錢鐘書先生為《現代英國名家文選》（初版）作的序言
錢鐘書先生為《現代英國名家文選》（初版）作的序言FOREWORD
Writers from Sydney Smith to Julien Benda have argued that the father or discoverer of an idea is the man who popularises it rather than he who originates it.Others pitch the case of the populariser less high，but still think that he is entitled to as much esteem as the originator.Now what is an anthologist but one who makes the good things in literature accessible to many and thus spreads aesthetic joy in the widest commonalty?He therefore in the scheme of things stands only next to the writers he has anthologised.I should like to put forth such a claim formy friends the compilers of this book but for the fact that they are very modestmen and would be embarrassed.
Anthologies have come to supersede A Tale of Two Cities，John Halifax，Gentleman，etc.in first-year and second-year English courses in Chinese colleges.The missionaries who used to dominate the field of English teaching in China had an uncanny knack of making over the classroom to the Reign of Dulness by choosing the most tedious Victorian novels for the delectation of their students.On the other hand，the prevailing fashion of serving quick lunches out of cheap and not very readable stuffs is also deplorable.The present book avoids both extremes between which English teaching in China oscillates like the famous drunken peasant swaying on horseback.Ranging very wide in its choice，it serves adm irably the two-fold purpose of light reading and serious study.The notes，too，are very helpful，and，where the text is elusively a llusive，reveal a brilliant skill in literary detective work.
C.S.Chien（钱锺书）
July 1947
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