The friends of Coningsby, the sweet-tempered and intelligent Henry Sydney, the fiery11 and generous Buckhurst, and the calm and sagacious Vere, had ever been favourably12 inclined to Millbank, and had they not been, the example of Coningsby would soon have influenced them. He had obtained over his intimates the ascendant power, which is the destiny of genius. Nor was this submission13 of such spirits to be held cheap. Although they were willing to take the colour of their minds from him, they were in intellect and attainments14, in personal accomplishments15 and general character, the leaders of the school; an authority not to be won from five hundred high-spirited boys without the possession of great virtues16 and great talents.
As for the dominion17 of Coningsby himself, it was not limited to the immediate18 circle of his friends. He had become the hero of Eton; the being of whose existence everybody was proud, and in whose career every boy took an interest. They talked of him, they quoted him, they imitated him. Fame and power are the objects of all men. Even their partial fruition is gained by very few; and that too at the expense of social pleasure, health, conscience, life. Yet what power of manhood in passionate19 intenseness, appealing at the same time to the subject and the votary20, can rival that which is exercised by the idolised chieftain of a great public school? What fame of after days equals the rapture21 of celebrity22 that thrills the youthful poet, as in tones of rare emotion he recites his triumphant23 verses amid the devoted24 plaudits of the flower of England? That’s fame, that’s power; real, unquestioned, undoubted, catholic. Alas25! the schoolboy, when he becomes a man, finds that power, even fame, like everything else, is an affair of party.
Coningsby liked very much to talk politics with Millbank. He heard things from Millbank which were new to him. Himself, as he supposed, a high Tory, which he was according to the revelation of the Rigbys, he was also sufficiently26 familiar with the hereditary27 tenets of his Whig friend, Lord Vere. Politics had as yet appeared to him a struggle whether the country was to be governed by Whig nobles or Tory nobles; and he thought it very unfortunate that he should probably have to enter life with his friends out of power, and his family boroughs28 destroyed. But in conversing29 with Millbank, he heard for the first time of influential30 classes in the country who were not noble, and were yet determined31 to acquire power. And although Millbank’s views, which were of course merely caught up from his father, without the intervention32 of his own intelligence, were doubtless crude enough, and were often very acutely canvassed33 and satisfactorily demolished34 by the clever prejudices of another school, which Coningsby had at command, still they were, unconsciously to the recipient35, materials for thought, and insensibly provoked in his mind a spirit of inquiry36 into political questions, for which he had a predisposition.
It may be said, indeed, that generally among the upper boys there might be observed at this time, at Eton, a reigning37 inclination38 for political discussion. The school truly had at all times been proud of its statesmen and its parliamentary heroes, but this was merely a superficial feeling in comparison with the sentiment which now first became prevalent. The great public questions that were the consequence of the Reform of the House of Commons, had also agitated39 their young hearts. And especially the controversies40 that were now rife41 respecting the nature and character of ecclesiastical establishments, wonderfully addressed themselves to their excited intelligence. They read their newspapers with a keen relish42, canvassed debates, and criticised speeches; and although in their debating society, which had been instituted more than a quarter of a century, discussion on topics of the day was prohibited, still by fixing on periods of our history when affairs were analogous43 to the present, many a youthful orator44 contrived45 very effectively to reply to Lord John, or to refute the fallacies of his rival.
As the political opinions predominant in the school were what in ordinary parlance46 are styled Tory, and indeed were far better entitled to that glorious epithet47 than the flimsy shifts which their fathers were professing48 in Parliament and the country; the formation and the fall of Sir Robert Peel’s government had been watched by Etonians with great interest, and even excitement. The memorable49 efforts which the Minister himself made, supported only by the silent votes of his numerous adherents50, and contending alone against the multiplied assaults of his able and determined foes51, with a spirit equal to the great occasion, and with resources of parliamentary contest which seemed to increase with every exigency52; these great and unsupported struggles alone were calculated to gain the sympathy of youthful and generous spirits. The assault on the revenues of the Church; the subsequent crusade against the House of Lords; the display of intellect and courage exhibited by Lord Lyndhurst in that assembly, when all seemed cowed and faint-hearted; all these were incidents or personal traits apt to stir the passions, and create in breasts not yet schooled to repress emotion, a sentiment even of enthusiasm. It is the personal that interests mankind, that fires their imagination, and wins their hearts. A cause is a great abstraction, and fit only for students; embodied53 in a party, it stirs men to action; but place at the head of that party a leader who can inspire enthusiasm, he commands the world. Divine faculty54! Rare and incomparable privilege! A parliamentary leader who possesses it, doubles his majority; and he who has it not, may shroud55 himself in artificial reserve, and study with undignified arrogance56 an awkward haughtiness57, but he will nevertheless be as far from controlling the spirit as from captivating the hearts of his sullen58 followers59.
However, notwithstanding this general feeling at Eton, in 1835, in favour of ‘Conservative principles,’ which was, in fact, nothing more than a confused and mingled60 sympathy with some great political truths, which were at the bottom of every boy’s heart, but nowhere else; and with the personal achievements and distinction of the chieftains of the party; when all this hubbub61 had subsided62, and retrospection, in the course of a year, had exercised its moralising influence over the more thoughtful part of the nation, inquiries63, at first faint and unpretending, and confined indeed for a long period to limited, though inquisitive64, circles, began gently to circulate, what Conservative principles were.
These inquiries, urged indeed with a sort of hesitating scepticism, early reached Eton. They came, no doubt, from the Universities. They were of a character, however, far too subtile and refined to exercise any immediate influence over the minds of youth. To pursue them required previous knowledge and habitual65 thought. They were not yet publicly prosecuted66 by any school of politicians, or any section of the public press. They had not a local habitation or a name. They were whispered in conversation by a few. A tutor would speak of them in an esoteric vein67 to a favourite pupil, in whose abilities he had confidence, and whose future position in life would afford him the opportunity of influencing opinion. Among others, they fell upon the ear of Coningsby. They were addressed to a mind which was prepared for such researches.
There is a Library at Eton formed by the boys and governed by the boys; one of those free institutions which are the just pride of that noble school, which shows the capacity of the boys for self-government, and which has sprung from the large freedom that has been wisely conceded them, the prudence68 of which confidence has been proved by their rarely abusing it. This Library has been formed by subscriptions69 of the present and still more by the gifts of old Etonians. Among the honoured names of these donors70 may be remarked those of the Grenvilles and Lord Wellesley; nor should we forget George IV., who enriched the collection with a magnificent copy of the Delphin Classics. The Institution is governed by six directors, the three first Collegers and the three first Oppidans for the time being; and the subscribers are limited to the one hundred senior members of the school.
It is only to be regretted that the collection is not so extensive at it is interesting and choice. Perhaps its existence is not so generally known as it deserves to be. One would think that every Eton man would be as proud of his name being registered as a donor71 in the Catalogue of this Library, as a Venetian of his name being inscribed72 in the Golden Book. Indeed an old Etonian, who still remembers with tenderness the sacred scene of youth, could scarcely do better than build a Gothic apartment for the reception of the collection. It cannot be doubted that the Provost and fellows would be gratified in granting a piece of ground for the purpose.
Great were the obligations of Coningsby to this Eton Library. It introduced him to that historic lore73, that accumulation of facts and incidents illustrative of political conduct, for which he had imbibed74 an early relish. His study was especially directed to the annals of his own country, in which youth, and not youth alone, is frequently so deficient75. This collection could afford him Clarendon and Burnet, and the authentic76 volumes of Coxe: these were rich materials for one anxious to be versed77 in the great parliamentary story of his country. During the last year of his stay at Eton, when he had completed his eighteenth year, Coningsby led a more retired78 life than previously79; he read much, and pondered with all the pride of acquisition over his increasing knowledge.
And now the hour has come when this youth is to be launched into a world more vast than that in which he has hitherto sojourned, yet for which this microcosm has been no ill preparation. He will become more wise; will he remain as generous? His ambition may be as great; will it be as noble? What, indeed, is to be the future of this existence that is now to be sent forth80 into the great aggregate81 of entities82? Is it an ordinary organisation83 that will jostle among the crowd, and be jostled? Is it a finer temperament84, susceptible85 of receiving the impressions and imbibing86 the inspirations of superior yet sympathising spirits? Or is it a primordial87 and creative mind; one that will say to his fellows, ‘Behold, God has given me thought; I have discovered truth, and you shall believe?’
The night before Coningsby left Eton, alone in his room, before he retired to rest, he opened the lattice and looked for the last time upon the landscape before him; the stately keep of Windsor, the bowery meads of Eton, soft in the summer moon and still in the summer night. He gazed upon them; his countenance88 had none of the exultation89, that under such circumstances might have distinguished90 a more careless glance, eager for fancied emancipation91 and passionate for a novel existence. Its expression was serious, even sad; and he covered his brow with his hand.
END OF BOOK II.
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contentions
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| n.竞争( contention的名词复数 )；争夺；争论；论点 | |
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intrigue
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| vt.激起兴趣，迷住；vi.耍阴谋；n.阴谋，密谋 | |
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intimacies
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| 亲密( intimacy的名词复数 )； 密切； 亲昵的言行； 性行为 | |
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mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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inflexible
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| adj.不可改变的，不受影响的，不屈服的 | |
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goodwill
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| n.善意，亲善，信誉，声誉 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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deference
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| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
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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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fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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favourably
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| adv. 善意地，赞成地 =favorably | |
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submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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attainments
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| 成就，造诣； 获得( attainment的名词复数 )； 达到； 造诣； 成就 | |
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accomplishments
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| n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就 | |
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virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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dominion
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| n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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votary
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| n.崇拜者；爱好者；adj.誓约的，立誓任圣职的 | |
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rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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celebrity
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| n.名人，名流；著名，名声，名望 | |
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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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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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hereditary
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| adj.遗传的，遗传性的，可继承的，世袭的 | |
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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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conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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influential
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| adj.有影响的，有权势的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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intervention
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| n.介入，干涉，干预 | |
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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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demolished
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| v.摧毁( demolish的过去式和过去分词 )；推翻；拆毁（尤指大建筑物）；吃光 | |
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recipient
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| a.接受的,感受性强的 n.接受者,感受者,容器 | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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reigning
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| adj.统治的，起支配作用的 | |
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inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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controversies
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| 争论 | |
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rife
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| adj.(指坏事情)充斥的，流行的，普遍的 | |
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relish
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| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
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analogous
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| adj.相似的；类似的 | |
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orator
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| n.演说者，演讲者，雄辩家 | |
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contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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parlance
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| n.说法；语调 | |
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epithet
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| n.（用于褒贬人物等的）表述形容词，修饰语 | |
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professing
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| 声称( profess的现在分词 )； 宣称； 公开表明； 信奉 | |
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memorable
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| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
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adherents
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| n.支持者，拥护者( adherent的名词复数 )；党羽；徒子徒孙 | |
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foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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exigency
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| n.紧急；迫切需要 | |
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embodied
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| v.表现( embody的过去式和过去分词 )；象征；包括；包含 | |
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faculty
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| n.才能；学院，系；(学院或系的)全体教学人员 | |
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shroud
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| n.裹尸布，寿衣；罩，幕；vt.覆盖，隐藏 | |
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arrogance
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| n.傲慢，自大 | |
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haughtiness
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| n.傲慢；傲气 | |
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sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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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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mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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hubbub
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| n.嘈杂；骚乱 | |
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subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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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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inquisitive
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| adj.求知欲强的，好奇的，好寻根究底的 | |
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habitual
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| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
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prosecuted
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| a.被起诉的 | |
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vein
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| n.血管，静脉；叶脉，纹理；情绪；vt.使成脉络 | |
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prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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subscriptions
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| n.（报刊等的）订阅费( subscription的名词复数 )；捐款；（俱乐部的）会员费；捐助 | |
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donors
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| n.捐赠者( donor的名词复数 )；献血者；捐血者；器官捐献者 | |
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donor
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| n.捐献者；赠送人；(组织、器官等的)供体 | |
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inscribed
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| v.写，刻( inscribe的过去式和过去分词 )；内接 | |
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lore
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| n.传说；学问，经验，知识 | |
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imbibed
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| v.吸收( imbibe的过去式和过去分词 )；喝；吸取；吸气 | |
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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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authentic
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| a.真的，真正的；可靠的，可信的，有根据的 | |
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versed
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| adj. 精通，熟练 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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aggregate
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| adj.总计的，集合的；n.总数；v.合计；集合 | |
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entities
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| 实体对像； 实体，独立存在体，实际存在物( entity的名词复数 ) | |
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organisation
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| n.组织，安排，团体，有机休 | |
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temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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susceptible
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| adj.过敏的，敏感的；易动感情的，易受感动的 | |
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imbibing
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| v.吸收( imbibe的现在分词 )；喝；吸取；吸气 | |
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primordial
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| adj.原始的；最初的 | |
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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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89
exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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90
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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91
emancipation
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| n.（从束缚、支配下）解放 | |
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