The Adventures of Roderick Random Gradually Hardening Russian A2

THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE

Ofallkindsofsatire,thereis

нет

nonesoentertaininganduniversallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwereoccasionally,inthecourseofaninterestingstory,whichbringseveryincidenthometolife,andbyrepresentingfamiliarscenesinanuncommonandamusingpointofview,investsthemwithallthegracesofnovelty,while

природа

natureisappealedtoineveryparticular.

Thereadergratifieshiscuriosityinpursuingtheadventuresofapersonin

которого

whosefavourheisprepossessed;

heespouseshiscause,hesympathiseswithhiminhisdistress,hisindignationisheatedagainsttheauthorsofhiscalamity:

thehumanepassionsareinflamed;

thecontrastbetweendejectedvirtueandinsultingviceappearswithgreateraggravation,andeveryimpressionhavingadoubleforceontheimagination,the

память

memoryretainsthecircumstance,andtheheartimprovesbytheexample.

The

внимание

attentionisnottiredwithabarecatalogueofcharacters,butagreeablydivertedwithallthevarietyofinvention;

andthevicissitudesoflifeappearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,openinganample

поле

fieldforwitandhumour.

Romance,nodoubt,owesitsorigintoignorance,vanity,andsuperstition.

InthedarkagesoftheWorld,whenamanhadrenderedhimselffamousforwisdomorvalour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,andrepresentedhischaracterandpersonassacredandsupernatural.

Thevulgareasilyswallowedthebait,imploredhisprotection,andyieldedthetributeofhomageandpraise,eventoadoration;

hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposteritywithathousandexaggerations;

theywererepeatedasincitementstovirtue;

divinehonourswerepaid,andaltarserectedtohis

память

memory,fortheencouragementofthosewhoattemptedtoimitatehisexample;

andhencearosetheheathenmythology,whichisnootherthanacollectionofextravagantromances.

Aslearningadvanced,andgeniusreceivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedwiththegracesofpoetry,thattheymightthebetterrecommendthemselvestotheattention;

theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,fortheinstructionanddelightoftheaudience;

andrehearsedbeforebattle,asincentivestodeedsofglory.

Thustragedyandtheepicmusewereborn,and,intheprogressoftaste,arrivedatperfection.

Itisnowonderthattheancientscouldnotrelishafableinprose,aftertheyhadseensomanyremarkableeventscelebratedinversebytheirbestpoets;

wethereforefindnoromanceamongthemduringtheeraoftheirexcellence,

если

unlesstheCyropædiaofXenophonmaybesocalled;

anditwasnottillartsandsciencesbegantoreviveaftertheirruptionofthebarbariansintoEurope,thatanythingofthiskindappeared.

Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothemostabsurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromancearose,andlosingsightofprobability,filledtheirperformanceswiththemostmonstroushyperboles.

Iftheycouldnotequaltheancientpoetsinpointofgeniustheywereresolvedtoexceltheminfiction,andapplytothewonder,ratherthanthejudgment,oftheirreaders.

Accordingly,theybroughtnecromancytotheiraid,and

вместо

insteadofsupportingthecharacteroftheirheroesbydignityofsentimentandpractice,distinguishedthembytheirbodilystrength,activity,andextravaganceofbehaviour.

Althoughnothingcouldbemoreludicrousandunnaturalthanthefigurestheydrew,theydidnotwantpatronsandadmirers;

andtheworldactuallybegantobeinfectedwiththespiritofknight-errantry,whenCervantes,byaninimitablepieceofridicule,reformedthe

вкус

tasteofmankind,representingchivalryintherightpointofview,andconvertingromancetopurposesfarmoreusefulandentertaining,bymakingitassumethesock,andpointoutthefolliesofordinarylife.

ThesamemethodhasbeenpractisedbyotherSpanishandFrenchauthors,andby

ни один

nonemoresuccessfullythanbyMonsieurLeSage,who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,hasdescribedtheknaveryandfoiblesoflife,withinfinitehumourandsagacity.

ThefollowingsheetsIhavemodelledonhisplan,takingmeliberty,however,todifferfromhimintheexecution,whereIthoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,extravagant,orpeculiartothecountryinwhichthe

сцена

sceneislaid.

ThedisgracesofGilBlasare,forthemostpart,suchas

скорее

ratherexcitemirththancompassion;

hehimselflaughsatthem;

andhistransitionsfromdistresstohappiness,oratleastease,aresosudden,thatneitherthereaderhastimetopityhim,norhimselftobeacquaintedwithaffliction.

Thisconduct,inmyopinion,notonlydeviatesfromprobability,butpreventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatethereaderagainstthesordidandviciousdispositionoftheworld.

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

Tosecureafavourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhimtheadvantagesofbirthandeducation,whichintheseriesofhismisfortuneswill,Ihope,engagetheingenuousmorewarmlyinhisbehalf;

andthoughIforesee,thatsomepeoplewillbeoffendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheisinvolved,Ipersuademyselfthatthejudiciouswillnotonlyperceivethenecessityofdescribingthosesituationstowhichhemustofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,butalsofindentertainmentinviewingthosepartsoflife,wherethehumoursandpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,ceremony,oreducation;

andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesofdispositionappearas

природа

naturehasimplantedthem.

ButIbelieveIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatingapracticeauthorizedbythebestwritersinthisway,someofwhomIhavealreadynamed.

Everyintelligentreaderwill,atfirstsight,perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,whicharealltrueinthemain,althoughthecircumstancesarealteredanddisguised,toavoidpersonalsatire.

ItnowremainstogivemyreasonsformakingthechiefpersonageofthisworkaNorthBriton,whicharechieflythese:

Icould,atasmallexpense,bestowonhimsucheducationasIthoughtthedignityofhisbirthandcharacterrequired,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysuchslendermeansasthe

природа

natureofmyplanwouldafford.

Inthenextplace,Icouldrepresentsimplicityofmannersinaremotepartofthekingdom,withmoreproprietythaninanyplace

возле

nearthecapital;

andlastly,thedispositionoftheScots,addictedtotravelling,justifiesmyconductinderivinganadventurerfromthatcountry.

APOLOGUE

Ayoungpainter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,sketchedakindofconversation

кусок

piece,representingabear,anowl,amonkey,andanass;

andtorenderitmorestriking,humorous,andmoral,distinguishedeveryfigurebysomeemblemofhumanlife.

Bruinwasexhibitedinthegarbandattitudeofanold,toothless,drunkensoldier;

theowlpercheduponthehandleofacoffee-pot,withspectacleonnose,seemedtocontemplateanewspaper;

andtheass,ornamentedwithahugetie-wig(which,however,couldnotconcealhislongears),satforhispicturetothemonkey,whoappearedwiththeimplementsofpainting.

Thiswhimsical

группа

groupaffordedsomemirth,andmetwithgeneralapprobation,untilsomemischievouswaghintedthatthewhole—wasalampoonuponthefriendsoftheperformer;

aninsinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedthanthoseverypeoplewhoapplaudeditbeforebegantobealarmed,andeventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.

Amongothers,aworthypersonageinyears,whohadservedinthe

армии

armywithreputation,beingincensedatthesupposedoutrage,repairedtothelodgingofthepainter,andfindinghimathome,“Harkye,Mr.Monkey,”saidhe,“Ihaveagoodmindtoconvinceyou,thatthoughthe

медведь

bearhaslosthisteeth,heretainshispaws,andthatheisnotsodrunkbuthecanperceiveyourimpertinence.”

“Sblood!

sir,thattoothlessjawisad—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyouimaginemesochopfallenasnottobeabletochewthecudofresentment.”

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

доказать

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

thereisnotonehairinthisperiwigthatwillnotstandupinjudgmenttoconvicttheeofpersonalabuse.

Dobutobserve,

капитан

captain,howthispitifullittlefellowhascopiedtheverycurls—thecolour,indeed,isdifferent,butthenthe

форма

formandforetoparequitesimilar.”

Whilehethusremonstratedinastrainofvociferation,avenerablesenatorentered,andwaddlinguptothedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”

criedhe,“IwillnowlettheeseeIcanreadsomethingelsethananewspaper,andthatwithoutthehelpofspectacles:

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

Invaintheastonishedpainterdeclaredthathehadnointentiontogiveoffence,ortocharacteriseparticularpersons:

theyaffirmedtheresemblancewastoopalpabletobeoverlooked;

theytaxedhimwithinsolence,malice,andingratitude;

andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardbythepublic,the

капитан

captainwasabear,thedoctoranass,andthesenatoranowl,tohisdyingday.

Christianreader,Ibeseechthee,inthebowelsoftheLord,rememberthisexample“whilethouartemployedintheperusalofthefollowingsheets;

andseeknottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhichequallybelongstofivehundreddifferentpeople.

Ifthoushouldstmeetwithacharacterthatreflectstheeinsomeungraciousparticular,keepthyowncounsel;

CHAPTERI

OfmyBirthandParentage.

Iwas

родился

borninthenorthernpartofthisunitedkingdom,inthehouseofmygrandfather,agentlemanofconsiderablefortuneandinfluence,whohadonmanyoccasionssignalisedhimselfinbehalfofhiscountry;

andwasremarkableforhisabilitiesinthelaw,whichheexercisedwithgreatsuccessinthestationofajudge,particularlyagainstbeggars,forwhomhehadasingularaversion.

Myfather(hisyoungestson)fallinginlovewithapoorrelation,wholivedwiththeoldgentlemaninqualityofahousekeeper,espousedherprivately;

andIwasthefirstfruitofthatmarriage.

Во время

Duringherpregnancy,adreamdiscomposedmymothersomuchthatherhusband,tiredwithherimportunity,atlastconsultedahighlandseer,

чье

whosefavourableinterpretationhewouldhavesecuredbeforehandbyabribe,butfoundhimincorruptible.

Shedreamedshewasdeliveredofatennis-ball,whichthedevil(who,tohergreatsurprise,actedthepartofamidwife)strucksoforciblywitharacketthatitdisappearedinaninstant;

andshewasforsometimeinconsolableforthelostofheroffspring;

when,allonasudden,shebehelditreturnwithequalviolence,andentertheearth,beneathherfeet,whence

сразу

immediatelysprangupagoodly

дерево

treecoveredwithblossoms,thescentofwhichoperatedsostronglyonhernervesthatsheawoke.

Theattentivesage,aftersomedeliberation,assuredmyparents,thattheirfirstbornwouldbeagreattraveller;

thathewouldundergomanydangersanddifficulties,andatlastreturntohisnativeland,wherehewouldflourishinhappinessandreputation.

Howtrulythiswasforetoldwillappearinthesequel.

Itwasnotlongbeforesomeofficiouspersoninformedmygrandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassedbetweenhissonandhousekeeperwhichalarmedhimsomuchthat,afewdaysafter,hetoldmyfatheritwashightimeforhimtothinkofsettling;

andthathehadprovideda

матч

matchforhim,towhichhecouldinjusticehavenoobjections.

Myfather,findingitwouldbe

невозможно

impossibletoconcealhissituationmuchlonger,franklyownedwhathehaddone;

andexcusedhimselffornothavingaskedtheconsentofhisfather,bysaying,heknewitwouldhavebeentonopurpose;

andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,mygrandfathermighthavetakensuchmeasuresaswouldhaveeffectuallyputthegratificationofitoutofhispower:

headded,thatnoexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’svirtue,birth,

красоты

beauty,andgoodsense,andasforfortune,itwasbeneathhiscare.

Theoldgentleman,whokeptallhispassions,

за исключением

exceptone,inexcellentorder,heardhimtoanendwithgreattemper,andthencalmlyasked,howheproposedtomaintainhimselfandspouse?

Hereplied,hecouldbeinnodangerofwantingwhilehisfather’stendernessremained,whichheandhiswifeshouldalwayscultivatewiththeutmostveneration;

andhewaspersuadedhisallowancewouldbesuitabletothedignityandcircumstancesofhisfamily,andtotheprovisionalreadymadeforhisbrothersandsisters,whowerehappilysettledunderhisprotection.

“Yourbrothersandsisters,”saidmygrandfather,“didnotthinkitbeneaththemtoconsultmeinanaffairofsuchimportanceasmatrimony;

neither,Isuppose,wouldyouhaveomittedthatpieceof

обязанность

duty,hadyounotsomesecretfundinreserve;

tothecomfortsofwhichIleaveyou,withadesirethatyouwillthisnightseekoutanotherhabitationforyourselfandwife,whither,inashorttime,IwillsendyouanaccountoftheexpenseIhavebeenatinyoureducation,withaviewofbeingreimbursed.

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

Sosaying,heleftmyfatherina

ситуации

situationeasilyimagined.

However,hedidnotlonghesitate;

for,beingperfectlywellacquaintedwithhisfather’sdisposition,hedidnotdoubtthathewasgladofthispretencetogetridofhim;

andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedesandPersians,heknewitwouldbetonopurposetoattempthimbyprayersandentreaties;

sowithoutanyfartherapplication,hebetookhimself,withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoafarm-house,whereanoldservantofhismotherdwelt:

theretheyremainedsometimeina

ситуации

situationbutilladaptedtotheeleganceoftheirdesiresandtendernessoftheirlove;

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

Shefoundmeanstodeceivetheservants,andgetintroducedasanunfortunatelady,whowantedtocomplainofsomematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sparticularprovinceto

решать

decideinallcasesofscandal.

Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohispresence,where,discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,andinthemostaffectingmannerimploredhisforgiveness;

atthesametimerepresentingthedangerthatthreatenednotonlyherlife,butthatofhisowngrandchild,whichwasabouttoseethelight.

Hetoldherhewassorrythattheindiscretionofherandhissonhadcompelledhimtomakeavow,whichputitoutofhispowertogivethemanyassistance;

thathehadalreadyimpartedhisthoughtsonthatsubjecttoherhusband,andwassurprisedthattheyshoulddisturbhis

мир

peacewithanyfartherimportunity.

Thissaid,heretired.

Theviolenceofmymother’safflictionhadsuchaneffectonherconstitutionthatshewas

сразу

immediatelyseizedwiththepainsofchildbed;

andhadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewasverydear,affordedherpityandassistance,atthehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,sheandtheinnocentfruitofherwombmusthavefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigourandinhumanity.

Bythefriendshipofthispoorwomanshewascarrieduptoagarret,and

сразу

immediatelydeliveredofamanchild,thestoryof

которого

whoseunfortunatebirthhehimselfnowrelates.

Myfather,beinginformedofwhathadhappened,flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,andwhileheloadedhisoffspringwithpaternalembraces,couldnotforbearsheddingafloodoftearsonbeholdingthedearpartnerofhisheart(forwhoseeasehewouldhavesacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretcheduponaflockbed,inamiserableapartment,unableto

защитить

protectherfromtheinclemenciesoftheweather.

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

hedeterminedthereforetoobservenomedium,but

сразу

immediately(onthethirddayafterherdelivery)sentheraperemptoryordertobegone,andturnedofftheservantwhohadpreservedherlife.

Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmyfatherthathehadrecoursetothemostdreadfulimprecations;

andonhisbarekneesimploredthat

Небеса

Heavenwouldrenouncehimifeverheshouldforgetorforgivethebarbarityofhissire.

Theinjurieswhichthisunhappymotherreceivedfromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,andthewantofnecessarieswhereshelodged,togetherwithhergriefandanxietyofmind,soonthrewherintoalanguishingdisorder,whichputanendtoherlife.

Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wassoaffectedwithherdeaththatheremainedsixweeksdeprivedofhissenses;

duringwhichtime,thepeoplewherehelodgedcarriedtheinfanttotheoldmanwhorelentedsofar,onhearingthemelancholystoryofhisdaughter-in-law’sdeath,andthedeplorableconditionofhisson,astosendthechildtonurse,andheorderedmyfathertobecarriedhometohishouse,wherehesoonrecoveredtheuseofhisreason.

Ли

Whetherthishardheartedjudgefeltanyremorseforhiscrueltreatmentofhissonanddaughter,or(whichismoreprobable)wasafraidhischaracterwouldsufferintheneighbourhood,heprofessedgreatsorrowforhisconducttomyfather,

чье

whosedeliriumwassucceededbyaprofoundmelancholyandreserve.

Atlengthhedisappeared,and,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,couldnotbeheardof;

acircumstancewhichconfirmedmostpeopleintheopinionofhishavingmadeawaywithhimselfinafitofdespair.

CHAPTERII

Igrowup—amhatedbymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—IformCabalsagainstthePedant—amdebarredAccesstomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—IdemolishtheTeethofhisTutor.

Therewerenotwantingsomewhosuspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’sfate,onthesuppositionthattheywouldallshareinthepatrimonydestinedforhim;

andthisconjecturewasstrengthenedbyreflectingthatinallhiscalamitiestheyneverdiscoveredtheleastinclinationtoservehim;

but,onthecontrary,byalltheartificesintheirpower,fedhisresentmentandsupportedhisresolutionofleavinghimtomiseryandwant.

Butpeopleofjudgmenttreatedthisinsinuationasanidlechimera;

because,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedastoconsulttheirinterestbycommittingsuchanatrocious

преступление

crime,thefateofmyfatherwouldhaveextendedtometoo

чья

whoselifewasanotherobstacletotheirexpectation.

Meanwhile,Igrewapace,andasIstronglyresembledmyfather,whowasthedarlingofthetenants,Iwantednothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstancescouldafford:

buttheirfavourwasaweakresourceagainstthejealousenmityofmycousins;

whothemoremyinfancypromised,conceivedthemoreimplacablehatredagainstme:

andbeforeIwassixyearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmygrandfatherthatIneversawhimbutbystealth,whenIsometimesmadeuptohischairashesattoviewhislabourersinthe

поле

field:

onwhichoccasionhewouldstrokemyhead,bidmebeagoodboy,andpromisetotakecareofme.

Iwassoonaftersenttoschoolatavillagehardby,ofwhichhehadbeendictatortimeoutofmind;

butasheneverpaidformyboard,norsuppliedmewithclothes,books,andothernecessariesIrequired,myconditionwasveryraggedandcontemptible,andtheschoolmaster,who,throughfearofmygrandfather,taughtmegratis,gavehimselfnoconcernabouttheprogressImadeunderhisinstruction.

Inspiteofallthesedifficultiesanddisgraces,IbecameagoodproficientintheLatintongue;

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

Thepedant,whodreadednothingmorethanthedispleasureofhispatron,assuredhishonourthattheboy’sabilitywasmoreowingtohisowngeniusandapplicationthantoanyinstructionorencouragementhereceived;

that,althoughhecouldnotdivesthimoftheknowledgehehadalreadyimbibed,

если

unlesshewouldempowerhimtodisablehisfingers,heshouldendeavour,withGod’shelp,topreventhis

будущее

futureimprovement.

And,indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehadundertaken;

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

ButthisrestraintIwasfreedfrominafewdays,byanaccidentwhichhappenedinaquarrelbetweenmeandanotherboy;

who,takinguponhimtoinsultmypoverty,IwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthatwithonestrokewithmymachineIcuthimtotheskull,tothegreatterrorofmyselfandschoolfellows,wholefthimbleedingonthe

земле

ground,andrantoinformthemasterofwhathadhappened.

Iwassoseverelypunishedforthistrespassthat,wereItolivetotheageofMethusalem,theimpressionitmadeonmewouldnotbeeffaced;

themorethantheantipathyandhorrorIconceivedforthemercilesstyrantwhoinflictedit.

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

Iwas

часто

ofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnotcommit,because,havingthecharacterofavagabondinthe

деревне

village,everypieceofmischief,whoseauthorlayunknown,waschargeduponme.

IhavebeenfoundguiltyofrobbingorchardsIneverentered,ofkillingcatsIneverhunted,ofstealinggingerbreadInevertouched,andofabusingoldwomenIneversaw.

Nay,astammeringcarpenterhadeloquenceenoughtopersuademymasterthatIfiredapistolloadedwithsmallshotintohis

окно

window;

thoughmylandladyandthewholefamilyborewitnessthatIwasabedfastasleepatthetimewhenthisoutragewascommitted.

Iwasoncefloggedforhavingnarrowlyescapeddrowning,bythesinkingofaferryboatinwhichIwaspassenger.

Anothertime,forhavingrecoveredofabruiseoccasionedbyahorseandcartrunningoverme.

третий

thirdtime,forbeingbittenbyabaker’sdog.

Inshort,

ли

whetherIwasguiltyorunfortunate,thecorrectionandsympathyofthisarbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.

Farfrombeingsubduedbythisinformalusage,myindignationtriumphedoverthatslavishawewhichhadhithertoenforcedmyobedience;

andthemoremyyearsandknowledgeincreased,themoreIperceivedtheinjusticeandbarbarityofhisbehaviour.

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

sothat,beforeIwastwelveyearsold,Iwasallowedbyeverybodytobethebestscholarintheschool.

Thisqualification,togetherwiththeboldnessoftemperandstrengthofmakewhichhadsubjectedalmostallmycontemporaries,gavemesuchinfluenceoverthemthatIbegantoformcabalsagainstmypersecutor;

andwasinhopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceinaveryshorttime.

Beingattheheadofafaction,consistingofthirtyboys,mostofthemofmyownage,Iwasdeterminedtoputtheirmettletotrial,thatImightknowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,beforeIputmy

грандиозный

grandschemeinexecution:

withthisview,weattackedabodyofstoutapprentices,whohadtakenpossessionofapartofthegroundallottedtousfortheschemeofourdiversions,andwhowerethenplayingatninepinsonthespot;

butIhadthemortificationtoseemyadherentsroutedinaninstant,anda

нога

legofoneofthembrokeinhisflightbythebowl,whichoneofouradversarieshaddetachedinpursuitofus.

Thisdiscomfituredidnothinderusfromengagingthemafterwardsinfrequentskirmishes,whichwemaintainedbythrowingstonesatadistance,whereinIreceivedmanywounds,thescarsofwhichstillremain.

Ourenemiesweresoharassedandinterruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlastabandonedtheirconquest,andleftustothepeaceableenjoymentofourownterritories.

Itwouldbeendlesstoenumeratetheexploitsweperformedinthecourseofthisconfederacy,whichbecametheterrorofthewholevillage;

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

Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageofeveryplay-daytopresentmyselfbeforemygrandfather,towhomIseldomfoundaccess,byreasonofhisbeingcloselybesiegedbyanumerousfamilyofhisfemalegrandchildren,who,thoughtheyperpetuallyquarrelledamongthemselves,neverfailedtojoinagainstme,asthecommon

враг

enemyofall.

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

whoatthesametimeperformedtheofficeofparishclerk.

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

InthisChristianamusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,nodoubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimselfwiththerisingsun,observing,thattheoldgentleman,

согласно

accordingtothecourseofnature,hadnotlongtolive,forhewasalreadyonthevergeoffourscore.

CHAPTERIII

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

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

wherebeinginformedofmycondition,hecametoseeme,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnotonlysuppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIwantedforthepresent,butresolvednottoleavethecountryuntilhehadprevailedonmygrandfathertosettlesomethinghandsomeforthe

будущее

future.

Thiswasatasktowhichhewasbynomeansequal,beingentirelyignorant,notonlyofthejudge’sdisposition,butalsoofthewaysofmenin

целом

general,towhichhiseducationon

борту

boardhadkepthimanutterstranger.

Hewasastrongbuiltman,somewhatbandylegged,withanecklikethatofabull,andafacewhich(youmighteasilyperceive)hadwithstoodthemostobstinateassaultsoftheweather.

His

платье

dressconsistedofasoldier’scoatalteredforhimbytheship’stailor,astripedflanneljacket,apairofredbreechesspannedwithpitch,cleangrayworstedstockings,largesilverbucklesthatcoveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-lacedhat,whosecrownoverlookedthebrimsaboutaninchandahalf,blackbobwiginbuckle,acheckshirt,asilkhandkerchief,ahanger,withabrasshandle,girdedtohisthighbyafurnishedlacebelt,andagoodoakplantunderhisarm.

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

двоюродный брат

cousin,youngmaster,hadletlooseatourapproach.

Beingwellacquaintedwiththeinveteracyofthesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,whenmyuncleseizedmewithonehand,brandishedhiscudgelwiththeother,andatoneblowlaidCaesarsprawlingontheground;

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

Bythistime,theyoungfoxhunterandthreeservants,armedwithpitchforksandflails,werecometotheassistanceofthedogs,whomtheyfoundbreathlessuponthe

поле

field;

andmycousinwassoprovokedatthedeathofhisfavourites,thatheorderedhisattendantstoadvance,andtakevengeanceontheirexecutioner,whomheloadedwithallthecursesandreproacheshisangercouldsuggest.

Uponwhichmyunclesteppedforwardswithanundauntedair,atthesightofwhosebloodyweaponshisantagonistsfellbackwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheirleaderthus:.

“Lookee,brother,yourdogshavingboardedmewithoutprovocation,whatIdidwasinmyowndefence.

Soyouhadbestbecivil,andletusshootahead,clearofyou.”

Ли

Whethertheyoungsquiremisinterpretedmyuncle’sdesireofpeace,orwasenragedatthefateofhishoundsbeyondhisusualpitchofresolution,Iknownot;

buthesnatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,andcameupwithashowofassaultingthelieutenant,who,puttinghimselfinapostureofdefence,proceededthus:

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

I’llbefoulofyourquarter,d—nme.”

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

решить

decidethecontentionbyhimself.

Hereaparleyensued,whichwasintroducedbymycousin’sasking,“Whothedevilareyou?

Whatdoyouwant?

Somescoundrelofaseaman,Isuppose,whohasdesertedandturnedthief.

Butdon’tthinkyoushallescape,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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