THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE
Ofallkindsofsatire,thereisnonesoentertaining
und
anduniversallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwereoccasionally,intheverlauf
courseofaninterestingstory,whichbringseveryincidenthometoleben
life,andbyrepresentingfamiliarscenesinanuncommonund
andamusingpointofview,investsthemwithallthegracesofnovelty,während
whilenatureisappealedtoineveryparticular.Thereadergratifieshiscuriosityinpursuingtheadventuresofa
person
personinwhosefavourheisprepossessed;heespouseshiscause,hesympathiseswithhiminhisdistress,hisindignationisheated
gegen
againsttheauthorsofhiscalamity:die
thehumanepassionsareinflamed;thecontrast
zwischen
betweendejectedvirtueandinsultingviceappearswithgreateraggravation,und
andeveryimpressionhavingadoubleforceontheimagination,thememoryretainsthecircumstance,und
andtheheartimprovesbytheexample.Theattentionisnottiredwithabarecatalogueofcharacters,
sondern
butagreeablydivertedwithallthevarietyofinvention;und
andthevicissitudesoflifeappearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,openingein
anamplefieldforwitund
andhumour.Romance,nodoubt,owesitsorigintoignorance,vanity,
und
andsuperstition.Inthedarkagesofthe
Welt
World,whenamanhadrenderedhimselffamousforwisdomorvalour,hisfamilie
familyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,und
andrepresentedhischaracterandperson
personassacredandsupernatural.Thevulgareasilyswallowedthebait,imploredhisprotection,
und
andyieldedthetributeofhomageund
andpraise,eventoadoration;hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposteritywithathousandexaggerations;
theywererepeatedasincitementstovirtue;
divinehonourswerepaid,
und
andaltarserectedtohismemory,fordie
theencouragementofthosewhoattemptedtoimitatehisexample;und
andhencearosetheheathenmythology,whichisnootherals
thanacollectionofextravagantromances.Aslearningadvanced,
und
andgeniusreceivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedwiththegracesofpoetry,thattheymightthebesser
betterrecommendthemselvestotheattention;theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,for
der
theinstructionanddelightofder
theaudience;andrehearsedbeforebattle,asincentivestodeedsofglory.
Thustragedy
und
andtheepicmusewereborn,und
and,intheprogressoftaste,arrivedatperfection.Itisnowonder
so
thattheancientscouldnotrelisheine
afableinprose,aftertheyhadgesehen
seensomanyremarkableeventscelebratedinversebytheirbestpoets;wetherefore
finden
findnoromanceamongthemduringtheeraoftheirexcellence,unlesstheCyropædiaofXenophonkann
maybesocalled;anditwasnottillarts
und
andsciencesbegantorevivenach
aftertheirruptionofthebarbariansintoEurope,thatetwas
anythingofthiskindappeared.Aber
Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothemostabsurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromancearose,und
andlosingsightofprobability,filledtheirperformanceswiththemostmonstroushyperboles.Wenn
Iftheycouldnotequaltheancientpoetsinpointofgeniustheywereresolvedtoexceltheminfiction,und
andapplytothewonder,ratherals
thanthejudgment,oftheirreaders.Accordingly,theybroughtnecromancytotheiraid,
und
andinsteadofsupportingthecharacteroftheirheroesbydignityofsentimentund
andpractice,distinguishedthembytheirbodilystrength,activity,und
andextravaganceofbehaviour.Although
nichts
nothingcouldbemoreludicrousund
andunnaturalthanthefigurestheydrew,theydidnotwantpatronsund
andadmirers;andtheworld
tatsächlich
actuallybegantobeinfectedwiththespiritofknight-errantry,als
whenCervantes,byaninimitablepieceofridicule,reformedthetasteofmankind,representingchivalryintherightpointofview,und
andconvertingromancetopurposesfarmoreusefulund
andentertaining,bymakingitassumethesock,und
andpointoutthefolliesofordinarylife.ThesamemethodhasbeenpractisedbyotherSpanish
und
andFrenchauthors,andbynonemoresuccessfullyals
thanbyMonsieurLeSage,who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,hasdescribedtheknaveryund
andfoiblesoflife,withinfinitehumourund
andsagacity.ThefollowingsheetsIhavemodelledonhis
plan
plan,takingmeliberty,however,todifferfromhimintheexecution,wo
whereIthoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,extravagant,orpeculiartotheland
countryinwhichthesceneislaid.Die
ThedisgracesofGilBlasare,fordie
themostpart,suchasratherexcitemirththancompassion;hehimselflaughsatthem;
und
andhistransitionsfromdistresstohappiness,oratleastease,aresosudden,thatneitherder
thereaderhastimetopityihn
him,norhimselftobeacquaintedwithaffliction.Dieses
Thisconduct,inmyopinion,notnur
onlydeviatesfromprobability,butpreventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatethereadergegen
againstthesordidandviciousdispositionofthewelt
world.Ihaveattemptedtorepresentmodestmeritstrugglingwith
jeder
everydifficultytowhichafriendlessorphanisexposed,fromhisownwantofexperience,aswellasfromtheselfishness,envy,malice,und
andbaseindifferenceofmankind.Tosecureafavourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhimtheadvantagesofbirth
und
andeducation,whichintheseriesofhismisfortuneswerden
will,Ihope,engagetheingenuousmorewarmlyinhisbehalf;und
andthoughIforesee,thatsomemenschen
peoplewillbeoffendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheisinvolved,Ipersuademyselfthatthejudiciouswillnotnur
onlyperceivethenecessityofdescribingthosesituationstowhichhemustofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,sondern
butalsofindentertainmentinviewingthosepartsoflife,wo
wherethehumoursandpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,ceremony,oreducation;und
andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesofdispositionappearasnaturehasimplantedthem.Aber
ButIbelieveIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatingeine
apracticeauthorizedbythebestwritersindiese
thisway,someofwhomIhavebereits
alreadynamed.Everyintelligentreader
wird
will,atfirstsight,perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,whicharealle
alltrueinthemain,althoughthecircumstancesarealteredund
anddisguised,toavoidpersonalsatire.It
jetzt
nowremainstogivemyreasonsformakingdie
thechiefpersonageofthisworkaNorthBriton,whicharechieflythese:Icould,at
eine
asmallexpense,bestowonhimsolche
sucheducationasIthoughtdie
thedignityofhisbirthund
andcharacterrequired,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysolche
suchslendermeansasthenatureofmyplanwouldafford.Inthenext
ort
place,Icouldrepresentsimplicityofmannersinaremoteteil
partofthekingdom,withmehr
moreproprietythaninanyort
placenearthecapital;andlastly,thedispositionoftheScots,addictedtotravelling,justifiesmyconductinderivinganadventurerfromthat
land
country.APOLOGUE
Ayoungpainter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,sketcheda
art
kindofconversationpiece,representingabear,anowl,amonkey,und
andanass;andtorenderitmorestriking,humorous,
und
andmoral,distinguishedeveryfigurebysomeemblemofmenschlichen
humanlife.Bruinwasexhibitedin
der
thegarbandattitudeofanold,toothless,drunkensoldier;theowlpercheduponthehandleof
eine
acoffee-pot,withspectacleonnose,seemedtocontemplateeine
anewspaper;andtheass,ornamentedwithahugetie-wig(which,however,couldnotconcealhislongears),satforhispicturetothemonkey,whoappearedwiththeimplementsofpainting.
Diese
Thiswhimsicalgroupaffordedsomemirth,und
andmetwithgeneralapprobation,untiletwas
somemischievouswaghintedthatthewhole—wasalampoonuponthefriendsoftheperformer;eine
aninsinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedals
thanthoseverypeoplewhoapplaudeditbeforebegantobealarmed,und
andeventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.Amongothers,
eine
aworthypersonageinyears,whohadservedinthearmywithreputation,beingincensedatthesupposedoutrage,repairedtothelodgingofthepainter,und
andfindinghimathome,“Harkye,Mr.Monkey,”saidhe,“Ihaveeine
agoodmindtoconvinceyou,thatobwohl
thoughthebearhaslosthisteeth,heretainshispaws,und
andthatheisnotsodrunkaber
buthecanperceiveyourimpertinence.”“Sblood!
sir
sir,thattoothlessjawiseine
ad—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyouimaginemesochopfallenasnottobein der lage
abletochewthecudofresentment.”Hier
Herehewasinterruptedbythearrivalofalearnedphysician,who,advancingtotheculpritwithfuryinhisaspect,exclaimed,“Supposetheaugmentationoftheass’searssollte
shouldprovethediminutionofthebaboon’s—nay,seeknottoprevaricate,for,bythebeardofAesculapius!thereisnotone
haar
hairinthisperiwigthatwird
willnotstandupinjudgmenttoconvicttheeofpersonalabuse.Tat
Dobutobserve,captain,howdieser
thispitifullittlefellowhascopiedtheverycurls—thecolour,indeed,isdifferent,aber
butthentheformandforetopareganz
quitesimilar.”Whilehethusremonstratedin
ein
astrainofvociferation,avenerablesenatorentered,und
andwaddlinguptothedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”criedhe,“I
werde
willnowlettheeseeIkann
canreadsomethingelsethaneine
anewspaper,andthatwithoutthehilfe
helpofspectacles:hereisyourownnoteofhand,sirrah,for
geld
money,whichifIhadnotadvanced,youyourselfwouldhaveresembledanowl,innotdaringtozeigen
showyourfacebyday,youungratefulslanderousknave!”Invain
der
theastonishedpainterdeclaredthathehadnointentiontogiveoffence,ortocharacteriseparticularpersons:theyaffirmed
die
theresemblancewastoopalpabletobeoverlooked;theytaxedhimwithinsolence,malice,
und
andingratitude;andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardby
der
thepublic,thecaptainwasabear,der
thedoctoranass,andder
thesenatoranowl,tohisdyingday.Christianreader,Ibeseechthee,inthebowelsoftheLord,remember
dieses
thisexample“whilethouartemployedintheperusalofthefollowingsheets;und
andseeknottoappropriatetothyselfthatwas
whichequallybelongstofivehundreddifferentmenschen
people.Ifthoushouldstmeetwithacharacterthatreflectstheeinsomeungraciousparticular,keepthyowncounsel;
CHAPTERI
OfmyBirth
und
andParentage.Iwasbornin
der
thenorthernpartofthisunitedkingdom,inder
thehouseofmygrandfather,agentlemanofconsiderablefortuneund
andinfluence,whohadonmanyoccasionssignalisedhimselfinbehalfofhisland
country;andwasremarkableforhisabilitiesinthelaw,whichheexercisedwithgreatsuccessinthestationof
eine
ajudge,particularlyagainstbeggars,forwhomhehadeine
asingularaversion.Myfather(hisyoungestson)fallinginlovewith
eine
apoorrelation,wholivedwithdie
theoldgentlemaninqualityofeine
ahousekeeper,espousedherprivately;und
andIwasthefirstfruitofthatmarriage.Duringherpregnancy,
ein
adreamdiscomposedmymothersosehr
muchthatherhusband,tiredwithherimportunity,atlastconsultedein
ahighlandseer,whosefavourableinterpretationhewouldhavesecuredbeforehandbyein
abribe,butfoundhimincorruptible.Shedreamedshewasdeliveredofatennis-ball,whichthedevil(who,tohergreatsurprise,actedthepartofamidwife)strucksoforciblywitharacketthatitdisappearedinaninstant;
und
andshewasforsomezeit
timeinconsolableforthelostofheroffspring;als
when,allonasudden,shebehelditreturnwithequalviolence,und
andentertheearth,beneathherfeet,whenceimmediatelysprangupein
agoodlytreecoveredwithblossoms,die
thescentofwhichoperatedsostronglyonhernervesthatsheawoke.Der
Theattentivesage,aftersomedeliberation,assuredmyparents,dass
thattheirfirstbornwouldbeein
agreattraveller;thathe
würde
wouldundergomanydangersanddifficulties,und
andatlastreturntohisnativeland,wo
wherehewouldflourishinhappinessund
andreputation.Howtrulythiswasforetoldwillappearin
der
thesequel.Itwasnot
lange
longbeforesomeofficiouspersoninformedmygrandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassedzwischen
betweenhissonandhousekeeperder
whichalarmedhimsomuchthat,apaar
fewdaysafter,hetoldmyvater
fatheritwashightimeforhimtothinkofsettling;und
andthathehadprovidedein
amatchforhim,toder
whichhecouldinjusticehaben
havenoobjections.Myfather,findingitwouldbeimpossibletoconcealhissituationmuchlonger,franklyownedwhathehad
getan
done;andexcusedhimselffornothaving
gefragt
askedtheconsentofhisfather,bysaying,heknewitwouldhavebeentonicht
nopurpose;andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,mygrandfathermighthave
genommen
takensuchmeasuresaswouldhaveeffectuallyputdie
thegratificationofitoutofhispower:headded,thatnoexceptions
könnten
couldbetakentohiswife’svirtue,birth,beauty,und
andgoodsense,andasforfortune,itwasbeneathhiscare.Der
Theoldgentleman,whokeptalle
allhispassions,exceptone,inexcellentordnung
order,heardhimtoanende
endwithgreattemper,andthencalmlyfragte
asked,howheproposedtomaintainhimselfund
andspouse?Hereplied,he
könne
couldbeinnodangerofwantingwhilehisfather’stendernessremained,whichheund
andhiswifeshouldalwayscultivatewiththeutmostveneration;und
andhewaspersuadedhisallowancewürde
wouldbesuitabletothedignityund
andcircumstancesofhisfamily,und
andtotheprovisionalreadymadeforhisbrothersund
andsisters,whowerehappilysettledunter
underhisprotection.“Yourbrothers
und
andsisters,”saidmygrandfather,“didnotthinkitbeneaththemtoconsultmeinanaffairofsuchimportanceasmatrimony;neither,Isuppose,wouldyouhaveomittedthatpieceofduty,hadyounotsomesecretfundinreserve;
to
die
thecomfortsofwhichIleaveyou,withadesiredass
thatyouwillthisnightseekoutanotherhabitationforyourselfund
andwife,whither,inashortzeit
time,Iwillsendyouanaccountofdie
theexpenseIhavebeenatinyoureducation,withaviewofbeingreimbursed.Sir
Sir,youhavemadethegrandtour—youareein
apolitegentleman—averyprettygentleman—Iwishyouein
agreatdealofjoy,und
andamyourveryhumbleservant.”Sosaying,heleftmy
vater
fatherinasituationeasilyimagined.However,hedidnot
lange
longhesitate;for,beingperfectlywellacquaintedwithhisfather’sdisposition,hedidnotdoubt
dass
thathewasgladofthispretencetogetridofihn
him;andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedes
und
andPersians,heknewitwouldbetonopurposetoattempthimbyprayersund
andentreaties;sowithoutanyfartherapplication,hebetookhimself,withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoafarm-house,
wo
whereanoldservantofhismutter
motherdwelt:theretheyremained
einige
sometimeinasituationaber
butilladaptedtotheeleganceoftheirdesiresund
andtendernessoftheirlove;whichneverthelessmy
vater
fatherchosetoendure,ratherthansupplicateanunnaturalund
andinflexibleparentbutmymutter
mother,foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshemustsein
havebeenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredinthisort
place(andherpregnancywassehr
veryfaradvanced),withoutcommunicatingherdesigntoherehemann
husband,wentindisguisetothehaus
houseofmygrandfather,hopingdass
thathertearsandconditionwürden
wouldmovehimtocompassion,und
andreconcilehimtoaneventwhichwasnun
nowirrecoverablypast.Shefoundmeanstodeceive
die
theservants,andgetintroducedaseine
anunfortunatelady,whowantedtocomplainofeinige
somematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sparticularprovincetodecideinallcasesofscandal.Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohispresence,
wo
where,discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,und
andinthemostaffectingmannerimploredhisforgiveness;atthesametimerepresentingthedangerthatthreatenednot
nur
onlyherlife,butthatofhisowngrandchild,whichwasabouttosehen
seethelight.Hetoldherhewassorrythattheindiscretionofher
und
andhissonhadcompelledhimtomakeein
avow,whichputitaus
outofhispowertogeben
givethemanyassistance;thathehad
bereits
alreadyimpartedhisthoughtsondass
thatsubjecttoherhusband,und
andwassurprisedthattheysollten
shoulddisturbhispeacewithanyfartherimportunity.Thissaid,heretired.
Theviolenceofmymother’safflictionhad
solche
suchaneffectonherconstitutiondass
thatshewasimmediatelyseizedwiththepainsofchildbed;und
andhadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewassehr
verydear,affordedherpityund
andassistance,atthehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,sheund
andtheinnocentfruitofherwombmüssen
musthavefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigourund
andinhumanity.Bythefriendshipof
dieser
thispoorwomanshewascarrieduptoein
agarret,andimmediatelydeliveredofein
amanchild,thestoryofwhoseunfortunatebirthhehimselfjetzt
nowrelates.Myfather,beinginformedofwhathad
geschehen
happened,flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,und
andwhileheloadedhisoffspringwithpaternalembraces,konnte
couldnotforbearsheddingafloodoftearsonbeholdingtheliebe
dearpartnerofhisheart(forwhoseeasehewouldhavesacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretcheduponeine
aflockbed,inamiserableapartment,unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesoftheweather.Itisnottobesupposedthat
der
theoldgentlemanwasignorantofwhatpassed,obwohl
thoughheaffectedtoknownichts
nothingofthematter,andpretendedtobeverymuchsurprised,whenoneofhisgrandchildren,byhiseldestsohn
sondeceased,wholivedwithhimashisheirapparent,acquaintedhimwithder
theaffair;hedeterminedthereforetoobserve
kein
nomedium,butimmediately(onthethirdtag
dayafterherdelivery)sentheraperemptoryordertobegehen
gone,andturnedofftheservantwhohadpreservedherleben
life.Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmy
vater
fatherthathehadrecoursetodie
themostdreadfulimprecations;andonhisbarekneesimploredthatHeaven
würde
wouldrenouncehimifeverheshouldvergessen
forgetorforgivethebarbarityofhissire.Theinjurieswhich
diese
thisunhappymotherreceivedfromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,und
andthewantofnecessarieswo
whereshelodged,togetherwithhergriefund
andanxietyofmind,soonthrewherintoalanguishingdisorder,whichputanende
endtoherlife.My
vater
father,wholovedhertenderly,wassoaffectedwithhertod
deaththatheremainedsixweeksdeprivedofhissenses;duringwhich
zeit
time,thepeoplewherehelodgedcarriedtheinfanttotheoldmann
manwhorelentedsofar,onhearingthemelancholygeschichte
storyofhisdaughter-in-law’sdeath,und
andthedeplorableconditionofhisson,astoschicken
sendthechildtonurse,und
andheorderedmyfathertobecarriedhometohishouse,wo
wherehesoonrecoveredtheuseofhisreason.Whether
dieser
thishardheartedjudgefeltanyremorseforhiscrueltreatmentofhissonund
anddaughter,or(whichismoreprobable)wasafraidhischaracterwouldsufferintheneighbourhood,heprofessedgreatsorrowforhisconducttomyvater
father,whosedeliriumwassucceededbyaprofoundmelancholyund
andreserve.Atlengthhedisappeared,
und
and,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,konnte
couldnotbeheardof;ein
acircumstancewhichconfirmedmostmenschen
peopleintheopinionofhishavingmadeawaywithhimselfinein
afitofdespair.CHAPTERII
Igrowup—am
gehasst
hatedbymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—IformCabalsgegen
againstthePedant—amdebarredAccesstomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—IdemolishtheTeethofhisTutor.Therewerenotwanting
einige
somewhosuspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’sfate,onthesuppositiondass
thattheywouldallshareinthepatrimonydestinedforihm
him;andthisconjecturewasstrengthenedbyreflecting
dass
thatinallhiscalamitiestheynie
neverdiscoveredtheleastinclinationtoserveihm
him;but,onthecontrary,by
alle
alltheartificesintheirpower,fedhisresentmentund
andsupportedhisresolutionofleavinghimtomiseryund
andwant.Butpeopleofjudgmenttreated
diese
thisinsinuationasanidlechimera;denn
because,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedastoconsulttheirinterestbycommittingsuchein
anatrociouscrime,thefateofmyfatherwouldhaveextendedtometoowhoseleben
lifewasanotherobstacletotheirexpectation.Meanwhile,Igrewapace,
und
andasIstronglyresembledmyvater
father,whowasthedarlingofthetenants,Iwantednichts
nothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstanceskonnten
couldafford:buttheirfavourwas
ein
aweakresourceagainstthejealousenmityofmycousins;who
den
themoremyinfancypromised,conceivedden
themoreimplacablehatredagainstmich
me:andbeforeIwas
sechs
sixyearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmygrandfatherthatIneversah
sawhimbutbystealth,whenImanchmal
sometimesmadeuptohischairashesattoviewhislabourersinthefield:onwhichoccasionhewouldstrokemy
kopf
head,bidmebeagoodjunge
boy,andpromisetotakecareofme.Iwas
bald
soonaftersenttoschoolateine
avillagehardby,ofwhichhehadbeendictatortimeoutofmind;aber
butasheneverpaidformyboard,norsuppliedmewithclothes,books,und
andothernecessariesIrequired,myconditionwassehr
veryraggedandcontemptible,andtheschoolmaster,who,throughfearofmygrandfather,taughtmegratis,gavehimselfnicht
noconcernabouttheprogressImadeunter
underhisinstruction.Inspiteofallthesedifficulties
und
anddisgraces,Ibecameagoodproficientinder
theLatintongue;and,assoonasI
konnte
couldwritetolerably,pesteredmygrandfatherwithletterstosuchadegreeso
thathesentformymeister
master,andchidhimseverelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmyeducation,sagte
tellinghimthat,ifeverIshouldbebroughttothegallowsforforgery,whichhehadtaughtmetocommit,myblut
bloodwouldlieonhiskopf
head.Thepedant,whodreaded
nichts
nothingmorethanthedispleasureofhispatron,assuredhishonourthattheboy’sabilitywasmehr
moreowingtohisowngeniusund
andapplicationthantoanyinstructionorencouragementhereceived;dass
that,althoughhecouldnotdivesthimofdas
theknowledgehehadalreadyimbibed,unlesshewürde
wouldempowerhimtodisablehisfingers,hesollte
shouldendeavour,withGod’shelp,topreventhisfutureimprovement.Und
And,indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehadundertaken;for,onpretencethatIhadwrittenimpertinentletterstomygrandfather,hecaused
eine
aboardtobemadewithfünf
fiveholesinit,throughwhichhethrustthefingersund
andthumbofmyrighthand
hand,andfasteneditbywhipcordtomywrist,insucheine
amanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuseofmypen.Aber
ButthisrestraintIwasfreedfrominafewdays,byanaccidentder
whichhappenedinaquarrelzwischen
betweenmeandanotherboy;who,takinguponhimtoinsultmypoverty,Iwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthatwith
einem
onestrokewithmymachineIcuthimtotheskull,tothegreatterrorofmyselfund
andschoolfellows,wholefthimbleedingontheground,und
andrantoinformthemeister
masterofwhathadhappened.Iwassoseverelypunishedfor
dieses
thistrespassthat,wereItolebte
livetotheageofMethusalem,theimpressionitmadeonmewouldnotbeeffaced;the
mehr
morethantheantipathyandhorrorIconceivedforthemercilesstyrantwhoinflictedes
it.Thecontemptwhichmyappearancenaturallyproducedinallwho
sahen
sawme,thecontinualwantstowhichIwasexposed,und
andmyownhaughtydisposition,impatientofaffronts,involvedmeinathousandtroublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredinadversity,und
andemboldenedtoundertakingsfarabovemyyears.IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnotcommit,
weil
because,havingthecharacterofavagabondinthevillage,jeder
everypieceofmischief,whoseauthorlayunknown,waschargeduponmir
me.IhavebeenfoundguiltyofrobbingorchardsI
nie
neverentered,ofkillingcatsInie
neverhunted,ofstealinggingerbreadInie
nevertouched,andofabusingoldwomenInie
neversaw.Nay,astammeringcarpenterhadeloquence
genug
enoughtopersuademymasterdass
thatIfiredapistolloadedwithsmallshotintohiswindow;obwohl
thoughmylandladyandtheganze
wholefamilyborewitnessthatIwasabedfastasleepatdie
thetimewhenthisoutragewascommitted.Iwas
einmal
oncefloggedforhavingnarrowlyescapeddrowning,bythesinkingofaferryboatinwhichIwaspassenger.Anothertime,forhavingrecoveredof
ein
abruiseoccasionedbyahorseund
andcartrunningoverme.Ein
Athirdtime,forbeingbittenbyein
abaker’sdog.Inshort,whetherIwasguiltyorunfortunate,thecorrection
und
andsympathyofthisarbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.Farfrombeingsubduedbythisinformalusage,myindignationtriumphed
über
overthatslavishawewhichhadhithertoenforcedmyobedience;und
andthemoremyyearsund
andknowledgeincreased,themoreIperceiveddie
theinjusticeandbarbarityofhisbehaviour.Bythe
hilfe
helpofanuncommongenius,und
andtheadviceanddirectionofourusher,whohadservedmyvater
fatherinhistravels,Imadeasurprisingprogressintheclassics,writing,und
andarithmetic;sothat,beforeIwastwelveyears
alt
old,Iwasallowedbyeverybodytobeder
thebestscholarintheschule
school.Thisqualification,togetherwiththeboldnessoftemper
und
andstrengthofmakewhichhadsubjectedfast
almostallmycontemporaries,gavemesuchinfluenceoverthemdass
thatIbegantoformcabalsgegen
againstmypersecutor;andwasin
hoffte
hopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceinasehr
veryshorttime.Beingattheheadofafaction,consistingofthirtyboys,
meisten
mostofthemofmyownage,Iwasdeterminedtostellen
puttheirmettletotrial,thatImightwissen
knowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,bevor
beforeIputmygrandschemeinexecution:with
dieser
thisview,weattackedabodyofstoutapprentices,whohadgenommen
takenpossessionofapartofthegroundallottedtousfortheschemeofourdiversions,und
andwhowerethenplayingatninepinsonthespot;aber
butIhadthemortificationtosehen
seemyadherentsroutedinaninstant,und
andalegofoneofthembrach
brokeinhisflightbythebowl,whichoneofouradversarieshaddetachedinpursuitofus.Diese
Thisdiscomfituredidnothinderusfromengagingthemafterwardsinfrequentskirmishes,whichwemaintainedbythrowingstonesatadistance,whereinIreceivedviele
manywounds,thescarsofwhichstillremain.Ourenemiesweresoharassed
und
andinterruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlastabandonedtheirconquest,und
andleftustothepeaceableenjoymentofourownterritories.It
wurde
wouldbeendlesstoenumeratedie
theexploitsweperformedindie
thecourseofthisconfederacy,whichbecamedie
theterrorofthewholevillage;insomuch
dass
that,whendifferentinterestsdividedes
it,oneofthepartiescommonlycourtedtheassistanceofRoderickRandom(bywhichnameIwasknown)tocastthebalance,und
andkeeptheoppositefactioninawe.Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageofeveryplay-daytopresentmyselfbeforemygrandfather,towhomIseldomfoundaccess,byreasonofhisbeingcloselybesiegedbyanumerous
familie
familyofhisfemalegrandchildren,who,obwohl
thoughtheyperpetuallyquarrelledamongthemselves,nie
neverfailedtojoinagainstmich
me,asthecommonenemyofaller
all.Hisheir,whowas
etwa
abouttheageofeighteen,mindednichts
nothingbutfox-hunting,andindeedwasqualifiedfornichts
nothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’sindulgenceinentertainingatutorforhimathome;whoatthesametimeperformedthe
amt
officeofparishclerk.This
junge
youngActaeon,whoinheritedhisgrandfather’santipathytoalles
everythingindistress,neversateyesonmeohne
withoutuncouplinghisbeagles,andhuntingmeintosomecottageorandere
other,whitherIgenerallyfledforshelter.InthisChristianamusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,
nicht
nodoubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimselfwithder
therisingsun,observing,thatder
theoldgentleman,accordingtoder
thecourseofnature,hadnotlange
longtolive,forhewasschon
alreadyonthevergeoffourscore.CHAPTERIII
MyMother’s
Bruder
Brotherarrives—relievesme—aDescriptionofhim—hegeht
goesalongwithmetotheHaus
HouseofmyGrandfather—isencounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsthem,nach
afterabloodyEngagement—isadmittedtotheoldGentleman—aDialoguezwischen
betweenthem.Aboutthistimemymother’s
einzige
onlybrother,whohadbeenlange
longabroad,lieutenantofaman-of-war,arrivedinhisownland
country;wherebeinginformedofmycondition,he
kam
cametoseeme,andaus
outofhisslenderfinancesnotnur
onlysuppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIwantedforthepresent,sondern
butresolvednottoleavetheland
countryuntilhehadprevailedonmygrandfathertosettleetwas
somethinghandsomeforthefuture.Thiswasatasktowhichhewasby
nicht
nomeansequal,beingentirelyignorant,notnur
onlyofthejudge’sdisposition,sondern
butalsoofthewaysofmeningeneral,towhichhiseducationonboardhadkepthimanutterstranger.Hewas
ein
astrongbuiltman,somewhatbandylegged,withein
anecklikethatofein
abull,andafacewhich(youmighteasilyperceive)hadwithstoodthemostobstinateassaultsoftheweather.Hisdressconsistedofasoldier’scoatalteredforhimbytheship’stailor,astripedflanneljacket,apairofredbreechesspannedwithpitch,cleangrayworstedstockings,largesilverbucklesthatcoveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-lacedhat,whosecrownoverlookedthebrims
etwa
aboutaninchandahalf,blackbobwiginbuckle,acheckshirt,asilkhandkerchief,ahanger,withabrasshandle,girdedtohisthighbyafurnishedlacebelt,und
andagoodoakplantunter
underhisarm.Thusequipped,hesetoutwithme(whobyhisbountymade
ein
averydecentappearance)formygrandfather’shaus
house,whereweweresalutedbyJowlerund
andCaesar,whommycousin,junge
youngmaster,hadletlooseatourapproach.Being
gut
wellacquaintedwiththeinveteracyofthesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,als
whenmyuncleseizedmewithonehand
hand,brandishedhiscudgelwiththeother,und
andatoneblowlaidCaesarsprawlingontheground;aber
but,findinghimselfattackedatder
thesametimeintherearbyJowler,und
andfearingCaesarmightrecover,hedrewhishanger,wheeledabout,und
andbyaluckystrokeseveredJowler’skopf
headfromhisbody.By
dieser
thistime,theyoungfoxhunterund
andthreeservants,armedwithpitchforksund
andflails,werecometotheassistanceofthedogs,whomtheyfoundbreathlessuponthefield;und
andmycousinwassoprovokedatthetod
deathofhisfavourites,thatheorderedhisattendantstoadvance,und
andtakevengeanceontheirexecutioner,whomheloadedwithallthecursesund
andreproacheshisangercouldsuggest.Uponwhichmy
onkel
unclesteppedforwardswithanundauntedluft
air,atthesightofwhosebloodyweaponshisantagonistsfellbackwithprecipitation,als
whenheaccostedtheirleaderthus:.“Lookee,
bruder
brother,yourdogshavingboardedmeohne
withoutprovocation,whatIdidwasinmyowndefence.Soyouhadbestbecivil,
und
andletusshootakopf
head,clearofyou.”Whetherthe
junge
youngsquiremisinterpretedmyuncle’sdesireofpeace,orwasenragedatthefateofhishoundsbeyondhisusualpitchofresolution,Iknownot;aber
buthesnatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,und
andcameupwithashow
showofassaultingthelieutenant,who,puttinghimselfinapostureofdefence,proceededthus:“Lookee,youlubberly
sohn
sonofaw—e,ifyoucomeathwartmir
me,’wareyourgingerbreadwork.I’llbefoulofyourquarter,d—nme.”
Diese
Thisdeclaration,followedbyaflourishofhishanger,seemedtokontrollieren
checktheprogressoftheyounggentleman’scholer,who,lookinghinter
behindhim,perceivedhisattendantshadslunkintothehaus
house,shutthegate,andlefthimtodecidethecontentionbyhimself.Hier
Hereaparleyensued,whichwasintroducedbymycousin’sfragte
asking,“Whothedevilareyou?Whatdoyou
wollen
want?Somescoundrelofaseaman,Isuppose,whohasdeserted
und
andturnedthief.Butdon’t
denken
thinkyoushallescape,sirrah—I’llhaveyouhang’d,youhund
dog,Iwill.Yourbloodshall
bezahlen
payforthatofmytwohounds,youragamuffin.Iwouldnothavepartedwiththemto
retten
saveyourwholegenerationfromthegallows,youruffian,you!”“Noneofyourjaw,youswab—noneofyourjaw,”repliedmy
onkel
uncle,“elseIshalltrimyourlacedjacketforyou.Ishallrubyoudownwithanoakentowel,my
junge
boy,Ishall.”Sosaying,hesheathedhishanger,
und
andgraspedhiscudgel.