The times, in Ireland during the 1770s, were difficult for everyone. John and Lily Love and all the tenants of the Barrens Court Estate were suffering after terrible floods destroyed their crops. The landlord was generous in allowing the land rent to fall into arrears, due to the difficult times. However, as weather conditions continued to worsen, the little family became pessimistic and felt desperate about the direction of their lives. Nearly every family at this time had at least one member of their family who had left for the New World. The ugly face of famine was lurking everywhere. It was not possible with one acre of arable land to make a living.
那时候,在18世纪70年代的爱尔兰,人人处境艰难。一场特大洪水毁掉了他们的庄稼之后,约翰和莉莉?洛夫一家像其他所有的巴伦斯宫廷庄园的佃户一样痛苦不堪。庄园主还算慷慨,鉴于这个艰难时期,允许佃户们拖欠租金。然而,天气状况持续恶化,这个小家庭变得悲观起来,对他们的生活前途感到绝望。那个时候,几乎每个家庭至少有一名家庭成员出走前往新世界。饱受饥荒之苦的憔悴面容到处都是,要靠一英亩耕地生活是不可能的。
Last one night, after the children were in bed, John and Lily discussed the possibility of making a reservation aboard a sailing ship bound for America. John had noticed a poster in the town square, that posted by a ships owner trying to recruit people for his ship. John knew that conditions aboard ship would not be ideal for Lily, her new infant son and the two elder boys; however, she acknowledged that settling in America would be the only way for the family to gain some independence and to earn a living. More importantly, it was rumored that land was free in the new country. Lily gave her consent to leave.
一天夜里,孩子们入睡以后,约翰和莉莉讨论起预定船只前往美国的可能性。就在当天,约翰在市镇广场上看到一张海报,是船主张贴出来招揽乘客的。约翰知道船上的条件对莉莉不大合适,她有一个刚出生的婴儿和两个大点的男孩。但是,她认为在美国定居将是这个家庭取得独立和谋生的唯一出路。更重要的是,据说在那个新国家土地是免费的。莉莉也赞成出去。
In port, the sailing ship, Hannah, under the command of Captain Mitchell lay at anchor. The adventure of crossing the Atlantic Ocean bound for Philadelphia would take two to three months. Passengers were assured there would be the best provisions and plenty of barrels of fresh water. Storms could be fierce and living conditions below deck would be primitive. John joined the long queue and eventually after a lengthy wait, reached the revenue table. He affixed his signature to the contract promising to pay five pounds per person for berths aboard ship. The clerk returned the receipt to John indicating that the sum of money had been paid.
在港口,那艘帆船汉纳号,在米切尔船长的指挥下,正抛锚停泊。跨越大西洋前往费城的冒险要花两到三个月。乘客们被许诺有最好的食品供应和充足的淡水。暴风雨可能很猛烈,甲板下面的生活条件将是很单调的。约翰加入到了那长长的队列里,等了很久以后,终于来到付款台前。他在合同上签了字,按要求为乘坐那艘船的每个人付5英镑。办事员为约翰开了收据,表示钱已付清。
Once under sail the three hundred passengers found them crowded into miserable conditions. The smell of so many people crowded together was offensive. The breadth of the vessel was narrow and the headroom below deck minimal.
可是一上船,三百名乘客发现船上非常拥挤,条件很恶劣。这么多人挤在一起,气味简直让人受不了。船舱狭窄又很低矮。
被控在阿富汗屠杀平民的美国士兵周一受审
什么是你的精神智商?
美国副总统候选人对阵经济中东议题
中国EMBA的崛起
如何打理意外之财?
高盛前董事因内幕交易获刑两年
几米坚持掌握自己的人生
汇丰失足的代价
“非常爱你的”上司
联合国叙利亚危机特使安南辞职
设计学院取代商学院成为热门
美式道德
美总统林肯葛底斯堡演说
名作节选:亚西亚失落的心
我的脑筋比你好
培根美文赏析-of study 论 读 书
罗姆尼:一个充满矛盾的人
越南考虑将同性婚姻合法化
美防长访华 呼吁中日保持克制
享受这世间的种种苦乐悲喜
美式运动
华尔街空城迎接飓风桑迪
高大的矮人从容应对挑战-1
中国奢侈品胃口减弱
Lex专栏:铜价反弹
分析:“一国两币”可行吗?
生命即是奇迹 Miraculous
苹果升级版Mac直面Windows 8挑战
玻利维亚盐沼
只有发现自己才会享受人生
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |