With the assembling of parliament in November recommenced the sittings of the Union Society, of which Endymion had for some time been a member, and of whose meetings he was a constant and critical, though silent, attendant. There was a debate one night on the government of dependencies, which, although all reference to existing political circumstances was rigidly1 prohibited, no doubt had its origin in the critical state of one of our most important colonies, then much embarrassing the metropolis2. The subject was one which Endymion had considered, and on which he had arrived at certain conclusions. The meeting was fully3 attended, and the debate had been conducted with a gravity becoming the theme. Endymion was sitting on a back bench, and with no companion near him with whom he was acquainted, when he rose and solicited4 the attention of the president. Another and a well-known speaker had also risen, and been called, but there was a cry of “new member,” a courteous5 cry, borrowed from the House of Commons, and Endymion for the first time heard his own voice in public. He has since admitted, though he has been through many trying scenes, that it was the most nervous moment of his life. “After Calais,” as a wise wit said, “nothing surprises;” and the first time a man speaks in public, even if only at a debating society, is also the unequalled incident in its way. The indulgence of the audience supported him while the mist cleared from his vision, and his palpitating heart subsided6 into comparative tranquillity7. After a few pardonable incoherencies, he was launched into his subject, and spoke8 with the thoughtful fluency9 which knowledge alone can sustain. For knowledge is the foundation of eloquence10.
“What a good-looking young fellow!” whispered Mr. Bertie Tremaine to his brother Mr. Tremaine Bertie. The Bertie Tremaines were the two greatest swells11 of the Union, and had a party of their own. “And he speaks well.”
“Who is he?” inquired Mr. Tremaine Bertie of their other neighbour.
“He is a clerk in the Treasury12, I believe, or something of that sort,” was the reply.
“I never saw such a good-looking young fellow,” said Mr. Bertie Tremaine. “He is worth getting hold of. I shall ask to be introduced to him when we break up.”
Accordingly, Mr. Bertie Tremaine, who was always playing at politics, and who, being two-and-twenty, was discontented he was not Chancellor13 of the Exchequer14 like Mr. Pitt, whispered to a gentleman who sate15 behind him, and was, in short, the whip of his section, and signified, as a minister of state would, that an introduction to Mr. Ferrars should be arranged.
So when the meeting broke up, of which Mr. Ferrars’ maiden16 speech was quite the event, and while he was contemplating17, not without some fair self-complacency, walking home with Trenchard, Endymion found himself encompassed18 by a group of bowing forms and smiling countenances20, and, almost before he was aware of it, had made the acquaintance of the great Mr. Bertie Tremaine, and received not only the congratulations of that gentleman, but an invitation to dine with him on the morrow; “quite sans facon.”
Mr. Bertie Tremaine, who had early succeeded to the family estate, lived in Grosvenor Street, and in becoming style. His house was furnished with luxury and some taste. The host received his guests in a library, well stored with political history and political science, and adorned21 with the busts22 of celebrated23 statesmen and of profound political sages25. Bentham was the philosopher then affected26 by young gentleman of ambition, and who wished to have credit for profundity27 and hard heads. Mr. Bertie Tremaine had been the proprietor28 of a close borough29, which for several generations had returned his family to parliament, the faithful supporters of Pitt, and Perceval, and Liverpool, and he had contemplated30 following the same line, though with larger and higher objects than his ancestors. Being a man of considerable and versatile31 ability, and of ample fortune, with the hereditary32 opportunity which he possessed33, he had a right to aspire34, and, as his vanity more than equalled his talents, his estimate of his own career was not mean. Unfortunately, before he left Harrow, he was deprived of his borough, and this catastrophe35 eventually occasioned a considerable change in the views and conduct of Mr. Bertie Tremaine. In the confusion of parties and political thought which followed the Reform Act of Lord Grey, an attempt to govern the country by the assertion of abstract principles, and which it was now beginning to be the fashion to call Liberalism, seemed the only opening to public life; and Mr. Bertie Tremaine, who piqued36 himself on recognising the spirit of the age, adopted Liberal opinions with that youthful fervour which is sometimes called enthusiasm, but which is a heat of imagination subsequently discovered to be inconsistent with the experience of actual life. At Cambridge Mr. Bertie Tremaine was at first the solitary37 pupil of Bentham, whose principles he was prepared to carry to their extreme consequences, but being a man of energy and in possession of a good estate, he soon found followers38, for the sympathies of youth are quick, and, even with an original bias39, it is essentially40 mimetic. When Mr. Bertie Tremaine left the university he found in the miscellaneous elements of the London Union many of his former companions of school and college, and from them, and the new world to which he was introduced, it delighted him to form parties and construct imaginary cabinets. His brother Augustus, who was his junior only by a year, and was destined41 to be a diplomatist, was an efficient assistant in these enterprises, and was one of the guests who greeted Endymion when he arrived next day in Grosvenor Street according to his engagement. The other three were Hortensius, the whip of the party, and Mr. Trenchard.
The dinner was refined, for Mr. Bertie Tremaine combined the Sybarite with the Utilitarian42 sage24, and it secretly delighted him to astonish or embarrass an austere43 brother republican by the splendour of his family plate or the polished appointments of his household. To-day the individual to be influenced was Endymion, and the host, acting44 up to his ideal of a first minister, addressed questions to his companions on the subjects which were peculiarly their own, and, after eliciting45 their remarks, continued to complete the treatment of the theme with adequate ability, though in a manner authoritative46, and, as Endymion thought, a little pompous47. What amused him most in this assemblage of youth was their earnest affectation of public life. The freedom of their comments on others was only equalled by their confidence in themselves. Endymion, who only spoke when he was appealed to, had casually48 remarked in answer to one of the observations which his host with elaborate politeness occasionally addressed to him, that he thought it was unpatriotic to take a certain course. Mr. Bertie Tremaine immediately drew up, and said, with a deep smile, “that he comprehended philanthropy, but patriotism50 he confessed he did not understand;” and thereupon delivered himself of an address on the subject which might have been made in the Union, and which communicated to the astonished Endymion that patriotism was a false idea, and entirely51 repugnant to the principles of the new philosophy. As all present were more or less impregnated with these tenets, there was no controversy52 on the matter. Endymion remained discreetly53 silent, and Augustus—Mr. Bertie Tremaine’s brother—who sate next to him, and whose manners were as sympathising as his brother’s were autocratic, whispered in a wheedling54 tone that it was quite true, and that the idea of patriotism was entirely relinquished55 except by a few old-fashioned folks who clung to superstitious56 phrases. Hortensius, who seemed to be the only one of the company who presumed to meet Mr. Bertie Tremaine in conversation on equal terms, and who had already astonished Endymion by what that inexperienced youth deemed the extreme laxity of his views, both social and political, evinced, more than once, a disposition57 to deviate58 into the lighter59 topics of feminine character, and even the fortunes of the hazard-table; but the host looked severe, and was evidently resolved that the conversation today should resemble the expression of his countenance19. After dinner they returned to the library, and most of them smoked, but Mr. Bertie Tremaine, inviting60 Endymion to seat himself by his side on a sofa at the farther end of the room, observed, “I suppose you are looking to parliament?”
“Well, I do not know,” said the somewhat startled Endymion; “I have not thought much about it, and I have not yet reached a parliamentary age.”
“A man cannot enter parliament too soon,” said Mr. Bertie Tremaine; “I hope to enter this session. There will be a certain vacancy61 on a petition, and I have arranged to have the seat.”
“Indeed!” said Endymion. “My father was in parliament, and so was my grandfather, but I confess I do not very well see my way there.”
“You must connect yourself with a party,” said Mr. Bertie Tremaine, “and you will soon enter; and being young, you should connect yourself with the party of the future. The country is wearied with the present men, who have no philosophical62 foundation, and are therefore perpetually puzzled and inconsistent, and the country will not stand the old men, as it is resolved against retrogression. The party of the future and of the speedy future has its headquarters under this roof, and I should like to see you belong to it.”
“You are too kind,” murmured Endymion.
“Yes, I see in you the qualities adapted to public life, and which may be turned to great account. I must get you into parliament as soon as you are eligible,” continued Mr. Bertie Tremaine in a musing63 tone. “This death of the King was very inopportune. If he had reigned64 a couple of years more, I saw my way to half a dozen seats, and I could have arranged with Lord Durham.”
“That was unfortunate,” said Endymion.
“What do you think of Hortensius?” inquired Mr. Bertie Tremaine.
“I think him the most brilliant speaker I know,” said Endymion. “I never met him in private society before; he talks well.”
“He wants conduct,” said Mr. Bertie Tremaine. “He ought to be my Lord Chancellor, but there is a tone of levity65 about him which is unfortunate. Men destined to the highest places should beware of badinage66.”
“I believe it is a dangerous weapon.”
“All lawyers are loose in their youth, but an insular67 country subject to fogs, and with a powerful middle class, requires grave statesmen. I attribute a great deal of the nonsense called Conservative Reaction to Peel’s solemnity. The proper minister for England at this moment would be Pitt. Extreme youth gives hope to a country; coupled with ceremonious manners, hope soon assumes the form of confidence.”
“Ah!” murmured Endymion.
“I had half a mind to ask Jawett to dinner today. His powers are unquestionable, but he is not a practical man. For instance, I think myself our colonial empire is a mistake, and that we should disembarrass ourselves of its burthen as rapidly as is consistent with the dignity of the nation; but were Jawett in the House of Commons tomorrow, nothing would satisfy him but a resolution for the total and immediate49 abolition68 of the empire, with a preamble69 denouncing the folly70 of our fathers in creating it. Jawett never spares any one’s self-love.”
“I know him very well,” said Endymion; “he is in my office. He is very uncompromising.”
“Yes,” said Mr. Bertie Tremaine musingly71; “if I had to form a government, I could hardly offer him the cabinet.” Then speaking more rapidly, he added, “The man you should attach yourself to is my brother Augustus—Mr. Tremaine Bertie. There is no man who understands foreign politics like Augustus, and he is a thorough man of the world.”
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rigidly
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| adv.刻板地，僵化地 | |
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metropolis
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| n.首府；大城市 | |
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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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solicited
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| v.恳求( solicit的过去式和过去分词 )；（指娼妇）拉客；索求；征求 | |
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courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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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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fluency
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| n.流畅，雄辩，善辩 | |
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eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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swells
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| 增强( swell的第三人称单数 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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treasury
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| n.宝库；国库，金库；文库 | |
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chancellor
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| n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长 | |
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exchequer
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| n.财政部；国库 | |
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sate
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| v.使充分满足 | |
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maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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contemplating
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| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
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encompassed
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| v.围绕( encompass的过去式和过去分词 )；包围；包含；包括 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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countenances
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| n.面容( countenance的名词复数 )；表情；镇静；道义支持 | |
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adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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busts
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| 半身雕塑像( bust的名词复数 )； 妇女的胸部； 胸围； 突击搜捕 | |
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celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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sage
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| n.圣人，哲人；adj.贤明的，明智的 | |
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sages
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| n.圣人( sage的名词复数 )；智者；哲人；鼠尾草（可用作调料） | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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profundity
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| n.渊博；深奥，深刻 | |
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proprietor
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| n.所有人；业主；经营者 | |
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borough
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| n.享有自治权的市镇；(英)自治市镇 | |
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contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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versatile
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| adj.通用的，万用的；多才多艺的，多方面的 | |
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hereditary
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| adj.遗传的，遗传性的，可继承的，世袭的 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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aspire
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| vi.(to，after)渴望，追求，有志于 | |
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catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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piqued
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| v.伤害…的自尊心( pique的过去式和过去分词 )；激起（好奇心） | |
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solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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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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bias
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| n.偏见，偏心，偏袒；vt.使有偏见 | |
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essentially
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| adv.本质上，实质上，基本上 | |
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destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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utilitarian
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| adj.实用的，功利的 | |
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austere
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| adj.艰苦的；朴素的，朴实无华的；严峻的 | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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eliciting
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| n. 诱发, 引出 动词elicit的现在分词形式 | |
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authoritative
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| adj.有权威的，可相信的；命令式的；官方的 | |
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pompous
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| adj.傲慢的，自大的；夸大的；豪华的 | |
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casually
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| adv.漠不关心地，无动于衷地，不负责任地 | |
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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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patriotism
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| n.爱国精神，爱国心，爱国主义 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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controversy
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| n.争论，辩论，争吵 | |
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discreetly
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| ad.(言行)审慎地，慎重地 | |
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wheedling
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| v.骗取（某物），哄骗（某人干某事）( wheedle的现在分词 ) | |
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relinquished
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| 交出，让给( relinquish的过去式和过去分词 )； 放弃 | |
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superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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deviate
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| v.(from)背离，偏离 | |
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lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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vacancy
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| n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺 | |
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philosophical
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| adj.哲学家的，哲学上的，达观的 | |
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musing
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| n. 沉思，冥想 adj. 沉思的, 冥想的 动词muse的现在分词形式 | |
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reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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levity
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| n.轻率，轻浮，不稳定，多变 | |
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badinage
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| n.开玩笑，打趣 | |
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insular
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| adj.岛屿的，心胸狭窄的 | |
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abolition
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| n.废除，取消 | |
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preamble
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| n.前言；序文 | |
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folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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musingly
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| adv.沉思地，冥想地 | |
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