The works of Tobias Smollett, M.D : With memoirs of his life; to which is prefixed, A view of the commencement and progress of romance, by John Moore

Front matter

THE WORKS O F TOBIAS SMOLLETT, M.D WITH MEMOIRS OF HIS LIFE; TO WHICH IS PREFIXED, A VIEW OF THE COMMENCEMENT AND PROGRESS OF ROMANCE, By JOHN MOORE, M.D. IN EIGHT VOLUMES. VOL. II. LONDON: Printed for B. Law, J. Johnson, C. Dilly, G. G. and J. Robinson, R. Baldwin, T. Lecket, F. and C. Rivincton, A. Strahan, R. Faulder, W. Richardson, W. Lane, W. Lowndf.s, S. Hayes, C. and T. Wilkie, Ogilvy and Son, T. N. Longman, and Cadell jun. and Davies. 1797. THE ADVENTURES OF RODERICK RANDOM. Et genus & virtus, nisi cum re, vilior alga est. Hor. A THE

Preface

. OF all kinds of satire, there is none so entertaining and universally improving, as that which is introduced, as it were, occasionally, in the course of an interesting story, which brings every incident home to life ; and by representing familiar scenes in an uncommon and amusing point of view, invests them with all the graces of novelty, while nature is appealed to in every particular. The reader gratifies his curiosity, in pursuing the adventures of a person in whose favour he is prepossessed ; he espouses his cause, he sympathizes with him in distress, his indignation is heated against the authors of his calamity : the humane passions are inflamed ; the contrast between dejected virtue, and insulting vice, appears with greater aggravation, and every impression having a double force on the imagination, the memory retains the circumstance, and the heart improves by the example.

The attention is not tired with a bare catalogue of characters, but agreeably diverted with ail the variety of invention j and the vicissitudes of life appear in their peculiar circumstances, opening an ample field for wit and humour. Romance, no doubt, owes its origin to ignorance, vanity, and superstition. In the dark ages of the world, when a man had rendered himself famous for wisdom or valour, his family and adherents availed themselves of his soperior qualities, magnified his virtues, and represented his character and person as sacred and supernatural. The vulgar easily swallowed the bait, implored his protection, and yielded the i tribute VI

PREFACE.

. tribute of homage and praise even to adoration; his exploits were handed down to posterity with a thousand exaggerations ; they were repeated as incite ments to virtue ; divine honours were paid, and al tars erected to his memory, for the encouragement of those who attempted to imitate his example; and hence arose the heathen mythology, which is no other than a collection of extravagant romances. — As learning advanced, and genius received cultiva tion, these stories were embellisoed with the graces of poetry, that they might the better recommend themselves to the attention ; they were song in public, at festivals, for the instruction and delight of the audience ; and rehearsed before battle, as incentives to deeds of glory. Thus tragedy and the epic muse were born, and, in the progress of taste, arrived at perfection.

It is no wonder, that the ancients could not reliso a fable in prose, after they had seen so many remarkable events celebrated in verse by their best poets; we therefore find no romance among them, during the æra of their excellence, un less the Cyropædia of Xenophon may be so called; and it was not till arts and sciences began to revive, after the irruption of the barbarians into Europe, that any thing of this kind appeared. But when the minds of men were debauched by the imposition of priest-craft to the most absurd pitch of credulity, the authors of romance arose, and losing sight of probability, filled their performances with the most monstrous hyperboles. If they could not equal the ancient poets in point of genius, they were resolved to excel them in fiction, and apply to the wonder rather than thejudgment of their readers.

Accordingly they brought necromancy to their aid, and instead of supporting the chara6ter of their heroes by dignity of sentiment and practice, distinguisoed them by their bodily strength, activity, and extravagance of beha viour. Although nothing could be more ludicrous and unnatural than the figures they drew, they did not

PREFACE.

. VII not want patrons and admirers, and the world actu ally began to be infected with the spirit of knight errantry, when Cervantes by an inimitable piece of ridicule, reformed the taste of mankind, representing chivalry in the right point of view, and converting romance to purposes far more useful and entertaining, by making it assume the sock, and point out the fol lies of ordinary life. The fame method has been practised by other Spanish and French authors, and by none more successfully than by Monsieur Le Sage, who, in his Ad ventures of Gil Bias, has described the knavery and foibles of life, with infinite humour and sagacity. — The following soeets I have modelled on his plan, taking the liberty, however, to differ from him in the execution, where I thought his particular situa tions were uncommon, extravagant, or peculiar to the country in which the scene is laid. — The dis graces of Gil Bias are, for the most part, such as rather excite mirth than compassion ; he himself laughs at them ; and his transitions from distress to happiness, or at least ease, are so sudden, that neither the reader has time to pity him, nor himself to be acquainted with affliction.

This conduct, in my opinion, not only deviates from probability, but pre vents that generous indignation which ought to ani mate the reader against the sordid and vicious disposition of the world. I have attempted to represent modest merit strug gling with every difficulty to which a friendless or phan is exposed, from his own want of experience, as well as from the sclfisonefs, envy, malice, and base indifference of mankind. To secure a favourable prepossession, I have allowed him the advantages of birth and education, which in the series of his misfortunes will, I hope, engage the ingenuous more warmly in his behalf; and though I foresee, that some people will be offended at the mean scenes in which he is involved, I persuade myself the judicious will

PREFACE.

. VIII will not onlv perceive the necessity osdescribing those situations to which he must of course be confined, _ in his low estate, but also find entertainment in viewing those parts of life, where the humours and passions are undisguised by affectation, ceremony, or educa tion ; and the whimsical peculiarities of disposition appear as nature has implanted them. — But I be lieve I need not trouble myself in vindicating a practice authorized by the best writers in this way, some of whom I have already named. Every intelligent reader will, at first sight, perceive I have not deviated from nature, in the facts, which are all true in the main, although the circumstances are altered and disguised, to avoid personal satire. It now remains to give my reasons for making the chief personage of this work a North Briton, which are chiefly these : I could, at a small expence, bestow on him such education, as I thought the dignity of his birth and character required, which could not possibly be obtained in England, by such slender means as the nature ofmy plan would afford.

In the next place I could represent: simplicity of manners in a remote part of the kingdom, with mere propriety than in any place near the capital ; and lastly, the disposition of the Scots, addicted to travelling, justifies my conduct in deriving an adventurer from that country. That the delicate reader may not be offended at the unmeaning oaths which proceed from the mouths of some persons in these memoirs, I beg leave to pre mise, that I imagined nothing could more effectually expose the absurdity of such miserable expletives, than a natural and verbal representation of the discourse in which they occur. APOLOGUE. APOLOGUE. A young painter indulging a vein of pleasantry, sketched a kind of conversation-piece, representing a bear, an owl, a monkey, and an ass ; and to render it more striking, humorous and moral, distinguisoed every figure by some emblem of human life.

Bruin was exhibited in the garb and attitude of an. old, toothless, drunken soldier; the owl perched upon the handle of a coffee-pot, with spectacles on nose, seemed to contemplate a news-paper ; and the afs4 ornamented with a huge tye-wig, (which, however, could not conceal his long ears,) fat for his picture to the monkey, who appeared with the implements of painting. This whimsical groupe afforded some mirth, and met with general approbation, until some mischievous wag hinted that the whole was a lampoon upon the friends of the performer ; an insinuation which was no sooner circulated, than those very people who applauded it before, began to be alarmed, and even to fancy themselves signified by the several figures of the piece. Among others, a worthy personage in years, who had. served in the army with reputation, being incensed at the supposed outrage, repaired to the lodgings of the painter, and finding him at home, " Hark ye, Mn Monkey, said he, I have a good " mind to convince you, that though the bear has tc lost his teeth, he retains his paws, and that he is " not so drunk but he can perceive your imperti- " nence 'Sblood ! sir, that toothless jaw is a " damned scandalous libel but don't you imagine " me so chopfallen as not to be able to chew the cud g of resentment." — Here he was interrupted by the arrival of a learned physician, who advancing to the culprit with fury in his aspect, exclaimed, cc Supyol. n. a " pose APOLOGUE.

X " pose the augmentation of the ass's ears soould " prove the diminution of the baboon's — nay, seek " not to prevaricate, for by the beard of Æsculapius I " there is not one hair in this periwig that will not «' stand up in judgment to convict thee of personal tc abuse — Do but observe, captain, how this pitiful « little fellow has copied the very curls — the colour, *' indeed, is different, but then the form and foretop " are quite similar." — While he thus remonstrated in a strain of vociferation, a venerable senator entered, and waddiing up to the delinquent, " Jackanapes ! " cried he, I will now let thee see I can read fome *c thing else than a news-paper, and that without the €C help of spectacles — Here is your own note of hand, te sirrah, for money, which if I had not advanced, " you yourself would have resembled an owl, in not *c daring to soew your face by day, you ungrateful, ,{ slanderous knave !"

In vain the astonisoed painter declared that he had no intention to give offence, or to characterize par ticular persons : they affirmed the resemblance was too palpable to be overlooked ; they taxed him with insolence, malice, and ingratitude ; and their clamours being overheard by the public, the captain was a bear, the doctor an ass, and the senator an owl to his dying day. Christian reader, I beseech thee, in the bowels of the Lord, remember this example while thou art em ployed in the perusal of the following soeets; and seek not to appropriate to thyself that which equally be longs to five hundred different people. If thou soould'st meet with a character that reflects thee in some ungracious particular, keep thine own counsels consider that one feature makes not a face, and that though thou art, perhaps, distinguisoed by a bottle nose, twenty of thy neighbours may be in the fame predicament.

THE THE CONTENTS OF THE SECOND VOLUME. 'Oh a p. I. Of my birth and parentage. ..... page i Chap. II. / grow up — -am hated by my relations — sent to school — negletled by my grandfather — maltreated by my master— seasoned to adversity — / form cabals against the pedant — am debarred access to my grandfather — hunted by his heir — demolish the teeth of his tutor p. 6 Chap. III. My mother's brother arrives — relieves me — a description of him — goes along with me to the house of my grandfather— is encountered by his dogs — ■defeats them after a bloody engagement — is admitted to the old gentleman — a dialogue between them. ... p. 10 Chap. IV. My grandfather makes his will our second visit — he dies — his will is read in presence of all his living descendants — the disappointment of my female cousins — my uncle's behaviour .....p. 15 Chap. V. The schoolmaster uses me barbarously — i" form a project of revenge _, in which I am assisted by my uncle — I leave the village — am fettled at the university by his generosity p. 19 Chap. VI.

I make great progress in my studies — am caressed by every body— -my female cousins take notice vol. 11. b of contents. of me—Irejeft their invitation— they are incensed and conspire against me — / am left destitute by a misfortune that befals my uncle — Gawks s treachery — my revenge P- 25 Chap. VII. I am entertained by Mr. Crab a description of him — / acquire the art of surgery — consult Crab's disposition— become necessary to him — an incident happens — he advises me to launch out into the world— ■> assists me with money — I set out for London. . . . p. 3 3 Chap. VIII. I arrive at Newcastle — meet with my old school-fellow Strap — we determine to walk in company to London— set out on our journey — put up at a solitary ale-house — are disturbed by a strange adventure in the ?iight p. 40 Chap. IX.

We proceed on our journey are overtaken by an highwayman who fires at Strap, is prevented from shooting me by a company of horfemen3 who ride in pursuit of him — Strap is put to bed at an inn — adventures at that inn. p. 48 Chap. X. The highwayman is taken — we are detained as evidences against him — proceed to the next village — he escapes — we arrive at another inn, where we go to bed — in the night we are atvaked by a dreadful adventure — next night we lodge at the house of a schoolmaster — our treatment there P' 54 Chap. XL We descry the waggon — get into itarrive at an inn — our fellow travellers described — a mistake is committed by Strap, which produces strange things p. 6r Chap. XII. Captain Weazel challenges Strap, who declines the combat — an affair between the captain and me — the usurer is fain to give Miss Jenny five guineas for a release — we are in danger of losing a meal — the behaviour of Weazel, Jenny, and Joey, on that occasion — an account of captain Weazel and his lady — the captain's courage tried — Isaac's mirth at the captain's expence p. 69 Chap. CONTENTS.

XIII Chap. XI II. Strap and I are terrified by an apparition — Strap's conjecture — the mystery explained by Joey — we arrive at London — our dress and appearance described — we are insulted in the street — an adventure in an alehouse — we are imposed upan by a waggish footman— set to rights by a tobacconist — take lodgings — dive for -adinner — an accident at our ordinary. . p. 78 Chap. XIV. We visit Strap's friend — a description of him — his advice — we go to Mr. Cringer' s house — are denied admittance — an accident befals Strap — his behaviour thereupon — an extraordinary adventure occurs, in tbe course of which I lose all my money. . p. 86 Chap. XV. Strap moralizes — presents his purse to me — we inform the landlord of my misfortune; he unravels the mystery 1 present myself to Cringer — he recommends and turns me over to Mr. Staytape — / become acquainted with a fellow-dependant , who explains the characters of Cringer and Staytape — and informs me of the method to be pursued at the Navy -office and Surgeon' s-hall — Strap is employed. p. 93 Chap. XVI.

My new acquaintance breaks an appointment — I proceed by myself to the Navy-office — address myself to a person there, who assists me with his advice — write to the board — they grant me a letter to the surgeons at the hall — I am informed of the beau's name and character — -find him — he makes me his confident in an amour — desires me to pawn my linen for his occasions — / recover what I lent him— some curious observations of Strap on that occasion— his vanity ....... p. 101 Chap. XVII. / go to Surgeon' s-hall, where I meet with Mr. Jackson — am examined — a fierce dispute arises between two of the examiners — Jackson disguises himself to attract respect — is detected — in hazard of being sent to Bridewell — he treats us at a tavern — carries us to a night-house- — a troublesome adventure there — we are committed to the Round-house — carried before a justice — his behaviour p. m b 2 Chap. CONTENTS.

Chap. XVIII . / carry my qualification to the Navy* office—the nature of it— the behaviour of the f—t y —Strap's concern for my absence— a battle between him and a blacksmith— the troublesome consequences of it— his harangue to me— his friend the schoolmaster recommends me to a French apothecary, who entertains me as a journeyman P- * 2 * Chap. XIX. The characters of Mr. Lavement, his . wife and daughter-some anecdotes of the family — the mother and daughter rivals — I am guilty of a mistake that gives me present satisfaction, but is attended with troublesome consequences p. 128 Chap. XX. I am assaulted and dangeroufly wounded —suspect O'Donnell, and am confirmed in my opinionconcert a scheme of revenge, and put it in execution— O'Donnell robs his own servant, and disappears — . / make my addresses to a lady, and am miraculously delivered from her snare p. 136 Chap. XXI. 'Squire Gawky comes to lodge with my master, is involved in a troublesome affair, out of which he is extricated by me — he marries my master's daughter — they conspire against me — I am found guilty of theft — discharged — deserted by my friends — / hire a room in St. Giles's — where, by accident, I find the lady to whom- I made my addresses in a miserable condition — I relieve her p. 143 Chap. XXII.

The history of Miss Williams, .p. 153 Chap. XXIII. She is interrupted by a bailiff, who arrests, and carries her to the Marshals ea — / accompany her — bring witnesses to prove ste is not the person named in the writ the bailiff is fain to give her a present, and discharge her^we shift our lodging— she resumes her story, and ends it my reflections thereupon— ste. makes me acquainted with the progress of a common woman of. the town— resolves to quit that way 9flife p. 167 Chap. XXI V. I am reduced to great misery-— assaulted on CONTENTS. XV o« Tower-hill by a press-gang, who put me on board a tender my usage there my arrival on board i of the Thunder man of war, where I am put in irons, -and afterwards released by the good offices of Mr. . Thomson, who recommends me as assistant to the surgeon — he relates his own story, and makes me acquainted with the characters of the captain, surgeon, and first mate , p. 181 Chap. XXV.

The behaviour of Mr. Morgan — his . stride, displeasure and generosity — the (economy of our mess described — Thomson's further friendsoip — the nature of my duty explained — the situation of the fick p. 191 Chap. XXVI. A disagreeable accident happens to me in the discharge of my office — Morgan's nose is offended — a dialogue between him and the stip's steward — upon examination, I find more causes of complaint than one — my hair is cut off- — Morgan's cookery — the manner of steeping on board — I am waked in the night by a dreadful noise p. 196 Chap. XXVII. I acquire the friendship of the surgeon, who procures a warrant for me, and makes me a present of cloaths— a battle between a midstoipinan and me — the surgeon leaves the stip — the captain comes on board with another surgeon — a dialogue between the captain and Morgan — the fick are ordered to be brought upon the quarter-deck, and examined — the consequences of that order — a 'madman accuses Morgan, and is sit at liberty by command of the captain, whom he instantly attacks and pummels without mercy. p. 20 r Chap. XXVIII.

The captain enraged, threatens to put the madman to death with his own hand— is diverted from that resolution by the arguments and persuasion of the first lieutenant and surgeon — we set fail for St. Helen's, join the fleet under the command of Sir C — n — r 0 — le, and proceed for the West Indies — are overtaken by a terrible tempest — my friend Jack Rattlin has his leg broke by a fall from the main b 3 yard CONTENTS, yard — the behaviour of doctor Mackfhane — Jack opposes the amputation of his Umb, in which he is seconded by Morgan and me, who undertake the curex and perform it successfully p. 2 10 Chap. XXIX. Mackfhane' s malice — / am taken up and imprisoned for a spy Morgan meets with the fame fate — Thomson is tampered with to turn evidence against us — disdains the proposal, and is maltreated for his integrity Morgan is released to assist the surgeon during an engagement with some French ships of war i" remain fettered on the poop exposed to the enemy's shot, and grow delirious with fear am comforted after the battle by Morgan, who speaks freely of the captain • is overheard by the centinel, who informs against him, and he is again imprisoned Thomson grows desperate, and notwithstanding the remonstrances of Morgan and me, goes over-board in the night p. 216 Chap. XXX.

We lament the fate of our companion — the captain offers Morgan his liberty, which he refuses to accept — we are brought before him and examined — ■ Morgan is sent back to custody, whither also I am remanded, after a curious trial p. 222 Chap. XXXI. i" discover a subornation against me, by means of a quarrel between two of the evidences ; in consequence of which, I am set at liberty, and prevail upon Morgan to accept cf his freedom on the fame terms — Mackstane's malice — we arrive at Jamaica, from whence in a start time we beat up to Hfpaniola, in conjunction with the West India squadron — we take in water, fail again, and arrive at Carthagena — reflections on our conduct there '.'. p. 231 Chap. XXXII. Our land forces being disembarked, erect a fascine battery — our stip is ordered, with four more, to batter the fort cf Bocca Chica — Mackstane's cowardice— the chaplain's phrenzy — honest Rattlin loses one hand— his heroism, and reflections on the battle CONTENTS.

XVII battle — Crampley' s behaviour to me during the heat of the fight p. 235 Chap. XXXIII. A breach being made in the walls, our soldiers give the asiault, and take the place without opposition — our sailors at the fame time become masters of all the other strengths near Bocca Chica, and take possession of the harbour the good consequence of this success we move nearer the town — -find two forts deserted, and the channel blocked up with, funk vessels ; which, however, we find means to clearland our soldiers at La ff^uinta — repulse a body of militia — attack the castle of St. Lazar, and are forced to retreat with great loss — the remains of our army are re-embarked — an effort of the admiral to take the town — the (economy of our expedition described p. 241 Chap. XXXIV. An epidemick fever rages among us — we abandon our conquests — / am seized with the distemper ; write a petition to the captain, which is rejected — / am in danger of suffocation through the malice of Crampley ; and relieved by a sergeant — my fever increases — the chaplain wants to confess me — / obtain a favourable crisis — Morgan's affection for me proved — the behaviour of Mackfhane and Crampley towards me — captain Oakhum is removed into another ship with his beloved doctor — our new captain described — an adventure of Morgan p. 247 Chap. XXXV.

Captain IVhiffle fends for me — his situation described — his surgeon arrives, prescribes for him, and puts him to bed — a bed is put up for Mr. Simper contiguous to the state-room, which, with other parts of the captain's behaviour, gives the ship's company a very unfavourable idea of their commander — / am detained in the West Indies by the admiral, and go on board of the Lizard stoop of war, in quality of surgeon's mate, where I make myself known to the surgeon, who treats me very kindly — I go on store, fell my ticket, purchase necessaries, and at my return on b 4 board, CONTENTS. board, am surprised at the sight of Crampley, who is appointed lieutenant of the stoop — we fail on a cruize —take a prize, in which I arrive at Port Morant, under the command of my mess -mate, with whom I live in great harmony P- 257 Chap. XXXVI.

A strange adventure— in consequence cf which I am extremely happy — Crampley does me ill offices with the captain : but his malice is defeated by the good nature and friendfoip of the surgeon — we return to Port Royal — our captain gets the command of a larger ship, and is succeeded by an old man — Brayl is provided for — we receive orders to fail for England p. 263 Chap. XXXVII. We depart for Europe a misunderstanding arses between the captain and surgeon, through the scandalous aspersions of Crampley — the captain dies — Crampley tyrannizes over the surgeon, who falls a victim to his cruelty — / am also ill used — the stip strikes — the behaviour of Crampley and the seamen on that occasion — I get on store, challenge the captain to single combat — am treacherousty knocked down, wounded and robbed, ' . p. 270 Chap. XXXVIII. / get up, and crawl to a barn, where I am in danger of peristing through the fear of the country people — their inhumanity —I am succoured by a reputed witch — her story — her advice — she recom . mends me as a valet to a single lady, whose character ste explains p. 275 Chap. XXXIX.

My reception by that lady — I become enamoured of Narciffa recount the particulars of my last misfortune— acquire the good opinion cf my tnistresi — an account of the young squire — I am made acquainted with more 'particulars of Narciffa' s situation — Conceive a mortal hatred against Sir Timothy — examine my lady's library and performances — her' extravagant behaviour p. 284 Chap. XL. My mistress is surprised at my learning — communicates her performances to me — / impart some f CONTENTS.1 XIX cf mine to her — am mortified at her faint praise — ■ Narciffa approves of my production — / gain an invo luntary conquest over the cook-wench and dairy maid— their mutual resentment and insinuations — the jealousy of their lovers p. 291 Chap. XLI. Narciffa being in danger from the brutality of Sir 'Timothy, is rescued by me, who revenge myself on my rival — / declare my passion, and retreat to the seaside am surrounded by smugglers, and carried to Bulloign — -find my uncle lieutenant Bowling in great distress, and relieve him — our conversation. p. 297 Chap. XLII.

He takes his passage in a cutter for Deal — we are accosted by a priest, who proves to be a Scott istman — his prof effion of friendship — he is affronted by the lieutenant, who afterwards appeases him by submission — my uncle embarks — I am introduced by ■ the priest to a capuchin, in whose company I set out for Paris — the character cf my fellow-traveller — an adventure on the road— I am stocked at his behaviour p. 308 Chap. XLIII. We lodge at a house near Amiens, where I am robbed by the capuchin, who escapes while I am asteep — I go to Noyons in search of him, but without success — make my condition knewn to several people, but find no relief- — grow desperate — join a company of soldiers — insist in the regiment of Picardy — we are ordered into Germany 1 find the fatigues of the march almost intolerable— quarrel with my comrade in a dispute about politics -he challenges me to the field, wounds and disarms me p. 3 1 6 Chap. XLIV.

In order to be revenged, I learn the science of defence we join Marefchal Due de Noailles — are engaged with the allies at Dettingen, and put to flight — the behaviour of the French soldiers on that occasion — / industriously seek another combat with the old Gascon, and vanquist him in my turn— — our regiment is put into "winter-quarters at Rheims, where XX CONTENTS. where I find my friend Strap— our recognition— he supplies me with money, and procures my discharge — we take a trip to Paris ; from whence we sit out for London, by the way of Flanders, where we safely arrive P-323 Chap. XLV. I enquire for my uncle, and understand he is gone to sea take lodgings at Charing-crofs — go to the play, where I meet with an adventure — dine at an ordinary ; the guests described — become acquainted with Medlar and doctor Wagtail.