英语散文:论旅行（培根）

 

TRAVEL, in the younger sort, is a part of education, in the elder, a part of experience.  He that travelleth into a country, before he hath some entrance into the language, goeth to school, and not to travel.  That young men travel under some tutor, or grave servant, I allow well; so that he be such a one that hath the language, and hath been in the country before; whereby he may be able to tell them what things are worthy to be seen, in the country where they go; what acquaintances they are to seek; what exercises, or discipline, the place yieldeth.  For else, young men shall go hooded, and look abroad little.  It is a strange thing, that in sea voyages, where there is nothing to be seen, but sky and sea, men should make diaries; but in land-travel, wherein so much is to be observed, for the most part they omit it; as if chance were fitter to be registered, than observation.  Let diaries, therefore, be brought in use.  The things to be seen and observed are: the courts of princes, especially when they give audience to ambassadors; the courts of justice, while they sit and hear causes; and so of consistories ecclesiastic; the churches and monasteries, with the monuments which are therein extant; the walls and fortifications of cities, and towns, and so the heavens and harbors; antiquities and ruins; libraries; colleges, disputations, and lectures, where any are; shipping and navies; houses and gardens of state and pleasure, near great cities; armories; arsenals; magazines; exchanges; burses; warehouses; exercises of horsemanship, fencing, training of soldiers, and the like; comedies, such whereunto the better sort of persons do resort; treasuries of jewels and robes; cabinets and rarities; and, to conclude, whatsoever is memorable, in the places where they go.  After all which, the tutors, or servants, ought to make diligent inquiry.  As for triumphs, masks, feasts, weddings, funerals, capital executions, and such shows, men need not to be put in mind of them; yet are they not to be neglected.  If you will have a young man to put his travel into a little room, and in short time to gather much, this you must do.  First, as was said, he must have some entrance into the language before he goeth.  Then he must have such a servant, or tutor, as knoweth the country, as was likewise said.  Let him carry  with him also, some card or book, describing the country where he travelleth; which will be a good key to his inquiry.  Let him keep also a diary.  Let him not stay long, in one city or town; more or less as the place deserveth, but not long; nay, when he stayeth in one city or town, let him change his lodging from one end and part of the town, to another; which is a great adamant of acquaintance. Let him sequester himself, from the company of his countrymen, and diet in such places, where there is good company of the nation where he travelleth.  Let him, upon his removes from one place to another, procure recommendation to some person of quality, residing in the place whither he removeth; that he may use his favor, in those things he desireth to see or know.  Thus he may abridge his travel, with much profit.  As for the acquaintance, which is to be sought in travel; that which is most of all profitable, is acquaintance with the secretaries and employed men of ambassadors: for so in travelling in one country, he shall suck the experience of many.  Let him also see, and visit, eminent persons in all kinds, which are of great name abroad; that he may be able to tell, how the life agreeth with the fame.  For quarrels, they are with care and discretion to be avoided. They are commonly for mistresses, healths, place, and words.  And let a man beware,  how he keepeth company with choleric and quarrelsome persons; for they will engage him into their own quarrels. When a traveller returneth home, let him not leave the countries, where he hath travelled, altogether behind him; but maintain a correspondence by letters, with those of his acquaintance ,which are of most worth.  And let his travel appear rather in his discourse, than his apparel or gesture; and in his discourse, let him be rather advised in his answers, than forward to tell stories; and let it appear that he doth not change his country manners, for those of foreign parts; but only prick in some flowers, of that he hath learned abroad, into the customs of his own country.

　
 远游于年少者乃教育之一部分，于年长者则为经验之一部分。未习一国之语言而去该国，那与其说是去旅游，不如说是去求学。余赞成年少者游异邦须有一私家教师或老成持重的仆人随行，但随行者须通该邦语言并去过该邦，这样他便可告知主人在所去国度有何事当看，有何人当交，有何等运动可习，或有何等学问可得，不然年少者将犹如雾中看花，虽远游他邦但所见甚少。远游者有一怪习，当其航行于大诲，除水天之外别无他景可看之时，他们往往会大写日记，但当其漫游于大陆，有诸多景象可观之时，他们却往往疏于着墨，仿佛偶然之所见比刻意之观察更适于记载似的。所以写日记得养成习惯。远游者在所游国度应观其是家宫廷，尤其当遇到君王们接见各国使节的时候；应观其讼庭法院，尤其当遇到法官开庭审案之时；还应观各派教会举行的宗教会议；观各教堂寺院及其中的历史古迹；现各城镇之墙垣及堡垒要塞；观码头和海港、遗迹和废墟；现书楼和学校以及偶遇的答辩和演讲；现该国的航运船舶和海军舰队；观都市近郊壮美的建筑和花园；观军械库、大仓房、交易所和基金会；观马术、击剑、兵训及诸如此类的操演；观当地上流人士趋之若骛的戏剧；观珠宝服饰和各类珍奇标本。一言以蔽之，应观看所到之处一切值得记忆的风光名胜和礼仪习俗，反正打探上述去处应是随行的那名私家教师或贴身随从的事。至于庆祝大典、化装舞会、琼筵盛宴、婚礼葬礼以及行刑等热闹场面，游者倒不必过分注意，但也不应视而不见。若要让一名年少者在短期内游一小国且要受益甚多，那就必须让他做到以下几点；首先他必须如前文所述在动身前已略知该国语言；其次他必须有一名上文所说的那种熟悉该国的私家教师或随从；其三他得带若干介绍该国的书籍地图以资随时查阅释疑；他还必须坚持天天写日记；他不可在一城一镇久居，时间长短可视地方而定，但不宜太久；当居于某城某镇时，他须在该城不同地域变换位处，以便吸引更多人相识；他得使自己不与本国同胞交往，而且应在可结交当地朋友的地方用餐；当从一地迁往另一地时，他须设法获得写给另一地某位上流人物的推荐信，以便在他想见识或了解某些事时可得到那人的帮助。只要做到上述各点，他就能在短期游历中受益良多。至于在旅行中当与何等人相交相识，余以为最值得结识者莫过于各国使节的秘书雇员之类，这样在一国旅行者亦可获得游多国之体验。游人在所游之地亦应去拜望各类名扬天下的卓越人物，如此便有可能看出那些大活人在多大程度上与其名声相符。旅行中务必谨言慎行以免引起争吵，须知引发争吵的事由多是为情人、饮酒、座次或出言不逊。游人与易怒好争者结伴时尤须当心，因为后者可能把游人也扯进他们自己的争吵。远游者归国返乡后，不可将曾游历过的国家抛到九霄云外，而应该与那些新结识且值得结识的友人保持通信。他还须注意，与其让自己的远游经历反映在衣着或举止上，不如让其反映在言谈之中；但在谈及自己的旅行时，最好是谨慎答问，别急于津津乐道。他还须注意，勿显得因游过异国他邦就改变了自己本国的某些习惯，而应该让人觉得自己是把在国外学到的某些最好的东西融进了本国的习俗。