I am entertained by Mr. Crab1 — a description of him — I acquire the Art of Surgery — consult Crab’s Disposition2 — become necessary to him — an Accident happens — he advises me to launch out into the world — assists me with Money-I set out for London
The fumes3 of my resentment4 being dissipated, as well as the vanity of my success, I found myself deserted5 to all the horrors of extreme want, and avoided by mankind as a creature of a different species, or rather as a solitary6 being, noways comprehended within the scheme or protection of Providence7. My despair had rendered me almost quite stupified, when I was one day told, that a gentleman desired to see me at a certain public-house, whither immediately I repaired; and was introduced to one Mr. Launcelot Crab, a surgeon in town, who was engaged with two more in drinking a liquor called pop-in, composed by mixing a quartern of brandy with a quart of small beer. Before I relate the occasion of this message, I believe it will not be disagreeable to the reader, if I describe the gentleman who sent for me, and mention some circumstances of his character and conduct which may illustrate9 what follows, and account for his behaviour to me.
This member of the faculty10 was aged8 fifty, about five feet high, and ten round the belly11; his face was as capacious as a full moon, and much of the complexion12 of a mulberry: his nose, resembling a powder-horn, was swelled13 to an enormous size, and studded all over with carbuncles; and his little gray eyes reflected the rays in such an oblique14 manner that, while he looked a person full in the face, one would have imagined he was admiring the buckle15 of his shoe. He had long entertained an implacable resentment against Potion, who, though a younger practitioner16, was better employed than he, and once had the assurance to perform a cure, whereby he disappointed and disgraced the prognostic of the said Crab. This quarrel which was at one time upon the point of being made up, by the interposition and mediation17 of friends, had been lately inflamed18 beyond a possibility of reconciliation19 by the respective wives of the opponents, who, chancing to meet at a christening, disagreed about precedence, proceeded from invectives to blows, and were with great difficulty, by the gossips, prevented from converting the occasion of joy into a scene of lamentation20.
The difference between these rivals was in the height of rancour, when I received the message of Crab, who received me as civilly as I could have expected from one of his disposition; and, after desiring me to sit, inquired into the particulars of my leaving the house of Potion; which when I had related, he said, with a malicious21 grin, “There’s a sneaking22 dog! I always thought him a fellow without a soul, d — n me, a canting scoundrel, who has crept into business by his hypocrisy23, and kissing the a — e of every body.” — “Ay, ay,” says another, “one might see with half an eye that the rascal24 has no honesty in him, by his going so regularly to church.”
This sentence was confirmed by a third, who assured his companions that Potion was never known to be disguised in liquor but once, at a meeting of the godly, where he had distinguished25 himself by an extempore prayer an hour long. After this preamble26, Crab addressed himself to me in these words: “Well, my lad, I have heard a good character of you, and I’ll do for you. You may send your things to my house when you please. I have given orders for your reception. Zounds! What does the booby stare at? If you have no mind to embrace my courteous27 offer, you may let it alone, and be d — d.” I answered with a submissive bow, that I was far from rejecting his friendly offer, which I would immediately accept, as soon as he should inform me on what footing I was to be entertained. “What footing! D— n my blood,” cried he, “d’ye expect to have a footman and a couple of horses kept for you?” “No, sir,” I replied, “my expectations are not quite so sanguine28. That I may be as little burthensome as possible, I would willingly serve in your shop, by which means I may save you the expense of a journeyman, or porter at least, for I understand a little pharmacy29, having employed some of my leisure hours in the practice of that art, while I lived with Mr. Potion; neither am I altogether ignorant of surgery, which I have studied with great pleasure and application.” — “Oho! you did,” says Crab. “Gentlemen, here is a complete artist! Studied surgery! What? in books, I suppose. I shall have you disputing with me one of these days on points of my profession. You can already account for muscular motion, I warrant, and explain the mystery of the brain and nerves — ha! You are too learned for me, d — n me. But let’s have no more of this stuff. Can you blood and give a clyster, spread a plaster, and prepare a potion?” Upon my answering in the affirmative, he shock his head, telling me, he believed he should have little good of me, for all my promises; but, however, he would take me in for the sake of charity. I was accordingly that very night admitted to his house, and had an apartment assigned to me in the garret, which I was fain to put up with, notwithstanding the mortification30 my pride suffered in this change of circumstances.
I was soon convinced of the real motives31 which induced Crab to receive me in this manner; for, besides the gratification of his revenge, by exposing the selfishness of his antagonist33, in opposition34 to his own generosity35, which was all affectation, he had occasion for a young man who understood something of the profession, to fill up the place of his eldest36 apprentice37, lately dead, not without violent suspicion of foul38 play from his master’s brutality39. The knowledge of this circumstance, together with his daily behaviour to his wife and the young apprentice, did not at all contribute to my enjoying my new situation with ease; however, as I did not perceive how I could bestow40 myself to better advantage, I resolved to study Crab’s temper with all the application, and manage it with all the address in my power. And it was not long before I found out a strange peculiarity41 of humour which governed his behaviour towards all his dependents. I observed, when he was pleased, he was such a niggard of his satisfaction that, if his wife or servants betrayed the least symptom of participation42, he was offended to an insupportable degree of choler and fury, the effects of which they seldom failed to feel. And when his indignation was roused, submission43 and soothing44 always exasperated45 it beyond the bounds of reason and humanity. I therefore pursued a contrary plan; and one day, when he honoured me with the names of ignorant whelp and lazy ragamuffin, I boldly replied, I was neither ignorant nor lazy, since I both understood and performed my business as well as he could do for his soul; neither was it just to call me ragamuffin, for I had a whole coat on my back, and was descended46 from a better family than any he could boast an alliance with.
He gave tokens of great amazement47 at this assurance of mine, and shook his cane48 over my head, regarding me all the time with a countenance49 truly diabolical50. Although I was terribly startled at his menacing looks and posture51, I yet had reflection enough left to convince me I had gone too far to retract52, and that this was the critical minute which must decide my future lot in his service; I therefore snatched up the pestle53 of a mortar54, and swore, if he offered to strike me without a cause, I should see whether his skull55 or my weapon was hardest.
He continued silent for some time, and at last broke forth56 into these ejaculations: “This is fine usage from a servant to his master — very fine! damnation! but no matter, you shall pay for this, you dog, you shall; I’II do your business — yes, yes, I’ll teach you to lift your hand against me.” So saying, he retired57, and left me under dreadful apprehensions58, which vanished entirely59 at our next meeting, when he behaved with unusual complacency, and treated me with a glass of punch after dinner.
By this conduct I got the ascendancy60 over him in a short time, and became so necessary to him, in managing his business while he was engaged at the bottle, that fortune began to wear a kinder aspect; and I consoled myself for the disregard of my former acquaintance, with the knowledge I daily imbibed61 by a close application to the duties of my employment, in which I succeeded beyond my own expectation. I was on very good terms with my master’s wife, whose esteem62 I acquired and cultivated, by representing Mrs. Potion in the most ridiculous lights my satirical talents could invent, as well as by rendering63 her some Christian64 offices, when she had been too familiar with the dram bottle, to which she had oftentimes recourse for consolation65, under the affliction she suffered from a barbarous husband.
In this manner I lived, without hearing the least tidings of my uncle for the space of two years, during which time I kept little or no company, being neither in a humour to relish66 nor in a capacity to maintain much acquaintance; for the Nabal my master allowed me no wages, and the small perquisites67 of my station scarcely supplied me with the common necessaries of life. I was no longer a pert unthinking coxcomb68, giddy with popular applause, and elevated with the extravagance of hope: my misfortunes had taught me how little the caresses69 of the world, during a man’s prosperity, are to be valued by him; and how seriously and expeditiously70 he ought to set about making himself independent of them. My present appearance, therefore, was the least of my care, which was wholly engrossed71 in laying up a stock of instruction that might secure me against the caprice of fortune for the future. I became such a sloven72, and contracted such an air of austerity, that everybody pronounced me crestfallen73; and Gawky returned to town without running any risk from my resentment, which was by this time pretty much cooled, and restrained by prudential reasons so effectually that I never so much as thought of obtaining satisfaction for the injuries be had done me.
When I deemed myself sufficiently74 master of my business I began to cast about for an opportunity of launching into the world, in hope of finding some provision that might make amends75 for the difficulties I had undergone; but, as this could not be effected without a small sum of money to equip me for the field, I was in the utmost perplexity how to raise it, well knowing that Crab, for his own sake, would never put me in a condition to leave him, when his interest was so much concerned in my stay. But a small accident, which happened about this time, determined76 him in my favour. This was no other than the pregnancy77 of his maidservant, who declared her situation to me, assuring me at the same time that I was the occasion of it.
Although I had no reason to question the truth of this imputation78, I was not ignorant of the familiarities which had passed between her master and her, taking the advantage of which I represented to her the folly79 of laying the burden at my door, when she might dispose of it to much better purpose with Mr. Crab. She listened to my advice, and next day acquainted him with the pretended success of their mutual80 endeavours. He was far from being overjoyed at this proof of his vigour81, which he foresaw might have very troublesome consequences; not that he dreaded82 any domestic grumblings and reproaches from his wife, whom he kept in perfect subjection; but because he knew it would furnish his rival Potion with a handle for insulting and undermining his reputation, there being no scandal equal to that of uncleanness, in the opinion of those who inhabit the part of the island where he lived. He therefore took a resolution worthy83 of himself, which was, to persuade the girl that she was not with child, but only afflicted84 with a disorder85 incidental to young women, which he could easily remove: with this view (as he pretended) he prescribed for her such medicines as he thought would infallibly procure86 abortion87; but in this scheme he was disappointed, for the maid, being advertised by me of his design, and at the same time well acquainted with her own condition, absolutely refused to follow his directions; and threatened to publish her situation to the world if he would not immediately take some method of providing for the important occasion, which she expected in a few months. It was not long before I guessed the result of his deliberation, by his addressing himself to me one day in this manner: “I am surprised that a young fellow like you discovers no inclination88 to push his fortune in the world. Before I was of your age I was broiling89 on the coast of Guinea. D— e! what’s to hinder you from profiting by the war which will certainly be declared in a short time against Spain? You may easily get on board of a king’s ship in quality of surgeon’s mate, where you will certainly see a great deal of practice, and stand a good chance of getting prize-money.”
I laid hold of this declaration, which I had long wished for, and assured him I would follow his advice with pleasure, if it were in my power; but that it was impossible for me to embrace an opportunity of that kind, as I had no friend to advance a little money to supply me with what necessaries I should want, and defray the expenses of my journey to London. He told me that few necessaries were required; and, as for the expense of my journey, he would lend me money, sufficient not only for that purpose, but also to maintain me comfortably in London until I should procure a warrant for my provision on board of some ship.
I gave him a thousand thanks for his obliging offer (although I was very well apprised90 of his motive32, which was no other than a design to lay the bastard91 to my charge after my departure), and accordingly set out in a few weeks for London; my whole fortune consisting of one suit of clothes, half a dozen ruffled92 shirts, as many plain, two pair of worsted and a like number of threaded stockings; a case of pocket instruments, a small edition of Horace, Wiseman’s Surgery, and ten guineas in cash; for which Crab took my bond, bearing five per cent interest; at the same time giving me a letter to a member of parliament for our town, which he said would do my business effectually.
收听单词发音 |
1
crab
|
|
| n.螃蟹，偏航，脾气乖戾的人，酸苹果；vi.捕蟹，偏航，发牢骚；vt.使偏航，发脾气 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
disposition
|
|
| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
fumes
|
|
| n.(强烈而刺激的)气味，气体 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
resentment
|
|
| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
deserted
|
|
| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
solitary
|
|
| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
providence
|
|
| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
aged
|
|
| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
illustrate
|
|
| v.举例说明，阐明；图解，加插图 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
faculty
|
|
| n.才能；学院，系；(学院或系的)全体教学人员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
belly
|
|
| n.肚子，腹部；(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分，膛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
complexion
|
|
| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
swelled
|
|
| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
oblique
|
|
| adj.斜的，倾斜的，无诚意的，不坦率的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
buckle
|
|
| n.扣子，带扣；v.把...扣住，由于压力而弯曲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
practitioner
|
|
| n.实践者，从事者；(医生或律师等)开业者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
mediation
|
|
| n.调解 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
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： |
|
|
|
|
19
reconciliation
|
|
| n.和解，和谐，一致 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
lamentation
|
|
| n.悲叹，哀悼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
malicious
|
|
| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
sneaking
|
|
| a.秘密的，不公开的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
hypocrisy
|
|
| n.伪善，虚伪 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
rascal
|
|
| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
distinguished
|
|
| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
preamble
|
|
| n.前言；序文 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
courteous
|
|
| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
sanguine
|
|
| adj.充满希望的，乐观的，血红色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
pharmacy
|
|
| n.药房，药剂学，制药业，配药业，一批备用药品 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
mortification
|
|
| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
motives
|
|
| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
motive
|
|
| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
antagonist
|
|
| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
opposition
|
|
| n.反对，敌对 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
generosity
|
|
| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
eldest
|
|
| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
apprentice
|
|
| n.学徒，徒弟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
foul
|
|
| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
brutality
|
|
| n.野蛮的行为，残忍，野蛮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
bestow
|
|
| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
peculiarity
|
|
| n.独特性，特色；特殊的东西；怪癖 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
participation
|
|
| n.参与，参加，分享 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
submission
|
|
| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
soothing
|
|
| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
exasperated
|
|
| adj.恼怒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
descended
|
|
| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
amazement
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
cane
|
|
| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
countenance
|
|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
diabolical
|
|
| adj.恶魔似的，凶暴的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
posture
|
|
| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
retract
|
|
| vt.缩回，撤回收回，取消 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
pestle
|
|
| n.杵 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
mortar
|
|
| n.灰浆，灰泥；迫击炮；v.把…用灰浆涂接合 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
skull
|
|
| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
retired
|
|
| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
apprehensions
|
|
| 疑惧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
entirely
|
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
ascendancy
|
|
| n.统治权，支配力量 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
imbibed
|
|
| v.吸收( imbibe的过去式和过去分词 )；喝；吸取；吸气 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
esteem
|
|
| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
rendering
|
|
| n.表现，描写 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
Christian
|
|
| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
consolation
|
|
| n.安慰，慰问 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
relish
|
|
| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
perquisites
|
|
| n.（工资以外的）财务补贴( perquisite的名词复数 )；额外收入；（随职位而得到的）好处；利益 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
coxcomb
|
|
| n.花花公子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
caresses
|
|
| 爱抚，抚摸( caress的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
expeditiously
|
|
| adv.迅速地，敏捷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
engrossed
|
|
| adj.全神贯注的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
sloven
|
|
| adj.不修边幅的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
crestfallen
|
|
| adj. 挫败的，失望的，沮丧的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
sufficiently
|
|
| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
amends
|
|
| n. 赔偿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
pregnancy
|
|
| n.怀孕，怀孕期 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
imputation
|
|
| n.归罪，责难 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
folly
|
|
| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
mutual
|
|
| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
vigour
|
|
| （=vigor）n.智力，体力，精力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
dreaded
|
|
| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
worthy
|
|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
afflicted
|
|
| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
disorder
|
|
| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
procure
|
|
| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
abortion
|
|
| n.流产，堕胎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
inclination
|
|
| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
broiling
|
|
| adj.酷热的，炽热的，似烧的v.（用火）烤（焙、炙等）( broil的现在分词 )；使卷入争吵；使混乱；被烤（或炙） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
apprised
|
|
| v.告知，通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 )；评价 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
bastard
|
|
| n.坏蛋，混蛋；私生子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
ruffled
|
|
| adj. 有褶饰边的, 起皱的 动词ruffle的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |