Let Us Follow Poor Human Nature To The Man Shambles1
GENTLEMEN dealers2 in want of human property,--planters in want of a few prime people,--brokers who have large transactions in such articles,--and factors who, being rather sensitive of their dignity, give to others the negotiation4 of their business,--are assembled in and around the mart, a covered shed, somewhat resembling those used by railroad companies for the storing of coarse merchandise. Marston's negroes are to be sold. Suspicious circumstances are connected with his sudden decline: rumour5 has sounded her seven-tongued symbols upon it, and loud are the speculations6. The cholera7 has made mighty8 ravages9; but the cholera could not have done all. Graspum has grasped the plantation10, quietly and adroitly12, but he has not raised the veil of mystery that hangs over the process. There must be long explanations before the obdurate13 creditors14 are satisfied.
The irons have been removed from the property, who are crouched15 round the stand-an elevated platform-in a forlorn group, where sundry16 customers can scrutinize17 their proportions. Being little or no fancy among it, the fast young gentlemen of the town, finding nothing worthy18 their attention and taste, make a few cursory19 observations, and slowly swagger out of the ring. The children are wonderfully attractive and promising20; they are generally admired by the customers, who view them with suspicious glances. Annette's clean white skin and fine features are remarkably21 promising,--much valued as articles of merchandise,--and will, in time, pay good interest. Her youth, however, saves her from present sacrifice,--it thwarts22 that spirited competition which older property of the same quality produces when about to be knocked down under the hammer of freedom.
It is a great day, a day of tribulation23, with the once happy people of Marston's plantation. No prayer is offered up for them, their souls being only embodied24 in their market value. Prayers are not known at the man shambles, though the hammer of the vender25 seals with death the lives of many. No gentleman in modest black cares aught for such death. The dealer3 will not pay the service fee! Good master is no longer their protector; his familiar face, so buoyant with joy and affection, has passed from them. No more will that strong attachment26 manifest itself in their greetings. Fathers will be fathers no longer-it is unlawful. Mothers cannot longer clasp their children in their arms with warm affections. Children will no longer cling around their mothers,--no longer fondle in that bosom27 where once they toyed and joyed.
The articles murmur28 among themselves, cast longing29 glances at each other, meet the gaze of their purchasers, with pain and distrust brooding over their countenances30. They would seem to trace the character-cruel or gentle-of each in his look.
Was it that God ordained32 one man thus to doom33 another? No! the very thought repulsed34 the plea. He never made one man's life to be sorrow and fear-to be the basest object, upon which blighting35 strife36 for gold fills the passions of tyrants37. He never made man to be a dealer in his own kind. He never made man after his own image to imprecate the wrath38 of heaven by blackening earth with his foul39 deeds. He never made man to blacken this fair portion of earth with storms of contention40, nor to overthrow41 the principles that gave it greatness. He never made man to fill the cup that makes the grim oppressor fierce in his triumphs over right.
Come reader-come with us: let us look around the pale of these common man shambles. Here a venerable father sits, a bale of merchandise, moved with the quick pulsation42 of human senses. He looks around him as the storm of resentment43 seems ready to burst forth44: his wrinkled brow and haggard face in vain ask for sympathy. A little further on, and a mother leans over her child,--tremblingly draws it to her side; presses it nearer and nearer to her bosom. Near her, feeding a child with crumbs45 of bread, is a coarse negro, whose rough exterior46 covers a good heart. He gives a glance of hate and scorn at those who are soon to tear from him his nearest and dearest. A gloomy ring of sullen47 faces encircle us: hope, fear, and contempt are pictured in each countenance31. Anxious to know its doom, the pent-up soul burns madly within their breasts; no tears can quench48 the fire-freedom only can extinguish it. But, what are such things? mere49 trifles when the soul loves only gold. What are they to men who buy such human trifles? who buy and sell mankind, with feelings as unmoved as the virgin50 heart that knows no guilt51?
Various are the remarks made by those who are taking a cursory view of the people; very learned in nigger nature are many; their sayings evince great profoundness. A question seems to be the separating of wenches from their young 'uns. This is soon settled. Graspum, who has made his appearance, and is very quaintly52 and slowly making his apprehensions53 known, informs the doubting spectators that Romescos, being well skilled, will do that little affair right up for a mere trifle. It takes him to bring the nonsense out of nigger wenches. This statement being quite satisfactory, the gentlemen purchasers are at rest on that point.
The hour of sale has arrived,--the crier rings his bell, the purchasers crowd up to the stand, the motley group of negroes take the alarm, and seem inclined to close in towards a centre as the vender mounts the stand. The bell, with the sharp clanking sound, rings their funeral knell54; they startle, as with terror; they listen with subdued55 anxiety; they wait the result in painful suspense56. How little we would recognise the picture from abroad. The vender, an amiable57 gentleman dressed in modest black, and whose cheerful countenance, graced with the blandest58 smile, betokens59 the antipodes of his inhuman60 traffic, holding his hat in his left hand, and a long paper in his right, makes an obsequious61 bow to those who have honoured him with their company. He views them for a few moments, smiles, casts his eye over the paper again,--it sets forth age and quality--and then at his marketable people. The invoice62 is complete; the goods correspond exactly. The texture63 and quality have been appraised64 by good judges. Being specified65, he commences reading the summons and writs66, and concludes with other preliminaries of the sale.
"Now, gentlemen," says Mr. Forshou--for such is his name--as he adjusts his hat, lays the document on the desk at his right hand, pulls up the point of his shirt-collar, sets his neatly-trimmed whiskers a point forward, and smooths his well-oiled hair: "We-will-proceed-with-the-sale-of this lot of negroes, according to the directions of the sheriff of the county. And if no restrictions67 are imposed, gentlemen can make their selection of old or young to suit their choice or necessities! Gentlemen, however, will be expected to pay for separating." Mr. Forshou, by way of interpolation, reminds his friends that, seeing many of his very best customers present, he expects sharp and healthy bids. He will further remind them (smiling and fretting68 his hands, as if to show the number of diamond rings he can afford to wear), that the property has been well raised, is well known, and ranges from the brightest and most interesting, to the commonest black field hand. "Yes, gentlemen," he adds, "by the fortune of this unfortunate sale we can accommodate you with anything in the line of negro property. We can sell you a Church and a preacher-a dance-house and a fiddler-a cook and an oyster-shop. Anything! All sold for no fault; and warranted as sound as a roach. The honourable69 sheriff will gives titles-that functionary70 being present signifies his willingness-and every man purchasing is expected to have his shiners ready, so that he can plunk down cash in ten days. I need not recount the circumstances under which this property is offered for sale; it is enough to say that it is offered; but, let me say, gentlemen, to enlarge upon it would be painful to my feelings. I will merely read the schedule, and, after selling the people, put up the oxen, mules71, and farming utensils72." Mr. Forshou, with easy contentment, takes up the list and reads at the top of his voice. The names of heads of families are announced one by one; they answer the call promptly73. He continues till he reaches Annette and Nicholas, and here he pauses for a few moments, turning from the paper to them, as if he one minute saw them on the paper and the next on the floor. "Here, gentlemen," he ejaculates, in a half guttural voice-something he could not account for touched his conscience at the moment-holding the paper nearer his eye-glass, "there is two bits of property bordering on the sublime74. It dazzles-seems almost too interesting to sell. It makes a feller's heart feel as if it warn't stuck in the right place." Mr. Forshou casts another irresistible75 look at the children; his countenance changes; he says he is very sensitive, and shows it in his blushes. He might have saved his blushes for the benefit of the State. The State is careful of its blushes; it has none to sell-none to bestow76 on a child's sorrow!
Annette returns his somewhat touching77 manifestation78 of remorse79 with a childlike smile.
"Well! I reckon how folks is gettin' tenderish, now a' days. Who'd thought the major had such touchy80 kind a' feelins? Anything wrong just about yer goggler?" interrupts Romescos, giving the vender a quizzical look, and a "half-way wink81." Then, setting his slouch hat on an extra poise82, he contorts his face into a dozen grimaces83. "Keep conscience down, and strike up trade," he says, very coolly, drawing a large piece of tobacco from his breast-pocket and filling his mouth to its utmost capacity.
"Feelings are over all things," responds the sheriff, who stands by, and will speak for the vender, who is less accustomed to speaking for himself. "Feelings bring up recollections of things one never thought of before,--of the happiest days of our happiest home. 'Tain't much, no, nothing at all, to sell regular black and coloured property; but there's a sort of cross-grained mythology84 about the business when it comes to selling such clear grain as this."
The vender relieves the honourable sheriff from all further display of sympathy, by saying that he feels the truth of all the honourable and learned gentleman has said, "which has 'most made the inward virtue85 of his heart come right up." He leans over the desk, extends his hand, helps himself to a generous piece of Romescos' tobacco.
Romescos rejoins in a subdued voice-"He thinks a man what loves dimes86 like the major cannot be modest in nigger business, because modesty87 ain't trade commodity. It cannot be; the man who thinks of such nonsense should sell out-should go north and join the humane88 society. Folks are all saints, he feels sure, down north yander; wouldn't sell nigger property;--they only send south right smart preachers to keep up the dignity of the institution; to do the peculiar89 religion of the very peculiar institution. No objection to that; nor hain't no objection to their feelin' bad about the poor niggers, so long as they like our cash and take our cotton. That's where the pin's drove in; while it hangs they wouldn't be bad friends with us for the world."
"You may, Mr. Romescos, suspend your remarks," says the vender, looking indignant, as he thrusts his right hand into his bosom, and attempts a word of introduction.
Romescos must have his last word; he never says die while he has a word at hand. "The major's love must be credited, gentlemen; he's a modest auctioneer,--a gentleman what don't feel just right when white property's for sale," he whispers, sarcastically90.
Another pause, then a hearty91 laughing, and the man commences to sell his people. He has uttered but a few words, when Marston's attorney, stepping into the centre of the ring, and near the vender, draws a paper from his pocket, and commences reading in a loud tone. It is a copy of the notice he had previously92 served on the sheriff, setting forth in legal phraseology the freedom of the children, "And therfo'h this is t' stay proceedings93 until further orders from the honourable Court of Common Pleas," is audible at the conclusion. The company are not much surprised. There is not much to be surprised at, when slave law and common law come in contact. With Marston's sudden decline and unfathomable connection with Graspum, there is nothing left to make the reading of the notice interesting.
"You hear this, gentlemen?" says the vender, biting his lips: "the sale of this very interesting portion of this very interesting property is objected to by the attorney for the defendant94 at law. They must, therefore, be remanded to the custody95 of the sheriff, to await the decision of court." That court of strange judgments96! The sheriff, that wonderful medium of slaveocratic power, comes forward, muttering a word of consolation97; he will take them away. He passes them over to an attendant, who conducts them to their dark chilly98 cells.
"All right!" says Graspum, moving aside to let the children pass out. "No more than might have been expected; it's no use, though. Marston will settle that little affair in a very quiet way." He gives the man-vender a look of approval; the very celebrated99 Mr. Graspum has self-confidence enough for "six folks what don't deal in niggers." A bystander touching him on the arm, he gives his head a cunning shake, crooks100 his finger on his red nose. "Just a thing of that kind," he whispers, making some very delicate legal gesticulations with the fore-finger of his right hand in the palm of his left; then, with great gravity, he discusses some very nice points of nigger law. He is heard to say it will only be a waste of time, and make some profitable rascality101 for the lawyers. He could have settled the whole on't in seven minutes. "Better give them up honourably102, and let them be sold with the rest. Property's property all over the world; and we must abide103 by the laws, or what's the good of the constitution? To feel bad about one's own folly104! The idea of taking advantage of it at this late hour won't hold good in law. How contemptibly105 silly! men feeling fatherly after they have made property of their own children! Poor, conscientious106 fools, how they whine107 at times, never thinking how they would let their womanish feelings cheat their creditors. There's no honour in that."
"Gentlemen!" interrupts the vender, "we have had enough discussion, moral, legal, and otherwise. We will now have some selling."
The honourable sheriff desires to say a word or two upon points not yet advanced. "The sheriff! the sheriff!" is exclaimed by several voices. He speaks, having first adjusted his spectacles, and relieved himself of three troublesome coughs. "The institution-I mean, gentlemen, the peculiar institution-must be preserved; we cannot, must not, violate statutes108 to accommodate good-feeling people. My friend Graspum is right, bob and sinker; we'd get ourselves into an everlasting109 snarl110, if we did. I am done!" The sheriff withdraws his spectacles, places them very carefully in a little case, wipes his mouth modestly, and walks away humming an air.
"Now, gentlemen," says the vender, bristling111 with renewed animation112 "seeing how you've all recovered from a small shock of conscience, we will commence the sale."
Aunt Rachel is now placed upon the stand. Her huge person, cleanly appearance-Auntie has got her bandana tied with exquisite113 knot-and very motherly countenance excite general admiration114, as on an elevated stand she looms115 up before her audience. Mr. Forshou, the very gentlemanly vender, taking up the paper, proceeds to describe Aunt Rachel's qualities, according to the style and manner of a celebrated race-horse. Auntie doesn't like this,--her dignity is touched; she honours him with an angry frown. Then she appeals to the amiable gentleman; "come, mas'r, sell 'um quick; don' hab no nonsense wid dis child! Sell 'um to some mas'r what make I housekeeper116. Old mas'r,--good old Boss,--know I fus' rate at dat. Let 'um done gone, mas'r, fo'h soon." Rachel is decidedly opposed to long drawn-out humbuggery117.
The bids now commence; Rachel, in mute anxiety, tremblingly watches the lips they fall from.
"Give you a first best title to this ar' old critter, gentlemen!" says the vender, affecting much dignity, as he holds up his baton118 of the trade in flesh. "Anybody wanting a good old mother on a plantation where little niggers are raised will find the thing in the old institution before you. The value is not so much in the size of her, as in her glorious disposition119." Aunt Rachel makes three or four turns, like a peacock on a pedestal, to amuse her admirers. Again, Mr. Wormlock intimates, in a tone that the vender may hear, that she has some grit120, for he sees it in her demeanour, which is assuming the tragic121. Her eyes, as she turns, rest upon the crispy face of Romescos. She views him for a few moments-she fears he will become her purchaser. Her lip curls with contempt, as she turns from his gaze and recognises an old acquaintance, whom she at once singles out, accosts122 and invites beseechingly123 to be her purchaser, "to save her from dat man!" She points to Romescos.
Her friend shakes his head unwillingly125. Fearing he may become an object of derision, he will not come forward. Poor old slave! faithful from her childhood up, she has reached an age where few find it profitable to listen to her supplications. The black veil of slavery has shut out the past good of her life,--all her faithfulness has gone for nothing; she has passed into that channel where only the man-dealer seeks her for the few dollars worth of labour left in a once powerful body. Oh! valuable remnant of a life, how soon it may be exhausted-forgotten!
Bidders126 have some doubts about the amount of labour she can yet perform; and, after much manifest hesitancy, she is knocked down to Romescos for the sum of two hundred and seventy dollars. "There! 'tain't a bad price for ye, nohow!" says the vender, laconically127. "Get down, old woman." Rachel moves to the steps, and is received by Romescos, who, taking his purchase by the arm, very mechanically sets it on one side. "Come, Auntie, we'll make a corn-cracker a' you, until such time as we can put yer old bones in trim to send south. Generousness, ye see, made me gin more nor ye war' worth-not much work in ye when ye take it on the square;--but a feller what understands the trimmin' a' niggers like I can do ye up young, and put an honest face on while he's cheatin' some green chap with yer old bones." Romescos, very clever in his profession, is not quite sure that his newly-purchased property will "stay put." He turns about suddenly, approaches Rachel-crouched in a corner-mumbling over some incomprehensible jargon128, evidently very much disturbed in her feelings, saying, "I kind a' think I see devil in yer eye, old woman." Rachel turns her head aside, but makes no answer. Mr. Romescos will make everything certain; so, drawing a cord, similar to a small sized clothes line, from his pocket, she holds up her hands at his bidding: he winds it several times round her wrists, then ties it securely. "The property's all safe now," he whispers, and returns to attend the bidding arrangements.
One by one-mothers, fathers, and single property, old and young, as may be-are put upon the stand; sold for the various uses of manifest democracy. Harry129,--the thinking property, whose sense-keeping has betrayed the philosophy of profound democracy,--is a preacher, and, by the value of his theological capacity, attracts more than ordinary attention. But his life has been a failure,--a mere experiment in divinity struggling with the sensitive power of model democracy. He now seems impatient to know that doom to which the freedom of an enlightened age has consigned130 him. One minute some cheering hope of his getting a good master presents itself in a familiar face; then it turns away, and with it vanishes his hope. Another comes forward, but it is merely to view his fine proportions.
Harry has feelings, and is strongly inclined to cling to the opinion that those who know his character and talents, will be inclined to purchase. Will they save him from the cruelties of ordinary plantation life?
"Now for the preacher!"-Mr. Forshou touches his hat, politely. "Gentlemen purchasing, and wanting a church can be accommodated with that article to-morrow. Come, boy, mount up here!" The preaching article draws his steps reluctantly, gets up, and there stands,--a black divine: anybody may look at him, anybody may examine him, anybody may kick him; anybody may buy him, body, soul, and theology. How pleasing, how charmingly liberal, is the democracy that grants the sweet privilege of doing all these things! Harry has a few simple requests to make, which his black sense might have told him the democracy could not grant. He requests (referring to his position as a minister of the gospel) that good master-the vender-will sell him with his poor old woman, and that he do not separate him from his dear children. In support of his appeal he sets forth, in language that would be impressive were it from white lips, that he wants to teach his little ones in the ways of the Lord. "Do, mas'r! try sell us so we live together, where my heart can feel and my eyes see my children," he concludes, pointing to his children (living emblems131 of an oppressed race), who, with his hapless wife, are brought forward and placed on the stand at his feet. Harry (the vender pausing a moment) reaches out his hand (that hand so feared and yet so harmless), and affectionately places it on the head of his youngest child; then, taking it up, he places it in the arms of his wife,--perhaps not long to be so,--who stands trembling and sobbing132 at his side. Behold133 how picturesque134 is the fruit of democracy! Three small children, clinging round the skirts of a mother's garment, casting sly peeps at purchasers as if they had an instinctive135 knowledge of their fate. They must be sold for the satisfaction of sundry debts held by sundry democratic creditors. How we affect to scorn the tyranny of Russia, because of her serfdom! Would to God there were truth and virtue in the scorn!
Mr. Forshou, the very sensitive and gentlemanly vender-he has dropped the title of honourable, which was given him on account of his having been a member of the State Senate-takes Harry by the right hand, and leads him round, where, at the front of the tribune, customers may have a much better opportunity of seeing for themselves.
"Yes! he's a swell-a right good fellow." Mr. Forshou turns to his schedule, glancing his eye up and down. "I see; it's put down here in the invoice: a minister-warranted sound in every respect. It does seem to me, gentlemen, that here 's a right smart chance for a planter who 'tends to the pious136 of his niggers, giving them a little preaching once in a while. Now, let the generous move; shake your dimes; let us turn a point, and see what can be done in the way of selling the lot,--preacher, wife, and family. The boy, Harry, is a preacher by nature; has by some unknown process tumbled into the profession. He's a methodist, I reckon! But there's choice field property in him; and his wife, one of the primest wenches in the gang, never says die when there's plenty of cotton to pick. As for the young uns, they are pure stock. You must remember, gentlemen, preachers are not in the market every day; and when one's to be got that'll preach the right stripe, there's no knowing the value of him-"
"We don't want so much of this," interrupts a voice in the crowd.
"Rather anxious to buy the feller," Mr. Forshou replies, affecting much indifference137. He will say a few words more. "Think the matter over, upon strict principles of political economy, and you'll find, gentlemen, he's just the article for big planters. I am happy to see the calm and serene138 faces of three of my friends of the clergy139 present; will they not take an interest for a fellow-worker in a righteous cause?" The vender smiles, seems inclined to jocularity, to which the gentlemen in black are unwilling124 to submit. They have not been moving among dealers, and examining a piece of property here and there, with any sinecure140 motive141. They view the vender's remarks as exceedingly offensive, return a look of indignation, and slowly, as if with wounded piety142, walk away. The gentlemen in black are most sensitive when any comparison is made between them and a black brother. How horible shocked they seem, as, with white neckerchiefs so modest, they look back as they merge143 from the mart into the street!
It is a question whether these sensitive divines were shocked at the affectation and cold indifference manifested by legitimate144 dealers, or at the vender's very impertinent remarks. We will not charge aught against our brethren of the clergy: no, we will leave the question open to the reader. We love them as good men who might labour for a better cause; we will leave them valiant145 defenders146 of southern chivalry147, southern generosity148, southern affability, and southern injustice149. To be offended at so small an affair as selling a brother clergyman,--to make the insinuation that they are not humane, cause of insult,--is, indeed, the very essence of absurdity150.
The vender makes a few side-motions with his thumbs, winks151 to several of his customers, and gives a significant nod, as the gentlemen in black pass out of the insulting establishment. "Well, gentlemen, I'm sorry if I've offended anybody; but there's a deep-rooted principle in what I've said, nor do I think it christian152 for the clergy to clear out in that shape. However, God bless 'em; let 'em go on their way rejoicing. Here's the boy-he turns and puts his hand kindly153 on Harry's shoulder-and his wench, and his young uns,--a minister and family, put down in the invoice as genuine prime. Our worthy sheriff's a good judge of deacons-the sheriff-high functionary-acknowledges the compliment by respectfully nodding-and my opinion is that the boy'll make a good bishop154 yet: he only wants an apron155 and a fair showing." He touches Harry under the chin, laughing heartily156 the while.
"Yes, master," replies Harry-he has little of the negro accent-quieting his feelings; "what I larn is all from the Bible, while master slept. Sell my old woman and little ones with me; my heart is in their welfare-"
"Don't trifle with the poor fellow's feelings; put him up and sell him to the best advantage. There's nobody here that wants a preacher and family. It's only depreciating157 the value of the property to sell it in the lot," says Graspum, in a firm voice. He has been standing158 as unmoved as a stoic159, seeing nothing but property in the wretch160 of a clergyman, whose natural affections, pictured in his imploring161 looks, might have touched some tender chord of his feelings.
After several attempts, it is found impossible to sell the minister and his family in one lot. Hence, by the force of necessity, his agonising beseechings pouring forth, he is put up like other single bales of merchandise, and sold to Mr. M'Fadden, of A--district. The minister brought eleven hundred dollars, ready money down! The purchaser is a well-known planter; he has worked his way up in the world, is a rigid162 disciplinarian, measuring the square inches of labour in his property, and adapting the best process of bringing it all out.
"He's all I want," says M'Fadden, making a move outward, and edging his way through the crowd.
"A moment with my poor old woman, master, if you please?" says Harry, turning round to his wife.
"None of your black humbugging; there's wives enough on my place, and a parson can have his choice out of fifty," returns M'Fadden, dragging him along by the arm. The scene that here ensues is harrowing in the extreme. The cries and sobs163 of children,--the solicitude164 and affection of his poor wife, as she throws her arms about her husband's neck,--his falling tears of sorrow, as one by one he snatches up his children and kisses them,--are painfully touching. It is the purest, simplest, holiest of love, gushing165 forth from nature's fountain. It were well if we could but cherish its heavenly worth. That woman, the degraded of a despised race, her arms round a fond husband's neck, struggling with death-like grasp, and imploring them not to take him from her. The men who have made him merchandise,--who have trodden his race in the dust,--look on unmoved as the unfeeling purchaser drags him from the embrace of all that is near and dear to him on earth. Here, in this boasted freest country the sun shines on-where freedom was bequeathed by our brave forefathers,--where the complex tyranny of an old world was overthrown,--such scenes violate no law. When will the glorious, the happy day of their death come? When shall the land be free?
M'Fadden, having paid the price of his clergyman, drags him to the door. "Once more, master," mutters the victim, looking back with fear and hope pictured on his imploring face. M'Fadden has no patience with such useless implorings, and orders him to move along. "I will see them once more!" the man exclaims, "I will! Good bye! may Heaven bless you on earth, my little ones!-God will protect us when we meet again!" The tears course down his cheeks.
"None of that ar' kind of nonsense! Shut down yer tear-trap," says M'Fadden, calling an attendant, and, drawing a pair of irons from his pocket, placing them about Harry's hands. Mr. M'Fadden's property shows signs of being somewhat belligerent166: to obviate167 any further nonsense, and to make short work of the thing, Mr. M'Fadden calls in aid, throws his property on the ground, ties its legs with a piece of rope, places it upon a drag, and orders it to be conveyed to the depot168, from whence it will be despatched by rail for a new home.
This little ceremony over, the wife and children (Romescos and M'Fadden, not very good friends, were competitors for the preacher property) are put up and sold to Romescos. That skilful169 and very adroit11 gentleman is engaged to do the exciting business of separating, which he is progressing with very coolly and cleverly. The whole scene closes with selling the animal property and farming utensils. Happy Christian brothers are they who would spread the wings of their Christianity over such scenes!
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shambles
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| n.混乱之处；废墟 | |
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dealers
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| n.商人( dealer的名词复数 )；贩毒者；毒品贩子；发牌者 | |
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dealer
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| n.商人，贩子 | |
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negotiation
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| n.谈判，协商 | |
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rumour
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| n.谣言，谣传，传闻 | |
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speculations
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| n.投机买卖( speculation的名词复数 )；思考；投机活动；推断 | |
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cholera
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| n.霍乱 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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ravages
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| 劫掠后的残迹，破坏的结果，毁坏后的残迹 | |
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plantation
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| n.种植园，大农场 | |
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adroit
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| adj.熟练的，灵巧的 | |
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adroitly
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| adv.熟练地，敏捷地 | |
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obdurate
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| adj.固执的，顽固的 | |
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14
creditors
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| n.债权人，债主( creditor的名词复数 ) | |
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crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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17
scrutinize
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| n.详细检查，细读 | |
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18
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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19
cursory
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| adj.粗略的；草率的；匆促的 | |
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20
promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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21
remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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22
thwarts
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| 阻挠( thwart的第三人称单数 )； 使受挫折； 挫败； 横过 | |
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23
tribulation
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| n.苦难，灾难 | |
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24
embodied
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| v.表现( embody的过去式和过去分词 )；象征；包括；包含 | |
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25
vender
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| n.小贩 | |
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26
attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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27
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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28
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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29
longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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30
countenances
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| n.面容( countenance的名词复数 )；表情；镇静；道义支持 | |
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31
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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32
ordained
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| v.任命（某人）为牧师( ordain的过去式和过去分词 )；授予（某人）圣职；（上帝、法律等）命令；判定 | |
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33
doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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34
repulsed
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| v.击退( repulse的过去式和过去分词 )；驳斥；拒绝 | |
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35
blighting
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| 使凋萎( blight的现在分词 )； 使颓丧； 损害； 妨害 | |
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36
strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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37
tyrants
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| 专制统治者( tyrant的名词复数 )； 暴君似的人； （古希腊的）僭主； 严酷的事物 | |
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38
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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39
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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40
contention
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| n.争论，争辩，论战；论点，主张 | |
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41
overthrow
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| v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆 | |
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42
pulsation
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| n.脉搏，悸动，脉动；搏动性 | |
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43
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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44
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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45
crumbs
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| int. (表示惊讶)哎呀 n. 碎屑 名词crumb的复数形式 | |
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46
exterior
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| adj.外部的，外在的；表面的 | |
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47
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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48
quench
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| vt.熄灭，扑灭；压制 | |
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49
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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50
virgin
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| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
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51
guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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52
quaintly
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| adv.古怪离奇地 | |
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53
apprehensions
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| 疑惧 | |
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54
knell
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| n.丧钟声；v.敲丧钟 | |
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55
subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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56
suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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57
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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58
blandest
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| adj.（食物）淡而无味的( bland的最高级 )；平和的；温和的；无动于衷的 | |
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59
betokens
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| v.预示，表示( betoken的第三人称单数 ) | |
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60
inhuman
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| adj.残忍的，不人道的，无人性的 | |
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61
obsequious
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| adj.谄媚的，奉承的，顺从的 | |
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62
invoice
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| vt.开发票；n.发票，装货清单 | |
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63
texture
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| n.(织物)质地；(材料)构造；结构；肌理 | |
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64
appraised
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| v.估价( appraise的过去式和过去分词 )；估计；估量；评价 | |
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65
specified
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| adj.特定的 | |
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66
writs
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| n.书面命令，令状( writ的名词复数 ) | |
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67
restrictions
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| 约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则） | |
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68
fretting
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| n. 微振磨损 adj. 烦躁的, 焦虑的 | |
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69
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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70
functionary
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| n.官员；公职人员 | |
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71
mules
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| 骡( mule的名词复数 )； 拖鞋； 顽固的人； 越境运毒者 | |
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72
utensils
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| 器具，用具，器皿( utensil的名词复数 )； 器物 | |
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73
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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74
sublime
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|
| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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75
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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76
bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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77
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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78
manifestation
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| n.表现形式；表明；现象 | |
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79
remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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80
touchy
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|
| adj.易怒的；棘手的 | |
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81
wink
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| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
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82
poise
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| vt./vi. 平衡，保持平衡；n.泰然自若，自信 | |
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83
grimaces
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| n.（表蔑视、厌恶等）面部扭曲，鬼脸( grimace的名词复数 )v.扮鬼相，做鬼脸( grimace的第三人称单数 ) | |
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84
mythology
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| n.神话，神话学，神话集 | |
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85
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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86
dimes
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| n.（美国、加拿大的）10分铸币( dime的名词复数 ) | |
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87
modesty
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| n.谦逊，虚心，端庄，稳重，羞怯，朴素 | |
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88
humane
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| adj.人道的，富有同情心的 | |
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89
peculiar
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|
| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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90
sarcastically
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| adv.挖苦地，讽刺地 | |
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91
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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92
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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93
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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94
defendant
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| n.被告；adj.处于被告地位的 | |
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95
custody
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| n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留 | |
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96
judgments
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| 判断( judgment的名词复数 )； 鉴定； 评价； 审判 | |
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97
consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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98
chilly
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| adj.凉快的，寒冷的 | |
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99
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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100
crooks
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| n.骗子( crook的名词复数 )；罪犯；弯曲部分；（牧羊人或主教用的）弯拐杖v.弯成钩形( crook的第三人称单数 ) | |
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101
rascality
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| 流氓性，流氓集团 | |
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102
honourably
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| adv.可尊敬地，光荣地，体面地 | |
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103
abide
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| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
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104
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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105
contemptibly
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| adv.卑鄙地，下贱地 | |
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106
conscientious
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|
| adj.审慎正直的，认真的，本着良心的 | |
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107
whine
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| v.哀号，号哭；n.哀鸣 | |
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108
statutes
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| 成文法( statute的名词复数 )； 法令； 法规； 章程 | |
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109
everlasting
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| adj.永恒的，持久的，无止境的 | |
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110
snarl
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| v.吼叫，怒骂，纠缠，混乱；n.混乱，缠结，咆哮 | |
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111
bristling
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| a.竖立的 | |
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112
animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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113
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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114
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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115
looms
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| n.织布机( loom的名词复数 )v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的第三人称单数 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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116
housekeeper
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| n.管理家务的主妇，女管家 | |
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117
humbuggery
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| 欺骗 | |
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118
baton
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| n.乐队用指挥杖 | |
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119
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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120
grit
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| n.沙粒，决心，勇气；v.下定决心，咬紧牙关 | |
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121
tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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122
accosts
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的第三人称单数 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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123
beseechingly
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| adv. 恳求地 | |
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124
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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125
unwillingly
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| adv.不情愿地 | |
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126
bidders
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| n.出价者，投标人( bidder的名词复数 ) | |
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127
laconically
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| adv.简短地，简洁地 | |
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128
jargon
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| n.术语，行话 | |
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129
harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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130
consigned
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| v.把…置于（令人不快的境地）( consign的过去式和过去分词 )；把…托付给；把…托人代售；丟弃 | |
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131
emblems
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| n.象征，标记( emblem的名词复数 ) | |
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132
sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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133
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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134
picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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135
instinctive
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| adj.(出于)本能的；直觉的；(出于)天性的 | |
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136
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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137
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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138
serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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139
clergy
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| n.[总称]牧师，神职人员 | |
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140
sinecure
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| n.闲差事，挂名职务 | |
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141
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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142
piety
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| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
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143
merge
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| v.(使)结合，(使)合并，(使)合为一体 | |
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144
legitimate
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| adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法 | |
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145
valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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146
defenders
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| n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者 | |
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147
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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148
generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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149
injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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150
absurdity
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| n.荒谬，愚蠢；谬论 | |
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151
winks
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| v.使眼色( wink的第三人称单数 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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152
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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153
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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154
bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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155
apron
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| n.围裙；工作裙 | |
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156
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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157
depreciating
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| v.贬值，跌价，减价( depreciate的现在分词 )；贬低，蔑视，轻视 | |
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158
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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159
stoic
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| n.坚忍克己之人，禁欲主义者 | |
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160
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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161
imploring
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| 恳求的，哀求的 | |
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162
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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163
sobs
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| 啜泣（声），呜咽（声）( sob的名词复数 ) | |
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164
solicitude
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| n.焦虑 | |
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165
gushing
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| adj.迸出的；涌出的；喷出的；过分热情的v.喷，涌( gush的现在分词 )；滔滔不绝地说话 | |
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166
belligerent
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| adj.好战的，挑起战争的；n.交战国，交战者 | |
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167
obviate
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| v.除去，排除，避免，预防 | |
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168
depot
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| n.仓库，储藏处；公共汽车站；火车站 | |
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169
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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