inexplicable journey performed by this one, and concerning
the obscurity of the witchcraft2 employed.
VENERATED3 SIRE,—Among these islanders there is a proverb, “Do not place the carte” (or card, the two words having an identical purport4, and both signifying the inscribed5 tablet of viands6 prepared for a banquet,) “before the horse.” Doubtless the saying first arose as a timely rebuke7 to a certain barbarian8 emperor who announced his contempt for the intelligence of his subjects by conferring high mandarin9 rank upon a favourite steed and ceremoniously appointing it to be his chancellor10; but from the narrower moral that an unreasoning animal is out of place, and even unseemly, in the entertaining hall or council chamber11, the expression has in the course of time taken a wider application and is now freely used as an insidious12 thrust at one who may be suspected of contrariness of character, of confusing issues, or of acting13 in a vain or illogical manner. I had already preserved the saying among other instances of foreign thought and expression which I am collecting for your dignified14 amusement, as it is very characteristic of the wisdom and humour of these Outer Lands. The imagination is essentially15 barbaric. A horse—doubtless well-groomed, richly-caparisoned, and as intellectual as the circumstances will permit, but inevitably16 an animal of degraded attributes and untraceable ancestry—a horse reclining before a lavishly17 set-out table and considering well of what dish it shall next partake! Could anything, it appears, be more diverting! Truly to our more refined outlook the analogy is lacking both in delicacy18 of wit and in exactitude of balance, but to the grosser barbarian conception of what is gravity-removing it is irresistible19.
I am, however, reminded of the saying by perceiving that I was on the point of recording20 certain details of recent occurrence without first unrolling to your mind the incidents from which it has arisen that the person who is now communicating with you is no longer reposing21 in the Capital, but spending a period profitably in observing the habits of those who dwell in the more secluded22 recesses23 on the outskirts25 of the Island. This reversal of the proper sequence of affairs would doubtless strike those around as an instance of setting the banquet before the horse. Without delay, then, to pursue the allusion26 to its appropriate end, I will return, as it may be said, to my nosebag.
At various points about the streets of the Capital there are certain caverns27 artificially let into the bowels29 of the earth, to which any person may betake himself upon purchasing a printed sign which he must display to the guardian30 of the gate. Once within the underneathmost parts he is free to be carried from place to place by means of the trains of carriages which I have already described to you, until he would return to the outer surface, when he must again display his talisman31 before he is permitted to pass forth32. Nor is this an empty form, for upon an occasion this person himself witnessed a very bitter contention33 between a keeper of the barrier and one whose token had through some cause lost its potency34.
In the company of the experienced I had previously35 gone through the trial without mischance, so that recently when I expressed a wish to visit a certain Palace, and was informed that the most convenient manner would be to descend36 into the nearest cavern28, I had no reasonable device for avoiding the encounter. Nevertheless, enlightened sire, I will not attempt to conceal37 from your omniscience38 that I was by no means impetuous towards the adventure. Owing to the pugnacious39 and unworthy suspicions of those who direct their destinies, I have not yet been able to penetrate40 the exact connection between the movements of these hot-smoke chariots and the Unseen Forces. To a person whose chief object in life is to avoid giving offence to any of the innumerable demons42 which are ever on the watch to revenge themselves upon our slightest indiscretion, this uncertainty43 opens an unending vista44 of intolerable possibilities. As if to emphasise45 the perils of this overhanging doubt the surroundings are ingeniously arranged so as to represent as nearly as practicable the terrors of the Beneath World. Both by day and night a funereal46 gloom envelops47 the caverns, the pathways and resting-places are meagre and so constructed as to be devoid48 of attraction or repose49, and by a skilful50 contrivance the natural atmosphere is secretly withdrawn51 and a very acrimonious53 sulphurous haze54 driven in to replace it. In sudden and unforeseen places eyes of fire open and close with disconcerting rapidity, and even change colour in vindictive55 significance; wooden hands are outstretched as in unrelenting rigidity56 against supplication57, or, divining the unexpressed thoughts, inexorably point, as one gazes, still deeper into the recesses of the earth; while the air is never free from the sounds of groans58, shrieks59, the rattling60 of chains, dull, hopeless noises beneath one’s feet or overhead, and the hoarse61 wordless cries of despair with which the attending slaves of the caverns greet the distant clamour of every approaching fire-chariot. Admittedly the intention of the device is benevolently63 conceived, and it is strenuously64 asserted that many persons of corrupt65 habits and ill-balanced lives, upon waking unexpectedly while passing through these Beneath Parts, have abandoned the remainder of their journey, and, escaping hastily to the outer air, have from that time onwards led a pure and consistent existence; but, on the other foot, those who are compelled to use the caverns daily, freely confess that the surroundings to not in any material degree purify their lives of tranquillise the nature of their inner thoughts.
In this emergency I did not neglect to write out a diversity of charms against every possible variety of evil influence, and concealing66 them lavishly about my head and body, I presented myself with the outer confidence of a person who is inured67 to the exploit. Doubtless thereby68 being mistaken for one of themselves in the obscurity, I received the inscribed safeguard without opposition69, and even an added sum in copper70 pieces, which I discreetly72 returned to the one behind the shutter73, with the request that he would honourably74 burn a few joss sticks or sacrifice to a trivial amount, to the success of my journey. In such a manner I reached an awaiting train, and, taking up within it a position of retiring modesty75, I definitely committed myself to the undertaking76.
At the next tarrying place there entered a barbarian of high-class appearance, and being by this time less assured of my competence77 in the matter unaided, both on account of the multiplicity of evil omens78 on every side, and the perverse79 impulses of the guiding demon41, whereby at sudden angles certain of my organs had the emotion of being left irrevocably behind and others of being snatched relentlessly80 forward, I approached him courteously81.
“Behold,” I said, “many thousand li of water, both fresh and bitter, flow between the one who is addressing you and his native town of Yuen-ping, where the tablets at the street corners are as familiar to him as the lines of his own unshapely hands; for, as it is truly said, ‘Does the starling know the lotus roots, or the pomfret read its way by the signs among the upper branches of the pines?’ Out of the necessities of his ignorance and your own overwhelming condescension82 enlighten him, therefore, whether the destination of this fire-chariot by any chance corresponds with the inscribed name upon his talisman?”
Thus adjured83, the stranger benevolently turned himself to the detail, and upon consulting a book of symbols he expressed himself to this wise: that after a sufficient interval84 I should come into a certain station, called in part after the title of the enlightened ruler of this Island, and there abandoning the train which was carrying us, I should enter another which would bring me out of the Beneath Parts and presently into the midst of that Palace which I sought. This advice seemed good, for a reasonable connection might be supposed to exist between a station so auspiciously85 called and a Palace bearing the harmonious86 name of the gracious and universally-revered sovereign-consort. Accordingly I thanked him ceremoniously, not only on my own part, but also on behalf of eleven generations of immediate87 ancestors, and in the name of seven generations who should come after, and he on his side agreeably replied that he was sure his grandmother would have done as much for mine, and he sincerely hoped that none of his great-great-grandchildren would prove less obliging. In this intellectual manner, varied88 with the entertainment of profuse89 bows, the time passed cordially between us until the barbarian reached his own alighting stage, when he again repeated the various details of the strategy for my observance.
At this point let it be set forth deliberately90 that there existed no treachery in the advice, still less that this person is incapable91 of competently achieving the destined92 end of any hazard upon which he may embark93 when once the guiding signs have been made clear to his understanding. Whatever entanglement94 arose was due merely to the conflicting manners of expression used by two widely-varying races, even as our own proverb says, “What is only sauce for the cod95 is serious for the oyster96.”
At the station indicated as bearing the sign of the ruler of the country (which even a person of little discernment could have recognised by the highly-illuminated representation bearing the elusively-worded inscription97, “In packets only”), I left this fire-chariot, and at once perceiving another in an attitude of departure, I entered it, as the casual barbarian had definitely instructed, and began to assure myself that I had already become expertly proficient98 in the art of journeying among these Beneath Regions and to foresee the time, not far distant, when others would confidently address themselves to me in their extremities99. So entrancing did this contemplation grow, that this outrageous100 person began to compose the actual words with which he would instruct them as the occasion arose, as thus, “Undoubtedly, O virtuous101 and not unattractive maiden102, this fire-engine will ultimately lead your refined footsteps into the street called Those who Bake Food. Do not hesitate, therefore, to occupy the vacant place by this insignificant103 one’s side”; or, “By no means, honourable104 sir; the Cross of Charing105 is in the precisely106 opposite direction to that selected by this self-opinionated machine for its inopportune destination. Do not rebuke this person for his immoderate loss of mental gravity, for your mistake, though pardonable in a stranger, is really excessively diverting. Your most prudent107 course now will assuredly be to cast yourself from the carriage without delay and rely upon the benevolent62 intervention108 of a fire-chariot proceeding109 backwards110.”
Alas111, it is truly said, “None but sword-swallowers should endeavour to swallow swords,” thereby signifying the vast chasm112 that lies between those who are really adroit113 in an undertaking and those who only think that they may easily become so. Presently it began to become deeply impressed upon my discrimination that the journey was taking a more lengthy114 duration than I had been given to understand would be the case, while at the same time a permanent deliverance from the terrors of the Beneath Parts seemed to be insidiously115 lengthening116 out into a funereal unattainableness. The point of this person’s destination, he had been assured on all hands, was a spot beyond which even the most aggressively assertive117 engine could not proceed, so that he had no fears of being incapably118 drawn52 into more remote places, yet when hour after hour passed and the ill-destined machine never failed in its malicious119 endeavours to leave each successive tarrying station, it is not to be denied that my imagination dwelt regretfully upon the true civilisation121 of our own enlightened country, where, by the considerate intervention of an all-wise government, the possibilities of so distressing122 an experience are sympathetically removed from one’s path. Thus the greater part of the day had faded, and I was conjecturing124 that by this time we must inevitably be approaching the barren and inhospitable country which forms the northern limit of the Island, when the door suddenly opened and the barbarian stranger whom I had left many hundred li behind entered the carriage.
At this manifestation125 all uncertainty departed, and I now understood that to some obscure end witchcraft of a very powerful and high-caste kind was being employed around me; for in no other way was it credible126 to one’s intelligence that a person could propel himself through the air with a speed greater than that of one of these fire-chariots, and overtake it. Doubtless it was a part of this same scheme which made it seem expedient127 to the stranger that he should feign128 a part, for he at once greeted me as though the occasion were a matter of everyday happening, exclaiming genially129—
“Well, Mr. Kong, returning? And what do you think of the Palace?”
“It is fitly observed, ‘To the earthworm the rice stalk is as high as the pagoda,’” I replied with adroit evasion130, clearly understanding from his manner that for some reason, not yet revealed to me, a course of dissimulation131 was expedient in order to mislead the surrounding demons concerning my movements, and by a subtle indication of the face conveying to the stranger an assurance that I had tactfully grasped the requirement, and would endeavour to walk well upon his heels, “and therefore it would be unseemly for a person of my insignificant attainments132 to engage in the doubtful flattery of comparing it with the many other residences of the pure and exalted133 which embellish134 your Capital.”
“Oh,” said the one whom I may now suitably describe by the name of Sir Philip, “that’s rather a useful proverb sometimes. Many people there?”
At this inquiry135 I could not disguise from myself an emotion that the person seated opposite was not diplomatically inspired in so persistently136 clinging to the one subject upon which he must assuredly know that I experienced an all-pervading deficiency. Nevertheless, being by this more fully120 convinced that the disguise was one of critical necessity, and not deeming that the essential ceremonies of one Palace would differ from those of another, no matter in what land they stood (while through all I read a clear design on Sir Philip’s part that the opportunity was craftily137 arranged so that I might impress upon any vindictively-intentioned spirits within hearing an assumption of high protection), I replied that the gathering138 had been one of unparalleled splendour, both by reason of the multitude of exalted nobles present and also owing to the jewelled magnificence lavished139 on every detail. Furthermore, I continued, now definitely abandoning all the promptings of a wise reserve, and reflecting, as we say, that one may as well be drowned in the ocean as in a wooden bucket, not only did the sublime140 and unapproachable sovereign graciously permit me to kow-tow respectfully before him, but subsequently calling me to his side beneath a canopy141 of golden radiance, he conversed142 genially with me and benevolently assured me of his sympathetic favour on all occasions (this, I conjectured143, would certainly overawe any Evil Force not among the very highest circles), while the no less magnanimous Prince of the Imperial Line questioned me with flattering assiduousness concerning a method of communicating with persons at a distance by means of blows or stamps upon a post (as far as the outer meaning conveyed itself to me), the houses which we build, and whether they contained an adequate provision of enclosed spaces in the walls.
Doubtless I could have continued in this praiseworthy spirit of delicate cordiality to an indefinite amount had I not chanced to observe at this point that the expression of Sir Philip’s urbanity had become entangled144 in a variety of other emotions, not all propitious145 to the scheme, so that in order to retire imperceptibly within myself I smiled broad-mindedly, remarking that it was well said that the moon was only bright while the sun was hid, and that I had lately been dazzled with the sight of so much brilliance146 and virtuous condescension that there were occasions when I questioned inwardly how much I had really witnessed, and how much had been conveyed to me in the nature of an introspective vision.
It will already have been made plain to you, O my courtly-mannered father, that these barbarians147 are totally deficient148 in the polite art whereby two persons may carry on a flattering and highly-attuned conversation, mutually advantageous149 to the esteem150 of each, without it being necessary in any way that their statements should have more than an ornamental151 actuality. So wanting in this, the most concentrated form of truly well-bred entertainment, are even their high officials, that after a few more remarks, to which I made answer in a spirit of skilfully-sustained elusiveness152, the utterly153 obtuse154 Sir Philip said at length, “Excuse my asking, Mr. Kong, but have you really been to the Alexandra Palace at all?”
Admittedly there are few occasions in life on which it is not possible to fail to see the inopportune or low-class by a dignified impassiveness of features, an adroitly-directed jest, or a remark of baffling inconsequence, but in the face of so distressingly155 straightforward156 a demand what can be advanced by a person of susceptible157 refinement158 when opposed to one of incomparably larger dimensions, imprisoned159 by his side in the recess24 of a fire-chariot which is leaping forward with uncurbed velocity160, and surrounded by demons with whose habits and partialities he is unfamiliar161?
“In a manner of expressing the circumstance,” I replied, “it is not to be denied that this person’s actual footsteps may have imperceptibly been drawn somewhat aside from the path of his former design. Yet inasmuch as it is truly said that the body is in all things subservient162 to the mind, and is led withersoever it is willed, and as your engaging directions were scrupulously163 observed with undeviating fidelity164, it would be impertinently self-opinionated on this person’s part to imply that they failed to guide him to his destination. Thus, for all ceremonial purposes, it is permissible165 conscientiously166 to assume that he HAS been there.”
“I am afraid that I must not have been sufficiently167 clear,” said Sir Philip. “Did you miss the train at King’s Cross?”
“By no means,” I replied firmly, pained inwardly that he should cast the shadow of such narrow incompetence168 upon me. “Seeing this machine on the point of setting forth on a journey, even as your overwhelming sagacity had enabled you to predict would be the case, I embarked169 with self-reliant confidence.”
“Good lord!” murmured the person opposite, beginning to manifest an excess of emotion for which I was quite unable to account. “Then you have been in this train—your actual footsteps I mean, Mr. Kong; not your ceremonial abstract subliminal170 ego—ever since?”
To this I replied that his words shone like the moon at midnight with scintillating171 points of truth; adding, however, as the courtesies of the occasion required, that I had been so impressed with the many-sided brilliance of his conversation earlier in the day as to render the flight of time practically unnoticed by me.
“But did it never occur to you to ask at one of the stations?” he demanded, still continuing to wave his hands incapably from side to side. “Any of the porters would have told you.”
“Kong Li Heng, the founder172 of our line, who was really great, has been dead eleven centuries, and no single fact or incident connected with his life has been preserved to influence mankind,” I replied. “How much less will it matter, then, even in so limited a space of time as a hundred years, in what fashion so insignificant a person as the one before you acted on any occasion, and why, therefore, should he distress123 himself unnecessarily to any precise end?” In this manner I sought to place before him the dignified example of an imperturbability173 which can be maintained in every emergency, and at the same time to administer a plain yet scrupulously-sheathed rebuke; for the inauspicious manner in which he had first drawn me on to speak confidently of the ceremonies of the Royal Palace and then held up my inadequacy174 to undeserved contempt had not rejoiced my imagination, and I was still uncertain how much to claim, and whether, perchance, even yet a more subtle craft lay under all.
“Well, in any case, when you go back you can claim the distinction of having been taken seven times round London, although you can’t really have seen much of it,” said Sir Philip. “This is a Circle train.”
At this assertion I looked up. Though admittedly curved a little about the roof the chariot was in every essential degree what we should pronounce to be a square one; whereupon, feeling at length that the involvement had definitely passed to a point beyond my contemptible175 discernment, I spread out my hands acquiescently and affably remarked that the days were lengthening out pleasantly.
In such a manner I became acquainted with the one Sir Philip, and thereby, in a somewhat circuitous176 line, the original purpose which possessed177 my brush when I began this inept178 and commonplace letter is reached; for the person in question not only lay upon himself the obligation of leading me “by the strings179 of his apron-garment”—in the characteristic and fanciful turn of the barbarian language—to that same Palace on the following day, but thenceforth gracefully180 affecting to discern certain agreeable virtues181 in my conversation and custom of habit he frequently sought me out. More recently, on the double plea that they of his household had a desire to meet me, and that if I spent all my time within the Capital my impressions of the Island would necessarily be ill-balanced and deformed182, he advanced a project that I should accompany him to a spot where, as far as I was competent to grasp the idiom, he was in the habit of sitting (doubtless in an abstruse183 reverie), in the country; and having assured myself by means of discreet71 innuendo184 that the seat referred to would be adequate for this person also, and that the occasion did not in any way involve a payment of money, I at once expressed my willingness towards the adventure.
With numerous expressions of unfeigned regret (from a filial point of view) that the voice of one of the maidens185 of the household, lifted in the nature of a defiance186 against this one to engage with her in a two-handed conflict of hong pong, obliges him to bring this immature187 composition to a hasty close.
KONG HO.
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1
perils
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| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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2
witchcraft
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| n.魔法，巫术 | |
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venerated
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| 敬重（某人或某事物），崇敬( venerate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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4
purport
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| n.意义，要旨，大要；v.意味著，做为...要旨，要领是... | |
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5
inscribed
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| v.写，刻( inscribe的过去式和过去分词 )；内接 | |
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6
viands
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| n.食品，食物 | |
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7
rebuke
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| v.指责，非难，斥责 [反]praise | |
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barbarian
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| n.野蛮人；adj.野蛮(人)的；未开化的 | |
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Mandarin
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| n.中国官话，国语，满清官吏；adj.华丽辞藻的 | |
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10
chancellor
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| n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长 | |
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11
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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12
insidious
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| adj.阴险的，隐匿的，暗中为害的，（疾病）不知不觉之间加剧 | |
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13
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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14
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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15
essentially
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| adv.本质上，实质上，基本上 | |
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16
inevitably
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| adv.不可避免地；必然发生地 | |
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lavishly
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| adv.慷慨地，大方地 | |
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18
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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19
irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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recording
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| n.录音，记录 | |
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21
reposing
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的现在分词 ) | |
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secluded
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| adj.与世隔绝的；隐退的；偏僻的v.使隔开，使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词) | |
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23
recesses
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| n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 )；（工作或业务活动的）中止或暂停期间；学校的课间休息；某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭 | |
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recess
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| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
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25
outskirts
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| n.郊外，郊区 | |
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allusion
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| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
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caverns
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| 大山洞，大洞穴( cavern的名词复数 ) | |
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cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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bowels
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| n.肠，内脏，内部；肠( bowel的名词复数 )；内部，最深处 | |
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30
guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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talisman
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| n.避邪物，护身符 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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contention
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| n.争论，争辩，论战；论点，主张 | |
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potency
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| n. 效力，潜能 | |
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previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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36
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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37
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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38
omniscience
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| n.全知，全知者，上帝 | |
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39
pugnacious
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| adj.好斗的 | |
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40
penetrate
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| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
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41
demon
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| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
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42
demons
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| n.恶人( demon的名词复数 )；恶魔；精力过人的人；邪念 | |
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43
uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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44
vista
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| n.远景，深景，展望，回想 | |
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45
emphasise
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| vt.加强...的语气，强调，着重 | |
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46
funereal
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| adj.悲哀的；送葬的 | |
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47
envelops
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的第三人称单数 ) | |
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48
devoid
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| adj.全无的，缺乏的 | |
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49
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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50
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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51
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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52
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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53
acrimonious
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| adj.严厉的，辛辣的，刻毒的 | |
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54
haze
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| n.霾，烟雾；懵懂，迷糊；vi.(over)变模糊 | |
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55
vindictive
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| adj.有报仇心的，怀恨的，惩罚的 | |
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56
rigidity
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| adj.钢性，坚硬 | |
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57
supplication
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| n.恳求，祈愿，哀求 | |
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58
groans
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| n.呻吟，叹息( groan的名词复数 )；呻吟般的声音v.呻吟( groan的第三人称单数 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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59
shrieks
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| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
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60
rattling
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| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
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61
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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62
benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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63
benevolently
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| adv.仁慈地，行善地 | |
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64
strenuously
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| adv.奋发地，费力地 | |
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65
corrupt
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| v.贿赂，收买；adj.腐败的，贪污的 | |
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66
concealing
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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67
inured
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| adj.坚强的，习惯的 | |
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68
thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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69
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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70
copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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71
discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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72
discreetly
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| ad.(言行)审慎地，慎重地 | |
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73
shutter
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| n.百叶窗；(照相机)快门；关闭装置 | |
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74
honourably
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| adv.可尊敬地，光荣地，体面地 | |
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75
modesty
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| n.谦逊，虚心，端庄，稳重，羞怯，朴素 | |
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76
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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77
competence
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| n.能力，胜任，称职 | |
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78
omens
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| n.前兆，预兆( omen的名词复数 ) | |
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79
perverse
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| adj.刚愎的；坚持错误的，行为反常的 | |
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80
relentlessly
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| adv.不屈不挠地；残酷地；不间断 | |
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81
courteously
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| adv.有礼貌地，亲切地 | |
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82
condescension
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| n.自以为高人一等，贬低(别人) | |
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83
adjured
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|
| v.（以起誓或诅咒等形式）命令要求( adjure的过去式和过去分词 )；祈求；恳求 | |
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84
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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85
auspiciously
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| adv.吉利； 繁荣昌盛； 前途顺利； 吉祥 | |
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86
harmonious
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| adj.和睦的，调和的，和谐的，协调的 | |
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87
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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88
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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89
profuse
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| adj.很多的，大量的，极其丰富的 | |
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90
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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91
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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92
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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93
embark
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| vi.乘船，着手，从事，上飞机 | |
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94
entanglement
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| n.纠缠，牵累 | |
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95
cod
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| n.鳕鱼；v.愚弄；哄骗 | |
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96
oyster
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| n.牡蛎；沉默寡言的人 | |
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97
inscription
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| n.（尤指石块上的）刻印文字，铭文，碑文 | |
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98
proficient
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| adj.熟练的，精通的；n.能手，专家 | |
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99
extremities
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| n.端点( extremity的名词复数 )；尽头；手和足；极窘迫的境地 | |
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100
outrageous
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|
| adj.无理的，令人不能容忍的 | |
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101
virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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102
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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103
insignificant
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| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
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104
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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105
charing
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|
| n.炭化v.把…烧成炭，把…烧焦( char的现在分词 )；烧成炭，烧焦；做杂役女佣 | |
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106
precisely
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|
| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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107
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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108
intervention
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| n.介入，干涉，干预 | |
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109
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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110
backwards
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|
| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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111
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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112
chasm
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| n.深坑，断层，裂口，大分岐，利害冲突 | |
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113
adroit
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| adj.熟练的，灵巧的 | |
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114
lengthy
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| adj.漫长的，冗长的 | |
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115
insidiously
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| 潜在地，隐伏地，阴险地 | |
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116
lengthening
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| （时间或空间）延长，伸长( lengthen的现在分词 )； 加长 | |
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117
assertive
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|
| adj.果断的，自信的，有冲劲的 | |
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118
incapably
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| adj.无能力的，不会的；不能的；[法]没有资格的；不舞之鹤 | |
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119
malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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120
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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121
civilisation
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| n.文明，文化，开化，教化 | |
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122
distressing
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| a.使人痛苦的 | |
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123
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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124
conjecturing
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| v. & n. 推测，臆测 | |
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125
manifestation
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| n.表现形式；表明；现象 | |
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126
credible
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| adj.可信任的，可靠的 | |
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127
expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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128
feign
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| vt.假装，佯作 | |
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129
genially
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| adv.亲切地，和蔼地；快活地 | |
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130
evasion
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| n.逃避，偷漏(税) | |
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131
dissimulation
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| n.掩饰，虚伪，装糊涂 | |
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132
attainments
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| 成就，造诣； 获得( attainment的名词复数 )； 达到； 造诣； 成就 | |
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133
exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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134
embellish
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| v.装饰，布置；给…添加细节，润饰 | |
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135
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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136
persistently
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| ad.坚持地；固执地 | |
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137
craftily
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| 狡猾地，狡诈地 | |
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138
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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139
lavished
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| v.过分给予，滥施( lavish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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140
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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141
canopy
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| n.天篷，遮篷 | |
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142
conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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143
conjectured
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| 推测，猜测，猜想( conjecture的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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144
entangled
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|
| adj.卷入的；陷入的；被缠住的；缠在一起的v.使某人（某物/自己）缠绕，纠缠于（某物中），使某人（自己）陷入（困难或复杂的环境中）( entangle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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145
propitious
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| adj.吉利的；顺利的 | |
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146
brilliance
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| n.光辉，辉煌，壮丽，（卓越的）才华，才智 | |
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147
barbarians
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| n.野蛮人( barbarian的名词复数 )；外国人；粗野的人；无教养的人 | |
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148
deficient
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| adj.不足的，不充份的，有缺陷的 | |
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149
advantageous
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| adj.有利的；有帮助的 | |
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150
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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151
ornamental
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| adj.装饰的；作装饰用的；n.装饰品；观赏植物 | |
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152
elusiveness
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| 狡诈 | |
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153
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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154
obtuse
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| adj.钝的；愚钝的 | |
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155
distressingly
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| adv. 令人苦恼地；悲惨地 | |
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156
straightforward
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| adj.正直的，坦率的；易懂的，简单的 | |
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157
susceptible
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| adj.过敏的，敏感的；易动感情的，易受感动的 | |
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158
refinement
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| n.文雅；高尚；精美；精制；精炼 | |
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159
imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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160
velocity
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| n.速度，速率 | |
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161
unfamiliar
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| adj.陌生的，不熟悉的 | |
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162
subservient
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| adj.卑屈的，阿谀的 | |
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163
scrupulously
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| adv.一丝不苟地；小心翼翼地，多顾虑地 | |
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164
fidelity
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| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
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165
permissible
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| adj.可允许的，许可的 | |
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166
conscientiously
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| adv.凭良心地；认真地，负责尽职地；老老实实 | |
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167
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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168
incompetence
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| n.不胜任，不称职 | |
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169
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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170
subliminal
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| adj.下意识的，潜意识的；太弱或太快以至于难以觉察的 | |
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171
scintillating
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| adj．才气横溢的,闪闪发光的; 闪烁的 | |
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172
Founder
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| n.创始者，缔造者 | |
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173
imperturbability
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| n.冷静；沉着 | |
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174
inadequacy
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| n.无法胜任，信心不足 | |
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175
contemptible
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| adj.可鄙的，可轻视的，卑劣的 | |
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176
circuitous
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| adj.迂回的路的，迂曲的，绕行的 | |
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177
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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178
inept
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| adj.不恰当的，荒谬的，拙劣的 | |
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179
strings
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| n.弦 | |
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180
gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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181
virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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182
deformed
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| adj.畸形的；变形的；丑的，破相了的 | |
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183
abstruse
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| adj.深奥的，难解的 | |
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184
innuendo
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| n.暗指，讽刺 | |
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185
maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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186
defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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187
immature
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| adj.未成熟的，发育未全的，未充分发展的 | |
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