All the world knows the tale of the Rising of 1745. It is a story that each generation cherishes with undiminished affection. Some have called it the last burst of chivalry1 in modern history, and doubtless for that reason when other more vital aspects are forgotten, the campaign of Prince Charlie will sustain its fascination2 and its glamour3.
In an age peculiarly commonplace and sordid4, it carried the spirit of romance well-nigh to the throne itself; in a period almost destitute5 of loyalty6 and patriotism7 it glorified8 the reckless gallantry and self-sacrifice of devotion.
That Charles Edward Stuart could land with only seven followers9 and carry all before him into the very heart of England is wonderful enough. But that in the days of his misfortune and flight no one was found to claim the reward for his life is finer still. That poor, unarmed, uneducated men were ready to die in hundreds is a testimony10 not easily forgotten.
Of those great days when the Jacobite army marched south much has been written, and the facts are familiar to all. But of those grey days following Culloden Moor11 less is known, and in the last fluttering of the Jacobite Cause there is much that must necessarily baffle and perplex the casual reader.
The Highlands were to a large extent divided in opinion. There were Jacobite clans14, and Hanoverian clans, while between the two were men like Major Fraser of our story, anxious to keep clear of both. There were devoted15 chiefs like Lochiel, scheming chiefs like Lovat, chiefs who wavered and trifled like Macleod, or were downright traitors16 like Glengarry and Barisdale, and there were the tragi-comedians like poor Murray of Broughton, who was more hated than he deserved.
Finally there were, like poppies in the grain, the adventurers, men with nothing to lose and something to gain (such as Muckle John himself), serving no chief, nor clan13, marauders more Jacobite than Hanoverian, like birds of prey17 hovering18 for the kill. It is of this side of the '45 that I have principally treated.
Clan jealousies19 again must not be forgotten, and the universal hatred20 of the Campbells played, as always, its miserable21 part. Those who condemn22 Cumberland and his troops must not forget that in the persecution23 after Culloden the hunting down of the fugitives24 was ardently25 pursued by the Highland12 militia26 and the men from Argyllshire.
The story of a campaign is but a lightning flash in the history of a nation. Long after, the thunder rolls into silence. The Rebellion of the '45 was only the fuse that destroyed at a blow the clan system of centuries. From Culloden onwards the transit27 of the old into the new was swift and tragic28 in its coming.
FREDERICK WATSON
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1 chivalry | |
n.骑士气概,侠义;(男人)对女人彬彬有礼,献殷勤 | |
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2 fascination | |
n.令人着迷的事物,魅力,迷恋 | |
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3 glamour | |
n.魔力,魅力;vt.迷住 | |
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4 sordid | |
adj.肮脏的,不干净的,卑鄙的,暗淡的 | |
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5 destitute | |
adj.缺乏的;穷困的 | |
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6 loyalty | |
n.忠诚,忠心 | |
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7 patriotism | |
n.爱国精神,爱国心,爱国主义 | |
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8 glorified | |
美其名的,变荣耀的 | |
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9 followers | |
追随者( follower的名词复数 ); 用户; 契据的附面; 从动件 | |
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10 testimony | |
n.证词;见证,证明 | |
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11 moor | |
n.荒野,沼泽;vt.(使)停泊;vi.停泊 | |
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12 highland | |
n.(pl.)高地,山地 | |
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13 clan | |
n.氏族,部落,宗族,家族,宗派 | |
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14 clans | |
宗族( clan的名词复数 ); 氏族; 庞大的家族; 宗派 | |
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15 devoted | |
adj.忠诚的,忠实的,热心的,献身于...的 | |
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16 traitors | |
卖国贼( traitor的名词复数 ); 叛徒; 背叛者; 背信弃义的人 | |
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17 prey | |
n.被掠食者,牺牲者,掠食;v.捕食,掠夺,折磨 | |
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18 hovering | |
鸟( hover的现在分词 ); 靠近(某事物); (人)徘徊; 犹豫 | |
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19 jealousies | |
n.妒忌( jealousy的名词复数 );妒羡 | |
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20 hatred | |
n.憎恶,憎恨,仇恨 | |
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21 miserable | |
adj.悲惨的,痛苦的;可怜的,糟糕的 | |
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22 condemn | |
vt.谴责,指责;宣判(罪犯),判刑 | |
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23 persecution | |
n. 迫害,烦扰 | |
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24 fugitives | |
n.亡命者,逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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25 ardently | |
adv.热心地,热烈地 | |
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26 militia | |
n.民兵,民兵组织 | |
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27 transit | |
n.经过,运输;vt.穿越,旋转;vi.越过 | |
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28 tragic | |
adj.悲剧的,悲剧性的,悲惨的 | |
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