THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE
Ofallkindsofsatire,
hay
thereisnonesoentertainingy
anduniversallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwereoccasionally,inthecurso
courseofaninterestingstory,whichtrae
bringseveryincidenthometovida
life,andbyrepresentingfamiliarscenesinanuncommony
andamusingpointofview,investsthemcon
withallthegracesofnovelty,whilenatureisappealedtoineveryparticular.Thereadergratifieshiscuriosityinpursuingtheadventuresof
una
apersoninwhosefavourheisprepossessed;heespouseshis
causa
cause,hesympathiseswithhiminhisdistress,hisindignationisheatedcontra
againsttheauthorsofhiscalamity:las
thehumanepassionsareinflamed;thecontrast
entre
betweendejectedvirtueandinsultingviceappearscon
withgreateraggravation,andeveryimpressiontiene
havingadoubleforceontheimagination,thememoryretainsthecircumstance,y
andtheheartimprovesbytheexample.La
Theattentionisnottiredcon
withabarecatalogueofcharacters,sino
butagreeablydivertedwithallla
thevarietyofinvention;andthevicissitudesof
vida
lifeappearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,abriendo
openinganamplefieldforwity
andhumour.Romance,nodoubt,owesitsorigintoignorance,vanity,
y
andsuperstition.Inthedarkagesof
las
theWorld,whenamanhabía
hadrenderedhimselffamousforwisdomo
orvalour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,y
andrepresentedhischaracterandpersona
personassacredandsupernatural.Thevulgareasilyswallowedthebait,imploredhisprotection,
y
andyieldedthetributeofhomagey
andpraise,eventoadoration;hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposterity
con
withathousandexaggerations;theywererepeatedasincitementstovirtue;
divinehonourswere
pagaron
paid,andaltarserectedtohismemory,forel
theencouragementofthosewhoattemptedtoimitatehisexample;y
andhencearosetheheathenmythology,whichisno
nootherthanacollectionofextravagantromances.Aslearningadvanced,
y
andgeniusreceivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedcon
withthegracesofpoetry,thattheypudieran
mightthebetterrecommendthemselvestotheattention;theywere
cantaban
sunginpublic,atfestivals,fortheinstructiony
anddelightoftheaudience;y
andrehearsedbeforebattle,asincentivestodeedsofglory.Thustragedy
y
andtheepicmusewereborn,y
and,intheprogressoftaste,arrivedatperfection.Itis
no
nowonderthattheancientspudieran
couldnotrelishafableinprose,aftertheyhaber
hadseensomanyremarkableeventscelebratedinversebytheirbestpoets;wetherefore
encontramos
findnoromanceamongthemduringla
theeraoftheirexcellence,unlessla
theCyropædiaofXenophonmaybesocalled;y
anditwasnottillartsy
andsciencesbegantoreviveaftertheirruptionofthebarbariansintoEurope,thatalgo
anythingofthiskindappeared.Pero
Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothemás
mostabsurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromancearose,y
andlosingsightofprobability,filledtheirperformancescon
withthemostmonstroushyperboles.Si
Iftheycouldnotequaltheancientpoetsinpunto
pointofgeniustheywereresolvedtoexceltheminfiction,y
andapplytothewonder,ratherthanthejudgment,oftheirreaders.Accordingly,they
trajeron
broughtnecromancytotheiraid,y
andinsteadofsupportingthecharacteroftheirheroesbydignityofsentimenty
andpractice,distinguishedthembytheirbodilystrength,activity,y
andextravaganceofbehaviour.Although
nada
nothingcouldbemoreludicrousy
andunnaturalthanthefigurestheydrew,theydidnotquerían
wantpatronsandadmirers;andthe
mundo
worldactuallybegantobeinfectedcon
withthespiritofknight-errantry,cuando
whenCervantes,byaninimitablepieceofridicule,reformedthetasteofmankind,representingchivalryinthecorrecto
rightpointofview,andconvertingromancetopurposesfarmás
moreusefulandentertaining,bymakingitassumethesock,y
andpointoutthefolliesofordinaryvida
life.Thesamemethodhasbeenpractisedby
otros
otherSpanishandFrenchauthors,y
andbynonemoresuccessfullythanbyMonsieurLeSage,who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,ha
hasdescribedtheknaveryandfoiblesofvida
life,withinfinitehumourandsagacity.ThefollowingsheetsI
he
havemodelledonhisplan,takingmeliberty,however,todifferfromhimintheexecution,donde
whereIthoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,extravagant,o
orpeculiartothecountryinwhichthesceneislaid.ThedisgracesofGilBlas
son
are,forthemostpart,suchasratherexcitemirththancompassion;hehimselflaughsat
ellos
them;andhistransitionsfromdistresstohappiness,
o
oratleastease,aresosudden,thatneitherthereadertiene
hastimetopityhim,norhimselftobeacquaintedcon
withaffliction.Thisconduct,inmyopinion,not
sólo
onlydeviatesfromprobability,butpreventsesa
thatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatela
thereaderagainstthesordidy
andviciousdispositionofthemundo
world.Ihaveattemptedtorepresentmodestmeritstruggling
con
witheverydifficultytowhichun
afriendlessorphanisexposed,fromhisownfalta
wantofexperience,aswellasfromtheselfishness,envy,malice,y
andbaseindifferenceofmankind.Tosecure
una
afavourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhimtheadvantagesofbirthy
andeducation,whichintheseriesofhismisfortuneswill,Iespero
hope,engagetheingenuousmorewarmlyinhisbehalf;y
andthoughIforesee,thatalgunas
somepeoplewillbeoffendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheisinvolved,Ipersuademyselfthatthejudiciouswillnotonlyperceivethenecessityofdescribingthosesituationstowhichhedebe
mustofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,sino
butalsofindentertainmentinviewingthosepartsofvida
life,wherethehumoursandpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,ceremony,o
oreducation;andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesofdispositionappearasnature
ha
hasimplantedthem.ButI
creo
believeIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatinguna
apracticeauthorizedbythebestwritersinesta
thisway,someofwhomIhe
havealreadynamed.Everyintelligentreader
son
will,atfirstsight,perceiveIhe
havenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,whicharealltrueinthemain,althoughthecircumstancesarealteredy
anddisguised,toavoidpersonalsatire.It
ahora
nowremainstogivemyrazones
reasonsformakingthechiefpersonageofesta
thisworkaNorthBriton,whicharechieflyestos
these:Icould,ata
pequeño
smallexpense,bestowonhimsucheducationasIthoughtla
thedignityofhisbirthy
andcharacterrequired,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysuchslendermeansasla
thenatureofmyplanser
wouldafford.Inthenext
lugar
place,Icouldrepresentsimplicityofmannersinuna
aremotepartofthekingdom,con
withmoreproprietythanincualquier
anyplacenearthecapital;y
andlastly,thedispositionoftheScots,addictedtotravelling,justifiesmyconductinderivingun
anadventurerfromthatcountry.APOLOGUE
A
joven
youngpainter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,sketchedaespecie
kindofconversationpiece,representingabear,anowl,amonkey,y
andanass;andtorenderit
más
morestriking,humorous,andmoral,distinguishedcada
everyfigurebysomeemblemofhumanvida
life.Bruinwasexhibitedin
la
thegarbandattitudeofun
anold,toothless,drunkensoldier;theowlpercheduponthehandleofacoffee-pot,
con
withspectacleonnose,seemedtocontemplateanewspaper;y
andtheass,ornamentedwithuna
ahugetie-wig(which,however,podía
couldnotconcealhislongears),sentó
satforhispicturetothemonkey,whoappearedcon
withtheimplementsofpainting.Este
Thiswhimsicalgroupaffordedsomemirth,y
andmetwithgeneralapprobation,hasta que
untilsomemischievouswaghintedthatthewhole—wasuna
alampoonuponthefriendsoftheperformer;una
aninsinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedthanthoseverypersonas
peoplewhoapplaudeditbeforebegantobealarmed,andincluso
eventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.Amongothers,aworthypersonageinyears,whohadservedinthearmy
con
withreputation,beingincensedatthesupposedoutrage,repairedtothelodgingofthepainter,y
andfindinghimathome,“Harkye,Mr.Monkey,”dijo
saidhe,“Ihaveabuena
goodmindtoconvinceyou,thataunque
thoughthebearhaslosthisteeth,heretainshispaws,y
andthatheisnotsodrunkpero
buthecanperceiveyourimpertinence.”“Sblood!
señor
sir,thattoothlessjawisuna
ad—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyouimaginemesochopfallenasnottobecapaz
abletochewthecudofresentment.”Aquí
Herehewasinterruptedbythearrivalofun
alearnedphysician,who,advancingtotheculpritcon
withfuryinhisaspect,exclaimed,“Supposetheaugmentationoftheass’searsshouldprovethediminutionofthebaboon’s—nay,seeknottoprevaricate,for,bythebeardofAesculapius!hay
thereisnotonehairinesta
thisperiwigthatwillnotpara
standupinjudgmenttoconvicttheeofpersonalabuse.Hecho
Dobutobserve,captain,howeste
thispitifullittlefellowhascopiedtheverycurls—thecolour,indeed,isdiferente
different,butthentheformy
andforetoparequitesimilar.”Mientras
Whilehethusremonstratedinastrainofvociferation,avenerablesenatorentered,y
andwaddlinguptothedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”criedhe,“IwillnowlettheeseeI
puedo
canreadsomethingelsethanun
anewspaper,andthatwithoutla
thehelpofspectacles:hereisyourownnoteof
mano
hand,sirrah,formoney,whichsi
ifIhadnotadvanced,youyourselfwouldhaveresembledun
anowl,innotdaringtomostrar
showyourfacebyday,youungratefulslanderousknave!”Invain
el
theastonishedpainterdeclaredthathetenía
hadnointentiontogiveoffence,o
ortocharacteriseparticularpersons:theyaffirmed
el
theresemblancewastoopalpabletobeoverlooked;theytaxedhim
con
withinsolence,malice,andingratitude;y
andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardbyel
thepublic,thecaptainwasabear,el
thedoctoranass,andel
thesenatoranowl,tohisdyingdía
day.Christianreader,Ibeseechthee,inthebowelsofthe
Señor
Lord,rememberthisexample“whilethouartemployedintheperusalofthefollowingsheets;y
andseeknottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhichequallybelongstofivehundreddiferentes
differentpeople.Ifthoushouldstmeet
con
withacharacterthatreflectstheeinsomeungraciousparticular,guarda
keepthyowncounsel;CHAPTERI
OfmyBirth
y
andParentage.Iwasbornin
la
thenorthernpartofthisunitedkingdom,inla
thehouseofmygrandfather,un
agentlemanofconsiderablefortuneandinfluence,whohabía
hadonmanyoccasionssignalisedhimselfinbehalfofhispaís
country;andwasremarkableforhisabilitiesinthe
ley
law,whichheexercisedwithgran
greatsuccessinthestationofajudge,particularlycontra
againstbeggars,forwhomhetenía
hadasingularaversion.My
padre
father(hisyoungestson)fallinginama
lovewithapoorrelation,whovivía
livedwiththeoldgentlemaninqualityofuna
ahousekeeper,espousedherprivately;y
andIwasthefirstfruitofese
thatmarriage.Duringherpregnancy,
un
adreamdiscomposedmymothersotanto
muchthatherhusband,tiredcon
withherimportunity,atlastconsultedun
ahighlandseer,whosefavourableinterpretationhewouldhabría
havesecuredbeforehandbyabribe,pero
butfoundhimincorruptible.She
soñó
dreamedshewasdeliveredofatennis-ball,whichthedevil(who,tohergran
greatsurprise,actedthepartofamidwife)strucksoforciblycon
witharacketthatitdisappearedinaninstant;y
andshewasforsometiempo
timeinconsolableforthelostofheroffspring;cuando
when,allonasudden,shebehelditregresar
returnwithequalviolence,andenterla
theearth,beneathherfeet,whenceimmediatelysprangupun
agoodlytreecoveredwithblossoms,la
thescentofwhichoperatedsostronglyonhernervesthatsheawoke.El
Theattentivesage,aftersomedeliberation,assuredmyparents,thattheirfirstbornsería
wouldbeagreattraveller;thathewouldundergo
muchos
manydangersanddifficulties,andatfin
lastreturntohisnativeland,donde
wherehewouldflourishinhappinessy
andreputation.Howtrulythiswasforetold
fue
willappearinthesequel.Itwasnotlongbeforesomeofficious
persona
personinformedmygrandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassedentre
betweenhissonandhousekeeperwhichalarmedhimsotanto
muchthat,afewdaysdespués
after,hetoldmyfatheritwashightimeforhimtopensara
thinkofsettling;andthathehadprovided
un
amatchforhim,towhichhepodría
couldinjusticehavenoobjections.My
padre
father,findingitwouldbeimpossibletoconcealhissituationmuchlonger,franklyownedwhathehabía
haddone;andexcusedhimselffornothaving
pedido
askedtheconsentofhispadre
father,bysaying,heknewitsido
wouldhavebeentonopurpose;y
andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,mygrandfathermighthaber
havetakensuchmeasuresaswouldhaber
haveeffectuallyputthegratificationofitfuera
outofhispower:headded,that
no
noexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’svirtue,birth,beauty,y
andgoodsense,andasforfortune,itwasbeneathhiscuidado
care.Theoldgentleman,who
guardaba
keptallhispassions,exceptone,inexcellentorden
order,heardhimtoanfinal
endwithgreattemper,andthencalmlypreguntó
asked,howheproposedtomaintainhimselfy
andspouse?Hereplied,he
podría
couldbeinnodangerofquerer
wantingwhilehisfather’stendernessremained,whichhey
andhiswifeshouldalwayscultivatecon
withtheutmostveneration;andhewaspersuadedhisallowance
sería
wouldbesuitabletothedignityy
andcircumstancesofhisfamily,y
andtotheprovisionalreadymadeforhisbrothersy
andsisters,whowerehappilysettledbajo
underhisprotection.“Yourbrothers
y
andsisters,”saidmygrandfather,“didnotpensaron
thinkitbeneaththemtoconsultmeinun
anaffairofsuchimportanceasmatrimony;neither,Isuppose,wouldyouhaveomitted
ese
thatpieceofduty,hadyounotsomesecretfundinreserve;tothecomfortsofwhichI
dejo
leaveyou,withadesirethatyouser
willthisnightseekoutotra
anotherhabitationforyourselfandesposa
wife,whither,inashorttiempo
time,IwillsendyouanaccountoftheexpenseIhe
havebeenatinyoureducation,con
withaviewofbeingreimbursed.Señor
Sir,youhavemadethegrandtour—youareun
apolitegentleman—averyprettygentleman—Ideseo
wishyouagreatdealofjoy,y
andamyourveryhumbleservant.”So
diciendo
saying,heleftmyfatherinuna
asituationeasilyimagined.However,hedidnotlonghesitate;
for,beingperfectlywellacquainted
con
withhisfather’sdisposition,hedidnotdoubtthathewasgladofesta
thispretencetogetridofhim;y
andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedesy
andPersians,heknewiteran
wouldbetonopurposetoattempthimbyprayersy
andentreaties;sowithoutanyfartherapplication,hebetookhimself,
con
withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoafarm-house,donde
whereanoldservantofhismadre
motherdwelt:theretheyremainedsome
tiempo
timeinasituationbutilladaptedtola
theeleganceoftheirdesiresy
andtendernessoftheirlove;whichneverthelessmyfatherchosetoendure,ratherthansupplicate
un
anunnaturalandinflexibleparentpero
butmymother,foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshedebe
musthavebeenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredineste
thisplace(andherpregnancywasmuy
veryfaradvanced),withoutcommunicatingherdesigntohermarido
husband,wentindisguisetothecasa
houseofmygrandfather,hopingthathertearsy
andconditionwouldmovehimtocompassion,y
andreconcilehimtoaneventwhichwasahora
nowirrecoverablypast.Shefoundmeanstodeceivetheservants,
y
andgetintroducedasanunfortunatedama
lady,whowantedtocomplainofalgunas
somematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sparticularprovincetodecideintodos
allcasesofscandal.Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohispresence,
donde
where,discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,y
andinthemostaffectingmannerimploredhisforgiveness;atthe
mismo
sametimerepresentingthedangerthatthreatenednotsólo
onlyherlife,butthatofhispropio
owngrandchild,whichwasabouttover
seethelight.Hetoldherhewassorrythat
la
theindiscretionofherandhishijo
sonhadcompelledhimtohacer
makeavow,whichputitfuera
outofhispowertogivethemcualquier
anyassistance;thathehadalreadyimpartedhisthoughtson
ese
thatsubjecttoherhusband,y
andwassurprisedthattheydeberían
shoulddisturbhispeacewithcualquier
anyfartherimportunity.Thissaid,heretired.
Theviolenceofmymother’saffliction
tuvo
hadsuchaneffectonherconstitutionthatshewasimmediatelyseizedwiththepainsofchildbed;y
andhadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewasmuy
verydear,affordedherpityy
andassistance,atthehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,shey
andtheinnocentfruitofherwombdeben
musthavefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigoury
andinhumanity.Bythefriendshipof
esta
thispoorwomanshewascarrieduptoun
agarret,andimmediatelydeliveredofun
amanchild,thestoryofwhoseunfortunatebirthhehimselfahora
nowrelates.Myfather,beinginformedofwhathad
ocurrido
happened,flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,y
andwhileheloadedhisoffspringcon
withpaternalembraces,couldnotforbearsheddingafloodoftearsonbeholdingthedearpartnerofhiscorazón
heart(forwhoseeasehewouldhavesacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretcheduponaflocklecho
bed,inamiserableapartment,unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesoftheweather.Itisnottobesupposedthat
el
theoldgentlemanwasignorantofwhatpassed,aunque
thoughheaffectedtoknownada
nothingofthematter,andpretendedtobemuy
verymuchsurprised,whenoneofhisgrandchildren,byhiseldesthijo
sondeceased,wholivedwithhimashisheirapparent,acquaintedhimcon
withtheaffair;hedeterminedthereforetoobservenomedium,
pero
butimmediately(onthethirddía
dayafterherdelivery)sentheruna
aperemptoryordertobefuera
gone,andturnedofftheservantwhohabía
hadpreservedherlife.Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmy
padre
fatherthathehadrecoursetolas
themostdreadfulimprecations;andonhisbarekneesimploredthatHeavenwouldrenouncehim
si
ifeverheshouldforgeto
orforgivethebarbarityofhissire.Theinjurieswhich
esta
thisunhappymotherreceivedfromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,y
andthewantofnecessariesdonde
whereshelodged,togetherwithhergriefy
andanxietyofmind,soonthrewherintoalanguishingdisorder,whichpuso
putanendtohervida
life.Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wassoaffectedwithher
muerte
deaththatheremainedsixweeksdeprivedofhissenses;duringwhich
tiempo
time,thepeoplewherehelodgedcarriedtheinfanttotheoldmanwhorelentedsofar,onoír
hearingthemelancholystoryofhisdaughter-in-law’smuerte
death,andthedeplorableconditionofhisson,astoenvió
sendthechildtonurse,y
andheorderedmyfathertobecarriedhometohishouse,donde
wherehesoonrecoveredtheuso
useofhisreason.Whether
este
thishardheartedjudgefeltanyremorseforhiscrueltreatmentofhishijo
sonanddaughter,or(whichismás
moreprobable)wasafraidhischaracterwouldsufferinel
theneighbourhood,heprofessedgreatsorrowforhisconducttomypadre
father,whosedeliriumwassucceededbyuna
aprofoundmelancholyandreserve.Atlengthhedisappeared,
y
and,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,pudo
couldnotbeheardof;acircumstancewhichconfirmed
mayoría
mostpeopleintheopinionofhishabía
havingmadeawaywithhimselfinafitofdespair.CHAPTERII
Igrowup—am
odiado
hatedbymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—IformCabalscontra
againstthePedant—amdebarredAccesstomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—IdemolishtheTeethofhisTutor.Therewerenotwanting
algunos
somewhosuspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’sfate,onthesuppositionthattheywouldtodos
allshareinthepatrimonydestinedforél
him;andthisconjecturewasstrengthenedbyreflectingthatin
todas
allhiscalamitiestheyneverdiscoveredla
theleastinclinationtoservehim;sino
but,onthecontrary,bytodos
alltheartificesintheirpoder
power,fedhisresentmentandsupportedhisresolutionofleavinghimtomiseryy
andwant.Butpeopleofjudgmenttreated
esta
thisinsinuationasanidlechimera;porque
because,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedastoconsulttheirinterestbycommittingtan
suchanatrociouscrime,thefateofmypadre
fatherwouldhaveextendedtometambién
toowhoselifewasanotherobstacletotheirexpectation.Meanwhile,Igrewapace,
y
andasIstronglyresembledmypadre
father,whowasthedarlingofthetenants,Iwantednada
nothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstancespodían
couldafford:buttheirfavourwas
un
aweakresourceagainstthejealousenmityofmycousins;who
el
themoremyinfancypromised,conceivedel
themoreimplacablehatredagainstmí
me:andbeforeIwas
seis
sixyearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmygrandfatherthatInunca
neversawhimbutbystealth,cuando
whenIsometimesmadeuptohischairashesentaba
sattoviewhislabourersinthefield:onwhichoccasionhe
fuera
wouldstrokemyhead,bidmebeun
agoodboy,andpromisetotakecareofme.Iwassoon
después
aftersenttoschoolatun
avillagehardby,ofwhichhehabía
hadbeendictatortimeoutofmind;pero
butasheneverpaidformyboard,norsuppliedmewithclothes,books,y
andothernecessariesIrequired,myconditionwasmuy
veryraggedandcontemptible,andtheschoolmaster,who,throughfearofmygrandfather,taughtmegratis,gavehimselfno
noconcernabouttheprogressIhice
madeunderhisinstruction.Inspiteof
todas
allthesedifficultiesanddisgraces,Ibecameun
agoodproficientintheLatintongue;y
and,assoonasIpude
couldwritetolerably,pesteredmygrandfathercon
withletterstosuchadegreethatheenvió
sentformymaster,andchidhimseverelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmyeducation,tellinghimthat,si
ifeverIshouldbellevado
broughttothegallowsforforgery,whichhehabía
hadtaughtmetocommit,mysangre
bloodwouldlieonhiscabeza
head.Thepedant,whodreaded
nada
nothingmorethanthedispleasureofhispatron,assuredhishonourthattheboy’sabilitywasmás
moreowingtohisowngeniusy
andapplicationthantoanyinstructiono
orencouragementhereceived;that,althoughhecouldnotdivesthimoftheknowledgehe
había
hadalreadyimbibed,unlesshewouldempowerhimtodisablehisfingers,hedebería
shouldendeavour,withGod’shelp,topreventhisfutureimprovement.Y
And,indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehabía
hadundertaken;for,onpretencethatI
había
hadwrittenimpertinentletterstomygrandfather,hecausedaboardtobemadecon
withfiveholesinit,a través de
throughwhichhethrustthefingersy
andthumbofmyrightmano
hand,andfasteneditbywhipcordtomywrist,intal
suchamanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuso
useofmypen.But
esta
thisrestraintIwasfreedfrominapocos
fewdays,byanaccidentwhichocurrió
happenedinaquarrelbetweenmey
andanotherboy;who,takinguponhimtoinsultmypoverty,Iwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthat
con
withonestrokewithmymachineIcorté
cuthimtotheskull,toel
thegreatterrorofmyselfy
andschoolfellows,wholefthimbleedingonel
theground,andrantoinformel
themasterofwhathadsucedido
happened.Iwassoseverelypunishedfor
esta
thistrespassthat,wereItoviviera
livetotheageofMethusalem,la
theimpressionitmadeonmefui
wouldnotbeeffaced;the
más
morethantheantipathyandhorrorIconceivedforthemercilesstyrantwhoinflictedit.Thecontemptwhichmyappearancenaturallyproducedin
todos
allwhosawme,thecontinualwantstowhichIwasexposed,y
andmyownhaughtydisposition,impatientofaffronts,involvedmeinathousandtroublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredinadversity,y
andemboldenedtoundertakingsfarabovemyyears.IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnotcommit,
porque
because,havingthecharacterofun
avagabondinthevillage,cada
everypieceofmischief,whoseauthorlayunknown,waschargeduponmí
me.IhavebeenfoundguiltyofrobbingorchardsI
nunca
neverentered,ofkillingcatsInunca
neverhunted,ofstealinggingerbreadInunca
nevertouched,andofabusingoldwomenInunca
neversaw.Nay,astammeringcarpenter
tuvo
hadeloquenceenoughtopersuademymasterthatIdisparé
firedapistolloadedwithsmalldisparé
shotintohiswindow;thoughmylandlady
y
andthewholefamilyborewitnessthatIwasabedfastasleepatthemomento
timewhenthisoutragewascommitted.Iwas
una vez
oncefloggedforhavingnarrowlyescapeddrowning,byel
thesinkingofaferryboatinwhichIwaspassenger.Otra
Anothertime,forhavingrecoveredofun
abruiseoccasionedbyahorsey
andcartrunningoverme.Athirdtime,forbeingbittenbyabaker’s
perro
dog.Inshort,whetherIwasguilty
o
orunfortunate,thecorrectionandsympathyofeste
thisarbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.Lejos
Farfrombeingsubduedbyeste
thisinformalusage,myindignationtriumphedsobre
overthatslavishawewhichhabía
hadhithertoenforcedmyobedience;y
andthemoremyyearsy
andknowledgeincreased,themoreIperceivedla
theinjusticeandbarbarityofhisbehaviour.Bythe
ayuda
helpofanuncommongenius,y
andtheadviceanddirectionofourusher,whohabía
hadservedmyfatherinhistravels,Ihice
madeasurprisingprogressintheclassics,writing,y
andarithmetic;sothat,beforeIwastwelveyearsold,Iwasallowedby
todo el mundo
everybodytobethebestscholarintheescuela
school.Thisqualification,togetherwith
la
theboldnessoftemperandstrengthofhacer
makewhichhadsubjectedalmosttodos
allmycontemporaries,gavemetal
suchinfluenceoverthemthatIbegantoformcabalscontra
againstmypersecutor;andwasin
esperanza
hopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceinun
averyshorttime.Beingat
la
theheadofafaction,consistingofthirtyboys,mayoría
mostofthemofmyownage,Iwasdeterminedtoponer
puttheirmettletotrial,thatImightsaber
knowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,beforeIponer
putmygrandschemeinexecution:con
withthisview,weattackedacuerpo
bodyofstoutapprentices,whohabían
hadtakenpossessionofaparte
partofthegroundallottedtousforel
theschemeofourdiversions,y
andwhowerethenplayingatninepinsonel
thespot;butIhadthemortificationto
ver
seemyadherentsroutedinaninstant,y
andalegofoneofthemrompió
brokeinhisflightbythebowl,whichoneofouradversarieshaddetachedinpursuitofus.Esta
Thisdiscomfituredidnothinderusfromengagingthemafterwardsinfrequentskirmishes,whichwemaintainedbythrowingstonesatadistance,whereinIreceivedmanywounds,las
thescarsofwhichstillremain.Ourenemiesweresoharassed
y
andinterruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlastabandonedtheirconquest,y
andleftustothepeaceableenjoymentofourownterritories.It
sería
wouldbeendlesstoenumeratetheexploitsweperformedinthecurso
courseofthisconfederacy,whichconvirtió
becametheterrorofthewholevillage;insomuchthat,
cuando
whendifferentinterestsdividedit,una
oneofthepartiescommonlycourtedtheassistanceofRoderickRandom(bywhichnombre
nameIwasknown)tocastthebalance,y
andkeeptheoppositefactioninawe.Meanwhile,Itook
el
theadvantageofeveryplay-daytopresentmyselfbeforemygrandfather,towhomIseldomfoundaccess,byreasonofhisbeingcloselybesiegedbyuna
anumerousfamilyofhisfemalegrandchildren,who,aunque
thoughtheyperpetuallyquarrelledamongthemselves,nunca
neverfailedtojoinagainstme,asel
thecommonenemyofall.Hisheir,whowasabout
la
theageofeighteen,mindednada
nothingbutfox-hunting,andindeedwasqualifiedfornada
nothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’sindulgenceinentertainingun
atutorforhimatcasa
home;whoatthesame
tiempo
timeperformedtheofficeofparishclerk.Este
ThisyoungActaeon,whoinheritedhisgrandfather’santipathytotodo
everythingindistress,neversateyesonmesin
withoutuncouplinghisbeagles,andhuntingmeintosomecottageorother,whitherIgenerallyfledforshelter.In
esta
thisChristianamusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,no
nodoubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimselfcon
withtherisingsun,observing,thattheviejo
oldgentleman,accordingtothecurso
courseofnature,hadnottiempo
longtolive,forhewasalreadyonthevergeoffourscore.CHAPTERIII
MyMother’s
Hermano
Brotherarrives—relievesme—aDescriptionofhim—hegoesalongcon
withmetotheHouseofmyGrandfather—isencounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsellos
them,afterabloodyEngagement—isadmittedtotheviejo
oldGentleman—aDialoguebetweenthem.About
este
thistimemymother’sonlyhermano
brother,whohadbeenlongabroad,lieutenantofun
aman-of-war,arrivedinhispropio
owncountry;wherebeinginformedofmycondition,he
vino
cametoseeme,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnotsólo
onlysuppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIwantedforel
thepresent,butresolvednottoleaveel
thecountryuntilhehadprevailedonmygrandfathertosettlealgo
somethinghandsomeforthefuture.Esta
Thiswasatasktowhichhewasbyno
nomeansequal,beingentirelyignorant,notsólo
onlyofthejudge’sdisposition,sino
butalsoofthewaysofmeningeneral,towhichhiseducationonboardhabía
hadkepthimanutterstranger.Hewasastrongbuilt
hombre
man,somewhatbandylegged,withaneckcomo
likethatofabull,y
andafacewhich(youmighteasilyperceive)había
hadwithstoodthemostobstinateassaultsoftheweather.Hisdressconsistedofasoldier’scoatalteredforhimbytheship’stailor,astripedflanneljacket,apairofredbreechesspanned
con
withpitch,cleangrayworstedstockings,largesilverbucklesthatcoveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-lacedhat,whosecrownoverlookedthebrimsaboutaninchy
andahalf,blackbobwiginbuckle,acheckshirt,asilkhandkerchief,ahanger,con
withabrasshandle,girdedtohisthighbyafurnishedlacebelt,y
andagoodoakplantunderhisarm.Thusequipped,hesetoutwithme(whobyhisbounty
hizo
madeaverydecentappearance)formygrandfather’scasa
house,whereweweresalutedbyJowlery
andCaesar,whommycousin,joven
youngmaster,hadletlooseatourapproach.Being
bien
wellacquaintedwiththeinveteracyofestas
thesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,cuando
whenmyuncleseizedmecon
withonehand,brandishedhiscudgelcon
withtheother,andatoneblowlaidCaesarsprawlingontheground;pero
but,findinghimselfattackedatla
thesametimeintherearbyJowler,y
andfearingCaesarmightrecover,hedrewhishanger,wheeledabout,y
andbyaluckystrokeseveredJowler’scabeza
headfromhisbody.Bythis
momento
time,theyoungfoxhunterandtres
threeservants,armedwithpitchforksy
andflails,werecometotheassistanceofthedogs,whomtheyencontraron
foundbreathlessuponthefield;y
andmycousinwassoprovokedatthemuerte
deathofhisfavourites,thatheordenó
orderedhisattendantstoadvance,y
andtakevengeanceontheirexecutioner,whomheloadedcon
withallthecursesandreproacheshisangerpodía
couldsuggest.Uponwhichmyunclesteppedforwards
con
withanundauntedair,atthesightofwhosebloodyweaponshisantagonistscayeron
fellbackwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheirleaderthus:.“Lookee,
hermano
brother,yourdogshavingboardedmesin
withoutprovocation,whatIdidwasinmyowndefence.Soyouhad
mejor
bestbecivil,andletusdispararle
shootahead,clearofyou.”Whether
el
theyoungsquiremisinterpretedmyuncle’sdesireofpeace,o
orwasenragedatthefateofhishoundsbeyondhisusualpitchofresolution,Isé
knownot;buthesnatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,
y
andcameupwithaespectáculo
showofassaultingthelieutenant,who,puttinghimselfinapostureofdefence,proceededthus:“Lookee,youlubberly
hijo
sonofaw—e,ifyouvienes
comeathwartme,’wareyourgingerbreadtrabajo
work.I’llbefoulofyourquarter,d—nme.”
Esta
Thisdeclaration,followedbyaflourishofhishanger,seemedtochecktheprogressofthejoven
younggentleman’scholer,who,lookingbehindlo
him,perceivedhisattendantshadslunkintothecasa
house,shutthegate,anddejaron
lefthimtodecidethecontentionbyhimself.Aquí
Hereaparleyensued,whichwasintroducedbymycousin’spreguntando
asking,“Whothedevilareyou?Whatdoyou
quieres
want?Somescoundrelofaseaman,Isuppose,who
ha
hasdesertedandturnedthief.Pero
Butdon’tthinkyoushallescape,sirrah—I’llhaveyouhang’d,youperro
dog,Iwill.Yourbloodshall
pagará
payforthatofmydos
twohounds,youragamuffin.Iwouldnot
habría
havepartedwiththemtosalvar
saveyourwholegenerationfromla
thegallows,youruffian,you!”“Noneofyourjaw,youswab—noneofyourjaw,”repliedmyuncle,“elseIshalltrimyourlacedjacketforyou.
Ishallrubyoudown
con
withanoakentowel,mymuchacho
boy,Ishall.”Sosaying,hesheathedhishanger,
y
andgraspedhiscudgel.