Shadow of great britain

Heine was leaning on the window of the box on the second floor. Looking down from here, the noisy Astley Theater hall was already packed with audiences from all over London.

Those sitting in the back row and those who bought tickets for the higher steps were ordinary citizens and working-class families who had a little more money.

Although they are not rich, on such grand social occasions, Londoners' inherent love of face and respect for clothing drive them to go to the Covent Garden flea market even if they have to use their small family budget. I bought a second-hand formal suit that fit well.

Soft hats and corsets, slim breeches and Haessen boots, linen scarves and top hats paired with Flock coats or tailcoats, these once upper-class options have also entered the wardrobe of ordinary families.

Although most of them only have one formal suit to fill the occasion, as long as you don't look closely at the details and stitching of these clothes, they don't seem to be much different from the middle-class people sitting in the front row.

And those middle-class families that they envied and that their children spent their entire lives trying to catch up to were now sitting on comfortable flannel seats in the front row enjoying a bar meal.

In these families, most of the men who serve as the backbone are professional and technical personnel working in steel, coal mining, shipping, construction, banking, or international trading companies, or small entrepreneurs who own retail stores, private processing workshops, or blacksmiths and leather goods shops. industrialist.

Benefiting from the successful launch of the first industrial revolution in Britain, such middle-class people are now in a period of rapid expansion.

Although these middle-class families are not as wealthy as real upper-class families, nor can they compare with the 154 richest people in Britain with a net worth of more than 500,000 pounds, it is undeniable that they have become major entertainment venues in London. the main consumer groups.

Just as the literary criticism magazine "Monthly Review", the archenemy of "The Englishman" and still pursuing Disraeli's dark history, said: Our country seems to be undergoing a revolution. A change in taste. Such changes in taste were not limited to literature, but to the entire cultural realm.

One of the favorite novelists of middle-class women, Mr. Benjamin Disraeli, also took the initiative to poke fun at this matter in his serial novel "The Young Duke": taking a pair of pistols, a pack of cards, and a A cookbook and a new set of square dance moves, mixed with half an impure motive and a flawless marriage, divided into three equal parts. The result is a highly sought-after three-volume fashion novel.

In today's Astley Theatre, the fantasies of middle-class gentlemen and ladies about the upper class are almost completely realized.

As they see in fashion novels, fancy coats, silk stockings, flowers, opera boxes, duels, elopements, gifts wrapped in silver ribbons, eight footmen, four coachmen, horses to match the number of coachmen , the imperceptible smile, and every gesture seemed to hint at an unspeakable conspiracy, coupled with the lady weeping slightly because of her husband's chaotic private life, and the black gauze soft dress she had to wear to mourn her uncle who had just passed away. cap.

Their curiosity was greatly satisfied by the dignitaries who appeared on the long red-carpeted staircase leading to the boxes on the second and third floors of the Astley Amphitheater.

They scrambled to ask their friends around them about the origins of those important people, such as who the old gentleman who had just walked up the stairs was, as straight as a sword, who was holding up his long skirt with the help of two male servants. What is the origin of Mrs.

In just half an hour, they had already heard more famous names than they normally would in a year.

Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord, French Minister to the United Kingdom and former Prime Minister.

Former Prime Minister, Commander-in-Chief of the British Army, Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington.

The Foreign Secretary, Henry John Temple, Viscount Palmerston, and a mysterious lady who accompanied him, whose face could not be seen clearly.

After these people, there were countless celebrities, and many MPs from both the Tory and Whig parties were present.

In addition to these big figures in political circles, there are also many celebrities in the cultural field.

Mr. William Turner, a professor of perspective at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and a well-known landscape painter who has been in the limelight recently, may also recognize Mr. William Turner, a professor of perspective at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and a well-known landscape painter, as well as the poet laureate who once refused to invite him to illustrate novels. 'The most honorable Sir Walter Scott.

Coincidentally, the great poet Robert Southey, who was lucky enough to be crowned Poet Laureate after Sir Scott rejected the title, also came to the Astley Amphitheatre.

Appearing with him were two outstanding poets who were rarely seen in London and were also his friends, two other representatives of the British Lakeside School of poetry - William Wordsworth and Samuel Kohler. Mr. Ritsuji.

On such an occasion, Arthur's friends were naturally present in large numbers.

However, the way they arrived was slightly different. Dickens arrived early in a carriage with Tennyson. Wheatstone, who had always been averse to socializing, also came to the theater in advance due to coercion and inducement to provide scientific guidance on the stage scenery.

Tennyson held the wine glass in both hands and looked at the important people passing by on the steps downstairs. He was so excited that the liquid in the wine glass was sloshing.

"Oh my God! Southey, Wordsworth, Coleridge, Scott, a poet laureate, a poet who refused the laureate, and three representatives of the Lakeside School are all here. What on earth is going on today? , I can even say that tonight’s Astley Theater contains the weight of half a century of British poetry!”

Although Dickens was not as excited as Tennyson, facing all the big names in the literary world, this 'little writer' who was a court clerk a year ago could not help but feel anxious: "I thought this was just an ordinary performance. , I didn’t expect it to attract so many celebrities... My novel stage play can get such a grand opening for the first time, and... I really have the honor of Arthur."

Tennyson saw the smile on Dickens's face that was uglier than crying. He couldn't help but pursed his lips and said with a smile: "Charles, are you under a lot of pressure?"

"Huh..." Dickens exhaled repeatedly: "It is impossible to say that the pressure is not great. There are so many big people and poets watching. If my stage play is not successful, then... Oh, Alf Red, I’m done!”

As soon as Dickens finished speaking, he heard the door behind him being kicked open with a bang.

Alexandre Dumas led Disraeli into the room with his head held high, introducing everyone as he walked: "Come on, Charles, Alfred, you two, let's get to know each other. This is Mr. Heine. Let's " The new author of "British Man". I just had a brief chat with him, and he's not a bad guy."

After saying that, Alexandre Dumas opened the wine cabinet in the room and poured himself a glass to quench his thirst.

Seeing his appearance, Tennyson couldn't help but asked with suppressed laughter: "Alexander, aren't you nervous at all? Charles almost fainted with fright. There were many big shots here tonight, and he was afraid of "The Pickwick Papers" The debut was unsuccessful."

Hearing this, Alexandre Dumas leaned on the sofa and waved his hands disdainfully: "Charles, you just don't have enough experience. Benjamin and I almost risked our lives just now, so what if we failed in a stage play? We failed in the play. Yes, the audience is the one who is uncomfortable. What does it have to do with us who wrote the script? Anyway, we have already received the ticket money."

Disraeli also sat on the sofa, took off his hat and fanned himself: "Charles, you don't know what happened just now. If Tom and the others had come a little later, Alexander and I would have been hung in front of the London dock. on the Tyburn gallows, just as Captain Kidd was hanged."

Dickens was stunned when he heard this: "What did you two do?"

Dumas took a sip of wine and said, "I didn't do much, I just brought thirty pounds of black powder and nine guns."

"What?!"

When Tennyson and Dickens heard this, they were immediately shocked by his bold behavior.

Dickens gasped: "What are you doing with that thing?"

When Disraeli heard this, he briefly explained his previous plan to everyone.

After hearing the narration, Heine couldn't help but give Dumas a thumbs up in admiration: "Mr. Dumas, I didn't believe you before when you said that you led people to bombard the Tuileries Palace. But now, I don’t think that story is that exaggerated anymore.”

"Is Arthur's fight today a swordsmanship match or a marksmanship duel?"

"Damn! How do I know?" Alexandre Dumas put down his wine glass and raised his eyebrows: "I knew he originally planned to bring two forks."

"What kind of meals do you make at home?"

"How is that possible? The fork can't even penetrate the coat. Arthur originally planned to borrow it from the excavator."

As soon as everyone said this, they suddenly heard a burst of cheering and shouting coming from downstairs.

Everyone looked up and saw a strong, white-haired old man wearing a navy blue cloak and a sailor red face standing at the top of the stairs and greeting the audience: "Enjoy your beer and enjoy this duel." , enjoy this joyous evening, and in short, have fun, everyone, and have a good time, my subjects!"

"Oh my God! It's His Majesty the King!"

"Are you sure you didn't admit your mistake?"

"Of course there is no mistake. I have seen him several times by the Thames. He often walks there with the queen."

"Your Majesty the King, I wish you a good time too!"

"Your Majesty, I'm going to place a bet. Who do you think will win today's duel? I listen to you!"

William IV's congratulatory speech elicited bursts of cheers from the audience. From this simple reaction, it can be seen that the Sailor King is indeed more popular with London citizens than his brother George IV.

The cheers from the audience also made William IV, who always liked to be in the limelight and had a few drinks before coming to the theater, burst into laughter. Just when he was about to continue talking to the people, something happened. The attendants responsible for protecting the king's safety were already sweating profusely.

They couldn't help but persuaded: "Your Majesty, let's go to the box first. Although Scotland Yard has implemented gun control nearby, there are many people here and there are many drunkards. If they get emotional, take them Fists can also hurt you."

When William IV heard this, he frowned dissatisfied and said: "You guys are looking down on me! I think when I was serving in North America, Britain was at war with those rebels! You should know that, right? , I also participated in the Battle of New York and personally fired three artillery shells at Long Island! What I said is all true. Gambier was the captain of the Cape St. Vincent at the time, and I was on duty under him. If you don’t believe it, You go back and ask him!"

When the attendants saw that the king was losing his temper, they had no choice but to persuade him with good words: "Marshal Gambier told us about your glorious deeds early in the morning. He also said that your battle performance was very heroic, even the great Horatio ·General Nelson also spoke highly of you. I remember what he wrote in your naval evaluation report - In your position, your performance exceeds that of most people. But this is not a war, Your Majesty, we are here. It’s just a show, you don’t need to take risks to mobilize the audience before the war, right?”

When William IV heard the name Nelson being mentioned by his attendants, he couldn't help but sigh: "Alas...Nelson, if he is still alive, it will not be Gambier's turn to be the marshal of the Royal Navy. If I have to give a I'm willing to turn the wheel for Horatio Nelson."

As he was speaking here, Sir George Elliot, the Royal Attaché selected by the Royal Navy, suddenly raised his finger and pointed to the two strings of colorful flags hanging under the box on the second floor and said: "Your Majesty, what do you think those are?"

William IV turned around and looked at the string of colorful flags. His slightly sad mood just now was suddenly gone. The sailor king clapped his hands and cheered: "Okay! Good! If you dare to use these two strings of flags, it seems that Scotland Yard today The young man must win!"

As the king turned around, the audience also discovered the two strings of colorful flags that had been hung up at an unknown time.

Audiences in the crowd who had served in the Royal Navy couldn't help but stand up and cheer loudly. In their cheers, the rest of the audience finally understood the meaning of these two strings of colorful flags.

The string above is the purpose and combat creed of the Royal Navy - fight every enemy you encounter, England!

The following string is the last battle order issued by Horatio Nelson before his death, and it is also the Royal Navy's current decisive battle flag - England expects everyone to fulfill their duties.

Amidst the cheers, the atmosphere in the theater became more and more heated. Arthur, who was making final confirmation of the duel venue on the stage, suddenly saw Sir George Elliot next to the king waving to him.

Seeing this, Arthur just took off his hat and smiled slightly.

Sir Elliot leaned down and reported to the king softly: "Your Majesty, the protagonist of today's duel is Superintendent Arthur Hastings. I met him at General Codrington's banquet. We had a chance encounter.”

"So he and Codrington know each other?" William IV laughed and said, "In that case, he must be able to understand these two strings of semaphores?"

Sir Elliot smiled and replied: "I think he should be able to understand. You may not know that he also participated in high sea pursuit battles with the Royal Navy. Captain Fitzroy of the Beagle His evaluation is: his ability to engage in boarding battles is not inferior to that of General Edward Rotheram."

When William IV heard this, he was very energetic. He asked: "Not inferior to Rotheram? Isn't this a big statement? I have seen Rotheram's sword skills. The entire Royal Navy He is the only one who has the ability to lead a frigate to engage in a battleship with a battleship."

Sir Elliot just smiled and said: "I don't know if it's an exaggeration. But as you can see, the decisive battle semaphore has been played, and you also know what this means in the Royal Navy."

William IV laughed loudly when he heard this. He took off the sword from his waist and raised it high, shouting to Arthur on the stage: "The decisive battle order has been issued, and I don't ask you to give it like General Rotherham." I'll tow a Santa Ana back, but if you can defeat that Parisian swordmaster. Young man, this sword is yours!"

After saying this, William IV didn't say much nonsense. He directly hung the shiny gold-plated sword inlaid with rubies and diamonds under the portrait of the king behind him.

William IV patted the gorgeous white wall behind him that was engraved with various reliefs, and announced loudly to all the audience in the theater and Arthur on the stage: "Young man, as you can see, the sword is hung here. Here. If you have the ability, just come up and get it!"

Seeing this, Arthur just smiled softly. Under the attention of the audience, Arthur half-knelt on the stage and responded loudly: "As you command, Your Majesty."

There is also a chapter about the leader, which will be added later.