华盛顿·欧文/Washington Irving
华盛顿·欧文（1783—1859），美国著名作家。1802年，19岁的欧文在《早晨纪事报》上发表了几篇书信体散文，崭露头角。1809年，《纽约外史》出版后，欧文成为纽约文坛风靡一时的人物。后来出版的《见闻札记》是欧文的代表作，包括小说、散文、杂感等32篇，以幽默风趣的笔调和富于幻想的浪漫色彩，描写了英国和美国古老的风俗习惯以及善良淳朴的旧式人物。这部作品在英国出版后，受到欧美文学界的高度重视，奠定了欧文在美国文学史上的地位。
I was always fond of visiting new scenes,and observing strange char acters and manners.Even when a mere child I began my travels,and made many tours of discovery into foreign parts and unknown regions of my nat ive city,to the frequent alarm of my parents,and the emolument of the town-crier.As I grew into boyhood I extended my range of observations.My holiday afternoons were spent in ramble about the surrounding country I made myself familiar with all its places famous in history or fable.I knew every spot where a murder or robbery had been committed,or a ghost seen.I visited the neighboring villages,and added greatly to my stock of knowledge,by noting their habits and customs,and conversing with th eir sages and great men.I even journeyed one long summer's day to the summit of the most distant hill,where I stretched my eye over many a mi le of terra incognita,and was astonished to find how vast a globe I inh abited.
This rambling propensity strengthened with years.Books of voyages a nd travels became my passion,and in devouring their contents I neglecte d the regular exercises of the schools.How wistfully would I wander abo ut the pier-heads in fine weather and watch the parting ships bound to d istant climes--with what longing eyes would I gaze after their lessening sails,and waft myself in imagination to the ends of the earth!