WE have the glorious privilege of being always in hot water if we like. We are a shareholder¹ in a Great Parochial British Joint² Stock Bank of Balderdash. We have a Vestry in our borough³, and can vote for a vestryman — might even BE a vestryman, mayhap, if we were inspired by a lofty and noble ambition. Which we are not.

Our Vestry is a deliberative assembly of the utmost dignity and importance. Like the Senate of ancient Rome, its awful gravity overpowers (or ought to overpower) barbarian⁴ visitors. It sits in the Capitol (we mean in the capital building erected⁵ for it), chiefly on Saturdays, and shakes the earth to its centre with the echoes of its thundering eloquence⁶, in a Sunday paper.

To get into this Vestry in the eminent⁷ capacity of Vestryman, gigantic efforts are made, and Herculean exertions⁸ used. It is made manifest to the dullest capacity at every election, that if we reject Snozzle we are done for, and that if we fail to bring in Blunderbooze at the top of the poll, we are unworthy of the dearest rights of Britons. Flaming placards are rife⁹ on all the dead walls in the borough, public-houses hang out banners, hackney-cabs burst into full-grown flowers of type, and everybody is, or should be, in a paroxysm of anxiety.

At these momentous¹⁰ crises of the national fate, we are much assisted in our deliberations by two eminent volunteers; one of whom subscribes11

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1 shareholder
n.股东，股票持有人
参考例句：
The account department have prepare a financial statement for the shareholder.财务部为股东准备了一份财务报表。 A shareholder may transfer his shares in accordance with the law.股东持有的股份可以依法转让。

2 joint
adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合
参考例句：
I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。 We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

3 borough
n.享有自治权的市镇；(英)自治市镇
参考例句：
He was slated for borough president.他被提名做自治区主席。 That's what happened to Harry Barritt of London's Bromley borough.住在伦敦的布罗姆利自治市的哈里.巴里特就经历了此事。

4 barbarian
n.野蛮人；adj.野蛮(人)的；未开化的
参考例句：
There is a barbarian tribe living in this forest.有一个原始部落居住在这个林区。 The walled city was attacked by barbarian hordes.那座有城墙的城市遭到野蛮部落的袭击。

5 ERECTED
adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立
参考例句：
A monument to him was erected in St Paul's Cathedral. 在圣保罗大教堂为他修了一座纪念碑。 A monument was erected to the memory of that great scientist. 树立了一块纪念碑纪念那位伟大的科学家。

6 eloquence
n.雄辩；口才，修辞
参考例句：
I am afraid my eloquence did not avail against the facts.恐怕我的雄辩也无补于事实了。 The people were charmed by his eloquence.人们被他的口才迷住了。

7 eminent
adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的
参考例句：
We are expecting the arrival of an eminent scientist.我们正期待一位著名科学家的来访。 He is an eminent citizen of China.他是一个杰出的中国公民。

8 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：
As long as they lived, exertions would not be necessary to her. 只要他们活着，是不需要她吃苦的。 来自辞典例句 She failed to unlock the safe in spite of all her exertions. 她虽然费尽力气，仍未能将那保险箱的锁打开。 来自辞典例句

9 rife
adj.(指坏事情)充斥的，流行的，普遍的
参考例句：
Disease is rife in the area.疾病在这一区很流行。 Corruption was rife before the election.选举之前腐败盛行。

10 momentous
adj.重要的，重大的
参考例句：
I am deeply honoured to be invited to this momentous occasion.能应邀出席如此重要的场合，我深感荣幸。 The momentous news was that war had begun.重大的新闻是战争已经开始。

11 subscribes
v.捐助( subscribe的第三人称单数 )；签署，题词；订阅；同意
参考例句：
The library subscribes to 40 magazines. 这个图书馆订购四十种杂志。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》 He subscribes to a number of journals concerning his subject. 他订阅了许多与他的学科有关的杂志。 来自辞典例句

12 indicting
控告，起诉( indict的现在分词 )
参考例句：
But Moreno-Ocampo stressed he was not indicting President Bashir. 但是奥坎波强调，他并不是在起诉巴希尔总统。 He says that indicting the journalists is just another move at Washington. 尹德民说，起诉这两名记者就是针对华盛顿的另一个行动。

13 utterance
n.用言语表达，话语，言语
参考例句：
This utterance of his was greeted with bursts of uproarious laughter.他的讲话引起阵阵哄然大笑。 My voice cleaves to my throat,and sob chokes my utterance.我的噪子哽咽，泣不成声。

14 admiration
n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕
参考例句：
He was lost in admiration of the beauty of the scene.他对风景之美赞不绝口。 We have a great admiration for the gold medalists.我们对金牌获得者极为敬佩。

15 rigid
adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的
参考例句：
She became as rigid as adamant.她变得如顽石般的固执。 The examination was so rigid that nearly all aspirants were ruled out.考试很严，几乎所有的考生都被淘汰了。

16 economist
n.经济学家，经济专家，节俭的人
参考例句：
He cast a professional economist's eyes on the problem.他以经济学行家的眼光审视这个问题。 He's an economist who thinks he knows all the answers.他是个经济学家，自以为什么都懂。

17 orator
n.演说者，演讲者，雄辩家
参考例句：
He was so eloquent that he cut down the finest orator.他能言善辩，胜过最好的演说家。 The orator gestured vigorously while speaking.这位演讲者讲话时用力地做手势。

18 orators
n.演说者，演讲家( orator的名词复数 )
参考例句：
The hired orators continued to pour forth their streams of eloquence. 那些雇来的演说家继续滔滔不绝地施展辩才。 来自辞典例句 Their ears are too full of bugles and drums and the fine words from stay-at-home orators. 人们的耳朵被军号声和战声以及呆在这的演说家们的漂亮言辞塞得太满了。 来自飘（部分）

19 adverted
引起注意（advert的过去式与过去分词形式）
参考例句：
The speaker adverted to the need of more funds. 这位演说人论及需要增加资金问题。 He only adverted to the main points of my argument. 他只提到我议论的要点。

20 anonymous
adj.无名的；匿名的；无特色的
参考例句：
Sending anonymous letters is a cowardly act.寄匿名信是懦夫的行为。 The author wishes to remain anonymous.作者希望姓名不公开。

21 assailed
v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对
参考例句：
He was assailed with fierce blows to the head. 他的头遭到猛烈殴打。 He has been assailed by bad breaks all these years. 这些年来他接二连三地倒霉。 来自《用法词典》

22 faction
n.宗派，小集团；派别；派系斗争
参考例句：
Faction and self-interest appear to be the norm.派系之争和自私自利看来非常普遍。 I now understood clearly that I was caught between the king and the Bunam's faction.我现在完全明白自己已陷入困境，在国王与布纳姆集团之间左右为难。

23 memorable
adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的
参考例句：
This was indeed the most memorable day of my life.这的确是我一生中最值得怀念的日子。 The veteran soldier has fought many memorable battles.这个老兵参加过许多难忘的战斗。

24 animated
adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的
参考例句：
His observations gave rise to an animated and lively discussion.他的言论引起了一场气氛热烈而活跃的讨论。 We had an animated discussion over current events last evening.昨天晚上我们热烈地讨论时事。

25 eminence
n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家
参考例句：
He is a statesman of great eminence.他是个声名显赫的政治家。 Many of the pilots were to achieve eminence in the aeronautical world.这些飞行员中很多人将会在航空界声名显赫。

26 habitually
ad.习惯地，通常地
参考例句：
The pain of the disease caused him habitually to furrow his brow. 病痛使他习惯性地紧皱眉头。 Habitually obedient to John, I came up to his chair. 我已经习惯于服从约翰，我来到他的椅子跟前。

27 provocation
n.激怒，刺激，挑拨，挑衅的事物，激怒的原因
参考例句：
He's got a fiery temper and flares up at the slightest provocation.他是火爆性子，一点就着。 They did not react to this provocation.他们对这一挑衅未作反应。

28 clamorous
adj.吵闹的，喧哗的
参考例句：
They are clamorous for better pay.他们吵吵嚷嚷要求增加工资。 The meeting began to become clamorous.会议开始变得喧哗了。

29 disorder
n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调
参考例句：
When returning back,he discovered the room to be in disorder.回家后，他发现屋子里乱七八糟。 It contained a vast number of letters in great disorder.里面七零八落地装着许多信件。

30 manifesto
n.宣言，声明
参考例句：
I was involved in the preparation of Labour's manifesto.我参与了工党宣言的起草工作。 His manifesto promised measures to protect them.他在宣言里保证要为他们采取保护措施。

31 misery
n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦
参考例句：
Business depression usually causes misery among the working class.商业不景气常使工薪阶层受苦。 He has rescued me from the mire of misery.他把我从苦海里救了出来。

32 orphanage
n.孤儿院
参考例句：
They dispensed new clothes to the children in the orphanage.他们把新衣服发给孤儿院的小孩们。 They gave the proceeds of the sale to the orphanage.他们把销售的收入给了这家孤儿院。

33 celebrated
adj.有名的，声誉卓著的
参考例句：
He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。 The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

34 pestilence
n.瘟疫
参考例句：
They were crazed by the famine and pestilence of that bitter winter.他们因那年严冬的饥饿与瘟疫而折磨得发狂。 A pestilence was raging in that area. 瘟疫正在那一地区流行。

35 oysters
牡蛎( oyster的名词复数 )
参考例句：
We don't have oysters tonight, but the crayfish are very good. 我们今晚没有牡蛎供应。但小龙虾是非常好。 She carried a piping hot grill of oysters and bacon. 她端出一盘滚烫的烤牡蛎和咸肉。

36 kindled
（使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光
参考例句：
We watched as the fire slowly kindled. 我们看着火慢慢地燃烧起来。 The teacher's praise kindled a spark of hope inside her. 老师的赞扬激起了她内心的希望。

37 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：
They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。 The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

38 vented
表达，发泄（感情，尤指愤怒）( vent的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
He vented his frustration on his wife. 他受到挫折却把气发泄到妻子身上。 He vented his anger on his secretary. 他朝秘书发泄怒气。

39 unintelligible
adj.无法了解的，难解的，莫明其妙的
参考例句：
If a computer is given unintelligible data, it returns unintelligible results.如果计算机得到的是难以理解的数据，它给出的也将是难以理解的结果。 The terms were unintelligible to ordinary folk.这些术语一般人是不懂的。

40 oracle
n.神谕，神谕处，预言
参考例句：
In times of difficulty,she pray for an oracle to guide her.在困难的时候，她祈祷神谕来指引她。 It is a kind of oracle that often foretells things most important.它是一种内生性神谕，常常能预言最重要的事情。

41 exigencies
n.急切需要
参考例句：
Many people are forced by exigencies of circumstance to take some part in them. 许多人由于境况所逼又不得不在某种程度上参与这种活动。 The people had to accept the harsh exigencies of war. 人们要承受战乱的严酷现实。

42 forth
adv.向前；向外，往外
参考例句：
The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。 He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。

43 eminently
adv.突出地；显著地；不寻常地
参考例句：
She seems eminently suitable for the job. 她看来非常适合这个工作。 It was an eminently respectable boarding school. 这是所非常好的寄宿学校。 来自《简明英汉词典》

44 chapel
n.小教堂，殡仪馆
参考例句：
The nimble hero,skipped into a chapel that stood near.敏捷的英雄跳进近旁的一座小教堂里。 She was on the peak that Sunday afternoon when she played in chapel.那个星期天的下午，她在小教堂的演出，可以说是登峰造极。

45 inquiry
n.打听，询问，调查，查问
参考例句：
Many parents have been pressing for an inquiry into the problem.许多家长迫切要求调查这个问题。 The field of inquiry has narrowed down to five persons.调查的范围已经缩小到只剩5个人了。

46 honourable
adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的
参考例句：
I don't think I am worthy of such an honourable title.这样的光荣称号，我可担当不起。 I hope to find an honourable way of settling difficulties.我希望设法找到一个体面的办法以摆脱困境。

47 petrifies
v.吓呆，使麻木( petrify的第三人称单数 )；使吓呆，使惊呆
参考例句：
Prison petrifies me and I don't want to go there. 监狱太可怕了，我不想去那里。 来自辞典例句

48 adjourn
v.（使）休会，（使）休庭
参考例句：
The motion to adjourn was carried.休会的提议通过了。 I am afraid the court may not adjourn until three or even later.我担心法庭要到3点或更晚时才会休庭。

49 persevered
v.坚忍，坚持( persevere的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
She persevered with her violin lessons. 她孜孜不倦地学习小提琴。 Hard as the conditions were, he persevered in his studies. 虽然条件艰苦，但他仍坚持学习。 来自辞典例句

50 altercation
n.争吵，争论
参考例句：
Throughout the entire altercation,not one sensible word was uttered.争了半天，没有一句话是切合实际的。 The boys had an altercation over the umpire's decision.男孩子们对裁判的判决颇有争议。

51 redoubtable
adj.可敬的；可怕的
参考例句：
He is a redoubtable fighter.他是一位可敬的战士。 Whose only defense is their will and redoubtable spirit.他们唯一的国防是他们的意志和可怕的精神。

52 gumption
n.才干
参考例句：
With his gumption he will make a success of himself.凭他的才干，他将大有作为。 Surely anyone with marketing gumption should be able to sell good books at any time of year.无疑，有经营头脑的人在一年的任何时节都应该能够卖掉好书。

53 wilderness
n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠
参考例句：
She drove the herd of cattle through the wilderness.她赶着牛群穿过荒野。 Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.荒凉地区的教育不是钱财问题。

54 adjourned
（使）休会， （使）休庭( adjourn的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
The court adjourned for lunch. 午餐时间法庭休庭。 The trial was adjourned following the presentation of new evidence to the court. 新证据呈到庭上后，审讯就宣告暂停。

55 rumour
n.谣言，谣传，传闻
参考例句：
I should like to know who put that rumour about.我想知道是谁散布了那谣言。 There has been a rumour mill on him for years.几年来，一直有谣言产生，对他进行中伤。

56 refreshment
n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点
参考例句：
He needs to stop fairly often for refreshment.他须时不时地停下来喘口气。 A hot bath is a great refreshment after a day's work.在一天工作之后洗个热水澡真是舒畅。

57 pint
n.品脱
参考例句：
I'll have a pint of beer and a packet of crisps, please.我要一品脱啤酒和一袋炸马铃薯片。 In the old days you could get a pint of beer for a shilling.从前，花一先令就可以买到一品脱啤酒。

58 ridicule
v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄
参考例句：
You mustn't ridicule unfortunate people.你不该嘲笑不幸的人。 Silly mistakes and queer clothes often arouse ridicule.荒谬的错误和古怪的服装常会引起人们的讪笑。

59 rumours
n.传闻( rumour的名词复数 )；风闻；谣言；谣传
参考例句：
The rumours were completely baseless. 那些谣传毫无根据。 Rumours of job losses were later confirmed. 裁员的传言后来得到了证实。

60 gallant
adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的
参考例句：
Huang Jiguang's gallant deed is known by all men. 黄继光的英勇事迹尽人皆知。 These gallant soldiers will protect our country.这些勇敢的士兵会保卫我们的国家的。

61 replete
adj.饱满的，塞满的；n.贮蜜蚁
参考例句：
He was replete with food and drink.他吃喝得饱饱的。 This immense space may be replete with happiness and glory.这巨大的空间可能充满了幸福和光荣。

62 deplore
vt.哀叹，对...深感遗憾
参考例句：
I deplore what has happened.我为所发生的事深感愤慨。 There are many of us who deplore this lack of responsibility.我们中有许多人谴责这种不负责任的做法。

63 drawn
v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的
参考例句：
All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。 Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

64 belligerents
n.交战的一方（指国家、集团或个人）( belligerent的名词复数 )
参考例句：
At long last an armistice was declared by the belligerents. 交战双方终于宣布停战。 来自辞典例句 Yet it remains unclear whether the actual belligerents will accept it. 但真正的交战双方是否会接受还是个未知数。 来自互联网

65 conspicuous
adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的
参考例句：
It is conspicuous that smoking is harmful to health.很明显，抽烟对健康有害。 Its colouring makes it highly conspicuous.它的色彩使它非常惹人注目。

66 remarkably
ad.不同寻常地，相当地
参考例句：
I thought she was remarkably restrained in the circumstances. 我认为她在那种情况下非常克制。 He made a remarkably swift recovery. 他康复得相当快。

67 expressive
adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的
参考例句：
Black English can be more expressive than standard English.黑人所使用的英语可能比正式英语更有表现力。 He had a mobile,expressive,animated face.他有一张多变的，富于表情的，生动活泼的脸。

68 gunpowder
n.火药
参考例句：
Gunpowder was introduced into Europe during the first half of the 14th century.在14世纪上半叶，火药传入欧洲。 This statement has a strong smell of gunpowder.这是一篇充满火药味的声明。

69 remonstrance
n抗议，抱怨
参考例句：
She had abandoned all attempts at remonstrance with Thomas.她已经放弃了一切劝戒托马斯的尝试。 Mrs. Peniston was at the moment inaccessible to remonstrance.目前彭尼斯顿太太没功夫听她告状。

70 obdurate
adj.固执的，顽固的
参考例句：
He is obdurate in his convictions.他执着于自己所坚信的事。 He remained obdurate,refusing to alter his decision.他依然固执己见，拒不改变决定。

71 custody
n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留
参考例句：
He spent a week in custody on remand awaiting sentence.等候判决期间他被还押候审一个星期。 He was taken into custody immediately after the robbery.抢劫案发生后，他立即被押了起来。

72 bail
v.舀（水），保释；n.保证金，保释，保释人
参考例句：
One of the prisoner's friends offered to bail him out.犯人的一个朋友答应保释他出来。 She has been granted conditional bail.她被准予有条件保释。

73 beckoned
v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
He beckoned to the waiter to bring the bill. 他招手示意服务生把账单送过来。 The seated figure in the corner beckoned me over. 那个坐在角落里的人向我招手让我过去。 来自《简明英汉词典》

74 poked
v.伸出( poke的过去式和过去分词 )；戳出；拨弄；与（某人）性交
参考例句：
She poked him in the ribs with her elbow. 她用胳膊肘顶他的肋部。 His elbow poked out through his torn shirt sleeve. 他的胳膊从衬衫的破袖子中露了出来。 来自《简明英汉词典》

75 determined
adj.坚定的；有决心的
参考例句：
I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。 He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

76 affected
adj.不自然的，假装的
参考例句：
She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。 His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

77 exquisite
adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的
参考例句：
I was admiring the exquisite workmanship in the mosaic.我当时正在欣赏镶嵌画的精致做工。 I still remember the exquisite pleasure I experienced in Bali.我依然记得在巴厘岛所经历的那种剧烈的快感。

78 distinguished
adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的
参考例句：
Elephants are distinguished from other animals by their long noses.大象以其长长的鼻子显示出与其他动物的不同。 A banquet was given in honor of the distinguished guests.宴会是为了向贵宾们致敬而举行的。

79 concession
n.让步，妥协；特许(权)
参考例句：
We can not make heavy concession to the matter.我们在这个问题上不能过于让步。 That is a great concession.这是很大的让步。

80 generosity
n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为
参考例句：
We should match their generosity with our own.我们应该像他们一样慷慨大方。 We adore them for their generosity.我们钦佩他们的慷慨。

81 repudiate
v.拒绝，拒付，拒绝履行
参考例句：
He will indignantly repudiate the suggestion.他会气愤地拒绝接受这一意见。 He repudiate all debts incurred by his son.他拒绝偿还他儿子的一切债务。

82 honourably
adv.可尊敬地，光荣地，体面地
参考例句：
Will the time never come when we may honourably bury the hatchet? 难道我们永远不可能有个体面地休战的时候吗？ 来自《简明英汉词典》 The dispute was settled honourably. 争议体面地得到解决。 来自《简明英汉词典》

83 imperatively
adv.命令式地
参考例句：
Drying wet rice rapidly and soaking or rewetting dry rice kernels imperatively results in severe fissuring. 潮湿米粒快速干燥或干燥籽粒浸水、回潮均会产生严重的裂纹。 来自互联网 Drying wet rice kernels rapidly, Soaking or Rewetting dry rice Kernels imperatively results in severe fissuring. 潮湿米粒的快速干燥，干燥籽粒的浸水或回潮均会带来严重的裂纹。 来自互联网

84 proceedings
n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报
参考例句：
He was released on bail pending committal proceedings. 他交保获释正在候审。 to initiate legal proceedings against sb 对某人提起诉讼

85 strictly
adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地
参考例句：
His doctor is dieting him strictly.他的医生严格规定他的饮食。 The guests were seated strictly in order of precedence.客人严格按照地位高低就座。

86 tack
n.大头钉；假缝，粗缝
参考例句：
He is hammering a tack into the wall to hang a picture.他正往墙上钉一枚平头钉用来挂画。 We are going to tack the map on the wall.我们打算把这张地图钉在墙上。

87 absurdity
n.荒谬，愚蠢；谬论
参考例句：
The proposal borders upon the absurdity.这提议近乎荒谬。 The absurdity of the situation made everyone laugh.情况的荒谬可笑使每个人都笑了。

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