—By Washington Irving
How comforting it is to see a cheerful and contented old age; and to behold a poor fellow, like this, after being tempest-lost through life, safely moored in a snug and quiet harbor in the evening of his days! His happiness, however, sprung from within himself, and was independent of external circumstances; for he had that inexhaustible good-nature, which is the most precious gift of Heaven, spreading itself like oil over the troubled sea of thought, and keeping the mind smooth and equable in the roughest weather.
On inquiring further about him I learned that he was a universal favorite in the village, and the oracle of the taproom; where he delighted the rustics with his songs, and, like Sindbad, astonished them with his stories of strange lands, and shipwrecks, and sea-fights. He was much noticed too by gentlemen sportsmen of the neighborhood; had taught several of them the art of angling; and was a privileged visitor to their kitchens. The whole tenor of his life was quiet and inoffensive，being principally passed about the neighboring streams, when the weather and season were favorable; and at other times he employed himself at home, preparing his fishing tackle for the next campaign, or manufacturing rods, nets, and flies, for his patrons and pupils among the gentry.
参考中文译文
作者：华盛顿·欧文
见到一位欢乐愉快，心满意足的老人，特别是看到这样一位贫穷的人，一生饱经风暴的颠簸，最终却在一个平静安宁的港湾里停泊下来，安度晚年，这是多么令人欣慰啊!然而，他的欢愉发自内心，不受外界环境的影响，因为他有永不厌烦的好脾气—这是最珍贵的天赋，能像油那样在汹涌的思想海洋上延展开来，使心潮在狂风暴雨袭击下也能保持平静安宁。
经过进一步打听，我了解到他在村子里深受众人喜爱。他在酒店里是一位博古通今，未卜先知的智者。在那里，他的歌声使得乡邻们笑逐颜开，他像《天方夜谭》里的辛巴德，用那些异乡仙境，沉船和海战的故事使他们听得目瞪口呆。他也颇受当地爱好运动的绅士们的青睐。他曾经给几位绅士传授过钓鱼的窍门，从而被特许进入他们的厨房。他生活淡泊清静，与世无争。风和日丽季节宜人时，他主要是在附近的澳流消磨时光，其他时间，则在家中忙碌，或是为下次捕鱼准备渔具，或是为乡绅中的主顾和弟子制作渔竿、渔网和鱼饵。