THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE
Of
toutes
allkindsofsatire,thereisnonesoentertaininget
anduniversallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwereoccasionally,inthecours
courseofaninterestingstory,whichbringschaque
everyincidenthometolife,et
andbyrepresentingfamiliarscenesinanuncommonet
andamusingpointofview,investsthemwithtoutes
allthegracesofnovelty,whilenatureisappealedtoinchaque
everyparticular.Thereadergratifieshiscuriosityinpursuingtheadventuresofa
personne
personinwhosefavourheisprepossessed;heespouseshis
cause
cause,hesympathiseswithhiminhisdistress,hisindignationisheatedcontre
againsttheauthorsofhiscalamity:les
thehumanepassionsareinflamed;thecontrast
entre
betweendejectedvirtueandinsultingviceappearsavec
withgreateraggravation,andeveryimpressionayant
havingadoubleforceontheimagination,thememoryretainsthecircumstance,et
andtheheartimprovesbytheexample.La
Theattentionisnottiredwithun
abarecatalogueofcharacters,mais
butagreeablydivertedwithallla
thevarietyofinvention;andthevicissitudesof
vie
lifeappearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,ouvrant
openinganamplefieldforwitet
andhumour.Romance,nodoubt,owesitsorigintoignorance,vanity,
et
andsuperstition.Inthedarkagesof
les
theWorld,whenamanhadrenderedhimselffamousforwisdomou
orvalour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,et
andrepresentedhischaracterandpersonne
personassacredandsupernatural.Thevulgareasilyswallowedthebait,imploredhisprotection,
et
andyieldedthetributeofhomageet
andpraise,eventoadoration;hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposterity
avec
withathousandexaggerations;theywererepeatedasincitementstovirtue;
divinehonourswerepaid,
et
andaltarserectedtohismemory,fortheencouragementofceux
thosewhoattemptedtoimitatehisexample;et
andhencearosetheheathenmythology,qui
whichisnootherthanacollectionofextravagantromances.Aslearningadvanced,
et
andgeniusreceivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedwiththegracesofpoetry,thattheypuissent
mightthebetterrecommendthemselvestotheattention;theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,for
la
theinstructionanddelightofla
theaudience;andrehearsedbeforebattle,asincentivestodeedsofglory.
Thustragedy
et
andtheepicmusewereborn,et
and,intheprogressoftaste,arrivedatperfection.Itis
pas
nowonderthattheancientspu
couldnotrelishafableinprose,après
aftertheyhadseensomanyremarkableeventscelebratedinversebytheirbestpoets;wetherefore
trouvons
findnoromanceamongthemduringla
theeraoftheirexcellence,unlessla
theCyropædiaofXenophonmaybesocalled;et
anditwasnottillartset
andsciencesbegantoreviveaprès
aftertheirruptionofthebarbariansintoEurope,que
thatanythingofthiskindappeared.Mais
Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttotheplus
mostabsurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromancearose,et
andlosingsightofprobability,filledtheirperformanceswiththeplus
mostmonstroushyperboles.Ifthey
pouvaient
couldnotequaltheancientpoetsinpoint
pointofgeniustheywereresolvedtoexceltheminfiction,et
andapplytothewonder,ratherthanthejudgment,oftheirreaders.Accordingly,they
apporté
broughtnecromancytotheiraid,et
andinsteadofsupportingthecharacteroftheirheroesbydignityofsentimentet
andpractice,distinguishedthembytheirbodilystrength,activity,et
andextravaganceofbehaviour.Although
rien
nothingcouldbemoreludicrouset
andunnaturalthanthefigurestheydrew,theydidnotvoulaient
wantpatronsandadmirers;andthe
monde
worldactuallybegantobeinfectedwiththespiritofknight-errantry,quand
whenCervantes,byaninimitablepieceofridicule,reformedthetasteofmankind,representingchivalryinthebon
rightpointofview,andconvertingromancetopurposesbeaucoup
farmoreusefulandentertaining,bymakingitassumethesock,et
andpointoutthefolliesofordinaryvie
life.ThesamemethodhasbeenpractisedbyotherSpanish
et
andFrenchauthors,andbynoneplus
moresuccessfullythanbyMonsieurLeSage,qui
who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,hasdescribedtheknaveryet
andfoiblesoflife,withinfinitehumouret
andsagacity.ThefollowingsheetsIhavemodelledonhis
plan
plan,takingmeliberty,however,todifferfromhimintheexecution,où
whereIthoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,extravagant,ou
orpeculiartothecountryinwhichthesceneislaid.ThedisgracesofGilBlas
sont
are,forthemostpart,suchasratherexcitemirththancompassion;hehimselflaughsatthem;
et
andhistransitionsfromdistresstohappiness,ou
oratleastease,aresosudden,que
thatneitherthereaderhastemps
timetopityhim,norhimselftobeacquaintedavec
withaffliction.Thisconduct,inmyopinion,notonlydeviatesfromprobability,
mais
butpreventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatethereadercontre
againstthesordidandviciousdispositionofthemonde
world.Ihaveattemptedtorepresentmodestmeritstrugglingwitheverydifficultytowhich
un
afriendlessorphanisexposed,fromhispropre
ownwantofexperience,aswellasfromtheselfishness,envy,malice,et
andbaseindifferenceofmankind.Tosecure
une
afavourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhimtheadvantagesofbirthet
andeducation,whichintheseriesofhismisfortuneswill,Ihope,engagetheingenuousplus
morewarmlyinhisbehalf;et
andthoughIforesee,thatcertaines
somepeoplewillbeoffendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheisinvolved,Ipersuademyselfque
thatthejudiciouswillnotonlyperceivethenecessityofdescribingces
thosesituationstowhichhedoit
mustofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,mais
butalsofindentertainmentinviewingces
thosepartsoflife,wherethehumourset
andpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,ceremony,ou
oreducation;andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesofdispositionappearasnaturehasimplantedthem.
Mais
ButIbelieveIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatingapracticeauthorizedbyles
thebestwritersinthisfaçon
way,someofwhomIhavedéjà
alreadynamed.Everyintelligentreaderwill,at
première
firstsight,perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,qui
whicharealltrueinthemain,althoughthecircumstancesarealteredet
anddisguised,toavoidpersonalsatire.It
maintenant
nowremainstogivemyreasonsforfaire
makingthechiefpersonageofcette
thisworkaNorthBriton,qui
whicharechieflythese:Icould,at
une
asmallexpense,bestowonhimsucheducationasIpensais
thoughtthedignityofhisbirthet
andcharacterrequired,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysuchslendermeansasthenatureofmyplan
planwouldafford.Inthenext
lieu
place,Icouldrepresentsimplicityofmannersinune
aremotepartofthekingdom,avec
withmoreproprietythaninanylieu
placenearthecapital;andlastly,
la
thedispositionoftheScots,addictedtotravelling,justifiesmyconductinderivingun
anadventurerfromthatcountry.APOLOGUE
A
jeune
youngpainter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,sketchedasorte
kindofconversationpiece,representingabear,anowl,amonkey,et
andanass;andtorenderit
plus
morestriking,humorous,andmoral,distinguishedchaque
everyfigurebysomeemblemofhumanvie
life.Bruinwasexhibitedinthegarb
et
andattitudeofanold,toothless,drunkensoldier;theowlpercheduponthehandleof
un
acoffee-pot,withspectacleonnose,seemedtocontemplateun
anewspaper;andtheass,ornamented
avec
withahugetie-wig(which,however,pouvait
couldnotconcealhislongears),satforhispicturetoles
themonkey,whoappearedwithles
theimplementsofpainting.Thiswhimsicalgroupafforded
une certaine
somemirth,andmetwithgeneralapprobation,jusqu'à
untilsomemischievouswaghintedque
thatthewhole—wasalampoonuponles
thefriendsoftheperformer;une
aninsinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedthances
thoseverypeoplewhoapplaudeditavant
beforebegantobealarmed,et
andeventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.Amongothers,
un
aworthypersonageinyears,whohadservedinthearmyavec
withreputation,beingincensedatthesupposedoutrage,repairedtothelodgingofthepainter,et
andfindinghimathome,“Harkye,Mr.Monkey,”dit
saidhe,“Ihaveagoodesprit
mindtoconvinceyou,thatsi
thoughthebearhaslosthisteeth,heretainshispaws,et
andthatheisnotsodrunkmais
buthecanperceiveyourimpertinence.”“Sblood!
monsieur
sir,thattoothlessjawisune
ad—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyouimaginemesochopfallenasnottobecapable
abletochewthecudofresentment.”Ici
Herehewasinterruptedbythearrivalofalearnedphysician,qui
who,advancingtotheculpritavec
withfuryinhisaspect,exclaimed,“Supposetheaugmentationoftheass’searsshouldprovethediminutionofthebaboon’s—nay,seeknottoprevaricate,for,bythebeardofAesculapius!il
thereisnotonehairincette
thisperiwigthatwillnotstandupinjudgmenttoconvicttheeofpersonalabuse.Ne
Dobutobserve,captain,howce
thispitifullittlefellowhascopiedtheverycurls—thecolour,indeed,isdifferent,mais
butthentheformandforetoparetout à fait
quitesimilar.”Whilehethusremonstratedinastrainofvociferation,avenerablesenatorentered,
et
andwaddlinguptothedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”criedhe,“I
vais
willnowlettheeseeIpeux
canreadsomethingelsethananewspaper,et
andthatwithoutthehelpofspectacles:voici
hereisyourownnoteofmain
hand,sirrah,formoney,whichsi
ifIhadnotadvanced,youyourselfwouldhaveresembledun
anowl,innotdaringtomontrer
showyourfacebyday,youungratefulslanderousknave!”Invain
le
theastonishedpainterdeclaredthathehadpas
nointentiontogiveoffence,ou
ortocharacteriseparticularpersons:theyaffirmed
la
theresemblancewastoopalpabletobeoverlooked;theytaxedhimwithinsolence,malice,
et
andingratitude;andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardby
le
thepublic,thecaptainwasabear,le
thedoctoranass,andle
thesenatoranowl,tohisdyingjour
day.Christianreader,Ibeseechthee,in
les
thebowelsoftheLord,remembercet
thisexample“whilethouartemployedinles
theperusalofthefollowingsheets;et
andseeknottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhichequallybelongstocinq
fivehundreddifferentpeople.Ifthoushouldst
rencontrer
meetwithacharacterthatreflectstheeinsomeungraciousparticular,garde
keepthyowncounsel;CHAPTERI
OfmyBirth
et
andParentage.Iwasbornin
la
thenorthernpartofthisunitedkingdom,inla
thehouseofmygrandfather,un
agentlemanofconsiderablefortuneet
andinfluence,whohadonmanyoccasionssignalisedhimselfinbehalfofhispays
country;andwasremarkableforhisabilitiesinthelaw,
qui
whichheexercisedwithgreatsuccessinthestationofune
ajudge,particularlyagainstbeggars,forwhomhehadune
asingularaversion.Myfather(hisyoungestson)
tombant
fallinginlovewithapauvre
poorrelation,wholivedwithle
theoldgentlemaninqualityofahousekeeper,espousedherprivately;et
andIwasthefirstfruitofthatmarriage.Duringherpregnancy,
un
adreamdiscomposedmymothersomuchque
thatherhusband,tiredwithherimportunity,atlastconsultedun
ahighlandseer,whosefavourableinterpretationhewouldhavesecuredbeforehandbyun
abribe,butfoundhimincorruptible.She
rêvé
dreamedshewasdeliveredofatennis-ball,whichle
thedevil(who,tohergreatsurprise,actedle
thepartofamidwife)strucksoforciblyavec
witharacketthatitdisappearedinaninstant;et
andshewasforsometemps
timeinconsolableforthelostofheroffspring;quand
when,allonasudden,shebehelditrevenir
returnwithequalviolence,andentertheterre
earth,beneathherfeet,whenceimmediatelysprangupun
agoodlytreecoveredwithblossoms,thescentofdont
whichoperatedsostronglyonhernervesthatsheawoke.Le
Theattentivesage,aftersomedeliberation,assuredmyparents,que
thattheirfirstbornwouldbeun
agreattraveller;thathewouldundergo
nombreux
manydangersanddifficulties,andatlastretournerait
returntohisnativeland,où
wherehewouldflourishinhappinesset
andreputation.Howtrulythiswasforetoldwillappearin
la
thesequel.Itwasnotlong
avant
beforesomeofficiouspersoninformedmygrandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassedentre
betweenhissonandhousekeeperwhichalarmedhimsomuchthat,afewdaysafter,hedit
toldmyfatheritwashightimeforhimtopenser
thinkofsettling;andthathehadprovided
un
amatchforhim,towhichhepourrait
couldinjusticehavenoobjections.My
père
father,findingitwouldbeimpossibletoconcealhissituationbeaucoup
muchlonger,franklyownedwhathehadfait
done;andexcusedhimselffornothaving
demandé
askedtheconsentofhispère
father,bysaying,heknewitété
wouldhavebeentonopurpose;et
andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,mygrandfathermighthaveprendre
takensuchmeasuresaswouldhaveeffectuallymis
putthegratificationofithors
outofhispower:headded,
qui
thatnoexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’svirtue,birth,beauty,et
andgoodsense,andasforfortune,itwasbeneathhissoins
care.Theoldgentleman,who
gardait
keptallhispassions,exceptone,inexcellentordre
order,heardhimtoanfin
endwithgreattemper,andthencalmlydemanda
asked,howheproposedtomaintainhimselfet
andspouse?Hereplied,he
pouvait
couldbeinnodangerofvouloir
wantingwhilehisfather’stendernessremained,whichheet
andhiswifeshouldalwayscultivateavec
withtheutmostveneration;andhewaspersuadedhisallowancewouldbesuitableto
la
thedignityandcircumstancesofhisfamille
family,andtotheprovisiondéjà
alreadymadeforhisbrotherset
andsisters,whowerehappilysettledsous
underhisprotection.“Yourbrothers
et
andsisters,”saidmygrandfather,“didnotpensaient
thinkitbeneaththemtoconsultmeinune
anaffairofsuchimportanceasmatrimony;neither,Isuppose,wouldyouhaveomitted
que
thatpieceofduty,hadyounotsomesecretfundinreserve;to
le
thecomfortsofwhichIlaisse
leaveyou,withadesireque
thatyouwillthisnightseekoutautre
anotherhabitationforyourselfandfemme
wife,whither,inashorttemps
time,Iwillsendyouanaccountofle
theexpenseIhavebeenatinyoureducation,avec
withaviewofbeingreimbursed.Monsieur
Sir,youhavemadethegrandtour—youareun
apolitegentleman—averyprettygentleman—Isouhaite
wishyouagreatdealofjoy,et
andamyourveryhumbleservant.”So
disant
saying,heleftmyfatherinune
asituationeasilyimagined.However,hedidnot
longtemps
longhesitate;for,beingperfectlywellacquainted
avec
withhisfather’sdisposition,hedidnotdoubtthathewasgladofce
thispretencetogetridoflui
him;andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedes
et
andPersians,heknewitétant
wouldbetonopurposetoattempthimbyprayerset
andentreaties;sowithoutanyfartherapplication,hebetookhimself,
avec
withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoafarm-house,où
whereanoldservantofhismère
motherdwelt:theretheyremainedsome
temps
timeinasituationbutilladaptedtola
theeleganceoftheirdesireset
andtendernessoftheirlove;whichneverthelessmy
père
fatherchosetoendure,ratherthansupplicateun
anunnaturalandinflexibleparentmais
butmymother,foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshedû
musthavebeenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredincet
thisplace(andherpregnancywastrès
veryfaradvanced),withoutcommunicatingherdesigntohermari
husband,wentindisguisetothemaison
houseofmygrandfather,hopingthathertearset
andconditionwouldmovehimtocompassion,et
andreconcilehimtoaneventwhichwasmaintenant
nowirrecoverablypast.Shefoundmeanstodeceivetheservants,
et
andgetintroducedasanunfortunatedame
lady,whowantedtocomplainofquelques
somematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sparticularprovincetodecideintous
allcasesofscandal.Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohispresence,
où
where,discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,et
andinthemostaffectingmannerimploredhisforgiveness;atthe
même
sametimerepresentingthedangerthatthreatenednotonlyhervie
life,butthatofhispropre
owngrandchild,whichwasabouttovoir
seethelight.Hetoldherhewas
désolé
sorrythattheindiscretionofheret
andhissonhadcompelledhimtofaire
makeavow,whichputithors
outofhispowertodonner
givethemanyassistance;thathe
devraient
hadalreadyimpartedhisthoughtsonthatsubjecttohermari
husband,andwassurprisedthattheydevraient
shoulddisturbhispeacewithtoute
anyfartherimportunity.Thissaid,heretired.
Theviolenceofmymother’saffliction
eu
hadsuchaneffectonherconstitutionthatshewasimmediatelyseizedwiththepainsofchildbed;et
andhadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewastrès
verydear,affordedherpityet
andassistance,atthehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,sheet
andtheinnocentfruitofherwombdû
musthavefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigouret
andinhumanity.Bythefriendshipof
cette
thispoorwomanshewascarrieduptoun
agarret,andimmediatelydeliveredofun
amanchild,thestoryofwhoseunfortunatebirthhehimselfnowrelates.My
père
father,beinginformedofwhathadpassé
happened,flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,et
andwhileheloadedhisoffspringwithpaternalembraces,put
couldnotforbearsheddingafloodoftearsonbeholdingthechère
dearpartnerofhisheart(forwhoseeasehewouldhavesacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretcheduponun
aflockbed,inamiserableapartment,unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesoftheweather.Itisnottobesupposedthattheoldgentlemanwasignorantofwhatpassed,thoughheaffectedtoknow
rien
nothingofthematter,andpretendedtobetrès
verymuchsurprised,whenoneofhisgrandchildren,byhiseldestfils
sondeceased,wholivedwithhimashisheirapparent,acquaintedhimavec
withtheaffair;hedeterminedthereforetoobserve
aucun
nomedium,butimmediately(onle
thethirddayafterherdelivery)envoya
sentheraperemptoryordertobealler
gone,andturnedofftheservantqui
whohadpreservedherlife.Ce
Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmypère
fatherthathehadrecoursetotheplus
mostdreadfulimprecations;andonhisbarekneesimplored
que
thatHeavenwouldrenouncehimifeverheshouldoubliait
forgetorforgivethebarbarityofhissire.Theinjuries
qui
whichthisunhappymotherreceivedfromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,et
andthewantofnecessariesoù
whereshelodged,togetherwithhergriefet
andanxietyofmind,soonthrewherintoalanguishingdisorder,qui
whichputanendtohervie
life.Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wassoaffectedwithher
mort
deaththatheremainedsixweeksdeprivedofhissenses;duringwhich
temps
time,thepeoplewherehelodgedcarriedtheinfanttotheoldhomme
manwhorelentedsofar,onentendant
hearingthemelancholystoryofhisdaughter-in-law’smort
death,andthedeplorableconditionofhisfils
son,astosendthechildtonurse,et
andheorderedmyfathertobecarriedhometohislogeait
house,wherehesoonrecoveredtheuseofhisreason.Whether
ce
thishardheartedjudgefeltanyremorseforhiscrueltreatmentofhisfils
sonanddaughter,or(whichisplus
moreprobable)wasafraidhischaracterwouldsufferinle
theneighbourhood,heprofessedgreatsorrowforhisconducttomypère
father,whosedeliriumwassucceededbyaprofoundmelancholyet
andreserve.Atlengthhedisappeared,
et
and,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,pouvait
couldnotbeheardof;acircumstance
qui
whichconfirmedmostpeopleinla
theopinionofhishavingfait
madeawaywithhimselfinafitofdespair.CHAPTERII
Igrowup—am
haï
hatedbymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—IformCabalscontre
againstthePedant—amdebarredAccesstomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—IdemolishtheTeethofhisTutor.Il
Therewerenotwantingsomewhosuspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’sfate,onthesuppositionthattheywouldtous
allshareinthepatrimonydestinedforhim;et
andthisconjecturewasstrengthenedbyreflectingque
thatinallhiscalamitiestheyjamais
neverdiscoveredtheleastinclinationtoservehim;mais
but,onthecontrary,bytous
alltheartificesintheirpouvoir
power,fedhisresentmentandsupportedhisresolutionoflaisser
leavinghimtomiseryandwant.Mais
Butpeopleofjudgmenttreatedcette
thisinsinuationasanidlechimera;parce que
because,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedastoconsulttheirinterestbycommittingsuchun
anatrociouscrime,thefateofmypère
fatherwouldhaveextendedtomeaussi
toowhoselifewasanotherobstacletotheirexpectation.Meanwhile,Igrewapace,
et
andasIstronglyresembledmypère
father,whowasthedarlingofle
thetenants,Iwantednothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstancespouvaient
couldafford:buttheirfavourwas
une
aweakresourceagainstthejealousenmityofmycousins;qui
whothemoremyinfancypromised,conceivedtheplus
moreimplacablehatredagainstme:et
andbeforeIwassixyearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmygrandfatherthatIjamais
neversawhimbutbystealth,quand
whenIsometimesmadeuptohischairashesattoviewhislabourersinthefield:onwhichoccasionhewouldstrokemy
tête
head,bidmebeabon
goodboy,andpromisetoprendre
takecareofme.Iwassoonafter
envoyé
senttoschoolatavillagedifficile
hardby,ofwhichhehadbeendictatortemps
timeoutofmind;butashe
jamais
neverpaidformyboard,norsuppliedmewithclothes,books,et
andothernecessariesIrequired,myconditionwastrès
veryraggedandcontemptible,andtheschoolmaster,qui
who,throughfearofmygrandfather,taughtmegratis,gavehimselfpas
noconcernabouttheprogressIfaisais
madeunderhisinstruction.Inspiteof
toutes
allthesedifficultiesanddisgraces,Ibecameun
agoodproficientintheLatintongue;et
and,assoonasIcouldécrire
writetolerably,pesteredmygrandfatheravec
withletterstosuchadegreethatheenvoya
sentformymaster,andchidhimseverelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmyeducation,disant
tellinghimthat,ifeverIdevais
shouldbebroughttothegallowsforforgery,whichhehadtaughtmetocommit,mysang
bloodwouldlieonhistête
head.Thepedant,whodreaded
rien
nothingmorethanthedispleasureofhispatron,assuredhishonourthatle
theboy’sabilitywasmoreowingtohispropre
owngeniusandapplicationthantotoute
anyinstructionorencouragementhereceived;que
that,althoughhecouldnotdivesthimoftheknowledgehedevrait
hadalreadyimbibed,unlesshewouldempowerhimtodisablehisfingers,hedevrait
shouldendeavour,withGod’shelp,topreventhisfutureimprovement.Et
And,indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehadundertaken;for,onpretencethatIhad
écrit
writtenimpertinentletterstomygrandfather,hecausedaboardtobemadeavec
withfiveholesinit,throughlaquelle
whichhethrustthefingerset
andthumbofmyrightmain
hand,andfasteneditbywhipcordtomywrist,insuchamanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuseofmypen.Mais
ButthisrestraintIwasfreedfrominaquelques
fewdays,byanaccidentqui
whichhappenedinaquarrelentre
betweenmeandanotherboy;who,
prenant
takinguponhimtoinsultmypoverty,Iwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthatavec
withonestrokewithmymachineIcoupé
cuthimtotheskull,tothegreatterrorofmyselfet
andschoolfellows,wholefthimbleedingontheground,et
andrantoinformthemaître
masterofwhathadhappened.Iwassoseverelypunishedfor
cette
thistrespassthat,wereItovivre
livetotheageofMethusalem,theimpressionitmadeonmeété
wouldnotbeeffaced;the
plus
morethantheantipathyandhorrorIconceivedforle
themercilesstyrantwhoinflictedit.Thecontemptwhichmyappearancenaturallyproducedin
tous
allwhosawme,thecontinualwantstowhichIwasexposed,et
andmyownhaughtydisposition,impatientofaffronts,involvedmeinathousandtroublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredinadversity,et
andemboldenedtoundertakingsfarabovemyyears.IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnotcommit,
parce que
because,havingthecharacterofavagabondinle
thevillage,everypieceofmischief,whoseauthorlayunknown,waschargeduponmoi
me.IhavebeenfoundguiltyofrobbingorchardsI
jamais
neverentered,ofkillingcatsIjamais
neverhunted,ofstealinggingerbreadIjamais
nevertouched,andofabusingoldwomenIjamais
neversaw.Nay,astammeringcarpenterhadeloquenceenoughtopersuademy
maître
masterthatIfiredapistolloadedwithsmallshotintohiswindow;thoughmylandlady
et
andthewholefamilyborewitnessque
thatIwasabedfastasleepatla
thetimewhenthisoutragewascommitted.Iwasoncefloggedfor
avoir
havingnarrowlyescapeddrowning,bythesinkingofune
aferryboatinwhichIwaspassenger.Autre
Anothertime,forhavingrecoveredofabruiseoccasionedbyahorseet
andcartrunningoverme.Athird
fois
time,forbeingbittenbyabaker’schien
dog.Inshort,whetherIwasguilty
ou
orunfortunate,thecorrectionandsympathyofce
thisarbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.Loin
Farfrombeingsubduedbythisinformalusage,myindignationtriumphedoverthatslavishawewhichhadhithertoenforcedmyobedience;et
andthemoremyyearset
andknowledgeincreased,themoreIperceivedla
theinjusticeandbarbarityofhisbehaviour.Bythehelpofanuncommongenius,
et
andtheadviceanddirectionofourusher,qui
whohadservedmyfatherinhistravels,Ifait
madeasurprisingprogressintheclassics,writing,et
andarithmetic;sothat,beforeIwastwelveyearsold,Iwasallowedby
tout le monde
everybodytobethebestscholarinle
theschool.Thisqualification,togetherwith
la
theboldnessoftemperandstrengthofmakewhichhadsubjectedpresque
almostallmycontemporaries,gavemesuchinfluencesur
overthemthatIbegantoformcabalscontre
againstmypersecutor;andwasinhopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceina
très
veryshorttime.Beingat
la
theheadofafaction,consistingofthirtyboys,mostofthemofmyownage,Iwasdeterminedtomettre
puttheirmettletotrial,thatIpouvait
mightknowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,avant
beforeIputmygrandschemeinexecution:avec
withthisview,weattackedun
abodyofstoutapprentices,qui
whohadtakenpossessionofun
apartofthegroundallottedtousforle
theschemeofourdiversions,et
andwhowerethenplayingatninepinsonle
thespot;butIhadthemortificationto
voir
seemyadherentsroutedinaninstant,et
andalegofoneofthembrokeinhisflightbythebowl,whichoneofouradversarieseu
haddetachedinpursuitofnous
us.Thisdiscomfituredidnothinderusfromengagingthemafterwardsinfrequentskirmishes,
dont
whichwemaintainedbythrowingstonesatadistance,whereinIreceivedmanywounds,thescarsofdont
whichstillremain.Ourenemiesweresoharassed
et
andinterruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlastabandonedtheirconquest,et
andleftustothepeaceableenjoymentofourownterritories.Itwouldbeendlesstoenumeratetheexploitsweperformedinthe
cours
courseofthisconfederacy,whichdevenue
becametheterrorofthetout
wholevillage;insomuchthat,when
différents
differentinterestsdividedit,oneofthepartiescommonlycourtedtheassistanceofRoderickRandom(bywhichnameIwasknown)tocastthebalance,et
andkeeptheoppositefactioninawe.Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageofeveryplay-daytopresentmyselfbeforemygrandfather,towhomIseldomfoundaccess,byreasonofhisbeingcloselybesiegedby
une
anumerousfamilyofhisfemalegrandchildren,qui
who,thoughtheyperpetuallyquarrelledamongthemselves,jamais
neverfailedtojoinagainstme,asthecommonenemyofall.Hisheir,
qui
whowasabouttheageofeighteen,mindedrien
nothingbutfox-hunting,andindeedwasqualifiedforrien
nothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’sindulgenceinentertainingun
atutorforhimatmaison
home;whoatthesame
temps
timeperformedtheofficeofparishclerk.Ce
ThisyoungActaeon,whoinheritedhisgrandfather’santipathytotout
everythingindistress,neversateyesonmesans
withoutuncouplinghisbeagles,andhuntingmeintosomecottageou
orother,whitherIgenerallyfledforshelter.In
ce
thisChristianamusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,pas
nodoubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimselfavec
withtherisingsun,observing,thattheoldgentleman,accordingtothecours
courseofnature,hadnotlongtemps
longtolive,forhewasdéjà
alreadyonthevergeoffourscore.CHAPTERIII
MyMother’s
Frère
Brotherarrives—relievesme—aDescriptionofhim—hegoesalongwithmetotheMaison
HouseofmyGrandfather—isencounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsthem,après
afterabloodyEngagement—isadmittedtothevieux
oldGentleman—aDialoguebetweenthem.About
cette
thistimemymother’sonlyfrère
brother,whohadbeenlongabroad,lieutenantofaman-of-war,arrivedinhispropre
owncountry;wherebeinginformedofmycondition,he
vint
cametoseeme,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnotonlysuppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIvoulais
wantedforthepresent,butresolvednottoquitter
leavethecountryuntilhehadprevailedonmygrandfathertosettlequelque chose
somethinghandsomeforthefuture.Thiswasataskto
laquelle
whichhewasbynomeansequal,beingentirelyignorant,notonlyofla
thejudge’sdisposition,butalsoofla
thewaysofmeningeneral,tolaquelle
whichhiseducationonboardhadgardé
kepthimanutterstranger.Hewas
un
astrongbuiltman,somewhatbandylegged,avec
withanecklikethatofun
abull,andafacewhich(youpourriez
mighteasilyperceive)hadwithstoodtheplus
mostobstinateassaultsoftheweather.Hisdressconsistedofasoldier’scoatalteredforhimbytheship’stailor,astripedflanneljacket,apairofredbreechesspanned
avec
withpitch,cleangrayworstedstockings,largesilverbucklesqui
thatcoveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-lacedhat,whosecrownoverlookedthebrimsaboutaninchet
andahalf,blackbobwiginbuckle,acheckshirt,asilkhandkerchief,ahanger,avec
withabrasshandle,girdedtohisthighbyafurnishedlacebelt,et
andagoodoakplantsous
underhisarm.Thusequipped,hesetout
avec
withme(whobyhisbountyfit
madeaverydecentappearance)formygrandfather’smaison
house,whereweweresalutedbyJowleret
andCaesar,whommycousin,jeune
youngmaster,hadletlooseatourapproach.Being
bien
wellacquaintedwiththeinveteracyofces
thesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,quand
whenmyuncleseizedmeavec
withonehand,brandishedhiscudgelavec
withtheother,andatoneblowlaidCaesarsprawlingonle
theground;but,findinghimselfattackedat
la
thesametimeintherearbyJowler,et
andfearingCaesarmightrecover,hedrewhishanger,wheeledabout,et
andbyaluckystrokeseveredJowler’stête
headfromhisbody.By
ce
thistime,theyoungfoxhunteret
andthreeservants,armedwithpitchforkset
andflails,werecometole
theassistanceofthedogs,whomtheyfoundbreathlessuponle
thefield;andmycousinwassoprovokedatthe
mort
deathofhisfavourites,thatheorderedhisattendantstoadvance,et
andtakevengeanceontheirexecutioner,whomheloadedwithtoutes
allthecursesandreproacheshisangerpouvait
couldsuggest.Uponwhichmy
oncle
unclesteppedforwardswithanundauntedair
air,atthesightofwhosebloodyweaponshisantagoniststombés
fellbackwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheirleaderthus:.“Lookee,
frère
brother,yourdogshavingboardedmesans
withoutprovocation,whatIdidwasinmypropre
owndefence.Soyouhad
mieux
bestbecivil,andletustirer
shootahead,clearofyou.”Whether
le
theyoungsquiremisinterpretedmyuncle’sdesireofpeace,ou
orwasenragedatthefateofhishoundsbeyondhisusualpitchofresolution,Isais
knownot;buthesnatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,
et
andcameupwithaspectacle
showofassaultingthelieutenant,qui
who,puttinghimselfinapostureofdefence,proceededthus:“Lookee,youlubberly
fils
sonofaw—e,ifyouviens
comeathwartme,’wareyourgingerbreadtravail
work.I’llbefoulofyourquarter,d—nme.”
Cette
Thisdeclaration,followedbyaflourishofhishanger,seemedtocheckla
theprogressoftheyounggentleman’scholer,qui
who,lookingbehindhim,perceivedhisattendantshadslunkintola
thehouse,shutthegate,et
andlefthimtodecidela
thecontentionbyhimself.Here
une
aparleyensued,whichwasintroducedbymycousin’sdemandant
asking,“Whothedevilareyou?Whatdoyou
voulez
want?Somescoundrelofaseaman,Isuppose,
qui
whohasdesertedandturnedthief.Mais
Butdon’tthinkyoushallescape,sirrah—I’llhaveyouhang’d,youchien
dog,Iwill.Yourbloodshall
payera
payforthatofmydeux
twohounds,youragamuffin.Iwouldnothave
séparé
partedwiththemtosaveyourtoute
wholegenerationfromthegallows,youruffian,you!”“Noneofyourjaw,youswab—noneofyourjaw,”repliedmy
oncle
uncle,“elseIshalltrimyourlacedjacketforyou.Ishallrubyoudown
avec
withanoakentowel,mygarçon
boy,Ishall.”Sosaying,hesheathedhishanger,
et
andgraspedhiscudgel.