It was a lively season, that winter of 1834! What hopes, what fears, and what bets! From the day on which Mr. Hudson was to arrive at Rome to the election of the Speaker, not a contingency12 that was not the subject of a wager13! People sprang up like mushrooms; town suddenly became full. Everybody who had been in office, and everybody who wished to be in office; everybody who had ever had anything, and everybody who ever expected to have anything, were alike visible. All of course by mere14 accident; one might meet the same men regularly every day for a month, who were only ‘passing through town.’
Now was the time for men to come forward who had never despaired of their country. True they had voted for the Reform Bill, but that was to prevent a revolution. And now they were quite ready to vote against the Reform Bill, but this was to prevent a dissolution. These are the true patriots15, whose confidence in the good sense of their countrymen and in their own selfishness is about equal. In the meantime, the hundred and forty threw a grim glance on the numerous waiters on Providence16, and amiable17 trimmers, who affectionately enquired18 every day when news might be expected of Sir Robert. Though too weak to form a government, and having contributed in no wise by their exertions19 to the fall of the late, the cohort of Parliamentary Tories felt all the alarm of men who have accidentally stumbled on some treasure-trove, at the suspicious sympathy of new allies. But, after all, who were to form the government, and what was the government to be? Was it to be a Tory government, or an Enlightened-Spirit-of-the-Age Liberal-Moderate-Reform government; was it to be a government of high philosophy or of low practice; of principle or of expediency20; of great measures or of little men? A government of statesmen or of clerks? Of Humbug21 or of Humdrum22? Great questions these, but unfortunately there was nobody to answer them. They tried the Duke; but nothing could be pumped out of him. All that he knew, which he told in his curt23, husky manner, was, that he had to carry on the King’s government. As for his solitary24 colleague, he listened and smiled, and then in his musical voice asked them questions in return, which is the best possible mode of avoiding awkward inquiries25. It was very unfair this; for no one knew what tone to take; whether they should go down to their public dinners and denounce the Reform Act or praise it; whether the Church was to be re-modelled or only admonished26; whether Ireland was to be conquered or conciliated.
‘This can’t go on much longer,’ said Taper27 to Tadpole28, as they reviewed together their electioneering correspondence on the 1st of December; ‘we have no cry.’
‘He is half way by this time,’ said Tadpole; ‘send an extract from a private letter to the Standard, dated Augsburg, and say he will be here in four days.’
At last he came; the great man in a great position, summoned from Rome to govern England. The very day that he arrived he had his audience with the King.
It was two days after this audience; the town, though November, in a state of excitement; clubs crowded, not only morning rooms, but halls and staircases swarming29 with members eager to give and to receive rumours30 equally vain; streets lined with cabs and chariots, grooms31 and horses; it was two days after this audience that Mr. Ormsby, celebrated32 for his political dinners, gave one to a numerous party. Indeed his saloons to-day, during the half-hour of gathering33 which precedes dinner, offered in the various groups, the anxious countenances34, the inquiring voices, and the mysterious whispers, rather the character of an Exchange or Bourse than the tone of a festive36 society.
Here might be marked a murmuring knot of greyheaded privy-councillors, who had held fat offices under Perceval and Liverpool, and who looked back to the Reform Act as to a hideous37 dream; there some middle-aged38 aspirants39 might be observed who had lost their seats in the convulsion, but who flattered themselves they had done something for the party in the interval40, by spending nothing except their breath in fighting hopeless boroughs41, and occasionally publishing a pamphlet, which really produced less effect than chalking the walls. Light as air, and proud as a young peacock, tripped on his toes a young Tory, who had contrived42 to keep his seat in a Parliament where he had done nothing, but who thought an Under-Secretaryship was now secure, particularly as he was the son of a noble Lord who had also in a public capacity plundered43 and blundered in the good old time. The true political adventurer, who with dull desperation had stuck at nothing, had never neglected a treasury44 note, had been present at every division, never spoke45 when he was asked to be silent, and was always ready on any subject when they wanted him to open his mouth; who had treated his leaders with servility even behind their backs, and was happy for the day if a future Secretary of the Treasury bowed to him; who had not only discountenanced discontent in the party, but had regularly reported in strict confidence every instance of insubordination which came to his knowledge; might there too be detected under all the agonies of the crisis; just beginning to feel the dread46 misgiving47, whether being a slave and a sneak48 were sufficient qualifications for office, without family or connection. Poor fellow! half the industry he had wasted on his cheerless craft might have made his fortune in some decent trade!
In dazzling contrast with these throes of low ambition, were some brilliant personages who had just scampered49 up from Melton, thinking it probable that Sir Robert might want some moral lords of the bed-chamber. Whatever may have been their private fears or feelings, all however seemed smiling and significant, as if they knew something if they chose to tell it, and that something very much to their own satisfaction. The only grave countenance35 that was occasionally ushered50 into the room belonged to some individual whose destiny was not in doubt, and who was already practising the official air that was in future to repress the familiarity of his former fellow-stragglers.
‘Do you hear anything?’ said a great noble who wanted something in the general scramble51, but what he knew not; only he had a vague feeling he ought to have something, having made such great sacrifices.
‘There is a report that Clifford is to be Secretary to the Board of Control,’ said Mr. Earwig, whose whole soul was in this subaltern arrangement, of which the Minister of course had not even thought; ‘but I cannot trace it to any authority.’
‘I wonder who will be their Master of the Horse,’ said the great noble, loving gossip though he despised the gossiper.
‘Clifford has done nothing for the party,’ said Mr. Earwig.
‘Your Lordship has not heard Clifford’s name mentioned?’ continued Mr. Earwig.
‘I should think they had not come to that sort of thing,’ said the great noble, with ill-disguised contempt.’ The first thing after the Cabinet is formed is the Household: the things you talk of are done last;’ and he turned upon his heel, and met the imperturbable53 countenance and clear sarcastic54 eye of Lord Eskdale.
‘Yes, a great deal since I have been in this room; but unfortunately it is all untrue.’
‘There is a report that Rambrooke is to have the Buck-hounds; but I cannot trace it to any authority.’
‘Pooh!’ said Lord Eskdale.
‘I don’t see that Rambrooke should have the Buckhounds any more than anybody else. What sacrifices has he made?’
‘Past sacrifices are nothing,’ said Lord Eskdale. ‘Present sacrifices are the thing we want: men who will sacrifice their principles and join us.’
‘You have not heard Rambrooke’s name mentioned?’
‘When a Minister has no Cabinet, and only one hundred and forty supporters in the House of Commons, he has something else to think of than places at Court,’ said Lord Eskdale, as he slowly turned away to ask Lucian Gay whether it were true that Jenny Colon56 was coming over.
Shortly after this, Henry Sydney’s father, who dined with Mr. Ornisby, drew Lord Eskdale into a window, and said in an undertone:
‘So there is to be a kind of programme: something is to be written.’
‘Well, we want a cue,’ said Lord Eskdale. ‘I heard of this last night: Rigby has written something.’
The Duke shook his head.
‘No; Peel means to do it himself.’
But at this moment Mr. Ornisby begged his Grace to lead them to dinner.
‘Something is to be written.’ It is curious to recall the vague terms in which the first projection57 of documents, that are to exercise a vast influence on the course of affairs or the minds of nations, is often mentioned. This ‘something to be written’ was written; and speedily; and has ever since been talked of.
We believe we may venture to assume that at no period during the movements of 1834-5 did Sir Robert Peel ever believe in the success of his administration. Its mere failure could occasion him little dissatisfaction; he was compensated58 for it by the noble opportunity afforded to him for the display of those great qualities, both moral and intellectual, which the swaddling-clothes of a routine prosperity had long repressed, but of which his opposition to the Reform Bill had given to the nation a significant intimation. The brief administration elevated him in public opinion, and even in the eye of Europe; and it is probable that a much longer term of power would not have contributed more to his fame.
The probable effect of the premature effort of his party on his future position as a Minister was, however, far from being so satisfactory. At the lowest ebb59 of his political fortunes, it cannot be doubted that Sir Robert Peel looked forward, perhaps through the vista60 of many years, to a period when the national mind, arrived by reflection and experience at certain conclusions, would seek in him a powerful expositor of its convictions. His time of life permitted him to be tranquil61 in adversity, and to profit by its salutary uses. He would then have acceded62 to power as the representative of a Creed63, instead of being the leader of a Confederacy, and he would have been supported by earnest and enduring enthusiasm, instead of by that churlish sufferance which is the result of a supposed balance of advantages in his favour. This is the consequence of the tactics of those short-sighted intriguers, who persisted in looking upon a revolution as a mere party struggle, and would not permit the mind of the nation to work through the inevitable64 phases that awaited it. In 1834, England, though frightened at the reality of Reform, still adhered to its phrases; it was inclined, as practical England, to maintain existing institutions; but, as theoretical England, it was suspicious that they were indefensible.
No one had arisen either in Parliament, the Universities, or the Press, to lead the public mind to the investigation65 of principles; and not to mistake, in their reformations, the corruption66 of practice for fundamental ideas. It was this perplexed67, ill-informed, jaded68, shallow generation, repeating cries which they did not comprehend, and wearied with the endless ebullitions of their own barren conceit69, that Sir Robert Peel was summoned to govern. It was from such materials, ample in quantity, but in all spiritual qualities most deficient70; with great numbers, largely acred, consoled up to their chins, but without knowledge, genius, thought, truth, or faith, that Sir Robert Peel was to form a ‘great Conservative party on a comprehensive basis.’ That he did this like a dexterous71 politician, who can deny? Whether he realised those prescient views of a great statesman in which he had doubtless indulged, and in which, though still clogged72 by the leadership of 1834, he may yet find fame for himself and salvation73 for his country, is altogether another question. His difficult attempt was expressed in an address to his constituents74, which now ranks among state papers. We shall attempt briefly75 to consider it with the impartiality76 of the future.
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1
premature
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| adj.比预期时间早的；不成熟的，仓促的 | |
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eminently
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| adv.突出地；显著地；不寻常地 | |
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ministry
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| n.(政府的)部；牧师 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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discomfited
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| v.使为难( discomfit的过去式和过去分词)；使狼狈；使挫折；挫败 | |
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enraged
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| 使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 )； 歜； 激愤 | |
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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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marred
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| adj. 被损毁, 污损的 | |
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animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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fortitude
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| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
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contingency
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| n.意外事件，可能性 | |
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wager
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| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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patriots
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| 爱国者，爱国主义者( patriot的名词复数 ) | |
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providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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enquired
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| 打听( enquire的过去式和过去分词 )； 询问； 问问题； 查问 | |
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exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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expediency
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| n.适宜；方便；合算；利己 | |
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humbug
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| n.花招，谎话，欺骗 | |
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humdrum
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| adj.单调的，乏味的 | |
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curt
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| adj.简短的，草率的 | |
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solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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admonished
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| v.劝告( admonish的过去式和过去分词 )；训诫；（温和地）责备；轻责 | |
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taper
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| n.小蜡烛，尖细，渐弱；adj.尖细的；v.逐渐变小 | |
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tadpole
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| n.[动]蝌蚪 | |
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swarming
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| 密集( swarm的现在分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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rumours
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| n.传闻( rumour的名词复数 )；风闻；谣言；谣传 | |
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grooms
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| n.新郎( groom的名词复数 )；马夫v.照料或梳洗（马等）( groom的第三人称单数 )；使做好准备；训练；（给动物）擦洗 | |
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celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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countenances
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| n.面容( countenance的名词复数 )；表情；镇静；道义支持 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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festive
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| adj.欢宴的，节日的 | |
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hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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middle-aged
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| adj.中年的 | |
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aspirants
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| n.有志向或渴望获得…的人( aspirant的名词复数 )v.渴望的，有抱负的，追求名誉或地位的( aspirant的第三人称单数 )；有志向或渴望获得…的人 | |
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interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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boroughs
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| （尤指大伦敦的）行政区( borough的名词复数 )； 议会中有代表的市镇 | |
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contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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plundered
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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treasury
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| n.宝库；国库，金库；文库 | |
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spoke
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| 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 | |
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46
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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47
misgiving
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| n.疑虑，担忧，害怕 | |
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sneak
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| vt.潜行(隐藏,填石缝)；偷偷摸摸做；n.潜行；adj.暗中进行 | |
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49
scampered
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| v.蹦蹦跳跳地跑，惊惶奔跑( scamper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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50
ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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51
scramble
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| v.爬行，攀爬，杂乱蔓延，碎片，片段，废料 | |
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musingly
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| adv.沉思地，冥想地 | |
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imperturbable
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| adj.镇静的 | |
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sarcastic
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| adj.讥讽的，讽刺的，嘲弄的 | |
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patrician
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| adj.贵族的，显贵的；n.贵族；有教养的人；罗马帝国的地方官 | |
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colon
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| n.冒号，结肠，直肠 | |
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projection
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| n.发射，计划，突出部分 | |
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compensated
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| 补偿，报酬( compensate的过去式和过去分词 )； 给（某人）赔偿（或赔款） | |
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ebb
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| vi.衰退，减退；n.处于低潮，处于衰退状态 | |
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vista
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| n.远景，深景，展望，回想 | |
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tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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acceded
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| v.（正式）加入( accede的过去式和过去分词 )；答应；（通过财产的添附而）增加；开始任职 | |
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creed
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| n.信条；信念，纲领 | |
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inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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investigation
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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corruption
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| n.腐败，堕落，贪污 | |
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perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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jaded
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| adj.精疲力竭的；厌倦的；（因过饱或过多而）腻烦的；迟钝的 | |
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conceit
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| n.自负，自高自大 | |
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deficient
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| adj.不足的，不充份的，有缺陷的 | |
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dexterous
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| adj.灵敏的；灵巧的 | |
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clogged
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| （使）阻碍( clog的过去式和过去分词 )； 淤滞 | |
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salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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constituents
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| n.选民( constituent的名词复数 )；成分；构成部分；要素 | |
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briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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impartiality
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| n. 公平, 无私, 不偏 | |
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