Mean while the Prefect moved on and I followed, quite astonished and pensive1. At our coming out of the wood we found ourselves before a hill, at the foot of which stood a hollow column above a hundred feet high and thick in proportion. I saw issuing out of the top of the column vapours (much like the exhalations raised by the sun) in such abundance that they were very visible. From the same column I saw coming out and dispersing2 themselves in the air certain human forms, certain images still lighter3 than the vapours by which they were supported.
28Behold (says the Prefect) the Refiner of the Elementary Spirits. The column is filled with four Essences, each of which has been extracted from each element. The Spirits plunge5 into them, and by a mechanism6, too long to be described, get rid of all extraneous7 matter. The images which thou seest coming out of the column, are nothing more than very thin surfaces which surrounded them and served to make them visible. These surfaces partake of the different qualities of the spirits who excel more or less in certain respects, as visages are expressive8 of the characters of men, who differ infinitely9. Thus, there are images or surfaces of science, of learning, of prudence10, of wisdom, &c.
29Men often cloath themselves with them, and like masks these surfaces make them appear very different from what they really are. Hence it is that you constantly meet with the appearance of every good, of every virtue11 and every quality, though the things themselves are scarce to be found any where.
At Babylon especially, these surfaces are in singular esteem12: all is seen there in appearance. A Babylonian had rather be nothing and appear every thing than to be every thing and appear nothing. So, you see only surfaces every where and of every kind.
30Surface of friendship, by the means of which all Babylon seems to be but one family. Friendship is like a strong band made of very weak threads twisted together. A Babylonian is tied to no one by the band, but he is tied to each of his fellow-citizens by a single thread.
Surface of piety15, formerly16 much in use and of great influence, now-a-days totally in disrepute. It gives people a certain Gothic air quite ridiculous in the eyes of the moderns. It is now found only among a few adherents17 to the old bigots, and in an order of men, who, on account of their function, cannot lay it aside, how desirous soever they may be.
31Surface of opulence18, one of the most striking things in Babylon. Behold4 in the Temples, in the Assemblies, in the publick Walks, those citizens so richly dressed, those women so adorned19, those children so neat, so lively, and who promise so fair to be one day as frivolous20 as their fathers: follow them to their homes; furniture of the best taste, commodious21 apartments, houses like little palaces, all continues to proclaim opulence. But stop there: if you go any farther, you will see families in distress22 and hearts overflowing23 with cares.
Surface of probity24, for the use of Politicians and those who concern themselves with the management of others. These great men cannot be as honest as the lower people; they have certain 32maxims from which they think it essential never to depart, and from which it is no less essential that they appear extremely remote.
Surface of patriotism25, of which the real substance has long since disappeared. We must distinguish, in the conduct of the Babylonians, between the Theory and the Practice. The Theory turns entirely27 upon Patriotism. Publick Good, national Interest, Glory of the Babylonian Name, all this is the language of Theory. The Practice hangs solely28 upon the hinge of private interest. It is very remarkable29 that in this respect the Babylonians have long been dupes of one another. Each plainly perceived that Country did not much affect him; but he heard others talk of it so often 33and so affectionately that he verily believed there was still such a thing as a true Patriot26. But now their eyes are open and they see that all are alike.
点击收听单词发音
1 pensive | |
a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 | |
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2 dispersing | |
adj. 分散的 动词disperse的现在分词形式 | |
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3 lighter | |
n.打火机,点火器;驳船;v.用驳船运送;light的比较级 | |
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4 behold | |
v.看,注视,看到 | |
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5 plunge | |
v.跳入,(使)投入,(使)陷入;猛冲 | |
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6 mechanism | |
n.机械装置;机构,结构 | |
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7 extraneous | |
adj.体外的;外来的;外部的 | |
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8 expressive | |
adj.表现的,表达…的,富于表情的 | |
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9 infinitely | |
adv.无限地,无穷地 | |
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10 prudence | |
n.谨慎,精明,节俭 | |
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11 virtue | |
n.德行,美德;贞操;优点;功效,效力 | |
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12 esteem | |
n.尊敬,尊重;vt.尊重,敬重;把…看作 | |
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13 modesty | |
n.谦逊,虚心,端庄,稳重,羞怯,朴素 | |
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14 decency | |
n.体面,得体,合宜,正派,庄重 | |
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15 piety | |
n.虔诚,虔敬 | |
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16 formerly | |
adv.从前,以前 | |
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17 adherents | |
n.支持者,拥护者( adherent的名词复数 );党羽;徒子徒孙 | |
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18 opulence | |
n.财富,富裕 | |
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19 adorned | |
[计]被修饰的 | |
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20 frivolous | |
adj.轻薄的;轻率的 | |
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21 commodious | |
adj.宽敞的;使用方便的 | |
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22 distress | |
n.苦恼,痛苦,不舒适;不幸;vt.使悲痛 | |
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23 overflowing | |
n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的,充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式 | |
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24 probity | |
n.刚直;廉洁,正直 | |
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25 patriotism | |
n.爱国精神,爱国心,爱国主义 | |
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26 patriot | |
n.爱国者,爱国主义者 | |
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27 entirely | |
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地 | |
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28 solely | |
adv.仅仅,唯一地 | |
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29 remarkable | |
adj.显著的,异常的,非凡的,值得注意的 | |
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