Acquires Employment in Consequence of a Lucky Miscarriage1.
These ill offices, however, far from answering her purpose, had a quite contrary effect. For, in consequence of her invectives, he was, in a few days, called to the wife of a merchant, who piously2 hoped, that his practice would not give Miss Biddy the lie. The patient had long lingered under a complication of distempers, and being in no immediate3 danger of her life, Doctor Fathom4 was in no hurry to strike a decisive stroke; till the husband growing impatient of delay, and so explicit5 in his hints, that it was impossible to misapprehend his meaning, our adventurer resolved to do something effectual for his satisfaction, and prescribed a medicine of such rough operation, as he thought must either oblige his employer, or produce a change in the lady’s constitution, that would make a noise in the world, and bring a new accession to his fame.
Proceeding6 upon these maxims7, he could not be disappointed. The remedy played its part with such violence, as reduced the patient to extremity8, and the merchant had actually bespoke9 an undertaker; when, after a series of swoonings and convulsions, nature so far prevailed, as to expel, at once, the prescription10 and the disease; yet the good-natured husband was so much affected11 with the agonies to which he saw the wife of his bosom12 exposed by this specific, that, although the effect of it was her perfect recovery, he could never bear the sight of Fathom for the future, nor even hear his name mentioned, without giving signs of horror and indignation. Nay13, he did not scruple14 to affirm, that, had our adventurer been endowed with the least tincture of humanity, he would have suffered the poor woman to depart in peace, rather than restore her to health, at the expense of such anxiety and torture.
On the other hand, this extraordinary cure was blazoned15 abroad by the good lady and her gossips, with such exaggerations as roused the astonishment16 of the public, and concurred17 with the report of his last miscarriage to bring him upon the carpet, as the universal subject of discourse18. When a physician becomes the town talk, he generally concludes his business more than half done, even though his fame should wholly turn upon his malpractice; insomuch that some members of the faculty19 have been heard to complain, that they never had the good fortune to be publicly accused of homicide; and it is well known, that a certain famous empiric, of our day, never flourished to any degree of wealth and reputation till after he had been attacked in print, and fairly convicted of having destroyed a good number of the human species. Success raised upon such a foundation would, by a disciple20 of Plato, and some modern moralists, be ascribed to the innate21 virtue22 and generosity23 of the human heart, which naturally espouses24 the cause that needs protection. But I, whose notions of human excellence25 are not quite so sublime26, am apt to believe it is owing to that spirit of self-conceit and contradiction, which is, at least, as universal, if not as natural, as the moral sense so warmly contended for by those ideal philosophers.
The most infamous27 wretch28 often finds his account in these principles of malevolence29 and self-love. For wheresoever his character falls under discussion there is generally some person present, who, either from an affectation of singularity, or envy to the accusers, undertakes his defence, and endeavours to invalidate the articles of his impeachment30, until he is heated by altercation31, and hurried into more effectual measures for his advantage. If such benefits accrue32 to those who have no real merit to depend upon, surely our hero could not but reap something extraordinary from the debates to which he now gave rise; as, by the miraculous33 cure he had affected, all his patient’s friends, all the enemies of her husband, all those who envied his other adversary34, were interested in his behalf, exclusive of such admirers as surprise and curiosity might engage in his cause.
Thus wafted35 upon the wings of applause, his fame soon diffused36 itself into all the corners of this great capital. The newspapers teemed37 with his praise; and in order to keep up the attention of the public, his emissaries, male and female, separated into different coffee-houses, companies, and clubs, where they did not fail to comment upon these articles of intelligence. Such a favourable38 incident is, of itself, sufficient to float the bark of a man’s fortune. He was, in a few days, called to another lady, labouring under the same disorder39 he had so successfully dispelled41, and she thought herself benefited by his advice. His acquaintance naturally extended itself among the visitants and allies of his patients; he was recommended from family to family; the fees began to multiply; a variety of footmen appeared every day at his door; he discontinued his sham43 circuit, and looking upon the present conjuncture, as that tide in his affairs, which, according to Shakespeare, when taken at the full, leads on to fortune, he resolved that the opportunity should not be lost, and applied45 himself with such assiduity to his practice, that, in all likelihood, he would have carried the palm from all his contemporaries, had he not split upon the same rock which had shipwrecked his hopes before.
We have formerly47 descanted upon that venereal appetite which glowed in the constitution of our adventurer, and with all his philosophy and caution could hardly keep within bounds. The reader, therefore, will not be much surprised to learn, that, in the exercise of his profession, he contracted an intimacy48 with a clergyman’s wife, whom he attended as a physician, and whose conjugal49 virtue he subdued50 by a long and diligent51 exertion52 of his delusive53 arts, while her mind was enervated54 by sickness, and her husband abroad upon his necessary occasions. This unhappy patient, who was a woman of an agreeable person and lively conversation, fell a sacrifice to her own security and self-conceit; her want of health had confined her to a sedentary life, and her imagination being active and restless, she had spent those hours in reading which other young women devote to company and diversion, but, as her studies were not superintended by any person of taste, she had indulged her own fancy without method or propriety55. The Spectator taught her to be a critic and philosopher; from plays she learned poetry and wit, and derived56 her knowledge of life from books of history and adventures. Fraught57 with these acquisitions, and furnished by nature with uncommon58 vivacity59, she despised her own sex, and courted the society of men, among whom she thought her talents might be more honourably60 displayed, fully40 confident of her own virtue and sagacity, which enabled her to set all their arts at defiance61.
Thus qualified62, she, in an evil hour, had recourse to the advice of our adventurer, for some ailment63 under which she had long laboured, and found such relief from his skill as very much prepossessed her in his favour. She was no less pleased with his obliging manners than with his physic, and found much entertainment in his conversation, so that the acquaintance proceeded to a degree of intimacy, during which he perceived her weak side, and being enamoured of her person, flattered her out of all her caution. The privilege of his character furnished him with opportunities to lay snares64 for her virtue, and, taking advantage of that listlessness, languor65, and indolence of the spirits, by which all the vigilance of the soul is relaxed, he, after a long course of attention and perseverance66, found means to make shipwreck46 of her peace.
Though he mastered her chastity, he could not quiet her conscience, which incessantly67 upbraided68 her with breach69 of the marriage vow70; nor did her undoer escape without a share of the reproaches suggested by her penitence71 and remorse72. This internal anxiety co-operating with her disease, and perhaps with the medicines he prescribed, reduced her to the brink73 of the grave; when her husband returned from a neighbouring kingdom, in consequence of her earnest request, joined to the information of her friends, who had written to him an account of the extremity in which she was. The good man was afflicted74 beyond measure when he saw himself upon the verge75 of losing a wife whom he had always tenderly loved; but what were his emotions, when she, taking the first opportunity of his being alone with her, accosted76 him to this effect:
“I am now hastening towards that dissolution from which no mortal is exempted77, and though the prospect78 of futurity is altogether clouded and uncertain, my conscience will not allow me to plunge79 into eternity80 without unburdening my mind, and, by an ingenuous81 confession82, making all the atonement in my power for the ingratitude83 I have been guilty of, and the wrongs I have committed against a virtuous84 husband, who never gave me cause of complaint. You stand amazed at this preamble85, but alas86! how will you be shocked when I own that I have betrayed you in your absence, that I have trespassed87 against God and my marriage vow, and fallen from the pride and confidence of virtue to the most abject88 state of vice42; yes, I have been unfaithful to your bed, having fallen a victim to the infernal insinuations of a villain89, who took advantage of my weak and unguarded moments. Fathom is the wretch who hath thus injured your honour, and ruined my unsuspecting innocence90. I have nothing to plead in alleviation91 of my crime but the most sincere contrition92 of heart, and though, at any other juncture44, I could not expect your forgiveness, yet, as I now touch the goal of life, I trust in your humanity and benevolence93 for that pardon which will lighten the sorrows of my soul, and those prayers which I hope will entitle me to favour at the throne of grace.”
The poor husband was so much overwhelmed with grief and confusion at this unexpected address that he could not recollect94 himself till after a pause of several minutes, when uttering a hollow groan95, “I will not,” said he, “aggravate your sufferings, by reproaching you with my wrongs, though your conduct hath been but an ill return for all my tenderness and esteem96. I look upon it as a trial of my Christian97 patience, and bear my misfortune with resignation; meanwhile, I forgive you from my heart, and fervently98 pray that your repentance99 may be acceptable to the Father of Mercy.” So saying, he approached her bedside, and embraced her in token of his sincerity100. Whether this generous condescension101 diffused such a composure upon her spirits as tended to the ease and refreshment102 of nature, which had been almost exhausted103 by disease and vexation, certain it is, that from this day she began to struggle with her malady104 in surprising efforts, and hourly gained ground, until her health was pretty well re-established.
This recovery was so far beyond the husband’s expectation, that he began to make very serious reflections on the event, and even to wish he had not been quite so precipitate105 in pardoning the backslidings of his wife; for, though he could not withhold106 his compassion107 from a dying penitent108, he did not at all relish109 the thoughts of cohabiting, as usual, with a wife self-convicted of the violation110 of the matrimonial contract; he therefore considered his declaration as no more than a provisional pardon, to take place on condition of her immediate death, and, in a little time, not only communicated to her his sentiments on this subject, but also separated himself from her company, secured the evidence of her maid, who had been confidant in her amour with Fathom, and immediately set on foot a prosecution111 against our adventurer, whose behaviour to his wife he did not fail to promulgate112, with all its aggravating113 circumstances. By these means the doctor’s name became so notorious that every man was afraid of admitting him into his house, and every woman ashamed of soliciting114 his advice.
收听单词发音 |
1
miscarriage
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| n.失败，未达到预期的结果；流产 | |
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piously
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| adv.虔诚地 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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fathom
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| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
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explicit
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| adj.详述的，明确的；坦率的；显然的 | |
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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maxims
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| n.格言，座右铭( maxim的名词复数 ) | |
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extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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bespoke
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| 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 | |
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prescription
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| n.处方，开药；指示，规定 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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14
scruple
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| n./v.顾忌，迟疑 | |
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blazoned
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| v.广布( blazon的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布；夸示；装饰 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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concurred
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| 同意（concur的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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faculty
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| n.才能；学院，系；(学院或系的)全体教学人员 | |
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disciple
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| n.信徒，门徒，追随者 | |
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innate
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| adj.天生的，固有的，天赋的 | |
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virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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espouses
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| v.（决定）支持，拥护（目标、主张等）( espouse的第三人称单数 ) | |
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excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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infamous
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| adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的 | |
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wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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malevolence
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| n.恶意，狠毒 | |
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impeachment
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| n.弹劾；控告；怀疑 | |
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altercation
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| n.争吵，争论 | |
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accrue
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| v.(利息等)增大，增多 | |
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miraculous
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| adj.像奇迹一样的，不可思议的 | |
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adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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wafted
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| v.吹送，飘送，（使）浮动( waft的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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diffused
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| 散布的，普及的，扩散的 | |
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teemed
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| v.充满( teem的过去式和过去分词 )；到处都是；（指水、雨等）暴降；倾注 | |
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favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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dispelled
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| v.驱散，赶跑( dispel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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vice
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| n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的 | |
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sham
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| n./adj.假冒(的)，虚伪(的) | |
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juncture
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| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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shipwreck
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| n.船舶失事，海难 | |
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formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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conjugal
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| adj.婚姻的，婚姻性的 | |
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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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diligent
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| adj.勤勉的，勤奋的 | |
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exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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delusive
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| adj.欺骗的，妄想的 | |
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enervated
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| adj.衰弱的，无力的v.使衰弱，使失去活力( enervate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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derived
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| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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fraught
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| adj.充满…的，伴有(危险等)的；忧虑的 | |
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uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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vivacity
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| n.快活，活泼，精神充沛 | |
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honourably
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| adv.可尊敬地，光荣地，体面地 | |
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defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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qualified
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| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
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ailment
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| n.疾病，小病 | |
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snares
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| n.陷阱( snare的名词复数 )；圈套；诱人遭受失败（丢脸、损失等）的东西；诱惑物v.用罗网捕捉，诱陷，陷害( snare的第三人称单数 ) | |
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languor
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| n.无精力，倦怠 | |
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perseverance
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| n.坚持不懈，不屈不挠 | |
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incessantly
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| ad.不停地 | |
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upbraided
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| v.责备，申斥，谴责( upbraid的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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penitence
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| n.忏悔，赎罪；悔过 | |
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remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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brink
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| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
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afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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accosted
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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exempted
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| 使免除[豁免]( exempt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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eternity
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| n.不朽，来世；永恒，无穷 | |
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ingenuous
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| adj.纯朴的，单纯的；天真的；坦率的 | |
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confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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ingratitude
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| n.忘恩负义 | |
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virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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preamble
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| n.前言；序文 | |
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alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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trespassed
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| （trespass的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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abject
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| adj.极可怜的，卑屈的 | |
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villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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90
innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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91
alleviation
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| n. 减轻，缓和，解痛物 | |
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92
contrition
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| n.悔罪，痛悔 | |
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93
benevolence
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| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
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94
recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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95
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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96
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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97
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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98
fervently
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| adv.热烈地，热情地，强烈地 | |
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99
repentance
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| n.懊悔 | |
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100
sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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101
condescension
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| n.自以为高人一等，贬低(别人) | |
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102
refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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103
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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104
malady
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| n.病，疾病(通常做比喻) | |
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105
precipitate
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| adj.突如其来的；vt.使突然发生；n.沉淀物 | |
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106
withhold
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| v.拒绝，不给；使停止，阻挡 | |
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107
compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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108
penitent
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| adj.后悔的；n.后悔者；忏悔者 | |
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109
relish
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| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
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110
violation
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| n.违反(行为)，违背(行为)，侵犯 | |
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111
prosecution
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| n.起诉，告发，检举，执行，经营 | |
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112
promulgate
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| v.宣布；传播；颁布（法令、新法律等） | |
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113
aggravating
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| adj.恼人的，讨厌的 | |
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114
soliciting
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| v.恳求( solicit的现在分词 )；（指娼妇）拉客；索求；征求 | |
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