So down thy hill, romantic Ashbourn, glides1
The Derby dilly, carrying six insides.
Frere.
The times have changed in nothing more (we follow as we were wont2 the manuscript of Peter Pattieson) than in the rapid conveyance3 of intelligence and communication betwixt one part of Scotland and another. It is not above twenty or thirty years, according to the evidence of many credible4 witnesses now alive, since a little miserable5 horse-cart, performing with difficulty a journey of thirty miles per diem, carried our mails from the capital of Scotland to its extremity6. Nor was Scotland much more deficient7 in these accommodations than our rich sister had been about eighty years before. Fielding, in his Tom Jones, and Farquhar, in a little farce8 called the Stage-Coach, have ridiculed9 the slowness of these vehicles of public accommodation. According to the latter authority, the highest bribe11 could only induce the coachman to promise to anticipate by half-an-hour the usual time of his arrival at the Bull and Mouth.
But in both countries these ancient, slow, and sure modes of conveyance are now alike unknown; mail-coach races against mail-coach, and high-flyer against high-flyer, through the most remote districts of Britain. And in our village alone, three post-coaches, and four coaches with men armed, and in scarlet13 cassocks, thunder through the streets each day, and rival in brilliancy and noise the invention of the celebrated14 tyrant15:—
Demens, qui nimbos et non imitabile fulmen,
AEre et cornipedum pulsu, simularat, equorum.
Now and then, to complete the resemblance, and to correct the presumption16 of the venturous charioteers, it does happen that the career of these dashing rivals of Salmoneus meets with as undesirable17 and violent a termination as that of their prototype. It is on such occasions that the Insides and Outsides, to use the appropriate vehicular phrases, have reason to rue18 the exchange of the slow and safe motion of the ancient Fly-coaches, which, compared with the chariots of Mr. Palmer, so ill deserve the name. The ancient vehicle used to settle quietly down, like a ship scuttled19 and left to sink by the gradual influx20 of the waters, while the modern is smashed to pieces with the velocity21 of the same vessel22 hurled23 against breakers, or rather with the fury of a bomb bursting at the conclusion of its career through the air. The late ingenious Mr. Pennant24, whose humour it was to set his face in stern opposition25 to these speedy conveyances26, had collected, I have heard, a formidable list of such casualties, which, joined to the imposition of innkeepers, whose charges the passengers had no time to dispute, the sauciness27 of the coachman, and the uncontrolled and despotic authority of the tyrant called the guard, held forth28 a picture of horror, to which murder, theft, fraud, and peculation29, lent all their dark colouring. But that which gratifies the impatience30 of the human disposition31 will be practised in the teeth of danger, and in defiance32 of admonition; and, in despite of the Cambrian antiquary, mail-coaches not only roll their thunders round the base of Penman-Maur and Cader-Idris, but
Frighted Skiddaw hears afar
The rattling33 of the unscythed car.
And perhaps the echoes of Ben Nevis may soon be awakened34 by the bugle35, not of a warlike chieftain, but of the guard of a mail-coach.
It was a fine summer day, and our little school had obtained a half-holiday, by the intercession of a good-humoured visitor.1
I expected by the coach a new number of an interesting periodical publication, and walked forward on the highway to meet it, with the impatience which Cowper has described as actuating the resident in the country when longing36 for intelligence from the mart of news. —
The grand debate,
The popular harangue37 — the tart38 reply —
The logic39, and the wisdom, and the wit,
And the loud laugh — I long to know them all —
I burn to set the imprisoned40 wranglers41 free,
And give them voice and utterance42 again.
It was with such feelings that I eyed the approach of the new coach, lately established on our road, and known by the name of the Somerset, which, to say truth, possesses some interest for me, even when it conveys no such important information. The distant tremulous sound of its wheels was heard just as I gained the summit of the gentle ascent43, called the Goslin-brae, from which you command an extensive view down the valley of the river Gander. The public road, which comes up the side of that stream, and crosses it at a bridge about a quarter of a mile from the place where I was standing44, runs partly through enclosures and plantations45, and partly through open pasture land. It is a childish amusement perhaps — but my life has been spent with children, and why should not my pleasures be like theirs? — childish as it is then, I must own I have had great pleasure in watching the approach of the carriage, where the openings of the road permit it to be seen. The gay glancing of the equipage, its diminished and toy-like appearance at a distance, contrasted with the rapidity of its motion, its appearance and disappearance46 at intervals47, and the progressively increasing sounds that announce its nearer approach, have all to the idle and listless spectator, who has nothing more important to attend to, something of awakening48 interest. The ridicule10 may attach to me, which is flung upon many an honest citizen, who watches from the window of his villa12 the passage of the stage-coach; but it is a very natural source of amusement notwithstanding, and many of those who join in the laugh are perhaps not unused to resort to it in secret.
On the present occasion, however, fate had decreed that I should not enjoy the consummation of the amusement by seeing the coach rattle49 past me as I sat on the turf, and hearing the hoarse50 grating voice of the guard as he skimmed forth for my grasp the expected packet, without the carriage checking its course for an instant. I had seen the vehicle thunder down the hill that leads to the bridge with more than its usual impetuosity, glittering all the while by flashes from a cloudy tabernacle of the dust which it had raised, and leaving a train behind it on the road resembling a wreath of summer mist. But it did not appear on the top of the nearer bank within the usual space of three minutes, which frequent observation had enabled me to ascertain51 was the medium time for crossing the bridge and mounting the ascent. When double that space had elapsed, I became alarmed, and walked hastily forward. As I came in sight of the bridge, the cause of delay was too manifest, for the Somerset had made a summerset in good earnest, and overturned so completely, that it was literally52 resting upon the ground, with the roof undermost, and the four wheels in the air. The “exertions53 of the guard and coachman,” both of whom were gratefully commemorated54 in the newspapers, having succeeded in disentangling the horses by cutting the harness, were now proceeding55 to extricate56 the insides by a sort of summary and Caesarean process of delivery, forcing the hinges from one of the doors which they could not open otherwise. In this manner were two disconsolate57 damsels set at liberty from the womb of the leathern conveniency. As they immediately began to settle their clothes, which were a little deranged58, as may be presumed, I concluded they had received no injury, and did not venture to obtrude59 my services at their toilette, for which, I understand, I have since been reflected upon by the fair sufferers. The outsides, who must have been discharged from their elevated situation by a shock resembling the springing of a mine, escaped, nevertheless, with the usual allowance of scratches and bruises60, excepting three, who, having been pitched into the river Gander, were dimly seen contending with the tide like the relics61 of AEneas’s shipwreck62 —
Rari apparent mantes in gurgite vasto.
I applied63 my poor exertions where they seemed to be most needed, and with the assistance of one or two of the company who had escaped unhurt, easily succeeded in fishing out two of the unfortunate passengers, who were stout64 active young fellows; and, but for the preposterous65 length of their greatcoats, and the equally fashionable latitude66 and longitude67 of their Wellington trousers, would have required little assistance from any one. The third was sickly and elderly, and might have perished but for the efforts used to preserve him.
When the two greatcoated gentlemen had extricated68 themselves from the river, and shaken their ears like huge water-dogs, a violent altercation69 ensued betwixt them and the coachman and guard, concerning the cause of their overthrow70. In the course of the squabble, I observed that both my new acquaintances belonged to the law, and that their professional sharpness was likely to prove an overmatch for the surly and official tone of the guardians71 of the vehicle. The dispute ended in the guard assuring the passengers that they should have seats in a heavy coach which would pass that spot in less than half-an-hour, provided it were not full. Chance seemed to favour this arrangement, for when the expected vehicle, arrived, there were only two places occupied in a carriage which professed72 to carry six. The two ladies who had been disinterred out of the fallen vehicle were readily admitted, but positive objections were stated by those previously73 in possession to the admittance of the two lawyers, whose wetted garments being much of the nature of well-soaked sponges, there was every reason to believe they would refund74 a considerable part of the water they had collected, to the inconvenience of their fellow-passengers. On the other hand, the lawyers rejected a seat on the roof, alleging75 that they had only taken that station for pleasure for one stage, but were entitled in all respects to free egress76 and regress from the interior, to which their contract positively77 referred. After some altercation, in which something was said upon the edict Nautae caupones stabularii, the coach went off, leaving the learned gentlemen to abide78 by their action of damages.
They immediately applied to me to guide them to the next village and the best inn; and from the account I gave them of the Wallace Head, declared they were much better pleased to stop there than to go forward upon the terms of that impudent79 scoundrel the guard of the Somerset. All that they now wanted was a lad to carry their travelling bags, who was easily procured80 from an adjoining cottage; and they prepared to walk forward, when they found there was another passenger in the same deserted81 situation with themselves. This was the elderly and sickly-looking person, who had been precipitated82 into the river along with the two young lawyers. He, it seems, had been too modest to push his own plea against the coachman when he saw that of his betters rejected, and now remained behind with a look of timid anxiety, plainly intimating that he was deficient in those means of recommendation which are necessary passports to the hospitality of an inn.
I ventured to call the attention of the two dashing young blades, for such they seemed, to the desolate83 condition of their fellow-traveller. They took the hint with ready good-nature.
“O, true, Mr. Dunover,” said one of the youngsters, “you must not remain on the pave’ here; you must go and have some dinner with us — Halkit and I must have a post-chaise to go on, at all events, and we will set you down wherever suits you best.”
The poor man, for such his dress, as well as his diffidence, bespoke84 him, made the sort of acknowledging bow by which says a Scotsman, “It’s too much honour for the like of me;” and followed humbly86 behind his gay patrons, all three besprinkling the dusty road as they walked along with the moisture of their drenched87 garments, and exhibiting the singular and somewhat ridiculous appearance of three persons suffering from the opposite extreme of humidity, while the summer sun was at its height, and everything else around them had the expression of heat and drought. The ridicule did not escape the young gentlemen themselves, and they had made what might be received as one or two tolerable jests on the subject before they had advanced far on their peregrination88.
“We cannot complain, like Cowley,” said one of them, “that Gideon’s fleece remains89 dry, while all around is moist; this is the reverse of the miracle.”
“We ought to be received with gratitude90 in this good town; we bring a supply of what they seem to need most,” said Halkit.
“And distribute it with unparalleled generosity,” replied his companion; “performing the part of three water-carts for the benefit of their dusty roads.”
“We come before them, too,” said Halkit, “in full professional force — counsel and agent”—
“And client,” said the young advocate, looking behind him; and then added, lowering his voice, “that looks as if he had kept such dangerous company too long.”
It was, indeed, too true, that the humble91 follower92 of the gay young men had the threadbare appearance of a worn-out litigant93, and I could not but smile at the conceit94, though anxious to conceal95 my mirth from the object of it.
When we arrived at the Wallace Inn, the elder of the Edinburgh gentlemen, and whom I understood to be a barrister, insisted that I should remain and take part of their dinner; and their inquiries96 and demands speedily put my landlord and his whole family in motion to produce the best cheer which the larder97 and cellar afforded, and proceed to cook it to the best advantage, a science in which our entertainers seemed to be admirably skilled. In other respects they were lively young men, in the hey-day of youth and good spirits, playing the part which is common to the higher classes of the law at Edinburgh, and which nearly resembles that of the young Templars in the days of Steele and Addison. An air of giddy gaiety mingled98 with the good sense, taste, and information which their conversation exhibited; and it seemed to be their object to unite the character of men of fashion and lovers of the polite arts. A fine gentleman, bred up in the thorough idleness and inanity99 of pursuit, which I understand is absolutely necessary to the character in perfection, might in all probability have traced a tinge100 of professional pedantry101 which marked the barrister in spite of his efforts, and something of active bustle102 in his companion, and would certainly have detected more than a fashionable mixture of information and animated103 interest in the language of both. But to me, who had no pretensions104 to be so critical, my companions seemed to form a very happy mixture of good-breeding and liberal information, with a disposition to lively rattle, pun, and jest, amusing to a grave man, because it is what he himself can least easily command.
The thin pale-faced man, whom their good-nature had brought into their society, looked out of place as well as out of spirits; sate105 on the edge of his seat, and kept the chair at two feet distance from the table; thus incommoding himself considerably106 in conveying the victuals107 to his mouth, as if by way of penance108 for partaking of them in the company of his superiors. A short time after dinner, declining all entreaty109 to partake of the wine, which circulated freely round, he informed himself of the hour when the chaise had been ordered to attend; and saying he would be in readiness, modestly withdrew from the apartment.
“Jack110,” said the barrister to his companion, “I remember that poor fellow’s face; you spoke85 more truly than you were aware of; he really is one of my clients, poor man.”
“Poor man!” echoed Halkit —“I suppose you mean he is your one and only client?”
“That’s not my fault, Jack,” replied the other, whose name I discovered was Hardie. “You are to give me all your business, you know; and if you have none, the learned gentleman here knows nothing can come of nothing.”
“You seem to have brought something to nothing though, in the case of that honest man. He looks as if he were just about to honour with his residence the Heart of Mid-Lothian.”
“You are mistaken — he is just delivered from it. — Our friend here looks for an explanation. Pray, Mr. Pattieson, have you been in Edinburgh?”
I answered in the affirmative.
“Then you must have passed, occasionally at least, though probably not so faithfully as I am doomed112 to do, through a narrow intricate passage, leading out of the north-west corner of the Parliament Square, and passing by a high and antique building with turrets113 and iron grates,
Making good the saying odd,
‘Near the church and far from God’"—
Mr. Halkit broke in upon his learned counsel, to contribute his moiety114 to the riddle115 —“Having at the door the sign of the Red man”—
“And being on the whole,” resumed the counsellor interrupting his friend in his turn, “a sort of place where misfortune is happily confounded with guilt116, where all who are in wish to get out”—
“And where none who have the good luck to be out, wish to get in,” added his companion.
“I conceive you, gentlemen,” replied I; “you mean the prison.”
“The prison,” added the young lawyer —“You have hit it — the very reverend Tolbooth itself; and let me tell you, you are obliged to us for describing it with so much modesty117 and brevity; for with whatever amplifications we might have chosen to decorate the subject, you lay entirely118 at our mercy, since the Fathers Conscript of our city have decreed that the venerable edifice119 itself shall not remain in existence to confirm or to confute its.”
“Then the Tolbooth of Edinburgh is called the Heart of Mid-Lothian?” said I.
“So termed and reputed, I assure you.”
“I think,” said I, with the bashful diffidence with which a man lets slip a pun in presence of his superiors, “the metropolitan120 county may, in that case, be said to have a sad heart.”
“Right as my glove, Mr. Pattieson,” added Mr. Hardie; “and a close heart, and a hard heart — Keep it up, Jack.”
“And a wicked heart, and a poor heart,” answered Halkit, doing his best.
“And yet it may be called in some sort a strong heart, and a high heart,” rejoined the advocate. “You see I can put you both out of heart.”
“I have played all my hearts,” said the younger gentleman.
“Then we’ll have another lead,” answered his companion. —“And as to the old and condemned121 Tolbooth, what pity the same honour cannot be done to it as has been done to many of its inmates122. Why should not the Tolbooth have its ‘Last Speech, Confession123, and Dying Words?’ The old stones would be just as conscious of the honour as many a poor devil who has dangled124 like a tassel125 at the west end of it, while the hawkers were shouting a confession the culprit had never heard of.”
“I am afraid,” said I, “if I might presume to give my opinion, it would be a tale of unvaried sorrow and guilt.”
“Not entirely, my friend,” said Hardie; “a prison is a world within itself, and has its own business, griefs, and joys, peculiar126 to its circle. Its inmates are sometimes short-lived, but so are soldiers on service; they are poor relatively127 to the world without, but there are degrees of wealth and poverty among them, and so some are relatively rich also. They cannot stir abroad, but neither can the garrison128 of a besieged129 fort, or the crew of a ship at sea; and they are not under a dispensation quite so desperate as either, for they may have as much food as they have money to buy, and are not obliged to work, whether they have food or not.”
“But what variety of incident,” said I (not without a secret view to my present task), “could possibly be derived130 from such a work as you are pleased to talk of?”
“Infinite,” replied the young advocate. “Whatever of guilt, crime, imposture131, folly132, unheard-of misfortunes, and unlooked-for change of fortune, can be found to chequer life, my Last Speech of the Tolbooth should illustrate133 with examples sufficient to gorge134 even the public’s all-devouring135 appetite for the wonderful and horrible. The inventor of fictitious136 narratives137 has to rack his brains for means to diversify139 his tale, and after all can hardly hit upon characters or incidents which have not been used again and again, until they are familiar to the eye of the reader, so that the development, enle’vement, the desperate wound of which the hero never dies, the burning fever from which the heroine is sure to recover, become a mere140 matter of course. I join with my honest friend Crabbe, and have an unlucky propensity141 to hope, when hope is lost, and to rely upon the cork-jacket, which carries the heroes of romance safe through all the billows of affliction.” He then declaimed the following passage, rather with too much than too little emphasis:—
Much have I feared, but am no more afraid,
When some chaste142 beauty by some wretch143 betrayed,
Is drawn144 away with such distracted speed,
That she anticipates a dreadful deed.
Not so do I— Let solid walls impound
The captive fair, and dig a moat around;
Let there be brazen145 locks and bars of steel,
And keepers cruel, such as never feel;
With not a single note the purse supply,
And when she begs, let men and maids deny;
Be windows there from which she dare not fall,
And help so distant, ’tis in vain to call;
Still means of freedom will some Power devise,
And from the baffled ruffian snatch his prize.
“The end of uncertainty,” he concluded, “is the death of interest; and hence it happens that no one now reads novels.”
“Hear him, ye gods!” returned his companion. “I assure you, Mr. Pattieson, you will hardly visit this learned gentleman, but you are likely to find the new novel most in repute lying on his table — snugly146 intrenched, however, beneath Stair’s Institutes, or an open volume of Morrison’s Decisions.”
“Do I deny it?” said the hopeful jurisconsult, “or wherefore should I, since it is well known these Delilahs seduce147 my wisers and my betters? May they not be found lurking148 amidst the multiplied memorials of our most distinguished149 counsel, and even peeping from under the cushion of a judge’s arm-chair? Our seniors at the bar, within the bar, and even on the bench, read novels; and, if not belied150, some of them have written novels into the bargain. I only say, that I read from habit and from indolence, not from real interest; that, like ancient Pistol devouring his leek151, I read and swear till I get to the end of the narrative138. But not so in the real records of human vagaries152 — not so in the State Trials, or in the Books of Adjournal, where every now and then you read new pages of the human heart, and turns of fortune far beyond what the boldest novelist ever attempted to produce from the coinage of his brain.”
“And for such narratives,” I asked, “you suppose the History of the Prison of Edinburgh might afford appropriate materials?”
“In a degree unusually ample, my dear sir,” said Hardie —“Fill your glass, however, in the meanwhile. Was it not for many years the place in which the Scottish parliament met? Was it not James’s place of refuge, when the mob, inflamed153 by a seditious preacher, broke, forth, on him with the cries of ‘The sword of the Lord and of Gideon — bring forth the wicked Haman?’ Since that time how many hearts have throbbed154 within these walls, as the tolling155 of the neighbouring bell announced to them how fast the sands of their life were ebbing156; how many must have sunk at the sound — how many were supported by stubborn pride and dogged resolution — how many by the consolations157 of religion? Have there not been some, who, looking back on the motives159 of their crimes, were scarce able to understand how they should have had such temptation as to seduce them from virtue160; and have there not, perhaps, been others, who, sensible of their innocence161, were divided between indignation at the undeserved doom111 which they were to undergo, consciousness that they had not deserved it, and racking anxiety to discover some way in which they might yet vindicate162 themselves? Do you suppose any of these deep, powerful, and agitating163 feelings, can be recorded and perused164 without exciting a corresponding depth of deep, powerful, and agitating interest? — Oh! do but wait till I publish the Causes Célébres of Caledonia, and you will find no want of a novel or a tragedy for some time to come. The true thing will triumph over the brightest inventions of the most ardent165 imagination. Magna est veritas, et praevalebit.”
“I have understood,” said I, encouraged by the affability of my rattling entertainer, “that less of this interest must attach to Scottish jurisprudence than to that of any other country. The general morality of our people, their sober and prudent166 habits”—
“Secure them,” said the barrister, “against any great increase of professional thieves and depredators, but not against wild and wayward starts of fancy and passion, producing crimes of an extraordinary description, which are precisely167 those to the detail of which we listen with thrilling interest. England has been much longer a highly civilised country; her subjects have been very strictly168 amenable169 to laws administered without fear or favour, a complete division of labour has taken place among her subjects, and the very thieves and robbers form a distinct class in society, subdivided170 among themselves according to the subject of the depredations171, and the mode in which they carry them on, acting172 upon regular habits and principles, which can be calculated and anticipated at Bow Street, Hatton Garden, or the Old Bailey. Our sister kingdom is like a cultivated field — the farmer expects that, in spite of all his care, a certain number of weeds will rise with the corn, and can tell you beforehand their names and appearance. But Scotland is like one of her own Highland173 glens, and the moralist who reads the records of her criminal jurisprudence, will find as many curious anomalous174 facts in the history of mind, as the botanist175 will detect rare specimens176 among her dingles and cliffs.”
“And that’s all the good you have obtained from three perusals of the Commentaries on Scottish Criminal Jurisprudence?” said his companion. “I suppose the learned author very little thinks that the facts which his erudition and acuteness have accumulated for the illustration of legal doctrines177, might be so arranged as to form a sort of appendix to the half-bound and slip-shod volumes of the circulating library.”
“I’ll bet you a pint178 of claret,” said the elder lawyer, “that he will not feel sore at the comparison. But as we say at the bar, ‘I beg I may not be interrupted;’ I have much more to say, upon my Scottish collection of Causes Célébres. You will please recollect179 the scope and motive158 given for the contrivance and execution of many extraordinary and daring crimes, by the long civil dissensions of Scotland — by the hereditary180 jurisdictions181, which, until 1748, rested the investigation182 of crises in judges, ignorant, partial, or interested — by the habits of the gentry183, shut up in their distant and solitary184 mansion-houses, nursing their revengeful Passions just to keep their blood from stagnating185 — not to mention that amiable186 national qualification, called the perfervidum ingenium Scotorum, which our lawyers join in alleging as a reason for the severity of some of our enactments187. When I come to treat of matters so mysterious, deep, and dangerous, as these circumstances have given rise to, the blood of each reader shall be curdled188, and his epidermis189 crisped into goose skin. — But, hist! — here comes the landlord, with tidings, I suppose, that the chaise is ready.”
It was no such thing — the tidings bore, that no chaise could be had that evening, for Sir Peter Plyem had carried forward my landlord’s two pairs of horses that morning to the ancient royal borough190 of Bubbleburgh, to look after his interest there. But as Bubbleburgh is only one of a set of five boroughs191 which club their shares for a member of parliament, Sir Peter’s adversary192 had judiciously193 watched his departure, in order to commence a canvass194 in the no less royal borough of Bitem, which, as all the world knows, lies at the very termination of Sir Peter’s avenue, and has been held in leading-strings by him and his ancestors for time immemorial. Now Sir Peter was thus placed in the situation of an ambitious monarch195, who, after having commenced a daring inroad into his enemy’s territories, is suddenly recalled by an invasion of his own hereditary dominions196. He was obliged in consequence to return from the half-won borough of Bubbleburgh, to look after the half-lost borough of Bitem, and the two pairs of horses which had carried him that morning to Bubbleburgh were now forcibly detained to transport him, his agent, his valet, his jester, and his hard-drinker, across the country to Bitem. The cause of this detention197, which to me was of as little consequence as it may be to the reader, was important enough to my companions to reconcile them to the delay. Like eagles, they smelled the battle afar off, ordered a magnum of claret and beds at the Wallace, and entered at full career into the Bubbleburgh and Bitem politics, with all the probable “Petitions and complaints” to which they were likely to give rise.
In the midst of an anxious, animated, and, to me, most unintelligible198 discussion, concerning provosts, bailies, deacons, sets of boroughs, leets, town-clerks, burgesses resident and non-resident, all of a sudden the lawyer recollected199 himself. “Poor Dunover, we must not forget him;” and the landlord was despatched in quest of the pauvre honteux, with an earnestly civil invitation to him for the rest of the evening. I could not help asking the young gentlemen if they knew the history of this poor man; and the counsellor applied himself to his pocket to recover the memorial or brief from which he had stated his cause.
“He has been a candidate for our remedium miserabile,” said Mr. Hardie, “commonly called a cessio bonorum. As there are divines who have doubted the eternity201 of future punishments, so the Scotch202 lawyers seem to have thought that the crime of poverty might be atoned203 for by something short of perpetual imprisonment204. After a month’s confinement205, you must know, a prisoner for debt is entitled, on a sufficient statement to our Supreme206 Court, setting forth the amount of his funds, and the nature of his misfortunes, and surrendering all his effects to his creditors207, to claim to be discharged from prison.”
“I had heard,” I replied, “of such a humane208 regulation.”
“Yes,” said Halkit, “and the beauty of it is, as the foreign fellow said, you may get the cessio, when the bonorums are all spent — But what, are you puzzling in your pockets to seek your only memorial among old play-bills, letters requesting a meeting of the Faculty209, rules of the Speculative210 Society,2 syllabus’ of lectures — all the miscellaneous contents of a young advocate’s pocket, which contains everything but briefs and bank-notes?
Can you not state a case of cessio without your memorial? Why, it is done every Saturday. The events follow each other as regularly as clock-work, and one form of condescendence might suit every one of them.”
“This is very unlike the variety of distress211 which this gentleman stated to fall under the consideration of your judges,” said I.
“True,” replied Halkit; “but Hardie spoke of criminal jurisprudence, and this business is purely212 civil. I could plead a cessio myself without the inspiring honours of a gown and three-tailed periwig — Listen. — My client was bred a journeyman weaver213 — made some little money — took a farm —(for conducting a farm, like driving a gig, comes by nature)— late severe times — induced to sign bills with a friend, for which he received no value — landlord sequestrates — creditors accept a composition — pursuer sets up a public-house — fails a second time — is incarcerated214 for a debt of ten pounds seven shillings and sixpence — his debts amount to blank — his losses to blank — his funds to blank — leaving a balance of blank in his favour. There is no opposition; your lordships will please grant commission to take his oath.”
Hardie now renounced215 this ineffectual search, in which there was perhaps a little affectation, and told us the tale of poor Dunover’s distresses216, with a tone in which a degree of feeling, which he seemed ashamed of as unprofessional, mingled with his attempts at wit, and did him more honour. It was one of those tales which seem to argue a sort of ill-luck or fatality217 attached to the hero. A well-informed, industrious218, and blameless, but poor and bashful man, had in vain essayed all the usual means by which others acquire independence, yet had never succeeded beyond the attainment219 of bare subsistence. During a brief gleam of hope, rather than of actual prosperity, he had added a wife and family to his cares, but the dawn was speedily overcast220. Everything retrograded with him towards the verge221 of the miry Slough222 of Despond, which yawns for insolvent223 debtors224; and after catching225 at each twig226, and experiencing the protracted227 agony of feeling them one by one elude228 his grasp, he actually sunk into the miry pit whence he had been extricated by the professional exertions of Hardie.
“And, I suppose, now you have dragged this poor devil ashore229, you will leave him half naked on the beach to provide for himself?” said Halkit. “Hark ye,”— and he whispered something in his ear, of which the penetrating230 and insinuating231 words, “Interest with my Lord,” alone reached mine.
“It is pessimi exempli,” said Hardie, laughing, “to provide for a ruined client; but I was thinking of what you mention, provided it can be managed — But hush232! here he comes.”
The recent relation of the poor man’s misfortunes had given him, I was pleased to observe, a claim to the attention and respect of the young men, who treated him with great civility, and gradually engaged him in a conversation, which, much to my satisfaction, again turned upon the Causes Célébres of Scotland. Imboldened by the kindness with which he was treated, Mr. Dunover began to contribute his share to the amusement of the evening. Jails, like other places, have their ancient traditions, known only to the inhabitants, and handed down from one set of the melancholy233 lodgers234 to the next who occupy their cells. Some of these, which Dunover mentioned, were interesting, and served to illustrate the narratives of remarkable235 trials, which Hardie had at his finger-ends, and which his companion was also well skilled in. This sort of conversation passed away the evening till the early hour when Mr. Dunover chose to retire to rest, and I also retreated to take down memorandums of what I had learned, in order to add another narrative to those which it had been my chief amusement to collect, and to write out in detail. The two young men ordered a broiled236 bone, Madeira negus, and a pack of cards, and commenced a game at picquet.
Next morning the travellers left Gandercleugh. I afterwards learned from the papers that both have been since engaged in the great political cause of Bubbleburgh and Bitem, a summary case, and entitled to particular despatch200; but which, it is thought, nevertheless, may outlast237 the duration of the parliament to which the contest refers. Mr. Halkit, as the newspapers informed me, acts as agent or solicitor238; and Mr. Hardie opened for Sir Peter Plyem with singular ability, and to such good purpose, that I understand he has since had fewer play-bills and more briefs in his pocket. And both the young gentlemen deserve their good fortune; for I learned from Dunover, who called on me some weeks afterwards, and communicated the intelligence with tears in his eyes, that their interest had availed to obtain him a small office for the decent maintenance of his family; and that, after a train of constant and uninterrupted misfortune, he could trace a dawn of prosperity to his having the good fortune to be flung from the top of a mail-coach into the river Gander, in company with an advocate and a writer to the Signet. The reader will not perhaps deem himself equally obliged to the accident, since it brings upon him the following narrative, founded upon the conversation of the evening.
收听单词发音 |
1
glides
|
|
| n.滑行( glide的名词复数 )；滑音；音渡；过渡音v.滑动( glide的第三人称单数 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
wont
|
|
| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
conveyance
|
|
| n.(不动产等的)转让，让与；转让证书；传送；运送；表达；（正）运输工具 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
credible
|
|
| adj.可信任的，可靠的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
miserable
|
|
| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
extremity
|
|
| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
deficient
|
|
| adj.不足的，不充份的，有缺陷的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
farce
|
|
| n.闹剧，笑剧，滑稽戏；胡闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
ridiculed
|
|
| v.嘲笑，嘲弄，奚落( ridicule的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
ridicule
|
|
| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
bribe
|
|
| n.贿赂；v.向…行贿，买通 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
villa
|
|
| n.别墅，城郊小屋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
scarlet
|
|
| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
celebrated
|
|
| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
tyrant
|
|
| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
presumption
|
|
| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
undesirable
|
|
| adj.不受欢迎的，不良的，不合意的，讨厌的；n.不受欢迎的人，不良分子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
rue
|
|
| n.懊悔，芸香，后悔；v.后悔，悲伤，懊悔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
scuttled
|
|
| v.使船沉没( scuttle的过去式和过去分词 )；快跑，急走 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
influx
|
|
| n.流入，注入 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
velocity
|
|
| n.速度，速率 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
vessel
|
|
| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
hurled
|
|
| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
pennant
|
|
| n.三角旗；锦标旗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
opposition
|
|
| n.反对，敌对 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
conveyances
|
|
| n.传送( conveyance的名词复数 )；运送；表达；运输工具 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
sauciness
|
|
| n.傲慢，鲁莽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
28
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
peculation
|
|
| n.侵吞公款[公物] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
impatience
|
|
| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
disposition
|
|
| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
defiance
|
|
| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
rattling
|
|
| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
awakened
|
|
| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
bugle
|
|
| n.军号，号角，喇叭；v.吹号，吹号召集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
longing
|
|
| n.（for）渴望 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
harangue
|
|
| n.慷慨冗长的训话，言辞激烈的讲话 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
tart
|
|
| adj.酸的；尖酸的，刻薄的；n.果馅饼；淫妇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
logic
|
|
| n.逻辑(学)；逻辑性 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
imprisoned
|
|
| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
wranglers
|
|
| n.争执人( wrangler的名词复数 )；在争吵的人；（尤指放马的）牧人；牛仔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
42
utterance
|
|
| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
ascent
|
|
| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
plantations
|
|
| n.种植园，大农场( plantation的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
disappearance
|
|
| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
intervals
|
|
| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
awakening
|
|
| n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
rattle
|
|
| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
hoarse
|
|
| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
ascertain
|
|
| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
literally
|
|
| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
exertions
|
|
| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
commemorated
|
|
| v.纪念，庆祝( commemorate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
proceeding
|
|
| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
extricate
|
|
| v.拯救，救出；解脱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
disconsolate
|
|
| adj.忧郁的，不快的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
deranged
|
|
| adj.疯狂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
obtrude
|
|
| v.闯入；侵入；打扰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
bruises
|
|
| n.瘀伤，伤痕，擦伤( bruise的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
relics
|
|
| [pl.］n.遗物，遗迹，遗产；遗体，尸骸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
shipwreck
|
|
| n.船舶失事，海难 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
applied
|
|
| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
preposterous
|
|
| adj.荒谬的，可笑的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
latitude
|
|
| n.纬度，行动或言论的自由(范围)，(pl.)地区 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
longitude
|
|
| n.经线，经度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
extricated
|
|
| v.使摆脱困难，脱身( extricate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
altercation
|
|
| n.争吵，争论 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
overthrow
|
|
| v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
guardians
|
|
| 监护人( guardian的名词复数 )； 保护者，维护者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
professed
|
|
| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
previously
|
|
| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
refund
|
|
| v.退还，偿还；n.归还，偿还额，退款 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
alleging
|
|
| 断言，宣称，辩解( allege的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
egress
|
|
| n.出去；出口 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
positively
|
|
| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
abide
|
|
| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
impudent
|
|
| adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
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： |
|
|
|
|
81
deserted
|
|
| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
precipitated
|
|
| v.（突如其来地）使发生( precipitate的过去式和过去分词 )；促成；猛然摔下；使沉淀 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
desolate
|
|
| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
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： |
|
|
|
|
85
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： |
|
|
|
|
86
humbly
|
|
| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
drenched
|
|
| adj.湿透的；充满的v.使湿透( drench的过去式和过去分词 )；在某人（某物）上大量使用（某液体） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
peregrination
|
|
| n.游历，旅行 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
remains
|
|
| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
gratitude
|
|
| adj.感激，感谢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
humble
|
|
| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
follower
|
|
| n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
litigant
|
|
| n.诉讼当事人；adj.进行诉讼的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
conceit
|
|
| n.自负，自高自大 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
conceal
|
|
| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
inquiries
|
|
| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
larder
|
|
| n.食物贮藏室，食品橱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
mingled
|
|
| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
inanity
|
|
| n.无意义，无聊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
tinge
|
|
| vt.(较淡)着色于，染色；使带有…气息；n.淡淡色彩，些微的气息 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
pedantry
|
|
| n.迂腐，卖弄学问 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
bustle
|
|
| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
animated
|
|
| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
pretensions
|
|
| 自称( pretension的名词复数 )； 自命不凡； 要求； 权力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
sate
|
|
| v.使充分满足 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
considerably
|
|
| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
victuals
|
|
| n.食物；食品 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
penance
|
|
| n.（赎罪的）惩罪 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
entreaty
|
|
| n.恳求，哀求 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
jack
|
|
| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
doom
|
|
| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
doomed
|
|
| 命定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
turrets
|
|
| （六角）转台( turret的名词复数 )； （战舰和坦克等上的）转动炮塔； （摄影机等上的）镜头转台； （旧时攻城用的）塔车 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
moiety
|
|
| n.一半；部分 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
riddle
|
|
| n.谜，谜语，粗筛；vt.解谜，给…出谜，筛，检查，鉴定，非难，充满于；vi.出谜 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
guilt
|
|
| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
modesty
|
|
| n.谦逊，虚心，端庄，稳重，羞怯，朴素 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
entirely
|
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
edifice
|
|
| n.宏伟的建筑物(如宫殿，教室) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
metropolitan
|
|
| adj.大城市的，大都会的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
condemned
|
|
| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
inmates
|
|
| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
confession
|
|
| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
124
dangled
|
|
| 悬吊着( dangle的过去式和过去分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
tassel
|
|
| n.流苏，穗；v.抽穗， （玉米）长穗须 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
peculiar
|
|
| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
relatively
|
|
| adv.比较...地，相对地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
garrison
|
|
| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
besieged
|
|
| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
derived
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
imposture
|
|
| n.冒名顶替，欺骗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
folly
|
|
| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
illustrate
|
|
| v.举例说明，阐明；图解，加插图 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
gorge
|
|
| n.咽喉，胃，暴食，山峡；v.塞饱，狼吞虎咽地吃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
devouring
|
|
| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
fictitious
|
|
| adj.虚构的，假设的；空头的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
137
narratives
|
|
| 记叙文( narrative的名词复数 )； 故事； 叙述； 叙述部分 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
138
narrative
|
|
| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
diversify
|
|
| v.（使）不同，（使）变得多样化 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
140
mere
|
|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
141
propensity
|
|
| n.倾向；习性 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
142
chaste
|
|
| adj.贞洁的；有道德的；善良的；简朴的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
143
wretch
|
|
| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
144
drawn
|
|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
145
brazen
|
|
| adj.厚脸皮的，无耻的，坚硬的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
146
snugly
|
|
| adv.紧贴地；贴身地；暖和舒适地；安适地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
147
seduce
|
|
| vt.勾引，诱奸，诱惑，引诱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
148
lurking
|
|
| 潜在 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
149
distinguished
|
|
| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
150
belied
|
|
| v.掩饰( belie的过去式和过去分词 )；证明（或显示）…为虚假；辜负；就…扯谎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
151
leek
|
|
| n.韭葱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
152
vagaries
|
|
| n.奇想( vagary的名词复数 )；异想天开；异常行为；难以预测的情况 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
153
inflamed
|
|
| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
154
throbbed
|
|
| 抽痛( throb的过去式和过去分词 )； （心脏、脉搏等）跳动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
155
tolling
|
|
| [财]来料加工 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
156
ebbing
|
|
| （指潮水）退( ebb的现在分词 )； 落； 减少； 衰落 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
157
consolations
|
|
| n.安慰，慰问( consolation的名词复数 )；起安慰作用的人（或事物） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
158
motive
|
|
| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
159
motives
|
|
| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
160
virtue
|
|
| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
161
innocence
|
|
| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
162
vindicate
|
|
| v.为…辩护或辩解，辩明；证明…正确 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
163
agitating
|
|
| 搅动( agitate的现在分词 )； 激怒； 使焦虑不安； （尤指为法律、社会状况的改变而）激烈争论 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
164
perused
|
|
| v.读（某篇文字）( peruse的过去式和过去分词 )；（尤指）细阅；审阅；匆匆读或心不在焉地浏览（某篇文字） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
165
ardent
|
|
| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
166
prudent
|
|
| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
167
precisely
|
|
| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
168
strictly
|
|
| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
169
amenable
|
|
| adj.经得起检验的；顺从的；对负有义务的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
170
subdivided
|
|
| 再分，细分( subdivide的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
171
depredations
|
|
| n.劫掠，毁坏( depredation的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
172
acting
|
|
| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
173
highland
|
|
| n.(pl.)高地，山地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
174
anomalous
|
|
| adj.反常的；不规则的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
175
botanist
|
|
| n.植物学家 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
176
specimens
|
|
| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
177
doctrines
|
|
| n.教条( doctrine的名词复数 )；教义；学说；（政府政策的）正式声明 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
178
pint
|
|
| n.品脱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
179
recollect
|
|
| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
180
hereditary
|
|
| adj.遗传的，遗传性的，可继承的，世袭的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
181
jurisdictions
|
|
| 司法权( jurisdiction的名词复数 )； 裁判权； 管辖区域； 管辖范围 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
182
investigation
|
|
| n.调查，调查研究 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
183
gentry
|
|
| n.绅士阶级，上层阶级 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
184
solitary
|
|
| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
185
stagnating
|
|
| v.停滞，不流动，不发展( stagnate的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
186
amiable
|
|
| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
187
enactments
|
|
| n.演出( enactment的名词复数 )；展现；规定；通过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
188
curdled
|
|
| v.（使）凝结( curdle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
189
epidermis
|
|
| n.表皮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
190
borough
|
|
| n.享有自治权的市镇；(英)自治市镇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
191
boroughs
|
|
| （尤指大伦敦的）行政区( borough的名词复数 )； 议会中有代表的市镇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
192
adversary
|
|
| adj.敌手，对手 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
193
judiciously
|
|
| adv.明断地，明智而审慎地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
194
canvass
|
|
| v.招徕顾客，兜售；游说；详细检查，讨论 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
195
monarch
|
|
| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
196
dominions
|
|
| 统治权( dominion的名词复数 )； 领土； 疆土； 版图 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
197
detention
|
|
| n.滞留，停留；拘留，扣留；(教育)留下 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
198
unintelligible
|
|
| adj.无法了解的，难解的，莫明其妙的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
199
recollected
|
|
| adj.冷静的；镇定的；被回忆起的；沉思默想的v.记起，想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
200
despatch
|
|
| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
201
eternity
|
|
| n.不朽，来世；永恒，无穷 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
202
scotch
|
|
| n.伤口，刻痕；苏格兰威士忌酒；v.粉碎，消灭，阻止；adj.苏格兰(人)的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
203
atoned
|
|
| v.补偿，赎（罪）( atone的过去式和过去分词 )；补偿，弥补，赎回 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
204
imprisonment
|
|
| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
205
confinement
|
|
| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
206
supreme
|
|
| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
207
creditors
|
|
| n.债权人，债主( creditor的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
208
humane
|
|
| adj.人道的，富有同情心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
209
faculty
|
|
| n.才能；学院，系；(学院或系的)全体教学人员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
210
speculative
|
|
| adj.思索性的，暝想性的，推理的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
211
distress
|
|
| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
212
purely
|
|
| adv.纯粹地，完全地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
213
weaver
|
|
| n.织布工；编织者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
214
incarcerated
|
|
| 钳闭的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
215
renounced
|
|
| v.声明放弃( renounce的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布放弃；宣布与…决裂；宣布摒弃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
216
distresses
|
|
| n.悲痛( distress的名词复数 )；痛苦；贫困；危险 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
217
fatality
|
|
| n.不幸，灾祸，天命 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
218
industrious
|
|
| adj.勤劳的，刻苦的，奋发的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
219
attainment
|
|
| n.达到，到达；［常pl.］成就，造诣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
220
overcast
|
|
| adj.阴天的，阴暗的，愁闷的；v.遮盖，（使）变暗，包边缝；n.覆盖，阴天 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
221
verge
|
|
| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
222
slough
|
|
| v.蜕皮，脱落，抛弃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
223
insolvent
|
|
| adj.破产的，无偿还能力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
224
debtors
|
|
| n.债务人，借方( debtor的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
225
catching
|
|
| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
226
twig
|
|
| n.小树枝，嫩枝；v.理解 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
227
protracted
|
|
| adj.拖延的；延长的v.拖延“protract”的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
228
elude
|
|
| v.躲避，困惑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
229
ashore
|
|
| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
230
penetrating
|
|
| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
231
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： |
|
|
|
|
232
hush
|
|
| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
233
melancholy
|
|
| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
234
lodgers
|
|
| n.房客，租住者( lodger的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
235
remarkable
|
|
| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
236
broiled
|
|
| a.烤过的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
237
outlast
|
|
| v.较…耐久 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
238
solicitor
|
|
| n.初级律师，事务律师 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |