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journal of a voyage to lisbon-第2章

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not choose to attend to; a note towards the end of the book

attributing certain of the letters to the author of the preface;

the attribution being accompanied by an agreeably warm and

sisterly denunciation of those who ascribed to Fielding matter

unworthy of him。  From these the letter which I have chosen;

describing a row on the Thames; seems to me not only

characteristic; but; like all this miscellaneous work;

interesting no less for its weakness than for its strength。  In

hardly any other instance known to me can we trace so clearly the

influence of a suitable medium and form on the genius of the

artist。  There are some writersDryden is perhaps the greatest

of themto whom form and medium seem almost indifferent; their

all…round craftsmanship being such that they can turn any kind

and every style to their purpose。  There are others; of whom I

think our present author is the chief; who are never really at

home but in one kind。  In Fielding's case that kind was narrative

of a peculiar sort; half…sentimental; half…satirical; and almost

wholly sympatheticnarrative which has the singular gift of

portraying the liveliest character and yet of admitting the

widest disgression  and soliloquy。



Until comparatively late in his too short life; when he found

this special path of his (and it is impossible to say whether the

actual finding was in the case of Jonathan or in the case of

Joseph); he did but flounder and slip。  When he had found it; and

was content to walk in it; he strode with as sure and steady a

step as any other; even the greatest; of those who carry and hand

on the torch of literature through the ages。  But it is

impossible to derive full satisfaction from his feats in this

part of the race without some notion of his performances

elsewhere; and I believe that such a notion will be supplied to

the readers of his novels by the following volumes; in a very

large number of cases; for the first time。















THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE TO LISBON



DEDICATION TO THE PUBLIC



Your candor is desired on the perusal of the following sheets; as

they are the product of a genius that has long been your delight

and entertainment。  It must be acknowledged that a lamp almost

burnt out does not give so steady and uniform a light as when it

blazes in its full vigor; but yet it is well known that by its

wavering; as if struggling against its own dissolution; it

sometimes darts a ray as bright as ever。  In like manner; a

strong and lively genius will; in its last struggles; sometimes

mount aloft; and throw forth the most striking marks of its

original luster。



Wherever these are to be found; do you; the genuine patrons of

extraordinary capacities; be as liberal in your applauses of him

who is now no more as you were of him whilst he was yet amongst

you。  And; on the other hand; if in this little work there should

appear any traces of a weakened and decayed life; let your own

imaginations place before your eyes a true picture in that of a

hand trembling in almost its latest hour; of a body emaciated

with pains; yet struggling for your entertainment; and let this

affecting picture open each tender heart; and call forth a

melting tear; to blot out whatever failings may be found in a

work begun in pain; and finished almost at the same period with

life。  It was thought proper by the friends of the deceased that

this little piece should come into your hands as it came from the

hands of the author; it being judged that you would be better

pleased to have an opportunity of observing the faintest traces

of a genius you have long admired; than have it patched by a

different hand; by which means the marks of its true author might

have been effaced。  That the success of the last written; though

first published; volume of the author's posthumous pieces may be

attended with some convenience to those innocents he hath left

behind; will no doubt be a motive to encourage its circulation

through the kingdom; which will engage every future genius to

exert itself for your pleasure。  The principles and spirit which

breathe in every line of the small fragment begun in answer to

Lord Bolingbroke will unquestionably be a sufficient apology for

its publication; although vital strength was wanting to finish a

work so happily begun and so well designed。  PREFACE THERE would

not; perhaps; be a more pleasant or profitable study; among those

which have their principal end in amusement; than that of travels

or voyages; if they were wrote as they might be and ought to be;

with a joint view to the entertainment and information of

mankind。  If the conversation of travelers be so eagerly sought

after as it is; we may believe their books will be still more

agreeable company; as they will in general be more instructive

and more entertaining。  But when I say the conversation of

travelers is usually so welcome; I must be understood to mean

that only of such as have had good sense enough to apply their

peregrinations to a proper use; so as to acquire from them a real

and valuable knowledge of men and things; both which are best

known by comparison。  If the customs and manners of men were

everywhere the same; there would be no office so dull as that of

a traveler; for the difference of hills; valleys; rivers; in

short; the various views of which we may see the face of the

earth; would scarce afford him a pleasure worthy of his labor;

and surely it would give him very little opportunity of

communicating any kind of entertainment or improvement to others。



To make a traveler an agreeable companion to a man of sense; it

is necessary; not only that he should have seen much; but that he

should have overlooked much of what he hath seen。  Nature is not;

any more than a great genius; always admirable in her

productions; and therefore the traveler; who may be called her

commentator; should not expect to find everywhere subjects worthy

of his notice。  It is certain; indeed; that one may be guilty of

omission; as well as of the opposite extreme; but a fault on that

side will be more easily pardoned; as it is better to be hungry

than surfeited; and to miss your dessert at the table of a man

whose gardens abound with the choicest fruits; than to have your

taste affronted with every sort of trash that can be picked up at

the green…stall or the wheel…barrow。  If we should carry on the

analogy between the traveler and the commentator; it is

impossible to keep one's eye a moment off from the laborious

much…read doctor Zachary Gray; of whose redundant notes on

Hudibras I shall only say that it is; I am confident; the single

book extant in which above five hundred authors are quoted; not

one of which could be found in the collection of the late doctor Mead。



As there are few things which a traveler is to record; there are

fewer on which he is to offer his observations:  this is the

office of the reader; and it is so pleasant a one; that he seldom

chooses to have it taken from him; under the pretense of lending

him assistance。  Some occasions; indeed; there are; when proper

observations are pertinent; and others when they are necessary;

but good sense alone must point them out。  I shall lay down only

one general rule; which I believe to be of universal truth

between relator and hearer; as it is between author and reader;

this is; that the latter never forgive any observation of the

former which doth not convey some knowledge that they are

sensible they could not possibly have attained of themselves。



But all his pains in collecting knowledge; all his judgment in

selecting; and all his art in communicating it; will not suffice;

unless he can make himself; in some degree; an agreeable as well

as an instructive companion。  The highest instruction we can

derive from the tedious tale of a dull fellow scarce ever pays us

for our attention。  There is nothing; I think; half so valuable

as knowledge; and yet there is nothing which men will give

themselves so little trouble to attain; unless it be; perhaps;

that lowest degree of it which is the object of curiosity; and

which hath therefore that active passion constantly employed in

its service。  This; indeed; it is in the power of every traveler

to gratify; but it is the leading principle in weak minds only。



To render his relation agreeable to the man of sense; it is

therefore necessary that the voyager should possess several

eminent and rare talents; so rare indeed; that it is almost

wonderful to see them ever united in the same person。  And if all

these talents must concur in the relator; they are certainly in a

more eminent degree necessary to the writer; for here the

narration admits of higher ornaments of style; and every fact and

sentiment offers itself to the fullest and most deliberate

examination。  It would appear; therefore; I think; somewhat

strange if such writers as these should be found extremely

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