He Appears in the Great World with Universal Applause and Admiration1.
Meanwhile, Fathom2 and his engine were busied in completing his equipage, so that in a few days he had procured3 a very gay chariot, adorned4 with painting, gilding5, and a coat of arms, according to his own fancy and direction. The first use he made of this vehicle was that of visiting the young nobleman from whom he had received such important civilities on the road, in consequence of an invitation at parting, by which he learned his title and the place of his abode6 in London.
His lordship was not only pleased, but proud to see such a stranger at his gate, and entertained him with excess of complaisance7 and hospitality; insomuch that, by his means, our hero soon became acquainted with the whole circle of polite company, by whom he was caressed8 for his insinuating9 manners and agreeable conversation. He had thought proper to tell the nobleman, at their first interview in town, that his reasons for concealing10 his knowledge of the English tongue were now removed, and that he would no longer deny himself the pleasure of speaking a language which had been always music to his ear. He had also thanked his lordship for his generous interposition at the inn, which was an instance of that generosity11 and true politeness which are engrossed12 by the English people, who leave nought13 to other nations but the mere14 shadow of these virtues15.
A testimony16 like this, from the mouth of such a noble stranger, won the heart of the peer, who professed17 a friendship for him on the spot, and undertook to see justice done to his lacquey, who in a short time was gratified with a share of the seizure18 which had been made upon his information, amounting to fifty or sixty pounds.
Ferdinand put not forth19 the whole strength of his accomplishments21 at once, but contrived22 to spring a new mine of qualification every day, to the surprise and admiration of all his acquaintance. He was gifted with a sort of elocution, much more specious23 than solid, and spoke24 on every subject that occurred in conversation with that familiarity and ease, which, one would think, could only be acquired by long study and application. This plausibility25 and confidence are faculties26 really inherited from nature, and effectually serve the possessor, in lieu of that learning which is not to be obtained without infinite toil27 and perseverance28. The most superficial tincture of the arts and sciences in such a juggler29, is sufficient to dazzle the understanding of half mankind; and, if managed with circumspection30, will enable him even to spend his life among the literati, without once forfeiting31 the character of a connoisseur32.
Our hero was perfectly33 master of this legerdemain34, which he carried to such a pitch of assurance, as to declare, in the midst of a mathematical assembly, that he intended to gratify the public with a full confutation of Sir Isaac Newton’s philosophy, to the nature of which he was as much a stranger as the most savage35 Hottentot in Africa. His pretensions36 to profound and universal knowledge were supported not only by this kind of presumption37, but also by the facility with which he spoke so many different languages, and the shrewd remarks he had made in the course of his travels and observation.
Among politicians, he settled the balance of power upon a certain footing, by dint38 of ingenious schemes, which he had contrived for the welfare of Europe. With officers, he reformed the art of war, with improvements which had occurred to his reflection while he was engaged in a military life. He sometimes held forth upon painting, like a member of the Dilettanti club. The theory of music was a theme upon which he seemed to expatiate39 with particular pleasure. In the provinces of love and gallantry, he was a perfect Oroondates. He possessed40 a most agreeable manner of telling entertaining stories, of which he had a large collection; he sung with great melody and taste, and played upon the violin with surprising execution. To these qualifications let us add his affability and pliant41 disposition42, and then the reader will not wonder that he was looked upon as the pattern of human perfection, and his acquaintance courted accordingly.
While he thus captivated the favour and affection of the English nobility, he did not neglect to take other measures in behalf of the partnership43 to which he had subscribed44. The adventure with the two squires45 at Paris had weakened his appetite for play, which was not at all restored by the observations he had made in London, where the art of gaming is reduced into a regular system, and its professors so laudably devoted46 to the discharge of their functions, as to observe the most temperate47 regimen, lest their invention should be impaired48 by the fatigue49 of watching or exercise, and their ideas disturbed by the fumes50 of indigestion. No Indian Brachman could live more abstemious51 than two of the pack, who hunted in couple, and kennelled in the upper apartments of the hotel in which our adventurer lived. They abstained52 from animal food with the abhorrence53 of Pythagoreans, their drink was a pure simple element, they were vomited54 once a week, took physic or a glyster every third day, spent the forenoon in algebraical calculations, and slept from four o’clock till midnight, that they might then take the field with that cool serenity55 which is the effect of refreshment56 and repose57.
These were terms upon which our hero would not risk his fortune; he was too much addicted58 to pleasure to forego every other enjoyment59 but that of amassing60; and did not so much depend upon his dexterity61 in play as upon his talent of insinuation, which, by this time, had succeeded so far beyond his expectation, that he began to indulge the hope of enslaving the heart of some rich heiress, whose fortune would at once raise him above all dependence62. Indeed, no man ever set out with a fairer prospect63 on such an expedition; for he had found means to render himself so agreeable to the fair sex, that, like the boxes of the playhouse, during the representation of a new performance, his company was often bespoke64 for a series of weeks; and no lady, whether widow, wife, or maiden65, ever mentioned his name, without some epithet66 of esteem67 or affection; such as the dear Count! the charming Man! the Nonpareil, or the Angel!
While he thus shone in the zenith of admiration, it is not to be doubted, that he could have melted some wealthy dowager or opulent ward68; but, being an enemy to all precipitate69 engagements, he resolved to act with great care and deliberation in an affair of such importance, especially as he did not find himself hurried by the importunities of want; for, since his arrival in England, he had rather increased than exhausted70 his finances, by methods equally certain and secure. In a word, he, with the assistance of Ratchcali, carried on a traffic, which yielded great profits, without subjecting the trader to the least loss or inconvenience. Fathom, for example, wore upon his finger a large brilliant, which he played to such advantage one night, at a certain nobleman’s house, where he was prevailed upon to entertain the company with a solo on the violin, that everybody present took notice of its uncommon71 lustre72, and it was handed about for the perusal73 of every individual. The water and the workmanship were universally admired; and one among the rest having expressed a desire of knowing the value of such a jewel, the Count seized that opportunity of entertaining them with a learned disquisition into the nature of stones; this introduced the history of the diamond in question, which he said had been purchased of an Indian trader of Fort St. George, at an under price; so that the present proprietor74 could afford to sell it at a very reasonable rate; and concluded with telling the company, that, for his own part, he had been importuned75 to wear it by the jeweller, who imagined it would have a better chance for attracting a purchaser on his finger, than while it remained in his own custody76.
This declaration was no sooner made, than a certain lady of quality bespoke the refuse of the jewel, and desired Ferdinand to send the owner next day to her house, where he accordingly waited upon her ladyship with the ring, for which he received one hundred and fifty guineas, two-thirds of the sum being clear gain, and equally divided betwixt the associates. Nor was this bargain such as reflected dishonour77 upon the lady’s taste, or could be productive of ill consequences to the merchant; for the method of estimating diamonds is altogether arbitrary; and Ratchcali, who was an exquisite78 lapidary79, had set it in such a manner as would have imposed upon any ordinary jeweller. By these means of introduction, the Tyrolese soon monopolised the custom of a great many noble families, upon which he levied80 large contributions, without incurring81 the least suspicion of deceit. He every day, out of pure esteem and gratitude82 for the honour of their commands, entertained them with the sight of some new trinket, which he was never permitted to carry home unsold; and from the profits of each job, a tax was raised for the benefit of our adventurer.
Yet his indultos were not confined to the article of jewels, which constituted only one part of his revenue. By the industry of his understrapper, he procured a number of old crazy fiddles83, which were thrown aside as lumber84; upon which he counterfeited85 the Cremona mark, and otherwise cooked them up with great dexterity; so that, when he had occasion to regale86 the lovers of music, he would send for one of these vamped instruments, and extract from it such tones as quite ravished the hearers; among whom there was always some conceited87 pretender, who spoke in raptures88 of the violin, and gave our hero an opportunity of launching out in its praise, and declaring it was the best Cremona he had ever touched. This encomium89 never failed to inflame90 the desires of the audience, to some one of whom he was generous enough to part with it at prime cost — that is, for twenty or thirty guineas clear profit; for he was often able to oblige his friends in this manner, because, being an eminent91 connoisseur, his countenance92 was solicited93 by all the musicians, who wanted to dispose of such moveables.
Nor did he neglect the other resources of a skilful94 virtuoso95. Every auction96 afforded some picture, in which, though it had been overlooked by the ignorance of the times, he recognised the style of a great master, and made a merit of recommending it to some noble friend. This commerce he likewise extended to medals, bronzes, busts97, intaglios, and old china, and kept divers98 artificers continually employed in making antiques for the English nobility. Thus he went on with such rapidity of success in all his endeavours, that he himself was astonished at the infatuation he had produced. Nothing was so wretched among the productions of art, that he could not impose upon the world as a capital performance; and so fascinated were the eyes of his admirers, he could easily have persuaded them that a barber’s bason was an Etrurian patera, and the cover of a copper99 pot no other than the shield of Ancus Martius. In short, it was become so fashionable to consult the Count in everything relating to taste and politeness, that not a plan was drawn100, not even a house furnished, without his advice and approbation101; nay102, to such a degree did his reputation in these matters excel, that a particular pattern of paper-hangings was known by the name of Fathom; and his hall was every morning crowded with upholsterers, and other tradesmen, who came, by order of their employers, to learn his choice, and take his directions.
The character and influence he thus acquired, he took care to maintain with the utmost assiduity and circumspection. He never failed to appear the chief personage at all public diversions and private assemblies, not only in conversation and dress, but also in the article of dancing, in which he outstripped103 all his fellows, as far as in every other genteel accomplishment20.
收听单词发音 |
1
admiration
|
|
| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
fathom
|
|
| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
procured
|
|
| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
adorned
|
|
| [计]被修饰的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
gilding
|
|
| n.贴金箔，镀金 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
abode
|
|
| n.住处，住所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
complaisance
|
|
| n.彬彬有礼，殷勤，柔顺 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
caressed
|
|
| 爱抚或抚摸…( caress的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
insinuating
|
|
| adj.曲意巴结的，暗示的v.暗示( insinuate的现在分词 )；巧妙或迂回地潜入；（使）缓慢进入；慢慢伸入 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
concealing
|
|
| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
generosity
|
|
| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
engrossed
|
|
| adj.全神贯注的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
nought
|
|
| n.／adj.无，零 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
mere
|
|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
virtues
|
|
| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
testimony
|
|
| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
professed
|
|
| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
seizure
|
|
| n.没收；占有；抵押 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
accomplishment
|
|
| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
accomplishments
|
|
| n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
contrived
|
|
| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
specious
|
|
| adj.似是而非的；adv.似是而非地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
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： |
|
|
|
|
25
plausibility
|
|
| n. 似有道理, 能言善辩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
faculties
|
|
| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
toil
|
|
| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
perseverance
|
|
| n.坚持不懈，不屈不挠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
juggler
|
|
| n. 变戏法者, 行骗者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
circumspection
|
|
| n.细心，慎重 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
forfeiting
|
|
| （因违反协议、犯规、受罚等）丧失，失去( forfeit的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
connoisseur
|
|
| n.鉴赏家，行家，内行 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
perfectly
|
|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
legerdemain
|
|
| n.戏法，诈术 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
savage
|
|
| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
pretensions
|
|
| 自称( pretension的名词复数 )； 自命不凡； 要求； 权力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
presumption
|
|
| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
dint
|
|
| n.由于，靠；凹坑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
expatiate
|
|
| v.细说，详述 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
possessed
|
|
| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
pliant
|
|
| adj.顺从的；可弯曲的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
disposition
|
|
| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
partnership
|
|
| n.合作关系，伙伴关系 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
subscribed
|
|
| v.捐助( subscribe的过去式和过去分词 )；签署，题词；订阅；同意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
squires
|
|
| n.地主，乡绅( squire的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
devoted
|
|
| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
temperate
|
|
| adj.温和的，温带的，自我克制的，不过分的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
impaired
|
|
| adj.受损的；出毛病的；有（身体或智力）缺陷的v.损害，削弱( impair的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
fatigue
|
|
| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
fumes
|
|
| n.(强烈而刺激的)气味，气体 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
abstemious
|
|
| adj.有节制的，节俭的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
abstained
|
|
| v.戒（尤指酒），戒除( abstain的过去式和过去分词 )；弃权（不投票） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
abhorrence
|
|
| n.憎恶；可憎恶的事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
vomited
|
|
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
serenity
|
|
| n.宁静，沉着，晴朗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
refreshment
|
|
| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
repose
|
|
| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
addicted
|
|
| adj.沉溺于....的，对...上瘾的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
enjoyment
|
|
| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
amassing
|
|
| v.积累，积聚( amass的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
dexterity
|
|
| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
dependence
|
|
| n.依靠，依赖；信任，信赖；隶属 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
prospect
|
|
| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
bespoke
|
|
| adj.（产品）订做的；专做订货的v.预定( bespeak的过去式 )；订（货）；证明；预先请求 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
maiden
|
|
| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
epithet
|
|
| n.（用于褒贬人物等的）表述形容词，修饰语 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
esteem
|
|
| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
ward
|
|
| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
precipitate
|
|
| adj.突如其来的；vt.使突然发生；n.沉淀物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
exhausted
|
|
| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
uncommon
|
|
| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
lustre
|
|
| n.光亮，光泽；荣誉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
perusal
|
|
| n.细读，熟读；目测 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
proprietor
|
|
| n.所有人；业主；经营者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
importuned
|
|
| v.纠缠，向（某人）不断要求( importune的过去式和过去分词 )；（妓女）拉（客） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
custody
|
|
| n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
dishonour
|
|
| n./vt.拒付（支票、汇票、票据等）；vt.凌辱，使丢脸；n.不名誉，耻辱，不光彩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
exquisite
|
|
| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
lapidary
|
|
| n.宝石匠；adj.宝石的；简洁优雅的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
levied
|
|
| 征（兵）( levy的过去式和过去分词 )； 索取； 发动（战争）； 征税 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
incurring
|
|
| 遭受，招致，引起( incur的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
gratitude
|
|
| adj.感激，感谢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
fiddles
|
|
| n.小提琴( fiddle的名词复数 )；欺诈；（需要运用手指功夫的）细巧活动；当第二把手v.伪造( fiddle的第三人称单数 )；篡改；骗取；修理或稍作改动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
lumber
|
|
| n.木材，木料；v.以破旧东西堆满；伐木；笨重移动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
counterfeited
|
|
| v.仿制，造假( counterfeit的过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
regale
|
|
| v.取悦，款待 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
conceited
|
|
| adj.自负的，骄傲自满的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
raptures
|
|
| 极度欢喜( rapture的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
encomium
|
|
| n.赞颂；颂词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
inflame
|
|
| v.使燃烧；使极度激动；使发炎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
eminent
|
|
| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
countenance
|
|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
solicited
|
|
| v.恳求( solicit的过去式和过去分词 )；（指娼妇）拉客；索求；征求 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
skilful
|
|
| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
virtuoso
|
|
| n.精于某种艺术或乐器的专家，行家里手 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
auction
|
|
| n.拍卖；拍卖会；vt.拍卖 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
busts
|
|
| 半身雕塑像( bust的名词复数 )； 妇女的胸部； 胸围； 突击搜捕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
divers
|
|
| adj.不同的；种种的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
copper
|
|
| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
drawn
|
|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
approbation
|
|
| n.称赞；认可 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
nay
|
|
| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
outstripped
|
|
| v.做得比…更好，（在赛跑等中）超过( outstrip的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |