The man himself, it is well known, was a valiant9, gallant10 man; of lively intellect, of noble chivalrous11 character: fine talents, fine accomplishments12, all grounding themselves on a certain rugged13 veracity14, recommended him to the discerning. He had begun youth in the Court of Ferdinand; had gone on in Wellington and other arduous15, victorious16 and unvictorious, soldierings; familiar in camps and council-rooms, in presence-chambers and in prisons. He knew romantic Spain;—he was himself, standing withal in the vanguard of Freedom's fight, a kind of living romance. Infinitely17 interesting to John Sterling, for one.
It was to Torrijos that the poor Spaniards of Somers Town looked mainly, in their helplessness, for every species of help. Torrijos, it was hoped, would yet lead them into Spain and glorious victory there; meanwhile here in England, under defeat, he was their captain and sovereign in another painfully inverse19 sense. To whom, in extremity20, everybody might apply. When all present resources failed, and the exchequer21 was quite out, there still remained Torrijos. Torrijos has to find new resources for his destitute22 patriots24, find loans, find Spanish lessons for them among his English friends: in all which charitable operations, it need not be said, John Sterling was his foremost man; zealous26 to empty his own purse for the object; impetuous in rushing hither or thither27 to enlist28 the aid of others, and find lessons or something that would do. His friends, of course, had to assist; the Bartons, among others, were wont29 to assist;—and I have heard that the fair Susan, stirring up her indolent enthusiasm into practicality, was very successful in finding Spanish lessons, and the like, for these distressed30 men. Sterling and his friends were yet new in this business; but Torrijos and the others were getting old in it?—and doubtless weary and almost desperate of it. They had now been seven years in it, many of them; and were asking, When will the end be?
Torrijos is described as a man of excellent discernment: who knows how long he had repressed the unreasonable31 schemes of his followers32, and turned a deaf ear to the temptings of fallacious hope? But there comes at length a sum-total of oppressive burdens which is intolerable, which tempts33 the wisest towards fallacies for relief. These weary groups, pacing the Euston-Square pavements, had often said in their despair, "Were not death in battle better? Here are we slowly mouldering34 into nothingness; there we might reach it rapidly, in flaming splendor35. Flame, either of victory to Spain and us, or of a patriot23 death, the sure harbinger of victory to Spain. Flame fit to kindle36 a fire which no Ferdinand, with all his Inquisitions and Charles Tenths, could put out." Enough, in the end of 1829, Torrijos himself had yielded to this pressure; and hoping against hope, persuaded himself that if he could but land in the South of Spain with a small patriot band well armed and well resolved, a band carrying fire in its heart,—then Spain, all inflammable as touchwood, and groaning37 indignantly under its brutal38 tyrant39, might blaze wholly into flame round him, and incalculable victory be won. Such was his conclusion; not sudden, yet surely not deliberate either,—desperate rather, and forced on by circumstances. He thought with himself that, considering Somers Town and considering Spain, the terrible chance was worth trying; that this big game of Fate, go how it might, was one which the omens41 credibly42 declared he and these poor Spaniards ought to play.
His whole industries and energies were thereupon bent43 towards starting the said game; and his thought and continual speech and song now was, That if he had a few thousand pounds to buy arms, to freight a ship and make the other preparations, he and these poor gentlemen, and Spain and the world, were made men and a saved Spain and world. What talks and consultations44 in the apartment in Regent Street, during those winter days of 1829-30; setting into open conflagration45 the young democracy that was wont to assemble there! Of which there is now left next to no remembrance. For Sterling never spoke46 a word of this affair in after-days, nor was any of the actors much tempted47 to speak. We can understand too well that here were young fervid48 hearts in an explosive condition; young rash heads, sanctioned by a man's experienced head. Here at last shall enthusiasm and theory become practice and fact; fiery49 dreams are at last permitted to realize themselves; and now is the time or never!—How the Coleridge moonshine comported50 itself amid these hot telluric flames, or whether it had not yet begun to play there (which I rather doubt), must be left to conjecture51.
Mr. Hare speaks of Sterling "sailing over to St. Valery in an open boat along with others," upon one occasion, in this enterprise;—in the final English scene of it, I suppose. Which is very possible. Unquestionably there was adventure enough of other kinds for it, and running to and fro with all his speed on behalf of it, during these months of his history! Money was subscribed52, collected: the young Cambridge democrats53 were all ablaze54 to assist Torrijos; nay55 certain of them decided56 to go with him,—and went. Only, as yet, the funds were rather incomplete. And here, as I learn from a good hand, is the secret history of their becoming complete. Which, as we are upon the subject, I had better give. But for the following circumstance, they had perhaps never been completed; nor had the rash enterprise, or its catastrophe57, so influential58 on the rest of Sterling's life, taken place at all.
A certain Lieutenant59 Robert Boyd, of the Indian Army, an Ulster Irishman, a cousin of Sterling's, had received some affront60, or otherwise taken some disgust in that service; had thrown up his commission in consequence; and returned home, about this time, with intent to seek another course of life. Having only, for outfit61, these impatient ardors, some experience in Indian drill exercise, and five thousand pounds of inheritance, he found the enterprise attended with difficulties; and was somewhat at a loss how to dispose of himself. Some young Ulster comrade, in a partly similar situation, had pointed62 out to him that there lay in a certain neighboring creek63 of the Irish coast, a worn-out royal gun-brig condemned64 to sale, to be had dog-cheap: this he proposed that they two, or in fact Boyd with his five thousand pounds, should buy; that they should refit and arm and man it;—and sail a-privateering "to the Eastern Archipelago," Philippine Isles65, or I know not where; and so conquer the golden fleece.
Boyd naturally paused a little at this great proposal; did not quite reject it; came across, with it and other fine projects and impatiences fermenting66 in his head, to London, there to see and consider. It was in the months when the Torrijos enterprise was in the birth-throes; crying wildly for capital, of all things. Boyd naturally spoke of his projects to Sterling,—of his gun-brig lying in the Irish creek, among others. Sterling naturally said, "If you want an adventure of the Sea-king sort, and propose to lay your money and your life into such a game, here is Torrijos and Spain at his back; here is a golden fleece to conquer, worth twenty Eastern Archipelagoes."—Boyd and Torrijos quickly met; quickly bargained. Boyd's money was to go in purchasing, and storing with a certain stock of arms and etceteras, a small ship in the Thames, which should carry Boyd with Torrijos and the adventurers to the south coast of Spain; and there, the game once played and won, Boyd was to have promotion67 enough,—"the colonelcy of a Spanish cavalry68 regiment," for one express thing. What exact share Sterling had in this negotiation69, or whether he did not even take the prudent70 side and caution Boyd to be wary71 I know not; but it was he that brought the parties together; and all his friends knew, in silence, that to the end of his life he painfully remembered that fact.
And so a ship was hired, or purchased, in the Thames; due furnishings began to be executed in it; arms and stores were gradually got on board; Torrijos with his Fifty picked Spaniards, in the mean while, getting ready. This was in the spring of 1830. Boyd's 5000 pounds was the grand nucleus72 of finance; but vigorous subscription73 was carried on likewise in Sterling's young democratic circle, or wherever a member of it could find access; not without considerable result, and with a zeal25 that may be imagined. Nay, as above hinted, certain of these young men decided, not to give their money only, but themselves along with it, as democratic volunteers and soldiers of progress; among whom, it need not be said, Sterling intended to be foremost. Busy weeks with him, those spring ones of the year 1830! Through this small Note, accidentally preserved to us, addressed to his friend Barton, we obtain a curious glance into the subterranean74 workshop:—
"To Charles Barton, Esq., Dorset Sq., Regent's Park.
[No date; apparently75 March or February, 1830.]
"MY DEAR CHARLES,—I have wanted to see you to talk to you about my Foreign affairs. If you are going to be in London for a few days, I believe you can be very useful to me, at a considerable expense and trouble to yourself, in the way of buying accoutrements; inter18 alia, a sword and a saddle,—not, you will understand, for my own use.
"Things are going on very well, but are very, even frightfully near; only be quiet! Pray would you, in case of necessity, take a free passage to Holland, next week or the week after; stay two or three days, and come back, all expenses paid? If you write to B—— at Cambridge, tell him above all things to hold his tongue. If you are near Palace Yard to-morrow before two, pray come to see me. Do not come on purpose; especially as I may perhaps be away, and at all events shall not be there until eleven, nor perhaps till rather later.
"I fear I shall have alarmed your Mother by my irruption. Forgive me for that and all my exactions from you. If the next month were over, I should not have to trouble any one.
"Yours affectionately,
"J. STERLING."
Busy weeks indeed; and a glowing smithy-light coming through the chinks!—The romance of Arthur Coningsby lay written, or half-written, in his desk; and here, in his heart and among his hands, was an acted romance and unknown catastrophes76 keeping pace with that.
Doubts from the doctors, for his health was getting ominous77, threw some shade over the adventure. Reproachful reminiscences of Coleridge and Theosophy were natural too; then fond regrets for Literature and its glories: if you act your romance, how can you also write it? Regrets, and reproachful reminiscences, from Art and Theosophy; perhaps some tenderer regrets withal. A crisis in life had come; when, of innumerable possibilities one possibility was to be elected king, and to swallow all the rest, the rest of course made noise enough, and swelled78 themselves to their biggest.
Meanwhile the ship was fast getting ready: on a certain day, it was to drop quietly down the Thames; then touch at Deal, and take on board Torrijos and his adventurers, who were to be in waiting and on the outlook for them there. Let every man lay in his accoutrements, then; let every man make his packages, his arrangements and farewells. Sterling went to take leave of Miss Barton. "You are going, then; to Spain? To rough it amid the storms of war and perilous79 insurrection; and with that weak health of yours; and—we shall never see you more, then!" Miss Barton, all her gayety gone, the dimpling softness become liquid sorrow, and the musical ringing voice one wail80 of woe81, "burst into tears,"—so I have it on authority:—here was one possibility about to be strangled that made unexpected noise! Sterling's interview ended in the offer of his hand, and the acceptance of it;—any sacrifice to get rid of this horrid82 Spanish business, and save the health and life of a gifted young man so precious to the world and to another!
"Ill-health," as often afterwards in Sterling's life, when the excuse was real enough but not the chief excuse; "ill-health, and insuperable obstacles and engagements," had to bear the chief brunt in apologizing: and, as Sterling's actual presence, or that of any Englishman except Boyd and his money, was not in the least vital to the adventure, his excuse was at once accepted. The English connections and subscriptions83 are a given fact, to be presided over by what English volunteers there are: and as for Englishmen, the fewer Englishmen that go, the larger will be the share of influence for each. The other adventurers, Torrijos among them in due readiness, moved silently one by one down to Deal; Sterling, superintending the naval84 hands, on board their ship in the Thames, was to see the last finish given to everything in that department; then, on the set evening, to drop down quietly to Deal, and there say Andad con40 Dios, and return.
Behold85! Just before the set evening came, the Spanish Envoy86 at this Court has got notice of what is going on; the Spanish Envoy, and of course the British Foreign Secretary, and of course also the Thames Police. Armed men spring suddenly on board, one day, while Sterling is there; declare the ship seized and embargoed87 in the King's name; nobody on board to stir till he has given some account of himself in due time and place! Huge consternation88, naturally, from stem to stern. Sterling, whose presence of mind seldom forsook89 him, casts his eye over the River and its craft; sees a wherry, privately90 signals it, drops rapidly on board of it: "Stop!" fiercely interjects the marine91 policeman from the ship's deck.—"Why stop? What use have you for me, or I for you?" and the oars92 begin playing.—"Stop, or I'll shoot you!" cries the marine policeman, drawing a pistol.—"No, you won't."—"I will!"—"If you do you'll be hanged at the next Maidstone assizes, then; that's all,"—and Sterling's wherry shot rapidly ashore93; and out of this perilous adventure.
That same night he posted down to Deal; disclosed to the Torrijos party what catastrophe had come. No passage Spainward from the Thames; well if arrestment do not suddenly come from the Thames! It was on this occasion, I suppose, that the passage in the open boat to St. Valery occurred;—speedy flight in what boat or boats, open or shut, could be got at Deal on the sudden. Sterling himself, according to Hare's authority, actually went with them so far. Enough, they got shipping94, as private passengers in one craft or the other; and, by degrees or at once, arrived all at Gibraltar,—Boyd, one or two young democrats of Regent Street, the fifty picked Spaniards, and Torrijos,—safe, though without arms; still in the early part of the year.
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faculties
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| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
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cosmopolitan
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| adj.世界性的，全世界的，四海为家的，全球的 | |
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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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sterling
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| adj.英币的(纯粹的，货真价实的)；n.英国货币(英镑) | |
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esteemed
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| adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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chivalrous
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| adj.武士精神的；对女人彬彬有礼的 | |
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accomplishments
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| n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就 | |
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rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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veracity
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| n.诚实 | |
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arduous
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| adj.艰苦的，费力的，陡峭的 | |
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victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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infinitely
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| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
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inter
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| v.埋葬 | |
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inverse
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| adj.相反的，倒转的，反转的；n.相反之物；v.倒转 | |
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extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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exchequer
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| n.财政部；国库 | |
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destitute
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| adj.缺乏的；穷困的 | |
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patriot
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| n.爱国者，爱国主义者 | |
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patriots
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| 爱国者，爱国主义者( patriot的名词复数 ) | |
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zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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zealous
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| adj.狂热的，热心的 | |
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thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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enlist
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| vt.谋取(支持等)，赢得；征募；vi.入伍 | |
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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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unreasonable
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| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
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followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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tempts
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| v.引诱或怂恿（某人）干不正当的事( tempt的第三人称单数 )；使想要 | |
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mouldering
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| v.腐朽( moulder的现在分词 )；腐烂，崩塌 | |
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splendor
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| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
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kindle
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| v.点燃，着火 | |
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groaning
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| adj. 呜咽的, 呻吟的 动词groan的现在分词形式 | |
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brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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con
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| n.反对的观点，反对者，反对票，肺病；vt.精读，学习，默记；adv.反对地，从反面；adj.欺诈的 | |
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omens
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| n.前兆，预兆( omen的名词复数 ) | |
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credibly
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| ad.可信地；可靠地 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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consultations
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| n.磋商（会议）( consultation的名词复数 )；商讨会；协商会；查找 | |
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45
conflagration
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| n.建筑物或森林大火 | |
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46
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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fervid
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| adj.热情的；炽热的 | |
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fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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comported
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| v.表现( comport的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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51
conjecture
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| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
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subscribed
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| v.捐助( subscribe的过去式和过去分词 )；签署，题词；订阅；同意 | |
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democrats
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| n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 ) | |
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ablaze
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| adj.着火的，燃烧的；闪耀的，灯火辉煌的 | |
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nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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influential
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| adj.有影响的，有权势的 | |
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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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affront
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| n./v.侮辱，触怒 | |
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outfit
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| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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isles
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| 岛( isle的名词复数 ) | |
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fermenting
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| v.（使）发酵( ferment的现在分词 )；（使）激动；骚动；骚扰 | |
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promotion
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| n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传 | |
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cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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negotiation
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| n.谈判，协商 | |
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prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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wary
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| adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的 | |
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nucleus
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| n.核，核心，原子核 | |
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subscription
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| n.预订，预订费，亲笔签名，调配法，下标（处方） | |
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subterranean
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| adj.地下的，地表下的 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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76
catastrophes
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| n.灾祸( catastrophe的名词复数 )；灾难；不幸事件；困难 | |
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ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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80
wail
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| vt./vi.大声哀号，恸哭；呼啸，尖啸 | |
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81
woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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83
subscriptions
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| n.（报刊等的）订阅费( subscription的名词复数 )；捐款；（俱乐部的）会员费；捐助 | |
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84
naval
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| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
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behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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envoy
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| n.使节，使者，代表，公使 | |
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embargoed
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| 禁止贸易，禁运( embargo的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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89
forsook
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| forsake的过去式 | |
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90
privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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91
marine
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| adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵 | |
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92
oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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shipping
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| n.船运（发货，运输，乘船） | |
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