THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE
Ofallkindsofsatire,thereisnonesoentertaininganduniversallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwereoccasionally,inthecourseofaninterestingstory,whichbringsevery
घटना
incidenthometolife,andbyrepresentingपरिचित
familiarscenesinanuncommonandamusingpointofview,investsthemwithallthegracesofnovelty,whilenatureisappealedtoineveryविशेष
particular.Thereadergratifieshiscuriosityinpursuingtheadventuresofapersoninwhose
पक्ष
favourheisprepossessed;heespouseshiscause,hesympathiseswithhiminhisdistress,hisindignationisheatedagainsttheauthorsofhiscalamity:
thehumanepassionsareinflamed;
thecontrastbetweendejectedvirtueandinsultingviceappearswith
अधिक
greateraggravation,andeveryimpressionhavingadoubleforceontheकल्पना
imagination,thememoryretainsthecircumstance,andtheheartimprovesbytheउदाहरण
example.Theattentionisnottiredwithabarecatalogueofcharacters,butagreeablydivertedwithallthevarietyofinvention;
andthevicissitudesoflife
प्रकट
appearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,openinganamplefieldforwitandhumour.Romance,nodoubt,owesitsorigintoignorance,vanity,andsuperstition.
InthedarkagesoftheWorld,whenamanhadrenderedhimselffamousforwisdomorvalour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,andrepresentedhis
चरित्र
characterandpersonassacredandsupernatural.Thevulgar
आसानी
easilyswallowedthebait,imploredhisसुरक्षा
protection,andyieldedthetributeofhomageandpraise,eventoadoration;hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposteritywithathousandexaggerations;
theywererepeatedasincitementstovirtue;
divinehonourswerepaid,andaltarserectedtohismemory,fortheencouragementofthosewhoattemptedtoimitatehis
उदाहरण
example;andhencearosetheheathenmythology,whichisnootherthanacollectionofextravagantromances.
Aslearningadvanced,and
प्रतिभा
geniusreceivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedwiththegracesofकविता
poetry,thattheymightthebetterrecommendthemselvestotheattention;theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,fortheinstructionanddelightofthe
श्रोताओं
audience;andrehearsedbeforebattle,asincentivestodeedsof
महिमा
glory.Thustragedyandtheepicmusewereborn,and,inthe
प्रगति
progressoftaste,arrivedatperfection.Itisnowonderthattheancientscouldnotrelishafableinprose,aftertheyhadseensomanyremarkableeventscelebratedinversebytheirbestpoets;
we
इसलिए
thereforefindnoromanceamongthemduringtheeraoftheirexcellence,unlesstheCyropædiaofXenophonmaybesocalled;anditwasnottillartsandsciencesbegantoreviveaftertheirruptionofthebarbariansintoEurope,thatanythingofthiskindappeared.
Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothemostabsurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromancearose,andlosing
दृष्टि
sightofprobability,filledtheirperformanceswiththemostmonstroushyperboles.Iftheycouldnotequalthe
प्राचीन
ancientpoetsinpointofप्रतिभा
geniustheywereresolvedtoexceltheminfiction,andapplytothewonder,ratherthanthejudgment,oftheirreaders.Accordingly,theybroughtnecromancytotheiraid,andinsteadofsupportingthe
चरित्र
characteroftheirheroesbydignityofsentimentandpractice,distinguishedthembytheirbodilyशक्ति
strength,activity,andextravaganceofbehaviour.यद्यपि
Althoughnothingcouldbemoreludicrousandunnaturalthanthefigurestheydrew,theydidnotwantpatronsandadmirers;andtheworldactuallybegantobeinfectedwiththespiritofknight-errantry,whenCervantes,byaninimitablepieceofridicule,reformedthetasteofmankind,representingchivalryintherightpointofview,andconvertingromancetopurposesfarmore
उपयोगी
usefulandentertaining,bymakingitassumethesock,andpointoutthefolliesofसामान्य
ordinarylife.ThesamemethodhasbeenpractisedbyotherSpanishandFrenchauthors,andbynonemoresuccessfullythanbyMonsieurLeSage,who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,hasdescribedtheknaveryandfoiblesoflife,withinfinitehumourandsagacity.
ThefollowingsheetsIhavemodelledonhisplan,takingmeliberty,however,todifferfromhimintheexecution,whereIthoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,extravagant,orpeculiartothecountryinwhichthesceneislaid.
ThedisgracesofGilBlasare,forthemostpart,suchasratherexcitemirththancompassion;
hehimselflaughsatthem;
andhistransitionsfromdistressto
सुख
happiness,oratleastease,aresoअचानक
sudden,thatneitherthereaderhastimetoदया
pityhim,norhimselftobeacquaintedwithaffliction.Thisconduct,inmy
राय
opinion,notonlydeviatesfromprobability,butpreventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatethereaderagainstthesordidandviciousdispositionoftheworld.Ihaveattemptedtorepresentmodestmeritstrugglingwitheverydifficultytowhichafriendlessorphanisexposed,fromhisownwantofexperience,aswellasfromtheselfishness,envy,malice,andbaseindifferenceofmankind.
To
सुरक्षित
secureafavourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhimtheadvantagesofजन्म
birthandeducation,whichintheश्रृंखला
seriesofhismisfortuneswill,Ihope,engagetheingenuousmorewarmlyinhisbehalf;andthoughIforesee,thatsomepeoplewillbeoffendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheisinvolved,Ipersuademyselfthatthejudiciouswillnotonlyperceivethenecessityofdescribingthosesituationstowhichhemustofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,butalsofindentertainmentinviewingthosepartsoflife,wherethehumoursandpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,
समारोह
ceremony,oreducation;andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesofdisposition
प्रकट
appearasnaturehasimplantedthem.ButIbelieveIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatingapracticeauthorizedbythebestwritersinthisway,someofwhomIhavealreadynamed.
Everyintelligentreaderwill,atfirstsight,perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,whicharealltrueinthe
मुख्य
main,althoughthecircumstancesarealteredanddisguised,toबचने
avoidpersonalsatire.ItnowremainstogivemyreasonsformakingthechiefpersonageofthisworkaNorthBriton,whicharechieflythese:
Icould,atasmallexpense,bestowonhimsuch
शिक्षा
educationasIthoughtthedignityofhisजन्म
birthandcharacterrequired,whichcouldnotसंभवतः
possiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysuchslendermeansasthenatureofmyplanwouldafford.Inthenextplace,Icouldrepresentsimplicityofmannersinaremotepartofthe
राज्य
kingdom,withmoreproprietythaninanyplaceneartheराजधानी
capital;andlastly,thedispositionoftheScots,addictedtotravelling,justifiesmyconductinderivinganadventurerfromthatcountry.
APOLOGUE
Ayoungpainter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,sketchedakindof
वार्तालाप
conversationpiece,representingabear,anowl,aबंदर
monkey,andanass;andtorenderitmorestriking,humorous,andmoral,distinguishedeveryfigurebysomeemblemofhumanlife.
Bruinwasexhibitedinthegarbandattitudeofanold,toothless,drunken
सैनिक
soldier;theowlpercheduponthehandleofacoffee-pot,withspectacleonnose,seemedtocontemplatea
समाचार पत्र
newspaper;andtheass,ornamentedwithahugetie-wig(which,however,couldnotconcealhislongears),satforhispicturetothe
बंदर
monkey,whoappearedwiththeimplementsofचित्रकला
painting.Thiswhimsicalgroupaffordedsomemirth,andmetwithgeneralapprobation,untilsomemischievouswaghintedthatthewhole—wasalampoonuponthefriendsoftheperformer;
aninsinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedthanthoseverypeoplewhoapplaudeditbeforebegantobealarmed,andeventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.
बीच
Amongothers,aworthypersonageinyears,whohadservedinthearmywithप्रतिष्ठा
reputation,beingincensedatthesupposedoutrage,repairedtothelodgingofthepainter,andfindinghimathome,“Harkye,Mr.Monkey,”saidhe,“Ihaveagoodmindtoconvinceyou,thatthoughthebearhaslosthisteeth,heretainshispaws,andthatheisnotsodrunkbuthecanperceiveyourimpertinence.”“Sblood!
sir,thattoothlessjawisad—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyouimaginemesochopfallenasnottobeabletochewthecudofresentment.”
Herehewasinterruptedbythearrivalofalearnedphysician,who,advancingtotheculpritwithfuryinhisaspect,exclaimed,“Supposetheaugmentationoftheass’searsshouldprovethediminutionofthebaboon’s—nay,seeknottoprevaricate,for,bythebeardofAesculapius!
thereisnotonehairinthisperiwigthatwillnotstandupinjudgmenttoconvicttheeofpersonalabuse.
Dobutobserve,captain,howthispitifullittlefellowhascopiedtheverycurls—thecolour,
वास्तव
indeed,isdifferent,butthentheformandforetoparequitesimilar.”Whilehethusremonstratedinastrainofvociferation,avenerablesenatorentered,andwaddlinguptothedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”
criedhe,“IwillnowlettheeseeIcanreadsomethingelsethana
अखबार
newspaper,andthatwithoutthehelpofspectacles:hereisyourown
नोट
noteofhand,sirrah,formoney,whichifIhadnotadvanced,youyourselfwouldhaveresembledanowl,innotdaringtoshowyourfacebyday,youungratefulslanderousknave!”Invaintheastonishedpainterdeclaredthathehadnointentiontogiveoffence,ortocharacterise
विशेष
particularpersons:theyaffirmedtheresemblancewastoopalpabletobeoverlooked;
theytaxedhimwithinsolence,malice,andingratitude;
andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardbythepublic,thecaptainwasabear,thedoctoranass,andthesenatoranowl,tohisdyingday.
Christianreader,Ibeseechthee,inthebowelsoftheLord,rememberthis
उदाहरण
example“whilethouartemployedintheperusalofthefollowingsheets;andseeknottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhichequallybelongstofivehundreddifferentpeople.
Ifthoushouldstmeetwithacharacterthatreflectstheeinsomeungracious
विशेष
particular,keepthyowncounsel;CHAPTERI
Ofmy
जन्म
BirthandParentage.Iwasborninthenorthernpartofthis
संयुक्त
unitedkingdom,inthehouseofmyदादाजी
grandfather,agentlemanofconsiderableभाग्य
fortuneandinfluence,whohadonmanyoccasionssignalisedhimselfinbehalfofhiscountry;andwasremarkableforhisabilitiesinthelaw,whichheexercisedwithgreat
सफलता
successinthestationofajudge,particularlyagainstbeggars,forwhomhehadasingularaversion.Myfather(hisyoungestson)fallinginlovewithapoorrelation,wholivedwiththeold
सज्जन
gentlemaninqualityofahousekeeper,espousedherprivately;andIwasthefirst
फल
fruitofthatmarriage.Duringherpregnancy,adreamdiscomposedmymothersomuchthatherhusband,tiredwithherimportunity,atlastconsultedahighlandseer,whosefavourableinterpretationhewouldhavesecuredbeforehandbyabribe,butfoundhimincorruptible.
Shedreamedshewasdeliveredofatennis-ball,whichthe
शैतान
devil(who,tohergreatsurprise,actedthepartofamidwife)strucksoforciblywitharacketthatitdisappearedinaninstant;andshewasforsometimeinconsolableforthelostofheroffspring;
when,allona
अचानक
sudden,shebehelditreturnwithequalviolence,andप्रवेश
entertheearth,beneathherfeet,whenceimmediatelysprangupagoodlytreecoveredwithblossoms,thescentofwhichoperatedsostronglyonhernervesthatsheawoke.Theattentivesage,aftersomedeliberation,assuredmyparents,thattheirfirstbornwouldbeagreattraveller;
thathewouldundergomanydangersanddifficulties,andatlastreturntohisnativeland,wherehewouldflourishin
खुशी
happinessandreputation.Howtrulythiswasforetoldwill
दिखाई
appearinthesequel.Itwasnotlongbeforesomeofficiouspersoninformedmy
दादाजी
grandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassedbetweenhissonandhousekeeperwhichalarmedhimsomuchthat,afewdaysafter,hetoldmyfatheritwashightimeforhimtothinkofsettling;andthathehadprovidedamatchforhim,towhichhecouldin
न्याय
justicehavenoobjections.Myfather,findingitwouldbeimpossibletoconcealhissituationmuchlonger,franklyownedwhathehaddone;
andexcusedhimselffornothavingaskedtheconsentofhisfather,bysaying,heknewitwouldhavebeentonopurpose;
andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,my
दादाजी
grandfathermighthavetakensuchmeasuresaswouldhaveeffectuallyputthegratificationofitoutofhispower:headded,thatnoexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’svirtue,
जन्म
birth,beauty,andgoodsense,andasforभाग्य
fortune,itwasbeneathhiscare.Theold
सज्जन
gentleman,whokeptallhispassions,exceptone,inexcellentorder,heardhimtoanendwithgreattemper,andthencalmlyasked,howheproposedtomaintainhimselfandspouse?Hereplied,hecouldbeinnodangerofwantingwhilehisfather’stendernessremained,whichheandhiswifeshouldalwayscultivatewiththeutmostveneration;
andhewaspersuadedhisallowancewouldbesuitabletothedignityandcircumstancesofhisfamily,andtotheprovisionalreadymadeforhisbrothersandsisters,whowerehappilysettledunderhis
संरक्षण
protection.“Yourbrothersandsisters,”saidmy
दादाजी
grandfather,“didnotthinkitbeneaththemtoconsultmeinanaffairofsuchimportanceasmatrimony;neither,Isuppose,wouldyouhaveomittedthatpieceofduty,hadyounotsomesecretfundinreserve;
tothecomfortsofwhichIleaveyou,witha
इच्छा
desirethatyouwillthisnightतलाश
seekoutanotherhabitationforyourselfandwife,whither,inashorttime,IwillsendyouanaccountoftheexpenseIhavebeenatinyourशिक्षा
education,withaviewofbeingreimbursed.Sir,youhavemadethegrandtour—youareapolitegentleman—averyprettygentleman—Iwishyouagreatdealof
खुशी
joy,andamyourveryhumbleservant.”Sosaying,heleftmyfatherinasituationeasilyimagined.
However,hedidnotlonghesitate;
for,beingperfectlywellacquaintedwithhisfather’sdisposition,hedidnotdoubtthathewasgladofthispretencetogetridofhim;
andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedesandPersians,heknewitwouldbetonopurposetoattempthimbyprayersandentreaties;
sowithoutanyfartherapplication,hebetookhimself,withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoafarm-house,whereanoldservantofhismotherdwelt:
therethey
रहे
remainedsometimeinasituationbutilladaptedtotheeleganceoftheirdesiresandtendernessoftheirlove;whichneverthelessmyfatherchosetoendure,ratherthansupplicateanunnaturalandinflexibleparentbutmymother,foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshemusthavebeenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredinthisplace(andherpregnancywasveryfaradvanced),withoutcommunicatingher
डिजाइन
designtoherhusband,wentindisguisetothehouseofmyदादाजी
grandfather,hopingthathertearsandस्थिति
conditionwouldmovehimtocompassion,andreconcilehimtoanघटना
eventwhichwasnowirrecoverablypast.Shefoundmeanstodeceivetheservants,andgetintroducedasanunfortunatelady,whowantedto
शिकायत
complainofsomematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sविशेष
particularprovincetodecideinallcasesofscandal.Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohis
उपस्थिति
presence,where,discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,andinthemostaffectingmannerimploredhisforgiveness;atthesametimerepresentingthe
खतरे
dangerthatthreatenednotonlyherlife,butthatofhisowngrandchild,whichwasabouttoseethelight.Hetoldherhewassorrythattheindiscretionofherandhissonhadcompelledhimtomakeavow,whichputitoutofhispowertogivethemanyassistance;
thathehadalreadyimpartedhisthoughtsonthat
विषय
subjecttoherhusband,andwassurprisedthattheyshoulddisturbhispeacewithanyfartherimportunity.Thissaid,heretired.
The
हिंसा
violenceofmymother’safflictionhadsuchanप्रभाव
effectonherconstitutionthatshewasimmediatelyseizedwiththepainsofchildbed;andhadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewasverydear,affordedher
दया
pityandassistance,atthehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,sheandtheinnocentफल
fruitofherwombmusthavefallenदयनीय
miserablevictimstohisrigourandinhumanity.Bythe
मित्रता
friendshipofthispoorwomanshewascarrieduptoagarret,andimmediatelydeliveredofamanchild,thestoryofwhoseunfortunateजन्म
birthhehimselfnowrelates.Myfather,beinginformedofwhathadhappened,flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,andwhileheloadedhisoffspringwithpaternalembraces,couldnotforbearsheddingafloodoftearsonbeholdingthedearpartnerofhisheart(forwhoseeasehewouldhavesacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretcheduponaflockbed,inamiserableapartment,unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesofthe
मौसम
weather.Itisnottobesupposedthattheold
सज्जन
gentlemanwasignorantofwhatpassed,thoughheaffectedtoknownothingofthematter,andpretendedtobeverymuchsurprised,whenoneofhisgrandchildren,byhiseldestsondeceased,wholivedwithhimashisheirapparent,acquaintedhimwiththeaffair;hedeterminedthereforetoobservenomedium,butimmediately(onthethirddayafterher
प्रसव
delivery)sentheraperemptoryordertobegone,andturnedofftheservantwhohadpreservedherlife.Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmyfatherthathehadrecoursetothemostdreadfulimprecations;
andonhisbarekneesimploredthatHeavenwouldrenouncehimifeverheshouldforgetorforgivethebarbarityofhissire.
Theinjurieswhichthis
दुखी
unhappymotherreceivedfromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,andthewantofnecessarieswhereshelodged,togetherwithhergriefandanxietyofmind,soonthrewherintoalanguishingdisorder,whichputanendtoherlife.Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wassoaffectedwithherdeaththathe
रहे
remainedsixweeksdeprivedofhissenses;duringwhichtime,thepeoplewherehelodgedcarriedtheinfanttotheoldmanwhorelentedsofar,onhearingthemelancholystoryofhisdaughter-in-law’sdeath,andthedeplorable
स्थिति
conditionofhisson,astosendthechildtonurse,andheorderedmyfathertobecarriedhometohishouse,wherehesoonrecoveredtheuseofhisreason.Whetherthishardheartedjudgefeltanyremorseforhis
क्रूर
crueltreatmentofhissonanddaughter,or(whichismoreprobable)wasafraidhisचरित्र
characterwouldsufferintheneighbourhood,heprofessedgreatsorrowforhisconducttomyfather,whosedeliriumwassucceededbyaprofoundmelancholyandreserve.Atlengthhedisappeared,and,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,couldnotbeheardof;
acircumstancewhichconfirmedmostpeopleinthe
राय
opinionofhishavingmadeawaywithhimselfinafitofdespair.CHAPTERII
Igrowup—amhatedbymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—IformCabalsagainstthePedant—amdebarredAccesstomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—IdemolishtheTeethofhisTutor.
Therewerenotwantingsomewhosuspectedmyunclesofbeing
चिंतित
concernedinmyfather’sfate,onthesuppositionthattheywouldallshareinthepatrimonydestinedforhim;andthisconjecturewasstrengthenedbyreflectingthatinallhiscalamitiestheyneverdiscoveredtheleastinclinationto
सेवा
servehim;but,onthecontrary,byalltheartificesintheirpower,fedhisresentmentandsupportedhisresolutionofleavinghimtomiseryandwant.
Butpeopleofjudgmenttreatedthisinsinuationasanidlechimera;
because,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedastoconsulttheirinterestbycommittingsuchanatrociouscrime,the
भाग्य
fateofmyfatherwouldhaveextendedtometoowhoselifewasanotherobstacletotheirexpectation.Meanwhile,Igrewapace,andasIstronglyresembledmyfather,whowasthedarlingofthetenants,Iwantednothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstancescould
बर्दाश्त
afford:buttheirfavourwasa
कमजोर
weakresourceagainstthejealousenmityofmycousins;whothemoremyinfancypromised,conceivedthemoreimplacablehatredagainstme:
andbeforeIwassixyearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmy
दादाजी
grandfatherthatIneversawhimbutbystealth,whenIsometimesmadeuptohisकुर्सी
chairashesattoदेखने
viewhislabourersinthefield:onwhichoccasionhewouldstrokemyhead,bidmebeagoodboy,andpromisetotakecareofme.
Iwassoonaftersenttoschoolatavillagehardby,ofwhichhehadbeendictatortimeoutofmind;
butasheneverpaidformyboard,norsuppliedmewithclothes,books,andothernecessariesIrequired,my
स्थिति
conditionwasveryraggedandcontemptible,andtheschoolmaster,who,throughfearofmyदादाजी
grandfather,taughtmegratis,gavehimselfnoचिंता
concernabouttheprogressImadeunderhisinstruction.Inspiteofallthesedifficultiesanddisgraces,IbecameagoodproficientintheLatintongue;
and,assoonasIcouldwritetolerably,pesteredmy
दादाजी
grandfatherwithletterstosuchadegreethathesentformymaster,andchidhimseverelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmyशिक्षा
education,tellinghimthat,ifeverIshouldbebroughttothegallowsforforgery,whichhehadtaughtmetocommit,mybloodwouldlieonhishead.Thepedant,whodreadednothingmorethanthedispleasureofhispatron,assuredhishonourthattheboy’s
क्षमता
abilitywasmoreowingtohisownप्रतिभा
geniusandapplicationthantoanyinstructionorencouragementhereceived;that,
यद्यपि
althoughhecouldnotdivesthimoftheज्ञान
knowledgehehadalreadyimbibed,unlesshewouldempowerhimtodisablehisfingers,heshouldendeavour,withGod’shelp,topreventhisfutureimprovement.And,
वास्तव
indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehadundertaken;for,onpretencethatIhadwrittenimpertinentletterstomy
दादाजी
grandfather,hecausedaboardtobemadewithfiveholesinit,throughwhichhethrustthefingersandthumbofmyrighthand,andfasteneditbywhipcordtomywrist,insuchamanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuseofmyकलम
pen.ButthisrestraintIwasfreedfrominafewdays,byanaccidentwhichhappenedinaquarrelbetweenmeandanotherboy;
who,takinguponhimtoinsultmypoverty,IwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthatwithonestrokewithmymachineIcuthimtotheskull,tothegreatterrorofmyselfandschoolfellows,wholefthimbleedingontheground,andranto
सूचित
informthemasterofwhathadhappened.Iwassoseverelypunishedforthistrespassthat,wereItolivetotheageofMethusalem,theimpressionitmadeonmewouldnotbeeffaced;
themorethantheantipathyandhorrorIconceivedforthemercilesstyrantwhoinflictedit.
Thecontemptwhichmyappearancenaturallyproducedinallwhosawme,thecontinualwantstowhichIwasexposed,andmyownhaughtydisposition,impatientofaffronts,involvedmeinathousandtroublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredinadversity,andemboldenedtoundertakingsfarabovemyyears.
IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnotcommit,because,havingthe
चरित्र
characterofavagabondinthevillage,everypieceofmischief,whoseauthorlayअज्ञात
unknown,waschargeduponme.Ihavebeenfound
दोषी
guiltyofrobbingorchardsIneverentered,ofkillingcatsIneverhunted,ofstealinggingerbreadInevertouched,andofabusingoldwomenIneversaw.Nay,astammeringcarpenterhadeloquenceenoughtopersuademymasterthatIfiredapistolloadedwithsmallshotintohiswindow;
thoughmylandladyandthewholefamilyborewitnessthatIwasabedfastasleepatthetimewhenthisoutragewascommitted.
Iwasoncefloggedforhavingnarrowlyescapeddrowning,bythesinkingofaferryboatinwhichIwaspassenger.
Anothertime,forhavingrecoveredofabruiseoccasionedbyahorseandcartrunningoverme.
Athirdtime,forbeingbittenbyabaker’sdog.
Inshort,whetherIwas
दोषी
guiltyorunfortunate,thecorrectionandsympathyofthisarbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.Farfrombeingsubduedbythisinformalusage,myindignationtriumphedoverthatslavishawewhichhadhithertoenforcedmyobedience;
andthemoremyyearsand
ज्ञान
knowledgeincreased,themoreIperceivedtheinjusticeandbarbarityofhisbehaviour.Bythehelpofanuncommon
प्रतिभा
genius,andtheadviceandनिर्देशन
directionofourusher,whohadservedmyfatherinhistravels,Imadeasurprisingप्रगति
progressintheclassics,writing,andarithmetic;sothat,beforeIwastwelveyearsold,Iwasallowedbyeverybodytobethebestscholarintheschool.
Thisqualification,togetherwiththeboldnessoftemperand
ताकत
strengthofmakewhichhadsubjectedalmostallmycontemporaries,gavemesuchinfluenceoverthemthatIbegantoformcabalsagainstmypersecutor;andwasinhopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceinaveryshorttime.
Beingattheheadofafaction,consistingofthirtyboys,mostofthemofmyownage,Iwasdeterminedtoputtheirmettletotrial,thatImightknowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,beforeIputmygrandschemeinexecution:
withthisview,weattackedabodyofstoutapprentices,whohadtakenpossessionofapartofthegroundallottedtousfortheschemeofourdiversions,andwhowerethenplayingatninepinsonthespot;
butIhadthemortificationtoseemyadherentsroutedinaninstant,andalegofoneofthembrokeinhisflightbythebowl,whichoneofouradversarieshaddetachedinpursuitofus.
Thisdiscomfituredidnothinderusfromengagingthem
बाद
afterwardsinfrequentskirmishes,whichwemaintainedbythrowingstonesatadistance,whereinIreceivedmanywounds,thescarsofwhichstillबने हुए
remain.Ourenemiesweresoharassedandinterruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlastabandonedtheirconquest,andleftustothepeaceableenjoymentofourownterritories.
Itwouldbeendlesstoenumeratetheexploitsweperformedinthecourseofthisconfederacy,whichbecametheterrorofthewholevillage;
insomuchthat,whendifferentinterestsdividedit,oneofthepartiescommonlycourtedtheassistanceofRoderickRandom(bywhichnameIwasknown)tocastthe
संतुलन
balance,andkeeptheoppositefactioninawe.Meanwhile,Itookthe
लाभ
advantageofeveryplay-daytopresentmyselfbeforemyदादाजी
grandfather,towhomIseldomfoundaccess,byreasonofhisbeingcloselybesiegedbyanumerousfamilyofhisfemalegrandchildren,who,thoughtheyperpetuallyquarrelledamongthemselves,neverfailedtojoinagainstme,astheआम
commonenemyofall.Hisheir,whowasabouttheageofeighteen,mindednothingbutfox-hunting,and
वास्तव
indeedwasqualifiedfornothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’sindulgenceinentertainingatutorforhimathome;whoatthesametimeperformedtheofficeofparishclerk.
ThisyoungActaeon,whoinheritedhisgrandfather’santipathytoeverythingindistress,neversateyesonmewithoutuncouplinghisbeagles,andhuntingmeintosomecottageorother,whitherIgenerallyfledforshelter.
InthisChristianamusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,nodoubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimselfwiththerisingsun,observing,thattheold
सज्जन
gentleman,accordingtothecourseofnature,hadnotlongtolive,forhewasalreadyonthevergeoffourscore.CHAPTERIII
MyMother’sBrotherarrives—relievesme—aDescriptionofhim—hegoesalongwithmetotheHouseofmyGrandfather—isencounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsthem,afterabloodyEngagement—isadmittedtotheoldGentleman—aDialoguebetweenthem.
Aboutthistimemymother’sonlybrother,whohadbeenlongabroad,
लेफ्टिनेंट
lieutenantofaman-of-war,arrivedinhisowncountry;wherebeinginformedofmy
हालत
condition,hecametoseeme,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnotonlysuppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIwantedforthepresent,butresolvednottoleavethecountryuntilhehadprevailedonmyदादाजी
grandfathertosettlesomethinghandsomeforthefuture.Thiswasa
कार्य
tasktowhichhewasbynomeansequal,beingentirelyignorant,notonlyofthejudge’sdisposition,butalsoofthewaysofmeningeneral,towhichhisशिक्षा
educationonboardhadkepthimanutterअजनबी
stranger.Hewasastrongbuiltman,somewhatbandylegged,withanecklikethatofa
बैल
bull,andafacewhich(youmightआसानी
easilyperceive)hadwithstoodthemostobstinateassaultsoftheमौसम
weather.Hisdressconsistedofasoldier’s
कोट
coatalteredforhimbytheship’stailor,astripedflannelजैकेट
jacket,apairofredbreechesspannedwithpitch,cleangrayworstedstockings,largeचांदी
silverbucklesthatcoveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-lacedटोपी
hat,whosecrownoverlookedthebrimsaboutaninchandahalf,blackbobwiginbuckle,acheckshirt,asilkhandkerchief,ahanger,withabrasshandle,girdedtohisthighbyafurnishedlaceबेल्ट
belt,andagoodoakplantunderhisarm.Thusequipped,hesetoutwithme(whobyhisbountymadeavery
सभ्य
decentappearance)formygrandfather’shouse,whereweweresalutedbyJowlerandCaesar,whommycousin,youngmaster,hadletढीला
looseatourapproach.Beingwellacquaintedwiththeinveteracyofthesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,whenmyuncleseizedmewithonehand,brandishedhiscudgelwiththeother,andatoneblowlaidCaesarsprawlingontheground;
but,findinghimselfattackedatthesametimeintherearbyJowler,andfearingCaesarmightrecover,he
खींच
drewhishanger,wheeledabout,andbyaluckystrokeseveredJowler’sheadfromhisbody.Bythistime,theyoungfoxhunterandthreeservants,
लैस
armedwithpitchforksandflails,werecometotheassistanceofthedogs,whomtheyfoundbreathlessuponthefield;andmycousinwassoprovokedatthedeathofhisfavourites,thatheorderedhisattendantstoadvance,andtakevengeanceontheirexecutioner,whomheloadedwithallthecursesandreproacheshis
क्रोध
angercouldsuggest.Uponwhichmyunclesteppedforwardswithanundauntedair,atthesightofwhosebloodyweaponshisantagonistsfellbackwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheir
नेता
leaderthus:.“Lookee,brother,yourdogshavingboardedmewithoutprovocation,whatIdidwasinmyowndefence.
Soyouhadbestbecivil,andletusshootahead,clearofyou.”
Whethertheyoungsquiremisinterpretedmyuncle’s
इच्छा
desireofpeace,orwasenragedattheभाग्य
fateofhishoundsbeyondhisसामान्य
usualpitchofresolution,Iknownot;buthesnatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,andcameupwithashowofassaultingthe
लेफ्टिनेंट
lieutenant,who,puttinghimselfinapostureofdefence,proceededthus:“Lookee,youlubberlysonofaw—e,ifyoucomeathwartme,’wareyourgingerbreadwork.
I’llbefoulofyour
चौथाई
quarter,d—nme.”Thisdeclaration,followedbyaflourishofhishanger,seemedtocheckthe
प्रगति
progressoftheyounggentleman’scholer,who,lookingbehindhim,perceivedhisattendantshadslunkintothehouse,shuttheगेट
gate,andlefthimtodecidethecontentionbyhimself.Hereaparleyensued,whichwasintroducedbymycousin’sasking,“Whothedevilareyou?
Whatdoyouwant?
Somescoundrelofaseaman,Isuppose,whohasdesertedandturned
चोर
thief.Butdon’tthinkyoushallescape,sirrah—I’llhaveyouhang’d,youdog,Iwill.
Yourbloodshallpayforthatofmytwohounds,youragamuffin.
Iwouldnothavepartedwiththemtosaveyourwhole
पीढ़ी
generationfromthegallows,youruffian,you!”“Noneofyourjaw,youswab—noneofyourjaw,”repliedmyuncle,“elseIshalltrimyourlaced
जैकेट
jacketforyou.Ishallrubyoudownwithanoakentowel,myboy,Ishall.”
Sosaying,hesheathedhishanger,andgraspedhiscudgel.