美国语文

章节摘录

　　ANECDOTE OF THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE　　纽卡斯尔公爵趣事　　A laughable story was circulated during the administration of the old Duke of Newcastle， and retailed to the public in various forms. This nobleman， with many good points， was remarkable for being profuse of his promises on all occasions， and valued himself particularly on being able to anticipate the words or the wants of the various persons who attended his levees， before they uttered a word. This sometimes led him into ridiculous embarrassments； and it was this proneness to lavish promises， which gave occasion for the following anecdote：　　At the election of a certain borough in Cornwall， where the opposite interests were　　almost equally poised， a single vote was of the highest importance. This object the Duke，　　by well applied argument and personal application， at length attained； and the gentleman　　he recommended， gained the election. In the warmth of gratitude， his grace poured forth　　acknowledgments and promises without ceasing， on the fortunate possessor of the casting　　vote； called him his best and dearest friend； protested， that he should consider himself as forever indebted to him； and that he would serve him by night or by day.　　The Cornish voter， who was an honest fellow， and would not have thought himself　　entitled to any reward， but for such a torrent of acknowledgments， thanked the Duke for his kindness， and told him the supervisor of excise was old and infirm， and， if he would have the goodness to recommend his son-in-law to the commissioners， in case of the old man's death， he should think himself and his family bound to render his grace every assistance in their power， on any future occasion.　　“My dear friend， why do you ask for such a trifling employment？” exclaimed his grace；　　“your relative shall have it the moment the place is vacant， if you will but call my attention to it.”　　“But how shall I get admitted to you， my lord？ For in London， I understand， it is a very difficult business to get a sight of you great folks， though you are so kind and complaisant to us in the country.”　　“The instant the man dies，” replied the Duke， “set out posthaste for London； drive directly to my house， and， be it by night or by day， thunder at the door； I will leave word with my porter to show you upstairs directly； and the employment shall be disposed of according to your wishes.”　　The parties separated； the Duke drove to a friend's house in the neighborhood， without　　a wish or desire to see his new acquaintance till that day seven years； but the memory of the Cornish elector， not being burdened with such a variety of objects， was more retentive.　　The supervisor died a few months after， and the Duke's humble friend， relying on the word of a peer， was conveyed to London posthaste， and ascended with alacrity the steps of that nobleman's palace.　　The reader should be informed， that just at this time， no less a person than the King of Spain was expected hourly to depart this life， -an event in which the minister of Great Britain was particularly concerned； and the Duke of Newcastle， on the very night that the proprietor of the decisive vote arrived at his door， had sat up anxiously　　expecting dispatches from Madrid.　　Wearied by official business and agitated spirits， he retired to rest， having previously given particular instructions to his porter not to go to bed， as he expected every minute a messenger with advices of the greatest importance， and desired that he might be shown upstairs， the moment of his arrival.　　His grace was sound asleep； and the porter， settled for the night in his armchair， had already commenced a sonorous nap， when the vigorous arm of the Cornish voter roused him from his slumbers. To his first question， “Is the Duke at home？” the porter replied， “Yes， and in bed； but has left particular orders that， come when you will， you are to go up to him directly.”　　“Bless him， for a worthy and honest gentleman，” cried our applicant for the vacant post， smiling and nodding with approbation at the prime minister's kindness， “how punctual his grace is； I knew he would not deceive me； let me hear no more of lords and dukes not keeping their words； I verily believe they are as honest， and mean as well as any other folks.” Having ascended the stairs as he was speaking， he was ushered into the Duke's bedchamber.　　“Is he dead？” exclaimed his grace， rubbing his eyes， and scarcely awakened from　　dreaming of the King of Spain， “Is he dead？”“Yes， my lord，” replied the eager expectant， delighted to find the election promise， with all its circumstances， so fresh in the nobleman's memory.　　“When did he die？”　　“The day before yesterday， exactly at half past one o'clock， after being confined three weeks to his bed， and taking a power of doctor's stuff； and I hope your grace will be as good as your word， and let my son-in-law succeed him.”　　The Duke， by this time perfectly awake， was staggered at the impossibility of receiving　　intelligence from Madrid in so short a space of time； and perplexed at the absurdity of a king's messenger applying for his son-in-law to succeed the King of Spain： “Is the man drunk， or mad？ Where are your dispatches？” exclaimed his grace， hastily drawing back his curtain； where， instead of a royal courier， he recognized at the bedside， the fat， good-humored countenance of his friend from Cornwall， making low bows， with hat in hand， and “hoping my lord would not forget the gracious promise he was so good as to make， in favor of his son-in-law， at the last election.”　　Vexed at so untimely a disturbance， and disappointed of news from Spain， the Duke　　frowned for a moment； but chagrin soon gave way to mirth， at so singular and ridiculous a combination of circumstances， and， yielding to the impulse， he sunk upon the bed in a violent fit of laughter， which was communicated in a moment to the attendants.　　The relater of this little narrative， concludes， with observing， “Although the Duke of Newcastle could not place the relative of his old acquaintance on the throne of His Catholic Majesty， he advanced him to a post not less honorable-he made him an exciseman.”　　（Blackwood's Magazine）　　【中文阅读】　　在纽卡斯尔老公爵a 主政期间，流传一个有关他的令人忍俊不禁的故事，几经转述公众听到的竟有几个版本。这位绅士可笑之处颇多，以好在各种场合滥施承诺而引人侧目，尤好在等待谒见他的各色人等还未开口讲话前就过早道出他们想说的话，满足他们的需要，以此抬高自己。此举有时会令其陷于可笑的尴尬窘境。正是这种慷慨 承诺的癖好，才引出下面这则趣事：　　在康沃尔某一自治镇的选举中，反对的票数几乎与拥护的票数持平，一票之差就能决定命运。公爵的可笑之处体现在企图通过辩论和个人申请，最终达到目的。结果，他推荐的绅士赢得了选举。一番致谢后，他开始答谢，不停地对幸运地赢得选票的人做出承诺，称他为自己最好和最亲近的朋友。他坚称始终认为自己欠这人的人情，就应该旦夕之间都要为他略尽绵薄之力。　　康沃尔这位选举人是一位诚实的人，断不敢认为自己配得上此等殊荣，闻听公爵如滚滚洪流一般的答谢谦辞后，马上对公爵的仁慈善意表示感谢，并告诉他总督年高体弱，万一这位老者撒手而去，倘若公爵能推荐他的女婿出任专员的话，他本人和全家将来必定效犬马之劳 。　　“我亲爱的朋友，你为什么要自寻烦恼谋这个微不足道的差事呢？”公爵说，“如果你仅仅让我留意的话，你的亲戚很快就会有隙可乘。”　　“可是，我怎样才能获得您的认可呢，大人？至于在伦敦，我明白要想在您众多的追随者中幸蒙您垂青比登天还难，尽管您在这个国家一向以仁慈和善、容易亲近而享有盛名。”　　“这人一死，”公爵答道，“你就火速赶往伦敦，马车直接赶到我的府上，不管白天还是黑天，直接敲门就是。我会给门童交代这事，门童直接带你上楼。这个差事会如愿给你留着的。”　　晚宴散后，公爵乘马车来到相邻的朋友家下榻，一直到七年后的那天都没有任何想去看望自己这位刚结识的朋友的意思和愿望。不过，这件事在康沃尔这位选举人的记忆里可扎下根了。几个月后总督死了，公爵这位卑微的朋友怀揣着对同侪这句话的期冀，十万火急地赶往伦敦，抢先一步踏上那位大人物宅邸的台阶。　　列为看官想必清楚，在当时有一位身份不亚于西班牙国王的人无时无刻不想远离这种生活，问题是大不列颠的内阁大臣则尤其热衷于这种生活。在那个特别的夜晚手中握有关键选票的人在纽卡斯尔公爵门前叩门，而纽卡斯尔公爵原本焦急地盼望来自马德里的信件。由于连日公事繁忙，他心神疲惫不堪，已经回到内室休息。他早就叮嘱过门童务必打起精神，他每分钟都在焦急中度过，盼望有信使捎来最重要的讯息，盼着门童能将信使引上楼来。就在这时，这位关键人物来了。　　公爵鼾声大作，坐在扶手椅里守夜的门童，已经开始发出响亮的鼾声，这时康沃尔这位选举人用有力的胳膊捅了一下门童，他这才从梦乡惊醒。对来客的第一个问题，“公爵在家吗？”门童答道，“在家，在床上睡觉呢；不过留下话了，你来时，他会直接来迎接你的。”　　“上帝保佑这位尊敬和诚实的绅士，”我们这位选举人冲着旁边空着的座位说道，脸上挂着微笑，对首相的善意赞许点头示意。“公爵大人太准时了；我晓得他不会骗我的，我听说大人和公爵们都信守诺言，我真的认为他们都很诚实，不像其他人那样卑鄙。”他边说，便登上楼梯，被领进公爵的卧室。　　“他死了？”公爵大人突然从梦到西班牙国王的睡梦中惊醒，揉着眼睛高声问道。　　“是的，大人。”这位急切的觐见者答道，高兴地发现从情形看选举承诺没有落空，一直留驻在公爵的记忆里呢。　　“他什么时候死的啊？”　　“前天，准确说是一点半，在被关起来三个星期后死在床上了，临死前服了一剂医生开的药，我希望大人能兑现承诺，让我女婿接替他。”　　公爵这时已经完全醒了，担心不可能这么短时间内便得到来自马德里的情报，对国王的信使请求让他的女婿来继任西班牙国王这种荒谬之举甚为困惑。“这家伙醉了，还是疯了？你们派的人在哪儿呢？”公爵边大声说，边拉开床帘；只见站在床前的不是皇家信使，他认出站在旁边的是那位胖胖的脸上一副愉快神情的来自康沃尔的老朋友，见他弯腰鞠躬，手上捧着帽子，说“希望大人不要忘了仁慈的承诺，在最后的选举中照顾他女婿”。　　公爵对如此不合时宜的打扰非常恼怒，对来自西班牙的消息很失望，他眉头紧蹙，但很快就对如此滑稽和可笑的混乱转怒为笑，不再冲动，他哈哈大笑着躺在床上，示意侍者。　　这则轶闻的叙述者评述道，“尽管纽卡斯尔公爵没有将他老相识的亲戚送上西班牙国王的宝座，他还是把他安排到一个不那么显要的位置上--他让他担任收税官。　　……

媒体关注与评论

　　这套书不仅影响了美国的教育事业，也影响了美国的伦理道德。诚如历史学家孔玛格所言："它们为美国儿童提供了当今明显缺乏的东西，即普遍的引喻知识、普遍的经验和自制意识。"　　―― 选自《大美百科全书》

内容概要

威廉·H·麦加菲是美国著名教育家。1800年出生于宾夕法尼亚州，1826年毕业于华盛顿大学杰斐逊学院。在他的教育生涯中，曾担任过迈阿密大学语言学教授，俄亥俄大学校长。自1845年开始任弗吉尼亚大学道德哲学教授。他还帮助组建了俄亥俄州公立学校体系。 



    早在19世纪初期，麦加菲就意识到，应该给那些孤独的垦荒者和欧洲移民的后代提供普遍的教育，于是他利用自己作为演讲家与教育工作者的天赋，开始为孩子们编写系列教材。这套教材共7册，从学龄前至第6年级。他前后花费了20多年的时间才完成全套教材的编写。这套教材面世后就被美国很多学校选为课本。在75年间销量高达1.22亿，直到今天仍以各种版本流行于西方，被美国《出版周刊》评为“人类出版史上第三大畅销书”，对美国青年的心灵塑造与道德培养产生了史无前例的影响。

书籍目录

LESSON 1 ANECDOTE OF THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE  纽卡斯尔公爵趣事

LESSON 2 THE NEEDLE  银 针

LESSON 3 DAWN  黎 明

LESSON 4 DESCRIPTION OF A STORM  风 暴

LESSON 5 AFTER THE THUNDERSTORM  暴雨过后

LESSON 6 HOUSE CLEANING  大扫除

LESSON 7 SCHEMES OF LIFE OFTEN ILLUSORY 生活中通常貌似真实的计划

LESSON 8 THE BRAVE OLD OAK  勇敢的老橡树

LESSON 9 THE ARTIST SURPRISED  受惊的艺术家

LESSON 10 PICTURES OF MEMORY  记忆中的画

LESSON 11 THE MORNING ORATORIO  早晨的清唱剧

LESSON 12 SHORT SELECTIONS IN POETRY  诗歌采英

LESSON 13 DEATH OF LITTLE NELL  耐儿之死

LESSON 14 VANITY OF LIFE  生命之虚妄

LESSON 15 A POLITICAL PAUSE  一场政治暂停

LESSON 16 MY EXPERIENCE IN ELOCUTION  我的演说经历

LESSON 17 ELEGY IN A COUNTRY CHURCHYARD  墓地挽歌

LESSON 18 TACT AND TALENT  机智和才能

LESSON 19 SPEECH BEFORE THE VIRGINIA CONVENTION 在弗吉尼亚制宪大会上的演讲

LESSON 20 THE AMERICAN FLAG  国旗颂

LESSON 21 IRONICAL EULOGY ON DEBT  第二十一课 欠债讽诵

LESSON 22 THE THREE WARNINGS  三个警告

LESSON 23 THE MEMORY OF OUR FATHERS  怀念先辈

LESSON 24 SHORT SELECTIONS IN PROSE  散文选篇

LESSON 25 THE JOLLY OLD PEDAGOGUE  快活的老先生

LESSON 26 THE TEACHER AND SICK SCHOLAR  教师和生病的学者

LESSON 27 THE SNOW SHOWER  洁白的雪

LESSON 28 CHARACTER OF NAPOLEON BONAPARTE 拿破仑·波拿巴的性格

LESSON 29 NAPOLEON AT REST  躺下的拿破仑

LESSON 30 WAR  战 争

LESSON 31 SPEECH OF WALPOLE IN REPROOF OF MR. PITT 沃尔浦尔反驳皮特先生的演讲

LESSON 32 PITT’S REPLY TO SIR ROBERT WALPOLE 皮特对罗伯特·沃尔浦尔爵士的答复

LESSON 33 CHARACTER OF MR. PITT  皮特先生的品格

LESSON 34 THE SOLDIER’S REST  士兵的休息

LESSON 35 HENRY V. TO HIS TROOPS  亨利五世致部队士兵

LESSON 36 SPEECH OF PAUL ON MARS HILL  保罗在玛斯山上的演讲

LESSON 37 GOD IS EVERYWHERE  上帝无处不在

LESSON 38 LAFAYETTE AND ROBERT RAIKES 拉法耶特和罗伯特·莱克斯

LESSON 39 FALL OF CARDINAL WOLSEY  伍尔西大主教的垮台

LESSON 40 THE PHILOSOPHER  哲学家

LESSON 41 MARMION AND DOUGLAS  马米恩和道格拉斯

LESSON 42 THE PRESENT  今 朝

LESSON 43 THE BAPTISM  洗 礼

LESSON 44 SPARROWS  麻 雀

LESSON 45 OBSERVANCE OF THE SABBATH  守安息日

LESSON 46 GOD’S GOODNESS TO SUCH AS FEAR HIM 上帝的善就是心怀敬畏

LESSON 47 CHARACTER OF COLUMBUS  哥伦布的性格

LESSON 48 &"HE GIVETH HIS BELOVED SLEEP&"  他让自己的最爱安眠

LESSON 49 DESCRIPTION OF A SIEGE  对被围困的描写

LESSON 50 MARCO BOZZARIS  马尔科·博萨里斯

LESSON 51 SONG OF THE GREEK BARD  希腊游吟诗人之歌

LESSON 52 NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS  北美印第安人

LESSON 53 LOCHIEL’S WARNING  洛切尔的警告

LESSON 54 ON HAPPINESS OF TEMPER  论幸福感

LESSON 55 THE FORTUNE TELLER  占卜者

LESSON 56 RIENZI’S ADDRESS TO THE ROMANS 里恩齐对罗马人的演说

LESSON 57 THE PURITAN FATHERS OF NEW ENGLAND 新英格兰清教徒先辈的品格

LESSON 58 LANDING OF THE PILGRIM FATHERS  朝圣先辈登岸

LESSON 59 NECESSITY OF EDUCATION  教育的必要性

LESSON 60 RIDING ON A SNOWPLOW  乘坐扫雪机

LESSON 61 THE QUARREL OF BRUTUS AND CASSIUS 布鲁图和凯西尤的争吵

LESSON 62 THE QUACK  江湖庸医

LESSON 63 RIP VAN WINKLE  瑞普·凡·温克尔

LESSON 64 BILL AND JOE  比尔和乔

LESSON 65 SORROW FOR THE DEAD  为死者悲

LESSON 66 THE EAGLE  鹰之歌

LESSON 67 POLITICAL TOLERATION  政治信仰自由

LESSON 68 WHAT CONSTITUTES A STATE?  国家的构成

LESSON 69 THE BRAVE AT HOME  家里的勇敢者

LESSON 70 SOUTH CAROLINA  南卡罗来纳州

LESSON 71 MASSACHUSETTS AND SOUTH CAROLINA 马萨诸塞人和南卡罗来纳

LESSON 72 THE CHURCH SCENE FROM EVANGELINE 伊万杰琳眼中的教堂景象

LESSON 73 SONG OF THE SHIRT  衬衫之歌

LESSON 74 DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND  砖石切砖石

LESSON 75 THANATOPSIS  对死亡的见解

LESSON 76 INDIAN JUGGLERS  印第安耍把戏者

LESSON 77 ANTONY OVER CAESAR’S DEAD BODY 安东尼站在恺撒尸体前

LESSON 78 THE ENGLISH CHARACTER  英国人的性格

LESSON 79 THE SONG OF THE POTTER  陶工之歌

LESSON 80 A HOT DAY IN NEW YORK  纽约一个大热天

LESSON 81 DISCONTENT.(AN ALLEGORY)  不 满

LESSON 82 JUPITER AND TEN  朱庇特和十个

LESSON 83 SCENE FROM &"THE POOR GENTLEMAN&"  穷绅士

LESSON 84 MY MOTHER’S PICTURE  我妈妈的画像

LESSON 85 DEATH OF SAMSON  萨姆逊之死

LESSON 86 AN EVENING ADVENTURE  夜间奇遇

LESSON 87 THE BAREFOOT BOY  赤脚的孩子

LESSON 88 THE GLOVE AND THE LIONS  手套和猛狮

LESSON 89 THE FOLLY OF INTOXICATION  愚人的陶醉

LESSON 90 STARVED ROCK  饥饿的岩石

LESSON 91 PRINCE HENRY AND FALSTAFF  亨利王子和福尔斯塔夫

LESSON 92 STUDIES  论学问

LESSON 93 SURRENDER OF GRANADA  格兰纳达的投降

LESSON 94 HAMLET’S SOLILOQUY  哈姆雷特的独白

LESSON 95 GINEVRA  吉内乌拉

LESSON 96 INVENTIONS AND DISCOVERIES  发明与发现

LESSON 97 ENOCH ARDEN AT THE WINDOW  窗前的伊诺克·艾登

LESSON 98 LOCHINVAR  罗钦瓦尔

LESSON 99 SPEECH ON THE TRIAL OF A MURDERER 关于审判杀人凶手的演讲

LESSON 100 THE CLOSING YEAR  一年即逝

LESSON 101 A NEW CITY IN COLORADO  科罗拉多的新城

LESSON 102 IMPORTANCE OF THE UNION  联邦的重要性

LESSON 103 THE INFLUENCES OF THE SUN  日光的影响

LESSON 104 COLLOQUIAL POWERS OF FRANKLIN 富兰克林的话语感染力

LESSON 105 THE DREAM OF CLARENCE  克拉伦斯的梦

LESSON 106 HOMEWARD BOUND  向家的方向航行

LESSON 107 IMPEACHMENT OF WARREN HASTINGS 控告沃伦·哈斯廷斯

LESSON 108 DESTRUCTION OF THE CARNATIC  卡那提克的毁灭

LESSON 109 THE RAVEN  乌 鸦

LESSON 110 A VIEW OF THE COLOSSEUM  角斗场印象记

LESSON 111 THE BRIDGE  桥

LESSON 112 OBJECTS AND LIMITS OF SCIENCE  科学的目标和局限

LESSON 113 THE DOWNFALL OF POLAND  波兰的陷落

LESSON 114 LABOR  做 工

LESSON 115 THE LAST DAYS OF HERCULANEUM 赫库兰尼姆的最后日子

LESSON 116 HOW MEN REASON  人是如何推理的

LESSON 117 THUNDERSTORM ON THE ALPS  阿尔卑斯山的暴风雨

LESSON 118 ORIGIN OF PROPERTY  财产的起源

LESSON 119 BATTLE OF WATERLOO  滑铁卢之战

LESSON 120 &"WITH BRAINS, SIR&"  &"要用脑子，先生&"

LESSON 121 THE NEW ENGLAND PASTOR  新英格兰牧师

LESSON 122 DEATH OF ABSALOM  押沙龙之死

LESSON 123 ABRAHAM DAVENPORT  亚伯拉罕·达文波特

LESSON 124 THE FALLS OF THE YOSEMITE  约斯迈特瀑布

LESSON 125 A PSALM OF LIFE  生活赞美诗

LESSON 126 FRANKLIN’S ENTRY INTO PHILADELPHIA 富兰克林进入费城

LESSON 127 LINES TO A WATERFOWL  对水禽的描绘

LESSON 128 GOLDSMITH AND ADDISON  歌德斯密和艾迪生

LESSON 129 IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL  灵魂的不朽

LESSON 130 CHARACTER OF WASHINGTON  华盛顿的性格

LESSON 131 EULOGY ON WASHINGTON  颂华盛顿

LESSON 132 THE SOLITARY REAPER  孤独的割麦女

LESSON 133 VALUE OF THE PRESENT  现在的价值

LESSON 134 HAPPINESS  幸 福

LESSON 135 MARION  马里恩

LESSON 136 A COMMON THOUGHT  共同的想法

LESSON 137 A DEFINITE AIM IN READING  确定阅读目标

LESSON 138 ODE TO MT. BLANC  咏白朗峰

编辑推荐

　　现有《美国语文读本》配套MP3朗读文件免费下载。　　详情请见美国语文博客  http://blog.sina.com.cn/homeschoolnow　　影响美国学生近一个世纪的教科书，一套塑造美国精神与文明的语文读本！这套由美国著名教育家、俄亥俄大学校长威廉·H·麦加菲花费20多年时间倾心主编，至1920年累计销量便高达1.22亿册，是美国最畅销的语文课本，被《时代周刊》评为“人类出版史上第三大畅销书”。

作者简介

《美国语文6(英汉双语全译版)》从19世纪中期至20世纪中叶，一直被广泛用作美国学校的语文教材，据称有10000多所美国学校拿它当作教材。到了21世纪，西方一些私立学校（Private School)和家庭学校（Homeschool）仍用它作为教材，足见这套书的价值与影响力。据估计，这套书从问世至1960年，至少发行了1.22亿册；1961年后，在西方每年销量仍达30000册以上。应该说，没有哪一套个人主编的教材能超过此发行量了！此套读本的英文原版共分七级，包括启蒙读本和第1-6级。考虑到启蒙读本与第一级篇幅都较少，难易程度也很接近，于是我们将之合并为第1册，其余2-6级与英文原版相同。这样国内出版的这套读本共包括6册。第1册从字母表开始，主要侧重于字母的发音与书写、简单的单词与句型，同时强调英文书写，课文后面附有不少书法练习，让孩子们不仅将英语说得像外国人，而且写得也跟外文书法一样，这是国内英语教学所缺少的一个环节。从第2册开始，均是比较正式的课文，每一课包括词汇和课文，对一些生词有英文解释，让学生学会通过简单英文理解生词，养成用英语理解和思维的习惯。第5册和第6册的课文前增加了作者简介与相关背景知识，内容丰富而有一定深度。此套书为在原版本基础上重新修订精装版，后两册字号较之前有所放大，并且修正了原有的错误之处，以方便学生阅读。

图书封面

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 美国语文下载

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