第 1 节
作者:想聊      更新:2021-10-16 18:42      字数:1284
  PREFACE TO THE 〃CHARLES DICKENS〃 EDITION OF 〃AMERICAN NOTES〃
  MY readers have opportunities of judging for themselves whether the
  influences and tendencies which I distrusted in America; had; at
  that time; any existence but in my imagination。  They can examine
  for themselves whether there has been anything in the public career
  of that country since; at home or abroad; which suggests that those
  influences and tendencies really did exist。  As they find the fact;
  they will judge me。  If they discern any evidences of wrong…going;
  in any direction that I have indicated; they will acknowledge that
  I had reason in what I wrote。  If they discern no such indications;
  they will consider me altogether mistaken … but not wilfully。
  Prejudiced; I am not; and never have been; otherwise than in favour
  of the United States。  I have many friends in America; I feel a
  grateful interest in the country; I hope and believe it will
  successfully work out a problem of the highest importance to the
  whole human race。  To represent me as viewing AMERICA with ill…
  nature; coldness; or animosity; is merely to do a very foolish
  thing:  which is always a very easy one。