第 53 节
作者:
垃圾王 更新:2021-04-30 16:12 字数:3323
。 says: 〃Your book of travels possesses the merit of reality in the faithful descriptions of scenes and customs as they existed at that time。
〃It has delighted me to follow you; step by step by the side of the ancient and picturesque carts that cross the vast plains which stretch between the Parana River and the base of the Andes。 As I have written about the same region; your book of travels becomes a valuable reminder of those scenes; and I shall have to consult your work in the future when I again write about those countries。〃 〃Nathaniel H。 Bishop; a mere lad of seventeen; who; prompted by a love of nature; starts off from his New England home; reaches the La Plata River and coolly walks to Valparaiso; across Pampa and Cordillera; a distance of more than a thousand miles! It is not the mere fact of pedestrianism that will gain for Master Nathaniel Bishop a high place among travellers; nor yet the fact of its having been done in the face of dangers and difficulties; but that; throughout the walk; he has gone with his eyes open; and gives us a book; written at seventeen; that will make him renowned at seventy。 It is teeming with information; both on social and natural subjects; end will take rank among books of scientific travel the only ones worth inquiring for。 One chapter from the book of an educated traveller (we don't mean the education of Oxford and Cambridge) is worth volumes of the stuff usually forming the staple of books of travels。 And in this unpretending book of the Yankee boy for its preface is signally of this sort … we have scores of such chapters。 The title is not altogether appropriate。 It is called 'A Thousand Miles' Walk across South America。' It is more than a mere walk。 It is an exploration into the kingdom of Nature。
〃Sir Francis Head has gone over the same ground on horseback; end given us a good account of it。 But this quiet 'walk' of the American boy is worth infinitely more than the 'Rough Rides' of the British baronet。 The one is common talk and superficial observation。 The other is a study that extends beneath the surface。〃 … Captain Mayne Reid。 〃Regarded simply as a piece of adventure; this were interesting; especially when told of in a tone of delightful modesty。 But the book has other recommendations。 This boy has an admirable eye for manners; customs; costumes; &c。; to say nothing of his attention to natural history。 The reader seems to travel by his side; and concludes the book with a sense of having himself trodden the Pampas; and mingled with their barbarous inhabitants。 So far as writing goes; this is the supreme merit of a book of travels。 Let those explore who not only see for themselves; but have the rare ability to lend their eyes to others。 Mr。 Bishop is one of the few who can do this; the graphic simplicity of his narrative is above praise。 Meanwhile; his personal impression is very charming。 The quiet patience with which he accepted all the hardships of his position without the slightest parade of patience; however is beyond measure attractive。 But the brave youth goes on quietly enduring what was to be borne; and not ever allowing his observation to be dulled by the infelicities of his situation。〃 Boston Commonwealth BOSTON: LEE & SHEPARD。 NEW YORK: CHARLES T。 DILLINGHAM。
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