapers, court officials, House of Commons, exercised about the dress of the American Minister! The London Times stated that on a diplomatic occasion "the American Minister sate69 unpleasantly conscious of his singularity." The London Chronicle blamed General Pierce's republican ill manners, and the "American puppyism," and continued: "There is not the least reason why her Majesty70 should be troubled to receive the 'gentleman in the black coat' from Yankee-land! He can say his say at the Foreign Office, dine at a chop-house in King Street, sleep at the old Hummums, and be off as he came, per liner, when his business is done."
Poor Mr. Buchanan, sorely pressed, conceived the idea of costuming himself like General Washington, and to that end examined Stuart's portrait. He may even have gone so far as to indulge in a private rehearsal71—queue, powdered wig72, and all; but he seems to have perceived he would only make himself ridiculous; so he took his life in his hands and—brave gentleman as he was—appeared at the queen's levee in the dress of an American citizen; and she, true lady as she was, settled the matter, for her court at least, by receiving him as she did all others. Mr. Buchanan wrote to his 23 niece, Miss Harriet Lane, "I wore a sword to gratify those who yielded so much, and to distinguish me from the upper court servants."
Mr. Soulé, at the court of Madrid, adopted the costume of Benjamin Franklin at the court of Louis XVI—sword, chapeau, black velvet73, and much embroidery, looking, "with his black eyes, black looks, and pale complexion74, less like the philosopher whose costume he imitated than the master of Ravenswood." There had been a lively discussion among the Austrian and Mexican Ministers and the Countess of Montijo, the mother of the Empress Eugénie and of the Duchess of Alba, whether or no he should be rejected; but Mr. Soulé did not know this. The queen received him, he wrote to Mr. Marcy, "with marked attention and courtesy."
There is no telling whether this simple deviation75 from the prescribed court dress was not the real cause of Mr. Soulé's serious troubles at court. It was the Duke of Alba who provided the spark which fired the train of Spanish indignation against him and occasioned a quarrel which resulted in two duels76 and strained relations which were never reconciled.
It is always dangerous to infringe77 upon accepted rules of etiquette, even in association with those who are themselves defiant78 of these rules. I discovered that Mr. Marcy was very jealous of respect due to himself, as well as to his government.
He was a prime favorite, as I have said, with the ladies—and with none more than the charming 24 family of "Father Ritchie," as we called one of Washington's most esteemed80 citizens. Mr. Ritchie had been editor for forty years of the Richmond Enquirer81, which he had founded under the auspices82 of Thomas Jefferson, and made one of the most influential83 Democratic papers of the country. His home in Washington was noted84 for elegant hospitality. He lived next door to Mr. Corcoran on Lafayette Square, near St. John's Church. He had lovely daughters, and whenever Mr. Marcy appeared in the salons85 of the town, one or more of these ladies was sure to be with him.
It so happened that some of us were much interested in a poor, worthy86 young man, who desired a position in the State Department. His application had long ago been filed in the office and we were afraid he had been forgotten. We longed to ask Mr. Marcy about it, but did not know how we could manage to bring the subject to his notice.
"Let's make Ann Eliza ask him," suggested one. Now, Ann Eliza Ritchie was a beauty, as fascinating a young creature as the Lord ever made, irresistible87 alike to man and woman. She hesitated,—everybody was afraid of Mr. Marcy—but goaded88 on by us, she ventured:—
"Oh, Mr. Marcy" (Virginia girls always begin with "Oh"), "Oh, Mr. Marcy! They all want to know if you are going to appoint Mr. Randolph in your department."
The lion turned. He did not growl89, he simply roared: "What do you mean, madame? How 25 dare you take the bull by the horns in this unseemly manner?"
And so no more of Ann Eliza Ritchie. And so no more of the rest of us. We learned a lesson we never forgot; namely, not to meddle90 in Cabinet affairs, but to content ourselves with the honor of amusing great men,—in short, to know our place and keep it.
Mr. Jefferson Davis had been an eminent91 public man long before the presidency92 of Mr. Pierce. He was a graduate of West Point. He had been an officer in the Indian wars. He was in the House of Representatives at the age of thirty-seven. John Quincy Adams heard his maiden93 speech and said: "That young man is no ordinary man. He will make his mark yet, mind me." His devotion to reading and study amounted to a passion. He had served as a colonel in the Mexican War. It was said of him that "his brilliant movement at Buena Vista94 carried the day, and that his tactical conception was worthy of a C?sar or a Napoleon."[2]
He was afterward95 a member for four years of the United States Senate, and although defeated in a gubernatorial contest in Mississippi, he rose rapidly in the esteem79 of the people of his own section; and now, at the age of forty-five, he was the "leader of the Southern people, and successor of John C. Calhoun." He was leader a few years later in the Battle of the Giants, fought so bitterly in Mr. Buchanan's time. 26
Of Mr. Caleb Cushing I knew less than I did of Mr. Davis and Mr. Marcy. He had great learning, great ability, wide experience in public life. He has been described as a "scholar, author, lawyer, statesman, diplomatist, general, and judge." He was one of the rare class of men who are precocious96 in childhood and youth, and who go intellectually from strength to strength as long as they live. He was graduated from Harvard when only seventeen years of age. He was a most attractive man in manner and address, and a fascinating public speaker. He could quote the "Iliad" from beginning to end, and could speak to each one of the foreign ambassadors in his own tongue.
Mr. Cushing sent an editorial nearly every day to the Washington union, of which my husband was associate editor. No compliment upon his own articles which my husband ever received was more gratefully appreciated than one from Mr. Cushing. A serious difference of opinion had arisen with the senior editor, because of a paper upon the Anglo-Russian war, in which my husband warmly advocated the side of Russia. He declined retracting98 his words (which were copied and translated abroad), and finally gave up his position on the paper rather than express sentiments other than his own. Mr. Cushing applauded him, and bade him stand fearlessly by an argument, "unanswered and unanswerable."
Shortly after this Mr. Pierce appointed my husband special Minister to Greece. I longed to go with him to Athens, but my mother's health was 27 frail99, and I felt I could not leave her. So I returned to my home in Virginia with my children, and their father went on his mission alone. When it was accomplished100, the Pierce administration was drawing to a close.
My temporary home was near Charlottesville, and thither101, on his way South, came the President to spend a day and to visit Monticello, the home of the Father of Democracy. He wrote to me, inviting102 me to spend the evening with him and a few friends at his hotel. We had a delightful103 evening. He told me all I wished to know of the exile far away in Greece, expressed warm friendship for him and his, and presented me with two gorgeous volumes, bound sumptuously104 in green morocco, and inscribed105, from my "friend Franklin Pierce," in his own fine handwriting. I played at his request, he sitting the while beside the piano. I selected Henselt's "L'Elisire d'Amour" and "La Gondola," to the great delight of the President. The other day I read, from the pen of some irreverent critic, of the "lilting puerilities of the innocuous Henselt." All the same, these puerilities pleased the President, and will charm the world until the end of time.
I feel that I have said too little of Mr. Pierce in this sketch106 of the men we knew. I cannot hope to convey an adequate conception of his captivating voice and manner. Surely its source was in genuine kindness of heart. I knew nothing of him as a politician. It was urged against him that he was extremely partial to the South. I know the South 28 honored and loved him always. It was said that "Franklin Pierce could not say 'No'"—a weakness which doubtless caused him a world of trouble in his political relations, but to which he may have owed something of the indescribable charm for which he was conspicuous107. Mr. Seward, his political opponent, wrote to his wife: "The President has a very winning way in his manners." I can fully understand the beautiful friendship between him and Nathaniel Hawthorne. How exquisite108 the answer of the author when chidden because he had dedicated109 a book to the President, after the latter had become unpopular: "Unpopular, is he? If he is so exceedingly unpopular that his name is enough to sink the volume, there is so much the more need that an old friend should stand by him."
Hawthorne had then arrived at the height of his own popularity, while his friend, on account of his fancied Southern sympathies, had lost the friendship of his own people. A bitter lot for a sensitive patriot110, who had done his best! "An angel can no more!"
My residence in Washington during the Pierce administration was too short to afford me more than a brief glimpse of the social life of the city, but I keenly enjoyed that glimpse. I had the good fortune to find favor, as I have said, with the old residents, and also with the Hon. W. W. Corcoran, at whose house the best of the old and new could always be found.
There I met many distinguished people. I remember especially General Winfield Scott, Sam 29 Houston, and Washington Irving. General Scott, grand, imposing111, and ceremonious, never failed to tell everybody that he had been groomsman for my husband's father—he had been born in Petersburg, Virginia. He addressed all young women as "fair lady." He was a great hero and a splendid old fellow in every particular, and he never for a moment forgot his heroism112 and his splendor113. People called him "vain." So great a man could not be accused of vanity—"the food of fools." He had a reasonable pride in what he had achieved, but his was certainly not the kind of pride that apes humility114.
As for old Sam Houston, he had had romance enough in his past life for a dozen heroes. He had lived many years among the Indians, had fought in many wars, had achieved the independence of Texas—what had he not done? Now he was Senator from Texas, very popular, and rather impatient, one might judge, of the confinement115 and restraints of his position. It was amusing to see the little pages of the Senate Chamber116 providing him with small bundles of soft pine sticks, which he would smuggle117 into his desk with a rather shamefaced expression. Doubled up over this desk, his face almost covered with his hanging eyebrows118 and iron-gray whiskers, he occupied himself in whittling119 sticks as a safety-valve for unrest while listening to the long speeches, lasting120 sometimes until midnight. He would prove afterward in his brilliant conversation that he had not lost a word. Sometimes the pine under his knife would take shape in little crosses, amulets121, etc. He was known, 30 now and then, to draw from the pocket of his tiger-skin vest an exquisitely122 carved heart and present it to some young lady whose beauty attracted him.
Then there was Washington Irving,—an old man with but a few years to live. He died before the end of the next administration. One would never think him old,—so keen and alert was he,—but for his trick of suddenly falling asleep for a minute or two in the middle of a conversation. A whisper, "Sh-h-h," would pass from one to another, "Mr. Irving is asleep;" and in a moment he would wake up, rub his hands, and exclaim, "Well, as we were saying," taking up the conversation just where he had left it.
My little sister worshipped Mr. Irving. "Only let me see him," she pleaded; "only let me touch the hand that wrote the 'Sketch Book.'"
I repeated this when I introduced her, and he said: "Ah, yes, yes! I know! I have heard all that before—many times before. And just as I am getting happy over it, here comes a young fellow, some whipper-snapper who never wrote a line, and [mimicking] it's 'Good evening, Mr. Irving, I am glad to have met you.'"
It happened that my sister had not heard. She was already distraite. Her favorite friend had appeared, and she at once echoed, "Good evening, Mr. Irving, I am glad to have met you," to the old gentleman's infinite delight and amusement. I was proud to have had even a word with "America's most celebrated123 writer: exquisite in courtesy and fidelity124 and of lofty purity of character." He died in 1859—the 31 heart which had ached so long for the death of an early love failing him suddenly at "Sleepy Hollow," his home on the Hudson. His country scarcely noticed his death! That country, crazed on the subject of slavery, was writing columns on columns about John Brown.
One morning, when I was passing the corner of Fifteenth Street, below President Square, my steps were arrested by a large crowd which had assembled in front of the bank of Corcoran & Riggs. "Dear me," I thought, "has the bank failed?" But the green blinds of the plain two-storied building were all open, and presently through the opening door, escorted by Mr. Riggs himself, came a slight little maid in a Connemara cloak and hood97. Mr. Riggs put her in a waiting carriage, slammed the door, and, with a look which said plainly to the waiting crowd, "No more this time," re?ntered the house.
The little lady was Adelina Patti—just sixteen—and Mr. Riggs's guest during the few days she spent in Washington on her way to meet Southern engagements. Congressmen tendered her a complimentary125 benefit, and she sang in a small hall, supported by a few local musicians. She stood before us in a simple muslin slip, her dark hair bound with a narrow blue velvet ribbon,—a Scottish "snood,"—and never, in all her brilliant life, was she more appreciated, more admired.
I could remember a time of musical dearth126 in Virginia, relieved only by rare occasions when the dimly lighted concert rooms would be filled by eager listeners to wandering minstrels: the Hutchinson 32 family, Anna Bishop127, the Orpheans, Parodi, and Amalia Patti. After a while Strakosch appeared with an infant phenomenon. She looked precisely128 like a French doll, with her little round face, pink cheeks, and big black eyes, dressed in short frocks of rose-color or blue silk. But she sang like a linnet on a bough129; and it was comical to see her in her duets inclining her small head toward her contralto, after the manner of other divas. This was the ten-year-old Adelina Patti!
"What does she keep in her throat?" asked a little girl near her own age—adding comfortably, "Never mind, we will find out when she dies!"
Maurice Strakosch accompanied her on a square piano placed upon the floor, the platform being often too narrow to admit it. He played, frequently turning his face to the audience, nodding and smiling, as if to say:—
The midget had an uncertain temper in those days. Travelling once in the same car with a lady who took her fancy, she found an opportunity to free her mind of her opinion of her troupe131: Amalia was jealous of her; Amalia would shake and pinch her behind the scenes if the audience applauded her; Strakosch was utterly132 horrid—just observe his great hands! Not for worlds would she sing for him were it not for the sugar-plums!
At the end of the journey Strakosch approached the little girl and held out his hand to take her to her sister. 33
"I am not going with you," said Adelina, "I am going home with this lady."
"Ah, but impossible!" said Strakosch.
"I will!" said the small rebel. "You know I always do things when I say 'I will.'"
"Why not?" said the lady (she was Mrs. Glasgow, the lovely mother of Ellen Glasgow, the authoress). "Why not? Let her come with me! I will take good care of her."
Strakosch shrugged133 his shoulders. A scene was imminent. "If I consent, Adelina," he said at last, "will you be sure to be ready when I come for you for rehearsal? Will you be sure to sing?"
"Will you be sure to bring me back?"
"Sure—I promise."
"How much candy?" was the next excited question.
"A whole pound."
"No—not enough!"
"Two pounds," said Strakosch, glancing around to satisfy himself that the scene attracted admirers and possible concert goers.
"Not enough," persisted Adelina, shaking her head.
"A hatful!" cried Strakosch, and won the day.
Mrs. Glasgow devoted134 herself to the little girl for the four days of her stay. On the last evening she invited ten or fifteen child neighbors to a dolls' party with Adelina Patti. At the end of the evening she said: "Now, Adelina, these little girls have been very kind to you. They have brought you lovely flowers—I wish you to sing one little song for them." 34
A shrewd look possessed135 the tiny face. "Sing—for—them! Sing without money! Mais non! J'ai toujours beaucoup des fleurs."
She disappeared for a while from public view. I saw her no more until her visit to Washington. Later, if I may anticipate, during Mr. Buchanan's administration, she made her début in "Lucia di Lammermoor." People fought for seats and boxes. Three rival beauties secured the three best—tiny, comfortless stalls—at ninety dollars each. It was something to see Miss Harriet Lane, Mrs. John R. Thompson, and Mrs. Stephen A. Douglas in those three boxes! Each was filled with beautiful women, and the Cabinet officers and Senators stood behind.
"What is all this about?" asked Judge Douglas, the "Little Giant."
"The opera follows Scott's 'Bride of Lammermoor,'" I gently suggested.
"Whose bride was she? Where did she live?" asked the mighty man, the famous Senator who came so near being President.
"I doubt whether she lived at all," I told him. "She is a creature of pure imagination, I'm afraid."
"Oh!" said the Senator, contemptuously, and gave no more attention to the stage nor to the divine artist upon it.
As I had come to Washington from Virginia, where everybody's great-grandfather knew my great-grandfather, where the rules of etiquette were only those of courtesy and good breeding, I had many a troubled moment in my early Washington life, lest I should transgress136 some law of precedence, etc. I 35 wisely took counsel with one of my "old residents," and she gave me a few simple rules whereby the young chaperon of a very young girl might be guided: "My dear," said this lady, "My dear, you know you cannot always have your husband to attend you. It will be altogether proper for you to go with your sister to morning and afternoon receptions. When you arrive, send for the host or the master of ceremonies, and he will take you in and present you. Of course, your husband will take you to balls; if he is busy, you simply cannot go! I think you would do well to make a rule never, under any circumstances, to drive in men's carriages. There are so many foreigners here, you must be careful. They never bring their own court manners to Washington. They take their cue from the people they meet. If you are high and haughty137, they will be high and haughty. If you are genially138 civil but reserved, they will be so. If you talk personalities139 in a free and easy way, they will spring some audacious piece of scandal on you, and the Lord only knows where they'll end."
Now, it so happened that I had just received a request from a Frenchman who had brought letters, to be allowed to escort Madame and Mademoiselle to a fête in Georgetown. We were to drive through the avenue of blossoming crab-apples, and rendezvous140 at a spring for a picnic. I forget the name of our hostess, but she had arranged a gay festival, including music and dancing on the green. I had accepted this invitation and the escort of M. Raoul, and received a note from him asking at what hour 36 he should have the honor, etc., and I immediately ran home and wrote that "Madame would be happy to see M. Raoul à trois heures"—and that Madame asked the privilege of using her own horses, etc. I made haste to engage an open carriage and congratulated myself on my clever management.
The afternoon was delicious. Monsieur appeared on the moment, and we waited for my carriage. The gay equipages of other members of the party drove up and waited for us. Presently, rattling141 down the street, came an old ramshackle "night-hawk," bearing the mud-and-dust scars of many journeys, the seats ragged143 and tarnished144, raw-boned horses, with rat-eaten manes and tails, harness tied with rope,—the only redeeming145 feature the old negro on the box, who, despite his humiliating entourage, had the air of a gentleman.
What could I do? There was nothing to be done!
Monsieur handed me in without moving a muscle of his face, handed in my sister, entered himself, and spoke146 no word during the drive. He conducted us gravely to the place of rendezvous, silently and gravely walked around the grounds with us, silently and gravely brought us home again.
I grew hot and cold by turns, and almost shed tears of mortification147. I made no apology—what could I say? Arriving at my own door, I turned and invited my escort to enter. He raised his hat and, with an air of the deepest dejection, dashed with something very like sarcastic148 humility, said he trusted Madame had enjoyed the afternoon—thanked 37 her for the honor done himself—and only regretted the disappointment of the French Minister, the Count de Sartiges, at not having been allowed to serve Madame with his own state coach, which had been placed at his disposal for Madame's pleasure!
As he turned away my chagrin149 was such I came near forgetting to give my coachman his little "tip."
I began, "Oh, Uncle, how could you?" when he interrupted: "Now, Mistis, don't you say nothin'. I knowed dis ole fune'al hack142 warn't fittin' for you, but der warn't nar another kerridge in de stable. De boss say, 'Go 'long, Jerry, an' git 'er dar!'—an' I done done it! An' I done fotch 'er back, too!"
I never saw M. Raoul afterward. There's no use crying over spilt milk, or broken eggs, or French monsieurs, or even French counts and Ministers. I soon left for Virginia, and to be relieved of the dread150 of meeting M. Raoul softened151 my regret at leaving Washington.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
gales
|
|
| 龙猫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
inaugural
|
|
| adj.就职的；n.就职典礼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
collation
|
|
| n.便餐；整理 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
literally
|
|
| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
belle
|
|
| n.靓女 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
specimens
|
|
| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
continental
|
|
| adj.大陆的，大陆性的，欧洲大陆的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
wink
|
|
| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
swelled
|
|
| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
inauguration
|
|
| n.开幕、就职典礼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
mighty
|
|
| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
thronged
|
|
| v.成群，挤满( throng的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
throng
|
|
| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
actively
|
|
| adv.积极地，勤奋地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
artillery
|
|
| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
drawn
|
|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
interval
|
|
| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
battalions
|
|
| n.（陆军的）一营（大约有一千兵士）( battalion的名词复数 )；协同作战的部队；军队；（组织在一起工作的）队伍 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
martial
|
|
| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
mingled
|
|
| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
continentals
|
|
| n.（欧洲）大陆人( continental的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
ERECTED
|
|
| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
distinguished
|
|
| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
scrambled
|
|
| v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
countenance
|
|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
helping
|
|
| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
enunciation
|
|
| n.清晰的发音；表明，宣言；口齿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
delicacy
|
|
| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
aspires
|
|
| v.渴望，追求( aspire的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
sneered
|
|
| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
orator
|
|
| n.演说者，演讲者，雄辩家 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
awaken
|
|
| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
proceeding
|
|
| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
annexation
|
|
| n.吞并，合并 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
ardently
|
|
| adv.热心地，热烈地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
coveted
|
|
| adj.令人垂涎的；垂涎的，梦寐以求的v.贪求，觊觎(covet的过去分词)；垂涎；贪图 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
doctrine
|
|
| n.教义；主义；学说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
preservation
|
|
| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
fully
|
|
| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
nominations
|
|
| n.提名，任命( nomination的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
treasury
|
|
| n.宝库；国库，金库；文库 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
mansion
|
|
| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
shrouded
|
|
| v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 )；保密 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
adroit
|
|
| adj.熟练的，灵巧的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
rugged
|
|
| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
abrupt
|
|
| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
proceedings
|
|
| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
etiquette
|
|
| n.礼仪，礼节；规矩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
envoys
|
|
| 使节( envoy的名词复数 )； 公使； 谈判代表； 使节身份 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
aristocrat
|
|
| n.贵族，有贵族气派的人，上层人物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
embroidered
|
|
| adj．绣花的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
cuffs
|
|
| n.袖口( cuff的名词复数 )v.掌打，拳打( cuff的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
cape
|
|
| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
buckles
|
|
| 搭扣，扣环( buckle的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
laden
|
|
| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
embroidery
|
|
| n.绣花，刺绣；绣制品 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
meddling
|
|
| v.干涉，干预（他人事务）( meddle的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
filibusters
|
|
| n.掠夺兵( filibuster的名词复数 )；暴兵；（用冗长的发言）阻挠议事的议员；会议妨碍行为v.阻碍或延宕国会或其他立法机构通过提案( filibuster的第三人称单数 )；掠夺 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
imminent
|
|
| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
condescended
|
|
| 屈尊，俯就( condescend的过去式和过去分词 )； 故意表示和蔼可亲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
trifling
|
|
| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
arbiter
|
|
| n.仲裁人，公断人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
fleeting
|
|
| adj.短暂的，飞逝的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
appreciation
|
|
| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
shoestring
|
|
| n.小额资本；adj.小本经营的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
gratitude
|
|
| adj.感激，感谢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
rebuke
|
|
| v.指责，非难，斥责 [反]praise | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
inquiry
|
|
| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
sate
|
|
| v.使充分满足 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
majesty
|
|
| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
rehearsal
|
|
| n.排练，排演；练习 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
wig
|
|
| n.假发 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
velvet
|
|
| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
complexion
|
|
| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
deviation
|
|
| n.背离，偏离；偏差，偏向；离题 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
duels
|
|
| n.两男子的决斗( duel的名词复数 )；竞争，斗争 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
infringe
|
|
| v.违反，触犯，侵害 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
defiant
|
|
| adj.无礼的，挑战的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
esteem
|
|
| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
esteemed
|
|
| adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
enquirer
|
|
| 寻问者，追究者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
auspices
|
|
| n.资助，赞助 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
influential
|
|
| adj.有影响的，有权势的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
noted
|
|
| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
salons
|
|
| n.（营业性质的）店( salon的名词复数 )；厅；沙龙（旧时在上流社会女主人家的例行聚会或聚会场所）；（大宅中的）客厅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
worthy
|
|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
irresistible
|
|
| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
goaded
|
|
| v.刺激( goad的过去式和过去分词 )；激励；（用尖棒）驱赶；驱使（或怂恿、刺激）某人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
growl
|
|
| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
meddle
|
|
| v.干预，干涉，插手 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
eminent
|
|
| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
presidency
|
|
| n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
maiden
|
|
| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
vista
|
|
| n.远景，深景，展望，回想 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
afterward
|
|
| adv.后来；以后 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
precocious
|
|
| adj.早熟的；较早显出的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
hood
|
|
| n.头巾，兜帽，覆盖；v.罩上，以头巾覆盖 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
retracting
|
|
| v.撤回或撤消( retract的现在分词 )；拒绝执行或遵守；缩回；拉回 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
frail
|
|
| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
accomplished
|
|
| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
thither
|
|
| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
inviting
|
|
| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
delightful
|
|
| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
sumptuously
|
|
| 奢侈地，豪华地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
inscribed
|
|
| v.写，刻( inscribe的过去式和过去分词 )；内接 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
sketch
|
|
| n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
conspicuous
|
|
| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
exquisite
|
|
| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
dedicated
|
|
| adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
patriot
|
|
| n.爱国者，爱国主义者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
imposing
|
|
| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
heroism
|
|
| n.大无畏精神，英勇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
splendor
|
|
| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
humility
|
|
| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
confinement
|
|
| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
chamber
|
|
| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
smuggle
|
|
| vt.私运；vi.走私 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
eyebrows
|
|
| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
whittling
|
|
| v.切，削（木头），使逐渐变小( whittle的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
lasting
|
|
| adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
amulets
|
|
| n.护身符( amulet的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
exquisitely
|
|
| adv.精致地；强烈地；剧烈地；异常地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
celebrated
|
|
| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
124
fidelity
|
|
| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
complimentary
|
|
| adj.赠送的，免费的，赞美的，恭维的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
dearth
|
|
| n.缺乏，粮食不足，饥谨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
bishop
|
|
| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
precisely
|
|
| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
bough
|
|
| n.大树枝，主枝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
marvel
|
|
| vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异；n.令人惊异的事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
troupe
|
|
| n.剧团，戏班；杂技团；马戏团 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
utterly
|
|
| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
shrugged
|
|
| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
devoted
|
|
| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
possessed
|
|
| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
transgress
|
|
| vt.违反，逾越 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
137
haughty
|
|
| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
138
genially
|
|
| adv.亲切地，和蔼地；快活地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
personalities
|
|
| n. 诽谤，（对某人容貌、性格等所进行的）人身攻击； 人身攻击；人格, 个性, 名人( personality的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
140
rendezvous
|
|
| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
141
rattling
|
|
| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
142
hack
|
|
| n.劈，砍，出租马车；v.劈，砍，干咳 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
143
ragged
|
|
| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
144
tarnished
|
|
| （通常指金属）（使）失去光泽，（使）变灰暗( tarnish的过去式和过去分词 )； 玷污，败坏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
145
redeeming
|
|
| 补偿的，弥补的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
146
spoke
|
|
| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
147
mortification
|
|
| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
148
sarcastic
|
|
| adj.讥讽的，讽刺的，嘲弄的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
149
chagrin
|
|
| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
150
dread
|
|
| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
151
softened
|
|
| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |