"Now, I hope," said Charley, "we shall hear of his doing great things."
"I am afraid you will be disappointed, Charley," answered Grandfather. "It is true, that Colonel Shute had probably never led so unquiet a life while fighting the French, as he did now, while governing this province of Massachusetts Bay. But his troubles consisted almost entirely4 of dissensions with the legislature. The king had ordered him to lay claim to a fixed5 salary; but the representatives of the people insisted upon paying him only such sums, from year to year, as they saw fit."
Grandfather here explained some of the circumstances, that made the situation of a colonial governor so difficult and irksome. There was not the same feeling towards the chief magistrate6, now, that had existed, while he was chosen by the free [pg 105] suffrages7 of the people. It was felt, that, as the king appointed the governor, and as he held his office during the king's pleasure, it would be his great object to please the king. But the people thought, that a governor ought to have nothing in view, but the best interests of those whom he governed.
"The governor," remarked Grandfather, "had two masters to serve—the king, who appointed him, and the people, on whom he depended for his pay. Few men, in this position, would have ingenuity8 enough to satisfy either party. Colonel Shute, though a good-natured, well-meaning man, succeeded so ill with the people, that in 1722, he suddenly went away to England, and made complaint to King George. In the mean time, Lieutenant-Governor Dummer directed the affairs of the province, and carried on a long and bloody9 war with the Indians."
"But where was our chair, all this time?" asked Clara.
"It still remained in Cotton Mather's library," replied Grandfather; "and I must not omit to tell you an incident, which is very much to the honor of this celebrated10 man. It is the more proper, too, that you should hear it, because it will show you what a terrible calamity11 the small pox was to our forefathers12. The history of the province, (and, of course, the history of our chair,) would be incomplete, without particular mention of it." [pg 106] Accordingly, Grandfather told the children a story, to which, for want of a better title, we shall give that of
One day, in 1721, Doctor Cotton Mather sat in his library, reading a book that had been published by the Royal Society of London. But, every few moments, he laid the book upon the table, and leaned back in Grandfather's chair, with an aspect of deep care and disquietude. There were certain things which troubled him exceedingly, so that he could hardly fix his thoughts upon what he read.
It was now a gloomy time in Boston. That terrible disease, the small pox, had recently made its appearance in the town. Ever since the first settlement of the country, this awful pestilence14 had come, at intervals15, and swept away multitudes of the inhabitants. Whenever it commenced its ravages16, nothing seemed to stay its progress, until there were no more victims for it to seize upon. Oftentimes, hundreds of people, at once, lay groaning17 with its agony; and when it departed, its deep footsteps were always to be traced in many graves.
The people never felt secure from this calamity. Sometimes, perhaps, it was brought into the country by a poor sailor, who had caught the infection in foreign parts, and came hither to die, and to be the cause of many deaths. Sometimes, no doubt, it [pg 107] followed in the train of the pompous18 governors, when they came over from England. Sometimes, the disease lay hidden in the cargoes19 of ships, among silks and brocades, and other costly20 merchandise, which was imported for the rich people to wear. And, sometimes, it started up, seemingly of its own accord; and nobody could tell whence it came. The physician, being called to attend the sick person, would look at him, and say,—"It is the small pox! let the patient be carried to the hospital."
And now, this dreadful sickness had shown itself again in Boston. Cotton Mather was greatly afflicted21, for the sake of the whole province. He had children, too, who were exposed to the danger. At that very moment, he heard the voice of his youngest son, for whom his heart was moved with apprehension22.
"Alas23! I fear for that poor child," said Cotton Mather to himself. "What shall I do for my son Samuel?"
Again, he attempted to drive away these thoughts, by taking up the book which he had been reading. And now, all of a sudden, his attention became fixed. The book contained a printed letter that an Italian physician had written upon the very subject, about which Cotton Mather was so anxiously meditating24. He ran his eye eagerly over the pages; and, behold25! a method was disclosed to him, by which the small pox might be robbed of its worst terrors. Such a method was known in Greece. The physicians of [pg 108] Turkey, too, those long-bearded Eastern sages26, had been acquainted with it for many years. The negroes of Africa, ignorant as they were, had likewise practised it, and thus had shown themselves wiser than the white men.
"Of a truth," ejaculated Cotton Mather, clasping his hands and looking up to Heaven, "it was a merciful Providence27 that brought this book under mine eye! I will procure28 a consultation29 of physicians, and see whether this wondrous30 Inoculation31 may not stay the progress of the Destroyer."
So he arose from Grandfather's chair, and went out of the library. Near the door he met his son Samuel, who seemed downcast and out of spirits. The boy had heard, probably, that some of his playmates were taken ill with the small pox. But, as his father looked cheerfully at him, Samuel took courage, trusting that either the wisdom of so learned a minister would find some remedy for the danger, or else that his prayers would secure protection from on high.
Meanwhile, Cotton Mather took his staff and three-cornered hat, and walked about the streets, calling at the houses of all the physicians in Boston. They were a very wise fraternity; and their huge wigs32, and black dresses, and solemn visages, made their wisdom appear even profounder than it was. One after another, he acquainted them with the discovery which he had hit upon.
But these grave and sagacious personages would [pg 109] scarcely listen to him. The oldest doctor in town contented33 himself with remarking, that no such thing as inoculation was mentioned by Galen or Hippocrates, and it was impossible that modern physicians should be wiser than those old sages. A second held up his hands in dumb astonishment34 and horror, at the madness of what Cotton Mather proposed to do. A third told him, in pretty plain terms, that he knew not what he was talking about. A fourth requested, in the name of the whole medical fraternity, that Cotton Mather would confine his attention to people's souls, and leave the physicians to take care of their bodies.
In short, there was but a single doctor among them all, who would grant the poor minister so much as a patient hearing. This was Doctor Zabdiel Boylston. He looked into the matter like a man of sense, and finding, beyond a doubt, that inoculation had rescued many from death, he resolved to try the experiment in his own family.
And so he did. But, when the other physicians heard of it, they arose in great fury, and began a war of words, written, printed, and spoken, against Cotton Mather and Doctor Boylston. To hear them talk, you would have supposed that these two harmless and benevolent35 men had plotted the ruin of the country.
The people, also, took the alarm. Many, who thought themselves more pious36 than their neighbors, contended, that, if Providence had ordained37 [pg 110] them to die of the small pox, it was sinful to aim at preventing it. The strangest reports were in circulation. Some said, that Doctor Boylston had contrived38 a method for conveying the gout, rheumatism39, sick headache, asthma40, and all other diseases, from one person to another, and diffusing41 them through the whole community. Others flatly affirmed that the Evil One had got possession of Cotton Mather, and was at the bottom of the whole business.
You must observe, children, that Cotton Mather's fellow citizens were generally inclined to doubt the wisdom of any measure, which he might propose to them. They recollected42 how he had led them astray in the old witchcraft43 delusion44; and now, if he thought and acted ever so wisely, it was difficult for him to get the credit of it.
The people's wrath45 grew so hot at his attempt to guard them from the small pox, that he could not walk the streets in peace. Whenever the venerable form of the old minister, meagre and haggard with fasts and vigils, was seen approaching, hisses46 were heard, and shouts of derision, and scornful and bitter laughter. The women snatched away their children from his path, lest he should do them a mischief47. Still, however, bending his head meekly48, and perhaps stretching out his hands to bless those who reviled49 him, he pursued his way. But the tears came into his eyes, to think how blindly the people rejected the means of safety, that were offered them.
[pg 111]
Indeed, there were melancholy50 sights enough in the streets of Boston, to draw forth51 the tears of a compassionate52 man. Over the door of almost every dwelling53, a red flag was fluttering in the air. This was the signal that the small pox had entered the house, and attacked some member of the family; or perhaps the whole family, old and young, were struggling at once with the pestilence. Friends and relatives, when they met one another in the streets, would hurry onward54 without a grasp of the hand, or scarcely a word of greeting, lest they should catch or communicate the contagion55. And, often a coffin56 was borne hastily along.
"Alas, alas!" said Cotton Mather to himself. "What shall be done for this poor, misguided people? Oh, that Providence would open their eyes, and enable them to discern good from evil!"
So furious, however, were the people, that they threatened vengeance57 against any person who should dare to practise inoculation, though it were only in his own family. This was a hard case for Cotton Mather, who saw no other way to rescue his poor child Samuel from the disease. But he resolved to save him, even if his house should be burnt over his head.
"I will not be turned aside," said he. "My townsmen shall see that I have faith in this thing, when I make the experiment on my beloved son, whose life is dearer to me than my own. And when [pg 112] I have saved Samuel, peradventure they will be persuaded to save themselves."
Accordingly, Samuel was inoculated58; and so was Mr. Walter, a son-in-law of Cotton Mather. Doctor Boylston, likewise, inoculated many persons; and while hundreds died, who had caught the contagion from the garments of the sick, almost all were preserved, who followed the wise physician's advice.
But the people were not yet convinced of their mistake. One night, a destructive little instrument, called a hand-grenade, was thrown into Cotton Mather's window, and rolled under Grandfather's chair. It was supposed to be filled with gunpowder59, the explosion of which would have blown the poor minister to atoms. But the best-informed historians are of opinion, that the grenade contained only brimstone and assaf[oe]tida, and was meant to plague Cotton Mather with a very evil perfume.
This is no strange thing in human experience. Men, who attempt to do the world more good, than the world is able entirely to comprehend, are almost invariably held in bad odor. But yet, if the wise and good man can wait awhile, either the present generation or posterity60, will do him justice. So it proved, in the case which we have been speaking of. In after years, when inoculation was universally practised, and thousands were saved from death by it, the people remembered old Cotton Mather, then [pg 113] sleeping in his grave. They acknowledged that the very thing, for which they had so reviled and persecuted61 him, was the best and wisest thing he ever did.
"Grandfather, this is not an agreeable story," observed Clara.
"No, Clara," replied Grandfather. "But it is right that you should know what a dark shadow this disease threw over the times of our forefathers. And now, if you wish to learn more about Cotton Mather, you must read his biography, written by Mr. Peabody, of Springfield. You will find it very entertaining and instructive; but perhaps the writer is somewhat too harsh in his judgment62 of this singular man. He estimates him fairly, indeed, and understands him well; but he unriddles his character rather by acuteness than by sympathy. Now, his life should have been written by one, who, knowing all his faults, would nevertheless love him."
So Grandfather made an end of Cotton Mather, telling his auditors63 that he died in 1728, at the age of sixty-five, and bequeathed the chair to Elisha Cooke. This gentleman was a famous advocate of the people's rights.
The same year, William Burnet, a son of the celebrated Bishop64 Burnet, arrived in Boston, with the commission of governor. He was the first that had been appointed since the departure of Colonel Shute. Governor Burnet took up his residence with Mr. [pg 114] Cooke, while the Province House was undergoing repairs. During this period, he was always complimented with a seat in Grandfather's chair; and so comfortable did he find it, that on removing to the Province House, he could not bear to leave it behind him. Mr. Cooke, therefore, requested his acceptance of it.
"I should think," said Laurence, "that the people would have petitioned the king always to appoint a native-born New Englander to govern them."
"Undoubtedly65 it was a grievance," answered Grandfather, "to see men placed in this station, who perhaps had neither talents nor virtues66 to fit them for it, and who certainly could have no natural affection for the country. The king generally bestowed67 the governorships of the American colonies upon needy68 noblemen, or hangers-on at court, or disbanded officers. The people knew that such persons would be very likely to make the good of the country subservient69 to the wishes of the king. The legislature, therefore, endeavored to keep as much power as possible in their own hands, by refusing to settle a fixed salary upon the governors. It was thought better to pay them according to their deserts."
"Did Governor Burnet work well for his money?" asked Charley.
Grandfather could not help smiling at the simplicity70 of Charley's question. Nevertheless, it put the matter in a very plain point of view.
[pg 115]
He then described the character of Governor Burnet, representing him as a good scholar, possessed71 of much ability, and likewise of unspotted integrity. His story affords a striking example, how unfortunate it is for a man, who is placed as ruler over a country, to be compelled to aim at any thing but the good of the people. Governor Burnet was so chained down by his instructions from the king, that he could not act as he might otherwise have wished. Consequently, his whole term of office was wasted in quarrels with the legislature.
"I am afraid, children," said Grandfather, "that Governor Burnet found but little rest or comfort in our old chair. Here he used to sit, dressed in a coat which was made of rough, shaggy cloth outside, but of smooth velvet72 within. It was said that his own character resembled that coat, for his outward manner was rough, but his inward disposition73 soft and kind. It is a pity that such a man could not have been kept free from trouble. But so harassing74 were his disputes with the representatives of the people, that he fell into a fever, of which he died, in 1720. The legislature had refused him a salary, while alive; but they appropriated money enough to give him a splendid and pompous funeral."
And now Grandfather perceived that little Alice had fallen fast asleep, with her head upon his footstool. Indeed, as Clara observed, she had been sleeping from the time of Sir Hovenden Walker's expedition against Quebec, until the death of Governor [pg 116] Burnet—a period of about eighteen years. And yet, after so long a nap, sweet little Alice was a golden-haired child, of scarcely five years old.
"It puts me in mind," said Laurence, "of the story of the enchanted75 princess, who slept many a hundred years, and awoke as young and beautiful as ever."
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exulted
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| 狂喜，欢跃( exult的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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crafty
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| adj.狡猾的，诡诈的 | |
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renowned
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| adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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magistrate
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| n.地方行政官，地方法官，治安官 | |
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suffrages
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| （政治性选举的）选举权，投票权( suffrage的名词复数 ) | |
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ingenuity
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| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
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bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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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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blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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pestilence
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| n.瘟疫 | |
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intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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ravages
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| 劫掠后的残迹，破坏的结果，毁坏后的残迹 | |
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groaning
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| adj. 呜咽的, 呻吟的 动词groan的现在分词形式 | |
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pompous
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| adj.傲慢的，自大的；夸大的；豪华的 | |
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cargoes
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| n.（船或飞机装载的）货物( cargo的名词复数 )；大量，重负 | |
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costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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meditating
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| a.沉思的，冥想的 | |
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behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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sages
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| n.圣人( sage的名词复数 )；智者；哲人；鼠尾草（可用作调料） | |
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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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procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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inoculation
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| n.接芽；预防接种 | |
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wigs
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| n.假发，法官帽( wig的名词复数 ) | |
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contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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ordained
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| v.任命（某人）为牧师( ordain的过去式和过去分词 )；授予（某人）圣职；（上帝、法律等）命令；判定 | |
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contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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rheumatism
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| n.风湿病 | |
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asthma
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| n.气喘病，哮喘病 | |
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diffusing
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| （使光）模糊，漫射，漫散( diffuse的现在分词 )； （使）扩散； （使）弥漫； （使）传播 | |
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recollected
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| adj.冷静的；镇定的；被回忆起的；沉思默想的v.记起，想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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witchcraft
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| n.魔法，巫术 | |
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delusion
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| n.谬见，欺骗，幻觉，迷惑 | |
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wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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hisses
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| 嘶嘶声( hiss的名词复数 ) | |
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mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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reviled
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| v.辱骂，痛斥( revile的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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51
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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compassionate
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| adj.有同情心的，表示同情的 | |
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dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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contagion
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| n.(通过接触的疾病)传染；蔓延 | |
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56
coffin
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| n.棺材，灵柩 | |
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vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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58
inoculated
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| v.给…做预防注射( inoculate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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59
gunpowder
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| n.火药 | |
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posterity
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| n.后裔，子孙，后代 | |
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persecuted
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| （尤指宗教或政治信仰的）迫害(~sb. for sth.)( persecute的过去式和过去分词 )； 烦扰，困扰或骚扰某人 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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auditors
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| n.审计员，稽核员( auditor的名词复数 )；（大学课程的）旁听生 | |
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bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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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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bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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needy
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| adj.贫穷的，贫困的，生活艰苦的 | |
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subservient
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| adj.卑屈的，阿谀的 | |
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70
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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71
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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72
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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73
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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74
harassing
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| v.侵扰，骚扰( harass的现在分词 )；不断攻击（敌人） | |
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75
enchanted
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| adj. 被施魔法的，陶醉的，入迷的 动词enchant的过去式和过去分词 | |
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