overheard ; here are none who understand having but little money when I came ashore, our lingo." Though I was loth to discover it was soon spent, because I let them have myself before company, I could no longer re- share and share while it lasted. Howsomfrain from telling him I was his own nephew, ever, I should have remembered the old say. Roderick Random. On this information, he ing, every hog his own apple : for when they considered me with great earnestness and found my hold unstowed, they went all hands astonishment, and, recalling iny features, to shooling and begging; and because I would which, though enlarged, were not entirely not take a spell at the same duty, refused to altered since he had seen me, came up, and give me the least assistance; so that I have shook me by the hand very cordially, pro- not broken bread these two days." I was testing he was glad to see me well. After shocked at the extremity of his distress, and some pause he went on thus :—“And yet, my ordered some bread, cheese, and wine, to be lad, I am sorry to see you under such colours ; brought immediately, to allay his hunger, the more so, as it is not in my power, at until a fricassee of chickens could be prepresent, to change them for the better, times pared. When he had recruited his spirits being very hard with me.”. With these words, with this homely fare, I desired to know the I could perceive a tear trickle down his fur- particulars of his peregrination since the acrowed cheeks, which affected me so much, cident at Cape Tiberoon : which were briefly that I wept bitterly. Imagining my sorrow these. The money he had about him being was the effect of my own misfortune, he all spent at Port Louis, the civility and hoscomforted me, with observing that life was a pitality of the French cooled to such a devoyage in which we must expect to meet gree, that he was obliged to list on board one with all weathers; sometimes it was calm, of their king's ships as a common fore-mast sometimes rough; that a fair gale often suc- man, to prevent himself from starving on ceeded a storm ; that the wind did not always shore. In this situation he continued two sit one way, and that despair signified nothing; years, during which time he had acquired but that resolution and skill were better than some knowledge of their language, and the a stout vessel ; for why? because they require reputation of a good seaman : the ship he no carpenter, and grow stronger the more belonged to was ordered home to France, labour they undergo. I dried up my tears, where she was laid up as unfit for service, which I assured him were not shed for my and he was received on board of one of Monown distress, but for his, and begged leave to sieur D'Antin's squadron, in quality of quarteraccompany him to another room, where we master, which office he performed in a voyage could converse more at our ease. There I to the West Indies, where they engaged with recounted to him the ungenerous usage I had our ship as before related; but his conscience met with from Potion; at which relation he upbraiding him for serving the enemies of his started up, stalked across the room three or country, he quitted the ship at the same place four times in a great hurry, and, grasping his where he first listed, and got to Curacoa, in cudgel, cried—"I would I were alongside of a Dutch vessel; there he bargained with a him—that's all—I would I were alongside of skipper bound to Europe, to work for his him !" I then gave him a detail of all my passage to Holland, from whence he was in adventures and sufferings, which affected him hopes of hearing from his friends in England; more than I could have imagined; and con- but was cast away, as he mentioned before, cluded with telling him that Captain Oakum on the French coast, and must have been was still alive, and that he might return to reduced to the necessity of travelling on foot England when he would to solicit his affairs, to Holland, and beyging for his subsistence without danger or molestation. He was on the road, or of entering on board of wonderfully pleased with this piece of infor- another French man of war, at the hazard of mation, of which, however, he said he could being treated as a deserter, if Providence not at present avail himself, for want of had not sent me to his succour.—“And now, money to pay for his passage to London. my lad,” continued he, “I think I shall steer This objection I soon removed, by putting my course directly to London, where I do five guineas into his hand, and telling him, I not doubt of being replaced, and of having thought myself extremely happy in having an the R taken off me by the lords of the admi. opportunity of manifesting my gratitude to ralty, to whom I intend to write a petition him in his necessity. But it was with the setting forth my case. If I succeed, I shall utmost difficulty I could prevail upon him to have wherewithal to give you some assisaccept of two, which he affirmed were more tance, because, when I left the ship, I had than sufficient to defray the necessary ex- two years pay due to me; therefore I desire pense. After this friendly contest was over, to know whither you are bound ; and besides, he proposed we should have a mess of some- perhaps I may have interest enough to prothing; “ For,” said he, “it has been banyan- cure a warrant appointing you surgeon's day with me a great while. You must know, mate of the ship to which I shall belong ; for I was shipwrecked five days ago, near a place the beadle of the admiralty is my good friend, called Lisieux, in company with those Dutch. and he and one of the under clerks are sworn men who are now drinking below; and I brothers, and that under clerk has a good

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deal to say with one of the upper clerks, who the mean time, we sauntered about the town is very well known to the under secretary, to satisfy our curiosity, our conversation who, upon his recommendation, I hope, will turning on the subject of my designs, which recommend my affair to the first secretary, were not as yet fixed : neither can it be supand he again will speak to one of the lords posed that my mind was at ease, when I in my behalf; so that you see I do not want found myself reduced almost to extreme povfriends to assist me on occasion. As for the erty in the midst of foreigners, among whom fellow Crampley, tho'f I know him not, I am I had not one acquaintance to advise and sure he is neither seaman nor officer, by what befriend me. My uncle was sensible of my you have told me, or else he could never be forlorn condition, and pressed me to accomso much mistaken in his reckoning, as to run pany him to England, where he did not doubt the ship on shore on the coast of Sussex, of finding some sort of provision for me: but, before he believed himself in soundings; besides the other reasons I had for avoiding neither, when that accident happened, would that kingdom, I looked upon it at this time as he have left the ship until she had been stove the worst country in the universe for a poor to pieces, especially when the tide was honest man to live in, and therefore determaking; wherefore, by this time, I do sup- mined to remain in France at all events. I pose he has been tried by a court-martial and was confirmed in this resolution by a reverexecuted for his cowardice and misconduct.” end priest, who, passing by at this time, and I could not help smiling at the description of overhearing us speak English, accosted us in my uncle's ladder, by which he proposed to the same language, telling us he was our climb to the attention of the board of admi- countryman, and wishing it might be in hi: ralty; and though I knew the world too well power to do us any service. We thanked to confide in such dependence myself, I this grave person for his courteous offer, and would not discourage him with doubts, but invited him to drink a glass with us, which asked if he had no friend in London who he did not think proper to refuse, and we would advance a small sum of money to ena- went altogether into a tavern of his recomble him to appear as he ought, and make a mending. After having drank to our healths small present to the under secretary, who in a bumper of good Burgundy, he began to might possibly dispatch his business the inquire into our situation, particularly the sooner on that account. He scratched his place of our nativity ; which we no sooner head, and, after some recollection, replied,- named, than he started up, and, wringing our “Why, yes, I believe Daniel Whipcord, the hands with great fervour, shed a flood of ship-chandler in Wapping, would not refuse tears, crying,—“I come from the same part me such a small matter. I know I can have of the country! perhaps you are my own what credit I want, for lodging, liquor, and relations." I was on my guard against his clothes ; but as to money I wont be positive: caresses, which I suspected very much, when had honest Block been living, I should not I remembered the adventure of the moneyhave been at a loss." I was heartily sorry dropper; but, without any appearance of difto find a worthy man so destitute of friends, fidence, observed, that, as he was born in that when he had such need of them; and looked part of the country, he must certainly know upon my own situation as less miserable than our family, which (howsoever mean his, because I was better acquainted with the present appearance might be) was none of selfishness and roguery of mankind, conse- the most obscure or inconsiderable. Then quently less liable to disappointment and I discovered our names, to which I found he imposition.

was no stranger. He had known my grandfather personally; and notwithstanding an

absence of fifty years from Scotland, reCHAPTER XLII.

counted so many particulars of the families

in the neighbourhood, that my scruples were He takes his passage in a cutter for Deal- entirely renoved, and I thought myself happy

we are accosted by a priest, who proves in his acquaintance. In the course of our to be a Scotchman-his profession of conversation, I disclosed my condition withfriendship—he is affronted by the lieuten- out reserve, and displayed my talents to such ant, who afterwards appeases him by advantage, that the old father looked upon submission-my uncle embarks—I am in- me with admiration, and assured me, that if troduced by a priest to a capuchin, in I staid in France, and listened to reason, I whose company I set out for Paris-the could not fail of making my fortune, to which character of my fellow-traveller-an ad- he would contribute all in his power. venture on the road I am shocked at My uncle began to be jealous of the priest's his behaviour.

insinuation, and very abruptly declared that,

if ever I should renounce my religion, he WHEN our repast was ended, we walked would break off all connection and corres. down to the harbour, where we found a cut- pondence with me; for it was his opinion, ter that was to sail for Deal in the evening, that no honest man would swerve from the and Mr Bowling agreed for his passage: in principles in which he was bred, whether

our

Turkish, Protestant, or Roman. The father, | out to my advantage, and therefore resolved affronted at this declaration, with great ve. to cultivate it as much I could. With this hemence began a long discourse, setting forth view, we visited him at his convent, accord. the danger of obstinacy, and shutting one's ing to his invitation, where he treated us eyes against the light. He said, that igno- with wine and sweetmeats, and showed us rance would be no plea towards justification, every thing that was remarkable in the monwhen we had opportunities of being better astery. Having been thus entertained, we informed ; and that, if the minds of people took our leave, though not before I had prohad not been open to conviction, the Chris- mised to see him next day; and the time fixed tian religion could not have been propagated for my uncle's embarking being come, I acin the world, and we should now be in a state companied him to the harbour, and saw him of pagan darkness and barbarity. He en- on board. We parted not without tears, deavoured to prove, by some texts of scrip- after we had embraced, and wished one ture, and many quotations from the fathers, another all manner of prosperity; and he enthat the pope was the successor of St Peter, treated me to write to him often, directing to and vicar of Jesus Christ ; that the Church Lieutenant Bowling, at the sign of the Union of Rome was the true holy catholic church; flag, near the Hermitage, London. and that the protestant faith was an impious I returned to the house in which we had heresy and damnable schism, by which many met, where I passed the night in a very solimillions of souls would suffer everlasting tary manner, reflecting on the severity of my perdition. When he had finished his ser- fate, and endeavouring to project some likely mon, which I thought he pronounced with scheme of life for the future ; but my inven. more zeal than discretion, he addressed him- tion failed me; I saw nothing but insurself to my uncle, and desired to know his mountable difficulties in my way, and was objections to what had been said. The lieu- ready to despair at the miserable prospect. tenant, whose attention had been wholly en- That I might not, however, neglect any grossed by his own affairs, took the pipe out probable means, I got up in the morning, and of his mouth, and replied, "As for me, went directly to the father, whose advice and friend, d’ye see, I have no objection to what assistance I implored. He received me very you say; it may be either true or false for kindly, and gave me to understand that there what I know; I meddle with nobody's affairs was one way of life in which a person of my but my own; the gunner to his linstock, and talents could not fail of making a great figure. the steersman to the helm, as the saying is. I guessed his meaning, and told him once for I trust to no creed but the compass, and do all, I was fully determined against any alterunto every man as I would be done by ; so ation in point of religion ; therefore, if his that I defy the pope, the devil, and the pre- proposal regarded the church, he might save tender, and hope, to be saved as well as himself the trouble of explaining it. He another.” This association of persons gave shook his head, and sighed, saying,—"Ah! great offence to the friar, who protested, in son, son, what a glorious prospect is here a mighty passion, that, if Mr Bowling had not spoiled by your stubborn prejudice! Suffer been his countryman, he would have caused yourself to be persuaded by reason, and conbim to be imprisoned for his insolence. I sult your temporal welfare as well as the ventured to disapprove of my uncle's rash- concerns of your eternal soul. I can by my ness, and appeased the old gentleman by as- interest procure your admission as a novi. suring him there was no offence intended by ciate into this convent, where I will superinmy kinsman, who, by this time, sensible of tend and direct you with a truly paternal his error, shook the injured party by the affection.” Then he launched out into the hand, and asked pardon for the freedom he praises of a monastic life, which no noise had taken. Matters being amicably compro- disturbs, no cares molest, and no danger in. mised, he invited us to come and see him in vades, where the heart is weaned from carthe afternoon at the convent to which he be- nal attachments, the grosser appetites sublonged, and took his leave for the present ; dued and chastised, and the soul wafted to when iny uncle recommended it strongly to divine regions of philosophy and truth on the me to persevere in the religion of my fore- wings of studious contemplation. But his fathers, whatever advantages I might propose eloquence was lost upon me, whom two conto myself by a change, which could not fail siderations enabled to withstand his temptaof disgracing myself, and dishonouring my tions, namely, my promise to my uncle, and family. I assured him no consideration my aversion to an ecclesiastical life; for, as to should induce me to forfeit his friendship the difference of religion, I looked upon it as and good opinion on that score; at which a thing of too small moment to come in com. assurance he discovered great satisfaction, petition with a man's fortune. Finding me and put me in mind of dinner, which we im- immovable on this head, he told me he was mediately bespoke, and, when it was ready, more sorry than offended at my non-compli. ate together.

ance, and still ready to employ his good I imagined my acquaintance with the Scot- offices in my behalf. “ The same erroneous tish priest, if properly managed, might turn maxims,” said he,

" that obstruct your

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promotion in the church, will infallibly pre- 1 of my bed to a pretty maid who had a tendre vent your advancement in the army; but if for me? I must own, to my shame, that I you can brook the condition of a servant, I suffered myself to be overcome by my passion, am acquainted with some people of rank at and with great eagerness seized the occasion, Versailles, to whom I can give you letters of when I understood that the amiable Nanette recommendation, that you may be entertained was to be my bed-fellow. In vain did my by some one of them in quality of maitre reason suggest the respect that I owed d'hotel; and I do not doubt that your quali- to my dear mistress Narcissa ; the idea of fications will soon entitle you to better pro- that lovely charmer rather increased than vision.” I embraced his offer with great allayed the ferment of my spirits ; and the earnestness; and he appointed me to come young paysanne had no reason to complain back in the afternoon, when he would not of my remembrance. Early in the morning only give me letters, but likewise intro- the kind creatures left us to our repose, duce me to a capuchin of his acquaintance, which lasted till eight o'clock, when we got who intended to set out for Paris next morn- up, and were treated at breakfast with chocoing, in whose company I might travel, with late and l'eau de vie by our paramours, of out being at the expense of one livre during whom we took a tender leave, after my the whole journey. This piece of good news companion had confessed and given them gave me infinite pleasure ; I acknowledged absolution. While we proceeded on my obligation to the benevolent father in the journey, the conversation turned upon the most grateful expressions; and he performed night's adventure, being introduced by the his promise to a tittle, in delivering the capuchin, who asked me how I liked my letters, and making me acquainted with the lodging. I declared my satisfaction, and capuchin, with whom I departed next morn- talked in rapture of the agreeable Nanette; ing by break of day.

at which he shook his head, and, smiling, It was not long before I discovered my said, she was a morceau pour la bonne fellow-traveller to be a merry facetious fellow, bouche. “I never valued myself,” continued who, notwithstanding his profession and ap- he, “ upon any thing so much as the conquest pearance of mortification, loved good eating of Nanette; and, vanity apart, I have been and drinking better than his rosary, and pretty fortunate in my amours.” This inforpaid more adoration to a pretty girl than to mation shocked me not a little, as I was well the Virgin Mary or St Genevieve. He was convinced of his intimacy with her sister; a thick brawny young man, with red eyes and though I did not care to tax him with brows, a hook nose, a face covered with downright incest, I professed my astonishfreckles ; and his name was Frere Balthazar. ment at his last night's choice, when, I His order did not permit him to wear linen, supposed, the other was at his devotion. so that, having little occasion to undress To this hint he answered, that, besides his himself, he was none of the cleanliest ani- natural complaisance to the sex, he had mals in the world ; and his constitution was another reason for distributing his favours naturally so strongly scented, that I always equally between them, namely, to preserve thought it convenient to keep to the wind peace in the fanily, which could not otherward of him in our march. As he was per- wise be maintained ; that, moreover, Nanette fectly well known on the road, we fared had conceived an affection for me, and he sumptuously without any cost: and the fatigue loved her too well to balk her inclination, of our journey was much alleviated by the more especially when he had an opportunity good humour of my companion, who sung an of obliging his friend at the same time. 1 intinite number of catches on the subjects of thanked him forthis instance of his friendship, love and wine. We took up our lodging the though I was extremely disgusted at his first night at a peasant's house not far from want of delicacy, and cursed the occasion Abbeville, where we were entertained with that threw me in his way. Libertine as I an excellent ragout, cooked by our landlord's was, I could not bear to see a man behave so daughters, one of whoni was very handsome. wide of the character he assumed. I looked After having eaten heartily, and drank a upon him as a person of very little worth or sufficient quantity of small wine, we were honesty, and should have even kept a wary conducted to a barn, where we found a couple eye upon my pocket, if I had thought he could of carpets spread upon clean straw for our have any temptation to steal. But I could reception. We had not lain in this situation not conceive the use of money to a capuchin, above half an hour, when we heard somebody who is obliged, by the rules of his order, to knock softly at the door, upon which Baltha- appear like a beggar, and enjoys all other zargot up, and let in our host's two daughters, necessaries of lite gratis : besides, my fellowwho wanted to have some private conversation traveller seemed to be of a complexion too with him in the dark. When they had careless and sanguine to give me any appre. whispered together some time, the capuchin hension on that score ; so that I proceeded came to me, and asked if I was insensible to with great confidence, in expectation of being love, and so hard-hearted as to refuse a share I soon at my journey's end.

While I stood in the porch, forlorn and CHAPTER XLIII.

undetermined, venting ejaculations of curses

against the thief who robbed me, and the old We lodge at a house near Amiens, where 1 priest who recommended him to my friend

am robbed by the capuchin, who escapes ship, a young gentleman, richly dressed, while I am asleep-1 go to Noyons in attended by a valet-de-chambre and two sersearch of him, but without success-make vants in livery, arrived at the inn. I thought my condition known to several people, I perceived a great deal of sweetness and but find no relief-grow desperate-join good-nature in his countenance; therefore a company of soldiers-enlist in the regi- he had no sooner alighted than I accosted ment of Picardy-we are ordered into him, and, in a few words, explained my Germany-I find the fatigues of the situation. He listened with great politeness, march almost intolerable-quarrel with and, when I had made an end of my story, my comrade in a dispute about politics said, “ Well, Monsieur, what would you -he challenges me to the field, wounds have me to do?”. I was effectually abashed and disarms me.

at this interrogation, which I believe no man

of cominon sense or generosity could make, The third night of our pilgrimage we passed and made no other reply than a low bow. at a house near Amiens, where Balthazar He returned the compliment still lower, and being unknown, we supped upon indifferent tript into an apartment, while the landlord fare, and sour wine, and were fain to lie in let me know, that my standing there to a garret, upon an old mattrass, which, I interrupt company gave offence, and might believe, had been in the possession of ten do him infinite prejudice. He had no occathousand myriads of fleas, time out of mind. sion to repeat his insinuation; I moved from We did not invade their territory with the place immediately; and was so much impunity : in less than a minute we were transported with grief, anger, and disdain, attacked by stings innumerable; in spite of that a torrent of blood gushed from my noswhich, however, we fell fast asleep, being trils. In this ecstasy, I quitted Noyons, and excessively fatigued with our day's march, betook myself to the fields, where I wandered and did not awake till near nine next morn- about like one distracted, till my spirits were ing; when seeing myself alone, I started up quite exhausted, and I was obliged to throw in a terrible fright, and examining my pockets, myself down at the root of a tree, to rest my found my presaging fear too true. My wearied limbs. Here my rage forsook me; companion had made free with my cash, and I began to feel the importunate cravings of left me to seek my way to Paris by myself. nature, and relapsed into silent sorrow and I ran down stairs immediately, and, with a melancholy reflection. I revolved all the look full of grief and amazement, inquired crimes I had been guilty of, and found them for the mendicant, who, they gave me to

so few and venial, that I could not compreunderstand, had set out four hours before, hend the justice of that Providence, which, after having told them I was a little indis. after having exposed me to so much wretchposed, and desired I might not be disturbed, edness and danger, left me a prey to famine but be informed when I should wake that he at last in a foreign country, where I had not bad taken the road to Noyons, where he one friend or acquaintance to close my eyes, should wait for my coming at the Coq d’Or. I and do the last offices of humanity to my spoke not a word, but with a heavy heart miserable carcass. A thousand times I directed my course to that place, at which I wished myself a bear, that I might retreat arrived in the afternoon, fainting with weari. to woods and deserts, far from the inhospiness and hunger; but learned, to my utter table haunts of man, where I could live by confusion, that no such person had been there. my own talents, independent of treacherous It was happy for me that I had a good deal friends and supercilious scorn. of resentment in my constitution, which ani. As I lay in this manner groaning over my mated me on such occasions against the hapless fate, I heard the sound of a violin, villainy of mankind, and enabled me to bear and, raising my head, perceived a company misfortunes otherwise intolerable. Boiling of men and women dancing on the grass at with indignation, I discovered to the host my some distance from me. I looked upon this deplorable condition, and inveighed with to be a favourable season for distress to great bitterness against the treachery of attract compassion, when every selfish Balthazar; at which he shrugged up his thought is banished, and the heart dilated shoulders, and, with a peculiar grimace in with mirth and social joy ; wherefore I got his countenance, said, he was sorry for my up and approached those happy people, misfortune, but there was no remedy like whom I soon discovered to be a party of patience. At that instant some guests soldiers, with their wives and children, un arrived, to whom he hastened to offer his bending and diverting themselves at this service, leaving me mortified at his indiffer- rate, after the fatigue of a march. I had ence, and fully persuaded that an innkeeper never before seen such a parcel of scareis the same sordid animal a!) the world over. crows together; neither could I reconcile