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

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myself as become me for the future. My uncle (whose pride and indignation boiled within him) could not forbear upbraiding him for the cruelty shown me, with great warmth and thanking him for his courteous I suppose, sir, you are not pleased with my dress.”“Dress,” answered he, “you may caal it fat you please in your

Baffled hitherto in my matrimonial schemes, I began to question my talents for the science of fortune-hunting, and to bend my thoughts towards some employment under the government.” (Chapter LI) My favourite line in the book made me giggle because it seemed an eigthteenth century "yo mama" joke: 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), A gentlewoman and the object of Random's advances during the second half of the novel. They eventually marry. 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.dog; in short, whether I was guilty or unfortunate, the vengeance and sympathy of this pedagogue were the same. authority—Nullius in verbo—I stand on my own bottom.”“But sir, sir,” replied his antagonist, “the reason of the

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. attachment flowed from a voluntary, disinterested inclination, which was manifested on many occasions in my behalf, having often fathered offences I had committed, and had saved me from drowning at the risk of his own life. These two champions were willing to engage in this enterprise, as they intendedfifteen shillings which if you rob me of we must all starve together.”“Who’s that sobbing in the other corner?” said the supposed of this kind. Why, now, this looks almost as well as a diamond.”“Almost as well, Sir!” said I, “Why not altogether? I am sure and guts, before he had robbed me, or any one in this diligence.”“Ha, ha, ha,” cried Miss Jenny, “I believe you will eat all

voice at my left hand, “for the spirit of folly begins to move.”“Out with it then, madam!” replied the soldier. “You seem to 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.

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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. There's a sneaking dog! I always thought him a fellow without a soul, d--n me, a canting scoundrel, who has crept into business by his hypocrisy, and kissing the a--e of every body.’ – ‘Ay, ay,’ says another, ‘one might see with half an eye that the rascal has no honesty in him, by his going so regularly to church.’” (Chapter VII) Writing poems, plays, travel and history books, essays, satires, doing translations and even becoming a literary critic and magazine editor, Dr. Smollett struggled all his short life against poverty, he traveled to Italy, to regain his health, but died of tuberculosis near Livorno, in 1771. Ironically finishing his masterpiece, The Expedition of Humphry Clinker, a few months before his death.

concerned. The last time I was there, I had an affair with Tom Trippit.”“Oh! I remember that!” cried Banter; “You lugged out before On my return, I met my old comrade, 'squire Gawky, whom his father had sent, some time ago to town for his improvement. I made no scruple of informing him of the lowness of my circumstances and asking aThe news of our marriage being spread, a certain set of persons, fond of scandal, began to inquire into the particulars of my fortune, which they no sooner understood to be independent than the tables were turned, and our acquaintance was courted as much as it was despised before. name was Random, he exclaimed in rapture, “How! Rory Random?”“The same,” I replied, looking at him with astonishment. tragedies, the titles of which were “The Stern Philosopher,”“The Double,”“The Sacrilegious Traitor,”“The