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1、【英文读物】GiphantiaUpon your hearing the other day Giphantia much praised by some friends, and those no illjudges, you expressed a desire to see it in English, as you had not, you said, French enough toread the original. I immediately resolved to gratify your desire, and that very day sat about thetrans
2、lation.It is now finished: and, as my hand is not very legible, I take the liberty to address it to you inprint with this Epistle Dedicatory; which, as neither you, nor the Author, want any encomiums,nor the Translator any excuses, I shall cut short, and beg leave to subscribe myself with greatrespe
3、ct and sincerity,Madam,Your most obedientand most humble servant,Feb. 5,1761.The Translator.GIPHANTIA. PART THE FIRST. 1 Introduction.No man ever had a stronger inclination for travelling than myself. I consider d the whole earthas my country, and all mankind as my brethren, and therefore thought it
4、 incumbent upon me totravel thro the earth and visit my brethren. I have walk d over the ruins of the antient world,have view d the monuments of modern pride, and, at the sight of all-devouring time, have wept2over both. I have often found great folly among the nations that pass for the most civiliz
5、 d, andsometimes as great wisdom among those that are counted the most savage. I have seen smallstates supported by virtue, and mighty empires shaken by vice, whilst a mistaken policy has beenemploy, d to inrich the subjects, without any endeavours to render them virtuous.After having gone over the
6、whole world and visited all the inhabitants, I find it does not answerthe pains I have taken. I have just been reviewing my memoirs concerning the several nations,their prejudices, their customs and manners, their politicks, their laws, their religion, their history;and I have thrown them all into t
7、he fire. It grieves me to record such a monstrous mixture ofhumanity 3and barbarousness, of grandeur and meanness, of reason and folly.The small part, I have preserv d, is what I am now publishing. If it has no other merit, certainly ithas novelty to recommend it.CHAP. I. The Hurricane.I was on the
8、borders of Guinea towards the desarts that bound it on the North. I contemplatedthe immense wilds, the very idea of which shocks the firmest mind. On a sudden I was seizedwith an ardent desire to penetrate into those desarts and see how far nature denies herself tomankind. Perhaps (said I) among the
9、se scorching plains there is some fertile spot unknown to therest of the world. Perhaps I shall find men who have neither been polished nor corrupted bycommerce with others.5ln vain did I represent to myself the dangers and even the almost certain death to which such anthem for their losses caused b
10、y the follies of the Great. 0 how little are our great ones! andhow foolish are our wise ones! I cannot help thinking man an imperfect creature. I plainly seenature s efforts to make him reasonable; but I see too these efforts are fruitless. Materials arewanting. There are but two ages: the age of w
11、eakness in which we are born and pass two thirdsof life; and the age of infancy in which we grow old and die. I have indeed heard talk of an age ofreason; but I do not see it come. I conclude therefore, and I say. Yes! madam! of transparentcotton. The discovery was very lately made in Terra Australi
12、s: so no more colds and defluxions.Transparent handkerchiefs, gloves, and stockings, will defend 54from the weather; and at thesame time give us a sight of that admirable bosom, those charming arms, that divine leg.Doubts every where, certainty no where. How tired am I to hear, to read, to reflect,
13、and to knownothing precisely. Who will tell me only what is. This, sir, is the country-man who leaving hisplough, is come to talk with you about the affair of those poor orphans which is not ended. Thatis true, but what would you have? We are so overwhelmed! No matter, it shall be decided. Ah!good s
14、ir, I am glad to see you; I owe you a compliment: the last wig I had of you makes me lookten years older. Surely the gentleman did not think, I had so magisterial a face! Do you know, mydear sir, that it is enough to make me 55look ridiculous, and you to forfeit your reputation.Grant, 0 Lord, three
15、weeks of a westerly wind that my ship may sail. 0 Lord, three weeks of aneasterly wind that my ship may arrive. Give me, 0 God, give me children. 0 God! send amalignant fever upon my ungracious son. 0 Lord! grant me a husband. 0 God! rid me ofmine.”Perhaps all this Hodge-Podge will not be relished b
16、y most of my readers. I should be sorry for it.To what end then do mortals hold such odd, such silly and such contradictory discourses?CHAP. XI. The Mirrour.As I was amusing myself with these broken speeches, the Prefect of Giphantia presented mewith a Mirrour. Thou can st only (says he) guess at things: but with thy rod and that g
