The Adventures of Roderick Random Gradually Hardening Danish B1 Books

THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE

Ofallkindsofsatire,thereisnonesoentertaininganduniversallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwereoccasionally,inthecourseofaninterestingstory,whichbringsevery

hændelse

incidenthometolife,andbyrepresenting

velkendte

familiarscenesinanuncommonandamusingpointofview,investsthemwithallthegracesofnovelty,whilenatureisappealedtoineveryparticular.

Thereadergratifieshiscuriosityinpursuingtheadventuresofapersoninwhosefavourheisprepossessed;

heespouseshiscause,hesympathiseswithhiminhisdistress,hisindignationisheatedagainsttheauthorsofhiscalamity:

thehumanepassionsareinflamed;

thecontrastbetweendejectedvirtueandinsultingvice

synes

appearswithgreateraggravation,andeveryimpressionhavingadoubleforceontheimagination,thememoryretainsthecircumstance,andtheheartimprovesbytheexample.

Theattentionisnottiredwithabarecatalogueofcharacters,butagreeablydivertedwithallthevarietyofinvention;

andthevicissitudesoflifeappearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,openinganamplefieldforwitandhumour.

Romance,nodoubt,owesitsorigintoignorance,vanity,andsuperstition.

InthedarkagesoftheWorld,whenamanhadrenderedhimselffamousforwisdomorvalour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,andrepresentedhis

karakter

characterandpersonassacredandsupernatural.

Thevulgar

let

easilyswallowedthebait,imploredhis

beskyttelse

protection,andyieldedthetributeofhomageandpraise,eventoadoration;

hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposteritywithathousandexaggerations;

theywere

gentaget

repeatedasincitementstovirtue;

divinehonourswerepaid,andaltarserectedtohismemory,fortheencouragementofthosewho

forsøgte

attemptedtoimitatehisexample;

andhencearosetheheathenmythology,whichisnootherthanacollectionofextravagantromances.

Aslearningadvanced,andgenius

fik

receivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedwiththegracesofpoetry,thattheymightthebetterrecommendthemselvestotheattention;

theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,fortheinstructionanddelightofthe

publikum

audience;

andrehearsedbeforebattle,asincentivestodeedsofglory.

Thustragedyandtheepicmusewereborn,and,intheprogressoftaste,arrivedatperfection.

Itisnowonderthattheancientscouldnotrelishafableinprose,aftertheyhadseensomanyremarkableevents

fejret

celebratedinversebytheirbestpoets;

derfor

thereforefindnoromanceamongthemduringtheeraoftheirexcellence,unlesstheCyropædiaofXenophonmaybesocalled;

anditwasnottillartsandsciencesbegantoreviveaftertheirruptionofthebarbariansinto

Europa

Europe,thatanythingofthiskindappeared.

Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothemostabsurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromancearose,andlosing

synet

sightofprobability,filledtheirperformanceswiththemostmonstroushyperboles.

Iftheycouldnotequalthe

gamle

ancientpoetsinpointofgeniustheywereresolvedtoexceltheminfiction,and

anvende

applytothewonder,ratherthanthejudgment,oftheirreaders.

Accordingly,theybroughtnecromancytotheiraid,andinsteadofsupportingthecharacteroftheirheroesbydignityofsentimentandpractice,distinguishedthembytheirbodily

styrke

strength,activity,andextravaganceofbehaviour.

Althoughnothingcouldbemoreludicrousandunnaturalthanthefiguresthey

tegnede

drew,theydidnotwantpatronsandadmirers;

andtheworldactuallybegantobeinfectedwiththespiritofknight-errantry,whenCervantes,byaninimitablepieceofridicule,reformedthetasteofmankind,representingchivalryintherightpointofview,andconvertingromancetopurposesfarmore

nyttige

usefulandentertaining,bymakingit

påtage sig

assumethesock,andpointoutthefolliesof

almindelige

ordinarylife.

ThesamemethodhasbeenpractisedbyotherSpanishandFrenchauthors,andbynonemoresuccessfullythanbyMonsieurLeSage,who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,hasdescribedtheknaveryandfoiblesoflife,withinfinitehumourandsagacity.

ThefollowingsheetsIhavemodelledonhisplan,takingmeliberty,however,todifferfromhimintheexecution,whereIthoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,extravagant,orpeculiartothecountryinwhichthesceneislaid.

ThedisgracesofGilBlasare,forthemostpart,suchasratherexcitemirththancompassion;

hehimselflaughsatthem;

andhistransitionsfromdistressto

lykke

happiness,oratleastease,aresosudden,thatneitherthereaderhastimeto

medlidenhed

pityhim,norhimselftobeacquaintedwithaffliction.

Thisconduct,inmy

mening

opinion,notonlydeviatesfromprobability,butpreventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatethereaderagainstthesordidandviciousdispositionoftheworld.

Ihaveattemptedtorepresentmodestmerit

kæmper

strugglingwitheverydifficultytowhichafriendlessorphanisexposed,fromhisownwantofexperience,aswellasfromtheselfishness,envy,malice,andbaseindifferenceofmankind.

sikre

secureafavourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhimtheadvantagesof

fødsel

birthandeducation,whichintheseriesofhismisfortuneswill,Ihope,engagetheingenuousmorewarmlyinhisbehalf;

andthoughIforesee,thatsomepeoplewillbeoffendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheisinvolved,Ipersuademyselfthatthejudiciouswillnotonlyperceivethenecessityofdescribingthosesituationstowhichhemustofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,butalsofindentertainmentinviewingthosepartsoflife,wherethehumoursandpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,

ceremoni

ceremony,oreducation;

andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesofdispositionappearasnaturehasimplantedthem.

ButIbelieveIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatingapracticeauthorizedbythebestwritersinthisway,someofwhomIhavealreadynamed.

Everyintelligentreaderwill,atfirst

øjekast

sight,perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,whicharealltrueinthemain,althoughthecircumstancesarealteredanddisguised,to

undgå

avoidpersonalsatire.

ItnowremainstogivemyreasonsformakingthechiefpersonageofthisworkaNorthBriton,whicharechieflythese:

Icould,atasmallexpense,bestowonhimsuch

uddannelse

educationasIthoughtthedignityofhis

fødsel

birthandcharacterrequired,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysuchslendermeansasthenatureofmyplanwouldafford.

Inthenextplace,Icouldrepresentsimplicityofmannersinaremotepartofthekingdom,withmoreproprietythaninanyplacenearthecapital;

andlastly,thedispositionoftheScots,addictedto

rejse

travelling,justifiesmyconductinderivinganadventurerfromthatcountry.

APOLOGUE

Ayoungpainter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,sketchedakindof

samtale

conversationpiece,representingabear,anowl,a

abe

monkey,andanass;

andtorenderitmorestriking,humorous,andmoral,distinguishedeveryfigurebysomeemblemofhumanlife.

Bruinwasexhibitedinthegarband

holdning

attitudeofanold,toothless,drunken

soldat

soldier;

theowlpercheduponthehandleofacoffee-pot,withspectacleonnose,seemedtocontemplatea

avis

newspaper;

andtheass,ornamentedwithahugetie-wig(which,however,couldnotconcealhislongears),satforhispicturetothemonkey,whoappearedwiththeimplementsofpainting.

Thiswhimsicalgroup

gav

affordedsomemirth,andmetwithgeneralapprobation,untilsomemischievouswaghintedthatthewhole—wasalampoonuponthefriendsoftheperformer;

aninsinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedthanthoseverypeoplewhoapplaudeditbeforebegantobealarmed,andevento

fancy

fancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.

Blandt

Amongothers,aworthypersonageinyears,whohadservedinthearmywith

omdømme

reputation,beingincensedatthesupposedoutrage,repairedtothelodgingofthepainter,andfindinghimathome,“Harkye,Mr.Monkey,”saidhe,“Ihaveagoodmindto

overbevise

convinceyou,thatthoughthebearhaslosthisteeth,heretainshispaws,andthatheisnotsodrunkbuthecanperceiveyourimpertinence.”

“Sblood!

sir,thattoothlessjawisad—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyouimaginemesochopfallenasnottobeabletochewthecudofresentment.”

Herehewasinterruptedbythearrivalofalearnedphysician,who,advancingtotheculpritwithfuryinhisaspect,exclaimed,“Supposetheaugmentationoftheass’searsshouldprovethediminutionofthebaboon’s—nay,

søger

seeknottoprevaricate,for,bythebeardofAesculapius!

thereisnotonehairinthisperiwigthatwillnotstandupinjudgmenttoconvicttheeofpersonalabuse.

Dobutobserve,captain,howthispitifullittle

fyr

fellowhascopiedtheverycurls—thecolour,

faktisk

indeed,isdifferent,butthentheformandforetoparequitesimilar.”

Whilehethusremonstratedinastrainofvociferation,avenerablesenatorentered,andwaddlinguptothedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”

criedhe,“IwillnowlettheeseeIcanreadsomethingelsethana

avis

newspaper,andthatwithoutthehelpofspectacles:

hereisyourownnoteofhand,sirrah,formoney,whichifIhadnotadvanced,youyourselfwouldhaveresembledanowl,innotdaringtoshowyourfacebyday,youungratefulslanderousknave!”

Invaintheastonishedpainterdeclaredthathehadnointentiontogiveoffence,ortocharacteriseparticularpersons:

theyaffirmedtheresemblancewastoopalpabletobeoverlooked;

theytaxedhimwithinsolence,malice,andingratitude;

andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardbythepublic,thecaptainwasabear,thedoctoranass,andthesenatoranowl,tohisdyingday.

Christianreader,Ibeseechthee,inthebowelsoftheLord,rememberthis

eksempel

example“whilethouartemployedintheperusalofthefollowingsheets;

and

søg

seeknottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhichequally

tilhører

belongstofivehundreddifferentpeople.

Ifthoushouldstmeetwitha

karakter

characterthatreflectstheeinsomeungraciousparticular,keepthyowncounsel;

CHAPTERI

Ofmy

Fødsel

BirthandParentage.

Iwasborninthenorthernpartofthis

forenede

unitedkingdom,inthehouseofmygrandfather,a

gentleman

gentlemanofconsiderablefortuneandinfluence,whohadonmanyoccasionssignalisedhimselfinbehalfofhiscountry;

andwasremarkableforhisabilitiesinthelaw,whichhe

udøvede

exercisedwithgreatsuccessinthestationofajudge,particularlyagainstbeggars,forwhomhehadasingularaversion.

Myfather(hisyoungestson)fallinginlovewithapoorrelation,wholivedwiththeold

herre

gentlemaninqualityofahousekeeper,espousedherprivately;

andIwasthefirst

frugt

fruitofthatmarriage.

Duringherpregnancy,adreamdiscomposedmymothersomuchthatherhusband,tiredwithherimportunity,atlastconsultedahighlandseer,whosefavourableinterpretationhewouldhavesecuredbeforehandbyabribe,butfoundhimincorruptible.

Shedreamedshewas

leveret

deliveredofatennis-ball,whichthe

djævlen

devil(who,tohergreatsurprise,actedthepartofamidwife)

ramte

strucksoforciblywitharacketthatit

forsvandt

disappearedinaninstant;

andshewasforsometimeinconsolableforthelostofheroffspring;

when,allona

pludselig

sudden,shebehelditreturnwithequalviolence,andentertheearth,beneathherfeet,whenceimmediatelysprangupagoodlytreecoveredwithblossoms,thescentofwhichoperatedsostronglyonhernervesthatsheawoke.

Theattentivesage,aftersomedeliberation,assuredmyparents,thattheirfirstbornwouldbeagreattraveller;

thathewouldundergomanydangersanddifficulties,andatlastreturntohisnativeland,wherehewouldflourishin

lykke

happinessandreputation.

Howtrulythiswasforetoldwillappearinthesequel.

Itwasnotlongbeforesomeofficiousperson

informerede

informedmygrandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassedbetweenhissonandhousekeeperwhichalarmedhimsomuchthat,afewdaysafter,hetoldmyfatheritwashightimeforhimtothinkofsettling;

andthathehadprovidedamatchforhim,towhichhecouldin

retfærdighed

justicehavenoobjections.

Myfather,findingitwouldbeimpossibletoconcealhissituationmuchlonger,franklyownedwhathehaddone;

andexcusedhimselffornothavingaskedtheconsentofhisfather,bysaying,heknewitwouldhavebeentonopurpose;

andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,my

bedstefar

grandfathermighthavetakensuchmeasuresaswouldhaveeffectuallyputthegratificationofitoutofhispower:

tilføjede

added,thatnoexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’svirtue,

fødsel

birth,beauty,andgoodsense,andasfor

formue

fortune,itwasbeneathhiscare.

Theold

herre

gentleman,whokeptallhispassions,exceptone,inexcellentorder,heardhimtoanendwithgreattemper,andthencalmlyasked,howheproposedtomaintainhimselfandspouse?

Hereplied,hecouldbeinno

fare

dangerofwantingwhilehisfather’stenderness

forblev

remained,whichheandhiswifeshouldalwayscultivatewiththeutmostveneration;

andhewaspersuadedhisallowancewouldbesuitabletothedignityandcircumstancesofhisfamily,andtotheprovisionalreadymadeforhisbrothersandsisters,whowerehappily

bosat

settledunderhisprotection.

“Yourbrothersandsisters,”saidmy

bedstefar

grandfather,“didnotthinkitbeneaththemtoconsultmeinanaffairofsuchimportanceasmatrimony;

neither,Isuppose,wouldyouhaveomittedthatpieceofduty,hadyounotsomesecretfundinreserve;

tothecomfortsofwhichIleaveyou,witha

ønske

desirethatyouwillthisnight

søge

seekoutanotherhabitationforyourselfandwife,whither,inashorttime,IwillsendyouanaccountoftheexpenseIhavebeenatinyour

uddannelse

education,withaviewofbeingreimbursed.

Sir,youhavemadethegrandtour—youareapolitegentleman—averyprettygentleman—Iwishyouagreatdealof

glæde

joy,andamyourveryhumbleservant.”

Sosaying,heleftmyfatherinasituation

let

easilyimagined.

However,hedidnotlonghesitate;

for,beingperfectlywellacquaintedwithhisfather’sdisposition,hedidnotdoubtthathewasgladofthispretencetogetridofhim;

andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedesandPersians,heknewitwouldbetonopurposeto

prøve

attempthimbyprayersandentreaties;

sowithoutanyfartherapplication,hebetookhimself,withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoafarm-house,whereanoldservantofhismotherdwelt:

therethey

forblev

remainedsometimeinasituationbut

dårligt

illadaptedtotheeleganceoftheirdesiresandtendernessoftheirlove;

whichneverthelessmyfatherchosetoendure,ratherthansupplicateanunnaturalandinflexibleparentbutmymother,foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshemusthavebeenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredinthisplace(andherpregnancywasveryfaradvanced),withoutcommunicatingherdesigntoherhusband,wentindisguisetothehouseofmygrandfather,hopingthathertearsand

tilstand

conditionwouldmovehimtocompassion,andreconcilehimtoan

begivenhed

eventwhichwasnowirrecoverablypast.

Shefoundmeanstodeceivetheservants,andget

introduceret

introducedasanunfortunatelady,whowantedtocomplainofsomematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sparticularprovincetodecideinallcasesofscandal.

Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohispresence,where,discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,andinthemostaffectingmannerimploredhisforgiveness;

atthesametimerepresentingthe

faren

dangerthatthreatenednotonlyherlife,butthatofhisowngrandchild,whichwasabouttoseethelight.

Hetoldherhewassorrythattheindiscretionofherandhissonhadcompelledhimtomakeavow,whichputitoutofhispowertogivethemanyassistance;

thathehadalreadyimpartedhisthoughtsonthat

emne

subjecttoherhusband,andwassurprisedthattheyshoulddisturbhispeacewithanyfartherimportunity.

Thissaid,heretired.

Theviolenceofmymother’safflictionhadsuchaneffectonherconstitutionthatshewasimmediatelyseizedwiththepainsofchildbed;

andhadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewasverydear,

givet

affordedherpityandassistance,atthehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,sheandthe

uskyldige

innocentfruitofherwombmusthavefallen

elendige

miserablevictimstohisrigourandinhumanity.

Bythe

venskab

friendshipofthispoorwomanshewascarrieduptoagarret,andimmediately

leveret

deliveredofamanchild,thestoryofwhoseunfortunate

fødsel

birthhehimselfnowrelates.

Myfather,beinginformedofwhathadhappened,flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,andwhileheloadedhisoffspringwithpaternalembraces,couldnotforbearsheddingafloodoftearsonbeholdingthedearpartnerofhisheart(forwhoseeasehewouldhavesacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretcheduponaflockbed,ina

elendig

miserableapartment,unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesofthe

vejr

weather.

Itisnottobesupposedthattheold

herre

gentlemanwasignorantofwhatpassed,thoughheaffectedtoknownothingofthematter,andpretendedtobeverymuchsurprised,whenoneofhisgrandchildren,byhiseldestsondeceased,wholivedwithhimashisheirapparent,acquaintedhimwiththeaffair;

hedetermined

derfor

thereforetoobservenomedium,butimmediately(onthethirddayafterherdelivery)sentheraperemptoryordertobegone,andturnedofftheservantwhohadpreservedherlife.

Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmyfatherthathehadrecoursetothemostdreadfulimprecations;

andonhisbarekneesimploredthatHeavenwouldrenouncehimifeverheshouldforgetorforgivethebarbarityofhissire.

Theinjurieswhichthisunhappymother

fik

receivedfromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,andthewantofnecessarieswhereshelodged,togetherwithhergriefandanxietyofmind,soonthrewherintoalanguishingdisorder,whichputanendtoherlife.

Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wassoaffectedwithherdeaththathe

forblev

remainedsixweeksdeprivedofhissenses;

duringwhichtime,thepeoplewherehelodgedcarriedtheinfanttotheoldmanwhorelentedsofar,onhearingthemelancholystoryofhisdaughter-in-law’sdeath,andthedeplorable

tilstand

conditionofhisson,astosendthechildto

sygeplejerske

nurse,andheorderedmyfathertobecarriedhometohishouse,wherehesoonrecoveredtheuseofhisreason.

Whetherthishardheartedjudgefeltanyremorseforhiscruel

behandling

treatmentofhissonanddaughter,or(whichismoreprobable)wasafraidhis

karakter

characterwouldsufferintheneighbourhood,heprofessedgreatsorrowforhisconducttomyfather,whosedeliriumwassucceededbyaprofoundmelancholyandreserve.

Atlengthhe

forsvandt

disappeared,and,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,couldnotbeheardof;

acircumstancewhichconfirmedmostpeopleintheopinionofhishavingmadeawaywithhimselfinafitofdespair.

CHAPTERII

Igrowup—amhatedbymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—IformCabalsagainstthePedant—amdebarred

Adgang

AccesstomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—IdemolishtheTeethofhisTutor.

Therewerenotwantingsomewhosuspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’s

skæbne

fate,onthesuppositionthattheywouldallshareinthepatrimonydestinedforhim;

andthisconjecturewasstrengthenedbyreflectingthatinallhiscalamitiestheyneverdiscoveredtheleastinclinationto

tjene

servehim;

but,onthecontrary,byalltheartificesintheirpower,

fodret

fedhisresentmentandsupportedhisresolutionofleavinghimtomiseryandwant.

Butpeopleofjudgmenttreatedthisinsinuationasanidlechimera;

because,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedastoconsulttheirinterestby

begå

committingsuchanatrociouscrime,the

skæbne

fateofmyfatherwouldhaveextendedtometoowhoselifewasanotherobstacletotheirexpectation.

Meanwhile,Igrewapace,andasIstronglyresembledmyfather,whowasthedarlingofthetenants,Iwantednothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstancescouldafford:

buttheirfavourwasa

svag

weakresourceagainstthejealousenmityofmycousins;

whothemoremyinfancypromised,conceivedthemoreimplacablehatredagainstme:

andbeforeIwassixyearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmy

bedstefar

grandfatherthatIneversawhimbutbystealth,whenIsometimesmadeuptohis

stol

chairashesatto

viewhislabourersinthefield:

onwhichoccasionhewouldstrokemyhead,bidmebeagoodboy,andpromisetotakecareofme.

Iwassoonaftersenttoschoolatavillagehardby,ofwhichhehadbeendictatortimeoutofmind;

butasheneverpaidformyboard,norsuppliedmewithclothes,books,andothernecessariesIrequired,my

tilstand

conditionwasveryraggedandcontemptible,andtheschoolmaster,who,throughfearofmy

bedstefar

grandfather,taughtmegratis,gavehimselfno

bekymring

concernabouttheprogressImadeunderhisinstruction.

Inspiteofallthesedifficultiesanddisgraces,IbecameagoodproficientintheLatintongue;

and,assoonasIcouldwritetolerably,pesteredmy

bedstefar

grandfatherwithletterstosuchadegreethathesentformymaster,andchidhimseverelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmy

uddannelse

education,tellinghimthat,ifeverIshouldbebroughttothegallowsforforgery,whichhehadtaughtmeto

begå

commit,mybloodwouldlieonhishead.

Thepedant,whodreadednothingmorethanthedispleasureofhispatron,assuredhishonourthattheboy’s

evne

abilitywasmoreowingtohisowngeniusandapplicationthantoanyinstructionorencouragementhe

modtog

received;

that,althoughhecouldnotdivesthimofthe

viden

knowledgehehadalreadyimbibed,unlesshewouldempowerhimtodisablehisfingers,heshouldendeavour,withGod’shelp,topreventhisfutureimprovement.

And,

sandhed

indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehadundertaken;

for,onpretencethatIhadwrittenimpertinentletterstomy

bedstefar

grandfather,hecausedaboardtobemadewithfiveholesinit,throughwhichhethrustthefingersandthumbofmyrighthand,andfasteneditbywhipcordtomywrist,insuchamanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuseofmy

pen

pen.

ButthisrestraintIwasfreedfrominafewdays,byanaccidentwhichhappenedinaquarrelbetweenmeandanotherboy;

who,takinguponhimtoinsultmypoverty,IwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthatwithonestrokewithmymachineIcuthimtotheskull,tothegreatterrorofmyselfandschoolfellows,wholefthimbleedingontheground,andrantoinformthemasterofwhathadhappened.

Iwassoseverelypunishedforthistrespassthat,wereItolivetotheageofMethusalem,theimpressionitmadeonmewouldnotbeeffaced;

themorethantheantipathyandhorrorIconceivedforthemercilesstyrantwhoinflictedit.

Thecontemptwhichmyappearancenaturallyproducedinallwhosawme,thecontinualwantstowhichIwasexposed,andmyownhaughtydisposition,impatientofaffronts,involvedmeinathousandtroublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredinadversity,andemboldenedtoundertakingsfarabovemyyears.

IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnotcommit,because,havingthecharacterofavagabondinthevillage,everypieceofmischief,whoseauthorlay

ukendt

unknown,waschargeduponme.

Ihavebeenfound

skyldig

guiltyofrobbingorchardsIneverentered,ofkillingcatsIneverhunted,ofstealinggingerbreadInevertouched,andofabusingoldwomenIneversaw.

Nay,astammeringcarpenterhadeloquenceenoughtopersuademymasterthatIfiredapistolloadedwithsmallshotintohiswindow;

thoughmylandladyandthewholefamilybore

vidnede

witnessthatIwasabedfastasleepatthetimewhenthisoutragewas

begået

committed.

Iwasoncefloggedforhavingnarrowlyescapeddrowning,bythesinkingofaferryboatinwhichIwaspassenger.

Anothertime,forhavingrecoveredofabruiseoccasionedbyahorseandcartrunningoverme.

Athirdtime,forbeing

bidt

bittenbyabaker’sdog.

Inshort,whetherIwas

skyldig

guiltyorunfortunate,thecorrectionandsympathyofthisarbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.

Farfrombeingsubduedbythisinformalusage,myindignationtriumphedoverthatslavishawewhichhadhithertoenforcedmyobedience;

andthemoremyyearsand

viden

knowledgeincreased,themoreIperceivedtheinjusticeandbarbarityofhisbehaviour.

Bythehelpofanuncommongenius,andthe

råd

adviceanddirectionofourusher,whohadservedmyfatherinhistravels,Imadeasurprising

fremgang

progressintheclassics,writing,andarithmetic;

sothat,beforeIwastwelveyearsold,Iwasallowedbyeverybodytobethebestscholarintheschool.

Thisqualification,togetherwiththeboldnessoftemperand

styrke

strengthofmakewhichhadsubjectedalmostallmycontemporaries,gavemesuchinfluenceoverthemthatIbegantoformcabalsagainstmypersecutor;

andwasinhopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceinaveryshorttime.

Beingattheheadofafaction,consistingofthirtyboys,mostofthemofmyownage,Iwasdeterminedtoputtheirmettleto

prøve

trial,thatImightknowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,beforeIputmygrandschemeinexecution:

withthisview,weattackedabodyofstoutapprentices,whohadtakenpossessionofapartofthegroundallottedtousfortheschemeofourdiversions,andwhowerethenplayingatninepinsonthespot;

butIhadthemortificationtoseemyadherentsroutedinaninstant,andalegofoneofthembrokeinhisflightbythebowl,whichoneofouradversarieshaddetachedinpursuitofus.

Thisdiscomfituredidnothinderusfromengagingthem

efterfølgende

afterwardsinfrequentskirmishes,whichwemaintainedbythrowingstonesata

afstand

distance,whereinIreceivedmanywounds,thescarsofwhichstillremain.

Ourenemiesweresoharassedandinterruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlastabandonedtheirconquest,andleftustothepeaceableenjoymentofourownterritories.

Itwouldbeendlesstoenumeratetheexploitswe

udførte

performedinthecourseofthisconfederacy,whichbecametheterrorofthewholevillage;

insomuchthat,whendifferentinterestsdividedit,oneofthepartiescommonlycourtedtheassistanceofRoderickRandom(bywhichnameIwasknown)to

kaste

castthebalance,andkeepthe

modsatte

oppositefactioninawe.

Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageofeveryplay-daytopresentmyselfbeforemy

bedstefar

grandfather,towhomIseldomfound

adgang

access,byreasonofhisbeingcloselybesiegedbyanumerousfamilyofhis

kvindelige

femalegrandchildren,who,thoughtheyperpetuallyquarrelledamongthemselves,never

undlod

failedtojoinagainstme,asthe

fælles

commonenemyofall.

Hisheir,whowasabouttheageofeighteen,mindednothingbutfox-hunting,and

faktisk

indeedwasqualifiedfornothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’sindulgenceinentertainingatutorforhimathome;

whoatthesametimeperformedtheofficeofparishclerk.

ThisyoungActaeon,whoinheritedhisgrandfather’santipathytoeverythingindistress,neversateyesonmewithoutuncouplinghisbeagles,and

jage

huntingmeintosomecottageorother,whitherIgenerallyfledforshelter.

InthisChristianamusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,nodoubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimselfwiththerisingsun,observing,thattheold

herre

gentleman,accordingtothecourseofnature,hadnotlongtolive,forhewasalreadyonthevergeoffourscore.

CHAPTERIII

MyMother’sBrotherarrives—relievesme—aDescriptionofhim—hegoesalongwithmetotheHouseofmyGrandfather—isencounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsthem,afterabloodyEngagement—isadmittedtotheoldGentleman—aDialoguebetweenthem.

Aboutthistimemymother’sonlybrother,whohadbeenlongabroad,

løjtnant

lieutenantofaman-of-war,arrivedinhisowncountry;

wherebeing

underrettet

informedofmycondition,hecametoseeme,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnotonlysuppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIwantedforthepresent,butresolvednottoleavethecountryuntilhehadprevailedonmy

bedstefar

grandfathertosettlesomethinghandsomeforthefuture.

Thiswasa

opgave

tasktowhichhewasbynomeansequal,beingentirelyignorant,notonlyofthejudge’sdisposition,butalsoofthewaysofmeningeneral,towhichhis

uddannelse

educationonboardhadkepthimanutter

fremmed

stranger.

Hewasastrongbuiltman,somewhatbandylegged,withanecklikethatofabull,andafacewhich(youmight

let

easilyperceive)hadwithstoodthemostobstinateassaultsofthe

vejret

weather.

Hisdressconsistedofasoldier’s

frakke

coatalteredforhimbytheship’stailor,astripedflanneljacket,a

par

pairofredbreechesspannedwithpitch,cleangrayworstedstockings,largesilverbucklesthatcoveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-laced

hat

hat,whosecrownoverlookedthebrimsaboutaninchandahalf,blackbobwiginbuckle,acheckshirt,asilkhandkerchief,ahanger,withabrasshandle,girdedtohisthighbyafurnishedlacebelt,andagoodoakplantunderhisarm.

Thusequipped,hesetoutwithme(whobyhisbountymadeaverydecentappearance)formygrandfather’shouse,whereweweresalutedbyJowlerandCaesar,whommycousin,youngmaster,hadletlooseatourapproach.

Beingwellacquaintedwiththeinveteracyofthesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,whenmyuncleseizedmewithonehand,brandishedhiscudgelwiththeother,andatoneblowlaidCaesarsprawlingontheground;

but,findinghimselfattackedatthesametimeintherearbyJowler,andfearingCaesarmightrecover,he

trak

drewhishanger,wheeledabout,andbyaluckystrokeseveredJowler’sheadfromhisbody.

Bythistime,theyoungfoxhunterandthreeservants,armedwithpitchforksandflails,werecometotheassistanceofthedogs,whomtheyfoundbreathlessuponthefield;

andmycousinwassoprovokedatthedeathofhisfavourites,thatheorderedhisattendantstoadvance,andtakevengeanceontheirexecutioner,whomheloadedwithallthecursesandreproacheshis

vrede

angercouldsuggest.

Uponwhichmyunclesteppedforwardswithanundauntedair,atthe

synet

sightofwhosebloodyweaponshisantagonistsfellbackwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheir

leder

leaderthus:.

“Lookee,brother,yourdogshavingboardedmewithoutprovocation,whatIdidwasinmyowndefence.

Soyouhadbestbecivil,andletusshootahead,clearofyou.”

Whethertheyoungsquiremisinterpretedmyuncle’s

ønske

desireofpeace,orwasenragedatthe

skæbne

fateofhishoundsbeyondhis

sædvanlige

usualpitchofresolution,Iknownot;

buthesnatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,andcameupwithashowofassaultingthelieutenant,who,puttinghimselfinapostureofdefence,proceededthus:

“Lookee,youlubberlysonofaw—e,ifyoucomeathwartme,’wareyourgingerbreadwork.

I’llbefoulofyour

kvarter

quarter,d—nme.”

Thisdeclaration,followedbyaflourishofhishanger,seemedtochecktheprogressoftheyounggentleman’scholer,who,lookingbehindhim,perceivedhisattendantshadslunkintothehouse,shutthe

porten

gate,andlefthimtodecidethecontentionbyhimself.

Hereaparleyensued,whichwasintroducedbymycousin’sasking,“Whothedevilareyou?

Whatdoyouwant?

Somescoundrelofaseaman,Isuppose,whohasdesertedandturned

tyv

thief.

Butdon’tthinkyoushallescape,sirrah—I’llhaveyouhang’d,youdog,Iwill.

Yourbloodshallpayforthatofmytwohounds,youragamuffin.

Iwouldnothavepartedwiththemtosaveyourwhole

generation

generationfromthegallows,youruffian,you!”

“Noneofyourjaw,youswab—noneofyourjaw,”repliedmyuncle,“elseIshalltrimyourlaced

jakke

jacketforyou.

Ishallrubyoudownwithanoakentowel,myboy,Ishall.”

Sosaying,hesheathedhishanger,andgraspedhiscudgel.

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