The Adventures of Roderick Random Gradually Hardening French B2 Translation Books

THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE

Ofallkindsofsatire,thereisnoneso

amusant

entertaininganduniversallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwere

occasionnellement

occasionally,inthecourseofaninterestingstory,whichbringseveryincidenthometolife,andby

représentant

representingfamiliarscenesinan

inhabituel

uncommonandamusingpointofview,

investit

investsthemwithallthegracesof

nouveauté

novelty,whilenatureisappealedtoineveryparticular.

Thereadergratifieshis

curiosité

curiosityinpursuingtheadventuresofapersoninwhosefavourheisprepossessed;

heespouseshiscause,hesympathiseswithhiminhis

détresse

distress,hisindignationisheatedagainsttheauthorsofhis

calamité

calamity:

thehumanepassionsareinflamed;

the

contraste

contrastbetweendejectedvirtueand

insultant

insultingviceappearswithgreateraggravation,andevery

impression

impressionhavingadoubleforceontheimagination,thememory

conserve

retainsthecircumstance,andtheheartimprovesbytheexample.

Theattentionisnottiredwitha

barecatalogueofcharacters,butagreeablydivertedwithallthe

variété

varietyofinvention;

andthevicissitudesoflifeappearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,openinganamplefieldforwitandhumour.

Romance,nodoubt,owesits

origine

origintoignorance,vanity,and

superstition

superstition.

InthedarkagesoftheWorld,whenamanhadrenderedhimselffamousfor

sagesse

wisdomorvalour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,and

représentaient

representedhischaracterandpersonassacredandsupernatural.

The

vulgaire

vulgareasilyswallowedthebait,

implora

imploredhisprotection,andyieldedthetributeofhomageand

louange

praise,eventoadoration;

hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposteritywithathousandexaggerations;

theywererepeatedasincitementsto

vertu

virtue;

divinehonourswerepaid,andaltarserectedtohismemory,fortheencouragementofthosewhoattemptedtoimitatehisexample;

and

d'où

hencearosetheheathenmythology,whichisnootherthana

collection

collectionofextravagantromances.

Aslearningadvanced,andgeniusreceivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedwiththegracesofpoetry,thattheymightthebetter

recommander

recommendthemselvestotheattention;

theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,fortheinstructionanddelightoftheaudience;

and

répété

rehearsedbeforebattle,asincentivestodeedsofglory.

Thus

tragédie

tragedyandtheepicmusewereborn,and,intheprogressoftaste,arrivedat

perfection

perfection.

Itisnowonderthattheancientscouldnot

savourer

relishafableinprose,aftertheyhadseensomanyremarkableeventscelebratedin

vers

versebytheirbestpoets;

wethereforefindno

romance

romanceamongthemduringtheeraoftheir

excellence

excellence,unlesstheCyropædiaofXenophonmaybesocalled;

anditwasnottillartsandsciencesbeganto

revivre

reviveaftertheirruptionofthebarbariansintoEurope,thatanythingofthiskindappeared.

Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothemost

absurde

absurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromancearose,andlosingsightof

probabilité

probability,filledtheirperformanceswiththemostmonstroushyperboles.

Iftheycouldnotequaltheancientpoetsinpointofgeniustheywere

résolus

resolvedtoexcelthemin

fiction

fiction,andapplytothewonder,ratherthanthe

jugement

judgment,oftheirreaders.

Accordingly,theybroughtnecromancytotheir

aide

aid,andinsteadofsupportingthecharacteroftheirheroesby

dignité

dignityofsentimentandpractice,distinguishedthembytheirbodilystrength,activity,andextravaganceofbehaviour.

Althoughnothingcouldbemore

ridicule

ludicrousandunnaturalthanthefigurestheydrew,theydidnotwantpatronsandadmirers;

andtheworldactuallybegantobe

infecté

infectedwiththespiritofknight-errantry,whenCervantes,byaninimitablepieceof

ridicule

ridicule,reformedthetasteofmankind,

représentant

representingchivalryintherightpointofview,and

convertissant

convertingromancetopurposesfarmoreusefulandentertaining,bymakingitassumethe

chaussette

sock,andpointoutthefolliesofordinarylife.

Thesame

méthode

methodhasbeenpractisedbyotherSpanishandFrenchauthors,andbynonemore

succès

successfullythanbyMonsieurLe

Sage

Sage,who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,has

décrit

describedtheknaveryandfoiblesoflife,withinfinitehumourandsagacity.

ThefollowingsheetsIhavemodelledonhisplan,takingme

liberté

liberty,however,todifferfromhimintheexecution,whereIthoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,extravagant,orpeculiartothecountryinwhichthesceneislaid.

ThedisgracesofGilBlasare,forthemostpart,suchasrather

excitent

excitemirththancompassion;

hehimselflaughsatthem;

andhistransitionsfrom

détresse

distresstohappiness,oratleast

facilité

ease,aresosudden,thatneitherthereaderhastimetopityhim,norhimselftobeacquaintedwithaffliction.

This

conduite

conduct,inmyopinion,notonlydeviatesfrom

probabilité

probability,butpreventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatethereaderagainstthe

sordide

sordidandviciousdispositionoftheworld.

Ihaveattemptedto

représenter

representmodestmeritstrugglingwitheverydifficultytowhichafriendless

orphelin

orphanisexposed,fromhisownwantofexperience,aswellasfromtheselfishness,envy,

malice

malice,andbaseindifferenceofmankind.

Tosecureafavourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhimtheadvantagesofbirthandeducation,whichintheseriesofhismisfortuneswill,Ihope,

engageront

engagetheingenuousmorewarmlyinhis

nom

behalf;

andthoughIforesee,thatsomepeoplewillbeoffendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheisinvolved,I

persuade

persuademyselfthatthejudiciouswillnotonly

percevra

perceivethenecessityofdescribingthosesituationstowhichhemustofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,butalsofind

divertissement

entertainmentinviewingthosepartsoflife,wherethehumoursandpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,ceremony,oreducation;

andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesof

tempérament

dispositionappearasnaturehasimplantedthem.

ButIbelieveIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatingapracticeauthorizedbythebestwritersinthisway,someofwhomIhavealreadynamed.

Everyintelligentreaderwill,atfirstsight,

percevra

perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,whicharealltrueinthemain,althoughthecircumstancesarealteredanddisguised,toavoidpersonalsatire.

ItnowremainstogivemyreasonsformakingthechiefpersonageofthisworkaNorthBriton,whicharechieflythese:

Icould,atasmallexpense,bestowonhimsucheducationasIthoughtthe

dignité

dignityofhisbirthandcharacterrequired,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysuchslendermeansasthenatureofmyplanwouldafford.

Inthenextplace,Icould

représenter

representsimplicityofmannersinaremotepartofthekingdom,withmoreproprietythaninanyplacenearthecapital;

and

enfin

lastly,thedispositionoftheScots,addictedtotravelling,

justifie

justifiesmyconductinderivinganadventurerfromthatcountry.

APOLOGUE

Ayoung

peintre

painter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,sketchedakindofconversationpiece,

représentant

representingabear,anowl,amonkey,andanass;

andto

rendre

renderitmorestriking,humorous,and

moral

moral,distinguishedeveryfigurebysomeemblemofhumanlife.

Bruinwas

exposé

exhibitedinthegarbandattitudeofanold,toothless,drunkensoldier;

the

hibou

owlpercheduponthehandleofacoffee-pot,withspectacleonnose,seemedto

contempler

contemplateanewspaper;

andtheass,

orné

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

Thiswhimsicalgroupaffordedsomemirth,andmetwithgeneralapprobation,untilsomemischievouswaghintedthatthewhole—wasalampoonuponthefriendsoftheperformer;

aninsinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedthanthoseverypeoplewho

applaudi

applaudeditbeforebegantobealarmed,andeventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.

Amongothers,a

digne

worthypersonageinyears,whohadservedinthearmywithreputation,beingincensedatthesupposed

outrage

outrage,repairedtothelodgingofthe

peintre

painter,andfindinghimathome,“Harkye,Mr.Monkey,”saidhe,“Ihaveagoodmindtoconvinceyou,thatthoughthebearhaslosthisteeth,he

conserve

retainshispaws,andthatheisnotsodrunkbuthecan

percevoir

perceiveyourimpertinence.”

“Sblood!

sir,thattoothless

mâchoire

jawisad—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyouimaginemesochopfallenasnottobeableto

mâcher

chewthecudofresentment.”

Herehewas

interrompu

interruptedbythearrivalofalearned

médecin

physician,who,advancingtotheculpritwithfuryinhisaspect,exclaimed,“Supposetheaugmentationoftheass’searsshouldprovethediminutionofthebaboon’s—nay,seeknottoprevaricate,for,bythebeardofAesculapius!

thereisnotonehairinthisperiwigthatwillnotstandupin

jugement

judgmenttoconvicttheeofpersonal

abus

abuse.

Dobutobserve,captain,howthis

pitoyable

pitifullittlefellowhascopiedtheverycurls—the

couleur

colour,indeed,isdifferent,butthentheformandforetoparequitesimilar.”

Whilehethusremonstratedinastrainofvociferation,avenerable

sénateur

senatorentered,andwaddlinguptothe

délinquant

delinquent,“Jackanapes!”

criedhe,“IwillnowlettheeseeIcanreadsomethingelsethananewspaper,andthatwithoutthehelpofspectacles:

hereisyourownnoteofhand,sirrah,formoney,whichifIhadnotadvanced,youyourselfwouldhave

ressemblé

resembledanowl,innotdaringtoshowyourfacebyday,you

ingrat

ungratefulslanderousknave!”

Invaintheastonished

peintre

painterdeclaredthathehadnointentiontogiveoffence,ortocharacteriseparticularpersons:

theyaffirmedthe

ressemblance

resemblancewastoopalpabletobeoverlooked;

theytaxedhimwithinsolence,

malice

malice,andingratitude;

andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardbythepublic,thecaptainwasabear,thedoctoranass,andthe

sénateur

senatoranowl,tohisdyingday.

Christianreader,Ibeseechthee,inthebowelsoftheLord,rememberthisexample“whilethouartemployedintheperusalofthefollowingsheets;

andseeknottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhich

également

equallybelongstofivehundreddifferentpeople.

Ifthoushouldstmeetwithacharacterthat

reflète

reflectstheeinsomeungraciousparticular,keepthyowncounsel;

Chapitre

CHAPTERI

OfmyBirthandParentage.

Iwasborninthe

nord

northernpartofthisunitedkingdom,inthehouseofmygrandfather,agentlemanofconsiderablefortuneand

influence

influence,whohadonmanyoccasionssignalisedhimselfin

nom

behalfofhiscountry;

andwas

remarquable

remarkableforhisabilitiesinthelaw,whichheexercisedwithgreatsuccessinthestationofajudge,

en particulier

particularlyagainstbeggars,forwhomhehadasingularaversion.

Myfather(his

jeune

youngestson)fallinginlovewithapoorrelation,wholivedwiththeoldgentlemaninqualityofahousekeeper,espousedher

privé

privately;

andIwasthefirstfruitofthatmarriage.

Duringher

grossesse

pregnancy,adreamdiscomposedmymothersomuchthatherhusband,tiredwithherimportunity,atlast

consulta

consultedahighlandseer,whosefavourableinterpretationhewouldhavesecuredbeforehandbya

pot-de-vin

bribe,butfoundhimincorruptible.

Shedreamedshewasdeliveredofatennis-ball,whichthedevil(who,tohergreatsurprise,actedthepartofamidwife)strucksoforciblywitha

raquette

racketthatitdisappearedinan

instant

instant;

andshewasforsometimeinconsolableforthelostofher

progéniture

offspring;

when,allonasudden,she

vit

behelditreturnwithequalviolence,andentertheearth,

sous

beneathherfeet,whenceimmediatelysprangupagoodlytreecoveredwithblossoms,thescentofwhich

opérait

operatedsostronglyonhernervesthatsheawoke.

The

attentif

attentivesage,aftersomedeliberation,

assura

assuredmyparents,thattheirfirstbornwouldbeagreat

voyageur

traveller;

thathewouldundergomanydangersanddifficulties,andatlastreturntohisnativeland,wherehewouldflourishinhappinessandreputation.

Howtrulythiswasforetoldwillappearinthesequel.

Itwasnotlongbeforesomeofficiouspersoninformedmygrandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassedbetweenhissonandhousekeeperwhichalarmedhimsomuchthat,afewdaysafter,hetoldmyfatheritwashightimeforhimtothinkofsettling;

andthathehadprovidedamatchforhim,towhichhecouldinjusticehavenoobjections.

Myfather,findingitwouldbeimpossibletoconcealhissituationmuchlonger,

franchement

franklyownedwhathehaddone;

andexcusedhimselffornothavingaskedtheconsentofhisfather,bysaying,heknewitwouldhavebeentonopurpose;

andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,mygrandfathermighthavetakensuch

mesures

measuresaswouldhaveeffectuallyputthegratificationofitoutofhispower:

headded,thatnoexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’s

vertu

virtue,birth,beauty,andgoodsense,andasforfortune,itwas

sous

beneathhiscare.

Theoldgentleman,whokeptallhispassions,exceptone,inexcellentorder,heardhimtoanendwithgreat

tempérament

temper,andthencalmlyasked,howhe

proposait

proposedtomaintainhimselfandspouse?

répondit

replied,hecouldbeinnodangerofwantingwhilehisfather’stendernessremained,whichheandhiswifeshouldalways

cultiver

cultivatewiththeutmostveneration;

andhewas

convaincu

persuadedhisallowancewouldbesuitabletothe

dignité

dignityandcircumstancesofhisfamily,andtotheprovisionalreadymadeforhisbrothersandsisters,whowere

heureusement

happilysettledunderhisprotection.

“Yourbrothersandsisters,”saidmygrandfather,“didnotthinkitbeneaththemto

consulter

consultmeinanaffairofsuch

importance

importanceasmatrimony;

neither,Isuppose,wouldyouhaveomittedthatpieceofduty,hadyounotsomesecret

fonds

fundinreserve;

tothecomfortsofwhichIleaveyou,withadesirethatyouwillthisnightseekoutanotherhabitationforyourselfandwife,whither,inashorttime,Iwillsendyouanaccountofthe

dépenses

expenseIhavebeenatinyoureducation,withaviewofbeingreimbursed.

Sir,youhavemadethegrandtour—youarea

poli

politegentleman—averyprettygentleman—Iwishyouagreatdealofjoy,andamyourvery

humble

humbleservant.”

Sosaying,heleftmyfatherinasituationeasilyimagined.

However,hedidnotlonghesitate;

for,beingperfectlywellacquaintedwithhisfather’s

disposition

disposition,hedidnotdoubtthathewasgladofthispretencetogetridofhim;

andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedesandPersians,heknewitwouldbetonopurposetoattempthimbyprayersandentreaties;

sowithoutany

plus

fartherapplication,hebetookhimself,withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoa

ferme

farm-house,whereanoldservantofhismother

habitait

dwelt:

theretheyremainedsometimeinasituationbutill

adaptée

adaptedtotheeleganceoftheirdesiresandtendernessoftheirlove;

whichneverthelessmyfatherchosetoendure,ratherthansupplicateanunnaturalandinflexibleparentbutmymother,

prévoyant

foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshemusthavebeenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredinthisplace(andher

grossesse

pregnancywasveryfaradvanced),without

communiquer

communicatingherdesigntoherhusband,wentindisguisetothehouseofmygrandfather,hopingthathertearsandconditionwouldmovehimto

compassion

compassion,andreconcilehimtoaneventwhichwasnowirrecoverablypast.

Shefoundmeansto

tromper

deceivetheservants,andgetintroducedasanunfortunatelady,whowantedto

plaindre

complainofsomematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sparticular

province

provincetodecideinallcasesof

scandale

scandal.

Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohispresence,where,

découvrant

discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,andinthemostaffecting

manière

mannerimploredhisforgiveness;

atthesametime

représentant

representingthedangerthatthreatenednotonlyherlife,butthatofhisown

petit-fils

grandchild,whichwasabouttoseethelight.

Hetoldherhewassorrythattheindiscretionofherandhissonhadcompelledhimtomakea

vœu

vow,whichputitoutofhispowertogivethemany

aide

assistance;

thathehadalreadyimpartedhisthoughtsonthatsubjecttoherhusband,andwassurprisedthattheyshould

troubler

disturbhispeacewithanyfartherimportunity.

Thissaid,he

retraite

retired.

Theviolenceofmymother’safflictionhadsuchaneffectonher

constitution

constitutionthatshewasimmediatelyseizedwiththepainsofchildbed;

andhadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewasverydear,affordedherpityand

aide

assistance,atthehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,sheandtheinnocentfruitofher

ventre

wombmusthavefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigourandinhumanity.

Bythefriendshipofthispoorwomanshewascarrieduptoagarret,andimmediatelydeliveredofamanchild,thestoryofwhoseunfortunatebirthhehimselfnowrelates.

Myfather,beinginformedofwhathadhappened,flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,andwhileheloadedhis

progéniture

offspringwithpaternalembraces,couldnotforbear

verser

sheddingafloodoftearson

voyant

beholdingthedearpartnerofhisheart(forwhose

facilité

easehewouldhavesacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretchedupona

troupeau

flockbed,inamiserableapartment,

incapable

unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesoftheweather.

Itisnottobesupposedthattheoldgentlemanwas

ignorant

ignorantofwhatpassed,thoughheaffectedtoknownothingofthematter,andpretendedtobeverymuchsurprised,whenoneofhis

petits-enfants

grandchildren,byhiseldestsondeceased,wholivedwithhimashis

héritier

heirapparent,acquaintedhimwiththeaffair;

hedeterminedthereforetoobserveno

médium

medium,butimmediately(onthethirddayafterherdelivery)sentheraperemptoryordertobegone,andturnedoffthe

serviteur

servantwhohadpreservedherlife.

Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmyfatherthathehadrecoursetothemostdreadfulimprecations;

andonhisbareknees

implorait

imploredthatHeavenwouldrenouncehimifeverheshouldforgetorforgivethebarbarityofhissire.

Theinjurieswhichthisunhappymotherreceivedfromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,andthewantofnecessarieswhereshelodged,togetherwithher

chagrin

griefandanxietyofmind,soonthrewherintoalanguishing

désordre

disorder,whichputanendtoherlife.

Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wasso

touché

affectedwithherdeaththatheremainedsixweeks

privé

deprivedofhissenses;

duringwhichtime,thepeoplewherehelodgedcarriedtheinfanttotheoldmanwhorelentedsofar,onhearingthe

mélancolique

melancholystoryofhisdaughter-in-law’sdeath,andthedeplorableconditionofhisson,astosendthechildtonurse,andheorderedmyfathertobecarriedhometohishouse,wherehesoonrecoveredtheuseofhisreason.

Whetherthishardheartedjudgefeltany

remords

remorseforhiscrueltreatmentofhissonanddaughter,or(whichismoreprobable)wasafraidhischaracterwouldsufferinthe

voisinage

neighbourhood,heprofessedgreatsorrowforhis

conduite

conducttomyfather,whosedeliriumwassucceededbya

profonde

profoundmelancholyandreserve.

Atlengthhedisappeared,and,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,couldnotbeheardof;

circonstance

circumstancewhichconfirmedmostpeopleintheopinionofhishavingmadeawaywithhimselfinafitof

désespoir

despair.

CHAPTERII

Igrowup—amhatedbymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—IformCabalsagainstthePedant—amdebarredAccesstomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—I

démoli

demolishtheTeethofhis

Tuteur

Tutor.

Therewerenotwantingsomewhosuspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’sfate,onthesuppositionthattheywouldallshareinthepatrimonydestinedforhim;

andthisconjecturewasstrengthenedby

réfléchissant

reflectingthatinallhiscalamitiestheynever

découvert

discoveredtheleastinclinationtoservehim;

but,onthecontrary,byalltheartificesintheirpower,fedhis

ressentiment

resentmentandsupportedhisresolutionofleavinghimtomiseryandwant.

Butpeopleof

jugement

judgmenttreatedthisinsinuationasanidlechimera;

because,hadmyrelationsbeenso

méchants

wickedastoconsulttheirinterestbycommittingsuchanatrociouscrime,thefateofmyfatherwouldhave

étendu

extendedtometoowhoselifewasanother

obstacle

obstacletotheirexpectation.

Meanwhile,Igrewapace,andasIstrongly

ressemblais

resembledmyfather,whowasthedarlingofthetenants,Iwantednothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstancescouldafford:

buttheirfavourwasaweak

ressource

resourceagainstthejealousenmityofmycousins;

whothemoremyinfancypromised,

concevait

conceivedthemoreimplacablehatredagainstme:

andbeforeIwassixyearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmygrandfatherthatIneversawhimbutbystealth,whenIsometimesmadeuptohischairashesattoviewhislabourersinthefield:

onwhichoccasionhewouldstrokemyhead,bidmebeagoodboy,andpromisetotakecareofme.

Iwassoonaftersenttoschoolatavillagehardby,ofwhichhehadbeen

dictateur

dictatortimeoutofmind;

butasheneverpaidformyboard,nor

fourni

suppliedmewithclothes,books,andothernecessariesIrequired,myconditionwasveryraggedandcontemptible,andtheschoolmaster,who,throughfearofmygrandfather,taughtmegratis,gavehimselfnoconcernabouttheprogressImadeunderhis

instruction

instruction.

Inspiteofallthesedifficultiesanddisgraces,IbecameagoodproficientintheLatintongue;

and,assoonasIcouldwritetolerably,pesteredmygrandfatherwithletterstosuchadegreethathesentformymaster,andchidhim

sévèrement

severelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmyeducation,tellinghimthat,ifeverIshouldbebroughttothe

potence

gallowsforforgery,whichhehadtaughtmetocommit,mybloodwouldlieonhishead.

Thepedant,whodreadednothingmorethanthedispleasureofhis

patron

patron,assuredhishonourthattheboy’sabilitywasmoreowingtohisowngeniusand

application

applicationthantoanyinstructionor

encouragement

encouragementhereceived;

that,althoughhecouldnotdivesthimoftheknowledgehehadalreadyimbibed,unlesshewouldempowerhimto

désactiver

disablehisfingers,heshouldendeavour,withGod’shelp,topreventhisfuture

amélioration

improvement.

And,indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehad

entrepris

undertaken;

for,onpretencethatIhadwrittenimpertinentletterstomygrandfather,hecausedaboardtobemadewithfiveholesinit,throughwhichhethrustthefingersand

pouce

thumbofmyrighthand,and

fixé

fasteneditbywhipcordtomy

poignet

wrist,insuchamanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuseofmypen.

ButthisrestraintIwasfreedfrominafewdays,byanaccidentwhichhappenedina

querelle

quarrelbetweenmeandanotherboy;

who,takinguponhimtoinsultmy

pauvreté

poverty,Iwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthatwithone

coup

strokewithmymachineIcuthimtothe

crâne

skull,tothegreatterrorofmyselfandschoolfellows,wholefthimbleedingontheground,andrantoinformthemasterofwhathadhappened.

Iwasso

sévèrement

severelypunishedforthistrespassthat,wereItolivetotheageofMethusalem,theimpressionitmadeonmewouldnotbeeffaced;

themorethantheantipathyandhorrorIconceivedforthe

impitoyable

mercilesstyrantwhoinflictedit.

The

mépris

contemptwhichmyappearancenaturally

produisait

producedinallwhosawme,thecontinualwantstowhichIwas

exposé

exposed,andmyownhaughty

tempérament

disposition,impatientofaffronts,involvedmeinathousandtroublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredinadversity,andemboldenedtoundertakingsfarabovemyyears.

IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnotcommit,because,havingthecharacterofavagabondinthevillage,everypieceofmischief,whoseauthorlayunknown,waschargeduponme.

IhavebeenfoundguiltyofrobbingorchardsIneverentered,ofkillingcatsIneverhunted,ofstealinggingerbreadInevertouched,andofabusingoldwomenIneversaw.

Non

Nay,astammeringcarpenterhadeloquenceenoughto

convaincre

persuademymasterthatIfiredapistolloadedwithsmallshotintohiswindow;

thoughmy

propriétaire

landladyandthewholefamilyborewitnessthatIwasabedfastasleepatthetimewhenthis

outrage

outragewascommitted.

Iwasoncefloggedforhavingnarrowlyescapeddrowning,bythesinkingofa

ferry

ferryboatinwhichIwas

passager

passenger.

Anothertime,forhavingrecoveredofa

ecchymose

bruiseoccasionedbyahorseand

charrette

cartrunningoverme.

Athirdtime,forbeingbittenbyabaker’sdog.

Inshort,whetherIwasguiltyor

malheureux

unfortunate,thecorrectionandsympathyofthis

arbitraire

arbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.

Farfrombeingsubduedbythis

informel

informalusage,myindignationtriumphedoverthatslavishawewhichhadhitherto

imposé

enforcedmyobedience;

andthemoremyyearsandknowledge

augmentaient

increased,themoreIperceivedtheinjusticeandbarbarityofhisbehaviour.

Bythehelpofan

inhabituel

uncommongenius,andtheadviceanddirectionofour

huissier

usher,whohadservedmyfatherinhistravels,Imadeasurprisingprogressinthe

classiques

classics,writing,andarithmetic;

sothat,beforeIwastwelveyearsold,Iwasallowedbyeverybodytobethebestscholarintheschool.

Thisqualification,togetherwiththeboldnessof

tempérament

temperandstrengthofmakewhichhadsubjectedalmostallmycontemporaries,gavemesuch

influence

influenceoverthemthatIbegantoformcabalsagainstmypersecutor;

andwasinhopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceinaveryshorttime.

Beingattheheadofa

faction

faction,consistingofthirtyboys,mostofthemofmyownage,Iwas

déterminé

determinedtoputtheirmettletotrial,thatImightknowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,beforeIputmygrand

plan

schemeinexecution:

withthisview,weattackedabodyofstoutapprentices,whohadtaken

possession

possessionofapartofthegroundallottedtousfortheschemeofourdiversions,andwhowerethenplayingatninepinsonthespot;

butIhadthemortificationtoseemyadherentsroutedinan

instant

instant,andalegofoneofthembrokeinhisflightbythebowl,whichoneofouradversarieshaddetachedinpursuitofus.

Thisdiscomfituredidnothinderusfrom

engager

engagingthemafterwardsinfrequentskirmishes,whichwemaintainedbythrowingstonesatadistance,whereinIreceivedmanywounds,thescarsofwhichstillremain.

Ourenemiesweresoharassedandinterruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlast

abandonné

abandonedtheirconquest,andleftustothepeaceable

jouissance

enjoymentofourownterritories.

Itwouldbe

interminable

endlesstoenumeratetheexploitsweperformedinthecourseofthisconfederacy,whichbecamethe

terreur

terrorofthewholevillage;

insomuchthat,whendifferentinterests

divisaient

dividedit,oneoftheparties

communément

commonlycourtedtheassistanceofRoderickRandom(bywhichnameIwasknown)tocastthebalance,andkeeptheopposite

faction

factioninawe.

Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageofeveryplay-daytopresentmyselfbeforemygrandfather,towhomI

rarement

seldomfoundaccess,byreasonofhisbeing

étroitement

closelybesiegedbyanumerousfamilyofhisfemalegrandchildren,who,thoughtheyperpetually

querellassent

quarrelledamongthemselves,neverfailedtojoinagainstme,asthecommonenemyofall.

His

héritier

heir,whowasabouttheageofeighteen,mindednothingbutfox-hunting,andindeedwas

qualifié

qualifiedfornothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’sindulgenceinentertaininga

tuteur

tutorforhimathome;

whoatthesametimeperformedtheofficeof

paroisse

parishclerk.

ThisyoungActaeon,who

hérité

inheritedhisgrandfather’santipathytoeverythingin

détresse

distress,neversateyesonmewithoutuncouplinghisbeagles,andhuntingmeintosomecottageorother,whitherI

généralement

generallyfledforshelter.

InthisChristian

divertissement

amusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,nodoubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimselfwiththerisingsun,

observant

observing,thattheoldgentleman,accordingtothecourseofnature,hadnotlongtolive,forhewasalreadyonthevergeoffourscore.

Chapitre

CHAPTERIII

MyMother’sBrotherarrives—relievesme—a

Description

Descriptionofhim—hegoesalongwithmetotheHouseofmyGrandfather—is

rencontré

encounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsthem,afterabloodyEngagement—isadmittedtotheoldGentleman—a

Dialogue

Dialoguebetweenthem.

Aboutthistimemymother’sonlybrother,whohadbeenlongabroad,lieutenantofaman-of-war,arrivedinhisowncountry;

wherebeinginformedofmycondition,hecametoseeme,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnotonlysuppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIwantedforthepresent,butresolvednottoleavethecountryuntilhehadprevailedonmygrandfathertosettlesomethinghandsomeforthefuture.

Thiswasatasktowhichhewasbynomeans

égal

equal,beingentirelyignorant,notonlyofthejudge’s

disposition

disposition,butalsoofthewaysofmeningeneral,towhichhiseducationonboardhadkepthimanutterstranger.

Hewasastrongbuiltman,somewhatbandylegged,withanecklikethatofabull,andafacewhich(youmighteasilyperceive)hadwithstoodthemostobstinateassaultsoftheweather.

Hisdressconsistedofasoldier’scoat

modifié

alteredforhimbytheship’s

tailleur

tailor,astripedflanneljacket,apairofredbreechesspannedwithpitch,cleangrayworstedstockings,largesilverbucklesthatcoveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-lacedhat,whose

couronne

crownoverlookedthebrimsaboutan

pouce

inchandahalf,blackbobwigin

boucle

buckle,acheckshirt,a

soie

silkhandkerchief,ahanger,witha

laiton

brasshandle,girdedtohisthighbyafurnishedlacebelt,andagood

chêne

oakplantunderhisarm.

Thusequipped,hesetoutwithme(whobyhis

générosité

bountymadeaverydecent

apparition

appearance)formygrandfather’shouse,whereweweresalutedbyJowlerand

César

Caesar,whommycousin,youngmaster,hadletlooseatourapproach.

Beingwellacquaintedwiththeinveteracyofthesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,whenmyuncle

saisi

seizedmewithonehand,brandishedhiscudgelwiththeother,andatoneblowlaid

César

Caesarsprawlingontheground;

but,findinghimselfattackedatthesametimeintherearbyJowler,andfearing

César

Caesarmightrecover,hedrewhis

cintre

hanger,wheeledabout,andbyalucky

coup

strokeseveredJowler’sheadfromhisbody.

Bythistime,theyoungfoxhunterandthreeservants,armedwithpitchforksandflails,werecometotheassistanceofthedogs,whomtheyfoundbreathlessuponthefield;

andmycousinwasso

provoqué

provokedatthedeathofhisfavourites,thatheorderedhisattendantstoadvance,andtake

se venger

vengeanceontheirexecutioner,whomheloadedwithallthecursesandreproacheshisangercouldsuggest.

Uponwhichmyunclesteppedforwardswithanundauntedair,atthesightofwhosebloodyweaponshisantagonistsfellbackwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheirleaderthus:.

“Lookee,brother,yourdogshavingboardedmewithout

provocation

provocation,whatIdidwasinmyown

défense

defence.

Soyouhadbestbecivil,andletusshootahead,clearofyou.”

Whethertheyoung

écuyer

squiremisinterpretedmyuncle’sdesireofpeace,orwasenragedatthefateofhishoundsbeyondhisusual

pas

pitchofresolution,Iknownot;

buthe

arracha

snatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,andcameupwithashowofassaultingthelieutenant,who,puttinghimselfinapostureof

défense

defence,proceededthus:

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

I’llbefoulofyourquarter,d—nme.”

This

déclaration

declaration,followedbyaflourishofhishanger,seemedtochecktheprogressoftheyounggentleman’scholer,who,lookingbehindhim,perceivedhisattendantshadslunkintothehouse,shutthegate,andlefthimtodecidethecontentionbyhimself.

Hereaparleyensued,whichwasintroducedbymycousin’sasking,“Whothedevilareyou?

Whatdoyouwant?

Somescoundrelofaseaman,Isuppose,whohasdesertedandturnedthief.

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

Yourbloodshallpayforthatofmytwohounds,youragamuffin.

Iwouldnothavepartedwiththemtosaveyourwholegenerationfromthe

potence

gallows,youruffian,you!”

“Noneofyour

mâchoire

jaw,youswab—noneofyourjaw,”

répondu

repliedmyuncle,“elseIshall

couper

trimyourlacedjacketforyou.

Ishall

frotter

rubyoudownwithanoaken

serviette

towel,myboy,Ishall.”

Sosaying,hesheathedhis

cintre

hanger,andgraspedhiscudgel.

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