Preface

　　This book contains a life of Columbus, written with the hope ofinteresting all classes of readers.

　　His life has often been written, and it has sometimes been well written.

　　The great book of our countryman, Washington Irving, is a noble model ofdiligent work given to a very difficult subject. And I think every personwho has dealt with the life of Columbus since Irving's time, has expressedhis gratitude¹ and respect for the author.

　　According to the custom of biographers, in that time and since, heincludes in those volumes the whole history of the West India islands, forthe period after Columbus discovered them till his death. He also thinks ithis duty to include much of the history of Spain and of the Spanish court. Ido not myself believe that it is wise to attempt, in a book of biography², soconsiderable a study of the history of the time. Whether it be wise or not, Ihave not attempted it in this book. I have rather attempted to followclosely the personal fortunes of Christopher Columbus, and, to the historyaround him, I have given only such space as seemed absolutely necessaryfor the illustration of those fortunes.

　　I have followed on the lines of his own personal narrative³ wherever wehave it. And where this is lost I have used the absolutely contemporaryauthorities. I have also consulted the later writers, those of the nextgeneration and the generation which followed it. But the more one studiesthe life of Columbus the more one feels sure that, after the greatness of hisdiscovery was really known, the accounts of the time were overlaid bywhat modern criticism calls myths⁴, which had grown up in the enthusiasmof those who honored him, and which form no part of real history. If thenthe reader fails to find some stories with which he is quite familiar in thehistory, he must not suppose that they are omitted by accident, but mustgive to the author of the book the credit of having used some discretion⁵ inthe choice of his authorities.

　　When I visited Spain in 1882, I was favored by the officers of theSpanish government with every facility for carrying my inquiry⁶ as far as a short visit would permit. Since that time Mr. Harrisse has published hisinvaluable volumes on the life of Columbus. It certainly seems as if everydocument now existing, which bears upon the history, had been collatedby him. The reader will see that I have made full use of this treasure-house.

　　The Congress of Americanistas, which meets every year, bringsforward many curious studies on the history of the continent, but it canscarcely be said to have done much to advance our knowledge of thepersonal life of Columbus.

　　The determination of the people of the United States to celebrate fitlythe great discovery which has advanced civilization and changed the faceof the world, makes it certain that a new interest has arisen in the life ofthe great man to whom, in the providence⁷ of God, that discovery was due.

　　The author and publishers of this book offer it as their contribution in thegreat celebration, with the hope that it may be of use, especially in thedirection of the studies of the young. EDWARD E. HALE.

　　ROXBURY, MASS., June 1st, 1891.

1 gratitude   

adj.感激，感谢

参考例句：

• I have expressed the depth of my gratitude to him.我向他表示了深切的谢意。
• She could not help her tears of gratitude rolling down her face.她感激的泪珠禁不住沿着面颊流了下来。

2 biography   

n.个人经历，传记

参考例句：

• He is now collecting material for a biography of Tao Yuanming.他正在为写陶渊明传记搜集材料。
• Boswell wrote a famous biography of Dr.White.鲍斯韦尔为怀特博士写过一本著名传记。

3 narrative   

n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的

参考例句：

• He was a writer of great narrative power.他是一位颇有记述能力的作家。
• Neither author was very strong on narrative.两个作者都不是很善于讲故事。

4 myths   

n.神话( myth的名词复数 )；杜撰出来的人[事物]

参考例句：

• They drew the material of their plays chiefly from myths and legends. 他们主要从神话传说中提取剧本的素材。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Jasper White is one of rare people who believes in ancient myths. 贾斯珀。怀特是少有的相信古代神话的人之一。 来自新概念英语第二册

5 discretion   

n.谨慎；随意处理

参考例句：

• You must show discretion in choosing your friend.你择友时必须慎重。
• Please use your best discretion to handle the matter.请慎重处理此事。

6 inquiry   

n.打听，询问，调查，查问

参考例句：

• Many parents have been pressing for an inquiry into the problem.许多家长迫切要求调查这个问题。
• The field of inquiry has narrowed down to five persons.调查的范围已经缩小到只剩5个人了。

7 providence   

n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝

参考例句：

• It is tempting Providence to go in that old boat.乘那艘旧船前往是冒大险。
• To act as you have done is to fly in the face of Providence.照你的所作所为那样去行事，是违背上帝的意志的。