The Shadow of Great Britain

662: Chapter 323 Brighter Than the Stars_2 662: Chapter 323 Brighter Than the Stars_2 Gradually, he began to utter phrases that were far from anything Wordsworth might say, making it hard to imagine this man once supported the execution of Louis XVI.

“I am firmly against any form of violence, unless the obduracy and ignorance of others make it necessary.”

“Only by vigorously promoting the universal principles crucial to human well-being can we prevent the same catastrophes from occurring in Britain.”

In a sense, I still felt some sympathy for the gentleman.

Although the previous Wordsworth was vehement and distasteful, I could sense a certain youthful vitality in him.

But now, except in his verses, that fresh scent of the fields could no longer be found anywhere else about him.”

Lord Brougham tapped his fingertips against the tabletop: “It’s not just that he has lost the vitality of youth, he’s now even more Tory than a true Tory Party member.

When I ran for Parliament in Westmorland in 1818, my campaign was about denouncing the Lonsdale Family for monopolizing the local two seats for Members of Parliament for years and advocated limiting the political influence of large estate families and vigorous reforms, enacting universal suffrage, and religious tolerance after election.”

I thought Coleridge would support me, but he stood with the Lonsdale Family instead.

Perhaps my supporters attacking the Lonsdale Family’s campaign convoy poked his sensitive nerve, and he actually directly published a pamphlet called “Two Letters to the Yeomen of Westmorland,” refuting my views point by point, even saying that he saw the methods of the Jacobins in me.”

Viscount Melbourne asked with a smile, “How did he refute you?”

Brougham looked up at the ceiling and said, “Let me think.

In the first letter, he claimed that if it weren’t for the balance struck by some hereditary large-estate families, the constitutions and laws of the nation would not withstand the many shocks they were subjected to by democratic movements in the industrial urban districts.”

In the second letter, he emphasized that apart from property, there was little else to absolutely guarantee the fairness or accuracy of a man’s prudence and knowledge.

As for my slogan of ‘annual Parliaments and universal suffrage,’ he said I was merely plagiarizing the ideas of ‘Human Rights.’

Although he once supported such views, twenty years of history following the French Revolution showed that the hope for a more popularized Parliament with more frequent changes of its members was a fallacy.

Moreover, considering I owned little property in Westmorland, my election campaign was nothing but an attempt to disrupt the Westmorland locals’ simple, contented life with ‘rude slogans from the dirty lanes of the city.’

Towards the end, he didn’t forget to drag John Wilkes into his criticisms, warning the local voters not to repeat the mistake of Middlesex County in electing a trouble-making outsider as their Member of Parliament.”

But he didn’t entirely oppose reforms; it’s just that his reformist views were far too Tory.”

Arthur couldn’t help but recall the articles Wordsworth had previously published in Blackwood’s.

He began to recite, “Taking property qualification as a fundamental principle for a citizen’s eligibility to undertake the grueling task of legislation is not immoral.

We must discard the idea of farmers or craftsmen becoming legislators, for only with extensive education can they discern from among their neighbors who is more qualified to be entrusted with the interests of everyone.

And clearly, the current level of education in Britain is not sufficient for them to attain the ability to distinguish the truth.”

Brougham laughed and bobbed his head, “Exactly, that’s it.

His change has been too great; that Wordsworth of old has disappeared, turning from a Whig who was even more radical than me into an old Tory more conservative than Robert Peel.”

Lord Brougham paused and suddenly turned to look at Viscount Melbourne.

“Logically, you shouldn’t hold such a high opinion of Wordsworth.

Back at Almack’s Club, if I remember correctly, you seemed to have a bit of a quarrel with the ladies over Wordsworth?”

“It wasn’t really a quarrel.”

Viscount Melbourne laughed and said, “I just felt that Mr.

Wordsworth’s poetry, albeit decent, wasn’t quite at the level that lady proclaimed it to be.”

Curious, Arthur inquired, “What exactly happened?

Could you share the story?”

“There’s not much to tell.”

Viscount Melbourne opened his mouth and said, “You should know, Mr.

Wordsworth is quite popular among the ladies’ literary circles.”

At that time, I was in Almack’s Club and happened to be discussing literature with a lady, who then asked me, “Have you read Mr.

Wordsworth’s new collection of poems?”

So, I replied to her, “I thought that buying a copy was fulfilling the duty of a civilized person.”

Upon hearing this, the lady’s expression became serious and she insisted, “A civilized person should indeed read Wordsworth.”

Arthur, hearing this, pulled out his handkerchief, covered his mouth, and coughed repeatedly, “Although I know the ladies have a preference for Wordsworth, to be so outspoken in front of you is still somewhat unexpected to me.”

Viscount Melbourne only blinked helplessly upon hearing this and said, “Actually, the ladies don’t just favor Wordsworth, they would treat Faraday the same way.

That affair of mine with Faraday previously had upset them.

Even my own sister, who is related by blood, took the opportunity to point out my mistakes to my face.

Arthur, I am truly grateful that you could help convince Faraday.”

Arthur smiled and waved his hand, “It was no trouble at all.

Moreover, the key to resolving the issue was that you were willing to swallow your pride and write Mr.

Faraday an apology letter.

In my opinion, not everyone could possess such magnanimity.”

Upon hearing this, Viscount Melbourne chuckled softly, “Writing an apology letter is just a matter of using some ink.

The fact that you handled the matter so properly is no wonder why the proportion of ladies who favor you is starting to increase.

Although your reputation has not yet surpassed Wordsworth and Faraday, you already have quite a number of staunch supporters, including my sister Emily Cooper.

Even in my opinion, your future prospects are bound to be better than both Wordsworth and Faraday’s.”

Arthur, having been heaped with such high praise by Viscount Melbourne, became even more wary.

He replied with a smile, “Your judgment has always been keen, but perhaps this time you may be mistaken.

How could I possibly be on a par with those two distinguished persons?”

Viscount Melbourne replied earnestly.

“Arthur, I am not flattering you, my words are based on evidence.

In my view, Mr.

Faraday is too engrossed in the study of natural philosophy that he is even reluctant to step out of the Royal Society.

He could have become a person as great as Sir Isaac Newton, to be remembered by posterity, but he limited himself and thus can only stop in the field of research.”

“Wordsworth, on the other hand, carries too much psychological baggage.

In his early years, he was a fervent supporter of the French Revolution, and even Byron and Shelley considered him one of their own, praising him as an ‘uncut singer of democracy.’ However, after a change in thinking and the trials of life, Wordsworth, due to the pressures of life, ultimately accepted a position as a Stamp Duty Collector.”

At that time, Shelley and the others mocked him as someone who ‘gave up being a vanguard and a freeman for merely a handful of silver.’ What they didn’t know was Wordsworth, through his writing, made less than 140 British Pounds a year, yet had five children to support.

In addition to that, he also had to provide for Coleridge, who was addicted to opium, and raise funds for Coleridge’s children’s education.”

Compared with them, you have fewer restraints and are walking on the right path while still young, without hastily concluding your own fate, so you have the opportunity to correct your small mistakes in time.

On this point, you are destined to become an even more outstanding figure than they were.”

Upon hearing this, Arthur simply replied with a smile, “Comparing Mr.

Faraday and me, although I do not think I can discuss achievements on equal terms with him, I believe we are alike in some ways.

However, if you were to cite Mr.

Wordsworth as an example, then you’d clearly be erring.”

“Hmm?” Viscount Melbourne inquired, “Can you elaborate?”

Arthur responded, “Your Excellency, like Mr.

Faraday, I am dedicated to making the world a better place.

But before that, I was also bound by the ‘Greater London Police Department Management Regulations.’ As you know, a police officer cannot have a personal political standpoint.

Whatever is beneficial for public interest, the police will do, regardless of whether it is Whig or Tory.”

“So, how do you define what is beneficial for the public interest?”

Arthur chuckled softly, “That would require an analysis based on the specifics of the situation.”