登陆注册
15326000000074

第74章

"A fellow has now no chance of promotion unless he jumps into the muzzle of a gun and crawls out of the touch-hole."He who, a hundred years ago, more or less, pronounced the above words in the uneasiness of his heart, thirsting for professional distinction, was a young naval officer.Of his life, career, achievements, and end nothing is preserved for the edification of his young successors in the fleet of to-day - nothing but this phrase, which, sailor-like in the simplicity of personal sentiment and strength of graphic expression, embodies the spirit of the epoch.This obscure but vigorous testimony has its price, its significance, and its lesson.It comes to us from a worthy ancestor.We do not know whether he lived long enough for a chance of that promotion whose way was so arduous.He belongs to the great array of the unknown - who are great, indeed, by the sum total of the devoted effort put out, and the colossal scale of success attained by their insatiable and steadfast ambition.We do not know his name; we only know of him what is material for us to know - that he was never backward on occasions of desperate service.We have this on the authority of a distinguished seaman of Nelson's time.Departing this life as Admiral of the Fleet on the eve of the Crimean War, Sir Thomas Byam Martin has recorded for us amongst his all too short autobiographical notes these few characteristic words uttered by one young man of the many who must have felt that particular inconvenience of a heroic age.

The distinguished Admiral had lived through it himself, and was a good judge of what was expected in those days from men and ships.

A brilliant frigate captain, a man of sound judgment, of dashing bravery and of serene mind, scrupulously concerned for the welfare and honour of the navy, he missed a larger fame only by the chances of the service.We may well quote on this day the words written of Nelson, in the decline of a well-spent life, by Sir T.B.Martin, who died just fifty years ago on the very anniversary of Trafalgar.

"Nelson's nobleness of mind was a prominent and beautiful part of his character.His foibles - faults if you like - will never be dwelt upon in any memorandum of mine," he declares, and goes on -"he whose splendid and matchless achievements will be remembered with admiration while there is gratitude in the hearts of Britons, or while a ship floats upon the ocean; he whose example on the breaking out of the war gave so chivalrous an impulse to the younger men of the service that all rushed into rivalry of daring which disdained every warning of prudence, and led to acts of heroic enterprise which tended greatly to exalt the glory of our nation."These are his words, and they are true.The dashing young frigate captain, the man who in middle age was nothing loth to give chase single-handed in his seventy-four to a whole fleet, the man of enterprise and consummate judgment, the old Admiral of the Fleet, the good and trusted servant of his country under two kings and a queen, had felt correctly Nelson's influence, and expressed himself with precision out of the fulness of his seaman's heart.

"Exalted," he wrote, not "augmented." And therein his feeling and his pen captured the very truth.Other men there were ready and able to add to the treasure of victories the British navy has given to the nation.It was the lot of Lord Nelson to exalt all this glory.Exalt! the word seems to be created for the man.

同类推荐
  • 南中幽芳录

    南中幽芳录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 茶笺

    茶笺

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 上邠宁刑司徒

    上邠宁刑司徒

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 范子计然

    范子计然

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 佛说泥犁经

    佛说泥犁经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
热门推荐
  • 神奇穿越:神医王妃

    神奇穿越:神医王妃

    她,本是21世纪的高级杀手兼神医,一日任务没完成,想死的心都有了,随着老板的吼叫,她便糊涂的落水自尽了,没想到的是她居然穿越了?还是一个废材草包二小姐?看她如和从草包变成宠妃的神奇过程吧!
  • 人间大时代

    人间大时代

    不一样的人间世界!作为一个不可自拔的《海贼王》动漫迷,我深深的想写一本属于我自己人间世界的主角,借鉴海贼王的热血,作为新人不搞笑!
  • 都市修真无限

    都市修真无限

    (王子出品,必属精品,用心创作每一部作品)他,林星辰,自幼丧失父母,幸遇飘渺上人,从此随其隐居山上,学其真传。但其师却不幸招人杀害,于是他便下山去往都市历练。在繁华燕京他遇到了庞综复杂的各种势力,神秘的杀手组织暗盟,庞大的燕京四大家族,躁动的燕京两大黑帮,国家利刃龙组,当然还少不了各种形形色色的美女,刁蛮任性的千金大小姐、漂亮温柔的班主任、雷厉风行的性感女警花,冰冷的美女杀手......什么?你以为这就结束了,呵呵,不,这才只是开始,后面还有一个全新的修真大陆在等待着我们的主角,是龙终将翱翔于九天之上,且看我们的主角林星辰如何携各路美女佳人一路踏上人生的巅峰!
  • 福妻驾到

    福妻驾到

    现代饭店彪悍老板娘魂穿古代。不分是非的极品婆婆?三年未归生死不明的丈夫?心狠手辣的阴毒亲戚?贪婪而好色的地主老财?吃上顿没下顿的贫困宭境?不怕不怕,神仙相助,一技在手,天下我有!且看现代张悦娘,如何身带福气玩转古代,开面馆、收小弟、左纳财富,右傍美男,共绘幸福生活大好蓝图!!!!快本新书《天媒地聘》已经上架开始销售,只要3.99元即可将整本书抱回家,你还等什么哪,赶紧点击下面的直通车,享受乐乐精心为您准备的美食盛宴吧!)
  • 花开花落都爱EXO

    花开花落都爱EXO

    花开花落,云卷云舒,当我遇见你的一刹那,我的生命便因你变得完美璀璨,我的心只为你敞开。新人写作,送给每一位爱exo的人。
  • 浮城若梦

    浮城若梦

    我本平凡,却卷入天外来客的战争之中;梦起梦落,如穿梭平常非凡的人间天上;经历或许给不了你什么,但是现实一定会将你改变,或好或坏
  • 校草大人请接招

    校草大人请接招

    她,李馨羽,在高考前一天因为老妈的一杯有安眠药的牛奶,而不能考上自己最想去的大学。什么?!老妈闺蜜的儿子要和他同居半年?!好吧,只能同意了。考上了一个还算可以的大学,以为可以过一个安宁的大学生活,可何曾想到,她自己却成了校花?!!明天有人来递情书,这个表白,那个表白的,这日子怎么过啊!“林逸辰!我什么说和你CP啊?”“你睡觉的时候同意的。”一对欢喜冤家的爱情故事……
  • 二薇亭诗集

    二薇亭诗集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 奋斗路上

    奋斗路上

    以一家三代人的奋斗为主线,讲述近百年来我国社会历史的的发展变化。三代人生活在不同的社会历史环境,各自有着不同的理想,也都努力追求着自己的梦。本书从冀东地区的抗战史出发,首先是第一代人赵天丰为革命事业奋斗了大半生的故事,接着伴随而来的,是第二代人赵国春参军后响应改革开放下海经商的跌宕起伏经历,最后是第三代人赵煜在党和国家的新政策下从农村走到城市,日子越来越好。
  • 冷宫浮沉:倾国弃后

    冷宫浮沉:倾国弃后

    她,一朝穿越,成为西宫皇后,倾国倾城之姿却被少年帝王无情废弃。他,少年天子,冷酷无情,却在一次次与她敌对时而失了心。他,漠北战神,雄心万丈,却对她一见倾心。他,敌国暴君,傲视天下,嗜血残暴,却奈何英雄气短,儿女情长。在遭人屡次背叛抛弃后,她说:“这天下的美男我都爱,我花心,亦,无心…