Arrival of Glastonbury.
ADRIAN GLASTONBURY was a younger son of an old but decayed English family. He had been educated at a college of Jesuits in France, and had entered at an early period of life the service of the Romish Church, whose communion his family had never quitted. At college young Glastonbury had been alike distinguished1 for his assiduous talents and for the extreme benevolence2 of his disposition3. His was one of those minds to which refinement4 is natural, and which learning and experience never deprive of simplicity5. Apparently6 his passions were not violent; perhaps they were restrained by his profound piety7. Next to his devotion, Glastonbury was remarkable8 for his taste. The magnificent temples in which the mysteries of the Deity9 and saints he worshipped were celebrated10 developed the latent predisposition for the beautiful which became almost the master sentiment of his life. In the inspired and inspiring paintings that crowned the altars of the churches and the cathedrals in which he ministered, Glastonbury first studied art; and it was as he glided11 along the solemn shade of those Gothic aisles12, gazing on the brave groining of the vaulted13 roofs, whose deep and sublime14 shadows so beautifully contrasted with the sparkling shrines15 and the delicate chantries below, that he first imbibed16 that passion for the architecture of the Middle Ages that afterwards led him on many a pleasant pilgrimage with no better companions than a wallet and a sketch-book. Indeed, so sensible was Glastonbury of the influence of the early and constant scene of his youth on his imagination, that he was wont17 to trace his love of heraldry, of which he possessed18 a remarkable knowledge, to the emblazoned windows that perpetuated19 the memory and the achievements of many a pious20 founder21.
When Glastonbury was about twenty-one years of age, he unexpectedly inherited from an uncle a sum which, though by no means considerable, was for him a sufficient independence; and as no opening in the service of the Church at this moment offered itself, which he considered it a duty to pursue, he determined22 to gratify that restless feeling which seems inseparable from the youth of men gifted with fine sensibilities, and which probably arises in an unconscious desire to quit the commonplace and to discover the ideal. He wandered on foot throughout the whole of Switzerland and Italy; and, after more than three years’ absence, returned to England with several thousand sketches23, and a complete Alpine24 Hortus Siccus. He was even more proud of the latter than of having kissed the Pope’s toe. In the next seven years the life of Glastonbury was nearly equally divided between the duties of his sacred profession and the gratification of his simple and elegant tastes. He resided principally in Lancashire, where he became librarian to a Catholic nobleman of the highest rank, whose notice he had first attracted by publishing a description of his Grace’s residence, illustrated25 by his drawings. The duke, who was a man of fine taste and antiquarian pursuits, and an exceedingly benevolent26 person, sought Glastonbury’s acquaintance in consequence of the publication, and from that moment a close and cherished intimacy27 subsisted28 between them. In the absence of the family, however, Glastonbury found time for many excursions; by means of which he at last completed drawings of all our cathedrals. There remained for him still the abbeys and the minsters of the West of England, a subject on which he was ever eloquent29. Glastonbury performed all these excursions on foot, armed only with an ashen30 staff which he had cut in his early travels, and respecting which he was superstitious31; so that he would have no more thought of journeying without this stick than most other people without their hat. Indeed, to speak truth, Glastonbury had been known to quit a house occasionally without that necessary appendage32, for, from living much alone, he was not a little absent; but instead of piquing33 himself on such eccentricities34, they ever occasioned him mortification35. Yet Glastonbury was an universal favourite, and ever a welcome guest. In his journeys he had no want of hosts; for there was not a Catholic family which would not have been hurt had he passed them without a visit. He was indeed a rarely accomplished36 personage. An admirable scholar and profound antiquary, he possessed also a considerable practical knowledge of the less severe sciences, was a fine artist, and no contemptible37 musician. His pen, too, was that of a ready writer; if his sonnets38 be ever published, they will rank among the finest in our literature.
Glastonbury was about thirty when he was induced by Lady Barbara Armine to quit a roof where he had passed some happy years, and to undertake the education of her son Ratcliffe, a child of eight years of age. From this time Glastonbury in a great degree withdrew himself from his former connexions, and so completely abandoned his previous mode of life, that he never quitted his new home. His pupil repaid him for his zeal39 rather by the goodness of his disposition and his unblemished conduct, than by any remarkable brilliancy of talents or acquirements: but Ratcliffe, and particularly his mother, were capable of appreciating Glastonbury; and certain it is, whatever might be the cause, he returned their sympathy with deep emotion, for every thought and feeling of his existence seemed dedicated40 to their happiness and prosperity.
So great indeed was the shock which he experienced at the unexpected death of Lady Barbara, that for some time he meditated41 assuming the cowl; and if the absence of his pupil prevented the accomplishment42 of this project, the plan was only postponed43, not abandoned. The speedy marriage of Sir Ratcliffe followed. Circumstances had prevented Glastonbury from being present at the ceremony. It was impossible for him to retire to the cloister44 without seeing his pupil. Business, if not affection, rendered an interview between them necessary. It was equally impossible for Glastonbury to trouble a bride and bridegroom with his presence. When, however, three months had elapsed, he began to believe that he might venture to propose a meeting to Sir Ratcliffe; but while he was yet meditating45 on this step, he was anticipated by the receipt of a letter containing a warm invitation to Armine.
It was a beautiful sunshiny afternoon in June. Lady Armine was seated in front of the Place looking towards the park, and busied with her work; while Sir Ratcliffe, stretched on the grass, was reading to her the last poem of Scott, which they had just received from the neighbouring town.
‘Ratcliffe, my dear,’ said Lady Armine, ‘some one approaches.’
‘A tramper, Constance?’
‘No, no, my love; rise; it is a gentleman.’
‘Who can it be?’ said Sir Ratcliffe, rising; ‘perhaps it is your brother, love. Ah! no, it is—it is Glastonbury!’
And at these words he ran forward, jumped over the iron hurdle46 which separated their lawn from the park, nor stopped his quick pace until he reached a middle-aged47 man of very prepossessing appearance, though certainly not unsullied by the dust, for assuredly the guest had travelled far and long.
‘My dear Glastonbury,’ exclaimed Sir Ratcliffe, embracing him, and speaking under the influence of an excitement in which he rarely indulged, ‘I am the happiest fellow alive. How do you do? I will introduce you to Constance directly. She is dying to know you, and quite prepared to love you as much as myself. O! my dear Glastonbury, you have no idea how happy I am. She is a perfect angel.’
‘I am sure of it,’ said Glastonbury, seriously.
Sir Ratcliffe hurried his tutor along. ‘Here is my best friend, Constance,’ he eagerly exclaimed. Lady Armine rose and welcomed Mr. Glastonbury very cordially. ‘Your presence, my dear sir, has, I assure you, been long desired by both of us,’ she said, with a delightful48 smile.
‘No compliments, believe me,’ added Sir Ratcliffe; ‘Constance never pays compliments. She fixed49 upon your own room herself. She always calls it Mr. Glastonbury’s room.’
‘Ah! madam,’ said Mr. Glastonbury, laying his hand very gently on the shoulder of Sir Ratcliffe, and meaning to say something felicitous50, ‘I know this dear youth well; and I have always thought whoever could claim this heart should be counted a very fortunate woman.’
Sir Ratcliffe, after a quarter of an hour or so had passed in conversation, said: ‘Come, Glastonbury, you have arrived at a good time, for dinner is at hand. Let me show you to your room. I fear you have had a hot day’s journey. Thank God, we are together again. Give me your staff; I will take care of it; no fear of that. So, this way. You have seen the old Place before? Take care of that step. I say, Constance,’ said Sir Ratcliffe, in a suppressed voice, and running back to his wife, ‘how do you like him?’
‘Very much indeed.’
‘But do you really?’
‘Really, truly.’
‘Angel!’ exclaimed the gratified Sir Ratcliffe.
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1
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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benevolence
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| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
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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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refinement
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| n.文雅；高尚；精美；精制；精炼 | |
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simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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6
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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7
piety
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| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
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8
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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deity
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| n.神，神性；被奉若神明的人(或物) | |
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celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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11
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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aisles
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| n. (席位间的)通道, 侧廊 | |
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13
vaulted
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| adj.拱状的 | |
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sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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shrines
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| 圣地，圣坛，神圣场所( shrine的名词复数 ) | |
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imbibed
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| v.吸收( imbibe的过去式和过去分词 )；喝；吸取；吸气 | |
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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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perpetuated
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| vt.使永存（perpetuate的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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Founder
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| n.创始者，缔造者 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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sketches
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| n.草图( sketch的名词复数 )；素描；速写；梗概 | |
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alpine
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| adj.高山的；n.高山植物 | |
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illustrated
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| adj. 有插图的，列举的 动词illustrate的过去式和过去分词 | |
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benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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subsisted
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| v.（靠很少的钱或食物）维持生活，生存下去( subsist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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30
ashen
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| adj.灰的 | |
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superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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32
appendage
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| n.附加物 | |
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33
piquing
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| v.伤害…的自尊心( pique的现在分词 )；激起（好奇心） | |
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eccentricities
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| n.古怪行为( eccentricity的名词复数 )；反常；怪癖 | |
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mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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contemptible
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| adj.可鄙的，可轻视的，卑劣的 | |
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sonnets
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| n.十四行诗( sonnet的名词复数 ) | |
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39
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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dedicated
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| adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的 | |
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41
meditated
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| 深思，沉思，冥想( meditate的过去式和过去分词 )； 内心策划，考虑 | |
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accomplishment
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| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
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43
postponed
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| vt.& vi.延期，缓办，（使）延迟vt.把…放在次要地位；[语]把…放在后面（或句尾）vi.（疟疾等）延缓发作（或复发） | |
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cloister
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| n.修道院；v.隐退，使与世隔绝 | |
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45
meditating
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| a.沉思的，冥想的 | |
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46
hurdle
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| n.跳栏，栏架；障碍，困难；vi.进行跨栏赛 | |
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47
middle-aged
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| adj.中年的 | |
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48
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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49
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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50
felicitous
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| adj.恰当的，巧妙的；n.恰当，贴切 | |
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51
esteems
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| n.尊敬，好评( esteem的名词复数 )v.尊敬( esteem的第三人称单数 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
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