四季隨筆-the private papers of henry ryecroft(英文版)

第8部分 (第2/7頁)

　by　its　glorious　rapture；　my　being　melts　in　the　tenderness　of　an　impassioned　joy；　my　eyes　are　dim　with　I　know　not　what　profound　humility。

XXII

Were　one　to　look　at　the　literary　journals　only；　and　thereafter　judge　of　the　time；　it　would　be　easy　to　persuade　oneself　that　civilization　had　indeed　made　great　and　solid　progress；　and　that　the　world　stood　at　a　very　hopeful　stage　of　enlightenment。　Week　after　week；　I　glance　over　these　pages　of　crowded　advertisement；　I　see　a　great　many　publishing…houses　zealously　active　in　putting　forth　every　kind　of　book；　new　and　old；　I　see　names　innumerable　of　workers　in　every　branch　of　literature。　Much　that　is　announced　declares　itself　at　once　of　merely　ephemeral　import；　or　even　of　no　import　at　all；　but　what　masses　of　print　which　invite　the　attention　of　thoughtful　or　studious　folk！　To　the　multitude　is　offered　a　long　succession　of　classic　authors；　in　beautiful　form；　at　a　minimum　cost；　never　were　such　treasures　so　cheaply　and　so　gracefully　set　before　all　who　can　prize　them。　For　the　wealthy；　there　are　volumes　magnificent；　lordly　editions；　works　of　art　whereon　have　been　lavished　care　and　skill　and　expense　incalculable。　Here　is　exhibited　the　learning　of　the　whole　world　and　of　all　the　ages；　be　a　man's　study　what　it　will；　in　these　columns；　at　one　time　or　another　he　shall　find　that　which　appeals　to　him。　Here　are　labours　of　the　erudite；　exercised　on　every　subject　that　falls　within　learning's　scope。　Science　brings　forth　its　newest　discoveries　in　earth　and　heaven；　it　speaks　to　the　philosopher　in　his　solitude；　and　to　the　crowd　in　the　market…place。　Curious　pursuits　of　the　mind　at　leisure　are　represented　in　publications　numberless；　trifles　and　oddities　of　intellectual　savour；　gatherings　from　every　byway　of　human　interest。　For　other　moods　there　are