THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE
Of
alla
allkindsofsatire,thereisnonesoentertainingoch
anduniversallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwereoccasionally,inthecourseofen
aninterestingstory,whichbringsvarje
everyincidenthometolife,och
andbyrepresentingfamiliarscenesinen
anuncommonandamusingpointofview,investsthemmed
withallthegracesofnovelty,medan
whilenatureisappealedtoinvarje
everyparticular.Thereadergratifieshiscuriosityinpursuingtheadventuresof
en
apersoninwhosefavourheisprepossessed;heespouseshiscause,hesympathises
med
withhiminhisdistress,hisindignationisheatedmot
againsttheauthorsofhiscalamity:de
thehumanepassionsareinflamed;thecontrast
mellan
betweendejectedvirtueandinsultingviceappearsmed
withgreateraggravation,andeveryimpressionhar
havingadoubleforceontheimagination,thememoryretainsthecircumstance,och
andtheheartimprovesbytheexample.Theattentionisnottired
med
withabarecatalogueofcharacters,men
butagreeablydivertedwithallthevarietyofinvention;och
andthevicissitudesoflifeappearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,öppnar
openinganamplefieldforwitoch
andhumour.Romance,nodoubt,owesitsorigintoignorance,vanity,
och
andsuperstition.InthedarkagesoftheWorld,
när
whenamanhadrenderedhimselffamousforwisdomeller
orvalour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,och
andrepresentedhischaracterandperson
personassacredandsupernatural.Den
Thevulgareasilyswallowedthebait,imploredhisprotection,och
andyieldedthetributeofhomageoch
andpraise,eventoadoration;hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposterity
med
withathousandexaggerations;theywererepeatedasincitementstovirtue;
divinehonourswerepaid,
och
andaltarserectedtohismemory,fortheencouragementofdem
thosewhoattemptedtoimitatehisexample;och
andhencearosetheheathenmythology,som
whichisnootherthanen
acollectionofextravagantromances.Aslearningadvanced,
och
andgeniusreceivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedmed
withthegracesofpoetry,thattheykunde
mightthebetterrecommendthemselvestotheattention;theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,fortheinstruction
och
anddelightoftheaudience;och
andrehearsedbeforebattle,asincentivestodeedsofglory.Thustragedy
och
andtheepicmusewereborn,och
and,intheprogressoftaste,arrivedatperfection.Itis
inte
nowonderthattheancientskunde
couldnotrelishafableinprose,aftertheyhade
hadseensomanyremarkableeventscelebratedinversebytheirbästa
bestpoets;wethereforefindnoromanceamongthemduringtheeraoftheirexcellence,unlesstheCyropædiaofXenophon
kan
maybesocalled;anditwasnottillarts
och
andsciencesbegantoreviveefter
aftertheirruptionofthebarbariansintoEurope,thatnågot
anythingofthiskindappeared.Men
Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothemest
mostabsurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromancearose,och
andlosingsightofprobability,filledtheirperformancesmed
withthemostmonstroushyperboles.Om
Iftheycouldnotequaltheancientpoetsinpointofgeniustheywereresolvedtoexceltheminfiction,och
andapplytothewonder,ratherän
thanthejudgment,oftheirreaders.Accordingly,theybroughtnecromancytotheiraid,
och
andinsteadofsupportingthecharacteroftheirheroesbydignityofsentimentoch
andpractice,distinguishedthembytheirbodilystrength,activity,och
andextravaganceofbehaviour.Although
ingenting
nothingcouldbemoreludicrousoch
andunnaturalthanthefigurestheydrew,theydidnotha
wantpatronsandadmirers;andthe
världen
worldactuallybegantobeinfectedwiththespiritofknight-errantry,när
whenCervantes,byaninimitablepieceofridicule,reformedthetasteofmankind,representingchivalryintherightpointofview,och
andconvertingromancetopurposesfarmer
moreusefulandentertaining,bymakingitassumethesock,och
andpointoutthefolliesofordinarylife.The
samma
samemethodhasbeenpractisedbyandra
otherSpanishandFrenchauthors,och
andbynonemoresuccessfullyän
thanbyMonsieurLeSage,som
who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,har
hasdescribedtheknaveryandfoiblesoflife,med
withinfinitehumourandsagacity.Det
ThefollowingsheetsIhavemodelledonhisplan
plan,takingmeliberty,however,todifferfromhimindet
theexecution,whereIthoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,extravagant,eller
orpeculiartothecountryinwhichdet
thesceneislaid.ThedisgracesofGilBlas
är
are,forthemostpart,suchasratherexcitemirthän
thancompassion;hehimselflaughsat
dem
them;andhistransitionsfromdistresstohappiness,orat
åtminstone
leastease,aresosudden,thatneitherthereaderhar
hastimetopityhim,norhimselftobeacquaintedmed
withaffliction.Thisconduct,inmyopinion,not
bara
onlydeviatesfromprobability,butpreventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimateden
thereaderagainstthesordidoch
andviciousdispositionoftheworld.I
har
haveattemptedtorepresentmodestmeritstrugglingmed
witheverydifficultytowhichett
afriendlessorphanisexposed,fromhisegen
ownwantofexperience,aswellasfromtheselfishness,envy,malice,och
andbaseindifferenceofmankind.Tosecure
en
afavourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhimde
theadvantagesofbirthandeducation,som
whichintheseriesofhismisfortuneskommer
will,Ihope,engagetheingenuousmer
morewarmlyinhisbehalf;och
andthoughIforesee,thatvissa
somepeoplewillbeoffendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheisinvolved,Ipersuademyselfthatthejudiciouskommer
willnotonlyperceivethenecessityofdescribingthosesituationstowhichhemåste
mustofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,utan
butalsofindentertainmentinviewingthosepartsoflife,wherethehumoursoch
andpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,ceremony,eller
oreducation;andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesofdispositionappearasnature
har
hasimplantedthem.ButI
tror
believeIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatingen
apracticeauthorizedbythebästa
bestwritersinthisway,några
someofwhomIhaveredan
alreadynamed.Everyintelligentreader
kommer
will,atfirstsight,perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,som
whicharealltrueinthemain,althoughthecircumstancesarealteredoch
anddisguised,toavoidpersonalsatire.It
nu
nowremainstogivemyreasonsforgöra
makingthechiefpersonageofthisverk
workaNorthBriton,whicharechieflythese:I
kunde
could,atasmallexpense,bestowonhimsådan
sucheducationasIthoughtthedignityofhisbirthoch
andcharacterrequired,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysådan
suchslendermeansasthenatureofmyplan
planwouldafford.Inthe
nästa
nextplace,Icouldrepresentsimplicityofmannersinen
aremotepartofthekingdom,med
withmoreproprietythaninnågon
anyplacenearthecapital;och
andlastly,thedispositionofdet
theScots,addictedtotravelling,justifiesmyconductinderivingen
anadventurerfromthatcountry.APOLOGUE
A
ung
youngpainter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,sketchedakindofconversationpiece,representingabear,anowl,amonkey,och
andanass;andtorenderit
mer
morestriking,humorous,andmoral,distinguishedvarje
everyfigurebysomeemblemofhumanliv
life.Bruinwasexhibitedinthegarb
och
andattitudeofanold,toothless,drunkensoldier;theowlpercheduponthehandleof
en
acoffee-pot,withspectacleonnose,seemedtocontemplateen
anewspaper;andtheass,ornamented
med
withahugetie-wig(which,however,kunde
couldnotconcealhislongears),satt
satforhispicturetothemonkey,whoappearedmed
withtheimplementsofpainting.Denna
Thiswhimsicalgroupaffordedsomemirth,och
andmetwithgeneralapprobation,tills
untilsomemischievouswaghintedatt
thatthewhole—wasalampoonuponthefriendsoftheperformer;en
aninsinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedän
thanthoseverypeoplewhoapplaudeditinnan
beforebegantobealarmed,och
andeventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.Amongothers,aworthypersonageinyears,whohadservedin
den
thearmywithreputation,beingincensedatden
thesupposedoutrage,repairedtoden
thelodgingofthepainter,och
andfindinghimathome,“Harkye,Mr.Monkey,”sa
saidhe,“Ihaveagott
goodmindtoconvinceyou,thatthoughden
thebearhaslosthisteeth,heretainshispaws,och
andthatheisnotsodrunkbuthekan
canperceiveyourimpertinence.”“Sblood!
sir
sir,thattoothlessjawisen
ad—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyouimaginemesochopfallenasnottobekan
abletochewthecudofresentment.”Här
Herehewasinterruptedbyden
thearrivalofalearnedphysician,som
who,advancingtotheculpritmed
withfuryinhisaspect,exclaimed,“Supposeden
theaugmentationoftheass’searsshouldproveden
thediminutionofthebaboon’s—nay,seeknottoprevaricate,för
for,bythebeardofAesculapius!det
thereisnotonehairindetta
thisperiwigthatwillnotstå
standupinjudgmenttoconvicttheeofpersonalabuse.Do
men
butobserve,captain,howthispitifullilla
littlefellowhascopiedtheverycurls—thecolour,indeed,isannorlunda
different,butthentheformoch
andforetoparequitesimilar.”Medan
Whilehethusremonstratedinen
astrainofvociferation,avenerablesenatorentered,och
andwaddlinguptothedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”cried
han
he,“Iwillnowlettheese
seeIcanreadsomethingelseän
thananewspaper,andthatutan
withoutthehelpofspectacles:här
hereisyourownnoteofhand,sirrah,forpengar
money,whichifIhadnotadvanced,youyourselfwouldha
haveresembledanowl,innotdaringtovisa
showyourfacebyday,youungratefulslanderousknave!”Invain
den
theastonishedpainterdeclaredthathehade
hadnointentiontogiveoffence,eller
ortocharacteriseparticularpersons:theyaffirmedtheresemblancewas
för
toopalpabletobeoverlooked;theytaxedhimwithinsolence,malice,
och
andingratitude;andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardbythepublic,thecaptainwasabear,thedoctoran
åsna
ass,andthesenatoranowl,tohisdyingday.Christianreader,Ibeseechthee,inthebowelsoftheLord,remember
detta
thisexample“whilethouartemployedintheperusalofthefollowingsheets;och
andseeknottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhichequallybelongstofivehundredolika
differentpeople.Ifthoushouldst
möta
meetwithacharacterthatreflectstheeinsomeungraciousparticular,hålla
keepthyowncounsel;CHAPTERI
OfmyBirth
och
andParentage.Iwasbornin
den
thenorthernpartofthisunitedkingdom,inden
thehouseofmygrandfather,en
agentlemanofconsiderablefortuneoch
andinfluence,whohadonmånga
manyoccasionssignalisedhimselfinbehalfofhisland
country;andwasremarkableforhisabilitiesinthe
lagen
law,whichheexercisedwithstor
greatsuccessinthestationofen
ajudge,particularlyagainstbeggars,forwhomhehade
hadasingularaversion.My
far
father(hisyoungestson)fallinginlovemed
withapoorrelation,whobodde
livedwiththeoldgentlemaninqualityofen
ahousekeeper,espousedherprivately;och
andIwasthefirstfruitofthatmarriage.Duringherpregnancy,
en
adreamdiscomposedmymothersomycket
muchthatherhusband,tiredmed
withherimportunity,atlastconsulteden
ahighlandseer,whosefavourableinterpretationhewouldhade
havesecuredbeforehandbyabribe,men
butfoundhimincorruptible.She
drömde
dreamedshewasdeliveredofatennis-ball,whichthedevil(who,toherstora
greatsurprise,actedthepartofamidwife)strucksoforciblymed
witharacketthatitdisappearedinaninstant;och
andshewasforsometid
timeinconsolableforthelostofheroffspring;när
when,allonasudden,shebehelditåtervända
returnwithequalviolence,andenterthejorden
earth,beneathherfeet,whenceimmediatelysprangupp
upagoodlytreecoveredmed
withblossoms,thescentofwhichoperatedsostronglyonhernervesatt
thatsheawoke.Theattentivesage,
efter
aftersomedeliberation,assuredmyparents,att
thattheirfirstbornwouldbeen
agreattraveller;thathewouldundergo
många
manydangersanddifficulties,andatlaståtervända
returntohisnativeland,där
wherehewouldflourishinhappinessoch
andreputation.Howtrulythiswasforetold
kommer
willappearinthesequel.Itwasnot
länge
longbeforesomeofficiouspersoninformedmygrandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassedmellan
betweenhissonandhousekeeperwhichalarmedhimsomycket
muchthat,afewdaysafter,hesade
toldmyfatheritwashög
hightimeforhimtotänka
thinkofsettling;andthathehadprovided
en
amatchforhim,towhichhekunde
couldinjusticehavenoobjections.My
far
father,findingitwouldbeimpossibletoconcealhissituationmycket
muchlonger,franklyownedwhathehade
haddone;andexcusedhimselffornothaving
frågat
askedtheconsentofhisfar
father,bysaying,heknewitwouldha
havebeentonopurpose;och
andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,mygrandfathermightha
havetakensuchmeasuresaswouldha
haveeffectuallyputthegratificationofitoutofhispower:headded,that
inga
noexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’svirtue,birth,beauty,och
andgoodsense,andasforfortune,itwasbeneathhisomsorg
care.Theoldgentleman,who
höll
keptallhispassions,exceptone,inexcellentordning
order,heardhimtoanslutet
endwithgreattemper,andthencalmlyfrågade
asked,howheproposedtomaintainhimselfoch
andspouse?Hereplied,he
kunde
couldbeinnodangerofvilja
wantingwhilehisfather’stendernessremained,som
whichheandhiswifeshouldalltid
alwayscultivatewiththeutmostveneration;och
andhewaspersuadedhisallowancewouldbesuitabletoden
thedignityandcircumstancesofhisfamily,och
andtotheprovisionalreadymadeforhisbrothersoch
andsisters,whowerehappilysettledunder
underhisprotection.“Yourbrothers
och
andsisters,”saidmygrandfather,“didnotthinkitbeneaththemtoconsultmeinen
anaffairofsuchimportanceasmatrimony;neither,Isuppose,wouldyou
ha
haveomittedthatpieceofduty,hadyounotsomesecretfundinreserve;to
de
thecomfortsofwhichIlämnar
leaveyou,withadesirethatyoukommer
willthisnightseekoutanotherhabitationforyourselfoch
andwife,whither,inashorttime,Ikommer
willsendyouanaccountofde
theexpenseIhavebeenatinyoureducation,med
withaviewofbeingreimbursed.Sir
Sir,youhavemadethegrandtour—youareen
apolitegentleman—averyprettygentleman—Iönskar
wishyouagreatdealofjoy,och
andamyourveryhumbleservant.”So
säga
saying,heleftmyfatherinen
asituationeasilyimagined.However,hedidnot
länge
longhesitate;for,beingperfectlywellacquainted
med
withhisfather’sdisposition,hedidnotdoubtthathewasgladofdetta
thispretencetogetridofhonom
him;andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedes
och
andPersians,heknewitwouldbetonopurposetoattempthimbyprayersoch
andentreaties;sowithoutanyfartherapplication,hebetookhimself,
med
withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoafarm-house,där
whereanoldservantofhismor
motherdwelt:theretheyremainedsome
tid
timeinasituationbutilladaptedtotheeleganceoftheirdesiresoch
andtendernessoftheirlove;whichneverthelessmyfatherchosetoendure,ratherthansupplicate
en
anunnaturalandinflexibleparentbutmymor
mother,foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshemusthavebeenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredindenna
thisplace(andherpregnancywasmycket
veryfaradvanced),withoutcommunicatingherdesigntoherman
husband,wentindisguisetode
thehouseofmygrandfather,hopingthathertearsoch
andconditionwouldmovehimtocompassion,och
andreconcilehimtoaneventwhichwasnu
nowirrecoverablypast.Shefoundmeanstodeceivetheservants,
och
andgetintroducedasanunfortunatedam
lady,whowantedtocomplainofnågra
somematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sparticularprovincetodecideinalla
allcasesofscandal.Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohispresence,
där
where,discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,och
andinthemostaffectingmannerimploredhisforgiveness;atthesametimerepresentingthedangerthatthreatenednot
bara
onlyherlife,butthatofhiseget
owngrandchild,whichwasabouttose
seethelight.Hetoldherhewas
ledsen
sorrythattheindiscretionofheroch
andhissonhadcompelledhimtogöra
makeavow,whichputitoutofhispowertoge
givethemanyassistance;thathe
hade
hadalreadyimpartedhisthoughtsonthatsubjecttoherman
husband,andwassurprisedthattheyshoulddisturbhispeacemed
withanyfartherimportunity.This
sagt
said,heretired.Theviolenceofmymother’saffliction
hade
hadsuchaneffectonherconstitutionatt
thatshewasimmediatelyseizedwiththepainsofchildbed;och
andhadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewasmycket
verydear,affordedherpityoch
andassistance,atthehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,sheoch
andtheinnocentfruitofherwombmusthavefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigouroch
andinhumanity.Bythefriendshipof
här
thispoorwomanshewascarriedupp
uptoagarret,andimmediatelydeliveredofamanbarn
child,thestoryofwhoseunfortunatebirthhehimselfnu
nowrelates.Myfather,beinginformedofwhathad
hänt
happened,flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,och
andwhileheloadedhisoffspringmed
withpaternalembraces,couldnotforbearsheddingen
afloodoftearsonbeholdingthekära
dearpartnerofhisheart(forwhoseeasehewouldha
havesacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretcheduponen
aflockbed,inamiserableapartment,unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesoftheweather.Itisnottobesupposedthattheoldgentlemanwasignorantofwhatpassed,thoughheaffectedto
veta
knownothingofthematter,och
andpretendedtobeverymuchsurprised,när
whenoneofhisgrandchildren,byhiseldestson
sondeceased,wholivedwithhimashisheirapparent,acquaintedhimmed
withtheaffair;hedeterminedthereforetoobserve
inte
nomedium,butimmediately(onden
thethirddayafterherdelivery)skickade
sentheraperemptoryordertobegå
gone,andturnedofftheservantsom
whohadpreservedherlife.Detta
Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmyfar
fatherthathehadrecoursetode
themostdreadfulimprecations;andonhisbarekneesimplored
att
thatHeavenwouldrenouncehimifeverheshouldglömma
forgetorforgivethebarbarityofhissire.De
Theinjurieswhichthisunhappymor
motherreceivedfromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,och
andthewantofnecessarieswhereshelodged,tillsammans
togetherwithhergriefandanxietyofmind,snart
soonthrewherintoalanguishingdisorder,whichputanslut
endtoherlife.My
far
father,wholovedhertenderly,wassoaffectedwithherdöd
deaththatheremainedsixweeksdeprivedofhissenses;duringwhich
tiden
time,thepeoplewherehelodgedcarriedden
theinfanttotheoldmannen
manwhorelentedsofar,onhörde
hearingthemelancholystoryofhisdaughter-in-law’sdöd
death,andthedeplorableconditionofhisson,astosendden
thechildtonurse,andheorderedmyfathertobecarriedhem
hometohishouse,wherehesnart
soonrecoveredtheuseofhisreason.Whether
här
thishardheartedjudgefeltanyremorseforhiscrueltreatmentofhisson
sonanddaughter,or(whichismer
moreprobable)wasafraidhischaracterwouldsufferinden
theneighbourhood,heprofessedgreatsorrowforhisconducttomyfar
father,whosedeliriumwassucceededbyen
aprofoundmelancholyandreserve.Atlengthhedisappeared,
och
and,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,kunde
couldnotbeheardof;acircumstance
som
whichconfirmedmostpeopleinde
theopinionofhishavinggjort
madeawaywithhimselfinafitofdespair.CHAPTERII
Igrowup—amhatedbymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—IformCabals
mot
againstthePedant—amdebarredAccesstomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—IdemolishtheTeethofhisTutor.Therewerenotwanting
några
somewhosuspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’sfate,onthesuppositionthattheywouldalla
allshareinthepatrimonydestinedforhonom
him;andthisconjecturewasstrengthenedbyreflectingthatin
alla
allhiscalamitiestheyneverdiscoveredtheleastinclinationtoservehonom
him;but,onthecontrary,by
alla
alltheartificesintheirmakt
power,fedhisresentmentandsupportedhisresolutionoflämna
leavinghimtomiseryandwant.Men
Butpeopleofjudgmenttreateddenna
thisinsinuationasanidlechimera;because,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedastoconsulttheirinterestbycommitting
ett sådant
suchanatrociouscrime,thefateofmyfatherwouldha
haveextendedtometoowhoseliv
lifewasanotherobstacletotheirexpectation.Meanwhile,Igrewapace,
och
andasIstronglyresembledmyfar
father,whowasthedarlingofthetenants,Iwantednågot
nothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstancescouldafford:men
buttheirfavourwasaweakresourcemot
againstthejealousenmityofmycousins;som
whothemoremyinfancylovade
promised,conceivedthemoreimplacablehatredmot
againstme:andbeforeIwas
sex
sixyearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmygrandfatherthatIaldrig
neversawhimbutbystealth,när
whenIsometimesmadeuptohischairashesatt
sattoviewhislabourersinthefield:onwhichoccasionhewouldstrokemy
huvud
head,bidmebeabra
goodboy,andpromisetota
takecareofme.Iwassoonaftersentto
skola
schoolatavillagehardby,ofsom
whichhehadbeendictatortimeoutofmind;men
butasheneverpaidformyboard,norsuppliedmemed
withclothes,books,andothernecessariesIrequired,myconditionwasmycket
veryraggedandcontemptible,andde
theschoolmaster,who,throughfearofmygrandfather,taughtmegratis,gav
gavehimselfnoconcernaboutde
theprogressImadeunderhisinstruction.Inspiteof
alla
allthesedifficultiesanddisgraces,Iblev
becameagoodproficientindet
theLatintongue;and,as
snart
soonasIcouldwritetolerably,pesteredmygrandfathermed
withletterstosuchadegreethatheskickade
sentformymaster,andchidhimseverelyforbestowingsådan
suchpainsonmyeducation,berättade
tellinghimthat,ifeverIshouldbebroughttothegallowsforforgery,whichhehadtaughtmetocommit,myblod
bloodwouldlieonhishuvud
head.Thepedant,whodreadednothing
mer
morethanthedispleasureofhispatron,assuredhishonourthattheboy’sabilitywasmer
moreowingtohisowngeniusoch
andapplicationthantoanyinstructioneller
orencouragementhereceived;that,althoughhe
kunde
couldnotdivesthimofden
theknowledgehehadalreadyimbibed,unlesshewouldempowerhimtodisablehisfingers,heshouldendeavour,med
withGod’shelp,topreventhisfutureimprovement.Och
And,indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehade
hadundertaken;for,onpretencethatI
hade
hadwrittenimpertinentletterstomygrandfather,hecausedaboardtobegöra
madewithfiveholesinit,throughwhichhethrustthefingersoch
andthumbofmyrighthand
hand,andfasteneditbywhipcordtomywrist,inett sådant
suchamanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheanvända
useofmypen.But
denna
thisrestraintIwasfreedfrominanågra
fewdays,byanaccidentsom
whichhappenedinaquarrelmellan
betweenmeandanotherboy;who,takinguponhimtoinsultmypoverty,Iwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthat
med
withonestrokewithmymachineIskar
cuthimtotheskull,tothestor
greatterrorofmyselfandschoolfellows,wholämnade
lefthimbleedingontheground,och
andrantoinformthemasterofwhathade
hadhappened.Iwassoseverelypunishedfor
denna
thistrespassthat,wereItolevde
livetotheageofMethusalem,theimpressionitgjorde
madeonmewouldnotbeeffaced;the
mer
morethantheantipathyandhorrorIconceivedforthemercilesstyrantsom
whoinflictedit.Thecontemptwhichmyappearancenaturallyproducedin
alla
allwhosawme,thecontinualwantstowhichIwasexposed,och
andmyownhaughtydisposition,impatientofaffronts,involvedmeinathousandtroublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredinadversity,och
andemboldenedtoundertakingsfarabovemyyears.IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnotcommit,
eftersom
because,havingthecharacterofen
avagabondinthevillage,everypieceofmischief,whoseauthorlåg
layunknown,waschargeduponmig
me.IhavebeenfoundguiltyofrobbingorchardsI
aldrig
neverentered,ofkillingcatsIaldrig
neverhunted,ofstealinggingerbreadIaldrig
nevertouched,andofabusinggamla
oldwomenIneversaw.Nay,
en
astammeringcarpenterhadeloquencetillräckligt
enoughtopersuademymasterthatIfireden
apistolloadedwithsmallsköt
shotintohiswindow;thoughmylandlady
och
andthewholefamilyborewitnessatt
thatIwasabedfastasleepatden
thetimewhenthisoutragewascommitted.Iwasoncefloggedfor
hade
havingnarrowlyescapeddrowning,bythesinkingofen
aferryboatinwhichIwaspassenger.Another
gång
time,forhavingrecoveredofabruiseoccasionedbyahorseoch
andcartrunningoverme.En
Athirdtime,forbeingbittenbyen
abaker’sdog.Inshort,whetherIwasguilty
eller
orunfortunate,thecorrectionandsympathyofhär
thisarbitrarypedagoguewerethedensamma
same.Farfrombeingsubduedby
detta
thisinformalusage,myindignationtriumphedöver
overthatslavishawewhichhade
hadhithertoenforcedmyobedience;och
andthemoremyyearsoch
andknowledgeincreased,themoreIperceivedtheinjusticeoch
andbarbarityofhisbehaviour.By
de
thehelpofanuncommongenius,och
andtheadviceanddirectionofourusher,som
whohadservedmyfatherinhistravels,Imadeasurprisingprogressinde
theclassics,writing,andarithmetic;sothat,
innan
beforeIwastwelveyearsgammal
old,Iwasallowedbyalla
everybodytobethebestscholarinden
theschool.Thisqualification,together
med
withtheboldnessoftemperoch
andstrengthofmakewhichhade
hadsubjectedalmostallmycontemporaries,gav
gavemesuchinfluenceoverthemthatIbegantoformcabalsmot
againstmypersecutor;andwasin
hopp
hopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceinamycket
veryshorttime.Beingattheheadof
en
afaction,consistingofthirtyboys,de flesta
mostofthemofmyegen
ownage,Iwasdeterminedtosatte
puttheirmettletotrial,thatIkunde
mightknowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,innan
beforeIputmygrandschemeinexecution:med
withthisview,weattackeden
abodyofstoutapprentices,som
whohadtakenpossessionofen
apartofthegroundallottedtousfortheschemeofourdiversions,och
andwhowerethenplayingatninepinsonthespot;men
butIhadthemortificationtose
seemyadherentsroutedinaninstant,och
andalegofoneofthembrokeinhisflightbyden
thebowl,whichoneofouradversarieshade
haddetachedinpursuitofoss
us.Thisdiscomfituredidnothinderusfromengagingthemafterwardsinfrequentskirmishes,whichwemaintainedbythrowingstonesatadistance,whereinIreceived
många
manywounds,thescarsofwhichfortfarande
stillremain.Ourenemiesweresoharassed
och
andinterruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlastabandonedtheirconquest,och
andleftustothepeaceableenjoymentofouregna
ownterritories.Itwouldbeendlesstoenumeratetheexploitsweperformedinthecourseof
denna
thisconfederacy,whichbecametheterrorofthehela
wholevillage;insomuchthat,when
olika
differentinterestsdividedit,oneofthepartiescommonlycourtedtheassistanceofRoderickRandom(byvilket
whichnameIwasknown)tocastthebalance,och
andkeeptheoppositefactioninawe.Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageofeveryplay-daytopresentmyselfbeforemygrandfather,towhomIseldomfoundaccess,byreasonofhisbeingcloselybesiegedby
en
anumerousfamilyofhisfemalegrandchildren,who,thoughtheyperpetuallyquarrelledamongthemselves,aldrig
neverfailedtojoinagainstmig
me,asthecommonenemyofalla
all.Hisheir,whowas
om
abouttheageofeighteen,mindedinget
nothingbutfox-hunting,andindeedwasqualifiedforinget
nothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’sindulgenceinentertainingen
atutorforhimathemma
home;whoatthesametimeperformedtheofficeofparishclerk.
Här
ThisyoungActaeon,whoinheritedhisgrandfather’santipathytoallt
everythingindistress,neversateyesonmeutan
withoutuncouplinghisbeagles,andhuntingmeintosomecottageeller
orother,whitherIgenerallyfledforshelter.InthisChristianamusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,
inte
nodoubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimselfwithden
therisingsun,observing,thatden
theoldgentleman,accordingtoden
thecourseofnature,hadnotlänge
longtolive,forhewasredan
alreadyonthevergeoffourscore.CHAPTERIII
MyMother’s
Bror
Brotherarrives—relievesme—aDescriptionofhim—hegoesalongmed
withmetotheHouseofmyGrandfather—isencounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsdem
them,afterabloodyEngagement—isadmittedtoden
theoldGentleman—aDialoguebetweendem
them.Aboutthistimemymother’s
enda
onlybrother,whohadbeenlänge
longabroad,lieutenantofaman-of-war,arrivedinhiseget
owncountry;wherebeinginformedofmycondition,he
kom
cametoseeme,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnotbara
onlysuppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIhade
wantedforthepresent,butresolvednottolämna
leavethecountryuntilhehade
hadprevailedonmygrandfathertosettlenågot
somethinghandsomeforthefuture.Detta
Thiswasatasktosom
whichhewasbynomeansequal,beingentirelyignorant,notbara
onlyofthejudge’sdisposition,utan
butalsoofthewaysofmeningeneral,tosom
whichhiseducationonboardhade
hadkepthimanutterstranger.Hewasastrongbuilt
man
man,somewhatbandylegged,withanecklikethatofabull,och
andafacewhich(youkan
mighteasilyperceive)hadwithstoodde
themostobstinateassaultsofde
theweather.Hisdressconsistedofasoldier’scoatalteredforhimbytheship’stailor,astripedflanneljacket,apairof
röda
redbreechesspannedwithpitch,cleangrayworstedstockings,largesilverbucklessom
thatcoveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-lacedhat,whosecrownoverlookedthebrimsaboutaninchoch
andahalf,blackbobwiginbuckle,acheckshirt,asilkhandkerchief,ahanger,med
withabrasshandle,girdedtohisthighbyafurnishedlacebelt,och
andagoodoakplantunder
underhisarm.Thusequipped,hesetout
med
withme(whobyhisbountygjorde
madeaverydecentappearance)formygrandfather’shus
house,whereweweresalutedbyJowleroch
andCaesar,whommycousin,unge
youngmaster,hadletlooseatourapproach.Being
väl
wellacquaintedwiththeinveteracyofdessa
thesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,när
whenmyuncleseizedmemed
withonehand,brandishedhiscudgelmed
withtheother,andatoneblowlaidCaesarsprawlingonden
theground;but,findinghimselfattackedatthe
samma
sametimeintherearbyJowler,och
andfearingCaesarmightrecover,hedrewhishanger,wheeledabout,och
andbyaluckystrokeseveredJowler’shuvud
headfromhisbody.By
här
thistime,theyoungfoxhunteroch
andthreeservants,armedwithpitchforksoch
andflails,werecometotheassistanceofthedogs,whomtheyfann
foundbreathlessuponthefield;och
andmycousinwassoprovokedatthedöd
deathofhisfavourites,thatheorderedhisattendantstoadvance,och
andtakevengeanceontheirexecutioner,whomheloadedmed
withallthecursesandreproacheshisangerkunde
couldsuggest.Uponwhichmy
farbror
unclesteppedforwardswithanundauntedluft
air,atthesightofwhosebloodyweaponshisantagonistsföll
fellbackwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheirleaderthus:.“Lookee,
bror
brother,yourdogshavingboardedmeutan
withoutprovocation,whatIdidwasinmyeget
owndefence.Soyouhad
bäst
bestbecivil,andletusskjuta
shootahead,clearofyou.”Whether
den
theyoungsquiremisinterpretedmyuncle’sdesireofpeace,eller
orwasenragedatthefateofhishoundsbeyondhisusualpitchofresolution,Ivet
knownot;buthesnatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,
och
andcameupwithashow
showofassaultingthelieutenant,som
who,puttinghimselfinapostureofdefence,proceededthus:“Lookee,youlubberly
son
sonofaw—e,ifyoukommer
comeathwartme,’wareyourgingerbreadarbete
work.I’llbefoulofyourquarter,d—nme.”
Denna
Thisdeclaration,followedbyaflourishofhishanger,seemedtokontrollera
checktheprogressoftheunge
younggentleman’scholer,who,lookingbakom
behindhim,perceivedhisattendantshade
hadslunkintothehouse,stängde
shutthegate,andlefthimtodecideden
thecontentionbyhimself.Here
en
aparleyensued,whichwasintroducedbymycousin’sfrågade
asking,“Whothedevilareyou?Whatdoyou
vill
want?Somescoundrelofaseaman,Isuppose,
som
whohasdesertedandturnedthief.Men
Butdon’tthinkyoushallescape,sirrah—I’llhaveyouhang’d,youhund
dog,Iwill.Yourbloodshall
betala
payforthatofmytvå
twohounds,youragamuffin.Iwouldnot
ha
havepartedwiththemtorädda
saveyourwholegenerationfromthegallows,youruffian,you!”“Noneofyourjaw,youswab—noneofyourjaw,”repliedmy
farbror
uncle,“elseIshalltrimyourlacedjacketforyou.Ishallrubyou
ner
downwithanoakentowel,mypojke
boy,Ishall.”Sosaying,hesheathedhishanger,
och
andgraspedhiscudgel.