Shadow of great britain

On a quiet Sunday morning, a day when everyone goes to church to worship God, two uninvited guests came to Gower Street in London.

Perhaps for the rest of Britain this is a time when everyone should stay in church.

But for these eccentrics on Gower Street, it was just an ordinary day.

The reason is also very simple, because Gower Street is the territory of the University of London. As we all know, the University of London is the only university in Britain that does not have a prayer room.

Respectable people such as devout believers, priests, nobles, etc. all avoid this place, but Arthur and Elder feel very comfortable staying here.

Elder, who was smoking a pipe and wearing a dark gray woolen windbreaker, lifted the brim of his hat with his fingers, exposing half of his eye in the cold wind of late autumn.

"Go in and show them your skills?"

Arthur took off his black leather gloves and nodded: "Well, show me your hands."

The two of them walked side by side towards the gate of the university. Although it was Sunday, many students could still be seen coming and going in the school.

As for why Arthur came to the campus of the University of London today, he naturally wanted to contact Mr. Bentham.

As Elder said, although Bentham's utilitarianism had been suppressed as heresy in the early decades, things are different now.

In the past one or two decades, the scope of utilitarianism's influence has been increasingly expanded. The principle of utilitarianism has not only won many supporters among the Whig Party, but even several representatives of the Tory liberal wing, such as George Canning. , Huskisson and Sir Peel were all directly or indirectly affected in many ways.

Among Mr. Bentham's ideas, the abolition of slavery, freedom of speech and reform of criminal law have all been implemented.

Although there were several other propositions, such as the separation of state and religion, the abolition of corporal punishment, the abolition of usury, equal rights for women, free trade and other issues, they were not implemented because they were too bold and had too much resistance.

But no matter what, no one can underestimate Mr. Bentham's current influence in British politics, economy and even cultural circles.

The fact that the "Westminster Review" founded by him can challenge both the Tory and Whig organs "Quarterly Review" and "Edinburgh Review" in the field of public opinion and not fall behind is proof.

In order to defeat the Tories in Parliament, the Whigs united all the forces they could.

From the bottom workers and poor who were dissatisfied with their living conditions, to the middle class whose living standards were gradually rising and eager to influence national decision-making, to the archbishops and priests who were furious because of the Catholic Emancipation Act.

These people were all united with the Whigs. How could they not extend an olive branch to the University of London, which had always been unpopular with the Tories?

You know, it has been more than a year or two since students at the University of London have been anxious about not being able to get a degree, and Mr. Elder Carter is a typical example.

Of course, it may be that Mr. Elder Carter already has a stable job within the system, so he is not willing to target the ruling party, but instead accurately attacks those clerics who often attack the University of London in newspapers and in parliament. , as well as Cambridge and Oxford, which represent the stronghold of British conservative forces.

But the other students were obviously not as strong-willed as Elder, who had a background in the Royal Navy. Although everyone couldn't figure out how the priests jumped to this point, in order to obtain the royal license, everyone could only hold on temporarily. Snub-nosed squatted in the same trenches against Wellington's cabinet as his former clerical enemies.

While Elder was going to the bathroom, Arthur's eyes scanned the faces of every student on campus. He could easily read from the students' beaming expressions that everyone should be very satisfied with the recent political progress.

Arthur held his pipe in his mouth and raised his eyebrows: "Perhaps it would be a good thing for the Whigs to come up to me? If the royal warrant is really issued, at least from now on, no one can say that what I read is a pheasant?"

The red devil following behind leaned on the marble sculpture and yawned: "Come on, Arthur. Since you want to promote the issuance of the royal warrant so much, why don't you just go and elect a member of Parliament?"

Arthur glanced at the red devil: "You should be more careful, Agares. Parliamentarians are not something that a small citizen like me can touch. If I want to elect a parliamentarian, I must first complete the work of Scotland Yard." Resigned. Then I have to research which constituency to go to. If it is a large constituency with a large number of voters, then Mr. Disraeli, who speaks in Hyde Park every day but no one listens, is a lesson for me.

If I were to find a small constituency, I would have to spend three to four thousand pounds to buy votes. The most important thing is that if you want to buy someone else, you may not sell it to you. The worst thing is to encounter a constituency that has been predetermined. In that constituency, it is easy for you to run over and buy a vote and get beaten. Those people might even have to beat you up, accuse you of vote-buying, and then put you in jail. "

Agares took out his handkerchief and blew his nose. He shook the handkerchief and said, "Arthur, why don't you understand what I mean? Wellington didn't ask you to join the Tory Party before. He gave you a free one." Seat? As long as you nod in agreement, it won't be long before you become Arthur Hastings, Member of the House of Commons."

Arthur leaned against the tree trunk and took a puff of cigarette.

"Do you think I will be fooled by you? If someone else said this to me, I would just assume that he does not understand the British parliamentary system. But if you, an omniscient devil, said this, I would only assume that you You have ulterior motives. You must know that there is no salary as a member of Parliament.

Therefore, usually only those who have enough to eat and drink and have a fixed industry will get a parliamentary job.

Only a very small number of members of the parliament, that is, those big shots who are the face of the party, can obtain various ministerial positions and receive official remuneration during the cabinet reshuffle.

As for the kind of backbenchers that the Duke of Wellington asked me to elect, not only would they not be paid, but they would also have to vote according to the party. This kind of thing can be done by a donkey, so what did I do in the past?

Therefore, even if I want to stay in the government and work, I will not step out of the category of clerk. I don't have the spare money to quarrel with people every day in the parliament. "

Hearing this, the Red Devil couldn't help rubbing his hands and grinning evilly: "Then do you think a civilian university like the University of London, with annual tuition of 23 pounds and 6 shillings, can produce people who have spare money to elect members of parliament?"

"No, of course I don't think so."

Arthur rekindled the pipe that had been blown out by the wind: "But I think Mr. Bentham should know a lot of guys with spare money. In fact, Mr. Bentham would probably win if he went to elect members in person, but he The old man is old and has never been willing to bow to either the Tories or the Whigs, so even if he becomes a member of the Parliament, he will not play much role, so he is too lazy to elect."

Arthur had just lit his cigarette when he looked up and saw Elder, who had just returned from the toilet, standing at the entrance to the corridor of the teaching building under the shade of a tree opposite, watching the two young people debate with relish.

Arthur walked forward and bumped Elder with his shoulder: "What are you doing?"

Elder was not annoyed when he was hit, but pointed at the two people and snickered: "You don't understand, this is the favorite thing for classical literature researchers like me, Wordsworth admirers and Byron A battle between admirers.”

As soon as Elder finished speaking, a fierce quarrel broke out between the two young men.

The brown-haired young man blushed and accused his companion loudly: "John, I ask you to take back your slanderous words about Lord Byron! Byron's works are the poetry of human life, and Wordsworth's works are among the best in all worlds. It’s some flowers and butterflies. Look at his Greek War Hymn. Give Wordsworth a hundred years and he wouldn’t have been able to write something like that!”

Speaking of emotions, the brown-haired young man seemed to have had some kind of button turned on, and he couldn't help but start reciting Byron's poems.

"Arise, sons of Greece!

The glorious moment has arrived,

To imitate our ancestors,

You are worthy of being a descendant of heroes!

…

let us resist proudly

The power of the Turkish tyrant,

Let the motherland see her children

Stand up and smash the chains!

The heroic spirits of the late kings and sages

Come review this decisive battle!

…

Wake up, Spartan!

today

How can you lie down?

With your old friend Athens,

Hurry up and unite to fight the enemy!

Take the lord praised by all ages,

Leonidas calls back,

He has saved you,

How strong and formidable!

Stay at the hot spring pass

He bravely restrained the enemy,

Fight fiercely with the Persian army,

Let the country be free;

He led three hundred warriors,

Always stand tall in battle,

Like a mighty and furious lion,

Drowning in a sea of ​​blood.

Arise, sons of Greece!

Swing your arms to fight the enemy,

The river of blood that makes them stink

Like a river rushing under your feet! "

The brown-haired young man had just finished reciting, and his black-haired companion had already started to fight back.

"Oh, Roebuck, I know you will definitely mention this poem by Byron. But don't forget, he also wrote a lot of love poems, such as the song "She Walks in the Light of Beauty"

Oh, that forehead, those bright cheeks,

So gentle, calm and affectionate,

That charming smile, that radiance of face,

All illustrate a kind life:

Her mind is at peace with everything in the world,

Her heart is filled with true and pure love! "

When the brown-haired young man Roebuck heard this, he seemed to be holding onto something tightly. He smiled triumphantly and said: "Haha, John, you have to admit defeat now, right? Don't you know it yourself, Byron will do the same?" Do you write these romantic things?

In terms of Butterfly Grass, Byron and Wordsworth are about the same level, but in terms of heroic epics, Byron surpasses Wordsworth in two ways. Do you know how great Byron was in poetry?

After all, you studied in Edinburgh at university, then studied theology, and now you are majoring in political economics and law. You have nothing to do with literature at all. "

When Elder heard this, he who was just watching the show couldn't help but nodded. He echoed: "Although I don't like to use stereotypes to judge others, I think what this brown-haired gentleman said is right. Yes, people who study in Edinburgh first and then study theology usually have little level in literature.

I know a man like this, and like your friend, he is somewhat bald in his old age. But thankfully, my friend knew that he had no attainments in literature, so he decided to devote his life to Lamarckism.

Maybe after I go back, I can ask him if he is interested in turning his research direction to "whether there is some inevitable connection between the human trait of going bald at a young age and studying at the University of Edinburgh or studying theology." "

The young man who was showing signs of baldness quickly straightened his hat when he heard this. He stared at Elder and said, "Sir, are you provoking me?"

Hearing this, Elder just waved his hand: "No, no, no, you may have misunderstood. I am just evaluating literature."

Speaking of this, Elder couldn't help but proudly plucked his collar, put his hands behind his back and said: "As one of the first batch of classical literature graduates of our school and the gold medal winner of the first poetry competition, I personally also think that Lord Byron's poetry is good. Higher than Wordsworth.”

When Roebuck heard that someone was supporting him, he was overjoyed and said: "Look, John! These two gentlemen also support me."

"Don't be too happy too early!" the balding young man cursed, and immediately turned his attention to Arthur: "Sir, do you also support Roebuck? Do you also think Byron's creative level is very high?"

Arthur glanced at Elder, who was winking at him, and nodded reluctantly: "Yes."

The balding young man seemed a little discouraged, but he still asked unconvinced: "How high is it?"

Arthur was forced to do nothing. He glanced at the teaching building behind him and compared it: "It's about three or four stories high."

But soon, Arthur turned around and asked, "But why are you two arguing about this kind of thing? I don't think liking different poets will affect your friendship."

When Roebuck heard this, he laughed and nodded in agreement: "Yes, I agree with this point of view, sir. But John is too stubborn. He always told me that I like music, drama, painting, Poetry ultimately has a profound impact on my personality in a resonant way.

He hated Byron's poetry, and even more so Byron's character, so he tried his best to persuade me not to read Byron's works, because reading those magnificent epics would dull my sense of things. The only way is to read more Wordsworth. Only peaceful country stories like this can restore my perception.

But what he didn't know was that I had always felt like my feelings were getting in the way. I am more susceptible to painful resonances than happy ones, so I want to find happiness elsewhere and my feelings become duller, not sharper. "

When Arthur heard this passage, he always felt as if he had seen it somewhere. He thought about it for a moment, then patted his head and said, "Did this passage appear in last week's "Westminster Review"? On? Did you write that article?"

When the balding young man heard this, he was slightly surprised and said: "I didn't expect you to happen to read that article. It was the first article I published after I stopped writing for two years."

The other party admitted frankly, but Arthur couldn't help but twitch his lips slightly: "So, you are John Mill?"

Next chapter later