In order to make the children sensible of the pitiable condition of these men, Grandfather singled out Peter Oliver, chief justice of Massachusetts under the crown, and imagined him walking through the streets of Boston, on the morning before he left it forever.
This effort of Grandfather's fancy may be called—
THE TORY'S FAREWELL
Old Chief Justice Oliver threw on his red cloak, and placed his three-cornered hat on the top of his white wig5. In this garb6 he intended to go forth7 and take a parting look at objects that had been familiar to him from his youth. Accordingly, he began his walk in the north part of the town, and soon came to Faneuil Hall. This edifice8, the cradle of liberty, had been used by the British officers as a play-house.
"Would that I could see its walls crumble9 to dust!" thought the chief justice; and, in the bitterness of his heart, he shook his fist at the famous hall. "There began the mischief10 which now threatens to rend11 asunder12 the British empire. The seditious harangues13 of demagogues in Faneuil Hall, have made rebels of a loyal people, and deprived me of my country."
He then passed through a narrow avenue, and found himself in King Street, almost in the very spot which, six years before, had been reddened by the blood of the Boston Massacre14. The chief justice stept cautiously, and shuddered15, as if he were afraid, that, even now, the gore16 of his slaughtered17 countrymen might stain his feet.
Before him rose the town house, on the front of which were still displayed the royal arms. Within that edifice he had dispensed18 justice to the people, in the days when his name was never mentioned without honor. There, too, was the balcony whence the trumpet19 had been sounded, and the proclamation read to an assembled multitude, whenever a new king of England ascended20 the throne.
"I remember—I remember," said Chief Justice Oliver to himself, "when his present most sacred majesty21 was proclaimed. Then how the people shouted. Each man would have poured out his life-blood to keep a hair of King George's head from harm. But now, there is scarcely a tongue in all New England that does not imprecate curses on his name. It is ruin and disgrace to love him. Can it be possible that a few fleeting22 years have wrought23 such a change!"
It did not occur to the chief justice, that nothing but the most grievous tyranny could so soon have changed the people's hearts. Hurrying from the spot, he entered Cornhill, as the lower part of Washington Street was then called. Opposite to the town house was the waste foundation of the Old North church. The sacrilegious hands of the British soldiers had torn it down, and kindled24 their barrack fires with the fragments.
Further on, he passed beneath the tower of the Old South. The threshold of this sacred edifice was worn by the iron tramp of horse's feet: for the interior had been used as a riding-school and rendezvous25, for a regiment26 of dragoons. As the chief justice lingered an instant at the door, a trumpet sounded within, and the regiment came clattering27 forth, and galloped28 down the street. They were proceeding29 to the place of embarkation30.
"Let them go!" thought the chief justice, with somewhat of an old puritan feeling in his breast. "No good can come of men who desecrate31 the house of God."
He went on a few steps further, and paused before the Province House. No range of brick stores had then sprung up to hide the mansion32 of the royal governors from public view. It had a spacious33 court-yard, bordered with trees, and enclosed with a wrought-iron fence. On the cupola, that surmounted34 the edifice, was the gilded35 figure of an Indian chief, ready to let fly an arrow from his bow. Over the wide front door was a balcony, in which the chief justice had often stood, when the governor and high officers of the province showed themselves to the people.
While Chief Justice Oliver gazed sadly at the Province House, before which a sentinel was pacing, the double leaves of the door were thrown open, and Sir William Howe made his appearance. Behind him came a throng36 of officers, whose steel scabbards clattered37 against the stones, as they hastened down the court-yard. Sir William Howe was a dark-complexioned man, stern and haughty38 in his deportment. He stepped as proudly, in that hour of defeat, as if he were going to receive the submission39 of the rebel general.
"This is a grievous hour for both of us, Sir William," said he.
"Forward! gentlemen," said Sir William Howe to the officers who attended him: "we have no time to hear lamentations now!"
And, coldly bowing, he departed. Thus, the chief justice had a foretaste of the mortifications which the exiled New Englanders afterwards suffered from the haughty Britons. They were despised even by that country which they had served more faithfully than their own.
A still heavier trial awaited Chief Justice Oliver, as he passed onward41 from the Province House. He was recognized by the people in the street. They had long known him as the descendant of an ancient and honorable family. They had seen him sitting, in his scarlet42 robes, upon the judgment43 seat. All his life long, either for the sake of his ancestors, or on account of his own dignified44 station and unspotted character, he had been held in high respect. The old gentry45 of the province were looked upon almost as noblemen, while Massachusetts was under royal government.
But now, all hereditary46 reverence48 for birth and rank was gone. The inhabitants shouted in derision, when they saw the venerable form of the old chief justice. They laid the wrongs of the country, and their own sufferings during the siege—their hunger, cold, and sickness—partly to his charge, and to that of his brother Andrew, and his kinsman49 Hutchinson. It was by their advice that the king had acted, in all the colonial troubles. But the day of recompense was come.
"See the old tory!" cried the people, with bitter laughter. "He is taking his last look at us. Let him show his white wig among us an hour hence, and we'll give him a coat of tar47 and feathers!"
The chief justice, however, knew that he need fear no violence, so long as the British troops were in possession of the town. But alas! it was a bitter thought, that he should leave no loving memory behind him. His forefathers50, long after their spirits left the earth, had been honored in the affectionate remembrance of the people. But he, who would henceforth be dead to his native land, would have no epitaph save scornful and vindictive51 words. The old man wept.
"They curse me—they invoke52 all kinds of evil on my head!" thought he, in the midst of his tears. "But, if they could read my heart, they would know that I love New England well. Heaven bless her, and bring her again under the rule of our gracious king! A blessing, too, on these poor, misguided people!"
The chief justice flung out his hands with a gesture, as if he were bestowing53 a parting benediction54 on his countrymen. He had now reached the southern portion of the town, and was far within the range of cannon55 shot from the American batteries. Close beside him was the broad stump56 of a tree, which appeared to have been recently cut down. Being weary and heavy at heart, he was about to sit down upon the stump.
Suddenly, it flashed upon his recollection, that this was the stump of Liberty Tree! The British soldiers had cut it down, vainly boasting that they could as easily overthrow57 the liberties of America. Under its shadowy branches, ten years before, the brother of Chief Justice Oliver had been compelled to acknowledge the supremacy58 of the people, by taking the oath which they prescribed. This tree was connected with all the events that had severed59 America from England.
"Accursed tree!" cried the chief justice, gnashing his teeth: for anger overcame his sorrow. "Would that thou hadst been left standing60, till Hancock, Adams, and every other traitor61, were hanged upon thy branches! Then fitly mightest thou have been hewn down, and cast into the flames."
He turned back, hurried to Long Wharf62 without looking behind him, embarked63 with the British troops for Halifax, and never saw his country more. Throughout the remainder of his days, Chief Justice Oliver was agitated64 with those same conflicting emotions, that had tortured him, while taking his farewell walk through the streets of Boston. Deep love and fierce resentment65 burned in one flame within his breast. Anathemas66 struggled with benedictions67. He felt as if one breath of his native air would renew his life, yet would have died, rather than breathe the same air with rebels.
And such, likewise, were the feelings of the other exiles, a thousand in number, who departed with the British army. Were they not the most unfortunate of men?
"The misfortunes of these exiled tories," observed Laurence, "must have made them think of the poor exiles of Acadia."
"They had a sad time of it, I suppose," said Charley. "But I choose to rejoice with the patriots, rather than be sorrowful with the tories. Grandfather, what did General Washington do now?"
"As the rear of the British army embarked from the wharf," replied Grandfather, "General Washington's troops marched over the neck, through the fortification gates, and entered Boston in triumph. And now, for the first time since the pilgrims landed, Massachusetts was free from the dominion68 of England. May she never again be subjected to foreign rule—never again feel the rod of oppression!"
"Dear Grandfather," asked little Alice, "did General Washington bring our chair back to Boston?"
"I know not how long the chair remained at Cambridge," said Grandfather. "Had it staid there till this time, it could not have found a better or more appropriate shelter. The mansion which General Washington occupied is still standing; and his apartments have since been tenanted by several eminent69 men. Governor Everett, while a professor in the university, resided there. So at an after period, did Mr. Sparks, whose invaluable70 labors71 have connected his name with the immortality72 of Washington. And, at this very time, a venerable friend and contemporary of your Grandfather, after long pilgrimages beyond the sea, has set up his staff of rest at Washington's head-quarters."
"You mean Professor Longfellow, Grandfather," said Laurence. "Oh, how I should love to see the author of those beautiful Voices Of The Night!"
"We will visit him next summer," answered Grandfather, "and take Clara and little Alice with us—and Charley, too, if he will be quiet."
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1
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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embark
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| vi.乘船，着手，从事，上飞机 | |
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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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blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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wig
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| n.假发 | |
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garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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edifice
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| n.宏伟的建筑物(如宫殿，教室) | |
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crumble
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| vi.碎裂，崩溃；vt.弄碎，摧毁 | |
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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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rend
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| vt.把…撕开，割裂；把…揪下来，强行夺取 | |
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asunder
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| adj.分离的，化为碎片 | |
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harangues
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| n.高谈阔论的长篇演讲( harangue的名词复数 )v.高谈阔论( harangue的第三人称单数 ) | |
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massacre
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| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
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shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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gore
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| n.凝血，血污；v.（动物）用角撞伤，用牙刺破；缝以补裆；顶 | |
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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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dispensed
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| v.分配( dispense的过去式和过去分词 )；施与；配（药） | |
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trumpet
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| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
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20
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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fleeting
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| adj.短暂的，飞逝的 | |
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wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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clattering
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| 发出咔哒声（clatter的现在分词形式） | |
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galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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embarkation
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| n. 乘船, 搭机, 开船 | |
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desecrate
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| v.供俗用，亵渎，污辱 | |
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mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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surmounted
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| 战胜( surmount的过去式和过去分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
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gilded
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| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
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throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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37
clattered
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| 发出咔哒声（clatter的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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38
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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39
submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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40
accosted
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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41
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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42
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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43
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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gentry
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| n.绅士阶级，上层阶级 | |
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46
hereditary
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| adj.遗传的，遗传性的，可继承的，世袭的 | |
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47
tar
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| n.柏油，焦油；vt.涂或浇柏油/焦油于 | |
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48
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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49
kinsman
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| n.男亲属 | |
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50
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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51
vindictive
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| adj.有报仇心的，怀恨的，惩罚的 | |
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52
invoke
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| v.求助于(神、法律)；恳求，乞求 | |
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53
bestowing
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| 砖窑中砖堆上层已烧透的砖 | |
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54
benediction
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| n.祝福；恩赐 | |
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55
cannon
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| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
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56
stump
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| n.残株，烟蒂，讲演台；v.砍断，蹒跚而走 | |
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57
overthrow
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| v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆 | |
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58
supremacy
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| n.至上；至高权力 | |
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59
severed
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| v.切断，断绝( sever的过去式和过去分词 )；断，裂 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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62
wharf
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| n.码头，停泊处 | |
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63
embarked
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| 乘船( embark的过去式和过去分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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anathemas
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| n.（天主教的）革出教门( anathema的名词复数 )；诅咒；令人极其讨厌的事；被基督教诅咒的人或事 | |
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67
benedictions
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| n.祝福( benediction的名词复数 )；（礼拜结束时的）赐福祈祷；恩赐；（大写）（罗马天主教）祈求上帝赐福的仪式 | |
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68
dominion
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| n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图 | |
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eminent
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| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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invaluable
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| adj.无价的，非常宝贵的，极为贵重的 | |
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71
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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immortality
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| n.不死，不朽 | |
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