詹姆士·麦迪逊与蒙比利埃市
78 詹姆士·麦迪逊与蒙比利埃市
DATE=7-30-01
TITLE=THIS IS AMERICA #1075 - James Madison's Montpelier
BYLINE=George Grow
VOICE ONE:
The American state of (1)Virginia is sometimes called the Mother of Presidents. Eight American Presidents were born there. I'm Steve Ember.
VOICE TWO:
And I'm Shirley Griffith. The Virginia home of President James Madison - (2)Montpelier (mont-PEEL-yer) -- is our report today on the VOA Special English program, THIS IS AMERICA.
((THEME))
VOICE ONE:
Montpelier is a huge (3)property in the middle of Virginia's farm country. The property covers more than one-thousand-one-hundred (4)hectares of land. Montpelier is about one-hundred-thirty kilometers south of Washington, D-C. The Madison home is a short drive from Virginia's Blue Ridge 1 Mountains. It also is only about forty-five kilometers from Monticello, the home of President (5)Thomas Jefferson.
James Madison was the fourth President of the United States. He is known as the Father of the American (6)Constitution. Mister 2 Madison wrote the first plan for union of the new nation. He also was mainly (7)responsible for the first ten (8)amendments 3 to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights.
VOICE TWO:
This year, Americans are observing the two-hundred-fiftieth (9)anniversary of James Madison's birth. He was born at Port Conway, Virginia, on March Sixteenth, Seventeen-Fifty-One. Young James grew up in Orange County 4, on the Madison family home at Montpelier. James Madison's grandfather, Ambrose Madison, first settled the land in Seventeen-Twenty-Three.
James spent the first nine years of his life in a house built by his grandfather. James Madison's father built the main house at Montpelier in about Seventeen-Sixty. The family moved there a short time later.
((MUSIC FROM "CRYSTAL 5 FLUTE 6"))
VOICE ONE:
James Madison was the oldest child in a family of twelve children. He was educated at home and at schools in Virginia until he was eighteen years old. Then he attended the College of (10)New Jersey 7, now called (11)Princeton University. James completed his college education in just two years. He stayed in New Jersey almost one year longer for (12)independent studies.
James Madison returned to Montpelier in Seventeen-Seventy-Two. He was unsure of his future. He considered and then (13)rejected positions in law, (14)religion or business.
(15)Tensions between Britain and its American (16)colonies increased in the early Seventeen-Seventies. This is about the time that James Madison's political (17)activism began. He served in local government before being elected to Virginia's first House of (18)Delegates. There he helped to write a new state constitution.
VOICE TWO:
Mister Madison represented Virginia at the Second (19)Continental (20)Congress 8 during the American war of (21)independence. After the war, he attended the Constitutional (22)Convention 9 in (23)Philadelphia, (24)Pennsylvania in Seventeen-Eighty-Seven. Mister Madison successfully (25)proposed 10 the creation 11 of a strong central government. He led efforts in Virginia and other states to (26)approve the (27)proposal. He helped write The (28)Federalist, a series of reports explaining the strength of the proposed Constitution.
After the Constitution was approved, Mister Madison continued as a leading member of the new (29)federal government. He was elected to the first Congress. He led the fight to approve the first ten amendments to the constitution - the (30)Bill of Rights. A few years later, he and Thomas Jefferson formed the political party known today as the (31)Democratic Party.
((MUSIC FROM "CRYSTAL FLUTE"))
VOICE ONE:
While in Congress, James Madison met a young woman named Dolley Payne Todd. Her husband had died from (32)yellow fever the year before. Mister Madison proposed marriage to the young woman a short time after they met. They were married on September fifteenth, Seventeen-Ninety-Four.
Dolley Madison often seemed larger in life than her famous husband. James was a small, quiet man. His wife was best known for her (33)friendliness and for (34)organizing large parties. Their marriage lasted forty-one years. But they had no children. James Madison left Congress in Seventeen-Ninety-Seven. He and Dolly retired 12 to Montpelier. The retirement 13 did not last long, however. Thomas Jefferson became President in Eighteen-Oh-One. Mister Jefferson (35)appointed his friend James Madison as (36)Secretary of State. Mister Madison served as America's top (37)diplomat for eight years.
VOICE TWO:
The Jefferson presidency 14 was a period of growth for the new nation. In Eighteen-Oh-Three, the American government agreed to pay France about fifteen-million dollars for a huge piece of land. This agreement was called the (38)Louisiana (39)Purchase. It increased the area of the United States by one-hundred percent.
However, there were some problems. Secretary of State Madison failed to force France and Great Britain to (40)honor 15 the rights of Americans on the (41)high seas. (42)Trade relations with these nations was the government's biggest problem when James Madison became President in Eighteen-Oh-Nine.
President Madison served for eight years. He led the United States through the War of Eighteen-Twelve. British (43)troops (44)invaded the country and burned Washington. The war ended in Eighteen-Fifteen with an American victory.
VOICE ONE:
President Madison's second term in office ended in Eighteen-Seventeen. He and Dolley returned home to Montpelier. The former President remained active and interested in politics. He founded a group to help free slaves and transport them to Africa. He also took part in Virginia's constitutional convention in Eighteen-Twenty-Nine.
James Madison died at Montpelier on June twenty-eighth, Eighteen-Thirty-Six. He was eighty-five. His wife Dolley died thirteen years later. They are buried on the property.
((MUSIC FROM "CRYSTAL FLUTE"))
VOICE TWO:
Today, Montpelier is a peaceful place. However, it has experienced 16 many changes over the years. Two hundred years ago, the Madison had about one-hundred slaves. Some worked in the fields or on the grounds. Others did housework.
In Seventeen-Sixty, Montpelier's main building started as an eight-room home. It had four rooms on the first floor, and four on the second floor. James Madison made two major additions and (45)structural changes to his father's home. He built (46)private areas for family use. He also united existing rooms to create larger, public spaces for dinners and parties.
VOICE ONE:
Dolley Madison sold Montpelier to a friend in Eighteen-Forty-Four, eight years after her husband died. The property had five other owners before it was bought by William and Annie Dupont in Nineteen-Oh-One.
The duPonts (47)enlarged the main building to its (48)present size. Their daughter, Marion duPont Scott, added two large (49)tracks for horse racing 17. The home remained in the duPont family until Nineteen-Eighty-Three. Then it was given to the (50) National Trust for (51)Historic (52)Preservation. Montpelier was opened to the public in Nineteen-Eighty-Seven. Last year, an independent group called the Montpelier (53)Foundation accepted responsibility for the property.
((MUSIC INSERT:"CRYSTAL FLUTE"))
VOICE TWO:
This music was recorded at Montpelier a few years ago. One of the (54)instruments, the (55)crystal (56)flute, belonged to President Madison.
((MUSIC INSERT:"CRYSTAL FLUTE"))
VOICE ONE:
Today, James Madison's Montpelier includes more than one-hundred-thirty buildings, a large flower garden and farmland. Some trees on the grounds were alive when James Madison was alive. The James Madison Landmark 18 Forest includes eighty hectares of wooded land near the back of the property. It is recognized as the best example of an old-growth forest in central Virginia.
In March, Montpelier (57)launched a year-long (58)celebration of the life of James Madison. The main building now has two rooms with (59)furniture used by the Madison's and other objects from the period. In another room, visitors can see a film about the President's life.
In April, family members of slaves who once worked at Montpelier gathered for their first meeting ever. The visitors could see where the former slaves are buried. Plans are (60)currently being made for the observance of Constitution Day, a national holiday in September. Officials are inviting 19 members of the United States armed forces to Montpelier to honor the Father of the Constitution.
((MUSIC FROM "CRYSTAL FLUTE" INSTEAD OF CLOSING THEME))
VOICE TWO:
This program was written and produced by George Grow. Our studio engineer was Keith Holmes. I'm Shirley Griffith.
VOICE ONE:
And I'm Steve Ember. Join us again next week for another report about life in the United States on the VOA Special English program, THIS IS AMERICA.
(1)Virginia [ vE(:)5dVinjE ]n.维吉尼亚
(2)Montpelier [mCnt`pi:ljE(r)]蒙彼利埃[美国佛蒙特州首府]
(3)property [ 5prCpEti ]n.财产
(4)hectare [ 5hektB: ]n.公顷（等于1万平方米）
(5)Thomas [ 5tCmEs ] Jefferson [ 5dVefEsn ] 托玛斯 杰斐逊
(6)constitution [ 7kCnsti5tju:FEn ]n.宪法
(7)responsible [ ris5pCnsEbl ]adj.有责任的
(8)amendment [ E5mendmEnt ]n.修改
(9)anniversary [ 7Ani5vE:sEri ]n.周年纪念
(10)New Jersey [ nju: 5dVE:zi ]n.新泽西州(美国太平洋沿岸)
(11)Princeton [ 5prinstEn ]n.普林斯顿
(12)independent [ indi5pendEnt ]adj.独立自主的
(13)reject [ ri5dVekt ]vt.拒绝
(14)religion [ ri5lidVEn ]n.宗教
(15)tension [ 5tenFEn ]n.紧张(状态)
(16)colony [ 5kClEni ]n. 侨民
(17)activism [ 5AktivizEm ]n. 激进主义
(18)delegate [ 5deli^it ]n.代表
(19)continental [ 7kCnti5nentl ]adj.大陆的
(20)congress [ 5kCN^res ]n.(美国等国的)国会, 议会
(21)independence [ 7indi5pendEns ]n.独立
(22)convention [ kEn5venFEn ]n.大会
(23)Philadelphia [ 7filE5delfjE ]n.费城(美国宾西法尼亚州东南部港市)
(24)Pennsylvania [ pensil5veinjE, -niE ]n.宾夕法尼亚州（美国州名）
(25)propose [ prE5pEuz ]vt.建议
(26)approve [ E5pru:v ] vt.批准, 通过
(27)proposal [ prE5pEuzEl ]n.提议
(28)federalist联邦制拥护者 [Federal ]北部联邦同盟盟员
(29)federal [ 5fedErEl ]adj.联邦的
(30)Bill of Rights n.权利和自由法案,美国宪法前十条修正案
(31)democratic [ 7demE5krAtik ]adj.民主的
(32)yellow fever n.黄热病
(33)friendliness n.友谊, 友善, 亲切, 亲密
(34)organize [ 5C:^Enaiz ]vt.组织
(35)appoint [ E5pCint ]vt.任命
(36)Secretary of State n. (AmE.)国务卿
(37)diplomat [ 5diplEmAt ]n.外交官
(38)Louisiana [ lu(:)7i:zi5AnE ]n.路易斯安那, (美国南部的州名)
(39)purchase [ 5pE:tFEs ]n. 购买
(40)honor [ 5CnE ]vt.尊敬
(41)high seas 远海
(42)trade [ treid ]n.贸易
(43)troop [ tru:p ]n. 军队
(44)invade [ in5veid ]vt.侵略
(45)structural [ 5strQktFErEl ]adj.结构的
(46)private [ 5praivit ]adj.私人的
(47)enlarge [ in5lB:dV ]v.扩大
(48)present [ pri5zent ] adj.现在的
(49)track [ trAk ]n.赛道
(50)National Trust n.国民托管组织
(51)Historic [ his5tCrik ]adj.历史上著名的, 有历史性的
(52)preservation [ 7prezE(:)5veiFEn ]n.保存
(53)foundation [ faun5deiFEn ]n. 基金会
(54)instrument [ 5instrumEnt ]n.乐器
(55)crystal [ 5kristl ]n.水晶
(56)flute [ flu:t ]n.长笛
(57)launch [ lC:ntF, lB:ntF ] vt.发起
(58)celebration [ 7seli5breiFEn ]n.庆祝, 庆典
(59)furniture [ 5fE:nitFE ]n.家具
(60)currently [5kQrEntlI]adv.现在
- We clambered up the hillside to the ridge above.我们沿着山坡费力地爬上了山脊。
- The infantry were advancing to attack the ridge.步兵部队正在向前挺进攻打山脊。
- Mister Smith is my good friend.史密斯先生是我的好朋友。
- He styled himself " Mister Clean ".他自称是“清廉先生”。
- The committee does not adequately consult others when drafting amendments. 委员会在起草修正案时没有充分征求他人的意见。
- Please propose amendments and addenda to the first draft of the document. 请对这个文件的初稿提出修改和补充意见。
- When the good news reached there,the whole county rejoiced.喜讯传到那里时，全县的人都欢欣鼓舞起来。
- In that year county after county fell to the enemy.那一年一个又一个的县城沦入敌人手中。
- It used to be a crystal stream.那曾是条清澈见底的小溪。
- Those fine wine glasses are made of crystal.那些漂亮的酒杯是用水晶做的。
- He took out his flute, and blew at it.他拿出笛子吹了起来。
- There is an extensive repertoire of music written for the flute.有很多供长笛演奏的曲目。
- He wears a cotton jersey when he plays football.他穿运动衫踢足球。
- They were dressed alike in blue jersey and knickers.他们穿着一致，都是蓝色的运动衫和灯笼短裤。
- There were some days to wait before the Congress.大会的召开还有几天时间。
- After 18 years in Congress,he intented to return to private life.在国会供职18年后，他打算告老还乡。
- How many delegates have checked in at the convention?大会已有多少代表报到？
- He sets at naught every convention of society.他轻视所有的社会习俗。
- There is widespread discontent among the staff at the proposed changes to pay and conditions. 员工对改变工资和工作环境的建议普遍不满。
- an outcry over the proposed change 对拟议的改革所发出的强烈抗议
- Language is the most important mental creation of man.语言是人类头脑最重要的产物。
- The creation of new playgrounds will benefit the local children.新游戏场的建立将有益于当地的儿童。
- The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
- Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。
- She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
- I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。
- Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
- Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。
- I take your visit as a great honor.您的来访是我莫大的光荣。
- It is a great honor to receive that prize.能拿到那个奖是无上的光荣。
- Experienced seamen will advise you about sailing in this weather.有经验的海员会告诉你在这种天气下的航行情况。
- Perhaps you and I had better change over;you are more experienced.也许我们的工作还是对换一下好，你比我更有经验。
- I was watching the racing on television last night.昨晚我在电视上看赛马。
- The two racing drivers fenced for a chance to gain the lead.两个赛车手伺机竞相领先。
- The Russian Revolution represents a landmark in world history.俄国革命是世界历史上的一个里程碑。
- The tower was once a landmark for ships.这座塔曾是船只的陆标。