With failure at the root of every undertaking9, and abortion10 for the fruit of every hope, Kit11 Smart finished his suffering existence in the King’s Bench
[Pg 280]
prison; where he owed to a small subscription12, of which Dr. Burney was at the head, a miserable13 little pittance14 beyond the prison allowance; and where he consumed away the blighted15 remnant of his days, under the alternate pressure of partial aberration16 of intellect, and bacchanalian17 forgetfulness of misfortune.
His learning and talents, which frequently, in his youth, had been crowned with classical laurels18 at the University of Cambridge, had seemed to prognosticate a far different result: but, through whatever errors or irregularities such fair promises may have been set aside, he, surely, must always call for commiseration19 rather than censure20, who has been exposed, though but at intervals21, to the unknown disorders22 of wavering senses.
Nevertheless, whenever he was master of his faculties23, his piety24, though rather fanatical than rational, was truly sincere; and survived all his calamities25, whether mental or mundane26.
He left behind him none to whom he was more attached than Dr. Burney, who had been one of his first favourite companions, and who remained his last and most generous friend.
Alike through his malady27 and his distresses28,
[Pg 281]
the goodness of his heart, and his feeling for others, were constantly predominant. In his latest letter to Dr. Burney, which was written from the King’s Bench prison, he passionately29 pleaded for a fellow-sufferer, “whom I myself,” he impressively says, “have already assisted according to my willing poverty.”
Kit Smart is occasionally mentioned in Boswell’s Life of Dr. Johnson, and with anecdotes30 given to Mr. Boswell by Dr. Burney.
Mrs. Le Noir, the ingenious daughter of Mr. Smart, is authoress of a pleasing production entitled Village Manners, which she dedicated31 to Dr. Burney.

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1
attained
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(通常经过努力)实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 ); 达到; 获得; 达到(某年龄、水平、状况) | |
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2
marvel
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vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异;n.令人惊异的事 | |
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3
previously
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adv.以前,先前(地) | |
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4
concurrences
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n.同意,一致( concurrence的名词复数 );同时发生或出现 | |
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5
prematurely
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adv.过早地,贸然地 | |
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6
relentlessly
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adv.不屈不挠地;残酷地;不间断 | |
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7
dread
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vt.担忧,忧虑;惧怕,不敢;n.担忧,畏惧 | |
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8
creditor
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n.债仅人,债主,贷方 | |
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9
undertaking
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n.保证,许诺,事业 | |
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10
abortion
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n.流产,堕胎 | |
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11
kit
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n.用具包,成套工具;随身携带物 | |
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12
subscription
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n.预订,预订费,亲笔签名,调配法,下标(处方) | |
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13
miserable
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adj.悲惨的,痛苦的;可怜的,糟糕的 | |
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14
pittance
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n.微薄的薪水,少量 | |
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15
blighted
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adj.枯萎的,摧毁的 | |
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16
aberration
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n.离开正路,脱离常规,色差 | |
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17
bacchanalian
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adj.闹酒狂饮的;n.发酒疯的人 | |
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18
laurels
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n.桂冠,荣誉 | |
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19
commiseration
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n.怜悯,同情 | |
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20
censure
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v./n.责备;非难;责难 | |
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21
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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22
disorders
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n.混乱( disorder的名词复数 );凌乱;骚乱;(身心、机能)失调 | |
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23
faculties
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n.能力( faculty的名词复数 );全体教职员;技巧;院 | |
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24
piety
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n.虔诚,虔敬 | |
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25
calamities
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n.灾祸,灾难( calamity的名词复数 );不幸之事 | |
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26
mundane
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adj.平凡的;尘世的;宇宙的 | |
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27
malady
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n.病,疾病(通常做比喻) | |
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28
distresses
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n.悲痛( distress的名词复数 );痛苦;贫困;危险 | |
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29
passionately
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ad.热烈地,激烈地 | |
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30
anecdotes
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n.掌故,趣闻,轶事( anecdote的名词复数 ) | |
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31
dedicated
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adj.一心一意的;献身的;热诚的 | |
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