The Advance of the Pretenders. — Historical Review.
We will now resume the narrative1, and endeavor to compress, in a few comprehensive pages, the facts which are more diffusely2 described in the print from which we have quoted.
It was manifest, then, that the troubles in the departments were of a serious nature, and that the forces gathered round the two pretenders to the crown were considerable. They had their supporters too in Paris — as what party indeed has not? and the venerable occupant of the throne was in a state of considerable anxiety, and found his declining years by no means so comfortable as his virtues3 and great age might have warranted.
His paternal4 heart was the more grieved when he thought of the fate reserved to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, now sprung up around him in vast numbers. The King’s grandson, the Prince Royal, married to a Princess of the house of Schlippen-Schloppen, was the father of fourteen children, all handsomely endowed with pensions by the State. His brother, the Count D’Eu, was similarly blessed with a multitudinous offspring. The Duke of Nemours had no children; but the Princes of Joinville, Aumale, and Montpensier (married to the Princesses Januaria and Februaria, of Brazil, and the Princess of the United States of America, erected5 into a monarchy7, 4th July, 1856, under the Emperor Duff Green I.) were the happy fathers of immense families — all liberally apportioned8 by the Chambers9, which had long been entirely10 subservient11 to his Majesty12 Louis Philippe.
The Duke of Aumale was King of Algeria, having married (in the first instance) the Princess Badroulboudour, a daughter of his Highness Abd-El-Kader. The Prince of Joinville was adored by the nation, on account of his famous victory over the English fleet under the command of Admiral the Prince of Wales, whose ship, the “Richard Cobden,” of 120 guns, was taken by the “Belle-Poule” frigate13 of 36; on which occasion forty-five other ships of war and 79 steam-frigates struck their colors to about one-fourth the number of the heroic French navy. The victory was mainly owing to the gallantry of the celebrated15 French horse-marines, who executed several brilliant charges under the orders of the intrepid16 Joinville; and though the Irish Brigade, with their ordinary modesty17, claimed the honors of the day, yet, as only three of that nation were present in the action, impartial18 history must award the palm to the intrepid sons of Gaul.
With so numerous a family quartered on the nation, the solicitude19 of the admirable King may be conceived, lest a revolution should ensue, and fling them on the world once more. How could he support so numerous a family? Considerable as his wealth was (for he was known to have amassed20 about a hundred and thirteen billions, which were lying in the caves of the Tuileries), yet such a sum was quite insignificant21, when divided among his progeny22; and, besides, he naturally preferred getting from the nation as much as his faithful people could possibly afford.
Seeing the imminency of the danger, and that money, well applied23, is often more efficacious than the conqueror’s sword, the King’s Ministers were anxious that he should devote a part of his savings24 to the carrying on of the war. But, with the cautiousness of age, the monarch6 declined this offer; he preferred, he said, throwing himself upon his faithful people, who, he was sure, would meet, as became them, the coming exigency25. The Chambers met his appeal with their usual devotion. At a solemn convocation of those legislative26 bodies, the King, surrounded by his family, explained the circumstances and the danger. His Majesty, his family, his Ministers, and the two Chambers, then burst into tears, according to immemorial usage, and raising their hands to the ceiling, swore eternal fidelity27 to the dynasty and to France, and embraced each other affectingly all round.
It need not be said that in the course of that evening two hundred Deputies of the Left left Paris, and joined the Prince John Thomas Napoleon, who was now advanced as far as Dijon: two hundred and fifty-three (of the Right, the Centre, and Round the Corner,) similarly quitted the capital to pay their homage28 to the Duke of Bordeaux. They were followed, according to their several political predilections29, by the various Ministers and dignitaries of the State. The only Minister who remained in Paris was Marshal Thiers, Prince of Waterloo (he had defeated the English in the very field where they had obtained formerly30 a success, though the victory was as usual claimed by the Irish Brigade); but age had ruined the health and diminished the immense strength of that gigantic leader, and it is said his only reason for remaining in Paris was because a fit of the gout kept him in bed.
The capital was entirely tranquil31. The theatres and cafes were open as usual, and the masked balls attended with great enthusiasm: confiding32 in their hundred and twenty-four forts, the light-minded people had nothing to fear.
Except in the way of money, the King left nothing undone33 to conciliate his people. He even went among them with his umbrella; but they were little touched with that mark of confidence. He shook hands with everybody; he distributed crosses of the Legion of Honor in such multitudes, that red ribbon rose two hundred per cent in the market (by which his Majesty, who speculated in the article, cleared a tolerable sum of money). But these blandishments and honors had little effect upon an apathetic34 people; and the enemy of the Orleans dynasty, the fashionable young nobles of the Henriquinquiste party, wore gloves perpetually, for fear (they said) that they should be obliged to shake hands with the best of kings; while the republicans adopted coats without button-holes, lest they should be forced to hang red ribbons in them. The funds did not fluctuate in the least.
The proclamations of the several pretenders had had their effect. The young men of the schools and the estaminets (celebrated places of public education) allured35 by the noble words of Prince Napoleon, “Liberty, equality, war all over the world!” flocked to his standard in considerable numbers: while the noblesse naturally hastened to offer their allegiance to the legitimate36 descendant of Saint Louis.
And truly, never was there seen a more brilliant chivalry37 than that collected round the gallant14 Prince Henry! There was not a man in his army but had lacquered boots and fresh white kid-gloves at morning and evening parade. The fantastic and effeminate but brave and faithful troops were numbered off into different legions: there was the Fleur-d’Orange regiment38; the Eau-de-Rose battalion39; the Violet-Pomatum volunteers; the Eau-de-Cologne cavalry40 — according to the different scents41 which they affected42. Most of the warriors43 wore lace ruffles44; all powder and pigtails, as in the real days of chivalry. A band of heavy dragoons under the command of Count Alfred de Horsay made themselves conspicuous45 for their discipline, cruelty, and the admirable cut of their coats; and with these celebrated horsemen came from England the illustrious Duke of Jenkins with his superb footmen. They were all six feet high. They all wore bouquets46 of the richest flowers: they wore bags, their hair slightly powdered, brilliant shoulder-knots, and cocked-hats laced with gold. They wore the tight knee-pantaloon of velveteen peculiar47 to this portion of the British infantry48: and their legs were so superb, that the Duke of Bordeaux, embracing with tears their admirable leader on parade, said, “Jenkins, France never saw such calves49 until now.” The weapon of this tremendous militia50 was an immense club or cane51, reaching from the sole of the foot to the nose, and heavily mounted with gold. Nothing could stand before this terrific weapon, and the breast-plates and plumed52 morions of the French cuirassiers would have been undoubtedly53 crushed beneath them, had they ever met in mortal combat. Between this part of the Prince’s forces and the Irish auxiliaries54 there was a deadly animosity. Alas55, there always is such in camps! The sons of Albion had not forgotten the day when the children of Erin had been subject to their devastating56 sway.
The uniform of the latter was various — the rich stuff called corps-du-roy (worn by Coeur de Lion at Agincourt) formed their lower habiliments for the most part: the national frieze14 yielded them tail-coats. The latter was generally torn in a fantastic manner at the elbows, skirts, and collars, and fastened with every variety of button, tape, and string. Their weapons were the caubeen, the alpeen, and the doodeen of the country — the latter a short but dreadful weapon of offence. At the demise57 of the venerable Theobald Mathew, the nation had laid aside its habit of temperance, and universal intoxication58 betokened59 their grief; it became afterwards their constant habit. Thus do men ever return to the haunts of their childhood: such a power has fond memory over us! The leaders of this host seem to have been, however, an effeminate race; they are represented by contemporary historians as being passionately60 fond of FLYING KITES. Others say they went into battle armed with “bills,” no doubt rude weapons; for it is stated that foreigners could never be got to accept them in lieu of their own arms. The Princes of Mayo, Donegal, and Connemara, marched by the side of their young and royal chieftain, the Prince of Ballybunion, fourth son of Daniel the First, King of the Emerald Isle61.
14 Were these in any way related to the chevaux-de-frise on which the French cavalry were mounted?
Two hosts then, one under the Eagles, and surrounded by the republican imperialists, the other under the antique French Lilies, were marching on the French capital. The Duke of Brittany, too, confined in the lunatic asylum62 of Charenton, found means to issue a protest against his captivity63, which caused only derision in the capital. Such was the state of the empire, and such the clouds that were gathering64 round the Sun of Orleans!
收听单词发音 |
1
narrative
|
|
| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
diffusely
|
|
| 广泛地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
virtues
|
|
| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
paternal
|
|
| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
ERECTED
|
|
| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
monarch
|
|
| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
monarchy
|
|
| n.君主，最高统治者；君主政体，君主国 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
apportioned
|
|
| vt.分摊，分配（apportion的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
chambers
|
|
| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
entirely
|
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
subservient
|
|
| adj.卑屈的，阿谀的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
majesty
|
|
| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
frigate
|
|
| n.护航舰，大型驱逐舰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
gallant
|
|
| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
celebrated
|
|
| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
intrepid
|
|
| adj.无畏的，刚毅的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
modesty
|
|
| n.谦逊，虚心，端庄，稳重，羞怯，朴素 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
impartial
|
|
| adj.(in,to)公正的，无偏见的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
solicitude
|
|
| n.焦虑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
amassed
|
|
| v.积累，积聚( amass的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
insignificant
|
|
| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
progeny
|
|
| n.后代，子孙；结果 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
applied
|
|
| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
savings
|
|
| n.存款，储蓄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
exigency
|
|
| n.紧急；迫切需要 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
legislative
|
|
| n.立法机构，立法权；adj.立法的，有立法权的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
fidelity
|
|
| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
homage
|
|
| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
predilections
|
|
| n.偏爱，偏好，嗜好( predilection的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
formerly
|
|
| adv.从前，以前 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
tranquil
|
|
| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
confiding
|
|
| adj.相信人的，易于相信的v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的现在分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
undone
|
|
| a.未做完的，未完成的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
apathetic
|
|
| adj.冷漠的，无动于衷的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
allured
|
|
| 诱引，吸引( allure的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
legitimate
|
|
| adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
chivalry
|
|
| n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
regiment
|
|
| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
battalion
|
|
| n.营；部队；大队(的人) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
cavalry
|
|
| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
scents
|
|
| n.香水( scent的名词复数 )；气味；（动物的）臭迹；（尤指狗的）嗅觉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
affected
|
|
| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
warriors
|
|
| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
ruffles
|
|
| 褶裥花边( ruffle的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
conspicuous
|
|
| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
bouquets
|
|
| n.花束( bouquet的名词复数 )；（酒的）芳香 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
peculiar
|
|
| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
infantry
|
|
| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
calves
|
|
| n.(calf的复数)笨拙的男子，腓；腿肚子( calf的名词复数 )；牛犊；腓；小腿肚v.生小牛( calve的第三人称单数 )；（冰川）崩解；生（小牛等），产（犊）；使（冰川）崩解 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
militia
|
|
| n.民兵，民兵组织 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
cane
|
|
| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
plumed
|
|
| 饰有羽毛的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
undoubtedly
|
|
| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
auxiliaries
|
|
| n.助动词 ( auxiliary的名词复数 )；辅助工，辅助人员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
alas
|
|
| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
devastating
|
|
| adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
demise
|
|
| n.死亡；v.让渡，遗赠，转让 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
intoxication
|
|
| n.wild excitement;drunkenness；poisoning | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
betokened
|
|
| v.预示，表示( betoken的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
passionately
|
|
| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
isle
|
|
| n.小岛，岛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
asylum
|
|
| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
captivity
|
|
| n.囚禁；被俘；束缚 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
gathering
|
|
| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |