shadow of britain

Chapter 642: Daddy's Boy Herzen
It was a pleasant thing to chat with Herzen, although this guy was not famous for his achievements in natural philosophy in the future.

But Arthur could see that this graduate of the Department of Mathematics and Physics of Moscow University was a person with wide interests and someone who truly loved reading.

When talking with such a person, you don't have to stick to the topic, just talk about whatever comes to mind, because no matter what the topic is, Herzen can always say a few words about it more or less.

The two of them talked about Cuvier's "Catastrophism of the Earth's Surface" to de Candolle's "Plant Morphology", then to Humboldt's 30-volume magnum opus "Travels in the Tropics of the New World", Heine's "North Sea Collection", Dumas' "The Count of Monte Cristo", Tennyson's "Lyrics", and even the little stories that Elder could not tell besides his creation.

Herzen was particularly interested in the story of the editorial board of The Limey and their feud with Blackwood, and no matter which writer Arthur was talking about, the young man would always interrupt and ask questions.

Although this guy always says that he has become very mature after attending the class for half a year.

But in Arthur's view, he is still very young, because only young people have such a wide range of interests and curiosity.

The standard for judging whether a person is old does not lie in his appearance, skin or age, but in whether you can find light in his eyes, see hope, desire and unrealistic dreams, and Herzen is obviously such a person, he is full of youthful vigor.

Even more fortunately, Arthur is always surrounded by a group of young people, even though these guys are often too young.

Another interesting thing about chatting with Herzen is that this young man has his own ideas. Although he behaves very politely, when you argue to the core of the issue, he will always stand up and debate with you.

Especially when he found that Arthur was always refuting the philosophical ideas of Hegel and Schelling, he couldn't help but stand up to defend the two philosophers. Although his methods and logic were not always rigorous, they were interesting enough.

Herzen lay in his easy chair and said, "To be honest, talking with you reminds me of Lagrange's famous answer to Napoleon. Napoleon said to him: 'In astronomy, Kant accepted the hypothesis about God.' Lagrange immediately retorted: 'Your Majesty, I will never need this hypothesis in my research.'"

Arthur did not want to dwell on this issue with Herzen for too long, and as a devil's pact man, he felt that it was completely unreasonable for Herzen to imply that he was an extreme materialist.

The reason why he expressed similar views was simply that he wanted to criticize Hegel's "absolute spirit" and Schelling's mystical tendencies.

His long life in Britain has instilled in him the habits of British empiricism, while his work experience in the past few years has made him more inclined towards realism.

Arthur's identity as an experimental physicist made him believe in scientific empiricism and made him disdain Schelling's romanticized view of nature.

As for Hegel?
He has always hated Hegel, and especially after the London riots and parliamentary reforms, Hegel's discussion of state and historical rationality made Arthur feel even more physically and mentally uncomfortable.

It would be better for him to believe in the philosophy of Sir Isaac Newton than to believe in the philosophy of Hegel and Schelling!

In order to refute these two guys, Arthur could even admit that Newton's argument about God was correct - God controls everything and knows everything that can be known. Moreover, God is the first mover of the universe, and the earth is kicked by God.

Arthur could even use this to argue that it was God who invented football and was elected Footballer of the Year.

Herzen held the teacup in his hand, as if remembering something. He laughed dumbly and said, "It's a little funny to say this. Although I don't support this view, I have to admit that it was this view that made me choose to study in the Department of Mathematics and Physics."

Arthur suddenly remembered Herzen's identity: "I remember your graduation thesis was on astronomy, right?"

"Yes, my paper won the silver medal." Herzen nodded with satisfaction. "Until now, I still dream sometimes. I dream that I am studying in school and about to take an exam. I feel panic, wondering how much I have forgotten and thinking that I will definitely fail the exam this time... I was startled and woke up. Looking at the wall of the room, I realized that I have graduated. I feel happy from the bottom of my heart, because no one dares to torture me and give me that annoying 'one point' anymore."

Arthur felt the same pain and joy as Herzen. They were both good students and were both afraid that the professor would fail them. However, they used different methods to deal with such terrible consequences.

Arthur did not have a good family background like Herzen. When he was in college, he did not know a big figure like Prince Yusupov. Fortunately, he knew a duke who was exiled to hell, the incompetent Mr. Agares.

Arthur looked at Herzen's deserted house. Apart from the two servants who were yawning and smoking, there was also the cook who was busy in the kitchen without saying a word.

Although this situation seems quiet and comfortable, it can feel deserted during a busy festival like Maslenitsa.

Considering the Russian habit of early marriage, it seems strange that a young man like Herzen, with a good family background and talents, is still single.

"Neither of your parents live here?"

Herzen lit his pipe and pointed out the window. "My parents live in the house across the street. This house was bought specifically for me. My father is a stubborn old man. He thinks his son is now an official in the Land and Resources Department. Living with his family all the time will lead to gossip and will not be conducive to work, so he let me move here. He usually doesn't let me go to his place. If something happens, he will let my childhood nanny notify me to go over."

Arthur pondered and asked politely, "I'm visiting him unexpectedly. Do I need to go and see him?"

"You?" Herzen replied, "The old man would probably be happy to meet you. Because in his judgment system, you are the most distinguished guest, different from the friends I make in my daily life. If you want to go, I will let the servant lead the way for you, and if I go myself..."

Arthur saw Herzen's embarrassment and asked, "Are you having a conflict with your father?"

Herzen spread his hands helplessly: "You know what day it is today."

Arthur laughed and said, "Did your family arrange a blind date for you?"

When this was mentioned, Herzen became irritable. He was silent for a long time with an angry look on his face before he squeezed out a few words.

"He scheduled three shows for me today."

Arthur praised: "Your father's network of contacts is really extensive."

"Mr. Hastings!" Herzen couldn't help but stand up and emphasize, "I'm not showing off to you!"

Blackwell, who was sitting next to him, was shocked to hear that Herzen had three blind dates today: "Mr. Herzen, if you are not satisfied, maybe we should exchange jobs."

When Arthur heard this, he felt that this was truly a besieged city, with people inside wanting to get out and people outside wanting to get in.

Of course, he still didn't plan to give his secretary a holiday. Arthur asked, "Why are you so averse to blind dates?"

Blackwell was obviously more concerned about this aspect, and his secretary, like an old mother, listed the benefits of marriage to Herzen one by one.

"Mr. Herzen, you see, after getting married, life will be more stable, and you won't have to worry about the loneliness at home. Besides, with a good wife by your side, you can devote more energy to your career and books instead of being tied down by daily trivialities. Not to mention that marriage can expand your network of contacts and consolidate your social status, which is of great benefit to your career!"

Herzen sighed and pressed his pipe hard into the ashtray. "Mr. Blackwell, listening to what you said, I almost thought you were sent by my father to persuade me."

At this point, Herzen retreated and threw the question to Arthur: "Since marriage is so good, why don't you take advantage of this great day to have more weddings? I remember Otto told me that you are also a bachelor, right? What about you, what are you worried about?"

"I?"

Arthur didn't expect Herzen to play this trick on him. He evaded the question casually: "Your question really surprised me. But it is true that someone has told me two or three marriage proposals, and the other party is not bad, but when I think of a woman appearing in my room to control and arrange everything, such as not allowing me to smoke, requiring me to eat on time, tidying my desk, and digging out all my little secrets, I can't help but go crazy."

Blackwell grumbled quietly, "Yeah! All these are done by the secretary. Why marry a wife and give two people the work of one person?"

Arthur glanced at the guy. In a way, Blackwell was right.

However, if he finds something wrong, he can apply to change his secretary at any time, but a seemingly decent person cannot apply to change his wife at will.

Or, he can choose to be a dishonest person.

But in conservative British society, in the eyes of the increasingly important middle class, moral flaws are a more serious sin than suppressing riots.

This can be seen from the British public's evaluation of Foreign Secretary Viscount Palmerston.

Palmerston was obviously a playboy, but the people of London simply gave him a teasing nickname, "Irish Cupid", because he was a 50-year-old bachelor who had never married and did not even have any publicly acknowledged illegitimate children.

Compared with him, the Home Secretary, Viscount Melbourne, was obviously much more miserable. His late wife's relationship with Byron caused heated discussions in society, and later became a hot topic in London because of his relationship with Lady Norton. If it weren't for the Prime Minister Earl Grey's support, and Viscount Melbourne's good behavior, and Arthur's unexpected breakthrough in the case of Harrison and Judge Norton, Viscount Melbourne might have been forced to resign.

In British politics, not getting married has ten wins, while getting married has ten losses.

Arthur's math was fine.

Especially since there is no major crisis at the moment, he doesn't need to lay a mine for himself in advance.

As long as he didn't see the transfer order to be "exiled" to the colonial institution, Arthur would not consider becoming a rich son-in-law for the time being.

Herzen complained: "Well, it seems that there are some differences between us. I am not opposed to ladies, but I hate my father's interference in my life. Do you know? Before I was seven years old, I had to be supported by someone to go up and down the stairs in the house because the stairs were a bit steep. Before I was eleven years old, Vera Aldamonovna, my nanny, had to bathe me in a wooden shed. I thought I would be free after entering university, but who would have thought that a college student like me would have to be escorted to and from school by a servant. Can you imagine? A place half a mile away, a place that can be reached on foot, has to be escorted by someone! Even until now, he still stipulates that I am not allowed to go home after half past ten!"

Herzen's complaints opened the eyes of both Arthur and Blackwell.

Is this raising a son?

Even in a conservative place like Britain, only aristocratic ladies would be subject to such strict restrictions.

The noble ladies in Paris lived a much more relaxed life than Herzen.

Arthur joked, "Does His Majesty know that his state officials are under such high-level surveillance? Perhaps I should recommend to the Tsar that your father take over Count Benkendorf's job in the Third Bureau."

Herzen said unhappily, "Really? According to what you said, there are more than one Benckendorff among the parents of students at Moscow University."

"Are your classmates' parents like this, too?"

"Maybe not as serious as my father, but there are many who would secretly open our letters."

Herzen began to speak: "There was a brainless child in our department. His mother threatened him with a whip and questioned him about the Malov incident. He was scared, so he told his mother some of the information. As a result, this kind mother, the princess, immediately ran to see the principal and used her son's denunciation as proof of his repentance. She thought she had protected her son, but she didn't expect that this would cause public outrage. His classmates all accused him of being a traitor, forcing him to drop out of school before completing the school year."

"The Maloof incident?"

Herzen began to speak: "Malov is a stupid, rude and unlearned professor in the Department of Politics. The students don't like him because he is very cruel and harsh to them. One day, the students couldn't stand it anymore, so they decided to unite and expel him. After discussing it, the students in the Department of Politics sent two representatives to our Department of Mathematics and Physics, asking me to lead the reserve troops to support them.

I immediately mobilized the mathematics and physics department, calling on students to fight against Malov. Several people went with me. When we arrived at the political science classroom, Malov was giving a lecture and he saw us. The political science students in the classroom showed worried looks on their faces, fearing that he would say even one rude word today. But the worry soon passed. The crowded classroom was not quiet, and there was a hum of suppressed voices everywhere.

Malov began to lecture because of the sound of feet rubbing against the floor in the classroom: "You are like a group of horses, expressing your thoughts with your feet. I thought that horses think by trotting and galloping."

This sentence instantly angered the students, and the classroom was boiling with whistles and boos, and the shouts continued: "Tell him to get out, get out! Get him out!"

Malov's face turned pale and he tried desperately to get everyone to be quiet, but he couldn't. The students jumped on their seats. Malov had to quietly walk down the platform in embarrassment, shrink his head, and squeeze out of the classroom. The whole class followed him through the school yard, chased him into the street, and threw his rubber shoes at him from behind.

Arthur, who has extensive experience in fighting professors, commented: "You shouldn't have driven him out into the street. In public, the nature of the matter is different."

Herzen sighed, "Yes, but the students didn't think of this at all. The incident suddenly became a public event, and the citizens of Moscow saw it, so it eventually became a big deal. The school board was panicked and had to persuade the district director to settle the incident privately and put a few students or other people who made trouble in solitary confinement for a few days. This was a wise measure. Otherwise, the emperor would probably send an aide-de-camp to deal with the matter. In order to get the Cross Medal, the aide-de-camp would inevitably say that the matter was a conspiracy of rebellion or riot, etc., and suggested that all the people be sent to serve hard labor, and then pardoned by the emperor and changed to serving as soldiers in the barracks.

Fortunately, the emperor did not take it too seriously that time. He saw that the matter had been concluded, the crime had been punished, and virtue had won, so he approved the students' request and dismissed Malov from his professorship. We drove Malov to the school gate, but the Tsar drove him inside and outside the school. In Russia, the losers always suffer, but this time we cannot blame the emperor. However, we did not feel happy for long, because when the citizens of Moscow felt that the students had been let off, they began to slowly settle accounts with the students. "

(End of this chapter)