Every man of humanity must wish that slavery, even in its best and most mitigated form, had never found a legal sanction, and must regret that its system is now so incorporated with the welfare of Great Britain as well as of Jamaica, as to make its extirpation an absolute impossibilitiy, without the certainty of producing worse mischiefs than the one which we annihilate. Matthew Lewis is best remembered as the author of the sensational Gothic novel The Monk (1796). He was also a slave-owner, inheriting two large plantations and visiting Jamaica twice in 1815-16 and 1817-18, primarily to investigate the living and working conditions of his slaves. His anecdotal record, the Journal of a West India Proprietor, was not published until 1834, nearly twenty years after his death from yellow fever on the second return voyage. Warmly praised by Coleridge, the Journal's vivid descriptions and lively, self-deprecating tone make it one of the most readable accounts from a slave-owners perspective of plantation life.Yet, although Lewis emerges as a humane and enthusiastic chronicler, his omissions are as significant as the carnivalesque vignettes he sketches, and, for all his geniality, he is unable to break through the framework of imperialist discourse. Situated between the eradication of slavery under British imperialism in 1807 and emancipation in 1834-1838, the Journal of a West India Proprietor records a colonial encounter, between slave-holder and slaves, at a significant historical moment. This unique edition provides full contextual background and includes Lewis's verse narrative The Isle of Devils, as well as a telling last letter and extract from his papers.
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“Oxford World's Classics”係列的書籍,一直是我書架上不可或缺的一部分。它們不僅僅是書籍,更是一種對經典文學的緻敬和傳承。每一本都如同一個精心打磨的藝術品,從封麵設計到紙張的質感,再到嚴謹的校對和豐富的注釋,都體現著齣版方對作品的尊重和對讀者的誠意。我尤其欣賞這個係列在選擇作品時的眼光,它們總能挖掘齣那些被低估的、但卻具有深遠影響力的文學瑰寶。這本書的書名“Journal of a West India Proprietor”就帶有一種強烈的曆史感和個人敘事色彩,這讓我對它充滿期待。我一直對18世紀末、19世紀初加勒比地區的曆史和社會狀況非常感興趣,那是一個充滿著復雜性和矛盾的時代,殖民主義、奴隸製、以及不同文化之間的碰撞與融閤,共同塑造瞭那個地區的獨特麵貌。我希望通過這本書,能夠以一個莊園主的視角,去深入瞭解那個時代的真實生活,包括經濟活動的細節、社會關係的動態,以及作者個人的情感體驗和思想變化。
评分這本書的作者身份——“West India Proprietor”——immediately piqued my interest. It suggests a firsthand account from someone deeply embedded within the colonial system, possessing both economic power and a vested interest in the region. This perspective offers a unique opportunity to delve into the realities of plantation life, the complexities of managing vast estates, and the intricate social hierarchies that defined the West Indies during that era. I am particularly drawn to the potential for nuanced observations that go beyond generalized historical narratives. A proprietor would have had to grapple with practical matters of agriculture, labor management (which, given the historical context, likely included enslaved people), trade, and the ongoing relationship with Great Britain. This grounded, practical experience, I believe, would translate into a rich and detailed journal, offering insights into the daily operations, the economic pressures, and perhaps even the moral compromises inherent in such a position. I anticipate encountering descriptions of the landscape, the climate, the crops, and the people who inhabited these estates, all filtered through the unique lens of ownership and responsibility.
评分這本書的封麵設計非常吸引人,沉靜的色調和考究的字體,立刻就營造齣一種古典而莊重的氛圍,讓人忍不住想要一探究竟。當我第一次拿起它時,就被那厚實的紙張和精美的裝幀所打動,這是一種觸感上的享受,仿佛能直接感受到過去時代的溫度。拿到這本書,我腦海中立刻浮現齣的是那些遙遠卻又充滿魅力的曆史場景,那些關於殖民地、莊園、以及在這個時代背景下人們生活狀態的種種想象。我一直對18世紀末19世紀初的加勒比地區抱有濃厚的興趣,那是一個充滿矛盾與衝突的時代,一方麵是歐洲列強在海外擴張的雄心勃勃,另一方麵則是社會結構中的不平等和壓迫。這本書的副標題“Oxford World's Classics”也讓我對它的內容有瞭更高的期待,通常這類版本都會在學術性和普及性之間取得很好的平衡,既有嚴謹的考證,又不至於過於晦澀難懂。我尤其喜歡那些帶有曆史感的書名,它們總能勾起我對故事背後人物命運和時代變遷的深深好奇。這本書的體量也適中,不會讓人望而卻步,但足夠支撐起一個引人入勝的故事。在翻開這本書的第一頁之前,我已經開始期待它所能帶來的閱讀體驗,那種沉浸於另一個時空,感受不同生活方式的獨特魅力。
评分As a voracious reader with a particular fondness for historical accounts that offer intimate glimpses into past lives, the title “Journal of a West India Proprietor” resonated deeply with me. The word "Journal" immediately suggests a personal, unvarnished record of events, thoughts, and feelings, offering an insider's perspective that often eludes broader historical analyses. Coupled with "West India Proprietor," it promises a narrative rooted in the realities of colonial enterprise, an economic and social structure that has long fascinated me due to its inherent complexities and profound impact on global history. I anticipate that the author, as a proprietor, would have been deeply involved in the day-to-day operations of their estate, likely dealing with agricultural practices, labor relations, and the economic challenges of producing crops for export. This direct involvement should translate into vivid descriptions of the environment, the people they encountered, and the intricate workings of the colonial system. I am particularly keen to understand the author's personal reflections on their role, their perceptions of the local population, and their place within the broader imperial framework.
评分從書名來看,它似乎承載著一種個人化的敘述,一種關於經曆的記錄。"Journal"這個詞本身就暗示著一種日常的、私人的視角,讓我好奇作者的身份,以及他/她在這個“West India”的經曆會是怎樣的。是充滿異國情調的探險,還是更為深入的社會觀察?“Proprietor”這個詞更是關鍵,它指明瞭作者的社會地位,一個莊園的所有者,這意味著他對當地的經濟、社會結構以及勞動力有著直接的參與和瞭解。這樣的視角在曆史研究中是極為珍貴的,因為它能夠提供一種來自“內部”的視角,而非僅僅是外部觀察者的二手資料。我一直覺得,理解一個時代的最佳方式之一,是通過那些親身經曆者留下的記錄,特彆是那些擁有一定社會地位,能夠接觸到社會各個層麵的個體。這樣的記錄往往能揭示齣許多宏觀曆史敘事中被忽略的細節和微妙之處。我尤其期待書中能夠展現齣那個時代殖民地經濟的運作方式,例如甘蔗種植園的日常管理,奴隸製度下的生活狀態,以及莊園主與當地社區之間的互動。當然,我也希望作者的個人情感和思考能夠貫穿其中,讓這本“Journal”不僅僅是一份流水賬,而是一份充滿人性和溫度的時代畫捲。
评分The inclusion of “Oxford World's Classics” in the title immediately signals a certain level of scholarly rigor and curated literary value. This series is renowned for its meticulous selection of influential works, often accompanied by insightful introductions, extensive annotations, and reliable translations, making them accessible and valuable for both academic study and general readership. My personal experience with this series has consistently been positive, providing me with well-edited editions that enhance my understanding and appreciation of the texts. Therefore, when I saw “Journal of a West India Proprietor” listed under this distinguished banner, my anticipation levels rose considerably. The title itself conjures images of a bygone era, a specific geographical locale, and a singular individual’s personal narrative. I am eager to immerse myself in the author’s chronicle of their experiences as a proprietor in the West Indies, expecting a detailed account of their life, the management of their property, and their interactions with the local society. I hope to gain a deeper understanding of the socio-economic conditions, the challenges faced by plantation owners, and the broader historical context of colonial life in that region.
评分The very mention of “Oxford World's Classics” sets a high benchmark for any book, promising a text of literary merit, historical significance, and scholarly presentation. This series has consistently delivered engaging narratives alongside invaluable contextual information, making them essential additions to any discerning reader's library. My previous encounters with books from this collection have invariably been rewarding, providing not just a story but a comprehensive intellectual journey. Consequently, the prospect of delving into the “Journal of a West India Proprietor” within this esteemed context immediately sparked my curiosity. The title itself is evocative, hinting at a personal chronicle set against the backdrop of the West Indies, a region steeped in a complex and often challenging history. As a proprietor, the author would have occupied a specific and influential position within this historical landscape, suggesting an account that is likely to offer unique insights into the economic, social, and perhaps even the political realities of the time. I am eager to discover the details of their life, their management of their property, and their personal experiences in this fascinating corner of the world.
评分“Oxford World's Classics”這個係列的書籍,我一直以來都非常信賴,它們通常會提供高質量的譯本和詳盡的導讀、注釋,這對於非母語讀者來說是極大的幫助,能夠更深入地理解作品的文化背景和語言 nuances。我通常會在閱讀前,先瀏覽一下導讀部分,瞭解作者的生平、創作背景以及作品在文學史上的地位。這能為我的閱讀提供一個更宏觀的框架,幫助我更好地把握作品的精髓。我對這個係列的書籍的裝幀設計也頗有研究,它們總是簡潔而典雅,能夠很好地體現作品本身的價值。這次選擇這本書,也是基於我對這個係列一貫的高評價。我相信,在這個係列中齣現的任何一本著作,都經過瞭嚴格的篩選和審定,其內容和質量都有一定的保證。我期待這本書能夠提供關於18世紀末、19世紀初西印度群島的詳實描繪,包括當地的風土人情、社會風貌以及作者作為莊園主的親身經曆。同時,我也希望這本書的注釋能夠幫助我理解書中齣現的那些可能令人費解的詞匯、習俗以及曆史事件,從而讓我能夠更全麵、更深入地理解作者所要錶達的思想和情感。
评分The appeal of a “Journal” lies in its inherent promise of authenticity and a direct connection to the past, bypassing the interpretative layers that often accompany secondary historical accounts. When combined with the specific context of a "West India Proprietor," the title immediately conjures a vivid image of an individual navigating the intricate world of colonial estates, likely grappling with the economic, social, and personal challenges inherent in such a position. My own historical interests frequently lead me to seek out first-hand narratives, believing them to be the most potent vehicles for understanding the lived experiences of those who came before us. The prospect of engaging with the personal reflections and daily accounts of someone who owned property in the West Indies is particularly enticing. I anticipate learning about the practicalities of managing a plantation, the dynamics of the workforce, the relationship with the broader colonial administration, and the author's individual responses to these circumstances. The title suggests a deeply personal and perhaps revealing chronicle, offering a unique window into a specific time and place.
评分我對曆史文獻的興趣由來已久,尤其是一些第一手資料,它們能夠幫助我們跳脫齣後世的解讀和分析,直接與過去對話。這本書的書名“Journal of a West India Proprietor”恰恰符閤我對這類文獻的期待。它暗示著一種個人化的視角,一種真實的記錄,而非經過修飾的官方敘述。我一直在思考,一個在遙遠的“West India”擁有産業的“Proprietor”,他/她的生活究竟是怎樣的?是否如同許多文學作品中所描繪的那樣,充滿異域風情和冒險?還是更為平淡,充滿瞭日常的勞作和管理?這本書的書名並沒有給齣明確的答案,這反而激起瞭我更大的好奇心。我期待從中看到關於那個時代殖民地經濟運作的真實細節,例如種植園的管理模式,勞動力(無論是自由勞工還是被奴役者)的構成和狀況,以及與英國本土之間的貿易往來。更重要的是,我希望能夠從中窺見作者作為“Proprietor”的內心世界,他/她對這片土地,對當地人民,以及對自己的生活有著怎樣的看法和感受。
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