BBC英国史

But Houghton was not just about living the good life,much as its master revelled in it,

但霍顿府邸不仅仅只是享受生活 作乐狂欢的聚财之所

it was also a statement of grandeur meant to stun sceptics into recognising

它是一个庄严的声明 让怀疑者们在震惊之余意识到

that only someone truly in command of the nation's fortunes could possibly afford something like this.

只有真正支配国家财务权势的人 才能享有此等奢华

King George may have had the throne,but Cock Robin had the palace.

虽然乔治国王仍然在位 但"知更鸟"才是宫殿的主人

There's no doubt that Walpole's appeal to self-interest was infectious.

毫无疑问 沃波尔的个人主义极受追捧

With the glittering prizes dangled before their noses,

此等华丽在前

the governing class of the country just 180 peers and 1,500 country gentry

全国统治阶层 包括180位贵族 以及1500位乡绅

lined up to trade in party passion for Palladian houses.

争先恐后放弃党争 转而纵情豪宅丽舍

They stopped shouting and started building.

他们停止争吵 专心建造

And what they built was designed to insulate them

他们建造府邸 志在隔绝尘世

from the grubbiness of the real world and Robert Walpole showed them the way.

远离世俗纷扰 而罗伯特·沃波尔为他们设立了榜样

This stone column marks the spot where the village of Houghton once stood.

这个石柱所矗立的地方 即是霍顿镇的原有地址

It had been here for centuries,but now it was just an inconvenience.

这个村镇曾经繁荣了数百年 但现在已无存在必要

It was too close to Walpole's house and it definitely spoiled the view,

它距离沃波尔的府邸过近 更破坏了周遭风景

so he simply had it demolished and moved down the road.

因此他拆毁村庄 迁移到远处

词汇解析

1、command

命令;下令;指示

He commanded his troops to attack.

他命令部队发起进攻。

'Get in your car and follow me,' he commanded.

“上你自己的车，跟在我后面。”他命令道。

博得，赢得，拥有(尊重、服从等)

an excellent physician who commanded the respect of all his colleagues.

赢得所有同事尊敬的优秀的内科医生

There is no limit to what can be achieved here because of the fantastic support we command.

由于赢得了极大的支持，我们将无往不胜。

控制;掌管

The Royal Navy would command the seas.

皇家海军会控制所有海域。

Yemen commands the strait at the southern end of the Red Sea.

也门完全控制着红海南端的海峡。

2、demolish

摧毁，拆毁，拆除(建筑物等)

A storm moved directly over the island, demolishing buildings and flooding streets.

暴风雨径直席卷该岛，摧毁了建筑，淹没了街道。

The building is now being demolished to make way for a motorway.

为修建高速公路，现正拆除这栋建筑。

驳倒，推翻(某人的观点或论点)

Our intention was to demolish the rumours that have surrounded him.

我们的目的是要彻底击破围绕他的那些谣言。

The myth that Japan is not open to concerns from outside has, I think, been demolished at a stroke.

关于日本对外界的关注不予理会的谬论，我认为，一下子就被驳倒了。