I then consulted our living library—Nodier, the learned—Nodier, the philosopher—Nodier, the poet. After reflecting for a few moments, he mentioned a small book written by Paul Jones himself, containing memoirs12 of his life, bearing this motto, “Munera sunt Laudi.” I started off to hunt for this precious relic13; but it was in vain I searched through libraries, rummaged14 the old book-stalls—all that I could find was an infamous15 libel, entitled, “Paul Jones, ou Prophétie sur l’Amérique, l’Angleterre, la France, l’Espagne et la Hollande” which I threw from me with disgust, before I had got through the fourth page, marvelling16 that poisons should be so enduring, and be perfectly17 preserved, whilst we search in vain for wholesome18 and nutritious19 food—I therefore renounced20 all hope in this quarter.
Some time afterwards, while taking a voyage along our coast, having started from Cherbourg, I visited St. Malo, Quimper, and l’Orient. Upon my arrival at the latter place I recollected21 having read in a biography of Paul Jones, that this celebrated22 seaman had been three times in that port. This circumstance had struck me—I had noted23 down the dates, and had only to open my pocket-book to ascertain24 them. I examined the naval25 archives, and in them I actually found entries of the sojourn26 which the two frigates27, the Hanger28, of eighteen guns, and the Indienne, of thirty-two, had made in these roads. As to the reasons for their coming there, whether from ignorance or neglect, the secretary who had kept the register had omitted to assign them. I was just leaving the office without further information, when I thought of inquiring of an old clerk who was sitting there, whether there was no traditional recollection in the country as to the captain of these two ships. The old man told me that in 1784, he being then a boy, and employed in the Quarantine Office at Havre, had seen Paul Jones there. He was at that time a commodore in the fleet of the Count de Vaudreuil. The renowned29 courage of this officer, and his extraordinary exploits, had made such an impression upon him, that upon his, the clerk’s, return to Brittany, he spoke30 of him to his father, who then had charge of the Chateau31 d’Auray. Upon hearing the name of Paul Jones, the old man started, and made a sign to him to be silent—the young man obeyed, though not without astonishment32. He frequently afterwards questioned his father upon the subject, but he always refused to satisfy his curiosity. It was not till after the death of the Marchioness d’Auray, the emigration of her son, the Marquis, and the dispersion of the family at the Revolution, that the old man felt himself permitted to reveal, even to his son, the strange and mysterious history, in which that of the object of my inquiries33 was so singularly blended. Although nearly, forty years had passed away since his father had related that eventful history, it had made so deep an impression upon him that he repeated it to me, as he assured me, nearly word for word.
I have treasured up this history in the recesses34 of my memory for nearly seven years: and it would have still remained buried there, with a mass of other recollections, destined35 never to see the light, had I not about six months ago read “The Pilot” for the second time, and even with much greater interest than before; for, thanks to the researches I had made, the hero was no longer to me an unknown being, appearing only for an instant, his face but partially36 visible, and with merely the portion of a name; he had now become a friend, almost a brother, to me—for new sympathies had been awakened37 in my heart besides those which had formerly38 been inspired by the recital39 of the expedition to Whitehaven. These led me to reflect that whatever of interest and disappointment I had experienced on reading’ Cooper’s novel, they must have been entertained alike by others, and that the anxious desire I had felt to know more of the former lover of Alice Dunscombe was not a feeling peculiar40 to myself, but would be participated by all those, and their number must be great, who have followed this skilful41 seaman from the moment of his first meeting Lieutenant42 Barnstaple on the English cliffs, until that in which he quitted the Alert to land on the shores of Holland.
I have, therefore, gathered up my recollections, and have written this history.

点击
收听单词发音

1
cloisters
![]() |
|
n.(学院、修道院、教堂等建筑的)走廊( cloister的名词复数 );回廊;修道院的生活;隐居v.隐退,使与世隔绝( cloister的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
2
melancholy
![]() |
|
n.忧郁,愁思;adj.令人感伤(沮丧)的,忧郁的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
3
motives
![]() |
|
n.动机,目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
4
tempted
![]() |
|
v.怂恿(某人)干不正当的事;冒…的险(tempt的过去分词) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
5
adventurous
![]() |
|
adj.爱冒险的;惊心动魄的,惊险的,刺激的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
6
seaman
![]() |
|
n.海员,水手,水兵 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
7
narrative
![]() |
|
n.叙述,故事;adj.叙事的,故事体的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
8
ardent
![]() |
|
adj.热情的,热烈的,强烈的,烈性的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
9
admiration
![]() |
|
n.钦佩,赞美,羡慕 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
10
illuminated
![]() |
|
adj.被照明的;受启迪的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
11
cemetery
![]() |
|
n.坟墓,墓地,坟场 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
12
memoirs
![]() |
|
n.回忆录;回忆录传( mem,自oir的名词复数) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
13
relic
![]() |
|
n.神圣的遗物,遗迹,纪念物 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
14
rummaged
![]() |
|
翻找,搜寻( rummage的过去式和过去分词 ); 已经海关检查 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
15
infamous
![]() |
|
adj.声名狼藉的,臭名昭著的,邪恶的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
16
marvelling
![]() |
|
v.惊奇,对…感到惊奇( marvel的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
17
perfectly
![]() |
|
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
18
wholesome
![]() |
|
adj.适合;卫生的;有益健康的;显示身心健康的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
19
nutritious
![]() |
|
adj.有营养的,营养价值高的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
20
renounced
![]() |
|
v.声明放弃( renounce的过去式和过去分词 );宣布放弃;宣布与…决裂;宣布摒弃 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
21
recollected
![]() |
|
adj.冷静的;镇定的;被回忆起的;沉思默想的v.记起,想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
22
celebrated
![]() |
|
adj.有名的,声誉卓著的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
23
noted
![]() |
|
adj.著名的,知名的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
24
ascertain
![]() |
|
vt.发现,确定,查明,弄清 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
25
naval
![]() |
|
adj.海军的,军舰的,船的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
26
sojourn
![]() |
|
v./n.旅居,寄居;逗留 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
27
frigates
![]() |
|
n.快速军舰( frigate的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
28
hanger
![]() |
|
n.吊架,吊轴承;挂钩 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
29
renowned
![]() |
|
adj.著名的,有名望的,声誉鹊起的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
30
spoke
![]() |
|
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 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
31
chateau
![]() |
|
n.城堡,别墅 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
32
astonishment
![]() |
|
n.惊奇,惊异 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
33
inquiries
![]() |
|
n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 );疑问;探究;打听 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
34
recesses
![]() |
|
n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 );(工作或业务活动的)中止或暂停期间;学校的课间休息;某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 );将(墙)做成凹形,在(墙)上做壁龛;休息,休会,休庭 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
35
destined
![]() |
|
adj.命中注定的;(for)以…为目的地的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
36
partially
![]() |
|
adv.部分地,从某些方面讲 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
37
awakened
![]() |
|
v.(使)醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 );(使)觉醒;弄醒;(使)意识到 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
38
formerly
![]() |
|
adv.从前,以前 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
39
recital
![]() |
|
n.朗诵,独奏会,独唱会 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
40
peculiar
![]() |
|
adj.古怪的,异常的;特殊的,特有的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
41
skilful
![]() |
|
(=skillful)adj.灵巧的,熟练的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
42
lieutenant
![]() |
|
n.陆军中尉,海军上尉;代理官员,副职官员 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
欢迎访问英文小说网 |