The Adventures of Roderick Random Progressive German B1 Translation Books

THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE

Ofallkindsofsatire,thereisnonesoentertaininganduniversallyimproving,asthatwhichis

eingeführt

introduced,asitwereoccasionally,inthecourseofaninterestingstory,whichbringsevery

vorfall

incidenthometolife,andbyrepresentingfamiliarscenesinanuncommonandamusingpointofview,investsthemwithallthegracesofnovelty,whilenatureisappealedtoineveryparticular.

Thereadergratifieshiscuriosityinpursuingtheadventuresofapersoninwhosefavourheisprepossessed;

heespouseshiscause,hesympathiseswithhiminhisdistress,hisindignationisheatedagainsttheauthorsofhiscalamity:

thehumanepassionsareinflamed;

thecontrastbetweendejectedvirtueandinsulting

laster

viceappearswithgreateraggravation,andeveryimpressionhavingadoubleforceontheimagination,thememoryretainsthecircumstance,andtheheartimprovesbythe

beispiel

example.

Theattentionisnottiredwithabarecatalogueofcharacters,butagreeablydivertedwithallthevarietyofinvention;

andthevicissitudesoflife

erscheinen

appearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,openinganamplefieldforwitandhumour.

Romance,nodoubt,owesitsorigintoignorance,vanity,andsuperstition.

InthedarkagesoftheWorld,whenamanhadrenderedhimselffamousforwisdomorvalour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,andrepresentedhis

charakter

characterandpersonassacredandsupernatural.

Thevulgar

leicht

easilyswallowedthebait,imploredhis

schutz

protection,andyieldedthetributeofhomageandpraise,eventoadoration;

hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposteritywithathousandexaggerations;

theywere

wiederholt

repeatedasincitementstovirtue;

divinehonourswerepaid,andaltarserectedtohismemory,fortheencouragementofthosewhoattemptedtoimitatehis

beispiel

example;

andhencearosetheheathenmythology,whichisnootherthanacollectionofextravagantromances.

Aslearningadvanced,and

genie

geniusreceivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedwiththegracesof

poesie

poetry,thattheymightthebetterrecommendthemselvestotheattention;

theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,fortheinstructionanddelightoftheaudience;

andrehearsedbefore

schlacht

battle,asincentivestodeedsofglory.

Thustragedyandtheepicmusewereborn,and,inthe

fortschritt

progressoftaste,arrivedatperfection.

Itisnowonderthattheancientscouldnotrelishafableinprose,aftertheyhadseensomanyremarkableevents

gefeiert

celebratedinversebytheirbestpoets;

daher

thereforefindnoromanceamongthemduringtheeraoftheirexcellence,unlesstheCyropædiaofXenophonmaybesocalled;

anditwasnottillartsandsciencesbegantoreviveaftertheirruptionofthebarbariansinto

Europa

Europe,thatanythingofthiskind

erschien

appeared.

Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothemostabsurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromancearose,andlosingsightofprobability,filledtheirperformanceswiththemostmonstroushyperboles.

Iftheycouldnotequaltheancientpoetsinpointof

genie

geniustheywereresolvedtoexceltheminfiction,andapplytothewonder,ratherthanthejudgment,oftheirreaders.

Accordingly,theybroughtnecromancytotheiraid,andinsteadofsupportingthe

charakter

characteroftheirheroesbydignityofsentimentandpractice,distinguishedthembytheirbodily

stärke

strength,activity,andextravaganceofbehaviour.

Obwohl

Althoughnothingcouldbemoreludicrousandunnaturalthanthefigurestheydrew,theydidnotwantpatronsandadmirers;

andtheworldactuallybegantobeinfectedwiththespiritofknight-errantry,whenCervantes,byaninimitablepieceofridicule,reformedthetasteofmankind,representingchivalryintherightpointofview,andconvertingromancetopurposesfarmoreusefulandentertaining,bymakingit

annehmen

assumethesock,andpointoutthefolliesof

gewöhnlichen

ordinarylife.

ThesamemethodhasbeenpractisedbyotherSpanishandFrenchauthors,andbynonemoresuccessfullythanbyMonsieurLeSage,who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,hasdescribedtheknaveryandfoiblesoflife,withinfinitehumourandsagacity.

ThefollowingsheetsIhavemodelledonhisplan,takingmeliberty,however,todifferfromhimintheexecution,whereIthoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,extravagant,orpeculiartothecountryinwhichthesceneislaid.

ThedisgracesofGilBlasare,forthemostpart,suchasratherexcitemirththancompassion;

hehimselflaughsatthem;

andhistransitionsfromdistresstohappiness,oratleastease,areso

plötzlich

sudden,thatneitherthereaderhastimetopityhim,norhimselftobeacquaintedwithaffliction.

Thisconduct,inmyopinion,notonlydeviatesfromprobability,butpreventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatethereaderagainstthesordidandviciousdispositionoftheworld.

Ihaveattemptedtorepresentmodestmeritstrugglingwitheverydifficultytowhichafriendlessorphanisexposed,fromhisownwantofexperience,aswellasfromtheselfishness,envy,malice,andbaseindifferenceofmankind.

sichern

secureafavourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhimtheadvantagesof

geburt

birthandeducation,whichinthe

reihe

seriesofhismisfortuneswill,Ihope,engagetheingenuousmorewarmlyinhisbehalf;

andthoughIforesee,thatsomepeoplewillbeoffendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheisinvolved,Ipersuademyselfthatthejudiciouswillnotonlyperceivethenecessityofdescribingthosesituationstowhichhemustofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,butalsofindentertainmentinviewingthosepartsoflife,wherethehumoursandpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,

zeremonie

ceremony,oreducation;

andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesofdisposition

erscheinen

appearasnaturehasimplantedthem.

ButIbelieveIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatingapracticeauthorizedbythebestwritersinthisway,someofwhomIhavealreadynamed.

Everyintelligentreaderwill,atfirstsight,perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,whicharealltrueinthemain,

obwohl

althoughthecircumstancesarealteredanddisguised,to

vermeiden

avoidpersonalsatire.

Itnow

bleibt

remainstogivemyreasonsformakingthechiefpersonageofthisworkaNorthBriton,whicharechieflythese:

Icould,atasmallexpense,bestowonhimsucheducationasIthoughtthedignityofhis

geburt

birthandcharacterrequired,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysuchslendermeansasthenatureofmyplanwouldafford.

Inthenextplace,Icouldrepresentsimplicityofmannersinaremotepartofthekingdom,withmoreproprietythaninanyplacenearthe

hauptstadt

capital;

andlastly,thedispositionoftheScots,addictedto

reisen

travelling,justifiesmyconductinderivinganadventurerfromthatcountry.

APOLOGUE

Ayoungpainter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,sketchedakindofconversationpiece,representingabear,anowl,amonkey,andanass;

andtorenderitmorestriking,humorous,andmoral,distinguishedeveryfigurebysomeemblemofhumanlife.

Bruinwasexhibitedinthegarband

haltung

attitudeofanold,toothless,drunkensoldier;

theowlpercheduponthehandleofacoffee-pot,withspectacleonnose,seemedtocontemplatea

zeitung

newspaper;

andtheass,ornamentedwithahugetie-wig(which,however,couldnotconcealhislongears),satforhispicturetothemonkey,who

erschien

appearedwiththeimplementsof

malerei

painting.

Thiswhimsicalgroupaffordedsomemirth,andmetwithgeneralapprobation,untilsomemischievouswaghintedthatthewhole—wasalampoonuponthefriendsoftheperformer;

aninsinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedthanthoseverypeoplewhoapplaudeditbeforebegantobealarmed,andeventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.

Unter

Amongothers,aworthypersonageinyears,whohadservedinthearmywith

ruf

reputation,beingincensedatthesupposedoutrage,repairedtothelodgingofthepainter,and

finden

findinghimathome,“Harkye,Mr.Monkey,”saidhe,“Ihaveagoodmindto

überzeugen

convinceyou,thatthoughthebearhaslosthisteeth,heretainshispaws,andthatheisnotsodrunkbuthecanperceiveyourimpertinence.”

“Sblood!

sir,thattoothlessjawisad—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyouimaginemesochopfallenasnottobeabletochewthecudofresentment.”

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

thereisnotonehairinthisperiwigthatwillnotstandupinjudgmenttoconvicttheeofpersonalabuse.

Dobutobserve,captain,howthispitifullittle

kerl

fellowhascopiedtheverycurls—thecolour,

tat

indeed,isdifferent,butthentheformandforetoparequitesimilar.”

Whilehethusremonstratedinastrainofvociferation,avenerablesenator

trat ein

entered,andwaddlinguptothedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”

criedhe,“IwillnowlettheeseeIcanreadsomethingelsethana

zeitung

newspaper,andthatwithoutthehelpofspectacles:

hereisyourownnoteofhand,sirrah,formoney,whichifIhadnotadvanced,youyourselfwouldhaveresembledanowl,innotdaringtoshowyourfacebyday,youungratefulslanderousknave!”

Invaintheastonishedpainterdeclaredthathehadnointentiontogiveoffence,ortocharacteriseparticularpersons:

theyaffirmedtheresemblancewastoopalpabletobeoverlooked;

theytaxedhimwithinsolence,malice,andingratitude;

andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardbythepublic,thecaptainwasabear,thedoctoranass,andthesenatoranowl,tohisdyingday.

Christianreader,Ibeseechthee,inthebowelsoftheLord,rememberthis

beispiel

example“whilethouartemployedintheperusalofthefollowingsheets;

andseeknottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhichequally

gehört

belongstofivehundreddifferentpeople.

Ifthoushouldstmeetwitha

charakter

characterthatreflectstheeinsomeungraciousparticular,keepthyowncounsel;

CHAPTERI

Ofmy

Geburt

BirthandParentage.

Iwasborninthenorthernpartofthisunitedkingdom,inthehouseofmygrandfather,agentlemanofconsiderable

vermögen

fortuneandinfluence,whohadonmanyoccasionssignalisedhimselfinbehalfofhiscountry;

andwasremarkableforhisabilitiesinthelaw,whichheexercisedwithgreat

erfolg

successinthestationofajudge,particularlyagainstbeggars,forwhomhehadasingularaversion.

Myfather(hisyoungestson)fallinginlovewithapoorrelation,wholivedwiththeoldgentlemaninqualityofahousekeeper,espousedherprivately;

andIwasthefirst

frucht

fruitofthatmarriage.

Duringherpregnancy,adreamdiscomposedmymothersomuchthatherhusband,tiredwithherimportunity,atlastconsultedahighlandseer,whosefavourableinterpretationhewouldhavesecuredbeforehandbyabribe,butfoundhimincorruptible.

Shedreamedshewasdeliveredofatennis-ball,whichthe

teufel

devil(who,tohergreatsurprise,actedthepartofamidwife)strucksoforciblywitharacketthatit

verschwand

disappearedinaninstant;

andshewasforsometimeinconsolableforthelostofheroffspring;

when,allona

plötzlich

sudden,shebehelditreturnwithequal

gewalt

violence,andentertheearth,beneathherfeet,whenceimmediatelysprangupagoodlytreecoveredwithblossoms,thescentofwhichoperatedsostronglyonhernervesthatsheawoke.

Theattentivesage,aftersomedeliberation,assuredmyparents,thattheirfirstbornwouldbeagreattraveller;

thathewouldundergomanydangersanddifficulties,andatlastreturntohisnativeland,wherehewouldflourishinhappinessandreputation.

Howtrulythiswasforetoldwillappearinthesequel.

Itwasnotlongbeforesomeofficiouspersoninformedmy

großvater

grandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassedbetweenhissonandhousekeeperwhichalarmedhimsomuchthat,afewdaysafter,hetoldmyfatheritwashightimeforhimtothinkofsettling;

andthathehad

bereitgestellt

providedamatchforhim,towhichhecouldin

gerechtigkeit

justicehavenoobjections.

Myfather,

fand

findingitwouldbeimpossibletoconcealhissituationmuchlonger,franklyownedwhathehaddone;

andexcusedhimselffornothavingaskedtheconsentofhisfather,bysaying,heknewitwouldhavebeentonopurpose;

andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,my

großvater

grandfathermighthavetakensuchmeasuresaswouldhaveeffectuallyputthegratificationofitoutofhispower:

headded,thatnoexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’svirtue,

geburt

birth,beauty,andgoodsense,andasfor

vermögen

fortune,itwasbeneathhiscare.

Theoldgentleman,whokeptallhispassions,exceptone,inexcellentorder,heardhimtoanendwithgreattemper,andthencalmlyasked,howheproposedtomaintainhimselfandspouse?

Hereplied,hecouldbeinno

gefahr

dangerofwantingwhilehisfather’stenderness

blieb

remained,whichheandhiswifeshouldalwayscultivatewiththeutmostveneration;

andhewaspersuadedhisallowancewouldbesuitabletothedignityandcircumstancesofhisfamily,andtotheprovisionalreadymadeforhisbrothersandsisters,whowerehappilysettledunderhis

schutz

protection.

“Yourbrothersandsisters,”saidmy

großvater

grandfather,“didnotthinkitbeneaththemtoconsultmeinan

angelegenheit

affairofsuchimportanceasmatrimony;

neither,Isuppose,wouldyouhaveomittedthatpieceofduty,hadyounotsomesecretfundinreserve;

tothecomfortsofwhichIleaveyou,witha

wunsch

desirethatyouwillthisnight

suchst

seekoutanotherhabitationforyourselfandwife,whither,inashorttime,Iwillsendyouan

bericht

accountoftheexpenseIhavebeenatinyoureducation,withaviewofbeingreimbursed.

Sir,youhavemadethegrandtour—youareapolitegentleman—averyprettygentleman—Iwishyouagreatdealof

freude

joy,andamyourveryhumbleservant.”

Sosaying,heleftmyfatherinasituation

leicht

easilyimagined.

However,hedidnotlonghesitate;

for,beingperfectlywellacquaintedwithhisfather’sdisposition,hedidnotdoubtthathewasgladofthispretencetogetridofhim;

andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedesandPersians,heknewitwouldbetonopurposetoattempthimbyprayersandentreaties;

sowithoutanyfartherapplication,hebetookhimself,withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoafarm-house,whereanoldservantofhismotherdwelt:

therethey

blieben

remainedsometimeinasituationbutilladaptedtotheeleganceoftheirdesiresandtendernessoftheirlove;

whichneverthelessmyfatherchosetoendure,ratherthansupplicateanunnaturalandinflexibleparentbutmymother,foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshemusthavebeenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredinthisplace(andherpregnancywasveryfaradvanced),withoutcommunicatingherdesigntoherhusband,wentindisguisetothehouseofmygrandfather,hopingthathertearsand

zustand

conditionwouldmovehimtocompassion,andreconcilehimtoan

ereignis

eventwhichwasnowirrecoverablypast.

Shefoundmeanstodeceivetheservants,andgetintroducedasanunfortunatelady,whowantedtocomplainofsomematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’s

besondere

particularprovincetodecideinallcasesofscandal.

Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohis

gegenwart

presence,where,discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,andinthemostaffectingmannerimploredhisforgiveness;

atthesametimerepresentingthe

gefahr

dangerthatthreatenednotonlyherlife,butthatofhisowngrandchild,whichwasabouttoseethelight.

Hetoldherhewassorrythattheindiscretionofherandhissonhadcompelledhimtomakeavow,whichputitoutofhispowertogivethemanyassistance;

thathehadalreadyimpartedhisthoughtsonthat

thema

subjecttoherhusband,andwas

überrascht

surprisedthattheyshoulddisturbhispeacewithanyfartherimportunity.

Thissaid,heretired.

The

gewalt

violenceofmymother’safflictionhadsuchan

wirkung

effectonherconstitutionthatshewasimmediatelyseizedwiththepainsofchildbed;

andhadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewasverydear,affordedher

mitleid

pityandassistance,atthehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,sheandtheinnocent

frucht

fruitofherwombmusthavefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigourandinhumanity.

Bythe

freundschaft

friendshipofthispoorwomanshewascarrieduptoagarret,andimmediatelydeliveredofamanchild,thestoryofwhoseunfortunate

geburt

birthhehimselfnowrelates.

Myfather,beinginformedofwhathadhappened,flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,andwhileheloadedhisoffspringwithpaternalembraces,couldnotforbearsheddingafloodoftearsonbeholdingthedearpartnerofhisheart(forwhoseeasehewouldhave

geopfert

sacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretcheduponaflockbed,inamiserableapartment,unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesoftheweather.

Itisnottobesupposedthattheoldgentlemanwasignorantofwhatpassed,thoughheaffectedtoknownothingofthematter,andpretendedtobeverymuch

überrascht

surprised,whenoneofhisgrandchildren,byhiseldestsondeceased,wholivedwithhimashisheirapparent,acquaintedhimwiththeaffair;

hedetermined

daher

thereforetoobservenomedium,butimmediately(onthethirddayafterherdelivery)sentheraperemptoryordertobegone,andturnedofftheservantwhohadpreservedherlife.

Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmyfatherthathehadrecoursetothemostdreadfulimprecations;

andonhisbarekneesimploredthatHeavenwouldrenouncehimifeverheshouldforgetorforgivethebarbarityofhissire.

Theinjurieswhichthisunhappymotherreceivedfromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,andthewantofnecessarieswhereshelodged,togetherwithhergriefandanxietyofmind,soonthrewherintoalanguishingdisorder,whichputanendtoherlife.

Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wassoaffectedwithherdeaththathe

blieb

remainedsixweeksdeprivedofhissenses;

duringwhichtime,thepeoplewherehelodgedcarriedtheinfanttotheoldmanwhorelentedsofar,onhearingthemelancholystoryofhisdaughter-in-law’sdeath,andthedeplorable

zustand

conditionofhisson,astosendthechildtonurse,andheorderedmyfathertobecarriedhometohishouse,wherehesoonrecoveredtheuseofhisreason.

Whetherthishardheartedjudgefeltanyremorseforhiscruel

behandlung

treatmentofhissonanddaughter,or(whichismoreprobable)wasafraidhis

charakter

characterwouldsufferintheneighbourhood,heprofessedgreatsorrowforhisconducttomyfather,whosedeliriumwassucceededbyaprofoundmelancholyandreserve.

Atlengthhe

verschwand

disappeared,and,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,couldnotbeheardof;

acircumstancewhichconfirmedmostpeopleintheopinionofhishavingmadeawaywithhimselfinafitofdespair.

CHAPTERII

Igrowup—amhatedbymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—IformCabalsagainstthePedant—amdebarred

Zugang

AccesstomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—IdemolishtheTeethofhisTutor.

Therewerenotwantingsomewhosuspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’s

schicksal

fate,onthesuppositionthattheywouldallshareinthepatrimonydestinedforhim;

andthisconjecturewasstrengthenedbyreflectingthatinallhiscalamitiestheyneverdiscoveredtheleastinclinationto

dienen

servehim;

but,onthecontrary,byalltheartificesintheirpower,fedhisresentmentandsupportedhisresolutionofleavinghimtomiseryandwant.

Butpeopleofjudgmenttreatedthisinsinuationasanidlechimera;

because,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedastoconsulttheirinterestby

begangen

committingsuchanatrociouscrime,the

schicksal

fateofmyfatherwouldhaveextendedtometoowhoselifewasanotherobstacletotheirexpectation.

Meanwhile,Igrewapace,andasIstronglyresembledmyfather,whowasthedarlingofthetenants,Iwantednothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstancescouldafford:

buttheir

gunst

favourwasaweakresourceagainstthejealousenmityofmycousins;

whothemoremyinfancypromised,conceivedthemoreimplacablehatredagainstme:

andbeforeIwassixyearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmy

großvater

grandfatherthatIneversawhimbutbystealth,whenIsometimesmadeuptohis

stuhl

chairashesattoviewhislabourersinthefield:

onwhichoccasionhewouldstrokemyhead,bidmebeagoodboy,andpromisetotakecareofme.

Iwassoonaftersenttoschoolatavillagehardby,ofwhichhehadbeendictatortimeoutofmind;

butasheneverpaidformyboard,norsuppliedmewithclothes,books,andothernecessariesIrequired,my

zustand

conditionwasveryraggedandcontemptible,andtheschoolmaster,who,throughfearofmy

großvater

grandfather,taughtmegratis,gavehimselfnoconcernaboutthe

fortschritt

progressImadeunderhisinstruction.

Inspiteofallthesedifficultiesanddisgraces,IbecameagoodproficientintheLatintongue;

and,assoonasIcouldwritetolerably,pesteredmy

großvater

grandfatherwithletterstosuchadegreethathesentformymaster,andchidhimseverelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmyeducation,tellinghimthat,ifeverIshouldbebroughttothegallowsforforgery,whichhehadtaughtmetocommit,mybloodwouldlieonhishead.

Thepedant,whodreadednothingmorethanthedispleasureofhispatron,assuredhishonourthattheboy’s

fähigkeit

abilitywasmoreowingtohisown

genie

geniusandapplicationthantoanyinstructionorencouragementhereceived;

that,

obwohl

althoughhecouldnotdivesthimoftheknowledgehehadalreadyimbibed,unlesshewouldempowerhimtodisablehisfingers,heshouldendeavour,withGod’shelp,topreventhisfutureimprovement.

And,

tat

indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehadundertaken;

for,onpretencethatIhadwrittenimpertinentletterstomy

großvater

grandfather,hecausedaboardtobemadewithfiveholesinit,throughwhichhethrustthefingersandthumbofmyrighthand,andfasteneditbywhipcordtomywrist,insuchamanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuseofmypen.

ButthisrestraintIwasfreedfrominafewdays,byanaccidentwhichhappenedinaquarrelbetweenmeandanotherboy;

who,takinguponhimtoinsultmypoverty,IwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthatwithonestrokewithmymachineIcuthimtotheskull,tothegreatterrorofmyselfandschoolfellows,wholefthim

blutend

bleedingontheground,andranto

informieren

informthemasterofwhathadhappened.

Iwassoseverelypunishedforthistrespassthat,wereItolivetotheageofMethusalem,theimpressionitmadeonmewouldnotbeeffaced;

themorethantheantipathyandhorrorIconceivedforthemercilesstyrantwhoinflictedit.

Thecontemptwhichmyappearancenaturallyproducedinallwhosawme,thecontinualwantstowhichIwasexposed,andmyownhaughtydisposition,impatientofaffronts,involvedmeinathousandtroublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredinadversity,andemboldenedtoundertakingsfarabovemyyears.

IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnot

begangen

commit,because,havingthecharacterofavagabondinthevillage,everypieceofmischief,whoseauthorlay

unbekannt

unknown,waschargeduponme.

Ihavebeenfound

schuldig

guiltyofrobbingorchardsInever

eingetreten

entered,ofkillingcatsInever

gejagt

hunted,ofstealinggingerbreadInevertouched,andofabusingoldwomenIneversaw.

Nay,astammeringcarpenterhadeloquenceenoughtopersuademymasterthatIfiredapistolloadedwithsmallshotintohiswindow;

thoughmylandladyandthewholefamilyborewitnessthatIwasabedfastasleepatthetimewhenthisoutragewas

begangen

committed.

Iwasoncefloggedforhavingnarrowlyescapeddrowning,bythesinkingofaferryboatinwhichIwaspassenger.

Anothertime,forhavingrecoveredofabruiseoccasionedbyahorseandcartrunningoverme.

Athirdtime,forbeing

gebissen

bittenbyabaker’sdog.

Inshort,whetherIwas

schuldig

guiltyorunfortunate,thecorrectionandsympathyofthisarbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.

Farfrombeingsubduedbythisinformalusage,myindignationtriumphedoverthatslavishawewhichhadhithertoenforcedmyobedience;

andthemoremyyearsand

wissen

knowledgeincreased,themoreIperceivedtheinjusticeandbarbarityofhisbehaviour.

Bythehelpofanuncommongenius,andtheadviceanddirectionofourusher,whohadservedmyfatherinhistravels,Imadeasurprisingprogressintheclassics,writing,andarithmetic;

sothat,beforeIwastwelveyearsold,Iwasallowedbyeverybodytobethebestscholarintheschool.

Thisqualification,togetherwiththeboldnessoftemperand

stärke

strengthofmakewhichhadsubjectedalmostallmycontemporaries,gavemesuchinfluenceoverthemthatIbegantoformcabalsagainstmypersecutor;

andwasinhopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceinaveryshorttime.

Beingattheheadofafaction,consistingofthirtyboys,mostofthemofmyownage,Iwasdeterminedtoputtheirmettletotrial,thatImightknowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,beforeIputmygrandschemeinexecution:

withthis

ansicht

view,weattackedabodyofstoutapprentices,whohadtakenpossessionofapartofthegroundallottedtousfortheschemeofourdiversions,andwhowerethenplayingatninepinsonthespot;

butIhadthemortificationtoseemyadherentsroutedinaninstant,andalegofoneofthembrokeinhisflightbythe

schüssel

bowl,whichoneofouradversarieshaddetachedinpursuitofus.

Thisdiscomfituredidnothinderusfromengagingthemafterwardsinfrequentskirmishes,whichwemaintainedbythrowingstonesatadistance,whereinIreceivedmanywounds,thescarsofwhichstillremain.

Ourenemiesweresoharassedandinterruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlastabandonedtheirconquest,andleftustothepeaceableenjoymentofourownterritories.

Itwouldbeendlesstoenumeratetheexploitsweperformedinthecourseofthisconfederacy,whichbecametheterrorofthewholevillage;

insomuchthat,whendifferentinterestsdividedit,oneofthepartiescommonlycourtedtheassistanceofRoderickRandom(bywhichnameIwasknown)to

werfen

castthebalance,andkeeptheoppositefactioninawe.

Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageofeveryplay-daytopresentmyselfbeforemy

großvater

grandfather,towhomIseldomfound

zugang

access,byreasonofhisbeingcloselybesiegedbyanumerousfamilyofhisfemalegrandchildren,who,thoughtheyperpetuallyquarrelledamongthemselves,never

versäumten

failedtojoinagainstme,asthecommonenemyofall.

Hisheir,whowasabouttheageofeighteen,mindednothingbutfox-hunting,and

tat

indeedwasqualifiedfornothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’sindulgenceinentertainingatutorforhimathome;

whoatthesametimeperformedtheofficeofparishclerk.

ThisyoungActaeon,whoinheritedhisgrandfather’santipathytoeverythingindistress,neversateyesonmewithoutuncouplinghisbeagles,and

jagen

huntingmeintosomecottageorother,whitherIgenerallyfledforshelter.

InthisChristianamusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,nodoubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimselfwiththerisingsun,observing,thattheoldgentleman,accordingtothecourseofnature,hadnotlongtolive,forhewasalreadyonthevergeoffourscore.

CHAPTERIII

MyMother’sBrotherarrives—relievesme—aDescriptionofhim—hegoesalongwithmetotheHouseofmyGrandfather—isencounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsthem,afterabloodyEngagement—isadmittedtotheoldGentleman—aDialoguebetweenthem.

Aboutthistimemymother’sonlybrother,whohadbeenlongabroad,

leutnant

lieutenantofaman-of-war,arrivedinhisowncountry;

wherebeinginformedofmy

zustand

condition,hecametoseeme,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnotonlysuppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIwantedforthepresent,butresolvednottoleavethecountryuntilhehadprevailedonmy

großvater

grandfathertosettlesomethinghandsomeforthefuture.

Thiswasatasktowhichhewasbynomeansequal,beingentirelyignorant,notonlyofthejudge’sdisposition,butalsoofthewaysofmeningeneral,towhichhiseducationonboardhadkepthimanutterstranger.

Hewasastrongbuiltman,somewhatbandylegged,withanecklikethatofabull,andafacewhich(youmight

leicht

easilyperceive)hadwithstoodthemostobstinateassaultsoftheweather.

Hisdressconsistedofasoldier’scoatalteredforhimbytheship’stailor,astripedflanneljacket,a

paar

pairofredbreechesspannedwithpitch,cleangrayworstedstockings,large

silber

silverbucklesthatcoveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-laced

hut

hat,whosecrownoverlookedthebrimsaboutaninchandahalf,blackbobwiginbuckle,acheckshirt,asilkhandkerchief,ahanger,withabrasshandle,girdedtohisthighbyafurnishedlacebelt,andagoodoakplantunderhisarm.

Thusequipped,hesetoutwithme(whobyhisbountymadeaverydecentappearance)formygrandfather’shouse,whereweweresalutedbyJowlerandCaesar,whommycousin,youngmaster,hadletlooseatourapproach.

Beingwellacquaintedwiththeinveteracyofthesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,whenmyuncleseizedmewithonehand,brandishedhiscudgelwiththeother,andatoneblowlaidCaesarsprawlingontheground;

but,findinghimselfattackedatthesametimeintherearbyJowler,andfearingCaesarmightrecover,hedrewhishanger,wheeledabout,andbyaluckystrokeseveredJowler’sheadfromhisbody.

Bythistime,theyoungfoxhunterandthreeservants,armedwithpitchforksandflails,werecometotheassistanceofthedogs,whomtheyfoundbreathlessuponthefield;

andmycousinwassoprovokedatthedeathofhisfavourites,thatheorderedhisattendantstoadvance,andtakevengeanceontheirexecutioner,whomheloadedwithallthecursesandreproacheshis

zorn

angercouldsuggest.

Uponwhichmyunclesteppedforwardswithanundauntedair,atthe

anblick

sightofwhosebloodyweaponshisantagonistsfellbackwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheirleaderthus:.

“Lookee,brother,yourdogshavingboardedmewithoutprovocation,whatIdidwasinmyowndefence.

Soyouhadbestbecivil,andletusshootahead,clearofyou.”

Whethertheyoungsquiremisinterpretedmyuncle’s

wunsch

desireofpeace,orwasenragedatthe

schicksal

fateofhishoundsbeyondhis

übliche

usualpitchofresolution,Iknownot;

buthesnatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,andcameupwithashowofassaultingthe

leutnant

lieutenant,who,puttinghimselfinapostureofdefence,proceededthus:

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

I’llbefoulofyour

viertel

quarter,d—nme.”

Thisdeclaration,followedbyaflourishofhishanger,seemedtocheckthe

fortschritt

progressoftheyounggentleman’scholer,who,lookingbehindhim,perceivedhisattendantshadslunkintothehouse,shutthegate,andlefthimtodecidethecontentionbyhimself.

Hereaparleyensued,whichwasintroducedbymycousin’sasking,“Whothe

teufel

devilareyou?

Whatdoyouwant?

Somescoundrelofaseaman,Isuppose,whohasdesertedandturned

dieb

thief.

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

Yourbloodshallpayforthatofmytwohounds,youragamuffin.

Iwouldnothavepartedwiththemtosaveyourwhole

generation

generationfromthegallows,youruffian,you!”

“Noneofyourjaw,youswab—noneofyourjaw,”repliedmyuncle,“elseIshalltrimyourlacedjacketforyou.

Ishallrubyoudownwithanoakentowel,myboy,Ishall.”

Sosaying,hesheathedhishanger,andgraspedhiscudgel.

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