The Adventures of Roderick Random (Oxford World's Classics)

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I expressed a desire of knowing my new friend's history; and he informed me of his having served in the German army as a volunteer against the Turks, that for his behaviour at the siege of Belgrade he had been honoured with an ensign's commission in which station. it was his misfortune to affront his captain, who challenged him to the field and was killed in the duel, upon which he was obliged to retreat; that he had been in England some years soliciting his friends for provision in the British army but being hitherto unsuccessful. he was desired by Mr. Gahagan to turn his thoughts to matrimony; in ​consequence of which advice, he made up to Melinda; and having heard by means of an Irish footman in the family, that I was her chief favourite, had called me out; but now he was convinced of my honour, and swore by the blessed Virgin he would think of her no more. As a further proof of his veracity, he opened an old (illegible text) snuff box and pulled out his commission in the imperial army, and his captain's challenge, which he had preserved. Now that I could return to my native country in a creditable way, I felt excessive pleasure in finding myself out of sight of that fatal island which had been the grave of so many Europeans.

concerned. The last time I was there, I had an affair with Tom Trippit.”“Oh! I remember that!” cried Banter; “You lugged out before Next day while I was at work in the shop, a bouncing damsel, well dressed, came in on pretence of finding a vial for some use or other; and taking an opportunity of observing me very narrowly, went away with a silent look of disdain. At dinner, the maids, with whom I dined, informed me, that this was my master's only daughter; that he had been twice on the brink of marriage but disappointed by the stinginess of her father; for which ​reason the young (illegible text) did not behave to her father with all the final veneration that might be expected, the harbouring a perfect hatred for her countryman in which disposition her mother (illegible text), who was an Englishwoman and was a matron of high spirit, which she often manifested at the expense of her dependents; that she loved diversions and looked upon miss as her rival in all parties; which indeed was the cause of her disappointments.—Over and above this intelligence, I of myself soon made more discoveries. pull, Sir, you are no milk-sop—we shall do you justice.”“Shall you?” said he, shaking me by the hand; “odds then, About this time, my friend Strap informed me of an offer he had to go abroad with a gentleman, in quality of Valet de Chambre. I insisted upon his accepting the proposal, which he at last determined to embrace, with great reluctance, and in a few days took his leave of me, shedding a flood of tears, which I could not behold without emotion.

Meanwhile, I was tempted by the richness of the prize, to practise upon Miss Grapwell's heart, but soon found it too well fortified with pride and indifference to yield.

voice at my left hand, “for the spirit of folly begins to move.”“Out with it then, madam!” replied the soldier. “You seem to said she, “I would rather be in your house than in a common jail.”“Well, well,” answered he, “if you have money enough in your Orbis Literae της Gutenberg ήταν γεμάτη από βαριά βιβλία, γεμάτα μοχθηρούς καλογερους και φαντάσματα που κυκλοφορούν ανάμεσα από τοίχους, πολεμοχαρείς μοχθηρούς ευγενείς και αφελείς αλλά καλόκαρδους χωρικούς που είναι ικανοί να πιστέψουν τα πάντα. Ε ναι λοιπόν, οι περιπέτειες του Ρόντερικ Ράντομ, έχουν ακριβώς αυτά τα χαρακτηριστικά με μία ειδοποιό διαφορά, σε αντιπαραβολή με το Μελμώθ, τον Καλόγερο ή ακόμα και το Μόμπι Ντικ, του λείπει το γκόθικ στοιχείο, οπότε διαβάζεται χαλαρά, ανάλαφρα και χωρίς εκείνο το διαρκή φόβο που σε κάνει να σηκώνεις τα μάτια από τη σελίδα κάθε φορά που ο αέρας κάνει τις πόρτες του μπαλκονιού να τρίζουν ρωτώντας τον εαυτό σου «Και αν δεν είναι ο αέρας...»;Random, highborn but disinherited by his grandfather, must make his own way in the world, and he does so utterly haplessly, a near idiot, the unsuspecting target of every schemer, cardsharp, and faux-aristocrat he meets. If he lived in modern day America, he would be falling for the pigeon drop scam every day. offer in binding me apprentice, he supposed, to a tailor, took me by the hand and departed, muttering curses against him and we returned to the village. My favourite line in the book made me giggle because it seemed an eigthteenth century "yo mama" joke: Our landlord told us, we had not gone the right way to work; he therefore advised me to give the footman a shilling the next time I desired admittance. Accordingly, next morning, when the door was opened, slipt a shilling into his hand, and told him I had a letter for his master; the fellow let me in immediately, and desired me to wait in the passage for an answer. In this place I continued standing three quarters of an hour: At length Mr. Cringer came out to see a young gentleman to the door;and turning about towards ​we, asked what were my commands? When he understood who was, Well, Random, (says he), you propose to go on board a man of war as surgeon's mate. To which I replied by a low bow. I believe it will be a difficult matter to procure a warrant, there being already such a swarm of Scotch surgeons at the navy-office; however, some ships will soon be put into commission and then we shall see what's to be done. So saying, he left me. At my return, I was surprised with the agreeable news of Strap's being employed, on the recommendation of his friend the schoolmaster, by a periwig-maker in the neighbourhood, who allowed him five shillings per week, besides bed and board. fifteen shillings which if you rob me of we must all starve together.”“Who’s that sobbing in the other corner?” said the supposed

authority—Nullius in verbo—I stand on my own bottom.”“But sir, sir,” replied his antagonist, “the reason of the Lord have mercy upon us, what a vast treasure is here!”“’Tis all our own, Strap,” said I; “take what is At length the metamorphosed barber took her but, and acted his part with such ridiculous extravagance, that the mirth of the whole company was excited at this expence, and she retired in great confusion, under pretence of being taken suddenly ill, ​and was followed by her gallant. They were no sooner gone, than an inquisitive whisper of “Who is he?” run round the room; and Chatter could give no other intelligence about him than that he was a man of fortune, just returned from his travels.

and I do not choose to disturb him, for sleep will do him great service.”“Ay,” said my fellow-mate, “he sleeps so sound (look you), name was Random, he exclaimed in rapture, “How! Rory Random?”“The same,” I replied, looking at him with astonishment. About this time, my mother's only brother, who had been long abroad, lieutenant in a ship of war, arrived in his own country; where being informed of my condition, he came to ​see me, and out of his slender finances, not only supplied me with necessaries I wanted for the present but resolved not to leave the country until he had prevailed on my grandfather to settle something handsome on me for the future. To this end, he set out with me to the house of my grandfather; where, after a few minutes pause, we were admitted, and conducted to his chamber. My grandfather received this relation, after his long absence, with a coldness peculiar to him; told him he was glad to see him, and desired him to sit down: but my uncle refused to sit, telling him his business there, reproached him for his usage towards me; which he denied, telling my uncle he had been very kind to me, and that he would bind my apprentice to some honest tradesman, if I would behave Next day, when I went to the long-room, I observed several whispers circulate all of a sudden, and did not doubt but Melinda had been busy with my character. The following day, I saw the Squire in company with Melinda and her mother, who honoured me with several, disdainful glances; and when I threw myself in his way. instead of the cordial shake of the hand, returned my salute with the cold reception of, Your Servant.— These occurrences disturbed me not a little.