“How rosed with morn, how angel innocent,
Thus looking back, I see my lightsome youth!
And each illusion was a radiant truth!
Each sorrow dead bequeathed a young desire,
—Taylor.
Bayard was not an exception to the universal rule, found true by nearly every scholar, and every successful statesman. He was ridiculed7 by a thoughtless throng9. His success in the matters he undertook subjected him to the slights and backbiting10 of envious11 simpletons, and everywhere the looks and shrugs12 of his acquaintances told with what contempt they looked upon his endeavors to be a poet, and to see the world. It was the same old trial, and only those young men who, like Bayard, are able to stand firm against ridicule8 and envy, ever reach the acropolis of[43] their ambition. No record has been found of the effect these things had upon Bayard, or upon the two noble young men who were his companions; but we do know that they turned not from their purpose. Bayard’s sensitive nature, his warm heart, his innocent ambition must have felt the stings, and, at times in after life, he spoke13 as one who had not forgotten. How grand and honorable the exceptional appearance of the few who were generous and faithful to the poor boy on the threshold of his life!
Taking with them only such baggage as they could carry in their hands, these three young men,—Bayard Taylor, Franklin Taylor, and Barclay Pennock.—started for New York the last week in June, 1844. There had been but little delay, notwithstanding the day for departure had been set before Bayard knew where the funds were to come from to defray his expenses.
There was a strong hope in Bayard’s mind that Mr. N. P. Willis, who had written him such encouraging letters, would be able to assist him in securing employment as a travelling correspondent of some of the New York daily papers. Mr. Willis was widely known, and greatly respected in New York, and, on the arrival of Bayard at his office, he entered heartily14 into the work of procuring15 such a situation for his young friend. But foreign correspondence had been as much overdone16 in New York as in Philadelphia. So many writers had tried to make a name[44] by imitating the first successful correspondents, that the people were weary with the monotonous17 story. It was as well known then as it is now, that copyists and imitators are not what a live, active, original newspaper requires. Correspondence from almost anywhere could be made interesting and amusing, if the writer would only write naturally, and describe the things he saw in just the light they appeared to him. No one thought that this boy would do anything else but follow in the old track. Hence they wished for none of his writings. One gentleman told him that it was useless to make engagements, for a youth, going into a strange country in that hap-hazard way, would not live to write any letters. Mr. Willis’ generous assistance availed Bayard nothing with a people who had so often been compelled to form their own opinion of the people they wished to employ, and who considered themselves the best judges.
In the editorial room of the New York “Tribune” sat the editor, whose name is being written higher, on the list of America’s great men, by every succeeding year. To his quick eye, there was promise of noble things in the countenance18 of the boy. He had himself been a venturesome, ambitious, penniless boy, and, like Bayard, he had boldly pushed his boat into the dangerous billows. He may have remembered Benjamin Franklin’s hazardous19 trip, as a boy, to Philadelphia, for Bayard was mentioned by Mr. Willis as a young man from the Quaker city. Whatever may[45] have been his thoughts, he treated Bayard with his usual consideration, and informed the youth that he was ready to publish and pay for all letters that were worth inserting in the “Tribune.” But he solemnly warned Bayard against attempting to write anything until he knew enough about the country to write intelligently. Bayard told Mr. Greeley that he would try to get acquainted with the people of Germany and their institutions, and, as soon as he felt competent, would send a few letters for Mr. Greeley’s criticism. The busy editor nodded as the boy thanked him, bade him good-day, and, doubtless, instantly forgot there had ever been such a visitor; and left the fact in oblivion, until it was brought to mind some months afterwards by the arrival of a letter from Germany.
Mr. Willis told Bayard, as he said afterwards, to keep up his courage, and go forward: “The way to Valhalla is broad and smooth to the hero, but narrow and dangerous to the coward.” It appears by the brief account which is given in the introduction to his “Views Afoot,” published by Putnam & Sons, New York, that the party had a difficult task to find a vessel in which the accommodations, rates of passage, and port of destination were within their plan. They intended at first to take a vessel direct for the Continent; but in such of them as were bound for continental20 ports, the fare was too high. They were, however, on the point of taking passage in a Dutch sailing vessel, the consignees of which were[46] acquaintances of Mr. Willis, and consequently made some reduction in the fares, when an opportunity offered itself for a steerage passage in a vessel bound for Liverpool. In that way, they would be conveyed to England for the sum of twenty-four dollars. But such a passage! Think of it, ye disconsolate21, fault-finding tourists, who lie in the soft beds of a steamer, with fresh air and plenty of light! Think of it, ye sufferers that occupy the great forward hall of a steamship22, and who curse your fate that you are compelled to take a steerage passage! What would you do or say should you be crowded into a cabin of rough planks23, eight feet long, and seven feet wide, with nine passengers and eight narrow berths24, in a clumsy, dirty little sailing vessel? Yet this was the young adventurer’s choice, rather than expend25 the small sum of twenty-five dollars from his small store. These three boys were compelled, by the terms of passage, to furnish their own provisions and bedding, and the fact that the unexpected honesty and kindness of a warehouse26 clerk prevented their starting off without enough food to last through the voyage, is another proof that “fortune favors the brave.”
As there was one more adult passenger in the steerage than there were berths, Bayard and his cousin Frank good-naturedly agreed to occupy one together. To the writer, who has frequently crossed the treacherous27 Atlantic, there seems to be no experience so inconceivably miserable28 and sickening as a steerage[47] passage in a sailing vessel must be to the landsman. But when to the usual discomforts29 of dampness, darkness, sea-sickness, and strange company, are added the cramps30 caused by being packed with another passenger like a sandwich into a narrow box, and the absence of fresh air, no tortures of the Inquisition would seem to equal it. Bayard often referred to his first discouraging sensation of sea-sickness. Coming, as it always does to the passenger, just as he is taking his last sad look at the fading shores of his native country, it is always a disheartening experience. Bayard shed tears as he began to realize that he was actually afloat upon the wide ocean, and could not if he would return to the land. He has since well said, that had he known more of life, and the dangers of travel, his alarm and discouragement would have been much greater than they were, and of longer duration. Youth borrows no trouble; hence it is happy and victorious31.
Of that voyage, and its sufferings, in the ship “Oxford,” beginning on the first day of July, and ending at Liverpool on the twenty-ninth of the same month, he made but brief mention; yet his experience in getting the ship’s cook to boil their potatoes, in eating their meals of pilot-bread, and in the company of their English, Scotch32, Irish, and German cabin-mates, was most charmingly told in his letters to the “Gazette” and to the “Post,” as well as in “Views Afoot,” to which reference has already been made. His German[48] companion was not only a social advantage, but furnished the adventurous33 youths with a pleasant opportunity to get some of the German phrases, and to hear descriptions of the country they were to visit. They were also favored by the captain’s permission to use books from the cabin library, which contained several entertaining books of travel and of fiction. The closing days of the voyage appear to have been pleasant in some respects, for the beauty of the sea made a lasting34 impression upon his mind, and might possibly have been still in his memory when he wrote the lines in his “Poems of Home and Travel,” running thus:—
He laughs wherever he goes;
His merriment shines in the dimpling lines
He lays himself down at the feet of the Sun,
And shakes all over with glee,
And the broad-backed billows fall faint on the shore
It may be that the beauty and joy of the sea appeared more remarkable38 because of the great contrast between its free and wild life, and the crowded and stifled39 existence of the mortals who witnessed its gambols40. At all events he was not so delighted with the sea that he could not shout with the others, when the dark outlines of Ireland’s mountains appeared through the mist. The sleepless41 nights, the company of howling Iowa Indians, the musty cabin, the terrible nausea—all[49] were forgotten in the sight of land, and as the goal grew nearer, the more like a dream became all the disagreeable experiences of the voyage, until when, after tacking42 from northern Ireland to Scotland, from Scotland to Ireland, and from Ireland to the Isle43 of Man, they sailed up the Mersey to Liverpool, the inconveniences of the voyage had wholly faded out, and only the few agreeable incidents remained a reality. They passed the dreaded44 officials of the custom-house without difficulty, and by the advice of a “wild Englishman,” who was one of their travelling companions, they went to the Chorley Tavern45, and there enjoyed a bountiful dinner, as only passengers by sea can enjoy them when first they step on shore. Bayard was impressed by the sombre appearance of the city, and amused by the use of the middle of the streets for sidewalks, and by the pink each man carried in his buttonhole.
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1
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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bounty
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| n.慷慨的赠予物，奖金；慷慨，大方；施与 | |
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hovering
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| 鸟( hover的现在分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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pervading
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的现在分词 ) | |
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aspire
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| vi.(to，after)渴望，追求，有志于 | |
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ridiculed
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| v.嘲笑，嘲弄，奚落( ridicule的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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ridicule
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| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
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throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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backbiting
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| 背后诽谤 | |
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envious
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| adj.嫉妒的，羡慕的 | |
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shrugs
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| n.耸肩（以表示冷淡，怀疑等）( shrug的名词复数 ) | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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procuring
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的现在分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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overdone
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| v.做得过分( overdo的过去分词 )；太夸张；把…煮得太久；（工作等）过度 | |
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monotonous
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| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
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18
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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hazardous
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| adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的 | |
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continental
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| adj.大陆的，大陆性的，欧洲大陆的 | |
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disconsolate
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| adj.忧郁的，不快的 | |
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22
steamship
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| n.汽船，轮船 | |
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planks
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| （厚）木板( plank的名词复数 )； 政纲条目，政策要点 | |
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berths
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| n.（船、列车等的）卧铺( berth的名词复数 )；（船舶的）停泊位或锚位；差事；船台vt.v.停泊( berth的第三人称单数 )；占铺位 | |
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25
expend
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| vt.花费，消费，消耗 | |
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26
warehouse
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| n.仓库；vt.存入仓库 | |
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27
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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discomforts
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| n.不舒适( discomfort的名词复数 )；不愉快，苦恼 | |
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cramps
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| n. 抽筋, 腹部绞痛, 铁箍 adj. 狭窄的, 难解的 v. 使...抽筋, 以铁箍扣紧, 束缚 | |
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31
victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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32
scotch
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| n.伤口，刻痕；苏格兰威士忌酒；v.粉碎，消灭，阻止；adj.苏格兰(人)的 | |
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adventurous
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| adj.爱冒险的；惊心动魄的，惊险的，刺激的 | |
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lasting
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| adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持 | |
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jovial
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| adj.快乐的，好交际的 | |
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36
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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38
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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39
stifled
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| （使）窒息， （使）窒闷( stifle的过去式和过去分词 )； 镇压，遏制； 堵 | |
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40
gambols
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| v.蹦跳，跳跃，嬉戏( gambol的第三人称单数 ) | |
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41
sleepless
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| adj.不睡眠的，睡不著的，不休息的 | |
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42
tacking
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| （帆船）抢风行驶，定位焊[铆]紧钉 | |
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43
isle
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| n.小岛，岛 | |
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44
dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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45
tavern
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| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
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