第 12 节
作者:两块      更新:2021-02-18 22:14      字数:9322
  world in little exclusive genteel knots of the
  aristocracy; who were not to be disturbed in their
  journey thither by the company of the vulgar:when I
  read such a paragraph as that (and one or two such
  generally appear during the present fashionable season);
  it seems to me to be the most odious; mean and disgusting
  part of that odious; mean; and disgusting publication;
  the COURT CIRCULAR; and that snobbishness is therein
  carried to quite an awful pitch。  What; gentlemen; can't
  we even in the Church acknowledge a republic?  There; at
  least; the Heralds' College itself might allow that we
  all of us have the same pedigree; and are direct
  descendants of Eve and Adam; whose inheritance is divided
  amongst us。
  I hereby call upon all Dukes; Earls; Baronets; and other
  potentates; not to lend themselves to this shameful
  scandal and error; and beseech all Bishops who read this
  publication to take the matter into consideration; and to
  protest against the continuance of the practice; and to
  declare; 'We WON'T confirm or christen Lord Tomnoddy; or
  Sir Carnaby Jenks; to the exclusion of any other young
  Christian;' the which declaration if their Lordships are
  induced to make; a great LAPIS OFFENSIONIS will be
  removed; and the Snob Papers will not have been written
  in vain。
  A story is current of a celebrated NOUVEAU…RICHE; who
  having had occasion to oblige that excellent prelate the
  Bishop of Bullocksmithy; asked his Lordship; in return;
  to confirm his children privately in his Lordship's own
  chapel; which ceremony the grateful prelate accordingly
  performed。  Can satire go farther than this?  Is there
  even in this most amusing of prints; any more NAIVE
  absurdity?  It is as if a man wouldn't go to heaven
  unless he went in a special train; or as if he thought
  (as some people think about vaccination) Confirmation
  more effectual when administered at first hand。  When
  that eminent person; the Begum Sumroo; died; it is said
  she left ten thousand pounds to the Pope; and ten
  thousand to the Archbishop of Canterbury;so that there
  should be no mistake;so as to make sure of having the
  ecclesiastical authorities on her side。  This is only a
  little more openly and undisguisedly snobbish than the
  cases before alluded to。  A well…bred Snob is just as
  secretly proud of his riches and honours as a PARVENU
  Snob who makes the most ludicrous exhibition of them; and
  a high…born Marchioness or Duchess just as vain of
  herself and her diamonds; as Queen Quashyboo; who sews a
  pair of epaulets on to her skirt; and turns out in state
  in a cocked hat and feathers。
  It is not out of disrespect to my 'Peerage;' which I love
  and honour; (indeed; have I not said before; that I
  should be ready to jump out of my skin if two Dukes would
  walk down Pall Mall with me?)it is not out of
  disrespect for the individuals; that I wish these titles
  had never been invented; but; consider; if there were no
  tree; there would be no shadow; and how much more honest
  society would be; and how much more serviceable the
  clergy would be (which is our present consideration); if
  these temptations of rank and continual baits of
  worldliness were not in existence; and perpetually thrown
  out to lead them astray。
  I have seen many examples of their falling away。  When;
  for instance; Tom Sniffle first went into the country as
  Curate for Mr。 Fuddleston (Sir Huddleston Fuddleston's
  brother); who resided on some other living; there could
  not be a more kind; hardworking; and excellent creature
  than Tom。  He had his aunt to live with him。  His conduct
  to his poor was admirable。  He wrote annually reams of
  the best…intentioned and vapid sermons。  When Lord
  Brandyball's family came down into the country; and
  invited him to dine at Brandyball Park; Sniffle was so
  agitated that he almost forgot how to say grace; and
  upset a bowl of currant…jelly sauce in Lady Fanny
  Toffy's lap。
  What was the consequence of his intimacy with that noble
  family?  He quarrelled with his aunt for dining out every
  night。  The wretch forgot his poor altogether; and killed
  his old nag by always riding over to Brandyball; where he
  revelled in the maddest passion for Lady Fanny。  He
  ordered the neatest new clothes and ecclesiastical
  waistcoats from London; he appeared with corazza…shirts;
  lackered boots; and perfumery; he bought a blood…horse
  from Bob Toffy: was seen at archery meetings; public
  breakfasts;actually at cover; and; I blush to say; that
  I saw him in a stall at the Opera; and afterwards riding
  by Lady Fanny's side in Rotten Row。  He DOUBLE…BARRELLED
  his name; (as many poor Snobs do;) and instead of T。
  Sniffle; as formerly; came out; in a porcelain card; as
  Rev。 T。 D'Arcy Sniffle; Burlington Hotel。
  The end of all this may be imagined: when the Earl of
  Brandyball was made acquainted with the curate's love for
  Lady Fanny; he had that fit of the gout which so nearly
  carried him off (to the inexpressible grief of his son;
  Lord Alicompayne); and uttered that remarkable speech to
  Sniffle; which disposed of the claims of the latter:'
  If I didn't respect the Church; Sir;' his Lordship said;
  'by Jove; I'd kick you downstairs:' his Lordship then
  fell back into the fit aforesaid; and Lady Fanny; as we
  all know; married General Podager。
  As for poor Tom; he was over head and ears in debt as
  well as in love: his creditors came down upon him。  Mr。
  Hemp; of Portugal Street; proclaimed his name lately as a
  reverend outlaw; and he has been seen at various foreign
  watering…places; sometimes doing duty; sometimes
  'coaching' a stray gentleman's son at Carlsruhe or
  Kissingen; sometimesmust we say it? lurking about the
  roulette…tables with a tuft to his chin。
  If temptation had not come upon this unhappy fellow in
  the shape of a Lord Brandyball; he might still have been
  following his profession; humbly and worthily。  He might
  have married his cousin with four thousand pounds; the
  wine…merchant's daughter (the old gentleman quarrelled
  with his nephew for not soliciting wine…orders from Lord
  B。 for him): he might have had seven children; and taken
  private pupils; and eked out his income; and lived and
  died a country parson。
  Could he have done better?  You who want to know how
  great; and good; and noble such a character may be; read
  Stanley's 'Life of Doctor Arnold。'
  CHAPTER XIII
  ON CLERICAL SNOBS
  Among the varieties of the Snob Clerical; the University
  Snob and the Scholastic Snob ought never to be forgotten;
  they form a very strong battalion in the black…coated
  army。
  The wisdom of our ancestors (which I admire more and more
  every day) seemed to have determined that education of
  youth was so paltry and unimportant a matter; that almost
  any man; armed with a birch and regulation cassock and
  degree; might undertake the charge: and many an honest
  country gentleman may be found to the present day; who
  takes very good care to have a character with his butler
  when he engages him and will not purchase a horse without
  the warranty and the closest inspection; but sends off
  his son; young John Thomas; to school without asking any
  questions about the Schoolmaster; and places the lad at
  Switchester College; under Doctor Block; because he (the
  good old English gentleman) had been at Switchester;
  under Doctor Buzwig; forty years ago。
  We have a love for all little boys at school; for many
  scores of thousands of them read and love PUNCH:may he
  never write a word that shall not be honest and fit for
  them to read!  He will not have his young friends to be
  Snobs in the future; or to be bullied by Snobs; or given
  over to such to be educated。  Our connexion with the
  youth at the Universities is very close and affectionate。
  The candid undergraduate is our friend。  The pompous old
  College Don trembles in his common room; lest we should
  attack him and show him up as a Snob。
  When railroads were threatening to invade the land which
  they have since conquered; it may be recollected what a
  shrieking and outcry the authorities of Oxford and Eton
  made; lest the iron abominations should come near those
  seats of pure learning; and tempt the British youth
  astray。  The supplications were in vain; the railroad is
  in upon them; and the old…world institutions are doomed。
  I felt charmed to read in the papers the other day a most
  veracious puffing advertisement headed; 'To College and
  back for Five Shillings。'  'The College Gardens (it said)
  will be thrown open on this occasion; the College youths
  will perform a regatta; the Chapel of King's College will
  have its celebrated music;'and all for five shillings!
  The Goths have got into Rome; Napoleon Stephenson draws
  his republican lines round the sacred old cities and the
  ecclesiastical big…wigs who garrison them must prepare to
  lay down key and crosier before the iron conqueror。
  If you consider; dear r