第 31 节
作者:莫莫言      更新:2022-08-21 16:32      字数:4238
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  Arabian   interchanged          at   Alexandria   the   produce   of   Britain   for   that   of
  Ceylon      and    Hindostan。       And     as  for   intellectual    development;        though
  Alexandria   wants;   as   she   has   always   wanted;   that   insular   and   exclusive
  position   which   seems   almost   necessary   to   develop   original   thought   and
  original national life; yet she may still act as the point of fusion for distinct
  schools and polities; and the young and buoyant vigour of the new…born
  nations may at once teach; and learn from; the prudence; the experience;
  the traditional wisdom of the ancient Europeans。
  This vision; however possible; may be a far…off one:                   but the first step
  towards   it;   at   least;   is   being   laid   before   our   eyesand   that   is;   a   fresh
  reconciliation       between      the   Crescent     and    the   Cross。     Apart     from    all
  political   considerations;   which   would   be   out   of   place   here;   I   hail;   as   a
  student of philosophy; the school which is now; both in Alexandria and in
  Constantinople;   teaching   to   Moslem   and   to   Christians   the   same   lesson
  which the Crusaders learnt in Egypt five hundred years ago。                      A few years'
  more perseverance in the valiant and righteous course which Britain has
  now   chosen;   will   reward   itself   by   opening   a   vast   field   for   capital   and
  enterprise;   for   the   introduction   of   civil   and   religious   liberty   among   the
  down…trodden   peasantry   of   Egypt;   as   the   Giaour   becomes   an   object   of
  respect;   and   trust;   and   gratitude   to   the   Moslem;   and   as   the   feeling   that
  Moslem and Giaour own a common humanity; a common eternal standard
  of justice and mercy; a common sacred obligation to perform our promises;
  and   to   succour   the   oppressed;   shall   have   taken   place   of   the   old   brute
  wonder at our careless audacity; and awkward assertion of power; which
  now       expresses       itself   in    the    somewhat         left…handed       Alexandrian
  compliment〃There is one Satan; and there are many Satans: but there is
  no Satan like a Frank in a round hat。〃
  It   would   be   both   uncourteous   and   unfair   of   me   to   close   these   my
  hasty Lectures; without expressing my hearty thanks for the great courtesy
  and   kindness   which   I   have   received   in   this   my   first   visit   to   your   most
  noble   and   beautiful   city;   and   often;   I   am   proud   to   say;   from   those   who
  differ from me deeply on many important points; and also for the attention
  with   which   I   have   been   listened   to   while   trying;   clumsily   enough;   to
  explain dry and repulsive subjects; and to express opinions which may be
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  new; and perhaps startling; to many of my hearers。                  If my imperfect hints
  shall   have   stirred   up   but   one   hearer   to   investigate   this   obscure   and   yet
  most important subject; and to examine for himself the original documents;
  I shall feel that my words in this place have not been spoken in vain; for
  even if such a seeker should arrive at conclusions different from my own
  (and I pretend to no infallibility); he will at least have learnt new facts; the
  parents of new thought; perhaps of new action; he will have come face to
  face   with   new   human   beings;   in   whom   he   will   have   been   compelled   to
  take   a   human   interest;  and   will   surely  rise   from  his   researches; let   them
  lead   him   where   they   will;   at   least   somewhat   of   a   wider…minded   and   a
  wider…hearted man。
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