In England, until very late days, we have been accustomed rather to pooh-pooh national Orders, to vote ribbons and crosses tinsel gewgaws, foolish foreign ornaments6, and so forth7. It is known how the Great Duke (the breast of whose own coat was plastered with some half-hundred decorations) was averse8 to the wearing of ribbons, medals, clasps, and the like, by his army. We have all of us read how uncommonly9 distinguished Lord Castlereagh looked at Vienna, where he was the only gentleman present without any decoration whatever. And the Great Duke’s theory was, that clasps and ribbons, stars and garters, were good and proper ornaments for himself, for the chief officers of his distinguished army, and for gentlemen of high birth, who might naturally claim to wear a band of garter blue across their waistcoats; but that for common people your plain coat, without stars and ribbons, was the most sensible wear.
And no doubt you and I are as happy, as free, as comfortable; we can walk and dine as well; we can keep the winter’s cold out as well, without a star on our coats, as without a feather in our hats. How often we have laughed at the absurd mania10 of the Americans for dubbing11 their senators, members of Congress, and States’ representatives, Honorable. We have a right to call OUR Privy12 Councillors Right Honorable, our Lords’ sons Honorable, and so forth; but for a nation as numerous, well educated, strong, rich, civilized13, free as our own, to dare to give its distinguished citizens titles of honor — monstrous14 assumption of low-bred arrogance15 and parvenu16 vanity! Our titles are respectable, but theirs absurd. Mr. Jones, of London, a Chancellor17’s son, and a tailor’s grandson, is justly Honorable, and entitled to be Lord Jones at his noble father’s decease: but Mr. Brown, the senator from New York, is a silly upstart for tacking18 Honorable to his name, and our sturdy British good sense laughs at him. Who has not laughed (I have myself) at Honorable Nahum Dodge19, Honorable Zeno Scudder, Honorable Hiram Boake, and the rest? A score of such queer names and titles I have smiled at in America. And, mutato nomine? I meet a born idiot, who is a peer and born legislator. This drivelling noodle and his descendants through life are your natural superiors and mine — your and my children’s superiors. I read of an alderman kneeling and knighted at court: I see a gold-stick waddling20 backwards21 before Majesty22 in a procession, and if we laugh, don’t you suppose the Americans laugh too?
Yes, stars, garters, orders, knighthoods, and the like, are folly23. Yes, Bobus, citizen and soap-boiler, is a good man, and no one laughs at him or good Mrs. Bobus, as they have their dinner at one o’clock. But who will not jeer24 at Sir Thomas on a melting day, and Lady Bobus, at Margate, eating shrimps25 in a donkey-chaise? Yes, knighthood is absurd: and chivalry26 an idiotic27 superstition28: and Sir Walter Manny was a zany: and Nelson, with his flaming stars and cordons29, splendent upon a day of battle, was a madman: and Murat, with his crosses and orders, at the head of his squadrons charging victorious31, was only a crazy mountebank32, who had been a tavern-waiter, and was puffed33 up with absurd vanity about his dress and legs. And the men of the French line at Fontenoy, who told Messieurs de la Garde to fire first, were smirking34 French dancing-masters; and the Black Prince, waiting upon his royal prisoner, was acting35 an inane36 masquerade: and Chivalry is naught37; and honor is humbug38; and Gentlemanhood is an extinct folly; and Ambition is madness; and desire of distinction is criminal vanity; and glory is bosh; and fair fame is idleness; and nothing is true but two and two; and the color of all the world is drab; and all men are equal; and one man is as tall as another; and one man is as good as another — and a great dale betther, as the Irish philosopher said.
Is this so? Titles and badges of honor are vanity; and in the American Revolution you have his Excellency General Washington sending back, and with proper spirit sending back, a letter in which he is not addressed as Excellency and General. Titles are abolished; and the American Republic swarms39 with men claiming and bearing them. You have the French soldier cheered and happy in his dying agony, and kissing with frantic40 joy the chief’s hand who lays the little cross on the bleeding bosom41. At home you have the Dukes and Earls jobbing and intriguing42 for the Garter; the Military Knights43 grumbling44 at the Civil Knights of the bath; the little ribbon eager for the collar; the soldiers and seamen45 from India and the Crimea marching in procession before the Queen, and receiving from her hands the cross bearing her royal name. And, remember, there are not only the cross wearers, but all the fathers and friends; all the women who have prayed for their absent heroes; Harry’s wife, and Tom’s mother, and Jack46’s daughter, and Frank’s sweetheart, each of whom wears in her heart of hearts afterwards the badge which son, father, lover, has won by his merit; each of whom is made happy and proud, and is bound to the country by that little bit of ribbon.
I have heard, in a lecture about George the Third, that, at his accession, the King had a mind to establish an order for literary men. It was to have been called the Order of Minerva — I suppose with an Owl47 for a badge. The knights were to have worn a star of sixteen points, and a yellow ribbon; and good old Samuel Johnson was talked of as President, or Grand Cross, or Grand Owl, of the society. Now about such an order as this there certainly may be doubts. Consider the claimants, the difficulty of settling their claims, the rows and squabbles amongst the candidates, and the subsequent decision of posterity48! Dr. Beattie would have ranked as first poet, and twenty years after the sublime49 Mr. Hayley would, no doubt, have claimed the Grand Cross. Mr. Gibbon would not have been eligible50, on account of his dangerous freethinking opinions; and her sex, as well as her republican sentiments, might have interfered51 with the knighthood of the immortal52 Mrs. Catharine Macaulay. How Goldsmith would have paraded the ribbon at Madame Cornelys’s, or the Academy dinner! How Peter Pindar would have railed at it! Fifty years later, the noble Scott would have worn the Grand Cross and deserved it; but Gifford would have had it; and Byron, and Shelley, and Hazlitt, and Hunt would have been without it; and had Keats been proposed as officer, how the Tory prints would have yelled with rage and scorn! Had the star of Minerva lasted to our present time — but I pause, not because the idea is dazzling, but too awful. Fancy the claimants, and the row about their precedence! Which philosopher shall have the grand cordon30? — which the collar? — which the little scrap53 no bigger than a buttercup? Of the historians — A, say — and C, and F, and G, and S, and T — which shall be Companion and which Grand Owl? Of the poets, who wears, or claims, the largest and brightest star? Of the novelists, there is A, and B and C D; and E (star of first magnitude, newly discovered), and F (a magazine of wit), and fair G, and H, and I, and brave old J, and charming K, and L, and M, and N, and O (fair twinklers), and I am puzzled between three P’s — Peacock, Miss Pardoe, and Paul Pry54 — and Queechy, and R, and S, and T, mere55 et fils, and very likely U, O gentle reader, for who has not written his novel now-a-days? — who has not a claim to the star and straw-colored ribbon? — and who shall have the biggest and largest? Fancy the struggle! Fancy the squabble! Fancy the distribution of prizes!
Who shall decide on them? Shall it be the sovereign? shall it be the Minister for the time being? and has Lord Palmerston made a deep study of novels? In this matter the late Ministry,8 to be sure, was better qualified56; but even then, grumblers who had not got their canary cordons, would have hinted at professional jealousies57 entering the Cabinet; and, the ribbons being awarded, Jack would have scowled58 at his because Dick had a broader one; Ned been indignant because Bob’s was as large: Tom would have thrust his into the drawer, and scorned to wear it at all. No — no: the so-called literary world was well rid of Minerva and her yellow ribbon. The great poets would have been indifferent, the little poets jealous, the funny men furious, the philosophers satirical, the historians supercilious60, and, finally, the jobs without end. Say, ingenuity61 and cleverness are to be rewarded by State tokens and prizes — and take for granted the Order of Minerva is established — who shall have it? A great philosopher? no doubt we cordially salute62 him G.C.M. A great historian? G.C.M. of course. A great engineer? G.C.M. A great poet? received with acclamation G.C.M. A great painter? oh! certainly, G.C.M. If a great painter, why not a great novelist? Well, pass, great novelist, G.C.M. But if a poetic63, a pictorial64, a story-telling or music-composing artist, why not a singing artist? Why not a basso-profondo? Why not a primo tenore? And if a singer, why should not a ballet-dancer come bounding on the stage with his cordon, and cut capers65 to the music of a row of decorated fiddlers? A chemist puts in his claim for having invented a new color; an apothecary66 for a new pill; the cook for a new sauce; the tailor for a new cut of trousers. We have brought the star of Minerva down from the breast to the pantaloons. Stars and garters! can we go any farther; or shall we give the shoe maker67 the yellow ribbon of the order for his shoetie?
8 That of Lord Derby, in 1859, which included Mr. Disraeli and Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton.
When I began this present Roundabout excursion, I think I had not quite made up my mind whether we would have an Order of all the Talents or not: perhaps I rather had a hankering for a rich ribbon and gorgeous star, in which my family might like to see me at parties in my best waistcoat. But then the door opens, and there come in, and by the same right too, Sir Alexis Soyer! Sir Alessandro Tamburini! Sir Agostino Velluti! Sir Antonio Paganini (violinist)! Sir Sandy McGuffog (piper to the most noble the Marquis of Farintosh)! Sir Alcide Flicflac (premier danseur of H. M. Theatre)! Sir Harley Quin and Sir Joseph Grimaldi (from Covent Garden)! They have all the yellow ribbon. They are all honorable, and clever, and distinguished artists. Let us elbow through the rooms, make a bow to the lady of the house, give a nod to Sir George Thrum, who is leading the orchestra, and go and get some champagne68 and seltzer-water from Sir Richard Gunter, who is presiding at the buffet69. A national decoration might be well and good: a token awarded by the country to all its benemerentibus: but most gentlemen with Minerva stars would, I think, be inclined to wear very wide breast-collars to their coats. Suppose yourself, brother penman, decorated with this ribbon, and looking in the glass, would you not laugh? Would not wife and daughters laugh at that canary-colored emblem?
But suppose a man, old or young, of figure ever so stout70, thin, stumpy, homely71, indulging in looking-glass reflections with that hideous72 ribbon and cross called V. C. on his coat, would he not be proud? and his family, would they not be prouder? For your nobleman there is the famous old blue garter and star, and welcome. If I were a marquis — if I had thirty — forty thousand a year (settle the sum, my dear Alnaschar, according to your liking), I should consider myself entitled to my seat in Parliament and to my garter. The garter belongs to the Ornamental73 Classes. Have you seen the new magnificent Pavo Spicifer at the Zoological Gardens, and do you grudge74 him his jewelled coronet and the azure75 splendor76 of his waistcoat? I like my Lord Mayor to have a gilt77 coach; my magnificent monarch78 to be surrounded by magnificent nobles: I huzzay respectfully when they pass in procession. It is good for Mr. Briefless (50, Pump Court, fourth floor) that there should be a Lord Chancellor, with a gold robe and fifteen thousand a year. It is good for a poor curate that there should be splendid bishops79 at Fulham and Lambeth: their lordships were poor curates once, and have won, so to speak, their ribbon. Is a man who puts into a lottery80 to be sulky because he does not win the twenty thousand pounds prize? Am I to fall into a rage, and bully81 my family when I come home, after going to see Chatsworth or Windsor, because we have only two little drawing-rooms? Welcome to your garter, my lord, and shame upon him qui mal y pense!
So I arrive in my roundabout way near the point towards which I have been trotting82 ever since we set out.
In a voyage to America, some nine years since, on the seventh or eighth day out from Liverpool, Captain L—— came to dinner at eight bells as usual, talked a little to the persons right and left of him, and helped the soup with his accustomed politeness. Then he went on deck, and was back in a minute, and operated on the fish, looking rather grave the while.
Then he went on deck again; and this time was absent, it may be, three or five minutes, during which the fish disappeared, and the entrees83 arrived, and the roast beef. Say ten minutes passed — I can’t tell after nine years.
Then L—— came down with a pleased and happy countenance84 this time, and began carving85 the sirloin: “We have seen the light,” he said. “Madam, may I help you to a little gravy86, or a little horse-radish?” or what not?
I forget the name of the light; nor does it matter. It was a point off Newfoundland for which he was on the look-out, and so well did the “Canada” know where she was, that, between soup and beef, the captain had sighted the headland by which his course was lying.
And so through storm and darkness, through fog and midnight, the ship had pursued her steady way over the pathless ocean and roaring seas, so surely that the officers who sailed her knew her place within a minute or two, and guided us with a wonderful providence87 safe on our way. Since the noble Cunard Company has run its ships, but one accident, and that through the error of a pilot, has happened on the line.
By this little incident (hourly of course repeated, and trivial to all sea-going people) I own I was immensely moved, and never can think of it but with a heart full of thanks and awe59. We trust our lives to these seamen, and how nobly they fulfil their trust! They are, under heaven, as a providence for us. Whilst we sleep, their untiring watchfulness88 keeps guard over us. All night through that bell sounds at its season, and tells how our sentinels defend us. It rang when the “Amazon” was on fire, and chimed its heroic signal of duty, and courage, and honor. Think of the dangers these seamen undergo for us: the hourly peril89 and watch; the familiar storm; the dreadful iceberg90; the long winter nights when the decks are as glass, and the sailor has to climb through icicles to bend the stiff sail on the yard! Think of their courage and their kindnesses in cold, in tempest, in hunger, in wreck91! “The women and children to the boats,” says the captain of the “Birkenhead,” and, with the troops formed on the deck, and the crew obedient to the word of glorious command, the immortal ship goes down. Read the story of the “Sarah Sands:"—
“SARAH SANDS.
“The screw steamship92 ‘Sarah Sands,’ 1,330 registered tons, was chartered by the East India Company in the autumn of 1858, for the conveyance93 of troops to India. She was commanded by John Squire94 Castle. She took out a part of the 54th Regiment95, upwards96 of 350 persons, besides the wives and children of some of the men, and the families of some of the officers. All went well till the 11th November, when the ship had reached lat. 14 S., long. 56 E., upwards of 400 miles from the Mauritius.
“Between three and four P. M. on that day a very strong smell of fire was perceived arising from the after-deck, and upon going below into the hold, Captain Castle found it to be on fire, and immense volumes of smoke arising from it. Endeavors were made to reach the seat of the fire, but in vain; the smoke and heat were too much for the men. There was, however, no confusion. Every order was obeyed with the same coolness and courage with which it was given. The engine was immediately stopped. All sail was taken in, and the ship brought to the wind, so as to drive the smoke and fire, which was in the after-part of the ship, astern. Others were, at the same time, getting fire-hoses fitted and passed to the scene of the fire. The fire, however, continued to increase, and attention was directed to the ammunition97 contained in the powder-magazines, which were situated98 one on each side the ship immediately above the fire. The star-board magazine was soon cleared. But by this time the whole of the after-part of the ship was so much enveloped99 in smoke that it was scarcely possible to stand, and great fears were entertained on account of the port magazine. Volunteers were called for, and came immediately, and, under the guidance of Lieutenant100 Hughes, attempted to clear the port magazine, which they succeeded in doing, with the exception, as was supposed, of one or two barrels. It was most dangerous work. The men became overpowered with the smoke and heat, and fell; and several, while thus engaged, were dragged up by ropes, senseless.
“The flames soon burst up through the deck, and running rapidly along the various cabins, set the greater part on fire.
“In the meantime Captain Castle took steps for lowering the boats. There was a heavy gale101 at the time, but they were launched without the least accident. The soldiers were mustered102 on deck; — there was no rush to the boats; and the men obeyed the word of command as if on parade. The men were informed that Captain Castle did not despair of saving the ship, but that they must be prepared to leave her if necessary. The women and children were lowered into the port lifeboat, under the charge of Mr. Very, third officer, who had orders to keep clear of the ship until recalled.
“Captain Castle then commenced constructing rafts of spare spars. In a short time, three were put together, which would have been capable of saving a great number of those on board. Two were launched overboard, and safely moored103 alongside, and then a third was left across the deck forward, ready to be launched.
“In the meantime the fire had made great progress. The whole of the cabins were one body of fire, and at about 8.30 P. M. flames burst through the upper deck, and shortly after the mizzen rigging caught fire. Fears were entertained of the ship paying off, in which case the flames would have been swept forwards by the wind; but fortunately the after-braces were burnt through, and the main-yard swung round, which kept the ship’s head to wind. About nine P. M., a fearful explosion took place in the port magazine, arising, no doubt, from the one or two barrels of powder which it had been impossible to remove. By this time the ship was one body of flame, from the stern to the main rigging, and thinking it scarcely possible to save her, Captain Castle called Major Brett (then in command of the troops, for the Colonel was in one of the boats) forward, and, telling him that he feared the ship was lost, requested him to endeavor to keep order amongst the troops till the last, but, at the same time, to use every exertion104 to check the fire. Providentially, the iron bulkhead in the after-part of the ship withstood the action of the flames, and here all efforts were concentrated to keep it cool.
“‘No person,’ says the captain, ‘can describe the manner in which the men worked to keep the fire back; one party were below, keeping the bulkhead cool, and when several were dragged up senseless, fresh volunteers took their places, who were, however, soon in the same state. At about ten P. M., the maintopsail-yard took fire. Mr. Welch, one quartermaster, and four or five soldiers, went aloft with wet blankets, and succeeded in extinguishing it, but not until the yard and mast were nearly burnt through. The work of fighting the fire below continued for hours, and about midnight it appeared that some impression was made; and after that, the men drove it back, inch by inch, until daylight, when they had completely got it under. The ship was now in a frightful105 plight106. The after-part was literally107 burnt out — merely the shell remaining — the port quarter blown out by the explosion: fifteen feet of water in the hold.’
“The gale still prevailed, and the ship was rolling and pitching in a heavy sea, and taking in large quantities of water abaft108: the tanks, too, were rolling from side to side in the hold.
“As soon as the smoke was partially109 cleared away, Captain Castle got spare sails and blankets aft to stop the leak, passing two hawsers110 round the stern, and setting them up. The troops were employed baling and pumping. This continued during the whole morning.
“In the course of the day the ladies joined the ship. The boats were ordered alongside, but they found the sea too heavy to remain there. The gig had been abandoned during the night, and the crew, under Mr. Wood, fourth officer, had got into another of the boats. The troops were employed the remainder of the day baling and pumping, and the crew securing the stern. All hands were employed during the following night baling and pumping, the boats being moored alongside, where they received some damage. At daylight, on the 13th, the crew were employed hoisting111 time boats, the troops were working manfully baling and pumping. Latitude112 at noon, 13 deg. 12 min. south. At five P. M., the foresail and foretopsail were set, the rafts were cut away, and the ship bore for the Mauritius. On Thursday, the 19th, she sighted the Island of Rodrigues, and arrived at Mauritius on Monday the 23rd.”
The Nile and Trafalgar are not more glorious to our country, are not greater victories than these won by our merchant-seamen. And if you look in the Captain’s reports of any maritime113 register, you will see similar acts recorded every day. I have such a volume for last year, now lying before me. In the second number, as I open it at hazard, Captain Roberts, master of the ship “Empire,” from Shields to London, reports how on the 14th ult. (the 14th December, 1859), he, “being off Whitby, discovered the ship to be on fire between the main hold and boilers114: got the hose from the engine laid on, and succeeded in subduing115 the fire; but only apparently116; for at seven the next morning, the ‘Dudgeon’ bearing S.S.E. seven miles’ distance, the fire again broke out, causing the ship to be enveloped in flames on both sides of midships: got the hose again into play and all hands to work with buckets to combat with the fire. Did not succeed in stopping it till four P. M., to effect which, were obliged to cut away the deck and top sides, and throw overboard part of the cargo117. The vessel118 was very much damaged and leaky: determined119 to make for the Humber. Ship was run on shore, on the mud, near Grimsby harbor, with five feet of water in her hold. The donkey-engine broke down. The water increased so fast as to put out the furnace fires and render the ship almost unmanageable. On the tide flowing, a tug120 towed the ship off the mud, and got her into Grimsby to repair.”
On the 2nd of November, Captain Strickland, of the “Purchase” brigantine, from Liverpool to Yarmouth, U. S., “encountered heavy gales121 from W.N.W. to W.S.W., in lat. 43 deg. N., long. 34 deg. W., in which we lost jib, foretopmast, staysail, topsail, and carried away the foretopmast stays, bobstays and bowsprit, headsails, cut-water and stern, also started the wood ends, which caused the vessel to leak. Put her before the wind and sea, and hove about twenty-five tons of cargo overboard to lighten the ship forward. Slung122 myself in a bowline, and by means of thrusting 2 1/2-inch rope in the opening, contrived123 to stop a great portion of the leak.
“December 16th. — The crew continuing night and day at the pumps, could not keep the ship free; deemed it prudent124 for the benefit of those concerned to bear up for the nearest port. On arriving in lat. 48 deg. 45’ N., long. 23 deg. W., observed a vessel with a signal of distress125 flying. Made towards her, when she proved to be the barque ‘Carleton,’ water-logged. The captain and crew asked to be taken off. Hove to, and received them on board, consisting of thirteen men: and their ship was abandoned. We then proceeded on our course, the crew of the abandoned vessel assisting all they could to keep my ship afloat. We arrived at Cork126 harbor on the 27th ult.”
Captain Coulson, master of the brig “Othello,” reports that his brig foundered127 off Portland, December 27; — encountering a strong gale, and shipping129 two heavy seas in succession, which hove the ship on her beam-ends. “Observing no chance of saving the ship, took to the long boat, and within ten minutes of leaving her saw the brig founder128. We were picked up the same morning by the French ship ‘Commerce de Paris,’ Captain Tombarel.”
Here, in a single column of a newspaper, what strange, touching130 pictures do we find of seamen’s dangers, vicissitudes131, gallantry, generosity133! The ship on fire — the captain in the gale slinging134 himself in a bowline to stop the leak — the Frenchman in the hour of danger coming to his British comrade’s rescue — the brigantine almost a wreck, working up to the barque with the signal of distress flying, and taking off her crew of thirteen men. “We then proceeded on our course, THE CREW OF THE ABANDONED VESSEL ASSISTING ALL THEY COULD TO KEEP MY SHIP AFLOAT.” What noble, simple words! What courage, devotedness135, brotherly love! Do they not cause the heart to beat, and the eyes to fill?
This is what seamen do daily, and for one another. One lights occasionally upon different stories. It happened, not very long since, that the passengers by one of the great ocean steamers were wrecked136, and, after undergoing the most severe hardships, were left, destitute137 and helpless, at a miserable138 coaling port. Amongst them were old men, ladies, and children. When the next steamer arrived, the passengers by that steamer took alarm at the haggard and miserable appearance of their unfortunate predecessors139, and actually REMONSTRATED140 WITH THEIR OWN CAPTAIN, URGING HIM NOT TO TAKE THE POOR CREATURES ON BOARD. There was every excuse, of course. The last-arrived steamer was already dangerously full: the cabins were crowded; there were sick and delicate people on board — sick and delicate people who had paid a large price to the company for room, food, comfort, already not too sufficient. If fourteen of us are in an omnibus, will we see three or four women outside and say “Come in, because this is the last ‘bus, and it rains?” Of course not: but think of that remonstrance141, and of that Samaritan master of the “Purchase” brigantine!
In the winter of ‘53, I went from Marseilles to Civita Vecchia, in one of the magnificent P. and O. ships, the “Valetta,” the master of which subsequently did distinguished service in the Crimea. This was his first Mediterranean142 voyage, and he sailed his ship by the charts alone, going into each port as surely as any pilot. I remember walking the deck at night with this most skilful143, gallant132, well-bred, and well-educated gentleman, and the glow of eager enthusiasm with which he assented144, when I asked him whether he did not think a RIBBON or ORDER would be welcome or useful in his service.
Why is there not an ORDER OF BRITANNIA for British seamen? In the Merchant and the Royal Navy alike, occur almost daily instances and occasions for the display of science, skill, bravery, fortitude145 in trying circumstances, resource in danger. In the first number of the Cornhill Magazine, a friend contributed a most touching story of the M’Clintock expedition, in the dangers and dreadful glories of which he shared; and the writer was a merchant captain. How many more are there (and, for the honor of England, may there be many like him!)— gallant, accomplished146, high-spirited, enterprising masters of their noble profession! Can our fountain of Honor not be brought to such men? It plays upon captains and colonels in seemly profusion147. It pours forth not illiberal148 rewards upon doctors and judges. It sprinkles mayors and aldermen. It bedews a painter now and again. It has spirited a baronetcy upon two, and bestowed149 a coronet upon one noble man of letters. Diplomatists take their Bath in it as of right; and it flings out a profusion of glittering stars upon the nobility of the three kingdoms. Cannot Britannia find a ribbon for her sailors? The Navy, royal or mercantile, is a Service. The command of a ship, or the conduct of her, implies danger, honor, science, skill, subordination, good faith. It may be a victory, such as that of the “Sarah Sands;” it may be discovery, such as that of the “Fox;” it may be heroic disaster, such as that of the “Birkenhead;” and in such events merchant seamen, as well as royal seamen, take their share.
Why is there not, then, an Order of Britannia? One day a young officer of the “Euryalus”9 may win it; and, having just read the memoirs150 of LORD DUNDONALD, I know who ought to have the first Grand Cross.
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reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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naval
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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emblem
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| n.象征，标志；徽章 | |
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dominion
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| n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图 | |
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ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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forth
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averse
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| adj.厌恶的；反对的，不乐意的 | |
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uncommonly
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mania
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| n.疯狂；躁狂症，狂热，癖好 | |
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dubbing
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privy
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civilized
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| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
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monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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arrogance
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parvenu
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| n.暴发户，新贵 | |
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17
chancellor
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| n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长 | |
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18
tacking
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| （帆船）抢风行驶，定位焊[铆]紧钉 | |
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19
dodge
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| v.闪开，躲开，避开；n.妙计，诡计 | |
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20
waddling
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| v.（像鸭子一样）摇摇摆摆地走( waddle的现在分词 ) | |
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21
backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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22
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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23
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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24
jeer
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| vi.嘲弄，揶揄；vt.奚落；n.嘲笑，讥评 | |
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25
shrimps
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| n.虾，小虾( shrimp的名词复数 )；矮小的人 | |
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26
chivalry
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| n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤 | |
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27
idiotic
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| adj.白痴的 | |
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28
superstition
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| n.迷信，迷信行为 | |
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29
cordons
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| n.警戒线，警戒圈( cordon的名词复数 ) | |
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30
cordon
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| n.警戒线，哨兵线 | |
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31
victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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32
mountebank
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| n.江湖郎中；骗子 | |
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33
puffed
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| adj.疏松的v.使喷出( puff的过去式和过去分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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34
smirking
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| v.傻笑( smirk的现在分词 ) | |
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35
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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36
inane
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| adj.空虚的，愚蠢的，空洞的 | |
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37
naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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38
humbug
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| n.花招，谎话，欺骗 | |
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39
swarms
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| 蜂群，一大群( swarm的名词复数 ) | |
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40
frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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41
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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42
intriguing
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| adj.有趣的；迷人的v.搞阴谋诡计(intrigue的现在分词)；激起…的好奇心 | |
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43
knights
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| 骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马 | |
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44
grumbling
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| adj. 喃喃鸣不平的, 出怨言的 | |
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45
seamen
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| n.海员 | |
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46
jack
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|
| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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47
owl
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| n.猫头鹰，枭 | |
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48
posterity
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| n.后裔，子孙，后代 | |
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49
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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50
eligible
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| adj.有条件被选中的；(尤指婚姻等)合适(意)的 | |
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51
interfered
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| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
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52
immortal
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| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
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53
scrap
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| n.碎片；废料；v.废弃，报废 | |
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54
pry
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| vi.窥(刺)探，打听；vt.撬动(开，起) | |
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55
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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56
qualified
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| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
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57
jealousies
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| n.妒忌( jealousy的名词复数 )；妒羡 | |
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58
scowled
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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59
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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60
supercilious
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| adj.目中无人的，高傲的；adv.高傲地；n.高傲 | |
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61
ingenuity
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| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
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62
salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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63
poetic
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| adj.富有诗意的，有诗人气质的，善于抒情的 | |
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64
pictorial
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| adj.绘画的；图片的；n．画报 | |
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65
capers
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| n.开玩笑( caper的名词复数 )；刺山柑v.跳跃，雀跃( caper的第三人称单数 ) | |
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66
apothecary
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| n.药剂师 | |
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67
maker
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| n.制造者，制造商 | |
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68
champagne
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| n.香槟酒；微黄色 | |
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69
buffet
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| n.自助餐；饮食柜台；餐台 | |
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71
homely
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| adj.家常的，简朴的；不漂亮的 | |
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72
hideous
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|
| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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73
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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74
grudge
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| n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做 | |
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75
azure
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| adj.天蓝色的，蔚蓝色的 | |
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76
splendor
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| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
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77
gilt
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| adj.镀金的；n.金边证券 | |
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78
monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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79
bishops
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| （基督教某些教派管辖大教区的）主教( bishop的名词复数 )； （国际象棋的）象 | |
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80
lottery
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| n.抽彩；碰运气的事，难于算计的事 | |
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81
bully
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| n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮 | |
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82
trotting
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| 小跑，急走( trot的现在分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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83
entrees
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| n.入场权( entree的名词复数 )；主菜 | |
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84
countenance
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|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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85
carving
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| n.雕刻品，雕花 | |
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86
gravy
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| n.肉汁；轻易得来的钱，外快 | |
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87
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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88
watchfulness
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| 警惕，留心； 警觉（性） | |
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89
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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90
iceberg
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| n.冰山，流冰，冷冰冰的人 | |
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91
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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92
steamship
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| n.汽船，轮船 | |
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93
conveyance
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|
| n.(不动产等的)转让，让与；转让证书；传送；运送；表达；（正）运输工具 | |
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94
squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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95
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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96
upwards
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|
| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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97
ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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98
situated
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|
| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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99
enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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100
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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101
gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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102
mustered
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|
| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的过去式和过去分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
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103
moored
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| adj. 系泊的 动词moor的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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104
exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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105
frightful
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|
| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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106
plight
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| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 | |
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107
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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108
abaft
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| prep.在…之后；adv.在船尾，向船尾 | |
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109
partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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110
hawsers
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| n.（供系船或下锚用的）缆索，锚链( hawser的名词复数 ) | |
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111
hoisting
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| 起重，提升 | |
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112
latitude
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| n.纬度，行动或言论的自由(范围)，(pl.)地区 | |
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113
maritime
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| adj.海的，海事的，航海的，近海的，沿海的 | |
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114
boilers
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| 锅炉，烧水器，水壶( boiler的名词复数 ) | |
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115
subduing
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| 征服( subdue的现在分词 )； 克制； 制服； 色变暗 | |
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116
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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117
cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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118
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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119
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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120
tug
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| v.用力拖(或拉)；苦干；n.拖；苦干；拖船 | |
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121
gales
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| 龙猫 | |
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122
slung
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| 抛( sling的过去式和过去分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
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123
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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124
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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125
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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126
cork
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| n.软木，软木塞 | |
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127
foundered
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| v.创始人( founder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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128
Founder
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| n.创始者，缔造者 | |
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129
shipping
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| n.船运（发货，运输，乘船） | |
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130
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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131
vicissitudes
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| n.变迁，世事变化；变迁兴衰( vicissitude的名词复数 )；盛衰兴废 | |
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132
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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133
generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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134
slinging
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| 抛( sling的现在分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
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135
devotedness
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136
wrecked
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| adj.失事的，遇难的 | |
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137
destitute
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| adj.缺乏的；穷困的 | |
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138
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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139
predecessors
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| n.前任( predecessor的名词复数 )；前辈；（被取代的）原有事物；前身 | |
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140
remonstrated
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| v.抗议( remonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )；告诫 | |
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141
remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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142
Mediterranean
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| adj.地中海的；地中海沿岸的 | |
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143
skilful
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|
| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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144
assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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145
fortitude
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| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
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146
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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147
profusion
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| n.挥霍；丰富 | |
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148
illiberal
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| adj.气量狭小的，吝啬的 | |
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149
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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150
memoirs
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| n.回忆录；回忆录传( mem,自oir的名词复数) | |
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