The Adventures of Roderick Random Gradually Hardening Norwegian A2 Translation Books

THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE

Ofallkindsofsatire,thereis

ingen

nonesoentertaininganduniversallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwereoccasionally,inthecourseofan

interessant

interestingstory,whichbringseveryincidenthometolife,andbyrepresentingfamiliarscenesinanuncommonandamusingpointofview,investsthemwithallthegracesofnovelty,whilenatureisappealedtoineveryparticular.

Thereadergratifieshiscuriosityinpursuingtheadventuresofapersonin

hvis

whosefavourheisprepossessed;

heespouseshiscause,hesympathiseswithhiminhisdistress,hisindignationisheatedagainsttheauthorsofhiscalamity:

thehumanepassionsareinflamed;

thecontrastbetweendejectedvirtueandinsultingviceappearswithgreateraggravation,andeveryimpressionhavinga

dobbel

doubleforceontheimagination,thememoryretainsthecircumstance,andtheheartimprovesbytheexample.

Theattentionisnot

sliten

tiredwithabarecatalogueofcharacters,butagreeablydivertedwithallthevarietyofinvention;

andthevicissitudesoflifeappearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,openinganamplefieldforwitandhumour.

Romance,no

tvil

doubt,owesitsorigintoignorance,vanity,andsuperstition.

Inthe

mørke

darkagesoftheWorld,whenamanhadrenderedhimself

berømt

famousforwisdomorvalour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,andrepresentedhischaracterandpersonassacredandsupernatural.

Thevulgareasilyswallowedthebait,imploredhisprotection,andyieldedthetributeofhomageandpraise,eventoadoration;

hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposteritywitha

tusen

thousandexaggerations;

theywererepeatedasincitementstovirtue;

divinehonourswerepaid,andaltarserectedtohis

minne

memory,fortheencouragementofthosewhoattemptedtoimitatehisexample;

andhencearosetheheathenmythology,whichisnootherthanacollectionofextravagantromances.

Aslearningadvanced,andgeniusreceivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedwiththegracesofpoetry,thattheymightthebetterrecommendthemselvestotheattention;

theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,fortheinstructionanddelightoftheaudience;

andrehearsedbeforebattle,asincentivestodeedsofglory.

Thustragedyandtheepicmusewere

født

born,and,intheprogressoftaste,arrivedatperfection.

Itisno

rart

wonderthattheancientscouldnotrelishafableinprose,aftertheyhadseensomanyremarkableeventscelebratedinversebytheirbestpoets;

wethereforefindnoromanceamongthemduringtheeraoftheirexcellence,unlesstheCyropædiaofXenophonmaybesocalled;

anditwasnottillartsandsciences

begynte

begantoreviveaftertheirruptionofthebarbariansintoEurope,thatanythingofthiskindappeared.

Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothemostabsurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromancearose,andlosingsightofprobability,filledtheirperformanceswiththemostmonstroushyperboles.

Iftheycouldnotequaltheancientpoetsinpointofgeniustheywereresolvedtoexceltheminfiction,andapplytothe

undring

wonder,ratherthanthejudgment,oftheirreaders.

Accordingly,theybroughtnecromancytotheiraid,andinsteadof

støtte

supportingthecharacteroftheirheroesbydignityofsentimentand

praksis

practice,distinguishedthembytheirbodilystrength,activity,andextravaganceofbehaviour.

Althoughnothingcouldbemoreludicrousandunnaturalthanthefigurestheydrew,theydidnotwantpatronsandadmirers;

andtheworldactually

begynte

begantobeinfectedwiththe

ånden

spiritofknight-errantry,whenCervantes,byaninimitable

stykke

pieceofridicule,reformedthe

smaken

tasteofmankind,representingchivalryintherightpointofview,andconvertingromancetopurposesfarmoreusefulandentertaining,bymakingitassumethesock,andpointoutthefolliesofordinarylife.

ThesamemethodhasbeenpractisedbyotherSpanishandFrenchauthors,andby

ingen

nonemoresuccessfullythanbyMonsieurLeSage,who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,hasdescribedtheknaveryandfoiblesoflife,withinfinitehumourandsagacity.

ThefollowingsheetsIhavemodelledonhisplan,takingmeliberty,

imidlertid

however,todifferfromhimintheexecution,whereIthoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,extravagant,orpeculiartothecountryinwhichthesceneis

lagt

laid.

ThedisgracesofGilBlasare,forthemostpart,suchas

heller

ratherexcitemirththancompassion;

hehimselflaughsatthem;

andhistransitionsfromdistresstohappiness,oratleastease,aresosudden,that

verken

neitherthereaderhastimetopityhim,norhimselftobeacquaintedwithaffliction.

Thisconduct,inmyopinion,notonlydeviatesfromprobability,butpreventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatethereaderagainstthesordidandviciousdispositionoftheworld.

Ihaveattemptedtorepresentmodestmeritstrugglingwitheverydifficultytowhichafriendlessorphanisexposed,fromhisownwantof

erfaring

experience,aswellasfromtheselfishness,envy,malice,andbaseindifferenceofmankind.

Tosecureafavourableprepossession,Ihave

tillatt

allowedhimtheadvantagesofbirthandeducation,whichintheseriesofhismisfortuneswill,Ihope,engagetheingenuousmorewarmlyinhisbehalf;

andthoughIforesee,thatsomepeoplewillbeoffendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheis

involvert

involved,Ipersuademyselfthatthejudiciouswillnotonlyperceivethenecessityofdescribingthosesituationstowhichhemustofcoursebeconfined,inhis

lave

lowestate,butalsofindentertainmentinviewingthosepartsoflife,wherethehumoursandpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,ceremony,oreducation;

andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesofdispositionappearasnaturehasimplantedthem.

ButIbelieveIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatinga

praksis

practiceauthorizedbythebestwritersinthisway,someofwhomIhavealreadynamed.

Everyintelligentreaderwill,atfirstsight,perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,whicharealltrueinthemain,althoughthecircumstancesarealteredanddisguised,toavoid

personlig

personalsatire.

ItnowremainstogivemyreasonsformakingthechiefpersonageofthisworkaNorthBriton,whicharechieflythese:

Icould,atasmallexpense,bestowonhimsucheducationasIthoughtthedignityofhisbirthandcharacterrequired,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysuchslendermeansasthenatureofmyplanwouldafford.

Inthenextplace,Icouldrepresentsimplicityofmannersinaremotepartofthekingdom,withmoreproprietythaninanyplacenearthecapital;

andlastly,thedispositionoftheScots,addictedtotravelling,justifiesmyconductinderivinganadventurerfromthatcountry.

APOLOGUE

Ayoungpainter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,sketchedakindofconversation

stykke

piece,representingabear,anowl,amonkey,andanass;

andtorenderitmorestriking,humorous,andmoral,distinguishedevery

figur

figurebysomeemblemofhumanlife.

Bruinwasexhibitedinthegarbandattitudeofanold,toothless,drunkensoldier;

theowlpercheduponthehandleofacoffee-pot,withspectacleon

nesen

nose,seemedtocontemplateanewspaper;

andtheass,ornamentedwitha

stor

hugetie-wig(which,however,couldnotconcealhislongears),satforhis

bilde

picturetothemonkey,whoappearedwiththeimplementsofpainting.

Thiswhimsicalgroupaffordedsomemirth,andmetwithgeneralapprobation,untilsomemischievouswaghintedthatthewhole—wasalampoonuponthefriendsoftheperformer;

aninsinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedthanthoseverypeoplewhoapplaudeditbefore

begynte

begantobealarmed,andeventofancythemselvessignifiedbythe

flere

severalfiguresofthepiece.

Amongothers,aworthypersonageinyears,whohadservedinthe

hæren

armywithreputation,beingincensedatthesupposedoutrage,repairedtothelodgingofthepainter,andfindinghimathome,“Harkye,Mr.Monkey,”saidhe,“Ihaveagoodmindtoconvinceyou,thatthoughthebearhaslosthisteeth,heretainshispaws,andthatheisnotsodrunkbuthecanperceiveyourimpertinence.”

“Sblood!

sir,thattoothlessjawisad—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyou

forestille

imaginemesochopfallenasnottobeabletochewthecudofresentment.”

Herehewasinterruptedbythearrivalofalearnedphysician,who,advancingtotheculpritwithfuryinhisaspect,exclaimed,“Supposetheaugmentationoftheass’searsshould

bevise

provethediminutionofthebaboon’s—nay,seeknottoprevaricate,for,bythebeardofAesculapius!

thereisnotonehairinthisperiwigthatwillnotstandupinjudgmenttoconvicttheeof

personlig

personalabuse.

Dobutobserve,

kaptein

captain,howthispitifullittlefellowhascopiedtheverycurls—thecolour,indeed,isdifferent,butthenthe

formen

formandforetoparequitesimilar.”

Whilehethusremonstratedinastrainofvociferation,avenerablesenatorentered,andwaddlinguptothedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”

criedhe,“IwillnowlettheeseeIcanreadsomethingelsethananewspaper,andthatwithoutthehelpofspectacles:

hereisyourownnoteofhand,sirrah,formoney,whichifIhadnotadvanced,youyourselfwouldhaveresembledanowl,innot

våger

daringtoshowyourfacebyday,youungratefulslanderousknave!”

Invaintheastonishedpainterdeclaredthathehadnointentiontogiveoffence,ortocharacteriseparticularpersons:

theyaffirmedtheresemblancewastoopalpabletobeoverlooked;

theytaxedhimwithinsolence,malice,andingratitude;

andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardbythe

publikum

public,thecaptainwasa

bjørn

bear,thedoctoranass,andthesenatoranowl,tohisdyingday.

Christianreader,Ibeseechthee,inthebowelsoftheLord,rememberthisexample“whilethouartemployedintheperusalofthefollowingsheets;

andseeknottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhichequallybelongstofive

hundre

hundreddifferentpeople.

Ifthoushouldstmeetwithacharacterthatreflectstheeinsomeungraciousparticular,keepthyowncounsel;

CHAPTERI

OfmyBirthandParentage.

Iwas

født

borninthenorthernpartofthisunitedkingdom,inthehouseofmygrandfather,agentlemanofconsiderablefortuneandinfluence,whohadonmanyoccasionssignalisedhimselfinbehalfofhiscountry;

andwasremarkableforhisabilitiesinthelaw,whichheexercisedwithgreatsuccessinthestationofa

dommer

judge,particularlyagainstbeggars,forwhomhehadasingularaversion.

Myfather(hisyoungestson)fallinginlovewithapoorrelation,wholivedwiththeoldgentlemaninqualityofahousekeeper,espousedherprivately;

andIwasthefirstfruitofthatmarriage.

Duringherpregnancy,adreamdiscomposedmymothersomuchthatherhusband,

sliten

tiredwithherimportunity,atlastconsultedahighlandseer,

hvis

whosefavourableinterpretationhewouldhavesecuredbeforehandbyabribe,butfoundhimincorruptible.

Shedreamedshewasdeliveredofatennis-ball,whichthedevil(who,tohergreat

overraskelse

surprise,actedthepartofamidwife)strucksoforciblywitharacketthatitdisappearedinaninstant;

andshewasforsometimeinconsolableforthelostofheroffspring;

when,allonasudden,shebehelditreturnwithequalviolence,andentertheearth,beneathherfeet,whence

umiddelbart

immediatelysprangupagoodly

tre

treecoveredwithblossoms,thescentofwhichoperatedsostronglyonhernervesthatsheawoke.

Theattentivesage,aftersomedeliberation,assuredmyparents,thattheirfirstbornwouldbeagreattraveller;

thathewouldundergomanydangersanddifficulties,andatlastreturntohisnativeland,wherehewouldflourishinhappinessandreputation.

Howtrulythiswasforetoldwillappearinthesequel.

Itwasnotlongbeforesomeofficiouspersoninformedmygrandfatherof

visse

certainfamiliaritiesthatpassedbetweenhissonandhousekeeperwhichalarmedhimsomuchthat,afewdaysafter,hetoldmyfatheritwashightimeforhimtothinkofsettling;

andthathehadprovideda

kamp

matchforhim,towhichhecouldinjusticehavenoobjections.

Myfather,findingitwouldbe

umulig

impossibletoconcealhissituationmuchlonger,franklyownedwhathehaddone;

andexcusedhimselffornothavingaskedtheconsentofhisfather,bysaying,heknewitwouldhavebeentonopurpose;

andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,mygrandfathermighthavetakensuchmeasuresaswouldhaveeffectuallyputthegratificationofitoutofhispower:

headded,thatnoexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’svirtue,birth,

skjønnhet

beauty,andgoodsense,andasforfortune,itwasbeneathhiscare.

Theoldgentleman,whokeptallhispassions,

bortsett fra

exceptone,inexcellentorder,heardhimtoanendwithgreattemper,andthencalmlyasked,howheproposedtomaintainhimselfandspouse?

Hereplied,hecouldbeinnodangerofwantingwhilehisfather’stendernessremained,whichheandhiswifeshouldalwayscultivatewiththeutmostveneration;

andhewaspersuadedhisallowancewouldbesuitabletothedignityandcircumstancesofhisfamily,andtotheprovisionalreadymadeforhisbrothersandsisters,whowerehappilysettledunderhisprotection.

“Yourbrothersandsisters,”saidmygrandfather,“didnotthinkitbeneaththemtoconsultmeinanaffairofsuchimportanceasmatrimony;

neither,I

antar

suppose,wouldyouhaveomittedthat

stykke

pieceofduty,hadyounotsome

hemmelig

secretfundinreserve;

tothecomfortsofwhichIleaveyou,withadesirethatyouwillthisnightseekoutanotherhabitationforyourselfandwife,whither,ina

kort

shorttime,IwillsendyouanaccountoftheexpenseIhavebeenatinyoureducation,withaviewofbeingreimbursed.

Sir,youhavemadethegrandtour—youareapolitegentleman—averyprettygentleman—Iwishyouagreatdealofjoy,andamyourveryhumbleservant.”

Sosaying,heleftmyfatherina

situasjon

situationeasilyimagined.

However,hedidnotlonghesitate;

for,beingperfectlywellacquaintedwithhisfather’sdisposition,hedidnot

tvilte

doubtthathewasgladofthispretencetogetridofhim;

andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedesandPersians,heknewitwouldbetonopurposetoattempthimbyprayersandentreaties;

sowithoutanyfartherapplication,hebetookhimself,withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoafarm-house,whereanoldservantofhismotherdwelt:

theretheyremainedsometimeina

situasjon

situationbutilladaptedtotheeleganceoftheirdesiresandtendernessoftheirlove;

whichneverthelessmyfatherchosetoendure,ratherthansupplicateanunnaturalandinflexibleparentbutmymother,foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshemusthavebeenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredinthisplace(andherpregnancywasveryfaradvanced),withoutcommunicatingherdesigntoherhusband,wentindisguisetothehouseofmygrandfather,hopingthathertearsandconditionwouldmovehimtocompassion,andreconcilehimtoaneventwhichwasnowirrecoverablypast.

Shefoundmeanstodeceivetheservants,andgetintroducedasanunfortunatelady,whowantedtocomplainofsomematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sparticularprovinceto

avgjøre

decideinallcasesofscandal.

Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohispresence,where,discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,andinthemostaffectingmannerimploredhisforgiveness;

atthesametimerepresentingthedangerthatthreatenednotonlyherlife,butthatofhisowngrandchild,whichwasabouttoseethelight.

Hetoldherhewassorrythattheindiscretionofherandhissonhadcompelledhimtomakeavow,whichputitoutofhispowertogivethemanyassistance;

thathehadalreadyimpartedhisthoughtsonthatsubjecttoherhusband,andwassurprisedthattheyshoulddisturbhis

fred

peacewithanyfartherimportunity.

Thissaid,heretired.

Theviolenceofmymother’safflictionhadsuchaneffectonherconstitutionthatshewas

umiddelbart

immediatelyseizedwiththepainsofchildbed;

andhadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewasverydear,affordedherpityandassistance,atthehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,sheandthe

uskyldige

innocentfruitofherwombmusthavefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigourandinhumanity.

Bythefriendshipofthispoorwomanshewas

båret

carrieduptoagarret,and

umiddelbart

immediatelydeliveredofamanchild,thestoryof

hvis

whoseunfortunatebirthhehimselfnowrelates.

Myfather,beinginformedofwhathadhappened,

fløy

flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,andwhileheloadedhisoffspringwithpaternalembraces,couldnotforbearsheddingafloodoftearsonbeholdingthedearpartnerofhisheart(for

hvis

whoseeasehewouldhavesacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretcheduponaflockbed,inamiserable

leilighet

apartment,unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesoftheweather.

Itisnottobe

anta

supposedthattheoldgentlemanwasignorantofwhatpassed,thoughheaffectedtoknownothingofthematter,andpretendedtobeverymuchsurprised,whenoneofhisgrandchildren,byhiseldestsondeceased,wholivedwithhimashisheirapparent,acquaintedhimwiththeaffair;

hedeterminedthereforetoobservenomedium,but

umiddelbart

immediately(onthethirddayafterherdelivery)sentheraperemptoryordertobegone,andturnedofftheservantwhohadpreservedherlife.

Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmyfatherthathehadrecoursetothemostdreadfulimprecations;

andonhisbarekneesimploredthat

Himmelen

Heavenwouldrenouncehimifeverheshouldforgetor

tilgi

forgivethebarbarityofhissire.

Theinjurieswhichthisunhappymotherreceivedfromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,andthewantofnecessarieswhereshelodged,togetherwithhergriefandanxietyofmind,soon

kastet

threwherintoalanguishingdisorder,whichputanendtoherlife.

Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wassoaffectedwithherdeaththatheremainedsixweeksdeprivedofhissenses;

duringwhichtime,thepeoplewherehelodged

båret

carriedtheinfanttotheoldmanwhorelentedsofar,onhearingthemelancholystoryofhisdaughter-in-law’sdeath,andthedeplorableconditionofhisson,astosendthechildtonurse,andheorderedmyfathertobe

båret

carriedhometohishouse,wherehesoonrecoveredtheuseofhisreason.

Whetherthishardheartedjudgefeltanyremorseforhiscrueltreatmentofhissonanddaughter,or(whichismoreprobable)wasafraidhischaracterwouldsufferintheneighbourhood,heprofessedgreatsorrowforhisconducttomyfather,

hvis

whosedeliriumwassucceededbyaprofoundmelancholyandreserve.

Atlengthhedisappeared,and,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,couldnotbeheardof;

acircumstancewhichconfirmedmostpeopleintheopinionofhishavingmadeawaywithhimselfina

anfall

fitofdespair.

CHAPTERII

vokser

growup—amhatedbymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—I

danner

formCabalsagainstthePedant—amdebarredAccesstomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—IdemolishtheTeethofhisTutor.

Therewerenotwantingsomewhosuspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’sfate,onthesuppositionthattheywouldall

dele

shareinthepatrimonydestinedforhim;

andthisconjecturewasstrengthenedbyreflectingthatinallhiscalamitiestheyneverdiscoveredtheleastinclinationtoservehim;

but,onthecontrary,byalltheartificesintheirpower,fedhisresentmentand

støttet

supportedhisresolutionofleavinghimtomiseryandwant.

Butpeopleofjudgment

behandlet

treatedthisinsinuationasanidlechimera;

because,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedastoconsulttheir

interesse

interestbycommittingsuchanatrocious

forbrytelse

crime,thefateofmyfatherwouldhaveextendedtometoo

hvis

whoselifewasanotherobstacletotheirexpectation.

Meanwhile,I

vokste

grewapace,andasIstronglyresembledmyfather,whowasthedarlingofthetenants,Iwantednothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstancescouldafford:

buttheirfavourwasaweakresourceagainstthejealousenmityofmycousins;

whothemoremyinfancypromised,conceivedthemoreimplacablehatredagainstme:

andbeforeIwassixyearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmygrandfatherthatIneversawhimbutbystealth,whenIsometimesmadeuptohischairashesattoviewhislabourersinthe

feltet

field:

onwhichoccasionhewouldstrokemyhead,bidmebeagoodboy,andpromisetotakecareofme.

Iwassoonaftersenttoschoolata

landsby

villagehardby,ofwhichhehadbeendictatortimeoutofmind;

butasheneverpaidformy

bord

board,norsuppliedmewith

klær

clothes,books,andothernecessariesIrequired,myconditionwasveryraggedandcontemptible,andtheschoolmaster,who,through

frykt

fearofmygrandfather,taughtmegratis,gavehimselfnoconcernabouttheprogressImadeunderhisinstruction.

Inspiteofallthesedifficultiesanddisgraces,IbecameagoodproficientintheLatintongue;

and,assoonasIcouldwritetolerably,pesteredmygrandfatherwithletterstosuchadegreethathesentformymaster,andchidhimseverelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmyeducation,tellinghimthat,ifeverIshouldbebroughttothegallowsforforgery,whichhehadtaughtmetocommit,mybloodwouldlieonhishead.

Thepedant,whodreadednothingmorethanthedispleasureofhispatron,assuredhishonourthattheboy’sabilitywasmoreowingtohisowngeniusandapplicationthantoanyinstructionorencouragementhereceived;

that,althoughhecouldnotdivesthimoftheknowledgehehadalreadyimbibed,unlesshewouldempowerhimtodisablehisfingers,heshouldendeavour,withGod’shelp,topreventhis

fremtidige

futureimprovement.

And,indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehadundertaken;

for,onpretencethatIhadwrittenimpertinentletterstomygrandfather,hecausedaboardtobemadewithfiveholesinit,throughwhichhethrustthefingersandthumbofmyrighthand,andfasteneditbywhipcordtomywrist,insuchamanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuseofmypen.

ButthisrestraintIwasfreedfrominafewdays,byan

ulykke

accidentwhichhappenedinaquarrelbetweenmeandanotherboy;

who,takinguponhimtoinsultmypoverty,Iwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthatwithonestrokewithmy

maskin

machineIcuthimtotheskull,tothegreatterrorofmyselfandschoolfellows,wholefthimbleedingonthe

bakken

ground,andrantoinformthemasterofwhathadhappened.

Iwassoseverelypunishedforthistrespassthat,wereItolivetothe

alder

ageofMethusalem,theimpressionitmadeonmewouldnotbeeffaced;

themorethantheantipathyandhorrorIconceivedforthemercilesstyrantwhoinflictedit.

Thecontemptwhichmyappearancenaturallyproducedinallwhosawme,thecontinualwantstowhichIwasexposed,andmyownhaughtydisposition,impatientofaffronts,involvedmeina

tusen

thousandtroublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredinadversity,andemboldenedtoundertakingsfar

over

abovemyyears.

Iwas

ofte

ofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnotcommit,because,havingthecharacterofavagabondinthe

landsbyen

village,everypieceofmischief,

hvis

whoseauthorlayunknown,was

belastet

chargeduponme.

IhavebeenfoundguiltyofrobbingorchardsIneverentered,ofkillingcatsIneverhunted,of

stjele

stealinggingerbreadInevertouched,andofabusingoldwomenIneversaw.

Nay,astammeringcarpenterhadeloquenceenoughtopersuademymasterthatIfiredapistolloadedwithsmallshotintohis

vinduet

window;

thoughmylandladyandthewholefamilyborewitnessthatIwasabedfast

sov

asleepatthetimewhenthisoutragewascommitted.

Iwasoncefloggedforhavingnarrowly

unnslapp

escapeddrowning,bythesinkingofaferry

båt

boatinwhichIwaspassenger.

Anothertime,forhavingrecoveredofabruiseoccasionedbya

hest

horseandcartrunningoverme.

tredje

thirdtime,forbeingbittenbyabaker’sdog.

Inshort,

enten

whetherIwasguiltyorunfortunate,thecorrectionandsympathyofthisarbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.

Farfrombeingsubduedbythisinformalusage,myindignationtriumphedoverthatslavishawewhichhadhithertoenforcedmyobedience;

andthemoremyyearsandknowledgeincreased,themoreIperceivedtheinjusticeandbarbarityofhisbehaviour.

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

sothat,beforeIwastwelveyearsold,Iwas

tillatt

allowedbyeverybodytobethebestscholarintheschool.

Thisqualification,togetherwiththeboldnessoftemperandstrengthofmakewhichhadsubjectedalmostallmycontemporaries,gavemesuchinfluenceoverthemthatI

begynte

begantoformcabalsagainstmypersecutor;

andwasinhopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceinavery

kort

shorttime.

Beingattheheadofafaction,consistingofthirtyboys,mostofthemofmyown

alder

age,Iwasdeterminedtoputtheirmettletotrial,thatImightknowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,beforeIputmygrandschemeinexecution:

withthisview,we

angrep

attackedabodyofstoutapprentices,whohadtakenpossessionofapartofthe

bakken

groundallottedtousfortheschemeofourdiversions,andwhowerethenplayingatninepinsonthe

stedet

spot;

butIhadthemortificationtoseemyadherentsroutedinaninstant,anda

ben

legofoneofthembrokeinhisflightbythebowl,whichoneofouradversarieshaddetachedinpursuitofus.

Thisdiscomfituredidnothinderusfromengagingthemafterwardsinfrequentskirmishes,whichwemaintainedby

kaste

throwingstonesatadistance,whereinIreceivedmanywounds,thescarsofwhichstillremain.

Ourenemiesweresoharassedandinterruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlastabandonedtheirconquest,andleftustothepeaceableenjoymentofourownterritories.

Itwouldbeendlesstoenumeratetheexploitsweperformedinthecourseofthisconfederacy,whichbecametheterrorofthewhole

landsbyen

village;

insomuchthat,whendifferentinterestsdividedit,oneofthepartiescommonlycourtedtheassistanceofRoderickRandom(bywhichnameIwasknown)tocastthebalance,andkeeptheoppositefactioninawe.

Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageofeveryplay-dayto

presentere

presentmyselfbeforemygrandfather,towhomIseldomfoundaccess,byreasonofhisbeingcloselybesiegedbyanumerousfamilyofhisfemalegrandchildren,who,thoughtheyperpetuallyquarrelledamongthemselves,neverfailedtojoinagainstme,asthecommon

fienden

enemyofall.

Hisheir,whowasabouttheageofeighteen,mindednothingbutfox-hunting,andindeedwasqualifiedfornothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’sindulgenceinentertainingatutorforhimathome;

whoatthesametimeperformedtheofficeofparishclerk.

ThisyoungActaeon,whoinheritedhisgrandfather’santipathytoeverythingindistress,neversateyesonmewithoutuncouplinghisbeagles,andhuntingmeintosomecottageorother,whitherIgenerallyfledforshelter.

InthisChristianamusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,no

tvil

doubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimselfwiththerising

solen

sun,observing,thattheoldgentleman,

henhold

accordingtothecourseofnature,hadnotlongtolive,forhewasalreadyonthevergeoffourscore.

CHAPTERIII

MyMother’sBrotherarrives—relievesme—aDescriptionofhim—hegoesalongwithmetotheHouseofmyGrandfather—isencounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsthem,aftera

blodig

bloodyEngagement—isadmittedtotheoldGentleman—aDialoguebetweenthem.

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

wherebeinginformedofmycondition,hecametoseeme,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnotonlysuppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIwantedforthepresent,butresolvednottoleavethecountryuntilhehadprevailedonmygrandfathertosettlesomethinghandsomeforthe

fremtiden

future.

Thiswasatasktowhichhewasbynomeansequal,beingentirelyignorant,notonlyofthejudge’sdisposition,butalsoofthewaysofmenin

generelt

general,towhichhiseducationon

bord

boardhadkepthimanutterstranger.

Hewasa

sterk

strongbuiltman,somewhatbandylegged,witha

nakke

necklikethatofabull,andafacewhich(youmighteasilyperceive)hadwithstoodthemostobstinateassaultsoftheweather.

His

kjole

dressconsistedofasoldier’scoatalteredforhimbytheship’stailor,astripedflanneljacket,apairofredbreechesspannedwithpitch,

rene

cleangrayworstedstockings,largesilverbucklesthat

dekket

coveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-lacedhat,

hvis

whosecrownoverlookedthebrimsaboutaninchandahalf,blackbobwiginbuckle,acheck

skjorte

shirt,asilkhandkerchief,ahanger,withabrass

håndtak

handle,girdedtohisthighbyafurnishedlacebelt,andagoodoakplantunderhis

armen

arm.

Thusequipped,hesetoutwithme(whobyhisbountymadeaverydecentappearance)formygrandfather’shouse,whereweweresalutedbyJowlerandCaesar,whommy

fetter

cousin,youngmaster,hadletlooseatourapproach.

Beingwellacquaintedwiththeinveteracyofthesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,whenmyuncleseizedmewithonehand,brandishedhiscudgelwiththeother,andatone

slag

blowlaidCaesarsprawlingonthe

bakken

ground;

but,findinghimselfattackedatthesametimeintherearbyJowler,and

fryktet

fearingCaesarmightrecover,hedrewhishanger,wheeledabout,andbyaluckystrokeseveredJowler’sheadfromhisbody.

Bythistime,theyoungfoxhunterandthreeservants,

bevæpnet

armedwithpitchforksandflails,werecometotheassistanceofthedogs,whomtheyfoundbreathlessuponthe

feltet

field;

andmycousinwassoprovokedatthedeathofhisfavourites,thatheorderedhisattendantstoadvance,andtakevengeanceontheirexecutioner,whomheloadedwithallthecursesandreproacheshisangercouldsuggest.

Uponwhichmyunclesteppedforwardswithanundauntedair,atthesightof

hvis

whosebloodyweaponshisantagonistsfellbackwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheirleaderthus:.

“Lookee,brother,yourdogshavingboardedmewithoutprovocation,whatIdidwasinmyowndefence.

Soyouhadbestbecivil,andletusshootahead,clearofyou.”

Whethertheyoungsquiremisinterpretedmyuncle’sdesireof

fred

peace,orwasenragedatthefateofhishoundsbeyondhisusualpitchofresolution,Iknownot;

buthesnatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,andcameupwithashowofassaultingthelieutenant,who,puttinghimselfinapostureofdefence,proceededthus:

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

I’llbefoulofyourquarter,d—nme.”

Thisdeclaration,followedbyaflourishofhishanger,

syntes

seemedtochecktheprogressoftheyounggentleman’scholer,who,lookingbehindhim,perceivedhisattendantshadslunkintothehouse,shutthegate,andlefthimto

avgjøre

decidethecontentionbyhimself.

Hereaparleyensued,whichwasintroducedbymycousin’sasking,“Whothedevilareyou?

Whatdoyouwant?

Somescoundrelofaseaman,I

antar

suppose,whohasdesertedandturnedthief.

Butdon’tthinkyoushall

unnslippe

escape,sirrah—I’llhaveyouhang’d,youdog,Iwill.

Yourbloodshallpayforthatofmytwohounds,youragamuffin.

Iwouldnothavepartedwiththemtosaveyourwholegenerationfromthegallows,youruffian,you!”

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

Ishallrubyoudownwithanoakentowel,myboy,Ishall.”

Sosaying,hesheathedhishanger,andgraspedhiscudgel.

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