The Adventures of Roderick Random Gradually Hardening Swedish B1

THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE

Ofallkindsofsatire,thereisnonesoentertaininganduniversallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwereoccasionally,inthecourseofaninterestingstory,whichbringsevery

händelse

incidenthometolife,andbyrepresentingfamiliarscenesinanuncommonandamusingpointofview,investsthemwithallthegracesofnovelty,whilenatureisappealedtoineveryparticular.

Thereadergratifieshiscuriosityinpursuingtheadventuresofapersoninwhosefavourheisprepossessed;

heespouseshiscause,hesympathiseswithhiminhisdistress,hisindignationisheatedagainsttheauthorsofhiscalamity:

thehumanepassionsareinflamed;

thecontrastbetweendejectedvirtueandinsulting

vice

viceappearswithgreateraggravation,andeveryimpressionhavingadoubleforceontheimagination,thememoryretainsthecircumstance,andtheheartimprovesbytheexample.

Theattentionisnottiredwithabarecatalogueofcharacters,butagreeablydivertedwithallthevarietyofinvention;

andthevicissitudesoflife

framträder

appearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,openinganamplefieldforwitandhumour.

Romance,nodoubt,owesitsorigintoignorance,vanity,andsuperstition.

InthedarkagesoftheWorld,whenamanhadrenderedhimselffamousforwisdomorvalour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,andrepresentedhis

karaktär

characterandpersonassacredandsupernatural.

Thevulgar

lätt

easilyswallowedthebait,imploredhis

skydd

protection,andyieldedthetributeofhomageandpraise,eventoadoration;

hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposteritywithathousandexaggerations;

theywererepeatedasincitementstovirtue;

divinehonourswerepaid,andaltarserectedtohismemory,fortheencouragementofthosewho

försökte

attemptedtoimitatehisexample;

andhencearosetheheathenmythology,whichisnootherthanacollectionofextravagantromances.

Aslearningadvanced,andgeniusreceivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedwiththegracesofpoetry,thattheymightthebetterrecommendthemselvestotheattention;

theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,fortheinstructionanddelightoftheaudience;

andrehearsedbeforebattle,asincentivestodeedsofglory.

Thustragedyandtheepicmusewereborn,and,inthe

framsteg

progressoftaste,arrivedatperfection.

Itisnowonderthattheancientscouldnotrelishafableinprose,aftertheyhadseensomanyremarkableeventscelebratedinversebytheirbestpoets;

därför

thereforefindnoromanceamongthemduringtheeraoftheirexcellence,unlesstheCyropædiaofXenophonmaybesocalled;

anditwasnottillartsandsciencesbegantoreviveaftertheirruptionofthebarbariansinto

Europa

Europe,thatanythingofthiskindappeared.

Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothemostabsurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromancearose,andlosing

synen

sightofprobability,filledtheirperformanceswiththemostmonstroushyperboles.

Iftheycouldnotequalthe

forntida

ancientpoetsinpointof

geni

geniustheywereresolvedtoexceltheminfiction,and

tillämpa

applytothewonder,ratherthanthejudgment,oftheirreaders.

Accordingly,theybroughtnecromancytotheiraid,andinsteadofsupportingthecharacteroftheirheroesbydignityofsentimentandpractice,distinguishedthembytheirbodily

styrka

strength,activity,andextravaganceofbehaviour.

Althoughnothingcouldbemoreludicrousandunnaturalthanthefiguresthey

ritade

drew,theydidnotwantpatronsandadmirers;

andtheworldactuallybegantobeinfectedwiththespiritofknight-errantry,whenCervantes,byaninimitablepieceofridicule,reformedthetasteofmankind,representingchivalryintherightpointofview,andconvertingromancetopurposesfarmore

användbara

usefulandentertaining,bymakingitassumethesock,andpointoutthefolliesof

vanliga

ordinarylife.

ThesamemethodhasbeenpractisedbyotherSpanishandFrenchauthors,andbynonemoresuccessfullythanbyMonsieurLeSage,who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,hasdescribedtheknaveryandfoiblesoflife,withinfinitehumourandsagacity.

ThefollowingsheetsIhavemodelledonhisplan,takingmeliberty,however,todifferfromhimintheexecution,whereIthoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,extravagant,orpeculiartothecountryinwhichthesceneislaid.

ThedisgracesofGilBlasare,forthemostpart,suchasratherexcitemirththancompassion;

hehimselflaughsatthem;

andhistransitionsfromdistressto

lycka

happiness,oratleastease,aresosudden,thatneitherthereaderhastimeto

synd

pityhim,norhimselftobeacquaintedwithaffliction.

Thisconduct,inmy

mening

opinion,notonlydeviatesfromprobability,butpreventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatethereaderagainstthesordidandviciousdispositionoftheworld.

Ihave

försökt

attemptedtorepresentmodestmerit

kämpar

strugglingwitheverydifficultytowhichafriendlessorphanisexposed,fromhisownwantofexperience,aswellasfromtheselfishness,envy,malice,andbaseindifferenceofmankind.

säkra

secureafavourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhimtheadvantagesof

födelse

birthandeducation,whichinthe

serien

seriesofhismisfortuneswill,Ihope,engagetheingenuousmorewarmlyinhisbehalf;

andthoughIforesee,thatsomepeoplewillbeoffendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheisinvolved,Ipersuademyselfthatthejudiciouswillnotonlyperceivethenecessityofdescribingthosesituationstowhichhemustofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,butalsofindentertainmentin

viewingthosepartsoflife,wherethehumoursandpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,

ceremoni

ceremony,oreducation;

andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesofdisposition

framträder

appearasnaturehasimplantedthem.

ButIbelieveIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatingapracticeauthorizedbythebestwritersinthisway,someofwhomIhavealreadynamed.

Everyintelligentreaderwill,atfirstsight,perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,whicharealltrueinthemain,althoughthecircumstancesarealteredanddisguised,to

undvika

avoidpersonalsatire.

Itnow

återstår

remainstogivemyreasonsformakingthechiefpersonageofthisworkaNorthBriton,whicharechieflythese:

Icould,atasmallexpense,bestowonhimsuch

utbildning

educationasIthoughtthedignityofhis

födelse

birthandcharacterrequired,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysuchslendermeansasthenatureofmyplanwouldafford.

Inthenextplace,Icouldrepresentsimplicityofmannersinaremotepartofthe

kungariket

kingdom,withmoreproprietythaninanyplacenearthe

huvudstaden

capital;

andlastly,thedispositionoftheScots,addictedto

resa

travelling,justifiesmyconductinderivinganadventurerfromthatcountry.

APOLOGUE

Ayoungpainter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,sketchedakindof

konversation

conversationpiece,representingabear,anowl,a

apa

monkey,andanass;

andtorenderitmorestriking,humorous,andmoral,distinguishedeveryfigurebysomeemblemofhumanlife.

Bruinwasexhibitedinthegarband

attityd

attitudeofanold,toothless,drunken

soldat

soldier;

theowlpercheduponthehandleofacoffee-pot,withspectacleonnose,seemedtocontemplatea

tidning

newspaper;

andtheass,ornamentedwithahugetie-wig(which,however,couldnotconcealhislongears),satforhispicturetothe

apan

monkey,whoappearedwiththeimplementsofpainting.

Thiswhimsicalgroupaffordedsomemirth,andmetwithgeneralapprobation,untilsomemischievouswaghintedthatthewhole—wasalampoonuponthefriendsoftheperformer;

aninsinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedthanthoseverypeoplewhoapplaudeditbeforebegantobealarmed,andeventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.

Bland

Amongothers,aworthypersonageinyears,whohad

tjänat

servedinthearmywith

rykte

reputation,beingincensedatthesupposedoutrage,repairedtothelodgingofthepainter,andfindinghimathome,“Harkye,Mr.Monkey,”saidhe,“Ihaveagoodmindto

övertyga

convinceyou,thatthoughthebearhaslosthisteeth,heretainshispaws,andthatheisnotsodrunkbuthecanperceiveyourimpertinence.”

“Sblood!

sir,thattoothlessjawisad—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyouimaginemesochopfallenasnottobeabletochewthecudofresentment.”

Herehewasinterruptedbythearrivalofalearnedphysician,who,advancingtotheculpritwithfuryinhisaspect,exclaimed,“Supposetheaugmentationoftheass’searsshouldprovethediminutionofthebaboon’s—nay,

sök

seeknottoprevaricate,for,bythebeardofAesculapius!

thereisnotonehairinthisperiwigthatwillnotstandupinjudgmenttoconvicttheeofpersonalabuse.

Dobutobserve,captain,howthispitifullittlefellowhas

kopierat

copiedtheverycurls—thecolour,

verkligen

indeed,isdifferent,butthentheformandforetoparequitesimilar.”

Whilehethusremonstratedinastrainofvociferation,avenerablesenatorentered,andwaddlinguptothedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”

criedhe,“IwillnowlettheeseeIcanreadsomethingelsethana

tidning

newspaper,andthatwithoutthehelpofspectacles:

hereisyourownnoteofhand,sirrah,formoney,whichifIhadnot

avancerat

advanced,youyourselfwouldhaveresembledanowl,innotdaringtoshowyourfacebyday,youungratefulslanderousknave!”

Invaintheastonishedpainterdeclaredthathehadnointentiontogiveoffence,ortocharacteriseparticularpersons:

theyaffirmedtheresemblancewastoopalpabletobeoverlooked;

theytaxedhimwithinsolence,malice,andingratitude;

andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardbythepublic,thecaptainwasabear,thedoctoranass,andthesenatoranowl,tohisdyingday.

Christianreader,Ibeseechthee,inthebowelsoftheLord,rememberthis

exempel

example“whilethouartemployedintheperusalofthefollowingsheets;

andseeknottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhichequally

tillhör

belongstofivehundreddifferentpeople.

Ifthoushouldstmeetwitha

karaktär

characterthatreflectstheeinsomeungraciousparticular,keepthyowncounsel;

CHAPTERI

Ofmy

Födelse

BirthandParentage.

Iwasborninthenorthernpartofthis

förenade

unitedkingdom,inthehouseofmygrandfather,a

gentleman

gentlemanofconsiderablefortuneandinfluence,whohadonmanyoccasionssignalisedhimselfinbehalfofhiscountry;

andwasremarkableforhisabilitiesinthelaw,whichhe

utövade

exercisedwithgreatsuccessinthestationofajudge,particularlyagainstbeggars,forwhomhehadasingularaversion.

Myfather(hisyoungestson)fallinginlovewithapoorrelation,wholivedwiththeoldgentlemaninqualityofahousekeeper,espousedherprivately;

andIwasthefirstfruitofthatmarriage.

Duringherpregnancy,adreamdiscomposedmymothersomuchthatherhusband,tiredwithherimportunity,atlastconsultedahighlandseer,whosefavourableinterpretationhewouldhavesecuredbeforehandbyabribe,butfoundhimincorruptible.

Shedreamedshewasdeliveredofatennis-ball,whichthe

djävulen

devil(who,tohergreatsurprise,actedthepartofamidwife)strucksoforciblywitharacketthatit

försvann

disappearedinaninstant;

andshewasforsometimeinconsolableforthelostofheroffspring;

when,allonasudden,shebehelditreturnwithequal

våld

violence,andentertheearth,beneathherfeet,whenceimmediatelysprangupagoodlytreecoveredwithblossoms,thescentofwhichoperatedsostronglyonhernervesthatshe

vaknade

awoke.

Theattentivesage,aftersomedeliberation,assuredmyparents,thattheirfirstbornwouldbeagreattraveller;

thathewouldundergomanydangersanddifficulties,andatlastreturntohisnativeland,wherehewouldflourishin

lycka

happinessandreputation.

Howtrulythiswasforetoldwillappearinthesequel.

Itwasnotlongbeforesomeofficiousperson

informerade

informedmygrandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassedbetweenhissonandhousekeeperwhichalarmedhimsomuchthat,afewdaysafter,hetoldmyfatheritwashightimeforhimtothinkofsettling;

andthathehad

tillhandahållit

providedamatchforhim,towhichhecouldin

rättvisa

justicehavenoobjections.

Myfather,findingitwouldbeimpossibletoconcealhissituationmuchlonger,franklyownedwhathehaddone;

andexcusedhimselffornothavingaskedtheconsentofhisfather,bysaying,heknewitwouldhavebeentonopurpose;

andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,my

farfar

grandfathermighthavetakensuchmeasuresaswouldhaveeffectuallyputthegratificationofitoutofhispower:

tillade

added,thatnoexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’svirtue,

födelse

birth,beauty,andgoodsense,andasfor

förmögenhet

fortune,itwasbeneathhiscare.

Theold

herrn

gentleman,whokeptallhispassions,exceptone,inexcellentorder,heardhimtoanendwithgreattemper,andthencalmlyasked,howheproposedtomaintainhimselfandspouse?

Hereplied,hecouldbeinno

fara

dangerofwantingwhilehisfather’stenderness

förblev

remained,whichheandhiswifeshouldalwayscultivatewiththeutmostveneration;

andhewaspersuadedhisallowancewouldbesuitabletothedignityandcircumstancesofhisfamily,andtotheprovisionalreadymadeforhisbrothersandsisters,whowerehappilysettledunderhisprotection.

“Yourbrothersandsisters,”saidmy

farfar

grandfather,“didnotthinkitbeneaththemtoconsultmeinanaffairofsuchimportanceasmatrimony;

neither,Isuppose,wouldyouhaveomittedthatpieceofduty,hadyounotsomesecretfundinreserve;

tothecomfortsofwhichIleaveyou,witha

önskan

desirethatyouwillthisnight

söka

seekoutanotherhabitationforyourselfandwife,whither,inashorttime,IwillsendyouanaccountoftheexpenseIhavebeenatinyour

utbildning

education,withaviewofbeingreimbursed.

Sir,youhavemadethegrandtour—youareapolitegentleman—averyprettygentleman—Iwishyouagreatdealof

glädje

joy,andamyourveryhumbleservant.”

Sosaying,heleftmyfatherinasituation

lätt

easilyimagined.

However,hedidnotlonghesitate;

for,being

helt

perfectlywellacquaintedwithhisfather’sdisposition,hedidnotdoubtthathewasgladofthispretencetogetridofhim;

andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedesandPersians,heknewitwouldbetonopurposetoattempthimbyprayersandentreaties;

sowithoutanyfartherapplication,hebetookhimself,withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoafarm-house,whereanoldservantofhismotherdwelt:

theretheyremainedsometimeinasituationbut

dåligt

illadaptedtotheeleganceoftheirdesiresandtendernessoftheirlove;

whichneverthelessmyfatherchosetoendure,ratherthansupplicateanunnaturalandinflexibleparentbutmymother,foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshemusthavebeenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredinthisplace(andherpregnancywasveryfaradvanced),withoutcommunicatingherdesigntoherhusband,wentindisguisetothehouseofmygrandfather,hopingthathertearsand

tillstånd

conditionwouldmovehimtocompassion,andreconcilehimtoan

händelse

eventwhichwasnowirrecoverablypast.

Shefoundmeanstodeceivetheservants,andget

presenterade

introducedasanunfortunatelady,whowantedtocomplainofsomematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sparticularprovincetodecideinallcasesofscandal.

Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohis

närvaro

presence,where,discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,andinthemostaffectingmannerimploredhisforgiveness;

atthesametimerepresentingthe

faran

dangerthatthreatenednotonlyherlife,butthatofhisowngrandchild,whichwasabouttoseethelight.

Hetoldherhewassorrythattheindiscretionofherandhissonhadcompelledhimtomakeavow,whichputitoutofhispowertogivethemanyassistance;

thathehadalreadyimpartedhisthoughtsonthat

ämne

subjecttoherhusband,andwassurprisedthattheyshoulddisturbhispeacewithanyfartherimportunity.

Thissaid,heretired.

Theviolenceofmymother’safflictionhadsuchan

effekt

effectonherconstitutionthatshewasimmediatelyseizedwiththepainsofchildbed;

andhadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewasverydear,affordedher

medlidande

pityandassistance,atthehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,sheandthe

oskyldiga

innocentfruitofherwombmusthavefallen

eländiga

miserablevictimstohisrigourandinhumanity.

Bythefriendshipofthispoorwomanshewascarrieduptoagarret,andimmediatelydeliveredofamanchild,thestoryofwhoseunfortunate

födelse

birthhehimselfnowrelates.

Myfather,beinginformedofwhathadhappened,flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,andwhileheloadedhisoffspringwithpaternalembraces,couldnotforbearsheddingafloodoftearsonbeholdingthedearpartnerofhisheart(forwhoseeasehewouldhave

offrat

sacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretcheduponaflockbed,ina

eländig

miserableapartment,unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesofthe

vädret

weather.

Itisnottobesupposedthattheold

herrn

gentlemanwasignorantofwhatpassed,thoughheaffectedtoknownothingofthematter,and

låtsades

pretendedtobeverymuchsurprised,whenoneofhisgrandchildren,byhiseldestsondeceased,wholivedwithhimashisheirapparent,acquaintedhimwiththeaffair;

hedetermined

därför

thereforetoobservenomedium,butimmediately(onthethirddayafterherdelivery)sentheraperemptoryordertobegone,andturnedofftheservantwhohadpreservedherlife.

Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmyfatherthathehadrecoursetothemostdreadfulimprecations;

andonhisbarekneesimploredthatHeavenwouldrenouncehimifeverheshouldforgetorforgivethebarbarityofhissire.

Theinjurieswhichthisunhappymother

fick

receivedfromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,andthewantofnecessarieswhereshelodged,togetherwithhergriefandanxietyofmind,soonthrewherintoalanguishingdisorder,whichputanendtoherlife.

Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wassoaffectedwithherdeaththathe

förblev

remainedsixweeksdeprivedofhissenses;

duringwhichtime,thepeoplewherehelodgedcarriedtheinfanttotheoldmanwhorelentedsofar,onhearingthemelancholystoryofhisdaughter-in-law’sdeath,andthedeplorable

tillstånd

conditionofhisson,astosendthechildtonurse,andheorderedmyfathertobecarriedhometohishouse,wherehesoonrecoveredtheuseofhisreason.

Whetherthishardheartedjudgefeltanyremorseforhis

grymma

crueltreatmentofhissonanddaughter,or(whichismoreprobable)wasafraidhis

karaktär

characterwouldsufferintheneighbourhood,heprofessedgreatsorrowforhisconducttomyfather,whosedeliriumwassucceededbyaprofoundmelancholyandreserve.

Atlengthhe

försvann

disappeared,and,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,couldnotbeheardof;

acircumstancewhichconfirmedmostpeopleinthe

åsikt

opinionofhishavingmadeawaywithhimselfinafitofdespair.

CHAPTERII

Igrowup—amhatedbymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—IformCabalsagainstthePedant—amdebarred

Tillgång

AccesstomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—IdemolishtheTeethofhisTutor.

Therewerenotwantingsomewho

misstänkte

suspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’s

öde

fate,onthesuppositionthattheywouldallshareinthepatrimonydestinedforhim;

andthisconjecturewasstrengthenedbyreflectingthatinallhiscalamitiestheyneverdiscoveredtheleastinclinationto

tjäna

servehim;

but,onthecontrary,byalltheartificesintheirpower,

matade

fedhisresentmentandsupportedhisresolutionofleavinghimtomiseryandwant.

Butpeopleofjudgmenttreatedthisinsinuationasanidlechimera;

because,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedastoconsulttheirinterestby

begå

committingsuchanatrociouscrime,the

öde

fateofmyfatherwouldhaveextendedtometoowhoselifewasanotherobstacletotheirexpectation.

Meanwhile,Igrewapace,andasIstronglyresembledmyfather,whowasthedarlingofthetenants,Iwantednothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstancescould

råd

afford:

buttheirfavourwasa

svag

weakresourceagainstthejealousenmityofmycousins;

whothemoremyinfancypromised,conceivedthemoreimplacablehatredagainstme:

andbeforeIwassixyearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmy

farfar

grandfatherthatIneversawhimbutbystealth,whenIsometimesmadeuptohis

stol

chairashesatto

såg

viewhislabourersinthefield:

onwhichoccasionhewouldstrokemyhead,bidmebeagoodboy,andpromisetotakecareofme.

Iwassoonaftersenttoschoolatavillagehardby,ofwhichhehadbeendictatortimeoutofmind;

butasheneverpaidformyboard,norsuppliedmewithclothes,books,andothernecessariesIrequired,my

tillstånd

conditionwasveryraggedandcontemptible,andtheschoolmaster,who,throughfearofmy

farfar

grandfather,taughtmegratis,gavehimselfno

oro

concernabouttheprogressImadeunderhisinstruction.

Inspiteofallthesedifficultiesanddisgraces,IbecameagoodproficientintheLatintongue;

and,assoonasIcouldwritetolerably,pesteredmy

farfar

grandfatherwithletterstosucha

grad

degreethathesentformymaster,andchidhimseverelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmy

utbildning

education,tellinghimthat,ifeverIshouldbebroughttothegallowsforforgery,whichhehadtaughtmeto

begå

commit,mybloodwouldlieonhishead.

Thepedant,whodreadednothingmorethanthedispleasureofhispatron,assuredhishonourthattheboy’s

förmåga

abilitywasmoreowingtohisown

geni

geniusandapplicationthantoanyinstructionorencouragementhe

fick

received;

that,althoughhecouldnotdivesthimofthe

kunskap

knowledgehehadalreadyimbibed,unlesshewouldempowerhimtodisablehisfingers,heshouldendeavour,withGod’shelp,topreventhisfutureimprovement.

And,

verkligen

indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehadundertaken;

for,onpretencethatIhadwrittenimpertinentletterstomy

farfar

grandfather,hecausedaboardtobemadewithfiveholesinit,throughwhichhethrustthefingersandthumbofmyrighthand,andfasteneditbywhipcordtomywrist,insuchamanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuseofmy

penna

pen.

ButthisrestraintIwasfreedfrominafewdays,byanaccidentwhichhappenedinaquarrelbetweenmeandanotherboy;

who,takinguponhimtoinsultmypoverty,IwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthatwithonestrokewithmymachineIcuthimtotheskull,tothegreatterrorofmyselfandschoolfellows,wholefthimbleedingontheground,andranto

informera

informthemasterofwhathadhappened.

Iwassoseverelypunishedforthistrespassthat,wereItolivetotheageofMethusalem,theimpressionitmadeonmewouldnotbeeffaced;

themorethantheantipathyandhorrorIconceivedforthemercilesstyrantwhoinflictedit.

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

IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnot

begick

commit,because,havingthecharacterofavagabondinthevillage,everypieceofmischief,whoseauthorlay

okänd

unknown,waschargeduponme.

Ihavebeenfoundguiltyof

rånat

robbingorchardsIneverentered,ofkillingcatsInever

jagat

hunted,ofstealinggingerbreadInevertouched,andofabusingoldwomenIneversaw.

Nay,astammeringcarpenterhadeloquenceenoughtopersuademymasterthatIfiredapistolloadedwithsmallshotintohiswindow;

thoughmylandladyandthewholefamilyborewitnessthatIwasabedfastasleepatthetimewhenthisoutragewascommitted.

Iwasoncefloggedforhavingnarrowlyescapeddrowning,bythesinkingofaferryboatinwhichIwaspassenger.

Anothertime,forhavingrecoveredofabruiseoccasionedbyahorseandcartrunningoverme.

Athirdtime,forbeingbittenbyabaker’sdog.

Inshort,whetherIwas

skyldig

guiltyorunfortunate,thecorrectionandsympathyofthisarbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.

Farfrombeingsubduedbythisinformalusage,myindignationtriumphedoverthatslavishawewhichhadhithertoenforcedmyobedience;

andthemoremyyearsand

kunskap

knowledgeincreased,themoreIperceivedtheinjusticeandbarbarityofhisbehaviour.

Bythehelpofanuncommon

geni

genius,andtheadviceanddirectionofourusher,whohad

tjänat

servedmyfatherinhistravels,Imadeasurprising

framsteg

progressintheclassics,writing,andarithmetic;

sothat,beforeIwastwelveyearsold,Iwasallowedbyeverybodytobethebestscholarintheschool.

Thisqualification,togetherwiththeboldnessoftemperand

styrka

strengthofmakewhichhadsubjectedalmostallmycontemporaries,gavemesuchinfluenceoverthemthatIbegantoformcabalsagainstmypersecutor;

andwasinhopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceinaveryshorttime.

Beingattheheadofafaction,consistingofthirtyboys,mostofthemofmyownage,Iwasdeterminedtoputtheirmettletotrial,thatImightknowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,beforeIputmygrandschemeinexecution:

withthisview,weattackedabodyofstoutapprentices,whohadtakenpossessionofapartofthegroundallottedtousfortheschemeofourdiversions,andwhowerethenplayingatninepinsonthespot;

butIhadthemortificationtoseemyadherentsroutedinaninstant,andalegofoneofthembrokeinhisflightbythebowl,whichoneofouradversarieshaddetachedinpursuitofus.

Thisdiscomfituredidnothinderusfromengagingthem

därefter

afterwardsinfrequentskirmishes,whichwemaintainedbythrowingstonesata

avstånd

distance,whereinIreceivedmanywounds,thescarsofwhichstillremain.

Ourenemiesweresoharassedandinterruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlastabandonedtheirconquest,andleftustothepeaceableenjoymentofourownterritories.

Itwouldbeendlesstoenumeratetheexploitswe

utförde

performedinthecourseofthisconfederacy,whichbecametheterrorofthewholevillage;

insomuchthat,whendifferentinterestsdividedit,oneofthepartiescommonlycourtedtheassistanceofRoderickRandom(bywhichnameIwasknown)to

kasta

castthebalance,andkeeptheoppositefactioninawe.

Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageofeveryplay-daytopresentmyselfbeforemy

farfar

grandfather,towhomIseldomfound

tillträde

access,byreasonofhisbeingcloselybesiegedbyanumerousfamilyofhisfemalegrandchildren,who,thoughtheyperpetuallyquarrelled

mellan

amongthemselves,neverfailedtojoinagainstme,asthe

gemensamma

commonenemyofall.

Hisheir,whowasabouttheageofeighteen,mindednothingbutfox-hunting,and

själva verket

indeedwasqualifiedfornothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’sindulgenceinentertainingatutorforhimathome;

whoatthesametimeperformedtheofficeofparishclerk.

ThisyoungActaeon,whoinheritedhisgrandfather’santipathytoeverythingindistress,neversateyesonmewithoutuncouplinghisbeagles,and

jaga

huntingmeintosomecottageorother,whitherIgenerallyfledforshelter.

InthisChristianamusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,nodoubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimselfwiththerisingsun,observing,thattheold

herrn

gentleman,accordingtothecourseofnature,hadnotlongtolive,forhewasalreadyonthevergeoffourscore.

CHAPTERIII

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

Aboutthistimemymother’sonlybrother,whohadbeenlongabroad,

löjtnant

lieutenantofaman-of-war,arrivedinhisowncountry;

wherebeinginformedofmy

tillstånd

condition,hecametoseeme,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnotonlysuppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIwantedforthepresent,butresolvednottoleavethecountryuntilhehadprevailedonmy

farfar

grandfathertosettlesomethinghandsomeforthefuture.

Thiswasa

uppgift

tasktowhichhewasbynomeansequal,beingentirelyignorant,notonlyofthejudge’sdisposition,butalsoofthewaysofmeningeneral,towhichhis

utbildning

educationonboardhadkepthimanutter

främling

stranger.

Hewasastrongbuiltman,somewhatbandylegged,withanecklikethatofa

tjur

bull,andafacewhich(youmight

lätt

easilyperceive)hadwithstoodthemostobstinateassaultsofthe

vädret

weather.

Hisdressconsistedofasoldier’scoatalteredforhimbytheship’stailor,astripedflanneljacket,a

par

pairofredbreechesspannedwithpitch,cleangrayworstedstockings,largesilverbucklesthatcoveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-laced

hatt

hat,whosecrownoverlookedthebrimsaboutaninchandahalf,blackbobwiginbuckle,acheckshirt,asilkhandkerchief,ahanger,withabrasshandle,girdedtohisthighbyafurnishedlacebelt,andagoodoakplantunderhisarm.

Thusequipped,hesetoutwithme(whobyhisbountymadeaverydecentappearance)formygrandfather’shouse,whereweweresalutedbyJowlerandCaesar,whommycousin,youngmaster,hadletlooseatourapproach.

Beingwellacquaintedwiththeinveteracyofthesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,whenmyuncleseizedmewithonehand,brandishedhiscudgelwiththeother,andatoneblowlaidCaesarsprawlingontheground;

but,findinghimselfattackedatthesametimeintherearbyJowler,andfearingCaesarmightrecover,he

drog

drewhishanger,wheeledabout,andbyaluckystrokeseveredJowler’sheadfromhisbody.

Bythistime,theyoungfoxhunterandthreeservants,armedwithpitchforksandflails,werecometotheassistanceofthedogs,whomtheyfoundbreathlessuponthefield;

andmycousinwassoprovokedatthedeathofhisfavourites,thatheorderedhisattendantstoadvance,andtakevengeanceontheirexecutioner,whomheloadedwithallthecursesandreproacheshis

ilska

angercouldsuggest.

Uponwhichmyunclesteppedforwardswithanundauntedair,atthe

synen

sightofwhosebloodyweaponshisantagonistsfellbackwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheir

ledare

leaderthus:.

“Lookee,brother,yourdogshavingboardedmewithoutprovocation,whatIdidwasinmyowndefence.

Soyouhadbestbecivil,andletusshootahead,clearofyou.”

Whethertheyoungsquiremisinterpretedmyuncle’s

önskan

desireofpeace,orwasenragedatthe

öde

fateofhishoundsbeyondhis

vanliga

usualpitchofresolution,Iknownot;

buthesnatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,andcameupwithashowofassaultingthelieutenant,who,puttinghimselfinapostureofdefence,proceededthus:

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

I’llbefoulofyourquarter,d—nme.”

Thisdeclaration,followedbyaflourishofhishanger,seemedtochecktheprogressoftheyounggentleman’scholer,who,lookingbehindhim,perceivedhisattendantshadslunkintothehouse,shutthe

porten

gate,andlefthimtodecidethecontentionbyhimself.

Hereaparleyensued,whichwasintroducedbymycousin’sasking,“Whothedevilareyou?

Whatdoyouwant?

Somescoundrelofaseaman,Isuppose,whohasdesertedandturned

tjuv

thief.

Butdon’tthinkyoushallescape,sirrah—I’llhaveyouhang’d,youdog,Iwill.

Yourbloodshallpayforthatofmytwohounds,youragamuffin.

Iwouldnothavepartedwiththemtosaveyourwhole

generation

generationfromthegallows,youruffian,you!”

“Noneofyourjaw,youswab—noneofyourjaw,”repliedmyuncle,“elseIshalltrimyourlaced

jacka

jacketforyou.

Ishallrubyoudownwithanoakentowel,myboy,Ishall.”

Sosaying,hesheathedhishanger,andgraspedhiscudgel.

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