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I must record one trait of this good man's character.
我要记载这个好人性格中的一个特点。
He had formerly been in business at Bristol, but failed in debt to a number of people, compounded and went to America.
他过去曾经在不列斯多经商，但是亏了本，欠了许多人债，无力还清，只好赔偿了一部分债款了事，以后他到美洲去了。
There, by a close application to business as a merchant, he acquired a plentiful fortune in a few years.
在那里，他专心一意地经商，在几年之内竟积蓄了一笔巨大财产。
Returning to England in the ship with me, he invited his old creditors to an entertainment, at which he thank'd them for the easy composition they had favoured him with, and, when they expected nothing but the treat,
跟我同船回到了英国以后，他请了他旧日的债主来吃饭，感谢他们过去对他债款的宽大处理，这时候客人们只以为他款待他们，别无期待，
every man at the first remove found under his plate an order on a banker for the full amount of the unpaid remainder with interest.
但是当他们一移动碗盘时，发现在各人的盘子下面放着一张支票，除了全部未付清的余数外，还有利息。
He now told me he was about to return to Philadelphia, and should carry over a great quantity of goods in order to open a store there.
这时候他告诉我他快要回到费城去了，为了在费城开设一家商号，他要带回去大量物资。
He propos'd to take me over as his clerk, to keep his books, in which he would instruct me, copy his letters, and attend the store.
他提议雇用我为店员，替他记账，他会教我簿记，替他抄写信件和照料铺子。
He added, that, as soon as I should be acquainted with mercantile business, he would promote me by sending me with a cargo of flour and bread, etc., to the West Indies, and procure me commissions from others which would be profitable;
他说等到我熟悉了业务以后，他会提升我，派我带一船面粉和面包到西印度群岛去，并且使我从其他方面得到佣金，获利甚厚。
and, if I manag'd well, would establish me handsomely.
假如我经营得法，我会发财致富。
The thing pleas'd me; for I was grown tired of London, remembered with pleasure the happy months I had spent in Pennsylvania, and wish'd again to see it;
这事正中我意，因为我对伦敦已感到厌倦，愉快地回忆昔日在宾夕法尼亚所过的快乐的岁月，就想旧地重游，
therefore I immediately agreed on the terms of fifty pounds a year, Pennsylvania money; less, indeed, than my present gettings as a compositor, but affording a better prospect.
因此我就立即接受了这一职位，年薪五十镑，宾夕法尼亚币，比我当时排字工的工资确是少了，但是较有前途。
I now took leave of printing, as I thought, forever, and was daily employed in my new business, going about with Mr. Denham among the tradesmen to purchase various articles,
这时我就离开了印刷业，当时我还以为是永远离开哩，我每日从事于新的工作，随着田纳先生到商店里去买各种商品，
and seeing them pack'd up, doing errands, calling upon workmen to dispatch, etc.; and, when all was on board, I had a few days' leisure.
监督包装，出外办事，催促工匠完工等等，当一切都送上船以后，我就有几天空闲时间。
On one of these days, I was, to my surprise, sent for by a great man I knew only by name, a Sir William Wyndham, and I waited upon him.
就在这样空闲的一天，出乎我意料之外，我接到一位显要人物的召唤，一个威廉·温特摩爵士，我以前只知其名，从未见过。
He had heard by some means or other of my swimming from Chelsea to Blackfriars, and of my teaching Wygate and another young man to swim in a few hours.
他不知怎样听说我曾经从夏尔西泅到勃莱克佛里雅的地方，曾经在几小时内教会了华盖特和另外一个年轻人游泳。
He had two sons, about to set out on their travels; he wish'd to have them first taught swimming, and proposed to gratify me handsomely if I would teach them.
他有两个儿子，即将到远方旅行去，他要他们首先学会游泳，提议假如我同意教他们的话，他愿出重金酬劳我。
They were not yet come to town, and my stay was uncertain, so I could not undertake it;
这时候他的两个儿子不在伦敦，我在伦敦能逗留多久也不能断定，因此我不能答应下来。
but, from this incident, I thought it likely that, if I were to remain in England and open a swimming-school, I might get a good deal of money;
但是从这件事我想到：假如我留在英国开办一个游泳训练班的话，我可能赚一笔大钱。
and it struck me so strongly, that, had the overture been sooner made me, probably I should not so soon have returned to America.
这一印象是如此的深刻，假如他的提议早来几天的话，也许我不会那么早就回到美洲来。
After many years, you and I had something of more importance to do with one of these sons of Sir William Wyndham, become Earl of Egremont, which I shall mention in its place.
多年以后，我曾经跟威廉·温特摩爵士两个儿子中的一个接洽过更重大的事情。那时他已是爱葛雷孟伯爵，这事我以后在适当的地方还要提到。
Thus I spent about eighteen months in London; most part of the time I work'd hard at my business, and spent but little upon myself except in seeing plays and in books.
这样我在伦敦度过了约一年半的时光。大多数的时候我辛勤地在我的本行工作，除了看戏买书以外，我自奉甚俭。
My friend Ralph had kept me poor; he owed me about twenty-seven pounds, which I was now never likely to receive; a great sum out of my small earnings!
我的朋友雷夫使我贫穷，他欠了我大约二十七镑，现在我毫无希望收回这笔欠款了。在我微薄的收入中，这是多么大的一笔款项呀！
I lov'd him, notwithstanding, for he had many amiable qualities.
尽管如此，我还是爱他，因为他有许多讨人喜欢的地方。
I had by no means improv'd my fortune; but I had picked up some very ingenious acquaintance, whose conversation was of great advantage to me; and I had read considerably.
虽然我并不能因他而致富，在伦敦我结识了一些聪明的朋友，跟他们交谈使我得益不少，同时我也阅读了不少书籍。
