they suck\'d in/Richard Cumberland1812

https://books.google.com/books?id=2V5DAQAAMAAJ

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There are several authors named Richard Cumberland. Here are a few examples: 1. Richard Cumberland (1631-1718) - An English philosopher and bishop who wrote on moral and political philosophy. 2. Richard Cumberland (1732-1811) - An English dramatist and philosopher known for his plays, including "The West Indian" and "The Fashionable Lover." 3. Richard Cumberland (1848-1926) - An American playwright and novelist who wrote popular works such as "The Money Spinner" and "The American Girl." 4. Richard Cumberland (1880-1966) - An English author and playwright who wrote novels like "The Abyss" and "The Great Affair." 5. Richard Cumberland (born 1948) - A contemporary British author known for his novels and plays, including "The Glass Bathyscaphe" and "Words with Music." Please specify which Richard Cumberland you are referring to for a more accurate answer.

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一本1812年的小書 （轉）

來源: dhyang_wxc 於 2023-09-25 12:52:45 [檔案] [博客] [舊帖] [給我悄悄話] 本文已被閱讀： 7 次 (9666 bytes)
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一本1812年的小書

 

楊道還 9/24/2023

 

我的藏書中，有本1812年的小書，Retrospection: A Poem in Familiar Verse,作者Richard Cumberland.

 

這本書是很偶然購得的。賣書的白人老太太，不像是讀這種書的人，大概是她先生留給她的。我拿書付錢，她望著我，說：「你會讀嗎？」

 

這個問題，以前買書時我是遇到過的。那是個樂嗬嗬的白人中年婦女書商。我不時在她那裏買書，一來二去混得臉熟了。有一次，這樣問，我開玩笑說：「No, for decoration only。」這是個很難回答的問題，原因有二。一，這些老書禁不起太多翻閱，小心翼翼地翻頁，怎麽讀？二，講到讀，我得能看得懂才行。看不懂，怎麽能叫讀？

 

老太太顯然沒有我這麽多想法，所以我隻好老老實實地講：「這本書我隻會有時翻翻。我希望這就符合了它的功用。」從她的笑容看，這個回答大概超出了她的期望。

 

Dutifully，回家後我就翻了翻這本書。還好，是本小書，隻有76頁；更好的是，每頁隻印了十到十五行。但不好的是，作者是誰，不是那麽清楚。

 

英國的Richard Cumberland（s），有兩個。一個是功利主義哲學家，一個是他的孫子，以劇作家聞名。這很混亂，但想起法國的路易若幹，也還罷了。我私下以為，因為人名的問題，法國史不比中國史容易讀：能找到的路易還好，名不見經傳的那些路易，怎麽辦？

 

這兩個人名下Wiki，都沒這本書。用穀歌深度搜索，才解決了這個問題。有人在上個世紀初，研究了這個劇作家，Richard Cumberland： His Life and Dramatic Works （Stanley Thomas Williams， 1917）。這本書在書後的作品列表中。我手上這本書是美國出版的，英國第一版是在1811年。

 

這本書的內容是作者的回憶錄。但，是本情感、感思回憶錄，沒有具體的年月人，多有自心的歷程——回憶錄還可以這樣！因此dutifully之上，我又happily地盡我所能讀了讀這本書，不能盡懂，裏麵夾雜著些法語和古英語。然而讀書遭遇朦朧，自有妙享難言。

 

開卷有益。Cumberland不很厚道地寫到：

I found how many men were only great,

When seen at distance, owing all their bulk

And stature to the magnifying mist:

……

The operation of that subtle gas,

…… they suck'd in,

……

…… sets the ladder for the Knave to mount.

FOUND INSIDE – PAGE 336
When seen at distance , owing all their bulk And stature to the magnifying mist : For , on a nearer view , I chiefly saw The operation of that subtle gas , Which flattery introduc'd , and they suck'd in , Till , gorg'd and swollen with ...
此段是節錄，原文可見https://books.google.com/books?id=2V5DAQAAMAAJ  。

思及於此，作文記之。

[TJKCB]

Based on the information you provided, the excerpt you mentioned can be found on page 336 of the book you linked. In this passage, the speaker reflects on how some individuals appear impressive and larger than life when seen from a distance due to a magnifying mist. However, upon closer inspection, the speaker realizes that their perceived greatness is primarily a result of flattery and the absorption of this subtle gas of flattery. These individuals become engorged and swollen with the praise they receive, which ultimately shapes their reputation and stature.