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第21章

mudfog+-第21章

小说: mudfog+ 字数: 每页4000字

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touching instance of an old lion; of high moral dignity and stern

principle; who felt it his imperative duty to devour a young man

who had contracted a habit of swearing; as a striking example to

the rising generation。



All this is extremely pleasant to reflect upon; and; indeed; says a

very great deal in favour of lions as a mass。  We are bound to

state; however; that such individual lions as we have happened to

fall in with have not put forth any very striking characteristics;

and have not acted up to the chivalrous character assigned them by

their chroniclers。  We never saw a lion in what is called his

natural state; certainly; that is to say; we have never met a lion

out walking in a forest; or crouching in his lair under a tropical

sun; waiting till his dinner should happen to come by; hot from the

baker's。  But we have seen some under the influence of captivity;

and the pressure of misfortune; and we must say that they appeared

to us very apathetic; heavy…headed fellows。



The lion at the Zoological Gardens; for instance。  He is all very

well; he has an undeniable mane; and looks very fierce; but; Lord

bless us! what of that?  The lions of the fashionable world look

just as ferocious; and are the most harmless creatures breathing。

A box…lobby lion or a Regent…street animal will put on a most

terrible aspect; and roar; fearfully; if you affront him; but he

will never bite; and; if you offer to attack him manfully; will

fairly turn tail and sneak off。  Doubtless these creatures roam

about sometimes in herds; and; if they meet any especially meek…

looking and peaceably…disposed fellow; will endeavour to frighten

him; but the faintest show of a vigorous resistance is sufficient

to scare them even then。  These are pleasant characteristics;

whereas we make it matter of distinct charge against the Zoological

lion and his brethren at the fairs; that they are sleepy; dreamy;

sluggish quadrupeds。



We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake;

except at feeding…time。  In every respect we uphold the biped lions

against their four…footed namesakes; and we boldly challenge

controversy upon the subject。



With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity

and interest were very much excited the other day; when a lady of

our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our

refusal of her invitation to an evening party; 'for;' said she; 'I

have got a lion coming。'  We at once retracted our plea of a prior

engagement; and became as anxious to go; as we had previously been

to stay away。



We went early; and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the

drawing…room; from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of

the interesting animal。  Two or three hours passed; the quadrilles

began; the room filled; but no lion appeared。  The lady of the

house became inconsolable; … for it is one of the peculiar

privileges of these lions to make solemn appointments and never

keep them; … when all of a sudden there came a tremendous double

rap at the street…door; and the master of the house; after gliding

out (unobserved as he flattered himself) to peep over the

banisters; came into the room; rubbing his hands together with

great glee; and cried out in a very important voice; 'My dear; Mr。

… (naming the lion) has this moment arrived。'



Upon this; all eyes were turned towards the door; and we observed

several young ladies; who had been laughing and conversing

previously with great gaiety and good humour; grow extremely quiet

and sentimental; while some young gentlemen; who had been cutting

great figures in the facetious and small…talk way; suddenly sank

very obviously in the estimation of the company; and were looked

upon with great coldness and indifference。  Even the young man who

had been ordered from the music shop to play the pianoforte was

visibly affected; and struck several false notes in the excess of

his excitement。



All this time there was a great talking outside; more than once

accompanied by a loud laugh; and a cry of 'Oh! capital! excellent!'

from which we inferred that the lion was jocose; and that these

exclamations were occasioned by the transports of his keeper and

our host。  Nor were we deceived; for when the lion at last

appeared; we overheard his keeper; who was a little prim man;

whisper to several gentlemen of his acquaintance; with uplifted

hands; and every expression of half…suppressed admiration; that …

(naming the lion again) was in SUCH cue to…night!



The lion was a literary one。  Of course; there were a vast number

of people present who had admired his roarings; and were anxious to

be introduced to him; and very pleasant it was to see them brought

up for the purpose; and to observe the patient dignity with which

he received all their patting and caressing。  This brought forcibly

to our mind what we had so often witnessed at country fairs; where

the other lions are compelled to go through as many forms of

courtesy as they chance to be acquainted with; just as often as

admiring parties happen to drop in upon them。



While the lion was exhibiting in this way; his keeper was not idle;

for he mingled among the crowd; and spread his praises most

industriously。  To one gentleman he whispered some very choice

thing that the noble animal had said in the very act of coming up…

stairs; which; of course; rendered the mental effort still more

astonishing; to another he murmured a hasty account of a grand

dinner that had taken place the day before; where twenty…seven

gentlemen had got up all at once to demand an extra cheer for the

lion; and to the ladies he made sundry promises of interceding to

procure the majestic brute's sign…manual for their albums。  Then;

there were little private consultations in different corners;

relative to the personal appearance and stature of the lion;

whether he was shorter than they had expected to see him; or

taller; or thinner; or fatter; or younger; or older; whether he was

like his portrait; or unlike it; and whether the particular shade

of his eyes was black; or blue; or hazel; or green; or yellow; or

mixture。  At all these consultations the keeper assisted; and; in

short; the lion was the sole and single subject of discussion till

they sat him down to whist; and then the people relapsed into their

old topics of conversation … themselves and each other。



We must confess that we looked forward with no slight impatience to

the announcement of supper; for if you wish to see a tame lion

under particularly favourable circumstances; feeding…time is the

period of all others to pitch upon。  We were therefore very much

delighted to observe a sensation among the guests; which we well

knew how to interpret; and immediately afterwards to behold the

lion escorting the lady of the house down…stairs。  We offered our

arm to an elderly female of our acquaintance; who … dear old soul!

… is the very best person that ever lived; to lead down to any

meal; for; be the room ever so small; or the party ever so large;

she is sure; by some intuitive perception of the eligible; to push

and pull herself and conductor close to the best dishes on the

table; … we say we offered our arm to this elderly female; and;

descending the stairs shortly after the lion; were fortunate enough

to obtain a seat nearly opposite him。



Of course the keeper was there already。  He had planted himself at

precisely that distance from his charge which afforded him a decent

pretext for raising his voice; when he addressed him; to so loud a

key; as could not fail to attract the attention of the whole

company; and immediately began to apply himself seriously to the

task of bringing the lion out; and putting him through the whole of

his manoeuvres。  Such flashes of wit as he elicited from the lion!

First of all; they began to make puns upon a salt…cellar; and then

upon the breast of a fowl; and then upon the trifle; but 

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