Having been born a freeman, and for more than thirty years enjoyed the blessings of liberty

生來就是自由人，三十多年來一直享受著自由的福氣。

in a free State-and having at the end of that time been kidnapped and sold into Slavery,

在一個自由的國家裡，並且在那段時間結束時被綁架並賣給了奴隸制。

where I remained, until happily rescued in the month of January, 1853, after a bondage

直到1853年1月，在經歷了一次束縛之後，我被快樂地救了出來。

of twelve years—it has been suggested that an account of my life and fortunes would not

十二年來--有人說，我的生活和命運的描述不會有

be uninteresting to the public. Since my return to liberty, I have not failed

對公眾來說，是無趣的。自從我重獲自由以來，我沒有失敗過。

to perceive the increasing interest throughout the Northern States, in regard to the subject

感受到整個北方各州對這一問題的興趣越來越大。

of Slavery. Works of fiction, professing to portray its features in their more pleasing

奴隸制。小說作品，自稱是為了描寫其特徵，以更悅目的方式來表現它。

as well as more repugnant aspects, have been circulated to an extent unprecedented, and,

以及更多令人厭惡的方面，已經流傳到了前所未有的程度，並且。

as I understand, have created a fruitful topic of comment and discussion.

據我瞭解，已經創造了一個富有成效的評論和討論話題。

I can speak of Slavery only so far as it came under my own observation—only so far as

我只能在我自己觀察到的範圍內談論奴隸制--只在以下範圍內談論

I have known and experienced it in my own person. My object is, to give a candid and

我知道並親身經歷過這種情況。我的目的是，給大家一個坦率和

truthful statement of facts: to repeat the story of my life, without exaggeration, leaving

實話實說：把我的人生故事複述一遍，不誇張，不遺餘力。

it for others to determine, whether even the pages of fiction present a picture of more

它由其他人來確定，是否即使是小說的頁面呈現出一個更多的圖片。

cruel wrong or a severer bondage. As far back as I have been able to ascertain,

殘酷的錯誤或更嚴厲的束縛。在我能夠確定的時候。

my ancestors on the paternal side were slaves in Rhode Island. They belonged to a family

我的祖先在父系方面是奴隸 在羅德島。他們屬於一個家庭

by the name of Northup, one of whom, removing to the State of New York, settled at Hoosic,

名為Northup的人，其中一人移居紐約州，在Hoosic定居。

in Rensselaer county. He brought with him Mintus Northup, my father. On the death of

在倫斯勒縣他帶來了Mintus Northup，我的父親。在他去世後

this gentleman, which must have occurred some fifty years ago, my father became free, having

這位先生應該是50年前的事了，我父親獲得了自由，有了... ...

been emancipated by a direction in his will. Henry B. Northup, Esq., of Sandy Hill, a distinguished

在他的遺囑中被解放了。亨利-B-諾薩普，來自桑迪山的律師，一位傑出的...

counselor at law, and the man to whom, under Providence, I am indebted for my present liberty,

他是我的法律顧問，也是我現在的自由所依賴的人。

and my return to the society of my wife and children, is a relative of the family in which

和我回到妻子和孩子的社會，是家庭中的親戚。

my forefathers were thus held to service, and from which they took the name I bear.

我的祖先就是這樣被人服侍的，我的名字也是由此而來的。

To this fact may be attributed the persevering interest he has taken in my behalf.

這可能要歸功於他為我所做的堅持不懈的努力。

Sometime after my father's liberation, he removed to the town of Minerva, Essex county,

在我父親解放後的某個時候，他搬到了埃塞克斯縣的米納瓦鎮。

N. Y., where I was born, in the month of July, 1808. How long he remained in the latter place

N.紐約，我出生的地方，1808年7月。他在後一個地方呆了多久

I have not the means of definitely ascertaining. From thence he removed to Granville, Washington

我沒有辦法確定。從那時起，他搬到了華盛頓州的格蘭維爾。

county, near a place known as Slyborough, where, for some years, he labored on the farm

縣，在一個叫Slyborough的地方附近，在那裡，他在農場裡工作了好幾年

of Clark Northup, also a relative of his old master; from thence he removed to the Alden

克拉克-諾瑟普的，也是他老主人的親戚；從那時起，他搬到了奧登。

farm, at Moss Street, a short distance north of the village of Sandy Hill; and from thence

農場，位於苔蘚街，在沙山村北邊不遠處；從那時起

to the farm now owned by Russel Pratt, situated on the road leading from Fort Edward to Argyle,

到現在由Russel Pratt擁有的農場，位於從愛德華堡到阿蓋爾的道路上。

where he continued to reside until his death, which took place on the 22d day of November,

他一直住在那裡，直到11月22日去世。

1829. He left a widow and two children —myself, and Joseph, an elder brother. The latter is

1829.他留下了一個寡婦和兩個孩子--我和約瑟夫，一個哥哥。後者是

still living in the county of Oswego, near the city of that name; my mother died during

仍住在奧斯威戈縣，靠近那個名字的城市；我的母親死於

the period of my captivity. Though born a slave, and laboring under the

我被囚禁的時期。雖然生來就是奴隸，在我的手下勞作。

disadvantages to which my unfortunate race is subjected, my father was a man respected

我的父親是一個受人尊敬的人。

for his industry and integrity, as many now living, who well remember him, are ready to

他的行業和誠信，正如許多現在活著的人，他們清楚地記得他，準備好了

testify. His whole life was passed in the peaceful pursuits of agriculture, never seeking

證明。他的一生都是在平靜的農業活動中度過的，從不追求

employment in those more menial positions, which seem to be especially allotted to the

在這些比較卑微的職位上就業，這些職位似乎特別分配給了那些有能力的人。

children of Africa. Besides giving us an education surpassing that ordinarily bestowed upon children

非洲兒童的教育。除了給我們提供比通常給予兒童的教育更多的教育以外

in our condition, he acquired, by his diligence and economy, a sufficient property qualification

在我們這種情況下，他通過勤儉節約，獲得了足夠的財產資格。

to entitle him to the right of suffrage. He was accustomed to speak to us of his early

賦予他選舉權。他習慣於向我們講述他早年的經歷。

life; and although at all times cherishing the warmest emotions of kindness, and even

生活；雖然時時刻刻都在珍視著最溫暖的善良情感，甚至是

of affection towards the family, in whose house he had been a bondsman, he nevertheless

他對這個家庭的感情，他曾是這個家庭的擔保人，但他還是......。

comprehended the system of Slavery, and dwelt with sorrow on the degradation of his race.

理解了奴隸制的制度，對自己種族的退化感到悲哀。

He endeavored to imbue our minds with sentiments of morality, and to teach us to place our,

他努力用道德的情操灌輸我們的思想，並教導我們把我們的。

trust and confidence in Him who regards the humblest as well as the highest of his creatures.

信任和信心在他身上，他認為最卑微的，也是他所造之物中最高的。

How often since that time has the recollection of his paternal counsels occurred to me, while

從那時起，我多少次想起了他的父輩的勸告，而

lying in a slave hut in the distant and sickly regions of Louisiana, smarting with the undeserved

躺在路易斯安那州遙遠的病態地區的一間奴隸屋裡，忍受著不應該有的痛苦。

wounds which an inhuman master had inflicted, and longing only for the grave which had covered

殘忍的主人所造成的傷痕，只渴望著覆蓋在墳墓上的墳墓

him, to shield me also from the lash of the oppressor. In the church yard at Sandy Hill,

他也是為了保護我免受壓迫者的鞭打。在沙山教堂的院子裡。

an humble stone marks the spot where he reposes, after having worthily performed the duties

篳路藍縷，以啟山林。

appertaining to the lowly sphere wherein God had appointed him to walk.

屬於上帝指定他行走的卑微領域。

Up to this period I had been principally engaged with my father in the labors of the farm.

在此之前，我主要是和父親一起從事農場的勞動。

The leisure hours allowed me were generally either employed over my books, or playing

我的閒暇時間一般都是在我的書本上度過的，或者是在遊戲中度過的。

on the violin—an amusement which was the ruling passion of my youth. It has also been

在小提琴上--這是一種娛樂，是我年輕時的統治性激情。它也一直是

the source of consolation since, affording, pleasure to the simple beings with whom my

慰藉的源泉，因為，給與我的簡單的生命帶來快樂。

lot was cast, and beguiling my own thoughts, for many hours, from the painful contemplation

命運是投擲的，並乞求我自己的想法，許多小時，從痛苦的沉思。

of my fate. On Christmas day, 1829, I was married to Anne

我的命運。1829年的聖誕節，我和安妮結婚了

Hampton, a colored girl then living in the vicinity of our residence. The ceremony was

漢普頓，一個當時住在我們住處附近的有色人種女孩。儀式是

performed at Fort Edward, by Timothy Eddy, Esq., a magistrate of that town, and still

在愛德華堡，由該鎮的治安官蒂莫西-埃迪（Timothy Eddy, Esq.

a prominent citizen of the place. She had resided a long time at Sandy Hill, with Mr.

一個著名的公民的地方。她在沙山住了很久，和先生一起。

Baird, proprietor of the Eagle Tavern, and also in the family of Rev. Alexander Proudfit,

貝爾德，老鷹酒館的老闆，也是亞歷山大-普羅菲特牧師的家族。

of Salem. This gentleman for many years had presided over the Presbyterian society at

的塞勒姆。這位先生多年來一直主持長老會，在

the latter place, and was widely distinguished for his learning and piety. Anne still holds

後一個地方，並因其學識和虔誠而廣為人知。安妮仍然持有

in grateful remembrance the exceeding kindness and the excellent counsels of that good man.

感念這位好心人的大恩大德和良策，

She is not able to determine the exact line of her descent, but the blood of three races

她無法確定自己的具體血統，但三個種族的血統卻讓她無法確定。

mingles in her veins. It is difficult to tell whether the red, white, or black predominates.

混合在她的血管裡。很難說是紅、白、黑為主。

The union of them all, however, in her origin, has given her a singular but pleasing expression,

然而，在她的出身中，它們的結合，使她有了一種奇特而又悅耳的表達方式。

such as is rarely to be seen. Though somewhat resembling, yet she cannot properly be styled

這樣的人很少見。雖說有點像，但也不能說她是合適的造型

a quadroon, a class to which, I have omitted to mention, my mother belonged.

一個四人組，這個等級，我就不說了，我母親就屬於這個等級。

I had just now passed the period of my minority, having reached the age of twenty-one years

我現在剛過了未成年的時期，已經到了二十一歲了

in the month of July previous. Deprived of the advice and assistance of my father, with

在前年7月。失去了我父親的建議和幫助，與

a wife dependent upon me for support, I resolved to enter upon a life of industry; and notwithstanding

我的妻子靠我養活，我決心要過上勤勞的生活。

the obstacle of color, and the consciousness of my lowly state, indulged in pleasant dreams

色的障礙，意識到自己的卑微，沉浸在愉快的夢境中。

of a good time coming, when the possession of some humble habitation, with a few surrounding

當擁有一些簡陋的住所，周圍有一些人的時候，好日子就要來了。

acres, should reward my labors, and bring me the means of happiness and comfort.

畝，應該獎勵我的勞動，並給我帶來幸福和舒適的手段。

From the time of my marriage to this day the love I have borne my wife has been sincere

從我結婚到現在，我對妻子的愛是真誠的

and unabated; and only those who have felt the glowing tenderness a father cherishes

並有增無減；而只有那些感受過父親所珍視的光輝溫柔的人

for his offspring, can appreciate my affection for the beloved children which have since

對他的後代，可以理解我對心愛的孩子們的感情，而這些孩子們已經

been born to us. This much I deem appropriate and necessary to day, in order that those

生在我們身邊。這一點我認為是恰當的，也是必要的，為了讓那些人...

who read these pages, may comprehend the poignancy of those sufferings I have been doomed to

讀到這幾頁的人，可能會理解我註定要遭受的那些痛苦的尖銳性。

bear. Immediately upon our marriage we commenced

承擔。我們一結婚就開始

house-keeping, in the old yellow building then standing at the southern extremity of

家政，在當時的黃色老房子裡，在當時的南端，在當時的黃色老房子裡，在當時的黃色老房子裡，在當時的黃色老房子裡，在當時的黃色老房子裡，在當時的黃色老房子裡，在當時的黃色老房子裡，在當時的黃色老房子裡，在當時的黃色老房子裡，在當時的黃色老房子裡，在當時的黃色老房子裡，在當時的黃色老房子裡，在當時的黃色老房子裡，在當時的黃色老房子裡，在當時的黃色老房子裡，在當時的黃色老房子裡，在當時的黃色老房子裡，在當時的黃色老房子裡，在當時的黃色老房子裡，在當時的黃色老房子裡，在當時的黃色老房子裡，在當時的黃色老房子裡，在當時

Fort Edward village, and which has since been transformed into a modern mansion, and lately

愛德華堡村，並在此後被改造成一座現代化的豪宅，而最近

occupied by Captain Lathrop. It is known as the Fort House. In this building the courts

被拉思羅普上尉佔領。它被稱為堡壘樓。在這棟樓裡，法院

were sometime held after the organization of the county. It was also occupied by Burgoyne

在縣城組織後的某個時候舉行。它也被Burgoyne佔領。

in 1777, being situated near the old Fort on the left bank of the Hudson.

1777年，位於哈德遜河左岸的老堡附近。

During the winter I was employed with others repairing the Champlain Canal, on that section

冬天的時候，我和其他人一起受僱修繕尚普蘭運河，在那段河道上

over which William Van Nortwick was superintendent. David McEachron had the immediate charge of

威廉-範-諾特威克是該公司的主管。David McEachron直接負責...

the men in whose company I labored. By the time the canal opened in the spring, I was

我在其公司工作的人。春天運河開工的時候，我已經... ...

enabled, from the savings of my wages, to purchase a pair of horses, and other things

使我能夠用工資的積蓄購買一匹馬和其他東西。

necessarily required in the business of navigation. Having hired several efficient hands to assist

航行中所必須的。僱了幾個得力的助手來協助

me, I entered into contracts for the transportation of large rafts of timber from Lake Champlain

我簽訂了從尚普蘭湖運輸大型木筏的合同。

to Troy. Dyer Beckwith and a Mr. Bartemy, of Whitehall, accompanied me on several trips.

到特洛伊Dyer Beckwith和Whitehall的Bartemy先生陪我去了幾次。

During the season I became perfectly familiar with the art and mysteries of rafting—a

在這個季節，我完全熟悉了漂流的藝術和奧祕--------。

knowledge which afterwards enabled me to render profitable service to a worthy master, and

這些知識使我後來能夠為一位值得尊敬的主人提供有益的服務，並且...

to astonish the simple-witted lumbermen on the banks of the Bayou Boeuf.

驚呆了博夫河岸上頭腦簡單的伐木工人。

In one of my voyages down Lake Champlain, I was induced to make a visit to Canada. Repairing

在一次順著尚普蘭湖航行的過程中，我被誘導去了加拿大。修理

to Montreal, I visited the cathedral and other places of interest in that city, from whence

蒙特利爾，我參觀了該市的大教堂和其他名勝古蹟，從那時起，我就開始了我的職業生涯。

I continued my excursion to Kingston and other towns, obtaining a knowledge of localities,

我繼續到金斯頓和其他城鎮遊覽，獲得了對當地的瞭解。

which was also of service to me afterwards, as will appear towards the close of this narrative.

這對我後來的工作也有幫助，這一點將在本篇敘述的最後出現。

Having completed my contracts on the canal satisfactorily to myself and to my employer,

完成了我在運河上的合同，對我自己和我的僱主都很滿意。

and not wishing to remain idle, now that the navigation of the canal was again suspended,

並不想繼續閒著，現在運河的航行又暫停了。

I entered into another contract with Medad Gunn, to cut a large quantity of wood. In

我與美達岡公司簽訂了另一份合同，切割大量的木材。在

this business I was engaged during the winter of 1831-32.

我在1831-32年冬天從事這項業務。

With the return of spring, Anne and myself conceived the project of taking a farm in

隨著春天的回暖，安妮和我構思了一個項目，就是把一個農場在

the neighborhood. I had been accustomed from earliest youth to agricultural labors, and

鄰居。我從年輕時就已經習慣了農業勞動，而且...

it was an occupation congenial to my tastes. I accordingly entered into arrangements for

這是一個符合我口味的職業。是以，我安排了

a part of the old Alden farm, on which my father formerly resided. With one cow, one

奧爾登老農場的一部分，我父親以前住在那裡。有一頭牛，一個

swine, a yoke of fine oxen I had lately purchased of Lewis Brown, in Hartford, and other personal

豬，我最近從哈特福德的劉易斯-布朗那裡買來的一軛好牛，以及其他私人物品。

property and effects, we proceeded to our new home in Kingsbury. That year I planted

財產和財物，我們前往我們在金斯伯裡的新家。那一年，我種植了

twenty-five acres of corn, sowed large fields of oats, and commenced farming upon as large

25英畝的玉米，播種了大片的燕麥田，並開始了大面積的耕種。

a scale as my utmost means would permit. Anne was diligent about the house affairs, while

規模，因為我最大的手段會允許。安妮很勤奮地處理著家裡的事務，而...

I toiled laboriously in the field. On this place we continued to reside until

我在地裡辛辛苦苦地幹活。在這個地方我們一直住到

1834. In the winter season I had numerous calls to play on the violin. Wherever the

1834.冬天的時候，我接到了許多電話，要求我拉小提琴。無論在哪裡

young people assembled to dance, I was almost invariably there. Throughout the surrounding

年輕人聚集在一起跳舞，我幾乎無一例外地在那裡。縱觀周圍

villages my fiddle was notorious. Anne, also, during her long residence at the Eagle Tavern,

村子裡我的小提琴是臭名昭著的。安妮在鷹酒館長期居住期間，也。

had become somewhat famous as a cook. During court weeks, and on public occasions, she

作為一個廚師，她已經有點名氣了。在宮廷周和公開場合，她的廚藝

was employed at high wages in the kitchen at Sherrill's Coffee House.

被高薪聘用在謝里爾'咖啡館的廚房裡。

We always returned home from the performance of these services with money in our pockets;

我們從這些服務的表演中回家時，口袋裡總是裝著錢。

so that, with fiddling, cooking, and farming, we soon found ourselves in the possession

所以，隨著擺弄、烹飪和耕作，我們很快就發現自己擁有了。

of abundance, and, in fact, leading a happy and prosperous life. Well, indeed, would it

豐富的，事實上，過著幸福和繁榮的生活。嗯，確實，會不會

have been for us had we remained on the farm at Kingsbury; but the time came when the next

如果我們還留在金斯伯裡的農場，我們就會有這樣的機會；但是，當下一秒的時間到了。

step was to be taken towards the cruel destiny that awaited me.

一步步走向等待我的殘酷命運。

In March, 1834, we removed to Saratoga Springs. We occupied a house belonging to Daniel O'Brien,

1834年3月，我們搬到了薩拉託加泉。我們住在丹尼爾-奧'布賴恩的房子裡。

on the north side of Washington street. At that time Isaac Taylor kept a large boarding

在華盛頓街的北側。當時，艾薩克-泰勒在華盛頓街北側開了一家大型寄宿

house, known as Washington Hall, at the north end of Broadway. He employed me to drive a

在百老匯的北端，被稱為華盛頓廳的房子。他僱我開了一輛

hack, in which capacity I worked for him two years. After this time I was generally employed

黑客，在這個身份上我為他工作了兩年。在這之後，我一般受僱於

through the visiting season, as also was Anne, in the United States Hotel, and other public

訪季，安妮也是如此，在美國酒店和其他公共

houses of the place. In winter seasons I relied upon my violin, though during the construction

的房屋。在冬季，我依靠我的小提琴，雖然在建設期間

of the Troy and Saratoga railroad, I performed many hard days' labor upon it.

的特洛伊和薩拉託加鐵路，我進行了許多艱苦的日子&#39；勞動就可以了。

I was in the habit, at Saratoga, of purchasing articles necessary for my family at the stores

我在薩拉託加的時候，習慣於在商店裡購買家庭所需的物品

of Mr. Cephas Parker and Mr. William Perry, gentlemen towards whom, for many acts of kindness,

塞法斯-帕克先生和威廉-佩裡先生，先生們對他們的許多善舉，

I entertained feelings of strong regard. It was for this reason that twelve years afterwards,

我產生了強烈的敬意。正是因為這個原因，十二年後。

I caused to be directed to them the letter, which is hereinafter inserted, and which was

我使人將以下插入的信件轉交給他們，這封信是

the means, in the hands of Mr. Northup, of my fortunate deliverance.

在諾薩普先生的手中，我幸運地獲救了。

While living at the United States Hotel, I frequently met with slaves, who had accompanied

我住在美國飯店的時候，經常會遇到一些奴隸，他們陪著我在美國飯店住。

their masters from the South. They were always well dressed and well provided for, leading

他們的主人來自南方。他們總是穿戴整齊，供給充足，引領著... ...

apparently an easy life, with but few of its ordinary troubles to perplex them. Many times

表面上看是一種輕鬆的生活，但很少有普通的煩惱使他們感到困惑。很多時候

they entered into conversation with me on the subject of Slavery. Almost uniformly I

他們跟我聊起了奴隸制的話題。幾乎一致的是，我

found they cherished a secret desire for liberty. Some of them expressed the most ardent anxiety

他們發現他們對自由的祕密渴望。他們中的一些人表達了最熱切的憂慮

to escape, and consulted me on the best method of effecting it. The fear of punishment, however,

並向我諮詢了最佳的逃跑方法。然而，對懲罰的恐懼。

which they knew was certain to attend their re-capture and return, in all cases proved

在所有情況下，他們都知道他們肯定會被重新抓獲和返回，但事實證明，他們都沒有被俘。

sufficient to deter them from the experiment. Having all my life breathed the free air of

足以阻止他們進行實驗。我一生都在呼吸著自由的空氣。

the North, and conscious that I possessed the same feelings and affections that find

北方，並意識到我擁有同樣的感情和情感，發現。

a place in the white man's breast; conscious, moreover, of an intelligence equal to that

在白種人的胸中的位置；此外，意識到，一個智慧的平等，

of some men, at least, with a fairer skin. I was too ignorant, perhaps too independent,

至少是一些皮膚比較白的男人。我太無知了，也許太獨立了。

to conceive how any one could be content to live in the abject condition of a slave. I

想象一下，怎麼會有人滿足於生活在奴隸的惡劣條件下。I

could not comprehend the justice of that law, or that religion, which upholds or recognizes

不能理解那條法律的公正性，也不能理解那個維護或承認的宗教的公正性。

the principle of Slavery; and never once, I am proud to say, did I fail to counsel any

奴隸制的原則；而且我可以自豪地說，我從來沒有一次沒有勸告過任何人

one who came to me, to watch his opportunity, and strike for freedom.

一個來找我的人，看準機會，為自由而戰。

I continued to reside at Saratoga until the spring of 1841. The flattering anticipations

我繼續住在薩拉託加，直到1841年春天。諂媚的期待

which, seven years before, had seduced us from the quiet farm house, on the east side

七年前，它從東邊安靜的農舍中引誘了我們

of the Hudson, had not been realized. Though always in comfortable circumstances, we had

的哈德遜河，還沒有實現。雖然一直處於舒適的環境中，但我們

not prospered. The society and associations at that world-renowned watering place, were

並沒有繁榮起來。在那個舉世聞名的水泊梁山的社團和協會，被。

not calculated to preserve the simple habits of industry and economy to which I had been

不打算保留我一直以來的簡單的工業和經濟習慣。

accustomed, but, on the contrary, to substitute others in their stead, tending to shiftlessness

習以為常，反倒是取而代之，趨之若鶩

and extravagance. At this time we were the parents of three

和奢靡之風。這時我們已經是三個孩子的父母了

children— Elizabeth, Margaret, and Alonzo. Elizabeth, the eldest, was in her tenth year;

孩子們--伊麗莎白，瑪格麗特，和阿隆佐。伊麗莎白，長子，在她10歲的時候。

Margaret was two years younger, and little Alonzo had just passed his fifth birth-day.

瑪格麗特比他小兩歲，小阿隆佐剛過完五歲生日。

They filled our house with gladness. Their young voices were music in our ears. Many

他們讓我們的房子充滿了歡樂。他們年輕的聲音是我們耳邊的音樂。許多

an airy castle did their mother and myself build for the little innocents. When not at

他們的母親和我為這些天真無邪的小傢伙們建造了一座空中城堡。當不在

labor I was always walking with them, clad in their best attire, through the streets

我總是和他們一起走，穿著他們最好的衣服，穿過街道。

and groves of Saratoga. Their presence was my delight; and I clasped them to my bosom

和薩拉託加的樹林。他們的出現是我的喜悅，我把他們緊緊地抱在懷裡。

with as warm and tender love as if their clouded skins had been as white as snow.

用溫情脈脈的愛，彷彿他們雲霧繚繞的皮膚已經潔白如雪。

Thus far the history of my life presents nothing whatever unusual—nothing but the common