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The Adventures of Roderick Random | Progressive Translation Books for French A1 Students

The Adventures of Roderick Random | Progressive Translation Books for French A1 Students

Unlock the potential of this modern translation approach, designed to enhance your language learning experience. By allowing you to choose your difficulty level, it guarantees a personalized challenge that's suited to your progress. This method promotes comprehension by encouraging you to infer the meaning of new words from context, rather than relying heavily on direct translations. Though some translations are obscured to stimulate guessing, it's perfectly fine to consult a dictionary when needed. This technique combines challenge and support, making language learning fun and effective. Explore these translated classics to enjoy literature while advancing your language skills.

THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE
Of
toutes
allkindsofsatire,thereisnonesoentertaining
et
anduniversallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwereoccasionally,inthe
cours
courseofaninterestingstory,whichbrings
chaque
everyincidenthometolife,
et
andbyrepresentingfamiliarscenesinanuncommon
et
andamusingpointofview,investsthemwith
toutes
allthegracesofnovelty,whilenatureisappealedtoin
chaque
everyparticular.
Thereadergratifieshiscuriosityinpursuingtheadventuresofa
personne
personinwhosefavourheisprepossessed;
heespouseshis
cause
cause,hesympathiseswithhiminhisdistress,hisindignationisheated
contre
againsttheauthorsofhiscalamity:
les
thehumanepassionsareinflamed;
thecontrast
entre
betweendejectedvirtueandinsultingviceappears
avec
withgreateraggravation,andeveryimpression
ayant
havingadoubleforceontheimagination,thememoryretainsthecircumstance,
et
andtheheartimprovesbytheexample.
La
Theattentionisnottiredwith
un
abarecatalogueofcharacters,
mais
butagreeablydivertedwithall
la
thevarietyofinvention;
andthevicissitudesof
vie
lifeappearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,
ouvrant
openinganamplefieldforwit
et
andhumour.
Romance,nodoubt,owesitsorigintoignorance,vanity,
et
andsuperstition.
Inthedarkagesof
les
theWorld,whenamanhadrenderedhimselffamousforwisdom
ou
orvalour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,
et
andrepresentedhischaracterand
personne
personassacredandsupernatural.
Thevulgareasilyswallowedthebait,imploredhisprotection,
et
andyieldedthetributeofhomage
et
andpraise,eventoadoration;
hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposterity
avec
withathousandexaggerations;
theywererepeatedasincitementstovirtue;
divinehonourswerepaid,
et
andaltarserectedtohismemory,fortheencouragementof
ceux
thosewhoattemptedtoimitatehisexample;
et
andhencearosetheheathenmythology,
qui
whichisnootherthanacollectionofextravagantromances.
Aslearningadvanced,
et
andgeniusreceivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedwiththegracesofpoetry,thatthey
puissent
mightthebetterrecommendthemselvestotheattention;
theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,for
la
theinstructionanddelightof
la
theaudience;
andrehearsedbeforebattle,asincentivestodeedsofglory.
Thustragedy
et
andtheepicmusewereborn,
et
and,intheprogressoftaste,arrivedatperfection.
Itis
pas
nowonderthattheancients
pu
couldnotrelishafableinprose,
après
aftertheyhadseensomanyremarkableeventscelebratedinversebytheirbestpoets;
wetherefore
trouvons
findnoromanceamongthemduring
la
theeraoftheirexcellence,unless
la
theCyropædiaofXenophonmaybesocalled;
et
anditwasnottillarts
et
andsciencesbegantorevive
après
aftertheirruptionofthebarbariansintoEurope,
que
thatanythingofthiskindappeared.
Mais
Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothe
plus
mostabsurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromancearose,
et
andlosingsightofprobability,filledtheirperformanceswiththe
plus
mostmonstroushyperboles.
Ifthey
pouvaient
couldnotequaltheancientpoetsin
point
pointofgeniustheywereresolvedtoexceltheminfiction,
et
andapplytothewonder,ratherthanthejudgment,oftheirreaders.
Accordingly,they
apporté
broughtnecromancytotheiraid,
et
andinsteadofsupportingthecharacteroftheirheroesbydignityofsentiment
et
andpractice,distinguishedthembytheirbodilystrength,activity,
et
andextravaganceofbehaviour.
Although
rien
nothingcouldbemoreludicrous
et
andunnaturalthanthefigurestheydrew,theydidnot
voulaient
wantpatronsandadmirers;
andthe
monde
worldactuallybegantobeinfectedwiththespiritofknight-errantry,
quand
whenCervantes,byaninimitablepieceofridicule,reformedthetasteofmankind,representingchivalryinthe
bon
rightpointofview,andconvertingromancetopurposes
beaucoup
farmoreusefulandentertaining,bymakingitassumethesock,
et
andpointoutthefolliesofordinary
vie
life.
ThesamemethodhasbeenpractisedbyotherSpanish
et
andFrenchauthors,andbynone
plus
moresuccessfullythanbyMonsieurLeSage,
qui
who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,hasdescribedtheknavery
et
andfoiblesoflife,withinfinitehumour
et
andsagacity.
ThefollowingsheetsIhavemodelledonhis
plan
plan,takingmeliberty,however,todifferfromhimintheexecution,
où
whereIthoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,extravagant,
ou
orpeculiartothecountryinwhichthesceneislaid.
ThedisgracesofGilBlas
sont
are,forthemostpart,suchasratherexcitemirththancompassion;
hehimselflaughsatthem;
et
andhistransitionsfromdistresstohappiness,
ou
oratleastease,aresosudden,
que
thatneitherthereaderhas
temps
timetopityhim,norhimselftobeacquainted
avec
withaffliction.
Thisconduct,inmyopinion,notonlydeviatesfromprobability,
mais
butpreventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatethereader
contre
againstthesordidandviciousdispositionofthe
monde
world.
Ihaveattemptedtorepresentmodestmeritstrugglingwitheverydifficultytowhich
un
afriendlessorphanisexposed,fromhis
propre
ownwantofexperience,aswellasfromtheselfishness,envy,malice,
et
andbaseindifferenceofmankind.
Tosecure
une
afavourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhimtheadvantagesofbirth
et
andeducation,whichintheseriesofhismisfortuneswill,Ihope,engagetheingenuous
plus
morewarmlyinhisbehalf;
et
andthoughIforesee,that
certaines
somepeoplewillbeoffendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheisinvolved,Ipersuademyself
que
thatthejudiciouswillnotonlyperceivethenecessityofdescribing
ces
thosesituationstowhichhe
doit
mustofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,
mais
butalsofindentertainmentinviewing
ces
thosepartsoflife,wherethehumours
et
andpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,ceremony,
ou
oreducation;
andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesofdispositionappearasnaturehasimplantedthem.
Mais
ButIbelieveIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatingapracticeauthorizedby
les
thebestwritersinthis
façon
way,someofwhomIhave
déjà
alreadynamed.
Everyintelligentreaderwill,at
première
firstsight,perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,
qui
whicharealltrueinthemain,althoughthecircumstancesarealtered
et
anddisguised,toavoidpersonalsatire.
It
maintenant
nowremainstogivemyreasonsfor
faire
makingthechiefpersonageof
cette
thisworkaNorthBriton,
qui
whicharechieflythese:
Icould,at
une
asmallexpense,bestowonhimsucheducationasI
pensais
thoughtthedignityofhisbirth
et
andcharacterrequired,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysuchslendermeansasthenatureofmy
plan
planwouldafford.
Inthenext
lieu
place,Icouldrepresentsimplicityofmannersin
une
aremotepartofthekingdom,
avec
withmoreproprietythaninany
lieu
placenearthecapital;
andlastly,
la
thedispositionoftheScots,addictedtotravelling,justifiesmyconductinderiving
un
anadventurerfromthatcountry.
APOLOGUE
A
jeune
youngpainter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,sketcheda
sorte
kindofconversationpiece,representingabear,anowl,amonkey,
et
andanass;
andtorenderit
plus
morestriking,humorous,andmoral,distinguished
chaque
everyfigurebysomeemblemofhuman
vie
life.
Bruinwasexhibitedinthegarb
et
andattitudeofanold,toothless,drunkensoldier;
theowlpercheduponthehandleof
un
acoffee-pot,withspectacleonnose,seemedtocontemplate
un
anewspaper;
andtheass,ornamented
avec
withahugetie-wig(which,however,
pouvait
couldnotconcealhislongears),satforhispictureto
les
themonkey,whoappearedwith
les
theimplementsofpainting.
Thiswhimsicalgroupafforded
une certaine
somemirth,andmetwithgeneralapprobation,
jusqu'à
untilsomemischievouswaghinted
que
thatthewhole—wasalampoonupon
les
thefriendsoftheperformer;
une
aninsinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedthan
ces
thoseverypeoplewhoapplaudedit
avant
beforebegantobealarmed,
et
andeventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.
Amongothers,
un
aworthypersonageinyears,whohadservedinthearmy
avec
withreputation,beingincensedatthesupposedoutrage,repairedtothelodgingofthepainter,
et
andfindinghimathome,“Harkye,Mr.Monkey,”
dit
saidhe,“Ihaveagood
esprit
mindtoconvinceyou,that
si
thoughthebearhaslosthisteeth,heretainshispaws,
et
andthatheisnotsodrunk
mais
buthecanperceiveyourimpertinence.”
“Sblood!
monsieur
sir,thattoothlessjawis
une
ad—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyouimaginemesochopfallenasnottobe
capable
abletochewthecudofresentment.”
Ici
Herehewasinterruptedbythearrivalofalearnedphysician,
qui
who,advancingtotheculprit
avec
withfuryinhisaspect,exclaimed,“Supposetheaugmentationoftheass’searsshouldprovethediminutionofthebaboon’s—nay,seeknottoprevaricate,for,bythebeardofAesculapius!
il
thereisnotonehairin
cette
thisperiwigthatwillnotstandupinjudgmenttoconvicttheeofpersonalabuse.
Ne
Dobutobserve,captain,how
ce
thispitifullittlefellowhascopiedtheverycurls—thecolour,indeed,isdifferent,
mais
butthentheformandforetopare
tout à fait
quitesimilar.”
Whilehethusremonstratedinastrainofvociferation,avenerablesenatorentered,
et
andwaddlinguptothedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”
criedhe,“I
vais
willnowlettheeseeI
peux
canreadsomethingelsethananewspaper,
et
andthatwithoutthehelpofspectacles:
voici
hereisyourownnoteof
main
hand,sirrah,formoney,which
si
ifIhadnotadvanced,youyourselfwouldhaveresembled
un
anowl,innotdaringto
montrer
showyourfacebyday,youungratefulslanderousknave!”
Invain
le
theastonishedpainterdeclaredthathehad
pas
nointentiontogiveoffence,
ou
ortocharacteriseparticularpersons:
theyaffirmed
la
theresemblancewastoopalpabletobeoverlooked;
theytaxedhimwithinsolence,malice,
et
andingratitude;
andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardby
le
thepublic,thecaptainwasabear,
le
thedoctoranass,and
le
thesenatoranowl,tohisdying
jour
day.
Christianreader,Ibeseechthee,in
les
thebowelsoftheLord,remember
cet
thisexample“whilethouartemployedin
les
theperusalofthefollowingsheets;
et
andseeknottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhichequallybelongsto
cinq
fivehundreddifferentpeople.
Ifthoushouldst
rencontrer
meetwithacharacterthatreflectstheeinsomeungraciousparticular,
garde
keepthyowncounsel;
CHAPTERI
OfmyBirth
et
andParentage.
Iwasbornin
la
thenorthernpartofthisunitedkingdom,in
la
thehouseofmygrandfather,
un
agentlemanofconsiderablefortune
et
andinfluence,whohadonmanyoccasionssignalisedhimselfinbehalfofhis
pays
country;
andwasremarkableforhisabilitiesinthelaw,
qui
whichheexercisedwithgreatsuccessinthestationof
une
ajudge,particularlyagainstbeggars,forwhomhehad
une
asingularaversion.
Myfather(hisyoungestson)
tombant
fallinginlovewitha
pauvre
poorrelation,wholivedwith
le
theoldgentlemaninqualityofahousekeeper,espousedherprivately;
et
andIwasthefirstfruitofthatmarriage.
Duringherpregnancy,
un
adreamdiscomposedmymothersomuch
que
thatherhusband,tiredwithherimportunity,atlastconsulted
un
ahighlandseer,whosefavourableinterpretationhewouldhavesecuredbeforehandby
un
abribe,butfoundhimincorruptible.
She
rêvé
dreamedshewasdeliveredofatennis-ball,which
le
thedevil(who,tohergreatsurprise,acted
le
thepartofamidwife)strucksoforcibly
avec
witharacketthatitdisappearedinaninstant;
et
andshewasforsome
temps
timeinconsolableforthelostofheroffspring;
quand
when,allonasudden,shebeheldit
revenir
returnwithequalviolence,andenterthe
terre
earth,beneathherfeet,whenceimmediatelysprangup
un
agoodlytreecoveredwithblossoms,thescentof
dont
whichoperatedsostronglyonhernervesthatsheawoke.
Le
Theattentivesage,aftersomedeliberation,assuredmyparents,
que
thattheirfirstbornwouldbe
un
agreattraveller;
thathewouldundergo
nombreux
manydangersanddifficulties,andatlast
retournerait
returntohisnativeland,
où
wherehewouldflourishinhappiness
et
andreputation.
Howtrulythiswasforetoldwillappearin
la
thesequel.
Itwasnotlong
avant
beforesomeofficiouspersoninformedmygrandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassed
entre
betweenhissonandhousekeeperwhichalarmedhimsomuchthat,afewdaysafter,he
dit
toldmyfatheritwashightimeforhimto
penser
thinkofsettling;
andthathehadprovided
un
amatchforhim,towhichhe
pourrait
couldinjusticehavenoobjections.
My
père
father,findingitwouldbeimpossibletoconcealhissituation
beaucoup
muchlonger,franklyownedwhathehad
fait
done;
andexcusedhimselffornothaving
demandé
askedtheconsentofhis
père
father,bysaying,heknewit
été
wouldhavebeentonopurpose;
et
andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,mygrandfathermighthave
prendre
takensuchmeasuresaswouldhaveeffectually
mis
putthegratificationofit
hors
outofhispower:
headded,
qui
thatnoexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’svirtue,birth,beauty,
et
andgoodsense,andasforfortune,itwasbeneathhis
soins
care.
Theoldgentleman,who
gardait
keptallhispassions,exceptone,inexcellent
ordre
order,heardhimtoan
fin
endwithgreattemper,andthencalmly
demanda
asked,howheproposedtomaintainhimself
et
andspouse?
Hereplied,he
pouvait
couldbeinnodangerof
vouloir
wantingwhilehisfather’stendernessremained,whichhe
et
andhiswifeshouldalwayscultivate
avec
withtheutmostveneration;
andhewaspersuadedhisallowancewouldbesuitableto
la
thedignityandcircumstancesofhis
famille
family,andtotheprovision
déjà
alreadymadeforhisbrothers
et
andsisters,whowerehappilysettled
sous
underhisprotection.
“Yourbrothers
et
andsisters,”saidmygrandfather,“didnot
pensaient
thinkitbeneaththemtoconsultmein
une
anaffairofsuchimportanceasmatrimony;
neither,Isuppose,wouldyouhaveomitted
que
thatpieceofduty,hadyounotsomesecretfundinreserve;
to
le
thecomfortsofwhichI
laisse
leaveyou,withadesire
que
thatyouwillthisnightseekout
autre
anotherhabitationforyourselfand
femme
wife,whither,inashort
temps
time,Iwillsendyouanaccountof
le
theexpenseIhavebeenatinyoureducation,
avec
withaviewofbeingreimbursed.
Monsieur
Sir,youhavemadethegrandtour—youare
un
apolitegentleman—averyprettygentleman—I
souhaite
wishyouagreatdealofjoy,
et
andamyourveryhumbleservant.”
So
disant
saying,heleftmyfatherin
une
asituationeasilyimagined.
However,hedidnot
longtemps
longhesitate;
for,beingperfectlywellacquainted
avec
withhisfather’sdisposition,hedidnotdoubtthathewasgladof
ce
thispretencetogetridof
lui
him;
andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedes
et
andPersians,heknewit
étant
wouldbetonopurposetoattempthimbyprayers
et
andentreaties;
sowithoutanyfartherapplication,hebetookhimself,
avec
withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoafarm-house,
où
whereanoldservantofhis
mère
motherdwelt:
theretheyremainedsome
temps
timeinasituationbutilladaptedto
la
theeleganceoftheirdesires
et
andtendernessoftheirlove;
whichneverthelessmy
père
fatherchosetoendure,ratherthansupplicate
un
anunnaturalandinflexibleparent
mais
butmymother,foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshe
dû
musthavebeenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredin
cet
thisplace(andherpregnancywas
très
veryfaradvanced),withoutcommunicatingherdesigntoher
mari
husband,wentindisguisetothe
maison
houseofmygrandfather,hopingthathertears
et
andconditionwouldmovehimtocompassion,
et
andreconcilehimtoaneventwhichwas
maintenant
nowirrecoverablypast.
Shefoundmeanstodeceivetheservants,
et
andgetintroducedasanunfortunate
dame
lady,whowantedtocomplainof
quelques
somematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sparticularprovincetodecidein
tous
allcasesofscandal.
Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohispresence,
où
where,discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,
et
andinthemostaffectingmannerimploredhisforgiveness;
atthe
même
sametimerepresentingthedangerthatthreatenednotonlyher
vie
life,butthatofhis
propre
owngrandchild,whichwasaboutto
voir
seethelight.
Hetoldherhewas
désolé
sorrythattheindiscretionofher
et
andhissonhadcompelledhimto
faire
makeavow,whichputit
hors
outofhispowerto
donner
givethemanyassistance;
thathe
devraient
hadalreadyimpartedhisthoughtsonthatsubjecttoher
mari
husband,andwassurprisedthatthey
devraient
shoulddisturbhispeacewith
toute
anyfartherimportunity.
Thissaid,heretired.
Theviolenceofmymother’saffliction
eu
hadsuchaneffectonherconstitutionthatshewasimmediatelyseizedwiththepainsofchildbed;
et
andhadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewas
très
verydear,affordedherpity
et
andassistance,atthehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,she
et
andtheinnocentfruitofherwomb
dû
musthavefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigour
et
andinhumanity.
Bythefriendshipof
cette
thispoorwomanshewascarriedupto
un
agarret,andimmediatelydeliveredof
un
amanchild,thestoryofwhoseunfortunatebirthhehimselfnowrelates.
My
père
father,beinginformedofwhathad
passé
happened,flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,
et
andwhileheloadedhisoffspringwithpaternalembraces,
put
couldnotforbearsheddingafloodoftearsonbeholdingthe
chère
dearpartnerofhisheart(forwhoseeasehewouldhavesacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretchedupon
un
aflockbed,inamiserableapartment,unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesoftheweather.
Itisnottobesupposedthattheoldgentlemanwasignorantofwhatpassed,thoughheaffectedtoknow
rien
nothingofthematter,andpretendedtobe
très
verymuchsurprised,whenoneofhisgrandchildren,byhiseldest
fils
sondeceased,wholivedwithhimashisheirapparent,acquaintedhim
avec
withtheaffair;
hedeterminedthereforetoobserve
aucun
nomedium,butimmediately(on
le
thethirddayafterherdelivery)
envoya
sentheraperemptoryordertobe
aller
gone,andturnedofftheservant
qui
whohadpreservedherlife.
Ce
Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmy
père
fatherthathehadrecoursetothe
plus
mostdreadfulimprecations;
andonhisbarekneesimplored
que
thatHeavenwouldrenouncehimifeverheshould
oubliait
forgetorforgivethebarbarityofhissire.
Theinjuries
qui
whichthisunhappymotherreceivedfromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,
et
andthewantofnecessaries
où
whereshelodged,togetherwithhergrief
et
andanxietyofmind,soonthrewherintoalanguishingdisorder,
qui
whichputanendtoher
vie
life.
Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wassoaffectedwithher
mort
deaththatheremainedsixweeksdeprivedofhissenses;
duringwhich
temps
time,thepeoplewherehelodgedcarriedtheinfanttotheold
homme
manwhorelentedsofar,on
entendant
hearingthemelancholystoryofhisdaughter-in-law’s
mort
death,andthedeplorableconditionofhis
fils
son,astosendthechildtonurse,
et
andheorderedmyfathertobecarriedhometohis
logeait
house,wherehesoonrecoveredtheuseofhisreason.
Whether
ce
thishardheartedjudgefeltanyremorseforhiscrueltreatmentofhis
fils
sonanddaughter,or(whichis
plus
moreprobable)wasafraidhischaracterwouldsufferin
le
theneighbourhood,heprofessedgreatsorrowforhisconducttomy
père
father,whosedeliriumwassucceededbyaprofoundmelancholy
et
andreserve.
Atlengthhedisappeared,
et
and,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,
pouvait
couldnotbeheardof;
acircumstance
qui
whichconfirmedmostpeoplein
la
theopinionofhishaving
fait
madeawaywithhimselfinafitofdespair.
CHAPTERII
Igrowup—am
haï
hatedbymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—IformCabals
contre
againstthePedant—amdebarredAccesstomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—IdemolishtheTeethofhisTutor.
Il
Therewerenotwantingsomewhosuspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’sfate,onthesuppositionthattheywould
tous
allshareinthepatrimonydestinedforhim;
et
andthisconjecturewasstrengthenedbyreflecting
que
thatinallhiscalamitiesthey
jamais
neverdiscoveredtheleastinclinationtoservehim;
mais
but,onthecontrary,by
tous
alltheartificesintheir
pouvoir
power,fedhisresentmentandsupportedhisresolutionof
laisser
leavinghimtomiseryandwant.
Mais
Butpeopleofjudgmenttreated
cette
thisinsinuationasanidlechimera;
parce que
because,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedastoconsulttheirinterestbycommittingsuch
un
anatrociouscrime,thefateofmy
père
fatherwouldhaveextendedtome
aussi
toowhoselifewasanotherobstacletotheirexpectation.
Meanwhile,Igrewapace,
et
andasIstronglyresembledmy
père
father,whowasthedarlingof
le
thetenants,Iwantednothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstances
pouvaient
couldafford:
buttheirfavourwas
une
aweakresourceagainstthejealousenmityofmycousins;
qui
whothemoremyinfancypromised,conceivedthe
plus
moreimplacablehatredagainstme:
et
andbeforeIwassixyearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmygrandfatherthatI
jamais
neversawhimbutbystealth,
quand
whenIsometimesmadeuptohischairashesattoviewhislabourersinthefield:
onwhichoccasionhewouldstrokemy
tête
head,bidmebea
bon
goodboy,andpromiseto
prendre
takecareofme.
Iwassoonafter
envoyé
senttoschoolatavillage
difficile
hardby,ofwhichhehadbeendictator
temps
timeoutofmind;
butashe
jamais
neverpaidformyboard,norsuppliedmewithclothes,books,
et
andothernecessariesIrequired,myconditionwas
très
veryraggedandcontemptible,andtheschoolmaster,
qui
who,throughfearofmygrandfather,taughtmegratis,gavehimself
pas
noconcernabouttheprogressI
faisais
madeunderhisinstruction.
Inspiteof
toutes
allthesedifficultiesanddisgraces,Ibecame
un
agoodproficientintheLatintongue;
et
and,assoonasIcould
écrire
writetolerably,pesteredmygrandfather
avec
withletterstosuchadegreethathe
envoya
sentformymaster,andchidhimseverelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmyeducation,
disant
tellinghimthat,ifeverI
devais
shouldbebroughttothegallowsforforgery,whichhehadtaughtmetocommit,my
sang
bloodwouldlieonhis
tête
head.
Thepedant,whodreaded
rien
nothingmorethanthedispleasureofhispatron,assuredhishonourthat
le
theboy’sabilitywasmoreowingtohis
propre
owngeniusandapplicationthanto
toute
anyinstructionorencouragementhereceived;
que
that,althoughhecouldnotdivesthimoftheknowledgehe
devrait
hadalreadyimbibed,unlesshewouldempowerhimtodisablehisfingers,he
devrait
shouldendeavour,withGod’shelp,topreventhisfutureimprovement.
Et
And,indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehadundertaken;
for,onpretencethatIhad
écrit
writtenimpertinentletterstomygrandfather,hecausedaboardtobemade
avec
withfiveholesinit,through
laquelle
whichhethrustthefingers
et
andthumbofmyright
main
hand,andfasteneditbywhipcordtomywrist,insuchamanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuseofmypen.
Mais
ButthisrestraintIwasfreedfromina
quelques
fewdays,byanaccident
qui
whichhappenedinaquarrel
entre
betweenmeandanotherboy;
who,
prenant
takinguponhimtoinsultmypoverty,Iwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthat
avec
withonestrokewithmymachineI
coupé
cuthimtotheskull,tothegreatterrorofmyself
et
andschoolfellows,wholefthimbleedingontheground,
et
andrantoinformthe
maître
masterofwhathadhappened.
Iwassoseverelypunishedfor
cette
thistrespassthat,wereIto
vivre
livetotheageofMethusalem,theimpressionitmadeonme
été
wouldnotbeeffaced;
the
plus
morethantheantipathyandhorrorIconceivedfor
le
themercilesstyrantwhoinflictedit.
Thecontemptwhichmyappearancenaturallyproducedin
tous
allwhosawme,thecontinualwantstowhichIwasexposed,
et
andmyownhaughtydisposition,impatientofaffronts,involvedmeinathousandtroublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredinadversity,
et
andemboldenedtoundertakingsfarabovemyyears.
IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnotcommit,
parce que
because,havingthecharacterofavagabondin
le
thevillage,everypieceofmischief,whoseauthorlayunknown,waschargedupon
moi
me.
IhavebeenfoundguiltyofrobbingorchardsI
jamais
neverentered,ofkillingcatsI
jamais
neverhunted,ofstealinggingerbreadI
jamais
nevertouched,andofabusingoldwomenI
jamais
neversaw.
Nay,astammeringcarpenterhadeloquenceenoughtopersuademy
maître
masterthatIfiredapistolloadedwithsmallshotintohiswindow;
thoughmylandlady
et
andthewholefamilyborewitness
que
thatIwasabedfastasleepat
la
thetimewhenthisoutragewascommitted.
Iwasoncefloggedfor
avoir
havingnarrowlyescapeddrowning,bythesinkingof
une
aferryboatinwhichIwaspassenger.
Autre
Anothertime,forhavingrecoveredofabruiseoccasionedbyahorse
et
andcartrunningoverme.
Athird
fois
time,forbeingbittenbyabaker’s
chien
dog.
Inshort,whetherIwasguilty
ou
orunfortunate,thecorrectionandsympathyof
ce
thisarbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.
Loin
Farfrombeingsubduedbythisinformalusage,myindignationtriumphedoverthatslavishawewhichhadhithertoenforcedmyobedience;
et
andthemoremyyears
et
andknowledgeincreased,themoreIperceived
la
theinjusticeandbarbarityofhisbehaviour.
Bythehelpofanuncommongenius,
et
andtheadviceanddirectionofourusher,
qui
whohadservedmyfatherinhistravels,I
fait
madeasurprisingprogressintheclassics,writing,
et
andarithmetic;
sothat,beforeIwastwelveyearsold,Iwasallowedby
tout le monde
everybodytobethebestscholarin
le
theschool.
Thisqualification,togetherwith
la
theboldnessoftemperandstrengthofmakewhichhadsubjected
presque
almostallmycontemporaries,gavemesuchinfluence
sur
overthemthatIbegantoformcabals
contre
againstmypersecutor;
andwasinhopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceina
très
veryshorttime.
Beingat
la
theheadofafaction,consistingofthirtyboys,mostofthemofmyownage,Iwasdeterminedto
mettre
puttheirmettletotrial,thatI
pouvait
mightknowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,
avant
beforeIputmygrandschemeinexecution:
avec
withthisview,weattacked
un
abodyofstoutapprentices,
qui
whohadtakenpossessionof
un
apartofthegroundallottedtousfor
le
theschemeofourdiversions,
et
andwhowerethenplayingatninepinson
le
thespot;
butIhadthemortificationto
voir
seemyadherentsroutedinaninstant,
et
andalegofoneofthembrokeinhisflightbythebowl,whichoneofouradversaries
eu
haddetachedinpursuitof
nous
us.
Thisdiscomfituredidnothinderusfromengagingthemafterwardsinfrequentskirmishes,
dont
whichwemaintainedbythrowingstonesatadistance,whereinIreceivedmanywounds,thescarsof
dont
whichstillremain.
Ourenemiesweresoharassed
et
andinterruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlastabandonedtheirconquest,
et
andleftustothepeaceableenjoymentofourownterritories.
Itwouldbeendlesstoenumeratetheexploitsweperformedinthe
cours
courseofthisconfederacy,which
devenue
becametheterrorofthe
tout
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,minded
rien
nothingbutfox-hunting,andindeedwasqualifiedfor
rien
nothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’sindulgenceinentertaining
un
atutorforhimat
maison
home;
whoatthesame
temps
timeperformedtheofficeofparishclerk.
Ce
ThisyoungActaeon,whoinheritedhisgrandfather’santipathyto
tout
everythingindistress,neversateyesonme
sans
withoutuncouplinghisbeagles,andhuntingmeintosomecottage
ou
orother,whitherIgenerallyfledforshelter.
In
ce
thisChristianamusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,
pas
nodoubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimself
avec
withtherisingsun,observing,thattheoldgentleman,accordingtothe
cours
courseofnature,hadnot
longtemps
longtolive,forhewas
déjà
alreadyonthevergeoffourscore.
CHAPTERIII
MyMother’s
Frère
Brotherarrives—relievesme—aDescriptionofhim—hegoesalongwithmetothe
Maison
HouseofmyGrandfather—isencounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsthem,
après
afterabloodyEngagement—isadmittedtothe
vieux
oldGentleman—aDialoguebetweenthem.
About
cette
thistimemymother’sonly
frère
brother,whohadbeenlongabroad,lieutenantofaman-of-war,arrivedinhis
propre
owncountry;
wherebeinginformedofmycondition,he
vint
cametoseeme,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnotonlysuppliedmewithwhatnecessariesI
voulais
wantedforthepresent,butresolvednotto
quitter
leavethecountryuntilhehadprevailedonmygrandfathertosettle
quelque chose
somethinghandsomeforthefuture.
Thiswasataskto
laquelle
whichhewasbynomeansequal,beingentirelyignorant,notonlyof
la
thejudge’sdisposition,butalsoof
la
thewaysofmeningeneral,to
laquelle
whichhiseducationonboardhad
gardé
kepthimanutterstranger.
Hewas
un
astrongbuiltman,somewhatbandylegged,
avec
withanecklikethatof
un
abull,andafacewhich(you
pourriez
mighteasilyperceive)hadwithstoodthe
plus
mostobstinateassaultsoftheweather.
Hisdressconsistedofasoldier’scoatalteredforhimbytheship’stailor,astripedflanneljacket,apairofredbreechesspanned
avec
withpitch,cleangrayworstedstockings,largesilverbuckles
qui
thatcoveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-lacedhat,whosecrownoverlookedthebrimsaboutaninch
et
andahalf,blackbobwiginbuckle,acheckshirt,asilkhandkerchief,ahanger,
avec
withabrasshandle,girdedtohisthighbyafurnishedlacebelt,
et
andagoodoakplant
sous
underhisarm.
Thusequipped,hesetout
avec
withme(whobyhisbounty
fit
madeaverydecentappearance)formygrandfather’s
maison
house,whereweweresalutedbyJowler
et
andCaesar,whommycousin,
jeune
youngmaster,hadletlooseatourapproach.
Being
bien
wellacquaintedwiththeinveteracyof
ces
thesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,
quand
whenmyuncleseizedme
avec
withonehand,brandishedhiscudgel
avec
withtheother,andatoneblowlaidCaesarsprawlingon
le
theground;
but,findinghimselfattackedat
la
thesametimeintherearbyJowler,
et
andfearingCaesarmightrecover,hedrewhishanger,wheeledabout,
et
andbyaluckystrokeseveredJowler’s
tête
headfromhisbody.
By
ce
thistime,theyoungfoxhunter
et
andthreeservants,armedwithpitchforks
et
andflails,werecometo
le
theassistanceofthedogs,whomtheyfoundbreathlessupon
le
thefield;
andmycousinwassoprovokedatthe
mort
deathofhisfavourites,thatheorderedhisattendantstoadvance,
et
andtakevengeanceontheirexecutioner,whomheloadedwith
toutes
allthecursesandreproacheshisanger
pouvait
couldsuggest.
Uponwhichmy
oncle
unclesteppedforwardswithanundaunted
air
air,atthesightofwhosebloodyweaponshisantagonists
tombés
fellbackwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheirleaderthus:.
“Lookee,
frère
brother,yourdogshavingboardedme
sans
withoutprovocation,whatIdidwasinmy
propre
owndefence.
Soyouhad
mieux
bestbecivil,andletus
tirer
shootahead,clearofyou.”
Whether
le
theyoungsquiremisinterpretedmyuncle’sdesireofpeace,
ou
orwasenragedatthefateofhishoundsbeyondhisusualpitchofresolution,I
sais
knownot;
buthesnatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,
et
andcameupwitha
spectacle
showofassaultingthelieutenant,
qui
who,puttinghimselfinapostureofdefence,proceededthus:
“Lookee,youlubberly
fils
sonofaw—e,ifyou
viens
comeathwartme,’wareyourgingerbread
travail
work.
I’llbefoulofyourquarter,d—nme.”
Cette
Thisdeclaration,followedbyaflourishofhishanger,seemedtocheck
la
theprogressoftheyounggentleman’scholer,
qui
who,lookingbehindhim,perceivedhisattendantshadslunkinto
la
thehouse,shutthegate,
et
andlefthimtodecide
la
thecontentionbyhimself.
Here
une
aparleyensued,whichwasintroducedbymycousin’s
demandant
asking,“Whothedevilareyou?
Whatdoyou
voulez
want?
Somescoundrelofaseaman,Isuppose,
qui
whohasdesertedandturnedthief.
Mais
Butdon’tthinkyoushallescape,sirrah—I’llhaveyouhang’d,you
chien
dog,Iwill.
Yourbloodshall
payera
payforthatofmy
deux
twohounds,youragamuffin.
Iwouldnothave
séparé
partedwiththemtosaveyour
toute
wholegenerationfromthegallows,youruffian,you!”
“Noneofyourjaw,youswab—noneofyourjaw,”repliedmy
oncle
uncle,“elseIshalltrimyourlacedjacketforyou.
Ishallrubyoudown
avec
withanoakentowel,my
garçon
boy,Ishall.”
Sosaying,hesheathedhishanger,
et
andgraspedhiscudgel.