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第29章

misc writings and speeches(米斯克说与写)-第29章

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     Nevertheless   the   people   of   St   George's   were   resolved   on   law。   They 



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cried out most lustily; 〃Squire Guelf for ever!               Sweet William for ever! 

No   steel   traps!〃    Squire   Guelf   took   all   the   rascally   footmen   who   had 

worn old Sir Lewis's livery into his service。            They were fed in the kitchen 

on   the   very   best   of   everything;   though   they   had   no   settlement。    Many 

people; and the paupers in particular; grumbled at these proceedings。                   The 

steward; however; devised a way to keep them quiet。 

     There had lived in this parish for many years an old gentleman; named 

Sir   Habeas   Corpus。      He   was   said   by  some   to   be   of   Saxon;   by  some   of 

Norman;   extraction。       Some   maintain   that   he   was   not   born   till   after   the 

time   of   Sir   Charles;   to   whom   we   have   before   alluded。     Others   are   of 

opinion that he was a legitimate son of old Lady Magna Charta; although 

he was long concealed and kept out of his birthright。                Certain it is that he 

was a very benevolent person。             Whenever any poor fellow was taken up 

on grounds which he thought insufficient; he used to attend on his behalf 

and   bail   him;   and   thus   he   had   become   so   popular;   that   to   take   direct 

measures against him was out of the question。 

     The steward; accordingly; brought a dozen physicians to examine Sir 

Habeas。      After consultation; they reported that he was in a very bad way; 

and ought not; on any account; to be allowed to stir out for several months。 

Fortified with this authority; the parish officers put him to bed; closed his 

windows; and barred his doors。            They paid him every attention; and from 

time to time issued bulletins of his health。             The steward never spoke of 

him   without   declaring   that   he   was   the   best   gentleman   in   the   world;   but 

excellent care was taken that he should never stir out of doors。 

     When this obstacle was removed; the Squire and the steward kept the 

parish in excellent order; flogged this man; sent that man to the stocks; and 

pushed   forward   the   law…suit   with   a   noble   disregard   of   expense。       They 

were; however; wanting either in skill or in fortune。              And everything went 

against them after their antagonists had begun to employ Solicitor Nap。 

     Who does not know the name of Solicitor Nap?                   At what alehouse is 

not his behaviour discussed?           In what print…shop is not his picture seen? 

Yet   how   little   truth   has   been   said   about   him!   Some   people   hold   that   he 

used    to  give   laudanum   by   pints     to  his  six   clerks   for  his  amusement。 

Others; whose number has very much increased since he was killed by the 



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gaol distemper; conceive that he was the very model of honour and good… 

nature。     I shall try to tell the truth about him。 

     He   was   assuredly   an   excellent   solicitor。      In   his   way   he   never   was 

surpassed。      As soon as the parish began to employ him; their cause took a 

turn。    In   a   very   little   time   they   were   successful;   and   Nap   became   rich。 

He now set up for a gentleman; took possession of the old manor…house; 

got into the commission of the peace; and affected to be on a par with the 

best of the county。 He governed the vestries as absolutely as the old family 

had   done。     Yet;   to   give   him   his   due;   he   managed   things   with   far   more 

discretion than either Sir Lewis or the rioters who had pulled the Lords of 

the Manor down。          He kept his servants in tolerable order。             He removed 

the steel traps from the highways and the corners of the streets。                   He still 

left a few indeed in the more exposed parts of his premises; and set up a 

board announcing that traps and spring guns were set in his grounds。                      He 

brought the poor parson back to the parish; and; though he did not enable 

him to keep a fine house and a coach as formerly; he settled him in a snug 

little cottage; and allowed him a pleasant pad…nag。                 He whitewashed the 

church   again;   and   put   the   stocks;   which   had   been   much   wanted   of   late; 

into good repair。 

     With the neighbouring gentry; however; he was no favourite。                    He was 

crafty and litigious。       He cared nothing for right; if he could raise a point 

of   law   against   them。    He   pounded   their   cattle;   broke   their   hedges;   and 

seduced      their  tenants    from   them。    He   almost    ruined    Lord   Caesar    with 

actions;   in   every   one   of   which   he   was   successful。    Von   Blunderbussen 

went   to   law   with   him   for   an   alleged   trespass;   but   was   cast;   and   almost 

ruined   by  the   costs   of   suit。 He  next   took   a  fancy  to   the  seat   of   Squire 

Don; who was; to say the truth; little better than an idiot。                 He asked the 

poor dupe to dinner; and then threatened to have him tossed in a blanket 

unless he would make over his estates to him。                  The poor Squire signed 

and sealed a deed by which the property was assigned to Joe; a brother of 

Nap's; in trust for and to the use of Nap himself。                The tenants; however; 

stood out。      They maintained that the estate was entailed; and refused to 

pay    rents   to  the   new    landlord;    and   in  this  refusal   they    were   stoutly 

supported by the people in St George's。 



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     About the same time Nap took it into his head to match with quality; 

and nothing would serve him but one of the Miss Germains。                         Lord Caesar 

swore   like   a   trooper;   but   there   was   no   help   for   it。 Nap   had   twice   put 

executions   in   his   principal   residence;   and   had   refused   to   discharge   the 

latter   of   the   two   till   he   had   extorted   a   bond   from   his   Lordship   which 

compelled him to comply。 

     THE END OF THE FIRST PART。 

     。。。 



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       A CONVERSATION BETWEEN 

     MR ABRAHAM COWLEY AND 

   MR JOHN MILTON; TOUCHING 

           THE GREAT CIVIL WAR。 



      SET DOWN BY A GENTLEMAN 

         OF THE MIDDLE TEMPLE 



                                (August 1824) 



    〃Referre sermones Deorum et Magna modis tenuare parvis。〃Horace。 

    I   have   thought   it   good   to   set   down   in   writing   a   memorable   debate; 

wherein    I  was  a  listener;  and  two  men   of  pregnant  parts  and   great 

reputation   discoursers;   hoping   that   my   friends   will   not   be   displeased   to 

have a record both of the strange times through which I have lived; and of 

the famous   men   with   whom  I have   conversed。   It   chanced   in the   warm 

and beautiful spring of the year 1665; a little before the saddest summer 

that   ever   London   saw;   that   I   went   to   the   Bowling   Green   at   Piccadilly; 

whither; at that time; the best gentry made continual resorts。     There I met 

Mr    Cowley;   who   had  lately  left  Barnelms。  There    was  then  a  house 

preparing for him at Chertsey; and till it should be finished; he had come 

up for a short time to London; that he 

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