DWIGHT AND DENNIE
DR.DWIGHT was a distinguished theologian of New England，and for many years President of Yale College.Dennie was a literary man of eminence，and editor of the Port Folio and other works.They both died in the early part of the present century.
Timothy Dwight
1.SOME time since，as Dr.Dwight was traveling through New Jersey，he chanced to stop at the stage hotel，in one of its populoustowns，for the night.At a late hour of the same，arrived also at the inn Mr.Dennie，who had the misfortune to learn from the landlord，that his beds were all paired with lodgers，exceptone occupied by the celebrated Dr.Dwight.Show me to his apartment，exclaimed Dennie；although I am a stranger to the Reverend Doctor，perhaps I may bargain with him for my lodgings.The landlord a ccor di n gly wa i ted on Mr .Den n i e to the Doctor’s room，and there left him tointroduce himself.
Joseph Dennie
2.The Doctor，although in his night-gown，cap，and slippers，and just ready to resign himself to the refreshing arms of Somnus，politely requested the strange intruder to be seated.Struck with thephysiognomy of his companion，he then unbent his austere brow，and commenced a literary conversation.
3.The names of Washington，Franklin，Rittenhouse，and a host of distinguished and literary characters，for some time gave a zest and interest to their conversation，until Dr.Dwight chanced to mention Dennie.“Dennie，the editor of the Port Folio，”says the Doctor in a rhapsody，“is the Addison of the United States，the Father of American belles lettres.But，Sir，”continued he，“is it not astonishing，that a man of such genius，fancy，and feeling，should abandon himself to the inebriating bowl？”
4.“Sir，”said Dennie，“you are mistaken.I have been intimately acquainted with Dennie for several years；and I never knew or saw him intoxicated.”“Sir，”says the Doctor，“you err.I have my information from a particular friend；I am confident that I am right and you are wrong.”Dennie now ingeniously changed the conversation to the clergy，remarking，that Abercrombie and Mason were among the most distinguished divines；“nevertheless，he considered Dr.Dwight，President of Yale College，the most learned theologian，the first logician，and the greatest poet that America has produced.But，Sir，”continued Dennie，“there are traits in his character，unworthy of so wise and great a man，and of the most detestable deion；he is the greatest bigot and dogmatist of the age！”
5.“Sir，”says the Doctor，“you are grossly mistaken；I am intimately acquainted with Dr.Dwight，and I know to the contrary”“Sir，”says Dennie，“you are mistaken；I have it from an intimate acquaintance of his，who I am confident would not tell me an untruth.”“No more slander！”says the Doctor；“I am Dr.Dwight，of whom you speak！”“And I，too，”exclaimed Dennie，“am Mr.Dennie，of whom you spoke！”The astonishment of Dr.Dwight may be better conceived than told.Suffice it to say，they mutually shook hands，and were extremely happy in each other‘s acquaintance.
中文阅读
德怀特博士是新英格兰的一位杰出的神学家，许多年来也一直是耶鲁大学的校长。丹尼是一位杰出的文学巨匠，是Port Folio以及其他作品的编辑。二人都于本世纪早期去世。
1.许多年前，当德怀特博士在新泽西旅行时，他碰巧要在当地最有名的小镇上的一家带舞台表演的旅馆过夜，稍后，丹尼先生也来到了这家旅馆。丹尼先生不幸被店主告知其他所有的床铺都住满了两个人，只有一张床被名人德怀特博士单独占用了。“带我到他的房间去。”丹尼说，“尽管我对这位尊敬的博士来说是个陌生人，但或许我可以与他拼床住。”因此店主按照丹尼先生的意思陪同他来到博士的房间，让他自己来做自我介绍。
2.尽管博士穿着睡袍，戴着睡帽，穿着拖鞋，一切准备就绪，正要投入睡眠之神索莫纳斯的怀抱，可见到这位不速之客，还是很有礼貌地让坐。受到同伴相貌的吸引，继而他舒展开严峻的双眉，开始了一段文学对话。
3.开始，他们的话题和兴趣集中在华盛顿、富兰克林、里顿豪斯，以及许多杰出的文学人物身上，直到德怀特博士偶然间提起了丹尼才发生了转变。“丹尼，Port Folio的编辑，”博士狂热地赞美道，“他是美国的爱迪生，是美国纯文学之父。但是，先生，”他继续说道，“这样一位充满奇幻色彩的天才竟然会自暴自弃沦为酒鬼，这难道不令人吃惊吗？”
4.“先生，”丹尼说，“你错了。我认识丹尼好几年了，对这个人非常熟悉，我从来没见过他酗酒。”“先生，”博士说，“你错了，这个信息来自于我的一个特别的朋友。我相信我是对的，你是错的。”而此时的丹尼很巧妙地把话题转到了牧师身上，评论说，阿尔伯克罗姆比和梅森是最杰出的神学家。“不过，我认为耶鲁大学的校长德怀特博士，才是知识最渊博的神学家、第一逻辑学家、美国有史以来最伟大的诗人。可是先生，”丹尼继续说，“他的性格中有些特点配不上他这么睿智、这么伟大的名声，不该有这样可憎的议论，据说他是我们这一时代最盲从、最独断的人！”
5.“先生，”博士说，“你完全错了。我跟德怀特博士非常熟悉，我了解到的恰恰相反。”“先生，”丹尼说，“你错了。我是从与他非常亲密的一个人那里听来的，我相信他是不会错的。”“不要再诽谤了！”博士说，“我就是德怀特博士，就是你谈论的那个人！”“我也是，”丹尼大声说，“我是丹尼先生，正是你谈论的那个人！”德怀特博士的惊讶溢于言表。毋庸置疑，他们彼此握手，都非常高兴认识对方。