THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE
Ofallkindsofsatire,thereisnonesoentertaining
og
anduniversallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwereoccasionally,inthecourseofen
aninterestingstory,whichbringseveryincidenthjem
hometolife,andbyrepresentingfamiliarscenesinen
anuncommonandamusingpointofview,investsthemmed
withallthegracesofnovelty,mens
whilenatureisappealedtoineveryparticular.Thereadergratifieshiscuriosityinpursuingtheadventuresof
en
apersoninwhosefavourheisprepossessed;heespouseshiscause,hesympathises
med
withhiminhisdistress,hisindignationisheatedmod
againsttheauthorsofhiscalamity:de
thehumanepassionsareinflamed;thecontrast
mellem
betweendejectedvirtueandinsultingviceappearsmed
withgreateraggravation,andeveryimpressionhar
havingadoubleforceontheimagination,thememoryretainsthecircumstance,og
andtheheartimprovesbytheexample.De
Theattentionisnottiredmed
withabarecatalogueofcharacters,men
butagreeablydivertedwithallde
thevarietyofinvention;andthevicissitudesoflifeappearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,
åbner
openinganamplefieldforwitog
andhumour.Romance,nodoubt,owesitsorigintoignorance,vanity,
og
andsuperstition.InthedarkagesoftheWorld,
da
whenamanhadrenderedhimselffamousforwisdomeller
orvalour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,og
andrepresentedhischaracterandperson
personassacredandsupernatural.Den
Thevulgareasilyswallowedthebait,imploredhisprotection,og
andyieldedthetributeofhomageog
andpraise,eventoadoration;hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposterity
med
withathousandexaggerations;theywererepeatedasincitementstovirtue;
divinehonourswerepaid,
og
andaltarserectedtohismemory,fortheencouragementofdem
thosewhoattemptedtoimitatehisexample;og
andhencearosetheheathenmythology,som
whichisnootherthanen
acollectionofextravagantromances.Aslearningadvanced,
og
andgeniusreceivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedmed
withthegracesofpoetry,thattheykunne
mightthebetterrecommendthemselvestotheattention;theywere
sunget
sunginpublic,atfestivals,fortheinstructionog
anddelightoftheaudience;og
andrehearsedbeforebattle,asincentivestodeedsofglory.Thustragedy
og
andtheepicmusewereborn,og
and,intheprogressoftaste,arrivedatperfection.Itis
ikke
nowonderthattheancientskunne
couldnotrelishafableinprose,efter
aftertheyhadseensomange
manyremarkableeventscelebratedinversebytheirbedste
bestpoets;wethereforefind
ingen
noromanceamongthemduringdet
theeraoftheirexcellence,unlessdet
theCyropædiaofXenophonmaybesocalled;og
anditwasnottillartsog
andsciencesbegantoreviveefter
aftertheirruptionofthebarbariansintoEurope,thatnoget
anythingofthiskindappeared.Men
Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothemest
mostabsurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromancearose,og
andlosingsightofprobability,filledtheirperformancesmed
withthemostmonstroushyperboles.Hvis
Iftheycouldnotequaltheancientpoetsinpointofgeniustheywereresolvedtoexceltheminfiction,og
andapplytothewonder,ratherend
thanthejudgment,oftheirreaders.Accordingly,they
bragte
broughtnecromancytotheiraid,og
andinsteadofsupportingthecharacteroftheirheroesbydignityofsentimentog
andpractice,distinguishedthembytheirbodilystrength,activity,og
andextravaganceofbehaviour.Although
intet
nothingcouldbemoreludicrousog
andunnaturalthanthefigurestheydrew,theydidnotville
wantpatronsandadmirers;andthe
verden
worldactuallybegantobeinfectedmed
withthespiritofknight-errantry,da
whenCervantes,byaninimitablepieceofridicule,reformedthetasteofmankind,representingchivalryintherigtige
rightpointofview,andconvertingromancetopurposeslangt
farmoreusefulandentertaining,bymakingitassumethesock,og
andpointoutthefolliesofordinarylife.Den
Thesamemethodhasbeenpractisedbyandre
otherSpanishandFrenchauthors,og
andbynonemoresuccessfullyend
thanbyMonsieurLeSage,der
who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,har
hasdescribedtheknaveryandfoiblesoflife,med
withinfinitehumourandsagacity.ThefollowingsheetsI
har
havemodelledonhisplan,tager
takingmeliberty,however,todifferfromhimintheexecution,whereIthoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,extravagant,eller
orpeculiartothecountryinwhichthesceneislaid.Det
ThedisgracesofGilBlasare,fordet
themostpart,suchasratherexcitemirthend
thancompassion;hehimselflaughsat
dem
them;andhistransitionsfromdistresstohappiness,oratleastease,aresosudden,thatneither
det
thereaderhastimetopityham
him,norhimselftobeacquaintedmed
withaffliction.Thisconduct,inmyopinion,not
kun
onlydeviatesfromprobability,butpreventsthatgenerousindignation,som
whichoughttoanimatethereadermod
againstthesordidandviciousdispositionofden
theworld.Ihaveattemptedtorepresentmodestmeritstruggling
med
witheverydifficultytowhichen
afriendlessorphanisexposed,fromhisegen
ownwantofexperience,aswellasfromtheselfishness,envy,malice,og
andbaseindifferenceofmankind.Tosecure
en
afavourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhimden
theadvantagesofbirthandeducation,som
whichintheseriesofhismisfortunesvil
will,Ihope,engagetheingenuousmere
morewarmlyinhisbehalf;og
andthoughIforesee,thatnogle
somepeoplewillbeoffendedatthemen
meanscenesinwhichheisinvolved,Ipersuademyselfthatthejudiciousvil
willnotonlyperceivethenecessityofdescribingthosesituationstowhichhemå
mustofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,men
butalsofindentertainmentinviewingthosepartsoflife,wherethehumoursog
andpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,ceremony,eller
oreducation;andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesofdispositionappearasnature
har
hasimplantedthem.ButI
tror
believeIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatingen
apracticeauthorizedbythebedste
bestwritersinthisway,nogle
someofwhomIhaveallerede
alreadynamed.Everyintelligentreader
vil
will,atfirstsight,perceiveIhar
havenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,som
whicharealltrueinthemain,althoughthecircumstancesarealteredog
anddisguised,toavoidpersonalsatire.It
nu
nowremainstogivemyreasonsforgøre
makingthechiefpersonageofdette
thisworkaNorthBriton,som
whicharechieflythese:I
kunne
could,atasmallexpense,bestowonhimsådan
sucheducationasIthoughtthedignityofhisbirthog
andcharacterrequired,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysådan
suchslendermeansasthenatureofmyplan
planwouldafford.Inthe
næste
nextplace,Icouldrepresentsimplicityofmannersinaremotedel
partofthekingdom,withmere
moreproprietythaninanysted
placenearthecapital;andlastly,
det
thedispositionoftheScots,addictedtotravelling,justifiesmyconductinderivingen
anadventurerfromthatcountry.APOLOGUE
A
ung
youngpainter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,sketchedaslags
kindofconversationpiece,representingabear,anowl,amonkey,og
andanass;andtorenderit
mere
morestriking,humorous,andmoral,distinguishedhver
everyfigurebysomeemblemofhumanlife.Bruinwasexhibitedinthegarb
og
andattitudeofanold,toothless,drunkensoldier;theowlpercheduponthehandleof
en
acoffee-pot,withspectacleonnose,seemedtocontemplateen
anewspaper;andtheass,ornamented
med
withahugetie-wig(which,however,kunne
couldnotconcealhislongears),sad
satforhispicturetothemonkey,whoappearedmed
withtheimplementsofpainting.Denne
Thiswhimsicalgroupaffordedsomemirth,og
andmetwithgeneralapprobation,indtil
untilsomemischievouswaghintedat
thatthewhole—wasalampoonuponthefriendsoftheperformer;en
aninsinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedend
thanthoseverypeoplewhoapplaudeditbeforebegantobealarmed,og
andeventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.Amongothers,aworthypersonageinyears,whohadservedin
den
thearmywithreputation,beingincensedatden
thesupposedoutrage,repairedtoden
thelodgingofthepainter,og
andfindinghimathome,“Harkye,Mr.Monkey,”sagde
saidhe,“Ihaveagodt
goodmindtoconvinceyou,thatselv
thoughthebearhaslosthisteeth,heretainshispaws,og
andthatheisnotsodrunkmen
buthecanperceiveyourimpertinence.”“Sblood!
sir
sir,thattoothlessjawisen
ad—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyouimaginemesochopfallenasnottobestand
abletochewthecudofresentment.”Her
Herehewasinterruptedbyden
thearrivalofalearnedphysician,der
who,advancingtotheculpritmed
withfuryinhisaspect,exclaimed,“Supposeden
theaugmentationoftheass’searsskulle
shouldprovethediminutionofden
thebaboon’s—nay,seeknottoprevaricate,for,byden
thebeardofAesculapius!thereisnot
et
onehairinthisperiwigthatvil
willnotstandupinjudgmenttoconvicttheeofpersonalabuse.Do
men
butobserve,captain,howthispitifullille
littlefellowhascopiedthemeget
verycurls—thecolour,indeed,isdifferent,men
butthentheformandforetopareret
quitesimilar.”Whilehethusremonstratedin
en
astrainofvociferation,avenerablesenatorentered,og
andwaddlinguptothedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”cried
han
he,“IwillnowlettheeseeIkan
canreadsomethingelsethanen
anewspaper,andthatwithoutdet
thehelpofspectacles:hereisyour
egen
ownnoteofhand,sirrah,forpenge
money,whichifIhadnotadvanced,youyourselfville
wouldhaveresembledanowl,innotdaringtovise
showyourfacebyday,youungratefulslanderousknave!”Invain
den
theastonishedpainterdeclaredthathehavde
hadnointentiontogiveoffence,eller
ortocharacteriseparticularpersons:theyaffirmedtheresemblancewas
for
toopalpabletobeoverlooked;theytaxedhimwithinsolence,malice,
og
andingratitude;andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardbythepublic,thecaptainwasabear,thedoctoran
æsel
ass,andthesenatoranowl,tohisdyingday.Christianreader,Ibeseechthee,in
de
thebowelsoftheLord,husk
rememberthisexample“whilethouartemployedinde
theperusalofthefollowingsheets;og
andseeknottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhichequallybelongstofem
fivehundreddifferentpeople.Ifthoushouldst
møde
meetwithacharacterthatreflectstheeinnogle
someungraciousparticular,keepthyeget
owncounsel;CHAPTERI
OfmyBirth
og
andParentage.Iwasbornin
den
thenorthernpartofthisunitedkingdom,inden
thehouseofmygrandfather,en
agentlemanofconsiderablefortuneog
andinfluence,whohadonmange
manyoccasionssignalisedhimselfinbehalfofhisland
country;andwasremarkableforhisabilitiesinthe
loven
law,whichheexercisedwithstor
greatsuccessinthestationofen
ajudge,particularlyagainstbeggars,forwhomhehavde
hadasingularaversion.My
far
father(hisyoungestson)fallinginlovemed
withapoorrelation,wholivedmed
withtheoldgentlemaninqualityofen
ahousekeeper,espousedherprivately;og
andIwasthefirstfruitofthatmarriage.Duringherpregnancy,a
drøm
dreamdiscomposedmymothersomeget
muchthatherhusband,tiredmed
withherimportunity,atlastconsultedahighlandseer,whosefavourableinterpretationheville
wouldhavesecuredbeforehandbyabribe,men
butfoundhimincorruptible.She
drømte
dreamedshewasdeliveredofatennis-ball,whichthedevil(who,toherstore
greatsurprise,actedthepartofamidwife)strucksoforciblymed
witharacketthatitdisappearedinaninstant;og
andshewasforsometid
timeinconsolableforthelostofheroffspring;when,allon
et
asudden,shebehelditreturnmed
withequalviolence,andenterthejorden
earth,beneathherfeet,whenceimmediatelysprangupet
agoodlytreecoveredwithblossoms,thescentofwhichoperatedsostronglyonhernervesat
thatsheawoke.Theattentivesage,
efter
aftersomedeliberation,assuredmyparents,at
thattheirfirstbornwouldbeen
agreattraveller;thathe
ville
wouldundergomanydangersanddifficulties,og
andatlastreturntohisnativeland,hvor
wherehewouldflourishinhappinessog
andreputation.Howtrulythiswasforetold
vil
willappearinthesequel.Itwasnot
længe
longbeforesomeofficiouspersoninformedmygrandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassedmellem
betweenhissonandhousekeeperwhichalarmedhimsomeget
muchthat,afewdaysafter,hetoldmyfar
fatheritwashightimeforhimtotænkte
thinkofsettling;andthathehadprovided
en
amatchforhim,tosom
whichhecouldinjusticehar
havenoobjections.Myfather,
fandt
findingitwouldbeimpossibletoconcealhissituationmeget
muchlonger,franklyownedwhathehavde
haddone;andexcusedhimselffornothaving
spurgt
askedtheconsentofhisfar
father,bysaying,heknewitville
wouldhavebeentonopurpose;og
andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenkendt
known,mygrandfathermighthavetruffet
takensuchmeasuresaswouldhave
haveeffectuallyputthegratificationofitud
outofhispower:headded,that
ikke
noexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’svirtue,birth,beauty,og
andgoodsense,andasforfortune,itwasbeneathhisomsorg
care.Theoldgentleman,who
holdt
keptallhispassions,exceptone,inexcellentorden
order,heardhimtoanende
endwithgreattemper,andthencalmlyspurgte
asked,howheproposedtomaintainhimselfog
andspouse?Hereplied,he
kunne
couldbeinnodangerofwantingwhilehisfather’stendernessremained,som
whichheandhiswifeskulle
shouldalwayscultivatewiththeutmostveneration;og
andhewaspersuadedhisallowanceville
wouldbesuitabletothedignityog
andcircumstancesofhisfamily,og
andtotheprovisionalreadygjort
madeforhisbrothersandsisters,whowerehappilysettledunder
underhisprotection.“Yourbrothers
og
andsisters,”saidmygrandfather,“didnotthinkitbeneaththemtoconsultmeinen
anaffairofsuchimportanceasmatrimony;neither,Isuppose,
ville
wouldyouhaveomittedthatpieceofduty,hadyounotsomesecretfundinreserve;to
de
thecomfortsofwhichIefterlader
leaveyou,withadesirethatyouvil
willthisnightseekoutanotherhabitationforyourselfog
andwife,whither,inashorttid
time,Iwillsendyouanaccountofde
theexpenseIhavebeenatinyoureducation,med
withaviewofbeingreimbursed.Sir
Sir,youhavemadethegrandtour—youareen
apolitegentleman—averyprettygentleman—Iønsker
wishyouagreatdealofjoy,og
andamyourveryhumbleservant.”So
sig
saying,heleftmyfatherinen
asituationeasilyimagined.However,hedidnot
længe
longhesitate;for,beingperfectlywellacquainted
med
withhisfather’sdisposition,hedidnotdoubtthathewasgladofdenne
thispretencetogetridofham
him;andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedes
og
andPersians,heknewitville
wouldbetonopurposetoattempthimbyprayersog
andentreaties;sowithoutanyfartherapplication,hebetookhimself,
med
withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoafarm-house,hvor
whereanoldservantofhismor
motherdwelt:theretheyremainedsome
tid
timeinasituationbutilladaptedtotheeleganceoftheirdesiresog
andtendernessoftheirlove;whichneverthelessmyfatherchosetoendure,ratherthansupplicate
en
anunnaturalandinflexibleparentmen
butmymother,foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshemå
musthavebeenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredindette
thisplace(andherpregnancywasmeget
veryfaradvanced),withoutcommunicatingherdesigntohermand
husband,wentindisguisetode
thehouseofmygrandfather,håb
hopingthathertearsandconditionville
wouldmovehimtocompassion,og
andreconcilehimtoaneventwhichwasnu
nowirrecoverablypast.Shefoundmeanstodeceivetheservants,
og
andgetintroducedasanunfortunatedame
lady,whowantedtocomplainofnogle
somematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sparticularprovincetodecideinalle
allcasesofscandal.Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohispresence,
hvor
where,discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,og
andinthemostaffectingmannerimploredhisforgiveness;at
den
thesametimerepresentingthedangerthatthreatenednotkun
onlyherlife,butthatofhiseget
owngrandchild,whichwasabouttose
seethelight.Hetoldherhewas
ked
sorrythattheindiscretionofherog
andhissonhadcompelledhimtomakeet
avow,whichputitud
outofhispowertogive
givethemanyassistance;thathe
havde
hadalreadyimpartedhisthoughtsonthatsubjecttohermand
husband,andwassurprisedthattheyskulle
shoulddisturbhispeacewithnogen
anyfartherimportunity.Thissaid,heretired.
Theviolenceofmymother’saffliction
havde
hadsuchaneffectonherconstitutionat
thatshewasimmediatelyseizedwiththepainsofchildbed;og
andhadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewasmeget
verydear,affordedherpityog
andassistance,atthehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,sheog
andtheinnocentfruitofherwombmå
musthavefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigourog
andinhumanity.Bythefriendshipof
denne
thispoorwomanshewascarriedop
uptoagarret,andimmediatelydeliveredofen
amanchild,thestoryofwhoseunfortunatebirthhehimselfnu
nowrelates.Myfather,beinginformedofwhathadhappened,flewto
det
theembracesofhisdarlingspouse,og
andwhileheloadedhisoffspringmed
withpaternalembraces,couldnotforbearsheddingen
afloodoftearsonbeholdingdet
thedearpartnerofhisheart(forwhoseeaseheville
wouldhavesacrificedthetreasuresofdet
theeast)stretcheduponaflockbed,inen
amiserableapartment,unabletoprotectherfromdet
theinclemenciesoftheweather.Itisnottobesupposedthatthe
gamle
oldgentlemanwasignorantofwhatpassed,selv
thoughheaffectedtoknownoget
nothingofthematter,andpretendedtobeverymuchsurprised,da
whenoneofhisgrandchildren,byhiseldestsøn
sondeceased,wholivedwithhimashisheirapparent,acquaintedhimmed
withtheaffair;hedeterminedthereforetoobserve
ikke
nomedium,butimmediately(onden
thethirddayafterherdelivery)sendte
sentheraperemptoryordertobegå
gone,andturnedofftheservantder
whohadpreservedherlife.Denne
Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmyfar
fatherthathehadrecoursetode
themostdreadfulimprecations;andonhisbarekneesimplored
at
thatHeavenwouldrenouncehimhvis
ifeverheshouldforgeteller
orforgivethebarbarityofhissire.De
Theinjurieswhichthisunhappymor
motherreceivedfromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,og
andthewantofnecessarieswhereshelodged,sammen
togetherwithhergriefandanxietyofmind,snart
soonthrewherintoalanguishingdisorder,whichsatte
putanendtoherliv
life.Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wassoaffectedwithher
død
deaththatheremainedsixweeksdeprivedofhissenses;duringwhich
tid
time,thepeoplewherehelodgedcarriedden
theinfanttotheoldmand
manwhorelentedsofar,onhørt
hearingthemelancholystoryofhisdaughter-in-law’sdød
death,andthedeplorableconditionofhisson,astosendte
sendthechildtonurse,og
andheorderedmyfathertobecarriedhjem
hometohishouse,wherehesnart
soonrecoveredtheuseofhisfornuft
reason.Whetherthishardheartedjudge
følte
feltanyremorseforhiscrueltreatmentofhissøn
sonanddaughter,or(whichismere
moreprobable)wasafraidhischaracterville
wouldsufferintheneighbourhood,heprofessedstor
greatsorrowforhisconducttomyfar
father,whosedeliriumwassucceededbyen
aprofoundmelancholyandreserve.Atlengthhedisappeared,
og
and,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,kunne
couldnotbeheardof;acircumstance
der
whichconfirmedmostpeopleinde
theopinionofhishavinggjort
madeawaywithhimselfinafitofdespair.CHAPTERII
Igrowup—am
hadet
hatedbymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—IformCabalsmod
againstthePedant—amdebarredAccesstomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—IdemolishtheTeethofhisTutor.Therewerenot
ville
wantingsomewhosuspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’sfate,onthesuppositionthattheyville
wouldallshareinthepatrimonydestinedforham
him;andthisconjecturewasstrengthenedbyreflectingthatin
alle
allhiscalamitiestheyneverdiscoveredtheleastinclinationtoserveham
him;but,onthecontrary,by
alle
alltheartificesintheirmagt
power,fedhisresentmentandsupportedhisresolutionofefterlade
leavinghimtomiseryandwant.Men
Butpeopleofjudgmenttreateddenne
thisinsinuationasanidlechimera;because,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedastoconsulttheirinterestbycommittingsuch
en
anatrociouscrime,thefateofmyfars
fatherwouldhaveextendedtometoowhoseliv
lifewasanotherobstacletotheirexpectation.Meanwhile,Igrewapace,
og
andasIstronglyresembledmyfar
father,whowasthedarlingofden
thetenants,Iwantednothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstanceskunne
couldafford:buttheirfavourwas
en
aweakresourceagainstthejealousenmityofmycousins;whothe
mere
moremyinfancypromised,conceivedthemere
moreimplacablehatredagainstme:og
andbeforeIwassixyearsofage,havde
hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmygrandfatherthatIaldrig
neversawhimbutbystealth,whenInogle gange
sometimesmadeuptohischairashesad
sattoviewhislabourersinthefield:onwhichoccasionhe
ville
wouldstrokemyhead,bidmebeen
agoodboy,andpromisetotage
takecareofme.Iwas
snart
soonaftersenttoschoolaten
avillagehardby,ofhvor
whichhehadbeendictatortid
timeoutofmind;butashe
aldrig
neverpaidformyboard,norsuppliedmemed
withclothes,books,andothernecessariesIrequired,myconditionwasmeget
veryraggedandcontemptible,andde
theschoolmaster,who,throughfearofmygrandfather,taughtmegratis,gav
gavehimselfnoconcernaboutde
theprogressImadeunderhisinstruction.Inspiteof
alle
allthesedifficultiesanddisgraces,Iblev
becameagoodproficientintheLatintongue;og
and,assoonasIcouldskrive
writetolerably,pesteredmygrandfathermed
withletterstosuchadegreethathesendte
sentformymaster,andchidhimseverelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmyeducation,fortalte
tellinghimthat,ifeverIskulle
shouldbebroughttothegallowsforforgery,whichhehavde
hadtaughtmetocommit,myblod
bloodwouldlieonhishoved
head.Thepedant,whodreaded
intet
nothingmorethanthedispleasureofhispatron,assuredhishonourthattheboy’sabilitywasmere
moreowingtohisowngeniusog
andapplicationthantoanyinstructioneller
orencouragementhereceived;that,althoughhe
kunne
couldnotdivesthimofden
theknowledgehehadalreadyimbibed,unlessheville
wouldempowerhimtodisablehisfingers,heskulle
shouldendeavour,withGod’shelp,topreventhisfutureimprovement.Og
And,indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehavde
hadundertaken;for,onpretencethatIhadwrittenimpertinentletterstomygrandfather,hecaused
en
aboardtobemademed
withfiveholesinit,throughwhichhethrustthefingersog
andthumbofmyrighthånd
hand,andfasteneditbywhipcordtomywrist,insådan
suchamanneraseffectuallydebarredmethebruge
useofmypen.But
denne
thisrestraintIwasfreedfrominapar
fewdays,byanaccidentder
whichhappenedinaquarrelmellem
betweenmeandanotherboy;who,takinguponhimtoinsultmypoverty,Iwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthat
med
withonestrokewithmymachineIskar
cuthimtotheskull,tothestor
greatterrorofmyselfandschoolfellows,whoefterlod
lefthimbleedingontheground,og
andrantoinformthemasterofwhathadhappened.Iwassoseverelypunishedfor
denne
thistrespassthat,wereItolevede
livetotheageofMethusalem,theimpressionitgjorde
madeonmewouldnotbeeffaced;the
mere
morethantheantipathyandhorrorIconceivedforthemercilesstyrantder
whoinflictedit.Thecontemptwhichmyappearancenaturallyproducedin
alle
allwhosawme,thecontinualwantstowhichIwasexposed,og
andmyownhaughtydisposition,impatientofaffronts,involvedmeinathousandtroublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredinadversity,og
andemboldenedtoundertakingsfarabovemyyears.IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnotcommit,
fordi
because,havingthecharacterofen
avagabondinthevillage,hvert
everypieceofmischief,whoseauthorlå
layunknown,waschargeduponmig
me.IhavebeenfoundguiltyofrobbingorchardsI
aldrig
neverentered,ofkillingcatsIaldrig
neverhunted,ofstealinggingerbreadIaldrig
nevertouched,andofabusinggamle
oldwomenIneversaw.Nay,
en
astammeringcarpenterhadeloquencenok
enoughtopersuademymasterthatIfireden
apistolloadedwithsmallskud
shotintohiswindow;thoughmylandlady
og
andthewholefamilyborewitnessat
thatIwasabedfastasleepatdet
thetimewhenthisoutragewascommitted.Iwasoncefloggedfor
have
havingnarrowlyescapeddrowning,bythesinkingofen
aferryboatinwhichIwaspassenger.Another
gang
time,forhavingrecoveredofen
abruiseoccasionedbyahorseog
andcartrunningoverme.En
Athirdtime,forbeingbittenbyen
abaker’sdog.Inshort,whetherIwasguilty
eller
orunfortunate,thecorrectionandsympathyofdenne
thisarbitrarypedagoguewerethesamme
same.Farfrombeingsubduedby
denne
thisinformalusage,myindignationtriumphedover
overthatslavishawewhichhavde
hadhithertoenforcedmyobedience;og
andthemoremyyearsog
andknowledgeincreased,themoreIperceivedtheinjusticeog
andbarbarityofhisbehaviour.By
de
thehelpofanuncommongenius,og
andtheadviceanddirectionofourusher,som
whohadservedmyfatherinhistravels,Igjorde
madeasurprisingprogressinde
theclassics,writing,andarithmetic;sothat,
før
beforeIwastwelveyearsgammel
old,Iwasallowedbyalle
everybodytobethebestscholarinden
theschool.Thisqualification,together
med
withtheboldnessoftemperog
andstrengthofmakewhichhavde
hadsubjectedalmostallmycontemporaries,gav
gavemesuchinfluenceoverthemthatIbegantoformcabalsmod
againstmypersecutor;andwasin
håb
hopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceinen
averyshorttime.Beingattheheadof
en
afaction,consistingofthirtyboys,de fleste
mostofthemofmyegen
ownage,Iwasdeterminedtoputtheirmettletotrial,thatIkunne
mightknowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,før
beforeIputmygrandschemeinexecution:med
withthisview,weattackeden
abodyofstoutapprentices,whohavde
hadtakenpossessionofadel
partofthegroundallottedtousfortheschemeofourdiversions,og
andwhowerethenplayingatninepinsonthespot;men
butIhadthemortificationtose
seemyadherentsroutedinaninstant,og
andalegofoneofthembrokeinhisflightbyden
thebowl,whichoneofouradversarieshavde
haddetachedinpursuitofos
us.Thisdiscomfituredidnothinderusfromengagingthemafterwardsinfrequentskirmishes,whichwemaintainedbythrowingstonesatadistance,whereinIreceived
mange
manywounds,thescarsofwhichstadig
stillremain.Ourenemiesweresoharassed
og
andinterruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlastabandonedtheirconquest,og
andleftustothepeaceableenjoymentofouregne
ownterritories.Itwouldbeendlesstoenumeratetheexploitsweperformedinthecourseof
denne
thisconfederacy,whichbecametheterrorofthehele
wholevillage;insomuchthat,when
forskellige
differentinterestsdividedit,oneofthepartiescommonlycourtedtheassistanceofRoderickRandom(byhvilket
whichnameIwasknown)tocastthebalance,og
andkeeptheoppositefactioninawe.Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageofeveryplay-daytopresentmyselfbeforemygrandfather,towhomIseldom
fandt
foundaccess,byreasonofhisbeingcloselybesiegedbyen
anumerousfamilyofhisfemalegrandchildren,who,selv
thoughtheyperpetuallyquarrelledamongthemselves,aldrig
neverfailedtojoinagainstme,asthecommonenemyofall.Hisheir,
der
whowasabouttheageofeighteen,mindednoget
nothingbutfox-hunting,andindeedwasqualifiedfornoget
nothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’sindulgenceinentertainingen
atutorforhimathome;som
whoatthesametimeperformedtheofficeofparishclerk.Denne
ThisyoungActaeon,whoinheritedhisgrandfather’santipathytoalt
everythingindistress,neversateyesonmeuden
withoutuncouplinghisbeagles,andhuntingmeintosomecottageeller
orother,whitherIgenerallyfledforshelter.In
denne
thisChristianamusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,som
who,nodoubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimselfmed
withtherisingsun,observing,thatden
theoldgentleman,accordingtoden
thecourseofnature,hadnotlænge
longtolive,forhewasallerede
alreadyonthevergeoffourscore.CHAPTERIII
MyMother’s
Bror
Brotherarrives—relievesme—aDescriptionofhim—hegår
goesalongwithmetoden
theHouseofmyGrandfather—isencounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsdem
them,afterabloodyEngagement—isadmittedtoden
theoldGentleman—aDialoguebetweendem
them.Aboutthistimemymother’s
eneste
onlybrother,whohadbeenlænge
longabroad,lieutenantofaman-of-war,arrivedinhiseget
owncountry;wherebeinginformedofmycondition,he
kom
cametoseeme,andud
outofhisslenderfinancesnotkun
onlysuppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIwantedforthepresent,men
butresolvednottoleavethecountryuntilhehavde
hadprevailedonmygrandfathertosettlenoget
somethinghandsomeforthefuture.Dette
Thiswasatasktosom
whichhewasbynomen
meansequal,beingentirelyignorant,notkun
onlyofthejudge’sdisposition,men
butalsoofthewaysofmeningeneral,tosom
whichhiseducationonboardhavde
hadkepthimanutterstranger.Hewasastrongbuilt
mand
man,somewhatbandylegged,withanecklikethatofabull,og
andafacewhich(youkan
mighteasilyperceive)hadwithstoodde
themostobstinateassaultsofde
theweather.Hisdressconsistedofasoldier’scoatalteredforhimbytheship’stailor,astripedflanneljacket,apairof
røde
redbreechesspannedwithpitch,cleangrayworstedstockings,largesilverbucklesder
thatcoveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-lacedhat,whosecrownoverlookedthebrimsomkring
aboutaninchandahalv
half,blackbobwiginbuckle,acheck
checkshirt,asilkhandkerchief,ahanger,med
withabrasshandle,girdedtohisthighbyafurnishedlacebelt,og
andagoodoakplantunder
underhisarm.Thusequipped,hesetout
med
withme(whobyhisbountygjorde
madeaverydecentappearance)formygrandfather’shus
house,whereweweresalutedbyJowlerog
andCaesar,whommycousin,unge
youngmaster,hadletlooseatourapproach.Beingwellacquainted
med
withtheinveteracyofthesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,da
whenmyuncleseizedmemed
withonehand,brandishedhiscudgelmed
withtheother,andatoneblowlaidCaesarsprawlingonden
theground;but,findinghimselfattackedatthe
samme
sametimeintherearbyJowler,og
andfearingCaesarmightrecover,hedrewhishanger,wheeledabout,og
andbyaluckystrokeseveredJowler’shoved
headfromhisbody.By
dette
thistime,theyoungfoxhunterog
andthreeservants,armedwithpitchforksog
andflails,werecometotheassistanceofthedogs,whomtheyfandt
foundbreathlessuponthefield;og
andmycousinwassoprovokedatde
thedeathofhisfavourites,thatheorderedhisattendantstoadvance,og
andtakevengeanceontheirexecutioner,whomheloadedmed
withallthecursesandreproacheshisangerkunne
couldsuggest.Uponwhichmy
onkel
unclesteppedforwardswithanundauntedluft
air,atthesightofwhosebloodyweaponshisantagonistsfaldt
fellbackwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheirleaderthus:.“Lookee,
bror
brother,yourdogshavingboardedmeuden
withoutprovocation,whatIdidwasinmyeget
owndefence.Soyouhadbestbecivil,
og
andletusshootahoved
head,clearofyou.”Whether
den
theyoungsquiremisinterpretedmyuncle’sdesireofpeace,eller
orwasenragedatthefateofhishoundsbeyondhisusualpitchofresolution,Iknownot;men
buthesnatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,og
andcameupwithashowofassaultingthelieutenant,som
who,puttinghimselfinapostureofdefence,proceededthus:“Lookee,youlubberly
søn
sonofaw—e,ifyoukommer
comeathwartme,’wareyourgingerbreadarbejde
work.I’llbefoulofyourquarter,d—nme.”
Denne
Thisdeclaration,followedbyaflourishofhishanger,seemedtokontrollere
checktheprogressoftheunge
younggentleman’scholer,who,lookingbag
behindhim,perceivedhisattendantshavde
hadslunkintothehouse,lukkede
shutthegate,andlefthimtodecideden
thecontentionbyhimself.Here
en
aparleyensued,whichwasintroducedbymycousin’sspurgte
asking,“Whothedevilareyou?Whatdoyou
vil
want?Somescoundrelofaseaman,Isuppose,
der
whohasdesertedandturnedthief.Men
Butdon’tthinkyoushallescape,sirrah—I’llfå
haveyouhang’d,youdog,Ivil
will.Yourbloodshallpayforthatofmy
to
twohounds,youragamuffin.I
ville
wouldnothavepartedwiththemtoredde
saveyourwholegenerationfromthegallows,youruffian,you!”“Noneofyourjaw,youswab—noneofyourjaw,”repliedmy
onkel
uncle,“elseIshalltrimyourlacedjacketforyou.Ishallrubyou
ned
downwithanoakentowel,mydreng
boy,Ishall.”Sosaying,hesheathedhishanger,
og
andgraspedhiscudgel.