第 49 节
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这就是结局 更新:2023-05-17 13:24 字数:9322
of the Sect; so that; what indeed otherwise was not to be expected in such a fugitive fragmentary sheet; the true secret; the Religious physiognomy and physiology of the Dandiacal Body; is nowise laid fully open there。 Nevertheless; scattered lights do from time to time sparkle out; whereby I have endeavored to profit。 Nay; in one passage selected from the Prophecies; or Mythic Theogonies; or whatever they are (for the style seems very mixed) of this Mystagogue; I find what appears to be a Confession of Faith; or Whole Duty of Man; according to the tenets of that Sect。 Which Confession or Whole Duty; therefore; as proceeding from a source so authentic; I shall here arrange under Seven distinct Articles; and in very abridged shape lay before the German world; therewith taking leave of this matter。 Observe also; that to avoid possibility of error; I; as far as may be; quote literally from the Original:
ARTICLES OF FAITH。
'1。 Coats should have nothing of the triangle about them; at the same time; wrinkles behind should be carefully avoided。
'2。 The collar is a very important point: it should be low behind; and slightly rolled。
'3。 No license of fashion can allow a man of delicate taste to adopt the posterial luxuriance of a Hottentot。
'4。 There is safety in a swallow…tail。
'5。 The good sense of a gentleman is nowhere more finely developed than in his rings。
'6。 It is permitted to mankind; under certain restrictions; to wear white waistcoats。
'7。 The trousers must be exceedingly tight across the hips。'
〃All which Propositions I; for the present; content myself with modestly but peremptorily and irrevocably denying。
〃In strange contrast with this Dandiacal Body stands another British Sect; originally; as I understand; of Ireland; where its chief seat still is; but known also in the main Island; and indeed everywhere rapidly spreading。 As this Sect has hitherto emitted no Canonical Books; it remains to me in the same state of obscurity as the Dandiacal; which has published Books that the unassisted human faculties are inadequate to read。 The members appear to be designated by a considerable diversity of names; according to their various places of establishment: in England they are generally called the _Drudge_ Sect; also; unphilosophically enough; the _White Negroes_; and; chiefly in scorn by those of other communions; the _Ragged…Beggar_ Sect。 In Scotland; again; I find them entitled _Hallanshakers_; or the _Stook of Duds_ Sect; any individual communicant is named _Stook of Duds_ (that is; Shock of Rags); in allusion; doubtless; to their professional Costume。 While in Ireland; which; as mentioned; is their grand parent hive; they go by a perplexing multiplicity of designations; such as _Bogtrotters; Redshanks; Ribbonmen; Cottiers; Peep…of…Day Boys; Babes of the Wood; Rockites; Poor…Slaves_: which last; however; seems to be the primary and generic name; whereto; probably enough; the others are only subsidiary species; or slight varieties; or; at most; propagated offsets from the parent stem; whose minute subdivisions; and shades of difference; it were here loss of time to dwell on。 Enough for us to understand; what seems indubitable; that the original Sect is that of the _Poor…Slaves_; whose doctrines; practices; and fundamental characteristics pervade and animate the whole Body; howsoever denominated or outwardly diversified。
〃The precise speculative tenets of this Brotherhood: how the Universe; and Man; and Man's Life; picture themselves to the mind of an Irish Poor…Slave; with what feelings and opinions he looks forward on the Future; round on the Present; back on the Past; it were extremely difficult to specify。 Something Monastic there appears to be in their Constitution: we find them bound by the two Monastic Vows; of Poverty and Obedience; which vows; especially the former; it is said; they observe with great strictness; nay; as I have understood it; they are pledged; and be it by any solemn Nazarene ordination or not; irrevocably consecrated thereto; even _before_ birth。 That the third Monastic Vow; of Chastity; is rigidly enforced among them; I find no ground to conjecture。
〃Furthermore; they appear to imitate the Dandiacal Sect in their grand principle of wearing a peculiar Costume。 Of which Irish Poor…Slave Costume no description will indeed be found in the present Volume; for this reason; that by the imperfect organ of Language it did not seem describable。 Their raiment consists of innumerable skirts; lappets and irregular wings; of all cloths and of all colors; through the labyrinthic intricacies of which their bodies are introduced by some unknown process。 It is fastened together by a multiplex combination of buttons; thrums and skewers; to which frequently is added a girdle of leather; of hempen or even of straw rope; round the loins。 To straw rope; indeed; they seem partial; and often wear it by way of sandals。 In head…dress they affect a certain freedom: hats with partial brim; without crown; or with only a loose; hinged; or valve crown; in the former case; they sometimes invert the hat; and wear it brim uppermost; like a university…cap; with what view is unknown。
〃The name Poor…Slaves seems to indicate a Slavonic; Polish; or Russian origin: not so; however; the interior essence and spirit of their Superstition; which rather displays a Teutonic or Druidical character。 One might fancy them worshippers of Hertha; or the Earth: for they dig and affectionately work continually in her bosom; or else; shut up in private Oratories; meditate and manipulate the substances derived from her; seldom looking up towards the Heavenly Luminaries; and then with comparative indifference。 Like the Druids; on the other hand; they live in dark dwellings; often even breaking their glass windows; where they find such; and stuffing them up with pieces of raiment; or other opaque substances; till the fit obscurity is restored。 Again; like all followers of Nature…Worship; they are liable to out…breakings of an enthusiasm rising to ferocity; and burn men; if not in wicker idols; yet in sod cottages。
〃In respect of diet; they have also their observances。 All Poor…Slaves are Rhizophagous (or Root…eaters); a few are Ichthyophagous; and use Salted Herrings: other animal food they abstain from; except indeed; with perhaps some strange inverted fragment of a Brahminical feeling; such animals as die a natural death。 Their universal sustenance is the root named Potato; cooked by fire alone; and generally without condiment or relish of any kind; save an unknown condiment named _Point_; into the meaning of which I have vainly inquired; the victual _Potatoes…and…Point_ not appearing; at least not with specific accuracy of description; in any European Cookery…Book whatever。 For drink; they use; with an almost epigrammatic counterpoise of taste; Milk; which is the mildest of liquors; and _Potheen_; which is the fiercest。 This latter I have tasted; as well as the English _Blue…Ruin_; and the Scotch _Whiskey_; analogous fluids used by the Sect in those countries: it evidently contains some form of alcohol; in the highest state of concentration; though disguised with acrid oils; and is; on the whole; the most pungent substance known to me;indeed; a perfect liquid fire。 In all their Religious Solemnities; Potheen is said to be an indispensable requisite; and largely consumed。
〃An Irish Traveller; of perhaps common veracity; who presents himself under the to me unmeaning title of _The late John Bernard_; offers the following sketch of a domestic establishment; the inmates whereof; though such is not stated expressly; appear to have been of that Faith。 Thereby shall my German readers now behold an Irish Poor…Slave; as it were with their own eyes; and even see him at meat。 Moreover; in the so precious waste…paper sheet above mentioned; I have found some corresponding picture of a Dandiacal Household; painted by that same Dandiacal Mystagogue; or Theogonist: this also; by way of counterpart and contrast; the world shall look into。
〃First; therefore; of the Poor…Slave; who appears likewise to have been a species of Innkeeper。 I quote from the original:
POOR…SLAVE HOUSEHOLD。
〃'The furniture of this Caravansera consisted of a large iron Pot; two oaken Tables; two Benches; two Chairs; and a Potheen Noggin。 There was a Loft above (attainable by a ladder); upon which the inmates slept; and the space below was divided by a hurdle into two Apartments; the one for their cow and pig; the other for themselves and guests。 On entering the house we discovered the family; eleven in number; at dinner: the father sitting at the top; the mother at the bottom; the children on each side; of a large oaken Board; which was scooped out in the middle; like a trough; to receive the contents of their Pot of Potatoes。 Little holes were cut at equal distances to contain Salt; and a bowl of Milk stood on the table: all the luxuries of meat and beer; bread; knives and dishes were dispensed with。' The Poor…Slave himself our Traveller found; as he says; broad…backed; black…browed; of great personal strength; and mouth from ear to ear。 His Wife was a sun…browned but well…featured woman; and his young ones;