THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE
Ofallkindsofsatire,thereisnonesoentertaininganduniversally
verbeterend
improving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwereaf en toe
occasionally,inthecourseofaninterestingstory,whichbringseveryincidenthometolife,andbyvertegenwoordigen
representingfamiliarscenesinanongewoon
uncommonandamusingpointofview,investeert
investsthemwithallthegracesofnieuwheid
novelty,whilenatureisappealedtoineveryparticular.The
lezer
readergratifieshiscuriosityinstreven
pursuingtheadventuresofapersoninwhosefavourheisprepossessed;heespouseshiscause,hesympathiseswithhiminhisdistress,hisindignationisheatedagainsttheauthorsofhis
ramp
calamity:thehumanepassionsareinflamed;
the
contrast
contrastbetweendejectedvirtueandinsultingviceappearswithgreateraggravation,andeveryindruk
impressionhavingadoubleforceontheimagination,thememorybehoudt
retainsthecircumstance,andtheheartverbetert
improvesbytheexample.Theattentionisnottiredwitha
kale
barecatalogueofcharacters,butagreeablydivertedwithallthevariëteit
varietyofinvention;andthevicissitudesoflifeappearintheir
eigenaardige
peculiarcircumstances,openinganamplefieldforhumor
witandhumour.Romance,nodoubt,owesits
oorsprong
origintoignorance,vanity,andbijgeloof
superstition.InthedarkagesoftheWorld,whenamanhadrenderedhimselffamousfor
wijsheid
wisdomorvalour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,andvertegenwoordigden
representedhischaracterandpersonasheilig
sacredandsupernatural.Thevulgareasily
slikte
swallowedthebait,imploredhisprotection,andyieldedthetributeofhomageandlof
praise,eventoadoration;hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposteritywithathousandexaggerations;
theywererepeatedasincitementsto
deugd
virtue;divinehonourswerepaid,andaltarserectedtohismemory,forthe
aanmoediging
encouragementofthosewhoattemptedtoimitatehisexample;andhence
ontstond
arosetheheathenmythology,whichisnootherthanaverzameling
collectionofextravagantromances.Aslearningadvanced,andgeniusreceivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedwiththegracesofpoetry,thattheymightthebetter
aanbevelen
recommendthemselvestotheattention;theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,forthe
instructie
instructionanddelightoftheaudience;and
geoefend
rehearsedbeforebattle,asincentivestodeedsofglory.Thus
tragedie
tragedyandtheepicmusewereborn,and,intheprogressoftaste,arrivedatperfectie
perfection.Itisnowonderthattheancientscouldnot
genieten
relishafableinprose,aftertheyhadseensomanyopmerkelijke
remarkableeventscelebratedinversebytheirbestpoets;wethereforefindno
romantiek
romanceamongthemduringthetijdperk
eraoftheirexcellence,unlesstheCyropædiaofXenophonmaybesocalled;anditwasnottillartsandsciencesbeganto
herleven
reviveaftertheirruptionofthebarbariansintoEurope,thatanythingofthiskindappeared.Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothemostabsurd
toonhoogte
pitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromantiek
romancearose,andlosingsightofwaarschijnlijkheid
probability,filledtheirperformanceswiththemostmonstroushyperboles.Iftheycouldnotequaltheancientpoetsinpointofgeniustheywereresolvedtoexcelthemin
fictie
fiction,andapplytothewonder,ratherthantheoordeel
judgment,oftheirreaders.Accordingly,theybroughtnecromancytotheir
hulp
aid,andinsteadofsupportingthecharacteroftheirheroesbywaardigheid
dignityofsentimentandpractice,onderscheidden
distinguishedthembytheirbodilystrength,activiteit
activity,andextravaganceofbehaviour.Althoughnothingcouldbemoreludicrousandunnaturalthanthefigurestheydrew,theydidnotwantpatronsandadmirers;
andtheworldactuallybegantobe
besmet
infectedwiththespiritofknight-errantry,whenCervantes,byaninimitablepieceofridicule,reformedthetasteofmensheid
mankind,representingchivalryintherightpointofview,andconvertingromantiek
romancetopurposesfarmoreusefulandentertaining,bymakingitassumethesok
sock,andpointoutthefolliesofordinarylife.Thesame
methode
methodhasbeenpractisedbyotherSpanishandFrenchauthors,andbynonemoresuccessfullythanbyMonsieurLeSage,who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,hasbeschreven
describedtheknaveryandfoiblesoflife,withoneindige
infinitehumourandsagacity.ThefollowingsheetsIhavemodelledonhisplan,takingme
vrijheid
liberty,however,todifferfromhimintheuitvoering
execution,whereIthoughthisparticularsituationswereongewoon
uncommon,extravagant,orpeculiartothecountryinwhichthesceneislaid.ThedisgracesofGilBlasare,forthemostpart,suchasratherexcitemirththan
mededogen
compassion;hehimselflaughsatthem;
andhistransitionsfromdistresstohappiness,oratleast
gemak
ease,aresosudden,thatneitherthelezer
readerhastimetopityhim,norhimselftobeacquaintedwithaffliction.This
gedrag
conduct,inmyopinion,notonlydeviatesfromwaarschijnlijkheid
probability,butpreventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatethelezer
readeragainstthesordidandviciousdispositionoftheworld.Ihaveattemptedto
vertegenwoordigen
representmodestmeritstrugglingwitheverymoeilijkheid
difficultytowhichafriendlesswees
orphanisexposed,fromhisownwantofexperience,aswellasfromthezelfzucht
selfishness,envy,malice,andbaseonverschilligheid
indifferenceofmankind.Tosecureafavourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhimtheadvantagesofbirthandeducation,whichintheseriesofhismisfortuneswill,Ihope,
betrekken
engagetheingenuousmorewarmlyinhisbehalf;andthoughI
voorzie
foresee,thatsomepeoplewillbebeledigd
offendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheisinvolved,Iovertuig
persuademyselfthatthejudiciouswillnotonlywaarnemen
perceivethenecessityofdescribingthosesituationstowhichhemustofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,butalsofindvermaak
entertainmentinviewingthosepartsoflife,wherethehumoursandpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,ceremony,oreducation;andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesofdispositionappearasnaturehasimplantedthem.
ButIbelieveIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatingapractice
geautoriseerd
authorizedbythebestwritersinthisway,someofwhomIhavealreadynamed.Every
intelligente
intelligentreaderwill,atfirstsight,perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,whicharealltrueinthemain,althoughthecircumstancesareveranderd
alteredanddisguised,toavoidpersonalsatire.ItnowremainstogivemyreasonsformakingthechiefpersonageofthisworkaNorthBriton,whicharechieflythese:
Icould,atasmall
kosten
expense,bestowonhimsucheducationasIthoughtthewaardigheid
dignityofhisbirthandcharactervereiste
required,whichcouldnotpossiblybeverkregen
obtainedinEngland,bysuchslendermeansasthenatureofmyplanwouldafford.Inthenextplace,Icould
vertegenwoordigen
representsimplicityofmannersinaafgelegen
remotepartofthekingdom,withmoreproprietythaninanyplacenearthecapital;and
ten slotte
lastly,thedispositionoftheScots,addictedtotravelling,rechtvaardigt
justifiesmyconductinderivinganadventurerfromthatcountry.APOLOGUE
Ayoung
schilder
painter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,geschetst
sketchedakindofconversationpiece,representingabear,anuil
owl,amonkey,andanass;andtorenderitmorestriking,humorous,and
moreel
moral,distinguishedeveryfigurebysomeemblemofhumanlife.Bruinwasexhibitedinthegarbandattitudeofanold,toothless,drunkensoldier;
the
uil
owlpercheduponthehandleofacoffee-pot,withschouwspel
spectacleonnose,seemedtooverwegen
contemplateanewspaper;andtheass,ornamentedwithahugetie-wig(which,however,couldnotconcealhislongears),satforhispicturetothemonkey,whoappearedwiththeimplementsofpainting.
Thiswhimsicalgroupaffordedsomemirth,andmetwithgeneralapprobation,untilsomemischievouswaghintedthatthewhole—wasalampoonuponthefriendsoftheperformer;
aninsinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedthanthoseverypeoplewho
applaudisseerden
applaudeditbeforebegantobealarmed,andeventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.Amongothers,a
waardig
worthypersonageinyears,whohadservedinthearmywithreputation,beingincensedatthesupposedverontwaardiging
outrage,repairedtothelodgingoftheschilder
painter,andfindinghimathome,“Harkye,Mr.Monkey,”saidhe,“Ihaveagoodmindtoconvinceyou,thatthoughthebearhaslosthisteeth,hebehoudt
retainshispaws,andthatheisnotsodrunkbuthecanperceiveyourimpertinence.”“Sblood!
sir,thattoothless
kaken
jawisad—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyouimaginemesochopfallenasnottobeabletokauwen
chewthecudofresentment.”Herehewas
onderbroken
interruptedbythearrivalofalearnedphysician,who,advancingtothedader
culpritwithfuryinhisaspect,exclaimed,“Supposetheaugmentationoftheass’searsshouldprovethediminutionofthebaboon’s—nay,seeknottoprevaricate,for,bythebeardofAesculapius!thereisnotonehairinthisperiwigthatwillnotstandupin
oordeel
judgmenttoconvicttheeofpersonalmisbruik
abuse.Dobutobserve,captain,howthispitifullittlefellowhascopiedtheverycurls—the
kleur
colour,indeed,isdifferent,butthentheformandforetoparequitesimilar.”Whilehethusremonstratedinastrainofvociferation,avenerable
senator
senatorentered,andwaddlinguptothedelinquent
delinquent,“Jackanapes!”criedhe,“IwillnowlettheeseeIcanreadsomethingelsethananewspaper,andthatwithoutthehelpofspectacles:
hereisyourownnoteofhand,sirrah,formoney,whichifIhadnotadvanced,youyourselfwouldhave
geleken
resembledanowl,innotdaringtoshowyourfacebyday,youungratefulslanderousknave!”In
tevergeefs
vaintheastonishedpainterdeclaredthathehadnointentiontogiveoffence,ortocharacteriseparticularpersons:theyaffirmedthe
gelijkenis
resemblancewastoopalpabletobeoverlooked;theytaxedhimwithinsolence,malice,andingratitude;
andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardbythepublic,thecaptainwasabear,thedoctoranass,andthe
senator
senatoranowl,tohisdyingday.Christian
lezer
reader,Ibeseechthee,inthebowelsoftheLord,rememberthisexample“whilethouartemployedintheperusalofthefollowingsheets;andseeknottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhich
evenzeer
equallybelongstofivehundreddifferentpeople.Ifthoushouldstmeetwithacharacterthat
weerspiegelt
reflectstheeinsomeungraciousparticular,keepthyowncounsel;Hoofdstuk
CHAPTERIOfmyBirthandParentage.
Iwasborninthenorthernpartofthisunitedkingdom,inthehouseofmygrandfather,agentlemanofconsiderablefortuneandinfluence,whohadonmanyoccasionssignalisedhimselfin
behoeve
behalfofhiscountry;andwas
opmerkelijk
remarkableforhisabilitiesinthelaw,whichheexercisedwithgreatsuccessinthestationofajudge,particularlyagainstbeggars,forwhomhehadasingularaversion.Myfather(his
jongste
youngestson)fallinginlovewithapoorrelation,wholivedwiththeoldgentlemaninqualityofahuishoudster
housekeeper,espousedherprivately;andIwasthefirstfruitofthatmarriage.
Duringher
zwangerschap
pregnancy,adreamdiscomposedmymothersomuchthatherhusband,tiredwithherimportunity,atlastconsultedahighlandseer,whosefavourableinterpretationhewouldhavesecuredtevoren
beforehandbyabribe,butfoundhimincorruptible.Shedreamedshewasdeliveredofatennis-ball,whichthedevil(who,tohergreatsurprise,actedthepartofamidwife)strucksoforciblywitha
racket
racketthatitdisappearedinaninstant;andshewasforsometimeinconsolableforthelostofher
nakomelingen
offspring;when,allonasudden,she
zag
behelditreturnwithequalviolence,andentertheearth,beneathherfeet,whenceimmediatelysprangupagoodlytreecoveredwithblossoms,thegeur
scentofwhichoperatedsosterk
stronglyonhernervesthatsheawoke.Theattentivesage,aftersomedeliberation,
verzekerde
assuredmyparents,thattheirfirstbornwouldbeagreatreiziger
traveller;thathewouldundergomanydangersanddifficulties,andatlastreturntohisnativeland,wherehewould
bloeien
flourishinhappinessandreputation.Howtrulythiswasforetoldwillappearinthe
vervolg
sequel.Itwasnotlongbeforesomeofficiouspersoninformedmygrandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassedbetweenhissonand
huishoudster
housekeeperwhichalarmedhimsomuchthat,afewdaysafter,hetoldmyfatheritwashightimeforhimtothinkofsettling;andthathehadprovidedamatchforhim,towhichhecouldinjusticehavenoobjections.
Myfather,findingitwouldbeimpossibletoconcealhissituationmuchlonger,franklyownedwhathehaddone;
andexcusedhimselffornothavingaskedthe
toestemming
consentofhisfather,bysaying,heknewitwouldhavebeentonopurpose;andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,mygrandfathermighthavetakensuchmeasuresaswouldhaveeffectuallyputthegratificationofitoutofhispower:
headded,thatnoexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’s
deugd
virtue,birth,beauty,andgoodsense,andasforfortune,itwasbeneathhiscare.Theoldgentleman,whokeptallhispassions,exceptone,inexcellentorder,heardhimtoanendwithgreattemper,andthen
rustig
calmlyasked,howheproposedtoonderhouden
maintainhimselfandspouse?He
antwoordde
replied,hecouldbeinnodangerofwantingwhilehisfather’stederheid
tendernessremained,whichheandhiswifeshouldalwayscultiveren
cultivatewiththeutmostveneration;andhewas
overtuigd
persuadedhisallowancewouldbegeschikt
suitabletothedignityandcircumstancesofhisfamily,andtotheprovisionalreadymadeforhisbrothersandsisters,whoweregelukkig
happilysettledunderhisprotection.“Yourbrothersandsisters,”saidmygrandfather,“didnotthinkitbeneaththemto
raadplegen
consultmeinanaffairofsuchimportanceashuwelijk
matrimony;neither,Isuppose,wouldyouhaveomittedthatpieceofduty,hadyounotsomesecret
fonds
fundinreserve;tothecomfortsofwhichIleaveyou,withadesirethatyouwillthisnightseekoutanotherhabitationforyourselfandwife,whither,inashorttime,IwillsendyouanaccountoftheexpenseIhavebeenatinyoureducation,withaviewofbeingreimbursed.
Sir,youhavemadethegrandtour—youareapolitegentleman—averyprettygentleman—Iwishyouagreatdealofjoy,andamyourvery
nederige
humbleservant.”Sosaying,heleftmyfatherinasituationeasilyimagined.
However,hedidnotlong
aarzelde
hesitate;for,beingperfectlywellacquaintedwithhisfather’s
gezindheid
disposition,hedidnotdoubtthathewasgladofthispretencetogetridofhim;andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedesandPersians,heknewitwouldbetonopurposetoattempthimbyprayersandentreaties;
sowithoutanyfarther
toepassing
application,hebetookhimself,withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoaboerderij
farm-house,whereanoldservantofhismotherwoonde
dwelt:theretheyremainedsometimeinasituationbutill
aangepast
adaptedtotheeleganceoftheirdesiresandtederheid
tendernessoftheirlove;whichneverthelessmyfatherchoseto
verdragen
endure,ratherthansupplicateanonnatuurlijke
unnaturalandinflexibleparentbutmymother,voorzag
foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshemusthavebeenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredinthisplace(andherzwangerschap
pregnancywasveryfaradvanced),withoutcommuniceren
communicatingherdesigntoherhusband,wentinvermomming
disguisetothehouseofmygrandfather,hopingthathertearsandconditionwouldmovehimtocompassion,andverzoenen
reconcilehimtoaneventwhichwasnowirrecoverablypast.Shefoundmeansto
bedriegen
deceivetheservants,andgetintroducedasanongelukkige
unfortunatelady,whowantedtoklagen
complainofsomematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sparticularprovincie
provincetodecideinallcasesofschandaal
scandal.Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohispresence,where,
ontdekte
discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,andinthemostaffectingmanier
mannerimploredhisforgiveness;atthesametime
vertegenwoordigde
representingthedangerthatthreatenednotonlyherlife,butthatofhisownkleinkind
grandchild,whichwasabouttoseethelight.Hetoldherhewassorrythattheindiscretionofherandhissonhadcompelledhimtomakea
gelofte
vow,whichputitoutofhispowertogivethemanyhulp
assistance;thathehadalreadyimpartedhisthoughtsonthatsubjecttoherhusband,andwassurprisedthattheyshould
verstoren
disturbhispeacewithanyfartherimportunity.Thissaid,he
pensioen
retired.Theviolenceofmymother’safflictionhadsuchaneffectonher
constitutie
constitutionthatshewasimmediatelyseizedwiththepainsofchildbed;andhadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewasverydear,affordedherpityand
hulp
assistance,atthehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,sheandtheinnocentfruitofherbaarmoeder
wombmusthavefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigourandinhumanity.Bythefriendshipofthispoorwomanshewascarrieduptoagarret,andimmediatelydeliveredofamanchild,thestoryofwhose
ongelukkige
unfortunatebirthhehimselfnowrelates.Myfather,beinginformedofwhathadhappened,flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,andwhileheloadedhis
nakomelingen
offspringwithpaternalembraces,couldnotforbearsheddingavloed
floodoftearsonbeholdingthedearpartnerofhisheart(forwhosegemak
easehewouldhavesacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretcheduponaflockbed,inamiserableapartment,unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesoftheweather.Itisnottobesupposedthattheoldgentlemanwas
onwetend
ignorantofwhatpassed,thoughheaffectedtoknownothingofthematter,andpretendedtobeverymuchsurprised,whenoneofhiskleinkinderen
grandchildren,byhiseldestsondeceased,wholivedwithhimashiserfgenaam
heirapparent,acquaintedhimwiththeaffair;hedeterminedthereforeto
observeren
observenomedium,butimmediately(onthethirddayafterherdelivery)sentheraperemptoryordertobegone,andturnedoffthedienaar
servantwhohadpreservedherlife.Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmyfatherthathehadrecoursetothemost
vreselijke
dreadfulimprecations;andonhis
blote
barekneesimploredthatHeavenwouldrenouncehimifeverheshouldforgetorforgivethebarbarityofhissire.Theinjurieswhichthisunhappymotherreceivedfromher
verwijdering
removalinsuchcircumstances,andthewantofnecessarieswhereshelodged,togetherwithherverdriet
griefandanxietyofmind,soonthrewherintoalanguishingstoornis
disorder,whichputanendtoherlife.Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wassoaffectedwithherdeaththatheremainedsixweeksdeprivedofhissenses;
duringwhichtime,thepeoplewherehelodgedcarriedtheinfanttotheoldmanwhorelentedsofar,onhearingthe
melancholische
melancholystoryofhisdaughter-in-law’sdeath,andthedeplorableconditionofhisson,astosendthechildtonurse,andheorderedmyfathertobecarriedhometohishouse,wherehesoonrecoveredtheuseofhisreason.Whetherthishardheartedjudgefeltany
berouw
remorseforhiscrueltreatmentofhissonanddaughter,or(whichismoreprobable)wasafraidhischaracterwouldsufferinthebuurt
neighbourhood,heprofessedgreatsorrowforhisgedrag
conducttomyfather,whosedeliriumwassucceededbyaprofoundmelancholie
melancholyandreserve.Atlengthhedisappeared,and,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,couldnotbeheardof;
a
omstandigheid
circumstancewhichconfirmedmostpeopleintheopinionofhishavingmadeawaywithhimselfinafitofwanhoop
despair.CHAPTERII
Igrowup—amhatedbymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—IformCabalsagainstthePedant—amdebarredAccesstomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—I
sloop
demolishtheTeethofhisTutor.Therewerenotwantingsomewhosuspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’sfate,onthesuppositionthattheywouldallshareinthepatrimonydestinedforhim;
andthisconjecturewas
versterkt
strengthenedbyreflectingthatinallhiscalamitiestheyneverontdekten
discoveredtheleastinclinationtoservehim;but,onthe
integendeel
contrary,byalltheartificesintheirpower,fedhiswrok
resentmentandsupportedhisresolutionofleavinghimtoellende
miseryandwant.Butpeopleof
oordeel
judgmenttreatedthisinsinuationasanidlechimera;because,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedasto
raadplegen
consulttheirinterestbycommittingsuchanatrociouscrime,thefateofmyfatherwouldhaveextendedtometoowhoselifewasanotherobstakel
obstacletotheirexpectation.Meanwhile,Igrewapace,andasI
sterk
stronglyresembledmyfather,whowasthedarlingofthetenants,Iwantednothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstancescouldafford:buttheirfavourwasaweak
bron
resourceagainstthejealousenmityofmycousins;whothemoremyinfancypromised,
bedacht
conceivedthemoreimplacablehatredagainstme:andbeforeIwassixyearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmygrandfatherthatIneversawhimbutbystealth,whenIsometimesmadeuptohischairashesattoviewhislabourersinthefield:
onwhich
gelegenheid
occasionhewouldstrokemyhead,bidmebeagoodboy,andpromisetotakecareofme.Iwassoonaftersenttoschoolatavillagehardby,ofwhichhehadbeen
dictator
dictatortimeoutofmind;butasheneverpaidformyboard,norsuppliedmewithclothes,books,andothernecessariesIrequired,myconditionwasveryraggedandcontemptible,andtheschoolmaster,who,throughfearofmygrandfather,taughtmegratis,gavehimselfnoconcernabouttheprogressImadeunderhis
instructie
instruction.Inspiteofallthesedifficultiesanddisgraces,IbecameagoodproficientintheLatintongue;
and,assoonasIcouldwritetolerably,pesteredmygrandfatherwithletterstosuchadegreethathesentformymaster,andchidhimseverelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmyeducation,tellinghimthat,ifeverIshouldbebroughttothe
galg
gallowsforforgery,whichhehadtaughtmetocommit,mybloodwouldlieonhishead.Thepedant,who
vreesde
dreadednothingmorethanthedispleasureofhisbeschermheer
patron,assuredhishonourthattheboy’sabilitywasmoreowingtohisowngeniusandtoepassing
applicationthantoanyinstructionoraanmoediging
encouragementhereceived;that,althoughhecouldnotdivesthimoftheknowledgehehadalreadyimbibed,unlesshewouldempowerhimto
schakelen
disablehisfingers,heshouldendeavour,withGod’shelp,tovoorkomen
preventhisfutureimprovement.And,indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehad
ondernomen
undertaken;for,onpretencethatIhadwrittenimpertinentletterstomygrandfather,hecausedaboardtobemadewithfiveholesinit,throughwhichhethrustthefingersandthumbofmyrighthand,andfasteneditbywhipcordtomy
pols
wrist,insuchamanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuseofmypen.ButthisrestraintIwasfreedfrominafewdays,byanaccidentwhichhappenedina
ruzie
quarrelbetweenmeandanotherboy;who,takinguponhimtoinsultmypoverty,IwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthatwithonestrokewithmymachineIcuthimtothe
schedel
skull,tothegreatterrorofmyselfandschoolfellows,wholefthimbleedingontheground,andrantoinformthemasterofwhathadhappened.Iwassoseverely
gestraft
punishedforthistrespassthat,wereItolivetotheageofMethusalem,theindruk
impressionitmadeonmewouldnotbeeffaced;themorethantheantipathyand
afschuw
horrorIconceivedforthemeedogenloze
mercilesstyrantwhoinflictedit.The
minachting
contemptwhichmyappearancenaturallyveroorzaakte
producedinallwhosawme,thecontinualwantstowhichIwasexposed,andmyownhaughtydisposition,ongeduldig
impatientofaffronts,involvedmeinathousandtroublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredinadversity,andemboldenedtoundertakingsfarabovemyyears.IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnotcommit,because,havingthecharacterofavagabondinthevillage,everypieceof
kwaad
mischief,whoseauthorlayunknown,waschargeduponme.IhavebeenfoundguiltyofrobbingorchardsIneverentered,ofkillingcatsIneverhunted,ofstealinggingerbreadInevertouched,andofabusingoldwomenIneversaw.
Nay,astammering
timmerman
carpenterhadeloquenceenoughtoovertuigen
persuademymasterthatIfiredapistolloadedwithsmallshotintohiswindow;thoughmylandladyandthewholefamilyborewitnessthatIwasabedfastasleepatthetimewhenthis
schandaal
outragewascommitted.Iwasoncefloggedforhavingnarrowlyescapeddrowning,bythe
zinken
sinkingofaferryboatinwhichIwaspassagier
passenger.Anothertime,forhaving
gekregen
recoveredofabruiseoccasionedbyahorseandwagen
cartrunningoverme.Athirdtime,forbeingbittenbyabaker’sdog.
Inshort,whetherIwasguiltyorunfortunate,the
correctie
correctionandsympathyofthiswillekeurige
arbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.Farfrombeingsubduedbythis
informele
informalusage,myindignationtriumphedoverthatslavishontzag
awewhichhadhithertoenforcedmygehoorzaamheid
obedience;andthemoremyyearsandknowledgeincreased,themoreIperceivedthe
onrechtvaardigheid
injusticeandbarbarityofhisbehaviour.Bythehelpofan
ongewoon
uncommongenius,andtheadviceanddirectionofourusher
usher,whohadservedmyfatherinhistravels,Imadeasurprisingprogressintheclassics,writing,andarithmetic;sothat,beforeIwastwelveyearsold,Iwasallowedbyeverybodytobethebest
geleerde
scholarintheschool.Thisqualification,togetherwiththeboldnessof
temperament
temperandstrengthofmakewhichhadsubjectedalmostallmycontemporaries,gavemesuchinfluenceoverthemthatIbegantoformcabalsagainstmypersecutor;andwasinhopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceinaveryshorttime.
Beingattheheadofa
factie
faction,consistingofthirtyboys,mostofthemofmyownage,Iwasvastbesloten
determinedtoputtheirmettletotrial,thatImightknowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,beforeIputmygrandschemeinuitvoering
execution:withthisview,weattackedabodyofstoutapprentices,whohadtaken
bezit
possessionofapartofthegroundallottedtousfortheschemeofourdiversions,andwhowerethenplayingatninepinsonthespot;butIhadthemortificationtoseemyadherentsroutedinaninstant,andalegofoneofthembrokeinhisflightbythebowl,whichoneofouradversarieshaddetachedin
achtervolging
pursuitofus.Thisdiscomfituredidnothinderusfrom
betrekken
engagingthemafterwardsinfrequentskirmishes,whichweonderhielden
maintainedbythrowingstonesatadistance,whereinIreceivedmanywounds,thescarsofwhichstillremain.Ourenemiesweresoharassedand
onderbroken
interruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlastabandonedtheirverovering
conquest,andleftustothepeaceablegenieten
enjoymentofourownterritories.Itwouldbe
eindeloos
endlesstoenumeratetheexploitsweperformedinthecourseofthisconfederacy,whichbecametheterreur
terrorofthewholevillage;insomuchthat,whendifferentinterests
verdeelde
dividedit,oneofthepartiescommonlycourtedthehulp
assistanceofRoderickRandom(bywhichnameIwasknown)tocastthebalance,andkeeptheoppositefactie
factioninawe.Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageofeveryplay-daytopresentmyselfbeforemygrandfather,towhomI
zelden
seldomfoundaccess,byreasonofhisbeingnauw
closelybesiegedbyanumerousfamilyofhisfemalekleinkinderen
grandchildren,who,thoughtheyperpetuallyquarrelledamongthemselves,neverfailedtojoinagainstme,asthecommonenemyofall.His
erfgenaam
heir,whowasabouttheageofeighteen,mindednothingbutfox-hunting,andindeedwasgekwalificeerd
qualifiedfornothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’stoegeeflijkheid
indulgenceinentertainingatutorforhimathome;whoatthesametimeperformedtheofficeofparishclerk.
ThisyoungActaeon,who
geërfd
inheritedhisgrandfather’santipathytoeverythingindistress,neversateyesonmewithoutuncouplinghisbeagles,andhuntingmeintosomehuisje
cottageorother,whitherIalgemeen
generallyfledforshelter.InthisChristian
vermaak
amusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,nodoubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimselfwiththerisingsun,observing,thattheoldgentleman,accordingtothecourseofnature,hadnotlongtolive,forhewasalreadyontherand
vergeoffourscore.CHAPTERIII
MyMother’sBrotherarrives—relievesme—a
Beschrijving
Descriptionofhim—hegoesalongwithmetotheHouseofmyGrandfather—isencounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsthem,afterabloodyEngagement—isadmittedtotheoldGentleman—aDialoog
Dialoguebetweenthem.Aboutthistimemymother’sonlybrother,whohadbeenlong
buitenland
abroad,lieutenantofaman-of-war,arrivedinhisowncountry;wherebeinginformedofmycondition,hecametoseeme,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnotonlysuppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIwantedforthepresent,butresolvednottoleavethecountryuntilhehadprevailedonmygrandfathertosettlesomethinghandsomeforthefuture.
Thiswasatasktowhichhewasbynomeans
gelijk
equal,beingentirelyignorant,notonlyofthejudge’sgezindheid
disposition,butalsoofthewaysofmeningeneral,towhichhiseducationonboardhadkepthimanutterstranger.Hewasastrongbuiltman,somewhatbandylegged,withanecklikethatofabull,andafacewhich(youmighteasilyperceive)had
weerstaan
withstoodthemostobstinateassaultsoftheweather.Hisdressconsistedofasoldier’scoat
gewijzigd
alteredforhimbytheship’skleermaker
tailor,astripedflanneljacket,apairofredbreechesspannedwithpitch,cleangrayworstedstockings,largesilverbucklesthatcoveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-lacedhat,whosekroon
crownoverlookedthebrimsaboutancentimeter
inchandahalf,blackbobwigingesp
buckle,acheckshirt,azijden
silkhandkerchief,ahanger,withabrasshandle,girdedtohisdij
thighbyafurnishedlacebelt,andagoodoakplantunderhisarm.Thusequipped,hesetoutwithme(whobyhisbountymadeaverydecent
verschijning
appearance)formygrandfather’shouse,wherewewerebegroet
salutedbyJowlerandCaesar,whommycousin,youngmaster,hadletlooseatourapproach.Beingwellacquaintedwiththeinveteracyofthesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomy
hielen
heels,whenmyuncleseizedmewithonehand,brandishedhiscudgelwiththeother,andatoneblowlaidCaesar
Caesarsprawlingontheground;but,findinghimselfattackedatthesametimeinthe
achterzijde
rearbyJowler,andfearingCaesar
Caesarmightrecover,hedrewhishanger,wheeledabout,andbyaluckystrokeseveredJowler’sheadfromhisbody.Bythistime,theyoungfoxhunterandthreeservants,armedwithpitchforksandflails,werecometotheassistanceofthedogs,whomtheyfound
ademloos
breathlessuponthefield;andmycousinwasso
geprovoceerd
provokedatthedeathofhisfavourites,thatheorderedhisattendantstoadvance,andtakewraak
vengeanceontheirexecutioner,whomheloadedwithallthecursesandreproacheshisangercouldsuggest.Uponwhichmyunclesteppedforwardswithanundauntedair,atthesightofwhosebloodyweaponshisantagonistsfellbackwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheirleaderthus:.
“Lookee,brother,yourdogshavingboardedmewithout
provocatie
provocation,whatIdidwasinmyownverdediging
defence.Soyouhadbestbecivil,andletusshootahead,clearofyou.”
Whethertheyoung
schildknaap
squiremisinterpretedmyuncle’sdesireofpeace,orwasenragedatthefateofhishoundsbeyondhisusualpitchofresolutie
resolution,Iknownot;buthesnatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,andcameupwithashowofassaultingthelieutenant,who,puttinghimselfina
houding
postureofdefence,proceededthus:“Lookee,youlubberlysonofaw—e,ifyoucomeathwartme,’wareyourgingerbreadwork.
I’llbefoulofyourquarter,d—nme.”
This
verklaring
declaration,followedbyaflourishofhishanger,seemedtochecktheprogressoftheyounggentleman’scholer,who,lookingbehindhim,perceivedhisattendantshadslunkintothehouse,shutthegate,andlefthimtodecidethecontentionbyhimself.Hereaparleyensued,whichwasintroducedbymycousin’sasking,“Whothedevilareyou?
Whatdoyouwant?
Some
schurk
scoundrelofaseaman,Isuppose,whohasdesertedandturnedthief.Butdon’tthinkyoushallescape,sirrah—I’llhaveyouhang’d,youdog,Iwill.
Yourbloodshallpayforthatofmytwohounds,youragamuffin.
Iwouldnothavepartedwiththemtosaveyourwholegenerationfromthe
galg
gallows,youruffian,you!”“Noneofyour
kaak
jaw,youswab—noneofyourjaw,”antwoordde
repliedmyuncle,“elseIshalltrimyourlacedjacketforyou.Ishall
wrijven
rubyoudownwithanoakenhanddoek
towel,myboy,Ishall.”Sosaying,hesheathedhishanger,and
greep
graspedhiscudgel.