美國語文第六冊 第265期:英國人的性格(2)
英國人天性羞怯——這是一種自然的內斂，使他對陌生人顯得冷漠，難于接近。
But once corner him in his own house, a frank and full expansion will be given to his feelings that we should look for in vain in the colder Yankee,
不過一旦身處自家一隅，那種坦率和個性的張揚便賦予他我們在冷酷的美國佬身上難得一見的情感，
and a depth not to be found in the light and superficial Frenchman, speaking of nationalities, not of individualities.
其深邃程度是我們在輕浮和流于表面的法國人身上見不到的，這里所指的是作為群體的民族，不是個體。
The Englishman is the most truly rural in his tastes and habits of any people in the world. I am speaking of the higher classes.
英國人是世界上最能保持趣味和習慣原初本質的民族。我指的是較高階層的人。
The aristocracy of other countries affect the camp and the city. But the English love their old castles and country seats with a patriotic love.
其他國家的貴族偏愛營地和城市，而英國的貴族喜愛的是古老的城堡和能寄寓愛國情懷的鄉(xiāng)村。
They are fond of country sports. Every man shoots or hunts. No man is too old to be in the saddle some part of the day,
他們喜愛鄉(xiāng)村才有的體育運動。每個人都喜歡射獵。沒有誰太守舊，以至于在一天里總有一些時間居高臨下騎著馬，
and men of seventy years and more follow the hounds, and, take a five-barred gate at a leap.
年屆七旬和更年長的老人牽著狗，飛身越過有五道木柵的門。
The women are good whips, are fond of horses and dogs, and other animals.
女人都很會使鞭子，喜歡騎馬和遛狗。
Duchesses have their cows, their poultry, their pigs, all watched over and provided with accommodations of Dutch-like neatness.
女公爵有屬于她們的母牛、家禽和豬——所有人都照看這些動物，提供荷蘭式整潔干凈的生活必需品。
All this is characteristic of the people.
這就是英國人的民族性格。
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