[Pg 199]
to be ever left in the lurch4 for want of partakers.
Fortunate was it that such was the success of her social spirit; which success was by no means less flourishing, from her strong bent5 to displaying the rites6 of hospitality. She must else have lived the life of a recluse7, Mr. Burney, during the whole of the day, being devoted8 to his profession; with the single exception of one poor hour of repast, to re-fit him for every other of labour.
But the affection and pleasure with which, as
“The curfew toll’d the knell9 of parting day,”
he finished his toils10, were so animated11 and so genuine, that the sun, in the zenith of its splendour, was never more ardently12 hailed, than the cool, silent, evening star, whose soft glimmering13 light restored him to the bosom14 of his family; not there to murmur15 at his fatigues16, lament17 his troubles, nor recount his wearisome exertions18; but to return, with cheerful kindness, their tender greetings; to enliven them with the news, the anecdotes19, and the rumours20 of the day; to make a spontaneous catalogue raisonné of the people he had mixed with or seen; and always to bring home any new
[Pg 200]
publication, political, poetical21, or ethical22, that was making any noise in the world.
Amongst those of the old friends of Mr. Burney who were the most eager to judge his second choice, Roscius and Violetta, Mr. and Mrs. Garrick, seem entitled to be first mentioned, from the pleasurable remembrance of the delight bestowed23 upon the whole family by their presence.

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1
vivacious
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adj.活泼的,快活的 | |
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2
remains
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n.剩余物,残留物;遗体,遗迹 | |
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3
uncommon
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adj.罕见的,非凡的,不平常的 | |
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4
lurch
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n.突然向前或旁边倒;v.蹒跚而行 | |
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5
bent
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n.爱好,癖好;adj.弯的;决心的,一心的 | |
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6
rites
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仪式,典礼( rite的名词复数 ) | |
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7
recluse
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n.隐居者 | |
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8
devoted
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adj.忠诚的,忠实的,热心的,献身于...的 | |
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9
knell
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n.丧钟声;v.敲丧钟 | |
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10
toils
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网 | |
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11
animated
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adj.生气勃勃的,活跃的,愉快的 | |
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12
ardently
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adv.热心地,热烈地 | |
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13
glimmering
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n.微光,隐约的一瞥adj.薄弱地发光的v.发闪光,发微光( glimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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14
bosom
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n.胸,胸部;胸怀;内心;adj.亲密的 | |
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15
murmur
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n.低语,低声的怨言;v.低语,低声而言 | |
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16
fatigues
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n.疲劳( fatigue的名词复数 );杂役;厌倦;(士兵穿的)工作服 | |
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17
lament
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n.悲叹,悔恨,恸哭;v.哀悼,悔恨,悲叹 | |
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18
exertions
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n.努力( exertion的名词复数 );费力;(能力、权力等的)运用;行使 | |
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19
anecdotes
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n.掌故,趣闻,轶事( anecdote的名词复数 ) | |
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20
rumours
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n.传闻( rumour的名词复数 );风闻;谣言;谣传 | |
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21
poetical
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adj.似诗人的;诗一般的;韵文的;富有诗意的 | |
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22
ethical
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adj.伦理的,道德的,合乎道德的 | |
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23
bestowed
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赠给,授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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