BY ADDISON AND STEEELE
main text : part-01
I HAVE observed, that a reader seldom peruses a book with pleasure, till he knows whether the writer of it be a black [dark] or a fair man, of a mild or choleric disposition, married or a bachelor, with other particulars of the like nature, that conduce very much to the right understanding of an author. To gratify this curiosity, which is so natural to a reader, I design this paper and my next as prefatory discourses to my following writings, and shall give some account in them of the several persons that are engaged in this work. As the chief trouble of compiling, digesting, and correcting will fall to my share, I must do myself the justice to open the work with my own history.
I was born to a small hereditary estate, which, according to the tradition of the village where it lies, was bounded by the same hedges and ditches in William the Conqueror’s time that it is at present, and has been delivered down from father to son whole and entire, without the loss or acquisition of a single field or meadow, during the space of six hundred years. There runs a story in the family, that when my mother was gone with child of me about. three months she dreamt that she was brought to bed of a judge whether this might proceed from a law-suit which was then depending in the family, or my father’s being a justice of the peace, I cannot determine; for I am not so vain as to think it presaged any dignity that I should arrive at in my future life, though that was the interpretation which the neighbourhood put upon it.
traslation in bangla :The Spectator’sAccount Of Himself
I HAVE observed, আমি লক্ষ্য করেছি, that a reader seldom peruses a book with pleasure, যে একজন পাঠক খুব কমই আনন্দ নিয়ে একটি বই পড়ে, till he knows whether the writer of it be a black (dark) or a fair man, যতক্ষণ না সে জানে লেখকটি কালো (গায়ের রং শ্যামলা) না ফর্সা মানুষ, of a mild or choleric disposition, স্বভাবের দিক থেকে শান্ত না রাগী, married or a bachelor, বিবাহিত না অবিবাহিত, with other particulars of the like nature, এবং এ ধরনের আরও নানা ব্যক্তিগত বিষয়, that conduce very much to the right understanding of an author, যেগুলো লেখককে সঠিকভাবে বুঝতে অনেক সাহায্য করে। To gratify this curiosity, which is so natural to a reader, এই স্বাভাবিক কৌতূহল মেটানোর জন্য, I design this paper and my next as prefatory discourses to my following writings, আমি এই লেখা এবং পরবর্তী লেখাটিকে আমার পরবর্তী রচনার ভূমিকা হিসেবে তৈরি করেছি, and shall give some account in them of the several persons that are engaged in this work, এবং এতে আমি এই কাজে যুক্ত বিভিন্ন ব্যক্তির সম্পর্কে কিছু বিবরণ দেব। As the chief trouble of compiling, digesting, and correcting will fall to my share, যেহেতু সংকলন, বিন্যাস এবং সংশোধনের প্রধান দায়িত্ব আমার ওপরই পড়বে, I must do myself the justice to open the work with my own history, তাই ন্যায্যতার খাতিরে আমাকে নিজের জীবনের গল্প দিয়েই এই কাজ শুরু করতে হবে। I was born to a small hereditary estate, আমি একটি ছোট পৈতৃক সম্পত্তিতে জন্মেছি, which, according to the tradition of the village where it lies, যেটি, যে গ্রামে এটি অবস্থিত সেই গ্রামের প্রচলিত মতে, was bounded by the same hedges and ditches in William the Conqueror’s time that it is at present, উইলিয়াম দ্য কনকারারের সময়েও একই বেড়া ও খাল দ্বারা সীমাবদ্ধ ছিল, যেমন এখন আছে, and has been delivered down from father to son whole and entire, এবং এটি সম্পূর্ণ অক্ষত অবস্থায় পিতা থেকে পুত্রের কাছে হস্তান্তরিত হয়ে এসেছে, without the loss or acquisition of a single field or meadow, একটি জমি বা ঘাসের মাঠও না কমে বা না বেড়ে, during the space of six hundred years, প্রায় ছয়শো বছর ধরে। There runs a story in the family, আমাদের পরিবারে একটি গল্প প্রচলিত আছে, that when my mother was gone with child of me about three months, যে, আমার মা যখন আমাকে গর্ভে ধারণ করেছিলেন প্রায় তিন মাস, she dreamt that she was brought to bed of a judge, তিনি স্বপ্ন দেখেছিলেন যে তিনি একজন বিচারকের জন্ম দিয়েছেন, whether this might proceed from a law-suit which was then depending in the family, এটা কি সেই সময় পরিবারের চলমান মামলার কারণে হয়েছিল, or my father’s being a justice of the peace, I cannot determine; নাকি আমার বাবা বিচারক (জাস্টিস অফ দ্য পিস) ছিলেন—আমি তা নির্দিষ্ট করে বলতে পারি না; for I am not so vain as to think it presaged any dignity that I should arrive at in my future life, কারণ আমি এতটা অহংকারী নই যে ভাবি এটি আমার ভবিষ্যতের কোনো সম্মানের পূর্বাভাস ছিল, though that was the interpretation which the neighbourhood put upon it, যদিও আশেপাশের লোকেরা এটাকেই সেইভাবে ব্যাখ্যা করেছিল।
Summary
The narrator believes that readers enjoy a book more when they know something about its author. Therefore, he writes this paper as an introduction to himself and the people involved in his work. Since he is mainly responsible for preparing and editing the publication, he begins with his own background. He was born into a modest family with a small hereditary estate that had remained unchanged for about six hundred years. He also mentions a family story that his mother dreamed, during her pregnancy, of giving birth to a judge. Although the neighbors considered it a sign of his future greatness, the narrator modestly refuses to believe that the dream foretold any special honor or distinction in his life.
main text : part-02
The gravity of my behaviour at my very first appearance in the world, and all the time that I sucked, seemed to favour my mother’s dream: for, as she has often told me, I threw away my rattle before I was two months old, and would not make use of my coral till they had taken away the bells from it.
As for the rest of my infancy, there being nothing in it remarkable, I shall pass it over in silence. I find, that during my non-age, I had the reputation of a very sullen youth, but was always a favourite of my school-master, who used to say, that my parts were solid, and would wear well. I had not been long at the university, before I distinguished myself by a most profound silence; for during the space of eight years, excepting in the public exercises of the college, I scarce uttered the quantity of an hundred words; and indeed do not remember that I ever spoke three sentences together in my whole life. Whilst I was in this learned body, I applied myself with so much diligence to my studies, that there are very few celebrated books, either in the learned or modern tongues, which I am not acquainted with.
Upon the death of my father, I was resolved to travel into foreign countries, and therefore left the university with the character of an odd, unaccountable fellow, that had a great deal of learning, if I would but show it. An insatiable thirst after knowledge carried me into all the countries of Europe in which there was anything new or strange to he seen: nay, to such a degree was my curiosity raised, that having read the controversies of some great men concerning the antiquities of Egypt, I made a voyage to Grand Cairo, on purpose to take the measure of a pyramid; and as soon as I had set myself right in that particular, returned to my native country with great satisfaction.
I have passed my latter years in this city, where I am frequently seen in most public places, though there are not above half a dozen of my select friends that know me; of whom my next paper shall give a more particular account. There is no place of general resort, wherein I do not often make my appearance; sometimes I am seen thrusting my head into a round of politicians at Will’s, and listening with great attention to the narratives that are made in those little circular audiences. Sometimes I smoke a pipe at Child’s, and whilst I seem attentive to nothing but the Postman [a newspaper], overhear the conversation of every table in the room. I appear on Sunday nights at St. James’s Coffee-house, and sometimes join the little committee of politics in the inner room, as one who comes there to hear and improve. My face is likewise very well known at the grecian the Covent Garden, and in the theatres both of Drury Lane and the haymarket. I have been taken for a merchant upon the Exchange for above these ten years, and sometimes pass for a Jew in the assembly of stock-jobbers at Jonathan’s: in short, wherever I see a cluster of people, I always mix with them, though I never open my lips but in my own club.
The gravity of my behaviour at my very first appearance in the world, পৃথিবীতে আমার প্রথম আগমনের সময় আমার আচরণের গাম্ভীর্য, and all the time that I sucked, এবং শিশুকালে স্তন্যপান করার সময়ও, seemed to favour my mother’s dream: মায়ের স্বপ্নকে সত্য বলে মনে করাতো: for, as she has often told me, কারণ, যেমন তিনি আমাকে বহুবার বলেছেন, I threw away my rattle before I was two months old, আমি দুই মাস হওয়ার আগেই আমার খেলনা (র্যাটল) ফেলে দিতাম, and would not make use of my coral till they had taken away the bells from it, এবং আমার প্রবাল (coral) খেলনাও ব্যবহার করতাম না যতক্ষণ না এর ঘণ্টাগুলো খুলে নেওয়া হতো। As for the rest of my infancy, there being nothing in it remarkable, I shall pass it over in silence, আমার শৈশবের বাকি অংশে বিশেষ কিছু না থাকায় আমি তা উল্লেখ করবো না। I find, that during my non-age, I had the reputation of a very sullen youth, আমি দেখেছি, ছোট বয়সে আমাকে খুব গম্ভীর ও রাগী ছেলে হিসেবে ভাবা হতো, but was always a favourite of my school-master, কিন্তু আমি সবসময় আমার শিক্ষকের প্রিয় ছিলাম, who used to say, that my parts were solid, and would wear well, যিনি বলতেন আমার মেধা শক্ত ও দীর্ঘস্থায়ী। I had not been long at the university, before I distinguished myself by a most profound silence; বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে বেশি দিন না যেতেই আমি গভীর নীরবতার জন্য পরিচিত হয়ে উঠি; for during the space of eight years, excepting in the public exercises of the college, I scarce uttered the quantity of an hundred words; কারণ আট বছরে, কলেজের আনুষ্ঠানিক অনুষ্ঠান ছাড়া, আমি একশ শব্দও খুব কম বলেছি; and indeed do not remember that I ever spoke three sentences together in my whole life, এবং আমি মনে করতে পারি না যে জীবনে কখনো একসাথে তিনটি বাক্য বলেছি। Whilst I was in this learned body, I applied myself with so much diligence to my studies, বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে থাকাকালীন আমি এত পরিশ্রম করে পড়াশোনা করতাম, that there are very few celebrated books which I am not acquainted with, যে খুব কম বিখ্যাত বই আছে যা আমি পড়িনি। Upon the death of my father, I was resolved to travel into foreign countries, আমার বাবার মৃত্যুর পর আমি বিদেশ ভ্রমণের সিদ্ধান্ত নিলাম, and therefore left the university with the character of an odd, unaccountable fellow, এবং তাই বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় ছাড়লাম একজন অদ্ভুত ও ব্যাখ্যাতীত মানুষ হিসেবে, that had a great deal of learning, if I would but show it, যার অনেক জ্ঞান ছিল, যদি আমি তা প্রকাশ করতাম। An insatiable thirst after knowledge carried me into all the countries of Europe, জ্ঞান পাওয়ার অদম্য ইচ্ছা আমাকে ইউরোপের সব দেশে নিয়ে যায়, I made a voyage to Grand Cairo, on purpose to take the measure of a pyramid; আমি মিশরের গ্র্যান্ড কায়রোতে যাই পিরামিড মাপার জন্য, and returned to my native country with great satisfaction, এবং সন্তুষ্ট হয়ে নিজের দেশে ফিরে আসি। I have passed my latter years in this city, আমি আমার শেষ জীবন এই শহরে কাটাচ্ছি, where I am frequently seen in most public places, যেখানে আমাকে প্রায় সব জনসমাগম স্থানে দেখা যায়, though there are not above half a dozen of my select friends that know me; যদিও খুব অল্প কয়েকজন ঘনিষ্ঠ বন্ধু আমাকে সত্যিকারের চেনে। There is no place of general resort, wherein I do not often make my appearance; এমন কোনো জনসমাগম স্থান নেই যেখানে আমি যাই না। Sometimes I am seen thrusting my head into a round of politicians at Will’s, কখনো আমাকে Will’s-এ রাজনীতিবিদদের মাঝে দেখা যায়, Sometimes I smoke a pipe at Child’s and overhear the conversation of every table in the room, কখনো Child’s-এ পাইপ খেতে খেতে সবার কথা শুনি। I appear on Sunday nights at St. James’s Coffee-house, আমি রবিবার রাতে St. James’s Coffee-house-এ যাই, My face is likewise very well known at the Grecian, the Cocoa-Tree, আমার মুখ Grecian ও Cocoa-Tree-এ খুব পরিচিত, I have been taken for a merchant and sometimes pass for a Jew, আমাকে কখনো ব্যবসায়ী, কখনো ইহুদি মনে করা হয়েছে, in short, wherever I see a cluster of people, I always mix with them, সংক্ষেপে, যেখানে মানুষ জড়ো হয় আমি সেখানেই মিশে যাই, though I never open my lips but in my own club, তবে আমি শুধু নিজের ক্লাবেই কথা বলি।
Summary
The narrator describes himself as a naturally serious and quiet person from infancy. Even as a baby, he disliked noisy toys, which seemed to confirm his mother’s belief that he was different from other children. During his childhood, he was considered gloomy and reserved, although his schoolmaster admired his intelligence and predicted a successful future. At university, he became famous for his silence, speaking very little over eight years, while devoting himself to the study of many celebrated books. After his father’s death, he travelled throughout Europe and even visited Grand Cairo to satisfy his thirst for knowledge. Returning home, he spent his later years observing people in public places such as coffee houses and clubs. Although he mingled with different groups and was often mistaken for various professions, he rarely spoke except in his own club, maintaining his quiet and thoughtful nature throughout his life.
Thus I live in the world rather as a Spectator of mankind than as one of the species; by which means I have made myself a speculative statesman, soldier, merchant, and artisan, without ever meddling with any practical part in life. I am very well versed in the theory of a husband or a father, and can discern the errors in the economy, business, and diversion of others, better than those who are engaged in them; as standers-by discover plots, which are apt to escape those who are in the game. I never espoused any part with violence, and am resolved to observe an exact neutrality between the Whigs and Tories, unless I shall be forced to declare myself by the hostilities of either side. In short I have acted in all the parts of my life as a looker-on, which is the character I intend to preserve in this paper.
I have given the reader just so much of my history and character, as to let him see I am not altogether unqualified for the business I have undertaken. As for other particulars in my life and adventures, I shall insert them in following papers, as I shall see occasion. In the mean time, when I consider how much I have seen, read, and heard, I begin to blame my own taciturnity; and since I have neither time nor inclination to communicate the fullness of my heart in speech, I am resolved to do it in writing, and to print myself out, if possible, before I die. I have been often told by my friends, that it is pity so many useful discoveries which I have made should be in the possession of a silent man. For this reason, therefore, I shall publish a sheet-full of thoughts every morning, for the benefit of my contemporaries; and if I can any way contribute to the diversion or improvement of the country in which I live, I shall leave it, when I am summoned out of it, with the secret satisfaction of thinking that I
Thus I live in the world rather as a Spectator of mankind than as one of the species; এইভাবে আমি পৃথিবীতে মানুষের একজন সদস্য হিসেবে নয়, বরং একজন পর্যবেক্ষক হিসেবে জীবন যাপন করি; by which means I have made myself a speculative statesman, soldier, merchant, and artisan, এর ফলে আমি নিজেকে চিন্তাগতভাবে একজন রাজনীতিবিদ, সৈনিক, ব্যবসায়ী ও কারিগর হিসেবে গড়ে তুলেছি, without ever meddling with any practical part in life, কখনো বাস্তব জীবনের কাজে সরাসরি জড়িত না হয়েই। I am very well versed in the theory of a husband or a father, আমি স্বামী বা পিতার দায়িত্বের তত্ত্ব ভালোভাবে জানি, and can discern the errors in the economy, business, and diversion of others, এবং অন্যদের সংসার, কাজ ও বিনোদনের ভুলগুলো বুঝতে পারি, better than those who are engaged in them; যারা এগুলোর সঙ্গে জড়িত, তাদের থেকেও ভালোভাবে; as standers-by discover plots, which are apt to escape those who are in the game, যেমন বাইরে থাকা মানুষ খেলায় থাকা ব্যক্তিদের চেয়ে পরিকল্পনা সহজে বুঝতে পারে। I never espoused any part with violence, আমি কখনো কোনো পক্ষকে উগ্রভাবে সমর্থন করিনি, and am resolved to observe an exact neutrality between the Whigs and Tories, এবং Whigs ও Tories-এর মধ্যে সম্পূর্ণ নিরপেক্ষ থাকার সিদ্ধান্ত নিয়েছি, unless I shall be forced to declare myself by the hostilities of either side, যদি না কোনো পক্ষের শত্রুতার কারণে আমাকে অবস্থান নিতে বাধ্য করা হয়। In short I have acted in all the parts of my life as a looker-on, সংক্ষেপে, জীবনের সব ক্ষেত্রে আমি একজন দর্শকের মতো আচরণ করেছি, which is the character I intend to preserve in this paper, এবং এই লেখাতেও আমি সেই চরিত্র বজায় রাখতে চাই। I have given the reader just so much of my history and character, আমি পাঠককে আমার জীবন ও চরিত্র সম্পর্কে এতটুকুই জানিয়েছি, as to let him see I am not altogether unqualified for the business I have undertaken, যাতে সে বুঝতে পারে যে আমি এই কাজের জন্য সম্পূর্ণ অযোগ্য নই। As for other particulars in my life and adventures, আমার জীবনের অন্যান্য ঘটনা ও অভিজ্ঞতার বিষয়ে, I shall insert them in following papers, as I shall see occasion, সুযোগ অনুযায়ী পরবর্তী লেখাগুলোতে উল্লেখ করব। In the mean time, when I consider how much I have seen, read, and heard, এদিকে, আমি যখন ভাবি আমি কত কিছু দেখেছি, পড়েছি ও শুনেছি, I begin to blame my own taciturnity; তখন আমি নিজের নীরবতাকে দোষ দিতে শুরু করি; and since I have neither time nor inclination to communicate the fullness of my heart in speech, এবং যেহেতু আমার সময় বা ইচ্ছা নেই মুখে সব প্রকাশ করার, I am resolved to do it in writing, তাই আমি লেখার মাধ্যমে তা প্রকাশ করার সিদ্ধান্ত নিয়েছি, and to print myself out, if possible, before I die, এবং সম্ভব হলে মৃত্যুর আগে নিজেকে প্রকাশ করতে চাই। I have been often told by my friends, আমার বন্ধুরা আমাকে প্রায়ই বলেছে, that it is pity so many useful discoveries which I have made should be in the possession of a silent man, যে এত উপকারী চিন্তা একজন নীরব মানুষের মধ্যে থাকা দুঃখজনক। For this reason, therefore, I shall publish a sheet-full of thoughts every morning, এই কারণে, আমি প্রতিদিন সকালে এক পৃষ্ঠা চিন্তা প্রকাশ করব, for the benefit of my contemporaries; আমার সমসাময়িক মানুষের উপকারের জন্য; and if I can any way contribute to the diversion or improvement of the country in which I live, এবং যদি আমি কোনোভাবে আমার দেশের আনন্দ বা উন্নতিতে অবদান রাখতে পারি, I shall leave it, when I am summoned out of it, তাহলে যখন আমি এই পৃথিবী ছাড়ব, with the secret satisfaction of thinking that I have not lived in vain, তখন এই গোপন সন্তুষ্টি নিয়ে যাব যে আমার জীবন বৃথা যায়নি।
Summary
The narrator presents himself as an observer of society rather than an active participant in it. By carefully watching people, he has gained deep knowledge of politics, business, family life, and human behavior without becoming directly involved. His neutral attitude allows him to judge others more fairly than those engaged in conflicts, and he refuses to support either political party blindly. Although naturally silent, he realizes that his knowledge and observations should benefit others. Therefore, he decides to express his thoughts through writing instead of speech. He hopes that his daily writings will entertain and educate his readers, contribute to the improvement of society, and leave him with the satisfaction that his life has been meaningful and useful.
main
There are three very material points which I have not spoken to in this paper; and which, for several important reasons, I must keep to myself, at least for some time: I mean an account of my name, my age, and my lodgings. I must confess, I would gratify my reader in anything that is reasonable; but as for these three particulars, though I am sensible they might tend very much to the embellishment of my paper, I cannot yet come to a resolution of communicating them to the public. They would indeed draw me out of that obscurity which I have enjoyed for many years, and expose me in public places to several salutes and civilities, which have been always very disagreeable to me; for the greatest pain I can suffer is the being talked to, and being stared at. It is for this reason likewise, that I keep my complexion and dress as very great secrets; though it is not impossible, but I may make discoveries of both in the progress of the work I have undertaken. After having been thus particular upon myself, I shall in to-morrow’s paper give an account of those gentlemen who are concerned with me in this work; for, as I have before intimated, a plan of it is laid and concerted (as all other natters of importance are) in a club. However, as my friends have engaged me to stand in the front, those who have a mind to correspond with me, may direct their letters to the SPECTATOR, at Mr. Buckley’s, in Little Britain. For I must further acquaint the reader, that though our club meets only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, we have appointed a Committee to sit every night, for the inspection of all such papers as may contribute to the advancement of the public weal.
There are three very material points which I have not spoken to in this paper; তিনটি খুব গুরুত্বপূর্ণ বিষয় আছে যেগুলো সম্পর্কে আমি এই লেখায় কিছু বলিনি; and which, for several important reasons, I must keep to myself, at least for some time: এবং কিছু গুরুত্বপূর্ণ কারণে অন্তত কিছু সময়ের জন্য সেগুলো গোপন রাখতে হবে; I mean an account of my name, my age, and my lodgings, আমি বলতে চাচ্ছি আমার নাম, বয়স এবং বাসস্থানের বিবরণ। I must confess, আমাকে স্বীকার করতেই হবে, I would gratify my reader in anything that is reasonable; যৌক্তিক কোনো বিষয়ে আমি আমার পাঠককে সন্তুষ্ট করতে চাই; but as for these three particulars, কিন্তু এই তিনটি বিষয়ের ক্ষেত্রে, though I am sensible they might tend very much to the embellishment of my paper, যদিও আমি জানি এগুলো আমার লেখাকে আরও আকর্ষণীয় করে তুলতে পারত, I cannot yet come to a resolution of communicating them to the public, তবুও এখনো সেগুলো জনসাধারণকে জানানোর সিদ্ধান্ত নিতে পারিনি। They would indeed draw me out of that obscurity which I have enjoyed for many years, এগুলো সত্যিই আমাকে সেই অজ্ঞাত অবস্থান থেকে বের করে আনবে যা আমি বহু বছর ধরে উপভোগ করেছি, and expose me in public places to several salutes and civilities, এবং জনসমাগম স্থানে আমাকে নানা শুভেচ্ছা ও ভদ্র আচরণের মুখোমুখি করবে, which have been always very disagreeable to me; যেগুলো সবসময়ই আমার কাছে অপছন্দের ছিল; for the greatest pain I can suffer is the being talked to, and being stared at, কারণ আমার কাছে সবচেয়ে কষ্টের বিষয় হলো লোকের সঙ্গে কথা বলা এবং সবার তাকিয়ে থাকা। It is for this reason likewise, that I keep my complexion and dress as very great secrets; এই কারণেই আমি আমার চেহারা ও পোশাককেও বড় গোপন বিষয় হিসেবে রাখি; though it is not impossible, but I may make discoveries of both in the progress of the work I have undertaken, তবে এমনও নয় যে ভবিষ্যতে কাজের অগ্রগতির সঙ্গে সঙ্গে আমি এগুলো প্রকাশ করব না। After having been thus particular upon myself, নিজের সম্পর্কে এত বিস্তারিত বলার পর, I shall in to-morrow’s paper give an account of those gentlemen who are concerned with me in this work; আগামীকালের লেখায় আমি সেই ভদ্রলোকদের পরিচয় দেব যারা এই কাজে আমার সঙ্গে যুক্ত আছেন; for, as I have before intimated, কারণ, যেমন আমি আগে ইঙ্গিত দিয়েছি, a plan of it is laid and concerted in a club, এই কাজের পরিকল্পনা একটি ক্লাবে বসেই করা হয়েছে। However, as my friends have engaged me to stand in the front, যাইহোক, যেহেতু আমার বন্ধুরা আমাকে সামনের সারিতে থাকতে বলেছে, those who have a mind to correspond with me, যারা আমার সঙ্গে যোগাযোগ করতে চান, may direct their letters to the SPECTATOR, at Mr. Buckley’s, in Little Britain, তারা Little Britain-এ Mr. Buckley-এর ঠিকানায় SPECTATOR-এর নামে চিঠি পাঠাতে পারেন। For I must further acquaint the reader, কারণ আমাকে পাঠককে আরও জানাতে হবে, that though our club meets only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, যে আমাদের ক্লাব কেবল মঙ্গলবার ও বৃহস্পতিবার মিলিত হয়, we have appointed a Committee to sit every night, তবুও আমরা প্রতিরাতে বসার জন্য একটি কমিটি নিযুক্ত করেছি, for the inspection of all such papers as may contribute to the advancement of the public weal, যাতে জনকল্যাণে সহায়ক সব লেখাপত্র পরীক্ষা করা যায়।
Summary
The narrator explains that he has deliberately kept his name, age, and residence secret because revealing them would destroy the privacy he has enjoyed for many years. Although these details might make his writings more interesting, he dislikes public attention, conversation, and being recognized by others. He also keeps his appearance and manner of dress hidden, though he may disclose them later if necessary. The narrator announces that his next paper will introduce the members of the club who assist him in preparing The Spectator. He invites readers to send their letters to him through Mr. Buckley in Little Britain. Finally, he mentions that although the club meets only twice a week, a special committee reviews papers every night to ensure that the publication serves the public interest.
i
There are three very material points which I have not spoken to in this paper; and which, for several important reasons, I must keep to myself, at least for some time: I mean an account of my name, my age, and my lodgings. I must confess, I would gratify my reader in anything that is reasonable; but as for these three particulars, though I am sensible they might tend very much to the embellishment of my paper, I cannot yet come to a resolution of communicating them to the public. They would indeed draw me out of that obscurity which I have enjoyed for many years, and expose me in public places to several salutes and civilities, which have been always very disagreeable to me; for the greatest pain I can suffer is the being talked to, and being stared at. It is for this reason likewise, that I keep my complexion and dress as very great secrets; though it is not impossible, but I may make discoveries of both in the progress of the work I have undertaken. After having been thus particular upon myself, I shall in to-morrow’s paper give an account of those gentlemen who are concerned with me in this work; for, as I have before intimated, a plan of it is laid and concerted (as all other natters of importance are) in a club. However, as my friends have engaged me to stand in the front, those who have a mind to correspond with me, may direct their letters to the SPECTATOR, at Mr. Buckley’s, in Little Britain. For I must further acquaint the reader, that though our club meets only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, we have appointed a Committee to sit every night, for the inspection of all such papers as may contribute to the advancement of the public weal.
There are three very material points which I have not spoken to in this paper, তিনটি খুব গুরুত্বপূর্ণ বিষয় আছে যেগুলো সম্পর্কে আমি এই লেখায় কিছু বলিনি, and which, for several important reasons, I must keep to myself, at least for some time, এবং কিছু গুরুত্বপূর্ণ কারণে অন্তত কিছু সময়ের জন্য সেগুলো গোপন রাখতে হবে, I mean an account of my name, my age, and my lodgings, আমি বলতে চাচ্ছি আমার নাম, বয়স এবং বাসস্থানের বিবরণ। I must confess, আমাকে স্বীকার করতেই হবে, I would gratify my reader in anything that is reasonable, যৌক্তিক কোনো বিষয়ে আমি আমার পাঠককে সন্তুষ্ট করতে চাই, but as for these three particulars, কিন্তু এই তিনটি বিষয়ের ক্ষেত্রে, though I am sensible they might tend very much to the embellishment of my paper, যদিও আমি জানি এগুলো আমার লেখাকে আরও আকর্ষণীয় করে তুলতে পারত, I cannot yet come to a resolution of communicating them to the public, তবুও এখনো সেগুলো জনসাধারণকে জানানোর সিদ্ধান্ত নিতে পারিনি। They would indeed draw me out of that obscurity which I have enjoyed for many years, এগুলো সত্যিই আমাকে সেই অজ্ঞাত অবস্থান থেকে বের করে আনবে যা আমি বহু বছর ধরে উপভোগ করেছি, and expose me in public places to several salutes and civilities, এবং জনসমাগম স্থানে আমাকে নানা শুভেচ্ছা ও ভদ্র আচরণের মুখোমুখি করবে, which have been always very disagreeable to me, যেগুলো সবসময়ই আমার কাছে অপছন্দের ছিল, for the greatest pain I can suffer is the being talked to, and being stared at, কারণ আমার কাছে সবচেয়ে কষ্টের বিষয় হলো লোকের সঙ্গে কথা বলা এবং সবার তাকিয়ে থাকা। It is for this reason likewise, that I keep my complexion and dress as very great secrets, এই কারণেই আমি আমার চেহারা ও পোশাককেও বড় গোপন বিষয় হিসেবে রাখি, though it is not impossible, but I may make discoveries of both in the progress of the work I have undertaken, তবে এমনও নয় যে ভবিষ্যতে কাজের অগ্রগতির সঙ্গে সঙ্গে আমি এগুলো প্রকাশ করব না। After having been thus particular upon myself, নিজের সম্পর্কে এত বিস্তারিত বলার পর, I shall in to-morrow’s paper give an account of those gentlemen who are concerned with me in this work, আগামীকালের লেখায় আমি সেই ভদ্রলোকদের পরিচয় দেব যারা এই কাজে আমার সঙ্গে যুক্ত আছেন, for, as I have before intimated, কারণ, যেমন আমি আগে ইঙ্গিত দিয়েছি, a plan of it is laid and concerted in a club, এই কাজের পরিকল্পনা একটি ক্লাবে বসেই করা হয়েছে। However, as my friends have engaged me to stand in the front, যাইহোক, যেহেতু আমার বন্ধুরা আমাকে সামনের সারিতে থাকতে বলেছে, those who have a mind to correspond with me, যারা আমার সঙ্গে যোগাযোগ করতে চান, may direct their letters to the SPECTATOR, at Mr. Buckley’s, in Little Britain, তারা Little Britain-এ Mr. Buckley-এর ঠিকানায় SPECTATOR-এর নামে চিঠি পাঠাতে পারেন। For I must further acquaint the reader, কারণ আমাকে পাঠককে আরও জানাতে হবে, that though our club meets only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, যে আমাদের ক্লাব কেবল মঙ্গলবার ও বৃহস্পতিবার মিলিত হয়, we have appointed a Committee to sit every night, তবুও আমরা প্রতিরাতে বসার জন্য একটি কমিটি নিযুক্ত করেছি, for the inspection of all such papers as may contribute to the advancement of the public weal, যাতে জনকল্যাণে সহায়ক সব লেখাপত্র পরীক্ষা করা যায়।
Summary
The narrator explains that he has intentionally kept his name, age, and residence secret to preserve the privacy and anonymity he has enjoyed for many years. Although revealing these details might make his writings more appealing, he dislikes public attention and avoids being recognized or approached by strangers. For the same reason, he also conceals his appearance and dress, though he may disclose them later. He announces that his next paper will introduce the members of the club who collaborate with him in producing The Spectator. He also invites readers to send their letters to him through Mr. Buckley in Little Britain. Finally, he mentions that while the club meets only twice a week, a special committee examines submitted papers every night to ensure that the publication promotes the welfare and improvement of society.