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The Adventures of Roderick Random | Gradually Hardening French A1-B2 Books

The Adventures of Roderick Random | Gradually Hardening French A1-B2 Books

Embrace the benefits of this cutting-edge translation method, offering a tailored learning experience by letting you select the difficulty level that fits you best. It improves your comprehension by urging you to deduce meanings from context, reducing the need for constant translation. While some translations are intentionally masked to encourage guessing, it's always acceptable to check unfamiliar words. This method strikes the perfect balance between challenge and accessibility, making language learning both effective and enjoyable. Immerse yourself in these translated classics and uncover the pleasure of learning through literary exploration.

THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE
Of
toutes
allkindsofsatire,thereisnoneso
amusant
entertaininganduniversallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwere
occasionnellement
occasionally,inthecourseofaninteresting
histoire
story,whichbringseveryincidenthometo
vie
life,andbyrepresentingfamiliarscenesinan
inhabituel
uncommonandamusingpointof
vue
view,investsthemwithallthegracesof
nouveauté
novelty,whilenatureisappealedtoin
chaque
everyparticular.
Thereadergratifieshis
curiosité
curiosityinpursuingtheadventuresofa
personne
personinwhosefavourheisprepossessed;
heespouseshis
cause
cause,hesympathiseswithhiminhis
détresse
distress,hisindignationisheated
contre
againsttheauthorsofhis
calamité
calamity:
thehumanepassionsareinflamed;
the
contraste
contrastbetweendejectedvirtueand
insultant
insultingviceappearswithgreateraggravation,
et
andeveryimpressionhavinga
double
doubleforceontheimagination,the
mémoire
memoryretainsthecircumstance,andthe
cœur
heartimprovesbytheexample.
La
Theattentionisnottiredwith
un
abarecatalogueofcharacters,
mais
butagreeablydivertedwithall
la
thevarietyofinvention;
andthevicissitudesof
vie
lifeappearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,
ouvrant
openinganamplefieldforwit
et
andhumour.
Romance,nodoubt,
doit
owesitsorigintoignorance,
vanité
vanity,andsuperstition.
Inthedarkagesof
les
theWorld,whenamanhadrenderedhimself
célèbre
famousforwisdomorvalour,his
famille
familyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,
et
andrepresentedhischaracterand
personne
personassacredandsupernatural.
The
vulgaire
vulgareasilyswallowedthebait,
implora
imploredhisprotection,andyieldedthetributeofhomage
et
andpraise,eventoadoration;
hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposterity
avec
withathousandexaggerations;
theywererepeatedasincitementsto
vertu
virtue;
divinehonourswerepaid,
et
andaltarserectedtohis
mémoire
memory,fortheencouragementof
ceux
thosewhoattemptedtoimitatehis
exemple
example;
andhencearosetheheathen
mythologie
mythology,whichisnootherthana
collection
collectionofextravagantromances.
Aslearning
avançait
advanced,andgeniusreceivedcultivation,
ces
thesestorieswereembellishedwiththegracesof
poésie
poetry,thattheymightthe
mieux
betterrecommendthemselvestotheattention;
theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,for
la
theinstructionanddelightof
la
theaudience;
andrehearsedbefore
bataille
battle,asincentivestodeedsofglory.
Thus
tragédie
tragedyandtheepicmusewere
nées
born,and,intheprogressof
goût
taste,arrivedatperfection.
Itis
pas
nowonderthattheancients
pu
couldnotrelishafableinprose,
après
aftertheyhadseensomanyremarkableeventscelebratedin
vers
versebytheirbestpoets;
we
donc
thereforefindnoromanceamongthem
pendant
duringtheeraoftheir
excellence
excellence,unlesstheCyropædiaofXenophon
puisse
maybesocalled;
anditwasnottillarts
et
andsciencesbegantorevive
après
aftertheirruptionofthebarbariansintoEurope,
que
thatanythingofthiskind
apparu
appeared.
Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothe
plus
mostabsurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromancearose,
et
andlosingsightofprobability,
remplirent
filledtheirperformanceswiththe
plus
mostmonstroushyperboles.
Ifthey
pouvaient
couldnotequaltheancientpoetsin
point
pointofgeniustheywere
résolus
resolvedtoexcelthemin
fiction
fiction,andapplytothewonder,
plutôt
ratherthanthejudgment,oftheirreaders.
En conséquence
Accordingly,theybroughtnecromancytotheir
aide
aid,andinsteadofsupportingthe
caractère
characteroftheirheroesby
dignité
dignityofsentimentandpractice,distinguishedthembytheirbodily
force
strength,activity,andextravaganceofbehaviour.
Bien que
Althoughnothingcouldbemore
ridicule
ludicrousandunnaturalthanthefiguresthey
dessinaient
drew,theydidnotwantpatrons
et
andadmirers;
andtheworld
en fait
actuallybegantobeinfectedwiththespiritofknight-errantry,
quand
whenCervantes,byaninimitablepieceof
ridicule
ridicule,reformedthetasteofmankind,
représentant
representingchivalryintheright
point
pointofview,andconverting
romance
romancetopurposesfarmoreuseful
et
andentertaining,bymakingit
assumer
assumethesock,andpointoutthefolliesofordinary
vie
life.
ThesamemethodhasbeenpractisedbyotherSpanish
et
andFrenchauthors,andby
aucun
nonemoresuccessfullythanbyMonsieurLe
Sage
Sage,who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,has
décrit
describedtheknaveryandfoiblesof
vie
life,withinfinitehumourandsagacity.
ThefollowingsheetsIhavemodelledonhis
plan
plan,takingmeliberty,however,to
différer
differfromhimintheexecution,
où
whereIthoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,extravagant,
ou
orpeculiartothecountryinwhichthe
scène
sceneislaid.
ThedisgracesofGilBlas
sont
are,forthemostpart,suchas
plutôt
ratherexcitemirththancompassion;
hehimselflaughsatthem;
et
andhistransitionsfromdistressto
bonheur
happiness,oratleastease,aresosudden,
que
thatneitherthereaderhas
temps
timetopityhim,norhimselftobeacquainted
avec
withaffliction.
Thisconduct,inmy
avis
opinion,notonlydeviatesfrom
probabilité
probability,butpreventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatethereader
contre
againstthesordidandvicious
disposition
dispositionoftheworld.
Ihave
tenté
attemptedtorepresentmodestmerit
luttant
strugglingwitheverydifficultytowhich
un
afriendlessorphanisexposed,fromhis
propre
ownwantofexperience,aswellasfromtheselfishness,envy,
malice
malice,andbaseindifferenceofmankind.
Tosecure
une
afavourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhimtheadvantagesof
naissance
birthandeducation,whichinthe
série
seriesofhismisfortuneswill,Ihope,
engageront
engagetheingenuousmorewarmlyinhis
nom
behalf;
andthoughIforesee,
que
thatsomepeoplewillbeoffendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheis
impliqué
involved,Ipersuademyselfthatthejudicious
être
willnotonlyperceivethenecessityof
décrire
describingthosesituationstowhichhe
doit
mustofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,
mais
butalsofindentertainmentinviewing
ces
thosepartsoflife,wherethehumours
et
andpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,
cérémonie
ceremony,oreducation;
andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesof
tempérament
dispositionappearasnaturehasimplantedthem.
Mais
ButIbelieveIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatinga
pratique
practiceauthorizedbythebestwritersin
cette
thisway,someofwhomIhave
déjà
alreadynamed.
Everyintelligentreaderwill,at
première
firstsight,perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfrom
nature
natureinthefacts,whicharealltrueinthemain,
bien que
althoughthecircumstancesarealtered
et
anddisguised,toavoidpersonalsatire.
It
maintenant
nowremainstogivemyreasonsfor
faire
makingthechiefpersonageof
cette
thisworkaNorthBriton,
qui
whicharechieflythese:
Icould,at
une
asmallexpense,bestowonhimsucheducationasI
pensais
thoughtthedignityofhis
naissance
birthandcharacterrequired,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysuchslendermeansasthenatureofmy
plan
planwouldafford.
Inthenext
lieu
place,Icouldrepresentsimplicityofmannersin
une
aremotepartofthe
royaume
kingdom,withmoreproprietythaninany
lieu
placenearthecapital;
and
enfin
lastly,thedispositionoftheScots,addictedto
voyages
travelling,justifiesmyconductinderiving
un
anadventurerfromthatcountry.
APOLOGUE
A
jeune
youngpainter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,sketcheda
sorte
kindofconversationpiece,representinga
ours
bear,anowl,amonkey,
et
andanass;
andto
rendre
renderitmorestriking,humorous,
et
andmoral,distinguishedeveryfigurebysomeemblemofhuman
vie
life.
Bruinwasexhibitedinthegarb
et
andattitudeofanold,toothless,drunken
soldat
soldier;
theowlpercheduponthe
poignée
handleofacoffee-pot,withspectacleon
nez
nose,seemedtocontemplatea
journal
newspaper;
andtheass,ornamented
avec
withahugetie-wig(which,
cependant
however,couldnotconcealhislongears),satforhispictureto
les
themonkey,whoappearedwith
les
theimplementsofpainting.
Thiswhimsical
groupe
groupaffordedsomemirth,and
rencontré
metwithgeneralapprobation,until
une certaine
somemischievouswaghintedthat
les
thewhole—wasalampoonupon
les
thefriendsoftheperformer;
une
aninsinuationwhichwasno
plus tôt
soonercirculatedthanthosevery
gens
peoplewhoapplaudeditbefore
commencé
begantobealarmed,and
même
eventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.
Parmi
Amongothers,aworthypersonageinyears,whohad
servi
servedinthearmywith
réputation
reputation,beingincensedatthesupposed
outrage
outrage,repairedtothelodgingofthe
peintre
painter,andfindinghimat
maison
home,“Harkye,Mr.Monkey,”
dit
saidhe,“Ihaveagood
esprit
mindtoconvinceyou,that
si
thoughthebearhaslosthisteeth,he
conserve
retainshispaws,andthatheisnotsodrunk
mais
buthecanperceiveyourimpertinence.”
“Sblood!
monsieur
sir,thattoothlessjawis
une
ad—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyou
imaginez
imaginemesochopfallenasnottobe
capable
abletochewthecudofresentment.”
Ici
Herehewasinterruptedbythearrivalofalearned
médecin
physician,who,advancingtotheculprit
avec
withfuryinhisaspect,exclaimed,“Supposetheaugmentationoftheass’searsshould
prouve
provethediminutionofthebaboon’s—nay,seeknottoprevaricate,for,bythebeardofAesculapius!
il
thereisnotonehairin
cette
thisperiwigthatwillnotstandupin
jugement
judgmenttoconvicttheeofpersonal
abus
abuse.
Dobutobserve,captain,
comment
howthispitifullittlefellowhas
copié
copiedtheverycurls—thecolour,
en effet
indeed,isdifferent,butthenthe
forme
formandforetoparequitesimilar.”
Whilehethusremonstratedinastrainofvociferation,avenerable
sénateur
senatorentered,andwaddlingupto
le
thedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”
criedhe,“I
vais
willnowlettheeseeI
peux
canreadsomethingelsethana
journal
newspaper,andthatwithoutthehelpofspectacles:
voici
hereisyourownnoteof
main
hand,sirrah,formoney,which
si
ifIhadnotadvanced,youyourselfwouldhave
ressemblé
resembledanowl,innotdaringto
montrer
showyourfacebyday,you
ingrat
ungratefulslanderousknave!”
Invain
le
theastonishedpainterdeclaredthathehad
pas
nointentiontogiveoffence,
ou
ortocharacteriseparticularpersons:
theyaffirmed
la
theresemblancewastoopalpabletobeoverlooked;
they
taxé
taxedhimwithinsolence,malice,
et
andingratitude;
andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardby
le
thepublic,thecaptainwasa
ours
bear,thedoctoranass,
et
andthesenatoranowl,tohisdying
jour
day.
Christianreader,Ibeseechthee,in
les
thebowelsoftheLord,remember
cet
thisexample“whilethouartemployedin
les
theperusalofthefollowingsheets;
et
andseeknottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhich
également
equallybelongstofivehundreddifferent
personnes
people.
Ifthoushouldstmeetwith
un
acharacterthatreflectstheeinsomeungracious
particulier
particular,keepthyowncounsel;
Chapitre
CHAPTERI
OfmyBirth
et
andParentage.
Iwasbornin
la
thenorthernpartofthis
uni
unitedkingdom,inthehouseofmy
grand-père
grandfather,agentlemanofconsiderable
fortune
fortuneandinfluence,whohadonmanyoccasionssignalisedhimselfin
nom
behalfofhiscountry;
andwas
remarquable
remarkableforhisabilitiesinthelaw,
qui
whichheexercisedwithgreat
succès
successinthestationof
une
ajudge,particularlyagainstbeggars,forwhomhehad
une
asingularaversion.
Myfather(his
jeune
youngestson)fallinginlove
avec
withapoorrelation,who
vivait
livedwiththeoldgentlemanin
qualité
qualityofahousekeeper,espousedher
privé
privately;
andIwasthe
premier
firstfruitofthatmarriage.
Pendant
Duringherpregnancy,adreamdiscomposedmy
mère
mothersomuchthather
mari
husband,tiredwithherimportunity,atlast
consulta
consultedahighlandseer,whosefavourableinterpretationhewouldhavesecuredbeforehandby
un
abribe,butfoundhimincorruptible.
She
rêvé
dreamedshewasdeliveredofatennis-ball,which
le
thedevil(who,tohergreat
surprise
surprise,actedthepartofamidwife)
frappé
strucksoforciblywitha
raquette
racketthatitdisappearedinan
instant
instant;
andshewasforsome
temps
timeinconsolableforthelostofher
progéniture
offspring;
when,allona
coup
sudden,shebehelditreturn
avec
withequalviolence,andenterthe
terre
earth,beneathherfeet,whence
immédiatement
immediatelysprangupagoodly
arbre
treecoveredwithblossoms,thescentof
dont
whichoperatedsostronglyonhernervesthatshe
réveilla
awoke.
Theattentivesage,after
quelques
somedeliberation,assuredmyparents,
que
thattheirfirstbornwouldbe
un
agreattraveller;
thathewould
subirait
undergomanydangersanddifficulties,
et
andatlastreturntohisnativeland,
où
wherehewouldflourishin
bonheur
happinessandreputation.
Howtruly
cette
thiswasforetoldwillappearin
la
thesequel.
Itwasnotlong
avant
beforesomeofficiouspersoninformedmy
grand-père
grandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthat
passaient
passedbetweenhissonandhousekeeperwhichalarmedhimsomuchthat,afewdaysafter,he
dit
toldmyfatheritwashightimeforhimto
penser
thinkofsettling;
andthathehad
fourni
providedamatchforhim,towhichhe
pourrait
couldinjusticehavenoobjections.
My
père
father,findingitwouldbe
impossible
impossibletoconcealhissituation
beaucoup
muchlonger,franklyownedwhathehad
fait
done;
andexcusedhimselffornothaving
demandé
askedtheconsentofhis
père
father,bysaying,heknewit
été
wouldhavebeentonopurpose;
et
andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,my
grand-père
grandfathermighthavetakensuch
mesures
measuresaswouldhaveeffectually
mis
putthegratificationofit
hors
outofhispower:
he
ajouté
added,thatnoexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’s
vertu
virtue,birth,beauty,andgood
sens
sense,andasforfortune,itwas
sous
beneathhiscare.
Theold
monsieur
gentleman,whokeptallhispassions,exceptone,inexcellent
ordre
order,heardhimtoan
fin
endwithgreattemper,andthen
calmement
calmlyasked,howheproposedtomaintainhimself
et
andspouse?
Hereplied,he
pouvait
couldbeinnodangerof
vouloir
wantingwhilehisfather’stenderness
restait
remained,whichheandhis
femme
wifeshouldalwayscultivatewith
la
theutmostveneration;
andhewas
convaincu
persuadedhisallowancewouldbesuitableto
la
thedignityandcircumstancesofhis
famille
family,andtotheprovision
déjà
alreadymadeforhisbrothers
et
andsisters,whowerehappilysettled
sous
underhisprotection.
“Yourbrothers
et
andsisters,”saidmygrandfather,“didnot
pensaient
thinkitbeneaththemto
consulter
consultmeinanaffairofsuch
importance
importanceasmatrimony;
neither,I
suppose
suppose,wouldyouhaveomitted
que
thatpieceofduty,hadyounotsome
secret
secretfundinreserve;
to
le
thecomfortsofwhichI
laisse
leaveyou,withadesire
que
thatyouwillthisnight
cherchiez
seekoutanotherhabitationforyourself
et
andwife,whither,inashort
temps
time,Iwillsendyouan
compte
accountoftheexpenseIhavebeenatinyour
éducation
education,withaviewofbeingreimbursed.
Monsieur
Sir,youhavemadethegrandtour—youare
un
apolitegentleman—averyprettygentleman—I
souhaite
wishyouagreatdealof
joie
joy,andamyourvery
humble
humbleservant.”
Sosaying,he
laissé
leftmyfatherina
situation
situationeasilyimagined.
However,hedidnot
longtemps
longhesitate;
for,beingperfectlywellacquainted
avec
withhisfather’sdisposition,hedidnot
doutait
doubtthathewasgladof
ce
thispretencetogetridof
lui
him;
andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedes
et
andPersians,heknewit
étant
wouldbetonopurposeto
tenter
attempthimbyprayersandentreaties;
so
sans
withoutanyfartherapplication,hebetookhimself,
avec
withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoa
ferme
farm-house,whereanoldservantofhis
mère
motherdwelt:
theretheyremainedsome
temps
timeinasituationbut
mal
illadaptedtotheeleganceoftheirdesires
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
andconditionwouldmovehimto
compassion
compassion,andreconcilehimto
un
aneventwhichwasnowirrecoverably
passé
past.
Shefoundmeansto
tromper
deceivetheservants,andget
introduire
introducedasanunfortunatelady,
qui
whowantedtocomplainof
quelques
somematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sparticular
province
provincetodecideinallcasesof
scandale
scandal.
Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohis
présence
presence,where,discoveringherself,she
tomba
fellathisfeet,andin
la
themostaffectingmannerimploredhis
pardon
forgiveness;
atthesametime
représentant
representingthedangerthatthreatenednotonlyher
vie
life,butthatofhis
propre
owngrandchild,whichwasaboutto
voir
seethelight.
Hetoldherhewas
désolé
sorrythattheindiscretionofher
et
andhissonhadcompelledhimto
faire
makeavow,whichputit
hors
outofhispowerto
donner
givethemanyassistance;
thathe
devraient
hadalreadyimpartedhisthoughtsonthat
sujet
subjecttoherhusband,andwas
surpris
surprisedthattheyshoulddisturbhis
paix
peacewithanyfartherimportunity.
Cela
Thissaid,heretired.
The
violence
violenceofmymother’saffliction
eu
hadsuchaneffectonher
constitution
constitutionthatshewasimmediatelyseizedwiththepainsofchildbed;
et
andhadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewas
très
verydear,affordedherpity
et
andassistance,atthehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,she
et
andtheinnocentfruitofher
ventre
wombmusthavefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigour
et
andinhumanity.
Bythefriendshipof
cette
thispoorwomanshewascarriedupto
un
agarret,andimmediatelydeliveredof
un
amanchild,thestoryofwhoseunfortunate
naissance
birthhehimselfnowrelates.
My
père
father,beinginformedofwhathad
passé
happened,flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,
et
andwhileheloadedhis
progéniture
offspringwithpaternalembraces,couldnotforbear
verser
sheddingafloodoftearson
voyant
beholdingthedearpartnerofhis
cœur
heart(forwhoseeasehewouldhave
sacrifié
sacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretchedupon
un
aflockbed,ina
misérable
miserableapartment,unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesoftheweather.
Itisnottobe
supposer
supposedthattheoldgentlemanwas
ignorant
ignorantofwhatpassed,thoughheaffectedtoknow
rien
nothingofthematter,and
semblant
pretendedtobeverymuch
surpris
surprised,whenoneofhis
petits-enfants
grandchildren,byhiseldestsondeceased,who
vivait
livedwithhimashis
héritier
heirapparent,acquaintedhimwiththeaffair;
hedetermined
donc
thereforetoobservenomedium,
mais
butimmediately(onthethird
jour
dayafterherdelivery)senther
un
aperemptoryordertobe
aller
gone,andturnedoffthe
serviteur
servantwhohadpreservedher
vie
life.
Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmy
père
fatherthathehadrecoursetothe
plus
mostdreadfulimprecations;
andonhisbareknees
implorait
imploredthatHeavenwouldrenouncehimifeverheshould
oubliait
forgetorforgivethebarbarityofhissire.
Theinjuries
qui
whichthisunhappymotherreceivedfromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,
et
andthewantofnecessaries
où
whereshelodged,togetherwithher
chagrin
griefandanxietyofmind,
bientôt
soonthrewherintoalanguishing
désordre
disorder,whichputanendtoher
vie
life.
Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wasso
touché
affectedwithherdeaththathe
resta
remainedsixweeksdeprivedofhissenses;
pendant
duringwhichtime,thepeople
où
wherehelodgedcarriedtheinfanttotheold
homme
manwhorelentedsofar,on
entendant
hearingthemelancholystoryofhisdaughter-in-law’s
mort
death,andthedeplorableconditionofhis
fils
son,astosendthechildtonurse,
et
andheorderedmyfathertobe
portèrent
carriedhometohishouse,
où
wherehesoonrecoveredtheuseofhisreason.
Whether
ce
thishardheartedjudgefeltany
remords
remorseforhiscrueltreatmentofhis
fils
sonanddaughter,or(whichis
plus
moreprobable)wasafraidhis
caractère
characterwouldsufferinthe
voisinage
neighbourhood,heprofessedgreatsorrowforhis
conduite
conducttomyfather,whosedeliriumwassucceededbya
profonde
profoundmelancholyandreserve.
Atlengthhe
disparu
disappeared,and,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,
pouvait
couldnotbeheardof;
a
circonstance
circumstancewhichconfirmedmostpeoplein
la
theopinionofhishaving
fait
madeawaywithhimselfinafitof
désespoir
despair.
CHAPTERII
Igrowup—am
haï
hatedbymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—I
formé
formCabalsagainstthePedant—amdebarredAccesstomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—I
démoli
demolishtheTeethofhis
Tuteur
Tutor.
Therewerenotwantingsomewho
soupçonnaient
suspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’s
sort
fate,onthesuppositionthattheywould
tous
allshareinthepatrimonydestinedforhim;
et
andthisconjecturewasstrengthenedby
réfléchissant
reflectingthatinallhiscalamitiesthey
jamais
neverdiscoveredtheleastinclinationto
servir
servehim;
but,onthecontrary,by
tous
alltheartificesintheir
pouvoir
power,fedhisresentmentand
soutenu
supportedhisresolutionofleavinghimtomisery
et
andwant.
Butpeopleof
jugement
judgmenttreatedthisinsinuationas
une
anidlechimera;
because,hadmyrelationsbeenso
méchants
wickedastoconsulttheirinterestby
commettant
committingsuchanatrociouscrime,the
sort
fateofmyfatherwouldhave
étendu
extendedtometoowhose
vie
lifewasanotherobstacletotheirexpectation.
Meanwhile,I
grandissais
grewapace,andasIstrongly
ressemblais
resembledmyfather,whowas
le
thedarlingofthetenants,I
voulais
wantednothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstances
pouvaient
couldafford:
buttheirfavourwas
une
aweakresourceagainstthejealousenmityofmycousins;
qui
whothemoremyinfancypromised,
concevait
conceivedthemoreimplacablehatred
contre
againstme:
andbeforeIwas
six
sixyearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmy
grand-père
grandfatherthatIneversawhimbutbystealth,
quand
whenIsometimesmadeuptohis
chaise
chairashesatto
vu
viewhislabourersinthe
champ
field:
onwhichoccasionhewouldstrokemy
tête
head,bidmebea
bon
goodboy,andpromiseto
prendre
takecareofme.
Iwassoonafter
envoyé
senttoschoolata
village
villagehardby,ofwhichhehadbeen
dictateur
dictatortimeoutofmind;
mais
butasheneverpaidformyboard,
ni
norsuppliedmewithclothes,books,
et
andothernecessariesIrequired,my
état
conditionwasveryraggedandcontemptible,
et
andtheschoolmaster,who,through
peur
fearofmygrandfather,taughtmegratis,gavehimself
pas
noconcernabouttheprogressI
faisais
madeunderhisinstruction.
In
malgré
spiteofallthesedifficulties
et
anddisgraces,Ibecamea
bon
goodproficientintheLatin
langue
tongue;
and,assoonasIcould
écrire
writetolerably,pesteredmygrandfather
avec
withletterstosuchadegreethathe
envoya
sentformymaster,andchidhim
sévèrement
severelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmy
éducation
education,tellinghimthat,ifeverI
devais
shouldbebroughttothe
potence
gallowsforforgery,whichhehad
appris
taughtmetocommit,my
sang
bloodwouldlieonhis
tête
head.
Thepedant,whodreaded
rien
nothingmorethanthedispleasureofhis
patron
patron,assuredhishonourthat
le
theboy’sabilitywasmoreowingtohis
propre
owngeniusandapplicationthanto
toute
anyinstructionorencouragementhe
recevait
received;
that,althoughhecouldnotdivesthimofthe
connaissance
knowledgehehadalreadyimbibed,unlesshewouldempowerhimto
désactiver
disablehisfingers,heshouldendeavour,
avec
withGod’shelp,topreventhisfuture
amélioration
improvement.
And,indeed,hepunctually
accompli
performedwhathehadundertaken;
for,onpretencethatIhad
écrit
writtenimpertinentletterstomy
grand-père
grandfather,hecausedaboardtobemade
avec
withfiveholesinit,through
laquelle
whichhethrustthefingers
et
andthumbofmyright
main
hand,andfasteneditbywhipcordtomy
poignet
wrist,insuchamanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuseofmy
plume
pen.
ButthisrestraintIwasfreedfromina
quelques
fewdays,byanaccident
qui
whichhappenedinaquarrel
entre
betweenmeandanotherboy;
who,
prenant
takinguponhimtoinsultmy
pauvreté
poverty,Iwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthat
avec
withonestrokewithmy
machine
machineIcuthimtothe
crâne
skull,tothegreatterrorofmyself
et
andschoolfellows,wholefthimbleedingonthe
sol
ground,andrantoinformthe
maître
masterofwhathadhappened.
Iwasso
sévèrement
severelypunishedforthistrespass
que
that,wereItolivetotheageofMethusalem,theimpressionitmadeonme
été
wouldnotbeeffaced;
the
plus
morethantheantipathyandhorrorIconceivedfor
le
themercilesstyrantwhoinflictedit.
The
mépris
contemptwhichmyappearancenaturally
produisait
producedinallwhosaw
me
me,thecontinualwantstowhichIwas
exposé
exposed,andmyownhaughty
tempérament
disposition,impatientofaffronts,involvedmeina
mille
thousandtroublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredinadversity,
et
andemboldenedtoundertakingsfarabovemyyears.
Iwas
souvent
ofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnot
commis
commit,because,havingthecharacterofavagabondin
le
thevillage,everypieceofmischief,whoseauthorlay
inconnu
unknown,waschargeduponme.
Ihavebeenfound
coupable
guiltyofrobbingorchardsI
jamais
neverentered,ofkillingcatsI
jamais
neverhunted,ofstealinggingerbreadI
jamais
nevertouched,andofabusingoldwomenI
jamais
neversaw.
Nay,astammering
charpentier
carpenterhadeloquenceenoughto
convaincre
persuademymasterthatI
tiré
firedapistolloadedwithsmallshotintohis
fenêtre
window;
thoughmylandladyand
la
thewholefamilyborewitness
que
thatIwasabedfast
endormi
asleepatthetimewhen
cet
thisoutragewascommitted.
Iwasoncefloggedfor
avoir
havingnarrowlyescapeddrowning,bythesinkingof
une
aferryboatinwhichIwas
passager
passenger.
Anothertime,forhavingrecoveredofa
ecchymose
bruiseoccasionedbyahorse
et
andcartrunningoverme.
A
troisième
thirdtime,forbeingbittenbyabaker’s
chien
dog.
Inshort,whetherIwas
coupable
guiltyorunfortunate,thecorrection
et
andsympathyofthisarbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.
Loin
Farfrombeingsubduedbythis
informel
informalusage,myindignationtriumphedoverthatslavishawewhichhadhitherto
imposé
enforcedmyobedience;
andthe
plus
moremyyearsandknowledge
augmentaient
increased,themoreIperceived
la
theinjusticeandbarbarityofhisbehaviour.
Bythehelpofan
inhabituel
uncommongenius,andtheadvice
et
anddirectionofourusher,
qui
whohadservedmyfatherinhistravels,I
fait
madeasurprisingprogressinthe
classiques
classics,writing,andarithmetic;
sothat,
avant
beforeIwastwelveyearsold,Iwas
permis
allowedbyeverybodytobe
le
thebestscholarintheschool.
Cette
Thisqualification,togetherwiththeboldnessof
tempérament
temperandstrengthofmakewhichhadsubjected
presque
almostallmycontemporaries,gavemesuch
influence
influenceoverthemthatI
commencé
begantoformcabalsagainstmypersecutor;
et
andwasinhopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceina
très
veryshorttime.
Beingat
la
theheadofafaction,consistingofthirtyboys,mostofthemofmyown
âge
age,Iwasdeterminedto
mettre
puttheirmettletotrial,thatI
pouvait
mightknowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,
avant
beforeIputmygrand
plan
schemeinexecution:
withthis
vue
view,weattackedabodyofstoutapprentices,
qui
whohadtakenpossessionof
un
apartofthegroundallottedtousfor
le
theschemeofourdiversions,
et
andwhowerethenplayingatninepinson
le
thespot;
butIhadthemortificationto
voir
seemyadherentsroutedinan
instant
instant,andalegofoneofthembrokeinhis
fuite
flightbythebowl,whichoneofouradversaries
eu
haddetachedinpursuitof
nous
us.
Thisdiscomfituredidnothinderusfrom
engager
engagingthemafterwardsinfrequentskirmishes,
dont
whichwemaintainedbythrowingstonesata
distance
distance,whereinIreceivedmanywounds,thescarsof
dont
whichstillremain.
Ourenemiesweresoharassed
et
andinterruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlast
abandonné
abandonedtheirconquest,andleftusto
la
thepeaceableenjoymentofourownterritories.
Itwouldbe
interminable
endlesstoenumeratetheexploitswe
accomplis
performedinthecourseof
cette
thisconfederacy,whichbecamethe
terreur
terrorofthewholevillage;
insomuch
que
that,whendifferentinterestsdividedit,oneoftheparties
communément
commonlycourtedtheassistanceofRoderickRandom(bywhichnameIwasknown)tocastthebalance,
et
andkeeptheoppositefactioninawe.
Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageofeveryplay-dayto
présenter
presentmyselfbeforemygrandfather,towhomI
rarement
seldomfoundaccess,byreasonofhisbeing
étroitement
closelybesiegedbyanumerous
famille
familyofhisfemalegrandchildren,
qui
who,thoughtheyperpetuallyquarrelled
entre
amongthemselves,neverfailedtojoin
contre
againstme,asthecommonenemyofall.
His
héritier
heir,whowasaboutthe
ans
ageofeighteen,mindednothingbutfox-hunting,
et
andindeedwasqualifiedfor
rien
nothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’sindulgenceinentertaining
un
atutorforhimat
maison
home;
whoatthesame
temps
timeperformedtheofficeof
paroisse
parishclerk.
ThisyoungActaeon,
qui
whoinheritedhisgrandfather’santipathyto
tout
everythingindistress,neversateyesonme
sans
withoutuncouplinghisbeagles,andhuntingmeintosomecottage
ou
orother,whitherIgenerally
fuyais
fledforshelter.
InthisChristian
divertissement
amusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,
pas
nodoubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimself
avec
withtherisingsun,observing,thattheoldgentleman,
selon
accordingtothecourseof
nature
nature,hadnotlongto
vivre
live,forhewasalreadyonthevergeoffourscore.
Chapitre
CHAPTERIII
MyMother’sBrotherarrives—relievesme—a
Description
Descriptionofhim—hegoesalongwithmetothe
Maison
HouseofmyGrandfather—isencounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsthem,
après
afterabloodyEngagement—isadmittedtothe
vieux
oldGentleman—aDialoguebetweenthem.
About
cette
thistimemymother’sonly
frère
brother,whohadbeenlongabroad,
lieutenant
lieutenantofaman-of-war,arrivedinhis
propre
owncountry;
wherebeinginformedofmy
état
condition,hecametosee
me
me,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnotonlysuppliedmewithwhatnecessariesI
voulais
wantedforthepresent,butresolvednotto
quitter
leavethecountryuntilhehadprevailedonmy
grand-père
grandfathertosettlesomethinghandsomeforthefuture.
Thiswasa
tâche
tasktowhichhewasbynomeans
égal
equal,beingentirelyignorant,notonlyof
la
thejudge’sdisposition,butalsoof
la
thewaysofmenin
général
general,towhichhiseducationon
bord
boardhadkepthimanutter
étranger
stranger.
Hewasastrong
bâti
builtman,somewhatbandylegged,
avec
withanecklikethatof
un
abull,andafacewhich(you
pourriez
mighteasilyperceive)hadwithstoodthe
plus
mostobstinateassaultsofthe
météo
weather.
Hisdressconsistedofasoldier’s
manteau
coatalteredforhimbytheship’s
tailleur
tailor,astripedflanneljacket,a
paire
pairofredbreechesspanned
avec
withpitch,cleangrayworstedstockings,largesilverbuckles
qui
thatcoveredthree-fourthsofhis
chaussures
shoes,asilver-lacedhat,whose
couronne
crownoverlookedthebrimsaboutan
pouce
inchandahalf,blackbobwigin
boucle
buckle,acheckshirt,a
soie
silkhandkerchief,ahanger,witha
laiton
brasshandle,girdedtohisthighbyafurnishedlacebelt,
et
andagoodoakplant
sous
underhisarm.
Thusequipped,hesetout
avec
withme(whobyhis
générosité
bountymadeaverydecent
apparition
appearance)formygrandfather’shouse,
où
whereweweresalutedbyJowler
et
andCaesar,whommycousin,
jeune
youngmaster,hadletlooseatour
approche
approach.
Beingwellacquaintedwith
le
theinveteracyofthesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,
quand
whenmyuncleseizedme
avec
withonehand,brandishedhiscudgel
avec
withtheother,andatone
coup
blowlaidCaesarsprawlingon
le
theground;
but,findinghimself
attaqué
attackedatthesametimein
la
therearbyJowler,and
craignant
fearingCaesarmightrecover,he
tira
drewhishanger,wheeledabout,
et
andbyaluckystrokeseveredJowler’s
tête
headfromhisbody.
By
ce
thistime,theyoungfoxhunter
et
andthreeservants,armedwithpitchforks
et
andflails,werecometo
le
theassistanceofthedogs,whomtheyfoundbreathlessupon
le
thefield;
andmycousinwasso
provoqué
provokedatthedeathofhisfavourites,
que
thatheorderedhisattendantstoadvance,
et
andtakevengeanceontheir
bourreau
executioner,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’s
désir
desireofpeace,orwasenragedat
le
thefateofhishounds
au-delà
beyondhisusualpitchof
résolution
resolution,Iknownot;
buthe
arracha
snatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,
et
andcameupwitha
spectacle
showofassaultingthelieutenant,
qui
who,puttinghimselfinapostureof
défense
defence,proceededthus:
“Lookee,youlubberly
fils
sonofaw—e,ifyou
viens
comeathwartme,’wareyourgingerbread
travail
work.
I’llbefoulofyour
quartier
quarter,d—nme.”
Thisdeclaration,followedbya
épanouissement
flourishofhishanger,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,I
suppose
suppose,whohasdesertedandturned
voleur
thief.
Butdon’tthinkyoushall
échapper
escape,sirrah—I’llhaveyouhang’d,you
chien
dog,Iwill.
Yourbloodshall
payera
payforthatofmy
deux
twohounds,youragamuffin.
Iwouldnothave
séparé
partedwiththemtosaveyour
toute
wholegenerationfromthegallows,youruffian,you!”
“Noneofyour
mâchoire
jaw,youswab—noneofyourjaw,”
répondu
repliedmyuncle,“elseIshall
couper
trimyourlacedjacketforyou.
Ishall
frotter
rubyoudownwithanoaken
serviette
towel,myboy,Ishall.”
So
disant
saying,hesheathedhishanger,
et
andgraspedhiscudgel.