THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE
Ofallkindsofsatire,thereisnonesoentertaining
e
anduniversallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwereoccasionally,inthecorso
courseofaninterestingstory,whichporta
bringseveryincidenthometovita
life,andbyrepresentingfamiliarscenesinanuncommone
andamusingpointofview,investsthemwithallthegracesofnovelty,mentre
whilenatureisappealedtoinogni
everyparticular.Thereadergratifieshiscuriosityinpursuingtheadventuresof
una
apersoninwhosefavourheisprepossessed;heespouseshis
causa
cause,hesympathiseswithhiminhisdistress,hisindignationisheatedcontro
againsttheauthorsofhiscalamity:le
thehumanepassionsareinflamed;thecontrast
tra
betweendejectedvirtueandinsultingviceappearswithgreateraggravation,e
andeveryimpressionhavingadoubleforceontheimagination,thememoryretainsthecircumstance,e
andtheheartimprovesbytheexample.La
Theattentionisnottiredwithun
abarecatalogueofcharacters,ma
butagreeablydivertedwithallla
thevarietyofinvention;and
le
thevicissitudesoflifeappearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,aprendo
openinganamplefieldforwite
andhumour.Romance,nodoubt,owesitsorigintoignorance,vanity,
e
andsuperstition.Inthedarkagesofthe
Mondo
World,whenamanhadrenderedhimselffamousforwisdomo
orvalour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,e
andrepresentedhischaracterandpersonassacrede
andsupernatural.Thevulgareasilyswallowedthebait,imploredhisprotection,
e
andyieldedthetributeofhomagee
andpraise,eventoadoration;hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposteritywithathousandexaggerations;
theywererepeatedasincitementstovirtue;
divinehonourswerepaid,
e
andaltarserectedtohismemory,foril
theencouragementofthosewhoattemptedtoimitatehisexample;e
andhencearosetheheathenmythology,whichisnon
nootherthanacollectionofextravagantromances.Aslearningadvanced,
e
andgeniusreceivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedwiththegracesofpoetry,che
thattheymightthebetterrecommendthemselvestotheattention;theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,fortheinstruction
e
anddelightoftheaudience;e
andrehearsedbeforebattle,asincentivestodeedsofglory.Thustragedy
e
andtheepicmusewereborn,e
and,intheprogressoftaste,arrivedatperfection.Itis
non
nowonderthattheancientscouldnotrelishuna
afableinprose,aftertheyhadvisto
seensomanyremarkableeventscelebratedinversebytheirbestpoets;wetherefore
troviamo
findnoromanceamongthemduringla
theeraoftheirexcellence,unlessla
theCyropædiaofXenophonmaybesocalled;e
anditwasnottillartse
andsciencesbegantorevivedopo
aftertheirruptionofthebarbariansintoEurope,che
thatanythingofthiskindappeared.Ma
Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothepiù
mostabsurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromancearose,e
andlosingsightofprobability,filledtheirperformanceswiththepiù
mostmonstroushyperboles.Iftheycouldnotequal
i
theancientpoetsinpointofgeniustheywereresolvedtoexceltheminfiction,e
andapplytothewonder,ratherthani
thejudgment,oftheirreaders.Accordingly,they
portato
broughtnecromancytotheiraid,e
andinsteadofsupportingthecharacteroftheirheroesbydignityofsentimente
andpractice,distinguishedthembytheirbodilystrength,activity,e
andextravaganceofbehaviour.Although
nulla
nothingcouldbemoreludicrouse
andunnaturalthanthefigurestheydrew,theydidnotwantpatronse
andadmirers;andtheworld
effettivamente
actuallybegantobeinfectedwiththespiritofknight-errantry,quando
whenCervantes,byaninimitablepieceofridicule,reformedthetasteofmankind,representingchivalryintherightpunto
pointofview,andconvertingromancetopurposesfarpiù
moreusefulandentertaining,bymakingitassumethesock,e
andpointoutthefolliesofordinaryvita
life.Thesamemethodhasbeenpractisedby
altri
otherSpanishandFrenchauthors,e
andbynonemoresuccessfullythanbyMonsieurLeSage,who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,ha
hasdescribedtheknaveryandfoiblesofvita
life,withinfinitehumourandsagacity.The
seguono
followingsheetsIhavemodelledonhispiano
plan,takingmeliberty,however,todifferfromhimintheexecution,dove
whereIthoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,extravagant,o
orpeculiartothecountryinwhichthesceneislaid.ThedisgracesofGilBlas
sono
are,forthemostpart,suchasratherexcitemirththancompassion;hehimselflaughsat
loro
them;andhistransitionsfromdistresstohappiness,
o
oratleastease,aresosudden,che
thatneitherthereaderhastempo
timetopityhim,norhimselftobeacquaintedwithaffliction.Questa
Thisconduct,inmyopinion,notsolo
onlydeviatesfromprobability,butpreventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatethereadercontro
againstthesordidandviciousdispositionofthemondo
world.Ihaveattemptedtorepresentmodestmeritstrugglingwith
ogni
everydifficultytowhichafriendlessorphanisexposed,fromhisownmancanza
wantofexperience,aswellasfromtheselfishness,envy,malice,e
andbaseindifferenceofmankind.Tosecure
un
afavourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhimi
theadvantagesofbirthandeducation,che
whichintheseriesofhismisfortuneswill,Ihope,engagei
theingenuousmorewarmlyinhisbehalf;e
andthoughIforesee,thatsomepersone
peoplewillbeoffendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheisinvolved,Ipersuademyselfthatthejudiciouswillnotsolo
onlyperceivethenecessityofdescribingthosesituationstowhichhedeve
mustofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,ma
butalsofindentertainmentinviewingthosepartsofvita
life,wherethehumoursandpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,ceremony,o
oreducation;andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesofdispositionappearasnature
ha
hasimplantedthem.ButI
credo
believeIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatinguna
apracticeauthorizedbythebestwritersinquesto
thisway,someofwhomIho
havealreadynamed.Everyintelligentreader
sono
will,atfirstsight,perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,che
whicharealltrueinthemain,althoughthecircumstancesarealterede
anddisguised,toavoidpersonalsatire.It
ora
nowremainstogivemyreasonsforrendere
makingthechiefpersonageofquesto
thisworkaNorthBriton,che
whicharechieflythese:Icould,at
una
asmallexpense,bestowonhimsucheducationasIpensavo
thoughtthedignityofhisbirthe
andcharacterrequired,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysuchslendermeansasla
thenatureofmyplanwouldafford.In
la
thenextplace,Icouldrepresentsimplicityofmannersinuna
aremotepartofthekingdom,withpiù
moreproprietythaninanyplacenearla
thecapital;andlastly,thedispositionof
la
theScots,addictedtotravelling,justifiesmyconductinderivingun
anadventurerfromthatcountry.APOLOGUE
A
giovane
youngpainter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,sketchedakindofconversationpiece,representingabear,anowl,amonkey,e
andanass;andtorenderit
più
morestriking,humorous,andmoral,distinguishedogni
everyfigurebysomeemblemofhumanvita
life.Bruinwasexhibitedinthegarb
e
andattitudeofanold,toothless,drunkensoldier;il
theowlpercheduponthehandleofun
acoffee-pot,withspectacleonnose,seemedtocontemplateun
anewspaper;andtheass,ornamentedwith
un
ahugetie-wig(which,however,couldnotconcealhislongears),sedette
satforhispicturetothemonkey,whoappearedwiththeimplementsofpainting.Questo
Thiswhimsicalgroupaffordedsomemirth,e
andmetwithgeneralapprobation,untilqualche
somemischievouswaghintedthatthewhole—wasalampoonuponthefriendsoftheperformer;un
aninsinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedthanthoseverypersone
peoplewhoapplaudeditbeforebegantobealarmed,e
andeventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.Amongothers,aworthypersonageinyears,whohadservedinthearmywithreputation,beingincensedatthesupposedoutrage,repairedtothelodgingofthepainter,
e
andfindinghimathome,“Harkye,Mr.Monkey,”detto
saidhe,“Ihaveagoodmente
mindtoconvinceyou,thatanche se
thoughthebearhaslosthisteeth,heretainshispaws,e
andthatheisnotsodrunkma
buthecanperceiveyourimpertinence.”“Sblood!
signore
sir,thattoothlessjawisuna
ad—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyouimaginemesochopfallenasnottobeabletochewil
thecudofresentment.”Herehewasinterruptedbythearrivalof
un
alearnedphysician,who,advancingtotheculpritwithfuryinhisaspect,exclaimed,“Supposetheaugmentationoftheass’searsdovesse
shouldprovethediminutionofthebaboon’s—nay,seeknottoprevaricate,for,bythebeardofAesculapius!thereisnot
un
onehairinthisperiwigche
thatwillnotstandupinjudgmenttoconvicttheeofpersonalabuse.Do
ma
butobserve,captain,howthispitifulpiccolo
littlefellowhascopiedtheverycurls—thecolour,indeed,isdiverso
different,butthentheforme
andforetoparequitesimilar.”Mentre
Whilehethusremonstratedinun
astrainofvociferation,avenerablesenatorentered,e
andwaddlinguptothedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”criedhe,“Iwillnowletthee
vedere
seeIcanreadsomethingelsethanun
anewspaper,andthatwithoutthehelpofspectacles:hereisyourownnoteof
mano
hand,sirrah,formoney,whichse
ifIhadnotadvanced,youyourselfsaresti
wouldhaveresembledanowl,innotdaringtomostrare
showyourfacebyday,youungratefulslanderousknave!”Invain
il
theastonishedpainterdeclaredthatheaveva
hadnointentiontogiveoffence,o
ortocharacteriseparticularpersons:theyaffirmed
la
theresemblancewastoopalpabletobeoverlooked;theytaxedhim
di
withinsolence,malice,andingratitude;e
andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardbythepublic,thecaptainwasabear,thedottore
doctoranass,andthesenatoranowl,tohisdyinggiorno
day.Christianreader,Ibeseechthee,inthebowelsofthe
Signore
Lord,rememberthisexample“whilethouartemployedintheperusalofthefollowingsheets;e
andseeknottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhichequallybelongstofivehundreddifferentpersone
people.Ifthoushouldstmeetwith
un
acharacterthatreflectstheeinqualche
someungraciousparticular,keepthyowncounsel;CHAPTERI
OfmyBirth
e
andParentage.Iwasborninthenorthern
parte
partofthisunitedkingdom,inthecasa
houseofmygrandfather,agentlemanofconsiderablefortunee
andinfluence,whohadonmolte
manyoccasionssignalisedhimselfinbehalfofhispaese
country;andwasremarkableforhisabilitiesinthe
legge
law,whichheexercisedwithgrande
greatsuccessinthestationofajudge,particularlycontro
againstbeggars,forwhomheaveva
hadasingularaversion.My
padre
father(hisyoungestson)fallinginlovewithuna
apoorrelation,wholivedwiththevecchio
oldgentlemaninqualityofuna
ahousekeeper,espousedherprivately;e
andIwasthefirstfruitofthatmarriage.Duringherpregnancy,a
sogno
dreamdiscomposedmymothersomuchche
thatherhusband,tiredwithherimportunity,atdurante
lastconsultedahighlandseer,whosefavourableinterpretationhewouldavrebbe
havesecuredbeforehandbyabribe,ma
butfoundhimincorruptible.Shedreamedshewasdeliveredofatennis-ball,whichthedevil(who,toher
grande
greatsurprise,actedthepartofamidwife)strucksoforciblywitharacketthatitdisappearedinaninstant;e
andshewasforsometempo
timeinconsolableforthelostofheroffspring;quando
when,allonasudden,shebeheldittornare
returnwithequalviolence,andentertheterra
earth,beneathherfeet,whenceimmediatelysprangupun
agoodlytreecoveredwithblossoms,thescentofwhichoperatedsostronglyonhernervesthatsheawoke.Il
Theattentivesage,aftersomedeliberation,assuredmyparents,che
thattheirfirstbornwouldbeun
agreattraveller;thathe
sarebbe
wouldundergomanydangersanddifficulties,e
andatlastreturntohisnativeland,dove
wherehewouldflourishinhappinesse
andreputation.Howtrulythiswasforetoldwillappearin
il
thesequel.Itwasnot
molto tempo
longbeforesomeofficiouspersoninformedmygrandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassedtra
betweenhissonandhousekeeperwhichalarmedhimsomuchthat,afewdaysdopo
after,hetoldmyfatheritwashightempo
timeforhimtothinkofsettling;e
andthathehadprovideduna
amatchforhim,towhichhecouldinjusticeavere
havenoobjections.Myfather,findingitwouldbeimpossibletoconcealhissituationmuchlonger,franklyownedwhathe
aveva
haddone;andexcusedhimselffornothaving
chiesto
askedtheconsentofhispadre
father,bysaying,heknewitwouldhavebeentonon
nopurpose;andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,mygrandfathermighthave
prendere
takensuchmeasuresaswouldhaveeffectuallymesso
putthegratificationofitfuori
outofhispower:headded,
che
thatnoexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’svirtue,birth,beauty,e
andgoodsense,andasforfortune,itwasbeneathhiscura
care.Theoldgentleman,whokept
tutte
allhispassions,exceptone,inexcellentordine
order,heardhimtoanfine
endwithgreattemper,andthencalmlychiese
asked,howheproposedtomaintainhimselfe
andspouse?Hereplied,hecouldbein
non
nodangerofwantingwhilehisfather’stendernessremained,che
whichheandhiswifedovevano
shouldalwayscultivatewiththeutmostveneration;e
andhewaspersuadedhisallowancewouldbesuitabletothedignitye
andcircumstancesofhisfamily,e
andtotheprovisionalreadymadeforhisbrotherse
andsisters,whowerehappilysettledsotto
underhisprotection.“Yourbrothers
e
andsisters,”saidmygrandfather,“didnotpensavano
thinkitbeneaththemtoconsultmeinuna
anaffairofsuchimportanceasmatrimony;neither,Isuppose,wouldyouhaveomittedthatpieceofduty,hadyounot
qualche
somesecretfundinreserve;tothecomfortsofwhichI
lascio
leaveyou,withadesirethatyouessere
willthisnightseekoutanotherhabitationforyourselfe
andwife,whither,inashorttempo
time,IwillsendyouanaccountoftheexpenseIho
havebeenatinyoureducation,withaviewofbeingreimbursed.Signore
Sir,youhavemadethegrandtour—youareun
apolitegentleman—averyprettygentleman—Iwishyouun
agreatdealofjoy,e
andamyourveryhumbleservant.”So
dicendo
saying,heleftmyfatherinuna
asituationeasilyimagined.However,hedidnot
lungo
longhesitate;for,beingperfectlywellacquaintedwithhisfather’sdisposition,hedidnotdoubt
che
thathewasgladofquesta
thispretencetogetridofhim;e
andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasle
thelawsoftheMedese
andPersians,heknewitwouldbetonopurposetoattempthimbyprayerse
andentreaties;sowithoutanyfartherapplication,hebetookhimself,withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoafarm-house,
dove
whereanoldservantofhismadre
motherdwelt:theretheyremained
qualche
sometimeinasituationma
butilladaptedtotheeleganceoftheirdesirese
andtendernessoftheirlove;whichneverthelessmy
padre
fatherchosetoendure,ratherthansupplicateun
anunnaturalandinflexibleparentma
butmymother,foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshedoveva
musthavebeenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredinquesto
thisplace(andherpregnancywasveryfaradvanced),senza
withoutcommunicatingherdesigntohermarito
husband,wentindisguisetothecasa
houseofmygrandfather,hopingthathertearse
andconditionwouldmovehimtocompassion,e
andreconcilehimtoaneventwhichwasora
nowirrecoverablypast.Shefoundmeanstodeceivetheservants,
e
andgetintroducedasanunfortunatesignora
lady,whowantedtocomplainofsomematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sparticularprovincetodecideintutti
allcasesofscandal.Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohispresence,
dove
where,discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,e
andinthemostaffectingmannerimploredhisforgiveness;atthe
stesso
sametimerepresentingthedangerthatthreatenednotsolo
onlyherlife,butthatofhisowngrandchild,whichwasabouttovedere
seethelight.Hetoldherhewassorrythattheindiscretionofher
e
andhissonhadcompelledhimtofare
makeavow,whichputitfuori
outofhispowertogivethemqualsiasi
anyassistance;thathehad
già
alreadyimpartedhisthoughtsonche
thatsubjecttoherhusband,andwassurprisedche
thattheyshoulddisturbhispeacewithqualsiasi
anyfartherimportunity.Thissaid,heretired.
La
Theviolenceofmymother’safflictionebbe
hadsuchaneffectonherconstitutionche
thatshewasimmediatelyseizedwithla
thepainsofchildbed;and
avesse
hadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewasverycara
dear,affordedherpityandassistance,atla
thehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,shee
andtheinnocentfruitofherwombdovevano
musthavefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigoure
andinhumanity.Bythefriendshipof
questa
thispoorwomanshewascarrieduptoagarret,e
andimmediatelydeliveredofamanbambino
child,thestoryofwhoseunfortunatebirthhehimselfora
nowrelates.Myfather,beinginformedofwhat
avrebbe
hadhappened,flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,e
andwhileheloadedhisoffspringwithpaternalembraces,couldnotforbearsheddingun
afloodoftearsonbeholdingthecara
dearpartnerofhisheart(forwhoseeasehewouldavrebbe
havesacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretcheduponun
aflockbed,inamiserableapartment,unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesoftheweather.Itisnottobesupposedthat
il
theoldgentlemanwasignorantofwhatpassed,anche se
thoughheaffectedtoknownulla
nothingofthematter,andpretendedtobeverymuchsurprised,quando
whenoneofhisgrandchildren,byhiseldestfiglio
sondeceased,wholivedwithhimashisheirapparent,acquaintedhimwithil
theaffair;hedeterminedthereforetoobserve
non
nomedium,butimmediately(onthethirdgiorno
dayafterherdelivery)sentherun
aperemptoryordertobegone,e
andturnedofftheservantche
whohadpreservedherlife.Questo
Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmypadre
fatherthathehadrecoursetothepiù
mostdreadfulimprecations;andonhisbarekneesimplored
che
thatHeavenwouldrenouncehimse
ifeverheshouldforgeto
orforgivethebarbarityofhissire.Theinjurieswhich
questa
thisunhappymotherreceivedfromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,e
andthewantofnecessarieswhereshelodged,insieme
togetherwithhergriefandanxietyofmente
mind,soonthrewherintoalanguishingdisorder,whichmise
putanendtohervita
life.Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wassoaffectedwithher
morte
deaththatheremainedsixweeksdeprivedofhissenses;duringwhich
tempo
time,thepeoplewherehelodgedcarriedtheinfanttothevecchio
oldmanwhorelentedsofar,onsentito
hearingthemelancholystoryofhisdaughter-in-law’smorte
death,andthedeplorableconditionofhisson,astosendthechildtonurse,e
andheorderedmyfathertobecarriedhometohishouse,dove
wherehesoonrecoveredtheuseofhisragione
reason.Whetherthishardheartedjudge
sentisse
feltanyremorseforhiscrueltreatmentofhisfiglio
sonanddaughter,or(whichispiù
moreprobable)wasafraidhischaracterwouldsufferintheneighbourhood,heprofessedgrande
greatsorrowforhisconducttomypadre
father,whosedeliriumwassucceededbyuna
aprofoundmelancholyandreserve.Atlengthhedisappeared,
e
and,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,couldnotbesentire
heardof;acircumstancewhichconfirmed
maggior parte
mostpeopleintheopinionofhisha
havingmadeawaywithhimselfinafitofdespair.CHAPTERII
Igrowup—am
odiato
hatedbymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—IformCabalscontro
againstthePedant—amdebarredAccesstomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—IdemolishtheTeethofhisTutor.Therewerenotwanting
alcuni
somewhosuspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’sfate,onthesuppositionthattheyfossero
wouldallshareinthepatrimonydestinedforlui
him;andthisconjecturewasstrengthenedbyreflecting
che
thatinallhiscalamitiestheyneverdiscoveredtheleastinclinationtoservehim;ma
but,onthecontrary,bytutti
alltheartificesintheirpotere
power,fedhisresentmentandsupportedhisresolutionofleavinghimtomiserye
andwant.Butpeopleofjudgmenttreated
questa
thisinsinuationasanidlechimera;perché
because,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedastoconsulttheirinterestbycommittingsuchun
anatrociouscrime,thefateofmypadre
fatherwouldhaveextendedtometoowhosevita
lifewasanotherobstacletotheirexpectation.Meanwhile,Igrewapace,
e
andasIstronglyresembledmypadre
father,whowasthedarlingofthetenants,Iwantednulla
nothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstancescouldafford:ma
buttheirfavourwasaweakresourcecontro
againstthejealousenmityofmycousins;che
whothemoremyinfancyprometteva
promised,conceivedthemoreimplacablehatredcontro
againstme:andbeforeIwas
sei
sixyearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmygrandfatherche
thatIneversawhimbutbystealth,quando
whenIsometimesmadeuptohischairashesedeva
sattoviewhislabourersini
thefield:onwhichoccasionhe
essere
wouldstrokemyhead,bidmebeun
agoodboy,andpromisetotakecura
careofme.Iwassoon
dopo
aftersenttoschoolatun
avillagehardby,ofcui
whichhehadbeendictatortempo
timeoutofmind;butashenever
pagò
paidformyboard,norsuppliedmewithclothes,books,e
andothernecessariesIrequired,myconditionwasveryraggede
andcontemptible,andtheschoolmaster,che
who,throughfearofmygrandfather,taughtmegratis,gavehimselfnoconcernabouttheprogressIfacevo
madeunderhisinstruction.Inspiteof
tutte
allthesedifficultiesanddisgraces,Ibecameun
agoodproficientintheLatintongue;e
and,assoonasIcouldscrivere
writetolerably,pesteredmygrandfatherwithletterstosuchadegreethathesentformypadrone
master,andchidhimseverelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmyeducation,tellinghimthat,se
ifeverIshouldbeportato
broughttothegallowsforforgery,whichhehadtaughtmetocommit,mysangue
bloodwouldlieonhistesta
head.Thepedant,whodreadednothing
più
morethanthedispleasureofhispatron,assuredhishonourthattheboy’sabilitywaspiù
moreowingtohisowngeniuse
andapplicationthantoanyinstructiono
orencouragementhereceived;that,althoughhecouldnotdivesthimoftheknowledgehe
aveva
hadalreadyimbibed,unlesshewouldempowerhimtodisablehisfingers,hedovrebbe
shouldendeavour,withGod’shelp,topreventhisfutureimprovement.E
And,indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehadundertaken;for,onpretencethatI
avessi
hadwrittenimpertinentletterstomygrandfather,hecausedaboardtobemadewithcinque
fiveholesinit,throughwhichhethrustthefingerse
andthumbofmyrightmano
hand,andfasteneditbywhipcordtomywrist,intale
suchamanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuseofmypen.Ma
ButthisrestraintIwasliberato
freedfrominafewdays,byanaccidentche
whichhappenedinaquarreltra
betweenmeandanotherboy;who,
prendendo
takinguponhimtoinsultmypoverty,Iwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthatwithun
onestrokewithmymachineItagliato
cuthimtotheskull,tothegrande
greatterrorofmyselfandschoolfellows,wholasciarono
lefthimbleedingontheground,e
andrantoinformthemaestro
masterofwhathadhappened.Iwassoseverelypunishedfor
questa
thistrespassthat,wereItovissuto
livetotheageofMethusalem,theimpressionitfatto
madeonmewouldnotbeeffaced;themorethantheantipathy
e
andhorrorIconceivedforthemercilesstyrantwhoinflictedlo
it.Thecontemptwhichmyappearancenaturallyproducedin
tutti
allwhosawme,thecontinualwantstowhichIwasexposed,e
andmyownhaughtydisposition,impatientofaffronts,involvedmeinathousandtroublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredinadversity,e
andemboldenedtoundertakingsfarabovemyyears.IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnotcommit,
perché
because,havingthecharacterofun
avagabondinthevillage,ogni
everypieceofmischief,whoseauthorlayunknown,waschargeduponme
me.IhavebeenfoundguiltyofrobbingorchardsIneverentered,of
ucciso
killingcatsIneverhunted,ofstealinggingerbreadInevertoccato
touched,andofabusingoldwomenInevervisto
saw.Nay,astammeringcarpenterhadeloquence
abbastanza
enoughtopersuademymasterche
thatIfiredapistolloadedwithsmallshotintohiswindow;anche se
thoughmylandladyandthewholefamiglia
familyborewitnessthatIwasabedfastasleepatla
thetimewhenthisoutragewascommitted.Iwas
volta
oncefloggedforhavingnarrowlyescapeddrowning,bythesinkingofaferryboatincui
whichIwaspassenger.Another
volta
time,forhavingrecoveredofun
abruiseoccasionedbyahorsee
andcartrunningoverme.Athird
volta
time,forbeingbittenbyabaker’scane
dog.Inshort,whetherIwasguilty
o
orunfortunate,thecorrectionandsympathyofquesto
thisarbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.Farfrombeingsubduedby
questo
thisinformalusage,myindignationtriumphedsu
overthatslavishawewhichaveva
hadhithertoenforcedmyobedience;e
andthemoremyyearse
andknowledgeincreased,themoreIperceivedtheinjusticee
andbarbarityofhisbehaviour.Bythehelpofanuncommongenius,
e
andtheadviceanddirectionofourusher,che
whohadservedmyfatherinhistravels,Ifeci
madeasurprisingprogressintheclassics,writing,e
andarithmetic;sothat,beforeIwastwelveyearsold,Iwasallowedby
tutti
everybodytobethebestscholarinil
theschool.Thisqualification,togetherwiththeboldnessoftemper
e
andstrengthofmakewhichaveva
hadsubjectedalmostallmycontemporaries,diede
gavemesuchinfluenceoverthemthatIbegantoformcabalscontro
againstmypersecutor;andwasinhopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceinaveryshort
tempo
time.Beingattheheadof
una
afaction,consistingofthirtyboys,maggior parte
mostofthemofmyownage,Iwasdeterminedtomettere
puttheirmettletotrial,che
thatImightknowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,beforeImettere
putmygrandschemeinexecution:with
questo
thisview,weattackedacorpo
bodyofstoutapprentices,whohadpreso
takenpossessionofapartofthegroundallottedtousfortheschemeofourdiversions,e
andwhowerethenplayingatninepinsonthespot;ma
butIhadthemortificationtovedere
seemyadherentsroutedinaninstant,e
andalegofoneofthembrokeinhisflightbythebowl,che
whichoneofouradversarieshaddetachedinpursuitofus.Questa
Thisdiscomfituredidnothinderusfromengagingthemafterwardsinfrequentskirmishes,whichwemaintainedbythrowingstonesatadistance,whereinIreceivedmolte
manywounds,thescarsofwhichancora
stillremain.Ourenemiesweresoharassed
e
andinterruptedbythesealarmsche
thattheyatlastabandonedtheirconquest,e
andleftustothepeaceableenjoymentofourownterritories.It
sarebbe
wouldbeendlesstoenumeratetheexploitsweperformedinthecorso
courseofthisconfederacy,whichbecametheterrorofthewholevillage;insomuchthat,
quando
whendifferentinterestsdividedit,una
oneofthepartiescommonlycourtedtheassistanceofRoderickRandom(bywhichnome
nameIwasknown)tocastthebalance,e
andkeeptheoppositefactioninawe.Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageof
ogni
everyplay-daytopresentmyselfbeforemygrandfather,towhomIseldomfoundaccess,byreasonofhisbeingcloselybesiegedbyuna
anumerousfamilyofhisfemalegrandchildren,che
who,thoughtheyperpetuallyquarrelledamongthemselves,neverfailedtojoincontro
againstme,asthecommonenemyoftutti
all.Hisheir,whowas
circa
abouttheageofeighteen,mindednothingbutfox-hunting,e
andindeedwasqualifiedfornothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’sindulgenceinentertainingun
atutorforhimatcasa
home;whoatthesame
tempo
timeperformedtheofficeofparishclerk.Questo
ThisyoungActaeon,whoinheritedhisgrandfather’santipathytotutto
everythingindistress,neversateyesonmesenza
withoutuncouplinghisbeagles,andhuntingmeintoqualche
somecottageorother,whitherIgenerallyfledforshelter.In
questo
thisChristianamusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,non
nodoubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimselfwithil
therisingsun,observing,thatil
theoldgentleman,accordingtoil
thecourseofnature,hadnotmolto tempo
longtolive,forhewasgià
alreadyonthevergeoffourscore.CHAPTERIII
MyMother’s
Fratello
Brotherarrives—relievesme—aDescriptionofhim—heva
goesalongwithmetoil
theHouseofmyGrandfather—isencounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsthem,dopo
afterabloodyEngagement—isadmittedtoil
theoldGentleman—aDialoguebetweenthem.Aboutthistimemymother’sonly
fratello
brother,whohadbeenlongabroad,lieutenantofuna
aman-of-war,arrivedinhisownpaese
country;wherebeinginformedofmycondition,he
venne
cametoseeme,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnotsolo
onlysuppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIwantedforthepresent,ma
butresolvednottoleavethepaese
countryuntilhehadprevailedonmygrandfathertosettlequalcosa
somethinghandsomeforthefuture.Questo
Thiswasatasktocui
whichhewasbynomeansequal,beingentirelyignorant,notsolo
onlyofthejudge’sdisposition,ma
butalsoofthewaysofmeningeneral,tocui
whichhiseducationonboardaveva
hadkepthimanutterstranger.Hewas
un
astrongbuiltman,somewhatbandylegged,withun
anecklikethatofun
abull,andafacewhich(youpotrebbe
mighteasilyperceive)hadwithstoodthepiù
mostobstinateassaultsoftheweather.Hisdressconsistedofasoldier’scoatalteredforhimbytheship’stailor,astripedflanneljacket,apairofredbreechesspannedwithpitch,cleangrayworstedstockings,largesilverbuckles
che
thatcoveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-lacedhat,whosecrownoverlookedthebrimscirca
aboutaninchandamezzo
half,blackbobwiginbuckle,acheckshirt,asilkhandkerchief,ahanger,withabrasshandle,girdedtohisthighbyafurnishedlacebelt,e
andagoodoakplantsotto
underhisarm.Thusequipped,hesetoutwithme
Che
(whobyhisbountymadeun
averydecentappearance)formygrandfather’scasa
house,whereweweresalutedbyJowlere
andCaesar,whommycousin,giovane
youngmaster,hadletlooseatourapproach.Being
bene
wellacquaintedwiththeinveteracyofthesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,quando
whenmyuncleseizedmewithonemano
hand,brandishedhiscudgelwithil
theother,andatoneblowlaidCaesarsprawlingonil
theground;but,findinghimselfattackedatthe
stesso
sametimeintherearbyJowler,e
andfearingCaesarmightrecover,hedrewhishanger,wheeledabout,e
andbyaluckystrokeseveredJowler’stesta
headfromhisbody.By
questo
thistime,theyoungfoxhuntere
andthreeservants,armedwithpitchforkse
andflails,werecometoil
theassistanceofthedogs,whomtheytrovarono
foundbreathlessuponthefield;e
andmycousinwassoprovokedatthemorte
deathofhisfavourites,thatheordinò
orderedhisattendantstoadvance,e
andtakevengeanceontheirexecutioner,whomheloadedwithtutte
allthecursesandreproacheshisangercouldsuggest.Upon
cui
whichmyunclesteppedforwardswithun
anundauntedair,atthesightofwhosebloodyweaponshisantagonistscaduti
fellbackwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheirleaderthus:.“Lookee,
fratello
brother,yourdogshavingboardedmesenza
withoutprovocation,whatIdidwasinmyowndefence.Soyouhad
meglio
bestbecivil,andletussparare
shootahead,clearofyou.”Whether
il
theyoungsquiremisinterpretedmyuncle’sdesireofpeace,o
orwasenragedatthefateofhishoundsbeyondhisusualpitchofresolution,Iso
knownot;buthesnatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,
e
andcameupwithaspettacolo
showofassaultingthelieutenant,che
who,puttinghimselfinapostureofdefence,proceededthus:“Lookee,youlubberly
figlio
sonofaw—e,ifyouvieni
comeathwartme,’wareyourgingerbreadlavoro
work.I’llbefoulofyourquarter,d—nme.”
Questa
Thisdeclaration,followedbyaflourishofhishanger,seemedtocontrollare
checktheprogressofthegiovane
younggentleman’scholer,who,lookingbehindlo
him,perceivedhisattendantshadslunkintothecasa
house,shutthegate,andlasciarono
lefthimtodecidethecontentionbyhimself.Qui
Hereaparleyensued,whichwasintroducedbymycousin’schiedeva
asking,“Whothedevilareyou?Whatdoyouwant?
Qualche
Somescoundrelofaseaman,Isuppose,che
whohasdesertedandturnedthief.Ma
Butdon’tthinkyoushallescape,sirrah—I’llhaveyouhang’d,youcane
dog,Iwill.Yourbloodshall
pagherà
payforthatofmydue
twohounds,youragamuffin.I
sarei
wouldnothavepartedwiththemtosalvare
saveyourwholegenerationfromthegallows,youruffian,you!”“Noneofyourjaw,youswab—noneofyourjaw,”repliedmy
zio
uncle,“elseIshalltrimyourlacedjacketforyou.Ishallrubyou
giù
downwithanoakentowel,myragazzo
boy,Ishall.”Sosaying,hesheathedhishanger,
e
andgraspedhiscudgel.