"Master Ezekiel Cheever," said he, "died in 1707, after having taught school about seventy years. It would require a pretty good scholar in arithmetic to tell how many stripes he had inflicted1, and how many birch-rods he had worn out, during all that time, in his fatherly tenderness for his pupils. Almost all the great men of that period, and for many years back, had been whipt into eminence2 by Master Cheever. Moreover, he had written a Latin Accidence, which was used in schools more than half a century after his death; so that the good old man, even in his grave, was still the cause of trouble and stripes to idle school-boys."
Grandfather proceeded to say, that, when Master Cheever died, he bequeathed the chair to the most learned man that was educated at his school, or that had ever been born in America. This was the renowned3 Cotton Mather, minister of the Old North Church in Boston.
"And author of the Magnalia, Grandfather, which we sometimes see you reading," said Laurence.
"Yes, Laurence," replied Grandfather. "The Magnalia is a strange, pedantic4 history, in which [pg 097] true events and real personages move before the reader, with the dreamy aspect which they wore in Cotton Mather's singular mind. This huge volume, however, was written and published before our chair came into his possession. But, as he was the author of more books than there are days in the year, we may conclude that he wrote a great deal, while sitting in this chair."
"I am tired of these school-masters and learned men," said Charley. "I wish some stirring man, that knew how to do something in the world, like Sir William Phips, would set in the chair."
"Such men seldom have leisure to sit quietly in a chair," said Grandfather. "We must make the best of such people as we have."
As Cotton Mather was a very distinguished5 man, Grandfather took some pains to give the children a lively conception of his character. Over the door of his library were painted these words—BE SHORT—as a warning to visitors that they must not do the world so much harm, as needlessly to interrupt this great man's wonderful labors6. On entering the room you would probably behold7 it crowded, and piled, and heaped with books. There were huge, ponderous8 folios and quartos, and little duodecimos, in English, Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Chaldaic, and all other languages, that either originated at the confusion of Babel, or have since come into use.
All these books, no doubt, were tossed about in confusion, thus forming a visible emblem9 of the manner [pg 098] in which their contents were crowded into Cotton Mather's brain. And in the middle of the room stood a table, on which, besides printed volumes, were strewn manuscript sermons, historical tracts10, and political pamphlets, all written in such a queer, blind, crabbed11, fantastical hand, that a writing-master would have gone raving12 mad at the sight of them. By this table stood Grandfather's chair, which seemed already to have contracted an air of deep erudition, as if its cushion were stuffed with Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, and other hard matters.
In this chair, from one year's end to another, sat that prodigious13 book-worm, Cotton Mather, sometimes devouring14 a great book, and sometimes scribbling15 one as big. In Grandfather's younger days, there used to be a wax figure of him in one of the Boston museums, representing a solemn, dark-visaged person, in a minister's black gown, and with a black-letter volume before him.
"It is difficult, my children," observed Grandfather, "to make you understand such a character as Cotton Mather's, in whom there was so much good, and yet so many failings and frailties16. Undoubtedly17, he was a pious18 man. Often he kept fasts; and once, for three whole days, he allowed himself not a morsel19 of food, but spent the time in prayer and religious meditation20. Many a live-long night did he watch and pray. These fasts and vigils made him meagre and haggard, and probably caused him to appear as if he hardly belonged to the world."
[pg 099]
"He was the chief agent of the mischief23," answered Grandfather; "but we will not suppose that he acted otherwise than conscientiously24. He believed that there were evil spirits all about the world. Doubtless he imagined that they were hidden in the corners and crevices25 of his library, and that they peeped out from among the leaves of many of his books, as he turned them over, at midnight. He supposed that these unlovely demons26 were everywhere, in the sunshine as well as in the darkness, and that they were hidden in men's hearts, and stole into their most secret thoughts."
Here Grandfather was interrupted by little Alice, who hid her face in his lap, and murmured a wish that he would not talk any more about Cotton Mather and the evil spirits. Grandfather kissed her, and told her that angels were the only spirits whom she had any thing to do with. He then spoke27 of the public affairs of the period.
A new war between France and England had broken out in 1702, and had been raging ever since. In the course of it, New England suffered much injury from the French and Indians, who often came through the woods from Canada, and assaulted the frontier towns. Villages were sometimes burnt, and the inhabitants slaughtered28, within a day's ride of Boston. The people of New England had a bitter hatred29 against the French, not only for the mischief [pg 100] which they did with their own hands, but because they incited30 the Indians to hostility31.
The New Englanders knew that they could never dwell in security, until the provinces of France should be subdued32, and brought under the English government. They frequently, in time of war, undertook military expeditions against Acadia and Canada, and sometimes besieged33 the fortresses34, by which those territories were defended. But the most earnest wish of their hearts was, to take Quebec, and so get possession of the whole province of Canada. Sir William Phips had once attempted it, but without success.
Fleets and soldiers were often sent from England, to assist the colonists36 in their warlike undertakings37. In 1710, Port Royal, a fortress35 of Acadia, was taken by the English. The next year, in the month of June, a fleet, commanded by Admiral Sir Hovenden Walker, arrived in Boston Harbor. On board of this fleet was the English General Hill, with seven regiments38 of soldiers, who had been fighting under the Duke of Marlborough, in Flanders. The government of Massachusetts was called upon to find provisions for the army and fleet, and to raise more men to assist in taking Canada.
What with recruiting and drilling of soldiers, there was now nothing but warlike bustle39 in the streets of Boston. The drum and fife, the rattle40 of arms, and the shouts of boys, were heard from morning till night. In about a month, the fleet set sail, carrying [pg 101] four regiments from New England and New York, besides the English soldiers. The whole army amounted to at least seven thousand men. They steered41 for the mouth of the river St. Lawrence.
"Cotton Mather prayed most fervently42 for their success," continued Grandfather, "both in his pulpit, and when he kneeled down in the solitude43 of his library, resting his face on our old chair. But Providence44 ordered the result otherwise. In a few weeks, tidings were received, that eight or nine of the vessels45 had been wrecked46 in the St. Lawrence, and that above a thousand drowned soldiers had been washed ashore47, on the banks of that mighty48 river. After this misfortune, Sir Hovenden Walker set sail for England; and many pious people began to think it a sin, even to wish for the conquest of Canada."
"I would never give it up so," cried Charley.
"Nor did they, as we shall see," replied Grandfather. "However, no more attempts were made during this war, which came to a close in 1713. The people of New England were probably glad of some repose49; for their young men had been made soldiers, till many of them were fit for nothing else. And those, who remained at home, had been heavily taxed to pay for the arms, ammunition50, fortifications, and all the other endless expenses of a war. There was great need of the prayers of Cotton Mather, and of all pious men, not only on account of the sufferings of the people, but because the old moral and religious character of New England was in danger of being utterly51 lost." [pg 102]
"How glorious it would have been," remarked Laurence, "if our forefathers52 could have kept the country unspotted with blood."
"Yes," said Grandfather; "but there was a stern warlike spirit in them, from the beginning. They seem never to have thought of questioning either the morality or piety53 of war."
The next event, which Grandfather spoke of, was one that Cotton Mather, as well as most of the other inhabitants of New England, heartily54 rejoiced at. This was the accession of the Elector of Hanover to the throne of England, in 1714, on the death of Queen Anne. Hitherto, the people had been in continual dread55 that the male line of the Stuarts, who were descended56 from the beheaded King Charles and the banished57 King James, would be restored to the throne. In that case, as the Stuart family were Roman Catholics, it was supposed that they would attempt to establish their own religion throughout the British dominions58. But the Elector of Hanover, and all his race, were Protestants; so that now the descendants of the old Puritans were relieved from many fears and disquietudes.
"The importance of this event," observed Grandfather, "was a thousand times greater than that of a Presidential Election, in our own days. If the people dislike their president, they may get rid of him in four years; whereas, a dynasty of kings may wear the crown for an unlimited59 period."
The German elector was proclaimed king from [pg 103] the balcony of the town-house, in Boston, by the title of George the First, while the trumpets60 sounded, and the people cried Amen. That night, the town was illuminated61; and Cotton Mather threw aside book and pen, and left Grandfather's chair vacant, while he walked hither and thither62 to witness the rejoicings.
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1
inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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2
eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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3
renowned
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| adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的 | |
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4
pedantic
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| adj.卖弄学问的；迂腐的 | |
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5
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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6
labors
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| v.努力争取(for)( labor的第三人称单数 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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7
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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8
ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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9
emblem
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| n.象征，标志；徽章 | |
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10
tracts
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| 大片土地( tract的名词复数 )； 地带； （体内的）道； （尤指宣扬宗教、伦理或政治的）短文 | |
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11
crabbed
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| adj.脾气坏的；易怒的；（指字迹）难辨认的；（字迹等）难辨认的v.捕蟹( crab的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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12
raving
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| adj.说胡话的；疯狂的，怒吼的；非常漂亮的；令人醉心[痴心]的v.胡言乱语(rave的现在分词)n.胡话；疯话adv.胡言乱语地；疯狂地 | |
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13
prodigious
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| adj.惊人的，奇妙的；异常的；巨大的；庞大的 | |
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14
devouring
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| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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15
scribbling
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| n.乱涂[写]胡[乱]写的文章[作品]v.潦草的书写( scribble的现在分词 )；乱画；草草地写；匆匆记下 | |
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16
frailties
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| n.脆弱( frailty的名词复数 )；虚弱；（性格或行为上的）弱点；缺点 | |
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17
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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18
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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19
morsel
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| n.一口，一点点 | |
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meditation
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| n.熟虑，（尤指宗教的）默想，沉思，（pl.）冥想录 | |
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21
witchcraft
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| n.魔法，巫术 | |
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22
delusion
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| n.谬见，欺骗，幻觉，迷惑 | |
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23
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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24
conscientiously
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| adv.凭良心地；认真地，负责尽职地；老老实实 | |
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25
crevices
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| n.（尤指岩石的）裂缝，缺口( crevice的名词复数 ) | |
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26
demons
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| n.恶人( demon的名词复数 )；恶魔；精力过人的人；邪念 | |
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27
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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28
slaughtered
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| v.屠杀，杀戮，屠宰( slaughter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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29
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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30
incited
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| 刺激，激励，煽动( incite的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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31
hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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32
subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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33
besieged
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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34
fortresses
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| 堡垒，要塞( fortress的名词复数 ) | |
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35
fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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36
colonists
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| n.殖民地开拓者，移民，殖民地居民( colonist的名词复数 ) | |
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37
undertakings
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| 企业( undertaking的名词复数 )； 保证； 殡仪业； 任务 | |
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38
regiments
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| （军队的）团( regiment的名词复数 )； 大量的人或物 | |
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39
bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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40
rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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41
steered
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| v.驾驶( steer的过去式和过去分词 )；操纵；控制；引导 | |
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42
fervently
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| adv.热烈地，热情地，强烈地 | |
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43
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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44
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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45
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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46
wrecked
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| adj.失事的，遇难的 | |
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47
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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48
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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49
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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50
ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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51
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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52
forefathers
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| n.祖先，先人；祖先，祖宗( forefather的名词复数 )；列祖列宗；前人 | |
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53
piety
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| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
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54
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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55
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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56
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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57
banished
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| v.放逐，驱逐( banish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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58
dominions
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| 统治权( dominion的名词复数 )； 领土； 疆土； 版图 | |
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59
unlimited
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| adj.无限的，不受控制的，无条件的 | |
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60
trumpets
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| 喇叭( trumpet的名词复数 )； 小号； 喇叭形物； （尤指）绽开的水仙花 | |
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61
illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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62
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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