Collecting as a serious hobby is quite different and has many advantages.

quite ^adv.完全

• In winter, however, life at the monastery is quite different.
• My position is quite different. ^{我的立场完全不同。}
• It is quite clear that we were firing in self defence. ^{非常清楚，我们当时是自卫还击。}

It provides relaxation for leisure hours, as just looking at one's treasures is always a joy.

relaxation ^{n.[u]休息，消遣；休闲活动}

• The relaxation of travel restrictions means they are free to travel and work. ^{旅游限制的放松意味着他们可以自由地旅游和工作。}
• Fishing is his favourite relaxation. ^{钓鱼是他最喜欢的消遣活动。}
• Everyone needs some free time for rest and relaxation. ^{人人都需要一些休息和放松的空闲时间。}

 leisure hours ^{闲暇时间(常用复数)}

• He talked and laughed away his leisure hours. ^{他的空闲时间就是在说说笑笑中消磨掉的。}
• They validly reminded me of the starting of my leisure hours. ^{它们确切的点醒我，休闲的时刻开始了。}
• Almost without exception computer games occupy most of our leisure hours. ^{几乎毫无例外，游戏占据了我们大部分的空余时间。}

One does not have to go outside for amusement, since the collection is housed at home.

house ^{v.提供住处}

• The refugees have been fed, clothed and housed by welfare organizations around the world. 
• The Palace Museum houses the biggest collection of antiques in China.
• The building is open to the public and houses a museum of motorcycles and cars. ^{这座大楼对公众开放，并设有一个摩托车和汽车博物馆。}
• The building will house twelve boys and eight girls. ^{这栋房子要住12个男孩和8个女孩。}

Whatever it consists of, stamps, records, first editions of books, china, glass, antique furniture, pictures, model cars, stuffed birds, toy animals, there is always something to do in connection with it, from finding the right place for the latest addition, to verifying facts in reference books.

Whatever it consists of ^由…组成

• The United States will do whatever it can to help Greece. ^{美国将尽一切所能帮助希腊。}
• Whatever it consists of, the machine works perfectly. ^{无论它由什么组成，这台机器运转得很好。}
• Whatever it was couldn't be seen. ^{我们无法看到那究竟是什么东西。}

in connection with … ^{关于 …}

• I am writing to you in connection with your job application.
• He was questioned in connection with the recent robbery. ^{他因涉及最近的抢劫案而被询问。}
• Police have detained two suspects in connection with the attack. ^{警方拘留了2名与该袭击事件有关的嫌疑人。}

reference book  ^参考书

• You can find the information in the reference book. ^{你可以在参考书中找到这些信息。}
• A widely read reference book on the topic is listed under resources. ^{参考资料中列出了关于该主题的许多参考书籍。}

This hobby educates one not only in the chosen subject, but also in general matters which have some bearing on it.

have … bearing on … ^与…有关

• Exercise has a direct bearing on how healthy you are. 
• What he said had not much bearing on the problem.
• His private life has no bearing on his competence as a manager.

There are also other benefits. ^{长短句结合；前一句话长，后一句话长}

benefits ^{n.利益，好处}

• This could now work to Albania's benefit. ^{这可能现在对阿尔巴尼亚有利。}
• The benefits are immense. ^{效益是极大的。}
• She preached about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. ^{她宣扬了健康生活的好处。}
• You'll soon begin to reap the benefits of being fitter. ^{你很快就会获得身体更健康带来的好处。}

One wants to meet like-minded collectors, to get advice, to compare notes, to exchange articles, to show off the latest find.

meet ^{v. get to know, get acquainted with 结识…}

• I’d like you to meet one of my best friends, Peter.
• You can stretch your legs on the spacious decks, play games, meet interesting people and enjoy good food …
• Hey, Terry, come and meet my Dad. ^{嗨，特里，过来见见我爸爸。}
•  "Jennifer," Miss Mallory said, "this is Leigh Taylor."—"Pleased to meet you," Jennifer said. ^{“珍妮弗，”马洛里小姐说，“这位是利·泰勒。” —“很高兴认识你，” 珍妮弗说道。}

compare notes (with sb) = exchange ideas or opinions ^{交换意见、交换观点、交流心得}

• We saw the play separately and compared notes afterwards.
• Leading scientists got together in Paris to compare notes on current research. 
• The team met to exchange ideas or opinions on the upcoming project. ^{团队开会交换了关于即将到来的项目的想法和意见。}

show off ^炫耀

• She raised her wrist, showing off a sparkling diamond bracelet.
• He loves to show off his new car to his friends. ^{他喜欢向朋友们炫耀他的新}
• All right, there's no need to show off. ^{好啦，没有必要炫耀了。}
• Naomi was showing off her engagement ring. ^{内奥米那时正在炫耀她的订婚戒指。}

find ^{n.发现物，被发现的人（尤指有趣、有价值或有用者）}

• The restaurant was a real find.
• My new secretary was a marvelous find.
• The most valuable find of all was the ship's log book, parts of which it was still possible to read. 

So one's circle of friends grows.

circle ^{（人际）圈子}

• She belongs to a close-knit circle of friends. ^{她属于一个关系密切的朋友圈。}
• Jeremy Hampden has a large circle of friends and is very popular at parties.
• He has a small circle of friends. ^{他有一个小小的朋友圈子。}

Soon the hobby leads to travel, perhaps to a meeting in another town, possibly a trip abroad in search of a rare specimen, for collectors are not confined to any one country.

in search of … = searching for … ^寻找

• Scientists are in search of a cure for the disease.
• They went in search of new opportunities abroad. ^{他们出国寻找新的机会。}
• He’s been searching for a solution to the problem all week. ^{他整个星期都在寻找问题的解决方案。}

Over the years, one may well become an authority on one's hobby and will very probably be asked to give informal talks to little gatherings and then, if successful, to larger audiences.

may / might / could well  ^{used to say that sth. is likely to happen or is likely to be true 可能}

• What you say may well be true.
• You could try the drugstore, but it might well be closed by now. 

on ^{某方面的权威，介词用on}

• Yuan Longping is a leading authority on hybrid rice.
• Dr. Smith is an authority on climate change and its global impact.  ^{史密斯博士是气候变化及其全球影响方面的权威。}
• The professor is considered an expert on ancient Roman history. ^{那位教授被认为是古罗马历史方面的权威。}
• She wrote a book and became a leading authority on sustainable architecture. ^{她写了一本书，成为可持续建筑领域的权威。}

gathering ^{n.  a group of people meeting together 人群，聚会}

• a social / family gathering
• a gathering of religious leaders 
• We attended a gathering of former neighbors of Alaska. ^{我们参加了一个阿拉斯加前邻居们的聚会。}

Over the years, one may well become an authority on one‘s hobby and will very probably be asked to give informal talks to little gatherings and then, if (he is) successful, to larger audiences.^{状语从句，主语和be动词同时省略}

In this way self-confidence grows, first from mastering a subject, then from being able to talk about it.

mastering ^{n./v. 精通，掌握}

• Mastering tools and working with one's hands shapes people's thinking and behavior. ^{精通工具的使用，并用手劳作，这两者都能塑造人的思想和行为。}
• Mastering one thing to the exclusion of others can hold back your true spirit. ^{精通一件事而排除其他事，会阻碍你真正的精神。}
• Invest in mastering the new. ^{尽量掌握新的内容。}

Collecting, by occupying spare time so constructively, makes a person contented, with no time for boredom.

make sb. adj. ^{表示使某人处于某种状态}

• A simple life makes a person contented. ^{简单的生活让人感到满足。}
• The joke made her happy. ^{这个笑话让她开心。}
• What he said made me sad. ^{他说得话让我很伤心。}
• His gruff manner made me angry. ^{他粗暴的态度让我生气。}
• Adventures make me happy. ^{冒险让我快乐。}