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lavengro-第80部分
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horse;' said Francis Ardry; at the conclusion of his narration; 'it
were a burning shame that so divine a creature should have to go
about a place like London on foot; or in a paltry hackney coach。'
'But;' said I; 'will not the pursuit of politics prevent your
devoting much time to this fair lady?'
'It will prevent me devoting all my time;' said Francis Ardry; 'as
I gladly would; but what can I do? My guardians wish me to qualify
myself for a political orator; and I dare not offend them by a
refusal。 If I offend my guardians; I should find it impossible …
unless I have recourse to Jews and money…lenders … to support
Annette; present her with articles of dress and jewellery; and
purchase a horse and cabriolet worthy of conveying her angelic
person through the streets of London。'
After a pause; in which Francis Ardry appeared lost in thought; his
mind being probably occupied with the subject of Annette; I broke
silence by observing; 'So your fellow…religionists are really going
to make a serious attempt to procure their emancipation?'
'Yes;' said Francis Ardry; starting from his reverie; 'everything
has been arranged; even a leader has been chosen; at least for us
of Ireland; upon the whole the most suitable man in the world for
the occasion … a barrister of considerable talent; mighty voice;
and magnificent impudence。 With emancipation; liberty; and redress
for the wrongs of Ireland in his mouth; he is to force his way into
the British House of Commons; dragging myself and others behind him
… he will succeed; and when he is in he will cut a figure; I have
heard … himself; who has heard him speak; say that he will cut a
figure。'
'And is … competent to judge?' I demanded。
'Who but he?' said Francis Ardry; 'no one questions his judgment
concerning what relates to elocution。 His fame on that point is so
well established; that the greatest orators do not disdain
occasionally to consult him; C… himself; as I have been told; when
anxious to produce any particular effect in the House; is in the
habit of calling in … for a consultation。'
'As to matter; or manner?' said I。
'Chiefly the latter;' said Francis Ardry; 'though he is competent
to give advice as to both; for he has been an orator in his day;
and a leader of the people; though he confessed to me that he was
not exactly qualified to play the latter part … 〃I want paunch;〃
said he。'
'It is not always indispensable;' said I; 'there is an orator in my
town; a hunchback and watchmaker; without it; who not only leads
the people; but the mayor too; perhaps he has a succedaneum in his
hunch: but; tell me; is the leader of your movement in possession
of that which … wants?'
'No more deficient in it than in brass;' said Francis Ardry。
'Well;' said I; 'whatever his qualifications may be; I wish him
success in the cause which he has taken up … I love religious
liberty。'
'We shall succeed;' said Francis Ardry; 'John Bull upon the whole
is rather indifferent on the subject; and then we are sure to be
backed by the Radical party; who; to gratify their political
prejudices; would join with Satan himself。'
'There is one thing;' said I; 'connected with this matter which
surprises me … your own lukewarmness。 Yes; making every allowance
for your natural predilection for dog…fighting; and your present
enamoured state of mind; your apathy at the commencement of such a
movement is to me unaccountable。'
'You would not have cause to complain of my indifference;' said
Frank; 'provided I thought my country would be benefited by this
movement; but I happen to know the origin of it。 The priests are
the originators; 'and what country was ever benefited by a movement
which owed its origin to them?' so says Voltaire; a page of whom I
occasionally read。 By the present move they hope to increase their
influence; and to further certain designs which they entertain both
with regard to this country and Ireland。 I do not speak rashly or
unadvisedly。 A strange fellow … a half…Italian; half…English
priest; … who was recommended to me by my guardians; partly as a
spiritual; partly as a temporal guide; has let me into a secret or
two; he is fond of a glass of gin and water … and over a glass of
gin and water cold; with a lump of sugar in it; he has been more
communicative; perhaps; than was altogether prudent。 Were I my own
master; I would kick him; politics; and religious movements; to a
considerable distance。 And now; if you are going away; do so
quickly; I have an appointment with Annette; and must make myself
fit to appear before her。'
CHAPTER XLIII
Progress … Glorious John … Utterly unintelligible … What a
difference。
BY the month of October I had; in spite of all difficulties and
obstacles; accomplished about two…thirds of the principal task
which I had undertaken; the compiling of the Newgate lives; I had
also made some progress in translating the publisher's philosophy
into German。 But about this time I began to see very clearly that
it was impossible that our connection should prove of long
duration; yet; in the event of my leaving the big man; what other
resource had I … another publisher? But what had I to offer?
There were my ballads; my Ab Gwilym; but then I thought of Taggart
and his snuff; his pinch of snuff。 However; I determined to see
what could be done; so I took my ballads under my arm; and went to
various publishers; some took snuff; others did not; but none took
my ballads or Ab Gwilym; they would not even look at them。 One
asked me if I had anything else … he was a snuff…taker … I said
yes; and going home; returned with my translation of the German
novel; to which I have before alluded。 After keeping it for a
fortnight; he returned it to me on my visiting him; and; taking a
pinch of snuff; told me it would not do。 There were marks of snuff
on the outside of the manuscript; which was a roll of paper bound
with red tape; but there were no marks of snuff on the interior of
the manuscript; from which I concluded that he had never opened it。
I had often heard of one Glorious John; who lived at the western
end of the town; on consulting Taggart; he told me that it was
possible that Glorious John would publish my ballads and Ab Gwilym;
that is; said he; taking a pinch of snuff; provided you can see
him; so I went to the house where Glorious John resided; and a
glorious house it was; but I could not see Glorious John … I called
a dozen times; but I never could see Glorious John。 Twenty years
after; by the greatest chance in the world; I saw Glorious John;
and sure enough Glorious John published my books; but they were
different books from the first; I never offered my ballads or Ab
Gwilym to Glorious John。 Glorious John was no snuff…taker。 He
asked me to dinner; and treated me with
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