What say’st thou, Wise One? that all powerful Love
Can fortune’s strong impediments remove,
Nor is it strange that worth should wed1 to worth,
The pride of genius with the pride of birth.
Crabbe.
V. Brown — I will not give at full length his thrice unhappy name — had been from infancy2 a ball for fortune to spurn3 at; but nature had given him that elasticity4 of mind which rises higher from the rebound5. His form was tall, manly6, and active, and his features corresponded with his person; for, although far from regular, they had an expression of intelligence and good-humour, and when he spoke7, or was particularly animated8, might be decidedly pronounced interesting. His manner indicated the military profession, which had been his choice, and in which he had now attained9 the rank of captain, the person who succeeded Colonel Mannering in his command having laboured to repair the injustice10 which Brown had sustained by that gentleman’s prejudice against him. But this, as well as his liberation from captivity11, had taken place after Mannering left India. Brown followed at no distant period, his regiment12 being recalled home. His first inquiry13 was after the family of Mannering, and, easily learning their route northward14, he followed it with the purpose of resuming his addresses to Julia. With her father he deemed he had no measures to keep; for, ignorant of the more venomous belief which had been instilled15 into the Colonel’s mind, he regarded him as an oppressive aristocrat16, who had used his power as a commanding officer to deprive him of the preferment due to his behaviour, and who had forced upon him a personal quarrel without any better reason than his attentions to a pretty young woman, agreeable to herself, and permitted and countenanced17 by her mother. He was determined18, therefore, to take no rejection19 unless from the young lady herself, believing that the heavy misfortunes of his painful wound and imprisonment20 were direct injuries received from the father, which might dispense21 with his using much ceremony towards him. How far his scheme had succeeded when his nocturnal visit was discovered by Mr. Mervyn, our readers are already informed.
Upon this unpleasant occurrence Captain Brown absented himself from the inn in which he had resided under the name of Dawson, so that Colonel Mannering’s attempts to discover and trace him were unavailing. He resolved, however, that no difficulties should prevent his continuing his enterprise while Julia left him a ray of hope. The interest he had secured in her bosom22 was such as she had been unable to conceal23 from him, and with all the courage of romantic gallantry he determined upon perseverance24. But we believe the reader will be as well pleased to learn his mode of thinking and intention from his own communication to his special friend and confidant, Captain Delaserre, a Swiss gentleman who had a company in his regiment.
Extract
‘Let me hear from you soon, dear Delaserre. Remember, I can learn nothing about regimental affairs but through your friendly medium, and I long to know what has become of Ayre’s court-martial, and whether Elliot gets the majority; also how recruiting comes on, and how the young officers like the mess. Of our kind friend the Lieutenant-Colonel I need ask nothing; I saw him as I passed through Nottingham, happy in the bosom of his family. What a happiness it is, Philip, for us poor devils, that we have a little resting-place between the camp and the grave, if we can manage to escape disease, and steel, and lead, and the effects of hard living. A retired25 old soldier is always a graceful26 and respected character. He grumbles27 a little now and then, but then his is licensed28 murmuring; were a lawyer, or a physician, or a clergyman to breathe a complaint of hard luck or want of preferment, a hundred tongues would blame his own incapacity as the cause. But the most stupid veteran that ever faltered29 out the thrice-told tale of a siege and a battle, and a cock and a bottle, is listened to with sympathy and reverence30 when he shakes his thin locks and talks with indignation of the boys that are put over his head. And you and I, Delaserre, foreigners both — for what am I the better that I was originally a Scotchman, since, could I prove my descent, the English would hardly acknowledge me a countryman? — we may boast that we have fought out our preferment, and gained that by the sword which we had not money to compass otherwise. The English are a wise people. While they praise themselves, and affect to undervalue all other nations, they leave us, luckily, trap-doors and back-doors open, by which we strangers, less favoured by nature, may arrive at a share of their advantages. And thus they are in some respects like a boastful landlord, who exalts31 the value and flavour of his six-years-old mutton, while he is delighted to dispense a share of it to all the company. In short, you, whose proud family, and I, whose hard fate, made us soldiers of fortune, have the pleasant recollection that in the British service, stop where we may upon our career, it is only for want of money to pay the turnpike, and not from our being prohibited to travel the road. If, therefore, you can persuade little Weischel to come into ours, for God’s sake let him buy the ensigncy, live prudently32, mind his duty, and trust to the fates for promotion33.
‘And now, I hope you are expiring with curiosity to learn the end of my romance. I told you I had deemed it convenient to make a few days’ tour on foot among the mountains of Westmoreland with Dudley, a young English artist with whom I have formed some acquaintance. A fine fellow this, you must know, Delaserre: he paints tolerably, draws beautifully, converses34 well, and plays charmingly on the flute35; and, though thus well entitled to be a coxcomb36 of talent, is, in fact, a modest unpretending young man. On our return from our little tour I learned that the enemy had been reconnoitring. Mr. Mervyn’s barge37 had crossed the lake, I was informed by my landlord, with the squire38 himself and a visitor.
‘“What sort of person, landlord?”
‘“Why, he was a dark officer-looking mon, at they called Colonel. Squoire Mervyn questioned me as close as I had been at ‘sizes. I had guess, Mr. Dawson”(I told you that was my feigned39 name), “but I tould him nought40 of your vagaries41, and going out a-laking in the mere42 a-noights, not I; an I can make no sport, I’se spoil none; and Squoire Mervyn’s as cross as poy-crust too, mon; he’s aye maundering an my guests but land beneath his house, though it be marked for the fourth station in the survey. Noa, noa, e’en let un smell things out o’ themselves for Joe Hodges.”
‘You will allow there was nothing for it after this but paying honest Joe Hodges’s bill and departing, unless I had preferred making him my confidant, for which I felt in no way inclined. Besides, I learned that our ci-devant Colonel was on full retreat for Scotland, carrying off poor Julia along with him. I understand from those who conduct the heavy baggage that he takes his winter quarters at a place called Woodbourne, in —— shire in Scotland. He will be all on the alert just now, so I must let him enter his entrenchments without any new alarm. And then, my good Colonel, to whom I owe so many grateful thanks, pray look to your defence.
‘I protest to you, Delaserre, I often think there is a little contradiction enters into the ardour of my pursuit. I think I would rather bring this haughty43 insulting man to the necessity of calling his daughter Mrs. Brown than I would wed her with his full consent, and with the King’s permission to change my name for the style and arms of Mannering, though his whole fortune went with them. There is only one circumstance that chills me a little: Julia is young and romantic. I would not willingly hurry her into a step which her riper years might disapprove44; no — nor would I like to have her upbraid45 me, were it but with a glance of her eye, with having ruined her fortunes, far less give her reason to say, as some have not been slow to tell their lords, that, had I left her time for consideration, she would have been wiser and done better. No, Delaserre, this must not be. The picture presses close upon me, because I am aware a girl in Julia’s situation has no distinct and precise idea of the value of the sacrifice she makes. She knows difficulties only by name; and, if she thinks of love and a farm, it is a ferme ornee, such as is only to be found in poetic46 description or in the park of a gentleman of twelve thousand a year. She would be ill prepared for the privations of that real Swiss cottage we have so often talked of, and for the difficulties which must necessarily surround us even before we attained that haven47. This must be a point clearly ascertained48. Although Julia’s beauty and playful tenderness have made an impression on my heart never to be erased49, I must be satisfied that she perfectly50 understands the advantages she foregoes before she sacrifices them for my sake.
‘Am I too proud, Delaserre, when I trust that even this trial may terminate favourably51 to my wishes? Am I too vain when I suppose that the few personal qualities which I possess, with means of competence52, however moderate, and the determination of consecrating53 my life to her happiness, may make amends54 for all I must call upon her to forego? Or will a difference of dress, of attendance, of style, as it is called, of the power of shifting at pleasure the scenes in which she seeks amusement — will these outweigh55 in her estimation the prospect56 of domestic happiness and the interchange of unabating affection? I say nothing of her father: his good and evil qualities are so strangely mingled57 that the former are neutralised by the latter; and that which she must regret as a daughter is so much blended with what she would gladly escape from, that I place the separation of the father and child as a circumstance which weighs little in her remarkable58 case. Meantime I keep up my spirits as I may. I have incurred59 too many hardships and difficulties to be presumptuous60 or confident in success, and I have been too often and too wonderfully extricated61 from them to be despondent62.
‘I wish you saw this country. I think the scenery would delight you. At least it often brings to my recollection your glowing descriptions of your native country. To me it has in a great measure the charm of novelty. Of the Scottish hills, though born among them, as I have always been assured, I have but an indistinct recollection. Indeed, my memory rather dwells upon the blank which my youthful mind experienced in gazing on the levels of the isle63 of Zealand, than on anything which preceded that feeling; but I am confident, from that sensation as well as from the recollections which preceded it, that hills and rocks have been familiar to me at an early period, and that, though now only remembered by contrast, and by the blank which I felt while gazing around for them in vain, they must have made an indelible impression on my infant imagination. I remember, when we first mounted that celebrated64 pass in the Mysore country, while most of the others felt only awe65 and astonishment66 at the height and grandeur67 of the scenery, I rather shared your feelings and those of Cameron, whose admiration68 of such wild rocks was blended with familiar love, derived69 from early association. Despite my Dutch education, a blue hill to me is as a friend, and a roaring torrent70 like the sound of a domestic song that hath soothed71 my infancy. I never felt the impulse so strongly as in this land of lakes and mountains, and nothing grieves me so much as that duty prevents your being with me in my numerous excursions among recesses72. Some drawings I have attempted, but I succeed vilely73. Dudley, on the contrary, draws delightfully74, with that rapid touch which seems like magic; while I labour and botch, and make this too heavy and that too light, and produce at last a base caricature. I must stick to the flageolet, for music is the only one of the fine arts which deigns75 to acknowledge me.
‘Did you know that Colonel Mannering was a draughtsman? I believe not, for he scorned to display his accomplishments76 to the view of a subaltern. He draws beautifully, however. Since he and Julia left Mervyn Hall, Dudley was sent for there. The squire, it seems, wanted a set of drawings made up, of which Mannering had done the first four, but was interrupted by his hasty departure in his purpose of completing them. Dudley says he has seldom seen anything so masterly, though slight; and each had attached to it a short poetical77 description. Is Saul, you will say, among the prophets? Colonel Mannering write poetry! Why, surely this man must have taken all the pains to conceal his accomplishments that others do to display theirs. How reserved and unsociable he appeared among us! how little disposed to enter into any conversation which could become generally interesting! And then his attachment78 to that unworthy Archer79, so much below him in every respect; and all this because he was the brother of Viscount Archerfield, a poor Scottish peer! I think, if Archer had longer survived the wounds in the affair of Cuddyboram, he would have told something that might have thrown light upon the inconsistencies of this singular man’s character. He repeated to me more than once, “I have that to say which will alter your hard opinion of our late Colonel.” But death pressed him too hard; and if he owed me any atonement, which some of his expressions seemed to imply, he died before it could be made.
‘I propose to make a further excursion through this country while this fine frosty weather serves, and Dudley, almost as good a walker as myself, goes with me for some part of the way. We part on the borders of Cumberland, when he must return to his lodgings80 in Marybone, up three pair of stairs, and labour at what he calls the commercial part of his profession. There cannot, he says, be such a difference betwixt any two portions of existence as between that in which the artist, if an enthusiast81, collects the subjects of his drawings and that which must necessarily be dedicated82 to turning over his portfolio83 and exhibiting them to the provoking indifference84, or more provoking criticism, of fashionable amateurs. “During the summer of my year,” says Dudley, “I am as free as a wild Indian, enjoying myself at liberty amid the grandest scenes of nature; while during my winters and springs I am not only cabined, cribbed, and confined in a miserable85 garret, but condemned86 to as intolerable subservience87 to the humour of others, and to as indifferent company, as if I were a literal galley88 slave.” I have promised him your acquaintance, Delaserre; you will be delighted with his specimens89 of art, and he with your Swiss fanaticism90 for mountains and torrents91.
‘When I lose Dudley’s company, I am informed that I can easily enter Scotland by stretching across a wild country in the upper part of Cumberland; and that route I shall follow, to give the Colonel time to pitch his camp ere I reconnoitre his position. Adieu! Delaserre. I shall hardly find another opportunity of writing till I reach Scotland.’
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1
wed
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| v.娶，嫁，与…结婚 | |
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infancy
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| n.婴儿期；幼年期；初期 | |
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3
spurn
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| v.拒绝，摈弃；n.轻视的拒绝；踢开 | |
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4
elasticity
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| n.弹性，伸缩力 | |
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rebound
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| v.弹回；n.弹回，跳回 | |
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manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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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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animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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11
captivity
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| n.囚禁；被俘；束缚 | |
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12
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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14
northward
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| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
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instilled
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| v.逐渐使某人获得（某种可取的品质），逐步灌输( instill的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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aristocrat
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| n.贵族，有贵族气派的人，上层人物 | |
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countenanced
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| v.支持，赞同，批准( countenance的过去式 ) | |
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18
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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19
rejection
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| n.拒绝，被拒，抛弃，被弃 | |
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20
imprisonment
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| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
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21
dispense
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| vt.分配，分发；配(药)，发(药)；实施 | |
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22
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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perseverance
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| n.坚持不懈，不屈不挠 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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grumbles
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| 抱怨( grumble的第三人称单数 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声 | |
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28
licensed
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| adj.得到许可的v.许可，颁发执照(license的过去式和过去分词) | |
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29
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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30
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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31
exalts
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| 赞扬( exalt的第三人称单数 )； 歌颂； 提升； 提拔 | |
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32
prudently
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| adv. 谨慎地，慎重地 | |
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promotion
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| n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传 | |
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converses
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的第三人称单数 ) | |
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flute
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| n.长笛；v.吹笛 | |
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coxcomb
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| n.花花公子 | |
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barge
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| n.平底载货船，驳船 | |
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squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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feigned
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| a.假装的，不真诚的 | |
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nought
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| n.／adj.无，零 | |
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vagaries
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| n.奇想( vagary的名词复数 )；异想天开；异常行为；难以预测的情况 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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disapprove
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| v.不赞成，不同意，不批准 | |
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upbraid
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| v.斥责，责骂，责备 | |
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poetic
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| adj.富有诗意的，有诗人气质的，善于抒情的 | |
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haven
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| n.安全的地方，避难所，庇护所 | |
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ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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erased
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| v.擦掉( erase的过去式和过去分词 )；抹去；清除 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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favourably
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| adv. 善意地，赞成地 =favorably | |
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competence
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| n.能力，胜任，称职 | |
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consecrating
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| v.把…奉为神圣，给…祝圣( consecrate的现在分词 )；奉献 | |
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amends
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| n. 赔偿 | |
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outweigh
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| vt.比...更重，...更重要 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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incurred
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| [医]招致的，遭受的； incur的过去式 | |
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presumptuous
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| adj.胆大妄为的，放肆的，冒昧的，冒失的 | |
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extricated
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| v.使摆脱困难，脱身( extricate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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despondent
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| adj.失望的，沮丧的，泄气的 | |
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isle
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| n.小岛，岛 | |
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celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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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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torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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soothed
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| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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recesses
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| 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 | |
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73
vilely
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| adv.讨厌地，卑劣地 | |
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74
delightfully
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| 大喜，欣然 | |
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75
deigns
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| v.屈尊，俯就( deign的第三人称单数 ) | |
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76
accomplishments
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| n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就 | |
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poetical
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| adj.似诗人的；诗一般的；韵文的；富有诗意的 | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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archer
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| n.射手，弓箭手 | |
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lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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enthusiast
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| n.热心人，热衷者 | |
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82
dedicated
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| adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的 | |
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portfolio
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| n.公事包；文件夹；大臣及部长职位 | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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87
subservience
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| n.有利，有益；从属（地位），附属性；屈从，恭顺；媚态 | |
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galley
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| n.（飞机或船上的）厨房单层甲板大帆船；军舰舰长用的大划艇； | |
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specimens
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| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
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fanaticism
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| n.狂热，盲信 | |
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torrents
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| n.倾注；奔流( torrent的名词复数 )；急流；爆发；连续不断 | |
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